It's also time for school to start (Tuesday for my monkeys)! I am so happy, because back to school means back to learning, which I am VERY blessed to have children to love to learn. It also means fall is just around the corner and I could not be more excited by that.
September is prep month for me, get my holiday plans in order as best I can (living in the same city as both sides of the family means we have to plan well, and early). I figure out Halloween costumes, start planning Christmas gift list and meals, and list out what events I want to be sure to attend.
Then comes October and I start singing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year! There is pumpkin for eating and people for visiting and so much to do! It's best time of of the year, through and through!" And from October 1st to January 1st I am in seasonal heaven!
So much to do, to love, to see, to participate in, to enjoy and to share! Summer is fun and offers camping and outdoors with the kids, but it's too hot and too busy all the time. Fall has a smell, a taste and feel. It filters through the air and settles on you like a drifting crimson leaf!
ACK!!! I cannot wait!
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Cleaning up the house.
So, for those who know me, or have been to my house, you will know I am not a natural housekeeper, but any stretch of the imagination. The only people who would enter my house and think it was organized are hoarders. But that is something I want to change.
I have tried before, time and time again to be a better housekeeper. And I have failed, time and time again. It never seems to stick, and I never get the whole house clean. It's frustrating, and terrifying. Looking at the mess ahead is daunting and drains me.
But this year I am trying something different. Something that I hope will make things easier, and so far it has.
Instead of making big long lists of what I need to do that make my want to cry, I am taking it one room at a time.
Starting the first week of January, I picked one room a week, scheduled them ahead of time, then broke down the individual rooms into 5 tasks, one per week day. This takes them one at a time, leaves time each day for fun, other chores and sleep. And it is working!
Week One was our office, and it's filled chest high closet. Now done and stayed clean for 3 weeks!
Week Two was our bedroom, which gets messy easily, but with the cleaning up work I did, I can get it picture perfect within 5 minutes.
Week 3 is our front room/dinning room and little hall, which is well on it's way to being done. Major changes, it;s working so well.
I also took care of our bathroom right after Christmas in a one day push. That means I have the kitchen, laundry room/half bath, kids room and the shed outside to finish up, then, by the end of February the house should be done. That way I can spend spring doing the same with my disaster of a yard.
I think this is really going to work, I am energized and excited to get the work done. There is no overwhelming weight when I think about it! I can't wait to have a home that looks like the middle class version of Home and Garden! :)
(Not my house, but very similar)
I have tried before, time and time again to be a better housekeeper. And I have failed, time and time again. It never seems to stick, and I never get the whole house clean. It's frustrating, and terrifying. Looking at the mess ahead is daunting and drains me.
But this year I am trying something different. Something that I hope will make things easier, and so far it has.
Instead of making big long lists of what I need to do that make my want to cry, I am taking it one room at a time.
Starting the first week of January, I picked one room a week, scheduled them ahead of time, then broke down the individual rooms into 5 tasks, one per week day. This takes them one at a time, leaves time each day for fun, other chores and sleep. And it is working!
Week One was our office, and it's filled chest high closet. Now done and stayed clean for 3 weeks!
Week Two was our bedroom, which gets messy easily, but with the cleaning up work I did, I can get it picture perfect within 5 minutes.
Week 3 is our front room/dinning room and little hall, which is well on it's way to being done. Major changes, it;s working so well.
I also took care of our bathroom right after Christmas in a one day push. That means I have the kitchen, laundry room/half bath, kids room and the shed outside to finish up, then, by the end of February the house should be done. That way I can spend spring doing the same with my disaster of a yard.
I think this is really going to work, I am energized and excited to get the work done. There is no overwhelming weight when I think about it! I can't wait to have a home that looks like the middle class version of Home and Garden! :)
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Recipie One: Belvita-Like Breakfast Cookies
Sorry, I know this was supposed to come last week but things got a little busy and I could not post it. But I have decided what I want to post first.
So, I got a coupon awhile back for Belvita Breakfast Biscuits, they were AMAZING! But too expensive. I want to try to make something on my own. So after scouting a few recipes on-line and do a little altering I settles on this one!
Now this pic is much prettier than mine turned out, but I wanted a nice neat pic, not a "my kids helped themselves" pic.
What you need:
2 cups Flour
1 Cup Sugar
2 Cups Oats
1 1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt
8 T. (1 stick) Butter or Margerine
1 T. Honey (or Golden Syrup if you have European foods)
1 T. HOT water
1/2 t. Baking Soda
1 t. Cinnamon
1/2 t. Ginger
Preheat your oven to 350 Degrees F.
Mix water, honey, butter and yogurt in a sauce pan, melt together on low to medium heat, add baking soda once melted, stir. Mix remaining dry ingredients in separate bowl, added melted mixture and stir.
Make small balls (it's kind of sticky) and place 1 inch apart on a greased cookie sheet, flatten with a fork. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. (They come out a little soft but settle up while cooling)
They are really tasty with tea (I like to do herbals, especially Blueberry), or other warm breakfasty drinks.
So there it is, you might need to alter it to your tastes, but as they are they were a big hit in our house. The yogurt adds protein and the oats of course are very filling. It's a great pre-prepped meal for on the go or sitting at home.
So, I got a coupon awhile back for Belvita Breakfast Biscuits, they were AMAZING! But too expensive. I want to try to make something on my own. So after scouting a few recipes on-line and do a little altering I settles on this one!
Now this pic is much prettier than mine turned out, but I wanted a nice neat pic, not a "my kids helped themselves" pic.
What you need:
2 cups Flour
1 Cup Sugar
2 Cups Oats
1 1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt
8 T. (1 stick) Butter or Margerine
1 T. Honey (or Golden Syrup if you have European foods)
1 T. HOT water
1/2 t. Baking Soda
1 t. Cinnamon
1/2 t. Ginger
Preheat your oven to 350 Degrees F.
Mix water, honey, butter and yogurt in a sauce pan, melt together on low to medium heat, add baking soda once melted, stir. Mix remaining dry ingredients in separate bowl, added melted mixture and stir.
Make small balls (it's kind of sticky) and place 1 inch apart on a greased cookie sheet, flatten with a fork. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. (They come out a little soft but settle up while cooling)
They are really tasty with tea (I like to do herbals, especially Blueberry), or other warm breakfasty drinks.
So there it is, you might need to alter it to your tastes, but as they are they were a big hit in our house. The yogurt adds protein and the oats of course are very filling. It's a great pre-prepped meal for on the go or sitting at home.
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