Wow, this week it seems like fall has slipped in around the corner and into the countryside where we live. The mornings have been quite brisk. Mid-day it is warm, but when the sun lowers just a tad in the early evening, the chill sets in once again. I have to say I’m enjoying it after some pretty hot days last summer. As we were taking a walk after supper last night I mentioned to my husband that fall is becoming a favorite season. I love the long shadows in the early evening, the crickets chirping, the comfort of a throw on my lap while on the backyard swing, and the brisk morning temperatures. I’m also seeing the beginning of colors in the trees and bushes. Beautiful.🍂
I’m half way through the day and I have done two loads of laundry, ironed linens and put them away, and also pressed our clothes for the weekend. Then I got brave and peeked into the clothes hampers in our closets. I saw more dirty clothes wadded and waiting for the the Laundry Lady (that’s me!) to rescue them from the basket and repeat the process of my earlier hours.
This is the second episode in our new “Clean with Me” podcast series. You can listen here and use the podcast to clean while you listen!
My husband is a huge Dunkin Donut coffee fan! He has visited many of these establishments across the country. Whenever he walks out of the store with his DD coffee cup in hand, he gets in the car and begins to give me a review of their service and of the coffee itself. Recently when he was raving about the cup he just received, I told him,
Now that things are warming up, we are spending more time on our back porch once again. This is an outdoor room that we just love and use a LOT! But like every other room, it needed a spring cleaning! I was amazed at how much better everything looked after I scrubbed down every inch of this space. Not sure why I’d never considered the need for a deep spring cleaning out there! Oh, I always wiped down the tables and wash the linens, but it needed lots more!
The rug and the concrete nearly sparkle now, but they were caked with dried worms and debris!
First I pulled everything out of this space except for the swing.
Using the hose, I gave the concrete slab a cleaning, using the spray nozzle on high. I had to go over it several times to remove all the dried worms (!), and bird mess!
Using soapy water, I washed down all the chairs, the swing, the posts on the porch, and the siding on the house.
I sprayed both sides of the outdoor rug. It looks brand new (see picture below). These outdoor rugs are worth the price! They really take the weather and all the elements well! I got mine at Lowe’s.
The glass door was washed.
All the summer toys were inspected, and then either put back in place or were pitched to be replaced.
My swing cushion is on its way to the laundry mat this week.
I added annuals to my containers.
Everything looks and feels so clean and inviting! I only wish I had taken a before photo, but I hope that my “after” pictures will inspire you to scrub down your porches, too!
I am looking to replace the cushions on my furniture. We store them away during the winter, but they have a weird feeling that doesn’t wipe off. Do you have outdoor cushions that you love? I’d be so thankful for your suggestions!
Later this week my front porch will get the same treatment! Do you need to refresh your porches for summertime?
I had also had my time in the Word and prayer, and my husband and I had also been guests on a podcast before 10:00! I was thankful that these things were done, because the rest of the day was also full of responsibilities. Not every day is as busy or productive and “My life is not about checking off boxes!” (I say to myself each day!).
My life is driven by my relationship with the Lord. I desire He direct my steps each day so that I can live my life for His glory. But God is a god of order and beauty, so that motivates me to live out each day in the same way. I don’t want to be driven by the constant demand of household chores and duties, but I desire to be the Keeper of my home so that it runs smoothly and efficiently.
In my years of homemaking, I have learned that the most adequate way to keep that happening is by having a daily routine. Most every bullet at the top of this post is done every single day of the week. I could do most of those things half asleep simply because it’s part of my daily routine.
Getting my day organized by doing the same things every day keeps my meals prepped, my laundry clean and the house in order. Here are some of the other things that I do every single day:
Put away my clothes when changing.
Clean up the kitchen after each meal.
Clear off any clutter from the kitchen counter.
Wipe down the stove top after cooking.
Spray the fridge, microwave and kitchen trash can with window spray.
Empty the trash.
Do one load of laundry.
Fold and put away the laundry as soon as possible after it’s dried.
Empty the litter box.
Sweep the floor.
Clean the main bathroom.
Straighten up the living areas (family room, living room).
The picture of my family room at the top of this post is my view while I’m writing. I did nothing to this room when I came in here today, and we use this room every day. It stays neat and clean, thanks to my daily routines. Without that, things would be a mess!
What do you need to add to your daily routine in order to be more effective as the keeper of your home? Make an evaluation of your “problem areas” then make a routine that will keep things in check. I’ve heard Whitney say many times that she has a routine for each day of the week – a day for laundry, a day for watering the plants, etc. That’s also helpful!
If I can give you suggestions or help, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments, or feel free to email me. My email address is in my contact page.
Here are some other cleaning posts (done in our previous home) that might spur you on to do some deep cleaning.
RefreshHer 