Mistakes, Lessons and Thrifty Household Tip #7

SOOOO sorry for the long absence, I had major technical difficulties!  Technology is a humbling experience at times!  Well, if we learn from our mistakes, screw-up’s, goofs, and %$#@&!, then we all are better for it.  Anyway, I learned  a really neat thing this past Thanksgiving from my son who is in culinary arts school (the same one as Rachel Ray and Emil went to…who knows?!)  The reason onions make you cry is because your knife is not sharp enough.  You are actually smashing the onion as you try to cut it with a dull knife, and that is what releases the juices that make you cry.  So, next time that begins to happen, you don’t just have to sit there and cry- grab a sharper knife and save the make-up job, or if you are guy, your dignity. 

Being Thankful

Not only because Thanksgiving is sneaking up on us again, do I feel the need to write about being grateful, but also because, while time is never overly generous it is a measure of all that has been accomplished.

Although time goes by far too quickly, I am working on not letting it get the best of me; by looking at the pleasures, lessons, and glorious options that are still headed my way.

Even though I have not been much writing here lately, I have been writing and encouraging others to write through my new school; any passion followed is time well spent, and that to me is a true accomplishment.

Fully intending to stay true to the consistency of writing this blog, life seems to have gotten in the way. I do plan to continue with the thoughts, tips, and experiences of The Thrifty Naturalist, however, I am separating the Writer’s Corner from this blog. For those that read and are interested in that portion of blog writings, go to http://eloquentauthor.wordpress.com. Otherwise, stay tuned for more Thrifty Naturalist hints and ideas!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thrifty Housekeeping Tip #6

I would lay down money that everyone out there reading this has a kitchen junk drawer. You know the drawers I mean, the ones with all the kitchen tools that cannot really fit anywhere with any type of organization, so the whole drawer is a “root and find” expedition every time you open it? (If by some miracle you do not have a drawer like this, write me and tell me how you puzzled all those bizarre tools in one place without chaos!)

Anyway, here is a tip to at least eliminate one item from that drawer- the chip clip. I know people that have several in various sizes, and costs, and just when you need it the most, for that special $5 a bag treat you splurged on, it breaks. Have no fear; you always have had a better, and less expensive alternative- the clothespin. Yes, those clothespins you should all have around because everybody saves energy and the environment hanging out your clothes on a line, right? All right, I know I am in the minority there, but I would imagine that you would have a few around for fine washables, right? Even if you don’t happen to have any, there is another alternative. Have you ever gotten a helium balloon with a card clipped on the end of the string? Those are very strong clips and also work great. You can even glue a magnet to the back end of the clip or clothespin and stick it on the refrigerator, that way you know right where it is at all times. Now that next bag of pricey snacks, or generic cereal, it safe from getting stale and spilling all over your cabinets, and you’ll save time and hassle rooting through that junk drawer.

Thrifty Housekeeping Tip #5

I would lay down money that everyone out there reading this has a kitchen junk drawer. You know the drawers I mean, the ones with all the kitchen tools that cannot really fit anywhere with any type of organization, so the whole drawer is a “root and find” expedition every time you open it? (If by some miracle you do not have a drawer like this, write me and tell me how you puzzled all those bizarre tools in one place without chaos!)

Anyway, here is a tip to at least eliminate one item from that drawer - the chip clip. I know people that have several in various sizes, and costs, and just when you need it the most, for that special $5 a bag treat you splurged on, it breaks. Have no fear; you always have had a better, and less expensive alternative- the clothespin. Yes, those clothespins you should all have around because everybody saves energy and the environment hanging out your clothes on a line, right? All right, I know I am in the minority there, but I would imagine that you would have a few around for fine washables, right? Even if you don’t happen to have any, there is another alternative. Have you ever gotten a helium balloon with a card clipped on the end of the string? Those are very strong clips and also work great. You can even glue a magnet to the back end of the clip or clothespin and stick it on the refrigerator, that way you know right where it is at all times. Now that next bag of pricey snacks, or generic cereal, it safe from getting stale and spilling all over your cabinets, and you’ll save time and hassle rooting through that junk drawer.

Following Passions, Living Dreams

Sorry for the long absence, but I have been very busy putting together a writing school! It is an amazing and exciting new venture that dropped into my lap.

For those that follow The Secret I believe my intentions have manifested into more than I could have asked for. Oh, it is a lot of work- there is no sitting around and waiting for things to happen, but I am expecting a miracle. The belief I have in my heart that this is a great thing for all concerned makes me smile from the inside out.

The school for right now is only offering workshops in Racine and Kenosha Wisconsin. But if you live in Southeastern Wisconsin, or Northern Illinois, it is the place for you! Everyone else, keep watching as we plan to expand to on-line classes.

Our staff is very experienced and qualified, and also expanding monthly. Plans for next year include 5-week classes, half and full-day workshops, and cutting edge creative learning. Currently, we are teaching at an adult level, but next year we will be expanding to offer classes and workshops to older elementary, middle, and high school students. We fell like our creativity is limitless, as is yours!

Please check out the website at: www.eloquentauthor.com (set to go on-line later this week) and see all we have to offer. Anyone with thoughts, ideas, a creative drive, a passion for books, writing, and learning, can benefit from our school. Please spread the word we are now here to assist writer’s on their creative journeys!

“Everyone has a way to see, find, and add beauty to this world,” let your beauty show however you feel best in expressing it- live your passions follow your dreams! I know I am, and it feels great- exhausting, but great!

The Purpose of Time Management

Lately, I have been striving to find better ways to accomplish what I need to throughout the day. I find I have much to do, but am getting off tangent easily, and feel like I’m spinning. The days are never long enough because I don’t feel as if I’ve gotten enough done. I’ve listened to motivational speakers through teleseminars, and tapes; it works for a while, then it fades away. I think sometimes in my striving to figure out the best use of my time, I am wasting it, just being distracted. Maybe that’s the point; I’m easily distracted. I don’t need to manage my time; I need to use my time passionately.

Two of my passions are writing and reading, that is what my published books are about- spreading that lifelong love of books. Recently, I have been spending my time lately divided between my passions for writing and nature. I guess my problem in time management lies in the broadness of me passions. Between taking care of my puppy, chickens, fruit orchard, gardens (herb and vegetable), collecting the nuts from the many trees before the squirrels do, harvesting honey from our bees, picking berries and grapes, trying to hold on to and begin a writer’s school that I was to teach at and has now lost its administration and folded, meeting my latest book deadline, and teaching yoga on the side, I never seem to have enough time. Wow! When I list it all out, I think I should be exhausted!

One thing in my favor of managing my time has been that I love to write, so lists are everywhere. They really do help keep me on task and know what I need to prioritize for the day. I look at it every morning and number what I need to do from one to five. If I get those done, I move on to six through ten, and so on. One hint is to place short, easy things on your list, so you can feel as though you have moved through your list and accomplished something. For myself, I tend to place the things I am most passionate about at the top of the list (it helps keep my interest level up), but I sprinkle it with simple tasks that are necessary, like laundry or dishes.

We all have different personalities, thus are drawn to different passions. I find that the passions that keep me most in the moment, and thus help me accomplish the most, are those that involve nature. Perhaps because when there are other living creatures in your midst, you focus more on them then yourself and find the part of the nature that nurtures you. Do you long for the sea, or does a forest comfort? I know when I was working with my hundreds of thousands of bees this weekend, extracting some honey for friends and ourselves, I did not have my “to do” list in mind. Those bees had my full attention, and time was not even thought about- whatever time it was, it was; I did not care.

Most people I know say that they feel crunched for time in one way or another. Writing friends ask about meeting deadlines all the time with the many interruptions that come daily. Working from home I know about those distractions- I’m also potty training a puppy! We all live in an age of answering machines and voicemail, so let it go, stick to your list, and allow your purpose for the day (or your life) to decided what should be the next important step.

It may be difficult to really manage our time purposefully to begin with, but if we nurture ourselves by connecting to the part of our nature that nurtures us, we may be better able to focus on the areas we have love and compassion for, then everything would be taken care of in its right time.

Thrifty Housekeeping Tip #4

Since I found I was listed on the 100 bloggers (#9), http://100bloggers.com/2007/08/17/the-w-list-expanded/ I felt I needed to get back here and write. Although, when you see my next blog you will understand why I’m not here every day (at least not for the moment). So, here’s thrifty housekeeping tip #4 to keep you going until I can get back.

You know those Styrofoam trays that come under veggies, and (I hear, but wouldn’t know as a vegan) meat? Wash them and use them for those outdoor functions where you have to bring the dessert, meat and cheese tray, and all those other tailgating goodies. It saves on remembering dishes (and if you have been tailgating for a while, who can remember anything?)

It also saves the environment, since they can be washed and used over and over (IF you do remember to bring them home). They are much sturdier than paper plates or even Styrofoam plates (you really don’t want to buy those, as they are bad for the environment). Since you already get the trays under the food you buy anyway, you mine-as-well put them to more use. They also work great around the holidays for giving sliced fruit cake (a great way to dispose of – I mean, re-gift…), cookies, candies, and the like to neighbors and relatives.

I have also used them as a teacher for paint and glue trays for the kids, holding scraps and small craft items. I have even used them to a make plaster cast my puppies paw prints! There are so many uses! Let your imagination fly! Let me know what uses you come up with, and fun!

The Puppy Saga Continues…

In an attempt to socialize our new hairy edition to the family, we have been taking him to festivals. It still amazes me after a month of this, but almost everyone reacts to a puppy. Even big, burly, biker-type guys buckle at the knees to bend to pet him saying how beautiful he is, (words I never thought I’d hear from these guys!)

If you are single, this is the greatest way to meet people, if you are there to really walk around and see things- forget it! You can barely take one step before someone else stops you! If you try to keep moving, people follow you and call out to have you stop. Maybe this is how a celebrity feels when they go out. Since the attention was not on me, I guess I really can’t say, but it can be a bit frustrating trying to get anywhere. Although it may sound like it, I really am not complaining, and realize I have to relish it while it lasts. When he gets to be the 150# he is projected to be, everyone will be running the other way!

Speaking of taking advantage of the time that is here and now, I have to admit (well, I don’t have to, but I will) that there are several things that all the books and videos have never told me about being a new puppy parent. One, puppies get hiccups. Now it may not seem like anything to you the reader, but any parent of an infant child knows how distressing hiccups can be (as well as for adults), so my heart goes out to my poor guy every time I see his little body convulse with the gassy bubbles. Yes, (here’s the confession part), I have put him over my shoulder and burped him. I know, he is a dog, not a person; I will not fall into that false sense of reality, but it is not something either of us dislikes, and although he does not burp, it makes us both feel better (well, me at least for saying I tried to help.) But alas, those days are rapidly disappearing since he is already 35# and only 3 1/2 months old!

So, for all those people this weekend that claimed that “had to get a puppy” once they saw ours, I offer the following advice to do BEFORE you run out and get one:

Watch training videos and read books.
Ask yourself, “Can you really do this?” First, spend time with someone who has a brand new puppy –when it is awake!
How much time you will realistically have to be with the puppy and to train him/her? Now multiply that by 5- that is a bit more realistic on what it will really take.
Ask owners, and breeders’ lots of questions, and find out from trainers what questions to ask.
Make sure you understand the breed you think you want; they are all different in needs, personality, and size.
Discuss with all members of the family their part in taking care of the puppy. Everyone has to be on the same page as the person training him/her. There can be no slackers! Many times I felt as though I was training my husband more than the dog!

I’m sure there is more than these few suggestions, and I am no expert in this area, but seeing and hearing all the “I want” comments, made me wonder how many just might. There are way too many great dogs at shelters because of uninformed people making quick decisions. My heart goes out to those dogs.

For me, the hard work is paying off, and we are all becoming happier and comfortable with each other. It is a joy I would not have missed for all the pee puddles in the world. So, “sit!” and “stay!”(sorry, it just comes naturally now) tuned, for more puppy sagas to come.

Thrifty Housekeeping Tip #3

Labor Day weekend has always been one of labor for me; for the past four years, we always extract our honey on this weekend.

When my children were still in elementary school, it was a weekend of preparing for school on Tuesday. We did that by baking and cooking, knowing that times would be busy, at least until we settled back into a routine. My children always baked and cooked with me so for them it was always fun to do. In fact, my son loves it so much he’s now going to college for culinary arts! I’m proud those times we shared that have prepared them for the outside world, as well as taught them a very useful skill.

As I say, they were fun times, not just teaching times, but they were also useful to me. So, here is Household Tip #3:
The Edible Lunchbox Chiller.

I’m sure you’ve all seen those re-useable lunchbox ice packs in the stores, I own a few myself. They are great, except you have to bring them home. If you have children, the odds of them remembering their school books is probably pretty low, so asking them to also remember an ice pack, is probably asking too much. So, this weekend, why not make a double, triple, or quadruple batch of your child(ren)’s favorite cookies and freeze all but what you want for the next day or two? Use those frozen cookies as an ice pack in their lunch bags or boxes, and there you have it, an edible ice pack! One bake time, one clean up time, and lots of lunch box chillers- probably enough to last until the weather cools off and an ice pack is not needed. Besides, a little bit of “home” from a homemade cookie just might make the going back to school blues fade away; and for those children who do not feel sad about school starting up again, I doubt they would mind a cookie!

So, make this Labor Day weekend a labor of love, and you’ll be paid back in not only saving yourself hassle, but also worry over fresh lunches. At least for me, bringing a smile to a child’s heart has always been pay enough. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Thrifty Housekeeping Tip #2

Want an inexpensive way to clean your floors, that is safe enough for babies to be on, as well as clearing all odors puppies can smell and might want to add to? (You thought you could get away from me referring to my puppy in this category, didn’t you!)

Add to a bucket of hot water, 1-cup (I’m big on approximates) of white vinegar with ¼ -cup ammonia, and two to three drops of dish soap (I use only Earth Friendly products- grapefruit is my favorite.)

I usually use this mixture on tile and linoleum floors, but have not yet tried it on hardwood floors, so anyone who tries it on hardwoods, let me how it works.