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.

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

 Mrs. Dunwoody'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

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!

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". :)