New? Start Here!
Hello and welcome to The Happier Homemaker! Maybe you found yourself here popping over from Pinterest for my Apple Cinnamon Bread recipe or looking for tips on how to clean your house fast. However you ended up here I'm so very glad you did.
Where to start:
- Check out our most popular posts
- Browse our easy & delicious recipes
- Find useful printables for organizing your home in our shop
About Melissa Riker
Hi! I'm Melissa and I'm so glad you've found your way to my little corner of the internet!
When I was a newlywed military wife I thought I had it all under control-my house was going to be spotless, fancy home-cooked meals on the table every night, and of course, my children would be perfect angels!
God gave me a reality check when he blessed me with three crazy little boys in under 5 years and showed me the true chaos that family life can be! Over the years I've learned how to run my home more efficiently so I can spend more time doing the things I love.
I love trying new recipes that only taste like they took forever in the kitchen. I love solving problems and finding new ways of doing things that save time and money. And I love sharing those ideas with you!
What You'll Find on The Happier Homemaker
The Happier Homemaker is all about making life easier. Here you'll find:
- delicious recipes for the everyday cook-no hard to find ingredients or complex techniques required
- tips to make cleaning and organizing your home easier and faster.
- simple, frugal ways to DIY and decorate your home
The Happier Homemaker has been featured in BuzzFeed, Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart, CNN, Mashable, Country Living, HGTV, Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Today.com, The Huffington Post, Womens Health, AnaWhite.com, and Woman's Day among many others.
Featured speaker at these conferences:
- Get Organized HQ
- SPARK Military Spouse Conference
Listen to Podcasts featuring Melissa:
How it all started...
I started my first blog in 2007 as a way to stay in touch with family after our oldest son was born during multiple military moves. The Happier Homemaker was started in 2011 while my husband was deployed to Iraq and I was pregnant with my third son, looking for something to occupy my time in those lonely hours after the kids were tucked into bed.
What began as a hobby, just a simple creative outlet to share recipes I made or crafts I did with my children, has turned into a full-time career (!!) complete with writers and photographers, and other support team members located across the US.
While it has been a crazy road to get The Happier Homemaker to where it is today I would not have it any other way. Helping other families enjoy delicious meals around the table, regardless of how hectic schedules get, is one of my greatest joys. I also love, love, love getting emails from readers who have found my household tips and tricks helpful.
Creating a joyful home shouldn't have to be hard. Let's work together to make sure of that!
Fun Facts About Melissa
- In addition to three sons ages 11 to 16, we have a lovable Goldendoodle, a Bernese Mountain Dog, and two rescue cats with big personalities!
- We are a military family that has lived in ten homes in the last 15 years, across three countries and five states! See all the homes we've shared over the years here.
- I'm a Southern girl who grew up in southeastern Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina. We now live in south Georgia and you'll find a LOT of delicious traditional Southern recipes here on the blog!
- I'm a passionate follower of Jesus and am currently enrolled in a Master's degree in Christian Apologetics.
- We love to travel and since having children we've fallen in love with cruising as well. We try to take a cruise at least once a year!
- We have a sister site full of no-fuss recipes, we hope you visit Shaken Together Life and love it as much as we do!
Need to get in touch?
Please note we do not accept guest posts or paid links, no exceptions.
Otherwise, you can Contact Me here.
Vee says
sign up for emails, thanks!
Melissa Riker says
Thank you Vee, so glad to have you here!
Mamie Bell says
I would like to learn a out running a good home, decluttering and cooking some.American recipes
I too cone from a military background, my 3 broyhers and myself were all born in different countries! I look forward to hearing from you.
Monica Jeffrey says
Hi Melissa, just came across your biscuit recipe, and loved the details. I do like life made easier.
Do you have a book out with your recipes and other tips?
If not, will you send me printouts of your gluten free easy recipes, all at my eSpenser.
Thank you Carroline Annie
m white says
Thank you so much for your blog. It seems that my family, and my father in particular, is the biggest family member with the hording issue. I am a big fan of throwing unneeded/unnecessary items out of my places/spaces.
It seems that most of the rest of my family just doesn't get the whole concept that having less clutter around you, pays you back in dividends in the time saving and organization department. In this case, as the saying goes: less is truly more!
We all tend to collect things over the course of a lifetime. However, we all must stay ever vigilant to what we really actually need and use. The rest simply must be thrown out in order to truly have peace, organization and live a clutter-free, stress-free life.
Carol says
Will you be offering the Gardening calendar for 2019?
Melissa says
It's good for every year Carol, just a general guideline of what do and plan as the seasons change! ~Melissa
Jennifer Rankin says
How can I get enrolled into your class on be organized in 7 days?
Melissa says
Here is the link Jennifer: https://thehappierhomemaker.com/organizing-ecourse
Ibraheem says
Hi,
Hope you are doing great Job.
I am looking for some advertising opportunities and really impressed with the quality of your blog thehappierhomemaker.com and the way you have updated it.
I was wondering did you allow Sponsored/Paid post on your blog. Can you please let me know with the price you charge for per post?
Looking for your kind reply.
Best Regards,
ibraheem
abigail nasser says
Hey,
I’m looking to buy some advertising space on thehappierhomemaker.com. Is this something that you’d be interested in talking about further?
If so, then please reply to this email so that we can kick things off.
Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Abigail
abigail nasser says
Hi,
I came across thehappierhomemaker.com and I’d like to find out about the possibility of purchasing some advertising space.
Please let me know if this is something you’re interested in and we can discuss things a little further.
Thanks for your time.
Abigail
Eileen Etheridge says
I would like to make this if i can get the recipe
Amanda says
I love your blog!
Mark says
Thank you both for your service to our country. Not everyone understands that the Spouse and family also serve. A quick tip for finishing. Pure tung oil. If you don't have any on hand also buy a bag or two of marbles. As you use the oil, fill with marbles to keep the level to the bottle neck. This will keep the oil from skinning where the air meets the surface. If you need to thin it out mix it 50/50 with paint thinner. You don't need stain if you want a natural stain color it comes automatically. So that saves you a step. Also pure tung oil can be re-coated about an hour (longer if cold and/or humid) after each application. For a really SLICK surface, wet sand with 800 grit paper and furniture oil or an Amish formula based product 12 hours or more after the final coat. Apply the liquid and lightly sand until the paper doesn't drag on the surface. Wipe it dry and enjoy.
Happy Trails, Mark
Melissa says
Great tip, thanks so much Mark!
Bebe Pitts says
I forgot the name of the Grout Cleaner that you used when you cleaned your grout. Please e-mail me. Thank you.
Guarana askri says
Love your creativity
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Guarana!
Cecilia says
I love your headboard potting bench project. Thanks for sharing. And, many thanks for your husband's military service and your support as a military spouse. Best Wishes, from an Air Force wife and mother