Tag: daily journal
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Advice To Myself At 18-Years-Old

Last Friday, I ran into one of my high school teachers. Even though I graduated thirteen years ago (ohmigoodness has it truly been that long ago?!) we recognized one another right away. Partly due to me working for him at summer camp for several years, but also because I come from a high school boasting…
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What Does Self Care Truly Mean?

Today I want to talk about self-care. True self-care. Not the romanticized and trendy version the world is constantly pushing down our throats. Not the bath bombs and face masks and #treatyourself high-dollar purchases and ritual meditations the world seems so eager to focus on for peak lifestyles. No, I’m talking about real self-care. The…
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How to Build an Awe-Inspiring Charcuterie Spread on a Budget

The holidays are right around the corner, and we know what that means: lots of gatherings! One of our favorite types of house parties are wine-related (even if I am not able to partake in tastings this holiday season.) Grant and I live in Southwest Michigan’s wine country, and I have worked in the wine…
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Repurposing Hardware and Giving a Bathroom Vanity a Facelift

The Pillar House currently has one working bathroom, and the vanity in it is far too small. Knowing a full bathroom remodel is a year or two down the road, I took to Marketplace to find a replacement. The most important aspect to me was a white top. I was lucky to find this cute…
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Replacing Main Floor Windows

The day we moved into the Pillar House, the living room had snow drifts. Partly due to the ancient front door, but also because a number of the windows were cracked or did not seal. We knew then that replacing the house’s windows would be a top priority. The BEFORE windows were single-pane, wood framed…
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Upper Roof Reconstruction

Our roof needs some MAJOR repairs. During our numerous viewings of the house, we noted that several rafters in the loft were cracked or broken. There was also a deteriorating chimney, unsealed windows, and a large amount of animal droppings that made us weary. So we knew this when we bought the Pillar House, and…
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How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh

Is there anything better than walking into your home to a vase of bright fresh-cut flowers? In the past I have not been a huge live flower person, but these spring temperatures and the country air are changing my tune. Nothing is worse than finding wilting petals only a day after picking and arranging your…
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Get to Know the Renovators

Grant was born on July 4th in Southern Indiana. He was the oldest of two boys and grew up on a farm. Here his mechanical mindset was allowed to roam free, taking apart tractors and reassembling them before he could hardly walk. He has always been a hard worker and helped his grandfather and dad…