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Homemaking

Embracing the Simplicity of Homemaking

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The idea of homemaking has become something that people – enlightened people – often mock. Any woman who states that she enjoys homemaking or wants to be primarily a homemaker is viewed with suspicion or derision. I really don’t understand that.Homemaking is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and your loved ones that costs virtually nothing. Even if you have a career or work from home, you can still embrace homemaking. There is absolutely no reason a woman cannot be skilled in both a career area and homemaking. It is not an … [Read more...] about Embracing the Simplicity of Homemaking

Practicality and the Death of Beauty

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This post, Practicality and the Death of Beauty, was one of the first blog posts I ever wrote on my original blog. I published it on February 16, 2005. I'm republishing it with a few light edits and updated formatting.We live in world driven by practicality. Everything must be efficient, easy to clean, and inexpensive. People want quick meals, comfortable clothing, and bargains. Sadly, one of the results of this compulsion to be practical and get to the bottom line is that beauty has been trampled to death. Practicality or Beauty? The … [Read more...] about Practicality and the Death of Beauty

How to Grow Planters Full of Pansies

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I love pansies. We have planters full of them every spring and a new batch every fall. So from the first weekend in April through June and from mid-September to November, our deck is full of pansy color. Over the years, I've learned the secret of how to grow pansies.It took me a few years to really figure this out, but there is a secret to getting small pansy bushes exploding with color in your planters that goes beyond just using the right potting mix.The best part is that it is not difficult and takes no extra tools. It costs … [Read more...] about How to Grow Planters Full of Pansies

From My Book Pile – First Edition

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I would guess most of you have a never-ending and never completed book pile just like I do. I thought it would be fun to share what's in my book pile from time to time.My book budget right now is zero so these are all from the library. I love it when I want a book, I ask them to buy it, and then I get it brand new. Three of these are like that. So here's what I'm reading at the moment. The Simple Home and Down to Earth The Simple Home and Down to Earth are both by Rhonda Hetzel. If you worked your way through my list of Cozy Blogs I'm … [Read more...] about From My Book Pile – First Edition

Our Cozy Home Remodel

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Last winter we made the decision to make an investment into updating a number of areas of our house and began our cozy home remodel. We had lived here almost six years and had done very little except the office and laundry room. We had hoped to paint a lot of the house the week before we moved in, but due to bank craziness at the end we only had two days to move. (We had sold our previous house months before and were renting it back from a very patient buyer.) It left only enough time to paint Caroline's room and that was really pushing it. … [Read more...] about Our Cozy Home Remodel

Getting Rid of 1000 Things

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One of my goals in raising Caroline is to demonstrate a healthy attitude toward material possessions - to be thankful and wise stewards of what we have without keeping things we truly don't need or want any longer. This year I'm removing 1000 items from our home after being inspired by Mavis at 100 Dollars a Month who did a Get Rid of 1000 Things.I guess it could have been one of those things I posted about at the start of the year, but it's only January 15 so I figure this is good enough. We are fairly good about not keeping a bunch of … [Read more...] about Getting Rid of 1000 Things

Chalkboard Walls in a Kid’s Room and Chalk Allergy

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When we redecorated Caroline's bedroom, we decided to include a chalkboard wall. She's creative and we knew she would have lots of fun with it. Well, this decision to put a chalkboard wall in a kid's bedroom took a few twists and turns we did not expect. I didn't anticipate I would be writing an entire post about this or I would have taken more photos and so on. But what we learned is really important and I want this post out there for other parents to find and learn from our experience. Hence two posts - a post about decorating a tween girl's … [Read more...] about Chalkboard Walls in a Kid’s Room and Chalk Allergy

Decorating a Tween Girl’s Bedroom

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Caroline was ready for a room update after six years of a little girl's room. It was time to jump into decorating a tween girl's bedroom which was fun! She likes color so I knew whatever she chose would be bright and cheerful. Caroline started by selecting her bedding (which you can see above) and then we made the other decisions around that.Caroline made a sign and we were ready to get started! (Although I'm not sure how the renovations would get done if we stayed out...)Caroline's Tween Girl Bedroom Decor Caroline's room was a … [Read more...] about Decorating a Tween Girl’s Bedroom

12 Easy Guest Room Ideas

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Are you going to be hosting visitors sometime soon? Whether it is for a holiday or the summer travel season, creating a peaceful haven for guests in your home is a great way to practice hospitality. Here are 12 guest room ideas that include my favorite simple ways to prepare a lovely and gracious place for friends and family. Guest Room Bed Provide your guests with an attractive bed including a comfortable mattress that is neither too firm nor too soft. Dress the bed with quality sheets and blankets. If possible, have a variety of pillows on … [Read more...] about 12 Easy Guest Room Ideas

Chiropractic Care and Brain Fog

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Over time I realized that physical therapy alone wasn't going to solve my issues. I got to the point I was so desperate to get well that I was willing to try chiropractic care. I say that because I was highly skeptical of chiropractors. So no one is more surprised than me to be here writing about how essential chiropractic care was to my recovery. (In fact, I was going to need to use a three pronged approach to my problems when I also added in the massage element that I've already written about here). Bad Experience with Chiropractors When I … [Read more...] about Chiropractic Care and Brain Fog

Fluoride and Other Bodily Poisons

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We live in a time of information overload. A significant portion of that information overload tells us exactly what is going to kill us and why. It's often conflicting information. Coffee will kill you and save your life. Fat will kill you and save your life. Eat more of this and less of that except someone else says exactly the opposite. It's easy to start doubting everything you hear and read because it must all be hype and hot air. That was how I felt about fluoride until I had a very powerful experience with it. Fluoride Side Effects Long … [Read more...] about Fluoride and Other Bodily Poisons

Medical Massage versus Wellness Massage

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Sometimes bad things happen that turn out to be blessings. This was the case when my massage therapist dumped me. I learned a powerful difference between medical massage and wellness massage. Using Massage for Medical Reasons I sought out a massage therapist since I had determined that massage was also going to need to be part of my long-term recovery process. (I had never had a massage in my life before this.) I tried a few people in different locations and finally settled on one particular woman. She was doing deep tissue massage on me. … [Read more...] about Medical Massage versus Wellness Massage

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