Tuesday, October 9, 2012

It All Comes Out In The Wash


Laundry. Some dread it but I actually like it. There is just something wonderful about everything being clean, crisp and fresh! I came up with some info about laundry~

Did you know:

Your front loade washing machine needs maintenance to keep from  smelling bad?  http://www.ecokaren.com/2009/06/front-loading-washer-maintenance/




You can make your own laundry detergent for pennies?
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/07/brand-name-laundry-detergents-last.html   http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheaper-and-better-diy-laundry-detergent/




There are oodles of options for hanging your clothes out? (Or inside!)  http://www.momadvice.com/money/line_drying_clothing.aspx   http://www.clotheslineshop.com/











You CAN learn how to iron? http://www.wikihow.com/Iron   http://www.wikihow.com/Press-a-Shirt   http://www.wikihow.com/Press-Pants   http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-iron-a-shirt   http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-iron-trousers






There are charts for helping to get out laundry stains?  http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/stain_removal_basics.pdf




There are products for sale that are natural AND smell heavenly? http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-favorite-natural-laundry-detergents.html    http://www.farmhousewares.com/farmhouselaundrypowderbysweetgrassfarm.aspx


In the time it takes to hang out and take down your laundry from an outdoor clothesline you can get some of the 20-30 minutes of sunshine needed for healthy vatamin D and thyroid production?  http://www.womentowomen.com/hypothyroidism/alternativetreatments.aspx     http://parkaireconsultants.com/30minutesaday/





 Happy Laundering!





So, according to the neighborhood rooster, it is officially rooster o'clock and I am wide awake. I woke up this morning with a strong desire to pray. (I have had so many dear Ones struggling lately.) So when the Spirit leads I follow. :) It's interesting...I felt almost as though I was already praying in my dreams, when I woke up... ANYWAY, I just want to wish you all a wonderful day and to know that you have been prayed for.♥


Psalm 95:1-3
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Household Journal

 Just thought I would share some photos of my Household Journal. I created mine using my favorite ideas from many different books, sites, and people. I actually started my Journal about 18 years ago because I am such a disorganized person and I needed a place to keep all of the info I was gleaning to help me be a better homemaker. It started in a canvas covered binder that finally fell apart a couple years ago.

Here are some of my favorite Homemaking sites for those of you who may be thinking about starting their own Journal:

http://www.joyfulchristianhomemaking.com/

http://www.agodlyhomemaker.com/

http://flylady.net/

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/

http://www.budget101.com/

http://www.brocantehome.net/category/blog/

http://www.tasteofhome.com/

http://www.americastestkitchen.com/

http://organizedhome.com/



And some of my favorite books are:

The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emory

 MrsDunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping by Miriam Lukken

Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley

Sidetracked Home Executives by Pam Young and Peggy Jones (This was the first book I ever read on homemaking back in 1995.)

                                                                                                          Scrumptious Treats For Vintage Housekeepers               
                                                                                                          by Alison May



Tuesday, May 29, 2012

My Soldier

                                         
Yesterday We dropped off our son Nick at the hotel where he will be staying until he leaves for Fort Jackson for Army bootcamp. Needless to say I cried buckets. This morning I got up to an empty house and cried some more. I am sure there are going to be a few more episodes of this type to come but I am so proud of him and would not for anything takes this from him. Nick has wanted to be in the Army since he was 6 years old. He was voracious in accumulating as much army stuff he could from second hand stores and garage sales. He read everything he could get his hands on and watched many movies on the subject. (Including the Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook.) So I guess I have been "preparing" myself for years.

Life is going to be changed so much now that my youngest has flown the coop. I am so grateful to have so many things to keep me occupied through it all!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Summer Kitchen


summer kitchen:

noun
an extra kitchen, usually detached from a house, for use in warm weather.



I'm in the process of getting my summer kitchen set up. It's in the back room closed off from the rest of the house so as not to cause the air conditioner to work more than needed because the temperatures here in Phoenix can get up to 110 and more in the summer.

I decided to add a small convection oven this year because I figure it will pay for itself with what I save by not buying baked goods at the bakery. Other small appliances out there are 2 crockpots, a roaster, rice cooker, bread machine and an electric fry pan.

One day I am hoping that I will actually have a real working kitchen back there but until then I'll just keep "winging it". :)

Monday, April 25, 2011

Handwritten Letters




Some of my dearest friends are Mennonites that do not use computers let alone email. In order to stay in touch we send handwritten letters to one another. I can't tell you how excited I get to receive one of these very special "gifts"! I love seeing their familiar handwriting and ooohing and awing over the choice of stationary or card it is written on.

Reading the latest news in a letter, to me, is so much more precious than an
email. A letter can be kept in a pocket and pulled out to read again at will with no turning on of a device. They can be kept in a box and enjoyed over again....years later or put on the refrigerator for all to enjoy. They are so much more personal and thoughtful.

What a pity it would be to lose this wonderful custom!
Obviously, I do send out my share of email, blogs etc. but to not receive such a devine thing into my own hands would be so sad but until then I am going to keep my eye out for the mailman.












One of My favorite places to get writing supplies is Victorian Trading Company. Their products are beautiful and they even have fountain pens and ink!




Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Sourdough


My son recently let me know that I had not made anything with sourdough since we moved to Arizona and that it would be really nice if I could start doing so again. He was right but it has actually been since I was called and told my father was dying and that I needed to get to California asap. We were there for about a week and when I came back I found my start had died along with my dad. My mind set for so long has been that I associated it with my dad's death. Well, I am ready to "start" new.

For now, I am using a very basic sponge from a sourdough cookbook we got while we were in Alaska that you make with 2c. flour, 2 c. water and one package of yeast and let sit out overnight. (No metal please.) I am, however, going to be on the lookout for someone willing to "share a start" with me. If that fails I will try to "catch" my own because it is sooo worth the effort. It can take several tries before you catch one worthy of keeping and you will NEVER forget those bad ones!!

King Arthur has an awesome Sourdough Primer If you are interested in trying either of these sourdough starts.

I am looking forward to my first batch of waffles and I know my family is going to be pretty happy to have them again too!

P.S. Hey daddy! I made a start today!!






Monday, September 27, 2010

Aprons


Grandma's Apron
by Tina Trivett

The strings were tied, It was freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.

She may have used it to hold, some wildflowers that she'd found.
Or to hide a crying child's face, when a stranger came around.
Imagine all the little tears that were wiped with just that cloth.
Or it became a potholder to serve some chicken broth.

She probably carried kindling to stoke the kitchen fire.
To hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
When canning all her vegetables, it was used to wipe her brow.
You never know, she might have used it to shoo flies from the cow.

She might have carried eggs in from the chicken coop outside.
Whatever chore she used it for, she did them all with pride.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I'm sure the apron that she chose, was her Sunday best.

I miss you Grandma...


Mom's Apron by:Loyd C. Taylor

While thumbing through the old photo album,

A particular one my eyes fixed upon:

It was of Mom in her blue Sunday dress
And wearing a soiled yellow apron.

I smiled as in my mind I returned,
It seemed just like it was yesterday;
For I had left my small hand prints on it
From playing in the Carolina red clay.

Mom had called us into dinner;
I could smell Sunday chicken fried.
So I ran in and threw my arms around her,
As on my hands the clay she spied.

Mom pinched my cheeks as she laughed out loud,
Told me to wash up and quickly sit down;
Then sister Mary Ruth took Mom’s picture.
We kids snickered, not Dad, he just made a frown.

Mom would always wear an apron;
Yellow was her favorite color.
I loved to sneak and untie it,
Hear her shout, “Scat, you little stinker! ”

Yes, the apron was Mom’s preference
Of all the clothing that she wore;
She donned it like a badge of honor,
Displayed it like some fancy decor.

She would wear it into the hen house,
Then shape it in a rounded fold;
There, softly place fresh eggs gathered,
Or shield baby chicks from the cold.

I’ve seen her use it for a basket
For garden tomatoes or fresh corn;
I even recall when it cradled
A dozen kittens newly born.

She’d reach down, pull it at the bottom,
Her dishpan hands to gently dry;
She would fan herself in hot weather,
Or wave it like a flag to say goodbye.

Why, Mom’s apron could hide a shy child,
Or wipe dirt from a little boy’s ear;
And she would keep a hankie in its pocket,
That’s one memory I still hold dear.

I have seen her pat a sweaty brow,
After cooking over an old wood stove;
Or use it for a potholder, as cornbread
From the oven she would remove.

She’d use it to carry ripe apples
That had just fallen to the ground;
Maybe collect crumbs from the table,
Toss them to the birds waitin’ ’round.

Yes, Mom’s apron had many uses,
From a tote bag to shooing flies;
But I’ve also seen her use it tenderly,
When she would wipe teary eyes.

Now, I suppose the apron was invented
To protect a mom’s pretty clothes;
But they must have had my Mom in mind,
How she loved it... heaven only knows.

And I don’t reckon that too many ladies
Would care a whit for it these days;
But my mom proved its great value,
As she used it in so many ways.
While thumbing through the old photo album,
A particular one my eyes fixed upon:
It was of Mom in her blue Sunday dress
And wearing a soiled yellow apron.

I smiled as in my mind I returned,
It seemed just like it was yesterday;
For I had left my small hand prints on it
From playing in the Carolina red clay.

Mom had called us into dinner;
I could smell Sunday chicken fried.
So I ran in and threw my arms around her,
As on my hands the clay she spied.

Mom pinched my cheeks as she laughed out loud,
Told me to wash up and quickly sit down;
Then sister Mary Ruth took Mom’s picture.
We kids snickered, not Dad, he just made a frown.

Mom would always wear an apron;
Yellow was her favorite color.
I loved to sneak and untie it,
Hear her shout, “Scat, you little stinker! ”

Yes, the apron was Mom’s preference
Of all the clothing that she wore;
She donned it like a badge of honor,
Displayed it like some fancy decor.

She would wear it into the hen house,
Then shape it in a rounded fold;
There, softly place fresh eggs gathered,
Or shield baby chicks from the cold.

I’ve seen her use it for a basket
For garden tomatoes or fresh corn;
I even recall when it cradled
A dozen kittens newly born.

She’d reach down, pull it at the bottom,
Her dishpan hands to gently dry;
She would fan herself in hot weather,
Or wave it like a flag to say goodbye.

Why, Mom’s apron could hide a shy child,
Or wipe dirt from a little boy’s ear;
And she would keep a hankie in its pocket,
That’s one memory I still hold dear.

I have seen her pat a sweaty brow,
After cooking over an old wood stove;
Or use it for a potholder, as cornbread
From the oven she would remove.

She’d use it to carry ripe apples
That had just fallen to the ground;
Maybe collect crumbs from the table,
Toss them to the birds waitin’ ’round.

Yes, Mom’s apron had many uses,
From a tote bag to shooing flies;
But I’ve also seen her use it tenderly,
When she would wipe teary eyes.

Now, I suppose the apron was invented
To protect a mom’s pretty clothes;
But they must have had my Mom in mind,
How she loved it... heaven only knows.

And I don’t reckon that too many ladies
Would care a whit for it these days;
But my mom proved its great value,
As she used it in so many ways.


My Mother’s Apron
by Doris Ahls c1993

My Mother always wore an apron
Tied on in the back with strings.
She wore it to save her Sunday dress
She used it for many things.
Some of her aprons were very plain,
Others trimmed with ruffles and lace.
But every apron had a pocket
Sewn on the front some place.
In her pocket, she carried a hankie,
Some pins and a band aid or two
She always had the right stuff in her
pocket
To do the job she needed to do.
I remember she’d go to the hen house,
Gather her apron hem up in one hand,
Then put all the eggs in her handy basket
She never ever used a pan.
She used her apron as a towel
When her wet hands she needed to dry;
And always used it to dry our tears
Whenever we started to cry.
And if a fly invaded the house
And a fly swatter wasn’t near by,
She’d take off her apron and fan the air
To soon dispense with that fly.
Always her apron had a special place,
It hung on a hook on the kitchen door.
She would never be caught without
her apron
No matter what else she wore.
Today you don’t see old fashioned aprons
I guess they’re a part of the past.
But I remember Mother wearing an apron
Right up to the very last!!


~My Apron String~

I tied my apron strings and waltzed into the kitchen

To do all the things, that can’t be kept waiting!

And there by the sink waits a mountain of dishes,

And there all just for me,

I just smile and start to sing, cuz I know;

I’ve tied my apron strings!

There never done, there never thru,

There’s always some, just for you.

But tis a happy enterprise

One that makes you ever wise,

I don’t complain;

Nope, it’s against the rules.

You might think your work is awfully cool;

But the perks of my job

Make me feel like a queen,

Once I’ve tied –My Apron Strings.

~ Renee Stokes



Mother's Apron by David Pekrul

It hangs there on the kitchen wall,
A tattered apron, that is all,
But there is something I recall,
The love when Mother wore it.

From early morn 'till setting sun,
Her work, it seems, was never done,
Us children kept her on the run,
That apron, I adore it.

It tells of when I tried to flee,
When chased by angry bumble bees,
And then my Mother rescued me,
And in the process tore it.

It tells of when I stayed home ill,
With burning fever, then a chill,
And on her apron, tonic spilled,
Because I tried to pour it.

My mother had no fancy clothes,
With satin ribbons, lace or bows,
But in that apron, love she showed,
And we could not ignore it.

And now it hangs upon the wall,
What looked so large, appears so small,
A mem'ry since I learned to crawl,
I know now why she wore it.


Mother's Apron

By Joyce Johnson

Mother wore an ample apron
to cover her clean dress.
She'd tell you that's what it was for
if you asked her, I would guess.

But that apron had more uses
than I could even count.
It brought in eggs and vegetables
and could hold a large amount.

I've seen her use that apron
to wipe her dripping brow
as she labored over the big range
that's just an antique now.

Her apron could bring giggles
in a game of peek-a-boo
with her newest, sweet grandbaby
as she hid her face from view.

When we kids were hurt or crying
we'd run to find her lap.
She'd wipe the falling tears away
with a bit of apron flap.

That apron dusted tables
and shooed away the flies.
It did just fine as oven mitts
to take out bubbling pies.

But the greatest of the treasures
that old apron could hold,
was the endless love from Mother
abiding in each fold.












Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Beautiful Season


I am calling it The Beautiful Season. It is when the scorching heat here in Phoenix ends and the fabulous weather reigns until the heat is back the next June.

I can have my morning quiet time outside, take an evening stroll with my husband, and get back to baking. It means we can BBQ without BBQing ourselves and walk outside in bare feet without burning them! My most favorite is being able to go on day hikes again!

Today we were at 96 and a low of 70 is forecast for tonight. We have another hot spell coming up but the evenings are finally cooling down and that is the promise of the Beautiful season to come!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Changes








I will be Having Lasik surgery on my eyes on Tuesday. I will be recuperating for a few days so I am working and planning ahead so things will go smoothly for my guys.

What a relief it will be to not have to fumble around at night, when I swim, when exercising, or taking a shower or bath! (I have been doing so ever since I was 6!)

I got some books on CD to listen to since my doctor recommends not reading or watching tv for a couple of days. My son has also given me a satellite radio so I can listen to old time radio while I am resting with my eyes closed. (Such a sweet boy!)

I will let you know how it goes in case some one might be thinking about having Lasik done!