The easiest way to store outdoor cushions for a dry spring

The easiest way to store outdoor cushions for a dry spring

Outdoor cushions are expensive, and nothing’s more disappointing than pulling them out in spring and finding mildew spots, faded fabric, or a damp smell that never quite comes out. The key to keeping them nice has less to do with fancy products and more to do with how you put them away in the first…

Is your exterior paint winter ready? Here is how to tell

Is your exterior paint winter ready? Here is how to tell

Exterior paint does more than look nice—it’s a layer of protection against moisture, sun, and temperature swings. If that layer is failing going into winter, you’re more likely to see peeling, mildew, or even damage to the siding underneath. Before the cold settles in, it’s worth taking half an hour to see how your paint…

The Traditions We Dropped—and What We Do Instead
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The Traditions We Dropped—and What We Do Instead

At some point I realized we were doing certain Christmas traditions just because “that’s what you’re supposed to do” — not because anyone actually enjoyed them. They took time, money, and energy we didn’t really have, and nobody was sad when they fell apart. Once we gave ourselves permission to let some things go, Christmas…

How We Make Christmas Morning Feel Special Without a Pile of Presents
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How We Make Christmas Morning Feel Special Without a Pile of Presents

It’s easy to feel like “special” and “big pile of gifts” go together. Social media doesn’t help. But a huge stack of presents isn’t the only way to make Christmas morning feel memorable for kids. Honestly, it can even make the day feel rushed and chaotic. We’ve shifted our focus to a smaller number of…

What We Put in Our Christmas Eve Box This Year
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What We Put in Our Christmas Eve Box This Year

Christmas Eve can feel a little chaotic—everyone excited, you trying to wrangle bedtime, a million little things happening at once. A Christmas Eve box keeps us from scrambling at the last minute for “one more fun thing” and gives the night a simple routine. We keep it practical on purpose. It’s not another pile of…