April 6, 2026 When my husband and I were looking for our first home, the dreams were big and the optimism very high. Hopes of a generously-proportioned home on at least an acre filled our vision. But we soon realized that to live in one of the fastest growing areas of the southeastern United States and to stay within our budget goals would require some sacrifices.  The first time that I stepped into our soon-to-be home, my heart tightened when I saw the kitchen. It was tiny. I didn’t know how...

March 30. 2026 A cloud of newborn baby fog shrouded my sleepy mind while I pulled back the white curtain to peek at the waking world. I was not expecting to see anything beautiful on this gray, late winter morning that pretended to be a spring morning, but I was delightfully surprised. The surprise had seemingly grown overnight in my garden. Tiny white blossoms, like miniature white bells in fruitful clusters, adorned my blueberry bushes in the front garden. Against the pale gray of the...

March 23, 2026 My journey towards more natural products actually started when my mom found out she was allergic to so many common household and personal products. After many visits with various doctors, mom realized that so many products today have unnecessary (and unhealthy) chemicals and fragrances in them. In my own home, I have tried to move towards a more natural approach in as many products as possible—both cleaning and personal. We are not a totally “crunchy” family, and we still use...