Keep Your Lettuce Sweet – It’s all in the timing

Keep It Sweet – Lettuce Last year’s lettuce was fabulous. My mom had told me a couple of years ago that I shouldn’t plant my own lettuce because it becomes bitter. Her experience left a bitter taste in her mouth (pun intended) So, as always, I wanted to find out why and did a little research and experimenting. This is what I discovered: If you are having problems with your lettuce tasting bitter, pick it in the morning, wash and dry it and put it in the fridge for a day. It should sweeten up. The hot sun of the day can dry it out and make it bitter. It usually recoups over night in the dew. Be sure to water the lettuce in the morning – the water helps the lettuce survive the hot sun later in the day that can strip it of its sweetness. We also added … Read more

Hoarder's Renovated Home {Love My DIY Home}

Before and After House Flip – A Look at the Hoarding Disorder

A House Flip You Never Know What is on the Inside Looking at a home from the outside can be very deceiving – just like the outside of a person often doesn’t reveal what is inside of their heart. The flaws will remain anonymous. Join me for a look at a hoarder disorder as seen through the eyes of their family. Definition of Hoarding from Mayo Clinic: “Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs.   Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Some people also collect animals, keeping dozens or hundreds of pets in unsanitary conditions because … Read more

Aiding Refugees in Lesvos {Love My DIY Home}

Helping Refugees – My Son’s Mission

  To My DIY Tribe:   As you look around you and see all that God has allowed you to have – a safe, clean home, warmth, family, friends, freedom of worship, medical support, possessions, warm clothing, jobs, money, entertainment, hobbies…   Please pray for my son, Andrew, volunteering on the island of Lesvos helping the refugees who are escaping from Turkey.   He is considering a dangerous move to help diminish the lives lost while escaping by boat. He is considering going to Turkey as a scout. He could end up in a Turkish jail if arrested for aiding the refugees.   Here is his journal if you want to read his first hand accounts:   AndrewFrania.com   This is the ultimate DIY – risking your own life to save people you have never met. He is supporting himself with the unemployment from his seasonal job. Please support him, … Read more

Never Forget {Love My DIY Home}

9/11

"To Islamic Extremists: I know you're watching, so pay attention. You hate my freedom, my religion, and my country… Don't ever confuse me for my politicians or my media. I am an American, free born and free bred.. My freedom is more powerful than anything you can possibly do. I will say what I think, worship according to my beliefs, and raise my children how I see fit. And I defend it all with the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I cower to no one." Marcus Luttrell – NAVY SEAL (Retired)

4 Alzheimer Friendly Home Modifications {Love My DIY Home}

4 DIY Alzheimer’s Friendly Home Modifications – Guest Post by Mike Good

As we grow older, we start to discover that our homes no longer meet our physical needs as smoothly as when we were younger. Climbing stairs becomes more challenging, we might trip on transitions that never impeded us before, or the lighting may seem dull, making it harder to read. This is where thoughtful home improvements, like the installation of Stair kits, can make a significant difference in enhancing both accessibility and safety. Stairs take on an elegant and inviting quality when adorned with stylish stair runners, adding both beauty and functionality to the home. Get inspired to do a new stair project by consulting experts. It becomes important to keep our changing needs in mind anytime we do a home modification. Also, many of us will find the need to move an older loved one into our home, some of whom may have Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The unique … Read more

Grief Makes One Hour Ten FREE Word Art {Love My DIY Home}

How Long Should Grief Last?

It’s been 243 days. That’s 5829 hours… exactly 349,768 minutes. How long should grief last? Should I be moving on by now? Is the past in the past? For those of you who will be experiencing grief in the future, or those of you in the throes of grief let me encourage you. Don’t put it off. Don’t avoid it. Don’t wish it away.   It’s part of life. Does it hurt? Yes. Does it go away? Yes. Eventually. Sort of. If you allow yourself, you will eventually only focus on the good moments and let the painful ones fade. Just don’t dwell. If you dwell, you will get depressed and it will mess up your day. Think about it for a bit and then put it aside. Grief may not be a friend, but it doesn’t have to be an enemy either. Don’t feel guilty if you choose to … Read more

Non-funeral Pepper Party {Love My DIY Home}

The Pepper Party – A {DIY} Non-Traditional Funeral

The Pepper Party – a Funeral Alternative  Pepper Party: pep·per /ˈpepər/ par·ty /ˈpärdē/ n. 1. a. A ceremony or group of ceremonies held in honor of Pepper, a mom, grams, and meemaw. A non-funeral in celebration of life for the benefit of those left behind.   Be a rebel with a cause – do things your way, do it yourself and thumb your nose at tradition – change the rules for your family.   Sometimes DIYing is the best way to care for your family.   Let me show you what we did, but first…   Choose which photo warms your heart and gives you hope. This one… Or this one? Do you know anyone who found comfort in a traditional funeral? The thought of three days of standing around in a funeral parlor greeting visitors and then sitting through a funeral wasn't very appealing to our family. Have you … Read more

Caring for an Elderly Parent {Love My DIY Home}

12 Ways to Support a Failing Parent + Free Psalm 91 Word Art

It’s Coming – Get Prepared {scroll to the end for the free Psalm 91 Word Art}  Most will experience one or more parent’s decline in health, whether it be mental, physical or both. You can’t be 100% prepared, but perhaps my 12 tips borne from personal experience can help make your journey easier. When it comes your turn, I hope you will be able to say, “I got this.” I’ll wait while you go grab some coffee – this is a long one… {1} When Things Get Tough… Watch and wait for the moment you must step in and reverse roles with your mother. She has taken care of you her whole life but will eventually need you to start taking care of her. You both will know when the time is right, though you should expect some resistance. Independence is a hard thing to lose and once we lose … Read more

DIY Newborn Photos {Love My DIY Home}

Do It Yourself Photo Session – NEWBORN BABY!

Madison My daughter Jillian and I recently did a newborn baby girl photo shoot for my new granddaughter, Madison Grace. Have you priced photo shoots lately? I have and it’s not pretty. There is no reason you can’t do your own and do it well. The background in the above picture was the Jones’ living room curtains. Maddie is laying on her crib quilt atop my DVD basket from my living room propped on my bigger basket that we use to store winter gloves and scarves that sits in my entry way.> There is nothing more fun than taking pictures of our new baby and being able to say, “I took that.” Our oldest daughter, April, had Madison a week ago. It’s her home that I followed during their remodel in my series, “Keeping Up With the Joneses.” See their posts below: The Kitchen Before; Kitchen Demolition; Preparing the Walls; … Read more

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