Mandi Ehman's Blog, page 122

Day 28: Catch Up or Rest! {Spring Cleaning Made Easy}

For the next month, we’ll be spring cleaning the easy way with our Spring Cleaning Made Easy series! The goal is to get the whole house clean — one mini task at a time — without having to set aside a whole week, or even a whole day, to clean.

We’re almost done with our 31 days of spring cleaning, and we have “choose your own task” days built into next week, so today I recommend that you rest and enjoy a day off from spring cleaning!

sourcestorebukkebruse

Here’s what we worked on last week. If you didn’t have a chance to finish one of these, take a little bit of time today to catch up. Otherwise, enjoy your day off!

Day 22: Office or Craft Area


Day 23: Books, CDs & DVDs


Day 24: Finish Cleaning the Family Room


Day 25: Clean Your Washer & Dryer


Day 26: Clean Out Your Cleaning Supplies


Day 27: Finish Cleaning the Laundry Room

Track your progress this month with the Spring Cleaning Made Easy checklist, which comes in two versions — one with dates to coincide with the live series and one with generic labels so you can do it on your own at another time. Click here to download or print your copy!

What’s left on your spring cleaning to-do list?

Mandi Ehman is the founder and publisher behind Life Your Way and the co-author of All in Good Time, as well as a wife and the homeschooling mom to four beautiful girls. She lives with her family on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia and loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.

Day 28: Catch Up or Rest! {Spring Cleaning Made Easy} is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Home Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

Weekend Reading: April 13, 2013

source: mandiehman on Instagram

Yesterday was our last day at our Classical Conversations campus for the year, and the girls were wired from the moment they woke up until we got home mid-afternoon! With a new baby coming in the fall, our family has decided to take next year off from CC, and I’ll share more about what that means for our curriculum plans in a post soon.

We’re also in the middle of the most gorgeous weather here in West Virginia (you won’t find me complaining about it being too hot!), and I’m anxiously waiting for the red buds that line the highway to bloom!

Our weekly newsletter is currently on hold as I muddle through the first trimester, but be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future issues!

I’m kinda want to stir things up this week, so today’s links are a little bit different than usual. As always, check out what I’m reading to see the other posts that make me stop and think. You’ll find new posts all week long!

On Kids & Violence

I’m having trouble understanding a society that suspends tiny children for biting their toast into the shape of a gun yet defends gruesome video games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. And  I’m appalled that “we” are raising a generation that bullies the victims of violent sex crimes while making excuses for those who commit them. There is something very wrong with both scenarios.

On School Shooters | Peter Brown Hoffmeister


Audrie Pott Suicide: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com


This Is About Violence | Resourceful Mommy


Who Failed Rehtaeh Parsons? | Herald News


Connecticut High School Football Players Charged with Sexually Assaulting 13-Year-Old Girl

On Child Sex Slavery

Child sex slavery isn’t just a global issue; children and teens in our country are being exploited and sold every day. As the mother of four girls, this is an epidemic that I just can’t ignore.

A Red “X” Won’t End Slavery | Love146.org


Child Sex Trafficking – As Easy in Seattle as Ordering a Pizza | MyNorthwest.com


Sex Trafficking from a Survivor’s Perspective | Urbana Daily Citizen

On Horrors We Ignore

There are just no words for the horrors outlined in these columns. Wherever you fall on the issue of abortion, this story is appalling and cannot just be swept under the rug.

Philadelphia Abortion Clinic Horror | USAToday Column


The Monstrous Abortion Trial the Media Don’t Want You to Know About | Fox News Opinion

On Tragedy & Mental Illness

Mental illness and suicide always raise a lot of questions and discussion, especially in Christian circles, and I appreciated the perspective offered in both Kristen and Ann’s posts, as well as the advice from an unrelated L.A. Times article!

How Not to Say the Wrong Thing | Los Angeles Times



Rick Warren’s Grief: The Comfort and Cruelty of Speculating on Suicide | Rage Against the Minivan


What Christians Need to Know About Mental Health | A Holy Experience

Have a great weekend!

Mandi Ehman is the founder and publisher behind Life Your Way and the co-author of All in Good Time, as well as a wife and the homeschooling mom to four beautiful girls. She lives with her family on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia and loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.

Weekend Reading: April 13, 2013 is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Life Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

200 Ways to Reuse, Repurpose & Recycle for Earth Day

Are you a “saver?”

You might claim it as your heritage (the Dutch are infamous for penny pinching and using everything fully) or inspired by an experience (those who lived through the Great Depression never threw anything away that had value) or because of your “green” sensibilities (it would be wasteful and harmful to the environment not to reuse things).

I’ve always been this way, like in kindergarten when I “saved” worms and salamanders until my garage took on the permanent smell of “dead animal,” and through grade school when I “saved” my most precious fancy-tipped markers (they dried out before I used them up) and my special watercolor set (my children still have it today, twenty years later…okay, 25 years), and of course into high school when I buried my room in things to “save:” memorabilia, keepsakes from dances, letters from friends I met at summer camp, and even triangular-folded notes passed desk to desk during class.

Now that I’m older and wiser – the latter being up for debate – I have much more of a yen to declutter and get rid of “stuff,” but I still feel the deeply entrenched urge to save things that I might use someday. It’s the green in me coming through – reduce, reuse, recycle. My decluttering focuses mostly on keeping new things from coming IN so I can work to use what we already have.

This month is host to Earth Day and a great time to focus on how much your family throws away. I challenge you to save some usable items from being trashed this month, and here are 200 practical ways to inspire you to “Re-use the Refuse…”

1. Free Preschool Activities with Repurposed Kitchen Items


2. Repurposed Kitchen Containers all Over the House


3. A Dozen Ways to use an Old Sheet (even if you’re not crafty)


4. 9 Ways to Eat your Garbage


5. 30+ Ways to use Eggshells


6. 15 Ways to Reuse Plastic Grocery Bags


7. 30 Things to do with Old T-Shirts


8. Garden Repurposing and Growing the Perfect Tomato


9. 15 Ways to Reuse Glass Jars

[image error]

Katie Kimball is a mom of two who spends a ton of time in the kitchen making real food with whole ingredients and then blogs about her successes and failures at Kitchen Stewardship. She believes everything in life is a gift from God and should be taken care of wisely.

200 Ways to Reuse, Repurpose & Recycle for Earth Day is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Green Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

Day 26: Clean Out Your Cleaning Supplies {Spring Cleaning Made Easy}

This month we’re spring cleaning the easy way with our Spring Cleaning Made Easy series! The goal is to get the whole house clean — one mini task at a time — without having to set aside a whole week, or even a whole day, to clean.

Today’s task is an easy one! Take just a few minutes to clean out and organize your cleaning supplies so that it’s easy to get to the ones you need when you need them.

source: Travis Isaacs

Some things to think about as you’re sorting through your supplies:

Get rid of cleaning supplies that you don’t or won’t use.  To dispose of chemical cleaners properly, look for a household hazardous waste drop-off site near you.


If you have multiple half-used bottles of the same supply, combine them into one bottle. {Be sure they’re the same before you do this to avoid a harmful chemical reaction!}


Thoroughly clean any empty bottles, remove the labels and reuse them for homemade cleaners. Don’t forget to label the contents clearly with a permanent marker so you don’t forget which is which.


If you buy cleaning supplies in bulk, organize your extras so that they’re out of the way but easily accessible.


Take the time to mix up new batches of any household cleaners so that you have a full supply ready to go.


Make a list of any supplies you need to buy.


Depending on the ages of your children and the safety of your supplies, you might consider creating a couple “mobile cleaning caddies” that you can keep under bathroom sinks or on different levels so that you don’t have to drag the supplies across the house every time you clean. Most conventional cleaners should be kept up high or in locked cabinets if you have little ones around, though.

That’s it!

Track your progress this month with the Spring Cleaning Made Easy checklist, which comes in two versions — one with dates to coincide with the live series and one with generic labels so you can do it on your own at another time. Click here to download or print your copy!

If you want to get a start on tomorrow’s task so you can have the weekend off, we’ll be finishing the laundry room with a little more dusting, vacuuming and organizing.

Do you prefer conventional or homemade cleaners?

Mandi Ehman is the founder and publisher behind Life Your Way and the co-author of All in Good Time, as well as a wife and the homeschooling mom to four beautiful girls. She lives with her family on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia and loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.

Day 26: Clean Out Your Cleaning Supplies {Spring Cleaning Made Easy} is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Home Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

Easy Escalloped Apples & a GoodCook Nonstick Cutlery Giveaway

source: Mandi Ehman

I love these apples. In fact, I love them so much that I have forgotten to take a picture of the finished dish multiple times in the last couple of weeks!

In the midst of morning sickness and strong food aversions, this is one that’s easy for me to make and even easier for me to eat, and I’ve served it on top of pancakes and french toast for breakfast, aside honey ham sandwiches for lunch and cold out of the fridge for snacks.

It’s not so different from my fried apples, except this one requires little interaction once the apples are sliced and arranged, making it an even easier side dish.

This is one of those dishes that makes me wonder why we as a culture insist on adding sugar to everything. Apples are naturally sweet, and the cinnamon brings out that sweetness, so there’s no need to mess it up with any sweetener!

Escalloped Apples

Ingredients:

3-5 apples
cinnamon (lots and lots)
2-3 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Wash and thinly slice apples. We buy 2-3 bags of apples each week in different varieties, so I like to use a mixture of apples, but this works well with pretty much any apple variety. (Just keep in mind that granny smith might be too tart for your taste buds since we’re not adding sugar!)

Layer the apples in an oven-safe baker or pie plate and sprinkle generously with cinnamon. I’m sure it’s possible to add too much cinnamon, but you’d have to try really hard, so don’t hold back!

Thinly slice the butter and layer on top of the apples.

Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through. Apples should be tender but not mushy and oh-so-flavorful.

Variations:

Substitute coconut oil for butter for a dairy-free option!
Add walnuts or pecans.
Add thinly sliced butternut squash to your apples.
Use pears instead of apples and cut the bake time in half.

GoodCook Nonstick Cutlery

The nonstick-coated knives from GoodCook are a fun and colorful addition to our kitchen! Made from high-carbon steel, these knives will stay sharp through regular use, and the nonstick coating keeps crumbs from sticking as you cut. Each knife comes with a fitted safety sheath to protect the blade (which also makes them handy for sticking in a picnic basket or cooler!), and the soft-grip, ergonomic handle just feels good while you’re using them.

My personal favorite is the blue chef’s knife, which I use for chopping fruits and veggies, slicing meat and cheese, and more, but the collection also includes a yellow bread knife, a purple sandwich knife, an orange santoku knife, a red utility knife and a green paring knife.

Through April 15th, you’ll save 30% off the nonstick cutlery with coupon code NONSTICK!

Enter to Win

This week, GoodCook is giving one lucky Life Your Way reader a Nonstick Cutlery Collection worth more than $125!

To enter:

Choose your favorite knife from the collection above and click the buttons to “like” it on Facebook or “pin” it on Pinterest.

Then, fill out the form below.

This giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday 4/14. The winner will be selected randomly and notified by email, and this post will be updated with their name as well. Open to U.S. residents 18 years old and above.

Easy Escalloped Apples & a GoodCook Nonstick Cutlery Giveaway is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Food Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

Enhance Your Relationships with the Art of Active Listening

The following post is from Jennifer, a lifelong educator:

source: GabrielaP93

I’ll never forget the conversation.  Our five-year-old was trying to tell me something important.  I was getting dinner ready and responded with an occasional, “Oh, really?”  and “That’s interesting.”

“Mommy, listen to me!” he implored.

“I am listening!”

“No, Mommy!  Listen to me with your eyes!”

I immediately got his point.  He knew I was distracted and only half-attending.  I put my spoon down and gave him my full attention.

That episode reminded me of the art of active listening.  While it’s not possible to drop everything each time you have a conversation with your spouse or children, there are certain times when you can either enhance or damage your relationships by the way you listen.

Features of Active Listening

1.  As mentioned above, maintain eye contact.  Looking deeply into the other person’s eyes will help you understand more fully what they are saying.

2.  Pay attention to body language and tone of voice, not just the spoken words.

3.  Instead of planning your response while the speaker is talking, focus on their main points.  When they are done, say, “Let me see if I heard what you just said,” then rephrase their thoughts.  It will give them a chance to clarify or elaborate.

4.  Avoid giving examples from your own life too early in the conversation.  If you immediately say, “When that happened to me…,” the focus will shift from the speaker to yourself.  You may miss the heart of what they are trying to communicate if you share a personal story before the main point has been fully explored.

5.  Ask questions that keep the conversation going and that demonstrate empathy.  “How did that make you feel?”  “What did you think when she said that?”  “What were you hoping would happen next?”

6.  Don’t allow yourself to interrupt.

7.  Use silence to communicate interest.  After you ask a question, give the other person time to think.  If you jump in and keep talking, they may decide you don’t really care about their answer.

8.  Resist the urge to “fix” until you are asked to do so.  Wives often complain that their husbands don’t listen without trying to fix things.  We need to extend that same grace of listening to our spouses and children – even with our friends!

9.  Keep your defenses down if the topic turns out to be a complaint about you.  It’s easy to get defensive when accused, but putting ourselves into the other person’s shoes and really listening to their perspective builds trust.

10.  Start now, even if your kids are older.  You’ll have a stronger bond with your teens when you invest the time to really listen.  You may not always like what you hear, but you’ll know a lot more about their lives!

Active listening will help you to better understand those you love and will strengthen your relationships.  It’s an art worth practicing!

When do you find it easiest to listen to your spouse and kids?  When is it the hardest?

Jennifer is passionate about children and education. She homeschooled her two sons for five years, established and directed a Christian school in Maryland for 20 years, and currently teaches in a public school in a Chicago suburb. She loves investing in relationships and delights in every moment that she spends with her family.

Enhance Your Relationships with the Art of Active Listening is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Family Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

Dear GetMeGeeky: Mac Advice for Non-Geeks

The following post is from Lauren Rothlisberger of Get Me Geeky :

Today I am going to grab a few notes from my mail bag and answer some of the most common questions I get. I hope one or two might help you out as well! These examples are all excepts from my latest guide, “A Non-Geek’s Field Guide to Mac Computers“:

Sick Mac

Dear GetMeGeeky,


I think my Mac is sick, she just seems a little sluggish, she doesn’t show the same zip or perk she has in the past. I am not sure what is going on, I think I need to run a few tests, but I don’t want to take her into a shop just yet…


Ill in Illinois

Dear Ill in Illinois,


It does sound like something is has your Mac a bit down in the dumps. We can learn a lot about the “health” of our computer just by checking out a few vital signs. For that we need the Activity Monitor.

Go to: Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor


The activity monitor is a handy tool. It may seem a little too geeky at first glance, but knowing what information it holds can help you diagnose a minor computer issue quickly. Have you ever gone to the doctor and been hooked up to a monitor? Depending on the type of monitor, the doc can see your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and so much more. The activity monitor is no different. It shows you how everything is functioning on the inside of your computer.

As you can see there are five buttons along the bottom of the Monitor, CPU, System Memory, Disk Activity, Disk Usage, and Network. The main window shows you the processes that are running and requiring some of your computer’s brain use. If you notice that your computer seems to be running slow or getting hung up easily, take a look at the percent of the CPU that the application is using. If it is a particularly high number you might see if that application is running something that is unnecessary.

For example, I have seen a Mail Client running that is processing at 40-50%. It turned out that it was constantly pulling in thousands and thousands of emails from the server. Going into the email settings and limiting it to only pull the last 1000 emails completely fixed the problem. Just think of the Activity Monitor as one of your in-home diagnostic tools. Just like many people would rather avoid a trip to the doctor, this can keep your computer health bills down.

Spinning Rainbow Wheel

Dear GetMeGeeky,


I love my Mac, but there is one thing that drives me absolutely MAD! Sometimes I will just be chugging along working on my computer and then all of the sudden this spinning rainbow colored wheel takes over! I can’t do anything, it is like my Mac is hypnotized by this wheel.


In a Trance in Indiana

Dear In a Trance,


This wheel has been known to cause keyboard banging, computer cursing kind of anger. But it turns out three little keys on the keyboard will solve your problem. Basically that little wheel appears when one of your applications has come to a complete standstill. Your computer responds by stopping everything else to focus on that issue.

So how do you fix it? You may be searching for CONTROL ALT DELETE , but on a Mac it is called FORCE QUIT. To FORCE QUIT press COMMAND OPTION ESC. This will bring up the FORCE QUIT application. You will see a list of applications. If there is one that is causing an issue it will be listed in RED and say “not responding” next to it. That is typically the application you want to force quit.

Screen Zooms Out to a Bunch of Icons

Dear GetMeGeeky


A couple times a day I will be working when all of the sudden while using my trackpad the whole screen zooms out and I am looking at a bunch of icons and some thumbnail screens at the top. I don’t understand why this happens and I really don’t get the point of this!


Confused in Colorado

Dear Confused,


It sounds like you are launching Mission Control without even realizing it. Read a little more about Mission Control and you may find this frustration to be helpful after awhile!

If you have used Macs for a while, you may be familiar with the Spaces and Expose tools, now replaced by Mission Control. This is the tool that allows you to maneuver around your Mac. To access Mission Control, press F3. This gives you a bird’s eye view of your open windows, just as if you took apart a photo album and laid it out on the coffee table. If you want to get a closer look at the application simply roll your mouse over until you see the blue highlight line and then press the space bar. Mission Control is where you also control Desktops. At the top you can see the Desktops that are open. To open another one; move your mouse to the upper right-hand corner, to close it hover over the Desktop and look for the X mark. If you want to open an Application in full screen mode (look for the arrows in upper right-hand corner), it will automatically open a new desktop. You can swipe between desktops by simultaneously dragging 3 fingers left or right across the Trackpad.

Go to FINDER , then APPLICATIONS, and open SYSTEM PREFERENCES. Reviewing the Mission Control system preferences will allow you to understand and become familiar with its capabilities. Under System Preferences you can make many adjustments to Mission Control. You can set what Keystrokes cause certain Mission Control actions. These are very handy and I recommend you learn at least a couple of them. In addition, you can set hot corners that activate Mission Control when your mouse goes into that corner.

Tip: You can drag 3 fingers vertically from bottom to top of your Trackpad to bring up Mission Control.

If you found these tips helpful check out my ebook “A Non-Geeks Field Guide to a Mac Computer” for fun easy solutions just like this.

What other questions do you have for GetMeGeeky? Leave them in the comments!

Lauren Rothlisberger blogs and consults over at Get Me Geeky. As a military wife and mom of three girls five years old and under, she loves focusing on technology and productivity and finding new ways to simplify her life. She recently started putting together MacMinis, which are easy to follow videos for Mac users, and also wrote an ebook, Evernote for Moms.

Dear GetMeGeeky: Mac Advice for Non-Geeks is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Tech Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

Day 25: Clean Your Washer & Dryer {Spring Cleaning Made Easy}

This month we’re spring cleaning the easy way with our Spring Cleaning Made Easy series! The goal is to get the whole house clean — one mini task at a time — without having to set aside a whole week, or even a whole day, to clean.

When was the last time you really cleaned your washer and dryer? Today we’re not just clearing the lint trap (which you should do every time you run the dryer), but also degunking the drum, checking hoses, etc.

source: love Maegan

Washing Machine

Add 1-2 cups of lemon juice or vinegar (or a commercial washing machine cleaner) to the machine and run it on the hottest cycle to remove any build up. If you have a top-loading washer with an agitator, use a sponge or soft brush to remove any remaining build up and then run a rinse cycle.


Use a rag and your favorite cleaner to clean around the lid or door and in any crevices.


Wipe the exterior of the machine, including any knobs and buttons.


Remove the soap/bleach/fabric softener dispensers and wash thoroughly in the kitchen sink.


Check the water hoses in the back of the machine to be sure they’re all securely attached.


Use a bubble level to check that your machine is level. Adjust the front legs as needed to keep it level for best performance.

TIP: If you have a front-load washing machine, it’s important to leave the door open between loads so that the drum can completely dry; otherwise it will develop mildew and, eventually, mold.

Dryer

Unplug the dryer.


Remove and vacuum the lint trap. Also vacuum out any remaining lint in the dryer itself.


Use a rag and your favorite cleaner to clean around the lid or door and in any crevices.


Wipe the exterior of the machine, including any knobs and buttons. Vacuum any lint that’s accumulated underneath, behind or beside the machine. (Note: An extensive amount of dust around the machine indicates an issue with your exhaust duct.)


Check the exhaust hose and straighten out any bends or kinks. Remove the hose and vacuum out any excess lint. Check the vent on the outside of your home to be sure it’s open and unblocked.

And you’re done!

Track your progress this month with the Spring Cleaning Made Easy checklist, which comes in two versions — one with dates to coincide with the live series and one with generic labels so you can do it on your own at another time. Click here to download or print your copy!

Tomorrow we’re going to sort through and organize our cleaning supplies.

When was the last time you really cleaned your washer and dryer?

Mandi Ehman is the founder and publisher behind Life Your Way and the co-author of All in Good Time, as well as a wife and the homeschooling mom to four beautiful girls. She lives with her family on a little slice of heaven in wild, wonderful West Virginia and loves coffee, chocolate, easy meals, beautiful things and minimalist spaces.

Day 25: Clean Your Washer & Dryer {Spring Cleaning Made Easy} is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Home Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

Free Kindle Books {4/11/13}

One of the most popular features of our sister site, Jungle Deals & Steals, are our free Kindle book lists. With 15-20 free ebooks every day, these are a great way to load up your Kindle without breaking the bank, and Kindle books can also be read on smartphones, computers and tablets with the Kindle app from Amazon.

Here’s a quick list of some of the freebies that are currently available, but be sure to head over to Jungle Deals & Steals for new freebies today…or subscribe to our daily freebies email so you don’t miss a single book!

Fiction

Below the Equator (The Hunter Series) by Anna Scott Falcon 


Genre: Action & Adventure


Reviews:  (18 reviews)

Marrying Kate by Kimberly Rae Jordan 


Genre: Christian


Reviews:  (3 reviews)

Mystic Fool by Andy Hill 


Genre: Literary Fiction


Reviews:  (7 reviews)

How Do I Love Thee? by Nancy Moser 


Genre: Christian Romance


Reviews:  (22 reviews)

This Twentysomething Life: A sort-of prequel to This Thirtysomething Lifeby Jon Rance 


Genre: Humor


Reviews:  (9 reviews)

Nonfiction

Moving Without Mayhem: The Ultimate Guide To Selling, Packing and Moving To a New House Stress Free (Moving House) by Jo Kent 


Genre: Do-it-yourself


Reviews:  (12 reviews)

Portraits of Integrity: Real People Who Demonstrated Godly Character (Volume 1) by Marilyn Boyer & Grace Tumas 


Genre: History


Reviews:  (27 reviews)

The Option Trader’s Hedge Fund: A Business Framework for Trading Equity and Index Options by Dennis A. Chen & Mark Sebastian 


Genre: Investing


Reviews:  (36 reviews)

Children’s Books

Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin 


Genre: Social Situations


Reviews:  (60 reviews)

Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin 


Genre: Social Situations


Reviews:  (60 reviews)

Enormous Elephant – Indoor Explorer Picture Book (Certified Silly) by Michael Wills 


Genre: Elephants


Reviews:  (17 reviews)

Trapped: A Tale of Friendship Bog (Tales of Friendship Bog) by Gloria Repp


Genre: Animals


Reviews:  (5 reviews)

Children’s Ebook: A to ZOO, a coloring ABC teaching children’s book (Raising Happy Kids children’s books collection) by Prof. Tiptoe 


Genre: Alphabet


Reviews:  (6 reviews)

See more Kindle freebies here.

Free Kindle Books {4/11/13} is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Money Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.

7 Ways to Keep that Spring Cleaned Feeling

The following post is from Becky of Clean Mama:

source: The D34n

After all the hard work that goes into spring cleaning, it can seem pointless when things return to normal and the mess and clutter return.  Before you complete your spring cleaning this year, put a couple ideas and systems in place to hold on to that spring cleaned feeling a little longer.

1. Keep up your cleaning routine.  Doing a little something everyday will help to keep things neat and tidy during the week, leaving your weekends open for fun stuff.  If you need help starting a cleaning routine, I have a free cleaning routine calendar printable that I give away every month.  You can find April’s cleaning calendar here.

2. Set up a donation bin, basket, or bag somewhere in your house so you aren’t letting unwanted things pile up again.  Old habits creep back in easily – set up a system to keep them at bay.

3. Open your windows.  Even if it’s just a little bit to let the spring air seep in.  As soon as it’s warm enough to throw the windows open don’t you just feel like spring has arrived?

4. Add a little green.  Whether it’s a little bouquet of daffodils or a small potted plant, a little green inside helps to brighten up any space.  I love picking up a little grocery store bouquet when i do my weekend shopping – toss it in a vase and it’s an instant mood lifter.

5. Reward yourself.   Buy something little that will keep you motivated to maintain some of your trouble spots.  Maybe a cute little dish to keep your keys in or a new basket for your outgoing mail.

6. Keep your cleaning supplies handy.  Set up a cleaning caddy in your bathrooms or corral your cleaning supplies in one place.  Keeping your cleaning supplies handy will make it easier to do a little quick clean up before any messes get out of hand.

7. Put things away after you’re done with them.  It’s easy, but hard to get in the habit of doing.  Encourage your family to do this and model it by doing it yourself too.

What would you add to the list?  Any ideas for keeping that spring cleaned feeling?

Becky is a self-proclaimed clean freak and list maker. She is a work-at-home mom to three little ones, and in her spare time she enjoys sharing her cleaning and organizing tricks and tips on her blog, Clean Mama and through her Etsy Shop, Clean Mama Printables.

7 Ways to Keep that Spring Cleaned Feeling is a post from Life Your Way

© 2010-2013 Purple Martin Press, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Home Your Way subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please send an email to contact@yourway.net to let us know. Thanks.