Kool-Aid Playdoh

I am constantly searching for new activities to do with Aubrey. She's 14 months old and is really starting to explore her surroundings with major curiosity. I'm putting together activities to help her develop her motor skills and to expand her sensory. And hey, we just need a bit of fun around here too!


I recently made Aubrey some playdoh. And oh we had fun! I made sure to make the edible kind in case she decided to pop some in her mouth...which she did. But it didn't taste good so she made a funny face and out it came. 


So here are the instructions for Kool-Aid Playdoh!

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons of Cooking Oil
• 1/2 Cup of Salt
• 1 Cup Flour
• 1 Cup Boiling Water
• Kool-Aid Packets
• Food Coloring (If you want a rich color to your dough)

Add one packet of Kool-Aid, one cup of white flour, 2 tablespoons of oil, a half cup of salt and one cup of boiling water to a large mixing bowl. The dough will be H-O-T so I used a spoon to mix the ingredients. When the dough cools enough, use your hands to knead the dough until the color is consistent and the dough is formed. (This is the fun part!) 

I stored our Playdoh in plastic baggies. They kept for several weeks! 

Aubrey got a big kick out of the playdoh. We really had a lot of fun with this activity. And it was SO quick. It took just a few minutes to make!

My only word of caution about this playdoh is to watch it around your dogs. There is a high salt content which can make your pooches upchuck if they ingest it. We had lots of brightly colored piles around the house. Ew. 

Organizing The Professional Way

A couple of days ago, I had the opportunity to help a friend with her organizing business. When she needs a little muscle (yeah right!), she calls me. Actually, I've been blessed enough to help her with a few of her larger jobs. It's always amazing to get into another person's space and help take them from chaos to order. I absolutely have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

The other day we were working in the home of a young, busy family. The father owns his own contracting business and the mom is a teacher. They have two daughters under the age of 4 and boy, was this family disorganized. It was purely a case of having way too much stuff and not a proper place to put it all. It took four of us to blitz the first floor of the home but we put in some systems that should help the family stay organized.

Image courtesy of Google Images

Let me give you a rundown of what we do when we go in and help organize a space.


1. Start With A Vision
Start with a vision for where you want the space to go. This usually happens when my friend meets with the client a few days before the actual organizing job. She tours the space and gets a sense of the family or company. She listens to their needs and what they want out of the space. She takes note of how they use the space and what they hope it can eventually offer them. She's very detailed in her approach and so far, she's had amazing success helping folks get their spaces back on track.


2. Clear Out The Space
This is where I come in. When I help with a job, first things first, is we always empty out whatever it is that needs organized. For instance, there were two closets on the main floor that needed organized. It was my job to empty every.single.item from each of the two closets. I left nothing in them. Another gal was working on the kitchen. Her job was to empty a number of drawers and cupboards and get them into tip top shape for this busy family. My friend worked on sorting toys in the play area. She removed everything from the toy box and bins so that she could get a sense of the true storage capacity of what she was working with.


3. Sort
Number 2 and Number 3 go hand in hand. As you are clearing out the space, sort items into piles. For instance, I put all of the father's coats into a pile. The children each got their own pile of coats and the same with the mom. I made a pile for each respective person's gloves, hats, scarves, clothes and shoes. I sorted out Halloween costumes and paraphernalia. Sports equipment was in it's own pile. There was a spot for purses, backpacks, tote bags and diaper bags. Even the dog had his own pile. This is so important because you can finally take inventory of what all you have. And people, I got to see how the other half lived! I was pulling Gucci purses and Chanel handbags from under work boots and running sneakers. The dad alone had more than 50 coats and over 60 pair of shoes - and that didn't count what was in his upstairs closet or in the garage. It was unreal. I also emptied each and every pocket of the purses and bags. I was tossing out tissues, half eaten suckers, diapers, and random bits of paper. Even the items in the pockets were sorted. Once things are sorted you have a sense of what you have and what you can get rid of. I mean really, does one person honestly need five black leather coats that look hauntingly the same?


4. Purge
Take time to go through everything! Do you love it? I mean, LOVE it. If not, why is it taking valuable real estate in your home? Try it on. Does it look amazing on you? Or is it something that just isn't looking as hot as it once did? Get rid of it. Let someone else love it and use it for all it's worth. If things are too big, get rid of it. If they are too small, get rid of it. Don't live in "somedays" and "what-ifs". Those days rarely come and if they do, chances are, you'll want something new and ten times better. Get rid of lids without a matching partner. Throw out empty boxes in the pantry. Purge, purge, purge! Unfortunately, this family had no time to purge, and honestly, the mom was hesitant to get rid of anything so it all went right back into the closets. You hope that they are able to maintain the order that we helped create, but sometimes it's hard with too much stuff. Don't be afraid to let go. Love everything you own.


5. Bin It, Bag It, Label It
Set out baskets to corral similar things together. We put a basket in the front closet for all of the sunglasses. There was a bin for each little girls shoes. The dad had two large big for his shoes. We even put the central vacuum cleaner hose into its own flexible laundry basket so that it is easy to take around the house. Make sure there are labels on things so that other people know where things go. We set up baskets in a drawer in the kitchen for the husband and wife. Each basket was labeled with their name and when paperwork or little items needed put away but couldn't be done at that moment, in the respective basket they went.


6. Put It Up High
For those things you rarely use - put them up high. Get them out of the prime real estate of eye level shelving. I was later in charge of organizing the pantry. There were a number of appliances that the family did not use so I relocated them to the upper shelves of the laundry room closet which is just off of the pantry. The appliances aren't so far away that they are inaccessible, but they are out of the way until they are needed. Put the things you use most often at eye level. The husband had a little bin of gum in the pantry. He told me that he didn't care what happened in the home, just that his gum was where he could see it. That gum bin went on the eye level shelf.


7. Put It Back Where You Got It From
This is probably the Number 1 rule when it comes to maintaining order in your home. Just put it back where you got it from. My mom used to ALWAYS say that to us growing up and it's stuck. One of my biggest irritations is picking up after someone who doesn't put things back where they got them. It creates so much more work for other people. Don't be lazy. Just put it back where you got it from. And the next time you need that item, it will be there.


So there are a few tips from some organizing junkies! I love when my friend gives me a call to help her out. It absolutely does not feel like work. It's amazing the sense of accomplishment you feel when you know you've left someone a clean, tidy, orderly space to thrive in.

Happy Organizing Friends!

A Tutu-orial...Kinda

This past Saturday Aubrey went to her first birthday party. I have found a new friend in our new youth pastor's wife. We are about the same age and as luck would have it, she has a sweet little girl as well. Her daughter was the one having the birthday party. She was turning one and in true first birthday style, it was quiet an event. I wish I could show you the pictures but I can't. Just imagine loads of pink - and it was princess themed.

A couple of days before the party, all of the moms of the little girls who would be in attendance were asked to dress their girls in tutu's or dresses. I used that as my excuse to make Aubrey her first tutu. And boy did it turn out cute!

The process to make a tutu is extremely simple. I was really amazed at how cheap the tulle was as well. I bought a spool of 6 inches x 25 yards for $5 at Michael's craft store. I'm told in the States it runs for about $3.

I measured Aubrey's waist with a piece of elastic and then cut off about three inches and tied the elastic together. I used a very thin piece of elastic. Next time I'll use a 1/2 or wider piece. But I was using what I had on hand. Now, there are no pictures for this tutu-orial....I was just way to busy to stop and take photos. But if you google up "how to make a tutu" you'll find all kinds of examples. For about $5 and an hour's worth of time, this is one easy project with a ton of cute factor.

I then decided to hot glue a big pretty pink satin ribbon bow on the back of the tutu. It was merely for decoration. Then I quickly whipped together a matching headband as well.

I thought she looked like quiet a little doll. Though she didn't know what was really going on at the party, she seemed to have a good time watching all of the excitement. It makes me excited to plan her first birthday!

A Quick Craft With Picture Frames

How about a super quick little craft? Anyone up for one? I know I sure was.

So here is what I did.


I bought these tiny little frames at the dollar store - two came in each package. I took the back off of the frame and removed the glass. I put that glass on some of my favorite scrapbook and traced around the shape of the glass. (Wishing there was another word for glass...sounds so redundant.) I then cut out each of my rectangles.

I used my Cricut Expression for this project but you could just as easly print out your letters onto cardstock and cut with an exacto knife. That's way too much work for me - so I lazed out and made my Cricut do all of the work. I chose to make the word 'HOME'.

And for a tiny bit of cuteness, I cut out this heart to go inside of the 'O'. And there you go. Simple and cute. Now go get crafting! :)


Linking Up To:

DIY Day at A Soft Place To Land
Look What I Made at Creations By Kara
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints On The Fridge
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest




P.S. Another big thanks to everyone who keeps asking about Luke. The latest news I found out is listed on my last post. He started his chemo treatments last night. Please pray for his parents as they are really needing a lot of strength right now. Thank you so much ya'll. I knew I could count on you!

Mandi's Step By Step Tips and Tricks For Getting That Faux Lash Look Minus the Faux Lashes

I'm linking up with Beth's "Get Your Face On" party! Go check her blog out for so many other great makeup tutorials. I think somewhere inside of me lies a frustrated makeup artist.



I've been wanting to write this post for some time now. I took the photos last year in fact....err...2008 I mean. Still having a hard time adjusting to it being 2010. In the course of my life, I think the number one question I get asked is "Are those your real eyelashes?" Or a variance upon that. All.of.the.time. Once while eating with a friend at a restraunt, the waitress said "Okay wait, I just have to ask you if those are your real eyelashes". Of course, they were. She just couldn't stop staring at me after that. Another time, while getting my hair cut, the stylist got down right next to my face and said "I just need to see if your eyelashes are real". This happens to me so often and I honestly love it. I take it always as a compliment. I've never worn false eyelashes in my life. I tried once. On my wedding day. But I bought the individual lashes and for the life of me couldn't get them to stick on my eyes. So I can honestly say I've never work them.  I'm not blessed with amazingly long lashes, as you'll see in the photos. I've just learned how to work the mascara to make it look like I have faux lashes. I'm here to tell you my tricks. It's never before been done. So here we go...

Mandi's Step By Step Tips and Tricks For Getting That Faux Lash Look Minus the Faux Lashes

First we need to assemble our cast of characters. You will need:

1. Double Extend Mascara or a "Base Mascara" as I like to call it. I like to use either Maybelline Great Lash or Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara. For true fauxness you want to choose the Blackest Black color. Yes, there is a color blacker than black.

2. If you are not using a double extend mascara (mascara with a white primer/base on one side and a black color on the other side of the tube) then you will need a builder mascara. I like to use Maybelline Volum' Express Mascara. I've used this for years and love it.

3. L' Oreal Voluminous Mascara. An absolute must for true fauxness. It really gives that thick lash look.

4. An eyelash curler

Blogger formatting isn't cooperating with me right now so I apologize for the wonkiness of the above photos. But those are the mascaras I used for this tutorial.

Below...beware of very "Blair Witch" type photos. Lots of eyes.

Oh hello. How scary! Sans mascara and lipgloss. My husband was a little unnerved when he first saw me without my "face" on. :)

 

See...this is what I mean. My lashes aren't particularly long.

 

You'll want to begin by curling your lashes. This opens up your eye and really puts the oomph in your lashes. Don't be afraid of your curler! I've had mine for almost 14 years now. I spent less than $6 on it. You can lightly warm the curler with your blow dryer to get a real lasting crimp. Crimp right at the base of your lashes and hold for about ten seconds. Be careful not to pinch your skin!

 

After curling. A difference, eh?!

 

Next you'll want to apply your primer or base mascara. Here I'm using the Double Extend Mascara. Start at the root of the lash and glide upwards. And again. And again. Do this a couple of times to really coat the lash. This step helps make your lashes thick and gives something for your other mascara coats to cling to.

After your primer or base coat, you'll want to start with your black color. For this tutorial I used the other side of the Double Extend mascara. Currently in my makeup bag you will find Maybelline Volum' Express. Coat, coat, coat those lashes. Again, start at the root and glide up. You can also hold the mascara wand horizontally and wiggle back and forth at the root. This helps give you a thicker base at your lash line. I would say I put on about three to five coats of black mascara. Gently coat the bottom lashes as well. This time start at the base of your lower lash line and glide down. Go slowly. Gently fan out your lashes.

Once you get the black mascara on, take your pointer finger and hold it against the base of your lashes and hold for about five seconds. This helps push the lashes up and really opens up the eye. Don't skip this step if you want really faux lashes.

Here are my lashes after the primer and black mascara. You never would have thought I would get these bad boys from the puny looking lashes in the first photos, eh? But they still aren't thick enough for me. Here is where the last mascara comes in.

Use your Volumize Mascara by L' Oreal and coat your lashes. Follow the same steps as above, start at the base and glide upwards. If you see a clump starting to form, use the tip of your mascara wand and remove it. Sort of play with your lashes. Style them if you will. Fan them out and try to evenly apply mascara over each lash. You don't want thick mascara on your outer lashes and not on your inner lashes (closer to your nose). This may take some practice - I have years under my belt. But you can do this! It's all in the application of each mascara.

After Volumize!

 And here I am, hair done, lip gloss on, and dressed for the day. Funny how I don't look like this anymore - hair is short and flippy now. But lashes are the same. And, I'm not even wearing eyeliner in these photos!  

If I'm honest, it takes me about twenty minutes to do my lashes. You may not want to spend that sort of time but it's my signature. I look so different if I don't have "my lashes". This may be a tutoriol that you use only for special occassions. But give it a try. It really is fun!

Mashed Potato and Black Friday Tips!

What a title for a post! But......

Don't fret over the mashed potatoes. Seriously. Mash those bad boys up with some butter, a bit of milk and a pinch of onion powder, salt and pepper. Then, stick them in the crock pot about two hours before dinner. Stir every so often so the sides don't burn - but seriously, this is one of the best tips I have learned from my Mom. No bother waiting until the last minute to make the potatoes so that they are served hot. No double boiler. Just the crock pot. A free stove. Now that's beauty!

There are seventeen people coming over tomorrow - that includes my new nephew and my neice - there will be quiet a crowd. I'm anticipating a lot of laughter, amazing food, the best company and a great time. Around 3 o'clock I may be passed out due to the turkey overload, but it will all be worth it.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

And if you have a few minutes to spare and want to read a post I did last year on the most comprehensive guide to Black Friday shopping, check this post out! Lotsa information if you are new to the game.

Thoughts On Hospitality

This past weekend, my hubby and I traveled to the tip of Ontario for our first dog trial. We were so excited when our dog, Bee, took a third place rosette on the first day of competition and a second place rosette on the second and final day of the trial. It was a good weekend for us and we were pleasantly surprised because this was truly our first competition.

While away, I began to think about hospitality. We'd been staying in a number of hotels and other's homes lately as we have been doing quiet a bit of traveling. As we prepare to head away again next weekend for American Thanksgiving, I want to share with you some of the things that I was thinking about in regards to hospitality.


Provide a Wonderful Welcome

When I head to Pennsylvania to visit my family, we are always greeted with such a warm welcome. Sometimes my Dad is waiting at the backdoor for us as we pile out of the car. Or Mom jumps up from the couch to greet us. Whatever the welcome, it's always warm, filled with excitement and always appreciated by us after such a long drive. Mom usually has something for us to eat and Shane and I relax and unwind while catching up with my Mom and Dad.

Hospitality all begins when you greet your guests at the door. Greeting them with a warm welcome can be the best way to set the tone for the visit or occasion. You certainly cannot fight your personality so an uber enthusiastic greeting may not suit your style. But that doesn't mean that you cannot come to the door as your guest enters, offer a warm smile, a friendly handshake or hug and invite your company into your home.

Here are some other ways to welcome friends into your home:

- Write "Welcome" and your guests names on a chalkboard where your guests will see it.
- Take guests coats and hang in the closet or drape on a bed.
- Have drinks and snacks ready for your company. At bare minimum, have glasses and fresh water at the ready. Add orange, lemon, or lime slices to the water to add a special touch. Or simply throw on a pot of coffee.
- Make the house smell great. A wonderful aroma can truly by a wonderful welcome. Light some candles or try this homemade simmering potpourri that I often make. Here is the link to a past post.
- Offer guests a seat. Even if they refuse by saying they don't need to sit, grab them a chair anyways. Nine times out of ten they will sit down. [I totally made that statistic up, but I'm betting it's pretty accurate.] Make sure there is a seat for every guest as well - even if if is squishy beanbags on the floor for kids - or kids at heart.
- Soft background music is always a treat. Pop in a little instrumental tunes. Keep the volume low. You don't want guests competing to talk over the music.


Be Prepared - The Food

As I mentioned above, when we travel to Pennsylvania, Mom usually has some sort of dinner waiting for us. It can be anything from sandwich fixings, our favorite pizza or leftover dinner from that nights meal. Growing up, whenever we had friends spend the night, Mom always had a wonderful breakfast in the morning. Sometimes it was a breakfast casserole, homemade Danish puff or bacon and eggs. On many a Sunday morning, while growing up, Dad often went into town for the newspaper and also brought home sausage McMuffins from McDonalds. I still get excited when I am home and Dad has that breakfast waiting for us late risers.

The point? Have some delicious things waiting in the wings for your guests.

Here are some more thoughts on preparing food for your loved ones:

- It's holiday season and the time for visiting is upon us. Be prepared with a few go-to appetizers. One night this week, sit down with a few cookbooks or some of your favorite cooking websites (or blogs!) and write down the recipes to a few good appetizers.
Your goals?
1. Easy to prepare.
2. Easy ingredients - choose recipes with staples you usually buy.
3. Easy on the pallate - avoid anything to spicy, too fishy, or too exotic. Pickled pigs
feet? No way!
Write the recipes on a sheet of paper or individual recipe cards, shop for your ingredients and store everything together in a special box or bin in your pantry. Do the same for the cold ingredients in the fridge. This way, you know the ingredients are on hand and you won't be too tempted to use them.


Be Prepared - Keep It Clean

Surely if your house is a wreck, you are not going to want to have guests over. How can you begin to open your home if you are feeling pressure because the dishes are piled high to the ceiling, you can't see the dining room table because it's covered in craft projects and the living room looks like a tornado just hit. One of my favorite podcasters, Donna Otto, says that "hospitality is about expressing God's love and that entertaining is about impressing - showing off our 'stuff'". Remember this gals! We certainly don't want people to NOT come into our homes because we haven't finished the umpteenth millionth project that we want to complete. But keeping a tidy home - especially around the holidays - will allow us that freedom to welcome others into our homes.

Set some routines for yourself. Dishes after every meal, bathrooms cleaned on Monday, floors mopped on Tuesday. That kind of thing. When you leave a room, put away a few items that don't belong there. Take 15 minutes to tidy the house before bed. Stay on top of things! Doing so will make life sooo much easier for you. And you will find that you don't have to do that deep clean that can be so draining before having company.


Who Are You?/Where Is...?

Have you even been to someones home and didn't know the host? Perhaps you were at your husband's boss's house for a BBQ. Or were accompanying your best friend to her friends Pampered Chef party. Chances are, you've been to someone house that you didn't quiet know. Sounds bizarre but when I thought about it, I have been in that situation dozens of times. So, when you find that you have guests that you barely know in your home, here are some suggestions.

- Introduce yourself. Certainly this should go without saying but it often happens. It happened to me this past weekend! If someone is in your home, you should make every effort to let them know who you are. Ask them if there is anything that you can get them. Make them feel welcome. Even if it is totally out of your comfort zone. This is your role as host. Fake it 'til you make it.
- Here's a sort of "ice-breaker" that you can "play" with guests at your home. Perhaps written on place cards at the dinner table or just randomly, pose different questions that everyone goes around answering. For instance:
- Who would play you in the movie of your life?
- You just won $1 million dollars. How do you spend your winnings?
- What is your most embarrassing moment?
- What is the thing that most every guest needs to know when spending time at your home. Where the bathroom is! Don't be too shy in letting people know where the loo is. Also, have a couple extra rolls of toilet paper and some air freshener out in plain view.
- People usually need to know where the garbage is too. [Especially if you are hosting a party with food.] We keep our garbage under the sink but I'm thinking if we had a party I'd want it a bit more accessible so people knew where to stash their trash.


Okay, that's enough for today. I have a bunch more ideas for overnight guests that I will share with you soon. Stay tuned! [Sorry for the lack of photos - the library is booting me out!]

What are your best hospitality tips? I'd love to hear!

Home Notebook - Menu Planning and Grocery List and a Download

In hopes to implament some more organization into my life, I created a Home Notebook. You can read about how that process began and about my Daily Routines in this post.

Here I'd like to show you my pages for my Meal Planning and Grocery List.


Do you meal plan?


When I first got married, I remember laying on my bed writing my first meal plan. I devoured my brandy-new cookbooks tring to find the most delectable recipes to make for my new hubby in our new kitchen in our new home. I was incredibly excited! To be honest, I still get excited making a meal plan. Maybe it's because I'm still a newlywed (being married almost 2 years is still a newlywed, eh?). But if I can be even more honest - I love to figure out what sort of yummy things we are going to eat. I love the idea of feeding my husband tasty, nutrious meals and I still love going through my cookbooks each week, trying out new recipes and enjoying old favorites.

Meal planning for me is also important for budgeting purposes. It keeps me focused on what is on sale, what I need to buy versus what we already have in stock, and what the heck it is that we will eat during the week. I hate it when the dinner hour rolls around and there is no plan! Too often that leads to fast-food and our wallet and waistlines don't appreciate it. When I have a good meal plan I am ready to face the week confident that we will be eating good, yummy meals and the fast food monstor stays away.

Awhile back I wrote a post on meal planning. It's way wordy and lacks any photos but if you are interested in reading it, here is the link.







I basically just divided up my paper into eight sections. Please refer to this post if you are interested in how I created this document. Seven sections are obviously for each day of the week. Each day is big enough to allow space for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. I'm trying to loose some poundage and I have learned that preplanning my meals is a major life savor so I knew when creating my Meal Planning page, I wanted plenty of space to write.




The eigth section is where I jot down what needs to be put on my grocery list. Sometimes I make my grocery list while I plan out my meals, other times, I don't. That little box just helps me to quickly identify the ingredients that need to go on the grocery list when I'm ready to fill out my complete grocery list. Make sense? I hope so.

My Grocery List breaks down the different sections of the grocery store.


The different sections I have included are:

Fruits and Veggies
Dairy and Frozen
Meats
Dry Goods
Bread
Household Items
Miscelanious (Things I want/need to buy like mascara, fabric or shoes.)

Each line in each text box has a little box next to it where I can check off the items that I have purchased. Throughout the week, if I notice we are low or out of an item, I put it on the grocery list. My hope is to get a nice clipboard and hang my grocery list on it somewhere in my kitchen but that's another project for another day. For now, I keep my list in my Home Notebook that is pretty much accessable to me at all times. Because of this list, I rarely "forget" if I'm out of an item. And, because I have my list divided into segements like I would find in the grocery store, I can easily cross off the items on my list as I finish shopping in that particular part of the store. I save myself time because I don't have to backtrack.



Each week I also go through each and every sale flyer. I take note of each item that I hope to purchase or that strikes my fancy. On the flip side of my Grocery List is where I write out those items. I also take note of the ounces/mls that each product is, the price, if I have a coupon or if it is only a one-day sale. Here is an example of what that looks like:

Superstore
Butter - $2.45
Quaker Granola Bars - $1.99
Cucumbers - 3/$1.00
Dawn Soap - $1.99 *$1 off coupon
Maybelline Mascara - Volumize - $4.99 *Price match at Walmart
This also helps in my meal planning. I know what is on sale and can then plan my weekly menus around that. It's all a system.
What do you do in regards to your grocery list and meal planning? I'd love to hear your tips and ideas! Please send them my way!

If you are interested in downloading my versions of a Menu Planner and Grocery List, please just click on the photos below and it will take you to the download page. Enjoy!



Menu Planner


Grocery List

Home Notebook - Daily Routines and a Download

"She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Proverbs 31:27

Many of you know that I am a stay-at-home wife with no kiddos. I am in the process of applying for Permanent Residency here in Canada which would allow me to be able to become employed and have access to the Canadian health care system. But until the paperwork is finished and finalized, I am at home. Each. And. Every. Day.

I love it. Truly, I do. There is so much freedom in staying home. But when you are home all day, every day, there is the chance to become really bored. Very bored in fact. And that boredom can translate itself into loads of television watching and downright laziness. Schedules can quickly fly out the window because the excuse "I can do it tomorrow" really rings true. I found myself in that trap.

And I needed to get out of it.

And I did.

Enter my Home Notebook.


I created this piece of organization heaven to keep myself on track. I saw a few examples of Home Notebooks or Household Binders while surfing the 'net looking for articles on homemaking. Because I had really never cared for my own home before getting married, I wasn't fully aware what all it took to run a household smooth and efficiently. It took me awhile to get into the swing of cleaning my home on a regular basis and implement routines for myself. I needed to fill my days with things other than soap operas. My Home Notebook helped me to do that.

So what is a Home Notebook? Here, let me show you.

I began with a began with a binder that I already owned. Inside I added a couple of pretty folders and some loose leaf notebook paper. (Sorry, I don't have photos of these.) Then I set out to create some lists for myself.

I first started with Mandi's Daily Schedule.


I created the document in Microsoft Word. I played around with fun fonts and little cute dingbats. The fonts were downloaded from KevinandAmanda.com. They have the greatest fonts! All are free to download.
I then created different text boxes with lists in each box. The lists all had little boxes beside each task so that I could check off each item that I completed during my day. Doesn't it feel so good to cross something off the list?

Here is a bit of a close-up of each text box.




First up, I write the date on each sheet. Then I work on my Daily Home Blessings. Things on this list include:

• Packing my hubby's lunch
• Making breakfast for us both (including the coffee!)
• Sending him to work with hugs and kisses
• A time for my devotions and Bible study
• Making my bed
• Opening the windows/curtains
• Cleaning the bathroom sink
• Making the bed
• Doing a load of laundry (or at least I will when my machines get installed!)

Included in my Home Blessings is also a time slot to look over the upcoming weeks schedule and plan for anything that may have to be taken care of that week.


It looks a bit like my Morning Routine. But for me, it works. (Our morning starts with the alarm getting me out of bed at 5:30 am. I flip on the coffee pot, make Shane lunch and breakfast while he is getting ready for work. He takes out our dogs, kisses me goodbye and heads to work. I then sip my coffee, have my devotions and then catch the morning news. Then, I begin the rest of my day. For those of you who want to know. )
I then have a section for Errands and Phone Calls that need to be made. I also jot down emails that need returned or things that I need to tell my friends on Facebook.

Directly underneath is a section for To-Do's. Here I jot down projects I need to work on, housework that may need to get accomplished or a website that I want to check out.




At the bottom of my paper I have a box for Dinner. Here is where I jot down what I will make later that evening. I pose the question "What needs to be made today?" Sometimes treats need to be baked or dinner requires a little something extra like homemade biscuits. Posing that question helps me to figure out just what time things need to get made during the day so that I'm not trying to make those biscuits while I'm scurrying around making the rest of dinner.



There is also a section for Inspiration and Ideas. Here I jot down crafts that I want to make or projects that I want to try. That tiny little box gets that spark of creativity out of my mind and down on paper where I don't have to try and remember it.




I showed you the box for my Morning Routine, now let me show you the box for my Evening Routine. It involves:

• Washing the dishes, counters, fridge and changing out my hand towels and dish cloth
• Sweeping and Swiffering my kitchen, hall, living room, and entranceway (with three dogs, it's a must!)
• Taking 15 minutes to pick up the house
• Closing the windows and curtains
• Going over the tasks for the next day
• Spending time with my hubby
• And finally, a good night's rest.

Last up on my notebook is a bit of Biblical inspiration. It's a verse taken from Proverbs 31. Specifically, verse 27. I read it daily to help keep me on course. I feel inspired, encouraged and refreshed knowing that Christ has given me this time and season to spend taking care of my husband and my home. It's my full time job and I definitely want to do my best to do that job well.


So there is my Daily Routine's section of my Home Notebook. I'm excited to share with you the other sections that I have created as well. I hope this may give you a spark of an idea to perhaps begin to create your own Home Notebook or even your own daily routines to keep yourself on track. Truly, this little sheet of paper has helped me so much in regards to keeping my home in order...and more importantly, myself. I feel much more organized and on top of my game. And that's really what I'm trying to achieve.

If you are interested in downloading a copy of my Daily Routines sheet, please click on the photo below and it will take you to the download page. I have generalized it a bit for your home use. Enjoy!




Daily Routines