Learning to love my RENTED house
I distinctly remember standing in the living room of my new home, looking at the chandelier, and breathlessly exclaiming, “It’s a mansion!” American dream? Not quite. My mom was in her dream neighborhood, but the house wasn’t hers, wasn’t even the bank’s. It was the landlord’s. Eventually I became ashamed of the fact that my parents didn’t own our home, and at times a bit resentful. Then, much later than I should have, I had an epiphany…
Turn a baby gate into a laundry drying rack
Over on Home Talk, blogger Erica showed off her great idea for a DIY wall-mounted clothes drying rack…
4 ways to make extra cash that’ll make you say “why didn’t I think of that!?”
Sometimes saving money doesn’t feel like enough when household emergencies happen or there’s a big ticket item on your calendar, and your regular income isn’t going to cut it. When we were first discussing our new budget, a friend who was preparing to move suggested, “Why not sell some of your old stuff?” I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t thought of it myself. Here are some things I’ve sold, considered selling and how it’s worked out for us…
Would you like a veggie Cthulhu in a blanket? Yes, please
I was recently inspired by this photo that Portland-based designer, developer, and writer Neven Mrgan tweeted last week — why make pigs in a blanket when you can make CTHULHUS in a blanket instead?! That’s right!
Modernized Brooklyn brownstone, rich with personal history
Almost nothing in our home was purchased brand new. Much of our decor was passed down from parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and even great-great-grandparents, giving this recently refurbished Brooklyn brownstone, with all its modern amenities, a rich sense of personal history.
Hack your clock to help your kids tell time
Remember Tina’s punk rock dining room moment? She’s back with a clock hack idea that will help your kids learn to tell time…
Sneaky Vanilla Pudding for School Lunches/Snacks
Kids — and adults — have been back in school for a couple of weeks now and you may be running out of ideas for healthy snacks and lunches. I think this recipe is a great way to sneak avocado and banana into the diet of any willful child or picky adult.
My secret love affair with the country
The country and I have always had an on-again/off-again relationship. And this summer my family and I spent time at my parents’ beautiful six acre property in Nova Scotia. Watching my daughter pick wildflowers and hide under my parents’ willow trees, talk about pigs and horses and eat too many freshly picked apples makes me wonder if maybe I walked away from something good. Is she, am I, missing out on a wonderful life? Maybe the country and I need to make another go at it…