What I've been up to...
Like several things over the last ten years this room divider I made out of a privacy fence panel did not last forever. I really liked it for the years it was there though! I thought it was super cute and solved my problem entirely. With it gone this eyesore is still an eyesore though my Virginia creeper vine has just about covered it up in the summers. I’m planning on recreating my privacy fence divider using lattice and creating a “wall” to the north here beside the door to provide a north wind break in the winter. It will also give my vine something to climb on and cover up. Read More »
In early August 2026 with my divorce finally completely over and totally official forever I took four days off from my day job. With a consecutive six days off in a row it was my first real vacation since 2018, the year I met my ex husband. Yes, I did go on a couple of “vacations” while we were together but I did nothing I wanted to do and they were both truly terrible experiences for me. Never allow an abuser to take you away from your safety net: your car, your home, your family. I don’t know if I’ll ever trust going anywhere with anyone again or, at least not without my own mode of transportation: I.E. the ability to escape. Read More »
On May 7th I got the news that I had been waiting for since February. It was time to pick up my 350 tree seedlings! I got the email on a Thursday night at 5:30 and immediately my heart plummeted. Their times for pickup were Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00 so I would have to get them early that very next morning or my little seedlings would be sitting in a box all weekend and I couldn’t let that happen! (Not that my awesome boss wouldn’t have let me leave work early I hate to do that because our Fridays are our crazy busy days.) Read More »
It may have taken ten years but the room I designed to be an office is finally my office and this room, the room that was always meant to be a guest bedroom, is finally my guest bedroom. For those who have been following along you know this all started back when I was trying to make a guest bedroom out of the other, much smaller, far less private, room on my main floor. I can be totally dense sometimes but I finally got there in the end! I am so excited with how this room turned out and to show you my finished office soon too! Read More »
Recently...
Throwing back to how I Covered up an Outdoor Eyesore
Like several things over the last ten years this room divider I made out of a privacy fence panel did not last forever. I really liked it for the years it was there though! I thought it was super cute and solved my problem entirely. With it gone this eyesore is still an eyesore though my Virginia creeper vine has just about covered it up in the summers. I’m planning on recreating my privacy fence divider using lattice and creating a “wall” to the north here beside the door to provide a north wind break in the winter. It will also give my vine something to climb on and cover up. Read More »
How to Make an Old House Feel Cosier Without Covering Up Its Character
Old houses rarely need help becoming interesting. Worn floorboards, substantial trim, old doors, fireplaces, plaster walls and slightly uneven surfaces already give them something newer homes often have to work hard to create: character. The challenge is making those rooms comfortable without removing the very details that make them special. A draughty window might need attention, but not necessarily replacement. An old floor can feel cold underfoot without needing to disappear beneath fitted carpet. Even an awkward room can become inviting without being stripped back and rebuilt. Read More »
Why Long-Term Financial Planning Is Part of Healthy Aging
According to the CDC, the life expectancy for the US population in 2024 was 79 years. This means that for most people, they get to enjoy a retirement of a few decades. People may spend many years in retirement, making long-term financial preparation an important part of planning for healthy aging. Building that plan earlier can provide more flexibility for future healthcare, housing, insurance, and everyday living expenses. Read More »
How to Tell If Your Attic Insulation Is Actually Doing Its Job
Your energy bill went up again, rooms feel stuffy by mid-afternoon, and the HVAC just runs and runs. Most homeowners blame the unit. Nine times out of ten, the real culprit is sitting directly above their heads. Attic insulation is one of those things you install once and then forget about for twenty years. That’s the problem. It degrades, settles, gets wet, gets chewed on, and stops doing what you paid for, all while you keep paying higher and higher utility bills. The good news is you don’t need a contractor to figure out whether yours is still pulling its weight. You just need about thirty minutes, a flashlight, and this checklist. Read More »
9 Qualified Improvement Property Options Worth Knowing
Depreciation schedules were built for a world where buildings age uniformly over decades. Real property rarely works that way, and the tax code has a lane for the parts that wear out faster: qualified improvement property, a category covering interior upgrades to nonresidential buildings that often qualifies for accelerated write-offs instead of the standard 39-year timeline. Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #520)
Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #520. Its already cooling off here at night down into the 40s but the daily heat is still summer-like for us. Its been really beautiful actually but we are still so far short on rain its just tragic. I’m so excited to report that I have several Acorn and Butternut Squash growing in my garden! I’ve never grown squash before so I can’t wait to try them. Now, on to the party! Read More »
Plumbing Emergency? What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives
A plumbing emergency, a burst pipe, a major leak, an overflowing fixture, can be alarming, and in the moment it strikes, it is easy to feel helpless. But there are things a homeowner can do in those first crucial minutes that can limit the damage while professional help is on the way. Knowing how to respond to a plumbing emergency is valuable knowledge for any homeowner, since a calm, informed response can make a real difference to the outcome. This guide covers what to do before the plumber arrives, empowering homeowners to act effectively when a plumbing emergency strikes. Read More »
Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
DIY plumbing can be genuinely rewarding, and plenty of small plumbing tasks are well within a capable homeowner’s reach. But plumbing is also an area where enthusiasm can outrun expertise, and DIY mistakes can turn a simple job into an expensive problem. Learning about the common mistakes that trip up DIY plumbers, and how to avoid them, helps homeowners tackle suitable tasks successfully while steering clear of the errors that cause trouble. For the hands-on homeowner, this knowledge is part of doing DIY plumbing wisely and knowing when a job is better left to a professional. Read More »
A Homeowner’s Guide to Preventive Plumbing Care
For the hands-on homeowner, prevention is one of the most satisfying forms of home care. Catching small issues before they become big ones, keeping systems in good order, and avoiding nasty surprises are all part of taking pride in a well-maintained home. Plumbing is a perfect area for this preventive approach. A little regular attention to a home’s plumbing can prevent many of the problems that catch homeowners off guard, saving money, stress, and disruption. Understanding how to care for your plumbing preventively is a valuable part of any homeowner’s know-how. Read More »
DIY Plumbing: What You Can Tackle Yourself and When to Call a Pro
There is real satisfaction in fixing things around the home yourself. For the DIY enthusiast, tackling a household task and getting it done is genuinely rewarding, and plumbing offers plenty of small jobs that a capable homeowner can handle. But plumbing also has a line beyond which DIY becomes risky, and knowing where that line falls is one of the most valuable things a home handyperson can learn. Understanding what you can tackle yourself and when to call a professional helps you enjoy the satisfaction of DIY while avoiding the costly mistakes that some plumbing jobs can cause. Read More »
...from The Blog
Throwing back to how I Covered up an Outdoor Eyesore
Like several things over the last ten years this room divider I made out of a privacy fence panel did not last forever. I really liked it for the years it was there though! I thought it was super cute and solved my problem entirely. With it gone this eyesore is still an eyesore though my Virginia creeper vine has just about covered it up in the summers. I’m planning on recreating my privacy fence divider using lattice and creating a “wall” to the north here beside the door to provide a north wind break in the winter. It will also give my vine something to climb on and cover up. Read More »
August 2026 Fresh dinners out of my Garden and Pickling!
In early August 2026 with my divorce finally completely over and totally official forever I took four days off from my day job. With a consecutive six days off in a row it was my first real vacation since 2018, the year I met my ex husband. Yes, I did go on a couple of “vacations” while we were together but I did nothing I wanted to do and they were both truly terrible experiences for me. Never allow an abuser to take you away from your safety net: your car, your home, your family. I don’t know if I’ll ever trust going anywhere with anyone again or, at least not without my own mode of transportation: I.E. the ability to escape. Read More »
July 2026 – Growing Wildflowers, Vegetables and Loving my Pond!
July 2026 many of you have been asking for pictures of my pond and I’m finally to a point where I can share without being too embarrassed lol It was kind of a disaster for weeks. If you were wondering: NO this L-shaped ditch is not the pond I had envisioned. I, unfortunately, was not here when it was dug and apparently this is what the guy translated when I said, “A kidney shaped pond behind and around my garden.” I was confident I had explained it clearly but obviously our ideas of “kidney shaped” were very different. Read More »
June 2026 – Summer Somehow Flying By
June 2026 the month here that always flies by and we’re all left wondering how its July already and how are we really half way through the year!? Our weather in June was super extreme this year. We did get some rain though it came in with MAJOR storms so I never did have to actually water an acre of baby trees (yet) but early in the month we also actively saw extreme heat as well. Daily I looked out at my temp gauge in the direct sun on my deck and it was over 110 degrees. Read More »
May 2026 – Starting out for me with TREES!
My May 2026 started out with an email on the 7th that I had been waiting on since February. It was time to pick up my 350 tree seedlings! I got the email on a Thursday night at 5:30 and immediately my heart plummeted. Their times for pickup were Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00 so unless I was going to skip out on my day job I would have to get them that very next morning or my little seedlings would be sitting in a box all weekend and I couldn’t let that happen! Not that my boss didn’t know this was coming and would have been totally understanding – I still made it to work on time. Read More »
April 2026 – Starting with over a Foot of Snow
I mean to be fair it was April fools day when the first storm hit and, also to be fair, it ALWAYS snows here in April. But I was getting quite comfortable with the snow being gone. We saw highs in the 50s many days in March and the majority of our lakes went out. I even (finally!) tackled the disaster that was my front door with new electrical, a new outdoor light, patching and fixing the sheet rock and getting nearly to completion on the outside. And then the temps dropped and it snowed and snowed and snowed lol. Read More »
...from Do It Yourself
Planting 350 Tree Seedlings on my Back Acreage
On May 7th I got the news that I had been waiting for since February. It was time to pick up my 350 tree seedlings! I got the email on a Thursday night at 5:30 and immediately my heart plummeted. Their times for pickup were Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00 so I would have to get them early that very next morning or my little seedlings would be sitting in a box all weekend and I couldn’t let that happen! (Not that my awesome boss wouldn’t have let me leave work early I hate to do that because our Fridays are our crazy busy days.) Read More »
Throwing back to my Beachy Fire Pit that I made for my Yard
Aw you guys look at the barn still standing so beautiful in the background! If you have a low budget, this is a great firepit that you can DIY yourself. I loved this fire pit for years until Lodi moved in and he hated it… Not sure why, maybe it just wasn’t nice or fancy enough for him. He also hated my idea of a blooming no-mow lawn. He got rid of it right away and then, over the years, we spent a lot of money putting in a weedless lawn over top of where it was. Yeah I’m going to be working really hard in replacing all that grass I helped pay for lol. A couple of years ago I did at least build myself a replacement firepit that I also love. Read More »
Paint and Stain Makeover – Jewelry Box my Grandparents’ Made
This little jewelry box has been waiting for me for a long time. Like with so many things I have around here many of them I’ve been keeping for as long as I can remember. Whether using them, living with them or decorating with them because I love them. Or, in this case, because one day I wanted to finish them. My grandparents retired from owning a dairy farm and converted their barn into the wood workshop of their dreams. They were very talented wood workers. They built dressers, hutches, end tables, you name it. They were particular and careful and very good with molding and finishing. Read More »
Throwback: Turning my Grandparents’ Milk Can into an End Table
My Mom and aunt grew up here together with my grandparents’ helping them farm and take care of the cows on their dairy farm. This was one of the last milk cans left from those long ago days. My Mom was needing an end table at the time and I had always planned to do something with it as well as give her this milk can anyway. Now, years later, my mom is using it as a planter but its still with her and I’m sure it always will be. I think it came out really cute! Read More »
Thrift Store Lamps Makeover for my new Guest Bedroom
In my post about finishing my guest room closet you guys saw a mirror I picked up at the thrift store specifically for this room. In the same trip I spent only $30 (!!!) on two lamps to complete the space. Just like the mirror though at least one of the lamps was dying for a makeover so I decided to spray paint all three of them in a chrome by Ace hardware. I had it on hand and thought it would add a little bling to the space. Coincidentally the mirror and one of the lamps was already practically in that same shade. Read More »
Hanging a TV, adding an Outlet and Building a Headboard
Hanging a TV and building a headboard in my guest bedroom. Early last year I relocated my TV to a different wall in my living room by hanging it and adding an outlet behind it. It totally changed the room for the better and, after ten years of fiddling with it, I finally love the layout in that room. It all went so well I figured I’d just repeat the process here in the guest bedroom. I had two TVs the smaller of the two I had hung in the living room and the other (bigger by quite a bit) TV was left without a place after the many changes I’ve made in the house lately. Read More »
...from Home Tour
My Completed Guest Bedroom – It only took ten years!
It may have taken ten years but the room I designed to be an office is finally my office and this room, the room that was always meant to be a guest bedroom, is finally my guest bedroom. For those who have been following along you know this all started back when I was trying to make a guest bedroom out of the other, much smaller, far less private, room on my main floor. I can be totally dense sometimes but I finally got there in the end! I am so excited with how this room turned out and to show you my finished office soon too! Read More »
Throwing back all the way to my very first Kitchen Reveal
The last post I wrote about my kitchen was back in 2024 when I was doing my “ten years then and now” blog posts but besides that I haven’t given you guys an update on my kitchen since 2019! So, my little kitchen might be in need of a makeover and I do have some new things here to share with you guys. I’ve always found that I like cooking in galley kitchens more than any other design so I was happy that this home was ideal for that as I love to cook. Read More »
I Have a New Tool Room!
This whole reclaiming my house thing has been pretty cool but this worked out better than I could have hoped for. This room was a back hall with an outside door and big closet when Lodi moved in. He needed a gun room to lock because of his arsenal he wanted to start purchasing. With his arrest he is finally gone for good which has left me with this quite unnecessary “room” totally empty. He talked me into swapping the outside door here with the window in the guest bedroom and adding a wall and door to create this space. I really wish I hadn’t done any of that… but it turns out I might be able to get some use of it! Read More »
Rearranging Rooms all the way Back to 2017
So last month I shared a lengthy blog post with you guys about making the room that shares the big stained glass window with my living room into my guest bedroom again. Lodi had emptied the room in anticipation of making it into his studio /den. So the room was empty and I still needed a guest bedroom. We’re going to rewind now all the way back to 2015 when I renovated this home and created that room by enclosing the last of the screened in porch. At the time I designed it specifically to be an office. Read More »
Throwing Back to my first Office from the screened in Porch
I forget that this room was a porch once! Writing these once a month throwback posts, my ten year update posts as well as our current blog posts all at the same time has been really cool for me. We’re currently in the middle of working on this little room yet again. This is where it began and from there its transformed a number of times over the years. I think the current transformation in this room becoming Lodi’s den is the one that’s going to stick though I was so proud of this reveal post. I loved how my office turned out all those years ago! Read More »
Whole House Update – the saga of things snowballing around here
Checks notes: Ok… at this point the snowball effect going on around here has pretty much impacted the whole house lol so I thought I should do a house update with photos and a bit of a recap. It all started with my deciding our television just had to move to a different wall in our living room. (I made the mistake of proclaiming that it just could not go anywhere else in that space and my silly brain took that as a challenge…) I can’t blame it all on that though as I’d been silently just DYING to ditch our guest bedroom and give Lodi a den instead. Read More »
...from Recipes
My Homemade Stock – Bone Broth Made SO Easy with Boiling Bags
It was over five years ago when I came out with my first ever food recipe here on the blog which was how I make homemade stock. Well, in the years since, I’ve found some short cuts that have made it SO much easier I had to share them here. First, I keep a gallon size zip lock bag in my freezer to catch all of my vegetable scraps and egg shells. Of course you don’t have to make this with anything else besides chicken but I love that I’m not wasting even egg shells as they’re an awesome source of calcium! Read More »
My Smoked Gouda Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta
I make this wonderful shrimp dish whenever I think I deserve to be spoiled. I don’t consider myself a “fancy” cook by any means – I’m definitely more about simple comfort food. But I think this recipe comes across as fancy even though it is really quick and easy to make. The lightness from the spinach and fresh tomatoes really cuts through the richness even though its wonderfully buttery and cheesy all the way through. Read More »
Aunt Sharon’s Lasagna with my Twist
My aunt Sharon’s lasagna recipe is one of those full proof crowd favorites that I’ve reached for often for any potluck or dinner party. Like any lasagna recipe it is a bit labor intensive and this one also has you making the tomato sauce from scratch. It is VERY worth it though! My aunt’s base recipe uses ground beef and the only vegetable added was onion. My version includes more veggies and I never have ground beef on hand so… Read More »
My Fresh Egg Bake, a light and easy meal for any time
For me any time of the day is a good time for breakfast! My got-to is a cheese omelet, the eggs whipped up with salt, pepper and parsley and cooked around a slice of American cheese. My mom’s go-to while I was growing up was two scrambled eggs and a slice of buttered toast. I know a lot of people add milk or something to their eggs but we never have. (Actually that’s why a lot of omelets turn into scrambled eggs.) I got into making breakfast burritos and egg muffins to keep in the freezer for easy meals but my lazy side was too much for making muffins. So, I started making egg bakes! Read More »
My German Mashed Potatoes with Sauerkraut and Ham
You do NOT need to like sauerkraut to love these potatoes! In fact, if you’re not a fan of sauerkraut, these mashed potatoes might just make you a believer. Something like twenty years ago now I ate in a little German restaurant down in Oklahoma and they served what they called warm German potato salad. It was roughly mashed potatoes mixed with a lot of mustard and served warm, not hot, not cold, served deliberately just a smidge above room temperature. They were also mixed generously with cream, butter, green onions and sauerkraut. For me it seemed like the dish couldn’t decide if it wanted to be potato salad or mashed potatoes… Read More »
My Jambalaya Recipe that might have Southerners mad at me
Not unlike my chili recipe my jambalaya recipe isn’t really traditional or how its probably “supposed” to be made. I really like it though and its pretty easy too for a dish that comes out so tasty. Now I’ve mentioned before that shrimp is one of my all time favorite foods so I’m always super bummed if its overcooked. This is basically a thick stew and there’s all of about five minutes (in my opinion) with shrimp before it over cooks in a recipe like this. That is, until I discovered already cooked “salad” shrimp. They’re tiny and tasty and they NEVER get rubbery. (Actually Walmart doesn’t have “salad” shrimp they just have these extra tiny little guys that’s the exact same thing.) Read More »
...from Before and Afters
Cutting Down and Painting a Stool to fit a small Desk
I’m not sure why or when I ordered this little stool off of Amazon but its been floating around my house for years. As stools go its pretty basic and I’m not real fond of the “natural” wood color its trying to pull off. Its never really had a home but when I put my desk in my new guest bedroom it needed a stool. Unfortunately though it was a few inches too high. Fortunately though I know how to cut things. Read More »
Throwback to a cute little desk I picked up for $5 and updated
Goodness this post takes me back. This was before I got rid of that horrible wood stove in the middle of my kitchen and replaced it with a pellet stove. Conveniently the very spot I was filling in with this little desk was perfect for my new stove. I liked having a surface here on the other side of the sink though and this desk did that just fine. She isn’t with me anymore but I got years out of her for only $5 from a garage sale! Read More »
Throwing back to when I scored a Rocking Chair at an Estate Sale
Not everything is built to last and I haven’t been totally surprised that I don’t always still have the pieces from these throw back posts. That’s not the case with this big old rocking chair though. I’ve really grown to love it over the years and its currently back upstairs in my master bedroom where it feels like it belongs. Its sturdy. It was absolutely built to last and I love how handsome it became with the coat of sleek black paint I gave it. Read More »
Throwback to free Wicker chairs I gave a bold red makeover
My throwback this month was my score of these adorable little wicker chairs. I enjoyed them for several years after this makeover but, unfortunately, they didn’t last forever. It was my fault at least a little for leaving them outside one winter – wicker in northern Minnesota just isn’t going to make it for very long. I loved them when I had them though! They were surprisingly comfortable and I think they turned out so cute! Read More »
Throwing back to When I Refinished my Grandma’s Step Stool
I guess it was bound to happen with my going back with these throwback posts… But this one really makes me feel all kinds of bummed out as I no longer have Grandma’s old Cosco stool. It eventually broke down on me after I don’t even know how many years of working in this kitchen. It was a crappy day to say the least. I held on to it fully broken for months before finally parting with it. I’ll be the first to say that I never save anything for good. I’ll use the fancy stuff, the important stuff, the sentimental stuff every single day because stashing it away and “safe” somewhere makes no sense to me. But I miss this old stool, she worked hard for me for many years and always made me think of my Grandma. Read More »
Throwback to my Refinishing two Sweet Country End Tables!
A couple of end tables that turned out far better than I ever could have hoped… As far as before and afters goes I think this might be my proudest moment. I’m not sure what these end tables screamed before I refinished them but it wasn’t great. Maybe 70s basement? All they were missing was the wood paneling element… Honestly I wasn’t sure what was going to be under that orange stain (and years upon years of living) but as soon as I started sanding I was blown away. The solid wood tops on these were just absolutely GORGEOUS. Read More »
...from Link Party
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #520)
Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #520. Its already cooling off here at night down into the 40s but the daily heat is still summer-like for us. Its been really beautiful actually but we are still so far short on rain its just tragic. I’m so excited to report that I have several Acorn and Butternut Squash growing in my garden! I’ve never grown squash before so I can’t wait to try them. Now, on to the party! Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #519)
Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #519. I tweaked my refrigerator dill pickle recipe by adding sugar to the brine and was super worried I may have just made 11 quarts of inedible pickles. One thing about pickles is you can’t really try them right away so you just don’t know. The recipe I was using was very good but REALLY tangy so I wanted to tone it down a little bit. I tried the ones I made from three weeks ago and I’m so relieved that they’re actually pretty good. Phew! Now, on to the party! Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #518)
Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #518. I took four days off last week from my day job officially giving me six days off in a row and its just absurd how fast that time went. I swear I blinked and I was already back at my desk lol I never left the house and rarely changed out of my jammies except to work in my yard and garden. It was glorious. This day job stuff is for the birds! Now, on to the party! Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #517)
Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #517. My garden has beautifully started to produce! So far I’ve picked over 20 cucumbers and made 3 quarts of dill pickles and 2 quarts of dilly beans. So far I’m managing to keep up with the zucchini and only one hid long enough from me to become a giant. My beats and carrots are doing well but I’m really looking forward to my tomatoes this year for canning too. So much fun though I know I’ll be so over it by the end of September lol Now, on to the party! Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #516)
Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #516. Well we did manage to get a little bit of rain and our highs are finally down into the 80s but dang, I hate to think how hot August is going to be if this was what we faced in July. I just couldn’t keep up watering my trees as I had to do it by hand. I didn’t have the water pressure that far out to set up more than one sprinkler and that just couldn’t cut it over an entire acre. Sighs, if I have to replant I certainly will, there was just no way of knowing how bad out drought was gonna be this year! Now, on to the party! Read More »
To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #515)
Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #515. Ooof, guys, this heat will just not let up. I’m super worried about my trees – I’m having to fill my pond almost daily just from evaporation. Usually when its this hot we get storms with it so hopefully next week will be better. One night I forgot to turn my garden off so I accidentally watered it for over 12 hours and it didn’t seem to mind lol I think it appreciated it actually. Now, on to the party! Read More »
...from Inspiration Board
OMG Pumpkins everywhere! Hometalk Fall Decor Inspiration board
Hometalk Fall Decor Inspiration board! Summer is absolutely my favorite time of the year – you will NEVER hear me complaining about the heat lol But I honestly think that’s a fact simply because fall and spring are such short seasons here in northern MN. Fall for us could truly last all of three weeks like our spring did this year! And that’s just depressing lol because that means we’re settling into at least four months of some serious cold and snow. Read More »
Hometalk’s Outdoor Projects I Can’t Wait to Build! Do it Yourself!
Inspiration Board of the Outdoor projects on Hometalk that I’ve been drooling over! I received a comment on my outdoor bench saying, “You’re SO crafty, that’s amazing!” And I admittedly got a bit offended, eventually I just laughed about it but I’m not sure how I can build a wrap around bench for my deck and still be called “crafty”. I could’t help but think that if I was a guy she certainly wouldn’t have looked at that bench and called him crafty! I am a builder at heart and I spend most of my time building things in my head or drooling over outdoor projects like these: Read More »
Let’s build some swings! Pinterest Do It Yourself Inspiration Board!
Well now that spring has FINALLY arrived, my dreaming has turned to swings! Let’s build some! These are some of my favorites I’ve found on Pinterest and stashed away for a later time because, seriously, who doesn’t want to swing away a beautiful summer day? Contrary to popular belief, I do NOT feel that swings are for kids in any way. Many of these are very grown up swings for us “adults” lol Read More »
Nooks and Getaway Places: Pinterest Inspiration Board
Nooks, crannies, special getaway places, some of my favorite escapes via Pinterest Inspiration board. It has been a very difficult few weeks here at Grandma’s House, tailing the end of a very, very hard year. I will tell you guys why and what’s been going on when I’m able to get my feet back under me again. To say the least though I have found myself on Pinterest, looking longingly at getaway places and nooks that promise quiet and PEACE. Read More »
Inspiration Board: Six more Summer Projects I can’t wait to build!
Six more summer projects I can’t wait to build for us outside and out on our deck! Some DIYs and things just have to wait for some nice weather not only for us to enjoy them but for us to build them as well. Currently I’m sitting here in late October and we have a winter storm warning 🙁 So, hears to dreaming about next summer and all the things to look forward to building. I posted earlier this year a few summer projects I just can’t wait to build but I’ve seen so many build projects on Pinterest I had to share a few more that I can’t wait to build next summer! Read More »
Inspiration Board: Gorgeous Bedrooms to swoon over!
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. From gorgeous colour palettes to hardwood bedroom furniture options, there’s always amazing bedrooms to look at when you are scrolling through Pinterest. In fact, the inspiration doesn’t stop coming the moment you type in beautiful bedrooms into Google! So, without further adieu here’s some gorgeous bedrooms via Pinterest!! Read More »
...from Contributed
How to Make an Old House Feel Cosier Without Covering Up Its Character
Old houses rarely need help becoming interesting. Worn floorboards, substantial trim, old doors, fireplaces, plaster walls and slightly uneven surfaces already give them something newer homes often have to work hard to create: character. The challenge is making those rooms comfortable without removing the very details that make them special. A draughty window might need attention, but not necessarily replacement. An old floor can feel cold underfoot without needing to disappear beneath fitted carpet. Even an awkward room can become inviting without being stripped back and rebuilt. Read More »
Why Long-Term Financial Planning Is Part of Healthy Aging
According to the CDC, the life expectancy for the US population in 2024 was 79 years. This means that for most people, they get to enjoy a retirement of a few decades. People may spend many years in retirement, making long-term financial preparation an important part of planning for healthy aging. Building that plan earlier can provide more flexibility for future healthcare, housing, insurance, and everyday living expenses. Read More »
How to Tell If Your Attic Insulation Is Actually Doing Its Job
Your energy bill went up again, rooms feel stuffy by mid-afternoon, and the HVAC just runs and runs. Most homeowners blame the unit. Nine times out of ten, the real culprit is sitting directly above their heads. Attic insulation is one of those things you install once and then forget about for twenty years. That’s the problem. It degrades, settles, gets wet, gets chewed on, and stops doing what you paid for, all while you keep paying higher and higher utility bills. The good news is you don’t need a contractor to figure out whether yours is still pulling its weight. You just need about thirty minutes, a flashlight, and this checklist. Read More »
9 Qualified Improvement Property Options Worth Knowing
Depreciation schedules were built for a world where buildings age uniformly over decades. Real property rarely works that way, and the tax code has a lane for the parts that wear out faster: qualified improvement property, a category covering interior upgrades to nonresidential buildings that often qualifies for accelerated write-offs instead of the standard 39-year timeline. Read More »
Plumbing Emergency? What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives
A plumbing emergency, a burst pipe, a major leak, an overflowing fixture, can be alarming, and in the moment it strikes, it is easy to feel helpless. But there are things a homeowner can do in those first crucial minutes that can limit the damage while professional help is on the way. Knowing how to respond to a plumbing emergency is valuable knowledge for any homeowner, since a calm, informed response can make a real difference to the outcome. This guide covers what to do before the plumber arrives, empowering homeowners to act effectively when a plumbing emergency strikes. Read More »
Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
DIY plumbing can be genuinely rewarding, and plenty of small plumbing tasks are well within a capable homeowner’s reach. But plumbing is also an area where enthusiasm can outrun expertise, and DIY mistakes can turn a simple job into an expensive problem. Learning about the common mistakes that trip up DIY plumbers, and how to avoid them, helps homeowners tackle suitable tasks successfully while steering clear of the errors that cause trouble. For the hands-on homeowner, this knowledge is part of doing DIY plumbing wisely and knowing when a job is better left to a professional. Read More »