Homemaking Challenge

Bake a loaf of wheat bread for tonight’s dinner.Mop kitchen and give the counters a thorough cleaning. ( they are still sticky after multiple clean up efforts from the great lemonade disaster)Wash a load of whites and a load of the children’s clothes.Change the sheets on the children’s beds. I have to admit this is probably one of my least favorite homemaking tasks. Changing crib sheets is so awkward unless your crib has casters, which neither...

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The First Bandaid

My careful little Jacob, who never gets hurt, finally had a need for a band-aid. I bought a box of “Hotwheels” band-aids probably a year and a half ago ( I figured that if you have a need for a band-aid then you might need a fun band-aid to make it special), and it has been just sitting in our medicine cabinet just waiting for such an occasion. Don’t worry- it’s nothing serious. He didn’t really need a band-aid at all . But he really felt...

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Laundry Tips

1. Empty dryer vent with each load so that the clothes will dry faster.2. Change the settings on your washer to suit load size.3. Don’t over stuff the washer or dryer, as this will cause clothes to come out wrinkled and not as clean.4. Zip zippers, button buttons, and hook hooks to avoid catching, pulling or tearing.Happy Homemaki...

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Homemade Cleaning Products

Antibacterial Spray~1 tbsp. bleach in a spray bottle of water, use to disinfect around the sink and counters, especially when you have been handling meat. Stainless Steal Cleaner~Use a soft cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol, club soda, or white vinegar Wood Cleaner~Make a mixture of 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, 4 tbsp. white vinegar and 1 qt. warm water. Apply with a soft cloth and dry with a separate clean cloth. To Remove Water Rings~Make a mixture...

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Tips for Successfully Freezing Foods

Wrap foods securely. Use several layers of plastic wrap, butcher paper, or use good freezer bags.Try to remove as much air as possible.Label foods well with date and content.Rotate. When you add new foods to your freezer put the oldest in front and the new additions in the back.KEEP IT ORGANIZED!Happy Homemaki...

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Homemaking Challenge

Bake a loaf of wheat bread for tonight’s dinner.Mop kitchen and give the counters a thorough cleaning. ( they are still sticky after multiple clean up efforts from the great lemonade disaster)Wash a load of whites and a load of the children’s clothes.Change the sheets on the children’s beds. I have to admit this is probably one of my least favorite homemaking tasks. Changing crib sheets is so awkward unless your crib has casters, which neither of...

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Whole Wheat Bread

I use my bread machine for the kneading and first rise for this bread. I let it rise for the second time on the counter, and bake it in the oven. It saves me time, and the bread turns out lovely. Also, I sometimes use all wheat flour instead of using bread flour. It makes for a very dense bread, but my husband really likes it. Ingredients~1 1/4 c. warm water1/2 tsp. lemon juice2 tbsp. honey2 tbsp. olive oil1 1/2 tsp. salt1 1/4 c. wheat flour2...

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Playing Outside

We had a lovely weekend. We always have so many errands to run on the weekend, but this week we made a concerted effort to just stay home. We spent a good bit of the afternoon playing outside. The boys had a great time! Jacob wanted to ride his bike, and Joshua played with just about everything. He enjoyed blowing bubbles with me for Jose...

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Let's Play!

The boys had fun playing on the floor with Daddy. We sang songs and then Jacob decided to break into an impromptu prayer session. It was precio...

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Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients~1 stick butter, softened1/3 c. sugar3 tbsp. brown sugar2 eggs1/2 c. milk1 1/2 c. flour1 tsp. baking powder1 c. chocolate chips Directions~1. Cream butter and both sugars. Add eggs and milk. Mix well.2. Combine flour and baking powder. Add to wet mixture.3. Fold in chocolate chips.4. Fill muffin cups and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Happy Baki...

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You Know You're a Homemaking "Dork" When...

1. You think to yourself, ” I wonder if there is a printable spreadsheet of laundry stains and how to remove them that I could print and laminate to put by the washing machine.” And then your next thought is…” I should totally make one, I’ll put it on my to-do list.” 2. Your husband says to you “Well no one actually reads those books, there just to have as a reference, You look something up in the index when you need it”, and you think “I really...

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Homemade Tomato Soup

Ingredients~1 tbsp. vegetable or olive oil1 medium onion2 cloves garlic, minced1/2 c. diced carrots3 1/2 c. canned tomatoes (28 oz.)2 c. chicken or vegetable broth1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce1 tbsp. sugar1 tbsp. dried basil1/2 c. milksalt and pepper to taste Directions~1. Saute onion and garlic in oil in a large pot.2. Add carrots and cook till softened.3. Add tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and basil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat...

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A Bible Verse For Inspiration

Titus 2:3-5 “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanders or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. They can train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God.”Blessings Dear Siste...

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A Positive Spin on Things

My husband is always telling me to look at the positive side of things. So here is a positive way at looking at some of my most common complaints. “My feet hurt”…My feet may ache, but look at all that I have accomplished today to take care of my family!“My back hurts”( a common complaint from mothers of little ones)…My back hurts from lifting these precious blessings that God has lent to me. I am so thankful that my arms are full of children to hold!“I...

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My Pancake Challenge

Things have been so busy around here that I have been feeling a bit behind lately. So my new challenge to myself is to get organized, plan ahead and be prepared. I dislike feeling unprepared almost as much as I dislike being late, and yet those two things seem to be following me lately like a relentless mosquito. So, my challenge for today was to make a big batch of pancakes to freeze. That way I have a homemade breakfast on hand for those...

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