Lawndry

"After enlightenment, the laundry."

- Zen Proverb

During the winter months I hung the laundry to dry in our tiny space upstairs above the washing machine. But now springtime has come and my shirts whispered to me, "Wiiiind" and my capris said, "Breezeee Pllleazzze". I wasn't going to listen to their fanciful wishes till I awoke to find crafty crowlike birds building their nests in the dryer vent outlet. Since the dryer is now completely out of the question I obliged my 100% cotton friends, promising to let them go outside. But where? I don't have any kind of drying contraption in my backyard. Not even a wooden portable type to carry out. Surveying my options I have a garden, a grill, and a swing set.

This is about the time when the crow flew over me and dropped a large twig on my head, causing me to suddenly have a laundry epiphany........Of course, I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner! The swing sets monkey bars are a perfect area to put hangers on to dry!

Now, what are the benefits of hanging clothes out to dry, instead of having a machine do the work for you?

• Your clothes will smell fresh.
• Saves your clothes. The dryer lint isn't hiding in your pockets... that is fabric coming off your clothes little by little. Sometimes I wonder how I have any clothing at all when I open up the dryer and see the layers of lint!
• Dryer sheets will be a thing of the past. Clothes create static cling when tumbling around together in the machine. One less item to need from the store.
• Hanging your clothes inside out on the line will prevent colored items from fading, but whites will actually become whiter from the sunshine.
• You are saving money. You will skip using all that electricty from the dryer, and get some exercise in the process.
• If you are wary of your clothes feeling like a paper dolls, just put them in the dryer for a quick fluff afterwards. Also, be sure to shake out your clothes before you hang them outside to get the wrinkles away. That will also make them dry faster.
  
  

So, I now have a useful space to let my clothes fulfill their drying dreams while giving my kids space to monkey around. The best of both worlds. Being green and saving money more times than not means thinking "outside" of what you don't have, and being creative about what you do.

I would love to know, do you ever take your clothes outside for a breath of fresh air? (And also how do you get rid of unwelcome birds in your home??)

What's Cooking: Ham and Asparagus Risotto

I've never attempted anything related to a risotto before, but when I saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it.

The preparation was easy, but the cooking took forever! You slowly add the broth to the pan a little at a time. Once I finally had all of the ingredient in the skillet, we still had to cook it for another half and hour or so.

In the end we ended up covering the pan and letting it sit for awhile. Flannel Man and I took turns stirring it to make sure it didn't burn, but rice takes so long to fully cook.

Final verdict: The recipe tasted great when it was done. We added a little hot sauce to kick up the heat level, but even without it the flavor was great. But it's definitely not a quick meal.

Photos by moi.

Mission: Organize Your Beauty Routine

What does your beauty routine look like in the mornings? Is it a struggle to find just what you need that day? Or is your process streamlined? Here is a peek into my morning ritual.....

The first thing was truly parring down my makeup collection to the things that I use everyday. The rest was put into a box in the closet with the "night-time" makeup like fake eyelashes, eyeliner, and fancier eyeshadow. I was then able to choose a container to hold all my other products.

This bin is made out of the material of a tent. It easily wipes down if there is a mess and I don't have to worry about water spilling on it from the sink. Adding a white container that comes from a plain set at the store and an old makeup bag everything is contained. Lotion and makeup remover go into the black bag. Add a mirror to the bin and you have a portable beauty "shelf".

Everyday I take out the bin from underneath the sink and use it on the counter. I usually blow dry my hair right after I do my makeup. So for me it makes sense to just leave the hairdryer on top of the makeup container, thrown right in. Easy clean up and no extra storage needed!

For hair accessories I needed to find something that had lots of little storage areas. This one is perfect for under a sink or in a shelf. On top of this sits a simple wire raised shelf. This storage container hold my hair products and headbands.

Adding the ever useful 3M hooks to the side of the sink door makes use of wasted space by hanging hairbrushes!

And there it is. A way to keep your bathroom and self put together, and ready for the day ahead!

(Hot pink organizer optional :) )

Expiration Dates for Beauty Products

Real Simple recently gave a complete list of the expiration dates for beauty products here. I'm always suspicious of these lists. I wonder if that's really how long they last or if it's just a ploy to get consumers to buy more make-up. The fact that it was in Real Simple makes me trust it a bit more.

I think I have mascara tubes that date back to high school. In fact I'm pretty sure I have items that are past their alleged expiration date in almost all of these categories. How frequently do you all replace your make-up?

REAL SIMPLE's suggested expiration dates:

• Anti-aging and acne treatments: Three months to a year. Antioxidants are easily oxidized, so be on the lookout for any changes in color.

• Body lotion: Two to three years, particularly if it’s in a pump container.

• Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel: About three years.

• Bath oil: One year.

• Sunscreen: Check the package for an expiration date.

• Mascara and liquid eyeliner: Three to four months. Make sure you’re diligent about replacing these items to prevent contamination and infections.

• Eye and lip pencils: Three to five years. Sharpen them before each use as a way to preserve them and keep them clean.

• Lipstick and lip gloss: Two to three years.

• Foundation: About two years. Most bottles are designed to last that long. And if you don’t use it, chances are you didn’t love it to begin with.

• Perfume: About two years. To get more mileage out of a perfume, resist the temptation to display a pretty bottle on your vanity. Instead, stash it away in a cool, dark place.

• Nail polish: One year.

• Hairstyling products: Three to five years. Most are alcohol-based, which helps preserve the formula.

• Bar soap: Up to three years.

• Shaving cream: About two years.

• Deodorant: Up to two years.

Photo by moi.

Tacos Made Easy

My most turned to dinner when there is nothing on the menu is tacos. I almost always have the fixings on hand and it is quick. Here are two different pictures of taco night at our house.
Repurposing a dinner party plate, the clean up is a breeze. Everything from the lettuce to salsa is easily served in a single chips and dip tray! Another plate for the soft tacos and your dinner is complete.

Pottery Wheel

(Me working on the wheel)

Since the first time I wrapped my hands around a spinning lump of clay, I was in love. In high school I couldn't get enough wheel time in my pottery classes. I had to buy extra clay, in addition to what the school provided, because I went through it too quickly.

After high school I had a few opportunities to use pottery wheels. Occasionally I could buy an hour of time at an art studio, but I missed the continuous availability I had gotten used to in school. I'd always thought that one day I might be able to afford a little used wheel, but it seemed like a pipe dream.

(My wheel, stool, sponges and a bit of clay)

Then Flannel Man surprised me with my very own wheel for Christmas this year. To put it mildly, I was shocked. Now that we have a house and not a tiny apartment, I can use our garage to work in.

(The wheel and all it's pieces hidden in the garage on Christmas morning)

There's something so soothing about the moment when a wobbly mound of clay becomes centered on the wheel. It's like the whole world just clicks and everything is in synch. I've been having so much fun getting up to my elbows in clay. It's so relaxing and it reminded me how important it is to hang on to hobbies that you love. And even more importantly, to hang on to people who support you in doing the things that you love.

Photos by moi and Flannel Man

Simplify for Spring

:: Refreshed. Rejuvenated. New Mindset. New Goals::

The New Year is an unofficial time that one organizes what new objects they have accumulated over the winter months. Just as Springtime is the unofficial time to get your home into a simpler mindset. Reducing pounds of clutter you might have added to the weight of your house over the colder months inside. You are starting anew this season. Cleaning the dust out, painting, and washing blankets or windows are some of the ways to help your home feel refreshed this season (of your life). But the real spring cleaning comes from the INSIDE, out into your home.

Clearing out clutter is a mentally challenging task. It is not easy in the least. How hard it is to get past the holding onto of material things! (Matt 6:19-21) The worst part for me is the I might need it someday syndrome. I see myself as a creative person and if I hold onto it long enough I feel that I usually do use it. But in the meantime I anguish over keeping that object. That stationary, nonliving/talking object affects my emotions!

( We unloaded 7 full bags to Goodwill yesterday)

Feng Shui is a Chinese practice that is rooted in energy. Believing that each home has positive and negative elements. That your environment should be in alignment with nature and the flow of energy. While I don't believe in the practice of feng shui I completely understand the philosophical principles that the idea is based. I firmly believe that every object(s) has an emotion that it produces in your body. So, instead of saying something is filled with positive and negative energy you could simply say "emotions".

For example, you have a messy pantry. Things are in disarray because you have no idea what the space holds, dust has collected, and you have plastic bags thrown in from previous shopping trips. You cringe or hold your breath just opening the door dreading to venture in. But that icky feeling doesn't just stop when you have the door closed. But because your pantry is also located next to the door you leave by each day, you are walking passed it multiple times. So now, even when you aren't opening the door you feel the "energy" or emotion drained out of you. Your brain is thinking things like " I'm a failure because it's so cluttered", embarrassed that someone else might see it, or stressed because it is one more thing on your never ending list. Even if you don't think these things specifically, your body feels them.

This is the idea of emotions and clutter playing a part in your everyday life.

So, my project around the house for the last few days was to....

• TOUCH. Seriously, go around and clean every object. Touch it. Fondle it! :)
• You could ask yourself the basic organizing questions of ..
• Do I use this?
• Do I love it?
• Why am I keep it?
• But the issue of the heart is ....
• Does it fall in line or aid in my current GOALS?
• And what EMOTION does it produce in me?
• Giving myself permission to declutter- Nothing is off-limits

My current vision or goal for my home is for there to be less plastic and fluff, and more bringing nature inside. I want more flowers, natural fabrics, and wooden toys in our spaces. Quality not quantity, to stop holding on to something just to have it for some day, and becoming truly content with what God has entrusted me. Less is definitely going to be the new more in our home! :) So with this outlook I can now go throughout my home and see what does and doesn't align with my spring decluttering.

Now that you have set goals for yourself on the inside, your home will become a reflection of your priorities this Spring.

"As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness. "

Henry David Thoreau