One Project At A Time: The Linen

It might seem strange to most, but I just think the word "linen" is so  sophisticated. It just reminds me of the fresh clean scent of sheets and towels that are soft and luxurious. I think of stepping into a high end hotel room with all the clean beautiful ammenities. I know, it might be a tad strange - but, don't you think that some words just hold a certain smell, memory, thought, or reference when you speak it?  Well, I do.  And, I think that the word "Linen" is much more refreshing to say then my plain old sheets and towels.

So... back to the MAIN point of this post. (Thank you for obliging me to spin off on a luxurious word)

My Linen.

I thought I would share with you my next little phase of "Simplifying our Home".  I worked on the linen closet.  We have two of these in our home.  One in the main hallway and one in the master suite -- which currently the girls use as their bathroom (I can share why that is later, if you are so interested).

I will just be showing you the main one in the hallway today. What I didn't do for you was take before pictures. Sorry. But, you can trust me that is was previously a big mess.  First, I did an overhaul  with ALL my medications, lotions, toiletries, first aid..etc.  and put it out onto the table.
YIKES!

  I had a huge day of sorting, purging old stuff, and then putting like items together.  I bought some new bins to hold the items and then labeled each box according to category:  Kids medicines,  Pain meds, Cold & Flu,  first aid, soaps, lotions, hands, feet, etc.  I located them to the top two shelves in our closet (on one side).

In regards to the linen closet -  I took everything out and sorted what I could give away, what could be used as rags, and what could just be thrown away.   I simplified a lot.  Each bed has 2 sets of sheets, that way a clean one goes on while the other is washing.  I recently got some new towels for Christmas, so I got rid of those old towels we had since we got married in 1999.  It is nice to have something new and fresh.  The towels in this closet are for adults and guests.  The girls have their own towels in their bathroom. I will show you that later.

Here is the first side of the linen closet = done up all perty like. 
Towels are below the labeled boxes as well as some afgans.

 On the other side of the closet:
Top Shelf - I have a bin of doiles, a comforter,
4th Shelf - napkins with napkin ring box, table clothes
3rd Shelf - Guest bedroom sheets, basket with guest related items, linen sprays, etc.
2nd Shelf - Master bedroom linens
1st Shelf - Girls linens
Bottom (floor) - blankets

TIP: One of the tricks that I do with my sheets is to fold them and then put them in the matching pillow case. This allows for the sheets to be all together and not have to search and find loose sheets, cases.  I think it makes it look a little neater and clean kept as well.

How do you organize your luxurious linens?

FABULOUS TIPS:The 3 R's

Philippians 4:11-12-

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Continuing with our Fabulous Tips Tuesday series --  tips that I have tried, used, or would like to attempt for saving my family time & money.  

This week I am sharing about the famous 3 R's:  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  I am sure that many of you have great ideas that you do in your home that involve some or all of the 3 R's.  I am just going to share a few things from each "R" with you today. 

Share your tips with us too!

Reduce

I am overhauling my home lately with that BIG nemesis called "CLUTTER" -  getting rid of it!  It is like having an over abundance of those pesky ants in your home-- you need to get out the pest control and spray them to bits!!  So, in hopes to having a peaceful, safe, organized home - I am getting rid of things that we don't really need.  Minimizing the clutter.  Reducing the amount of "things" we have.    Reusing some things in a new way.

Do we really need this?

Could we get by without it?

And before I get rid of anything, I ask " Can I still use this or some part of this in some useful way?"

Reuse

 

Cloth Diapers:  We have gone both routes (cloth & disposable) when it has come to diapering our children.  By far, cloth diapering will save you money.  It may not always save on time (laundry time) - but, I have found that it does save money.  If you do buy disposable - I suggest buying in bulk or on Amazon.com.  

Resuse packaging you get in the mail for mailing other gifts, gardening (compost), toys, storage, etc.

Reuse plastic bags, pastic wrap and aluminum foil (except those that have touched raw meat).

Make cloth reusable bags. I like these resusable snack bags!!

 

 Recycle

I save my pasta sauce jars and will use them for canning in the future OR I will use them to store leftovers or use them for sending soups or other meal contents for a family that is in need of a meal.  I like to wrap the lid with a cute fabric and ribbon with a cardstock tag attached: "made with love from our family to yours!"

Use cans (after cleaning, of course) for holding pens, pencils, paintbrushes, etc.   I will paint the outside or place fabric or pretty paper to create a cute new look.

Next Tuesday:  Fabulous Tips:  From The Kitchen

FABULOUS TIPS: Back To School

Philippians 4:11-12-

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Continuing with our Fabulous Tips Tuesday series --  tips that I have tried, used, or would like to attempt for saving my family time & money.  

This week I am sharing about  Back to School tips.   I can't believe how so many stores have put out their Back to School supplies at the end of July.  Even some stores have clothes that are Back to School (winter type clothes) which is just crazy to me, because it is HOT here where we live.  Kids are REALLY not going to want to wear turtle neck sweaters in the middle of August. Seriously!

Thankfully,  the school that the girls attend is not starting until after Labor Day and I am happy with that.  We can enjoy a HOT August outdoors camping, swimming, and playing.

Share your tips with us too!

Routine

About a week before school starts, we ease back into the school time "routines". 
Bedtime - During the Summer, we enjoyed late nights playing outside.  But, when school comes around our bedtime needs to be as consistent as possible. 

• 7:30pm bath, teeth, hair combed, jammies
• 8:00pm is bedtime/booktime
• 8:30 lights out. 

We are training those little bodies and minds back into the routine of school.  Kids need their rest. (So do parents!)  When bedtime is consistent - sleep is better - and morning time becomes easier as well.
Morningtime - We have very relaxed mornings during Summer. Wake-up when your eyes open...play, breakfast at 10am, etc.  But not so with school mornings.
This is the time where we practice getting ready for school and doing it "on-time"  as well preparing healthy breakfasts too.  In the past, I will admit during the school year that my kids have walked out the door with a graham cracker and sip of water (horrible, I know).  So, this also time for me to practice getting into a routine.  Trust me, it is just not for the kids.  It is for me too!

• 6:30am - Wake time.  Make beds.  Get dressed with shoes on. Hang up Jammies.  Brush hair.
• 7:15am - Breakfast, devotionals, brush teeth
• 7:45am - Buckled up and leaving the house  (When in "training" - I have thoughts of going to the park to play - with our sack lunches in tow!)

Schedules

 

I love what Organized home has to say about a home calendar for school time! 
Each school year floats on a sea of schedules. School functions. Lunch menus. Girl scout meetings, Awanas,dance and music lessons, soccer. What do you do when you're drowning in paper?
Nothing calms school year chaos like Calendar Central: a centralized site for all family calendars and schedules. You'll need a family event calendar to track after-school activities, school programs and volunteer work. Add specialized calendars and schedules, and you have it: a one-stop shop for family time management.
Form is less important than function. A paper calendar with large squares lets you enter information easily. Pre-printed white board calendars are easy to revise when necessary. Color-coding entries by family member helps keep busy lives straight.  (this was quoted from organized home)

I spend some time before school starts creating our Family Calendar.  I have a paper calendar.  I like to print out a schedule from our computer with "set in stone" type of activities - color coding the children.   This year I am planning to get an erasable type calendar for our fridge.  The main calendar is on my computer/phone.  

 

Supplies

I stock up on the back to school items that the kids will need throughout the year:  pads of paper, glue sticks, crayons, pens, rulers, etc.   This is usually the time where you can find some supplies only for a penny.  YEP, a penny!   I will place the "extras" in the closet storage to be used for later in the year.

I re-stock their school tubs.  Each girl has a clear plastic shoe box for their own personal school supplies: glue, scissors, ruler, pens, pencils, erasers, etc.   They use their own and it is stored in their own box. No fighting over the supplies.   When it is homework time, they get their box out and have already on-hand what they need for doing their homework.   My 3 year old even has her own box -because she likes to do "homework" as well.

Next Tuesday:  Fabulous Tips:  The 3 R's

FABULOUS TIPS: secondHAND, HAND-me-down, HAND-made

Philippians 4:11-12-

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

I thought I would share over the next few weeks some tips that I have tried, used, or would like to attempt for saving my family time & money.  

1. First and foremost,  I suggest praying for a godly attitude; one that does not covet but rather is content with what you have. 

 Hebrews  13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

2. Second, be willing to give.    God blesses us when we give.  

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Share your tips with us too!

SecondHAND

 I try to and would like to attempt to buy more from thrift shops and/or super sales at the local stores.  I usually by clothes on clearance that are "out of season" and buy for future use.  I can  buy bathing suits for next Summer really cheap.  At thrift stores, you can find clothes, gifts, household items, craft supplies, and more for a fraction of what they would cost brand-new.  And, of course yard sales!  Who doesn't love a good yard sale? 

HAND-Me-Down

Clothing - since I have four girls - we pass down clothes amongst girls.  But, sometimes we end up having an abundance of clothes.  So, we share.  We give our "extra" clothes to other families in our church, or in the community, or we give to a local thrift shop.   There are several families in our church that "swap" clothes with one another.   My girls love getting a bag from our friends with "new" clothes to be discovered inside.  We tend to have a fashion show sporting all the new clothes we just received. 

 

 HANDmade

Homemade gifts.  As my girls get older - it seems the more parties they are invited to attend.  That becomes costly.  So, I will buy a few items in bulk from the dollar store (chapstick, gum, combs, etc.)  I will sew purses out of old jeans or skirts and make them "personalized" for the friend.  Inside we will stuff it with our dollar store finds.   We also make our own cards,  make a craft, painting or picture, or something yummy from the kitchen.  A favorite idea is to make a "coupon book" for a friend for future playdates, park dates, swim dates, cooking dates, etc.  

Next Tuesday:  Fabulous Tips:  Back To School

HUMMMMMMUS!

So, I have had several people ask me for my Hummus recipe.

Well, truth be told, I think I make it different EVERY time I make it. I am the type of "baker, chef" person that doesn't usually follow a recipe exactly and tends to throw in a pinch of creativity and a dash of experimentation when I cook.

This time, I decided to have a little fun with my Hummus creation by taking pictures along the way, while I experimented with my own recipe. Here is what I came up with!

Ingredients: lay them all out in cute bowls in front of you. It makes you feel more like those chefs in the TV FOOD shows. Make sure you don your favorite cutsie apron too.

To make this recipe you will need: A FOOD PROCESSOR or BLENDER...cause you don't want to mix by hand.

First up to go into the processer: 2 cups of "Chick" peas. AKA Garbanzo beans! I always wondered why they are called chickpeas? Because the "chicks" dig peace? Or because it looks like CHICKens, ahem, peas? (Okay, I won't go there)


Next, The Garlic is ready to dump in. Look at my mad mincing skills here? Yeah, pretty rough. But, really it is just going to be blended up anyway. I used about 4 cloves of garlic ( I Luuuuv me garlic) chopped with salt. You can use less if you like...or MORE? Mmm, a chef after my own heart!

Pour in some lemon juice! Fresh preferred, but you can use the green bottle too if that's all you have. 1/4 cup of lemony goodness here.

Okay, now a secret ingredient...um, well not so secret since I am telling you. Maybe I should call it my "creative" element to the recipe. Greek Yogurt! Really. I think it just adds a really nice zip and zap and pizazz to it. I am really liking Greeks these days. 1/2 cup of the Greek.

Now...really the important ingredient to Hummus. TAHINI, hini--yellow-polka-dot-bikini! Oh, I am really witty tonight,eh? Somebody help the poor girl with the-really-bright-hot-pink-take-me-back-to-the-eighties-fingernail-polish! 1/2 cup Tahini!

Now...for the FUN part. Secure the lid (remember to put in the stopper on top too, so that it doesn't go flying everywhere out it--ahem, just saying). And press "GO" --blend it baby, blend it! You may need to adjust consistency with a little H2O!

Now, two very nice pita chips ready to be devoured by my smacking lips! Mmmm.....

Going....

Gone!
Now, never you mind the lady with no make-up on when she was making the hummus. But do notice the snazzy earrings instead!

Q & A : "Sickie Kit"

Question:

Tara asked Lil Daisies:
I wanted to know if you had any recommendations for having a "sickie" kit at the house ... stuff you have on hand for upset tummies, fevers, etc. I feel like I'd be ill-prepared to deal w/ a sickness in the middle of the night if one came up!


Lil Daisies Answer:

Tara,
I understand how difficult it can be scrounging through the house in the middle of the night when you are half asleep trying to comfort and deal with an ill child....it can be chaotic. I love the idea of having a sickie kit for your children, so that you can more effectively be able to give them the attention and care they need.
I have a two-fold answer to your question. I had an instant answer to your question, but then I thought more about it and researched a little bit more into the elements I would use for a home sickie kit.

First of all, I currently have a medicine kit that I have used for awhile. The container is a plastic tool box. It has different compartments and sections for me to place my medicine. This works really well. I keep the box high up in a cabinet (so little fingers don't get to it).

The cabinet also serves more as a medicine cabinet.... In the cabinet, along with the medicine box, contains heating pad, wash clothes, first-aid kit, Q-tips, Humidifier, etc.
I will list the contents of my box below, so you can see all that is contained in there at the moment.

Secondly, I found in my quick research, that I would really like alter/add/delete items to my sickie kit. I really found the idea of having more homeopathic items in the kit would be more effective and not contain as many chemicals as many over the counter drugs do. I happen to already have some homeopathic medicines in my kit and I love using them. I also like to try and use aromatherapy essential oils in remedies for my children. I currently have some basic oils that I use...for example a couple drops of lavender in the bath to help calm down, or a couple drops on a warm wet washcloth when they cuts and scrapes, or eucalyptus or tea tree oil on a cotton ball placed by the humidifier to help soothe coughs and cold symptoms.

Here is a few websites and a book that I think will help me in adjusting my new sickie kit. I am really interested in learning more about making homemade remedies for my children.

Homemade Medicine

Lastly,
I must state for some of the readers who might have their nose turned up against homeopathic medicines. I am one for conventional medicines -- but, I do find the overuse a bit abusive in today's society and I do believe it is easy to run to the Doctor for little ailments that can easily be remedied at home. There is not a cure or antibotic for every ailment- even your Pediatrician will say that. Sometimes you have to let the sickness run its course...however, you can find ways to bring comfort to your child as they "wait" through it.
And, if your child is really sick (trust your mommy instincts!), please call your Doctor and talk with them about it.

Thanks Tara for an insightful question!
I hope this helps you in creating your own "sickie" Kit! How about you -- do any of you have ideas or kits that you have created?

BELLA

My Medicine Kit (I have a Kit for the Kiddos & a Kit for the Big People -- this is just a list of what is contained in the Kiddos Kit)

On the Lid:
Phone numbers on the lid of the kit (Doctor's Numbers, Pharmacy Number, etc.)

Thermometer
Tissue
Lip Cream
Losenges
Heating Pad

Medicines:
Fever Reducers/Headaches:

• Ibuprofen
• Tylenol

Allergy Medicine - Claritin
Benadryl - in case of hives, inflammatory reactions, etc.

Nose - allergies/stuffy nose, etc.

• Saline Nasal Spray

Leg - for leg cramps

• hylands leg ointment creme

Ear

• Hylands Earache Drops

Cold/Flu/Cough Medicines

Flu -

• Hylands Flu Care 4 Kids

Cold/Cough -

• Hylands Cough Syrup
• Hylands Cold & Cough

Essential Oils:
Lavender Oil
Tree Tea Oil
Peppermint Oil
***************************

Here is a whole "kit" from Hylands that offer a varitey of remedies for a variety of illnesses. I would love to have something like this.

If you have questions for Lil Daisies -- I would love to try an answer it for you. Click the "Contact" button above to ask your questions!

The BIG CLOTHING Sort ---

Our home was welcomed with about 7-8 bags of clothing given to us for our girls from various friends. I LOVE me some "Hand-Me-Down" Clothing! It is truly a blessing.

BUT ~ With SO MANY bags -- it was a must to make a day (or two or three) to sort through all of them and come up with a system that would work for us.

Rosi is making a bed for her baby next to the bags of clothing goods~

SIDENOTE (Sorta):
I have been trying to get our clothing/laundry dis-array into somewhat of order for the past few years. As most of you know -- LAUNDRY is my MOST disliked activity/chore/punishment (whatever you may call it) to do. I am not very good at keeping it maintained or organized in any manner. I have had several friends come and graciously help me fold and hang my huge MT. LAUNDRY piles while we chatted. (Thank you friends). But, I just can't rely on them for so long -- they may want to stop coming over to visit in fear of having to fold my laundry. Soo... I have read a couple of laundry makeover blog posts from some of favorite blogs and I got a few ideas for a new laundry system. I am going to try it out soon -- and let you know how it manages.

Okay -- but for the FIRST STEP in my Laundry/Clothes makeover. I had to go through ALL of my girls clothes. (This was just for my daughters -- not for the parents)

If any of you have girls than you know -- GIRLS HAVE LOTS OF CLOTHES!

Here is what I did!

1. Brought ALL of the clothes from the girls' closets, drawers, bins in the garage -- and set them in my living room.

2. Went through all the clothes we had & all the clothes given to us in the bags and sorted them into size. BABY (0-12 mths), TODDLER (12mths - 2T), 3T, 4T, 5T, 6, 7-UP.


3. Next, I sorted through each of those size piles (one at a time) and sorted by: Pants, Shorts, Dresses, Skirts, Shirts, Sweaters/Sweatshirts.

4. Then I took each of those piles and determined:

• what to keep currently in the closet & drawers,
• what to keep in bins for use later (seasonal or pass down to next child)
• what to give away to some lucky soul.

5. Then I placed each of those piles into their appropriate places:

• Current : Folded or hung in drawers/closet
• Later Use: Labeled Bins (by size) to be placed in garage
• Give Away: Garbage Bags -- to be given to first come it is yours!!

6. Repeat steps 3 -5 for each size pile.

WALLA~! Here is my nicely sorted & labeled bins!



It felt good to sort through and get rid of clothes -- to really simplify the amount of clothes they have. Who needs 10 skirts?? It has been a re-freshing feeling to have it DONE~

NEXT -- to create my laundry system..............

What do you do to organize your clothing? What about your laundry system? Would love to hear about your ideas and what works for you?

Fabulous Tip -- Homemade Household Wipes

As I was reading through blogs ~ I came across THIS post on how to make your own household cleaning wipes! I LOVED this idea! Fabuloso (if that is a word?)

Moneyless Mommas, Tara & Jessica were so creative in coming up with a safe, economical way to make your own household wipes! I found it in particular perfect timing for me, because somehow we ended up with two huge packs of paper towels from Costco! So, I was able to put some of these rolls to good use!

And, then I stumbled across this site and found cleaning wipes too! So, there are several places to find cleaning wipes when you do a google search.

I was inspired to make my own and thus I adapted both cleaning wipe places and came up with this!

Cleaning Wipes

Materials Needed:

• cylindrical or tall square plastic food storage container, 10-cup capacity. ( I found mine at Walmart - a two pack for 2.99)
• extra-large roll of paper towels - I used 1 roll bounty paper towel cut in half (my hubby cuts them in the garage with his power miter saw)
• cleaning agents of your choice (recipes follow)
• electric drill with 1/2-inch drill bit
• liquid measuring cups

Instructions:

In the garage or workshop area, place a small block of wood beneath the plastic food storage container lid. Use electric drill to drill a 1/2-inch diameter hole in the center of the container lid.

For best results, select an extra-large roll of good quality paper towels for this project. I used Bounty and that seemed to work very well. I am told that less-expensive towels fray or shred when pulled through the holder.

For cutting the roll in half using the electric knife:
Without removing the paper towel wrapper, use the electric knife to cut the paper towel roll into two shorter rolls. Save the second roll for a refill later. Be patient! It may take up to two minutes to cut through the towel roll and cardboard tube inside.
Otherwise -- bat your eyes and ask hubby to cut it in half for you using his power tool!


Remove the wrapper, and place one short paper towel roll inside plastic food storage container. Using a liquid measuring cup, gently pour one of the following cleaning solution recipes over the top of the paper towel roll.

You will need between 2 and 4 cups of cleaning solution, depending on the size and absorbency of the paper towel product selected. These recipes make about three cups of solution; increase or decrease amounts if needed.


Place the lid on the plastic food storage container, and allow paper towels to absorb cleaning solution for 4 hours to overnight.


Open the food storage container. Gently pull the wet cardboard tube from the center of the paper towel roll and discard. Carefully pull the end of the paper towels from the inside, where the cardboard roll had been. Thread the end of the towels through the hole in the lid, and replace the lid.Pull gently on the exposed end to separate the cleaning wipe.



RECIPES:

General Cleaning Surface Recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• optional: A few drops of favorite scented essential oil. I used lavender.

Disinfectant Cleaning Recipe:

• 1/4 - 1/2 cup of pine cleaning solution such as Pine Sol
• 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 cup of water

Window Glass Cleaning Recipe:

• 1/2 cup of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar