Welcome to the new Home ‘n Stuff, our little place on the web where we talk about… well… stuff around the home — Recipes, Gardening, Organizing, Hobbies, Health, and other … stuff!

We’re still moving the material over from our original Home ‘n Stuff site which is now officially “off the air”. Some of the recipes have already been transferred to The Family Recipe Box, and more are being added as quickly as possible. We hope you’ll be patient while we finish getting settled.

Here’s a taste of what’s to come:

Cooking: More recipes (with more photos), favorite cooking and recipe resources…

Gardening: Plant lists and other information pertaining to gardening in general with a special emphasis on gardening in Southern California (like, how big a plant will really get in a year-round gardening climate!), including photos of plants we’ve actually grown….

Organizing: Some tidbits about getting the most important stuff organized…

Health: Kienbocks Disease, weight loss tips…

Hobbies: Cycling, genealogy, knitting, cycling, sewing, cycling …

…. and other stuff we have no time for. All of this in our own words based on our own experiences.

This site is dedicated to our family and friends and to anyone with an interest in homemaking, family life, and other fun stuff around the home.

Thanks for stopping by!

Jen ‘n Jim

This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
~ Psalm 118:24

A blog is born! And so was I, on this date, 52 years ago. I’m thankful that my parents brought me into this wonderful world, and thankful that God gave me the sweet, loving parents I was blessed to have all these 52 years.

Today is also my first birthday without my dear dad. In some ways it’s just another day without him, but it’s my special day and I’m enjoying the blessings that were showered on me today. He’d want me to make it that kind of day.

It started out raining, which postponed my plans with Mom and my cousin Kathy to go shopping, eating, and shopping some more. We’ll try again on Sunday if the sun comes out.

Jim made my favorite pancakes for breakfast — banana-walnut-cinnamon pancakes. Yum! Later, he surprised me with a gift bag he left on the chair by the computer (how did he know I’d find it there?) containing a small bag of Godiva Dark Chocolate Almonds, a black and white striped t-shirt (I’d been wanting one but couldn’t find one anywhere!), and a new leather wallet to replace the old leather wallet with a broken zipper.

Around noon, a beautiful vase of flowers from my mom was delivered to the door, and a card from her came in the mail. Throughout the day, I received phone calls from family, all sending me love and Happy Birthday wishes.

And it’s a lovely rainy day, my favorite kind of day to just hang out at home. I feel loved and blessed today. What more could I ask for? It’s a beautiful birthday in every way. I will rejoice and be glad in it.