"Write it down." vs. "My memory is great!"

Well, my brain has been very busy of late and I figured I should put a blurb in here about the latest clickings. As I have been canning like a mad woman, I figured I should probably write down what I planted, how much, what kind of harvest I got, and what I did and didn't like. I have so far partially documented my beans, tomatoes, peas, and onions. Only carrots, potatoes, beets, squash, pumpkins, herbs, and my all of my flower gardens to go! I know I will thank myself next spring when I am asking myself, "What did I plant there? What was that variety again? Where did I put those tulips? Hmmmm......."

Keep the weeds down...

I have to admit I have never tried this one before this year, but have heard others have had great results - use your grass clippings inbetween your rows and around your plants in your gardens. (I've heard straw works well, too.) It really cuts down on the weeding. It also helps or walking in the garden bare foot -quit soft actually.

Over organized? I think not!

O.K. So as I was marking out my garden and getting ready for the kids to help me plant, I had the thought that my organization may have gotten a little out of hand. Then I looked at my garden layout and quickly dismissed that thought. Late winter/early spring I took the time to literally graph out my garden. (I know it sounds a little anal, but I had the graph paper on hand.) I laid out where I wanted my rows to go and where I wanted my vining veggies to go. I adjusted for the space they needed and voila - I had a garden planned. After my accomplishments today, I am really glad I took the time to write it down. I don't want to know what kind of mess I would have ended up with if I had just gone there with bags of seeds and three kids!

Household Routines

I've been asked a lot lately about how I "run the house." I guess I like to have an order to my day/week, etc. I'm no drill sergeant by any means (unless maybe you ask my kids), but I find things run smoother if I have an established routine. So, here goes...

I like to have one day a week to do laundry. This was not always possible when I was working. Now that I am home, it's the best way to get it all done in one day rather than doing laundry for 5 or 6 days of the week. There are always exceptions to this rule - potty training, sick people, accidents, etc., but I find that if I stick to one day a week, I also eliminate the "Mom, where's my clothes?" questions. At our house, everyone knows that Wednesday is laundry day. If you don't have your clothes in your dirty clothes basket by the night before, you will have to wait until the next week. I have also quit picking up clothes from the floor, no matter how close to the basket they may be. For the most part, everyone in our house is able to pick up their clothes.

As for cleaning the house, I like to have a room or two per day. That is the time that the room gets a good once over. Dusting, going through old mail, throwing out old magazines, evicting the toys to their owner's room, etc. I have also given the older children chores to do every day during the week. Vacuuming and sweeping are two of the main chores. The only stipulation I give them is that they need to pick up the room before they start - papers, pillows, afghans, etc. This also keeps the mess under control.

Well, that's the basics. I know this is not near enough cleaning for some people and way too much for others. I know this works for us.

A wise person once told me, "A house needs to be clean enough to be healthy, but dirty enough to be lived in."

Spring Cleaning

O.K., so I'm being a little ambitious here. I started with the dining room - the easiest to complete in a day. Pictures, walls, rugs, registers, door, trim, the works, all received a thorough cleaning. I moved to the kitchen two days later and accomplished half of it, including moving the stove (yuk!). It's amazing how much dust and dirt can accumulate in less than two years. So, my theory is to take it one room at a time, or half a room depending on which one it is, and clean the whole house this spring. I know it all sounds crazy, but until I can get into my gardens, which is at least another three to four weeks, I need to do something to keep my mind off (or on?) the dirt!

Washing Windows

Spring cleaning has arrived, aka, I took down the Easter clings from the window and noticed how dirty the windows were. So, here is a little window washing tip. When you wash your windows, use side to side strokes on one side of the window and up and down strokes on the other side. It makes it easier to tell which side has the streaks. (I can't take full credit for this one, but I don't remember where I read it.)

Crooked Pictures?

Ever hang a picture only to find out that it will not hang strait? You can use a metal washer or coin to even it out. Secure the washer to the back of the high side of the picture at the bottom corner. Duct tape works great for this one. If you are worried about ruining the frame, you can also put one of those rubber knobbies that go on the bottom of objects to protect surfaces or on the back of cabinet doors so they don't make so much noise.

Healthier Tuna (and nobody is the wiser...)

Over the years I have learned various ways to add more nutritional value to my families meals. One of the easiest and fastest is to "beef" up your tuna. Instead of draining the tuna before you make your tuna sandwiches or tuna melts, put the juices used for canning right in the bowl with the tuna. Add about a handful of quick cook oatmeal and stir. Let this sit for a few minutes (good time to get the other ingredients or set the table.) The oatmeal will soak up the liquid and you won't even notice it's there. It also makes the one can of tuna go a bit further. Be careful not to use too much oatmeal though. You may get accused of using (gasp!) whole wheat bread!

Storing the saved clings

Now that you have saved those clings, how do you store them? Folders work well, but my favorite is photo albums. Remember the old sticky pages with the thin film over them that you would never dream of putting your pictures in? Put a bunch of these pages in a 3-ring binder and stick the clings right to the tops of the pages (don't open the film!) You have a cling that is larger than the pages? No problem. Just fold it over the edge of a page or two. Next time you go to use it, run both sides of the crease under the hottest water you can stand for a few minutes. The crease will virtually disappear and the cling will be clean. Now you can stick it where you will. You can even get fancy with your binder and put dividers between seasons and holidays. The best way to store this binder is lying flat.

Save those window clings

I know that window clings are not very expensive, but sometimes it is hard to find one that you really like or you find on ethat is a favorite of the kids. So, what do you do when they no longer stick to the window or mirror? Wash them in soapy warm water and pat them dry. When placing them on the window, it helps if the window is not cold (or frozen with ice!)You can also use a lightly damp cloth and wipe the back of the cling before placing it on the surface.

Need to frost? No bag? No Problem!

A quick way to create an easy to use, disposable frosting bag is to use zipper plastic bags. Just place the frosting in the bag, zip shut, and snip a small piece off of one bottom corner. The bigger the snip, the faster it comes out and fatter the lines become. It also eliminates the need for refereeing who gets to use the frosting bag next during family activities.

In search of the special special

I have ordered my seeds! I don't think I have ever been this excited about seeds! After reviewing all of the options for beans, peas, carrots, tomatoes, etc., I settled on what I needed and decided to wait for a special to come along or my deadline - whichever came first. A day later I received an email from Gurney Seeds for up to 50% off of selected items. Cool! After the discounts I went down about $10. I then noticed the "Enter promotion code" box. I did a quick search of the internet for any coupon codes and hit a jackpot. I found a $20 off of orders $40 or more. I went back to the website through the link and I had dropped my total to $36! (In all fairness, the whole order is not for me. I am splitting it with my mom and a friend. At this point, I wouldn't be able to use that many seeds.) Moral of the story - do a little waiting, a little looking, order with a friend, and it could save you a few bucks!

What to plant...What to plant...

My planning this year is exciting for me. I have enough space for everything I should need. My salsa supply is running low so I will need to plan for that recipe - tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, jalapenos, etc. I also had great success with my Grandmother's spaghetti sauce recipe last year and will need to plan for that one as well - more tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, oregano, basil. In addition to these, I will be processing beans, peas, carrots, squash, beets, and cucumbers. I also hope to get a supply of various berries and fruits for jams, jellies, and syrups. The next step after planning what to plant, is where to put it when I have it all processed. I guess I'll have to sweet talk Judd into moving up the shelf building project in the basement. :)

Is it spring yet?

O.K. I have to admit that the latest cold snap has done me in. I am ready for spring - or at least constant temps above zero. In an effort to keep my mind off of the frigid temps, I have started to plan my garden. Yes, I am one of those that even maps it out on grid paper to make sure everything I want will fit. I will be renting two plots at the Probstfield gardens north of Moorhead. Each plot is 20x30 feet, and for $20 a plot that's not a bad deal. It is more towards the line of organic gardening - no pesticides or herbicides - but I can work with that. If you are reading this and are like me and have a small yard that is mostly all shade, many local organizations run community gardens. Contact your local garden clubs or extension service and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Mom, I can't find the right sheets.

Have you ever been asked this question? I haven't heard it yet, but I remember asking my mom the same thing many, many, .... many times. I have found a easy solution to eliminate this question without entirely rearranging your closet organization. First you start with a set of sheets - top, bottom, and pillowcases (make sure to put extra pillow cases in if you have more pillows on the bed). Fold the top or flat sheet as usual to the width of a pillow case. For the bottom or fitted sheet, start with the bottom corner and turn it inside out over your hand. Tuck this inside the top corner of the same side which is right side out. Do the same thing with the other side. You now have two corners to start folding with and the bottom sheet doesn't have to be such a pain to fold. Fold it into the same size as the top sheet. Now fold all but one of the pillow cases for the set. Stack all of the folded sheets & cases together. Now, just like you are putting a pillow in, place the stack into the leftover pillow case and fold the extra case over the stack. Tahdah! You now have a set that is ready to be grabbed off of the shelf and placed on the bed. You can take it one step further and designate (maybe even label) a shelf for full size, a shelf for twin size, etc.

Next problem - you don't have sets of sheets. Make as many sets as you can, using the same size sheets for each set of course. Each household is different. You might have a guest bedroom, hide-a-bed, or air mattress for company or sleepovers. I always like to have at least two sets of sheets for each bed. My last week of washing bedding is a perfect example as to why. After you have these extra sets made up and you are looking at the leftovers, ask yourself, "Do I really need seven extra bottom sheets and fifteen extra pillowcases?"

Canning Jars

A little canning wisdom: You can find quite a few canning jars at the thrift shops (Boys Ranch, Salvation Army, etc.) When purchasing you will need to check for chips and cracks. Carefully run your finger around the top edge of the jar. If there is even the smallest nick, don't get it. You run the chanxce of the jar not sealing properly, which leads to many other problems. Also look at the ridges that run around the top of the jar (the part the covers and rings grab onto). Make sure it is one continuous groove. If not, don't bother with these either. You can find various sizes from half pints to gallons. Around here they start to put them out towards the end of July and August. By September - good luck finding any.

The draw back of buying them this way is that you don't always find the rings to go with them. You can purchase them separately new, or if you are lucky, find them in the thrift store. It is also a personal preferance if you want to have a ring on every jar. A friend of mine likes to have a ring for every jar. I just leave the rings on until they are sealed and cooled. Then I take off what I need for the next batch. A drawback to my method is that for storing empty jars it is nice to have those rings. When the jar, lid and ring are clean, you turn the cover over and place it on the jar (seal side up). Then screw the ring on loosely. This keeps the inside of the jar cleaner (no surpise insect leftovers that couldn't get out again) and helps keep the edges of the jars from getting nicked and chipped during storage.

I say, "Change the rules!"

I think there is a rule written that children must get sick after 1:00 a.m., preferrably after you have reached the stage in sleep that, if disturbed, jolts you from your bed and finally wakes you up half way to the sick child's room. Hopefully, the child has stayed in their room or you miss any "land mines" along the way.

I hereby propose that this rule be banished from the "Child's Book of Life". It will be replaced by, "I will always make it to a bathroom or garbage can, no matter what time of day or where I may be." Your votes and support is much appreciated.

P.S. Please don't tell the children. Their counter measures and sheer numbers may blow this whole thing out of the water.

This is a good first step.

I was reading my latest Good Housekeeping issue and discovered this article by Geneen Roth. It makes a lot of sense and I think it is a good place to start when you are trying to change how your body looks. It puts things in perspective. Enjoy...

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/advice/body-love-self-esteem?click=main_sr

Why deprive??

My thoughts at the beginning of this year have been to my health - a.k.a. weight. I wouldn't say that I am overly obese, but I could stand to lose a few inches. For starters, I am going to focus on what I am eating. Not counting calories, not the eat a breakfast bar and drink a shake, not even cut out all sugary foods. That last one would be a downfall. I long ago decided that I would never again deprive myself of sweets, especially chocolate. Instead I am going to focus on what I am not eating. Mostly fruits and vegetables, and hopefully replacing some of the extra things I don't need as much of.

I believe you can inherit certain traits and I inherited a strong sweet tooth - at least third generation. I have a bit of chocolate every day. I also am going to have an extra serving of fruits or vegetables at the table instead of the extra piece of meat or bread. We'll see how it goes. Spring will bring on the exercise ... at least the exercise that doesn't involve a shovel.

Once upon a washer...

I have now spent four days washing bedding. This is what happens when you are the one who doesn't have sympathetic symptoms when others in the family get sick. So after all of these loads of clothes, the optimist in me comes out - I don't have to wash all of the bedding for quite a while. O.K. - Judd gave me that one, but he is correct and I knew that was the way I should look at it. The best part - the Pre-Spot, the laundry detergent, and the Sol-U-Mel I used irradicated the smells and the stains! Gotta love that....

The Launch of "That's so duh!"

Well, this is the second of two blogs I started today. Again, thanks to the inspiration of my sister-in-law, Patti, and two friends of mine, I am going to attempt to get my thoughts down - somewhere.

My intentions for this blog is to write down stuff I know, things I've learned, and, of course, my opinions. More than once people have asked me how I know so much, and I rarely have an answer. I know I owe alot to my upbringing. So, here goes - - - - - -