Sunflower Fields- Doing

Over the Labor Day weekend… we traveled west…to hill country, Honey’s family had their family reunion.  We passed sprawling fields of Sun flowers.  An ocean of yellow!  Beautiful! Honey drove… This photo was taken zooming down Hwy- 67… near Cleburne, TX.




A few days prior to that.  I decided I needed to dust the bedroom shelf.

:: I’m Freeing the Clutter…over the next 30 days!

 

I’m setting it free from my home.  For the next 30 days- I’m working on a little bit at time; getting it out of my house!  I’m following along here with these 3 ladies and tons of others via Instagram.

I’m not going to be posting about it A LOT HERE @ CORN in my Coffee-pot.  I’m mostly posting on Instagram.   Here are the first two days if you’re interested. You can check out these blogs and still join in, if you want.  You can also check out #clutterfree30 on instagram for more inspiration. ;)

Day 1: 3 bags 30 mins—mine are from left to right Donate, Clutter/trash, and Recyclables.  It doesn’t look like much—but its something!

Day 2:  PANTRY SWEEP!  Before:  Lots of boxes and containers that need emptying into jars and storage.

After:  shelves cleaned off, wiped free of crumbs, straightened the cookbooks—consolidated containers, tossed outdated items.

The residual trappings of packaged foods. :/   One of the things I’m working on this year—is to try and lessen the amount of garbage and waste I bring into our home.  The tin cans are the worst.  Any tins I have- will hopefully be recycled.  The less wrapping the better.  I’m also trying to do this with MYO (make your own) recipes.  I found some good ones over the holidays.  I’ll share the links soon.

I’m doing this Clutterfree 30 days…as a personal challenge to help motivate me—and to keep the focus.

Thanks to these ladies for putting the list together and helping to motivate me in my home!

Hostesses:

• Clean Mama
• Country Chic Cottage
• Shabby Creek Cottage

 

‘Til next time, Be Blessed~

      Patricia



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“Do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap if you faint not.”  Galatians 6:9

:: Do the Shuffle-

 
The MAMMOTH DESK

The cute and functional …

well, yes! Of course it’s cute.
Functional?  NOT. SO. MUCH.




















I wonder why I complicate things?  See my 40 days list on the corner of the desk?

What you don’t see are the computer tower, the cord mess beneath the desk…the idea of cute and functional went out the window a long time ago!

Yea, so then this happened…

  

Ah. Just pause here for a moment. An oasis of calm in the midst of a storm.
except for the cords! always cords!

One room make over begets the next…  Since I had been using the entertainment center for storage—well,
I went back to the drawing board, using my old entertainment cabinet in the living room; but not without chopping it down to fit below the TV.  CHOP! CHOP!  (note: cluttered desk in background)




















Old desk became storage for crafty stuff and shipping boxes… Not cute or functional.






















Then—one day I turned around and thought… I just need to put my computer back on that desk!  IT’S DESIGNED TO BE A DESK! … and so I started painting it.

Wait… what?! 

Yes.   But somehow I did not get my DIY paint mixed correctly… so then I washed it off with a damp rag. Sorry no pictures.  I know.  I’m sort of relieved too!

I’ve made DIY chalk paint before… I’ve used it and I’ve been successful with it.
This is not one of those stories.

and… now?
It’s a desk again. 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                            
NO. It’s not painted. It’s been wiped clean of all DIY chalk paint. I’m waiting for a day when all the dust settles, the papers are shredded, the fabric is folded and stored – a day when I can sit in that chair, and spin around like a child on a merry- go- round and look behind me and take a panoramic photo of the entire room; and you will see there is no longer be  a massive pile of craft junk, paper clutter, and bags of fabric behind me.

It’s true.  I can only show you so much…
and then my computer will explode. Self destruct. Kah-poot! 

Oh! yes…and in the midst of all this, The Wi-fi guy came out for the 2nd time in 2 weeks! I’ve not even told you about that!   That explains the cords…sort of; Always cords.

So that’s where I’ve been. Shuffling it all about.  I’m staying at…
Slow…but sure.

Til next time, Be Blessed!



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There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. -Romans 8:1

It’s like Watching Paint Dry-

Waiting on me to post, I know. 

OR… COLOR WHEEL EYES.
Waiting on me to get to the point. So thrilling. 

I painted my kitchen wall a couple of weeks ago; and today while editing and uploading pictures, I found this one. You can plainly see the shade variation in the dry paint and the wet paint.

:: Some Crafting and Crafty Storage::

I wanted to show a little bit of preparation I’m making for my soon to be craft room.

Even this time of year when all the stores are having sales for organization “helps”;  pretty boxes, file drawers, buckets, baskets and what have you, we all know it can get pretty pricey. 
We also all know how much I can procrastinate and put off doing something,too. I do NOT need help slowing things down—by having to wait on cash flow to get organized.
So on Tuesday, this week when I was at the Dollar General in town—I picked up a few throw away boxes.

You can do this too. Here are some tips:
Don’t be bashful. 
See an empty box, pick it up and ask the clerk, “ Is it ok if I take this empty box?”
It’s a simple question.  You can either come home with free storage containers…or you can simply hand them over to the clerk and say “Well, thank you anyway.”
What they do with them at that point is up to them.
Most likely—they will say something like “Sure, you can have them! That’s one less box I have to break down and recycle. Less work for me!” 
You’re welcome.
So I got my boxes home and I painted these yesterday after noon—the urge hit and so I went with it.


I used 2 colors of paint
a relish jar
and a piece of wooden dowel. It’s not perfect…that is what makes it such a simple project.  I just used a random pattern on each box.
Today I had to CUT the bottom left hand box to fit; it was a little tall for the space. Otherwise a perfect width!

When you’re getting boxes for free don’t worry if they’ll fit—seriously, they’re free!  Even if you have to line them on an open shelf, or against the wall under a table… Once you paint them and start organizing with your pretty boxes; It won’t matter if they fit perfectly. 
I have one more of these boxes and it doesn’t fit this shelf.  So, I am going to use it for paper and ephemera—and it will be perfect because it is pretty tall. Wherever I use it, whether here on this shelf or someplace else in the room—it will still be cute!
I have some other boxes for organizing—I bought at the local grocer that went out of business on January 4th.  These boxes were about .70¢ each. Not the bottom one with the glue gun… I had that one 


I bought what they had, 8 in all, which were red and pink. I think the red will compliment my pale blue boxes I just painted.  I didn’t spend anything extra on fancy labels either. I just used good ol’ duct tape.  I like the labels on the front. I also like the fact they’re clear and I can see what is in them.

• corn sack:  great for achy muscles when you've been bending and stooping—cleaning out and organizing cupboards and crafts rooms!
• corn sack box:  for keeping those pesky field mice from getting their grubby little teeth into my corn sack!

** Ok, back to Crafty Organizing! 

I am using the old entertainment center from the living room for shelving in what will be the craft room. I think it needs another shelf added to it, a fresh coat of paint, and of course some reorganizing.  I have all of my USPS flat rate boxes stacked here right now; along with folded fabric for future projects, and a couple of seat belt pillows that are slated for some grandkids I didn’t get to see.

**Just now, typing that (and seeing it in pictures), I realize---I should probably pop those pillows in a box and mail them! Typing it;  is like saying it out loud--- so now y’all don’t have to remind me how painfully obvious that was!  :)



Anyway—I’m still working on this room.  I have lots of ideas in my head and I’ve PINNED on this board  ::cRaFty PLaCeS::  …plenty of ways to get organized in this room.  I just know once I get it pulled together I’ll be much more creative and productive, right? My favorite part of this process?? The Free boxes!
Well, I had fun painting them too.

I love seeing all the easy and inexpensive ways so many of you have organized your craft rooms—using jars, muffin tins, crates etc.

What is your favorite CRAFT ROOM ORGANIZING TIP?
Do you have a whole room?  Part of a room, a closet maybe?   I hope you’ll leave  a comment and share any ideas you might have!

To see other ways people are using what they to get by click on over here: 


Til next time, Be Blessed!



I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live; but Christ who lives inside of me. The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who loved me and delivered himself up for me. 
~Galatians 2:20

::Using What you Have ::

Really, It was a Story about 3 tables
...And Organizing small spaces.  That's what I've been up to now.

Oh yes! I showed you the mess that was my side of the bed.

 And no...I was not proud. I'm not proud at all when I show you things like that and then fess up; because, honestly it's been like that for a month AT LEAST! 

I make no excuses...it is what it is.

And! while I've already shown you my new Red...yes, Terra Cotta Red by Valspar table.

which by the way took only 1 sample pot from Lowes and only cost $2.98
I created CHALK PAINT OUT OF IT 
AND WAXED IT TOO. 

I agree...
It looks ORANGE! 












I wanted to point out a couple of other things.

Baskets are so practical for storage in small spaces. I have one with yarn on the little table. It's bright and cheerful ...and now it is off the floor. :)

I have another one that appears to be piled with pillows.

But don't let it fool you.

We have no closet in this room, as it is only 9' X 12' ; and so I have my shoes there (which I eliminated some of them when cleaning this messy corner) and there is a folded cotton coverlet between the shoes and the pillows.
Pillows are much prettier to look at than shoes. Aren't they?! (even if one of them is your Honey's heart bypass pillow-- a reminder to how blessed we are!)

So really, this is the story of 3 tables. Because it took  two little tables to replace the one.

I like the "layered in and nested" look.
Layered and nested...when it's orderly is what I crave. 
I'd rather have layered and nested on tables than the floor anyday! :D 


I also like doing things a little bit differently and using what I have while spending as little money as possible. This Homemaker's Anomaly.
What? You don't hide your shoes in a basket and make it look like pillows? 

I think this little organization project definitely fits the bill for different and free (almost!) 

***This is the blah-blah-blah part... I bought the Valspar paint sample with my own money...and I'm not compensated to push their product or say nice things about it. The thoughts and opinions you read here are ALL MINE! There. 

 

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:4

 

::Your Cleaning Personality Is...::

I was just hankerin' to know, so yeah...in all my spare time I took their little test.

The Procrastinator It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. But now it is official. You don't have to take my word for it... because BH&G said so! 
and they congratulated me. 

• Congratulations! You get that there's more to life than cleaning. For you, cleaning is a last-minute, get-it-done-as-guests-walk-in-the-door type of affair. Here's how to excel at being a procrastinator with tips on how to clean smarter, not harder.

So while I was outside today taking in all of this..... 

Surprise TO ME...  Lavender colored Iris (that have NEVER bloomed before)

 I knew I needed to be inside while the temps are still mild and it isn't too hot in my kitchen.... DOING THIS! 

YEP! that is under my kitchen sink. Blech! 

Not to mention it's JUST DOWN RIGHT SCARY UNDER THERE!!! 

But it had to be done. 

I took everything out and wiped down the whole thing...and organized 2 caddies

this one holds everything that had product in it to be used up PROMPTLY AND COMPLETELY!  Don't want to waste anything. 

 This one holds our car cleaning rags, tire/rim cleaner and ALL THINGS CAR.

AND THEN....YES! 

I even scrubbed THOSE pipes clean...

I can say (though I'm not proud) I've NEVER SCRUBBED PIPES. 

I HAVE cleaned out from under the sink... and I don't like doing it. 

But it's done now! 

Here is something else I did. 

I painted the inside cupboard door a couple of weeks ago. 

...and today,  I RE-PURPOSED 2  CD racks 

This is how they usually function. 

I happened to grabbed these from the throw away pile a while back.   I was going to use them as bird feeders and put SUET INTO them during the winter. 

That didn't happen. (procrastinator, remember?) 

 With a little bit of baling wire and some screws,(some diy-gals like duct tape... I like BALIN' WIRE)- 

 Now,they hold trash can liners...

and  scrub brushes, duster brushes and empty spray bottles ( 3/$2 at Dollar General) awaiting home made cleaning solutions. You can see many solutions that I've pinned  here on my Pinterest board ::Organized and Clean::

This is the JUNK removed from that sink cupboard... and either tossed or re-appropriated. (red tub and yellow caddy... I'm moving to the trunk of my car...maybe) 

 Now it's clean!!

and I can get back to this AND PROCRASTINATING!

Are you curious?  

Do yo want to know what your cleaning personality is?  

Click here to go to BH&G and take the QUIZ!


* just a reminder Amazon links in this post help support this blog. Thank You! 


I'm linking this shelf of sorts here: FJI Rustic Shelves (not really rustic...though they are metal AND REpurposed)  :) 

Therefore be careful how you walk not as unwise men but as wise making the most of your time for the days are evil. ~Ephesians 5:15-16~

 

:: Frugal Fodder ~19~ Let's Talk Laundry ::

While out walking our property with the kids last Friday-- all along the back fence I was noticing how the trees are filling in with leaves and such. 

I had recently been researching Soap-nuts. 

Apparently this is something that can be used for sustainable lifestyles. 

We've known about these trees on our property for years. 

We've always called them China-berry Trees 

Only recently after reading many different Homesteading blogs  and this post @ LIVE READY NOW! have I discovered that what I think I have on our property is Soap-nut or Soap berry trees;  rightly called 

Western Soap-berry. Here in Texas.

There are several of these trees along the fence 

and a small stand of trees behind the barn,too.

My dad always said they were a 'trash' tree. 

Momma always warned us to 'NOT Eat them'

I remember when they bloomed that there was a sweet fragrance to them. 

They make a wonderful canopy and shade. In fact the Littles and I stood out there for quite sometime watching the cows. 

I went ahead and collected some of the soap nuts.

These trees are not blooming right now. It is said they will flower Spring or Summer 

with 'drupes'  coming after that. 

These that I collected were caught on branches; and dried already. 

Apparently the soap-nuts can be used to wash your laundry and shampoo your hair! 

I'm still researching but find this fascinating. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a tree on your property that produces sustainable soap for your clothes?  What a savings that would be! I've been making homemade laundry soap for almost 6 years now...this would be a little bit easier, faster, and WAY! CHEAPER!

I've read that it takes the equivalent of about 5 soap berries in a linen or cotton pouch tossed into the washer and wash your laundry as usual. I understand that you have to remove the seeds from inside and let them dry. Like I said these have dried already and they have the seed inside. 

I'm not sure if they'll work; but I don't know why they wouldn't. 

The work best in HOT water to release the Saponin, which is basically the natural detergent inside the skin of the soapnut.

I'm interested if any of you have heard of this?

Have you tried it? 

Is it something you'd be interested in trying in your home? 

Or do you make your own laundry soap? 

Western Soap berry links. 

• Native Plant Projects
• Texas Beyond History
• Aggie Horticulture
• LIVE READY NOW!

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him; because He cares for you. ~1 Peter 5:6-7