My favorite type of decorations are those that can be eaten. Gourds, squashes, and pumpkins – all good for you vegetables - can be placed on a table, in a bowl or on the mantel for decorating. Then, you can roast them and eat them after you’ve enjoyed them for Thanksgiving and harvest decorating. By… Continue reading Thanksgiving and Harvest Decorations
Category: home + garden
DIY projects for the home and in the garden. Projects that reuse items are my favorite!
Earthbound Farm Organic Farm Stand
On my recent trip to the headquarters of Earthbound Farm Organic, I was able to visit Earthbound Farm Organic’s “Farm Stand” and hear the story of Earthbound, see first hand how food that’s grown organically can be made into amazing meals, and meet some fabulous bloggers who share an enthusiasm for eating healthy foods. Earthbound… Continue reading Earthbound Farm Organic Farm Stand
Rinse Aid Alternative for Dishwasher
When my new dishwasher was installed, it came with a feature I hadn’t bargained for: a flashing red light. The flashing red light was telling me I needed to add a rinse aid and no matter what I did, it wouldn’t stop flashing. For a moment, I considered returning the dishwasher. Honestly, the last thing… Continue reading Rinse Aid Alternative for Dishwasher
Automatic Dishwasher Detergent That’s Sort of Homemade
When I began this “get rid of our toxic cleaning supplies” and consumer products journey, I thought that I would be making all of our cleaners. What I’ve found is that there are products out there that meet my first two criteria: good for you and good for the environment, but they didn’t always hit… Continue reading Automatic Dishwasher Detergent That’s Sort of Homemade
Washing Machine Question: Top Load or Front Load?
Here's a reader question from Annie who writes, “What should I buy for a new clothes washing machine? Front load? Top load? New or used? My old, basic machine works great but the interior is rusting and starting to make marks on my clothing, sheets, and towels. Rust does not come out as far as… Continue reading Washing Machine Question: Top Load or Front Load?
Organize Food Storage Container Day
Here it is - National Match-Up Day! The first Monday of October when those food storage container drawers and cabinets get cleaned out, sorted, and vacuumed! My drawer always needs vacuuming, does yours? Why the first Monday in October? This is when my food storage container drawer is mostly empty. After roasting tomatoes, freezing berries,… Continue reading Organize Food Storage Container Day
Kitchen Tip: How to Use a Mortar and Pestle
If there’s one item I use almost daily in the kitchen, it’s my mortar and pestle. I didn’t even know what it was for when I first got it and it sat in my cupboard collecting dust until I tried to make salad dressing. Once I mashed that garlic with salt, that was my AHA!… Continue reading Kitchen Tip: How to Use a Mortar and Pestle
Cleaning and Detergents Follow Up
Ever since I became enlightened and began to pay attention to what’s in our cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, and consumer products, thanks to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) website, I have completely turned our house upside down with what we use and no longer use. It’s never easy getting used to a new routine and… Continue reading Cleaning and Detergents Follow Up
Awnings Are Up!
It’s finally feeling like summer and thankfully we put the awnings up before the hot weather kicked in this year. We installed awnings, that we made ourselves, on our windows about 10-years ago and every summer, I’m so thankful. Awnings keep a house cooler – by about 10 degrees – by blocking the sun from… Continue reading Awnings Are Up!
How to Invite Bees to Your Garden
I recently attended an event sponsored by Pacific Natural Foods and hosted by Whole Foods Market. The event took place at Pacific Food’s headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon and was all about honey bees and creating pollinator programs. Entomology department experts from Washington State University led the presentation and they are certified bee experts. Here’s a… Continue reading How to Invite Bees to Your Garden
Go Gingham 