A few weeks ago I started sharing some favorite recipes  that some of the members of eHow shared with me. I have since been busy and have gotten behind in posting on this blog but thought I would share a few more. Today’s theme is “veggies and side dishes”. Read more »

One thing that I have probably failed to mention is that my husband is one of those modern-day homesteaders (I am not there yet but hope to be one day). He has been perfectly content with cutting wood every summer and fall so that we can heat save on heating costs.  Yes I was a bit nervous when he came up with the idea of replacing our worn out furnace with a wood stove but it has worked out well and he never complains about chopping and hauling wood. Of course other aspects of the modern homesteader is growing your own food and plenty of do it yourself projects.  For this reason,  outdoor storage sheds are a must. Read more »

It happens to all of us. We are tired, short on time and just don’t feel like cooking. That’s why it is so important to have a plan so that you can cook up something shortcut recipe ideas instead of blowing your monthly food budget on eating out. Here are a few shortcut recipe ideas that are again, courtesy of the members of eHow. Read more »

It is hard to believe that Christmas was almost a month ago. Before you know it January will be behind us then we will fly through the short month of Feb and into the month of March when Spring officially begins. Read more »

Earlier  I posted a few “what’s for dinner” ideas thanks to all the recipes passed along to me from my friends at eHow. Today I wanted to share a few more, and to stick with a theme, here are a few meatless and vegan recipes for you to enjoy. Read more »

Do you ever get in a dinner rut and feel like you are constantly making the same things over and over again? That is how I have been feeling lately. In fact, I thought about how fun it would be to spy on my neighbors to see what’s for dinner just to get inspired. After all, what the neighbors think is a fairly routine meal could be a new idea to someone else. Obviously we can’t go spying on our neighbors but I did the next best thing- I asked my friends over on eHow   “what’s for dinner” and they were glad to share some of their favorite frugal recipes. In fact, the response has been so overwhelming that I have several new menu ideas to share with you each day! Read more »

Wind chimes are a nice way to add serenity to an outdoor space. Sitting outside on a porch swing on a quiet day and listening to the different sounds that wind chimes make can be very relaxing. The type and size of wind chimes will determine the sound that the wind chimes make, and with so many themes to choose from, that will fit into any budget  you can easily find the perfect wind chimes for yourself or your gift giving needs. In fact, wind chimes make great wedding, shower or housewarming gifts and are also the perfect gift idea for those hard to buy for. Read more »

I love meals that you can just fix and forget; which is why I use my crockpot at least once or twice a week. After all, we all have those busy days when we come home tired and the last thing we want to think about is what to make for dinner. And whether it’s a soup or stew, chicken, beef or pork, crockpots are a great way to take an inexpensive cut of meat and turn it into something good enough to serve to company. This easy recipe for crockpot pork roast with cranberries is not only simple to put together but it would make a meal for company. Read more »

Here in the Northeast we can’t even think about planting vegetables outside until mid May, when the danger of frost has passed. Luckily there are ways to extend the growing season and one thing that we have been seriously looking into are garden greenhouses. Luckily there are many greenhouses available to fit not just about any budget but even the smallest of spaces as well. Read more »

I tried a new appetizer over the holidays that was so good that none of us could leave it alone. What is this strange concoction? Hot pepper jelly. As strange as this may sound it was the hit of the party! Read more »