Have a work-from-home office running in no time with these six simple tips and essential pieces of equipment. You’ll enjoy working in your refreshed space! As a home decor blogger in a modest-sized home, I’ve spent years figuring out how to make a functional and attractive work from home office. Over time I experimented with … Read more

Update: Since I first wrote this post, we’ve moved twice and now live in a townhouse complex with a small cement-slab patio and a weekly lawn service that mows the grass. It’s been wonderful for this season of our lives. For many previous years I cared for very large yards and multiple flower beds. Over … Read more

This easy Baked Apricot Chicken pairs tender chicken with a simple three-ingredient glaze for a quick, flavorful meal. It’s ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving a crowd—plus it freezes beautifully for make-ahead convenience. This apricot chicken can be cooked all at once or halved and frozen to bake later. The photo above shows … Read more

Back Online: New Computer, Photo Recovery, and Getting Back to Blogging After nearly two weeks at the repair shop, I’m finally sitting at my new computer and writing again. Adjusting to a new machine feels a little like meeting someone for the first time — promising, a bit awkward, and full of small surprises. I’m … Read more

Snowflake cookies are a festive and simple option for holiday baking. Made from store-bought sugar cookie dough, decorated with pale blue piping and a small blue sugar bead at the center, these cookies look beautifully arranged on cookie platters or a Christmas cookie charcuterie board. They’re an easy way to achieve a polished, seasonal look … Read more

Today marks one year since we started our budget-friendly kitchen remodel. It began around this time last spring when I set aside a day for deep cleaning and realized the kitchen needed more than tidying. For long-time readers you may remember watching this unfold in real time; for new visitors, here’s a concise, refreshed look … Read more

Enjoy a timeless comfort-food favorite updated for modern tastes: ham and cheese crescent rolls made from an old-fashioned dinner roll dough. This recipe yields soft, buttery rolls filled with ham and cheddar—perfect for school lunches, picnics, potlucks, or a quick family meal. While you can use store-bought crescent dough for convenience, this version honors a … Read more

Tired of hammering nails in the wrong spot? This simple paper-template method lets you plan your entire gallery wall on the floor first, then transfer it perfectly to the wall—no complicated measuring required. A few years ago I spent three busy days at my sister Becky’s house helping her decorate and organize, with our sister … Read more

Happy Friday! I’m writing from the camp kitchen this weekend where I’m cooking for a men’s retreat (we’re serving lasagne tonight). Before the weekend gets fully underway, I wanted to share a handful of inspiring links I discovered this week. If you have a few quiet moments, make a cup of coffee, put your feet … Read more

This crowd-pleasing cheesy potatoes with hash browns casserole is a quick, comforting side dish made from simple pantry staples: frozen hash browns, sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and plenty of shredded cheddar. Also called funeral potatoes, this creamy, cheesy casserole pairs with holiday roasts, weeknight mains, and potluck spreads. The version below is inspired … Read more