Saturday, December 6, 2014

7 Day Countdown to Company Cleaning Plan

I received this information via email, (thank you Ruby) which she obtained from somewhere on the internet.  

As I read through this I was impressed with the simplicity yet thoroughness of this almost relaxed approach to having your house company clean. Since there is usually much to do before your guests arrive, this seems like it would relieve some of the stress of putting it all together ahead of time so you can enjoy you visitors, and get to visit too. 

Here goes:

7-Day Cleaning Plan:

Day 1
1. Walk through your home with a visitor's eye, making notes of any imperfections you may be used to but guests may notice, such as houseplants with dead leaves.
2. Turn do-it-yourself tasks into a do-it-ourselves effort -- gather family members, go over the plan, and assign chores. Remember: many hands make light work.
 
Day 2
1. Wash windows and vacuum window screens.
2. Damp-mop baseboards.
3. Launder and press window and shower curtains.
4. Launder bedspreads if needed.
Day 3
1. Deep-clean bathrooms and medicine cabinets (yes, people will look).
2. Straighten bedrooms; remove clutter and donate or store out of sight.
Day 4
1. Straighten coat closet, making room for guests' coats. Add extra hangers if needed.
2. Wash throw rugs; set aside so they are nice and fluffy for wearing day
Day 5
1. Clean range or stove top, surfaces, and grates.
2. Clean out the refrigerator, making room for party foods; dust top of refrigerator.
3. Wipe down all large and small appliances.
4. Wipe down kitchen cabinets.
5. Take recycling to recycling bins or facilities.

Day 6

1. Sweep entryway, polish the doorknob, and decorate the entry with seasonal touches.
2. Dust all surfaces, including bookshelves, photo frames, and art. Don't forget the ceiling fans.
3. Clean kitchen sink and dish drainer.

Day 7
 Here are a few day-of 'touch-ups':
1. Clean trash receptacles and add fresh liners.
2. Wipe down any dirty areas in the bathroom using household cleaner and paper towels.
3. Wipe down bathroom mirrors and counters. Wipe down floors with a damp towel.
4. Put toilet bowl cleaner in the toilets; brush.
5. Hang fresh towels and put out fresh hand soap.
6. Damp-mop the kitchen floor.
7. Vacuum carpets and dry-mop wood floors.
8. Fluff sofa cushions and pillows.
9. Decorate with special touches, such as flowers or candles.


Hope your holiday gatherings with family and friends are full of joy, fun, and a lot of love. 


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Ten Needs of a Wife

Ten Needs of a Wife

  • She needs confidence that flows from your spiritual leadership.
  • She needs assurance that she is meeting your needs.
  • She needs joy in knowing that you delight in her as a person.
  • She needs peace in knowing you understand her limitations.
  • She needs the comfort of knowing that you lovingly protect her.
     http://www.christian-marriage-today.com/image-files/whatyourwifeneeds2.jpg
  • She needs your focused attention and quality conversation.
  • She needs to know you are committed to her above everything else.
  • She needs to trust that you will not willingly deceive her.
  • She needs your loving affection that does not lead to the bedroom.
  • She needs your Christlike leadership and spiritual headship.
Copied from: A Faith Full Marriage, by Paul Chappell

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Ten Needs of a Husband


Ten Needs of a Husband

  1. http://www.anthonytrollope.com/VirtualContent/111043/original_61_Husband_and_wife.gifHe needs to be respected for who he is and what he does.
  2. He needs to be physically intimate with you frequently.
  3. He needs your gratitude for how hard he works to care for you.
  4. He needs your companionship in recreational activities.
  5. He needs your admiration and verbal encouragement.
  6. He needs a warm and welcoming home environment.
  7. He needs a home that is well kept and orderly.
  8. He needs you to give attention to being physically attractive.
  9. He needs you to learn how to make his favorite foods his way.
  10. He needs you to stand behind him cheering him on in life.

Copied from: A Faith Full Marriage, by Paul Chappell

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Recycle Used Dryer Sheets


Dryer sheets are a common item that is not necessarily expensive to purchase but we have become accustomed to a single use before throwing them out. There are however many ways to extend the life of a dryer sheet far beyond their intended use in keeping your home clean and comfortable.

http://www.frugalwiz.com/wp-content/uploads/uses-for-dryer-sheets.jpg 
To begin with, dryer sheets are a fantastic tools to reduce the impact of static cling everywhere in the home. Television and computer screens wiped occasionally with a dryer sheet hold less static electricity, as do CDs and DVDs which means less dust will cling to them. Ever have a dress collect static electricity and cling to your lower body in an odd way? Try wiping the hose with a dryer sheet prior to getting dressed - problem resolved. The same goes for yarn and thread used in sewing and crafting that gets tangled. A quick wipe with a dryer sheet keeps these strands from becoming difficult to work with.

Don't forget that another useful aspect of dryer sheets is that they smell great too and can be used in drawers and closets to keep clothes and linens fresh. This goes for items that are only used a few times a year also - camping gear and luggage can benefit from adding a few dryer sheets to them before storing them away. Lastly, shoes and sneakers that hold bad odors can be made pleasant smelling again by placing a dryer sheet inside once of twice every week.

20 other ways they can be put to good use, after they've taken a spin through your dryer cycle...

1. Use it to dust your television screen. The anti-static chemicals in a dryer sheet will help to repel dust and lint.

2. Use old dryer sheets to easily wipe up talcum powder, flour, and other messes of this type.

3. Used sheets usually have enough fragrance in them to freshen up other areas in your home. Stuff them in tennis shoes, place them in closets, in laundry hampers and in pieces of luggage -- anywhere your house needs a little "refreshment."

4. Run a sheet over a piece of thread when you're doing sewing tasks. The thread won't tangle up as easy.

5. Have pet hair on your clothing? Simply wipe it off with a used dryer sheet! Also works great on cloth furniture too!

6. Keep dust and other contaminants off your glass computer screen by carefully wiping it with an old sheet.

7. Did you purchase some old, musty books at a garage sale or thrift shop? Make them smell good again! Simply place the books in a sealed plastic bag with a used dryer sheet. Allow the bag to sit undisturbed for a day or two, then remove the contents. The musty smell will be gone!

8. Got a problem with mice? Find where they are entering your house and stuff the hole shut with a used sheet. Mice won't chew through the smelly material.

9. Place a used dryer sheet in the bag of your vacuum. Sweep your house, and, once you're done, the air will smell as fresh as your clothes do.

10. These wonders of the 70's are also said to repel mosquitoes as well as other annoying, flying insects. Don't rub it on you. Instead, stick a used sheet in your belt loop.

11. You can use dryer sheets to clean and polish the chrome on your vehicles.

12. Is there a build-up of soap scum on your glass shower door? Simply use an old dryer sheet to eliminate the mess.

13. Is the interior of your car or truck smelling a little stale? Forget the pine tree on a string! Place a few used dryer sheets under the seats of your vehicle instead!

14. Use sheets to clean and polish the glass lens of your eye glasses. They're not recommended for plastic lens, though!

15. Is your hair dry and full of static electricity? Gently wipe a used dryer sheet over your head to get rid of it.

16. Dryer sheets make great dusting cloths for your wooden furniture.

17. Help keep dust and other contaminants out of your house. Simply place a used sheet inside every furnace/AC register in your house. Make sure it covers the openings and replace once they are dirty.

18. Keep your window blinds clean longer by wiping them periodically with used dryer sheets. The anti-static properties of the product will actually help to repel dust and dirt.

19. Are your scissors not cutting as smooth as they should? Wipe the blades clean with a used dryer sheet to remedy this problem.

20. Used dryer sheets make great little cloths for quick shine ups in the bathroom and kitchen too. Just use one on each of your chrome faucets and see how brightly they shine!

-compiled 2012

Saturday, November 3, 2012

SQUASH PIZZA





First of all, my first batch was made from a vague memory of a recipe I'd seen somewhere years ago. Secondly, that it turned out fabulously on the first try. Thirdly, it's easier to make than traditional pizza. Lastly, it is almost guilt free. Being low carbohydrate it still satisfies our pizza cravings without  the heavy, overstuffed feeling that many pizza lovers experience after indulging a bit too much. Plus its a great way to sneak more vegetables into your diet, or your children's diet, this is a great way to do it.

Squash Pizza?

 This  was a complete surprise to me. How so?


CRUST:
5 Cups grated/shredded squash-yellow or green, peeled or unpeeled.* We like ours peeled.
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 C grated parmesan/romano--the type in the "sprinkle" container
Garlic powder 1/4 tsp. or more to taste (optional)

http://www.stacymakescents.com/wp-content/uploads/Shredded-Squash.jpg

Preheat oven to 400-425F. Grease a cookie sheet that is at least 10 x 15 inches. (Increase baking time if using a smaller cookie sheet for a thicker "crust".)

Put all the above ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Spread evenly onto your cookie sheet. Bake approx. 15 min. Keep an eye on it, and bake it until it is dry on the surface and the edges are browned (Bake longer if you prefer a darker "crust)   When it's brown enough, remove it from the oven to be topped.
 
TOPPING:
1/2-3/4 Cup tomato sauce (Leftover spaghetti sauce works great)
Shredded mozzarella cheese, about 2 cups (Substitute any cheese your family likes)
Plus any other toppings you care for-mushrooms, onion, ground beef, sausage....

Spread the sauce over the crust, adjusting the saucey-ness to your taste. Top with cheese and any other toppings you are using. 
Now, put the pizza back into the oven, baking until the cheese melts and is brown as you like. About 10 min.

Remove from oven and "slice" it  up. Allow it to rest for 3-5 minutes prevents losing cheese as you serve it.




* I plan to experiment with using vegetable spaghetti/spaghetti squash. If it works, I'll keep you posted.



Wednesday, October 26, 2011

TEN KEYS to Becoming A Good Keeper At Home

1. Acknowledge and accept God's will. 


 "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:17


2. Be dedicated and commited to God's will. 


 "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8 


3. Walk in the Spirit (keep close to God). 
 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16 


4. Have your priorities in order.  


  "Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." Romans 15:1,2,3

5. Be organized. 


 "Let all things be done decently and in order." I Corinthians 14:40 



6. Learn from older (Godly) women.  

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3,4,5  




7. Read encouraging literature


"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8



8. Fellowship with like-minded people


 "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." Romans 14:19 



9. Enjoy the home that God has provided for you.


 "Rejoice evermore. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  I Thessalonians 5:16, 18 



10. Enjoy your husband and children.  



"
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."  Proverbs 31: 28,29  

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

"Holy Ground"

It may be on a kitchen floor,
Or in a busy shopping store,
Or teaching, nursing, day by day,
Till limb and brain almost give way,
Yet if there by Jesus thou art found, 
The place thou standest is Holy Ground.

By M. Colley