Thanks for stopping by! I'm Magi, a scratch cooking, homeschooling mama, learning to raise good kids, good food, and good fun on our teeny-tiny little farm!
Although I have such fond memories of big family celebrations, I avoided hosting any for most of my early adult years. I just couldn’t imagine it all coming together without turning me into a basket case. After all, I spent most of my childhood watching […]
As Mom to a busy family, I can usually feel when my family needs to lean into comfort and rest, and I consider it my job to facilitate that. Here are five ways to bring an extra dose of Cozy to your winter.
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A few days before the big 2021 Valentine’s/President’s day long weekend I thought to myself, “Self, let’s see about going away for a long weekend”.
But it was too late to get a room anywhere with a hot tub. And since I already have a comfy bed and a pretty view at home, I’m not interested in paying to sleep somewhere else unless it’s better than home, which in winter, means it NEEDS a hot tub. Especially since the polar vortex was bearing down on us with it’s 12 degree BS. (I know, some of you have had it way worse, for whatever reason the polar vortex always goes pretty easy on WA).
So google, in it’s extreme helpfulness, was stalking my search history for “lodgings with hot tub”, “Are hotel hot tubs open during covid?” and “How to spend the long weekend if you can’t get a room with a hot tub” and provided a lovely sidebar ad featuring 4 grown adults smiling real big while sitting in what appeared to be an oddly shaped life raft. (More about the four adults later.)
Lightbulb! Buying an inflatable hot tub would cost about the same as a weekend away!
I swerved over to Amazon and after a tiny bit of hesitation I plopped down a bunch of my hardest-earned dollars. (I’ve heard that price went way up during covid…tasteless, Coleman, I’m disappointed in you! But I’d pay it again.)
Y’all. I have no regrets.
The spa arrived just in time for the weekend, so I cleared some space in the shed and set it up in there.
The directions were fairly worthless, so I found myself a Youtube video and got started. Once you have everything set out and lined up it takes maybe 15 minutes to set up, and another half hour or so to fill. I filled the spa about half way with the garden hose, then topped it off with hot water from the washing machine bib (no adaptor needed, your garden hose will hook right up to it!).
Since it was going to be 12 degrees that night I wrapped it in that mylar bubble wrap insulation, topped it with some styrofoam insulation panels, and covered it all with a tarp.
It did take a good 36 hours to get up to temp but we were able to enjoy it after dinner on Valentine’s Day. By “We” I mean me and the kids. Hubby didn’t get in for a good week or two. He’s not a fan of getting warm. Weird.
We’ve been enjoying this thing for over a year now. It’s working like a champ and I have zero regrets. In summer we move it outside, turn the heat off and use it as a cold plunge/kiddie pool.
Overall I love it, but here’s a few things to know:
1) As for the four smiling adults in the manufacturer’s photo, unless you have an unusual romantic arrangement there is zero chance four adults can be comfy in this thing. The only reason my husband and I can get in together is that we are extremely in love and don’t mind our legs and stuff mingling.
2) The bubble jets will cool the tub down super fast. I only use them to stir in chemicals.
3) Speaking of chemicals, the tablet holder on the pump outlet is fairly sucky. I feel like the water doesn’t really flow past the tablets, so they take forever to dissolve. Spend a few extra dollars and get yourself a floater.
4) If you happen to get an older model there is an automatic shut-off that will turn the heat off after three days of no activity on the keypad. This hasn’t happened with my 2020 model, but check your manufacture date.
All in all, I feel like this thing was money very well spent, and I’ve been enjoying it so, so much!
Happy Hillbilly Hot Tubbing!
I have to start this post with a confession. Are you ready for it? I still buy jarred foods at the store. GASP! Are you shocked?! It’s true. While I’m a great fan of scratch cooking and canning there are still plenty of things we […]
I get it. You did not sign up for distance learning. You’ve been thrown a major curve ball and basically no lead time to prepare for it. And let’s not forget you were already juggling parenting, work, and family time to the best of your […]
I love looking at them on Pinterest, I love how they inspire me to greatness. I love making them and hanging them up where they can make it look like I’m totally on top of moving the clothespin. But the reality is I never remember to move the clothespin, magnet, chalk tag etc. and eventually the chore system breaks down into a series of, “I did it last time”, and “But it’s not my turn.” until nothing is getting done (or I’m doing it all) and I don’t know who to nag.
So I ditched the chart altogether. And instead, I assigned each kid two set chores they will do for an entire year. No rotating. They do the same chores. All year. One chore must be done daily, and one must be done weekly, typically on Friday. (This doesn’t mean they aren’t expected to pitch in with other tasks, like tidying up before Dad gets home. )
Right now each of my older kids is washing dishes once per day, and on Friday one cleans the bathroom while the other mows the lawn. (The 5 year old doesn’t have a set task right now, other than picking up after herself. She will be the cat and dog feeder next time I assign chores.)
Last year it was one load of laundry per day.
Next year I will swap it up depending on what I think they need to learn (or brush up on) or . . . what I’m tired of doing.
Yep. I still have to monitor and enforce, but now if it’s not done I know who to nag. I don’t have to remember to move the magnet, I don’t have to figure out who is falling down on the job (which is nice because often it’s me!) and they don’t have to keep track of which chore they are supposed to do today.
That’s because it is. I don’t know about you, but if there’s anything I need more of in my life it’s S-I-M-P-L-E!
How do you manage chores in your home?
You probably won’t be hearing much from me for the next few weeks, because it’s gardening season and I’m B-U-S-Y! But ya gotta eat right? I whipped up this quick and tasty meal tonight and knew I had to share it with you. Talk about […]
Man, this winter has been LOOONG! I have to admit it’s getting a bit oppressive. I’m not usually one to get bogged down in winter blues, but this one has me on edge. It’s not so much blues as impatience though. I just can’t wait […]
Tuesdays mean tacos around the Half Acre, and we go all out on the side dishes. We always include Mexican Rice, and cabbage salsa and always look forward to leftovers for lunch on Wednesday!
To make our tasty cabbage salsa you will need:
Chop, mix and enjoy!
This is a great chip dippin’ salsa, or topping for tacos. Best of all it’s a very satisfying and hearty base for your next taco salad. Much tastier than basic lettuce!
Give it a try…you won’t be sorry!
This post will be shared at The Homestead Blog Hop and The Homemaking Linkup.
Getting lost in a good book next to the fireplace is the perfect way to pretend it’s not freezing and snowing again outside.