tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:13:04 +0000holidaysfoodfamilyeatingchildrencookinghomeshoppinghealthparentingChristmaslivinggardenhumorhow-tosconsumer informationcraftsdiningrecipessafetyvideoshelpful productsmusicoutdoorswinterfaithfriendsanimalsbargainsrecreationhygienedecoratingamericaflowerspeoplestay-at-home momscleaningspringsummerchocolatechristianitygiftsschoolyardadulthoodseasonskitchenmaturitynaturebakingeducationentertainmentfashionmemorypetspoetryhorsesclothinglearningtelevisiontravelbabieshistoryphotographyplantspreteenetiquettegardeningjesusbiblebooksautumnteenagersmomsadvertisinghobbiesmoviesbeautypoliticsvacationfabricseasterhalloweenquizthanksgivingdogssewingadventuregodguestslaundryloveproduct reviewssatiresportschild caredrinkingmoneycatscharacterenvironmentcrimeMeme Expressartecologyfitnessscripture memoryweekendcelebritiesmemesquotationsdrivingjuly 4thweatherbirthdayscareersfloral arrangingvalentine's dayvegetablesbabysittingcartoonsdentaleconomygospelgraduationstyleautomotivedustingmedicinenew yearweddingsFriday Fill-insPay per PostbirdscostumesvirtueABC Wednesdaycarsmother's daypeacerunningvintageworkingbible studybridesclockscollegeelectionsfreebiespaintingMemorial Daycosmeticscouponsfather's daylook-alikesmultiple sclerosispatrioticsimply snickerstimevisiongamesmarriagejournalinglimerickspuzzlestagsawardscontestsjobs<b>"I may not always be home . . . but I am practically at home." <br><br> Practical and helpful information for families, home and garden, and more. Inspiration, humor and how-tos. Unless otherwise noted, all items posted here are written and copyrighted by Linda Ann Nickerson.</b> <br><br> <i>"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)</i>http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)Blogger701125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-8450760296471733283Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:50:00 +00002026-02-21T10:50:21.831-06:00cleaningetiquetteguestshealthhomehygienesafety&nbsp;&nbsp; This seems to be a never-ending debate in many homes. &nbsp;Is it really necessary to ask people to step out of their shoes before stepping inside? &nbsp;“Kick off your shoes, and stay awhile” might be a popular greeting (at least, in the olden days, so to speak). But does it really matter?&nbsp;Sure, shoes can leave scuff marks on fancy flooring. They can drop dust and dirt into http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2026/02/is-your-home-no-shoes-zone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-6234440596439051690Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:36:00 +00002026-01-14T11:38:19.942-06:00consumer informationcookingeatingfoodproduct reviewsshopping&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> 800x600 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2026/01/shopping-at-certain-j3w3l-store-was-no.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-7737376492261520781Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +00002025-07-15T14:12:35.964-05:00animalsbargainsbookshealthlearningrecreationsafety&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> 800x600 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2025/07/beware-of-unwelcome-bonus-at-little.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-7632100466380269508Fri, 11 Jul 2025 18:14:00 +00002025-07-11T13:21:10.408-05:00cleaningclothingfashionhelpful productshomeshopping&nbsp;&nbsp; What’s an easy way to organize and store all those baseball caps?&nbsp;First, a confession. I guess I have something of a baseball cap addiction. And I don’t even play baseball. In fact, I may hold the all-time strike-out record for my middle school, having achieved that status back in the Dark Ages when I was a preteen student.&nbsp;Even so, I have amassed quite a collection of http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2025/07/finding-simple-storage-for-baseball.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-1879962017976876409Sat, 20 Jan 2024 19:15:00 +00002024-01-20T13:16:47.869-06:00bakingcookingdiningeatingfoodholidayskitchenrecipes&nbsp; It doesn’t have to be a holiday to whip up this award-winning baked-style cheesecake. The filling is sturdier and denser than the mousse-like no-bake variety, and the graham cracker crust is a family favorite. (We almost never have leftovers, but this cook has been known to squirrel away a single slice for day-after breakfast.) &nbsp;The preparation is easy, even if the actual baking http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2024/01/beautifully-basic-cheesecake-and-almost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-5490983970658108339Fri, 19 Jan 2024 22:05:00 +00002024-01-19T16:05:30.068-06:00bargainscleaningdininghomehow-toskitchenshopping&nbsp; How can you keep your favorite plates and dishes from chipping and scratching one another in your cupboard, on your kitchen shelf, or in your china cabinet? Coffee filters to the rescue! &nbsp;I recently received a set of family heirloom china salad plates. They are dainty and fragile, but I think they are lovely. They’re extra special because they belonged to a loved one who has http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2024/01/easy-way-to-protect-stacked-dishes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-749372086818924423Fri, 05 Jan 2024 22:05:00 +00002024-01-05T16:05:36.659-06:00cookingeatingfoodrecipes&nbsp;This simple soup recipe became a family favorite the first time I made it. &nbsp;Generally, I like to make potato soup from freshly peeled potatoes or even from leftover homemade mashed potatoes (such as after the Thanksgiving feast). But this recipe fascinated me because it calls for frozen shredded hash browns. Frankly, I was surprised at how much we liked it, although it did require http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2024/01/souper-easy-crockpot-potato-chowder.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-6627688811114533524Fri, 29 Dec 2023 17:14:00 +00002023-12-29T11:14:00.149-06:00cookinghelpful productshomehow-toskitchenHow can you unseal a stuck bottle or jar lid? For years, we used to tap the lids with kitchen utensils or bang the container on a counter, hoping that would loosen the lid. But these tricks don’t always work, and there’s often a risk of breakage.&nbsp; Here are a half-dozen easy ways to open stuck jar or bottle lids. These helpful hints work well for anything from glass jam jars to plastic http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/12/6-easy-ways-to-open-stuck-jar-lids.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-7716664640086389284Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:43:00 +00002023-12-18T10:43:30.805-06:00bakingChristmascookingeatingfoodholidaysrecipes&nbsp; This delicious cookie recipe is almost too easy, with just four ingredients, and the results are delightful! &nbsp;I’ve made this recipe with spice cake mix, lemon cake mix, chocolate cake mix, carrot cake mix, and strawberry cake mix. But the red velvet cake mix version is our family favorite. And it’s a perennial sell-out at a bake sale I help to supply. &nbsp; Ingredients: 1 http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/12/recipe-super-quick-whipped-cream-cookies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-5779531693828819836Tue, 05 Dec 2023 19:02:00 +00002023-12-05T13:02:21.468-06:00Christmasentertainmentholidayshumorquotations&nbsp; &nbsp;Witty Words for Holiday Greetings &nbsp;Christmas cards may be an appropriate spot for including clever or comical holiday quotations. Quips, jokes and one-liners are popular inclusions in holiday greetings. &nbsp; Here are 15 favorite funny quotations for Christmas cards and greetings. &nbsp;Some of these popular comedic Christmas quotations may sound familiar, while other may http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/12/15-funny-quotations-for-christmas-cards.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-4893893915093730086Thu, 30 Nov 2023 17:17:00 +00002023-11-30T11:17:00.151-06:00Christmascraftsgiftsholidaysshopping&nbsp; Santa’s super wrapping ideas for oversized gifts &nbsp;Christmas is coming. At the North Pole, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves must be working overtime to make holiday toys and gifts. As everyone knows, the winter holiday shopping season starts months before Yuletide begins. &nbsp;Often, Christmas is the time of year when Santa and families and friends splurge on big-ticket gift items,http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/11/go-big-wrapping-oversized-gifts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-2776665653037282488Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:42:00 +00002023-11-29T10:42:00.147-06:00biblechristianityChristmasfaithholidaysjesusmusic&nbsp;Hallelujah! It’s Christmas! Christmas carols are the musical highlight of the holiday season for many. As trees are trimmed and stockings placed by chimneys everywhere, the air is fairly filled with the music of Christmas. &nbsp; What’s Your Favorite Christmas song? &nbsp;What’s your favorite Christmas song of all? Perhaps our Christmas carol choices reveal more about our http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/11/whats-my-favorite-christmas-song-of-all.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-2998041282121115648Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:53:00 +00002023-11-27T09:53:20.314-06:00celebritiesChristmasholidaysmemorymusicsatire&nbsp; Christmas tunes may delight us … or cause us to cringe. &nbsp;Each December, the radio airwaves fill with festive holiday fare, as deejays load up playlists with Christmas carols and covers by artists from the past and present. Many stations forgo on-air advertising for long stretches, simply to allow uninterrupted holiday music to play for party hosts, motorists and other music fans. http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/11/my-picks-for-25-top-worst-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-5417452041437086635Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:05:00 +00002023-10-25T13:05:40.378-05:00bakingchildrencookingfoodhalloweenholidaysrecipes&nbsp;Halloween cookies offer a super culinary and craft project for children and adults alike. Try these four basic, but boo-tiful Halloween cookie decorating tricks, and your trick-or-treaters will beg for more. These&nbsp;Halloween cookie crafts are simple enough for very young children to do, as long as adults supervise. Decorated Halloween cookies are super for classroom parties, Halloween http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/10/halloween-cookie-decorating-4-easy-ways.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-3586593465833973280Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:42:00 +00002023-07-14T10:42:41.791-05:00autumnbakingcookingfoodgarden&nbsp;This delicious favorite isn’t only for apple picking days of late summer and early autumn. It’s an anytime pleaser. &nbsp;True confession: We even eat this for breakfast, if there’s any left over from the night before. &nbsp; First, gather these Easy Apple Crisp ingredients: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4-5 large apples ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/07/recipe-easy-apple-crisp.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-3490741605532160801Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:03:00 +00002023-06-19T09:03:10.155-05:00cookingeatingfoodrecipes&nbsp;These savory muffins are delicious with soups or salads.&nbsp; First, gather these Cheddar V-8 Muffins ingredients: &nbsp;1 egg 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup V-8 juice ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 ¾ cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt &nbsp; Follow these instructions to make Cheddar V-8 Muffins: &nbsp;Preheat oven to 400 (F). Combine http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/06/recipe-cheddar-v-8-muffins.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-5535689086036791852Mon, 30 Jan 2023 22:29:00 +00002023-01-30T16:36:27.495-06:00advertisingbeautyconsumer informationfashionproduct reviewsshopping&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> 800x600 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/01/spiral-hair-ties-are-snap-until-they-do.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-4324397824496786319Sun, 22 Jan 2023 16:46:00 +00002023-01-22T10:46:36.617-06:00craftsdecoratinghobbiesholidayshomesewingwinter&nbsp;Like many, I’ve had a hankering for clearing out closets again. It somehow feels like a good time of year for de-cluttering, because we’re spending a lot more time indoors anyway. &nbsp; Enter the fabric collection. &nbsp;My sewing closet is like the poster child of over-accumulation. (I worked my way through graduate school by measuring and cutting and ringing up fabrics for sewing http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2023/01/simple-channel-quilt-project-brings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-8113791656061952742Thu, 10 Mar 2022 17:41:00 +00002022-03-10T11:41:00.208-06:00cookingeatingfoodgardenrecipes&nbsp; Acorn Squash Soup is a tasty and highly nutritional family favorite, and it’s very simple to make. It’s also a super way to use up any leftover cooked acorn squash. &nbsp; First, gather the ingredients for Acorn Squash Soup: &nbsp;2 cooked acorn squashes 1/2 cup carrot shavings1/2 cup chopped onion (or 1/4 cup dried onion flakes)1 garlic clove (Can use minced garlic, if http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2022/03/recipe-remarkably-simple-acorn-squash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-8251298704680718456Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:13:00 +00002022-03-07T11:31:13.609-06:00cookingeatingfoodgardenholidaysrecipes&nbsp;&nbsp; Acorn squash is a winter squash, but it may often be found in favorite markets at other times of the year. This family favorite is ideal for the Thanksgiving Day feast, and it is super simple to prepare. Be sure to purchase at least one acorn squash for every two people at your table. &nbsp;Ideally, acorn squash is prepared immediately before serving and served piping hot. In a http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2022/03/recipe-amazingly-easy-acorn-squash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-5523302880921103711Sun, 27 Feb 2022 16:27:00 +00002022-03-07T11:04:43.113-06:00cookingeatingfoodkitchenrecipeswinter&nbsp; Split pea soup is a cold-weather favorite. Personally, I enjoy it all year round. A local eatery offers this prime potage every Tuesday, and I became hooked on it several years ago. Then, during the 2020-2021 pandemic closures, I found my split pea soup cravings cropping up. &nbsp;But I discovered that most of the store-bought split pea soup options (even the low-sodium ones) contained http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2022/02/recipe-savory-simple-split-pea-soup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-5166196130999840243Fri, 31 Dec 2021 10:30:00 +00002021-12-31T04:30:00.183-06:00christianityfaithholidaysnew yearoutdoorstravel&nbsp; END IT WELL – for the 2021 Holiday Photography Challenge (See sidebar for full list.). &nbsp; Today, the year draws to a close, along with the Holiday Photography Challenge. It seems fitting to include this lovely little stone chapel. &nbsp;Nope, it’s not my church, which is much more modern-looking and a whole lot bigger. &nbsp;But I might have sighed out loud when I stepped up to http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2021/12/looking-up-at-years-end.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-4051169853222459985Thu, 30 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +00002021-12-30T04:00:00.201-06:00&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> 800x600 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2021/12/dont-meddle-with-this-clever-old-metal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-6781326570198823602Wed, 29 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +00002021-12-29T04:00:00.185-06:00artChristmasdecoratinggardengardeningholidaysrecreation&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> 800x600 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2021/12/holiday-decorating-can-be-extra.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6080183011408371799.post-491757333203143910Tue, 28 Dec 2021 19:52:00 +00002021-12-28T13:52:43.582-06:00Christmascraftsdecoratingfamilyholidayshomememory&nbsp;<!--[if gte mso 9]> 800x600 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> http://practicallyathome.blogspot.com/2021/12/artisan-needlecrafting-takes-us-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (LA Nickers)0