This cheeky fellow was standing on the corner early one morning, watching me through the window. Not a blink. I ate a bowl of oatmeal while he stared at me. He was issuing the spring challenge for the squirrel tribe that races through, around and over our garden. Go ahead, he taunted. Plant those cute […]
Texas Spaghetti
I needed a dish to take to a family of three big guys and big eaters. Something that could be refrigerated for a few days or frozen until later. Something that could be warmed one serving at a time or all at once for a meal. Something familiar, truly comfort food as they were in […]
Simply Strawberry Smoothie
Have to admit I’m slow to the smoothie parade. We’ve always preferred to eat our fruit as fruit (or a dessert with fruit showing – yes!) rather than drinking it. But this entire long weekend we worked hard outdoors — digging, painting, planting, changing everything around. A cold, fruity nutritious drink sounded like a great […]
Mini Fruit Pizza
Mini Fruit Pizza. Or Fruit Pizzettes. I thought I was inventing a new word to describe individual pizzas. Then I googled to be sure it wasn’t something obscene in some language I don’t speak. Guess what? The Italians, who created pizza, also created pizettes. And that is exactly what it means. Individual or small pizzas. […]
Maple Bacon Pot Roast — Slowcooker
Maple Bacon Pot Roast — my Mother’s Day Gift. Before Wheels and I were married we talked about the things we wanted for our children. One item on that short list was to teach them how to be self sufficient. Wheels share of that goal was to teach our children things like how to […]
How to make a bandana dress — tutorial
Bandana dresses are another version of the pillowcase dress — but faster and easier! They’re really cute, too! Bandanas are available in so many great colors and fun designs. I picked this classic design for the tutorial, but setting on my sewing table are polka dot, plain, chevron and party print bandanas. Can’t wait […]






Welcome! I’m Charlene. I love to share quick and easy recipes, whatever I’ve learned in our last DIY project – anything that helps make life easier, better and more fun!! I hope you will find inspiration and add a pinch of joy to your day!