Marty's Musings

30+ Amazing Cornbread Recipes

Marty Walden — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:41:00 +0000

These 30+ cornbread recipes are the best of the best! From yummy southern style to low carb, try it with a slow cooker or skillet! There’s just something about cornbread that feels like home. Maybe it’s the smell of it baking in the oven, the sound of a cast-iron skillet sizzling, or the way it...

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Jiffy Cornbread With Creamed Corn Recipe (Easy And Delicious)

Marty Walden — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:00:21 +0000

Looking for a quick and tasty side dish? Made with just six ingredients it’s a quick and delicious side that feels like homemade comfort food. This beloved favorite has 380+ comments testifying to the moisture and taste! Everyone loves this delicious cornbread recipe because it tastes amazing and is easy to make – one bowl...

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Homemade Potpourri with all Natural Ingredients

Marty Walden — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:05:00 +0000

Here’s a great idea that uses simple ingredients found in most kitchens. This homemade potpourri is made with all natural ingredients and doesn’t take much time to prepare! It’s also natural, non-toxic, customizable, and eco-friendly. You can even repurpose leftovers: leftover citrus peel from cooking, freeze cranberries, use as spices from pantry. When you walk into...

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Easy Pumpkin Muffins From Cake Mix

Marty Walden — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0000

If you’re craving warm, cozy fall flavors but don’t have time for complicated baking, these easy pumpkin muffins from a cake mix are the perfect treat. Made with just a few pantry staples—boxed yellow cake mix, canned pumpkin and warm spices—they come together in minutes and taste like homemade comfort. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, a quick...

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Decorating for Fall in a Small Home

Marty Walden — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 21:25:35 +0000

Fall is a season that invites warmth, comfort, and cozy gatherings — but if you live in a small home or apartment, decorating for the season can feel tricky. The key is to be intentional with your choices so your space feels festive without feeling crowded. I’ve always lived in relatively small homes. The home...

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Blue Frozen Hawaiian Punch Recipe

Marty Walden — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 04:05:00 +0000

This simple recipe for frozen blue Hawaiian punch is a hit whether you’re throwing a Disney Frozen party for your kids, celebrating a birthday, wedding, or baby shower. If you love throwing a birthday party or gathering with friends, the whole family will enjoy the perfect (and easiest!) cold blue party punch recipe for kids...

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Love in Our 60’s Part 2

Marty Walden — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 21:36:03 +0000

Despite an HIV diagnosis at age 59, recognition of betrayal and a divorce, Marty Walden trusted God to heal her deepest wounds and in the process discovered a redemption story beyond her imagination! When I received my HIV diagnosis and realized the betrayal of my 35 year marriage in 2021 all I could think about...

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Craftsman Style Home Christmas Decor

Marty Walden — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 20:42:11 +0000

Newlyweds learn compromise as they create the perfect craftsman style home Christmas decor! Vintage is mixed with cozy cottage and thrifted treasures. 2024 has flown by like a flash! I wish I could say I put out a lot of new content on Marty’s Musings and was diligent about my social media posts. I love...

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Surprise! I’m Getting Married! Part 1

Marty Walden — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 22:57:32 +0000

Despite an HIV diagnosis at age 59, recognition of betrayal and a divorce, Marty Walden trusted God to heal her deepest wounds and in the process discovered a deep abiding true love. SURPRISE! I’ve been keeping a big secret from all of you! I’m getting married! Can you believe it? Let me take you back...

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DIY Chalkboard Sign from Cutting Board

Marty Walden — Tue, 07 May 2024 15:34:00 +0000

This DIY Chalkboard Sign made from a cutting board is perfect for your farmhouse style home decor or even for a wedding reception or party table. I love a simple tutorial where the cuteness factor is out of this world and is perfect for a beginner! Repurposing any piece of wood into unique home decor...

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Grief Decluttering: Letting Go While Grieving

Marty Walden — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:04:02 +0000

As someone who has suffered multiple losses, Marty Walden knows grief decluttering is both a necessity and a season to work through painful wounds while letting go of possessions. I’m not sure exactly how it happened, but I’ve become known to some of my followers as the “grief writer.” Looking back on my most recent...

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Quickly Declutter and Downsize Your Home

Marty Walden — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 01:02:58 +0000

Need to quickly declutter and downsize your home? These tips will help you be ruthless while still keeping what you need and love. I’ve recently written how I’m going back to my blogging roots. This basically means I’m here to encourage you in your home while inspiring you with courage in your life. Sounds like...

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Cottage Living + Life After Divorce

Marty Walden — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:42:00 +0000

Whether sharing cottage living, DIY home projects, writing about life as an adoptive mom or living through a divorce at 60 and a shocking diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, Marty Walden will encourage you with hope in the hard places of life. A few years ago my blog changed from a family journal about life as an...

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DIY Valentines Day Banner

Marty Walden — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

This cheap and fast DIY Valentine’s Day Banner is made out of gift bags from the dollar store. So clever and simple to make even the kids can help! Are you one of those folks who loves to decorate for all seasons of the year? I used to be but now that I’m older (and...

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Homemade Gifts from the Kitchen

Marty Walden — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 13:40:55 +0000

Looking for the perfect gift for someone special? These 25+ homemade gifts from the kitchen will inspire you to make it yourself! There is something really special about giving and receiving a homemade gift from the kitchen. These delicious recipes from fellow bloggers are sure to please everyone on your Christmas list! I’ve gathered together...

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M&M Cookie Mix in a Jar Gift

Marty Walden — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 09:58:00 +0000

Love giving handmade goodies from the kitchen? This M&M Cookie Mix in a Jar Gift recipe includes a FREE printable and label! Do you ever look back in the past and wonder what in the world you were thinking? Let me explain. Over 20 years ago I was a choir director in our local church....

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Inexpensive Christmas Decor

Marty Walden — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Filled with simple DIY projects and thrift finds, this tutorial will teach you how to use inexpensive Christmas decor to create a beautiful holiday home! Christmas is a beautiful season of celebrating the gift of Jesus’ birth and enjoying family traditions and the coziness of a well loved home. But often this holiday can also...

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DIY Christmas Village Display Ideas

Marty Walden — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Step by step instructions on how to create a Christmas village display as a family tradition with money saving tips and video! How do you start a Christmas village collection? One year as a young bride I discovered the beauty of collecting miniature houses for Christmas. I was enthralled with the idea of owning a...

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Dried Beef Cheese Ball

Marty Walden — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

A holiday favorite that is perfectly served year-round, this dried beef cheese ball is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser! Looking for an easy appetizer with a short prep time that everyone will love? Try my favorite dried beef cheese ball! To me, nothing says “welcome” as a homemade cheese ball served with your...

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Whitewashed Wood Tray for Christmas

Marty Walden — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 13:48:39 +0000

Make this thrifted whitewashed wood tray and add seasonal scrapbook paper for a rustic accent. Perfect for Christmas or any time of the year! Any type of tray will work for this project, even metal. Shop thrift stores, yard sales and after Christmas sales. I keep a few on hand in case inspiration strikes! Whitewashing...

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Easy Molasses Cookies Recipe

Marty Walden — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000

These molasses cookies are a MUST TRY recipe! Made from a basic make ahead starter cookie mix they are deceptively simple and delish! Anyone who knows me can confirm that chocolate is my favorite food group lol I adore anything with my favorite ingredient in it. But for some reason I’ve been hankering for something...

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FREE Thanksgiving Printable: Practice Gratitude

Marty Walden — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 11:08:00 +0000

Use this simple FREE Thanksgiving printable to help you and your family practice gratitude no matter the circumstances! Does anyone else need to make an about face with their attitude/perspective this year? The last couple of years have been filled with sickness (an HIV/AIDS diagnosis), a divorce and learning how to navigate this season with...

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Instant Russian Tea with Tang

Marty Walden — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 05:23:00 +0000

Instant Russian Tea recipe with Tang is an old holiday favorite that’s the perfect inexpensive hot drink for the holidays! The slightly sweet smell of an evergreen tree. Christmas tree lights twinkling in a dimly lit room. Strains of beautiful music from Point of Grace A Christmas Story CD. Sound perfect? I think so! The...

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Family Blessing Jar

Marty Walden — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:25:00 +0000

The family blessing jar tradition is a precious way to instill gratitude in your children with the simple act of recording blessings throughout the year. This post has always been one of my favorites on my blog because it represented one of the greatest strengths of our family: creating and celebrating traditions. When my husband...

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Cozy Fall Cottage Decor

Marty Walden — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 22:36:58 +0000

Living in a small home doesn’t have to mean boring! These cozy fall cottage decor ideas will inspire and encourage you! One of the things I’ve learned while living in a small cottage is how much easier life is! Downsizing or living with less stuff doesn’t have to mean your home is lacking or less...

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21+ DIY Fall Craft Ideas

Marty Walden — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:02:00 +0000

Tired of the same ol’ same ol’? These 21+ clever DIY fall craft ideas are made to inspire you not depress you! There’s something for everyone! It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to say I love fall! It’s my favorite season of the year. Not only is the weather amazing but my creative juices...

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DIY Fall Banner from Scrap Fabric

Marty Walden — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Want to update your fall decor without spending a lot of money? This DIY fall banner made from scrap fabric is perfect for any season and is so easy it’s the perfect fall craft! **This is a fun way to add a little color and save money! I’m sharing how I used it in both...

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Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Marty Walden — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 04:05:00 +0000

This slow cooker chicken gnocchi soup recipe tastes just like the Olive Garden classic. Here’s a copycat that’s quick to prepare and makes a batch big enough to feed the whole family! Are you a good speller? Did you like spelling bees in elementary school? No? I am but I totally blew the pronunciation for...

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No Fail Chalk Painting Tips for Beginners

Marty Walden — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Chalk painting can be a beautiful and easy technique for decorating your home yourself. Best no fail tips included! True confession here. If you aren’t familiar with my blog you may not know one simple truth: I’m not a painter. But there’s one type of painting I AM an expert at. Chalk painting. You know...

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No Sew Curtains from Tea Towels

Marty Walden — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:10:26 +0000

Don’t know how to sew? Try these easy to make cheap, natural looking no sew curtains using tea towels and a dowel rod. When I moved into my new little cottage two years ago I brought my favorite DIY no sew drop cloth curtains with me for my living room. As you can tell, I...

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