Here on my blog, I strive to share simple, everyday tips and tricks that can help make life a little bit easier. But sometimes, the tips that I want to share aren’t something I can write a whole blog post about. And since I simply cannot waste a good idea, I tuck them away to use at a later date. Today I’ll be sharing some of those tips and tricks, in the eighth edition of my ongoing series I like to call “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” If you have a great idea you’d like to share, share it with us in a comment at the bottom of this post! You and your idea could be featured in the next “Why Did ..read more

The full story of how and why I started blogging can be found on my About page, but to make a long story short: I started finding and sharing “one good thing” every day as a way to find joy and purpose in my role as a homemaker during a dark and difficult time in my life. After realizing people were genuinely interested in what I posted on my blog, I quickly found a new purpose and passion: sharing ideas and advice that makes life easier for anyone running a household. With 13 years’ worth of helpful tips, tricks, and hacks under my belt, I’m always looking for new ways to get those tips off ..read more

Having already compiled a list of useful floss hacks, it only makes sense to explore the weird and wonderful world of toothpaste hacks! Because as it turns out, toothpaste isn’t only useful for keeping your teeth and gums clean. Toothpaste can be surprisingly useful for a variety of household tasks, but the type of toothpaste you use makes a difference. Most of the toothpaste hacks in the list below work better using paste-style toothpastes rather than gels. Just something to keep in mind! 11 Clever & Useful Toothpaste Hacks 1. Clean Your Headlights You know that hazy film that builds up ..read more

I often get antsy this time of year, eager for the perfect summer nights I’ll eventually spend around the fire pit with my family. And while those summer nights remain months away, I’ve found a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of s’mores in the meantime: making S’mores Mug Cake! This single-serving dessert in a mug only takes a few minutes to make, and it’s every bit as good as my single-serve Rice Krispie Treat and extra-large chocolate chip cookie in a mug. You might already have everything you need to make one in your pantry! The next time you have a hankering for something sweet, give t ..read more

Some of my favorite desserts at restaurants over the years have featured crème anglaise, a sweet, custard-like pouring sauce made with egg yolks, sugar, and milk. I’ve tried replicating it at home on multiple occasions, but without much success — egg-based desserts have never been my forte! So imagine how pleased I was to learn that melted vanilla ice cream makes a fine substitute for crème anglaise! In Ina Garten’s book “Cook Like a Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks,” she explains that crème anglaise and vanilla ice cream share a base of milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Melted ice cream ma ..read more

One of my favorite things to bring to a potluck or cookout is Apple Snickers Salad, which also goes by Snickers Apple Salad, Snickers Salad, and many other names. This dessert salad combines crisp chunks of fresh apple and bite-sized pieces of Snickers candy bars with a creamy mixture of sweetened cream cheese and Cool Whip. I like to make it with Granny Smith apples because the sweet and tart flavors remind me of homemade caramel apples, but any crisp variety will work here — Pink Lady, Ambrosia, and Honeycrisp are all great options!’ Why Make Snickers Salad With Cream Cheese / Without Puddi ..read more

The purpose of International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, is to celebrate women’s achievements in all arenas, from politics to culture and everywhere in between. The theme of this year’s event, “Inspire Inclusion,” encourages us to connect with and empower other women in our lives, and the purpose of this post is to do just that! In this post, I’ll be highlighting six incredible women entrepreneurs and the businesses they’ve built. Not only do I believe you’ll love their businesses and products, but I think you’ll find their stories as inspiring as I do! But before we get to tha ..read more

In a recent OGT Team meeting, someone posed the question of whether or not you sleep with a top (or flat) sheet. It turned out that the team was split about 50/50 on the issue. (I was, and still am, firmly in the “pro top sheet” camp. Honestly, until the topic came up in our meeting, I wasn’t even aware many people don’t like or use top sheets!) After our enlightening conversation about this debate, I wanted to know where you guys stood on the issue. So I posted on my Instagram account to ask my followers about where they stand on the top sheet debate. That post ended up having one of the hig ..read more

When I cook a whole chicken at home, I usually use my rotisserie-style chicken method and discard the skin. I’ve never really explored the possibility of making great crispy chicken at home, but I decided to give it a try after coming across this strange but effective hack! Yes, you’ll probably feel a little bit crazy upon bringing your hair dryer into the kitchen to help prepare roast chicken, but the results are well worth that momentary discomfort. A hair dryer makes it quick and easy to dry out chicken skin, ensuring it gets deliciously browned and crispy in the oven. If you feel skeptica ..read more

On occasions when I only have the time or energy to throw something simple together for dinner, it helps to have a jar of pasta sauce on hand! Store-bought pasta sauce is not only affordable and convenient, but it also opens up a world of delicious possibilities. In this post, I have some delicious recipes to share with you that all feature pre-made pasta sauce as a star ingredient. By the end of this post, you might just be convinced to keep a stash of pasta sauce in your pantry too! 10 Meals You Can Make With A Jar Of Pasta Sauce 1. Pesto Marinara Crockpot Chicken Ingredients: 4-6 chicken ..read more