Quick and Easy Supper Menus for Busy Days

January 19, 2012

  Quick and Easy Supper Menus for Busy Days   by Charlotte Siems   Some days you look up and realize it’s 5:00 and you forgot to put something in the crock pot for supper. (That was a hint—crock pots can be a lifesaver for busy families).  Yikes!  Instead of panicking and loading the kids [...]

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Storage Solutions for Small Homes

January 12, 2012

  Storage Solutions for Small Homes   by Charlotte Siems   It happened again.  Someone who met me for the first time and found out we have twelve children told me we should have our own TV show.  Uh, no.  Next they asked if we live in a big house.  Uh, no.  Average-sized house, teeny-tiny [...]

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What Happens When Mom is Gone

January 9, 2012

  What Happens When Mom is Gone by Charlotte Siems     This photo shows what happens when your older brother spent last summer in Colorado and is now babysitting you during Christmas break from college.     Things happen when Mom is gone.   For the most part our older children have been trustworthy [...]

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Top Ten Favorite Decorating Things

January 5, 2012

  Top Ten Favorite Decorating Things   by Charlotte Siems   Décor in our first home:  a plaid couch, a lone poster tacked to the wall (really) and an aquarium with a green grass snake.  Not to mention dirty clothes and papers strewn about, but we won’t go there.   It took me a few [...]

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In With the New: Where to Find Inspiration for Winter Decorating

January 2, 2012

In With the New:  Where to Find Inspiration for Winter Decorating   by Charlotte Siems   Christmas decorations have been taken down and stowed away in the attic, but that has left some bare spots in the decor. This week I'll be looking for some new inspiration to give those spaces some warmth and character [...]

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Simple Ways to Start Fresh in the New Year

December 29, 2011

  Simple Ways to Start Fresh in the New Year    by Charlotte Siems   The new year is just around the corner and it’s a great time to get a fresh start in your life.  Whether you want to get in shape, manage your time or get a handle on your house cleaning, take [...]

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The Wonderful Week After Christmas

December 26, 2011

The Wonderful Week After Christmas   by Charlotte Siems   Christmas is wonderful, but so is the week AFTER Christmas.  It’s a time of reflection, looking forward, decluttering and organizing.  Here’s a short list of ideas for things to do the week after Christmas:   ·      Take down Christmas decorations and put them away before [...]

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Merry Christmas!!

December 24, 2011

    Merry Christmas from The Siems Family and This Lovely Place!   Sending Christmas blessings of peace, love and happiness to you and your family! With love, Henry, Charlotte, Sarah, Chris, Emmaline, Tyler, Sara, Melissa, Justin, Henry, Zelie, Thomas, Tori, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Caleb, Jonathan, Gracie, Lanie, Emily and Sophie           [...]

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This Lovely Place: Christmas Tour

December 22, 2011

  This Lovely Place:  Christmas Tour   by Charlotte Siems   Christmas is such a lovely time of year.  In our small city, everything from stores and streets to houses and even cars are decorated with greenery and twinkling lights.  Join me on a little tour of This Lovely Place for some Christmas cheer.  Sit [...]

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Stop the Clock for Christmas Eve Traditions and Hot Pretzels

December 15, 2011

Stop the Clock for Christmas Eve Traditions and Hot Pretzels    by Charlotte Siems There are moments in life when we wish we could stop the clock and make the moment last.  Christmas Eve usually has those moments for me, especially as the children have grown up and left home.  Every other year, everyone is [...]

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