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Marty's Musings

DIY projects, thrifty home decor and easy crafts

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How to Create a Christmas Village Display

How to Create a Christmas Village Display

By Marty Walden · 56 Comments

Step by step instructions on how to create a Christmas village display as a family tradition. Included are money saving tips and a step by step video! One year as a young bride I discovered the beauty of collecting miniature houses for Christmas. I had my family buy several of the Dickensville ones at half price at the end of… Read More

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, DIY, family, family traditions, Home Projects, Seasonal Projects Tagged With: Christmas, crafts, holidays, village, winter

Homesick Kids [Encouragement Notes for Camp!]

Homesick Kids [Encouragement Notes for Camp!]

By Marty Walden · Leave a Comment

You can help homesick kids by sending encouragement notes to camp or sleepovers. Simply write love notes for your kids to read when they’re away from home. Some of the best family traditions are often those that happen by accident, like our family blessing jar. What started out as a way to teach our children gratitude is now a deeply… Read More

Filed Under: adoption, family, family traditions, Lifestyle, parenting Tagged With: adoption, Family, Parenting, Reactive Attachment Disorder

Family Blessing Jar and Instilling Gratitude

Family Blessing Jar and Instilling Gratitude

By Marty Walden · 45 Comments

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.   Tips for implementing the Family Blessing Jar: Start young. Even small children can be taught to say thank you to God through their prayers, songs and words. Reinforce. Point out to your children the… Read More

Filed Under: 31 Days to a Beautiful Home, Crafts, faith, Fall, family, family traditions, parenting adult children, Seasonal Projects, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Christmas, Faith, holidays, Thanksgiving

Why Take a Family Vacation?

Why Take a Family Vacation?

By Marty Walden · 14 Comments

As the warm breezes blow through my hair, I’m transported back to days of yore. Children splashing at the shore, sand seeping through toes and bathing suits. Waves chasing the wee ones as they squeal in contagious joy.  Screeecchhhhh! That was a terrific walk down the family vacation memory lane, but it’s not my life anymore. My children are no longer young…. Read More

Filed Under: 31 Days to a Beautiful Home, adoption, family, family traditions, parenting adult children Tagged With: beach, vacation

Beach House Decorating Ideas

Beach House Decorating Ideas

By Marty Walden · 17 Comments

Full of detailed pictures and home decor, this post is filled with beach house decorating ideas that will have you dreaming of your own escape one day! Our family spent last week in Emerald Isle, NC enjoying some good food, family fun and as much sun as we could handle! I find the older I get the less enthralled I… Read More

Filed Under: DIY, family, family traditions, home decor, Home Projects, parenting adult children, Room Makeovers Tagged With: beach, beach house, vacation

Inexpensive Sweet 16 Birthday Party Ideas

Inexpensive Sweet 16 Birthday Party Ideas

By Marty Walden · 3 Comments

Your favorite teenage girl will love these inexpensive sweet 16 birthday party ideas for invitations, decor, food and more! It’s hard to believe it’s been over four months since my youngest daughter turned 16! She is turning into an amazing young woman right before our eyes. I cannot imagine our lives without this tenderhearted, compassionate young lady. (She has since… Read More

Filed Under: adoption, Crafts, Entertaining, Entertaining, family, family traditions, tablescapes Tagged With: 16th birthday, Party

7 Tips for Family Vacation

7 Tips for Family Vacation

By Marty Walden · 1 Comment

The years are passing even quicker now that we have adult children with spouses as well as two teenagers living at home. My oldest daughter is expecting our first grandchild and our oldest son just got married a few weeks ago. As our lives change our plans for vacation each year become more complicated! Last year we were able to spend an entire… Read More

Filed Under: family, family traditions, parenting adult children Tagged With: beach, vacation

Easy Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

Easy Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

By Marty Walden · 21 Comments

Sensational recipe for easy homemade Strawberry Ice Cream, perfect for a hot summer’s day spent with family and friends. This recipe is a keeper! My dad was a salesman. He sold cars, RVs, hardware (and not the computer kind) among other things.  He worked a lot of evenings and Saturdays to provide for our family. In spite of those long… Read More

Filed Under: desserts, Easy Recipes, family cookbook, family traditions Tagged With: ice cream, strawberry, White Mountain hand crank ice cream freezer

Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels “Glorious”: Simple Gift Sunday

Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels “Glorious”: Simple Gift Sunday

By Marty Walden · 2 Comments

  As we enjoyed a day at our favorite local strawberry farm yesterday, we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. Temps around 70 degrees with bright sun and these gorgeous ripe red berries just waiting for us! The words to Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels “Glorious” just rang in my head. Majesty and power are Yours alone forever…. Read More

Filed Under: faith, family, family traditions, music, photography, Simple Gift Sunday, Simple Gift Sunday

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Meet Marty

Marty Walden believes anyone can create an authentic home filled with simple, thrifty decor. When you join her community, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to create a treasured home and still live within your means! Read More…

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