Oh, have I bit off more than I can chew? I've got the bug to spring clean! I started this week in the kitchen and did a bit each day. Would you like the details of what I accomplished? Did I hear a yes? Well here goes...
Monday:
I started in one corner of the room and went through all my cookbooks, sorting out some that I never use. I'm sort of addicted to them and I still have more than necessary! Then I made it to the refrigerator and cleaned it all out and the freezer too. Vinegar and water works well. It was nice to get rid of some old items and to realize what I do have so now my dinners will include some of these items in the freezer so they can make room for something new.
Tuesday:
Next was the Tupperware cabinet. How much Tupperware does one need anyway? I sorted out quite a bit of it and put it in the garage for the next "garage sale." Then the cupboard with the dishes....I sorted and got rid of mismatched cups, glasses etc. etc. Then I washed down the shelves and lined them with new shelf paper. I think I like laying shelf paper as much as I like hanging wall paper~ :(
After that came the silverware drawer,the drawer with the zip lock baggies and the towel drawer. They too got a scrub and new paper.
Wednesday:
I cleaned under the kitchen sink.....yucky! Then the cabinet with the serving bowls, pie tins, quiche pans.....more sorting! Ah room, so very nice! I also set my oven to self clean and turned it on.
Thursday:
Wiped out the oven. Cleaned and sorted the little cabinet with the vases. Out to the garage many of them went! Anyone need a vase?
Then on to the "junk drawer" you know the one with the pens, pencils, tape, glue, rubber bands, etc. etc. more sorting, discarding and moving of items, then a cleaning and new paper.
The next challenge was to be the two drawers full of spices. I wiped them all off and put them in alphabetical order. I wrote the name of the spice on the top so I could look down and read them. I put them back in the drawer with the A's in the front row, B and C's in the second and so on. Then I instructed the cooks in my family as to the system and encouraged them to put them back the way they are now after they use them. :)
Friday:
Now to the serving spoon drawer. Wow do I own a lot of serving spoons and various utensils!
I have one of those divided containers so they are easier to see now. There is a divided container in the battery, candle and etc. drawer too. They look nice with their new liners.
Then I rearranged the pots and pans drawers, cleaned them and put down new paper. Some of the pots needed a scrub with Comet and steel wool and they are much shinier.
The last drawer is full of muffin cups, measuring cups, mixing bowls etc. Plus I let go of my old mixer that has the blade stuck in it...it was so very hard to clean and I use the Kitchen Aide anyway. There is much more room now that it has been removed. What do we keep these things for anyway?
The final move was to clean off the counters and the appliances. I took everything off the counters. I have granite so found the granite cleaner and gave them a scrub. Then I only put back on the counters what I use on a regular basis....plus a flower arrangement by the sink just to make the view look pretty when I'm doing the dishes.
I gave the floor a sweep and a mop and I am glad the kitchen is almost finished.....tomorrow....
Saturday:
The plan is to clean out the pantry and above the washer and dryer (mine are in the kitchen behind some folding doors.) Then the spring cleaning of the kitchen will be complete!
It's a good feeling to have it neat orderly and clean. I encourage you to do the same but you will need a block of time each day, some rags, a pair of rubber gloves, comet, white vinegar, drawer liner paper and energy.
I'd love to hear about your success or any special tips.
The plan is to take a break now and pick another room soon!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Recently I was invited to a wedding shower but unfortunately I was not able to attend. The hostess lovingly sent me the devotional that was given to the bride and those attending. I was was struck by the topic and the wording she used so I contacted her to see if she would mind my writing up what she wrote and happily she said yes.
Her top was "words." We're all personally familiar with words. Most of us come by them easily, use them often, and being that we're of the feminine gender; we have many words to share with anyone who will be kind enough to listen.
Scripture has much to teach about words. In Proverbs 15:1 God says, "gentle words turn away wrath." Also the Lord tells us that "the tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable. In Proverbs 4 we also read that a "soothing tongue is a tree of life." Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." A beautiful picture!
It is awesome to think that God has given us, His children, a secret potion that can bring comfort, soothing, and healing to the soul of another human being. And then taking that gift of words one step further, as wives and help-meets, we can offer a sweet blessing to our husband through the words that come carefully and wisely from our mouths.
I think it's utterly interesting that God saw fit to equip women with an extra mean sure of words. I think I've head that we females naturally have something like 2/3 more words zipping around our hearts and minds than our men have. I know that's true in my family! How kind of God to liberally give us the words that have the power to sweetly sooth and heal the soul of our husband.
As life bring its ups and downs, as it does for everyone, you have an amazing secret potion capable of delivering God's comfort to your husband when he's feeling discouraged or just less than triumphant. He ears and heart will be inclined to you and your comforting words more than to anyone else. It's really such a beautiful thing how God melts a couple together through the stresses and joys of life. The framework of that melting together deals often with words, Your tender well-chosen words and the daily words of your Savior in the scriptures.
It is my prayer that God in His faithfulness will abundantly give both of you sweet, comforting word for each other. May the Lord bless your marriage.
How are you doing with your words? I know I have some work to do in this area. "May the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in thy sight oh Lord my strength and my redeemer!"
Her top was "words." We're all personally familiar with words. Most of us come by them easily, use them often, and being that we're of the feminine gender; we have many words to share with anyone who will be kind enough to listen.
Scripture has much to teach about words. In Proverbs 15:1 God says, "gentle words turn away wrath." Also the Lord tells us that "the tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable. In Proverbs 4 we also read that a "soothing tongue is a tree of life." Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." A beautiful picture!
It is awesome to think that God has given us, His children, a secret potion that can bring comfort, soothing, and healing to the soul of another human being. And then taking that gift of words one step further, as wives and help-meets, we can offer a sweet blessing to our husband through the words that come carefully and wisely from our mouths.
I think it's utterly interesting that God saw fit to equip women with an extra mean sure of words. I think I've head that we females naturally have something like 2/3 more words zipping around our hearts and minds than our men have. I know that's true in my family! How kind of God to liberally give us the words that have the power to sweetly sooth and heal the soul of our husband.
As life bring its ups and downs, as it does for everyone, you have an amazing secret potion capable of delivering God's comfort to your husband when he's feeling discouraged or just less than triumphant. He ears and heart will be inclined to you and your comforting words more than to anyone else. It's really such a beautiful thing how God melts a couple together through the stresses and joys of life. The framework of that melting together deals often with words, Your tender well-chosen words and the daily words of your Savior in the scriptures.
It is my prayer that God in His faithfulness will abundantly give both of you sweet, comforting word for each other. May the Lord bless your marriage.
How are you doing with your words? I know I have some work to do in this area. "May the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in thy sight oh Lord my strength and my redeemer!"