Pineapple Chicken Stir fry

Have you found yourself eating from home more often? One of the changes we implemented early on was to try new recipes. Before our local library closed, I checked out a few cookbooks and we started earmarking pages of recipes we wanted to try. We've eaten a lot of new meals, and the teenagers have taken on cooking more often {it's part of the mom instructed home ec course I'm teaching here}. An overwhelming favorite is Chinese food. Orange chicken, hibachi {on the griddle!}, and stirfry of all kinds. I'm sharing a new favorite, this pineapple chicken stirfry your family will love!

5 Things I Learned From Being on a College Parents Message Board

Two weeks before my oldest son graduated from college, I found the official university parents board for his school. I had no idea the Facebook group even existed and I must confess, I'm kind of glad I was oblivious. I was surprised at what I found the parents asking and how involved the parents were in their young adults life. Kids are being raised with their parents watching their every move, tracking their locations, and monitoring their grades and I can see that even after their children are tucked away safely in their dorms, that they are having a hard time letting go. I think we can all agree that there is a fine line between being an involved parent and over-parenting. The role of a parent can get really tricky as our kids become more independent and start heading out into the world on their own. Here are 5 things I learned from watching other parents navigate launching their children into independence. 

How to Make the Perfect Bloody Mary

Commonly served in a highball glass, the Bloody Mary is one of the most popular vodka drinks today. The Bloody Mary is a frequent cocktail served at special breakfast and lunch occasions. Its zest and jolt are welcomed and desired among all types of people from all walks of life. It is widely known as a hangover cure, but this is due to the high content of vitamin C in the tomato juice. Actually, the tomato juice in the Bloody Mary is the reason why they are known not to cause bad hangovers at all. This is another reason to love this cocktail. Read on to find out how to make the perfect Bloody Mary.

$1 Homemade DIY Face Mask Using Dollar Store Supplies

There has been a lot of uncertainty, and I might also say, a lot of conflicting information as of late. As we start to see the weeks pass, and more doors open up as life starts to resume a new normal, more and more businesses and even airlines are requiring customers to wear a face mask. The supplies are in great demand, the shelves are often more empty than the toilet paper aisle and many people are struggling to find face masks they can wear. I decided to see if I could make a face mask {a no-sew face mask as well as a mask that is sewn} using supplies from the Dollar Tree. I was able to make both for you guessed it, under $1 and I'm sharing how you can make a DIY homemade face mask using Dollar Tree supplies.

Three Little Things To Make with the Cricut Joy {Using Vinyl}

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.


I was always the smallest in school. I had to stand in the front row for pictures and creep up on my tiptoes if I wanted to see anything in a crowd. I heard the phrase "small but mighty" quite often. It's the same phrase I've been using when I think about the new Cricut Joy. I'm no stranger to the cutting machine. I've had one for the past decade or so, but I'll be honest, I just don't have the room to store my machine. I keep my cutting machines in a box in the closet and have to lug them out when I'm ready to use them. While other machines are making bigger, I was excited to see that Cricut made a small machine called the Cricut Joy that can sit out on a counter and be ready for any project. The goal is to create personalized projects that can be created in just a few minutes because not everyone has a craft room to DIY and personalize things. I've got three small but mighty projects you can make with a Cricut Joy using vinyl and I promise you, you'll realize that practical everyday projects have never been easier to make! No craft room required!