Painful Projects
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Just me on Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Ever take on a project and wish you hadn’t?
We have cloth diapers: two dozen one-size pocket diapers. After 1.5 years of use, the velcro was wearing out. They stuck together in the wash, and while it’s certainly fun for the children when you pull the diapers out of the dryer in one long string, it’s not so fun for the mama.
So I got the idea to convert the velcro to snaps. And for some reason I decided... READ MORE
This Little Piggy Has Coins In It
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, June 22, 2010
We bought our daughter her first piggy bank, and I am crazy about the thing.
Not for the reasons she is, of course. Camilla loves her pig’s pretty polka-dotted pattern (“RAINBOW dots, Mama!”) and the clink each coin makes when she drops it into the slot on the pig’s back. She strokes its cold ceramic skin. She goes into her room multiple times a day just to gaze at it.
I couldn’t care less about what... READ MORE
How to Stop Paying All Those Library Late Fees
Posted by Danielle Bean in Homemaking on Thursday, June 03, 2010
Yesterday, when I posted on Facebook about the lovely, predictable silence that encompasses my house following a trip to the library, my friend Betsy asked a good question:
“How do you keep the books straight? After a trip to the library, we might have 30 to 40 books, which always results in late fees. I’m just not organized enough! Its hard to keep them in a designated spot!!”
Now, anyone who knows... READ MORE
Get Paid to De-Clutter
Posted by Danielle Bean in News on Thursday, September 10, 2009
I just finished recording a podcast with Rachel and Lisa (it will be posted here later this afternoon) where we talked a bit about de-cluttering. After we ended it, I thought ... Rats! I should have mentioned my favorite new website this fall:
Clear your bookshelves of books you don’t need, enter their ISBN numbers at the site, and Cash 4 Books will tell you how much they’ll pay for them. Total it up, print a free pre-paid shipping label, and then just put your books in a box and mail them. Cash 4 Books will send you a check or make a deposit in your Paypal account in just a few weeks.
It’s that easy! Cleaner house, fatter wallet. What’s not to love?
The Home Front July/August 2009
Posted by Danielle Bean in Home Front on Thursday, August 06, 2009
FOOD by Danielle
Thrill of the Grill
Nothing says “summer” quite like the smell of food on the grill. And nothing says “happy mom” quite like a delicious dinner with quick kitchen clean-up. Summer might be short-lived here in New Hampshire, but I make the most of the grilling season while I can.
To get the most flavor from grilled meats, however, I try to think beyond that tired old bottle of barbecue... READ MORE
Yours, Mine & Ours
Posted by Danielle Bean in Marriage on Wednesday, July 01, 2009
I was listening to a popular radio talk show in the car the other day and a particular caller caught my attention.
It was a woman calling in to complain about the fights she always seemed to get in with her husband over money. The show’s host asked for a few details about the couple’s financial practices and then concluded that the problem was that they pooled their money.
“You need your own bank... READ MORE
The Home Front
Posted by Danielle Bean in Home Front on Wednesday, April 01, 2009
FOOD by Danielle
Bean Basics
High in fiber and low in fat, beans are an inexpensive way to add flavor, texture, and nutrition to your family’s meals.
For great variety and the option of buying dry beans in bulk, try your local health food store. Canned beans, though a bit more expensive, are nutritionally equivalent with the added bonus of convenience — they are ready to use straight from the can.... READ MORE
Why I Stay Home
Posted by Matthew Archbold in Family on Friday, March 20, 2009
“Why?”
My old newspaper colleague sat across from me in the diner booth. Irritated, he asked me again, “Why?” with a quizzical smile.
The smile was there so I wouldn’t be offended. The quizzical was there because he was.
The three year old sat next to me and the baby was banging on the tray of the high chair because I was a little slow with the eggs. Business meetings with babies are always an odd... READ MORE
Un-Frugality
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Homemaking on Tuesday, November 25, 2008
In case anyone’s been wondering how my laundry project turned out, I am officially declaring it a success. Today I emptied my laundry room floor of piles for the second week in a row, and I’m confident that I’ll be able to keep this up for the foreseeable future, barring any unexpected catastrophes.
(And yes, okay, the birth of our new baby in February is probably going to put a temporary crimp in... READ MORE
Coffee Talk Follow Up
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Monday, November 24, 2008
In last week’s Coffee Talk discussion, Bridget posed the following question:
We are struggling with the decisions our parish is making right now and how they are spending their money. Several people in key leadership positions (not the priests) are not teaching Church doctrine. We were wondering about giving our tithe to a mission overseas instead of to our parish. Do we have a moral obligation... READ MORE
