Home and Garden

You wait all year for those vibrant blooms — those little bursts of color that brighten the corner table, just in time for the holidays. And then? Plop. The buds start dropping like ornaments from a shaky tree. It’s frustrating, disheartening, and honestly, it can feel a little personal. But don’t worry — you’re not doing anything “wrong.” Your Christmas cactus just has a few quirks that need a bit of understanding. Let’s walk through what’s really going on behind that bud drop and how to keep your plant happy — without losing your mind (or your blooms). 1. A …

In almost every kitchen, there’s a little secret lurking right beneath the oven — a drawer you’ve probably used to stash pans, baking sheets, or that mismatched lid you swear you’ll need someday. You know the one. But here’s the kicker: that drawer might not be what you think it is. Wait — You Mean It’s Not Just for Storage? Nope. Not always. For decades now, home cooks — myself included — have defaulted to using that drawer as bonus cabinet space. And can you blame us? Kitchens aren’t exactly known for extra storage, especially if you’re wrangling casserole dishes …

You know the feeling — you’re curled up with a book or maybe a hot drink, and suddenly your feet feel like they’re sitting in a wind tunnel. That cold draft slipping under the front door doesn’t care that your handyman’s not coming until January. But don’t worry, there’s plenty you can do with things you already have lying around the house. Let’s walk through some creative, low-effort fixes to keep that chill where it belongs — outside. 1. First Things First — Where’s It Coming From? Before you start stuffing socks under your door, check where the cold air’s …

I’ll be honest—until a few years ago, I’d never heard of the Stone Breaker plant. It wasn’t in my kitchen garden, never came up at the co-op, and certainly wasn’t sitting next to the chamomile or peppermint on the grocery shelf. But one hot afternoon in late July, while helping a neighbor weed her wild little backyard jungle, she pointed to this scrappy green herb growing low near the base of her banana trees. “That one?” she said, brushing the leaves. “It breaks stones. Real ones—in your kidneys.” I blinked. “Wait… what?” And just like that, I was hooked. Why …

Okay, real talk—nothing ruins the vibe of a clean kitchen faster than that sneaky, sour trash can smell. You know the one. It hits you right when you’re feeling smug about wiping the counters down or lighting that fancy candle you’ve been saving. And boom—funky garbage air. I used to scrub my trash can, buy those overpriced scented liners, even tried tucking dryer sheets under the bag like some TikTok wizard. Nothing really worked worked… until I remembered Nana’s way. Now, my nana didn’t have Pinterest or plastic everything. But her house always smelled fresh—even with five kids, two dogs, …

You ever open the fridge, spot that Tupperware of Tuesday’s chili, and think, “Oh good, dinner’s sorted!”—only to heat it up and wonder why it tastes like a soggy version of its former self? Been there. Too many times to count. For years, I thought I was being smart with my leftovers—saving money, cutting waste, keeping things easy. But then I started noticing that things weren’t quite as tasty the next day. Or worse, something smelled a little off, and into the trash it went. Turns out, there’s a right way and a wrong way to handle leftovers. And honestly? …

I’ll be honest—rosemary and I had a rocky start.Every year, I’d pick up a cute little plant from the nursery, full of optimism. I’d bring it home, set it on the windowsill like a proud plant parent, and within weeks? Dead. Brown, crunchy, done for. It got embarrassing. Like, how hard can it be to keep a dang herb alive?But after the third (okay, maybe fourth) plant funeral, I finally got curious enough to figure out what rosemary actually wants. Turns out, it wasn’t me—it was the pot. And the water. And, well… everything I was doing. If your rosemary’s …

The other day I was wandering through Goodwill, honestly just killing time before a dentist appointment, when I spotted this old, scratched-up tray buried under a pile of mismatched dishes. It had faded sunflowers, chipped paint, and smelled faintly of someone’s attic. And I grabbed it without a second thought. Why? Because I’ve learned never to underestimate a good tray. You might think I’m being dramatic, but these things are DIY goldmines. Whether they’re wooden, plastic, metal, or a total mystery material from the ’70s, they’ve got potential. Real, “ooh, where did you get that?” kind of potential. Why You’ll …

You know what used to drive me nuts? Spending a good half hour wiping down the windows only to have them dry with more streaks than a football field in winter. I’d step back, squint, tilt my head—nope, still streaky. It wasn’t until a neighbor (God bless her tidy soul) shared her vinegar trick that things finally clicked. But not just vinegar. The right way to use it. There’s a method to the madness, and once you learn it, there’s no going back. Why You’ll Love This (Yes, Even if You Hate Cleaning) Natural and non-toxic: Say goodbye to harsh …

You know, there are some things our grandmothers did that just seemed like magic. My nana, bless her, had this quiet way of handling a dozen things at once — raising kids, running the house, baking cookies before church — and still managing to keep her carpets smelling like spring sunshine. One trick I’ll never forget? Her little “freezer fix” for musty rugs. It takes all of four minutes and absolutely no elbow grease. I didn’t appreciate it much back then, but now? It’s a lifesaver. So if your carpets are smelling a little lived-in (hey, no judgment — life …