Category: Home & Hearth

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Nine Ways to Make the First Day of School Special

The first day of school has always been a big deal in our house. It could be because I’m a teacher, or it could just be because my mom always made it a special day when my brothers and I were young. Regardless, each school year is a new beginning and deserves to be celebrated. Most children will only have 13-15 first days of school, preschool through grade 12.  Luckily, there are some great ways to make the first day of school special for them each year.

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Products to Help Solve Common Puppy Problems

Penny has just turned three months old and is an active, energetic little chocolate lab. She’s had a few behaviors that we want to nip in the bud, and because of that, we’ve invested in a few products to help us solve these common puppy problems. I’ve decided to share the products with you in the event that they could help another family.

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Ways to Support Your Blogger Friends

So, you have a friend. Sounds crazy, right? But, you do. And, said friend has decided to start a blog. How can you support your amazing friend and her efforts?  Luckily, there are several easy ways to support your blogger friends.

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8 Fun Puppy Products You’ll Want for Your New Dog

Our new chocolate lab Penny has been a wonderful addition to our family. However, like many puppies, she’s easily bored and wants to play or chew most of the time–actually any time that she’s not sleeping. The other day I took her shopping to chose a few new toys–eight fun products that you’ll want for your new puppy too.

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Puppy Love: Introducing Our Newest Family Member

As many of our readers know, we lost our beloved chocolate lab, Indiana, unexpectedly last spring. Indy was such a loving, energetic dog, and we still miss her terribly. I wasn’t sure if or when I’d be ready for another puppy. However, our children surprised us this weekend with a wonderful gift: a beautiful new cocoa-colored baby.

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Classic Board Games Your Preschooler Will Love

I’ve spent the last ten days in Denver with Meghan and Joe, living in a hotel, waiting for our newest grandson to be born. While here at the Staybridge Suites, J.R. and I have spent a lot of time in the Great Room. What do we do there? We play board games, of course. J.R. has just turned four and is the perfect age for beginning to learn to play board games. Because he’s had so much fun, I’ve put together a list of classic board games your preschooler will love.

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Perfect Pancakes, Homemade with Love

When my brothers and I were young, our father would often make us breakfast  before school. He worked shifts at a local steel mill, so if he was home and awake, we would have our choice of French toast, eggs, or pancakes. I can remember going to school and boasting that Dad had made us each 20 pancakes. Okay, some of them were dime-sized, but that really doesn’t matter when you’re nine.

This weekend, two of the grandbabies spent the night. We don’t usually keep cereal in the house because we don’t use it before it gets stale. We didn’t have any bread and only had a  little milk. So, for breakfast, homemade pancakes to the rescue!

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The 2nd Annual Cleland Clan Easter Egg Hunt

If you know me, you know that I don’t make Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinner. However, there is one tradition I’m trying to establish with our growing family, and that is our annual Easter egg hunt. Last year we started this tradition with our grandchildren, the oldest of whom was almost three (read about our 2018 egg hunt). We had so much fun that we decided to hold it again this year and to involve the older “children.” By children, we mean our 20-something year old kids. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good Easter egg hunt?

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Easy Appetizers Everyone Will Love

It’s the time of the year for parties–Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and even the Superbowl. If you’re invited to a  party or are hosting your own, appetizers are an important part of the menu that shouldn’t be overlooked.  Here are three easy go-to appetizer recipes everyone will rave over.

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Twelve Tips for Visiting a Christmas Tree Farm

The Christmas tree is the central decoration in many homes this time of year.  Although the real vs. artificial debate reigns supreme each year, I admit to being a fan of the real tree–I’ve never had or wanted anything else. A real tree, if cut fresh and kept watered, will last the entire season, filling your home with a wonderful aroma. Visiting a Christmas tree farm is a fun activity for family members of all ages.

As many of you know, my parents own Storeyland Christmas tree farm in Northeastern Ohio. I spend A LOT of my time there in November and December. Because of that, and my 30+ years working on a Christmas tree farm I’d love to give you some tips for cutting down your own Christmas tree.

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