Finding joy in the little things

I'm still frequently surprised by things we discover about our home. We've lived here for less than a year and we're still finding all sorts of things. We had no idea that the big tree in our back yard was a pear tree until we saw all the pears.

This weekend we worked in our yard for hours. I usually use a hose at the front of our house to water the plants and fill my watering can. Yesterday Flannel Man pointed out a hose in the very back part of the garden, which meant hauling the watering can a much shorter distance.

I went to use the hose and found this beautiful hummingbird faucet attached to the hose. Even while covered with sweat and bug bites I was simply delighted. It was such a simple thing, but I love it and the best part was the fact that it was so unexpected.

I hope all of you find something unexpected that gives you joy this week.

Photo by moi.

Mission: Cleaning Without Chemicals

"My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance."

- Author Unknown

Cleaning has become a booming business, but its roots are connected with just a few ingredients. Pulling the plug on all the bottles and gimmicks that swarm the supermarket aisles we can see just how easy it is to make our own versions at home. The best part about this is that our friends and family will soon learn to associate "clean" with certain essential oils, herbs, or three of those ever versatile 'basics' that are always used when cleaning. Not just the generic smell of certain products (although if you do like this smell there are herbs created naturally that they based the smell on) will fool them anymore.

" The Whys?"

• Safer for the environment. Doing your part to help keep harmful chemicals from leaking into the environment.
  




• Keeps you breathing easier. Products can expose children and adults to unnatural toxins that can lead to respiratory issues and other illnesses inside the home.
  




• Saves money. Most of these ingredients are already found in your home.
  




• Less packaging. Can buy the basics in bulk & reuse your spray bottle over again.
  




• Peace of mind to know what's in your clean "recipes" with a few, simple ingredients. Kids can help clean or just be in the same room as you clean.
  
  
• Can change your product to suit your tastes by choosing your own essential oils or products. There are many sooooo many variations on the different ways to clean a certain area. I based most of mine on the book Better Basics For the Home.
  

The "Whats"

1. Toilet Cleaner- Spray toilet bowls with straight white distilled vinegar, sprinkle with baking soda, & scrub OR 2 teaspoons tea tree oil & two cups water (leave for thirty minutes then scrub OR just use your disinfectant spray & scrub. Man, I wish there was a way to leave out the scrubbing!




2. Sink & Tub- Baking soda/water mix & sponge to scour OR use disinfectant spray.




3. Disinfectant- This is tricky, because there are so many different recipes out there. I use 2 cups water, 1/4 cup vinegar, & 3 drops tea tree oil & 3 lavender. I've heard mixed reports about borax, so I have stayed clear. Yet, I will try it one day. Also, soap & water do wonders for a little dirt!




4. Furniture Polish- 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, few drops olive oil, 3 to 5 drops of essential oils




5. Window Cleaner- 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon soap, 2 cups water, few drops of essential oils for scent.

Air Fresheners- I love trying different ways to make a house smell inviting. Here are some different things to experiment with, besides grabbing a smell out of a can.

• In the winter heat cloves, Cinnamon, or oranges to get a cozy Christmas smell.




• In the summer try cutting lemons, adding them to cold water and maybe adding mint or another herb from the garden.




• Plants are the ultimate air purifiers. Ones like English Ivy, Peace Lily, or Boston Fern are thought to be some of the best.




• Vacuum Deodorizer- Moisten 3 cotton balls with essential oils & put them in your vacuum cleaner bag. This will freshen up the room as you clean.




• Refrigerator- If your fridge smells try putting 2-3 pieces of white bread to absorb your unwanted nose guests, baking soda works as well.




• If you happen to have some of the Oil Plug Ins in your home I have heard that removing the top & filling it with vegetable oil and about 30 essential oil drops will give you a natural scent to enjoy.
  



• But if guests are arriving soon & you want the room to smell fresh & sassy, then put a little bit of your fav essential oil on a rag, then wipe it under the bottom of the furniture like a table, mantle, or tv stand (test first to make sure it is not making your furniture too sassy aka ruining it!)
  

Even if don't do all of these you should at least try one, because just one will clear the air for a healthier more simple space.

images twobloggers

Green Cushions

(Our little glider)

When we bought our house quite a few random things came with it. The former owners left a playground set, an old grill and a glider on the front porch. Flannel Man and I love sitting out there in the evenings and a current sale at Target has made our little bench even better. All of their outdoor cushions are on sale and I grabbed these two green ones for $10 each.

(Our view of our front yard from the front porch)

Photos by moi.

Home in a Binder

this is my brain.
this is my brain, on binders.


These two? They are my go-to-gals. Harmony the Household binder and Clutch Cooking binder, are what they are known as around here. I know you are thinking that binders are so third grade, but hang with me here. Even though there are no 8o's unicorns or neon radio-active cats adorning these, each hold a wealth of vital information. Information that is in one place, travel friendly, and organized!


Cooking binders are self-explanatory. You can make your sections as specific or broad as you would like. The tabs that are hidden are on mine are "Slow Cooker" and "To Try". Any recipe that I find online/magazine/or written immediately goes into a plastic sleeve and will either become a permanent fixture among those most used or tossed. The tabs used are from Post It . These work the best for me, because they are easy to write on, durable, and easily removed and moved again. The Household binder is a little more complicated and will take a few tries to get all the sections specific to your own families needs. Mine goes as follows~

Spiral Notebook:
- Specific area to keep on going lists/notes, in one place

Phone:
-Emergency, Doctors, Utilities, Neighbors, Family, Community, Frequently Used Numbers
-Print out on how to do CPR and give first aid

Planning:
-Checklists, Cleaning Charts, Grocery Checklists
-Google Maps printed/frequently used
-Birthday and Anniversary List (along with cards waiting to be sent that month-stamped & addressed)

Family:
-Photos to file
-Information on vacations to be taken

Health:
-Shot Records
-Insurance Information

Finance:
- Coupons
-Invoices
-Receipts waiting to be filed

Activities:
-Craft Ideas
- Brochures for things to do

School:
-Handouts from kids classroom
-Calendars
-Artwork

Devotions:
-Devotions printed from Proverbs31

Misc:
-Scraps of paper that I can't seem to part with yet.


My other binders are on topics that I find interesting - Seasonal Crafts, Party Planning, Home Organization.

Mine are no where near where I would like to them to be- pretty and uniform. Yet, they work for me at this season of my life.



These also would make practical gifts for a new bride, mom, or cook. I have also heard of mothers who are having their daughters make household binders while still at home. So, in the future when they are the home managers their "books" will already be established.


Here are some links to checklists and additional information on homemade "binder books".

1.) Donna Young- Calendars

2.) Organized Home- Templates/Printables

3.) Squidoo- Organizing with Binders