Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Brushing up on skills...

I've been out on my own since I was 15 so you'd think keeping house would be a walk in the park by now, right? And in many ways it is.
But I believe there is always something new to learn, and something OLD to re-learn.

So over the weekend I gathered some books around me to glean ideas from...

A mix of the old with the new...

...and I'm making notes about so many things.

Yesterday I scrubbed my oven till it shone using basic ingredients of vinegar and bi-carb soda. 
I've done this before, but half-heartedly.
Now it will become my 'normal'...

Actually, room by room this home has begun to sparkle...

...and I'm loving my role as a homemaker once more.

 
This morning I've begun another new routine. I cut a lemon into 8 slices and drop one into a glass of sparkling water. Through the day I'll continue until all the lemon slices have been used...
 
This way I know I've blessed my body with two litres of water and the alkaline benefits of lemons every single day.
Although lemons are acidic, once they hit your body they turn alkaline and that's great for migraine sufferers. 

Enjoy your day, dear readers.
I'm going to sit by the window with my lemon water and watch the birds for a while...

hugs

21 comments:

Sparky said...

now those are very interesting birds...like crows/ only guessing of course...now I had to laugh at your book choices...can’t say I need help in that department...I think I got the cleaning thing down 100%...however I am not saying I could not learn something new...
Lemon water...is how I begin each day....it is a great boost for your metabolism....lovely pics.

Nancy Jo said...

Hello Sweet Jenny! Thank you for the beautiful patterns and amazing ideas for using all those extra hoops that seem to grow and multiply over years of stitching! I will be trying some of them as soon as I finish stitching a couple of Sparrows for Operation Sparrow! As always your designs are so lovely and inspirational, and as stitching is what I'm doing the most of just now, it is comforting knowing that I have patterns that I adore waiting for me. Keeping you and yours in prayer as always. Big Hugzzzzzzz

Leeanne said...

Oh am I meant to clean my oven?? Just kidding........but it's not my favourite job.

Nancy Jo said...

Oh, I meant to tell you that I too enjoy sitting and watching the birds, all kinds, but especially the delightful hummingbirds that frequent our sugar water feeders for a few months through the summer and fall. Hugs...

Baa. xxx said...

Hmmm... think I need an attitude change - I never really enjoy cleaning - especially ovens!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I love lemon water Jenny but I confess I add a bit of Splenda to make lemonade. :) blessings, marlene

Sherri said...

Jenny I enjoyed your post, I share your attitude, " I believe there is always something new to learn, and something OLD to re-learn." Coincidentally the library emailed me this morning to let me know that Rhonda's "Down to Earth" book is ready for me to collect. I am looking forward to reading it.

Tammy said...

Glad to hear about lemons and migraines. I didn't know that. My daughter has been plagued with migraines constantly since her head injury in October.I have used the vinegar and baking soda before to clean my oven and it did a fantastic job.

TerriSue said...

I cleaned my ovens two weekends ago. Felt good. I still need to find a tutorial on how to clean the glass in-between the oven doors. They still look great except for that. Jim and Eric tend to use the top oven. I use the bottom oven as it is easier in my wheelchair. The housework book with the title It's Easy To Get Married...looks like a fun read. I enjoy vintage homemaking books. They usually have some very good tips. I sure hope the lemon trick helps alleviate some of your migraines. wouldn't it be wonderful if something so easy and in-expensive did it. I'll be praying.

Jusmom1 said...

Thank you so much for the migraine tip. I've had one all day today and it just doesn't want to budge! I'll ask my son to run to the store tomorrow to buy me a few lemons if the migraine is still here after a good night's sleep (hoping I get a good night's sleep).

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny lovely post i have Rhonda's book and you have inspired me to get it out again,thankyou xx

selina said...

uuuggghhhh i tried the vinegar & bicarb but it didn't work, i just realized it says to heat the oven before cleaning it derrrrr! my oven is really bad though, embarrassingly bad ...
lemons & also feverfew & lavenda is good for headaches & migraines, if you drink a little regularly as a preventative (a chopped up leaf in with your normal tea) & avoid milk
hope you feel better soon
have a great day

Anonymous said...

Paul loved Club Soda, essentially sparkling water. I prefer just plain water, and I like limes better. I was so spoiled living in citrus country of Arizona - they are very dear here, and in fact I don't recall seeing any in the middle of winter. That's a great way to be sure you've drunk enough water, though. I hope your Migraines are much better or even gone away entirely! I use that on my oven, too, but I never boiled the stuff in the oven. I'll try that next time. Thanks!

Thoeria said...

Oh my.....you've reminded me that I need to get to the oven.....it's not my favourite task ....along with windows and ironing!

Angie in SoCal said...

Lemons are good for preventing kidney stones, too. A great way to drink all that water one should. Thanks for the idea, Jenny!

Winifred said...

That lemon water looks delicious but I just can't hack cold stuff in winter even though I know it's better for you.
You're making me feel so guilty all that cleaning. In winter I do the absolute minimum, what a lazy cat I am! I wouldn't dare post a photo! Keep up the good work Jenny you may just motivate me to do better! Note I said MAY!

Createology said...

Oh how I need to learn all of these wonderful ways. Cleaning an oven is so not my forte and I don't even do the dial that "self-cleans". As for the lemon water...I actually like this but have not counted out 8 slices. Now watching those little birdies is something I am very good at doing! It is no wonder where my time flies off to each day...

Ondrea said...

Lemon in a jug of water is so refreshing on hot days and a great liver cleanser. I drink 2 litres of purified water a day, nothing else quenches my thirst. Fortunately, my oven seldom needs cleaning as we are a vegetarian household and don't have meat spitting fat. Just a good wipe over now and then is enough. Same with the shower, we don't use regular soap just soap free chemical free body wash that doesn't leave any scum. More time to sew hehehe.

Marybeth said...

Lovely post! Cleaning the oven for me is not that great but it is important to do it and the feeling is amazing when you have your oven clean! Thanks for the inspirations! Greets, Mottingham Carpet Cleaners Ltd.

zenuwpees said...

Toutes des belle foto's Marie-Claire

Isabel said...

The books are very cool! It is quite helpful to have them, I guess! Thank you for sharing all this! :) I will try the lemon water! Greetings!