How to Balance Your Checkbook

Whether or not you run a balanced budget, there’s nothing more important than keeping a balanced checkbook. Some of you might use computer software to do this, which is great, but we prefer the old-fashioned pen and ledger method. The key is to track every dollar that passes in and out of your life in your [...]

We’re buying….online

I know the economy stinks right now. The stock market is down, unemployment is up, and tent cities are staging a serious comeback for the first time since, oh, the Great Depression. In times like this, I do what I can to support the economy. In times like this, I shop. Herewith are a few [...]

Weeknd Project: Add-a-Swing

Do you still call it a swing set if there’s only one swing? I had to ask myself that question as I was describing to my coworkers the swing-supporting structure I built in our front yard this weekend.
Tacked on to the side of our previously mentioned lean-to woodshed, I put the swing together mostly with [...]

Weeknd Project: Build a Woodshed

Our neighbor up the road asked me if I had plans for the cedar woodshed I built for our yard last year. In a slightly accusatory tone I quickly replied: “Plans? What do you mean, plans?”
You see, like most of the projects I build, there were no plans involved. I started with a sketch on a [...]

Super Baby Food: Live the Book

It turns out making your own baby food is really easy. A blender, a few ice cube trays, fresh ingredients like fruits, veggies and organic meats – that’s all it takes to avoid those little glass jars entirely. 
We got our inspiration for homemade baby food from the book Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. My [...]