Holy Homesteading

NaNoWriMo & the Season of Joy

Like Christmas presents, I've been wrapping up the loose ends on my stories for National Novel Writing Month. I am not a "winner" coming short of the fifty thousand words needed. However, I feel like a winner. Why? Because I've been writing. I've been proving to myself that with two tiny children I can doContinue reading "NaNoWriMo & the Season of Joy"

DIY Car Fresheners

You can use essential oils to freshen your home using a diffuser. But how do you get those fantastic scents to the car where (at least for me) most my headaches seem to start. When the baby is crying, the toddler needs to use the bathroom, and the ice cream is melting in the trunk and you wantContinue reading "DIY Car Fresheners"

DIY Massage Bar

The last time I was in LUSH the handmade cosmetic's store I saw that they now carry massage bars. They look like a bar of soap and when you put it in your hands the heat of your hands warms the bar enough to melt the shea/cocoa butter and you use it for massages. IContinue reading "DIY Massage Bar"

NaNoWriMo Halftime Takeaways

So you've decided to try to write your novel this month like so many hopefuls out there. Whether you are on track, behind or ahead of the pace, congratulate yourself on getting words down! You've already won by simply beginning. If you are like me you've already hit a few snags in your story. It'sContinue reading "NaNoWriMo Halftime Takeaways"

My Favorite Kitchen Tools

Since being in culinary school I have found some great kitchen tools that I love and I wanted to share with you. Here are five things that I use often in my kitchen. Chefs Knife You need to have a sharp chefs knife, I use mine almost always along with my pairing knife. Stick withContinue reading "My Favorite Kitchen Tools"

Autumn Art- Harvest Tree

A stroll through the woods with my toddler this past weekend resulted in a basket full of sticks, moss, and leaves of blaze and gold. The biggest leaves she wanted to paint but once we got out the craft box we changed our plans. Using a paint stick, baby food jar, jut string, packaging paper,Continue reading "Autumn Art- Harvest Tree"

Traveling to Oak Island, NC

I visited Oak Island this past weekend and I wanted to share with you some of the photos I gathered along the way. Where we were staying in Oak Island was south facing so we were able to see the sunrise and the sunset on the ocean! Sunrise Sunset There is also a lighthouse onContinue reading "Traveling to Oak Island, NC"

Jot That Down: A Writer’s Conference in Hindsight

Like the jitters I get after drinking a Red Bull , there is something special and energizing about being around your tribe of people. My tribe is creatives, specifically writers. This weekend I was blessed to attend a conference and have five hours of time to soak it all up. Carpooling with a dear writingContinue reading "Jot That Down: A Writer’s Conference in Hindsight"

Whipped Sugar Scrub DIY

Cold weather is approaching and with that comes dry skin. Sugar scrubs are amazing for hydrating your hands during the winter months come along with me today to learn how to make your own! Supplies: 3/4 cup Coconut Oil 1 cup Sugar Mixer Optional: Coloring (beet powder etc) Grapefruit zest Essential Oils Jojoba oil orContinue reading "Whipped Sugar Scrub DIY"

A Harry Potter House Party

I love to entertain but sometimes I get a tad bit carried away. So when I had the thought to throw a Harry Potter themed party just for giggles I had to set myself a limit, and stick to it! For me, a die-hard DIYer, the Décor is my bread and butter area. But onContinue reading "A Harry Potter House Party"

Fallen Leaves & Fire Pits

I've been wanting a fire pit in our yard for a few years now. I love s'mores and even though it will be a pain to get the marshmallow off my toddlers face, hands, and hair the memories of a fire pit will be worth it. There is a spot deep in our woods butContinue reading "Fallen Leaves & Fire Pits"

Fluid Art DIY

I've been watching fluid art videos for awhile now and today's the day I decided to try it out for myself and share with you how I did it and how it went. If you don't know what fluid art is I linked a video below describing a little bit of what it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLXMh1gbcyg Continue reading "Fluid Art DIY"

Sage Wreaths

All this crisp autumn air has me taking long walks and lingering outside on these last snowless days, before the cold nips too hard or the animals disappear into their homes. It also has me storing up veggies, herbs, and seeds for next year. So as I shook out seeds from the Black Eyed Susan'sContinue reading "Sage Wreaths"

Homemade Eclairs

In class this week we made eclairs so Id thought Id share the process so you could try them out too! They are super fun to make and are DELICIOUS! Ingredients for Eclairs Water 10 oz. Butter 4 oz. Sugar 1 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Bread flour 6 oz. Eggs 6 oz. Ingredients for Pastry Cream Milk 16oz SugarContinue reading "Homemade Eclairs"

Fishing for an Agent

I love to fish. But with toddlers it isn't something I get to do as often as I'd like. So now I settle for figurative fishing by quering my stories to agents, editors, and publishers. One thing is certain, if you never cast into the water you will never catch anything. But if you doContinue reading "Fishing for an Agent"

Pumpkin Succulent Planter DIY

Its fall! Pumpkins are out and its time to decorate your home! Here is a quick DIY on how to make an amazing pumpkin planter for your succulents! Supplies: 1 Small White pumpkin 3 Succulents Carving Knife Lemon and vinegar spray bottle How To: Start by washing the outside of your pumpkin, make sure toContinue reading "Pumpkin Succulent Planter DIY"

Personalized Board Game DIY

I'm forever trying to think up new uses for broken, outdated, or useless items. It's a blessing and a curse. So when I found out my old bestie Scrabble game was a few pieces short of a full alphabet I was more than a little bummed out. Instead of throwing it into the trash I'veContinue reading "Personalized Board Game DIY"

Dollar Store DIY Fall Wreath

I wanted to decorate my front door for fall so I drove down to the dollar tree to pick up some supplies for a fall wreath. I purchased some fall colored flowers, a glitter pumpkin, burlap and a wreath base and started to piece it all together. Grab your hot glue gun because this isContinue reading "Dollar Store DIY Fall Wreath"

Disney’s Frozen as a Case Study in Scene

My toddler has her favorite parts of movies (cue Let It Go) and I find it fascinating how movies effortlessly transition- just like a story scene should. I study these transitions to improve my writing. Next time you're staring down the barrel of another Disney movie try this! Go to the scene selection menu onContinue reading "Disney’s Frozen as a Case Study in Scene"

Embroidery Hoop Necklace

Walking through Joanne Fabrics I found a wonderful DIY craft project to try out! I wanted to share my review of the product and some ideas to DIY it yourself. The brand is cross stitch style and they have a bunch of cross stitch projects that are super affordable and look fun to make. IContinue reading "Embroidery Hoop Necklace"