Author Archives: Franci

How to Plan for Children’s Christmas Gifts Without Stress

Two year old boy in plaid Christmas pajamas throwing his hands up in excitement in front of the Christmas tree.

It’s the hap-happiest time of year, right? Then why do I always feel so stressed trying to decide what to get my kids for Christmas or know what to tell family members when they ask what my kids would like? For the past couple of years, we’ve had a plan which I think works very nicely.

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Building a Passive Solar Concrete Home

family of 4 standing in front of a concrete walled home without a roof. Red dirt all around.

I’ve mentioned before about my brother and sister-in-law who homestead in Oklahoma. As if tending to the goats and keeping up with the garden was not enough, they also decided to design and build a passive solar style home. My brother, Trevor, is building the 2,000 square foot home from the ground up using his own skills, knowledge, and strength with a few experts and skilled laborers to help along the way.

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A Trip to Walden Pumpkin Farm

FALL 2021 UPDATE: CLICK HERE TO SEE TIME AND ACTIVITY CHANGES DUE TO COVID-19.

A pile of multi-color (orange, yellow, green, white, striped) gourds on a picnic table

A fall tradition of ours is to visit a pumpkin farm. Who doesn’t love farm animals, pumpkins galore, and running through a hay maze? At times it’s been difficult to find one that is reasonably priced and not too far from home.

Walden Farm, a local family-owned farm, meets all the above requirements.

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