Food Fun Family

What Would Your Dream Kitchen Makeover Look Like?

Lolli — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 14:56:09 +0000

It’s true. I’m dreaming of a kitchen makeover! This blog post has been sponsored by Wellborn Cabinet, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. #WinWithWellborn

Disclaimer: this is not my kitchen. I wish it was!

We’ve lived in our current house since April 1998. Our house was built in 1978, and the previous owners had not done much to update the house in the 20 years that they lived here. We’ve made several upgrades over the years (like replacing the mustard yellow linoleum for a much more pleasant-to-look-at wood grain laminate flooring) but the cabinets desperately need an upgrade. In fact, we started a DIY kitchen makeover in December and got as far as painting the walls. A fresh coat of paint DOES do wonders for a room, but there’s so much more we could do to update and upgrade the kitchen, which gets a lot of use in our house!

My dream kitchen makeover would consist of new cabinets (that’s first on the list for sure!), new counter tops, a new refrigerator with ice maker (we’ve never had one and have to make our own ice. It’s like we’re living in….the ice age or something!), a new range, and a new dishwasher. I can’t imagine how beautiful and functional our new kitchen would be and how much VALUE it would add to our nearly-40-year-old townhouse.

Wellborn Cabinet wants to give you your dream kitchen! Their Dream Kitchen Makeover contest is currently open for entries, and one grand-prize winner will receive a check up to $12,000 to create the kitchen of their dreams!

Why Wellborn? Not only does Wellborn Cabinet have options for all styles – whether you’re going for modern or traditional, country or elegant – but their cabinets are made in the USA with high quality components. Wellborn Cabinet has been a family-owned company since 1961, and they’ve got endless options and competitive pricing – perfect for making your dream kitchen a reality! Wellborn doesn’t stop at the kitchen, though. There are cabinets all over the house…laundry room cabinets, bathroom vanities, craft room or man cave cabinets! Where do you need new cabinets?

Enter to WIN Wellborn Cabinet’s Dream Kitchen Makeover:

Enter the Wellborn Cabinet contest HERE for a chance to win a beautiful kitchen! Entrants can register daily through August 22, 2017. How would YOU use your kitchen makeover if you won? After you enter, let me know in the comments below what you dream of doing in your kitchen!

Connect with Wellborn Cabinets:

Blog: https://wellbornblog.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/WellbornCabinetInc/
Twitter: twitter.com/WellbornCabinet
Instagram: instagram.com/wellborncabinet/
Pinterest: pinterest.com/wellborncabinet/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wellborn-cabinet-inc
Google+: +wellborncabinets/posts
YouTube: youtube.com/user/WellbornCabinet

20 Unique Uses for Trash Bags #HeftyHelper #HeftyHeftyHefty

Lolli — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:24:23 +0000

Garbage day is a weekly struggle in our house. You’d think that these kids had never been asked to gather the garbage in the house, put it in the garbage can for collection, and walk it around to the front yard. Every single time it’s a struggle.

And guess what? We keep making more trash.

I’ve used a lot of trash bags in my day (21+ years of marriage equals a lot of garbage. Ha!) and I’ve come to the conclusion that trash bags are one of those areas that you don’t want to skimp on. I mean, who wants stinky, two-day-old trash falling all over the floor because the bag was too weak to keep it all in?

Hefty can handle our trash. It’s kind of like having WWE Wrestler John Cena handle my garbage instead of my kids…

Hefty Ultra Strong Kitchen Trash Bags are Hefty’s BEST kitchen bag ever (I seriously love these things!) and the fact that they are now at a new low price (that’s even lower than the competitor’s kitchen bags) is a bonus for me.

{Psst….grab a $1.00 off coupon to stock up on Hefty Ultra Strong HERE}

Not only are they a great value, but they’ve got Arm & Hammer patented odor neutralizer, Active Tear Resistant Technology for superior strength (no more holes!), and they come with a break resistant grip drawstring.

But garbage bags aren’t only for collecting trash. I don’t know about you, but we use our garbage bags for tons of things around the house!

20 Unique Uses for Trash bags (That Go Beyond Collecting Garbage)

You’d be amazed at all of the things that you can use trash bags for – especially Hefty Ultra Strong, since they are so durable! Here are just a few ways we’ve used Hefty kitchen bags around the home and on family outings:

Rain poncho
Line cooler and fill with ice
Under-bed blanket storage

Halloween decorations (white bag + stuff & tie off “head” = ghost!)
Quick DIY costume
Sunshade
Household donations

Laundry bag (great for carrying dirty bedding)
Separate dirty laundry in luggage while traveling
Protect floor when painting
Keep arm or leg casts or stitches dry for bathing or rainy days
Picnic tablecloth

Protect hanging clothes (poke a hole in the bottom of a bag and drape over clothes on a hanger)
Hiding birthday and holiday gifts
Seat protection in the car for wet and messy passengers
Makeshift umbrella

Game seat (stack of newspaper wrapped in a trash bag = padded water-proof stadium or grass seating)
Backpack cover for rainy day walks to school
Store holiday decorations
Dirty shoe covers (for family members who don’t want to take messy shoes off when they come in the house)

What are some other unique uses that you’ve found for trash bags?

DON’T FORGET to grab your $1.00 off coupon to stock up on Hefty Ultra Strong!

PS – Hefty Ultra Strong Kitchen Trash Bags with Arm & Hammer patented odor neutralizer (13 Gallon white indoor bags) come in 7 different scents.

• Clean Burst
• Citrus Twist
• Lavender & Sweet Vanilla
• Crisp Orchard Apple
• White Pine Breeze
• Tropical Paradise
• Pomegranate Mist

My favorite is Citrus Twist (it smells SO clean and fresh!) as well as Scent Free. Which scent would you like in your kitchen (honestly, though, any scent is better than last night’s salmon….)? Amiright?

Why This Mom Still Loves Her Non-HE Top Loader Washer

Lolli — Fri, 06 May 2016 12:00:44 +0000

I am excited to be partnering with Downy Ball for this paid post, particularly because working on this post also meant accomplishing a few loads of laundry…which is always a good thing. All thoughts are my own.

Five kids. Messy, dirty, active kids.

One husband who works outside with chemicals, bleach, and lots of water.

Lots and lots of laundry.

I decided early in my parenting years to teach my kids how to do things around the house. Laundry, dishes, cooking, vacuuming, dusting, etc. I figured I had to teach them all of these essential adult skills at some point, so why not start them early?

A few of my kids caught on to the laundry very easily. A couple of the others….not so much. Some of my kids were eager to be able to do their laundry independently so that they could ensure that their clothes did not mix with other family members’ stinky clothes. Those kids who created the stinky clothes? They never seemed to care who did their laundry. (Ahem. Me!)

I have used many different washing machines over the years and the conclusion I’ve come to is that at this stage in our family’s life, our trusty non-HE top loader washer is perfect for us. It couldn’t be easier to use (the kids really can’t even mess a load up…unless they mix the new red towels with the white dress shirts). It fits nicely in our rather small, nothing-fancy-here basement laundry room. And it gets our clothes clean. What more can a mama ask?

Actually, I can tell you what I’d ask for. As easy as it is for any of the kids to start a load of laundry, our challenge seems to be in getting the laundry DRY. My husband’s solution for years has been to hang the towels and the jeans to dry. I came home from 2 weeks of travel recently to find several bath towels and 2 pairs of jeans hanging behind the washer and dryer. I removed them from their hangers and they were so stiff that they could practically stand on their own.

There’s nothing worse than a stiff, scratchy towel or an uncomfortable, can’t-bend-my-knees pair of jeans. I prefer my clothes to come back from the wash feeling soft and smelling great. I think that’s a reasonable expectation.

So what did I do when I found those not-so-soft towels and jeans the other day? I washed them again. Don’t tell my husband. But, really, who wants to dry off after a shower with a towel that’s stiffer than those brown cardboard-like paper towels?

And then, one of the first things I grabbed at the store last week was some Downy Ultra fabric softener to use with my new Downy Ball because I wanted all of my clothes (and the towels!) to feel softer and smell better.

It couldn’t be easier to use the Downy Ball (even the kids and husband can handle it!). You just pop the top of the Downy Ball down, pour in some Downy Ultra fabric softener to the line (based on the size of the load), pull the top back up to “seal”, and stick it on top of your clothes at the beginning of the wash cycle.

Yes, that’s right. No more waiting for the rinse cycle. No more cleaning out your dispenser. The Downy Ball releases fabric softener at the right time, every time. So you can start the wash and walk away.

Just don’t be like some people in my family and walk away for so long that you forget that you have a load of laundry in the washing machine. You’ll love the difference.

NOTE: The Downy Ball only works in top-loading—non-HE—washing machines. Just another reason why I’m glad that we still have a non-HE washing machine.

Purchase the Downy Ball online HERE.

Join the Non-HE Nation!

Be proud of your non-HE washing machine! It has been with you for countless spills, stains and spin cycles. And it’s going to be with you for countless more. Buck the high-efficiency trend and be proud to be Non-HE!

With Downy Ball, your non-HE washing machine makes softness simple. All you have to do is fill the ball with fabric softener, seal it and drop it in at the start of the wash. Then let your non-HE washing machine automatically release the fabric softener during the rinse cycle.

You can’t do that in an HE washing machine! Click here to learn more.

How to Organize a Desk

Lolli — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:20:28 +0000

If there is something I’ve enjoyed doing a lot of lately, it is organizing. It seems as though this is my year to get down with my bad self in the organizing department. The kids may think I’m crazy, but it really is a good thing to get organized. One area that I got tired of looking at in my house is my desk. It’s so full of clutter and disarray. So, you can guess that this week, this is what I tackled.

Note: I’ve linked to some helpful resources on Amazon. The links to the products are affiliate links and I can earn a small commission if you choose to buy anything, but the price for you will not be effected.

Are you like me and need help organizing your desk? Do you work at home? Or maybe you’re a student and use your desk for studying. Whatever your routine, an organized desk will help you stay focused on your to-do list. Stop letting yourself get distracted by the mess! Here’s where you can get started:

How to Organize a Desk

Ditch the paper stacks: On my desk, you will find tons of paper stacks. Sometimes they aren’t even stacks – they’re just lots and lots of papers that never got thrown away. Between the kids, mail, and my paperwork, you really never know what you’ll find. For this reason alone, I’ve been trying to make everything as paperless as I can. Makes more sense and it’s less work for me in the long run.

Make your desk functional: Sometimes, I put way too much stuff on my desk and it really makes no sense at all. This week I focused on making my desk more functional. I removed anything that I was no longer using and I put things away that don’t go on the top of my desk. You would be surprised at the amount of stuff I found on my desk that didn’t even belong there.

Ditch the junk drawer: I probably have a junk drawer in every room of my home. I ditched my desk junk drawer this week. There were so many random items in there. It’s really a good feeling to get rid of the items we don’t use and obviously don’t need. Plus, the sooner I get rid of those items, the less likely they will end up back on my desk.

Invest in a few desktop organizers: One of my favorite things about an organized desk it having room for real desktop organizers. You can find these super cheap almost anywhere you go, or you can just use organizers you have on hand. If you are feeling feisty, you can even use drawer organizers to keep everything in its place.

Below are just two examples:

Assign a place for everything: One of my biggest challenges has always been not knowing where to put all of the “things” I collect through the course of a day-week-month. When I don’t know where to put something, it usually ends up in a messy pile on my desk or in the junk drawer where it’s forgotten. My greatest long-term organizing successes come when I create a place to put each item. Note: that “place” is more than often NOT on or in my desk!

While organizing my home hasn’t always been the easiest task, I realized that I just need to take it one step at a time…and this week it was to organize the desk. Gone are the days where I let “things” and “stuff” overwhelm me. Are you ready to jump on the organizational train?

5 Ways to Revive Your Living Space for Less

Lolli — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:04:57 +0000

I’m happy to introduce Becca Grady, today’s guest poster, who has some tips for reviving your living space for less (something we are in the middle of doing right now!). I love her tips and can’t wait to dig into a few of them this spring!

5 Simple Ways to Revive Your Living Space for Less

With the newly blossoming flowers and green grass sprouting, it’s clear that spring is in full swing. If you’re feeling inspired to refresh your living space, you may consider changes like new flooring, fresh paint, updated furniture and subtle accents to tie it together beautifully.

Although you may crave a full blown living room makeover, these updates can quickly become costly. And it doesn’t take a huge budget to make a big splash in your space. Try carving out a weekend and use some of these tips to refresh your living room without busting your budget.

Paint

Source: Justin & Juhee Kim, Catherine Houston on Zillow Digs®

Paint is an easy, relatively low-cost way to transform a room quickly. A fresh coat of paint looks clean and can transform the entire feel of the room. If you’re stumped by what color, shade or tone to choose, consider sticking with neutrals shades. Neutrals are a safe, classic and timeless option. If you’re feeling adventurous, try creating an accent wall with a bold pop of color.

Furniture

Aside from flooring, furniture can be the next most expensive upgrade. But there are ways to save serious cash while adding new furniture. Try looking for vintage or upcycled finds, then add a new coat of paint or take it up a notch with new upholstering. Consider purchasing just one large, new piece, like a main couch or coffee table. One new item in the living room will bring a renewed energy and instantly ground the room.

Lighting

Source: Kent Brasloff on Zillow Digs®

Improving the lighting and ensuring it’s soft and natural can make a world of a difference. A living room should be warm, relaxing and inviting, so it’s important to make sure that natural light is utilized during the day, while ample soft light is used in the evening. Rearrange your lamps to best accommodate the room and consider installing overhead lights that can be dimmed and adjusted.

Millwork

Source: Tuckahoe Creek Construction, Inc. on Zillow Digs®

Millwork is an underrated, yet beautiful way to make your space look brand new with a craftsman touch. Millwork includes crown molding, base trim, door frames and window casings. Beautiful millwork is a great addition to a living room, adding a clean finish, especially once painted or finished. It can also be found at a price that’s gentle on your wallet, while still creating a fresh feel.

Accessories

With accessories, less is more. However, the ones you choose can have a greater impactful and tie the overall design together. If you are tired of the look and feel of your space, try swapping out your throw pillows for ones that bring a fresh burst of color. Also consider changing your curtains to display a new textile, pattern or color, further adding to the visual interest.

Now that the sun is shining, you may be feeling inspired to change your space to match the transformation happening outside. Whether you choose one or a mix of a few updates, consider using these simple tips to revive your living space for less.

Lush Décor Bedding Giveaway

Lolli — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 20:54:41 +0000

This post and giveaway are brought to you by Lush Décor. I received a complimentary item in exchange for hosting. Lush Decor is providing the giveaway item to the winner.

When was the last time you updated your bedding? For me, it was back when we bought our bedroom furniture, which was a LONG time ago! We were feeling seriously outdated. I have been shopping around for a new quilt for my bed for a few months, and I just couldn’t find something that was right for our room.

Until now…

I am so glad I waited because NOW I’ve got the perfect quilt for our bedroom! I am in love with our new bedding, and I couldn’t be happier – it is incredibly soft, just the right weight for year-round comfort, and the colors and design make me happy.

Since my work desk is right next to my bed (oh, the challenges of working at home in a small house!), I have to look at my bedspread all day long. It’s nice to have something gorgeous to look at all day long.

I chose the Royal Empire 3-Piece Quilt in blue for my bedroom and I couldn’t be happier!

About Lush Décor:

Jenny Zhu, the CEO of Lush Décor, founded the company because she aspired to create affordable fashion that could be enjoyed through all the phases of your life. They have a gorgeous collection of home decor, bedding, window treatments, shower curtains, and accessories for a wide range of styles. I love this: “At Lush Décor we believe that great designs at terrific values will always trump something that is ordinary and very promotionally priced.”

Since I had been shopping around for new bedding already before I found Lush Décor, I can attest – their prices and their selection can’t be beat!

And since I received my new quilt, I can also attest to the fact that their quality is top-notch! My new bedding is soft and well-made.

Every time I go back to their website, I find MORE designs that I love.

Here is just a peek at a few of the other designs that I loved at Lush Décor:

You can search for these and more here.

Which is your favorite? There is so much more where that came from, and YOU can win new bedding of your very own. Seriously! You can choose ANY quilt or comforter from their site!

Organize and Beautify Your Kitchen with Duck® Brand Shelf Liners

Lolli — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 16:43:07 +0000

This post brought to you by Duck Brand. All opinions are 100% mine.

There was a time when I thought my kitchen was pretty cute. There was a day when the paint was fresh and the shelves were lined with pretty, bright shelf liners.

That day was quite a while ago.

Today, my cabinets look like they’ve seen better days…but since I lack time or funds to totally remodel my kitchen, I’ve wanted to find a way to refresh my kitchen so that I don’t cringe every time I open the cabinet doors.

Let me start off with a couple of before pictures. I decided to focus on three different areas in my kitchen to refresh and organize: the cupboards with cups and plates, the silverware drawer, and the bread cart/cutting board island thing.

Before:

The cupboards:

The problem: the cupboards haven’t been cleaned in ages. The kids typically put dishes away, but since we use almost everything in the cupboard daily, there wasn’t too much organization that was needed.

I removed everything from the cupboards and cleaned the shelves with a wet rag. When was the last time that you wiped your cabinet shelves clean? I admit I don’t do it often (read: pretty much never). It felt so good to clean up the shelves.

I then measured the length of the cupboard shelves and cut a length of Duck Brand’s Shelf Liner to fit. I chose the Smooth Top Easy Liner because it has a nice grip surface on the bottom but it’s smooth on top and easy to remove cups, plates, and bowls.

The silverware drawer:

The problem: the silverware drawer seems to be a junk-collector. There were a bunch of plastic spoons, knives, and forks that really didn’t need to be there, old hand mixer beaters for a hand mixer that has bitten the dust.

Just like the cupboards, I emptied everything out and wiped down the drawer and cleaned the silverware organizer. I lined the drawer with Select Grip Easy Liner, which has a grip surface on the top and the bottom. The grip surface is great for keeping the cups and other non-silverware accessories in place.

The bread cart:

The problem: I love my little island-bread cart thing (I really have no idea what to call it, but I use it to store all of my bread, lunch snacks, rice, and rice cooker, plus two containers full of kitchen utensils that don’t fit in my smaller container next to the stove). But the open wire drawers tend to be a mess and the top tends to be a catch-all for bread, coupons, chip bags, and a bunch of other random things.

I removed everything from the top of the cart, wiped it clean, and then cut a length of Select Grip Easy Liner to go on the top of the shelf. I cleared the bottom drawer and put all of the bread nicely hidden away. Then I only put back what I wanted to see (and what looked nice!). I am in love with how it turned out!

Don’t you love it?!

Did you know? Duck® brand adhesive and non-adhesive shelf liners are an easy – and beautiful – way to organize and refresh your kitchen and other areas in your house.

Follow Duck® brand on Pinterest and Facebook for tons of creative inspiration!

What projects do you need to do at home that Duck Brand’s Shelf Liner would be perfect for?

Kidde Home Fire Safety Tips and Worry-Free Smoke Alarm Giveaway

Lolli — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 16:31:09 +0000

The fire safety tips and information and Kidde Smoke alarm giveaway within this post are being sponsored by Kidde. While the statistics and information about the new Maryland law specifically apply to Maryland residents, the information is relevant to everyone, and as always, opinions are my own.

Do you…

Live in a home that uses battery-powered smoke alarms?
Ever forget to replace the batteries in your smoke alarm?
Have smoke alarms installed only in hallways and not in every bedroom?
Know the last time you replaced your smoke alarm? Was it more than 10 years ago?
Plan to renovate your home or move to a new residence?

New Maryland law about Smoke Alarms:

As of July 1, 2013, homeowners in Maryland with battery-powered smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old must update to long-life sealed-in battery smoke alarms. Also, homes will be required to install smoke alarms in all sleeping areas.

Although it may not be a law in other states, the importance of installing smoke alarms in homes is important everywhere. Take a look at the statistics:

The need for long-life sealed-in battery smoke alarms:

Two-thirds of all home fire deaths in America occur in homes with either no smoke alarm or no working alarm, mainly due to missing or disconnected batteries.
In Maryland, 39 home fire fatalities have been reported from January to June, 2013.
In 2012, nearly half (46%) of Maryland fire fatalities occurred in homes without smoke alarms or with inoperable alarms.
Approximately 800,000 Maryland residences rely on battery-powered smoke alarms.
60% of U.S. homeowners have left a smoke alarm without a working battery.
Fire experts recommend installing smoke alarms on each floor and in sleeping areas. Three out of four homeowners don’t know the proper locations for installation.
Fire experts recommend replacing smoke alarms every 10 years. Industry surveys show one in four homes – those built prior to 2002 – have never replaced their alarms.
After 10 years, a smoke alarm’s efficiency may be compromised with accumulated dust, insects, airborne contaminants and aging electrical circuitry.

“We know that fire safety isn’t at the top of everyone’s minds, yet someone dies in a home fire every three hours in America. We’re proud to help Maryland fire officials spread the word and remind families that a simple step like installing a smoke alarm could save lives,” said Chris Rovenstine, vice president, sales and marketing, Kidde.

Ten-year sealed-in battery smoke alarms, such as Kidde’s Worry-Free line, are available at home improvement retailers and cost between $25 and $50. With no need to replace batteries, consumers will save about $40 in battery costs over the life of one alarm.

Home Fire Safety Tips and Why You Should Act Today

You can keep your family safe by following a few simple steps:

Install smoke alarms on all levels of your home and ensure that they are working properly.
Establish a family fire escape plan and talk to your kids about it regularly. Make sure that everyone in the family knows that if there is a fire, they need to get out and stay out – and fast!
Teach kids that fire is a tool not a toy – and store all matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
Check appliances and cords regularly and watch for overheating, unusual smells, shorts or sparks – and unplug appliances when not in use.

Important to keep in mind:

Most fatal fires happen in homes where the alarm either didn’t operate (because of old batteries) or wasn’t present. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing smoke alarms on each floor and in sleeping areas, yet three out of four U.S. homeowners don’t know where to place them.
On average, you have less than three minutes from the sound of the first smoke alarm to escape. The sooner you hear an alarm, the more time you have to respond.
The NFPA recommends replacing all smoke alarms every 10 years. Aging smoke alarms may not operate efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Surveys show 20% of alarms in older homes have never been replaced. Have yours?

Benefits of Worry Free Smoke Alarms

It’s Always On: 24 hr/day, 7 day/week protection from smoke and fire
Decade of protection: sealed lithium battery provides 10 years of continuous power
Maintenance-free, hassle-free: never replace a battery during the alarm’s operating life and no need to worry about the batteries being removed
Goodbye late night low battery chirps: an end-of-life chirp tells you when it’s time to replace the alarm
Location-based attributes make it simple to select the right alarm for the right location in your home
Money savings: no batteries to buy and replace every six months, save up to $40 over the life of the alarm
Quick and easy installation: simply twist the alarm onto the mounting bracket and it activates

Enter to win a Kidde Worry-Free Smoke Alarm:

One Better in Bulk reader will win a Kidde Worry-Free Smoke Alarm (US residents only). Enter on the Rafflecopter form below before July 31. Winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

Connect with Kidde:

Website: www.kidde.com
Twitter: @Kiddesafety
Facebook: Facebook.com/Kidde

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fire truck picture from RGBstock (home of great free stock photos).

What Makes Your Home Your Sanctuary?

Lolli — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:00:33 +0000

My friend, Rajean, sent me this heart (and hearth) warming story this week while I was dealing with hospitals and other family business. As much as I complain about my home being too small for 7 of us, there are so many things that I DO love about it. I just have to remind myself sometimes so that I don’t focus only on the mess and the cramped spaces.

I need to remember back to April 1, 1998 when we moved into this house – we were first time home owners as well as first time parents just starting our family. Oh! The memories we’ve made here!

So as I get ready to celebrate 15 years in our home, I turn the time over to Rajean…

I’ve been inspired to write this sweet little story about what makes your home your sanctuary because many family and friends have recently moved or have placed homes on the market. Some are happy and some are sad about the changes. Which leads me to ask the question.

What makes your house a home?

The first thing that popped into my head is a favorite song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Our House.” I stop in my tracks whenever I hear it, like the other day while I was shopping. I saw other customers singing along, so I know it has the same effect on others. It is a happy tune.

That’s how I feel about my home. The people along with the stuff inside, all make me happy. I’ve chosen them well. Okay, I chose my husband. The kids are our blessings – and the things on the walls, in the baskets, in each room – I’ve chosen them all very carefully. Some items have been gifts, which also makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Some of the items are hand-me-downs or special finds I’ve collected from garage sales (a favorite hobby) or thrift stores. While they may not be new, the items are new to me and have found a cozy spot in our home.

I love my home. Yes, even on the days when my home is cluttered or I’m mad at the people I share it with or more likely, they’re mad at me (mean mom syndrome).

A good friend and her husband built their dream home recently. They hope it is the last home they will ever own. Not that they plan on going anywhere. They’ve build it ‘just right.’ Like the baby bear in the Goldilocks fable.

I vlogged about a profound moment, during a dark time in my life when I had to leave one of my homes. My mom gave me the best feedback I could have heard at the time.
As I look around the room, I know she was right. Moms have a way with words sometimes.

Personally, I never tire of our mountain views.

I love the stone on our home, the fireplaces – we have one in our great room and one in our master bedroom and I love our granite counters and alder wood cabinets. There are lots of things I have on my wish list to enhance our home. But most days I feel very fortunate.

Tell me what you like about your home. What makes it your sanctuary? Even if you dream of a bigger home or one in a different location or with a deck instead of a patio or a huge master bathroom, whatever your wish list is, what do you love most about the home you are in right this moment?

Check out Rajean’s blog at Because I Said So or stalk her on Twitter (@rajean) like I do…