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beach house renovation for Airbnb
After we sold our rural cabin, we put the proceeds into a cute-but-tired beach house on the Delaware shore. We found an adorable house in a Key West style (elevated on pilings) and took the plunge! But the house was in terrible shape. It smelled awful, the furniture was unpleasant, and the flowery couch was…
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new year lists of fun
Do you make resolutions? For years, I tried . . . I’d come up with a long list of things like losing weight, eating healthier foods, working out more . . . and it never, ever stuck. Then, a couple of years ago, I heard Gretchen Rubin talking about how she makes lists for the…
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gift ideas for preteen girls
Are you shopping for preteen girls this year? It sure is a hard age to please! One minute, they’re playing with dolls, and the next minute they’re putting on mascara. Here are some things my girls (ages 11 and 12) are loving, as well as a few surprises I’m planning to get for them. And…
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Halloween snacks
Are you hosting a party for Halloween this year? Bringing festive snacks to school or work? Here are some very fun and easy ideas, all inspired by Two Peas and their Pod. It looks fun, right? Little secret — all of this is very easy, and with the exception of the finger cookies, requires no…
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celebrating everything: the final baby tooth
Our oldest daughter lost her last baby tooth last week! The actual moment was kind of uneventful — we were in a diner when the tooth came out, and I wrapped it in a paper napkin . . . and then left it on the table. I was so frustrated with myself — I really…
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visiting New Orleans
One of our favorite places in the world is the Big Easy! I love the music, the heat, the food . . . the city seems to pulse with energy and joy. John visited New Orleans many times before we met (he had a good friend who lived there), and he’s introduced me to some…
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mother’s day tea
As you may know, Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday, May 8. (Isn’t it amazing that it’s already May?) We had an early and impromptu celebration for my beautiful mom last week while my parents were visiting. Our menu was incredibly simple, but the table was pretty and I think she felt very loved. We…
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adding a DIY stair runner
We’re back! After spring break, an unfortunate run-in with COVID, and a visit from the grandparents, we’re back with a fantastic DIY project. Installing your own stair runner is a way to instantly elevate the look of your house without spending much money or time. Plus, it makes the stairs safer! Both John and I…
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Last-minute Easter table
Easter is one of my favorite holidays, full of lots of family traditions. It’s a low-stress holiday for us (unlike Christmas!), plus the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming. We go to church in the morning and then come home for a leisurely, relaxed Sunday dinner. We pop some champagne, sit outside, and…
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from scary basement to cozy family room
Our basement has been such a LONG work in progress! When we moved into the house in August 2017, the basement floor was filled with asbestos and there was mold inside the walls. So unpleasant. We quickly paid for mold rehabilitation and for someone to cover the asbestos floors with a concrete-like substance that sealed…
