Saturday, November 29, 2014

November 2014 Reading List















Hope Springs Series by Lynne Hinton
Friendship Cake 
Hope Springs
Forever Friends
Christmas Cake
Wedding Cake 















A Quaker Christmas Collection
A Crossroads of Love by Lauralee Bliss
Simple Gifts by Ramona Cecil
Pirate of My Heart by Rachael Phillips
Equally Yoked by Claire Sanders

Friday, November 28, 2014

Clutter Busting Challenge November 2014 Part 4

I've purged 100 items this month. I really didn't think I'd make it to that many items. My purging the homeschool books was what helped get to that total.

My purge pile this week:



Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving Blessings!

I baked extra cookies for Thanksgiving to give away. I removed the pie crust I bought from the tins pans into glass baking dishes. I made a tag with yarn, card stock, and thrifted wallpaper. I sent the cookie tins home with my daughter Brittany to give to people at work. I hope this small token of thought blesses and touch's their hearts with a smile of peace.







Friday, November 21, 2014

Clutter Busting Challenge November 2014 Part 3

I had planned to take some time off the week of Thanksgiving until the New Year from actively purging. It seems like it has naturally happened this month without my planning. My focus has been directed towards my step-dad's health for the past 6 weeks with doctors visits 2-3 days per week. His age and Alzheimer's makes a doctors visit into an all day affair. I did several challenges on my blog last month but this month has slowed down. I'm keeping up with my homemaking and need time to focus on the Holiday's. I figure that since its a habit I'll still end up purging things. I have some Christmas decorations that I'm planning to offer to my girls.

I've decided to go ahead and stop actively seeking to let stuff go until January. I'm real close to being finished. I'm thinking a break will either give me fresh eyes to purge more or confirm that I'm finished with my daily chore of decluttering and I can move on to maintenance.


My purge pile this week:

Memo board















Homeschool books and supplies.














Homeschool book.














Homeschool books and supplies.














Homeschool books.














Homeschool books and supplies.














Homeschool books.














You may be interested in:
Clutter Busting Challenge November 2014 Part 1
Clutter Busting Challenge November 2014 Part 2

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Plans for Thanksgiving Week














I serve 10-15 people every Holiday. We will have all the kids home for Thanksgiving. I need to make the menu and shopping list for this weekend. I have a ritual for the Holidays and adjust it based on the holiday and the days leading up. I'll follow the same basic routine for Christmas week with additional stuff added throughout the month. 

Thanksgiving week: 

Monday- 
I do a deep clean in the living room, kitchen/dining, and bathroom. I clean the fridge and make sure leftovers get eaten before Wednesday. I make candy and fill the candy dishes.

Tuesday- 
I have my kids clean up their computer areas and I deep clean the family room. I bake cookies and place on serving trays. I make desserts and token gifts.

Wednesday- 
I bring in the extra table and chairs from the garage, wash the tablecloths, set the extra table in family room. I set up the side counter for desserts, set the bunch bowl and serving utensils on the kitchen counter. I make the side dishes and appetizers.

Thursday- 
I set the kitchen table. I make the main meat and heat sides. Set up the food on the kitchen counters and appetizers on the table. I clean up the kitchen after dinner and wash dishes.

Friday- 
We relax, hangout in our pajamas, eat thanksgiving leftovers, listen to Christmas music, and watch movies. 

Saturday-
I return the extra table and chairs from the garage. I wash any extra dishes and return serving pieces to storage. I pick up the living room and family room.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Bathroom

The bathtub/shower.














The glass door medicine cabinet is for hair brush, toothpaste, and tooth brush, deodorant, and perfume. Its mostly empty except my step-dad's products. The kids keep their toiletries in their bedrooms, my husband keeps his in his office, and I have mine in my closet. My stepdad has Alzheimer's and will use our products if we keep them in the bathroom.



























I've had the plant for several years and the candle a couple months.



























The dresser for towels, toilet paper, and bathroom supplies.














Our medicine cabinet.















The bathtub and the towel bar behind the door.














The training potty seat and step stool for my granddaughter.


















Bathroom scales.


Friday, November 14, 2014

Clutter Busting Challenge November 2014 Part 2

I save our extra grocery store bags to donate to the Clothes Closet. They use the bags for people to take home clothing and housewares items. The Clothes Closet gives away what people donate for free.

My purge pile this week:

Bags of Bags














You may be interested in:
Clutter Busting Challenge November 2014 Part 1

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Creating a Sanctuary














AH! There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. 
-Jane Austin

My home is organized and decluttered which makes it very cozy, comfortable, and welcoming. I’m looking to bump it up a notch and add those extra special things that would make it into a sanctuary or retreat like place for my husband and I, along with our family. Our home is not fancy but casual and well loved. I would like to have that bed and breakfast feeling of being pampered. I think I have achieved that feel in the guest room and master bedroom but need to spread out into the main living area.

Come along on the Journey!


Friday, November 7, 2014

Clutter Busting Challenge November 2014 Part 1

I spend a little bit of time each day looking for stuff to purge. Their is a day or two most weeks that I don't feel like doing it so I don't. I feel like I do enough that it doesn't hurt to take a break.


My purge pile this week: