Skip the soggy sandwiches and warm drinks and pack the right cooler food, and your next picnic or beach meal can actually taste good. Most people toss everything into their cooler and hope for the best, but a little planning can go a long way! It is not just about picking the right foods, it's …
You all know that my family is in love with rice. I sometimes make Instant Pot Mexican Rice once a week, because it complements just about any Mexican meal very well AND my kids love it! Did you know rice has protein? It does! So if one of the boys isn't feeling the main …
You finally got the keys, celebrated, and moved into your very own home in Texas. It’s exciting, for sure. As soon as the thermometer starts creeping into the triple digits and stays there, you will quickly realize that owning a house here in summer isn’t exactly the warm, fuzzy dream the real estate brochure made …
Summer is here, and it's time to embrace the season of sunshine, adventure, and relaxation. Whether you're looking to surprise a loved one, find the perfect gift for a birthday party, or just treat yourself, this Summer Gift Guide is packed with ideas that capture the essence of summer fun and leisure. From beach essentials …
Summer is the best time to try new recipes because everything is so fresh and delicious and hopefully, plentiful. I love trying new dipping sauces, so I made this delicious Avocado Tomatillo Blender Salsa and it was the perfect sauce for Mexican food! I made it in the short time my air fryer flautas were …
Introducing the Drumstick Ice Cream Pie, the ultimate summer dessert mashup! Inspired by the classic chocolate dipped ice cream cone, this no bake treat layers a crunchy waffle cone crust with creamy vanilla ice cream, caramel, a chocolate ganache, and a generous sprinkle of crushed peanuts. It’s cool, nostalgic, and perfect for sunny days. Whether you’re …
Life with kids is wonderfully chaotic. Between school runs, sports gear, meal prep, and the never-ending pile of laundry, it’s easy for the house to feel like it’s running you instead of the other way around. But with a few smart tweaks, you can bring back some calm and make daily routines smoother for everyone. …
Your home is more than a shelter, it’s an extension of who you are. Every color, texture, and decorative element tells a story, and when done right, your home decor can instantly elevate your space from ordinary to inviting, expressive, and uniquely yours. Home decor doesn’t always have to mean a full remodel. Sometimes, the …
Summer is a great time to get an air fryer if you don't currently have one! You can make just about anything in the air fryer that you make in the oven or on the grill, and plus, it does not heat up the house. These Hot Honey Pita Chips are perfectly made in the …
Father's Day is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to show your dad or father figures how much you appreciate them. If you're looking for the perfect gift to make this Father's Day memorable, we've got you covered with this Father's Day gift guide for 2025. Whether your dad is into tech …
School is out, or will be soon, and summer with kids can be both challenging and rewarding! I know that there are days of crazy chaos ahead, but we are tired and need a break from the hustle and bustle. Even though my kids do not sleep in, I want to be woken up with …
Soccer season is winding down for us, but we still have a few games left. Soccer is such a popular sport because it is fun and even the youngest kid can do it. Our boys started playing soccer at ¾ and they always felt like a rock star on the field! Soccer is a great …
These two ingredient blueberry turnovers are perfect for breakfast or snack!
Our local Walmart has cold rotisserie chickens for sale for less than $3. That is an incredible deal, just knowing all the different meals you can make with a whole chicken! I made this delicious Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad and it has stored so well in the fridge, even the avocados are still green. …
Finding your dream home sometimes means that compromises need to happen. You might have to let go of your dream for a playroom or settle with for a north facing garden. If you are an avid gardener, this could seem like a major disappointment. Even with the best garden tools and experience, you might feel …
Here are some great ideas for a baseball birthday party, an end of season party, or even a fun way to get the kids excited about a baseball watching party. It is officially baseball season! While baseball is quickly becoming a year-round sport, Spring is the season where little baseballers are playing at the same …
If I told you that our family loves an Italian inspired meal, that would be a complete understatement. There is nothing in this world that the boys and my husband get more excited about than the smell of Italian food cooking. Lasagna, spaghetti, pizza, alfredo chicken....anything and everything that has a remote taste of Tuscany, …
Especially if you are in the Southern part of the United States, by the time late spring rolls around, there's a good chance you're already bracing for summer. Not the carefree, sunscreen-and-lemonade kind, but the kind where stepping outside feels like opening an oven door. So how do you heat-proof your home before summer temps …
If you are looking for a simple and flavorful addition to your fridge, look no further than quick and easy pickled banana peppers. These zesty, tangy peppers are not only a breeze to make but also a versatile condiment that can elevate a wide range of dishes. In this post, I will explore why pickled …
Mother's Day gift guide for 2025
Many people believe that all types of vinegar have the same properties and uses. Nothing could be further from the truth. Discover a handful of the more than 20 different vinegar varieties and how best to use them in recipes and everyday life. Why types matter
This will be a long blog post. And I will post updates at the bottom as they become available. I wanted there to be a central location that friends and family could refer to for updates and answers to their questions, if they were available. Thank you for reading my husband's cancer journey updates, and …
How do you cultivate a love for the outdoors in your kids? Here are a few suggestions to get the family outside!
Our boys have been in quite a few basketball and soccer tournaments, and one thing I have learned that is probably the most important thing after bring your water, equipment, and jersey is this: always bring snacks. No matter what, someone is always hungry, the games are always later than scheduled, rain delays happen, and …
With hectic schedules, jobs, school, screens competing for everyone's attention, and little time to spare, it’s more important than ever for families to enjoy meaningful moments together - especially outdoors. Outdoor ideas that everyone will love can be a bit of a challenge, however.
Coming to theaters on March 28....AUDREY'S CHILDREN tells the untold true story of visionary British physician Dr. Audrey Evans. Dr. Evans was the first female Chief of Oncology in 1969 at the world-renowned Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Looking for a quick and delicious snack that tastes like mini pizzas but with a buttery, flaky twist? These Garlic Butter Pepperoni Pizza Muffins are made with canned biscuits, making them an easy, crowd-pleasing treat! Perfect for game nights, after-school snacks, or just a fun way to switch up pizza night. We have three boys between the …
As much as the main dish is the star of your dinner, the side dishes really round out the meal. The great thing about this Crock Pot Creamed Corn with Bacon is that it is an amazing side dish for weeknight meals, Thanksgiving dinner, holiday potlucks, Sunday dinner, or a special occasion meal. It is …
Looking for a reliable guide to organize a successful and exciting kids' birthday party? I have put together a comprehensive list for you! This guide covers everything from selecting the perfect theme to birthday party activities for kids, managing party logistics, ensuring a memorable and stress-free celebration for both kids and parents. With three kids, …
When deciding which restaurants to visit, 34% of consumers first look at what sauces and condiments are available there, according to the 2024 Technomic Flavor Consumer Trend Report. Gen Z leads the charge. Among millennials and Gen Z, 1 in 4 say they even bring their own condiments, especially hot sauce, when visiting a restaurant. …
If you are a brownie lover, get ready to indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience with the secret to fudgy brownies. A luscious, gooey center is perfectly complemented by a crinkly top that makes your homemade brownies look like they were made in a bakery. Preparing brownies at home comes with so many downsides, especially, …
A family home should be more than just a place to sleep and eat. It should be a place where families grow, connect, and make memories together. Designing a home that works for everyone, from toddlers to teenagers and even the family pet, can feel complicated and overwhelming. We need to find the delicate balance …
Buying a home is one of the most exciting steps you can ever take. You will finally have something tangible you can call your own. It also comes with a lot of responsibility, though. You will need to actually look after your house from the start and stay on top of home maintenance tasks. You …
A Kolacky (or Kolaczki) cookie is a traditional Eastern European pastry, often associated with Polish, Czech, and Slovak cuisines. It's a soft, buttery cookie made with a dough that typically includes cream cheese, butter, and flour, giving it a tender, flaky texture. The dough is rolled out, cut into squares or circles, and filled with sweet fillings …
Spring is here! If you have a backyard, it's time to get out and spruce things up a bit. That involves cleaning your garden of any clutter that accumulated during the winter and adding in some fresh backyard decor. Such garden clean-ups need to be timed just right—not solely for your benefit, but for that of the tiny …
Let's face it: none of us are getting the doctor-recommended 8 hours of quality sleep every night. Whether we're up late on the weekends, having too much fun, or cramming in overtime at work during the week, it can be hard to catch a full 8 hours of your best sleep. Add in kids and …
It's vibrantly red, versatile enough to go in a variety of dishes and possibly has health benefits, too. An average increase of more than 6% in sales indicates the popularity of smoked paprika continues to grow. Paprika itself has been a key ingredient in cuisines around the world for centuries. However, the recent rise in …
When I had small kids running around with sticky fingers and our walls were taking a beating, I did not think much about home updates. Too much work and money and time, when they were going to destroy it again anyway. Right? But...peel and stick wallpaper can save the day, and your sanity. It is …
I know that protein is a big word in the nutrition department these days. I have found for myself that if I get enough protein with each meal, I do stay full longer and don't have that energy crash. These peanut butter chocolate chip protein waffles are not only packed with protein, they are simply …
With winter bearing down, but spring on the way here in Texas, I wanted to make a delicious dessert that everyone will love. This Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Poke Cake is moist, delicious, and has all the flavors of carrot cake that are perfect for Easter and spring! This carrot cake poke cake will wow …
I love gardening. This year, since we moved, I do not have a big garden like I used to and I miss it. We have the space, but I'm not willing to dedicate a whole day to tilling up the land, but maybe sometime I will! We do have a little flowerbed in the back …