All Posts By Jennifer

Alright, let’s just say it—I love Dawn. That little blue bottle has been parked by my sink for as long as I can remember. Cuts through bacon grease like nothing else. I’ve even used it to pre-treat laundry stains (don’t tell my husband, but it once saved his favorite fishing shirt from a ketchup tragedy). But here’s the thing: as much as I adore it, Dawn isn’t a “clean everything” solution. There are places where that stuff can cause more harm than good. And yes, I’ve learned a few of these lessons the hard way—cue the cracked leather purse and …

Let me tell you—white plastic cutting boards are one of those things that seem like a great idea when you buy them. Clean, lightweight, cheap. They go with everything in the kitchen. But give it a few months, and they start showing their age real fast. Before you know it, they’ve picked up every stain from dinner last week—and a few mystery ones, too. Tomato juice, turmeric, garlic smells… it all clings to those boards like nobody’s business. Well, a few years back, my ma shared a little trick with me that she swore by. And like most things ma …

Now I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing that gets me reaching for my cleaning gloves faster than spotting a trail of ants in the kitchen—or worse, a sneaky little roach scurrying under the fridge. Ugh. No thank you. But here’s a little secret passed down from my great-aunt (who swore by vinegar for everything): borax + wax paper + a smart hiding spot = a pest-free home—without spraying every corner of your house or calling in the big (expensive) guns. So grab your borax and a piece of wax paper—we’re going old-school today.  What’s So Great About Borax …

Okay, confession time: I used to never clean my toaster. Like… ever. Sure, I’d empty the crumb tray once in a blue moon (usually when I dropped a slice of bread and noticed the toaster looked like it was full of burnt snowflakes). But actually cleaning it? With soap and water and effort? No thank you. I had more important things to do. Like eat the toast. But one afternoon, I was at my Nana’s house, and we were making grilled cheese (on the stove, not in the toaster, don’t worry), and I casually mentioned that my toaster had basically …

You ever look at your yard and think, “Huh… I wonder how far this actually goes?” Maybe it’s because you’re itching to put up a fence, plant some trees, or settle a good old-fashioned neighborly debate (you know the kind). Whatever the reason, figuring out your property line is one of those tasks that feels like it should be simple—but often turns into a bit of a treasure hunt. Let’s walk through it together—no legal jargon, no fuss. Just some practical steps and friendly advice from someone who’s been there. Why Property Lines Even Matter Let me tell you, knowing …

Let’s be honest—cleaning the oven hood filter is one of those chores that always gets bumped to “next weekend.” You look up at it, all coated in sticky gunk from months (okay, sometimes years) of cooking, and think, Ugh, I’ll deal with that later. I used to dread it too. Scrubbing it with dish soap, watching the grease smear around instead of coming off, wondering if it would ever look clean again… not my idea of a relaxing Sunday afternoon. But then my Nana, who was queen of keeping a spotless kitchen without a single harsh chemical in sight, showed …

Let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way: just because something looks okay, doesn’t mean it’s safe to eat. There was a time when I’d look at a tub of yogurt or a half-forgotten pack of lunch meat in the fridge, give it a quick sniff, and figure—eh, close enough. I mean, we grew up hearing “expiration dates are just guidelines,” right? Well… not always. And definitely not for everything. As someone who’s spent years feeding a family and trying to waste less while keeping everyone healthy, I’ve come to realize how important it is to really understand …

I grew up thinking my grandpa was some kind of garden wizard. He’d walk out in his overalls with his old watering can, whistle a tune, and somehow everything—from roses to radishes—just thrived under his watch. But you know what he didn’t tolerate? Weeds.Not a single one. “Those suckers’ll steal your garden’s soul,” he used to mutter while squinting down at a patch of dandelions, hands on his hips. He wasn’t wrong. Weeds sneak in, drink all the water, hog the sun, and make your hard work look like you’ve never picked up a rake in your life. But Grandpa …

Let me tell you something: plumbing is one of those things we don’t think much about… until we have to. A gurgling drain, a faucet that won’t quit dripping, a mystery leak that appears during your Sunday roast—sound familiar? Plumbers—bless ’em—have seen it all. And while most of us are just trying to keep our sinks from backing up, these folks have a whole toolbox of tricks and tidbits they’ve picked up over years on the job. Stuff they don’t always advertise, but boy, it’s handy when you know it. So today, I’m letting you in on a few of …