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!

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

5 months after moving I finally have a housekeeping plan that works for this house! Oh the joy of getting up to a clean kitchen! How wonderful to see the laundry room floor! What pride in knowing I can have last minute guests!

In our new home, not only do we have MORE rooms but we are on a money saving power plan that limits my use of power between 12p.m. and 7p.m. That means all my work involving big appliances needs to be done before noon and I can't start dinner until after 7p.m.

What finally helped was just writing things down. (Like when I realized that the last load of laundry to dry in the dryer had to start washing no later than 10a.m.) I had little pieces of paper all over for a while, but then I collected them and I wrote out a loose schedule.

How wonderful to know my hubby comes home to a clean house and knowing that there will be a yummy supper for him!

/www.flylady.net/index.asp (a great way to get started!)