SPRING AND CLEANING A CAN OPENER AND A MICROWAVE

Spring has sprung, and the yard work has begun (weather ;) or not we’re ready for it…

I mentioned before that I need a plan, as it is a struggle keeping up with work and home let alone yard…

Well…It is almost formulated; I have a couple of things left to figure out…

So far…

Hubby spent a couple of days, or a good portion of them anyway, within the past week...



Power raking, aerating, and fertilizing…



The day before that, he put 128 gallons of beetle-killer mixture out for the Chinese Elm tree…Those beetles get us every year!

Now that we have gotten a day or two of rain, we're off to a good start!



Cleaning a can opener…

For years, I told my kids to wipe off the can opener and toaster every time they did the dishes…When there are splatters that are dried on, you can’t just easily wipe them off…But, if it’s done each time it’s used and evening after the dishes are washed, you won't have any problems…

I don’t know WHY that is such a hard task for kids to do, but it still doesn’t get done…That was the way Mom had us do it, and it seems that we got it done (after we were told a time or two ;)…

At any rate, the time had come…I could stand it no more!

I like to make work easy whenever I can, and I also like to go natural if possible…

One product that fits the bill…And one which my husband and son hate…(but it doesn’t matter, as they aren’t the ones cleaning ;)…

Is vinegar…



Vinegar has 1001 uses…You can drink it (and I do)...



Use it topically on your skin...And a host of other things…

Also, a very important quality is that it is nontoxic to the lungs and skin…

So, the other day, as I was cleaning the kitchen, I sprayed the can opener (ours is mounted underneath the cupboards) with a vinegar/water solution and let it soak……Every so often, I would come back, scrub it with a soft netted sponge and then spray again…



I did this about three different times…The cutting apparatus detaches, and I put it in soapy water to soak until the dishes were washed…And, voila, a clean can opener!

Excuse the blurry picture...I'm still trying to figure this camera out...It looks focused on the screen, and then I find out later that it is blurry...



I believe this vinegar solution that I used was 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water...I put it in an old spray bottle and labeled the back with a permanent marker...



Just remember to shake it each time before you spritz…

When using it to clean my glass and windows, I don’t spray quite as much as I would with Windex…It doesn’t have a drying agent, so less is actually better.



Cleaning a microwave…

I’m sure that this is no trade secret; yet, it IS a very easy way to clean a microwave…And, ease and cleanliness are what it's all about!

I fill a coffee cup with water and microwave for five minutes…Do NOT use a new cup, as the hot water can explode out after the cup is removed…



Our microwave is old, so yours may not take as long…In fact, my husband had gotten it as a Christmas present the year before we met...

He received it in 1980, so this Christmas, it will be 30 years old…Wow, I thought that planned obsolescence came about earlier than that, but apparently they still made some things to last at that time.

My kids were always on me to get a new one…One that cooked faster (and probably one that looked better)…”Why throw out an appliance that still works and spend money needlessly on something that will be dead in five years or less”, I would reply…Besides...It doesn't look bad just out of style, and I don't care about that...

Back to the cleaning…While I go about my other chores, I let the water heat and then wipe out the steamy microwave…Sometimes, I go a second round for just a few minutes being sure not to boil all of the water out… Ours has a glass insert, which I take out and scrub with soapy water…

This system really does work quite well!

Well...Those are my tips for the day…

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT!

Yesterday's plan... wasn’t real successful, but I tried, and that’s what counts…

If at first you don't succeed...

Give it another shot!



My mom invited me to dinner for my sister’s birthday…It was a fun girls’ night out…My sister…My niece…And my mom.

When I got home, my daughter came over to visit and show us her martial-arts’ moves…Then, she and my son, who is a high brown belt, sparred a bit. It was fun to watch…Makes a mama proud…

I put Mr. Dog outside while there was activity in the house, and he ended up being out there for quite awhile while the kids played around…

Well, apparently it was too long for him, as he chose to dig a large hole in the flower bed and kick the dirt all over the sidewalk…Needless to say, his paws and nose were very muddy and had to washed and dried…Grrrrrrrrrrr



So, by the time all was said and done, it WAS 11:00 p.m., and I still had my bedroom to clean. Of course I didn’t feel like doing it, and it was pretty late. I didn’t want, however, to not do anything…That just leads to a sense of failure.



So, I just tidied up and then put on some nice clean sheets…

By the day’s end, I had had some time with family, which is the most important thing that there is…And nice fresh clean sheets to crawl into…Ahhhhhh.



As far as my short-term goal of putting the Serengeti room back in order...I decided to postpone. The yard is in horrible shape what with the snow melting and dog messes showing themselves all over the place. So, that is my revised short-term goal for the week, along with cleaning my car.

Today’s plan... met with more success. While I didn’t get my night clothes hung up or...*blush*…my bed made (gramma would have a fit!), I did get my night-time chores done.

THURSDAY

Early Morning (Nothing listed so available spot if needed)

Noon

Walk 30 minutes

Evening

Weekly cleaning of the living room:

Bring in cleaning equipment: hearth broom (if not kept at fireplace), carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner (according to need), dust mop, cleaning basket.

In season, clean out fireplace, lay fire, sweep hearth.

Dust high objects if necessary: mantels, high shelves, window frames and sills, tops of bookcases, secretary, highboys, etc.

Dust radiator covers if necessary.

Brush upholstery if necessary. Straighten covers. Plump up pillows.

Dust furniture and low objects if necessary. Treat stains or blemishes as they occur.

Dust exposed wood flooring with dust mop if necessary. Use carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner on rugs or carpets.

Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Return clean ash trays, accessories, flowers and waste basket. Close windows if desired.

So...All was accomplished, including the lamp shade washed and a little Valentine decorating…

Happy Friday All!

IT'S A NEW YEAR!

A BLESS-ED HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!

I love the new year, and I cry at the old going out. The new year is fresh and welcoming and offers a time for change. Though I don’t subscribe to the only-make-new-goals-at-the-new-year doctrine, (one should make them as needed throughout the year), I encourage them and by nature, I like…No, I LOVE to achieve. So here we go!

MAIN GOALS FOR THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2010...

BE MORE ORGANIZED

At work, I am extremely organized and quite efficient—even very efficient, if I do say so myself. At home, well…the efficient part is there to a decent degree, but the organized thing…Wow, THAT has a LOT of work to be done! I’m tired of it, and it takes so much more time being unorganized. Why can I do it at work and not at home? Don’t have a clue. But, I’ve been flailing around for this past year trying quite hard to change my ways…ahem, no change yet. “If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.” So, I’m trying again.

Two examples who inspire me are 50sgal at http://my50syear.blogspot.com and Jitterbug at http://destination1940.blogspot.com.



CONTINUE TO IMPROVE MY HEALTH WITH...

BODILY NOURISHMENT

I’ve always been a health nut. At the same time, I’ve always been a self-destroyer with such things as fast food, diet sodas, and the like. My body deserves to be treated well, and so I am trying harder.

I have also always liked natural remedies. Over the past five years or so, as stress has mounted and life has worn on me, I haven’t searched them out and immersed myself in them as I have wanted to and should have. So, most recently, I have begun my search. For almost a week now, I have been drinking apple cider vinegar and have been oil pulling with sesame oil. Yesterday, I added turmeric in warm milk---quite tasty. I also drink my cleansing health tea throughout the day and have been doing that now for three years. I love it! Thankfully, my two daughters are very health conscious as well, so we are able to encourage each other and also share recipes.

A wonderful site that I found is Earth Clinic. Check it out! www.earthclinic.com



SOUL NOURISHMENT

This really starts out with body and then merges with soul. Because stress has been so high for so long (I trace it back to when I returned to the work force full time 11-1/2 years ago) things have compounded. Injuries/trouble spots no longer heal over the weekend or at all, like they once did. With my mind tense, my body has become tense. Again, over years, these manifestations have taken their toll. Muscle tightening changes posture, which gives way to new maladies. Stress causes clenching of teeth, which wears on once good teeth. Physical work has caused carpel tunnel, ligamental laxity, tendonitis, bursitis, and overall pain.

I have always wanted to go to a naturopath, but insurance has never paid, or so I thought. Coincidently (?), I was perusing our insurance policy, and noticed that they happen to cover chiropractic. I have never had a good feeling for the practice, but, I was in need. I told my husband that this extreme stress was not good for my health and that I needed to do something NOW. I wasn’t going to wait any longer. So, I have started with my chiropractor…Love it. I have started with a therapeutic massage therapist. I have my first appointment with the naturopath in February. She will take care of my soul (not my spirituality), and she, the chiropractor, and the massage therapist will take care of my body. I am excited. I see new hope.

I was blessed with a strong constitution. Life, however, was sucking it out of me. I had to make this a priority. Do you see what I mean? Nothing will or can get in the way—money, time, excuses—if you REALLY want it. I cannot accept…No…DO NOT accept or allow the stress to rule my life any longer so, onward I go!



QUIT WHINING AND JUST DO!

Yes, I do a great deal of internal…and some external…whining. I can no longer stay home and lovingly tend to my nest. I whine because it’s not fair. Why do I, who has the innate desire to mother and nurture both my family and my home, have to leave flock and nest and go out into the ugly soiled jungle to do somebody else’s dirty work? Makes no sense to me. Why can’t it be like it was before where hubby worked, mommy stayed home with babies, and life was good…Well, as good as it could get anyway. Now, my children are grown (wow, does it feel strange to say that—I’m really not that old!), but I still desire to be a homemaker. I’m old fashioned…Very Laura-Ingall-ish…Or, in a more recent decade…Very Bewitched-ish…And even more recent…Very Brady-Bunch-ish.

Do I think it’s doable? Yes. But, Hubby would have to agree, I would have to pay off MAJOR and I mean MAJOR debt that I incurred—having mostly nothing to do with him other than supporting our daughter in college. And, he would have to want to scrimp enough like we used to so that I could stay home. I know it’s doable. We used to do it, but…Well, for now, it is what it is, and I am signing in ink…Not in blood (I’m only human after all) to make the best of what I have. Here I go!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER

Monday was a happy day. I went in to work and wasn’t on the schedule, so I was able to go back home and be a homemaker!

Here is a list of things that I was able to accomplish. I did them in a more relaxed state of mind than coming home from work and feeling tired and rushed.



Laundry (Hung my freshly washed sheets out--Oooo, I love the smell!)
Made breakfast (14-grain cereal)
Figured the bills
Made a green smoothie

Julian drinking one several weeks ago...



This version of my green smoothie (they vary depending on what I have on hand) contained these healthy ingredients:

Spinach
Strawberry yogurt
Vanilla yogurt
A large juicy sweet apple
An orange
Frozen green grapes
Frozen banana
Quinary
Spirulina
Flax seed meal
Coconut oil
Skim milk
Ice cubes

You can find a rough recipe for green smoothies here. The great thing about them is that you can put in whatever and however much you choose!

I also...

Changed my bedding
Swept the laundry area
Went thrift shopping
Turned the compost
Made dinner (Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie—again ;) We love it!



You can find the recipe at Aunt Ruthie's Sugar Pie Farmhouse.

I made some great thrifty finds that day. I purchased two lipsticks (Estee’ Lauder) and five pair of earrings for $2.55! I LOVE second-hand stores!

Here is a skirt I got yesterday during another thrift-shopping spree…



My outfit rundown…

Pink Lipstick
(Thrift-Store, Unused)
Earrings
(Wal-Mart)
Necklace
(A gift from my daughter)
Blouse
(Given to me by my mom several years back)
Belt
(Mom and Dad bought clothing for everyone for family pictures in 1988. Yes, I have had it that long! Styles do return)
Skirt
(Thrifted)
Baby Doll shoes
(Bought a few years back when I worked in an office and had to dress every day)



Total cost of my outfit without the shoes (I don’t recall what I paid for them)…

Earrings $3.50 (Approximately)
Lipstick $0.20
Necklace Free
Blouse Free
Belt Free
Skirt $5.49

Total cost $9.19



This is another beautiful peachy flowered dress that I purchased during yesterday’s shopping…





Though I don’t know if I’ll wear these earrings with it (they are more of a country peach color than a light peach), I got them for just $1.00…



We closed out the day with a down-home-southern-goodness Buttermilk Pie! Mmmm…mmmm…good!

You can find the recipe on this fun you tube video with India Galyean



Have a blessed day!

HEALTH & FOURTEEN-GRAIN CEREAL

There is much talk of health and a search for the cure…of cancer, and Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis, and…

Dr. Oz was on Oprah talking of the positive possibilities of living up to 150 years old. I have no desire to live that long, but living in such a way that will enhance the body—the very cells of the body—is something that is so appealing to me. Our bodies, a gift from our Heavenly Father, are so amazing and are very capable of healing themselves if we give them the right nutrients! We are now able to grow organs and body parts from our own cells. Hyperbaric chambers, calorie restriction (much better than it sounds), and other ways of enhancing our bodies were discussed on the show.



David Murdock, and 85-year-old gentleman, was also interviewed. He doesn’t take any pills—even aspirin. He eats mainly or all fruits and vegetables. The whole show was astounding in what and how we can and should treat these wonderful temples, which God gave us.

I have so very far to go…so very far. Nonetheless, it is a passion of mine to do so, and I am gaining if every so slowly.

For dinner tonight, I made a recipe which I have had for years. It is a 14-grain cereal. Because grains are so very important and other substances so very harmful we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, were given what is called the Word of Wisdom.

“As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result.”

The Word of Wisdom talks about avoiding strong drink and alcohol. Following are some of the verses, which speak of the foods that we should eat.

10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
14 All agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

This speaks of grains—wonderful grains…

BARLEY





RYE





SUNFLOWER SEEDS





ALFALFA





SESAME





LENTILS





MUNG BEANS





MILLET





BUCKWHEAT




FLAX





BROWN RICE





OATS





WHEAT





ALMONDS





Though I didn’t have all of the grains needed—another trip to the health food store is in order—I used what grains I had to make my cereal.

FOURTEEN-GRAIN CEREAL FORMULA

1 c. of each of the following grains and seeds:

Barley
Rye
Sunflower seeds
Alfalfa seeds
Sesame seeds
Lentils
Mung beans
Millet
Buckwheat
Flax seed
Brown rice
Oats
Wheat
Almonds





1 c. filtered pure water



Mix all together except almonds and water.

Blend ½ c. grain mixture on high speed for several seconds.



Add this mixture to water in cast iron, stainless steel, or glass sauce pan (do not use aluminum). Add 8 almonds.



Heat and stir until mixture comes to a boil.

Turn heat down to simmer, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.





Serve with milk or cream...



And brown sugar...



Raw honey and fruit may be added if desired...



Yield: Two servings

Store grain mixture in cool place. I freeze mine.





Mmmm, Mmmm, Good!