It is cold.  It has been cold for quite some time now.  My kids are always asking for hot chocolate.  Since they cannot have cow milk, I decided to make my own from goat milk.  It was good, but they are spoiled with the powdered flavor of hot chocolate.  It was not their favorite, but I'm telling you it is... »

During the winter months, my family uses the fireplace located centrally to heat the living room, dining room, and kitchen.  This is where we spend most of our time in the evening.  The house is warm, but one still has to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to be completely comfortable.  I grew up in... »

Last Saturday the bustling city of Plantersville hosted its annual Christmas parade.  Plantersville is a town that sits at one intersection of a farm to market road and a state highway.  It has a... »

The day before the big freeze last week I picked these lemons from my mom's lemon tree.  They are Meyer Lemons.  They are excellent. Lemons are used for so many things.  Lemons smell so fresh and clean that lemon oil is a popular ingredient of household cleaners.  Water with slices of lemon help cleanse your liver. ... »

This article concludes the series of homemade gift ideas.  If you missed the prior articles in the series, check out Homemade Gift Ideas, Part One and Part Two.  I saved a meaningful and inexpensive gift for last.  I have given these to family members throughout the years and other family members have taken this idea and ran with it as... »

This idea is much easier to make than the concrete bench in "Homemade Gift Ideas, Part One."  It takes only some of your time and resources.  It costs very little to put together. Last year I made "Farm Fresh Baskets" for friends and family.  I found some inexpensive baskets in red, green, and/or gold.  I shredded some white computer paper in... »

Christmas will be here before you know it.  The economy is tough.  Unemployment is high.  Even if you have a job, money is tight.  What to do?  What to do? I personally prefer making gifts by hand regardless of the amount of money that my family has.  It takes time... »

We finally finished laying and grouting the tile in my dining and living rooms.  It was back-breaking work.  I wonder how long until our backs and knees stop aching.  The thin-set and grout have done a number on my hands, too.  I am so glad this part of the project is over.  Now we can stand back and admire our... »

It is time for all the holiday parties.  Appetizers are some of my favorite things to eat.  Since my family has been diagnosed with food allergies, holiday get-togethers present a problem.  There are a wide variety of foods.  Therefore, you have to ask the ingredients, the brand, etc. of so many trays of food. I... »