Winter Decorating
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Homemaking on Wednesday, January 11, 2012
When I was a kid I dreaded the end of the Christmas season when Mom took the decorations down. The house looked bereft without them.
As an adult I have more control - this explains why our tree is still up even though it’s Ordinary Time now - but eventually the greenery and twinkle lights must go. On that January day, I’m inevitably left looking around my living room feeling sad at its bareness.
Only... READ MORE
Favorite Things
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
It was with entirely too much glee that I barreled down the highway this afternoon, heading home after a productive trip to the Big Box Store.
I was there to get a few more school supplies, but had some other happy success as well. Do you ever have one of those trips where you don’t have to buy an overwhelming amount of stuff, but what you do get makes you feel really good inside? That was my trip... READ MORE
60 Minutes
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
My least favorite part of the day is that stressful time when people in my home are tired and cranky and hungry and the house is sometimes a wreck and all in all we’re not doing so hot.
This time is of day generally lasts about an hour, and around here it’s from around 5 to 6 p.m. I know because I am acutely aware of its imminence and always glad when it’s gone.
What is it that makes these sixty minutes... READ MORE
Mother's Little Helper
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
I love hanging pictures. I love that feeling of pushing through the angst of putting a hole—a hole!—in my wall and then having something lovely and soothing and wonderful to look at. It can be scary, committing to hanging something. I went a lot of years not putting anything anywhere because, what if I didn’t like it? What if I messed up? What if I destroyed the entire house in my efforts to beautify?... READ MORE
Rise and Shine!
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I love waking up early.
Sleeping in has always been a challenge for me, and I always opt to get in bed early so I can get out of bed early. I’d rather have the house all to myself in the early morning hours instead of late at night. To me, there is nothing like the peace of early-morning quiet.
For years, when my older boys were little, I got up at 5 a.m. to hit the gym. It got to where I didn’t even... READ MORE
Mr. Fix-It to the Rescue!
Posted by Robyn Lee in Homemaking on Thursday, January 06, 2011
As you know, I often write about diy (do-it-yourself) house projects, but there are some things that I won’t try by myself.
I call the professionals when it comes to major plumbing problems, anything to do with the furnace, or any electricity projects.
Recently, I had a plumber, a furnace repair man, and a stove maintenance guy in my house all on one day! (Why do things break in threes?)
The plumber... READ MORE
Head Count
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, November 23, 2010
I’m just curious what kinds of crowds our readers will be joining on Thursday—are you part of a large ensemble or something cozy?
At our house, we are hosting seventeen—a little more than mid-sized by our standards.
Whether you’re in a big crowd or a small crowd, may it be blessed. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Feeling Cramped?
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Enjoy this picture of the “World’s smallest apartment,” up for sale in Rome.
The flat consists of a ground floor bathroom with a shower, sink and lavatory and a ladder leading to a sleeping platform just big enough for a single bed. There is a single window, but to open it you have to climb over the bed.
It can be yours, for about $68,000.
HT: Ann Althouse
Worth Having Around
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, August 31, 2010
I was tidying Isabel’s nursery today and realized, as I added books to her second book basket, that I have a weakness for books. I am practical about things and stuff and I can get rid of just about any other item around this house. But when it comes time to purge, rarely can I justify ditching a book.
(I sort of feel this way about shoes, too, but somehow I can rally and get rid of them here and there.)
What about you. How would you finish the following statement: You can never have too many ____________?
Tales from the DIY Diary: Part 3
Posted by Robyn Lee in Family on Thursday, August 19, 2010
Here is the final step for fixing your leaky faucet. If you haven’t already, read step one and step two and learn what not to do when tackling home projects.
Step three: Take the shiny exciting new faucet out of the box and install it. How hard could it be? This is the fun part!
Mom declares that she is going home because we should be able to take it from here.
30 seconds after mom leaves: “Mom I... READ MORE
