Home Maid Simple

Tag: homemaking

The Home Makers Friend #DailyPlanner Giveaway
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I have a confession to make – I’m not at all organized. Really, I’m not. The whole point of this blog, when I started it a little over 3 years ago was to help me get organized. We were living in a small apartment with 3 kids, had just moved from a lot of our friends, and I needed some get up and go. So I blogged about it.

Now granted my blogging has come along way since then, and I do believe my home looks better than it did during those days of clutter – I’m still not very organized. I want to be though. So very badly, both in my home, and in my life.

I have found that the best way to organize my home, is to organize my life. If I wake up in the morning, and don’t have a clue on what I plan to do that day – then I’m not going to get much of anything done. BUT if I wake up early (because I like mornings), read my scriptures, and have a set plan for the rest of the day, then I do get stuff done. Lots of stuff usually.
As a homemaker, we wear many hats.
- Mother
- Cook
- Maid
- Chauffeur
- Nurse
- Friend
- Wife
- Party planner
On top of that, if you work another job that actually pays you something, you’ve got one more item in your day to manage. You could hire a maid or personal chef…but let’s get real, most of us probably don’t have the money to do that. We do it all, but sometimes it can get overwhelming right? I know I”m not alone here.

I love using my Daily Planner to organize my days. When I have a clear plan of what I need to get done each day, month, year – it usually gets done. In the Home Makers Friend planner, you’ll find a place for everything you need to do.
Yearly – mark up birthdays, anniversaries, vacations

Monthly – plan out your month in advance here. When are bills due, soccer games, dance class, doctors visits.

Weekly – a little more space to write times things need to be done, a menu plan for each day, perhaps which chores need to get done that day. Really plan out your day to the minuscule tasks.

Info – this has space for contact info – doctors, school, husbands work, friends.

Tasks and Projects – plenty of space to write out your lists, plan parties, any thoughts you may need to write down can go here, instead of on a scrap of paper you know is going to get lost.

Shopping! Yep, there’s even a place for your shopping lists. Kids need new clothes? Out of milk? start your list here, and then take it to the store with you. There is also an area to write down store numbers, so you can save time and money from driving around to different stores.
How will a Daily Planner help you?

GIVEAWAY

1 lucky reader will win a combo set of the Home Makers Friend 2014 and 2015 Daily Planner!

Open to US readers 18+

All entries will be verified.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
June 12, 2014
Seeking Joy

On Monday I shared with you what I’m calling my word of the year – Joy. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought since hanging my Joy display about what in my life gives me Joy. So I want to share those things with you, and then pose the thought to you to consider finding more Joy in your life.

My Joys

1. Family. We all have a family. Husbands, wives, children, Sister, Brother, Mother, Father. We all have one or more of these titles. I am lucky to enjoy so many of these aspects in my life, but to also have a close bond with them. My parents, my in laws – I truly feel I’ve found and been blessed with some of the best people to call family. But my kids and husband bring me the utmost Joy day in and day out.
Tip: Connect with your family – close or distant and allow being a member of a family to bring some joy into your life. You are part of something bigger.

2. Food. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but I found myself posting more about food here than other topics. I enjoy what I eat. The way flavors and textures meld together is magical to me. So when I prepare food for my family and friends, it does bring me great joy. I’ve always loved reading but have never considered writing a book until I thought about a cookbook. Having a dream that you can see happening, that is also cause for joy.
Tip: Look past calories, carbs, and weight. Sit down for a meal and really enjoy your food. Taste the flavors in what you’re eating, and take the time to truly enjoy it.

3. Shelter. This is something I think many of take for granted. We’ve moved so many times both in my childhood and married life. That I’ve begun to really understand the Joy that comes in having a roof over my head, and a place to call home. The whole reason I began Home Maid Simple, was to convey the joy that can be found no matter where your roof is.
Tip: is there a tip for this? No matter what enjoy the place you live, and when you move somewhere else, love it there too. Find joy in your surroundings.

4. Reading. There is a simple joy that comes in reading a good book. You can transport yourself to another place, another time when reading. It is a simple pleasure that my parents gave to me as a child, and I hope I am giving to my children. I believe there is no such thing as too many books…as the numerous boxes solely filled with books would attest to.
Tip: Make time for reading. Just do it. You will enjoy life more.

5. Optimism. I’m not sure if this is just another word for Joy, but I live my life with optimism. There is always the could have beens, the would have beens, and the should have beens – but I try to see past those. Instead focusing on the here the now and making the best of what I do have. I wish it was easy for more people to live an optimistic life, but I know it’s not that easy for most. So I find Joy and gratitude that I have this optimism.
Tip: Whatever may be going on in your life, try and find one small thing to be optimistic about. Slowly it will grow and you’ll find more and more to be optimistic about.

Are you actively seeking JOY in your life?

Will you start now?

March 27, 2014
Dill Pickles #FoodieFriday

Cohosted by Diane at Simple Living and Eating.

Welcome back to Foodie Friday. A big thank you to Tammy for guest posting a recipe last week. We had so much fun at my mom’s family reunion. Hiking at Arches National Park, Swimming in Moab, and bidding pennies against each other for random stuff at the penny auction.
Taking the time away from technology and reconnecting with family has been so beneficial for myself! I’m like a new person. Even with – fingers crossed – a move looming overheard, I buckled down and made some pickles yesterday. It was surprisingly one of the easiest foods I’ve ever made and canned.

What really made these pickles easy was that I had picked up a packet of Ball’s Kosher Pickle mix. It had been a few years ago that I saw it on sale, and then on clearance (I love double sales, with no coupons!). So I picked it up, thinking I would one day make our own pickles. And then it sat in my canning stuff for awhile. Finally this year, I had the harvest of cucumbers needed to make my own. Remember my zucchini overload, well here come the cucumbers!

There’s a few zucchini over on the right side, but the rest are cucumbers, and they are still growing outside! I made 5 Quarts of pickles, and only used about 1/2 of what you see here.

Ingredients

6-7 lbs cucumbers. You can use any Cucumbers, not just the pickling kind (just don’t try and eat pickling cucumbers un-pickled, not so good). I planted Burpless #26 Hybrid Cucumbers this year, and let me tell you, these cukes are amazing! So very very good.

1, 5oz packet Ball Pickle Mix

6 cups water

2 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar

5 quart mason jars

5 canning lids and rings

Directions

Slice your cucumbers in your preferred pickled form. Since my cucumbers were so long, I just sliced them into rounds. Set aside in a large bowl.

Mix water, vinegar, and seasoning in a pan on the stove. Heat to boiling.

Pour hot liquid over the pickles, and let cool to room temperature.

Canning

While the liquid is cooling, wash your quart jars (or pint if you so choose). Once the cucumbers have cooled, ladle them into your jars. Fill up to the first rim, and then pour in the liquid. Using a table knife, slide it down inside the sides of the jar to remove any air bubbles. Use a clean towel to wipe any spilled liquid off the rims.

Heat a small pan of water on the stove to boiling. Dip the canning lids into the water for a few seconds and then place on the jars. Tighten the rings to “finger tight”. Meaning not too tight, but just until you can’t easily tighten it anymore.

Now it’s time to process them. I have been using a steam canner, though I’ve been told it’s not as good or accurate as a water bath. The time spent in the canner however is I have found equivalent. Process jars according to your canner’s directions, for 25 minutes. (this will also depend on your altitude. The back of the Ball pickling mix has a guide to help you get the best time for your area).

Remove, and let them sit over night to seal. Check the lids to make sure they have “popped” and then store for up to a year.

~FEATURES~

Biggest Loser Oatmeal Pancakes 3 ways
from Club Narwhal
Go watch Amy’s video of making these. It is very well done, and I can’t seem to stop watching long enough to go make these. I love the use of oatmeal in these.

Menudo Filipino
from Kocina De Pinay
It looks like a lot of ingredients, but this dish is easily assembled.

Curried Popcorn
from A Pinch of Glitter
Not your ordinary movie popcorn, but I think the curry is going to be a hit!

Now it’s your turn!
Link up to 3 new recipes
Please don’t share the same recipe each week, we want to see something new.
Hop around and find some new inspiration
FOOD RELATED POSTS ONLY! All others will be deleted. This is a food hop.

An InLinkz Link-up

August 2, 2013
Practice Makes Perfect {Think About It}

Practice Makes Perfect

I seem to find myself teaching the kids this good bit of advice a lot recently. At this very precious time in their lives, they are learning the value of doing something well, and the hard work it takes to accomplish something well.

I worry actually that if I become too slack, they will be too much like me – everything done will be only partly done, or only satisfactory instead of excellent.

I don’t want that. I want my kids to strive for excellence, and reach it. Because really, is it worth doing something if it’s only so-so? We have this little sign hanging in the kitchen that the previous owners left. It’s a humorous, but also true.

I almost always look busy, or at least feel busy, because I’m doing too much only partway. It’s time to focus and narrow down what I do.

Think About It!

I’m not saying everything has to be perfect all the time…because well that would make everyone go insane! What I am saying is we should pick an area we want to excel in, and then go for it. Don’t settle for less than your best. Keep practicing until you are truly happy with what you’ve accomplished.

Think About It!

Why in the world is this the topic I’m thinking about today? A lot of reasons. It’s the product of my mind going 50 different directions and deciding that everything I was thinking fit under this one idea.

I’m tired of being a Jane of all Trades.

I want to hone my skills so when people ask me what talents I have, I can tell them instead of handing them a long list of things I enjoy doing. We’ve had a couple discussions this year on talents and hobbies and the things we’ve given up as we became mothers. Those were some of the best discussions I’ve had around here, and I want to put them to use. So I’m not going to sit around wishing I was better, but I’m going to start changing; I’m going to be better!

Think About It!

I’m not going to give up anything I like doing, but I am going to have more of a focus. This year, I plan on improving my sewing skills. I’ve got the basic knowledge. I can make things that look nice – if you don’t look too closely.

Why this skill? Well, it seems to come in the most handy, and I know my kids will benefit from it. Actually, my kids are pushing me into it. It’s only April, but I already have 1 request for a Belle costume, 1 for a Tinkerbell, and another that keeps changing but I think is currently either Cinderella or Ariel.

It would be one thing if the Princesses asked me to buy them a costume. It’s a complete different thing when they specifically ask you to make it. My kids believe I can sew these costumes, so I should believe I can too. Kids are pretty amazing don’t you think? They see where we can go and believe in us, even when we aren’t so sure ourselves.

Not to get ahead of myself or anything (though I have a habit of not sitting still), but once I master my sewing skills I plan to return to my artwork. I took some classes in college, and while looking back through my old work I realized I’ve got another little talent – one I completely forgot about!

Will you join me?

Pick an area of your life you’d like to improve. Reach for the stars and believe you can excel in it. Don’t give up, or move on until you have become satisfied with your accomplishments.

How am I going to achieve my goal? First off, I need inspiration. I’ve created a little corner just for me in this house. Something I’ve never done before, and to be honest – I didn’t realize just how much I needed this space.

Next, decorate with things that will inspire you to keep striving towards you goal. For me that’s a wall calendar with different quilt patterns, and my college artwork. For you, it might be some quotes, books, or photos.

Make sure you have the tools to succeed as well. I have a very nice sewing machine Mark bought me a few years back. It hasn’t seen as much work as I would like, but that’s about to change. I am now saving up for a serger, because I know they can take my skills from so-so to amazing! Sometimes all we need is a good teacher. I’ve been browsing the sewing classes at Craftsy, and really think I may take one or two…or all of them. They even have free mini courses if you just need a little help to get started.

Finally – get to work! Try to set aside time every day to practice and work on your goal. If not everyday, at least once a week! If you don’t make the time, it won’t happen.

What are you going to work on? Let’s encourage each other in the comments!

*This post contains affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I share because I think these classes are great!

April 25, 2013