All Posts By

Derek

  • BASEMENT BUILDOUT : DRYWALL

    It’s been a month since we finished framing and hung the drywall for our basement project. We had hoped to be sharing the final outcome with you by now, but the finishing touches…

  • LIVING ON THE EDGE

    Over the past two years, we have explored a few landscape edging options and have become proponents of the approach that “less is more!” First, we tried an easy-to-install, no-dig plastic…

  • BASEMENT BUILDOUT : FRAME OF REFERENCE

    With every home project, we’re learning that having the right tools makes things a lot easier. Ashley jokingly claims that I married her for her power tools because she owned more than…

  • BASEMENT BUILDOUT : THE PLAN

    Teaming up for a home construction project probably isn’t the way most couples envision celebrating an anniversary together, but we have never been too concerned about doing things the conventional way. Life is pretty…

  • THE CHRISTMAS STAR

    When I hung our Christmas lights a few weeks ago it was missing the finishing touch to complete the festive feel we were looking for, so we decided to go for a…

  • ROAD TRIPPIN’ : SCHAAKE’S PUMPKIN PATCH

    We’ve had Halloween fever ever since acquiring Mya’s costume (check out her sneak preview), so we’d been planning a family adventure to the pumpkin patch. With weekends quickly filling up with…

  • FOUR FAVORITE COOKING SUBSTITUTIONS

    We like to eat. Whether it’s trying something new or just indulging in our favorite recipes, we can make a mountain of food disappear faster than David Copperfield. Despite our big…

  • BIKE HOIST

    We installed two bike hoists over the weekend. Check out these bad boys– total cost: only $10! But let’s rewind to the beginning: Our neighborhood garage sale took place over the…

  • ROAD TRIPPIN’ : THE LONG WAY HOME

    One of the great lessons that parenthood has taught Ashley and me over the past year and a half is the importance of slowing down and enjoying the smaller things in…

  • THE WASHING WELL

    With toys and kids gear beginning to stake a claim to all parts of our home, we’ve started strategizing to try to make the most of our spaces. A big part…

  • HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO

    It’s tough to pass up an opportunity to celebrate a holiday with tasty food and drinks inspired by our neighbors to the south. But, if you’re like us you might find…