Home Sanctuary

Paper Chase + Company Girl Coffee

via organizedhome.com

Of all the things that pile up in our homes, paper is one of the hardest to deal with.  Every day there are receipts and bills, junk mail and magazines, school papers, art projects, tax forms....and it's difficult to know what to do with it all.

The Organized Home has some great suggestions for organizing your papers, and I really need those tips this week. With school ending, it seems like the paper piles are multiplying faster than a family of rabbits.

Today's Small Thing is to tackle a paper issue.  

You might just take a few minutes to file things into folders, or maybe it's just a matter of throwing old junk mail away to make the pile smaller.  The other day, I stored loose receipts into ziplock bags and just doing THAT made me feel so much happier! It didn't make my paper problem go away, but it made it seem more manageable.

Try creating an "Action File" with files labeled "To Pay," "To Do," and "To File." That alone will conquer the baddest of the paper problems!

POINTS: 40 for working on a paper problem...see if you can whittle away a pile!

BONUS:  20 for sharing your paper tips with us!  How do you deal with all the paper that comes into your house?

Whew, I'm ready to take a load off and enjoy some virtual coffee with you. It has been quite a week, with Lauren's baby coming and getting her settled, and then getting back home to "pick up where I left off."

To participate in this World's Easiest Meme, simply link your blog post into the linky tool below! You don't have to have a fancy post prepared, but we'd like to get to know you! What is going on in your life? Do you have a paper pile - haha? A before and after pic of your containers from yesterday's Small Thing?  A photo of your pet? We are easy to please around here....you get to choose the topic.

Have a great weekend! Save a cup of coffee for me!

Ivy Grace is Here!

Ivy Grace arrived yesterday at 8:46 am, after a long hard night of labor. Lauren, my daughter, was a trooper - I don't know how she did it! Fourteen hours of intense work to get her here. She and Robert are tired but ecstatic over this little miracle:

Weighing in at 8 lb. 12 oz., Ivy has a good start in life. She is 21.5" long. A KEEPER!

 

Blue eyes and (possibly) reddish hair....and all ten fingers and toes.

 

 

Can you tell I'm in heaven? I'm pinching myself to believe that this is all true!

I'll be back on Monday with the Small Things. For now I'm enjoying this precious new gift by helping my kids settle into life as new parents. It's the most fun I've ever had.

If you'd like to link up for Company Girl Coffee, I'd love to check in on you this weekend. Simply add your blog post URL to the linky tool below and you're all set! And ladies, go check out the blogs that link up and say hello!

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Company Girl Coffee 5.3 + Grandbaby Coming Soon

The Waiting Place

Hello Fruit, My Old Friend + Company Girl Coffee

 

Hey, when is the last time you had a big, juicy piece of fruit?

If you're struggling to remember, it's a safe bet that's too long ago.

Personally, I'm just coming out of a sugar-induced coma, what with all the cookies I've eaten since I had to bake them for my son's home-coming from college. The things moms do for their kids. Such sacrifice.

So here's Today's Small Thing: Take the fruit out of your fridge and set it out in a bowl as an edible centerpiece. 

Or you can artfully cut it up however you like.  The point is, get fruity for a day and enjoy what is long forgotten in our busy lives: things that aren't packaged and processed. 

We recently rekindled a love affair with clementines, simply by putting them in a bowl on the counter!  Even little fingers can peel them and eat them like candy.  A bag of clementines cost me just a little more than a bag of Cheetos.  Both snacks are bright orange, but only one of them makes you glad you ate it afterwards.

And here's a handy guide, provided by the USDA, that shows what we should be eating....not a Cheeto in sight.

I will have to stop at the grocery store to fulfill today's task, but I have renewed incentive to stock up on fruit.....points.

 

POINTS: 40 for setting out some fruit or arranging a fruit plate

BONUS POINTS: 10 per person in the family who eats at least 1 serving (1/2 cup) (long-lost relatives not included)

What is YOUR favorite fruit? Do you have a good technique to get yourself (and your family) to eat more fruit?

 

 

Let's have some coffee and catch up. I did not have a chance to stop in at last week's blogs, but I plan to do better this week!

I know you're wondering about the baby. My grandbaby. The baby that will rock my world. Well, we are still waiting for my daughter's baby to arrive! Little Ivy was due on Monday, so of course we are on pins and needles, hoping she'll pop into the world soon! Mama is feeling good, but getting anxious to meet that little one...so please send up a prayer for her, would you? Plus, I really really want to hold her. :)

What's going on in your life? Link up below and let us know! Company Girl Coffee is an easy way to say hello to new and old friends...and we'd love to get to know you!

Company Girl Coffee 5.3 + Grandbaby Coming Soon

My daughter's baby is due on Monday! MY FIRST GRANDBABY YA'LL!

Lauren is MY first baby, my sweet girl who made me a mom.....and she's having her own little girl any day. I'm not getting my hopes up that Ivy Grace will make her debut on her due date, so it could still be another week or two. (Please, no! I want that baby now.)

I probably don't have to tell you that I am absolutely GIDDY with excitement, right?? Well, I am. Lauren and Robert will make such great parents, and I am quite certain that Ivy is going to be the most beautiful and precious thing in the entire universe. Will she have red hair like her mama?? I can hope....

 Lauren Marie. I LOVE this picture of her. So beautiful as an expectant mom.

 

Big Baby Bump! Cute!

 

Robert is my dream-come-true son-in-law. God truly answered all my prayers when he sent him into Lauren's life. I remember praying for him when Lauren was six. Wow.

I will keep you posted when that baby gets here!

I hope you'll link up for Company Girl Coffee! It is a great way to meet other women and get some blog traffic in the process. You don't have to have a fancy post...just link up below and then visit other blogs. If you are reading this post via email, just click on the title of this blog post and it will take you to all the links.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Pantry Pounce

 
Just to be clear, this is NOT my pantry. It belongs to these people.

 

I wanted to have a bowl of cereal and piece of toast before going to bed the other night.  I shuffled to the pantry, and was disheartened to find 3 nearly-empty cereal boxes, and 2 bread sacks with a few dry slices them.

Who maintains this place, anyway?

You'd think they could do a better job.

Anyway, it got me to looking at the other odd things in my pantry, and led me to a quick purge.

I like to call it a "pounce."

I pounced on the chip bags containing nothing more than chip dust.  

The empty granola bar boxes.

The messy honey jar.

The coffee grounds.

The stale cookies.

I turned the cans and quickly rearranged them so I could see the labels.

I did not get any further than that.  The baking stuff and spices are still in disarray, and the dry staples are not in a state that I'm proud of.

But, hey.  This is just a POUNCE, right?  Not a big hairy PURGE.  Not a major pull-everything-out-and-clean-from-top-to-bottom pantry organization.

I'm quite OK with that.

Today's Small Thing is to do a Pantry Pounce.  

Quickly pick one area (like bread and cereal) to straighten up.  It will literally only take 5 minutes to make things look pretty good!  Discard empty containers, consolidate what you can, and arrange things so you can see them.  Then close the doors and move on! 

POINTS: 40 for a Pantry Pounce!

And, now for that second (or in my case, third) cup of coffee.

Have you had a good week? I hope so! Honestly, this has been a hard week for me. I'm not sure why, but I've struggled with discouragement and I've had to "just keep swimming," (to quote Dori from Nemo) just to keep my head up.

I've been meditating on Lamentations 3. I love this scripture.

Lamentations 3:22

 

It goes on to say:

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.”

 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the soul who seeks him.
 It is good that one should wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.

Are you waiting for the salvation of the Lord to arrive in your circumstance? I'm waiting right there with you. I know that He is faithful, and that we can put our hope in him. His steadfast love never fails, and His mercy and grace are wrapped around us like a warm blanket - giving us comfort and peace in every situation. Let His love surround you and fill you as you wait quietly for Him....He is with you.

Let me know how I can pray for you.

Love and prayers today, 

Rachel

PS the print above can be found here.

Happy March and Company Girl Coffee 3.1

Have coffee with me this morning. Or tea. Or whatever you want.

I've got a free morning! AAAAAHHHHH! And I'd like to spend it with you.

I just dropped my husband off at the airport (got up at 3:30) and I'm making a fresh pot so I can sit on the couch and come visit you. Link up at the bottom of this post! (For those of you reading via email, you'll have to come to my blog to see the list of participants and make your rounds!) I've got nothing better to do than to drop in on your blog this morning....yes, I'm excited! It's been awhile since I've made the rounds.

First, have you turned in your points for February yet?

Don't forget, you have until midnight tonight to send me your email and leave a comment on yesterday's post. Even if you're just entering for the random drawing, you'll need to do both so I know to enter you. Check out yesterday's post for the prizes as well. Thank you, Cathy Helms, for sponsoring such a fab prize!

 

Now, since I'm in my sweats and a nap scheduled for later this afternoon, there is no official Small Thing today. I'm sure you have a full plate of things to do without me adding a single thing to it...but let me encourage you with my favorite "mothering" verse:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Hang in there, sweet friend! God sees your work, your heart (and heartaches), your desires and your prayers. Each day He gives you grace for what is before you...wisdom to see what is important and knowledge to know what is not, and strength to do those things that He has called you to do. Take joy in knowing that no one can be the kind of mother for your children that you are - you are His gift to them. And no one can fulfill your role as helpmate, friend and lover the way you do for your man. He has chosen you and gifted you for this day, this moment, this life...and you can rest knowing that He is with you!

You are loved.

You are able.

You are beautiful.

  You are His.

 

What is on your heart today? I hope you'll share over coffee - either by linking up or by leaving a comment. Don't forget that you can always find Home Sanctuary on Facebook, too! I'm on twitter @RachelAnneRidge and Instragram @RachelRidge.

 

 

 

DotMOM and Company Girl Coffee 2.23

This weekend, I'll be going to Lifeway's dotMOM2013 conference in Frisco, TX! I'm excited to hear the lineup of speakers (especially my friend Priscilla Shirer) and attend the breakout sessions that are planned for Saturday. I had a last-minute opportunity to register (surprise gift from a friend) and I'm feeling a little giddy at the prospect. I don't attend many conferences and retreats, but when I do I always feel refreshed and energized for "real life." Perhaps just getting away and getting poured INTO is just what my soul is thirsting for.

Anything "MOM" is right in my wheelhouse...so this conference should be great! If you are, by any chance, going to be there as well, MESSAGE me on twitter (@RachelAnneRidge) or email me and let's meet up!! I'd love to hug your neck!

 

Now, how 'bout an easy and satisfying Small Thing?

 

A few years ago I learned a very valuable lesson. My son was helping with a big fundraiser for camp - a church-wide garage sale, and it was the night that everyone dropped off their stuff while the kids unloaded and got everything set up.  Just before we were about to leave the house to head for church, I thought I should take a look at the informational flyer that was sent home with the kids.

To earn camp money,

• Each kid was required to work 4 hours over the weekend.  Check.

• Each kid was required to bring 4 large trash bags full of donated items for the sale.   No check.

I shoulda read the fine print earlier! I didn't know about that part.

Normally, it would not be a problem to come up with 4 big old bags of stuff to get rid of.  But I'd been trying real hard to declutter, and I'd just donated a ton of stuff to a local charity not long ago.  

I grabbed 4 bags and headed upstairs to the closets.  I checked my watch. Only 15 Minutes before departure?  I'll never be able to do this.

Imagine my complete surprise to EASILY, EASILY fill three bags before running out the door!  The fourth bag would have to wait until later, but after seeing how fast the first three went, I knew I could do it.

Today's Small Thing is to take ONE trash bag and fill it up with either TRASH or STUFF to donate. 

I am living proof that it can be done very quickly...and without tears, I might add.  Perhaps the ticking clock helped me fight sentimentality as I stuffed the outgrown clothes into the bags, so you might want to consider limiting your time to about 10 minutes.  Don't, I beg you, DON'T spend too much time on this!

POINTS: 40 for filling one (13 gal) kitchen bag
Aw, why not get some BONUS POINTS? 20 each for filling two more bags

You could earn 80 points today, just for saying bye-bye-bye to some of your junk!!

 

Link up for some coffee time love with girlfriends! I'm using a new linky that allows you to upload a photo thumbnail, but don't let that intimidate you. Just follow the directions and post away. Have a great weekend, sweet Company Girls!

 

Welcome, February!

I'm late in getting a post out this morning  - GAH! Yesterday turned out to be a busy work day, and then we attended at memorial service in the evening. It was almost midnight when we pulled into our driveway and I was simply too tired to sit down at the computer. I hope you'll understand. :)

I'll start with February's Small Things on Monday morning, so feel free to take today "off" from me. Well, I know you can't take the day OFF completely, but you know what I mean. I know each of you have very full lives and I am honored to be part of your days....I just love doing our Small Things together and making life feel GOOD together!

Keep sending your January Point Tallies and/or Random Drawing entries to me. Remember, EVERYONE is eligible to win the Random Drawing, so even if you only did one task last month, go ahead and send your email in! I love hearing from you! And don't forget to leave a comment telling us which was your favorite Small Thing of the month!

You have until midnight tonight to get your entries in.

Now, let's have some Company Girl Coffee! I hope you'll link up below so we can come around and visit your blog! If you've never taken the opportunity to visit these gals, I encourage you to do so. We have the most interesting, funny, smart Company Girls and they would love for you to stop in and say hello. If you receive this post via email, you'll need to come to homesanctuary.com to see the list of blogs.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Winner and Coffee

First things first:

I wish I could make prints of each and every one of the heartfelt and joyous Mission Statements you girls came up with!  I was touched by the thought and feeling (and humor) that went into each one. Alas, I had to draw one name, and the random drawing winner of the canvas print is Michelle, whose statement said:

Welcome to our home. We hope you find it to be a safe place where you will be met right where you are at and experience warmth, comfort and respect. We strive to work together as a team toward cleanliness, organization, and self discipline while practicing grace and understanding toward each other. We will choose to give thanks and honor time as we learn how to care for our space, our guests and each other. Preparation favors discipline. We hope you feel welcome and Loved here.

From her comment, it looks like Michelle got her family involved and came up with something they can all take ownership of. I really like that. Michelle, email me and we will talk about creating a beautiful print out of your lovely words! Congratulations!

Next, let's have a Friday Small Thing.

While we were in the kitchen yesterday, I took the opportunity to tidy up my frying pans. I have about five of them, three of which should be thrown out but I keep around just in case my good ones should go missing. Or in case I want to fry a whole lot of things at one time. You never know. The need to eat a pile of bacon might overtake me and I'd need to press every last one of them into service simultaneously.

Today's Small Thing is a Fry-day thing: just get in there and tidy up your frying pans...and shoot, why not do the other pots and pans at the same time? Psh, easy..especially for points.

POINTS: 30 for freeing the fryers from failure

BONUS: 20 for playing with pots and pans

 

 

Now let's have some Company Girl Coffee. I had a bit of a rough week with my cold hanging on, but I'm feeling better. I even felt good enough to have lunch with one of our CG's, Janice!  We met at a local Panera and had a great time! I only regret that we did not get a picture together....we will have to do that next time. Thanks, Jan, for the lunch!!

So, tell us about what is going on in your life! Our weekly coffee time is a chance to visit one another and make new friends. If you're a blogger, feel free to link up below - and everyone (bloggers and non-bloggers) is encouraged to visit the list on my blog! Have a great weekend, girls!

 

Company Girl Coffee, and Schedules

Whew! What a week of Small Things! It's not often we have to do so much thinking around here...most of the time it's pure silliness. I guess every now and then we have to get serious and do a few things that are important - like implementing a simple housekeeping schedule.

Remember, a schedule is simply a tool - a guideline - that will keep you from getting overwhelmed when you think you have to get everything done all at once. Simply do a little at a time, get back on the wagon when you fall off, and keep on going - you really WILL see a miracle happen.

Today's Small Thing is to pull out your shiny new schedule and do what's on Friday's task list.

That's all there is to it! Is Friday your day "off?" Well, then you just got lucky. Is it an errand day? Wash-Sheets-and-Towel-Day? Make it your goal to DO Friday's jobs as quickly as you can, and earn points for doing it!

POINTS: 60 for sticking to your new schedule today!

 

Now it's time for my Friday feature: Company Girl Coffee. It has been weeks since I last hosted and I'm excited to get back to it. It is an easy meme that allows you, my dear Company Girls, to link up and invite people over to your blogs. You don't have to have a theme - it's just a chance for us to get to know each other better. When you fill in the form below, enter your blog POST URL (not just your blog title) so we can go directly to the post you want to share. We have a fantastic group of ladies, and I hope you'll take the opportunity to visit!

In the spirit of sharing, for those of you who follow me on Instagram (rachelridge) and Facebook , I had lamented my need for sprucing up my living room after taking down my Christmas tree. Pillows, I needed colorful pillows!

Before: The Big BrownOut

After: Color! My soul sings for joy!


 

A trip to HomeGoods and Hobby Lobby served up some inexpensive pillows and a few small pretties that did the trick. My soul is happy.

Now, what's going on in YOUR life? I hope you'll link up below and let us know! If you're not a blogger, use the comment section to yakk it up with us! We want to get to know you better.