Home Archives - Eliza Cross

A Remarkable Rose from a Sweet Grandma

August 15, 2023June 15, 2023 by Eliza Cross

Note: This article was originally published on June 15, 2015 at Happy Simple Living. Sylvia Crosslen became my step-grandmother when her son Howard married my mom Betty, some forty years ago. If you are fortunate enough to have a special relative through marriage, then you’ll understand when I say that it didn’t take long for … Read more

How to do a Digital Declutter

February 16, 2022January 22, 2022 by Eliza Cross

A simple gray desk topped with a computer monitor, lamp and plant. Two white stools are in front.

Have you ever done a digital declutter? This guide will give you plenty of ideas and tips for tidying your computers, mobile devices and online spaces. While plenty has been written about decluttering at home and there are numerous television shows and books about how to do it. the clutter we accumulate on our devices … Read more

An Easy Weekly Cleaning Routine

March 9, 2022January 21, 2022 by Eliza Cross

cleaning products in a bucket, rubber gloves and yellow daffodils.

This simple weekly cleaning routine has helped our family keep the main spaces in our home semi-tidy and picked up. Have you noticed how some folks seem to have a special housecleaning gene, built right into their DNA? I am not one of those people. I love a clean, organized house, and I actually enjoy … Read more

Make a Spring Vegetable Garden Plan

February 16, 2022January 19, 2022 by Eliza Cross

A basket filled with vegetables and herbs from the garden

Now is a perfect time to make a spring vegetable garden plan and sketch out ideas for your ideal plot, especially if you’re on a money diet. This time of year, I love to start thinking about seeds and plants and getting my hands in the dirt. Do you enjoy daydreaming about your future garden, … Read more

24 Ways to Get Ready for the Holidays

November 21, 2021October 1, 2021 by Eliza Cross

The next few weeks offer a wonderful opportunity to make rapid progress on your To Do list and get ready for the holidays. Imagine finishing all of your main holiday tasks so you can relax and enjoy the festivities during December.

Make Your Own Marbled Christmas Ornaments

November 25, 2021November 6, 2020 by Eliza Cross

Dear friends, Here’s a fun holiday craft you can make with just a few simple, inexpensive materials – pretty marbled Christmas ornaments. In less than an hour, you can craft several of these pretty ornaments that will perfect for holiday gift giving or hanging on your Christmas tree. I first read about this technique in … Read more

7 Good Things – Christmas Cookies, Holiday Fails and Yuletide Fun

February 16, 2022December 10, 2019 by Eliza Cross

Dear friends, Are you enjoying the holiday season? Here’s a round-up of fun, festive finds this week: 1. It’s Cookie Time Homemade Milano cookies? Oh yes yes yes, HECK YES. Visit Baked Ambrosia for Angelina’s heavenly recipe. While you’re at it, be sure to check out my friend Kathleen’s sweet, chewy, easy Salted Chocolate Graham … Read more

Goodbye, My Telephone

June 8, 2019April 25, 2019 by Eliza Cross

All those telephone poles.

I notice them now as I drive around Denver, pole after pole after pole—soldier straight timbers strung with wires and pigeons, some topped with cell phone towers, and others festooned with garage sale signs and lost pet flyers.