Home Is My Happy Spot

Avocados aren't just for yuppies and vegans anymore--oodles of Americans are obsessed with them! Why are avocados so popular? Not only are they more accessible and affordable than ever before, but avocados are a superfood that actually taste delicious.    After guacamole, avocado toast is immensely popular. How Avocados Became More Accessible in America Avocados have been a Mexican staple for over 10,000 years, but Americans' delight over this fresh, buttery, and nutty tasting fruit began in the early 20th century, mainly in the growing regions of California and Florida. One particular variety, the Hass avocado, comprises nearly 95% of the four billion avocados Americans eat each year, and it's an avocado with an interesting history. Rudolph Hass was a California mail carrier who planted three avocado seeds in 1926, which yielded one strong seedling.  When Hass's attempt to graft his seedling with another avocado variety failed, he almost cut down his tree.  Thankful...

There are two opinions when it comes to wind chimes:  you either love or hate the sound of them dancing across the breeze. Some people prefer the pure melodies of nature, like a chorus of chirping birds, wind rustling through the trees, or water trickling over rocks in a nearby brook.  To such, wind chimes are a clamorous intrusion upon tranquility. For others, wind chimes are the perfect accompaniment to nature's symphony.  No relaxation CD can compare.  Perhaps the reason for the opposing viewpoints on wind chimes really centers on sound quality--not all wind chimes are created equal. Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes from Wind River Are Superior in Quality and Made in the USA! You get what you pay for is cliché, but it holds true when it comes to purchasing the perfect set of wind chimes. You can find wind chimes anywhere:  garden centers, hardware stores, home improvement retailers, the grocery, and online, and they come in a wide spectrum of price points. When ...

What Causes the Film on Your Dryer Lint Trap? You want to wear clothes that are soft and static-free, but using fabric softener and dryer sheets creates a gunky film on your dryer lint trap.   Do you always clean the lint off your dryer screen after every load?  You probably do, but with regular use, your lint trap also needs washed approximately every six months to eliminate buildup which adversely affects your dryer's efficiency. One way to tell if your dryer lint trap needs a thorough washing is to hold it up to the light.  Do you see shaded areas like the picture on the left below?  Rinsing the dryer lint screen under water won't fix the problem.  The water will not drain properly through the screen when it's clogged with residue, which means air can't flow through it either. A clogged dryer lint trap prevents your dryer from working optimally.   Why Do You Need to Clean the Lint Screen? If you have a family, the endless amount of laundry is...

You Can Never Go Wrong with Bacon & Eggs for Breakfast! Like many women, I spend the majority of my time in the kitchen.  There are always meals to prepare, lunches to pack, snacks to assemble, and dishes to wash.  I know.... I'm preaching to the choir! On the weekends, my hubby loves a hearty breakfast, but since I've already devoted enough of my time to meal preparation, he is willing to fend for himself.  This is good news for the rest of our family because necessity is the mother of invention, and it's during these times, he creates some delectable new dishes. My all-time favorite breakfast is my husband's legendary bacon and egg roll-ups and seasoned potatoes, and he always makes them for my birthday and other special occasions. I've observed him putting the bacon and egg roll-ups together many times, wanting to replicate and share his tasty recipe, but he doesn't measure any of the ingredients.  Bacon and egg roll-ups pair perfectly with seasoned, frie...

Styes & Chalazions are Stubborn! If you've ever had a stye or chalazion on your eyelid, you know how persistent one can be.  When you Google ways to get rid of them, you typically find the same home remedies repeated on various sites:  hot compresses, tea bags, cucumbers, and avoiding contacts and make-up.  What if you've tried all those methods and your stye or chalazion won't go away? Our daughter struggled with a chalazion, which we originally assumed was a stye, for several months until we consulted an optometrist and later an ophthalmologist for help.  To spare you the time, trouble, and expense of costly doctor visits, I will share the tips recommended by these medical professionals. What Is the Difference Between a Stye and a Chalazion? Styes typically begin at the base of your eyelash and are the result of an infection of the hair follicle.  A stye on the inside of your eyelid is caused by the infection of an oil gland.  A stye can become very p...

A "Feast" Your Family Will Love No holiday season is complete without the annual viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas .  It's a delightful, transformative tale about finding and sharing in the Christmas spirit. Before the Grinch's heart grows three sizes, he hates that the Whos feast, feast, feast on Who-pudding and Who-roast beast--a feast he can't stand in the least!  As a result, he steals all the food in each house along with every vestige of Christmas. He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash. Why, that Grinch even took their last can of Who-hash! If your kids are picky eaters who hesitate to touch their plates with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole, you will have no trouble enticing them with this comforting and Christmas-y recipe.  Plus, it's much tastier than a three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce! What Is "Hash?" Hash refers to a dish consisting of seasoned diced meat, potatoes, and vegetables that ...

Thanksgiving Dinner for Smaller Gatherings As Thanksgiving approaches, various medias picture large families gathered around a table overflowing with festive foods, young kids at play, and grandpa sleeping in the living room recliner.  The incessant clamor of voices creates a beautiful kind of chaos. Everyone leaves with full bellies, a plate of leftovers, and the memory of another great Thanksgiving tucked away in their hearts. Maybe you're not from a large family, your kids can't make it home this year, or you're at a stage of life where too much commotion is unsettling.  You want a great Thanksgiving meal at home though and can't imagine going to a restaurant. Our family is small, too, and after years of experimenting, we have landed on a delicious menu that pleases everyone, doesn't create too many leftovers, and can be prepared in just a few hours.      Whether you're feeding your small family or inviting a few friends over to celebrate, here are recipes f...