I like pretty places and pretty spaces…but I won’t spend a fortune to create them. You don’t have to either. Why spend $1000 on outdoor furniture, when you can put together a pretty space inexpensively? I enjoy creating outdoor rooms, so that there are many places to sit and enjoy nature and the company of…

Handmade quilts are a work of art. The designs are endless, with many traditional patterns, as well as personalized ones. The meanings behind the patterns are rich in history. Quilts can be used to serve both functional and decorative purposes. They work beautifully as bedding and throws for winter warmth. They also definitely add a…

Ask most people what’s on their playlist, and you’ll get a quick and definite list of songs that they most enjoy listening to, songs that they play frequently, sometimes over and over while singing along. Years ago my children gave me an MP3 player to use while jogging, and I formulated my first ever personal…

My mother always made St. Patrick’s Day a festive occasion. She grew up in an Irish household and carried on many of the family traditions in our home. Wearing green was a must for us on March 17 to avoid getting pinched. I could always count on a large St. Patty’s Day dinner of corned…

My hubby first introduced me to the Restore; it was a morning date with lattes and bargain hunting. I had heard of the Restore from home improvement shows but never considered visiting because I was not great with power tools. Boy was I wrong! It is a treasure trove for those who are into diy…

While my children were growing up, we read the Bible together every evening and prayed. It was such a natural part of our daily routine. It opened the door for some wonderful discussions, and we grew closer through the experience. However, during the summer months we added to the routine by reading a chapter from…

I’ve been dragging treasures home since I was a kid. I’ve always seen purpose and potential in other’s cast-offs. I don’t consider myself a dumpster diver by any means, but if it’s set to the curb, then it’s fair game. Some people call this hobby “trash to treasure“, but I prefer to call it “curb…

There’s no way I could do a blog without sharing creative projects. Creative ideas have always seemed to just flow. Growing up, I was the weird artsy kid who was busy doing paper mache & decoupage, while the neighbor kids were outside playing kickball. Fortunately, creativity, resourcefulness, and diy are the “in thing” these days,…

When we bought Little Blue Cottage, there was a massive old oak tree in the front yard with a garden at its base. It was beautiful. The following spring the garden was barren, not a single flower. I learned quite quickly that some flowers are called annuals and don’t return the following year. My late…