odds & ends: Taming the Laundry Monster

Most homeschooling moms have one - a mountain of laundry that never gets done. Or once it finally DOES get done, you have another mountain of clean clothes waiting to be put away. It is overwhelming, and so it continue to be put off and put off until mom (or dad) can't stand it any longer.

I have tried SO MANY things (too numerous to share here, but if you really want to waste your time, you can search my blog in the upper left hand corner there is a search box that searches only this blog).

But each time it was the same thing. MOM would do the laundry when she found the time ... which was hardly ever. And then once done, it would sit in baskets waiting for someone to sort out whose clothes were which child's, and then it would sit in piles on the floor or on their bed until they got the notion to do finally put away their clothes.

But no longer! I finally have a system that works. Now I know I have said stuff like that in the past, and I have shared and posted and those things worked GREAT ... for like a week.

But THIS TIME ... this time I tested it for a full two weeks before sharing to make sure that this was a keeper.

I recently heard Sheeley Noonan speak at our homeschool conference. She shared about how she (only having one daughter, not three like I do) would give her daughter one day to do her laundry (that meant wash, dry, fold, hang, etc.). I thought it couldn't hurt to try it.

So I ran through the house and dug out all those individual laundry baskets I had bought for each child a long time ago when we were trying another laundry system (which failed). I assigned each child a day to do their laundry. And you know what, it is getting done!!

I showed each child how to measure out the soap and what settings to use and off they went! :D And because laundry is getting done more frequently, they have less clothes at a time to put away, so they do not become overwhelmed with three months of laundry, just one weeks worth! :D

And as for the four year old, yeah, he does his own laundry too. Big sister helps him with the soap, but he sorts and puts in the clothes and switches them when it is time. She helps him put away his clothes too, but he does most of it.

This is so great!! I am so thankful I took a chance on this! Let me know if you try it out, and what works for you! :D

It feels GOOD

I have been cleaning the house all day today. Well that and getting ready for Purim.

If you have never celebrated Purim, you are missing out. This is one of the kids FAVORITE holy days. If you want to compare it to a holiday, compare it to Halloween. You get all the benefits of dressing up in costumes, acting up, but instead of GETTING candy you GIVE it.

OK, enough about Purim.

I am always talking about how I have too much STUFF. And I do. I have collected items here and there because they were free, or a deal too good to pass. But I have learned that all that does is clutter the house. MUCH better to save the money and get the few things (like Lamplighter Books) that will last and edify my children.

And today, after going through my son's room and getting rid of 3/4's (yes three fourths) of his toys, I noticed not only how cleaner his room was, but how much HAPPIER he was. He knew where his favorite things (which he had not played with in months because they were lost in all his other junky toys) were now. And as soon as we were done cleaning, he went to playing. "My cars! I love my cars." For 40 or so minutes, I played cars with JJ (and of course once the girls heard all the fun, they had to get in on it too). His GeoTrax train set, which he LOVES, now has SPACE to be put out and played with! Such a HAPPY BOY!

And my daughters are learning too, now with their chore chars, that if they have less clutter in their room or their area, then they have less to clean up and spend less time cleaning.

Now if only I could learn and apply this myself to MY things. :D I need to stop rationalizing that I *NEED* something and decide if it truly is a need (or do I have something else that can help or do the same thing)? Is it something I absolutely love, or would I be OK without it.

Aprons

Oh look how CUTE these aprons are. Links to all sort of tutorials!

My Favorite Aprons

Starting The New Year Right

I have tried and tried and TRIED all sorts of things to keep this house clean. Store bought and homemade just to help the girls stay on top of their chores. Even having them pay each other to do their work if they did not get it done. All either didn't work, or worked for a short while, then fizzled out.

FINALLY I have something that works! :D :D :D We have been doing it for two weeks now, and I can say I am happy happy HAPPY!

I have shared before about how I took some things from Flylady. Each child has their own zone in the house (a room they are in charge of making sure stays clean and orderly). And since they all share a room, the room is divided into zones and each child is responsible for keeping their room zone clean (which includes their bed). We also made a rule that there are no toys in the room, and no books in the room. They may have a book they are currently reading near their bedside, but not the plethora of books that they used to bring in there (I love that my girls love books, but BOY it was getting BAD).

The other thing that is the REAL key to this is to make sure things revolve around meals. I know it sounds silly and simple. And maybe it is, but it WORKS!

Each chore is written on a card. It is broken down into easy steps (especially the younger the child). MM cannot read yet, so she also has pictures on her card that we worked through together to help give her clues as to what the card says.

The cards are on the TO DO side, and once a card is completed, it is moved to the ALL DONE side. Easy Peasy, huh?


The names are blocked out for privacy reasons. Each child has their own color for their cards.

So there are before breakfast chores which, if everything was done like it should, should only take about 15 minutes to complete.
MAKE BED
TIDY ROOM ZONE
GET DRESSED AND BRUSH HAIR
(Because EE's zone is the kitchen, she has to unload the dishwasher so it is ready to load with dishes from the day, starting with breakfast dishes)

Then after breakfast chores:
CLEAR SPOT AT TABLE (they each eat on a tray like from school cafeteria and they leave the tray and their cup to be used for each meal in their spot, but make sure their tray is clean and clear and their spot at the table is clean and clear - dishes put directly into dishwasher)
BEGIN SCHOOLWORK
(Again with EE's Zone being the kitchen, she has extra after the meal, so while above is for all children, below is just for the kitchen zone)
SINK CLEAN AND CLEAR (again the Flylady clean sink thing)
COUNTERS CLEAR AND WIPED DOWN
CHAIRS AT THE COUNTER CLEAR (sometimes the chairs at the kitchen counter are used as a hot spot to collect items)
WIPE DOWN TABLE
WIPE DOWN CHAIRS/BENCHES (if needed)

Then before you eat lunch:
CLEAN UP SCHOOLWORK
ZONE CHECK - CLEAN AND CLEAR

Then after you eat lunch:
CLEAR SPOT AT TABLE (leaving only tray and cup)
(Again with EE's Zone being the kitchen, she has extra after the meal, so while above is for all children, below is just for the kitchen zone)
SINK CLEAN AND CLEAR (again the Flylady clean sink thing)
COUNTERS CLEAR AND WIPED DOWN
CHAIRS AT THE COUNTER CLEAR (sometimes the chairs at the kitchen counter are used as a hot spot to collect items)
WIPE DOWN TABLE
WIPE DOWN CHAIRS/BENCHES (if needed)
RUN A RINSE ON THE DISHWASHER (we do not rinse our dishes, so this is not a waste of water, but helping to keep the dishes moist so the food washes off them)

This next set of chores are called the 4:30PM chores simply because that is when we start them. They look like a lot, but honestly, it is mostly upkeep. These chores, if the girls have been keeping up with everything, these chores (except for Friday, more on that in a minute), take no more than 30 minutes to do EACH DAY! They are based on each child's zones, as well as another job they have been given the responsibility for. On Friday's, it is major cleaning day, so in their zones, extra responsibilities, and bedroom, deeper cleaning is done - this adds about 30-45 minutes to cleaning during this time. The reward of getting this done sooner rather than later, is that when you are done, you are able to sit and listen to an audio book or audio theatre.

Everyone's have these 4:30PM chores in common:
ALL TOYS, GAMES, BOOKS AND SCHOOLWORK BACK WHERE THEY BELONG - NICE AND ORDERLY
CHECK ROOM: BED MADE AND ROOM ZONE CLEAR
CLEAN 15 ITEMS IN BASEMENT
2 ITEM GIVEAWAY (this is our decluttering, once the child has done a decent job, this will not be needed but maybe once a week)
ZONE CHECK - CLEAN AND CLEAR

MM's extra responsibility is the hallway upstairs between the children's bedrooms
CHECK HALLWAY - NO TRASH, NO CLOTHES, NO TOYS
FRIDAY!!! VACUUM ZONE, BEDROOM, HALLWAY and JJ'S ROOM

EE's extra job is the children's bathroom. She has one card with everything broken down as to what is expected. The front looks like this:
SINK CLEAN AND CLEAR
COUNTERS CLEAN AND ORDERLY
EMPTY TRASH IF NEEDED
FLOOR CLEAN AND CLEAR (behind toilet too)
FLUSH POTTY (if needed)

The back of the card is for Friday cleaning and looks like this
FRIDAY!!!
SCRUB TUB
WASH TOWELS (the hamper for dirty bath towels is in their bathroom)
FOLD AND PUT AWAY WASHED TOWELS
SCRUB TOILET
SWEEP FLOOR
PUT CLEAN TOWEL ON ROD

AA's extra job is the main bathroom (which is small, but important that it looks nice because guests use it), and the entry way (again, important that it looks nice so that guests feel welcome. On Friday, she vacuums her zone and the stairs going upstairs.
ENTRYWAY: CLEAN AND ORDERLY - NOTHING ON FLOOR
MAIN BATHROOM: SINK CLEAN AND CLEAR, COUNTERS CLEAN AND ORDERLY, EMPTY TRASH IF NEEDED, FLOOR CLEAN AND CLEAR and if it is FRIDAY!!!! SRUB TOILET, PUT OLD TOWEL IN HAMPER UPSTAIRS TO BE WASHED AND PUT CLEAN TOWEL ON ROD

After dinner chores are a bit different because instead of eating in the kitchen, we are eating in the dining room, which is part of AA's zone:
CLEAN ENTIRE SPOT INTO DISHWASHER
WASH AND DRY TRAY AND PUT IN TRAY SPOT (there is a spot where the trays belong)
Kitchen chores (for EE):
MAKE SURE KITCHEN TABLE COMPLETELY CLEAR (no trays)
WIPE TABLE
WIPE DOWN CHAIRS/BENCHES (no only if needed, this is to be done)
PUT ALL NAPKINS INTO DIRTY HAMPER
CLEAR KITCHEN FLOOR (nothing should be on the floor)
SWEEP KITCHEN FLOOR (under and around table, stove, fridge, etc.)
SINK CLEAN AND CLEAR
WIPE STOVETOP DOWN
POTS AND PANS WASHED AND HUNG TO DRY
COUNTERS CLEAR AND WIPED DOWN
AFTER ALL DISHES ARE PUT IN DISHWASHER, RUN THE LOAD WITH SOAP
(Dining room chores for AA):
MAKE SURE DINING TABLE COMPLETELY CLEAR (no trays)
WIPE TABLE
WIPE DOWN CHAIRS
PUT ALL NAPKINS INTO DIRTY HAMPER
CLEAR FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND TABLE
VACUUM (whoever thought of carpet in a dining room?!?!) FLOOR

Bedtime Routine:
PUT ON NIGHTIE
GO POTTY
GET DRINK
BRUSH TEETH
BRUSH HAIR

OK... all this has been working GREAT! Like I said, the key is to revolve around meals instead of times. If something HAS to be done before you eat, it will be done. This is especially nice for me, who does NOT do well on a schedule and likes things to be flexible. If things get REALLY hectic through the day, or we are gone for most of the day, as long as the 4:30 and after dinner jobs get done, the house stays clean. The other times for jobs are really just checks to make sure things are being stayed up on.

NOW I just need to make ME one of these things. :D And have the kids help keep me accountable! Exercise, school planning, cleaning my room, laundry, finances/computer time, cooking the meals, training the kids to cook meals, sewing (I plan on sewing AA's wardrobe this year WITH her help!), scrapping (this is something that I might just call art and we al do ART doing school time).

Current Web Readings

Video
You have to have a FB account to view this video, but it is really good.

Storybook Woods
I think I have shared this blog here before. It is wonderful! So with Autumn FINALLY here, this blog is sure to have some great posts and beautiful pictures!

Change Your Facebook Privacy Settings to KEEP PRIVATE

Great idea for organizing!
Clever Ideas to Declutter

The Best Camera iPhone app
This is TOTALLY AWESOME!! I read about it first on Scott Kelby's blog (yeah, I know I am no professional photographer, but still like to learn to be the best I can be). I want me an iPhone SO BAD so I can get me this app!!! :D I am thinking of buying it for my hubby for Christmas! :D

Wraps Per Inch
How to determine the weight of yarn if the label does not say or is missing.

Current Web Readings

Constitution Lapbook

Math

Judy Rodgers
She has some awesome songs! So thankful to my friend Brenda for introducing us to her!

Music to the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Classical Free
Songs

The Role of Scripture in Education
Many of you know my love for Webster's 1828 dictionary. This is a really good read (and short too!)

Homemade Laundry Detergent, Charlie's and Soap Nuts
A GREAT comparison between all three!! A MUST read for those who care about their health and are avoiding SLS.

Current Web Readings

Yardsale Treasure Map
This is GREAT!! It will plan out a route for you to hit garage sales near you! Helps save on gas because you make a full circle! WOW!!! :D

The True Vine by Andrew Murray
First, if you have not read anything by Andrew Murray, you are missing out. Secondly, this 31 day devotional (which can be done in less than 5 minutes a day!) is a very in depth study of John 15:1-16. I actually have a copy of this book (gotten off PaperBack Swap for free). But this link goes to a free online copy that you can print out if yo wish, or just read on the computer.

God's Littler Princess Ballet
OH how I wished I lived closer!!! If you have a daughter and live near here, you should check it out!

Free Homemaking Lessons
SWEET! HT: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine on FaceBook

Free Biblical Word Fill-In Puzzles
I LOVE these and they are so hard to find!!! Here are some BIBLICAL ones you can print out and take on vacation this summer!

Speaking of summer...
Entry Fee Waived to National Parks for three weekends during the summer. HT: The Homeschool For Free FaceBook page (don't miss out on the freebies! Join the Homeschool For Free FaceBook page!!!)

Current Web Readings

Learning How To Be A Frugal Homemaker
From one of my favorite blogs.

Creation Dice
What a GREAT idea!!

Coconut Milk Jigglers
What a FUN and HEALTHY treat for the kids!

Neonatal Snakes
GREAT pattern for making neonatal snakes. These are supposed to help preemies feel more secure, like they are back in the womb. Has anyone ever tried these? Anyone know if they really work? My half-sister is having her first baby (TRIPLETS), so they are gonna be TINY! Would LOVE to know if these are worth my time. :D

Current Web Readings

Homemaking As Art
BEAUTIFUL and encouraging post!

Webster's 1828 Dictionary
WHY should you use the 1828 dictionary over a more current version? Why do we? Read on.

101 Spring Things To Do
Enjoying nature during spring. :D

Quiet Time Bins
What a GREAT idea!! LOVE this! Although having four kids, I think instead of doing daily bins, I will number them 1-5. Then assign each child a number. You will start off with that number, and then every day you do the following number. When you get to five, go to one and start over. :D

20 Tips For Finding Your Routine With Kids
THIS IS GREAT stuff!!!

Brunch on a Budget
LOVELY post and a GREAT reminder on entertaining at any time. Oh how I wish I lived near Meredith!

FREE HIDEN ART OF HOMEMAKING LAPBOOK!!!

This is WAY COOL!!!!

CurrClick has a FREE LAPBOOK this week only that corresponds to Edith Schaeffer's EXCELLENT book The Hidden Art of Homemaking.

If you have not read the book, you MUST! And if you have not gotten your free lapbook based on this book, do it now! :D

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE FREE LAPBOOK!!

I AM SO EXCITED I CAN HARDLY STAND IT!!!

Current Web Readings

Making Shades of of Mini Blinds
Can I just say how much I HATE MINIBLINDS! Maybe I need to create a FLAIR button for Facebook. LOL!! Anyways, This... THIS I LOVE! Has anyone tried this? I am curious on how to clean them (not that I ever cleaned the mini-blinds, but, hey, it is good to know how to, should I have the desire, not to mention TIME to). HT: Like Merchant Ships

Chums
Rebecca is always a fun read and today's was exceptionally encouraging! I must admit that I knew most of what she was saying, but there is just something ABOUT the WAY she says it that makes it so easy to understand and desire for your own children. Thank you Rebecca!

Fast Fresh Jam
YUM!!

Names Of Jesus Garland for EASTER!
Oh I just LOVE Monica - her sweet spirit (yes, I had the pleasure of meeting her IRL) and her love of Jesus overflows on every post! I loved her names of Jesus garland for Christmas, and now she has one for Easter. She explains the reason behind it. VERY powerful to use with the kids!

Why Do I Have Empty Ziploc Bags In My Freezer?
I never thought of keeping them in the freezer! :)

Reheating Foods Without a Microwave
We have not been using a microwave for about a month now and it is GREAT to have that kitchen counterspace back AND know that I am much healthier for it! :D

Working Willingly With My Hands

It is amazing how powerful, though short, Meredith's posts can be.

In playing catch up in reading her bog, I came across this post which really inspired me!!!

I too rather gather from afar (i.e. the thrift store) than work willingly with my hands. And how much do I gather!! LOL!! My house is FULL of stuff I bought JUST because it was a great bargain!

My beloved recently mentioned to me that it shows him great disrespect when I am so careless with our money. He had to work so many hours for whatever that object is. And when I buy it for no reason, OR when I buy it and it does not get used, it is showing him that I do not respect him OR his time because time equals money equals that cheap whatever I bought and wasted money on.

He also said the same is true even if I use it. If I am not caring for it, or making sure the KIDS care for it (be it furniture, clothes, DVD's, whatever), then again, it shows a disrespect for him and his time.

So I really want to working on USING WHAT I HAVE rather than always running out and buying something. Maybe even staying away from thrift stores all together unless something is NEEDED. Then looking for THAT thing, and not tempting myself to buy something because of the great price. I use the same principle to save money on furniture. Rather than going out and buying new furniture or things to decorate the place, I simply rearrange the furniture. A whole new look, and it cost me NOTHING! Plus it makes me feel GOOD using my creative side to rearrange the room. :)

And I am working on getting rid of those things which I wasted money on. Hopefully I can barter or sell them. Beloved feels even more disrespected when I bought something, and then it just gets donated right back.

And I think with less stuff, it will be easier to see and care for (and respect) those things which we DO have.

Now, after all this seriousness, but still on topic, read this for a laugh.

What We Are Doing: Cleaning and Schooling (with a little bit o prayer needed please)

Well, I finally broke down and got into Facebook. I am on there if you want to friend me, let me know in the comments (I won't publish the comment). :)

I also finally got a set (two actually) of cuisenaire rods! I am pretty excited about using them with the girls. ANY tips or words of wisdom on HOW to do this??

I am still reading Dr. Mercola's Total Health Cookbook and Program and taking notes. I have decided that for me, it is easier to do this in MAJOR baby steps. So for the month of March, I will be working on eliminating white sugar from my diet. I still get honey and evaporated cane juice. :) Then, as each month comes, I will add something new to work on. :) I am really excited and positive about the health changes I am already seeing by implementing what I have been reading.

MM will have some medical tests done March 19-20. Your prayers are truly appreciated. I am so thankful that a friend is loaning me her daughter to help out. They will be going down her esophagus and up her colon to look for any signs of anything. We are truly baffled by what she is going through. The blood, stool and urine samples show confusing results, thus the need for further testing. Thank you for your prayers.

I am also starting to read and fill out the What Your Child Needs To Know When. I have recently become overwhelmed at the thought that the girls are missing out on something. Especially when my beloved will ask something and I have to say "not yet, dear." I know he is frustrated. It is frustrating to ME because he sees how much BETTER and FASTER they are grasping things when allowed to go in their own time. Discovering multiplication all on their own (Momma! Did you know three twos are SIX!) gives them a love for math, learning and discovery!

I am also continuing to learn about herbs. I realize that I am doing WAY too much of that on my own and really need to incorporate my children, especially the older two right now, into this so THEY can have a deep appreciation for the wonder of God's creation and how it can be used to help our health.

I also need to work on cleaning the house. I am going through and focusing on ONE area of the house a month. Last month was the girl's bedroom (although we did not get to the closet). This month is the Master Bedroom. WIth hurting my back, I had to put the Master on the back burner. I put all cleaning on the back burner. So we focused on the girls' room and they got rid of a LOT of stuff. Their room is now for clothes and sleeping. Nothing else is to be in their room. It really is helping them to keep it clean.

I have realized, however, that it is unrealistic to expect the girls to keep EVERYTHING down in the basement ONLY. I mean, after all, the reason my room is such a mess is because I don't like having to go ALL the way to the basement for things. SOOOOooo, each girl will have a small drawer on the main level where they can keep things. The drawer MUST be able to close. That way, they can still have some of the more important things they play with more often in a more accessible area. I think EVERYONE will be MUCH happier. And things will STAY CLEAN (or at least, be easier to clean those few times they do get a little messy).

Current Web Readings

March 2009 Growing in Grace Magazine
This BEAUTIFUL magazine is free online and has wonderful articles for your daughters (although I really like them too!). This month's issue has some GREAT links on Purim - coming up soon. If you have never celebrated Purim, you really should look into it.

She Senses Worth of Her Work
YEA! Monica is continuing with her series of crafts based on the Proverbs 31 woman!!! :D WOOHOO!!!

While there, say congrats to Monica for 5 years of wedded bliss! (And try not to be envious that she was able to fit back into her wedding dress!) :D Congrats Monica on fitting into your wedding dress and still amazing your man after 5 years of marriage. Here is to 50 more! :D

Homemade Thursday, What Was That?
She answered - homemade deodorant. Did it work? Read her hilarious review of the recipe to find out!

Fast Foods - the TRUTH
Fast food resturants would LIKE for you to THINK they are offering healthy options, but are they really??

The Happy Minimum
GREAT read!!! HT: Money Saving Mom

Speaking of MSM, she is doing a GREAT series you WON'T want to miss on 100 Different Ways to Save $100 This Year. Here is Part 1.

I will admit that it has only been during this past year that I learned all but ONE of her first 10 ideas. I had not heard about the eye glasses savings, so I am passing that onto beloved today who needs a new pair, and I will be needing a pair myself soon (and no, I don't wear glasses, yet, but I am getting old and cannot see as well as I used to). :) I can truly attest to EVERYTHING she has written in the post (except for the glasses thing). Having a budget, paying cash only, and using the envelope system haas worked for us INCREDIBLY well! We have saved SO MUCH MONEY! It has been GREAT!!! Not only were we able to cut our grocery budget, but we were able to get HEALTHY NOURISHING foods! I hope she talks about stockpiling. It has been a GREAT saver for us! For more on our journey about what we have learned about finances, click the FINANCES tab under this post (or on the sidebar).

Hospitality and Health

I love the fact the my daughters are learning about healthy eating NOW, before bad habits are formed.

I know that a lot of kids their age that are their friends think my children are deprived. They feel bad for my children. In fact one of my friends threatens to send her kids to my house to eat if they will not behave!

Of course my kids get their treats, but for the most part, their taste buds are not acclimated towards bad food. And my kids KNOW what is bad for them ("that has MSG in it, no thank you!"). My kids see how bad eating habits affect your health when you are older, and they do not want that.

EE gets migraines when she has gluten. She has now said that she does not want to eat any gluten. AA has said no soy, MSG, aspartame, gluten and little dairy (she gets horrible ear aches with dairy). MM of course wants as much sugar as she can get LOL! We are still working on her. :)

I really am proud of them for realizing so early and not having to fight addictions (yes, gluten and sugar are just as if not more-so addicting than nicotine) as well as cravings and mindsets. I am sad that some how my children equate parties with food. That has sadly become an American mindset. There has to be food (even if it is finger foods) in order for it to be a party. That chip commercial comes to mind where there are two parties. One, where everyone is able to eat the chips and the party is a GREAT hit. The other party, each person only gets like two chips. They talk about how boring the party is and they end up fighting over crumbs found on the floor.

HOW SAD! Why does hospitality have to be associated with food? Why can't a party be about fellowship and edification and if it is missing praise to God then it is a bad party? What is hospitality anyway?

1828 Webster's Dictionary defines it as such:
The act or practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward, or with kind and generous liberality.

There is nothing in there about food (although to be fair, if you look up the definition of entertaining it has the word provisions, and that word talks about food, but not just as an entertainment but more as nourishment, as in someone in need of food).

How to have a party without food? I know that my girls LOVE to decorate and make others feel welcome. Maybe just in showing others how special they are by taking the time to make something special for them: the decorations, maybe a little note that says welcome, a small token of appreciation for them to take home with them. Maybe while at the party, they are taught something (like how to make a tawashi, or make a small purse, or even partake in a quilting bee!). That way they partake in something, and is able to take something home with them (even if it is just a new learned skill).

What are your suggestions for showing hospitality without it being about the food?

Current Web Readings

Homeschooling With A Large Family
I really liked reading this. VERY simple, yet encouraging!!

Creating Contentment
This is a REALLY good post (as is most EVERYTHING on this blog!) that will help your children when "that's not fair!". :D

Candy Cane Hearts
This is SO FUN AND EASY! My soon to be nine year old daughter squealed "so THAT'S how you do it!". Fun fun FUN idea!

Frugal Nourishment
Healthy eating, homeschooling AND MOTH follower! :) I have been having fun reading current and pasts posts on this blog which is now added to the sidebar on the left (Blogs with Heart) :) (Which means it is in my RSS feed reader) :)

Free Download 2009 Spring Garden
GREAT post with link for a free help for when to plant your spring garden. ALSO, take a look around on this blog!! IT IS WONDERFUL!!!

Make Dinner Every Day And Like It
Great post about menu planning. So simple and yet, I never thought of it! :)
HTL Like Merchant Ships - I am TOTALLY loving this new blog you shared with us!

100 tips for 2009
100 tips for ways to save money in the upcoming year.

Current Web Readings

Freezer Cooking Links
This is a GREAT collection of all sorts of links on freezer cooking!

Napkin Set Tutorial
This is a GREAT two part tutorial (be sure to click on the second part) for napkins and a matching pouch!!

Dare To Make It - Holiday
This is a list of over 100 tutorials for making your own holiday gifts. This list is GREAT and I bet there are several new ideas for you here.

Homemade Lotion Bars
These are GREAT and so easy to make! I have not made them myself, but plan to soon! WITH THE KIDS!! :) That is how easy they are! :) This blog is great and I am really enjoying it! Thanks to Kathy for introducing me to this blog!!! :)

Lat Minute Mexican Beans and Rice
This blog is GREAT if you are wanting to learn more about your health and eat better. It is a weekly read (where I catch up on all the posts from the past week). This recipe looks so good!!

Cheaper to Wash Dishes by Hand or Dishwasher?
Interesting information! :) Good read!

Boxy Bag Tutorial
Oh this is a GREAT tutorial! GREAT pictures. Makes it look so easy that I might actually try this! (Although it scares me to death to do anything like this as I feel I can only sew flat things.) :)

Our Grocery Bill, Cut In Half

I was about to title this "How I cut my grocery bill in half" but then I thought about it. Did **I** really cut it in half? Or was it by the grace of God being faithful to His servant when she seeked Him? You bet it was!

So how did God guide me in cutting our grocery bill in half?

We buy only organic (unless we just cannot find it and am craving it). We do not do dairy (because of allergies) so I make my own fake milk or we go without. When I was buying milk, it was raw goat or cow milk and through an inexpensive source my friend had. I buy only hormone free, free range meat and eggs (though I would LOVE to do grass fed only, I just cannot find it around here).

I did before and I do now. These things have not changed.

What has changed? We buy a lot more unprocessed (yes, it sounds silly to buy organic processed foods), we make our own cleaning supplies, and we use a deep freezer now. We also eat cheaper. $5 Mom is a GREAT place to start (and she shows you how to modify the recipe to be GF, YEAH!!!). We do a lot of beans and rice meals (we change it up a bit like having cajun or Mexican, it is never just plain). :)

We also stopped eating fake foods (like the soy substitutes for meat). If my husband (who does not really like to eat meat) wants a veggie burger, I make it from scratch (no soy and not fake and not processed).

I was spending over $$$ a month to feed our family of 5 (at the time, we are now 6). NOW, we are a family of six and slowly whittled it down to half that a month! It depends on if I find good enough deals to stock up on or if I have to pay full price for something.

What did God show me?? I was led to three discount grocery stores (one is ALL organic and the other two carry some organic). Ask around. They are there, I promise you, but I never would have found them had I not asked around. I no longer shop at Whole Foods (that was the most expensive). I shop those discount stores and I shop Kroger (King Soopers in my area). Kroger has a LOT of organic products including produce AND I get coupons all the time from them specifically for organic products (even like $2 off $10 of produce). Costco is also great because they sell a lot of organic products too as well as produce. Just yesterday I got organic apples for 62 cents a pound! On sale I am lucky to get them at a dollar a pound!

I shop the farmer's markets in the summer and freeze my food (I have not had to buy onions since July! and I still have lots of organic corn on the cob in the freezer as well as peaches I plan to make a peach pie with soon). I am hoping to do salsa this year (we love salsa).

I also stockpile our food. When there is a great sale (on beans, organic meats, etc.), I buy a LOT and shove it in the freezer (meats) or the pantry. Places like Walmart and Target will give away their frosting buckets in the bakery area for free, just for the asking. These are GREAT for storing grains and dry beans in!!

I think the best thing about all of this is my children. The older ones have been there at Whole Foods and now, whenever we do go in there, they are SHOCKED at the prices! :D They get so excited going to the bargain stores and helping me find GOOD wholesome food. They know how to read labels, and they know which brands to get. Through it all, they are learning to be good stewards! AND they are learning how to provide for their family. Even if it is produce they grow themselves (which we are totally gonna try to do this year)! I love seeing how they are learning and they will have a better start in this area than I did.

New Beginnings on Monday's

Every Monday, God willing, I will be doing something new for the week.

The first thing will be the Training Hearts Teaching Minds book. I am SO HAPPY I got this as a Christmas present from my beloved. I have been wanting to do this for a few months now, ever since I heard about it.

What I am doing is creating flash type cards to go along with the study. On the front, it has the question from the catechism as well as the Bible verses for the week (from the book). On the back, the children will WRITE the answer out (hence why the cards are kinda BIG). :) If we do one a week, it will take two weeks to go through the whole book. I plan on being as faithful as I can (might skip for family vacation). This is the biggest time commitment I have ever made to studying something. :)

The weekly studies are REALLY short and should not take more than about 15 minutes each day to go through. I am SUPER excited about this!!! There is a short reading for each day to go along with the Bible verse that helps explain it and has WONDERFUL word pictures! I highly suggest getting the book.

In case you wanted to follow along, here is a copy of the cards. There are FOUR per page (I have three girls that will be going through it and one for myself). Since the book is well known amoung large families I expect they will be printing out at least one maybe two copies. :) Click and then save as to print. :)


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So the second thing I will be doing is from a book I recently got for free through my FAVORITE place to get books now, Paperback Swap!! :) Please do consider signing up through my link. I get a free book credit when you sign up and list your books to start swapping. I need more book credits!!! :D

ANYWAYS, I got the book Queen of the Castle. I believe I first heard about this book from Crystal. Anyways, it has 52 weeks (just one year) of "encouragement for the uninspired, domestically challenged or just plain tired homemaker." Boy that fits me to a T in all three areas! LOL!!!

I am not sure what I will be posting about these as I do them, but I do plan to chart SOME sort of progress in becoming a better keeper at home. :)

Current Web Readings

Kitchen Tip - Washing Dishes With Baking Soda
I quit rinsing dishes before washing MONTHS go and it is amazing how much we save on our water bill!! But there are still a few dishes which have a little bit stuck to them. Usually only one or two dishes. I am going to try this baking soda trick and see if I have to use dish washing powder at all OR if I can just do the baking soda on the dishes and then the vinegar rinse (instead of Jet Dry, we have been using vinegar in the dispenser and it works WONDERFULLY!).

Vegan Baking 101
WONDERFUL list (BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!) of egg substitutes for baking. She lists different types of subs, what they are good for, what to be aware of...and all from personal experience. I have printed this out for my kitchen!

FREE BOOKS ONLINE:
Christian's Secret to a Happy Life - this is a WONDERFUL classic!
The Book Of Household Management
The Home and it's Management

Combating the "Mom Should Get Out Of The House More" Mentality
I love Jess' blog. I sadly do not get to read it as often as I would like. Life happens and I love it! But this has to be the BEST post on this topic I have read! I have felt this way for a long time. I do agree that we need help and a break, but when I break I want my husband to be the one watching the kids so at least ONE of us is watching the kids). And what about dating your spouse? Brian and I try to do this in the evenings after the kids are in bed. The kids are in bed by 7-8 (depending on if they had naps earlier in the day or not). keeping kids active REALLY help them sleep at night. :) This is a post (and a blog) I highly suggest you read!!