My mom introduced me to this "Summer Afternoon Pick-me-up" and I need one today!
All that is needed:
Leftover Coffee from the AM
Cream and Sugar (I don't usually add sugar to my coffee but this is a pick-me-up!)
Coffee ice cubes
First, add sugar to lukewarm coffee so it dissolves! Then add the amount of cream you like and top with your coffee ice cubes.
At night, hubby and I will often make a pot of decaf after dinner. If there is any leftover I pour into ice cube trays. Then when I want an iced coffee, I can add it to my coffee that watered down taste. The sugar and coffee add the pick-me-up but with decaf ice cubes I know I'm not getting too much caffeine.
Serve with a Trader Joe's Chocolate Canneles de Bordeaux warmed for 20 secs in the microwave and you'll be ready to face the rest of the day and maybe even be delighted when your little ones wake from their naps!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Ideas for Celebrating Pentecost
Well, I posted earlier that this Pentecost would be a unique celebration for us, but here is what we've done at home in the past and may have time to do either Saturday night or in the week to come.
The color for Pentecost is RED to "recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The color red also reminds us of the blood of the martyrs. These are the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm to the true faith even at the cost of their lives."
Celebrating at home:
Family Prayers:
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Blessing to Share: “May God pour out his Spirit upon you, so that you live boldly as his child and do great things in his name. Amen.” (Acts 2:17; Romans 8:15; John 14:12)
For the Week: “Lord God, please send me your Spirit of truth to live in me and be with me. Amen.” (John 14:17)
For Throughout the Day: “Lord God, pour out your Spirit upon me this day,that I may declare your wonders. Amen.” (Acts 2:11,17).
Scripture to read together:
Discussion questions for families:
• On the day of Pentecost the first Christians received the Holy Spirit with signs of wind and fire (Acts 2:1-4). How is the Spirit like wind and fire?
• How, when and where have you received the Holy Spirit? What does the gift of the Holy Spirit mean to you?
• How is this day the birthday of the Church? Why is the Holy Spirit so necessary for the Church?
• How are we as a family living out the mission of the Church? What else could we do?
Activities:
• Cut out 12 small from a piece of construction paper or cardstock and write one of the following fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Place the doves in a nice dish and before each meal ask a family member to draw one out. Discuss its meaning, how you’ve seen it in each other’s lives, ask for the Holy Spirit to fill each of you with this fruit.
• Coloring Pages
• For little ones, play with bubbles or fly kites to remind you of the Holy Spirit presence.
• Take time to learn about and pray for your church’s missionaries and sister churches around the world.
The color for Pentecost is RED to "recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The color red also reminds us of the blood of the martyrs. These are the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm to the true faith even at the cost of their lives."
Celebrating at home:
- Decorate with roses and red candles! We will have a white table cloth the children will decorate with rose petals from a bush in our yard and votive candles to represent the tongues of flame.
- Hang a Dove cut out
- Serve a cake with vanilla icing and strawberries to represent the flames or even a 12 fruit salad, to represent the 12 Fruits of the Spirit
Family Prayers:
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Blessing to Share: “May God pour out his Spirit upon you, so that you live boldly as his child and do great things in his name. Amen.” (Acts 2:17; Romans 8:15; John 14:12)
For the Week: “Lord God, please send me your Spirit of truth to live in me and be with me. Amen.” (John 14:17)
For Throughout the Day: “Lord God, pour out your Spirit upon me this day,that I may declare your wonders. Amen.” (Acts 2:11,17).
Scripture to read together:
Acts 2:1-21
or Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 104: 25-35,37
Romans 8:22-27
or Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Discussion questions for families:
• On the day of Pentecost the first Christians received the Holy Spirit with signs of wind and fire (Acts 2:1-4). How is the Spirit like wind and fire?
• How, when and where have you received the Holy Spirit? What does the gift of the Holy Spirit mean to you?
• How is this day the birthday of the Church? Why is the Holy Spirit so necessary for the Church?
• How are we as a family living out the mission of the Church? What else could we do?
- Discuss this quote from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism:
Activities:
• Cut out 12 small from a piece of construction paper or cardstock and write one of the following fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Place the doves in a nice dish and before each meal ask a family member to draw one out. Discuss its meaning, how you’ve seen it in each other’s lives, ask for the Holy Spirit to fill each of you with this fruit.
• Coloring Pages
• For little ones, play with bubbles or fly kites to remind you of the Holy Spirit presence.
• Take time to learn about and pray for your church’s missionaries and sister churches around the world.
Carnival of the Church Year: Pentecost
There is still time to submit your post on Pentecost to the Carnival of the Church Year: Pentecost at http://churchyear.blogspot.com/
Pentecost and Baptism-the gift of the Spirit
Every year my husband has wanted us to have a party at Pentecost. The gift of the Spirit and the beginning of the Church is surely a good reason to get friends together to celebrate, isn't it?
But it has never happened. Until this year! But this year, we have even more reasons to celebrate. All three of our children will be baptized this Pentecost Sunday. And so my husband will get his Pentecost Party with family, godparents, and friends in attendance and balloons, hoagies and cake too.
Having learned that Pentecost was a traditional time for baptisms to occur in the early church, I have been contemplating the ties between the two.
Ephesians 4 links them explicitly:
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
On Pentecost, we remember the disciples being anointed with the Spirit. It was the same Spirit who moved in the beginnings of creation; the same Spirit who anointed Christ at His own Baptism; the same Spirit who brings us to new life; and the same Spirit in whom we are "sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30). Indeed, "over all and through all and in all."
As I read through the Baptismal prayers in the BCP that we as parents and a congregation will say together for my sweet ones, I am brought to tears in humility and fear. A good humility and fear. What an awesome responsibility it is to bring up the newly baptized into the church. We could not do it alone, or even as a Church, without the Spirit. And so we pray, ask, petition, beg,
Will you also join me in this prayer for my sweet ones and for all who will be brought into the Family of the Church this Pentecost?
I have also copied the Seven-fold Prayer for Baptismal Candidates (BCP p.305) onto a little card to keep with me so that in quiet moments I may return to it to pray for my children and in changing the them to me, to pray it for myself, as well.
But it has never happened. Until this year! But this year, we have even more reasons to celebrate. All three of our children will be baptized this Pentecost Sunday. And so my husband will get his Pentecost Party with family, godparents, and friends in attendance and balloons, hoagies and cake too.
Having learned that Pentecost was a traditional time for baptisms to occur in the early church, I have been contemplating the ties between the two.
Ephesians 4 links them explicitly:
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
On Pentecost, we remember the disciples being anointed with the Spirit. It was the same Spirit who moved in the beginnings of creation; the same Spirit who anointed Christ at His own Baptism; the same Spirit who brings us to new life; and the same Spirit in whom we are "sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30). Indeed, "over all and through all and in all."
As I read through the Baptismal prayers in the BCP that we as parents and a congregation will say together for my sweet ones, I am brought to tears in humility and fear. A good humility and fear. What an awesome responsibility it is to bring up the newly baptized into the church. We could not do it alone, or even as a Church, without the Spirit. And so we pray, ask, petition, beg,
"Sustain our children, O Lord in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, and spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works." (BCP 308).
Will you also join me in this prayer for my sweet ones and for all who will be brought into the Family of the Church this Pentecost?
I have also copied the Seven-fold Prayer for Baptismal Candidates (BCP p.305) onto a little card to keep with me so that in quiet moments I may return to it to pray for my children and in changing the them to me, to pray it for myself, as well.
Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
Send them into the world in witness to your love.
Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
As parents we can become consumed with the rearing of our children, the everyday tasks to care for them and the responsibility to raise them in the truth of the Gospel. Yet these prayers place the emphasis on God's power, not our own. As David DeSilva writes in Sacramental Life-Spiritual Formation Through the Book of Common Prayer:
"the form of these prayers emphasizes God's actions on our behalf, not only at baptism, but throughout our lives as disciples. These petitions, like so many collects and other prayers in the BCP, proclaim our complete dependence on God for progress in discipleship and service. The rhythm of the verbs, falling on the strong beat of every petition, drums the action of God into our heats and invites us to become more and more open to these ongoing actions of God on our behalf, delivering, opening, filling, keeping teaching, sending, and through all these combined, bringing us ever nearer our heavenly destiny. The more we return to these prayers, the more we invite these actions of God to become the rhythm of our lives, the cadence with which we fall increasingly in step each new day." (p. 69)
May these prayers be all of ours this Pentecost Season.
This post is part of the Carnival of the Church Year for Pentecost hosted at Homemaking through the Church Year! Thank you, Jessica!
Welcome to those visiting from the Carnival of the Church Year: Pentecost. I look forward to reading all of the posts assembled. It is a great encouragement to know that all over our country and the world, this Sunday we celebrate the Gift of the Spirit as "one body [through] one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all."
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Vertical Frames-Growing more in less space.
Another idea I love about our raised square foot beds is that we can grow more in less space by growing up rather than out using Vertical Frames. The Square Foot Gardening Book says that this trellis will even hold heavy plants like watermelon, pumpkins and winter squash! You can grow 9 pea plants or 2 cucumbers or 1 tomato plant in a 1' square. Plus don't you think the kids will love seeing big vegetables growing above their heads!
Since we finally got our Vertical Frames put up today and I've had a few questions about them, I thought I'd post pictures.
What you need from the Hardware Store:
2-1/2" Rebar-2' long ($1.38 each)
2-1/2" steel electrical conduit 10' long ($1.97 each)
2-1/2" pull elbow connectors 90 degree angle ($4.61 each; there were cheaper ones but these were easiest to use with screws attached)
Nylon Garden Netting- ($3.97 each-2 bags will do 3 beds)
Tools:
Pipe Cutter
Hammer
Scissors
Directions:
Hammer Rebar about 1 foot into the ground outside your vegetable box.
With pipe cutter, cut electrical conduit into 2-5 feet sections.
Place electrical conduit over rebar.
With pipe cutter, cut electrical conduit 4-feet (or however long your bed is). Attach Elbows to 4 foot post and then to the vertical 5-foot posts.
Cut Nylon Trellis and tie to the top and sides of the pipe. Work growing vines through the trellis.
Unfortunately, the baby woke up before I was able to get a picture of the finished product. But really, it was so quick and easy--even a philosophy professor did it (with a little instruction from his wife!).
Since we finally got our Vertical Frames put up today and I've had a few questions about them, I thought I'd post pictures.
What you need from the Hardware Store:
2-1/2" Rebar-2' long ($1.38 each)
2-1/2" steel electrical conduit 10' long ($1.97 each)
2-1/2" pull elbow connectors 90 degree angle ($4.61 each; there were cheaper ones but these were easiest to use with screws attached)
Nylon Garden Netting- ($3.97 each-2 bags will do 3 beds)
Tools:
Pipe Cutter
Hammer
Scissors
Directions:
Hammer Rebar about 1 foot into the ground outside your vegetable box.
With pipe cutter, cut electrical conduit into 2-5 feet sections.
Place electrical conduit over rebar.
With pipe cutter, cut electrical conduit 4-feet (or however long your bed is). Attach Elbows to 4 foot post and then to the vertical 5-foot posts.
Cut Nylon Trellis and tie to the top and sides of the pipe. Work growing vines through the trellis.
Unfortunately, the baby woke up before I was able to get a picture of the finished product. But really, it was so quick and easy--even a philosophy professor did it (with a little instruction from his wife!).
Ascension Nature Walk
We had a lovely nature walk at the Tyler Arboretum today for Ascension. It was our first visit and we fell in love. We studied trees, ants, turtles, bullfrogs, their vegetable patch, the cool tree houses. The trees provided a lot of shade so even though it was 85 degrees, it felt much cooler.
I was surprised that M. was the first to spot tadpoles in the pond and then this bullfrog in the ferns. Who says a 2 year old boy can't be a nature tracker!
My favorite part of the walk was through the Rhododendron trail. Rhododendrons have never been a favorite, but to see so many was amazing.
If you are in the Delaware County Area, you must go! I look forward to going through the rest of the trails and woods throughout the year!
When we finished, we headed over to the Ridley State Park for our Ascension picnic.
Our Menu:
Chicken Salad with dried cranberries and green onions wrapped in lettuce leaves from our garden. And a Spring Vegetable Salad, we just had Sugar Snap peas and Asparagus but it was delicious. And we ended with a Strawberry-Rhubarb Crunch for dessert. I posted earlier on the "ascension theme" of this meal!
Before dessert, we headed to the highest spot around and read the Scripture passages for this day. Instead of reading the Psalm, we sang a chorus of verse 1, I learned as a child. Everyone then laid in the grass and looked up at the sky. It was so sweet when M. our 2 yr old said, "I see Jesus!" We ended at the swings and when G. rose up into the air, she yelled, "Ascension!!!!!!"
It was a glorious day and so worth the memories and formation, even if all of our suitcases are still unpacked and laundry is backed up!
I was surprised that M. was the first to spot tadpoles in the pond and then this bullfrog in the ferns. Who says a 2 year old boy can't be a nature tracker!
My favorite part of the walk was through the Rhododendron trail. Rhododendrons have never been a favorite, but to see so many was amazing.
If you are in the Delaware County Area, you must go! I look forward to going through the rest of the trails and woods throughout the year!
When we finished, we headed over to the Ridley State Park for our Ascension picnic.
Our Menu:
Chicken Salad with dried cranberries and green onions wrapped in lettuce leaves from our garden. And a Spring Vegetable Salad, we just had Sugar Snap peas and Asparagus but it was delicious. And we ended with a Strawberry-Rhubarb Crunch for dessert. I posted earlier on the "ascension theme" of this meal!
Before dessert, we headed to the highest spot around and read the Scripture passages for this day. Instead of reading the Psalm, we sang a chorus of verse 1, I learned as a child. Everyone then laid in the grass and looked up at the sky. It was so sweet when M. our 2 yr old said, "I see Jesus!" We ended at the swings and when G. rose up into the air, she yelled, "Ascension!!!!!!"
It was a glorious day and so worth the memories and formation, even if all of our suitcases are still unpacked and laundry is backed up!
Ascension Hymn
William CongdonAcensione, 1961, Private collection
"Look, Ye Saints, the Sight Is Glorious"
by Thomas Kelly, 1769-1854
Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious;
See the Man of Sorrows now!
From the fight returned victorious,
Every knee to Him shall bow.
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the Victor's brow.
Crown the Savior! Angels, crown Him!
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
On the seat of power enthrone Him
While the vault of heaven rings.
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown the Savior King of kings.
Sinners in derision crowned Him,
Mocking thus the Savior's claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him,
Own His title, praise His name.
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Spread abroad the Victor's fame!
Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
Hark, those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
Oh, what joy the sight affords!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Ascensiontide
Although Ascension is always celebrated 40 days after Easter, it often comes as a bit of a surprise and this year is no different, especially since we just returned from our trip to Canada.
But if you, like me, don't have much prepared for your family feast, it actually seems quite fitting for the day. What a surprise to the disciples it must have been too! And surely it was of much talk and concern for the next 10 days until Pentecost. And so there is plenty of time over the next week to come back to the following readings to teach our children about Jesus return to heaven and his work carried over into eternity. Time for all of us to meditate upon the significance of this part of Christ's story. Luke's account in the Gospel tells us that the disciples' were filled with "great joy." May this time be filled joy and celebration for us too. Christ is now at the right hand of the Father triumphant.
There are times though when we may question the timing of Christ's departure from this earth as the wait for his return grows long to us. But in those moments may the angel's words of promise be a comfort to us:
"This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
And in those moments may the collect for today give us the right words to pray:
Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages...
The Readings:
Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your
only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended
into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend,
and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Picnic Based on Traditional Foods for Ascension:
Bird (to remind us of Christ's "Flight" to heaven): Chicken Salad
Bubbly drinks (Since the air rises): sparkling water, soda
Cream-filled pastries (to represent the clouds): Strawberries and Whipped Cream
(Ideas from http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/)
But if you, like me, don't have much prepared for your family feast, it actually seems quite fitting for the day. What a surprise to the disciples it must have been too! And surely it was of much talk and concern for the next 10 days until Pentecost. And so there is plenty of time over the next week to come back to the following readings to teach our children about Jesus return to heaven and his work carried over into eternity. Time for all of us to meditate upon the significance of this part of Christ's story. Luke's account in the Gospel tells us that the disciples' were filled with "great joy." May this time be filled joy and celebration for us too. Christ is now at the right hand of the Father triumphant.
There are times though when we may question the timing of Christ's departure from this earth as the wait for his return grows long to us. But in those moments may the angel's words of promise be a comfort to us:
"This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
And in those moments may the collect for today give us the right words to pray:
Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages...
The Readings:
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53
Activities:
Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your
only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended
into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend,
and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Picnic Based on Traditional Foods for Ascension:
Bird (to remind us of Christ's "Flight" to heaven): Chicken Salad
Bubbly drinks (Since the air rises): sparkling water, soda
Cream-filled pastries (to represent the clouds): Strawberries and Whipped Cream
(Ideas from http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Homemade Natural Cleaning Products: Air Freshener/Clean Hands Spritz
Air Freshener
1 cup water
5 drops of Essential Oil
Put into a small spritzer bottle. So simple!
Clean Hands Spritz
2 Tbsp Witch Hazel
1/8 tsp tea tree oil
24 drops of essential oil (2 different kinds)
4 drops of grape seed extract
Put in small plastic spray bottle that can close or has lid to keep in purse or baby bag.
1 cup water
5 drops of Essential Oil
Put into a small spritzer bottle. So simple!
Clean Hands Spritz
2 Tbsp Witch Hazel
1/8 tsp tea tree oil
24 drops of essential oil (2 different kinds)
4 drops of grape seed extract
Put in small plastic spray bottle that can close or has lid to keep in purse or baby bag.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Homemade Natural Cleaning Products: All-Purpose Cleaner
I use this everywhere and have made enough spray bottles for each bathroom and the kitchen. It beats grime, neutralizes odor, lifts stains and soap scum. If you add 3% hydrogen peroxide, it disinfects too.
All-Purpose Citrus Spray.
1/2 cup White Distilled Vinegar
1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide (optional)
1/2 tsp. castile soap
1 1/2 cup warm water
1/2 tsp antiseptic essential oil (one or two flavors--we did lemon and orange)
5 drops of Grape Seed Extract (optional)
Shake well. Spray and wipe.
Another recipe
All Purpose Cleaner/disinfectant
2 cups water
4 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp of borax or washing soda
1/4 cup castile soap
1 tsp tea tree oil (optional)
All-Purpose Citrus Spray.
1/2 cup White Distilled Vinegar
1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide (optional)
1/2 tsp. castile soap
1 1/2 cup warm water
1/2 tsp antiseptic essential oil (one or two flavors--we did lemon and orange)
5 drops of Grape Seed Extract (optional)
Shake well. Spray and wipe.
Another recipe
All Purpose Cleaner/disinfectant
2 cups water
4 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp of borax or washing soda
1/4 cup castile soap
1 tsp tea tree oil (optional)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Homemade Natural Cleaning Products: The Kitchen
Drain Cleaner.
Dissolve 1/2 cup Baking Soda and 1 cup of vinegar in boiling water. Pour down the drain. Then flush with hot tap water.
Sink Cleaner.
Spread baking soda over sink. Let stand 5-10 minutes pour on vinegar and watch it fizz! Scrub and rinse.
Cutting Boards/Counter-tops Disinfectant.
1/4 cup 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved as a sanitizer; stronger than chlorine)
1/4 Vinegar
4 drops of Essential Oil (Oregano)
4 Drops of Grape Seed Extract
Mix together and put in spray bottle.
Sprinkle cutting board with 1 Tbsp of baking soda and then spray. Let sit and then wipe and rinse.
Dissolve 1/2 cup Baking Soda and 1 cup of vinegar in boiling water. Pour down the drain. Then flush with hot tap water.
Sink Cleaner.
Spread baking soda over sink. Let stand 5-10 minutes pour on vinegar and watch it fizz! Scrub and rinse.
Cutting Boards/Counter-tops Disinfectant.
1/4 cup 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved as a sanitizer; stronger than chlorine)
1/4 Vinegar
4 drops of Essential Oil (Oregano)
4 Drops of Grape Seed Extract
Mix together and put in spray bottle.
Sprinkle cutting board with 1 Tbsp of baking soda and then spray. Let sit and then wipe and rinse.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Homemade Natural Cleaning Products: Mopping the Floor
Mopping has always been my husband's job. I didn't mop a floor our first 6 years of marriage. It's not so much that he enjoys it and I don't. But even more if it is dirty, it drives him crazy. I've never quite understood it but if it's clean, he feels the whole house is clean!
It's always the first thing he'll do if we're having guests. So here's the recipe I created for him/
1/4 cup Castile Soap
1/4 cup white vinegar
20 drops of essential oil (no he doesn't add this!)
2 gallons of hot water.
It's always the first thing he'll do if we're having guests. So here's the recipe I created for him/
1/4 cup Castile Soap
1/4 cup white vinegar
20 drops of essential oil (no he doesn't add this!)
2 gallons of hot water.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Homemade Natural Cleaning Products: Wood Dusting Aid
This is for your wood furniture and floors. Please test before use!!
Murphy's Oil is Pure Vegetable Oil Soap, so it is Biodegradable and Phosphate Free. It cleans with no residue or build-up. Natural, non-toxic and earth-friendly. Shines and brings out the grain in wood.
Use as bottle recommends or try the following recipe. I love the way it makes our house smell.
Wood Dusting Aid
1/2 cup Murphy's Oil
3/4 cup Water
5 Drops of Sweet Orange Oil essential oil
15-20 drops of cedar essential oil (I changed this to Rosemary EO but the cedar would be nice for your wood!)
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto wood and wipe clean with a soft dry cloth.
You'll be whistling the song from their commercials, "The work is finished and the finish is fine."
Murphy's Oil is Pure Vegetable Oil Soap, so it is Biodegradable and Phosphate Free. It cleans with no residue or build-up. Natural, non-toxic and earth-friendly. Shines and brings out the grain in wood.
Use as bottle recommends or try the following recipe. I love the way it makes our house smell.
Wood Dusting Aid
1/2 cup Murphy's Oil
3/4 cup Water
5 Drops of Sweet Orange Oil essential oil
15-20 drops of cedar essential oil (I changed this to Rosemary EO but the cedar would be nice for your wood!)
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray onto wood and wipe clean with a soft dry cloth.
You'll be whistling the song from their commercials, "The work is finished and the finish is fine."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Homemade Natural Cleaning Products: The Bathroom Continued
More for the bathroom. This creamy soft scrubber works better than Soft Scrub or Ajax. It shines up stainless steel or chrome faucets. It's great for porcelain tubs and sinks because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit. It smells delicious and looks just like Vanilla Frosting so keep it far away from little ones.
CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough Castile Soap (or liquid detergent) to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface.
Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.
WINDOW/MIRROR CLEANER
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle
Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake before use. The soap cuts any wax residue. The smell of vinegar will disappear once it dries.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Homemade Natural Cleaning Products: The Bathroom
Three years ago a dear friend gushed about the wonders of homemade organic cleaners: "safe, cheap, effective"!! I wasn't so sure until she made me my very own spray bottle of toilet cleaner and an all-purpose spray.
I was a convert. Gone was that nasty chemical smell. It worked and I could make it myself, for less??? I had to research this one.
And so I read Green Clean, The Naturally Clean Home, and Easy Green Living, created my own little recipe book, and convinced my sister-in-law to come over for a day of making natural cleaners.
Now I am the one who gushes! I don't even know I do it, but my husband clues me in with "And if there ever is a national disaster and we're left without water or food, we could live on the stuff." Okay, that's not exactly true...
But I thought while we're on the road I'd post some of my favorite recipes and you could see for yourself.
We found it easiest to stockpile all of the necessary ingredients, essential oils and containers (the spray bottles from the Dollar Store worked great) and do it all in one day. Though you have to put all your money out at once to buy, they last and it has saved us so much.
But maybe you just want to try the original recipe that convinced me:
Amazing Amber's Amazing Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Mix together
Place into spray bottle. Shake before use. Spray on surfaces, wipe clean.
I've also used it on the sink and tile with great results!
I was a convert. Gone was that nasty chemical smell. It worked and I could make it myself, for less??? I had to research this one.
And so I read Green Clean, The Naturally Clean Home, and Easy Green Living, created my own little recipe book, and convinced my sister-in-law to come over for a day of making natural cleaners.
Now I am the one who gushes! I don't even know I do it, but my husband clues me in with "And if there ever is a national disaster and we're left without water or food, we could live on the stuff." Okay, that's not exactly true...
But I thought while we're on the road I'd post some of my favorite recipes and you could see for yourself.
We found it easiest to stockpile all of the necessary ingredients, essential oils and containers (the spray bottles from the Dollar Store worked great) and do it all in one day. Though you have to put all your money out at once to buy, they last and it has saved us so much.
But maybe you just want to try the original recipe that convinced me:
Amazing Amber's Amazing Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Mix together
2 cups water,
1/4 cup castile soap, (soap made from olive oil rather than animal fat . You can find Dr. Bronner's at Vitamin Shops, some Targets, Health food stores, and, of course, online.)
1 tablespoon tea tree essential oil (natural antibacterial, even against staphylococcus aureus including MRSA,)
and 10 drops eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil (natural disinfectants).
Place into spray bottle. Shake before use. Spray on surfaces, wipe clean.
I've also used it on the sink and tile with great results!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Summer Vacation!
We are leaving for our trip to Western Canada tomorrow! If I don't have many pictures to share upon our return, here's why:
Once there was a man who filmed his vacation.
He went flying down the river in his boat
with his video camera to his eye, making
a moving picture of the moving river
upon which his sleek boat moved swiftly
toward the end of his vacation. He showed
his vacation to his camera, which pictured it,
preserving it forever: the river, the trees,
the sky, the light, the bow of his rushing boat
behind which he stood with his camera
preserving his vacation even as he was having it
so that after he had had it he would still
have it. It would be there. With a flick
of a switch there it would be. But he
would not be in it. He would never be in it.
The Vacation by Wendell Berry
He went flying down the river in his boat
with his video camera to his eye, making
a moving picture of the moving river
upon which his sleek boat moved swiftly
toward the end of his vacation. He showed
his vacation to his camera, which pictured it,
preserving it forever: the river, the trees,
the sky, the light, the bow of his rushing boat
behind which he stood with his camera
preserving his vacation even as he was having it
so that after he had had it he would still
have it. It would be there. With a flick
of a switch there it would be. But he
would not be in it. He would never be in it.
Sabbath poem: To My Mother
I love the vision of heaven offered in this poem. I hope my son will be able to say this to me one day. May you enjoy the green leaves and music in the air this Lord's Day. And a Happy Mother's Day!
To My Mother
I was your rebellious son,
do you remember? Sometimes
I wonder if you do remember,
so complete has your forgiveness been.
So complete has your forgiveness been
I wonder sometimes if it did not
precede my wrong, and I erred,
safe found, within your love,
prepared ahead of me, the way home,
or my bed at night, so that almost
I should forgive you, who perhaps
foresaw the worst that I might do,
and forgave before I could act,
causing me to smile now, looking back,
to see how paltry was my worst,
compared to your forgiveness of it
already given. And this, then,
is the vision of that Heaven of which
we have heard, where those who love
each other have forgiven each other,
where, for that, the leaves are green,
the light a music in the air,
and all is unentangled,
and all is undismayed.
Wendell Berry, “To My Mother” from The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry. Copyright © 1998.
Wendell Berry, “To My Mother” from The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry. Copyright © 1998.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Spring Clean-Kitchen
I posted about how I hoped to get our mudroom back in shape. This area isn't heated so in the winter it becomes a dumping ground and since I can shut the door, I can forget it.
It felt so good to get it all in order. I started with the hardest area first and it surprisingly didn't take as long as I thought. So I was able to move on to the pantry, the fridge and a few of the cabinets that needed reorganizing. It's always hard when you first unpack at a new house to know where things will best work. I also got rid of some things we never use, junk that had accumulated and staples that were past their prime.
The only bad/good part was that it took me right up until dinner to get the work done and then I didn't want to mess it all up so hubby took us out for pizza!
So here are the pics for Spring Cleaning: Day Four and Five
Before:
After:
The Pantry:
Thanks again, Simple Mom, for the inspiration.
It felt so good to get it all in order. I started with the hardest area first and it surprisingly didn't take as long as I thought. So I was able to move on to the pantry, the fridge and a few of the cabinets that needed reorganizing. It's always hard when you first unpack at a new house to know where things will best work. I also got rid of some things we never use, junk that had accumulated and staples that were past their prime.
The only bad/good part was that it took me right up until dinner to get the work done and then I didn't want to mess it all up so hubby took us out for pizza!
So here are the pics for Spring Cleaning: Day Four and Five
Before:
After:
The Pantry:
Thanks again, Simple Mom, for the inspiration.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
First Fruits of the Garden
Tonight we tried our first samples from the garden.
A Garden Salad with Buttercrunch and Red Leaf Lettuces and a few baby Spinach Greens. It was so sweet, tender and full of flavor.
I can't wait to make it with our own tomatoes!
A Garden Salad with Buttercrunch and Red Leaf Lettuces and a few baby Spinach Greens. It was so sweet, tender and full of flavor.
Then Spaghetti Puttanesca with Fresh Basil, Oregano and Parsley from the garden.
I can't wait to make it with our own tomatoes!
Nature Walk in the Rain
What do you do if you have one rainy day during Spring?
Stay inside for a fun craft, get caught up on housework, read books...
What do you if it rains for 7 days straight?
If you can't beat it, join it.
We've had a very rainy week and we're starting to all go a little crazy. So the kids went out with their Dad for their first Creek Hunt just a few blocks from our house. They came home soaked and happy!
Don't let a little weather keep you inside this Spring. Keep rainboots, jackets, and old clothes handy. Then head out to find what other creatures like to come out in the rain! It's worth the mess!
Thanks Dad!
Stay inside for a fun craft, get caught up on housework, read books...
What do you if it rains for 7 days straight?
If you can't beat it, join it.
We've had a very rainy week and we're starting to all go a little crazy. So the kids went out with their Dad for their first Creek Hunt just a few blocks from our house. They came home soaked and happy!
Don't let a little weather keep you inside this Spring. Keep rainboots, jackets, and old clothes handy. Then head out to find what other creatures like to come out in the rain! It's worth the mess!
Thanks Dad!
Summer Preparation-Schooling
Yesterday I posted about maintaining the "big rocks of our daily life" during our crazy summer schedule and another element that I am weighing is whether or not to continue with our "schooling."
I really appreciated Nancy Wilson's post Why Give Kids a Vacation Anyway? And I know for older students whose school year is packed with challenging work and projects and sports and enrichment, they need downtime.
But for us, our schooling is much more laid back. Our formal "school time"is a very short. Most of their learning comes while cooking in the kitchen, out on nature walks, working in the garden, reading good books together, playing with our ant farm, and doing montessori-type activities. We have found a wonderful little Kindergarten curriculum that is a delightful mix of Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Unit Study and even some Montessori-ish activities. Now I know you purists cringe at the suggestion of combining these things but it has worked so well for this age. And it comes with a wonderful Christian focus, all in one laid out curriculum, for $100!!
We also have enjoyed scheduling our school time with the "church year" rather than the "civic year," changing our school focus during advent and lent and partying during Christmas and Easter so I feel we get enough breaks.
We've also noticed that our children thrive when we work their little brains a bit each day. Since the curriculum engages them in real learning, I think, it will tie in nicely with the different destinations we visit. For example, it has fallen that we are in the midst of a farm unit as we are heading out to my in-laws farm. We'll be able to see the animals and machines and barns we've only been able to read about. When we hit our "rock" unit we'll be near the Blue Ridge Mountains in VA and I hope we'll be able to do some hiking near waterfalls and some toddler rock-climbing!
And finally, my daughter is right now really grasping reading concepts and it seems if we stop now, she'll forget it all.
So I know many of you readers homeschool, so what do you think? Am I crazy? What has worked well for you?
I really appreciated Nancy Wilson's post Why Give Kids a Vacation Anyway? And I know for older students whose school year is packed with challenging work and projects and sports and enrichment, they need downtime.
But for us, our schooling is much more laid back. Our formal "school time"is a very short. Most of their learning comes while cooking in the kitchen, out on nature walks, working in the garden, reading good books together, playing with our ant farm, and doing montessori-type activities. We have found a wonderful little Kindergarten curriculum that is a delightful mix of Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Unit Study and even some Montessori-ish activities. Now I know you purists cringe at the suggestion of combining these things but it has worked so well for this age. And it comes with a wonderful Christian focus, all in one laid out curriculum, for $100!!
We also have enjoyed scheduling our school time with the "church year" rather than the "civic year," changing our school focus during advent and lent and partying during Christmas and Easter so I feel we get enough breaks.
We've also noticed that our children thrive when we work their little brains a bit each day. Since the curriculum engages them in real learning, I think, it will tie in nicely with the different destinations we visit. For example, it has fallen that we are in the midst of a farm unit as we are heading out to my in-laws farm. We'll be able to see the animals and machines and barns we've only been able to read about. When we hit our "rock" unit we'll be near the Blue Ridge Mountains in VA and I hope we'll be able to do some hiking near waterfalls and some toddler rock-climbing!
And finally, my daughter is right now really grasping reading concepts and it seems if we stop now, she'll forget it all.
So I know many of you readers homeschool, so what do you think? Am I crazy? What has worked well for you?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Homemade Yougurt Experiment
The results? So So. I now won't say a complete failure. It was a simple recipe, cheap and healthy. Best of all was the flavor. But the consistency was just wrong. It never thickened up. I tried straining it through cheesecloth but it all poured right through.
However, the kids have loved it in their cereal and a friend recommended using it to make smoothies so it hasn't been a complete flop.
So I think I'll try it one more time. However, I'm now adding a yogurt maker to my Amazon Wish List. Family, my birthday is August 9th! I'm sure it's right up there with the Rain Barrel and Worm Bin and all the other things I really want but no one will ever buy me! I've been working my husband for Mother's Day or our 10 year anniversary this June too. True Love.
In the meantime, any ideas, yogurt makers? I've read about using whole milk, gelatin, powdered milk?
Summer Preparation-The Summer Routine
Summer is a traveling time for us. This is my husband's last week of a set schedule at work so we will be off to visit his family in Canada, take trips to my parents at the shore, work at a camp for 2 weeks in VA, and try to hang out at Eastern's pool as much as possible! And we hope to add sight-seeing around Philadelphia, lots of hiking and a camping trip or two. By the end, we are happy and relaxed but tired and definitely ready for our normal routine to start up again.
I'm trying to plan now how to make all of these different schedules and travels work well for our little ones. We are definitely a family that appreciates structure and while I look forward to the variety, there are certain things that help to keep us sane.
I hope to still maintaining a sense of rhythm despite the fact that we may be in a different place or with different people. Some great advice that has stuck with me from last summer is a post from Kerry over at A Ten O'Clock Scholar with 5 Steps for establishing a summer routine.
Her main recommendation is to "Decide on the big rocks of our daily life. Plan for these and let them be the "anchors" of our day."
For our children, a biggie is sleep. I try not to let them miss their nap or stay up too late too many days in a row. They've never been kids who catch up on sleep by sleeping in. So I'm willing to read lots of stories, bring sound machines, and hang towels over windows in a hotel room to make it right for sleeping. Even if it means missing out on a few extra adventures. Now that my daughter is pretty much done napping, I'm still going to try to have her rest and read each day.
The second is to maintain regular meal and snack times whether at the beach, in the mountains or at home. I notice my little ones and I wither quickly otherwise.
The third is Book Time when my kids wake up in the mornings and from their afternoon nap. They so often wake up groggy, so some juice and a stack of books help them adjust back to the real world rather than hitting the floor running again.
I also really like how Kerry recommends providing visual cues for the day and so I'm creating a chart like the one she made here. I think my children will really respond to her suggestion of providing good transition habits, especially by creating a mood with light and music!
So what do you think? I'd love to hear what you do in the summer to keep kids happy in the midst of a more laid-back schedule and travel. How do you keep your sanity during the summer months? How do you help your children cope with travels?
I'll post soon on what we do to keep them happy on long car trips! We had a 7-hour car trip last summer with a 3 yr old and a 2 yr old that we managed to do with no movies thanks to the great idea from my Heather. But we are desperately looking to borrow a DVD player for the 4 hour plane ride, long lines at customs, and then 2 hours of driving on the trip to Alberta!
I'm trying to plan now how to make all of these different schedules and travels work well for our little ones. We are definitely a family that appreciates structure and while I look forward to the variety, there are certain things that help to keep us sane.
I hope to still maintaining a sense of rhythm despite the fact that we may be in a different place or with different people. Some great advice that has stuck with me from last summer is a post from Kerry over at A Ten O'Clock Scholar with 5 Steps for establishing a summer routine.
Her main recommendation is to "Decide on the big rocks of our daily life. Plan for these and let them be the "anchors" of our day."
For our children, a biggie is sleep. I try not to let them miss their nap or stay up too late too many days in a row. They've never been kids who catch up on sleep by sleeping in. So I'm willing to read lots of stories, bring sound machines, and hang towels over windows in a hotel room to make it right for sleeping. Even if it means missing out on a few extra adventures. Now that my daughter is pretty much done napping, I'm still going to try to have her rest and read each day.
The second is to maintain regular meal and snack times whether at the beach, in the mountains or at home. I notice my little ones and I wither quickly otherwise.
The third is Book Time when my kids wake up in the mornings and from their afternoon nap. They so often wake up groggy, so some juice and a stack of books help them adjust back to the real world rather than hitting the floor running again.
I also really like how Kerry recommends providing visual cues for the day and so I'm creating a chart like the one she made here. I think my children will really respond to her suggestion of providing good transition habits, especially by creating a mood with light and music!
So what do you think? I'd love to hear what you do in the summer to keep kids happy in the midst of a more laid-back schedule and travel. How do you keep your sanity during the summer months? How do you help your children cope with travels?
I'll post soon on what we do to keep them happy on long car trips! We had a 7-hour car trip last summer with a 3 yr old and a 2 yr old that we managed to do with no movies thanks to the great idea from my Heather. But we are desperately looking to borrow a DVD player for the 4 hour plane ride, long lines at customs, and then 2 hours of driving on the trip to Alberta!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Summer Preparation and Work-Outdoors
Yesterday I posted on getting ready for warm weather inside the house.
Here is my list for things to do to get ready for outside!
Outdoors
• Rake winter debris from yard.
• Sweep porch and patio.
• Inspect yard and home exterior for winter damage.
• Take outdoor furniture out of storage--Clean and arrange deck/porch furniture.
• Clean birdfeeders thoroughly.
• Clean out shed.
• Organize garden tools.
• Spread fresh mulch.
• Rake and compost leaf litter/debris.
• Mow lawn; leave grass clippings down as mulch.
• Fill a pot hardy pansies!
• Turn on outside faucet.
• Clean the grill; fill the propane tank.
The Garden
• Plan garden plots and start seeds indoors.
• Harden tender seedlings.
• Establish new garden beds.
• Prepare containers.
• Purchase new soil, fertilizer, etc.
• Choose and plant summer blooming bulbs.
• Prune flowering bushes after blooming.
• Visit the nursery for spring plants, garden structures.
Kids Stuff
• Check bikes and helmet sizes
• Purchase fresh sandbox sand.
• Inventory/organize the kids' backyard toys.
Again, thank you to Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight for her wonderful planning guides.
Here is my list for things to do to get ready for outside!
Outdoors
• Rake winter debris from yard.
• Sweep porch and patio.
• Inspect yard and home exterior for winter damage.
• Take outdoor furniture out of storage--Clean and arrange deck/porch furniture.
• Clean birdfeeders thoroughly.
• Clean out shed.
• Organize garden tools.
• Spread fresh mulch.
• Rake and compost leaf litter/debris.
• Mow lawn; leave grass clippings down as mulch.
• Fill a pot hardy pansies!
• Turn on outside faucet.
• Clean the grill; fill the propane tank.
The Garden
• Plan garden plots and start seeds indoors.
• Harden tender seedlings.
• Establish new garden beds.
• Prepare containers.
• Purchase new soil, fertilizer, etc.
• Choose and plant summer blooming bulbs.
• Prune flowering bushes after blooming.
• Visit the nursery for spring plants, garden structures.
Kids Stuff
• Check bikes and helmet sizes
• Purchase fresh sandbox sand.
• Inventory/organize the kids' backyard toys.
Again, thank you to Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight for her wonderful planning guides.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Update-Summer Preparation Indoors
Okay, so today started as one of those bad days you wished you could just pull up the covers and stay in bed and after about an hour or so awake you're sure of it:
- baby woke up 2x in the night,
- 4 yr. daughter, who hasn't had an accident in months, wet the bed around 2am,
- Son had 2 major potty accidents, one right as we were walking out the door
- it was cold, dark and rainy on grocery shopping day--isn't getting 3 kids 4 and under and all your groceries in and out of the car enough without rain?!
- somehow the house exploded with mess; how could I clean out the mud room when I can't even walk across the kitchen to get there?!
- and we seemed to have no food
But then I thought about the idea of "Splendor in the Ordinary." What I felt I needed at that moment was rescue--a trip to a faraway island, a coffee and a book all to myself, my husband to come home immediately! Surely there was no beauty in my current circumstances...
Though I longed to escape, I tried to become present to my tasks. My husband always says, when I get overwhelmed like this, "Just work slowly and well." And so, I stopped and listened and looked.
Though the day was overcast, I noticed that it created a stark contrast to the white of our dogwood tree. Though it poured, I noticed that it left a lovely shower of pink blossoms on the sidewalks up and down our street.
I heard my children playing make-believe as Elizabeth and Zachariah, waiting for their son John to be born, I fixed my son's toy car (not high on my priorities), I included my daughter in my cleaning, we read a good book together.
I went slowly through the grocery store--baby in front pack, son in cart, daughter with list--and people smiled. (Usually, even when I've tried to get us tidied before we get to the store, we get stares and well-meaning comments like, "My, you have your hands full!") But today, each of my children at different moments brought happiness to someone. And my 2 year old son when going up for his nap, wrapped his pudgy arms around my neck and said, "Mom, I want to marry you."
The house and yard need to be purged of the build-up of winter grime. The windows need to be opened and everything aired out. But most of all, today it was my heart that needed the "clean sweep." Freed from expectations, freed from a sense of busyness, freed to be present to those with me, who will one day realize that you can't marry your mom and, in fact, she is the last person you'd want to marry anyway, but for today, I am the most important person in his world.
The funny thing is that even though I slowed down we still ate all three meals, the kitchen stocked again, the house cleaned, and laundry caught up.
I've included a few of the before and after pictures, just in case you don't believe me. They are for the Spring Cleaning Party being held over at Simple Mom. I loved her idea to start all cleaning projects by doing a "Clean Sweep" so go check it out. I hope to participate over the next two weeks!
BEFORE: AFTER:
BEFORE: AFTER:
BEFORE: AFTER:
Check back in tomorrow for more Summer Preparation Ideas too!
Summer Preparation-Indoors!
Recently I've been trying to follow the seasonal planning recommendations of Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight. I am always inspired by her Themes and Plans for each month.
So I thought I would try to create my own lists for this summer. You'll see that much is taken directly from her but organized in a way that best suits us. Some of her preparation is different since she lives in a different climate and I'm way behind her schedule :-)
Most of these things I do accomplish each year but I've never put it all together into one checklist and I've rarely planned ahead. Which is a little rough when you're hit with 98 degree weather in April and have no fans or light PJs for the kids! Once everything was put together on one list, I was also so encouraged by how much it actually takes to keep a house running smoothly. No wonder I go to bed tired!
So here is what I hope to accomplish each Spring "Indoors" to get ready for Summer:
What do you do "Indoors" to get ready for warmer weather? Anything I should add to the list?
Tomorrow, I'll post on "Summer Preparation-Outdoors"! Thanks so much, Dawn, for all your help.
So I thought I would try to create my own lists for this summer. You'll see that much is taken directly from her but organized in a way that best suits us. Some of her preparation is different since she lives in a different climate and I'm way behind her schedule :-)
Most of these things I do accomplish each year but I've never put it all together into one checklist and I've rarely planned ahead. Which is a little rough when you're hit with 98 degree weather in April and have no fans or light PJs for the kids! Once everything was put together on one list, I was also so encouraged by how much it actually takes to keep a house running smoothly. No wonder I go to bed tired!
So here is what I hope to accomplish each Spring "Indoors" to get ready for Summer:
- Launder winter bedding; switch over to spring bedding
- Get out lighter PJs and summer clothes; launder and put away winter clothes
- Organize rainy day play gear.
- Put away hats/gloves box and set up sunscreen, summer hats and bug spray station
- Shampoo or hang out rugs.
- Take down storm windows; hang screens.
- Finish spring cleaning-Vacuum/Dust those hard to reach places (behind radiators, crown molding, under beds, and fans before we turn them on)
- Get out window air-conditioners
- Get out Summer linens for kitchen, dining, bathroom
- Put together a Spring Book Basket for the kids
What do you do "Indoors" to get ready for warmer weather? Anything I should add to the list?
Tomorrow, I'll post on "Summer Preparation-Outdoors"! Thanks so much, Dawn, for all your help.
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