How to Wash Your Oven Racks

by Leave a Comment

It’s Spring Cleaning time!

Here is a quick tip for cleaning your oven racks.  Wash them in the tub or shower!

I like to soak mine with a little soap in the bath tub, then stand them up and spray them off.

You’d be surprised what a great job that alone does.  If you have tougher spots, do that plus give them a little scrub with some steel wool.  They’ll look like new!

For the inside of the oven I use a baking soda and water paste to scrub away the icky spills that have been baking into place for months (oops!).

I’ve never used the self cleaning feature on my oven, because 500 degrees for however many hours just freaks me out.  Maybe it works well though?  Have you used it?

Do you have any homemaker tips you’d like to share?

Kitchen Gadgets Giveaway: Part 2.

by Leave a Comment

I used to use my bulky mandoline slicer all the time to make our zucchini into pasta.  You can read about that by
clicking here.
I really like my mandoline, but once I got my Zoodle Slicer, there was just no going back!  I’m using smaller sized zucchinis than I was with the mandoline, which I’ve found I actually like better!  The flavor is more pleasant and the seeds aren’t even an issue in these little guys.
Once the garden comes in I’ll have to remember to pick my zucchinis
before they get giant (which can happen the matter of a day)!
 
What makes the Zoodle slicer so
great? 
·
This little thing takes up a tiny fraction of cupboard space.
It makes nice firm ‘noodles’.·
It’s easy to use.
If you’ve been around here awhile you know that when I fall in love with a product I want everyone I know to know about it so they can experience the awesomeness too!

That’s why I’m hosting
a giveaway for a Zoodle Slicer.

You can win by visiting my Facebook page and liking/commenting on the “Giveaway Time” picture, or by commenting on a blog post last week or this week!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR MORE GIVEAWAYS, TIPS, AND INSPIRATION***

Yummy Zoodles!
After you have a bundle of zoodles cut, put them in a pan with a jar of spaghetti sauce and heat them up.  Delicious!

The Cars Are Taking Over! #boymomprobs

by Leave a Comment

The Tooth Fairy left 5 new Hot Wheels cars here this week.
This rekindled The Ball Player’s love of toy cars. So he brought them ALL upstairs to play with today.
I don’t know if this collage of pictures better illustrates how boys play vs. how girls play, or first born vs.middle child.  Either way, they did have a lot of fun together while the baby napped.

Side note:   With the special Thirty One ran last month we ordered a few red junior duffle bags for “organizing”, well concealing, some of our toys.  I think the boy will be quite pleased when those arrive and he no longer needs to use this hot pink large utility tote! 😉  I’ll be happy to have my favorite grocery tote back!
If you’re curious, the final count was 157 cars! & I’m sure there are some more in the baby’s room, but I’m not letting anyone go in there to check while she’s sleeping.
I have been asked why I still buy these when he has so many already.  The answer is, it’s something we already own, so there’s no problem finding a place for it when a new one comes in the house.  He knows right where to put them.
Also he loves them, and I’m sure one day he will play with these same cars with his children, just as his dad plays with him.  And yes, some of these cars are almost 30 yrs old.
Hot Wheels and Matchbox never go out of style.
#boymomma

{Sneak Peak} DIY Hot Cocoa Stand for Family Pictures

by Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links that you can read about HERE.
{Sneak Peak} I’m crazy excited about this hot cocoa stand my hubby built, for our family photo shoot.  The best part is that when I asked him to make it, he.didn’t.even.try.to.talk.me.out.of.it!  
Folks, he’s learning! haha
I pulled the idea off of Pinterest.  There were so many cute ones to choose from, but this is what we came up with.  We sort of used this design {click here} from Ana White to get us started.  Really you could make this just about any way you’d like.
We had a majority of this lumber leftover from other projects, so the cost was minimal.  I picked up most of the accessories from the dollar store or used things we had on hand already.  We spent a grand total of about $30 to pull this off.
Now, that’s not including the new coats I picked up.  But hey, I had coupons at one store and used Cartwheel at the other! Honestly us 3 girls really needed nice dress coats anyway.
 
 On Thanksgiving we got the stand out to give it a trial run.  All the cousins loved playing with it.  My super styling SIL & my momma helped me finalize our coordinating warm outfits.  Outdoor family photos in Iowa are pretty rare during the winter, but us crazies gave it a try anyway!
The actual photo-shoot day was super fun!  We had a young photographer and her mom (my friend) pose us, laugh with {and probably at us}, and capture some great memories that we’ll have for a lifetime!
Here are my tips for pulling off an outdoor family photo session like this in the coooold winter:
1. DRESS WARM.  Hats and gloves kind of warm, okay?
2. Let the kids play.  Relax mama, the shots of them playing were the best.
3. Ask the kids how they want to pose.  You’ll be surprised -or not- but their personality really comes out when they are free to move how they wish.
4. Bribe them with cookies…. then take more pictures!
I’ve been so excited to share some of these with you!  I’m glad I finally had a minute to sit down and compile these scribbles!  I hope you enjoyed the pictures, I know I sure did!
Behind the Scenes Photos:

 

You can accessorize this stand how ever you’d like.  We filled our beverage dispenser with hot (actually cold) cocoa.

If you don’t have a Beverage Dispenser yet, I suggest you get one!  We love ours for when we are hosting company, either big groups or small.  We usually just put water in it with lemon and mint leaves.  The presentation is beautiful!  I bought one, and we received one as a gift; which was perfect because now we have one for upstairs and downstairs during parties! Little kids LOVE them; keep a towel handy!

Fashion: Where Did All of These Scarves Come From??

by Leave a Comment

So….There’s a scarf situation going on over here… #slightscarfobsession
I don’t even know where all of these came from, it’s like they just appeared.  I’m totally okay with that though, I love them!
Shout out to my momma, who brought me back a soft pink scarf she picked up at a dollar store in Germany.  That has been my go-to scarf for 2+ years.  She has given me many of these and even made one of them!
#BrownieTheCat doesn’t seem to mind, but I want these organized.  I think could fill a whole walk-in closet with just fashion accessories, & I’m really not that into fashion!  I can’t imagine how many accessories some of you real fashionistas must own!
How do you ladies store your accessories?? 
Challenge: Organize SOMETHING apparel related in your home this weekend.

Product Review: Squatty Potty!

by Leave a Comment

Before you ask, I haven’t been hacked.  This is for real.
This came in the mail today. I’m serious. #SquattyPotty
 I ordered the Squatty Potty.  If nothing else, I thought it would be a great gag gift!  But.. honestly, I think I’ll be using it!

Update: Okay the Squatty Potty has been in our house about a week now and everyone loves this thing!  Well,  everyone except my husband who just thinks the whole idea is ridiculous and is embarrassed we even have this in the house.  He’ll get use to it though. 🙂
I won’t go too far into the details, but lets just say….. IT WORKS!

If you want more details, and trust me you do, visit their web-site.

2021 update:  We have these in both bathrooms.  They’re incredible.

Declutter: 9 Things You Can Throw Away Today!

by Leave a Comment

If you’re looking to DECLUTTER

here’s a short list of things you
can throw in the trash TODAY!
–> Or recycle if your area allows for it.
Let’s start in the closet:
Your surplus of stained t-shirts– We’ve all got them.  The ones we keep in the back of our closet “just in case”.  In case of what?  Keep one for painting, toss the rest.
Ill fitting undies-  Where did those even come from?  Probably something you picked up on a whim.  Quit digging past them in the drawer to get to your favorites.  If they don’t fit well, just throw them away.  I’ll wait…
Socks-  Chill out, I don’t mean all of your socks, dude.  I like walking barefoot, but I’m not THAT radical.  Just toss the ones that have so many holes they cover less than 85% of your feet.
Old Cell Phones-  I mean your really old ones.  The ones if you took them into Verizon they would look at you sideways and tell you they don’t still carry the technology to support that old beast, because it’s just so outdated.  Your moderately outdated smart phones ones make great “tablets” for the little kiddos to play games on-  You can thank my cousin for this tip!
Junk Mail– You know it’s junk when they promise you some big prize just for filling out a card with your name, phone number, social security number, # of past normal pap smears, your address (hello?  you sent this to me!) and all you have to do is mail it back in.  They’ve even paid the postage for you.  Let it go, you ain’t won nothin’.
That pile of magazines that you feel guilty about for not reading. You will get new ones next month {or maybe even sooner if you’re a magazine subscription hoarder.. like me}.  Don’t be afraid of what you’ll miss.  The best things in life are free.  If it was that big of a deal you’d hear about it through some other avenue than just a magazine.
Ratty old towels. Don’t save them for crafts, shop rags, whatever. You will just see them in a different pile later and wish you had thrown them in the first place.
Expired condiments– Yes mom, I wrote this one just for you.  Update: I visited your fridge on the 4th and was pleasantly surprised that I couldn’t find any ketchup.  I’m assuming it was old and you tossed it!  Virtual High Five!
Anything “gross” in your fridge-  Unless you homeschool, then we know there is at least one gross thing in there.  Just be sure it’s clearly labeled “SCIENCE”.

As a bonus task- Clear off your kitchen counter and wash it down.  If your counter is the regular “catch all” try to keep it cleared off through the weekend and see if it improves your mood.  I know this works for me!

Ready…Set…Go!
Come back and tell me if your efforts were successful! 🙂

A Slightly Better Wife- GreenAir Oil Diffuser Tutorial and Review

by 2 Comments

This post contains affiliate links.  Visit my disclosure tab for more details.

Edit: I’ve had this diffuser for well over a year now, tried other diffusers, and this one is STILL my most very favorite.  Even though it is not as visually appealing as some of the other diffusers on the market, this one has worked the best for me.  Worth every penny!

Practical Laundry Tips

by Leave a Comment

Sign this to the tune of Let it go:
The laundry piles high on the
couch tonight
Not a maid to be seen.
My living room is consumed
Yes, it’s all for me.
Disclaimer: This is only two loads of laundry, usually there is FAR more.
As a homemaker I feel it’s my responsibility to be sure that there are clean clothes available for everyone in the house.
Now I am an odd duck who finds joy in doing laundry. I mean everything except putting it away, but I have little people who love to help with that. 🙂
Step 1-
Gather all the laundry into one spot.
Step 2-
Wash & dry all the loads you have for the day.
Step 3-
As a load comes out of the dryer I pull out shirts and hang them up right away, the rest get thrown on the couch.  If any shirts ended up missing out on the hang up step in the laundry room, they get flattened out nicely over the arm of the couch.
Step 4-
Wait for all the clean laundry to collect on the couch throughout the day. It’s not worth folding and leaving it there to be unfolded by the short people in the house.  It’s also not worth making several little trips to put away one sock or a towel when I know there will be many more to go with it.
Step 5-
Once all the CLEAN laundry is on the couch I separate into piles like this:
The Fashionista, The Drummer, Momma, bathroom washcloths/towels, kitchen napkins/towels, Hubby’s socks.
I fold bath towels, kitchen towels, my hubby’s undershirts & underwear.  I only fold those because they fit better into the drawer this way.  And I occasionally will fold The Baby’s clothes as I go.
That’s it, The rest are left as messy piles.
The big kids are responsible for putting their own clothes away in their rooms, & in the right places. They know that mom won’t iron their clothes if they put them away in a sloppy manner. So they are really good about taking care of them. 🙂
We all pitch in to put all the other piles away.  This method of folding, sorting and putting away goes really quick!
Tips:
* Pretty much always hang up shirts as they come out of the dryer.  No ironing!
*Teach kids to put their own clothes away, make it simple.  This does not need to be fun, and they don’t need a reward. It should just be one of their responsibilities. We start this expectation at about 2-3 years of age.
*Buy all matching socks for each person.
Then you aren’t stuck trying to figure out which sock belongs to which person and where the other mate is for it. If each person has 20 of the same socks then they just get thrown in a sock drawer and pulled out two at a time, no more matching up!  Can you tell mismatched socks were a time consuming joy sucker of mine? 😉
Separated piles
The Big Kids’ piles get thrown behind the couch.. Looks like someone changed too much and someone else hardly at all.

What is your method or what are your practical laundry tips? 
You can post in the comments or if you blog, make a post about it and put it in the comments so I can link it up here. 

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click and purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting A Slightly Better Life!