QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
- Maintenance clean one shelf, one drawer or two door pockets in your refrigerator.
- Also maintenance clean one shelf in the freezer. I’m adding this to my routine every weekend because my freezer is busier right now, due to pre-holiday celebrations. And don’t forget I have an inexpensive refrigerator/freezer outside in my garage too, so I’m actually doing TWO fridge shelves and TWO freezer shelves today.
- Launder your bedding (and your kids’ bedding, if applicable) so you all have fresh sheets to go to sleep in tonight.
- Need to do any Christmas shopping this weekend before the malls get really crazy in the next couple weeks?
- Make a plan for a special breakfast this weekend. Buy a newspaper if you normally don’t, or pull out a couple magazines you’ve been wanting to browse. Take time to make pancakes, omelettes, fresh (not frozen or boxed) hash browns, crepes, waffles, or other breakfast treats. Treat yourself to a latte or cappuccino if you normally don’t.
- Have you baked an apple pie yet this autumn?
TODAY’S PROJECT: Major Cleaning of One Room
Pick a large, major room that needs cleaning really badly. Your living room, master bedroom, kitchen, basement? Attic? Garage?. Today, do a total overhaul cleaning on it. Decluttering, sorting, dusting, scrubbing, washing, laundering, vacuuming, mopping, light bulb checking, and more.
BEGIN:
Walk into the room and pretend you’re seeing it from someone else’s eyes (a relative, your boss, your best friend, a home decor magazine stylist, Oprah, or whatever helps motivate you!) Put on music and make yourself a nice beverage. Light incense if you like.
Start by removing clutter, throwing away anything you can possibly part with. Next, empty wastebaskets, recycling, and find some items to put in storage if you can’t part with them. Remove any drinking glasses, dishes or any other items that don’t belong. Thoroughly clean ceiling fan and light fixtures.
WASH:
Wash and dust windows, windowsills, trim, closet doors and the room’s door. Don’t forget to clean the wood at the top of the doorframe, too. Do your curtains need dry cleaning, or your blinds need wiping down? Wash walls, lamps and light fixtures; check to see if you need lightbulbs. Clean baseboards and air vents before you vacuum.
VACUUM:
Move furniture to vacuum, sweep or mop under it. If you really are inspired, remove most furniture from the room, vacuum and/or mop. Open drawers on tables and nightstands and sort them before replacing furniture in the room.
If you’re deep cleaning a bedroom, don’t forget to vacuum the mattress (and flip/rotate if needed). Wash and replace any floor rugs. If it’s a bedroom, wash the bed linens (Don’t forget to wash the dust ruffle and mattress pad, too!).
DUST:
Dust furniture and knick-knacks. Replace any decorative candles that are looking discolored or crooked; remove half-burned votives and replace with fresh candles. See if any upholstery needs to be spot cleaned or professionally cleaned. Clean any items that need to be put back on tables, dressers, shelves, etc, and replace them in an orderly manner.
Water houseplants and dispose of any dead or dying ones. If the houseplants are looking dusty, spray them down in the kitchen sink. Polish doorknobs on both sides of the door, and on closets if needed.
FINISH:
Finish by spraying the room with room freshener or a home spray. Or by burning a scented candle (while you’re still in the room to attend to it). Put fresh flowers on a small table, if this is a room used frequently.
The weather’s getting colder; does this room have a nice soft throw waiting on a nearby chair? Is there a box of Kleenex accessible? A nearby trash can for convenience?
Pour yourself a glass of wine, sit down and relax for a while in your fresh, clean, clutter-free room. (I picked a room with a TV in it so I can enjoy some mind-numbing television today, laugh).
LOVELY BLOGS: Wartime Housewife
This blogger shares old-fashioned skills and frugal tips. She blogs about recipes and meal planning; tips on budgeting, repairing things, mending, scavenging; ideas for the school holidays and outings; gardening and diy; sewing and craft; plus fun amusements and distractions. She has a wonderful personality and I enjoy “getting to know her” through her blog posts.
http://wartimehousewife.wordpress.com/
LOVELY FOOD: Napoleon’s Macarons
If I fail at making macarons myself at home, I am tempted to send my relatives gift boxes of these lovely macarons from Napoleon’s in California. I probably won’t send flavors such as “Cola” and “Baklava,” but there are many other kinds to choose from.
http://www.napoleonsmacarons.com/
LOVELY TV: Top Chef Just Desserts
Have you been enjoying watching this Top Chef spinoff? They’re almost to the finale, with just a few contestants left. It’s difficult to watch this show without something sweet nearby for you to munch on!
Top Chef Just Desserts, at Bravo
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:
Dressing the Set and the People of “Boardwalk Empire” (Zap2it)
Holiday Shopping Tips: Food Gifts (Lovely Living Archives)
Homemaking Is Not About Perfection (Heart of Wisdom)
Honey-Glazed Apple Pear Tart (Cooking Channel)
How to Winterize a Home (DIY Network)
Is ‘Homemaker’ A Dirty Word? (The Happiest Mom)
The Lovely Living Holiday Gifting Philosophy (Lovely Living Archives)
Multigrain Starter Bread (Chocolate & Zucchini)
7 Genius Lipstick Tricks (In Style)
Spicy Cauliflower With Sesame (101 Cookbooks)
10 Tips for Planning a Winter Wedding (W Network)
Thanksgiving Decorating (HGTV)
Thanksgiving Planner (Homemaking on the Homestead)