Mandi Ehman's Blog, page 127

Day 11: Declutter Your Wardrobe {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 actually one of my favorite organizing activities — decluttering your wardrobe! I love getting rid of clothes that I don’t really wear (most of which are hand-me-downs from my mom and sister) and knowing that the clothes that are left are ones I actually like and enjoy wearing.

source: Rubbermaid Products

There are two ways you can approach today’s mini-task:

1. Take everything out of your closet and try on each item so you can make a realistic decision about what to keep. If you have some extra time and you want to get your closet decluttered once and for all, this is the way to go.

2. Declutter anything that you know you don’t want to keep and turn the rest of the hangers around backwards. Each time you wear something, put the hanger back in the right direction. After a few months you’ll be able to quickly see what you wear and what is just taking up space.

The funny thing about clothes is the more we have, the more often we feel like we just don’t have anything to wear because we spend so much time sorting through clothes we don’t really like in an effort to find something we do.

Personally, I’m not quite ready to commit to just 33 items of clothing, but I do have a fairly minimalist wardrobe, and there is freedom in knowing that I feel good in all of the clothes in my closet. (Although I’m hoping to pack away a lot of what’s in there in favor of maternity clothes in the coming weeks and months!)

Whether you’re going to try everything on today or simply turn your hangers around for now, there are a few things you can declutter from your wardrobe without a lot of thought:

worn out socks or unmentionables
clothes you know you don’t like
clothes that is several sizes too small or too big

If you need additional space in your closet, you might also pack away these items:

off-season clothing
clothing that is too small that you are working toward fitting in again
clothing for special occasions

Like most areas of decluttering, the more you cull your wardrobe, the better you get at making those decisions quickly, but it really comes down to being willing to get rid of something when it’s uncomfortable, you don’t enjoy wearing it or it’s not your style, even if you feel like you should like it. (Those shoulds are the enemy of decluttering!)

Bonus: Take some time to go through your husband’s wardrobe together today as well.

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!

Want to keep going? We’ll finish cleaning out the master and guest bedroom closets tomorrow!

How often do you cull your wardrobe? What’s the oldest piece of clothing in your closet?

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 11: Declutter Your Wardrobe {Spring Cleaning Made Easy} is a post from Life Your Way

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Free Kindle Books {3/28/13}

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

Wading Home: A Novel of New Orleans by Rosalyn Story 


Genre: Family Life


Reviews:  (95 reviews)

At Last (The Idle Point, Maine Stories) by Barbara Bretton 


Genre: Contemporary


Reviews:  (2 reviews)

Nonfiction

Desires of My Heart – Meditation on Psalm 37:4 by Heather Bixler 


Genre: Devotionals


Reviews:  (24 reviews)

How to Lose Belly Fat: The Quick & Easy Guide (Versatile Health Guides) by Chris Reichert & Joey Cardillo 


Genre: Healthy


Reviews:  (1 review)

Negotiating with Backbone: Eight Sales Strategies to Defend Your Price and Value by Reed K. Holden 


Genre: Sales & Selling


Reviews:  (34 reviews)

21 Days of Faith Challenge (A Life of Faith) by Shelley Hitz 


Genre: Meditations


Reviews:  (14 reviews)

Uncaged: Top Activists Share Their Wisdom on Effective Farm Animal Advocacy by Ben Davidow 


Genre: Animals


Reviews:  (1 review)

Children’s Books

Bumble Babees by Laura Yirak 


Genre: Bugs & Spiders


Reviews:  (12 reviews)

Hopsy, The Bunny by K.K. 


Genre: Short Stories


Reviews:  (7 reviews)

Samantha Loses the Box Turtle (Samantha Series of Chapter Books) by Daisy Griffin 


Genre: Science & How it works


Reviews:  (25 reviews)

Children’s ebook: the Incredible Sausaghetti (Cooky & Booky: simple recipes for kids) by Prof. Tiptoe 


Genre: Games


Reviews:  (12 reviews)

See more Kindle freebies here.

Free Kindle Books {3/28/13} is a post from Life Your Way

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46 Ways to Serve Fruits & Veggies at Snacktime {Eat Well, Spend Less}

source: Mandi Ehman

This month’s Eat Well, Spend Less topic is all about making the transition from winter to spring in your kitchen, and over at Easy Homemade I’m sharing 46 (yes, forty six!) different ways to serve fruits and veggies:

For better or worse, snacktime is a big deal in our house, and our girls look forward to their mid-morning and post-quiet time snack every. single. day.

Since we’re already preparing three meals a day, delicious homemade snacks are more of a special treat than an everyday occurrence, and we rely on fresh fruit and veggies most of the time instead. (Which often means simply grabbing an apple from the produce drawer.)

That said, I love the idea of making a variety of yummy fruit salads, dips and frozen pops to expand the variety of fruits and veggies they’re eating on a daily basis, and below is a list of 46 delicious snack ideas as we head into spring and summer. Some are pure fruit while a few have added sugar; some can be tossed together in a minute or two and others take a little more time but can be made ahead of time. Whichever ones you choose, you’re sure to find a few to add to your snack rotation!

Click here to see all 46 snack ideas.

 

46 Ways to Serve Fruits & Veggies at Snacktime {Eat Well, Spend Less} is a post from Life Your Way

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15 Fun Ways to Reinforce Science Concepts for Kids

The following post is from Jennifer, a lifelong educator:

See all of the Homework Helps posts here.

Hands-on experiments and activities are usually a hit with any student, but taking a science test can be quite the opposite.  Answering questions about complex information can intimidate even the best of students.

source: NWABR

Here are some ways to help your son or daughter solidify important concepts for an exam:

1.  Create a brochure or pamphlet – include important facts and details.  Add photos or drawings to further reinforce learning.

2.  Make a cartoon strip with the main character talking about ideas that he’s trying to remember.

3.  Design a poster – use photos from magazines or the internet; add labels to critical parts.

4.  Video tape a “commercial” telling the viewers why they need to purchase this information.  Preparing, presenting, then watching allows students to cover the material at least three times.

5.  Some concepts are best understood through models.  Play doh, legos, popsicle sticks and blocks are inexpensive and easily accessible.  Have your child talk to you through each step and they’ll more easily remember the parts of the model you built together!

source: Jennifer

6.  Put facts to the music of a simple song like Old McDonald or Row, Row, Row Your Boat.  Writing lyrics, then singing them, doubles the study time.

7.  Watch an online demonstration – take notes while watching.

8.  Make flash cards.  Color code similar concepts.

9.  Use index cards to make a matching game with key words and definitions.  Play like Memory/Concentration.

10.  Design a Power Point – send it to the teacher for extra credit!

11.  Create a questionnaire, along with the answers, that you can ask a classmate before the test.

12.  Make a concept map to “see” the processes.

13.  Write a play about a scientist who discovers the information you are studying.  Enlist classmates to play some of the parts.  Ask if you can present the play to the class.

14.  Present a puppet show, using premade puppets (or even socks with felt faces!) who talk about the facts that need to be memorized.

15.  If motivation about science is lacking, visit a nearby children’s museum.  It can ignite the passion your child needs to push through tough material.

source: InspireFate Photography

What’s your child’s favorite thing about science?  What helps them when it’s time to study for a test?

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.

15 Fun Ways to Reinforce Science Concepts for Kids is a post from Life Your Way

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8 Things You Can Clean with Lemons

The following post is from Andrea of Simple Organized Living:

source: Simple Organized Living

I love lemons! I love baking with lemons, decorating with lemons, using lemon-scented soaps and candles… and cleaning with lemons.

Lemons are a frugal way to naturally clean and disinfect so many areas of your home — plus your whole house will smell lovely after you’re finished cleaning!

Here are eight things you can clean with lemons:

1. Clothing

Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent and can be used to whiten dingy whites without the harmful affects of bleach. There are two methods that have both worked well for me:

1. Pour 1/2 c. of lemon juice in the fabric softener cup (or add during the rinse cycle) and then hang your clothes to dry in the sun.

2. Add 1 c. of lemon juice to a sink or large bucket filled with hot water. Let clothing soak for a couple hours and then wash as normal.

2. Brass & Copper

Clean your “grubby” looking brass and copper pans and fixtures by dipping half of a lemon in salt and rubbing it all over the discolored or dirty areas. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove any salt and then dry with a clean, soft cloth.

3. Stainless Steal & Chrome

Remove finger prints and hard water spots with ease by simply rubbing the cut side of a lemon over your stainless steel and chrome fixtures. Rinse with warm water and buff dry with a soft cloth.

4. Food Storage Containers

Plastic food storage containers can get pretty nasty looking, especially if you use them to store pasta sauce or other red foods.

However, you can often remove those stains by soaking your containers in hot water and lemon juice — then scrubbing with baking soda as needed. Wash with warm soapy water and let dry.

5. Laminate Counter Tops

Our old home had very light laminate counter tops, and they were always getting stained. I tried so many different cleaning products and finally removed the stains by squeezing lemon juice on the specific areas and then scrubbing with a little baking soda.

6. Butcher Block

Disinfect butcher block counters and cutting boards by rubbing the cut side of a lemon over the surface and then wiping it down with soapy water.

You can also remove stains from butcher block by pouring lemon juice over the stain, letting it sit overnight, and then wiping it with a damp cloth (repeat if necessary).

7. Microwave

Put 3/4 c. of water and 2 T. lemon juice in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until boiling (usually at least 5 minutes). After the water comes to a boil, stop the microwave and leave the door close for about 10 minutes. At this time, you should be able to quickly and easily wipe down and food residue inside your microwave — plus your kitchen will smell lovely!

8. Garbage Disposal

After you’re finished cleaning with all these lemons, toss the rinds down your garbage disposal along with some ice and lots of cold tap water to clean and freshen.

Extra Tip

Add lemon to vinegar spray. I love cleaning with vinegar, but the smell can get to me after a while. So, I’ve started adding a Tablespoon or two of lemon juice to my 50/50 vinegar/water mixture in a spray bottle, and now it smells like spring every time I clean!

The next time you head to the grocery store, pick up a bag or two of lemons and start cleaning. You home will look (and smell) fabulous.

Do you have any other secrets for cleaning with lemons?

Andrea Dekker is a WAHM, coupon addict, and simple living enthusiast. She motivates and encourages others to create their best life through simplicity and organization via her blog, Simple Organized Living.

8 Things You Can Clean with Lemons is a post from Life Your Way

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Day 10: Master Bedroom & Guest Room Bedding {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.

After tackling the kitchen and bathrooms, today’s task should feel easy-peasy as we head into the master bedroom and guest room to wash and change the bedding!

source: Mandi Ehman

Although you’ve probably changed the sheets fairly recently in both of these rooms, when was the last time you washed the dust ruffle, flipped the mattress or even aired out the comforter? Today’s task is fairly easy and will really help freshen up the master and guest bedrooms, especially if you change your bedding with the seasons!

To start, strip the sheets off both beds. Be sure to take the shams off your decorative pillows so those can be washed as well. Lift the mattresses and remove the dust ruffles.

Before you do anything else, go ahead and start a load of laundry. If you’ll be putting the same bedding back on the bed, start with the dust ruffles, fitted and flat sheets, and pillowcases since those are the things you’ll want to put back on the bed first!

Next, flip the mattress. I like to turn my mattress so that the foot is at the head and flip it over.

If you’re not planning on washing the comforters today — and you have a clothesline — hang the comforters out in the fresh air while you’re washing the rest of the bedding.

When the washer is done running, move the sheets to the dryer and wash the pillows.

Now you can take a break while the wash runs. Once the sheets are done, begin making the beds back up while you wash any remaining blankets.

Pack away any seasonal bedding and finish making the beds.

And you’re done!

Bonus: If you have time, take your comforters to a laundromat, where you can use the extra-large capacity washing machines and dryers that can handle the thickness of a comforter. You can also do this in the bathtub at home, but you’ll need someplace to hang the (heavy) comforter to dry!

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!

Want to get started on tomorrow’s tasks? We’ll be sorting through your personal wardrobe!

How often do you wash your pillows?

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 10: Master Bedroom & Guest Room Bedding {Spring Cleaning Made Easy} is a post from Life Your Way

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Buy a Shirt & Save the Life of a Baby Girl in India {Sevenly.com}

Have you discovered Sevenly yet? Sevenly offers a new shirt design each and every week, but these designs aren’t just pretty — they’re designed in support of a specific cause or charity, and $7 from each shirt sold is donated directly to that charity!

This week’s charity is Invisble Girl Project, an organization that fights the systematic killing of girls in India by rescuing and caring for Indian girls, pursuing justice in India for girls’ lives that have been taken, and raising global awareness about the loss of female lives in India. As the mom of four beautiful little girls, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around this gendercide, but ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. With the purchase of a shirt this week, $7 will be donated toward the rescue and care of a little girl in India.

See all of this week’s designs here.

Why Sevenly?

Sevenly is a for-profit company that is making a tangible difference through their giving. They offer high-quality, stylish clothing at a reasonable price and instead of pocketing all of the revenue, they give $7 from each and every shirt purchased directly to the cause of the week.

While giving directly to a charity is always the better option, Sevenly is a great way to expand your wardrobe and support the causes you care about at the same time. And your new shirt offers you the opportunity to become an ambassador for these charities as well, as the designs are sure to open up conversations along the way!

Buy a Shirt & Save the Life of a Baby Girl in India {Sevenly.com} is a post from Life Your Way

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10 Ways to Add Encouragement to Your Home

The following post is from Lisa of The Pennington Point:

source: The Pennington Point

Some days I just need a little extra encouragement.  From dieting to raising kids to being hurt by a friend, a simple reminder of what is really important can make all the difference in my day.

I used to write notes to myself and stick them to my bathroom mirror.  Then, I remodeled the bathroom and I didn’t want Post-Its interfering with the decor.  So I looked for other ways to add encouraging words around my home.

1. Wall Hanging

source: The Pennington Point

It may be obvious, but I can’t leave this one out.   I love a print or image you love that has an encouraging quote.  I have the one above by Kelly Rae Roberts in my bathroom and it lifts my spirits every morning!

2. Wall Words

source: The Pennington Point

I painted a whole wall in my living room with a Bible verse.  It was almost free and only took a day.  But there are also many sources for vinyl decals that you can put right on the wall to add joy to your day.

3. Bulletin Board

source: The Shabby Creek Cottage

Sometimes I still want to write myself a little note.  To make it look nicer than just stuck to the mirror I have a place for them.  A bulletin board gives me a place for that and special notes that friends give me.

4. Screensaver

source: live laugh rowe

It’s not technically decorating, but opening up my computer and seeing a phrase that gives me hope on my screen is sometime just what I need to propel me in my work.  I like to take a screen shot of a quote that inspires me and use it as my screensaver.

5. Chalkboard

source: The Pennington Point

The great thing about a chalkboard is you can change it for the season or just for when you need a new message.  I have a framed chalkboard in my living room that I change every couple of months.  It keeps the message fresh.

6. Whiteboard

source: The Pennington Point

It’s not nearly as cute as a chalkboard, but a whiteboard is a wonderful way to send a daily message to your family.  We have a large whiteboard in the dining room, and I write a new verse on it every morning.  It gives the whole family daily encouragement.

7. Kid Art

source: The Pennington Point

When your kids make something that inspires you, hang it up!  You can see more ideas for kid art display here.

8. On the Fridge

source: The Pennington Point

I’m not a big fan of hanging things on the fridge with magnets.  It can look messy.  But did you know you can write on your fridge with dry erase markers?  Sometimes I will write a saying on my fridge to encourage me in my diet!

9. Pillows

source: Shop 24

A throw pillow is an easy way to add a pop of inspiration to your day.  Pillows are simple to change, affordable and easy to find.

10. Subway Art

source: The Pennington Point

It’s everywhere!  I found this one at a craft store, and it was the perfect fit for the little spot in my hallway, and it encourages the whole family.

Do you have a favorite verse of quote that would encourage you every day?

Lisa winds through her little Texas farm house every night, tucking in her nine homeschooled children and turning off lights. Then she scans the rooms & makes a mental list of what she wants to rearrange, restore or paint. Her husband of 26 years hangs on for the ride while she blogs about it over at The Pennington Point.

10 Ways to Add Encouragement to Your Home is a post from Life Your Way

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Printable Spring Subway Art to Brighten Up Your Home

The following post is from Jason & Jennifer Bruce of New Season Design :

Spring? The calendar might say it’s time for Spring, but one look out the windows here makes me wonder.

We decided to create our own little bit of Spring. This Spring subway art print is a little reminder of what’s to come… birds chirping, sunshine, butterflies, and gentle breezes. If you want to display your own little bit of Spring, just print, trim on the dotted line, and display in an 8×10 frame.

Click here to download or print the Spring Subway Art.

Happy Spring!

What’s your favorite way to bring Spring into your home?

Jason & Jennifer Bruce are the husband-and-wife design team behind New Season Design, where they work together to help clients put their best foot forward online. Jason is a pastor-turned-graphic designer, and Jennifer is a teacher-turned-blog designer who also blogs at The Simple Pen about life, learning and the things she loves.

Printable Spring Subway Art to Brighten Up Your Home 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.

Day 9: Clean the Bathroom Fixtures, Floors & Walls {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.

Now that the closets and cabinets have been cleaned out, it’s time to pull on the rubber gloves and scrub the rest of the bathroom. Just think how great it will feel when they’re all sparkly and clean!

source: cookipediachef

Today’s goal is to clean your fixtures (tub, shower, sink and toilet), wipe down the walls and baseboards and scrub the floors. You’ll also want to clean the mirror, shower or cabinet doors and any windows in the bathroom.

Using Becky’s Clean Your Bathrooms in 15 Minutes (or Less) method as a template for today’s deep clean, here’s how I suggest you do it:

1. Start in the first bathroom and spray any glass surfaces with window cleaner. Wipe clean.

2. Clean the toilet with a toilet brush.

3. Liberally spray the sink, toilet and tub/shower with all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant.

4. Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes to completely clean and disinfect while you repeat the first 3 steps in the additional bathrooms.

5. Head back to the first bathroom and wipe everything down; repeat in remaining bathrooms.

6. Once the fixtures and glass are clean, start with a fresh damp rag and wipe down the walls in each bathroom.

7. Wipe the baseboards.

8. Spray the floor with an all-purpose cleaner and let it sit for a for example minutes while you clean the walls and baseboards in the remaining bathrooms.

9. Head back and mop the first bathroom; repeat in remaining bathrooms.

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!

Still in the mood to clean? Get a jump start on tomorrow, when we’ll be cleaning the bedding in the master and guest bedrooms.

How long does it take you to deep clean the bathrooms in your home??

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 9: Clean the Bathroom Fixtures, Floors & Walls {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.