Tag Archives: homemaking

Is Cleanliness Next to Godliness?

Is it really true…is cleanliness next to godliness?  Well for some housekeepers it is!  I tend to have a mixed view on this. While I want a clean home, I don’t want it to feel untouchable.  And I certainly don’t want it to become more important than the relationships that happen inside. I really hate that when my children were younger, I oftentimes made them feel that the state of my home was more important than they were.  Obviously I never truly felt that way but it was the message I sent more times than not. Complaints were always coming … Continue reading →

Simple Method of Decluttering

Spring is in the air.  Okay, maybe not yet.  But the fact we’re nearing the month of March certainly has my eyes on the prize of no more snow and green grass. So it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning, for those who partake in this time-honored tradition of cleaning the house.  Specifically, I want to look at the concept of decluttering; because I’ve found that by tackling this first, it makes cleaning so much easier. Here is how I like to approach the clutter monster that tends to overtake my home during the colder months.  My initial focus … Continue reading →

Using Pinterest for Housekeeping Tips

Have you discovered Pinterest?  I tend to spend oodles of time on there every-so-often. And when I do, discover a wealth of great resources, tips and ideas. One of the areas that I have especially enjoyed navigating is with homemaking.  That’s because I love taking care of my home.  I pride myself in it. Not in the fact that it’s perfect (you will find a cobweb and a layer of dust somewhere) or that it’s the most beautiful house (lots of areas inside are in need of TLC), but it’s my domain. It is where I find my place of … Continue reading →

Creating a Recipe Binder

Last year I was on a quest to get organized with my meals.  I spent several months making a couple of new meals each week, so I would have a wider variety to choose from.  I am starting to finally see the positive effects of this…or should I say my family is. One of my goals was to avoid cooking the same meals over and over again.  So I purchased a binder with clear pocket holders to help in organizing my recipes. I have to share one of the best resources on the web for printing recipes.  It is the … Continue reading →

Basic Repairs on an Electric Stove

Do you own an electric stove?  Repairs on any appliance can be costly, so if there is a way to fix-it-yourself, there is definitely money to be saved. There are two main problems that can happen with an electric stove.  The first is a bad socket and the second is a bad switch. The best way to test a burner is to put in one that you know for sure already works. When it fails to heat, it is either a socket or a switch.  An important note is that before you replace anything in an electric stove; make sure … Continue reading →

Unclogging Pipes

It’s a common issue in most homes…clogged pipes.  But before you call a plumber and empty your wallet, there are ways you can take care of it yourself. Food, oil, hair and dirt.  All to blame for the slow drain or the one that has completely stopped up.  It can happen with the bathtub, kitchen or bathroom sink. Sometimes the clog is easily accessible.  It might be a clump of debris that’s within reach.  Use a rounded bristle brush, tweezers or even small pliers to reach into the pipe and pull it out. Just like a toilet that gets clogged … Continue reading →

Learning Basic Home Repairs through Television

When I was growing up, my parents lived at hardware stores.  I remember having to come along every Saturday to an Ace Hardware store, spending what felt like hours walking up and down the aisles. They were constantly fixing things or coming up with home projects to do.  And you know where they got most of their ideas from?  They faithfully watched “This Old House.” Of course, as a child I found the show completely boring.  Who would have ever thought that one day I would be browsing the aisles of Home Depot and watching similar shows such as “Holmes … Continue reading →

You Can Make Basic Home Repairs

Maybe you are one of those people that think you could never repair a thing in your home.  You let it go or hire someone to take care of it. I’m grateful to have a husband who doesn’t believe in hiring professionals unless absolutely necessary.  If he doesn’t know how to fix something, he will go through every means possible to avoid paying someone. The reason I am thankful for this is that the biggest costs when it comes to repairs is the labor.  You can pay $20 for the actual item that needs fixing or replacing but another $100 … Continue reading →

Saving Money with Home Repairs

So last month I covered the cleaning aspect of housekeeping.  I mentioned in the beginning of this year that housekeeping encompasses cleaning, home repairs, decorating and organizing. For the month of February, the focus will be on basic home repairs.  Knowing how to do some of these can help save money. This past week I got to experience a taste of this after discovering a leaky pipe in my kitchen.  Normally leaks come from underneath the sink.  But this one was coming through the cabinet next to my sink. It unfortunately required my husband, who is not a plumber, to … Continue reading →

Creating Chore Charts

In my last blog I offered some tips when it comes to chores and children.  The idea was to get you thinking about the ways you can make it easier for them and yourself. Now we are going to look at how to create a chore chart.  But you might want to first decide if your children will receive an allowance for doing their chores. I have been on both sides.  There were times over the years that I did pay an allowance.  Then there was a time when they were expected to do certain chores as a contribution to … Continue reading →