Put up a Tree and Cleaning Starts

The garden is too wet, and now frozen.  I think if I even get the last tomato stakes out, I'll be happy. 

I woke up to a chilly 21°F this morning.

Yesterday, after a few chores, I went to drag out Christmas tree #4.  The day ended up with an all day date with this:

First, I noticed the study chair was needing a good cleaning (on my way to open cubbie to get the tree), so I thought I'd get two things done - the chair, then my dresser top, to where the ceramic tree would go.

I flipped the chair upside down and saw spider webs (Yikes!) so off I went to find the vacuum cleaner.  I ended up cleaning the entire desk, cubbie door, chair and my dresser top.  I then proceeded to pull drawers out and wipe them down and the inside of the dresser, which led me to more cleaning, and on and on it went.

However, Christmas tree #4 was put in place.  Whew!  I had to text Hubby that I needed another pair of rubber gloves.  I need them for today's continued wood work cleaning.

While all that was going on, I almost forgot I had bread rising.

Yikes.  Not the best load, but a loaf. The photo makes it look good, but it's lopsided, ha ha!  I really need to find a good whole wheat bread recipe. 

Another yikes - almost forgot to take the dogs out.  "Grad" daughter is home most mornings and she had an 8 hour work day.

Dusting was done, carpets swept, my dresser cleaned off.  Another spider trap is in place.  

Do you ever have to spend a day putting away the "didn't put it aways?"  You know, those items you just put down and tell yourself you'll put it away another time?  I have been diligent in keeping those areas clean, so it only took a few minutes to clean that up. 

If I had a plan for yesterday, it would have failed for sure, but I got much of my deep cleaning done.  I have more to clean.  Much more.  I'm making a list for the girls now. 

Random Tidbits

Today I am thankful for:

 

 ~ my short crocheted cowl.  It's been keeping me warm, and does not get in the way of my work outside.  I wear it inside on days I just don't want to mess with firing up the wood stove.

~ our libraries, with them I can learn so much, and obtain free entertainment, if anything in my last "loot" is worthy to share I will. I have lots of "loot."



I have been cleaning a lot lately.  Computer/office area has been wiped down, spider webs gone, dust gone . . . have lots to file yet though, and a few recipes to take care of.

The orange Asian beetles are trying to all move in lately. Not happening.  We've had two large wolf spiders come in, and one dropped down almost directly on me.  Ugh.  They are no longer alive. 
 

Some of the rugs were washed.  I just ran out of time. 

The dishwasher got cleaned.  I had to purchase a special cleaner for it, but that deep clean job is done.

Tree #2 in the office area was put up.  Tree #3 was started.  To make that story short, Hubby bought 2 boxes of 25 string blue lights for my bathroom tree last year.  I didn't use them due to the cords being green (and the tree never went up).  As we opened the tree boxes, we found all of our tree lights broken, some smashed (not sure what happened), and we had zero to put up.  So, we took the measly small cords of bright blue and used them.  I fell in love with them.  We may only have 50 lights on the tree, but they very pretty.

While out running an errand, I picked up this little ditty - $1.00 pot holder.  I love it. 

I'm still working on the old barn boards.  My wrist is a bit sore, so I may just take the day off from it and work the garden.  It all depends on weather and how wet it may be. Hubby came home tired, but fixed a cupboard door and put the very last knob on (finally after finding it). 

I've now gotten one kiddo all super excited about decorating for Christmas. She went to town and bought an 18 inch Christmas tree for her bedroom, and put handmade ornaments on it (that I gifted each of them).