Nicci Anna Kilcoyne

The heat is coming and that means it’s time to think about fun in the sun- and hydrating. As families start moving outside more, it’s important to make sure that you are reaching for the right kind of beverages to avoid dehydration.
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Stay hydrated, stay healthy
Remember, children ages 4-8 need about 2 quarts of water per day, more if they are sweating from being in the heat. Teenagers need 2.5 to 3.5 per day and even more than that if they are being active o...

May is transplant time for gardening in Delaware. It’s time to get all those seedlings in the ground and let them take off! But make sure to keep an eye on the weather until Mother’s Day, because you never know if a surprise frost or spring storm will occur!
Gardening in Delaware May Schedule
Delaware has 3 gardening zones depending on where you live: 6b, 7a & 7b. Be sure to know which zone you are in so you plant at the right time for your zone.
Help the pollinators for your garden’s success...

It’s heating up here in Delaware and kids are going to need healthy hydration and meal options. I know my own kiddos don’t like to eat much on hot days so I try to keep lots of cold snacks and meals on hand in the summer months for them to choose from. We keep things like yogurt, cheese cubes, various fruits, vegetables, grilled meats, and dips in the fridge so that cold-cut platters can be arranged quickly for lunch or dinner.
But some of our favorite standby options are smoothies. Smoothies...

It’s go-time in the gardening world here in Delaware! Our counters are filled with seed starts, the weather is crazy and we are anxiously awaiting those warmer temps to get them in the ground. It’s not too late to start some seeds though, so see below for what you should be planting now!
Gardening in Delaware April Schedule
Delaware has 3 gardening zones depending on where you live: 6b, 7a & 7b. Be sure to know which zone you are in so you plant at the right time for your zone.
Help the polli...

Here in the mid-Atlantic gardening zones (6B, 7a and 7B you can find your zone here ), we are gearing up for our vegetable gardening season. In March, there are three types of planting happening: Indoor Sowing, Outdoor Sowing, and transplanting. See below for what you should be planting now!
Gardening in Delaware March Schedule
Indoor Sowing
Start these seeds this month to have them ready for the ground in May!
Artichoke
Broccoli
Cabbage
Celery
Chard
Eggplant
Endive
Fennel
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leek
...

Gardening with children can be a really fun and educational family project. Children and nature go hand in hand and gardening gives so much more than just flowers, fruits or vegetables.

With a garden, children get fresh air and sunshine. They learn to plan and implement that plan, the value of work and experience the fruit of their labor in a tangible, rewarding way. They get first-hand experience with insect, amphibian and reptile species, along with learning about various birds, pollinators...

New homesteaders usually add baby chicks as their first animal keeping adventure. While purchasing a flock of hens that are already laying eggs is a choice for some, most choose to order and raise baby chicks to keep start-up costs low.
Raising recently hatched chickens is fun for the whole family and allows you to build a good relationship with your flock. In this guide for absolute beginners, you’ll learn everything you need to know to prepare for your flock and how to keep them safe and he...

As Covid-19 restrictions remain in place for most countries and states, many families are turning to local destinations for their annual Spring Break vacation. Thankfully, there are several places that you can visit in The First State that are family-friendly and packed with fun. Here are my top picks to enjoy during your time off:
** As with any travel during this time, please check destinations for current Covid-19 restrictions and plan accordingly.

For 2 days this month (February 25-27th. 2021), the Jewish community will partake in the happiest holiday of their faith, Purim! Also referred to as the “Feast of Lots”, people liken the holiday to a Jewish version of Halloween or a Mardis Gras for Jews. There are costumes, gift giving, partying and yummy foods, such as the famous hamantaschen triangular cookies with various fillings to enjoy.
But Purim is more than a grand party for the Jewish people, it’s a commemoration of their deliveranc...

We’ve talked previously about essential oils and safely using them. Now that you know how to wisely approach using essential oils with your family, here are my top 5 oils that I think every mom should have in their natural care arsenal:
Lavender
Lavender essential oil packs a pretty powerful herbal punch. This versatile oil can help promote calm, encourage sleep and treat pesky bug bites. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also a popular ingredient in products to help reduce irritati...

Essential oils are a great natural way to address a host of issues from physical ailments and boo boos to anxiety and depression. But when it comes to using them with kids, some extra precautions are necessary to make sure that your child does not have any adverse reactions.
Essential oils are super-concentrated plant extracts made by pressing or steaming various parts of a plant to extract the properties of that plant to use for application.
A single bottle of essential oil often takes proce...

As the Autumn air gets more crisp, I try to make sure the household is stocked with some of our go-to herbal remedies like Homemade Herbal Elderberry Syrup, Immune-Boosting Tea, Soothing Herbal Tea-Bath Blends and Herbal “Vicks” Salve. One thing I have learned about myself in the past is that I don’t feel like making herbal medicine when I am under the weather. I also don’t like making my family members wait for it when they don’t feel well. If you catch symptoms early enough, many times you ...

After having 7 babies, I’ve got a unique perspective on what postpartum essentials to have in the home for mama once the baby arrives. Honestly, the last few pregnancies have been ALL about comfort and to aid healing and provide nourishment. I’ve learned that if you neglect yourself, you will not be the mom you hope to be once you arrive home. It’s so important to take care of yourself and to do what is necessary to make sure you get the rest you need. The following products are my top picks ...

A self-published print book I've written.

Being a new homesteader can seem daunting at first. There are so many tasks that compete for your attention and it can seem too overwhelming to even start. But don’t fret! Beginning your homesteading journey is much easier with the right resources and there are a ton of them out there that can help.
The following books can give you a solid foundation for managing your path to self-sufficiency. Here are 12 must-have books for the new homesteader:
The authority in home preservation, the Ball Co...