Home Sanctuary

Short Cuts

 

Sometimes taking a short cut can be just the thing to help you enjoy what really matters.

For example, eating dinner on paper plates (gasp) might give you more time to enjoy the evening with your family.  Fluffing your clothes in the dryer could give you an extra moment to read a book, rather than iron.

Oh, there are some things that require the long, tedious methods of doing things right, like designing airplanes or building boats or making parachutes. I like to know that my airline pilot got his training in the military and not at a correspondence school.  But for many things, it's really quite ok to cut a corner every now and then.  Especially if it gives you more family time, or a chance to pursue a personal goal or simply enjoy a sunset.

Today's Small Thing is to take a short cut....with a purpose. Is there a way that you can free up some time to do something you'd REALLY like to do?  Let's think:

• Pick up pizza for dinner so you can play a board game after dinner.
• Skip the kids' baths so everyone can play until dark. 
• Eat on paper plates (I know I already said this) so you aren't stuck with dishes.
• Cut back on your computer time today so you can get something productive done.
• Drive through a car wash instead of doing it by hand.
• Eat leftovers instead of concocting something new so you save money AND time.
• Use a feather duster instead of dusting spray and a cloth for a quick clean.
• Stick your hair in a ponytail instead of laboriously blowdrying/curling/primping.
• Throw your dinner ingredients into a crock pot.

There are probably a gazillion ways to take little short cuts!  Feel free to chime in with your favorite short cut so we can all have some extra time with people we love, doing things we enjoy!

Song of the Day: Everything, Michale Buble

Counting Les Rings

Today we are counting rings.

No, not these rings:

Or these:

We are counting the OTHER kinds of rings....the ones that occur quite by accident, or possibly by the ever-popular "Laissez-Faire" ("leave it alone") style of relaxed housekeeping, which the French introduced in the 1800's. The term was later stolen by political economists to describe free trade without government interference. Oh, the history books don't tell you that part, do they?? Huh, huh?

Revisionists.

But, be that what it may, the Laissez-Faire housekeeper may eventually find that she has an abundance of rings that must be dealt with.

The bathtub rings.

The toilet rings.

The coffee cup rings.

The nightstand rings.

The counter top rings.

The "we-moved-the-furniture-but-the-carpet-still-has-rings" rings.

The under-eye rings. Mon Dieu, the under-eye rings!

Today's Small Thing is to find as many rings as you can, and bid au-revoir to them.

You may choose to speak with a French accent today, which will make this task infinitely more delightful....oui?

 

There is no limite on the rings you can tackle. That's beaucoup rings!

Where will you find your rings today?? Bonne chance!

Song of the day: La Mer, Charles Trenet

Mix-it-up Monday

The Fancy Soap....so delicious!

It's Monday, ya'll, and I'm in the mood for mixin' thangs UP!

I just can't take another Monday that feels so.....blech. I hate waking up to thinking about all the things I didn't finish over the weekend (the yard work) and what I didn't get get a jump on to get a new week off to a good start.

Let's forget all that and just work with what we got. And since what we got ain't perfect, we ain't gonna expect perfect results today.

Today's Small Thing is to mix things up. Pull a change-up, a fast one, a didn't-see-that-coming feat that will give sparkle and pixie dust to your day. Here are some examples of what I mean:

• Add chocolate chips to your banana bread.
• Eat dessert first.
• Wear the sparkly earrings.
• Take the fancy soap out of the package and actually use it.
• Watch a movie in the afternoon (or on your lunch break.)
• Give your husband a surprise - the kind he REALLY likes.
• Pick your kids up from school and head straight for an ice cream cone.
• Try a new ingredient in your ho-hum dinner.
• Put some flowers on the table.
• Watch the sunset.

The point is, today is a day that is just crying out for some magic. Instead of waiting for that magic to just "happen" to you, MAKE it happen by mixing things up. I'm always amazed at how a little change of schedule, or a slight adjustment to "normal" puts a spring in my step and a smile on my face. And I've noticed that it's contageous....when I'm delighted by something as simple as a fancy soap, my attitude spreads to the rest of the family.

How can you mix things up today? How can you add some sparkle to your Monday? Just ask yourself: WHY NOT??

PS I'm praying for our east coast Company Girls today as Hurricane Sandy arrives! Be safe!

Song of the Day:Twist and Shout, the Isley Brothers

Sweet Stuff and Company Girl Coffee

Grab your coffee mug, turn your sound up and enjoy.

 

Changing Seasons from Rachel Anne Ridge on Vimeo.

 

Today, I'm sharing a slide show that my husband put together for me to commemorate our fall trip in the mountains of Colorado, which we took in September. It was a mini vacation that turned into a second honeymoon...not so much because we planned it that way, but because once we were there, we suddenly realized that we could make it special. We could savor it. Celebrate.

We could cherish the moment.

It was a chance to make a memory.

This collection of photos and music is perhaps one of the sweetest gestures my husband has ever done for me. He took the time to put it together so we could continue to savor our time together long after the the luggage was put away and life resumed its busyness. I was so touched by his thoughtfulness....and I'm reminded again how important it is to appreciate the good moments in life. None of us knows what the future holds and we are not guaranteed that those moments will come around again. It's important to linger over the little things that make life sweet.

To be honest, I've hesitated in sharing this little video publicly for fear that people will think "oh they are so lucky," or imagine that we must "have it made." The truth of it is, we are two people who have slogged it out in the trenches for so long that it would be easy to let our relationship turn into just co-workers sharing the same house. And at times it has been that. But my purpose here today is to encourage you to take a moment to truly appreciate and cherish your spouse, and to grab an opportunity to make a memory. I wonder sometimes how many chances we miss to turn an ordinary moment into something extraordinary....simply by paying attention and savoring it.

Today's Small Thing is simple and sweet: do a little something nice for someone you love.

If you are married, maybe choose your spouse to do something for: write a note, send a text, call for no reason, make a yummy meal, flirt....it doesn't matter what you do or how it's received.  If a spouse is not available (or nonexistent), find someone else in your life to reach out to.  So often we over-think things and feel like they have to be grand gestures in order to be important.  In reality, it's the little things that mean the most....and that's all you have to do today. Just share your love in some small way.

Enjoy doing something nice for someone you love. Easy and fun!

Now, how about sharing a cup of coffee (or cocoa) together? Company Girl Coffee is our regular Friday feature that gives everyone an opportunity to be part of our little community.  Simply enter your blog post URL into the space below and invite others to stop in for a visit.  Then try and get around to visit the other blogs that link up!  Non-bloggers participate in the comments and we love that...don't be shy!

Song of the Day is in the video: Watch the Wind Blow By, Tim McGraw

 

Death to Procrastination

Being a visual person, naturally I love charts and graphs. That's why I adore this Procrastination Flowchart so much. It just says it all so succinctly.

And as one who has mastered the Art of Procrastination, Today's Small Thing cuts right to my core by forcing me to....

Get One Procrastinated Task Done.

 

I say "just one" because at my house there are so many, it's hard to choose.  But I think I'm up to the challenge.

Last night I framed two photos that have been sitting there waiting for nearly 7 months....and it took me all of 10 minutes to hang them.  I love how they look on the wall, and I LOVE how good it feels to do such a simple task.  Now why didn't I do that sooner??

Go with me here, Company Girls.

• Do you have a bag of items sitting by the back door or in your closet that needs to be taken to a donation center?  How long has it been there?

• Do you have something that is almost completely painted, but because of interruptions, is not quite done?

• Do you have picture frames sitting around with no pictures in them because you can't choose which cute photos to put in?

• Do you have an article of clothing that needs a little, tiny stitch to be good as new, but just sits in the "fix it" pile?

• Do you have flowers in their 4 inch pots from the nursery that you fell in love with at the time, but now are wilting away because you haven't put them in the ground yet?

• Do you really need to clean out the pet area but just hate to invest that much energy on animals when there are people who need your attention?

• Do you have an item that needs to be returned to the store, but because you don't want to stand in the Customer Service line, just sits in its bag...waiting?

OK, only ONE of the above items is NOT on my list of things I am procrastinating.  Can you guess which one??

Today's Small Thing is to do ONE thing that you've been putting off. 

It doesn't have to be a big thing, like painting all the trim on your house (although, again, it's on my list), it can be as simple as hanging two framed prints on the wall.

IMPORTANT NOTE, PLEASE READ: I often find I procrastinate doing things that will give me pleasure.  In an odd way, it's a form of delayed gratification.  Or maybe even a way of putting others first.  Tasks like working in the flower bed, fixing a blouse, or painting a piece of furniture seem to benefit ME and are thus, easy to put off because I'm a bit of a martyr.  You too? I thought so. But listen. In the end, those tasks really benefit EVERYONE and will give your spirits a wonderful lift when you are through.

What task will you DO today, instead of putting off until tomorrow?

Song of the Day: Feels like Today, Rascal Flatts

Three Sheets to the Wind

This post is reprised from 2009. I hope we've managed to do this Small Thing on our own since then...or we REALLY need help!

 

 

We came home from our travels to a nice clean house. It was lovely! I'd spent several hours cleaning before I left because I hate coming home to a mess when I'm road-weary. The one thing I DIDN'T do was wash the sheets. Mind you, the ones on the beds were fresh....it was the sets I'd stripped and stuffed into the hampers that got ignored. And honestly, who really cares if I don't get them done ASAP, except that I now can't fit anything else into the hampers. Hmm. I guess it's time for a load or two, huh?

I wish I could say that my sheets are the 1000-count Egyptian Cotton high-brow variety, but alas! Mine are more the blue-collar, working class types that get up to work the night shift, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

And although these guys work hard, there is something about them that suggests that they are best suited to lounging around.  They've got that slouchy, nonchalant look that seduces me right into bed with them, despite my best efforts to stand firm against temptation.  Oh, they're charming and sweet-talking, a soft touch with the ladies and a bit of a player. I can't help swooning just a little over the way they wrap themselves around my soul.

The thing is, my sheets are so used to lying around in their down-time that they tend to get a little too relaxed in my linen closet (which is actually a cabinet.) I shudder to even consider the bohemian lifestyle that goes on behind closed doors. 

Today's Small Thing is to shine the light of reform on these partyers. 

They need to realize that, even when they are off-duty, there is a certain decorum that is expected of them. No more smoking cigarettes and listening to jazzy music in there.  Life is not one big night club, and the sooner they realize it, the better.

HEY, REMEMBER WHEN I USED TO GIVE POINTS FOR TASKS? Check out what this one was worth: (Almost makes me want to go back to the old system!)

POINTS: 40 for straightening up your sheets and pillowcases.

BONUS POINTS: 30 for washing a load of linens and getting them folded neatly away or tucked tightly on the bed.

Song of the Day: Goodnight, Sweetheart, The Spaniels

Donkey Principle: Blaze Some Trails

If you were to come to my house and visit Flash in his pasture, one of the first things you'd notice is the criss-cross of trails he's made all over. About twelve inches wide and carved deep into the dirt, his trails meander from the barn to the woods, across the back pasture and to the water bucket in all directions. They zig-zag here, there and everywhere in a crazy web of pathways....all made by his little hooves.

Plodding.

Day after day.

Going over the same ground, time after time.

Flash is hardly ever in a hurry to get anywhere. Oh, I've seen him make a beeline for a bucket of oats before, but mostly he just moseys. With his head low and feet dragging, he gets himself wherever he needs to go...at his own thoughtful speed.

 

I always amazed by Flash's trails. And to be honest, I'm inspired by them! He has learned the Power of Plodding when it comes to blazing those trails. Time and repetition are his friends. Patience and perseverance are his virtues.

Those are the very things that make habits stick.

Are you trying to develop some good habits in your life? Habits like eating healthy, walking regularly, reading the Bible, becoming more patient. Flossing. Getting dishes done each night.

Maybe you're trying to help your kids adopt good habits. Picking up toys, removing plates after dinner, saying "please" and "thank you." Not hitting their siblings.

Today's Small Thing is to take a lesson from Flash and harness the Power of Plodding. Work on blazing a good trail.

Sure, we all want to see results immediately, but the reality is that habits take time (and repetition) to become cemented in muscle memory before they are second-nature. By doing a little bit of the "right" thing every day, you are causing your brain waves and muscle groups to form donkey trails - habits that will carry you to where you want to go.

Pick one habit you are working on (mine is writing 250 words each day to complete a book) and simply.....plod. Don't expect fabulous results today. No one will throw you a parade. But you WILL make that trail easier to find and follow for the next time. And the next time. And the next time. Before long, you'll do it without even thinking about it.

Don't be ashamed of plodding. Be a Proud Plodder! Most great things in this world have been accomplished by plodders....people who undertook big tasks and blazed a trail, one step at a time.

Tell me: how are you plodding today? What trail are you working on? What is becoming a good habit in your life and how is it affecting you?

 

I'm Back, and Spicing Things Up

Here I am, touching up background scenery.

 

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME! THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME! Company Girls, I am soooo happy to be home. We finished our work project in Colorado and got home late Thursday night. It's taken the weekend to unpack, open bills mail and catch up on some rest. It feels great to be done with the TV Studio and back in Texas. Thank you for your patience while I was gone....I have missed everyone here so much!

And waking up in my own bed, suddenly I feel like baking goodies: pies, cookies, muffins. You just can't do that while staying in hotel rooms and driving through McDonald's for meals. I've got a hankering for gingerbread and I'm ready to rumble in the kitchen. YES!

 

Problem is, my spice cabinet is disorganized. So many different containers in varying sizes and shapes....it's hard to make any sense of what I even have in there. It makes baking a challenge.

Seems like it's always been a bit of a mess. Not long ago I was scrounging around for bay leaves and came across some cardamon from Christmas 1990.  Yes, 1990. I only use that particular spice once a year, in some Christmas bread that is an old recipe from my mom.  Lauren said, "How OLD is some of this stuff?" as she helped me look.

I was embarrassed to say that some of those spices are older than she is.

It's probably time to say goodbye to them. 

Goodbye, Spice Girls.

Today's Small Thing is to straighten up your spices. 

You don't have to do a major cleaning unless you want to, but you might want to arrange them in order by size, usage or alphabetically.  I found that I have three containers of Pumpkin Pie Spice, yet no onion or garlic powder.  I've got 3 boxes of corn starch (why?) but no basil.  I've got baking items, like baking soda, mixed in with the chicken boullion cubes, and half-used packages of chili-o thrown in there.

In short, it's a disaster.

It's going to feel really feel great to get a jump on holiday baking with my spices all organized.  Maybe next Thanksgiving I'll realize that I don't need yet another can of Pumpkin Pie Spice because I've taken stock of what I already have. 

What does YOUR spice collection look like?

In 10 minutes or less, say goodbye to those posh, but outdated spices. Imagine how much fun cooking and baking will be when your collection gets a mini-makeover!

 

FYI: Here's a quick shelf-life chart from McCormick seasonings:

Ingredient		Shelf Life
ground spices		2-3 years
whole spices		3-4 years
seasoning blends		1-2 years
herbs		1-3 years
extracts		4 years, except pure vanilla, which lasts indefinitely

 

Song of the Day: Goodbye, Spice Girls

Company Girl Coffee 10.5 and Down Time

 

Next week, my husband and I will head back to Colorado Springs to finish up our work on Andrew Wommack's TV studio. We are bringing a couple of art pieces and a few last things to install....and then we really will be done. I hope to be better about posting while I'm gone, but the last couple of trips there have proved that I'm not that great at blogging after 12 hour work days. I don't know why. :)

So in preparation for our trip, I'm going to do some of this:

(no original source found for this picture)

Today's Small Thing is to plan for some weekend down time.

Weekends can be busier than weekdays, and they can come and go so quickly that Monday rolls aorund and you're exhausted before the new week even starts. Don't let your weekend just "happen" to you. Today, plan a small chunk of time for relaxation, reconnecting and rejuvinating yourself. Prepare for a Sabbath rest by organizing your activities AROUND some down time, instead of just hoping for a chance to put your feet up. Grab a book, a blanket and pillow, a cup of tea, a movie....whatever makes you feel good....and enjoy your down time!

This is my new favorite Small Thing - how about you?? What will you do for YOUR down time?

 

 

 

Now, it's that time of the week, when you have the opportunity to link up with fellow Company Girls and share a virtual cup of coffee. It's the blogworlds easiest meme....simply enter your blog post URL into the linky - no particular theme or subject required - that's all there is to it! We've got a great group of ladies, all ages and all stages of life, who share a heart for their families and homes. We are on a journey to carve out some sanctuary in this busy world, and along the way there are experiences to be shared and savored. I hope you'll join in!

Love you all, Rachel Anne

 

 

Winner! A Proverbs 31 Print

On Wednesday, we worked on consolidating items around the house - eliminating unnecessary clutter - by simply combining "like" packages and piles. I offered a prize to the person who could consolidate the most things, and said I'd go rustle something up out of my studio for the winner.

Here is what I came up with: A print of my newest mixed-media Proverbs 31 girl. 

Proverbs 31:26 available in my store. 

This design is also available with Proverbs 31:30 as the text.

This girl is a sweetheart and I've loved shipping her off to my customers, because I know several of them have daughters who will particularly enjoy having a beautiful role model to emulate.

So! Our winner......

Let me just say that I was astounded by the numbers Becca (thenewbec) turned in! Congratulations to her for consolidating the most items! Just for fun, I included her tally:

(I highlighted my favorite one in blue:)

 

Total 73 items down to 27: 5 bottles of sanitizer to 3 4 boxes of snacks to 1 bin 6 scattered pouches of seasoning to 1 container 3 travel baggies of meds to 1 2 stacks of medicine cups to 1 7 stacks of paper/receipts to 3 4 shoe locations to 1 3 shampoo bottles to 1 2 stocked travel toiletries bags to 1 3 bags of frozen cake remnants to 1 bowl of cake ball batter 4 piles of screws to 1 container 4 piles of tools to 1 2 piles of cardboard to 1 3 cans of trash to 1 3 containers of icing to 1 2 containers of butter to 1 2 liquid dish soaps to 1 2 containers of dishwasher packets to 1 3 stacks of hot pads to 1 2 groups of grocery sacks to 1 3 boxes of plastic cutlery to 1 4 junk drawers to 2 If I can consolidate my broken sleep into one solid night after all this, that would be a bonus ;-)

 WOW! What a great list!! I'm so impressed with her gumption - way to go!

Becca, send me an email with your address, girlfriend! I'll get this off to you as soon as I can. Enjoy!

Rachel Anne