Do you have a coffee table that you'd like to update?  Want to learn how to paint a white distressed coffee table in 5 easy steps?  In this post I show you step by step, how to achieve a chalk paint white distress finish,  I share with you supplies needed, resources and useful tips.  By [...]

Learn to make a gorgeous DIY heart rag wreath.  This rag wreath will look great in just about any style home decor.  But, especially looks great in either Rustic French Country or Farmhouse home decor.  These rag wreaths are quick, easy and cheap to make.  Below I'll walk through the steps on how to make [...]

It’s January in the garden.  For those of us in the Midwest, it means it's only the middle of winter and the ground is frozen solid. So, I put together some winter gardening tasks that will help make your winter pass more quickly.  And these tasks will help save you some valuable time this spring. [...]

Would you like to learn how to make DIY bath bombs that are made from all natural ingredients?  These little treasures offer the ultimate bath experience.  They please the senses, moisturize your skin, and soothe minor muscle aches, but they won't color your skin a freakish color or leave a ring in your bathtub.  And...these [...]

Is your organic vegetable garden looking a bit lack luster?  Is your vegetable garden not producing as in years passed?  Have you been having problems with insect pests?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, your soil is probably tired.  Learn why this happens and how using what I call the 3 C’s [...]

In the Midwest, December in the garden is mostly cold, overcast days with a few milder, sunny ones.  Gardens are asleep, but there’s still other activity in the yards.  Such as the visits from our hungry furry friends and feathered friends too.  The winter storms bring with them damaging winds.  If we are fortunate to [...]

A few years ago I made a copy of those popular burlap message boards for the Home Office  The project took less than two hours, only required a few simple tools and was a lot less expensive than buying one.  This message board looks so good and a great addition to any work space. Read [...]

I’ll be honest, house cleaning is not one of my favorite things to do-not even close.  That said, I do love a clean, tidy home.  So, I created the 3-step deep house cleaning checklist.  It breaks the work down into smaller manageable tasks.  Using this deep house cleaning checklist will show how a few minutes [...]

Here's a tasty, healthy and festive looking roasted winter vegetable recipe that's perfect for the holidays or anytime.  It's light enough to compliment turkey, chicken or ham and yet, The Best Winter Vegetable Medley is able to hold it's own when served along side  beef.  This Winter Vegetable Medley has quickly become one of my [...]

Are you performing the recommended maintenance tasks needed to keep your home in tip-top shape? Did you know using a home maintenance checklist will save money? There are several tasks that are recommended to keep a home in tip top shape.  Keeping a checklist ensures none of these recommended maintenance tasks go overlooked or forgotten.  [...]

Organize for the busy Christmas Holiday!  Plan tasks, shopping, events, and family activities with this 25 page Beautiful Watercolor Christmas Holiday Planner.  A Beautiful Christmas Holiday Planner I'm excited to bring you my latest design in planners - A beautiful Christmas Holiday Planner.  It's available as a free printable download to Home and Garden Smatterings [...]

The Crazy Delicious Garlic and Butternut Squash Soup is a recipe I came up with by tweaking and perfecting my favorite butternut squash soup recipe.  It's one of those soups that's flavors are so perfect you'd think it was made at fine food restaurant.   In my mind, it's definitely a culinary win!  Give it a [...]

Fall in the Midwest will soon be finished. Before you know it, snow flurries will be replacing the falling leaves. Time to tackle last of the garden chores. Author's Note: This post was written in early October, but due to a minor issue with my knee since late last summer I ran behind on things [...]

Who doesn't love receiving a gift basket filled with items we enjoy?   This year, why not consider make amazing Christmas Gift Baskets for those special people in your life?  Here are 16 Excellent Christmas Gift Basket Ideas to inspire!  Gift baskets; As much fun to make as they are to give As much as I [...]

Delicious Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and cold winter weather are perfect together!  This soup is healthful and hearty too.  Serve it with a salad or sandwich for a cozy winter meal.  Delicious Roasted Butternut Squash Soup; Perfect Comfort Food Creamy butternut squash soup is a healthful and hearty soup, making it the perfect comfort food.  [...]

Whether hosting a Thanksgiving feast for many or a feast for few, the Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide will help reduce your stress. So,  you can enjoy family and friends this holiday even though you're hosting. Be sure to grab the free 14 page Ultimate Thanksgiving Planner. Use the planner along with the Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning [...]

Do you have a red oak staircase? Does it look blah. Want to transform it into something striking? If so, you gotta check this out! Recently I refinished a 1990's oak staircase. It was much easier than anticipated, looks even better than hoped for and...this was with having to work around white carpet too. By [...]

Remember the last time you had a bowl of vegetable soup that was so good, you just had to tip the bowl to get every last drop. Chances are that soup was made from a well made broth. Well, this Homemade Chicken Bone Broth is that broth, and more. It's easy to make and loaded [...]

This fall, the Best Ever Vegetable Soup Recipe is a must try! It's easy to make, tastes delicious and loaded with nutrients; it'll nourish the body and soul. It's the perfect comfort food. Honestly, there's nothing like this vegetable soup when you're down with a cold. In addition, this vegetable soup recipe is versatile; a [...]

This summer I decided to plant some vegetables and herbs for fall harvest. Below is a quick, concise breakdown of my research into planting  midsummer vegetables.  First, I determined which vegetables do best in cooler temperatures, and how much cold they could stand. Next, I found days to maturity and our local first frost dates. [...]

Are you looking to update your kitchen, but don't want to spend a lot of money? Have you been considering painting your kitchen cabinets, but were afraid to take on such a huge and difficult project? Today I'm going to share with you how to paint beautiful kitchen cabinets that have a smooth, durable, nick [...]