Back to Nature for Frugal Fall Decorations

The other day we were out shopping in Lancaster county, at a little gem of a store. We were looking for something very specific for our home, a set of three candles that we loved but had decided to wait on purchasing until we were sure we really wanted them. On the way through the store, I stopped to admire some fall decorations and picked out a lovely little pumpkin with some hand carving in it. Unfortunately, the price wasn’t too lovely, especially for my husband, but it did inspire me to look beyond cost to find some more frugal … Continue reading

The Seasonal Wreath

In one of my past home blogs, I wrote about our seasonal nature table. It was the cure-all for my daughter’s propensity for bringing home sticks and other natural items. While my bag of seasonal decorating tricks is fairly small, I do have another one up my sleeve. It’s simple, and it’s easy for a child to do. It’s the seasonal wreath. I love to adorn our front door with a wreath for every season. However, I am not nearly ambitious or wealthy enough to head off to the store to purchase a new wreath for every seasonal holiday. My … Continue reading

Family-Friendly Fall Travel Deals

Leave it to the travel industry to come up with creative alternatives to spending Veteran’s Day cleaning house or Thanksgiving with crabby Aunt Sue. Long holiday weekends are an ideal time to escape from the stress of extended family dysfunction and spend quality time with your spouse and kids. The following getaways are easy on the nerves and your wallet: OHIO Sawmill Creek Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, is offering a fabulous travel package to kick-off the property’s annual Festival of Lights. The two-night Thanksgiving package for a family of four starts at $279 and includes Thanksgiving brunch, a carriage ride, … Continue reading

Turkey Day Travel Bargains

Are you tired of breaking up fights over Thanksgiving dinner? Are you sick of having to squeeze all of your kids onto a single air mattress because your in-laws insist that your family stay at their home during the holidays? If you are fed up with feeding (and cleaning up after and entertaining) an army of relatives each Thanksgiving, then you might be interested in the following travel deals. Each offers a wonderful opportunity for a long, relaxing weekend getaway over the Thanksgiving holiday: CALIFORNIA The Resort at Squaw Valley, located in Lake Tahoe, California, is kicking off its annual … Continue reading

The Value of Playing Games

Have architects and house designers had a negative impact on family life? Yesterday Mick and I went out for the day to look at some exhibition homes in a display village. Not that we have any plans to up and move from where we are, but often it is away to pick up decorating ideas and we did come home with one or two. However the thing that struck me most and saddened me was the idea of parent’s bedrooms often with large parents retreats where they can sit and relax are well away from children’s bedrooms, being at opposite … Continue reading

Home Month in Review: November 2008

Is your home ready for the holidays and winter? Now that November is over, it is time to gear up for the December ahead. Take a look at last months articles and see if there is anything you missed! November 1st Home Blog Month in Review: October As I sit here looking out my window at the backyard, the birds are hovering in the pine tree against a strong wind and steady rain. The temperature is chilly today, and the calendar reminds me that we have left October behind. November 2nd Fall and Holiday Decorating with Nature 2 Isn’t it … Continue reading

When Do You Decorate for the Holidays?

This morning, as we were sitting down for a leisurely breakfast, I glanced through the dining room at the picture window in the living room. I beheld a very strange site. There were our fall decorations: a jolly scarecrow, a basket of small pumpkins, a thick wire pumpkin candle holder, a cloth in a soft fall burgundy and more. Just past the decorations, the view outside was incongruous. The scene showed a wintery wonderland of woods. Suddenly, my fall decorations looked out of place. Traditionally, we usually wait until the middle of December to begin the holiday decorating. Maybe, if … Continue reading

Home Week in Review: October 27th Through November 2nd

Here is the week in review for October 27th through November 2nd. October 27th Home Week in Review: October 20th Through October 26th We spent a wonderful weekend enjoying the fall weather and our town’s pumpkin festival. There was free pumpkin carving, hay rides, scarecrow building, balloons, treat bags, snacks and much more. It was a great way to enjoy the season. What traditions or activities do you do in your home? I’d love to hear how you enjoy the season as a family! While you are thinking that over, check out last week’s Home Blog posts. October 28th Fall … Continue reading

Fall and Holiday Decorating with Nature 2

Isn’t it fun to decorate for the fall and upcoming holidays? I’ve done a little bit with a basket of mini pumpkins, a friendly scarecrow and some candles, but I am itching to do more. Some of my favorite decorating involves the use of natural materials. I covered some ideas for fall and holiday decorating with nature in an earlier post. Did you like that log idea? Now I’ll share some more suggestions for your home. With a heavy rain yesterday, I know that there are plenty of fallen twigs and small branches in my yard. One idea is to … Continue reading

Home Blog Month in Review: October

As I sit here looking out my window at the backyard, the birds are hovering in the pine tree against a strong wind and steady rain. The temperature is chilly today, and the calendar reminds me that we have left October behind. October 1st Buy a Home for $1.75 It seems that the housing crisis has made some interesting news lately. Home Month in Review: September 2008 Has the weather turned cooler now that September has passed? Pretty soon, it will be time to get that heat turned back on! Meanwhile, check out all of the articles that were posted … Continue reading