More Cleaning and Purging

The best time to sanitize my washing machine is when it's colder outside.  I actually have a "sanitize" cycle on my washer.  It uses the hottest water and bleach.  

In order to do the remodel in the utility room (adding a bathroom), I will need to purge.  There will be a trip to the antique store and the thrift store this weekend.

My utility room/craft storage is a fairly large but oddly built room. I'll lose my coat rack, so I may talk him into building an room over the side porch for coats and boots etc.  An enclosed area before entering the side door.

Anyway, what's getting purged?

-antique sewing machine

-antique sewing chair (that has a compartment in the seat for storage

-antique table for 2, 2 matching chairs

-2 antique travel cases (from Dad's place)

-antique small TV (from Dad's place)

-egg carton lamp (I will never use it and no one in the family wants it and I can't be the one who saves everything just because)

-two boxes of books, one of odd stuff and clothing

I literally took me almost 3 hours to clean out the drawers of the antique sewing machine.  I haven't been in it since I last used it over 13? years ago.  Mom gave me her portable new one, so the antique Singer has to go. 

Once these items are all out of the house, I'll be purging more storage drawers we had under the counter in the utility room.  The kids had one just for the pets, so that one will go for sure.  We don't store anything in it.  I think we used it for portable watering units for walks etc.  Anyway, I have much to purge yet in there.

No snow here so far.  They predicted some, but nothing yet.  The sun was out yesterday and the chickens loved (and I as well).

January ~ A new beginning

I love January.  A new beginning for the year, a new start and it's the best time for me to deep clean.  I am more excited this year, as we are starting to update the flooring etc.  Most of you are excited to sit and read, relax and whatnot, but I can't do all my deep cleaning over spring, summer and fall.  There is simply too much work with the garden, as I am the only person on weekdays to work it.

We located some flooring on sale, but need to see if other stores have more of it.  My husband is super fired up and motivated now.  I'm so happy for that.

However, my house looks like a hot mess. Boxes of books in three rooms right now, ha ha!  I know it will all piece back together when we are done, but boy oh boy.

My hometown is starting to crack down even more regarding this virus.  It's becoming a less appealing town to visit anymore.  They also have their own mask mandate they continue to update.  It's so frustrating to shop there.  Okay, off my soapbox about that.

Back to my extreme clean.  While waiting on the flooring, I am purging my writing materials.  I have loads of file folders that I have not opened for 10-12 years. I know it's not something that they eye will see first, but doing it as it is much needed.

I also dumped out a drawer in the bathroom.  The kids have destroyed my organizing.  It's the drawer for things like chickweed salve, band-aids, medical tape etc.  Man it was a total mess.  Not really exciting news to post, but maybe I'll motivate someone to dump a drawer and clean it.

Although we recently canceled our out of state trip with biker friends (one has 5 stents), we are concentrating on in state travel for ourselves.  We don't want to be stuck in another state if anyone should get sick.  Anyway, short in state trips, including camping are our escapes.  We will not stop living our lives during all this going on in the world (hopefully it won't get worse).

No one answered my questions about planting mullein and comfrey in the same raised bed, so I guess I'll be doing some research this week.  With the lack of snow this spring, I'd like to get outside work started early on days it's warm enough.  Yesterday was a chilly 21°F in the morning.

On a last note, I weighed myself this morning.  Since we bought our first Harley, I have lost 48.6 lbs. I can't say my exercise was regular in 2020, but I'm back on track.  Just putting laundry on the line, I can rack up 10,000 steps on my fitbit too.

Here is a photo of my embellished Valentine's Day paper clips.  I have also made small flowers as well.  One year I made a set for all the kids for Valentine's day.

Tuesday Tidbits

I had to get back to the kitchen yesterday first.  I had dishes to deal with, books all over one table, and of course the meals for the day.

Dinner was beef stew (another change in the menu) in the crock pot.

Breakfast was a sweet potato and kale frittata.  I started that later, so I could get the stew in the crocky.  I used the last of our home grown sweet potatoes.

My husband started researching new flooring last night.  I'm praying we find enough of one type at a good price for the hallway.

I am not prepared for Valentine's day, as far as selling handiwork this year.  I just realized how close it is, and I have sold all the heart bookmarks, almost all the heart cup coasters, heart dishcloths etc.  I may have some embellished paperclips, but that is about it.  I'm not going to rush into making anything either.  If I get anything made, I will post it.  I didn't realize how much work I'd be doing just to prep the hallway to be ready for a facelift.  

My extreme clean pick was a dresser drawer.  I dumped it out, purged and re-organized it.

Update:  I just realized I posted this on a Wednesday, so think of it as yesterday's tidbits ha ha ha!

Raised Beds and other tidbits (okay mostly deep cleaning updates)

Question for those who grow medicinal herbs in raised beds - can I grow comfrey and mullein in the same bed?  Or should they be in their own raised bed?

Another question?  Is there a difference in planting white or black horehound?  Which is better to plant for medicinal purposes?

I've been busy beautifying the homestead, and so grateful I am out of my depressing "funk" I was in.  I can't believe I didn't do any of this work last year when I was "stuck" at home.  Anyway, I think my husband is happy, other than spending the money (ha ha!) on new flooring and possibly more paint. I'm looking forward to shopping for the flooring.

I haven't had much handiwork time, but I hope to get a handiwork post go up soon.  Last nights dinner was changed to chicken breast and home canned mustard pepper sauce, over red quinoa (what I had), and a side of garden green beans.  I needed something easy, as it took the entire day up until 1pm to go through and remove all the books on the other bookshelf.  Oh my.  I had spiritual growth/prayer journals, several that were new empty journals (note to self: do not buy more), and even found my review for work when I went to Argentina.  I asked one daughter if I should just throw it out, read it and throw it out or what.  She couldn't decide either.  I hate to come across things like this. 

I had a stack of magazines that needed to be read through and then off they go too.  I have so many folders from my freelance writing days (haven't done much in years).  I need to pull each file and go through them now.  

I still have 2 full boxes of binders I need to go through.  One I already decided was completely going in trash - stuff that was outdated and binder falling apart.  I filled two boxes of books to donate.  Felt great to get done.  

I also have this oversized book.  Why oh why I bought it when it's that big and difficult to put on a shelf.  

While putting my Bibles in a box, I told my daughter that was home, I have a Bible in Spanish!  I was about to put it in the donation box, but flipped to the very end and it was signed by Mom as a Christmas present way back in the day when my sister and I at the time, were going to Spain and Africa with a class trip.  I'm on the fence, but I won't use it.  I think it will have to go.  

Speaking of Mom, she is deep cleaning too, but I told her I will only take her boxes if she doesn't send anything back in them ha ha ha!

Good news!  The chickens are using the new nesting box, but Thelma insists on laying in the feeder.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

The sun was shining bright Sunday.  Woot!  We got outside for more wood cutting and splitting.  My husband also did some updates on one daughter's car (changed wires), while I emptied a bookshelf, dusted it and moved it to the living room corner.  I have a box getting filled to donate to the thrift store soon too.  

My husband built me this many years ago and I love it!  I just have to dust the screens on it, but love it.  I am now in the process of purging more books, dusting them off and putting them back on the shelves.  I came across some of my freelance work, and that got me to sort for an entirely new organizing project.  So glad I am doing this.  You would not believe the dust behind that bookshelf.  Hasn't been moved in 12 years.  I have one more larger bookshelf to empty, move, vacuum, dust etc and then go look at flooring for the hallway.

So, Thelma got an F on using the nesting box.  If they pick up on it, they'll get another roost installed soon.  Next time I go to town, I'll pick up a wooden egg to put in there too.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

I'll link up when she posts today.  Gotta get moving early today.

The weather outside is . . .

37°F/28°F, sunny

On the breakfast plate . . .

Have no idea yet.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's dark and dreary. Not like the sunshine we had the last two days.

Looking around the house  . . .

I have about 4 boxes of books to purge and put away today, and get those boxes re-filled with more from the hallway.  I still have Christmas stuff that one daughter needs to put away (her decor). 

What I am wearing today . . .

PJ's, bathrobe and slippers as I post today.

Currently reading . . .

Nothing.  Just purging books I won't use or read again.

On the TV this week . . .

Anything we can get on Netflix.  Our internet hasn't been that great for wifi lately.

On the menu . . .

-Enchilada Casserole, steamed broccoli

-Homemade pizza with garden veggies

-Walleye, veggie and homemade tarter sauce using home canned sweet pickle relish

-Mexican bean soup, cheese sandwiches 

On the to-do list today and this week . . .

-order medicinal seeds

-master bath

-finish sorting books, dust and put back on bookshelf I moved

-start boxing books on the other bookshelf, sorting as I go

-get to town for errands

-start inquiring about flooring for the hallway (we are installing it ourselves for this job)

From the camera . . .

Yikes!  I have nothing.  I've been working more than playing lately.

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes, Devotionals . . .

Beautiful Sunshine!

After days and days of dark and dreary, the sun finally came out all day yesterday.  We took advantage of it, and got out to cut and split more wood.  We installed one nesting box inside the coop too.  We'll see today if they are using it, and will add at least one more for them.

I also had a nice visit with Mom. She sent me home with a folder and when I opened at home, it was full of family photos.  Many of her, her parents, my family, many baby photos of my kids etc.  I will be making a trip to the craft store for a scrapbook.  That will be either a project for the girls or a rainy day project.  It will be kept to pass on family history, so I'll be sure to write who is who and dates if possible.

We needed a few things from the store, and headed back home.  I totally forgot to pick up supplies to put new rungs on the chicken ramp.  

Speaking of the coop, we are already getting help from my Dad.  When he passed, my husband and I inherited his massive collection of nuts, bolts, screws, washers, nails etc.  He stored them in repurposed bottles from the pharmacy and numerous Jif bottles.  They are all labeled with size and item that are inside.  We used screws and nails from them to install the nesting box.  So thankful to have them.

I am up early for no reason at all.  It's about 22°F this morning. Sigh.  On a Sunday no less.  I already stoked the fire, brewed a pot of coffee, but everyone else seems to be able to sleep.  

Our barn cat is up though.  She is scratching at the door.  We may have another barn cat.  Remember the orange and white one I saw?  Well, when I went out to the barn to fetch straw (yesterday) for the coop, it scaled a pole in the barn up to the loft while I was out there.  Later I watched him leave and run out to the woods.  I am pretty sure he's staying in there at night.

I now have boxes to start removing books from the bookshelves starting next week.  Not sure if my husband will love me or hate me after getting motivated for remodel projects.  I know we won't have as much time over summer with the garden, but happy to be progressing on at least one project.  With the possibility of part sun today, we plan to cut and split more wood today.  I love getting out in the sunshine.

Weekend Work and ramblings

I went right back to deep cleaning Friday.  I'm beginning to work on the hallway where I have two bookshelves (hallway is wide and was added on for a person in a wheel chair).  I am super excited to start on this.  I have to decide if I want to paint the hallway after I get it all cleared out though.  I need warmer weather to paint too.

First, I completely emptied my pantry shelving unit my husband built, cleaned it, moved it to another room and filled it back up.  I'll be moving one hallway bookshelf to take is place next.  

Question.  I am looking for a small (travel size) iron for making my crafting purposes.  Do any of you have suggestions?  I found one on Amazon about $4 cheaper than on one I saw at our local Meijer. 

Our random act of kindness.  While on our cabin trip we stopped at an art gallery where they did glass blowing.  We picked this cute pair if earrings up for my husband's co-worker's wife.  She loves anything octopus.  So adorable. We've gone on motorcycle rides with this couple.  I hope she likes them.