how-to – Page 5 – Home's Cool!

'Tis the Season, Blessings of Habit, Homemaking

Need 3 Good Reasons to Spring Clean?

Posted on March 11, 2015March 6, 2016 by Katharine

1. I’ll start at the beginning, with fear.

You do not want your children to be bitten by a black widow or a brown recluse. Period.

So you must take every everything out of bookcases and toy boxes, from behind freezers and washers and dryers, and turn everything upside down looking for the black widow’s distinctive web. It is strong, as if made of nylon, even making noise when you rip it, and crazy, as if the weaver were drunk.

I’ll emphasize the strength of the widow web by saying I recently tried to pick up one spray bottle sitting next to another and got both. Between them in all that web, was a widow. I’m glad she had died, first, but I wonder where her egg sac is. Brrr. Probably up inside my deep freeze, which I cannot turn upside down by myself. Yikes.

However, if you do find a widow egg sac, it will be tan, about the hue of khaki fabric, but maybe lighter, and roughly teardrop-shaped. See this photo and notice the aimless design in the supporting webwork.

What you need to be most concerned about, though, is the bookcase where children’s books are kept, and the toy boxes. Black widows prefer wooden places. And undisturbed places. Well, just read that link, above, to get the whole scope.

Oh, and the brown recluse is not much of a web maker and loves to hide between papers, so it’s time to get those newspapers and magazine corralled before the kids decide to do it for you . . .

2. What about mold?

All winter you’ve been heating your house, and not dusting as much as is wise, right? Don’t worry, winter doldrums get us all. But now is the time to fix all that. When you open the windows to let in the lovely, balmy breezes of Spring, you’ll also let in something you haven’t experienced in a while: humidity!

Humidity works with dust to make a moldy life for us all. There will even be moldy dust on your window screens, themselves, and in the windowsills. You should at least clean the screens and sills when you get ready to open up to the warmth out there, but if it’s all taken apart, might as well get the glass, too, and have everything sparkly.

Sometimes I wait with it, though, until the worst of the pollen has subsided, since we won’t have windows open much during that time, anyway. I can clean pollen off the screens and sills when I get the rest, that way. Saves work.

Screens drying I choose a hot, windy day for the job, and use a pan of hot water with about a teaspoon of dish soap in it, and a toilet scrub brush (that I keep just for windows) . Remove the screen and lay it on a deck or sidewalk for support. Hose it, then scrub and rinse. Stand it up to dry while you do the window the same. Then dry the window; I use an old bath towel. I know it leaves a tad of lint, but it’s faster that paper toweling and is free. Once all windows are done, begin replacing screens. It should only take about one morning to do this job.

3. Looks.

You and your family deserve to see the place shiny at least once a year. Go for it. You will be glad. It boosts everyone’s morale and causes all sorts of happy feelings in your heart.

For “spring-cleaning-without-spring-cleaning” how-to’s, start here. Have fun!

College, Guest Post, Husbands

How to Find Your True Love!

Posted on February 21, 2015December 10, 2020 by Katharine

How did I know? How did I find the man of my dreams?

As if looking for an outfit that I could not imagine, I told myself, “I’ll know him when I see him.”
I hoped I was right.

The first time I saw him, he was sitting down. I was standing up, and I was not impressed.

It was a homecoming float decorating meeting, and I’d had some responsibilities in that barn where that flatbed was stored, and when I turned around, all available seats were taken.

Then it happened. He offered me the upturned bucket he was using for a seat and I was impressed, after all.

And he sure was good-looking!

Thus began many days of talking, talking, talking. We ate out once a week because I had to miss dinner when I tutored. We stood in sheltered places on campus to keep warm in the winter blasts. We tried to find acceptable pass times and finally thought of playing chess together.

It delighted me that he was intelligent, that he enjoyed playing chess. I was not very good at it, although I’d taught all my siblings how to play. But I was attracted to this intelligence that would prefer doing something mentally difficult for fun.

That’s when I knew. I knew he could easily be the one, but not because of playing chess. It was because of the chess board he brought with him that night.

You see, I was raised very poor. My folks had little to go on and every cent I got, I earned myself. We had no hot water tank. One door in our car had to be tied shut for safety.

That poor.

I was looking for a guy who could, first, accept me within my poverty, and second, deliver and keep me from ever going back into it. I did not know how to attract such a man, though, since I was sunk so deeply in poverty, myself.

Who would have a poor girl? The question plagued me.

When I met this, my future husband, I quickly learned he was strong, self-motivated, farm-orientated, and smart. That told me he knew how to survive. But because I perceived him as having come from wealth, he scared me, actually.

Until I saw the chess board.

On our first ever chess-playing night out, the board he brought was made of cardboard, drawn, literally on the side of a box with felt tip pen. And the pen had run out of ink, so some of the black squares were only briefly scribbled, not really blackened. Not only that, but the chess playing pieces were the dime-store kind a person could pick up for $1.50.

When I saw all that, I knew. Here was a man who I thought could have anything and chose to save money by drawing a chess board on a side of a box.

I loved that chess board. It spoke to me. It told me this man would not care if my folks were “that poor”. This man would understand the lack of hot water in our home. He would understand the poverty. In fact, I suspected there was a background of wisdom and training born of poverty in this man. I suspected we might share the same goals of lifting each other out.

From that night, on, I looked at him differently. He no longer was a “maybe”; he’d become a “must be”.

Although no one can know the future, I knew that if all went normally, I’d never be totally poverty-stricken again. I knew he’d work hard to make what he needed. I knew he’d turn down expensive frills for a sensible lifestyle. I knew he’d be smart about money.

Besides that, he grew up around home canning, home-sewn clothing, and eating whatever was set before him.

I was sure this was going to be very good.

And I was right.

We have enough; we save; we do not go without any thing of great importance. We work hard for everything but the wealth here is not measured only in dollar signs. There is a great wealth, in my heart, of knowing he’s the one. He’s always been the one. He’s taken good care of me all these years and I’ve been blessed.

He’d wanted to be rich someday, and that has never really happened, but there is a wealth that goes beyond dollars.

How I knew it would turn out this way, I do not know. A chess board? It cannot have been that. It was an attitude that went along with it and matched what I hungered for. It was a drive to do one’s best, a big drive to be the most he possibly could, for me.

I knew it when I saw that board.

Now we’re old.

He’s made us many things since then, furniture, cabinetry, and even including a chess board made of plywood that we play on occasionally.

I’m still not a very good player.

But I was right.

And let me ask you this: Who else in history won His Bride by arriving humbly, accepted her in spite of her poverty, rescued her from it, and has kept her faithfully ever since?

Connect, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, Home School

Big Money-Saver!

Posted on January 23, 2015January 23, 2015 by Katharine

Found an amazingly helpful post today at one of the curriculum providers we discuss on this site!

I totally wish we’d known all this about two months ago!

Hope you enjoy!

“Because printing is central to the use of the Robinson Curriculum I know a lot of you have questions as to which printer would be best. The good news is that technology is now delivering the ideal printers at a lower cost than ever before. Someone said that the power of the press is for those who own one – and have something worthwhile to print! Your computer, one of these printers, and the Robinson Curriculum give you that power.”

Read the rest here!

Blessings of Habit, Homemaking, Inspiring, Wives

3 Best Times to Begin a Project

Posted on January 15, 2015August 11, 2015 by Katharine

Ever wonder when would be the best time to begin a new project?

I do that from time to time.

And when we spend a great deal of time deciding when to begin, we are wasting time.

Wouldn’t it help to have a plan for when to begin a project?

Yes it would.

We often do not realize there are three basic types of projects, each with a sensible set of parameters that nearly dictate how to decide when to begin.

First, there is the long-term, self-started, easily interrupted project.

Crocheting an afghan for that wedding scheduled for next spring? Yes, you could begin it any day. It’s so far away, when you begin is not very important.

The best time to begin, if you really want to accomplish this project, is now.

Today. As soon as you finish reading this post.

Realize that beginning such a project includes, first, scheduling its progress. Scheduling means counting the units of the project such as skeins of yarn, and comparing to the time left, such as six months. Does the afghan include 12 skeins of yarn? Then you must complete two skeins every month, one-half skein every week.

Scheduling such a huge project this way accomplishes three objectives:

You will realize you must begin soon.
You will see how easy it will be to finish on time.
You will know, immediately, when you need to stay up past bedtime or work while talking on the phone, thus avoiding putting it all off until it’s too late.

Second, the Help You Promised to Provide

Get roped into making cookies for the next event at church? Promised to present a workshop at the ladies’ retreat? Someone counting on you to . . .

. . . It doesn’t really matter what we place in the blank, here, you have given your word you will do this thing. On time.

Guess when the best time is, to begin.

Now.

Immediately.

This is a matter nearly of life/death importance: It is your word. At least you can find the recipe and make sure you have all the ingredients. At least you can make an outline of the points you hope to present in the workshop, or a list of the visual aids you will need.

When I promise to bring something to somewhere, I often place that thing in my purse or in my car, immediately, before I forget. Then it’s done. If I arrive at the appointed place, it will be there with me. If I am not home when I give my word, I record a note to myself in my “palm pilot”. These notes MUST be dealt with before my next shampoo, or they will be erased. I know that and act accordingly.

Even if I say I will provide the thing next WEEK, it goes into the car NOW (unless it will melt, in which case it goes by the front door, in the way or even hung from the doorknob, obviously outward-bound.) With food items, I post a sticky note on the door at eye level, then another on the steering wheel of the car.

And when you say you will pray for someone, do so in the next breath, especially if you say this in an email. Then it’s done, and the prayer-ee will notice any effects, such as unexplainable peace, immediately, and remember it came from God.

Third, Those Projects You Wish You Could Accomplish

No one really cares if your kitchen is reorganized, but you wish it. Few will notice the grass in your day lilies, but you’d like to get it out of there. No one but you knows how messy your filing system on your laptop is, but it’s driving you slowly and completely crazy.

Begin now, by scheduling a non-negotiable time, each day, to work on it. By non-negotiable, I mean telling the children, “You know Mom has to fix the kitchen (flower bed, computer) right now, every day, so can it wait?” I consider interruptions akin to interrupting a phone call, if I am keeping a promise to myself. Children can even answer the phone for you while you are elbow-deep in kitchen utensils, you know, and you can train them to answer however you want, such as: “Mom is at work, right now. May she call back later? Thanks!”

So: At 10:00 each morning, I will empty one kitchen drawer, get the ick-o out of it, hammer the thing back together better, re-line it with new liner, eliminate the extraneous contents, and reload. It only takes a half hour, or less, and you will not believe how much more you’ll like yourself at 10:30.

OR: At 6:30 each morning, I will pull the grass from the day lilies for ½ hour.

OR: At 10:00 each night, I will get the misfiled folders out of one file and find all the missing things that should be in it.

Then give yourself another such kiss and hug tomorrow, on schedule.

I know, it seems like so much work, it seems so far away, it seems I’d never forget such a promise. However, the truth is that if we decide NOW how to deal with these challenges, we succeed. He who fails to plan, plans to fail.

So, here’s a quiz:

'Tis the Season, Food, Recipes

The Organized Turkey!

Posted on January 12, 2015November 29, 2016 by Katharine

Okay, I’ve been working more on being organized because I got a good start when I froze leftover turkey from the holiday, in approximately one-pound packages.

I hope you did not throw yours out or force your family to eat turkey until it was coming out of their ears!

Anyway, I’ve had three pounds of frozen turkey to look at in the freezer and have been dreaming until I just could not STAND it anymore!

So I made turkey minestrone. Sort of. Except I am not sure what that is and I did not have eggs to make noodles with (after making two cakes in a row. Well, really four, if you count mistakes…)

Anyway, the more I thought about turkey minestrone, the better it smelled, in my imagination. Nothing like it to get the cooking juices flowing!

Turkey Minestrone

So, here is the final product, in all its glory, followed by a recipe, of sorts, because I actually just dumped whatever sounded good, and I truly don’t know what minestrone IS! 🙂

I am sure if you think and add what you like in a soup, yours will be just as yum as mine!

Turkey Minestrone

4 Tbsp. bacon grease or olive oil
2 c. sliced mushrooms
1 c. onion, chopped small
1 c. celery, chopped
1 c. carrot, sliced
1/2 c. chopped parsley
Any or all of the following, to taste: rosemary, oregano, sage, lemon grass, basil.
1 jalapeno pepper and brewing bag for easy removal
1 clove garlic, pressed (or more!)
2-3 t. salt
1 t. black pepper
2 gal. filtered water
1-2 lb. of frozen turkey, cut bite-sized
1 can cut green beans
1 can cannellini beans
1 c. raw brown rice

In a large, non-stick pan, fry all raw vegetables and herbs until caramelized, on medium-high heat, stirring often and watching carefully. Take care not to break the pepper. Vegetables should be browned, some, and somewhat soft. Pan drippings should be a golden-rosy brown.

Retrieve the pepper and place inside bag. Set aside.

Pour some of the water into the hot pan to loosen all the drippings and create a rich broth. Pour entire contents of pan into a large stock pot (12 quart or more). Scrape pan well, to get all the goodie.

Add the rest of the ingredients, including bagged pepper, and bring to boil. Simmer, stirring constantly, for at least an hour. Enjoy with cornbread, sour cream, cheddar cheese, etc.

Perfect for a cold day! Mmm!

Blessings of Habit, Inspiring, Who's the mom here?, Wisdom

The Blessings of Habit—Requiring

Posted on January 9, 2015April 14, 2018 by Katharine

This is the hardest part.

If a child continuously needs reminders, “forgets” on purpose, he needs more than another reminder.

He needs requirements.

Children do not automatically walk in goodness, contrary to popular opinion.

Some want to stay in bed in the morning.

Some want to skip brushing their teeth.

Some want to play during chore time.

Dogs eat a lot of homework. We know it is better for them if they have good sleep, cleanliness, and work habits. Our good plans for them cross their wills. That is why God put them in homes with parents.

Parents can place requirements on children for their own good. This is common knowledge in all cultures, except the permissive. People who follow the original ways of requiring children to act sensibly, have produced sensible offspring.

Stating the obvious is necessary, these days. I believe my children will always practice brushing their teeth daily, because they are accustomed to having white, clean-feeling teeth, so brown, fuzzy teeth bother them. The same is true for bathing, eating healthful foods, and Bible reading. Oh, they may experiment with departure from the absolute best, but they also will sense a difference, a loss, and choose the right way.

They are not born this way. We require it of them.

The child who habitually eats cake and cola will not sense the ill feeling from it in adulthood. The child who habitually reads anything but the Word will not miss the Word as an adult. The difference between those generalities is most usually the differing requirements they faced as children.

Who wants to raise a loud, interrupting, unhealthy, illiterate adult with crumbling teeth and no knowledge of the sacred? Draw your lines and require your children to heed them. Help them have the excellent gift of good habits.

___________________

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Blessings of Habit, Inspiring, Wisdom

The Blessings of Habit—Constant Reminding

Posted on January 8, 2015April 14, 2018 by Katharine

To make them think . . .

During the learning phase of acquiring new habits, reminding can be a good help for your children, or even yourself. Reminding goes beyond repetition. We reserve reminding for when we forget to think and should already know a fact or skill.

Jesus did this from the cross when He called out the first line of Psalm 22, which minutely foretells the Crucifixion. Every Pharisee at the foot of the cross knew He was reminding them to think of the entire Psalm and its implications.

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? . . .
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. . . .
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.From Psalm 22

It had to make them think.

The child, who stops interrupting when Mom slightly raises her hand, is using a reminder. The stopped driver, who hears a slight horn tap and then proceeds at a green light, is using a reminder. The newcomer, who consults a photo-directory to recall a new acquaintance’s name, is using a reminder.

The word, itself, “remind,” means “pay attention, again.” We can cause our children to pay attention more often by the simple service of reminding them. Paying more attention can make the difference between knowing and doing.

During difficult memorized recitations, I have reminded my children with signed alphabet initials of tricky words or phrases.
A childhood playmate received reminders from her mother in the form of having to return to the door, and open and shut it quietly, 20 times, to overcome door slamming.
“Go back and walk,” is a common reminder at our house: Walk, the first time.
Occasionally, even a policeman will give a warning instead of a ticket, if he judges that reminder is enough.

Bible verses posted on the walls of our homes remind our children of heart attitudes. Educational and health charts do the same for their earthly needs.

Reminders should be gentle because we realize anyone can forget something.

We can make reminders exciting to our children, rather than dreaded, if we are willing to take the trouble to make them exciting. Our children are worth that trouble.

Silly faces on a small poster, can give as much reminder as a cross voice, but with more effect. A bright yellow sticky note hangs on a sharp corner of our cabinets with a drawing of an orange duck on it, to remind passers-by to “duck,” and not hit their heads on that corner.
The tiny poem, “Thank God for Dirty Dishes”, framed and visible near the kitchen sink, caused comfort in a small, reluctant heart at our house for many years.
The doormat with the motto, “Wipe your paws” is a fun way to help them remember.

And I must remind you to remind your children of your love for them with plenty of hugs, kisses, and favors. ❤

More tomorrow!

________________________

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)