Wednesday is Wash Day

During a recent wind storm, my clothesline bit the dust. Big time, no chance of repairs at all. I have been searching for a replacement for my simple one line retractable model. We put it up several years ago when Prince Charming became irritated with my "line drying" innovations. Prior to its installation, I would use any stationary object in reach to air dry items in the sun. After having to "uncover" his man tools enough times he finally relented to give me a clothesline. We compromised on a retractable version for space and ease. We had countless discussions on why I couldn't just use the dryer like "normal" people. "Not like we can't afford it!" he would mumble. As a child, my mother and grandmother would hang clothes out all summer long. Our line was similar to the one below. When filled with sheets or towels, if a good wind came along it would fly in circles like a pinwheel. I would hide among the dangling linens during hide and seek, lie in the shade in the heat of the noon sun, and we even found an egg or two pinned on the line come Easter morning. My father was rather tall, and since his "chore" was mowing the grass, this model allowed him to collapse the line to avoid the dreaded "clothesline ducking" while moving back and forth with the mower. Plus he wasn't fond of trimming and this meant only one pole to trim around.

So when Prince Charming insisted we weren't "poor" and didn't "need" to hang out our laundry, my standard answer was "if it was good enough for Mom, it's good enough for me". When he finally hung my 1 line retractable work horse, I couldn't wait to wash up a load of sheets and see them waving in the breeze. My family knew I'd lost my final marble for sure as I stood there admiring the lovely ripples. It took several tries before I mastered the knack of hanging them because Prince is a bit more "vertically challenged" than I am so the darn thing was too low to let things ripple too much. Still, the desert sun worked its magic and I snapped those babies off the line, smoothed them onto our comfy bed, and waited for sundown. I snuggled in that night, awaiting the verdict. Nothing. Not a word. Sitting bolt upright, I demanded to know the opinion of my hard labor. "OK, you win. Nothing like a line dried sheet on the bed", he mumbled. Victory was mine. If you have never felt or smelled the fresh sheets on you bed after a day in the sunshine and breezes, you simply haven't lived.

What's a girl to do come winter with the bitter cold and snow that will freeze your jeans solid faster than a jack rabbit? Why move the process indoors of course! To be honest, winter laundry indoors isn't fun. No sunshine, no breezes, and no darn room to hang it all up. I am lucky to have a closet bar above my machines where my "line dry" items can hang. If not, I'd need something like this baby for sure.

I like the way it has several lines for multiple items, and can fold flat when not in use. I also use the over the door hangers to hold items on hangers for drying.

One laundry chore I loath is ironing. I will admit sometimes when you take those towels and jeans off the line they could stand up like soldiers! Not my idea of comfy for sure. Here is a couple tips for you

• Prior to hanging items on the line, give them a good shake, like cracking the whip. Do it again when you take them down and they won't be so stiff.
• After you remove the clothes from the line, throw them in the dryer on fluff for about 10 minutes. Fold them immediately and they will be soft and wrinkle free.
• another method is to throw them from the washer into the dryer for 10 minutes, remove while hot and hang on the line.
  
  
  

Now, like I said, ironing just isn't my thing. Likely due to the fact that when I was little, my "job" was to iron all my Dad's shirts and handkerchiefs. Our laundry room was in the dark, dreary basement and it would take me HOURS to wade through all his stuff every week. Work shirt and dress shirts alike had to be PERFECT, or I'd have to do it again. And again. And again. What kid wants to spend the entire Sunday afternoon holed up in the dark basement ironing snot rags? Jeez! I do admit, nothing is more sexy than a cowboy in a crisp ironed shirt though....

So, over the years I've gotten a few tips to cut down on ironing time.

• hang up or fold items as soon as the dryer shuts off and no more wrinkles!
• permanent press fabrics-need I say more? If that lovely dress shirt says 100% cotton, you may as well break out the iron now.
• invest in a GOOD iron and maintain it according to the manufacturer directions
• Keep a spray bottle of plain water handy to mist those stubborn deep wrinkles while you go along
• put a layer of aluminum foil under your ironing board cover, it will reflect more heat and make it go faster
• teach your kids to iron-THE RIGHT WAY so they can help
• when hanging delicate to dry, gently tug the fabric in all directions to smooth the garment, and give it a firm brush of your hand over the wrinkles, repeat while drying and you can fluff for a few minutes on no heat in the dryer
• in a time pinch and don't want to haul out the old board? Lay a bath towel over your washer or dryer top and iron away. Hey, don't judge me now, but I've been known to use the kitchen table on occasion, just beware the steam might do some funky stuff to the finish if you aren't careful. Don't ask how I know that either....
  

I know we all want to save a little money these days, and laundry adds up in the budget if we aren't careful. Want a few frugal tips to help?

• Forget that fancy fabric softener. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the wash as you would fabric softener instead. Your towels will be more absorbent, your washer won't build up all that gunk in the basket and hoses, and I promise you won't smell like a pickle.
• invest in a clothes line or improvise one. The dryer will cost you several hundred dollars a year to operate. Sunshine is free!
• wash and rinse in cold water, no need to use that water heater on most household laundry
• cut down on detergent. Ever actually read the directions on the package? Odds are you are using much more for each load than you need. Most times you can get away with even less than directed
• only wash full loads
• Pre-treat stains with laundry soap or baby shampoo, no need for expensive stain removers in most cases
• add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the load to boost the detergent
• forget the bleach, hang the whites on the line-sunshine will help whiten those stains, add a touch of lemon juice on the tough ones
• if you must use the dryer, clean the vents after each load. Buildup will decrease the efficiency and MAJOR fire hazard
• cut the dryer sheets in half, same benefits and less cost

So, how about you? Any frugal or handy laundry tips to share? Are you a clothesliner or a dryer? Go ahead, share while I search for a new clothesline....

Happy Valentine's Day!

May the day be full of love for all of my blog friends!

Lately I have a obsession with creative storage solutions. This may be driven by the fact that our rather small home is bursting at the seams with stuff. Every size, shape, and sort imaginable. Purging is in the near future, but before then I wanted some ideas to store the remaining items that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. I am more a function kind of gal rather than one who demands matchy-matchy coordination. If I can reuse some items I already have for a new purpose, even better.

I came across some ideas that really caught my attention and thought maybe they would interest others too.

Use a weekly pill box to corral all those small bits and pieces that otherwise float around and get lost. I love this idea for scrap booking eyelets, especially that they actually attached a sample to each slot for easy reference. Simple, inexpensive, and effective. You could do the same for any small bits-buttons, screws, charms, earrings, fishing hooks, pins, needles, game pieces. These containers close tightly which makes them perfect for these tiny items to keep them from spilling all over your drawer or purse for that matter.


OK, so technically this isn't really organizing, but original all the same. I see so many out there repurposing dressers, TV stands, etc and you could easily incorporate this in those pieces. Make yourself a custom bed out of foam and some fabric, tuck in the bottom space and you have a great spot for Fluffy to retire. Beats tripping over the dog bed for sure. I found endless variety of this project done in everything from kitchen cupboards to freestanding furniture. My cats would go nuts for this idea. Now all I need is a dog..sniff..sniff..

I LOVE THIS! Nearly all of these terrific ideas were found at the Better Homes and Gardens website. This one said they used Velcro to attach the forks to the wall. I think this would be a perfect solution in the kitchen for a couple things. First, I see this idea on a back splash to hold a recipe card up out of the mess while cooking. Second, how about on a cupboard door (either inside or out) to hold those appointment cards or takeout menus, or coupons for the next shopping trip. Upside down or right side up they would be adorable and functional. I also love them reused as garden stakes to hold the seed packets in the garden for each row.

Hold the phone! Literally! HA HA HA!! Seriously, run to the nearest thrift store, grab one of those bread boxes right now. Take it home, paint it, decorate it, drill a couple holes for your cords, and you have a brilliant charging station for all those crazy electronics. I bet I could even coral Prince's cordless drills, screwdrivers, and scissors in one of these big boxes.

OK, how many uses can you think of for a used mint tin? A million right? How about a fancy business card holder? Spiff it up with some paper or ribbon that coordinates with your cards, brilliant! Much better than a boring old box on your desk, or that pile floating around in the bottom of your purse isn't it?

My absolute, total favorite of them all. Use tacks to fasten binder clips to a bulletin board you jazz up any way you wish. Perfect holder for your business cards, takeout menus, grocery list, coupon organizer, to do list, whatever your heart desires. Creative, stylish, cheap, and useful.





Ok, so these aren't organizing, but since I'll have more room I want to spiff up the space I will have when I finish.




Perfect for all those furniture projects out there everyone is doing. Bling up your new desk or table with some coordinating ribbon around the edges. Ribbon comes in every shape, size, and color so there are endless possibilities.

OK, now it's your turn. What creative storage solutions have you come up with for your home? Please share!

What do you do with all those books piled all over the house, garage, in every corner? Am I the only book-a-holic out there? Take some hardcover books, remove the insides and attach the covers to a headboard or a piece of plywood! Yeah, yeah, I HATE to ruin a book, but seriously, sometimes they are past saving. If you can't part with your own, pick up a box on the cheap at a garage sale. Can't find the colors you like? Whip out the trusty spray paint, add a sealer, custom color books!

Cupid's Curse

Are you tired of the stereotypical, overpriced, and well, frankly boring Valentine's Day expectations? Ya? Well, me too. I don't know how the one holiday designed to honor a special someone who holds the key to your heart became such a predictable, thoughtless endeavour. A box of chocolates, a dozen roses whose cost could equal your car payment, a giant stuffed monkey professing his love that in no way will fit into your everyday decor, or a mass produced card dripping with sentiments that would never in a million years pass through the lips of my Prince. Yep, I have received each and every one of the items mentioned. I will admit at the time I was ecstatic because I knew each one was chosen with love and good intentions. Sure, I do enjoy the normal items adored by nearly all red blooded women out there, fresh flowers, chocolate, etc. What I don't enjoy is the fact that these are nearing "required" status just because a silly calendar says it's the day to hand out overpriced nonsense to show someone how much you love them.

I personally find it MUCH more romantic and special when love is expressed in individual ways, and for no particular reason except you care. A bouquet of grocery store flowers when I am having a bad week. Someone grabbing the trash bag from my hand as I head out into the rain to empty the trash. A romantic gesture of heating a can of chicken noodle soup brought to me when I'm huddled on the couch with a cold. A card that says I love you waiting on my pillow when I've been away on business. These things rock my world!

So, how do you plan a romantic, individual, spectacular celebration of love that doesn't include all those "normal" things? I have a rather unique challenge when planning this special day to celebrate my Prince Charming. He is a genuine, certified (x-rays and scars), AARP card carrying cowboy. I love each and every inch of this man and would not trade him for anything in the world. That said, let's be honest here shall we? Cowboys don't appreciate flowers, something about sticker weeds not good for horses..... Cowboys don't appreciate over sized stuffed teddy bears, something about ruins their image with their friends. What I have discovered is two things. First is they are rather sentimental souls. I think Prince has every single card I ever gave him tucked in his dresser drawer, hidden of course under his socks, but saved all the same. He dutifully reads each one, gets a bit misty eyed, and rewards me with a giant bear hug and kisses. He doesn't care if it is a store bought or home made version, in fact he likes the home made ones best. He finds it fascinating someone can whip up something from a few bits of paper and ribbon and make it come out looking good. Maybe a admiring quality for a man who can fix anything with bits of junk laying around the house.


The second one is pretty standard, in fact I am pretty sure you don't even have to marry a cowboy to hit the mark on this one. The way to a man's heart is simple folks-through his stomach! If I want to impress Prince Charming all I have to do is make a spread of his favorite culinary delights and it is a home run every time. Now comes the catch. I couldn't just marry a cowboy. Nope. I had to pick one with diabetes and heart disease. All those years of hard living have caught up to him in a big way. No more daily indulgences of meat, potatoes, and sugary sweet confections. Which of course happen to be at the top of his favorite list of things to eat. Does that mean we don't indulge on this special day? No way! Everything in moderation is the key. We have eaten light all week, chicken, veggies, fish, the usual healthy menu. This allows him to indulge a bit on special occasions and not be sick for days after. He always offers to take me out as a "treat" on Valentine's Day so I "don't have to work so hard". He finally learned that my cooking is WAY better, we get what we want, and we don't have to wait for hours or pay a massive amount of money. It isn't really work as I get to make his favorite dishes that are table ready in about 30 minutes. Our menu this year is simple. Grilled rib eye steak and shrimp on skewers basted in garlic butter (all bought on sale and in the freezer waiting), roasted red potatoes (toss in olive oil and Italian seasoning spread on a cookie sheet), steamed broccoli or green beans, and likely a bowl of French Onion soup for a starter. Desert will be a chocolate bread pudding cut into a heart shape and served on one plate for sharing. I have a bottle of cheap pink champagne chilling to which I will add a splash of pomegranate juice and a handful of seeds.

Now, for the gift. I plan to give him what he ALWAYS wants and asks for, me. He gets my undivided attention for the day. No work, no laundry, no running errands, no reading books. I will spend the day in the moment with him. I am planning a day long scavenger hunt to add a little adventure to this gift as well. I will start the day with a note explaining he will be treated to a day of adventure, anticipation, and excitement. He will then be instructed to follow the clues to the next note for further instruction. The day will begin with a breakfast, either at home (if I get my fanny out of bed in time) or a restaurant. He will be led to the car for another clue, which will read "sit down, shut up, buckle up, and hang on" and I'll take him for a drive to see the country side somewhere. At some point we will get out but I'll drop another clue in the car to check the back where he will find the necessary items for a picnic lunch. Of course the basket will have another clue to lead us home again. I will be renting some romantic and funny movies and we will enjoy one of those to relax for awhile before dinner. Dinner will be at a romantic table set with real china, white linen cloth, and candles in every room of the house. He really hates the candle thing says he can't see what he's eating, but he loves me an humors me anyway ha! After dinner, another note will appear for the remaining evening adventures....... Because it is Valentines day after all, the last note will be attached to a package on the bed containing a new slinky red outfit just my size of course...aahh hmmm....... Ok, you get the idea.


There are a million ways to express your love that don't have to cost a fortune and will mean the world to those you love.

• Make a coupon book of gifts for your special person and tailor them to their likes: good for one back rub, good for one weekend of free reign over the remote, good for one breakfast in bed, good for one round of golf, whatever they like


• Plan a picnic for a meal in a place that has meaning to you, or somewhere the other person has always wanted to go but hasn't. A sunrise breakfast with a great view would be a great start to the day. Lunch in the car near an airport to watch the planes for a pilot. A sunset desert to see the city lights.


• Make a card, write a poem, create a scrapbook-tell them all the things you love about them and how much they mean to you.


• Make all the food for the day red or heart shaped. Cookie cutters make great egg shapes, sandwiches, brownies, etc. Red foods are berries, apples, beets, beans, tomatoes etc.


• Give a miniature rose plant which will last a whole lot longer than that bouquet.


• Draw a heart to frame their face in the mirror and write a special message. Lipstick works, but trust me a dry erase marker will make cleanup much easier....... How about a chalk message to greet them on the sidewalk or driveway? Heck a post it on the remote is just as effective, on the coffee pot, on the milk in the fridge, wherever you want.


• use food coloring to write a message in the snow in the yard


• leave a romantic message on their cell phone or voicemail at work (careful here..)


• set delayed delivery text messages to be delivered on their cell phone every hour saying I love you!


• change the sheets to ones that are satin or higher thread count if you have them on hand.


• Pick up a couple white pillow cases at the thrift store and embellish with fabric paints in the shape of hearts or write a romantic message.


• Get some fortune cookies and carefully remove the fortune with tweezers and insert your own fortune. Dip the cookies in bit of melted chocolate and candy sprinkles for a unique desert


• make your own chocolate covered strawberries with melted chocolate chips, whip up some REAL whipped cream and feed your sweetie for a little fun.


• bake up a batch of their favorite cookies, bread or cake


• play romantic music, dress up like you were going out, and dance on your kitchen floor.


• turn off the lights and watch TV or a movie in the dark. Have popcorn and some chocolate kisses handy for a snack.


• serve your kids sparkling cider or apple juice for breakfast, pop in a cherry or strawberry


• make heart shaped pancakes, or make a heart design in the batter with chocolate chips. serve with melted strawberry jam for syrup. buy bulk sausage and shape in heart shaped patties. make heart shaped burgers-cut heart shaped "buns" out of thick slices of french bread.


• freeze cranberry juice for ice cubes to float in the sparking cider or champagne


• use a paper heart doily as a stencil to sprinkle a pattern with powdered sugar or cocoa on a cake or cheesecake


• make a heart shaped pizza with the family's favorite toppings, or a giant heart shaped cookie and decorate it like a cake


• Looking for a creative way to combine that chocolate/flower gift into one? Have a look at this idea.

Really the ideas are endless if you just take a bit of time to to think it out. If all else fails, just give the gift of yourself. Stop and be present in the moment, hold hands with your partner, read to your children, play ball in the backyard, dig out those board games, whatever you enjoy doing together. Tell them you love them and show them it isn't about money or gifts. It is about what is in your heart each and every day.

Homemade convenience mixes

I am trying to be a bit more budget friendly in my grocery bill these days. I stumbled upon these and thought perhaps others may be in the same situation and so I wanted to share. The terrific part is these items are usually the ones I am out of in the pantry when trying to throw together a quick meal, or are a big part of the recipes I use. This makes it easy to have them on hand in "bulk" to use as needed.

Homemade "Cream of" soup mix recipe

2 c. non-fat dry milk
3/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. Instant bouillon, prefer low sodium chicken, beef, or vegetable or combination of all three
2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed 1 tsp. dried basil crushed
1 tsp. pepper

Combine all ingredients until well blended. Store in airtight container.

To make soup, use 1/3 cup of dry mix, add 1 1/4 cups of cold water in saucepan. Heat and cook until thickened to desired consistency, add 1 Tbsp. butter for smooth sauce. To use as substitute for cream of mushroom, add desired amount sauted mushrooms. For cream of celery, add sauted chopped celery. The variations are endless so feel free to add ingredients to suite your taste or recipe.



Homemade Chocolate Pudding mix

3/4 C powdered milk
7/8 C cornstarch, (1 C minus 2 T)
1 1/2 C sugar
3/4 C cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt (generous)

Combine all dry ingredients and store in airtight container.

For pudding, add 2/3 cup of mix to saucepan. Add 2 cups milk, whisk well to combine. Heat to a boil, reduce heat, continue cooking until thickened. Pour into serving dishes and cool.



Homemade onion soup mix

1 1/2 cups dried minced onion
2/3 cup beef bouillion granules
2/3 cup onion powder--not onion salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Combine all ingredients and store in airtight container. Use 4-5 tablespoons of this mix for each envelope of soup mix in a recipe.


Homemade Whole Wheat Baking mix

5 cups unbleached white flour
4 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/2 tablespoons salt
4 tablespoons baking powder
2 cups solid vegetable shortening

Add all dry ingredients in large bowl or mixer. Add shortening and mix until thoroughly combined and resembles coarse crumbs. Store in airtight container. Use mix as instructed for any recipe using that expensive store bought biscuit mix, you know the one I mean..... Only this one is way cheaper and gets the added bonus of whole grains, less sodium, and easy to whip up.

Happy New Year

I wanted to slow down and write for days now, but as always the time seems to fly away. Our Christmas holiday was delightful this year. Rather sedate and mellow compared to years past but that was just fine with me! My son and his fiance flew in and my daughter and her husband joined us as well. Good food, good company, good times!

Santa was rather good to me this year in spite of everything. Good thing he is a bargain hunter of greatest measure and hunted sales early this year for hiding away gifts. I could only find photos of two, but ones that make my heart go pitter patter for sure.

First off is my new shiny red mini processor! I needed more counter space (you will see why in a moment), so this replaced my larger model for every day use.

For years now, Prince Charming has offered and even begged me to get a Kitchenaid mixer. I held out being frugal with my old trusty hand mixer, and on a rare occasion hauled out my "old as me" Sunbeam stand mixer I got when my mother died. Well, after years of cussing, hand mixing, kneeding, etc, I finally bit the bullet and caved in. Be still my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, with all the company and cooking, she just sits proudly in her place of honor yet unused. I must remedy that situation this weekend! Whole wheat bread, oatmeal bread, and cinnamon rolls here we come! Of course Prince Charming is not so subtly hinting for oatmeal cookies first....

I also got the most awesome compact HP photo printer. Highly functional and adorable with its cute little matching tote. Can't wait to start photos flying and printing for more scrapbooking weekends. Maybe I should just use the room full of prints I already have first? Nah, new is always more fun!

Now, I must rush and find some quick and easy decor for our annual board game gala tonight. I am ashamed to admit our living room resembles a disaster area still which will require a massive cleaning just to allow visitors to enter.

I love this simple idea, and even better if you set all the alarms to ring at the stroke of 12!

This is a simple, easy way to have those favors ready to grab at the final minute to ring in the New Year!

And we all need a little treat to celebrate the New Year after the night of fun. Clever way to present your family with the new year ahead.

May you have the Happiest New Year of all!

Frugal ideas

Am I the last to know about this site? If you are looking for some frugal, practical ideas head over and have a look. I've been lost for hours already!

We are currently having more snow, on top of our previously unmelted piles, fridgid temps etc. I hope to have the holiday spirit take hold and let me get started on holiday decorating. I seem to be the only one in blog land who hasn't done a darn thing yet.

It has been a rough few weeks around the Gazing Ball for sure. My sweet daughter is now in the midst of filing for a divorce, I have been sick with some sort of head cold nonsense, and now it appears I will be lucky to be employed through the month. When it rains it pours I am afraid, or rather its a blizzard of bad luck.

I keep putting one foot in front of the other and doing my best just to get through each day as it comes. Each day I hope the next will be better, but so far that isn't working out so well either. I know I have a terrific family, friends, and cozy cats that do help make things brighter.

So, if my posts are limited I apologize but I don't want to bring down the joyful season for everyone else. Have a wonderful, safe weekend!