A lifestyle blog detailing life with 5 dogs and the experience of being a guardianship home for a Goldendoodle puppy.

One of the benefits of living in the South is being able to grow vegetables year-round and produce your own food. Not only will it save you money on groceries, but many vegetables require pollen transfer to complete their growth, making it a great way to attract pollinators to both your flower garden and vegetable garden.

A favorite pastime each year for many pool enthusiasts is shopping for a new swimsuit. Swimwear has evolved drastically over the last 100 years, giving both men and women today several styles to choose from. Though styles for both genders have seen changes with time, women’s swimwear has seen the most drastic and most frequent change.

Fall is finally here! It’s that time of year when the weather cools down, the leaves change colors, and things get a little bit spooky. Your front yard isn’t the only place that can get a Halloween makeover this year. We’ve got tips to transform your backyard and pool into a haunted haven too!

You don’t need a dedicated smoker, like a Green Mountain Grill to be able to infuse your food with a scrumptious smoky flavor. You can use your gas or charcoal grill to achieve the same result. It takes some practice to get the method just right, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to a smoldering smorgasbord of your very own!

Planting a flower garden is not only a great way to spruce up your backyard, it’s also a calming outdoor hobby that can help relieve the stress of day-to-day life.1 In the southern states, planting a garden full of perennials is a great way to keep your yard looking beautiful and in bloom all year long.

This simple craft is a great activity for children or families. It is easy to do and looks great! Check out the instructions for this festive Christmas wreath below.

As a homeowner, you undoubtedly dream of having a beautiful backyard to complete your utopian home. From a swimming pool and outdoor kitchen to a backyard bistro with a flower garden, there are so many ways you can transform your backyard into the yard of your dreams. Adding a bistro to enjoy meals with your family can be a quick and easy way to spruce up your home. It doesn’t even have to break the bank!

It’s that time of year again! Fall is in full swing, the leaves are turning, and you can almost smell that thanksgiving turkey roasting. Why not express how thankful you are for your backyard grill by using it to cook a feast your family will love! We’ve compiled a list of recipes so you can cook all your thanksgiving favorites on the grill this year.

Happy birthday, Ernest Hemingway!  The Nobel Prize-winning author was born on July 21, 1899 and is remembered most for his famous literary works, such as A Farewell to Arms or The Old Man and the Sea.1 Here at Pinch A Penny, we also like to remember him for his famous backyard pool!

With research and information changing over time, it’s hard to know how to best protect your skin from the sun. there are varying opinions on how much sunscreen is enough, how often you need to reapply, and what SPF you actually need. Don’t worry, we’ve done the research for you! Find out what falls under fact or fiction when it comes to sun protection.

Mastering multiple cooking methods on your grill can increase the number of recipes you can (grill)master. Not only that, but it gives you maximum use and enjoyment of your backyard kitchen. Depending on what it is that you’re cooking, the way you cook will vary between two types of heat: direct, indirect, or sometimes a little of both!

Make your own pool noodle horse with this easy and fun craft!

 Spring break is here, and summer vacation is just around the corner! While you’re staycationing at home with your family, Pinch A Penny can help you have some fun in the sun. Here are some activities you can use to keep your kids entertained at home in the pool.

All summer long we’ve shared fun ideas so you and your family can create a beautiful backyard oasis to escape to.  Now that you’re a pitmaster, a backyard Olympic medalist, and friend to bees and butterflies, it’s time to spend a night under the stars enjoying the world you’ve created!

Let’s face it, we’re all a little bummed out that the 2020 Summer Olympic Games were postponed. That doesn’t mean you can’t hold your own Summer Games at home! We’ve compiled a list of activities for you and your family to hold a fun, friendly competition of your own.

Splashing around in the pool all summer has been a favorite pastime for ages. Have you ever wondered where the idea for a swimming pool came from? We dove into the vaults of history to bring you some facts about pools from ancient to modern times.

If you’re like most backyard pit masters, the term grilling cooks up visions of juicy steaks, plump hot dogs, and mouth-watering burgers. However, you can cook almost anything on the grill, so we’ve put together a list of 10 delicious ideas for you to try at your next pool party or backyard barbeque. Escape to your backyard and try these new adventures in grilling!

Knowing the differences between cuts of steak can go a long way toward your love and enjoyment of this delicious dish. The cut of beef can change how tender, how lean, or how flavorful the meat is. We have put together a guide to steaks that will teach you where the meat comes from, how it will look and taste, and how best to prepare it for ultimate dining enjoyment. Each type of beef cut is taken from a specific part of the cow, which is what gives it its flavor, texture, and level of tenderness.

Putting up the tree and decorating your home is one of the most treasured pastimes of the holiday season. It comes as no surprise that all those lights and ornaments can become expensive!  We love finding DIY projects that are fun for the whole family and easy on your wallet, and the holidays are no exception!  We found all sorts of fun ways that you can take an ordinary pool noodle and turn it into a work of glittering art.

Your backyard swimming pool can be used for more than just fun and entertainment. It can also be used for fitness and strength training. By using your pool as part of your workout routine, you can save yourself from spending money at the gym and you can work out on your own schedule! Here are some great ways you can utilize your pool to stay in shape.