A couple of weeks ago I came downstairs to find my husband outside taking pictures of the ice in our bird bath. Yup, that’s where we’re at folks, the freezing has begun. My phone has a perpetual red exclamation point on it from weather.com with frost warnings lol It was 57 degrees (fahrenheit) in our bedroom yesterday morning and it was damned hard to get out of bed! Read the rest of the post »

This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

How I built simple outdoor sun loungers with changeable back rests for our deck. Way, way, WAAAAY back I was a little girl who spent the majority of every summer outside. I pretended I was Pocahontas! Now I am well away from those days lol I look more like Snow White these days but I remember my child hood in the sun very fondly and am always the last person to complain about any kind of summer heat. So, as you might imagine, I have had my heart set on an outdoor sun lounger project for our deck for a long time! Read the rest of the post »

How I’m living with diverticulitis, the products and the choices that help me every day to get through it and stop flair ups from happening. Most of you probably don’t know that I’m currently living with the bowel disorder diverticulitis. A lot of people are living with it these days without even knowing it. There is a TON of research out there and the only one true fact about it is that its different for absolutely everyone but I’ve found FOUR products that have helped me a lot! Read the rest of the post »

I’m excited to welcome our new co-host this week: Sheri from Hazel + Gold Designs has joined our team! Go and check out her amazing website and some seriously cool DIY projects! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

A wood working tutorial on how to build a corner built-in outdoor bench. This corner has always been a little bit of a “dead man’s land” tucked all the way back behind our home. I had considered a little seating area and even thought about building a tall pub table here but it didn’t feel like that was utilizing the space as well as it could be. A friend of mine has an outdoor bench running literally around her entire deck in place of a railing and the amount of seating offered is just amazing. However, we have way more deck then she does and certainly don’t need that much bench! But this corner spoke to me as being the perfect place for an L-shaped outdoor bench! Read the rest of the post »

A post about my kitchen project in collaboration with four other AMAZING DIY bloggers: Farmhouse Hens Decorate! When I found out that our next post was to be a farmhouse kitchen project my mind turned immediately to my dreaded spice cabinet. Some of those plastic shakers have literally been with me for YEARS! Once I started buying bulk organic herbs and spices off of Amazon I kept refilling my old shakers until they gave out on me. So, one by one, I’ve been replacing them so my spice cabinet was becoming one very strange collection of pickle jars, olive jars, pepper jars and plastic shakers lol. Read the rest of the post »

I’m sad to announce today that this is Kate’s last link party as a co-host. She will be really missed! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

In the following post I address why living a self sufficient life should be something we are all striving toward as well as when and where to start! If you’re like me you follow DIY bloggers that are true, full on, homesteaders. They’ve “got it all” the farm, the house, the solar panels, the garden, they have come full circle to the point that they can feed their entire family well on what they raise and grow. They are truly what I strive to become someday but, honestly, the whole “homestead” and “self sufficient” movement can be a little intimidating so, where do you start? Read the rest of the post »

I’ve made twelve quarts of refrigerator pickles now and I am anxiously urging my tomatoes to ripen before our weather gets real cold. I read somewhere tomatoes need sun and at least 75 degrees… well, this is northern MN and they’re probably not going to get any more of that. Between the refrigerator pickles and our bountiful green beans I am totally stoked to say our garden has more then paid for itself (minus building it as I figure that’s a one time thing) so, if they ever do ripen, the tomatoes will literally be free and they mean I will not have to buy tomato anything all next year. Read the rest of the post »

So, I’ve been trying for three weeks to get some decent pictures of our deck and yet it just won’t stop raining! How are your fall projects going? This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

A post all about our farm house living room! Beneath that old blue carpet were several layers of linoleum that wonderfully protected the hardwood for many many decades. This is not a big room nor was it an easy room to plan. First the staircase had to double in length (because the old one was so steep it was like climbing a mountain!) and, because of the staircase covering up its entryway, then the bathroom had to move and the living room absorbed that problem too by giving up even more space. Read the rest of the post »

I spend a certain amount of time on Pinterest gazing with my mouth open at some of the gorgeous bedrooms people have. As far as Inspiration Boards go I’ve published quite a few over the years but I think this one might take the cake. I am absolutely in awe of a few of these. Considering how much time we spend in our bedrooms (albeit it is with our eyes closed) I am a firm believer that they are a VERY important part of our homes. So, without further adieu here’s some gorgeous bedrooms via Pinterest!! Read the rest of the post »

Good morning! Well the acorns have dropped, all the leaves are turning and Friday we have a temperature high of… 80?Yup, 80, well that’s nice because all of my tomatoes are still green!! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

This is a wood working tutorial on how I built a “faux” mantel and floating shelf beneath our flat screen television to hide those ugly cords. When I ran the electrical for this house I almost put two holes in the wall so we could run the cords behind the sheet rock however, we didn’t own this television at the time and I really didn’t want to put them in the wrong place! And it turned out to be a good thing that I didn’t because this tv would have required two separate holes – one for the power cord and one a mile away where the majority of our electronics get plugged in. Which means that for the past two years of living here those cords have been driving me crazy! Read the rest of the post »

Preparing for harvest, fall and winter at our little farm in northern MN. It has officially begun, the leaves are turning, the air has a bite to it (though on Tuesday it was 87 degrees) and my horses are getting the fuzzy look of teddy bears. My husband has been preparing for this time of year since spring, clearing out and planting food plots, finding the perfect places for his deer stands and putting out game cameras. He is happier right now then he is at any other time of the year! Read the rest of the post »

Hey all, how are your fall projects getting along? We’ve fortunately had some really lovely weather which we so totally deserved after such a cold and rainy August! So Joe and I are busy splitting and stacking firewood and I’m scrambling to get a whole bunch of outside projects done before the weather turns. This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

How to build a simple console table for behind your sofa, with plugin added for easy phone charging! Joe and I are probably a lot like most couples right now where we admittedly spend a certain amount of time on our phones, in front of the tv, after work, every day. So I’m currently limping along a 3 year old Motorolla whose battery life leaves a lot to be desired. So, inevitably, I have to run upstairs, get my phone charger and plug it in wherever I’m sitting which usually means having to move the sofa or an end table out so I can reach an outlet. I’ve been thinking a console table would be the ticket to make for easier charging but also to create a little area for display as well so I got to work! Read the rest of the post »

Our second year wedding anniversary came and went on September 5th and Joe and I took the opportunity to attend one last summer festival. Though I was born and raised here there are still many festivals and celebrations within 100 miles of us that remain on my bucket list. As locals I think we all kind of avoid them (some consciously others unconsciously) because we get so tired of the incredible amount of people that hit our area so hard on the summer weekends. I’ve asked, “What are you doing this weekend?” and the answer has been, more then once, “I’m going home and I’m staying there!” lol, I’ve also given that answer plenty of times! Read the rest of the post »

It so sad to see Labor day come and go! Up here in northern MN this weekend is considered the official end of summer 🙁 Here’s to opening for a long warm fall! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

Time Saving Blogging Tips! This post is about how I get my blog posts done ahead of time and the WordPress plugin and other sites that I use to make my blog as automatic as possible. Since I started posting 3 times a week (nearly 2 years ago now) I have only once ever missed my schedule and that was due to the death of my dog. I take my Monday, Wednesday and Friday posts extremely seriously. However, that doesn’t mean I like living right besides a dead line. I spent the first few months with that schedule ALWAYS under so much pressure! Until, of course, I figured out how to get ahead but not just with upcoming posts but, also, with everything else that goes into blogging! Read the rest of the post »

A post about my fall vignette in collaboration with six other DIY bloggers: Farmhouse Hens Decorate! I will admit when our first project was announced as a Fall Vignette my immediate thought was, “What’s a vignette?” then I looked it up and my next thought was that I wanted really badly to make a lovely sign just for this project! My mod podge image transfer project did not, admittedly, come out exactly like I had hoped, however, I think it is still quite cool and adds some character to the whole display. I also knew immediately where I wanted my Vignette to be: in our entry way beneath my grandparents’ old mirror! After that it was just a case of getting creative! Read the rest of the post »

Our hearts and thoughts are with our co-host Stephanie this week, she lives in Texas and has been facing Hurricane Harvey. Let’s let her know that we’re thinking of her, her family and everyone effected by this crazy weather! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

How to use mod podge to transfer a laserjet printed image on to wood. Some folks would say that I’m crafty and I do crafty things all of the time and that this is a “craft” blog… but that’s just not true. I am so far from crafty it isn’t even funny, I’m terribly UN-crafty, totally “craft-inhibited” actually. Give me a power tool and let me build something but please don’t ask me to make something small and cute that requires a glue gun or free hand painting or any kind of creative dexterity at all. I will fail totally. In fact, I do believe that I am craft-impaired… But when the dead line for my Farmhouse Hen’s Fall Vignette started looming into view it was time to put on my big girl panties and order some mod podge… Read the rest of the post »

Ever heard the term “Winter is coming.”? Well, before George RR Martin wrote Game of Thrones and it got made into a tv show, Minnesotan’s had been saying it FOREVER and with the same dark, brooding and depressed tone. Fall is really on its way and here in northern MN we’ve been experiencing a cold snap that was only supposed to last the first week or two of August… Well, it just keeps on going and I think we’re all watching the forecast getting more and more gloomy. It is still nice here, really we can’t complain, but I do believe our swimming, tubing and lake days are basically done. With temperatures dropping down in the 50s and 40s at night, even with highs in the 70s, our summer activities are rapidly coming to a close. Read the rest of the post »

Ohmygoodness we’ve hit our 50th link party! Fifty weeks of fabulous DIY recipes and countless wonderful crafts, thank you all so much for continuing to share with us! We’ve been (rather unhappily) wrapped up in a cold snap that was only supposed to last a couple of weeks… We’ve been busy gathering chopping, splitting and stacking firewood for winter and I’ve been scrambling to get as much done outside as I can! This link party is all about homemade, homemaking, DIY, recycling, upcycling, before and afters (of rooms, furniture, whatever), build projects, vintage, any kind of creative, frugal, time saving, money saving or green advice, canning and old fashioned recipes. Going back to simpler times, simpler days where we used all that we had and never bought new until there was absolutely no choice. Read the rest of the post »

Many of you have probably already drawn the impression that I’m a little bit of a health nut (and also a smoker which I am aware makes me the ultimate oxymoron…) What bothers me terribly is that oftentimes the healthier choice for our families is usually a lot more expensive and, sometimes, simply not at all affordable. There is so much fear mongering in our media that we’ve become totally numb to headlines, “Coconut oil can save you from cancer!” “Man dies on the clean eating diet!” “New superfood, eat a pound every day to become immortal!” “Toxins in sun screen causing skin cancer!” “Wear sun screen or get skin cancer!” And it goes on and on and on. It is totally the boy that called wolf and the general consensus now is: “Everything is bad for us so I’m not going to bother changing how I’m eating or what I’m buying!” Which is totally understandable but also just awful. Read the rest of the post »