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Our podcast has officially reached the legal drinking age—happy 21st, Young House Love Has A Podcast! Thanks for finding the show notes for Episode #21. This week we tackle one of the questions we hear most often: how do you actually get home improvement projects done when you have kids underfoot? It’s a question we’ve asked ourselves many times, sometimes from a place of genuine curiosity and other times from sheer desperation. In this episode we share four practical strategies we use to juggle parenting and DIY, plus tips for staying sane when progress feels impossibly slow.
Along the way John confesses a major blunder from our kitchen renovation, Sherry tests her Pinterest instincts with a guys-vs-girls guessing game, and we both bond over a surprisingly delightful overlap between handcrafts and zombie culture. Whether you’re trying to finish a backsplash, dig trenches for irrigation, or just reclaim a corner of your home, there’s something here for anyone balancing tools, toddlers, and time.
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and TuneIn Radio, or listen to it through your preferred podcast player. Use this page to find the images, links, and notes we mention during the show.
What’s New
- We recently did a lot of careful digging around a marked gas line. The markings washed away, but my neighbor captured a helpful drone photo showing the trenches I hand-dug across the yard. The image also makes it painfully obvious that our lawn is in desperate need of more consistent watering—that side yard is basically moss city.
That’s Embarrassing
- Full transparency: I ordered an entire shipping crate of backsplash tile by mistake for our kitchen remodel. It was a costly oversight and a humbling reminder that even careful planning can go awry. We laugh about it now, but we also share what we learned so you can avoid a similar mess.
What’s Not
- We discuss common trends on Pinterest and how search behavior sometimes breaks down along stereotypical lines—an interesting read if you want to know what people of different genders tend to pin.
- We also reference a few fun renovation trends like “barndominiums” and creative party builds such as snackadiums—quirky ideas that are fun to browse when you’re in a creative mood.
We’re Digging
If you’re into modern or ironic cross-stitch—and yes, we are—there are lots of small makers creating clever pieces that blend traditional craft with contemporary humor. Sherry has a LaCroix cross-stitch she loves that now hangs in our foyer, and there are plenty of pop-culture and slightly irreverent options available from independent creators.
- We mention a few small Etsy-style shops and pattern sellers that offer inexpensive cross-stitch patterns, including themed designs like tools, terrariums, and pop culture icons—most patterns are only a few dollars each, which makes them great for quick gifts or a small weekend project.
- We also love stitched family portraits, which are a sweet, handmade way to celebrate your crew.
If you’re trying to find something we’ve discussed in a past episode, we maintain a master list of topics and “We’re Digging” items from previous shows to make tracking down that one thing easier.
Visit annieselke.com/yhl to learn more about The Annie Selke Companies and use code YHL15 to get 15% off your next order.
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