Today's Tackle: The Silverware Drawer

I cleaned out the silverware drawer a few years ago and threw away a bunch of junk that I didn't use anymore, and for the most part I've kept it fairly clutter free.

Before

But lately I've noticed the silverware itself looks kind of gross. I drink Chai tea (which I reheat and stir often before it's gone), eat pumpkin oatmeal and use a dishwasher, so I think those factors combined has created some nasty looking flatware. Today I did something about it.

Before - and these were "clean" from the dishwasher. Eeeewwww....

I spent about an hour hand-washing all of the silverware in the drawer, the silverware containers and a few of the utensils that needed it. I washed the inside of the drawer itself and put it all back.

After - still a few spots, but after nearly 27 years, it just happens.

What do ya think? It didn't take long to do and the drawer looks brighter with clean forks and spoons!

After

Challenge: Clean out your silverware drawer. It will feel good to get rid of useless junk and have only what you need. And having it clean will bring a peaceful feeling when you open it!

Read my previous post: Main Liner Lures

Dinner By Candlelight

I've reached a stage in my life when most nights the kids aren't around at dinner time.

My daughter works full-time and goes to school full-time so most days she's gone from morning until after 9:00 at night.

My son is in his senior year of high school and is busy with his multiple band rehearsals after school and into the night - pep band, jazz band and pit orchestra for the school play. Otherwise he's at work or at church.

Sometimes it's nice because nobody is around to complain about what's put on the table. "I don't like that."

Sometimes it's nice because my husband and I get to enjoy a quiet dinner without burping at the table. Yes, it's the nearly-23-year-old daughter who does that! (And she's amazingly proud of her skills.)

Most times it's not nice. Even though my offspring can be loud and rowdy, they are always fun to have around and I enjoy laughing together with them at meal time.

On occasion my husband has to work late so it's just me, by myself, for dinner. Last night was one of those times.

But instead of eating in front of the TV or computer, or even my iPad, I sat at the kitchen counter (where my husband and I eat when it's just the two of us), put Chris Botti on my iPod (ahhhhh, smoooooth dude!), dimmed the lights, lit candles and ate slowly and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Here was part of my view:

(I had leftover Chicken Noodle Soup!)

My view in the daylight!

Too often we rush through meals while multi-tasking; we pride ourselves on being able to do five things at once (and not really doing any of them well). But sometimes we need to just slow down, notice our surroundings, really taste our food (and chew it well) and enjoy the life God has given us.

Set an atmosphere in your home tonight at dinner, whether it's just you or a table of eight. Dim the lights, light some candles and play soft music in the background to help gain some focus, relax and find a little peace. You might be surprised at the difference it makes!

What rituals or traditions does your family have at mealtime?

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Up With The Sun

Sunrise out my front door; (c) 1/20/12, Kathy Fannon

I'm the type of person who likes to be up with the sun, although this is easier for me to do in the summer than in the winter. I also realize that's probably backwards from most people, who would prefer to be up with the sun at 8:15 in the winter instead of the much earlier 6:05 in the summer.

So in the winter, I'm up long before the sun! Most days I'm up around 6:00 and if I wake up too much past that I feel like my day is getting away from me. Even on the weekend.

Twenty years ago I became a Mary Kay beauty consultant. As a new recruit I was given Mary Kay's biography to read to motivate and inspire me. It did! She was an amazing woman and I learned a lot from her book and from being a part of her fabulous company.

There were a few things I took away from my experience with Mary Kay Cosmetics that still effect my life today, even though I am no longer a consultant.

She taught us how to make a "Six Most Important Things To Do" list every day.

There are days when I'm overwhelmed with that has to be done, so I ask myself, "What are the top six things I need to do?" When accomplished, I feel like I actually did something rather than run around aimlessly. If there's time I can tackle more.

She taught us how to dress professionally, always wearing a skirt or dress to our appointments to show we mean business. (Of course our culture is a little more casual now.)

Not long after I learned this I went to a home party at a friend's house. I don't even remember what the products were, baskets and food or something. But I do remember the consultant wore pants, and she truly did seem unprofessional.

There were lots more things I learned, and her book is an interesting read. I highly recommend it for anybody, whether you're in the work world or a domestic artist like me! :)

I think one of the most important lessons she taught was getting up early in the morning.

She realized that if she rose early each day she could have an eight or nine day week! She even formed a "Five-O'Clock Club" of other women who were up and productive early in the morning. (Some people do better at night, and that's ok too.)

She spent the time planning her "Six Most Important Things" list, and accomplishing much without the interrption of a ringing phone. I imagine she would get lots of paperwork done, sending birthday cards to consultants, answering letters and so much more.

I've not always been an early riser (and certainly 5:00 is too early for me, but then again I don't run a business), but I do enjoy being up early to get a start on my day. I make some coffee and read the items in my Google Reader, watch a little ESPN, check Facebook and Twitter and get dressed and ready for the day. I like to be "ready to go" by 8:00 or 8:30 so I can be productive the rest of the day.

I like to have the time to get my household tasks done, run errands, write blog posts, read books and even bake on occasion. Then when the family starts arriving home in the afternoon I'm able to be available for them if they need me, the house is clean, the candles are lit and home is a peaceful place for them.

Are you an early riser? If not, do you think you'd like to try to add time to your week by getting up early? Even one day will give you extra time!

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Are You Too Busy

Angela, 2-years-old, May 1991

She liked to sit in the pantry while I was in the kitchen!

(I miss that pantry in my other house.)

When Angela was little she loved books. She still does. That girl doesn't go anywhere without a book in her bag.

And it never failed - every time I went to the kitchen to start supper she wanted me to read her a story.

Being the choleric, get-it-done person I am, this used to frustrate me. I had hamburger to fry, pasta to boil, casseroles to put together and I wanted to get it done without interruption.

I remember saying to her on more than one occasion, "I'm too busy right now, you'll have to wait."

Then one day I actually heard what I was saying. "I'm too busy for you. Making dinner comes first."

I asked myself why she had to wait.

Couldn't I turn off the fire under the hamburger and come back to it? Could the casserole wait to be put together? Can I wait a few minutes before I add the pasta to the already boiling water?

Can dinner be ready a few minutes late?

Yes. Those things could wait.

My baby girl wasn't going to be my baby girl forever. I wanted her to know I thought of her as more important than getting dinner on the table. I wanted her to know I loved her enough to stop what I was doing and make time for her.

I wasn't always perfect at it, but I tried my best to let her know she was my priority.

Now my baby girl is fixin' to turn 23-years-old in a couple of months. How I would love to have those moments back of sitting on the couch reading "Go, Dog, Go" to her one more time. (Or as she called it, "Dog And Go")

Do you still have little ones? Make sure they know how important they are to you. Time really does fly and you can't catch it to take it back. Make it count!

Read my previous post: Candles and Snow
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Candles and Snow

We're in a winter storm warning from now until tomorrow afternoon. I LOVE living in West Michigan, just not when there's lake effect snow. OK, just not when there's snow.

I hate driving on bad roads. I hate driving on slushy roads. I hate driving on roads that are wet and mixed with sand and salt that get sprayed on my windshield when I'm driving. I can't stand a dirty vehicle, so that's the worst!

We knew this storm was coming so I'm stocked up on food for a couple of days in case I can't get out tomorrow. (They're saying up to 8".) I have a spare Starbucks in the fridge for tomorrow morning and ingredients to make Basement Potato Soup if we can't get out for our traditional Friday night pizza.

So while watching the rain turn to snow and looking at the gray skies this afternoon I decided to warm up my home.

I love candles burning in the dark winter months. They bring a warm, cozy cheeriness to my home. And if I'm around all day, I'll burn them during the day too. And they make the house smell good!

I thought I'd share some of my candles and mood lighting with you. (And a couple of pictures of the snow that started a little while ago. There will be much more by morning!)

My Kitchen

I love this candle holder because I can change out the black stones for cranberries at Christmas, coffee beans, or whatever fits the season. But mostly I like these black stones.

This candle is on my dining room table. I love the designs that are created as candles burn.

My front door entry. I did brighten up this photo a little because it was so dark. There is a candle burning on the table on the landing.

Look at the trees, you can see the snow coming down.

There is already more snow on the deck than this. Bleck.

What do you do during the winter months to cheer up your home?


Read my previous post: Birthday: Grandpa
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Clothes on the Line

Yes, I do have clothes on the line. Yes, those are my pajamas and sheets in this picture - yes, it was taken today. See the snow on the ground?

I LOVE sheets and pajamas dried on the clothesline. Any opportunity I have to get them out there, I will take. There is nothing like snuggling down in bed with the clean smell of the outdoors surrounding me.

Besides, it saves on the energy bill not to have the dryer running.

I threw this load in the washer before I left to do some errands this morning. I couldn't wait to get back home to get these outside, because they do take longer to dry when it's cold than in the summer when it's hot.

But look at the sun shining on them, and it's currently 44*! Perfect January weather for me!

Tomorrow the temps will be falling all day and should land in the mid-20s. Lake effect snow is predicted, so I will certainly enjoy these tonight. Who knows when I'll get another chance to put sheets and pajamas on the line?

Do you like to hang you clothes on the line?

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