About Me

 

The reason I started blogging was that I often found myself on the phone with a friend or family member discussing a dinner party menu or birthday party ideas.  After being a stay at home mom for 8 years,  I was also looking for an outlet.

 

Since starting this blog and getting all the children in school full time, I started substitute teaching and tutoring but I still love to blog. At Staying Close to Home you will find recipes I have subjected my family to, crafts are done with and for the children, entertaining both adults and children, especially around the holidays, various trips we have taken, as well as family-friendly product reviews and giveaways.

  Now that the kids are older we have found traveling more exciting and we also share some great travel locations we have gone as a family, as a couple and with girlfriends.

 

 

So grab a cup of coffee and browse for some great ideas to keep you closer to home, without breaking the bank. Our goal is providing other moms with ideas that are both inspiring and attainable.

Connect with Maria by subscribing to her blog, following her on Twitter or liking her on Facebook or Instagram.

 

I have 3 children, ages 16, 19 and 21, a 2 golden retrievers, a cat and a loving husband living in Richmond, VA Contact via email at stayin[email protected] We are happy to send our media kit.  Close to Home LLC is PR FRIENDLY and will gladly review any family-friendly products.

Lacey the Cat is about 15 years old.  The sweet Golden is Chloe who passed in Jan 2019.  Now meet our newest golden Tippet born 12/2018.

Meet Julie Stribling:  Our Contributor

 

Julie is a military brat so if you ever want to get into a really long conversation, ask her where she’s from!  In 2016, she and her husband moved from Silicon Valley to Richmond, VA, seeking a simpler life.  They found it and are loving Richmond with their three daughters (ages 10, 8 and 6) and son (age 3).  Julie enjoys reading, yoga, soccer, and when her children nap!