As a full-time worker with a passion for homesteading, I find myself juggling a lot of different tasks every single day. From tending to my garden, raising chickens, cooking and household tasks, plus meeting deadlines at work, it can feel overwhelming. One thing I’ve learned along the way is that procrastination and lack of focus (squirrel brain), especially when it…
You’ve probably heard it before—“Blogging is dead.” In a world of viral TikToks, polished YouTube vlogs, and lightning-fast social media feeds, writing long-form blog posts can feel like shouting into the void. People say, “If you’re not focused on social media, are you even doing anything?” But here’s the thing: blogging isn’t dead. It’s just evolved. And in many ways,…
Meal planning can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling work, kids, and a tight budget. Many weeks, I can barely keep up with body and soul. Organized cooking can easily fall by the wayside. The key to success? Planning meals that fit your real life—not an idealized version where you have hours to cook from scratch every night. By using pantry…
Should You Get Chicks This Year? A Down-Home Guide to Deciding Every spring, the feed stores start filling up with those irresistible little bundles of fluff—chirping away in their warm brooders, just waiting for someone to take them home. Raising chickens in the backyard is a very popular hobby these days. If you’re anything like me, you stand there for…
Grocery prices keep climbing, but that doesn’t mean your budget has to. With some smart shopping strategies, you can keep your grocery bill in check without sacrificing quality meals for your family. The key? Shopping sales, meal planning, and using grocery pick-up to avoid impulse buys. Here’s how to make the most of your frugal grocery budgeting while still enjoying…
I’m not a natural early riser, especially as the days grow shorter. Once the sun rises after 7:30 a.m., my circadian rhythm and daily routine clash dramatically. Coffee, the nectar of the gods, seems like my only salvation in the morning. I don’t even need the caffeine anymore; the aroma is enough to perk me up. While I’m not fond…
I started following blogs – then called online journals – in 1995. They were a glimpse into another life and even their mundane seemed more interesting than mine. Some of them were really well written and the authors went to publish successful books. Some went viral for a short time (remember the woman who cataloged her debt-free journey, including having…
As soon as fall arrives, I can’t help but get excited about all the delicious flavors that come with the season. While pumpkin spice is everywhere, I love to embrace other warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. These cozy flavors always put me in the mood to bake, and this year, I’ve been experimenting with a family favorite: spiced…
The new school year is here! Every store has their back to school display fighting with fall decor and your tween is begging for the latest you Youtuber’s backpack. (seriously, $60 for a kids backpack… have they lost their mind?!?). Being a teacher is a double whammy on stress, because, in addition to getting the kids ready for a new…
One of the more popular trends these days is a weathered plank accent wall. They’re almost as popular as the shiplap wall. I’m not too big on following fads, but I have a very small and very ugly wall that is perfect for trying out something new in decor. It’s a wall at the end of the upstairs hallway between…