My Motives and Housework

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Sometimes getting the housework done is all about me. 

Sounds strange to say that...isn't it love for my family that motivates me to wash their clothes and clean their dishes?

Yes. But, I personally love a clean house. When everything has a place and everything is in it's place, I let out a sigh of contentment. Cleaning isn't my favorite pastime, but the results are grand. 

My husband enjoys a clean living space, too (and, in general, he's a clean kind of guy...and I'm so grateful!). But you know what he likes more? Me, sitting on the couch beside him, despite the dirty dishes piled high in the kitchen.

The perfectionist in me wants to clean because that's how I like it...focused on my agenda and my plans.

What is love? Sometimes love is laying aside my carpet-beater (er, I mean...my swiffer-sweeper!) and being relaxed. Reading a book next to my hubby. Not getting under pressure because of all the tasks I expect myself to perform.

What is love for your family today? Is it picking up the broom or setting it down?

I find that my answer to that question typically involves a good deal of both...but it's my motives that have to be in check.

My Motives and Housework

Using Cheesecloth to Strain Homemade Yogurt

Coffee Filter Approach

Lately I've been making homemade yogurt in the crock pot around once a week. Until last week, I had been using coffee filters to strain my yogurt (straining makes the yogurt thicker!). But for a 1/2 gallon of yogurt that requires a total of 3 coffee filter/strainer combinations...which takes up a lot of room in my fridge.

Solution? A cheesecloth. I purchased this porous cotton cloth at Publix for $3.99 (in the cleaning isle!).


Here's what it looks like:

Here's an up-close view. I folded my 2-yard-long cheesecloth over 4 times to achieve the proper thickness for straining the yogurt.

Then I lined my largest strainer with the cloth. There is a bowl underneath the strainer to catch the whey.

Then I scooped the yogurt into the cheesecloth-lined strainer and placed it in the fridge for several hours to let the yogurt strain.

When it's reached the thickness you like, scrape all of the yogurt out of the cheesecloth and into a jar. Save the whey as well (you can use it as a buttermilk substitute...read more about uses for whey in my original yogurt post).

This yogurt is thick and creamy! Squishy loves it and has been eating it for breakfast each morning.

Notes on yogurt thickness: I've noticed that if I stir the yogurt a lot or if I add extra sweetener in at the end, the yogurt looses some of it's thickness. Not sure why that is!

To clean the cheesecloth, I have been rinsing it out with hot water and lemon juice immediately after use (I don't want the yogurt to dry onto it). Then I unfold it and let it air-dry.

I know there are many uses for cheesecloth, but yogurt-straining is my cloth's primary function right now. This gal made tea bags out of cheesecloth, which I thought was super cute (you know I'm in love with tea!).

Have you used a cheesecloth before?



Linked to Works For Me Wednesday and Homemaking Link-Up.

P.S. Today is the last day to enter to win an awesome Imprint Comfort Mat!! 

Also, the winner of the $10 Wal-Mart Gift Card is comment #86, WWillows6! I'll be sending you an email!

Using Cheesecloth to Strain Homemade Yogurt

Makin' It Happen

On Mondays, I am typically ready to tackle the week. A fresh start, a clean slate. I think I get more accomplished on Monday than any other weekday (when we're talking about housecleaning/cooking sort of accomplishments).

The most structured part of my day is the morning. I have a set time for waking up, time with God, feeding Squishy and working out. After that, the day has more eb and flow.

Just before feeding Squishy in the morning, I (hopefully) write out a daily to-do list. On Mondays, I write out both a weekly to-do list and a to-do list for the day.

Why all the lists? 

1) I like lists. I'm just quirky like that.

2) I am forgetful.

3) They help me prioritize.


On my daily list, I write down all sorts of little details that I need to remember. The weekly list contains less detail and focuses on the bigger things that can tend to get shoved aside because I feel like I have too many dishes to wash.

Here's an example of my bare-bones weekly to-do list for this week. I'm going out of town to visit my parents Monday-Wednesday, which will be an awesome break from the typical Monday housework routine. Best of all, I'm carpooling with a dear friend and her two youngsters. 

In the midst of all my list making and doing, I always have to remind myself that it's not checking off the list that validates my day. I am not measured by how clean the floors are...or even if I paid the bills on time. I'm looking for ways to be efficient, but if my eyes aren't on Jesus, no amount of efficiency will matter.

(My perfectionist side has to be retold. Do you need this reminder, too?)

What's the biggest task on your list this week?




You can post your To-Do list over at Ammie's place, where she hosts Make It Happen Monday each week! If you're a list-lover, you should check it out (haha, no pun intended!). :D

Makin' It Happen

Kitchen Space and Kitchen Scents

My small (and well-loved!) kitchen

My kitchen is teensy. I can literally stand in one place and stir something on the stove, put something in the fridge, wash a dish in the sink, and get something out of a cabinet. It's a one-stop shop. :)

On the other hand (you know, the one still stirring something on the stove!), my kitchen counters get cluttered in the blink of an eye. I find myself in middle of cooking a big meal, pulling food out of the oven, and having absolutely no place to put it because the counters are covered with onion scraps, cutting boards, and mixing bowls.


Did I mention the kitchen has no dishwasher?

So when I read Flylady's suggestion for storing dirty dishes under the kitchen sink, I knew I had to give it a try. For several weeks now I've been sticking dirty dishes not in the sink, but in this handy plastic bin which I keep tucked under the kitchen sink, filled with sudsy water.

What an awesome space-saver for my genie-bottle kitchen!

Have you ever tried something like this? Or does your dishwasher serve as your "dirty dish disposal"?

To go along with this kitchen sink mini-series, Gain (in partnership with My Blog Spark) sent me some of their new dishwashing liquid to try out. The "Original" scent that they gave me has a apple-fresh fragrance that is very pleasant.

In addition, my hands (which are prone to breaking out after I wash dishes) have not shown any signs of breakout while I have been using the Gain dishwashing liquid in the last month, which is a definite plus for me (Note: I'm not making any medical claims here, just sharing my experience).

I keep my eyes peeled for coupons, because sometimes P&G releases a $1/off any Gain dishwashing liquid coupon. My local Wal-Mart typically sells the 11 oz bottle of Gain for $.97, making it free after the coupon.

You don't have to wait for the coupon, though, because P&G has provided me with a $10 Wal-Mart gift card to give away to one of my readers. Just leave a comment on this post to be entered (with your email addy!).

Tomorrow I'll share the improvement to my kitchen sink nook that made a recent house guest of mine exclaim, "This makes me want to wash dishes!" You know it must be good to make someone say that...

(You can find the first part of this kitchen sink mini-series here.)

Disclosure: P&G provided me with Gain dishwashing liquid, 3 t-shirts, and a gift card through MyBlogSpark. All opinions are my own.  

The last day to enter this giveaway is November 16th. The winner will be chosen using random.org.

There are two other giveaways currently running:

Enter to win a $5 Amazon gift card.

Enter to win a $15 Starbucks gift card. 

These giveaways end on Friday, November 5th!

Linked to Tackle It Tuesday.

Kitchen Space and Kitchen Scents

Me, My Kitchen Sink, and Windex

As homemakers, the majority of us spend exorbitant amounts of time planted in front of our kitchen sinks. I stand there for at least an hour each day, considering that I cook often and we do not have a dishwasher.

This month I set out on a mission to see if I could improve my kitchen sink experience (I know that's a stretch, but hang with me here). I started with the illustrious job of shining my sink.

Which I had never, ever done before.

Or at least not properly.

Flylady (of course) was there to guide me through. Have you ever shined your sink? Here's how it goes...

My un-shined sink. The real, dirty deal. Yes, I know you see that sponge. I use a new one every day, promise! Don't hate.

I had my work cut out for me.

Keepin' it real here...

So! The solution. First, per Flylady's instructions, I removed all the dirty dishes and filled one side of my sink with really hot water and a cup of bleach:

The bleach solution sits for an hour, then you remove the plug with tongs and rinse out your sink. Repeat on the other side, rinsing well when you are done.

Then I scrubbed my entire sink with baking soda, using a pan scraper to get in all the cracks and crevices. Then I rinsed well (Flylady emphasizes that you should rinse after each step!!).

The final step is to shine your sink up with window cleaner. And look!

A vast improvement.

Now that I've done nitty-gritty work of thoroughly shining my sink, all it needs is a little maintenance each day (window cleaner to keep it shiny). Flylady says she keeps a clean towel next to the sink and dries it out after running water at any point. I must confess, I can't seem to attain to that level of discipline just yet. But I'm still loving my {overall} shiny sink.

Tomorrow, I'm going to share a fabulous kitchen space-saving tip that I have been utilizing for the past 2 weeks and loving. Plus, I'll have a little giveaway! Stay tuned for the second part of this kitchen sink mini-series...



Linked to Homemaking Link-Up.

Me, My Kitchen Sink, and Windex

1st Blogiversary {and...you guessed it....a giveaway!}

{Photo Credit}

When I started this blog one year ago, I was on the brink of becoming a stay-at-home mom (my girlhood dream!), and I was full of anticipation.

I had learned a lot of practical cooking, cleaning, and money-saving tips from the few blogs I followed at the time (namely, Life As Mom, Money Saving Mom, and Amy's Finer Things) and decided to start my own as a form of documentation. I had recently become a coupon fanatic, and lurking in the back of my mind was the idea of using my blog as a launcing pad for teaching coupon classes.

As Alicia's Homemaking took shape, I realized that while couponing and saving money has a place, it's not what I desire to focus my writing on (not to mention that there are so many other bloggers who tackle that job so nicely!).

I was fortunate to grow up in a functional home where my parents loved each other and peace prevailed over strife (not perfectly, but overall). I witnessed firsthand just how important the daily goings-on in a home are! Now I truly am overjoyed (and privileged) to be able to set the tone in my own home and practically love my family.

Isn't it awesome to know that the job you're doing has eternal value?  

That's what I want to blog about...from wiping down the counters and packing lunches to having folks over for dinner and praying with the kids at night.

And, it's just an added bonus that I really get a kick out of kissy babies, aprons, homemade bread (must be all the Little House on The Prairie reading we did growing up... *wink*).

Now that I've waxed all eloquent on you, I just wanted to say a hearty thanks to all of you--my readers! You've really made this a blast. I love hearing your feedback, stories, recipes, and advice. I feel like we're learning together.

In celebration, I'm giving away a $15 Starbucks Gift Card (provided by yours truly) to one of you. Just leave a comment (with your email)!

Additional entries:

• Comment and say you subscribe to Alicia's Homemaking by email or RSS.
• Comment and say you follow me on Twitter.
• Comment and say you "Like" Alicia's Homemaking on Facebook.

Is there anything particular that you would like to see on Alicia's Homemaking in the year to come? Do share...



P.S. Thanks for all of your sweet, encouraging words this week. :)

Linked to Finer Things Friday and Company Girl Coffee.

1st Blogiversary {and...you guessed it....a giveaway!}

My Heart For My Home

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Why do I have a passion for homemaking?

Is it because writing out cleaning schedules makes me tick? Or because I get a thrill out of dotting the i's and crossing the t's on my weekly menu?

Not so much. While I find my daily tasks enjoyable (mostly!) and I like the satisfaction of tackling a to-do list, those are peripheral details. 

What I'm really concerned about are the things at the core of our homes. At the top of my list are:

• The presence of God
• A sweet marriage
• Loving, sane family relationships
• Serving others

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A home brim-full with this life can change the world.

And that's why I am so satisfied in my role as a homemaker...not so that we can live our lives in a perfect state of cleanliness (ha!) with magazine-worthy decor. Or not even so that we can eat balanced nutritious meals for dinner. In my care of my home, I want to facilitate an atmosphere that makes the core things possible. More than possible actually--may they be preeminent!

I'm really excited about the fact that the first three things (God's presence, a loving marriage, and strong inter-family relationships) give power to the last element: serving others. We want our home to act as a launching pad for loving people.

I'm not looking to create a self-contained piece of heaven that closes the world out with four walls. Don't get me wrong here. Our homes should serve as a restful haven from the things of the world. It's into that haven that we want to draw people. I'm not talking so much about entertaining as I am about inviting people into family. A sane, imperfect, messy, drawing-our-life-from-God family.

We're a young family (always on a learning curve), and we have so many lessons in walking all of this out in front of us. But I'm excited to learn!

I wanted to share this with all of you because I realized that I've been blogging for nearly a year (about homemaking!) and I have not clearly shared my heart for my home in so many words. In the future, I hope to have more posts on nurturing the core things, along with more on practically living out hospitality every day (I need some growing here).

I know many of you have this same heart. (Speaking of, if any of you would like to write a guest post on a topic related to these core things, please email me about it at AliciasHomemaking (at) gmail (dot) com.)

Loving fervently is what matters most! May our homes be a tool for just that.

~Alicia
Linked to the Homemaking Link-up and Just For The JOY Of It. :)

My Heart For My Home

The Balancing Act

Squishy cleans the floor. Good idea, since he eats everything on it!

Someone turned the intensity knob up on my husband's grad program. It's only week 2 of the semester, but I knew it was coming. I think it will actually get worse.

For us, this has meant late nights. Which translates into difficulty getting up. Which sends everything out of whack. More and more I am discovering that going to bed on time is really key to our sanity and health. I know there will be times for making exceptions (out of love for people or to stay up with a sick child), but right now I'm just trying to get into a good overall habit. What time to you go to bed?

It has been a good week. Have you sensed a theme in what I've been learning lately? About perfectionism, relaxing and having fun with my family, and simplifying? I'm asking God to help me live in the now, without the false pressures I place myself under.

On the one hand I'm learning to put a plan into the day so that things go smoothly (like going to bed on time), and on the other hand I'm learning not to measure myself by the "plan." Isn't it funny how I'm supposed to learn both? To be disciplined and relaxed?

I'm sure am thankful for God's grace in it all.



Linked to Company Girl Coffee.

The Balancing Act

On Homemaking and Perfectionism

I'm guest posting today over at Reflections In Hindsight on one of my struggles as a homemaker. This is my very first guest post, ya'll. Pop over and leave me some comment love!

And don't forget, tomorrow is Try New Adventures Thursday, where you can link up your latest adventures. Any sort of adventure will do! Have you stretched yourself lately? Blog about it and come link up. :)

On Homemaking and Perfectionism

Avoiding A Harried 5 O'Clock

Hubby's almost home. The baby is hungry. Dinner is boiling over on the stove (or maybe it hasn't even been started). The living room is strewn with toys and the dining room table is cluttered. And you're exhausted. And you just hung up with the third telemarketer in just as many minutes.

Ok, so maybe it's not quite so dramatic at your house around five or six pm. However, I have definitely found myself frazzled in my efforts to wrap up the afternoon and get dinner on the table. How about you?

Here are a few measures that I try to implement in order to Avoid a harried 5 o'clock:

• Have a plan for dinner. I talk about this a lot, because it just helps. A plan means that I already have the ingredients on hand for the evening meal. I don't have to figure out what I'm going to cook in-between a fussy baby and the telemarketer calls. If you draw a blank when you sit down to make a menu plan, check out this post on menu planning for your blank-minded moments.

• Start your dinner prep early in the day (sometime in the morning works best for me).

• Take some time in the afternoon to catch your breath. Institute a quiet time (or capitalize on your child's naptime). Read a book. Catch a cat nap. This makes a difference for me...if I'm rested, my rope is much longer in the evening.

• Have a before-Daddy-gets-home-clean-up-time. A quick pick up of the living areas or change out of a stained shirt can do wonders.

Does dinnertime go smoothly in your home? What does it look like for you?

Sometimes nothing goes as "planned" (as helpful as plans can be), and we just eat a thrown together dinner in a messy house...and that's ok too.



This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday. 

Tomorrow is Try New Adventures Thursday--I would love it if you joined in!

Avoiding A Harried 5 O'Clock

Warning: Severe Nesting Ahead

Happy Friday morning!

I’m happy to report that as of today, we are officially done unpacking. It took 2 days to move and 2 days to unpack, but we’re all settled in now. I’m typing from my new “spot”…the desk in our living room, which faces the window looking into our “backyard.”

I love windows and I love sunshine. Before we moved, we weren’t able to see our apartment, aside from the general virtual tour offered online, so I sheepishly asked God if our apartment could please get lots of sunshine...!

Well, my prayers weren’t exactly answered. In fact, our apartment is plopped smack in middle of the shade.

Buuuutttt….our apartment is probably the only one that has this kind of view from every window! We face a large, wooded play area and every window in our place looks out on grass and trees…no parking lots or other buildings! And the sunlight filters through the leaves. How happy! Here's the view:

And here's where I'm typing from:

As the title of this post suggests, I have been nesting like crazy. It has I have been very intense (ask my husband). You’d think I was in my 2nd trimester of pregnancy or something. We hung pictures today and now everything is in its place.

Here’s what I have to work with (when my friend Christi saw the “virtual tour” of our apartment online, she said, “Looks like a jail!” She has the gift of encouragement…haha).

How it looked when we were unpacking:

And how our place looks now (living room, baby room,& kitchen):

I'm so excited to be unpacked. Today we are off to explore our new town!



This post is linked to Company Girl Coffee, Finer Things Friday, and I'm Lovin' It. :)

Warning: Severe Nesting Ahead