Sunday, January 25, 2009

Simple ideas for a Simple Life

photo by ajrpix
"Simplicity is the attempt to see clearly-to know what matters most. It's taking stock of your life and stripping away the inessential. At the heart of simplicity is the process of self-examination and self-discovery-deciding what you need to be happy. Simplicity is the art of living fully and being fully alive."- I had this written down and wish I could remember where I found it. Overtime I have collected a few ideas for making life more simple. Some of these I have collected from books and others from word of mouth, or just from life experience. I hope you find them to be useful as well.

1. To Sharpen dull scissors, use them to cut a piece of sand paper into strips.
2. To remove crayon marks from wood furniture, rub mayonnaise on them. let stand for ten minutes and then rub with a soft cloth.
3. Stick a button on the end of a roll of tape making the end easy to find.
4. For burns place a crushed onion on the burn and cover with a bandage.
5. Do small tasks immediately so you don't have to think about it later.
6. Choose a day of the week for each household chore, leaving Sunday for resting.
7. Learn to say NO!
8. How to make a last word in an argument-make it an apology.
9. Celery will last for weeks when wrapped in aluminum foil or stored in water.
10. When freezing fruit, spread out on a cookie sheet and freeze before putting in plastic bags to prevent them from sticking together.
11. To give apple slices a unique flavor and prevent them from browning, place them in pineapple juice in the refrigerator.
12. Place a dryer sheet at the bottom of a wastebasket for eliminate odors.
13. Use newspaper instead of paper towels to clean windows and mirrors so it doesn't leave streaks or crumbles of paper.
14. put a bucket under your gutter to catch rain water and use it to water houseplants.
15. For good house plant fertilizer dispose your coffee and tea grounds or crushed egg shells in the plants soil.
16.Simply pray!
17. Cooperate with life instead of trying to run away from it.
18.Find something bigger than yourself to believe in.
19. To freshen the air; set out white vinegar in open dishes, sprinkle cinnamon on aluminum foil and place it in a hot oven- leaving the door open, or put a few drops of essential oil in simmering water on the stove.
20. If an item is beautiful, useful, or loved...keep it, if not clear it out!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

A New Year!


Hello! It has been awhile...things got busy around the holidays, we traveled and now I am feeling like we are finally getting settled back to normal around here. Will had a wonderful first Christmas visiting all three families back in Des Moines, and also meeting his great grandparents in Kansas City. He is such a lucky guy, some people don't ever have grandparents, but this little guy not only has 3 sets of grandparents, but also has 3 sets of great grandparents and 2 sets of step-great-grandparents! Crazy! Fun, random fact of the day. :) As the new year has begun I have started to think about all the things I would like to accomplish, or get started on this year. Here is a short list so far...

1- Get a bible reading plan started. After having Will I never got back on track with this. As of the new year I started reading the One Year Bible. I have always wanted to do that, and I thought it would give me some direction for now. Any other ideas? I like doing shorter studies as well.

2-Get my studio finally put together and get working!!! I have so many creative ideas flowing in my head. I would like to start making and selling again. Since I have more time at home now, and now that Will is kinda starting to get on a schedule, it is my hope that this really takes off.

3-This spring I would like to attempt an indoor herb garden again. Last year I kind of failed at this, while moving and traveling so much. There was a lack of watering :)

4-Like many people this time of year...I want to get in shape! After being pregnant, it would definately make me feel good to tone up again.

5-Finish simplifying....that is kind of funny to say, because I feel like this is a never ending process, but i do want to make a point to get rid of whatever I do not use/wear so that someone who would use/wear it can.

6-Learn how to cook authentic italian meals. ( I have started with a few of my families recipes)

7-Start a scrapbook for Will's first year.

8-Try to make and give as many gifts handmade. This is a big challenge, but it is more meaningful and can sometimes save a little money. (It is also an excuse to not be at the mall as much)

Happy New Year everyone!!! What are your new years goals/challenges?...and for a little update, here are a few pictures from Christmas and New Years watching Iowa dominate in the Outback Bowl. :)
      My camera was really cold so the picture did not turn out very well, 
but the only one with the three of us on Will's first Christmas.

Christmas Flannels
Go Hawks!!
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