cleaning house

If you are like me, right about now you are tearing down the decorations and scrubbing everything.  I always get that spring cleaning itch right after Christmas. I scrapped my tree yesterday.  A nice clean slate! Clean countertops and clutter free rooms- bliss.

This year, as gifts for my friends, I went a little crunchy. I put together little cleaning kits for my friends.

 

The Dollar Tree was so helpful.  I found the empty spray bottles, scrub brushes, microfiber sponges and cute green baskets there.  I also tucked in an organic cotton dish towel.  The cleaners I made for them: All-Purpose Cleaner, Window Cleaner, and Lavender Scouring Scrub. 

 

Here's how I made them.

All Purpose Cleaner:

In an large glass measuring cup I mixed together 1 tsp Baking Soda, 2 tsp Borax, a few drops of Lliquid Dish Soap. (I used this because it was dye and fragrance free), and 2 cups of very Hot Water.  Stir, stir, stir.  Then I added a splash of Lemon Juice and several drops of Lemon Essential Oil.  Then, use a funnel to pour cleaner into an empty spray bottle. 

Window Cleaner:

Again, in a large glass measuring cup mix together 2 Tbl Vinegar, a few drops of Liquid Dish Soap, and 2 cups Hot Water.  Using a funnel, pour into empty squirt bottle.  This one is so easy! If you are just staring to use natural glass cleaner you may find this to be somewhat smeary as it cleans off all the residue of commercial cleaners.

Lavender Scouring Scrub:

In a large bowl measure 2 cups of Baking Soda.  Add 10-15 drops of Lavender Essential oil into the bowl along with the baking soda.  Then, pour this mixture into a sifter and work all the little clumps out.  I put finished mixture into a wide mouth pint jar.  This smells so good and can also be used in the laundry along with to your soap.

Easy huh?  Happy Scrubbing.

**With all the tidying up around here, I haven't neglected myself. There's been some "cleaning house" going on inside of me too.  I've been doing this program for sometime now and am beginning to see real and lasting changes in my heart and in my weight too.  Just thought I would throw that out there as many of you may be contemplating your New Year's Resolutions.

Hannah's head

 

I always knew it would be her.  I've suspected that one day she would be the child who would need emergency medical attention.  Last night she did a somersault off of her sister's bed (on purpose) and conked her head on the sideboard. 

 

A bit of blood, lots of tears, and two staples later...she is all fixed up. 

Thank goodness for husbands who brave freezing rain and snow at 10pm to make unfortunate trips to the hospital. (it took us a while to decide if we should take her in and who would be the one to go).  I'm totally down with a little blood and being hands on with the process of birth. I've even been front and center assisting with postpartum suturing...but I COULD NOT watch them put staples in my baby's head.  Uh-uh.  Even that photo- gives me the willies!

the day after

Don't you just love The Day After Christmas?  Lounging in your jammies until noon, kids happily playing with their new toys, movie watching, left-over pie/cheesecake (or both!), and more lounging.

 

Don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day-  lots of lovely family and food, and smiles and hugs...but busy.  I always find myself scrambling at the last minute (no matter how well prepared I thought I was) and by the time Christmas Day is over, I am ready for a nice long sit down.

After a very relaxed morning, we decided to brave the cold and get outside for a bit.  Our friends invited us to their orchard for some sledding.

 

Sledding may be an inaccurate term. It was a bit more like plowing.  The snow was so deep and fluffy that each run provided us with a chilly face freeze.

 

The track was rough at first, but after a few runs it was pretty sweet.  To keep warm, my friend's husband built us a nice warm fire.

 

It was 9 degrees outside so I found as many excuses as I could to stand nearby.

 

Carl too. 

We have big plans for our secluded little sledding hill.  There was talk of tailgates, hot cocoa stations, marshmallow roasting, lawn chairs, and "non-caloric silicon based kitchen lubricant".  Good times, good times.

Let the relaxing continue!