Must-Have Items to Pack for Your Cruise

Graphic of cruise ship with caption, What to Bring on Your Cruise

Must-Have Items to Pack for Your Cruise You’ve booked a cruise, now what? Start a packing list and gather the things you won’t be able to get onboard–or won’t want to pay premium prices for! Bringing Your Electronics Electronic Organizer Travel USB Cable Accessories Bag/Case,Waterproof for Power Bank. USB C Travel Power Strip, Flat Plug … Read more

Things to Do in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U. P.)–Recommendations from a Frugal Couple without Kids

Lake of the Clouds

I’m a native troll (from the Lower Peninsula, a.k.a. under the bridge) but vacationed at least once a year in the UP for years, usually in May or October. Some things are closed for the season in those months, but it’s still possible to have a nice time. My all-time favorites: Fayette Historic Townsite / … Read more

Make Money Online: Paid Viewpoint, Rakuten, Respondent, Qmee, Microsoft Bing Rewards (updated 2022)

One of the things I admire most about the “Greatest Generation” (besides their amazing fashion sense, of course) is their frugality, their “make-do-and-mend” approach to money and possessions. They knew that banks fail, economies go through major depressions, and it’s better to have a coffee can full of money buried in the yard in case … Read more

Book Review: A Modern Guide to Textured Crochet by Lee Sartori

A Modern Guide to Textured Crochet: A Collection of Wonderfully Tactile Stitches Lee Sartori Random House / Interweave, 2021. 128 pages From the publisher: A colorful and contemporary collection of stitches, crochet techniques, and projects for creating rich and appealing texture in your work Crocheters looking for more texture, depth, and contemporary design will delight … Read more

10 Laundry Tips and Tricks

10 Laundry Tips and Tricks

10 Laundry Tips and Tricks What’s the point in having great clothes and household items if you can’t keep them in good condition? Here are some of the laundry tips, tricks, and best products I’ve come across. You don’t need fabric softener or dryer sheets. Who tells you that you need them? People that sell … Read more

BOOK REVIEW: Sew Cute Quilts and Gifts | Atsuko Matsuyama

Book Review: Sew Cute Quilts and Gifts by Atsuko Matsuyama Zakka Workshop Publication Date: November 1, 2019 I have been looking for beginner sewing resources to share with others, and this book has inspired me beyond measure! There are some really cute and creative ideas here, and most don’t require a lot of fabric or … Read more

Inspiration: Jane Austen Adaptations

modern Jane Austen adaptations, ranked | Jungleland Vintage

Inspiration: Jane Austen Adaptations It’s amazing how many creative minds have taken Jane Austen’s brilliant Regency-era novels and re-imagined them on film. Below is an ever-increasing list of period adaptations, modern reworkings, and films about Jane herself and “Janeite” culture, ranked by my own arbitrary criteria. Northanger Abbey The novel was written circa 1798-99, although … Read more