Get Organized!

Since January, I have had a looming urge to get things in order. I would call it spring cleaning or nesting but it clearly is still winter and I am not pregnant.

I have always loved order but recently it has given me a new satisfaction. I have been trying to follow this rule; do I use it and could someone else benefit from it.

When I get rid of things, contrary to what you might think, I don't miss them. Things are things. Often people use things as a way to fill something inside of them. People are in the pursuit of something better; a car, a bigger house, fancier clothes, the latest gadget thinking that when they have such things then they will be happy, their loves will be better.

This has always been my favorite quote"

"Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you, but what happens inside of you."
-Harold B. Lee

I like to think of my home as an extension of me so as a result I like my things to all have a place to call home. My first project {at the time I didn't know it was a project that would stem a cleaning frenzy) was after Christmas. It was not easy task finding a home and organizing the toys but once done and order was restored, I was happier. My next project was probably the most useful because it's something that I access several times a day-the pantry! I took my inspiration from this blog although didn't go over the top with it. I didn't take a picture but love the results.

Today I finished cleaning all our windows and screens, believe it or not it makes a big difference...ok mine were really dirty! My next project is completing to purge and organize my closet and refinish the dresser and nightstands in our room. I hope I don't run out of steam because I love feeling accomplished!

Aside from the household cleaning chores that are perpetual and virtually never ending, we can spring clean ourselves; changing even minutely our habits and the way we use our time which can leave us feeling rejuvenated and these changes over time become part of who we are leading to greater happiness inside.

She's Crafty!

I miss being my "normal self"=my self before school. With that said, today was my last day of class for the week which translates into no reading, no assignments, or quizzes, or homework-although I really should study for my final exam. Happy Thanksgiving to me! But, in order to keep myself from decorating for Christmas, I had to find something to keep me busy so I came up with a project...I am not wasting any time. I decided to make some aprons and I think they all turned out super cute!

With aprons on my mind, I came across the following:

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes.

Author Unknown

I am hoping that aprons, as well as manners make a comeback. Many things traditional are much better than what we (the world) have going on right now.

Surprisingly, most of the aprons were really simple and easy to make, I can't wait to make more! Can you guess what my favorite color is?


My models, craft night anyone??