I need a House and Home "mentor"!! Anybody interested??

I am really feeling a bit crappy about myself today. :cry:

I long to have a garden and grow fresh veggies.
I long to cook natural and from scratch.
I long to make homemeade cleaning solutions.
I long to can.
I long to decorate in a way that is more "homey".
I long to live simply.
I long to have a schedule that works and isn't harem scarem do whatever whenever.

I have been feeling this way for quite some time now. I have been reading these posts in this section and it is really getting to me. I am not any of the things I long to be! I don't know how to even begin to plant a garden! I know that will sound dumb to some of you but it is true. Actually I don't know where to begin to do any of the things I listed above! I also need a good schedule and routine to my day. I would love to get up early but I sleep in all the time. I need help!!

After summer is over we are going to get rid of the old swing set in the yard and I would love to make that whole section of yard a garden area. Fenced of course to keep the dog out but I don't even know where to start, when to plant, what to plant, when to harvest, what will grow here....the list goes on and on.

Now that I quit smoking I have all this energy and nothing to do with it!

If anyone would be interested in giving me some tips on any of the above listed things I would be ever so grateful!! I'm just feeling really lost.

 

Fantastic, Tiffany, that you have more energy and a vision like this--dreams ahead! I'm really PROUD of you! Even though you say you're feeling lost, to me it sounds like you're just on the thresh-hold of a brand new adventure in your life, and I'll be watching this thread to get some inspiration myself.

 

I have 4 words for you! H G T V :lol:

 

Oh Prairie thanks for those kind words. Maybe I am on the verge of something new and that would be so much better than being lost. I need to spend some time praying about this and I really need a good schedule for my day.

Kayla - I don't have cable tv!!!!!!!!!!

 

Try not to overwhelm yourself. Pick one.


Try doing some herbs, they grow easy, and don't take up a lot of space you can have a window box of them if you want. Dill, parsley, oregano and basil are great starters.

www.hgtv.com
www.diy.com

 

Pick one recipe and make it from scratch. On the back of the corn meal is a good cornbread recipe usually.

 

I too love to sleep in. I found that I also love to read my Bible in the morning, but was sleeping in until 8:00, I then asked the Lord to wake me up early, before the children, and He has. I agree with Amy, pick a few things and do those and then increase as you get one of them down. Visit the library with your children and as they are reading you find the books of the things you want to do. Read, read, read. There used to be no TV and people still did those things. I will be praying that you reach your goals as you set them.

 

I am with Amy. One step at a time. Yes, herbs are easy to grow and some can be grown in a window. Some herbs are small plants and fit nicely on a kitchen windowsill.
Good luck and have fun!
Patty

 

Hi Prarie!
Something that I have learned is to have a to do list. I clean one room a day, and I have a list of what needs done in that room on that day. Then, for the rest of the week, I just have to straighten up that room. It motivates me to be able to cross things off my list, and I find that I get more done.
Also, as far as gardening goes, go to your local university. Many times they have "master gardeners" who can really help you figure out what will grow in your area. Also, if you flip seed packs over, look for where you live on the map, it will tell you if it'll grow or not. I'd love to have a garden, but I don't think my apartment managers would like it very much!
Congrats on quiting smoking!!!!! That's wonderful!!!! Just keep trying!

 

I wish I lived closer, I love doing all the things you mentioned. Let's start with growing food. Start with kitchen herbs, grown right on your counter/windowsill/desk, whatever. Research online to find what's best for you. Start with this, then progress next year to some easy-to-grow container things like tomatoes & cukes (these will need a trellis if grown in a container). It's easier to learn to water bath can before taking the plunge into pressure canning. BUT before you can can, you need produce to can. Maters are EXCELLENT for the first time canner. They are high acidity, so they can be done in a water bath.

By starting with just the herbs- "to practise"- you are well on your way to a couple other things- preparing natural and healthier meals for your family, the canning & living simply.

Digest this and then I'll get some more things together for you to take another step in your simplified living.

Are you on IM? I LOVE to talk about all the things you mentioned. I love sewing, baking, canning, growing things, etc. I have a homekeeper's journal that I LOVE.

 

Tiffany, you sound like where I am! We are planning on building in 2 or 3 years and then we will finally have some land and can plant, etc. Not like I know a lot about it!! My grandparents had a farm and we always had a garden and my mom canned tons. I hated it as a kid, but now I would love to do it. But not green beans. I HATE picking green beans. Hate may not even be strong enough!:lol:

So for now, I am working on getting organized. I started doing FlyLady stuff a couple of years ago, and that was such a help for me. I don't get the emails anymore, but I try to follow the plan--kind of like lovinhomeschool was talking about doing a little each day.

I will be reading the advice you get!!

 

I say do a few things at time.. and go from there. It will work watch alot of those wonderful tv shows.. that is where I learned how to do mine.. and the cooking network which is food network is wonderful and they show you alot of neat things.. My girls even learn alot of them..

 

Okay this will be long but I wanted to respond individually. First let me say a big thank you to you all. I consider all of you friends and I wish I could give you all a big hug right now. You are all my mentors! I felt kind of stupid posting this earlier but now I am glad I did. You are all awesome.

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Try not to overwhelm yourself. Pick one. Pick one recipe and make it from scratch. On the back of the corn meal is a good cornbread recipe usually.

Well I did it. I picked one to start with and I picked cooking. I gotta eat right? May as well begin somewhere. I am motivated now too so I took your advice ABall! I got the recipe for cornbread muffins off the back of the corn meal. I actually had cornmeal in my pantry and had never used it! I'm sure I intended to at some point. Anyway I made the cornbread muffins, a broccoli/carrot/onion/cheese casserolle thing with fresh veggies (recipe from a link you provided), grilled chicken breast and onions in olive oil, and fresh ice tea. My family LOVED it!!!! Grace loves veggies and everyone ate their fill!!!

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Visit the library with your children and as they are reading you find the books of the things you want to do. Read, read, read. There used to be no TV and people still did those things. I will be praying that you reach your goals as you set them.

Thanks this is a great idea! We are going to the library in the morning for a puppet show. Perfect! And thanks for the prayers.

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Some herbs are small plants and fit nicely on a kitchen windowsill. 

I think that would be good for me to begin with. I usually am not able to grow anything. Dh does but I have never been good at it.

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Something that I have learned is to have a to do list. I clean one room a day, and I have a list of what needs done in that room on that day. Then, for the rest of the week, I just have to straighten up that room. It motivates me to be able to cross things off my list, and I find that I get more done.

I was going to ask about this too. Do you guys have a cleaning schedule or clean when it is dirty? I keep my house very clean - that is the one thing I am good at.

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Congrats on quiting smoking!!!!! That's wonderful!!!! Just keep trying!

Thanks! It wasn't hard until vacation. I struggled with it a lot last week. Dh has quit too. I think not smoking has everything to do with my motivation to do other things.

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I wish I lived closer, I love doing all the things you mentioned. Are you on IM? I LOVE to talk about all the things you mentioned. I love sewing, baking, canning, growing things, etc. I have a homekeeper's journal that I LOVE.

I wish we lived closer too!! Wow a journal?!?!?! I am on IM just not much. Maybe I better make time! I wish I could sew. I have no one to teach me so I can't pass it on to my kids. One of the many, many things my mom never taught me.

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My grandparents had a farm and we always had a garden 

Mine too and we plan on building out there in a few years too! I loved shucking corn and shelling peas. My fav was the watermelon.

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I started doing FlyLady stuff a couple of years ago, and that was such a help for me. I don't get the emails anymore, but I try to follow the plan--kind of like lovinhomeschool was talking about doing a little each day.

Okay I have heard of flylady. I need to check that out.

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It will work watch alot of those wonderful tv shows.. 

Don't have cable but now I wish I did!

 

Okay I didn't do that right!!!! How do you reply to a bunch of people at once???

 

I fogot to ask........tonight I opened a can of chicken broth and only used a little bit. Is there a way to save what is left in the can or should I toss it out? If so, what do I store it in? I told you ladies I know nothing! My mom never taught me to cook or sew but she did teach me how to sleep late.

 

I sometimes keep the can in the fridge for a couple of days. I am not sure if that is okay, but we've never gotten sick from it--that I know of! haha After that I give it to the cat.

 

You gave me an idea....I bet my dog would love some poured on his dry food!

 

I am not sure how to do multiple quites, either!

Anyway, the cornmeal thing made me laugh, because that is me to a T! It drives dh crazy.

And I have great memories of shelling peas in the evening under the big tree in my grandparents' yard.

You should definitely check out FlyLady. You may not want to get all of her emails (there are a TON!), but I actually thought it was kind of helpful at first. I made a "control journal" and once I started writing things down it really helped me. If I write it down I am MUCH more likely to get it done!

I know you can do these things. If you can quit smoking, you can do anything!!

 

Tiffany, I thought you did great on those multiple quotes. My dd has several ways of doing them. One, is to copy each one onto WordPad and then back onto here. Another way is to "reply with quote" to each separate post she wants to copy and then copying them individually onto one post. We need JenErix or another technician here to streamline the instructions.

I grew up helping my family do all the things you mentioned and more (like butchering and preserving our own meat, making our own laundry soap, heating our house with wood, etc). We can't seem to do it all, these days, though. Gone are the relates and neighbors who pitched in to get a job done together! And even though our friends still think we live pretty basic, it's really a challenge to live simply and healthfully with efficient schedules and still be able to function in a fast-paced society.

My parents diligently taught me scores of skills, but I, too, struggle with issues of motivation and inspiration. I need to enroll in your seminar of "Keeping your house clean and shiny" and in Homeschoolinmum's "Lovin' Liven this Way" one. Thanks for starting this thread. I'm learning, too, and we can all support and pray for each other.

 

If I have left over broth, I put it in a plastic container, mark what it is and put it in the freezer. The next time I need a little broth, I get it out of the freezer.