Arts &Crafts, How-To's, Upcycling & Repurposing

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

I noticed recently that no matter what floor cleaner I use, my floors are still not getting clean enough. Even after buying a brand new mop. A few people I know make their own floor cleaning solution and they say it cleans better than any store bought, so I had to try it. After trying…

~ Mel

Epsom salt is named after a small town south of London called “Epsom”. History says, In 1618 a cow herd drank water that had bubbled up from underground. The cattle refused to drink it. The cattle would wade through it and the farmers noticed the sores and wounds on their legs would heal. That substance…

I think this quote is much needed today. I keep running into a lot of negative Nancy’s who like to dwell in the past. LEARN TO LET IT GO ❤️ As the saying goes- there’s a reason your rear view mirror is so small and your windshield is so big. Leave the past in the…

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

Ginger water, Swizzle, Switchel, Haymakers Punch, or it’s even called Switzel. Whichever you’d like to call it, it was a popular drink dating back to the 1700’s. It originated in the Caribbean or New England and became popular in the American colonies. It had become popular among farmers in the 19th century earning its name…

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

Apple cider vinegar, a natural probiotic that has many benefits! Such as helps relieve symptoms of arthritis, cools fevers or hot flashes, helps athletes foot, may help improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugars, also aides in weight loss, helps digestive health and the list goes on. Fall season is here which brings along apple…

~ Mel

~ Mel

I’m always up for a little added flavor in things. Like lemon in a blueberry cookie or coffee in brownies. What I really like ? Is vanilla. You can add vanilla in a lot of food & beverages and it will taste delicious! 😋 Today I bring you, vanilla sugar. Super simple to make! Supplies…

~ Mel

~ Mel

Think back to when you were little… the spring/summer and even fall days. Going outside to play, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk. I loved to draw pictures on the sidewalk or hop scotch when I was a kid. Back then we used actual chalkboards in school. We were excited when the teacher would let…

Every year when we plant our vegetable garden, we end up having an over abundance of certain veggies. this year we planted less tomatoes and still have to much. So I started canning. Last week I dehydrated tomatoes, green peppers & onions. Then on Friday, my son and I made delicious pickles the old fashioned…

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

Have a sweet tooth but you don’t want to make a big desert? Like making a big cake just to eat 1 slice. Then this recipe is for you! Apple cake in a mug is the perfect amount of baked yumminess for 1 person. Supplies needed: • All purpose flour – 4 Tablespoons • Sugar…

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

The blend of aromatic spices wafting through the air. The pumpkin pie, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla. I love the smells of fall! What if I told you, that you can put those smells in a bottle? I’ve found the perfect extract to put in pies, breads , cookies or even in apple cider! Pumpkin pie spice…

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

I have to apologize for not sharing in posting my creations lately. We have been cleaning and prepping our home for our new dog! We just adopted her, her names Hallie. Shes 3 years old. Poor girl has had a tough life. She stole our hearts! 💕 I wanted to share some photos of her…

~ Mel

~ Mel

A lot of truth in this. ~ Mel

~ Mel

Back in the 1800’s, one popular desert they had for special occasions, especially weddings, was Molasses Stack Cake. Baking the cake was planned and arranged by the family. In the pioneer life, this cake was considered expensive. Guests and family would each bake one layer of molasses stack cake and they would stack them together…

Cardboard/paper egg cartons are biodegradable, made from recycled paper pulp and are eco friendly. Styrofoam egg cartons, made from expanded polystyrene foam, are lightweight and provide excellent insulation. They are not biodegradable, but can be used multiple times and they are easy to clean. Below are 10 ways you can repurpose egg cartons. 👇 1.…

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

We all have the several socks that list their mates. Then you put them aside in case you find the mate. Your pile of mismatched socks gets bigger and bigger. I used to take care of a lady that would safety pin the socks together so they wouldn’t get lost in the laundry. I’ve collected…

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

There are many many recipes out there for the different sauces & gravies, as well as not everyone knows how to make a basic Roux. Today, I have a few easy basic recipes to share with you. Roux is used in many dishes for the base of gravies, creamy soups and even stews. It’s a…

~ Mel

Throughout the western expansion, the people were in a hurry to get to their destinations. They had to carry everything that could sustain them along the way. Corn meal, being one of their bulk items. Traveling over long distances, with no food trucks, restaurants or pit stops either. So they needed to be completely self…

~ Mel

In the 1800’s one item they could get their hands on easily was Apple cider Vinegar. It was thought of as nutritional. Fresh fruit was very hard to come by so they made well with what they had. By 1847, the settlers knew that by eating fresh fruit, it would help prevent diseases like scurvy.…

~ Mel

~ Mel

I came across a fun little DIY project yesterday, a macrame candle holder. It makes a nice little candle holder for the home. A little fun facts for you: Macrame first started in the 13th century. Arabs would tie knots along the fringes of their rugs so they wouldn’t come apart. The knotting trend back…

~Mel

~ Mel

Weekdays are already hectic for most people. Having a quick grab and go breakfast that is all ready made and ready to eat is a plus. Oats are packed with whole grains, fiber, vitamins and nutrients that make it the perfect go to. Overnight oats are the easiest no cook breakfast. Measure out and throw…

~ Mel

~ Mel

Well, for me this is a new art. This is one of those things where you see an article on something and then you don’t find anything else on it. That makes it a little difficult. People write articles about it, however they only write the basics. They do not answer any questions. Like after…

~ Mel

In the early 1800’s they didn’t have refrigerators, freezers or ovens. They had to make do when it came to food. They did eat well, but they were limited to ingredients. One meal that was popular back then all over the world was “Cornmeal Mush”. Also known as Cornmeal porridge, polenta, grits, cou cou, mamaliga, or l’escaoutoun.…

~ Mel

Almond extract dates back to ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Romans. In the 16th century they were using almond extract in baked goods. Now fast forward to the 19th century, the production of almond extract became more commercialized. Now, here’s where things get interesting. While almond extract is often assumed to be made…

~ Mel

~ Mel

This year we put mulch in our flower beds, for two reasons. 1- aphids cannot walk on mulch. 2- weeds. Well, we got rid of the aphids, we just need to take care of the weeds. It’s a pain really. I’ve noticed more & more people not wanting to use chemicals on their lawn/flowerbeds. Some…

~ Mel

~ Mel

~ Mel

Whether you’re entertaining or relaxing under the stars at night, they’ll get you. Mosquitoes… The annoying insects that we all despise. Besides the up keep of the yard, not leaving stagnant water around and the basic citronella candles, there are other ways to help deter or repel them. I hate having to spray mosquito spray…

Good for a rainy day or to prepare for an emergency. This version of soup is healthier for you than the prepackaged or canned soups. “Pocket soup” was carried by colonial travellers, as it could easily be prepared with a little hot water. Canned and dehydrated soups were available in the 19th century. These supplied the military, covered…

On Monday we made Almond Milk. Today we are going to use the almond pulp we have from making the milk and turn it into Almond Flour. Almond Flour is a big staple in gluten free baking. The increasing allergies to wheat led a lot of people to find alternative flours to use. Almond flour’s…

~ Mel

~ Mel

Sometimes, we never realize how easy it is to do or make something, until we actually do it ourselves. This weekend it was Almond Milk. So easy anyone can do it! Supplies & Ingredients needed: * Bowl * Strainer * Milk sieve or cheese cloth You can find the sieve on Amazon ($6.63 for set…

~ Mel

The Dollar store is one of my favorite go to places! You can find so much there and for so little money. Today I’m sharing a fun little project with you guys. The longest part was waiting for the paint to dry. Supplies needed: * “Wall Creations” Removable Wall Decal (peel & stick) * Unfinished…

One of the recipes I came across from the 1800’s is Fried Apples. It’s a simple dish that’s easy to make and so delicious! Apples are easily accessible, easy to store and versatile. Every part of the fruit served a purpose. The peels were fermented into vinegar, the bruised apples were used to make sauce…

We’ve had so many warnings and close calls where we live with tornadoes. So much of a close call that it hit our neighbors across the street. We got lucky! The last tornado a couple months ago, I decided to put a bin together of our “tornado emergency supplies.” Which I will be transferring to…

A few days ago I did a post on Magnesium oil. If you have not read it, you can read about it here- 👇 A few weeks back I came across an article about Magnesium cream. This lady went on about how much it helped her sore muscles, her muscle cramps went away and no…

~ Mel

~Mel

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage.” — Harry S. Truman ~ Mel

~Mel

I’ll admit, I’ve had such a sweet tooth lately! For today’s deliciousness, Lemon curd. Lemon curd first started approx in 1844. Also known as lemon cheese. You can use it as a desert, or a filling for pastries, a topping for waffles and crepes, topping for scones or a filling for cake. Prep time 5…

~Mel

What would you do in an emergency? Powers out, no running water, no electricity or gas. You may not be able to get out of the house to go to the store. Some of us may not be prepared for emergencies like this. One thing I for sure do not want to do again, is…

~ Mel

Magnesium deficiency is widespread because many of us have lifestyle factors that actively deplete our magnesium levels. These include lack of sleep, excess stress, or alcohol/caffeine/sugar consumption. On top of that, many of our natural magnesium sources are depleted. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to several chronic health conditions, such as- Much of the research done on…

The Old Frontier, also known as the American Wild West, was a period during the 1800s centered around westward American expansion. It began with European colonial settlers moving into territories newly acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. With limited resources, they often had to get creative with cooking meals. They had to farm, hunt,…

~Mel

Hi everyone! A fellow blogger, Johnbritto Kurusumuthu, recently wrote a terrific post about ways to make a difference for our planet. Daily rituals you can do (he does) to help our world. Whether it’s leaving the lights on or constant running water. Buying from farmers markets versus the grocery store. Even planting your own. He…

~Mel

Hello everyone! Making your own pancake mix people think it requires a lot of work but really, there’s nothing to it. It only takes minutes to make, it’s cheaper and healthier for you AND there’s nothing added ingredients that you can’t pronounce. 😁 A lot of people have food allergies like gluten for example. Buying…

I love a good breakfast! Pancakes are always a win in this house. Especially with different toppings on it. I have a great recipe to share with you guys today! Vanilla Syrup, total syrupy goodness! Ingredients : Step 1: In a small saucepan over high heat, combine the water and brown sugar. Cook, stirring frequently,…

~Mel

I thought this project was a neat idea. Kids or adults looking for something to do over the summer. The birds will thank you! A neat little project that doesn’t take a lot of time, plus your up cycling! Supplies needed: Twine Tin can -with lid detached Hot glue gun & glue Scissors Bird feed…

~Mel

~Mel

Cinnamon is one of the world’s oldest spices. It derives from the inner bark of trees from the Cinnamomum family. While cinnamon is a staple in almost every kitchen, it offers us much more than a sweet taste in baked goods or just the right touch to apple cider. Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants, anti…

This is for you…

Hi everyone! This post I’m sharing is a fellow blogger’s post, Phil – 2048.studio Such a terrific story showing kindness matters even between animals! I know you guys will like this story as much as I do. Click on the link 👇 below. ~ Mel

You never know …

We took plain, old worn out blue shutters and turned them into a pretty patriotic decor for outside. The hardest part…. Was lining up the tape to get straight lines. Supplies needed: Old shutters – cleaned, sanded and ready to go Paint – red, white and blue (we used spray paint) Paint brush – if…

Today I couldn’t decide which to post. So you guys get two quotes today. 😊

Amen ~ Mel

Independence Day. “The day in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress” Today I’m sharing some decor I made. You can put it out not just for 4th of July, There’s also Memorial Day, Labor Day, and a couple other holidays. Created this using barn wood for the box, I used…

It’s funny how we get stuck sometimes, isn’t it? We walk through a door, thinking it’s where we’re supposed to be, and even when we start to realize it’s not right, we stay. We stay because it feels easier than turning back. We stay because we’ve already put in the time, energy, and emotions. We tell ourselves…

Hi everyone! A fellow blogger, John- Rise and Inspire, wrote this terrific post on writers, it’s very motivational and inspiring. It hits home, I believe a lot of you would like his post as well. Check it out at the link above ☝️ ~Mel

This is a good reminder. Especially for those of us that worry too much. ~ Mel

~Mel

We all have to do it. I keep telling myself that. For myself, it’s hard to declutter because I tend want to keep a lot. The good ol “I can reuse that for something.” Someone asked me the other day how I start the process of decluttering. Here are a few tips for those of…

Words of wisdom ~ Mel

Happy Tuesday ! ~ Mel

Hi everyone! It took a couple days for the coffee clay projects to dry. After they were dry, I put a coat of mod podge on them. Other than a couple tiny cracks and the edge of the bowl isn’t exactly perfect, they turned out great!!! See below at the end of the post for…

Wise words from my favorite actor –