Category: Domesticity
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Best of: The Virtue of Mundane Tasks
April has arrived, signaling spring along with the promise of budding trees and flowering bulbs. Normally, those of us in the northern hemisphere would feel the beginnings of hope, knowing that sooner rather than later, winter would release its hold. Yet, here we are—gripped by a global pandemic and wondering if the normal we once…
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Caregiving For All Seasons
These days, my role as a caregiver looks different than it did ten years ago. I have two young-adult children who can basically fend for themselves. But, I can still recall with vivid detail the season of life where my caregiving duties were in much more demand. From chauffeuring my kids to games and practices,…
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The Virtue of Mundane Tasks
I spent part of two days cleaning my kitchen floor last week. The linoleum flooring is ancient and hasn’t looked clean in the five years we have lived in this house. Don’t get me wrong, the floor’s been mopped before, but this time I did it the old fashioned way—on my hands and knees with…
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Roasting Vegetables: A Transformation
Who knew that magic happens when you combine an oven, a roasting pan, and some vegetables tossed with olive oil and some salt and pepper. Have some carrots languishing in your crisper? Roast them and find yourself eating them like pieces of candy. Asparagus season is quickly approaching. Toss them with some EVOO and roast…
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What’s in Your Refrigerator?
Last night I took smug satisfaction in what I fixed for dinner. I used bits of this and that to create a delicious meal. What joy! I come from a proud line of women who possess a remarkable ability to save every last scrap of food. Who knows how that last piece of broccoli will…
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Summer Save Challenge
I’m sure it says something about my personality when I say that the start of summer vacation motivates me like the start of a new year. What do I what to accomplish over the next few months? What activities do I want to make sure happen? This probably sounds more hard core than I mean…
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Shopping at Aldi: Love or Hate?
If I were a betting woman, I would bet that when you hear the words, “I shop at Aldi,” you either chime in with a “Me too!” or you respond with an “I can’t stand the place!” Aldi seems to elicit strong reactions from people for a variety of reasons. Personally, I love Aldi. I…
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Always Orange at Home
Week 2: Always Orange in the Dining Room If you walked through my front door, you would see my dining room immediately to your right. If you walked through my front door today, you would see sunglasses, a backpack, a camera, keys, and a bag from Michaels that has been sitting on the dining room…
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Forcing Forsythia
Signs of spring are evident in my yard. The outside temperatures may not be cooperating, but the daffodils grow taller each day. Soon their yellow cups will bloom. Snowdrops and crocuses display colors of white, yellow, and purple. The tulips push through the soil too. Early in my days as a gardener I learned how…
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Use What You Have
The start of a new year is a time to reevaluate those areas of our lives that need improving. Whether it is losing weight or starting an exercise program or saving money and sticking to a budget, we feel motivated by a fresh start to renew our efforts in earnest. For me, I need to…
Alicia Brummeler 