A few days ago, I posted about a nifty idea I saw over at Rhoda’s site. Got a note from Rhoda that she’d stolen the idea from another blogger. It’s what we bloggers do! We re-use… we recycle… we re-invent. So I gave the bookshelf facelift a go, and here is what I ended up with - it’s not nearly as well executed as Rhoda’s. I was pretty haphazard in slapping the...

So much for those big promises in the last post. Let’s just pretend there is no four-month gap and move on, shall we? There are product reviews and articles forthcoming, but working 50+ hours a week and mothering a 1.5- and 2.5-year-old leaves little time for much of anything else. While I’ve been off in my own little, busy world and failing to inform you, Internet, of great home improvement tips,...

What’s a houseblog? Houseblogs are online diaries written by folks who are building, improving or restoring their own homes. Like other blogs, they are updated regularly and show the work unfold in real time. If you’re interested in reading houseblogs or starting one of your own, head over to Houseblogs.net, where you can: - Find people with similar homes, taste, or challenges via their community. -...

Here are some pretty spooky (and easy) prop ideas for your next Halloween party or haunted house. If you’re having trouble coming up with anything, check out 101 Halloween Ideas for inspiration. Looking for FREE pumpking carving patterns? Look no further. Here’s an awesome Halloween zombie prop that you can make for just 20 bucks! Who knew there were so many different ways to make fake blood? For...

Prep Time:20 min Start to Finish:40 min Makes:8 servings 1 pound lean ground beef 1 cup Old El Paso® salsa (any variety) 3/4 Green Giant® Niblets® frozen whole kernel corn 1/4 cup water 2 cups Original Bisquick® mix 1/3 cup very hot water 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese (8 ounces) Toppings, such as orange and green bell pepper strips, sliced ripe olives and...

If you’re looking for an alternative to cutesy pumpkin-carving this Halloween, have we got a link for you: the folks at ExtremePumpkins.com are into shocking, gross, and funny pumpkin carving designs, and they’re not afraid to show it. They’re also into power tools, and with good reason. Have you ever tried to carve a pumpkin with one of those little plastic carving kits? I don’t know...