Home Sanctuary

Tidy Habits: A Summary of Sorts

You know, part of me really enjoyed the Tidy Habits series during the month of September. And part of me got just a little bit beaten down.

I started thinking that maybe YOU were thinking that I was thinking that Tidy People have it all together. That they are the cat's meow. That if you're Tidy you're better than the rest of us.

And secretly I started feeling a little critical of the Tidies. Yeah they may be tidy but can they sit on the couch and truly enjoy a mediocre movie like I can? Psh.

Don't get me wrong. The purpose of highlighting Tidy Habits was simple: to show how small changes in our thinking could impact our behavior so that we too, could become tidier, and thus enjoy our lives more. That part I really, honestly, loved. And I hope you did, too.

But by the end of the month I wanted to scream, "RACHEL, DO A SERIES ON CREATIVE HABITS for not-so-creative people!"

Because CREATIVE is where I live, people. And the land of Creative is messy. It's not pristine. There are crumbs on my floor and mushy zucchinis in my fridge and a ring around my tub.

That's because sometimes I sit and dream up designs and think about colors and imagine conversations and look at pretty pictures instead of tidying up all the time. Maybe last month I realized that I need to stop "just" talking about the kind of person I want to be and celebrate the kind of person I actually am.

Which is:

Creative, always on the look-out for inspiration. 

Tired a lot. (Yes, I know I should be taking iron.)

Concerned about my neck wrinkles.

Crazy about my family.

Serious about making this place a sanctuary.

Convinced that Sanctuary is not about tidiness.

 

The truth is, writing about cleaning is easy. A series on Tidiness? Piece of cake. Hard....is writing about the stuff that really matters, like forgiveness and grace and listening to your teenager's music that you can't stand. Hard is writing about failure, the kind where you fail people you love in ways that hurt them deeply. Hard is talking about babies you lost and disappointments you face and realizing that you will never get a part in a major motion picture or have a fat bank account because of choices you made when you were younger. Hard is dealing with the baggage you brought into your marriage, or the fear of the future, or the agony of the present.

Hard is taking pictures of DIY projects and presenting them in an attractive manner. Hard is watermarking all those photos so people know where they came from on Pinterest.

Hard is writing about the things that matter most. And when it's 11 pm and I'm sitting down to write a blog post after a long day, I often choose easy over hard.

 

So here is my summary of sorts. 

 

Having Tidy Habits is obviously a good thing. Keeping things orderly helps you function, creates an atmosphere of calm and certainly can't hurt your marriage. It's nice to be able to find your car keys when you need them. I like having clean clothes handy.

But I offer this promise to you: in the month of October, I will not mention cleaning, tidying or spiffing in any of my blog posts. I will only write about the things I truly love, none of which involve bleach or elbow grease.

 

In October I will celebrate sanctuary by highlighting the things that inspire me:

colors, pretty things, music, art, family and creativity. Possibly food.

 

I want you to see the things that make make life good, not just clean. Because the mess IS the good part. The cheerios and toys and wet towels on the floor mean that there is life and goodness and love under this roof. That there will be whispered "good nights" and "sweet dreams" in the dark, and you will know that you are blanketed with acceptance and belonging as you drift off to sleep.

That is what sanctuary is really all about.

 

Will you color outside the lines with me next month? I'd love to have you along. Let's be inspired together.

Love you, Rachel Anne

 

 

Related articles

Habits of Tidy People

Tidy Habit: Structure

Tidy Habit: An Ounce of Prevention (+ Coffee)

Tidy Habit: Storage

Oh, for a house with storage space! It seems every place we've lived has had a shortage of closets and cupboards. If I ever get a chance to design my dream house, it will have a whole storage room for off-season items, Christmas decor and family memorabilia. At present, I find myself squirrelling things into nooks and crannies and forever wondering, "now where did I put that?"

Have you ever noticed that Tidy People are really INTO storage? Even in situations like mine (no closets) they creatively find ways to put things away. Maybe this goes back to the fact that they get rid of superfluous stuff they don't need or use to make room for the things they do. They aren't constantly digging through broken toys and outgrown clothes to find an extra blanket or winter boots.

I so admire that.

 

Craft Storage!

 

Bathroom Storage! via the InspiredRoom.net

 

Kitchen Storage! via Country Living

 

Storage doesn't have to be fancy to be functional, but looking at these photos is inspiring. Pretty baskets, or matching containers, help me want to keep things in their proper places. I absolutely LOVE Laura over at OrgJunkie for her daily inspiration and storage ideas. I subscribe to her blog, do you?

 

Today's Small Thing is to tidy up a storage area.

 

• Find a shelf, drawer or closet that you use regularly. It needs occasional weeding and straightening to stay functional.
• Get rid of the unused items to make space for the things you need.
• Put "like things" together.
• Use ziplocks, rubber bands, envelopes, baskets and clean sour cream containers you can't bear to throw away because "they'll be good for something someday" to group things.
• Label. Get out your sharpie or your fancy-schmancy label maker and make your life easier by labeling things.
• Open your cabinet door or drawer about 50 times to admire your handiwork.
• Take photo for Instagram or Facebook.

 

I'd LOVE to see your storage photos! You can post them to our Facebook Page  or tag me in an Instagram photo (rachelridge). You can also tweet a picture and tag me on Twitter!

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Tidy People File Stuff

Tidy People Make Their Beds

Tidy Habit: CAYG Method

Tidy Habit: Structure

Habits of Tidy People

Tidy Habit: Structure

We free spirits balk at words like "structure." To our creative, fun-loving souls, structure sounds like prison. We want to live free to drop what we are doing so we can fly kites and raise chickens if we want and draw pictures and have lattes with with friends at sidewalk cafes.

I'll be the first one to tell you that those are all good things. I need to be able to color outside the lines and have options in my day or I just shut down.

Problem is, flying by the seat of your pants every single day can be messy. You can quickly find yourself in a quagmire of craft materials, laundry and dishes from last night's culinary experiment.

I've found that putting just enough structure in my day gives me a clear-eyed view of what needs to get done without putting me in a prison of endless chores. A simple housekeeping schedule is a lifesaver. It's a Tidy Habit.

 

Here is my most popular post on setting up a Housekeeping Schedule.

 Housekeeping Schedule. 

It is worth taking the time to review, because family life changes often. Work schedules change, kids grow, your needs fluctuate....so there will never be a "finished" schedule for getting things done around the house. Now that my kids are off on their own, I don't need it nearly as much as I once did....but there WAS a time I clung to it like a life raft, and I'm not even kidding. It kept me from insanity.

You will benefit from these posts as well, Step 1 and Step 2, which lead up to the Housekeeping Schedule. There are several downloads and blank schedules to help you.

Download and print away, my friends!

 

Today's Small Thing is to review or set up a simple schedule that will help you keep things tidy.

 

You don't have to be a slave to a schedule. It is simply a tool to break the enormous tasks into manageable bites so you have time to chase butterflies and rock babies. In the big scheme of things, having your sink empty of dishes is far less important than most other things women do in a day. This helps us put things into perspective and keep joyful so we can focus on meaningful relationships, serving others and having lattes with friends at sidewalk cafes.

How about you? Do you have a schedule that works for you? Do you use a two-week schedule? Never tried it? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Tidy Habit: Delegate

I love being a martyr.

No one around here knows what it's like to shoulder the weight of all the housekeeping, laundry, child-rearing and oh, yes, a JOB. I, and I alone, am responsible for the wheels turning, the homework management, the drycleaning, the dog feeding, the shoe locating and the cheerio unsticking. If only this ungrateful lot knew how much I sacrifice my own goals and dreams just to keep my family organized! Why, I'd be the CEO of my Very Important Creative Business if I didn't have to scrub every potty and pick up after these kids day after day. No doubt the world would recognize the greatness that this family takes for granted as they sit on the couch with their video games and ipods, asking for snacks served on a tray.

Oh, self-pity fits like a comfortable shoe. So snug. I'm warmed by the tears of despair that flow from my downturned eyes. My deep sighs as I go about my day are the only clue that my worth is less than a serf, that my duty is to work my fingers to the bone, and that my every waking moment is spent in servitude.

Is this you? Yeah, it's me too.

But Tidy People rarely have this affliction, this affinity for sorrow.

They know the art of delegation.

Sharing the work is an important part of family structure and function. Oh, I know. Everyone complains and groans when asked to pitch in, and the demonstration of lethargy whilst doing their jobs is more than a parent can take. But perhaps some of this is a result of inconsistent delegation on our part.

Ouch.

Making work - chores - part of every family member's daily life causes a household to run with a rhythm. There is less complaining, because everyone knows what is expected. There is more overall joy, because everyone is a part of the team. It makes each member feel significant.

Unfortunately, there is less martydom. You'll have to get used to feeling happy.

 

Today's Small Thing is to delegate.

 

Give plenty of heads up. "Today when you get home from school, you'll pick up your room before you watch TV." (said cheerily.)

Don't bribe.

Don't give a long list. Better to get the family in the habit of doing one or two things consistently, than occasionally slamming a long list on the table and saying "I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU PEOPLE!" Very ineffective approach. (Trust me.)

Give a time limit. Every job takes as much time as allotted to it...so don't make it drag on.

Rotate jobs. Try a spinning wheel.

Show appreciation, but don't act like they've done you a big favor for picking up their own socks. 

Use a chore chart. ListPlanit has a bunch of great ones!

Here are my Top Ten Tips for getting kids to help around the house.

 

What are YOUR tips? Please share!! What tips will you make use of today?

 

Now, how about some coffee, the virtual kind? Link up for a chance to visit with new friends. Simply share what's going on in your life! We'd love to know.

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Tidy Habit: Margin

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Tidy Habit: Start

Tidy Habit: Margin

 

Years ago, when our family was bursting at the seams with activities and responsibilities, we stumbled across a book that resonated with us in a big way. It was  Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Dr. Richard Swenson.

Its premise is simple: Margin is the space that needs to exist between ourselves and our limits. It is something held in reserve for contingencies or unanticipated situations. It gives us room to breathe, to thrive, to enjoy. It is the prescription for overloaded lives.

We made a commitment right then to sign up for fewer activities, a decision we continually have to revisit when we find ourselves running ragged. Overload tends to creep in every time we turn around.

Margin does not come naturally to me. If it takes 20 minutes to get to church, I leave the house 20 minutes before church starts....forgetting that it takes a few minutes to load up and several minutes to park, unload, find a seat and greet fellow parishoners. Margin says, "leave yourself 30 minutes." I feel less stressed and more prepared to participate in the service.

I notice that schools do a better job of building margin into their schedule than I do. They figure out how long it takes to pass between classes, and create "passing periods" for students, rather than ignoring the necessity for travel time. 

When I don't build margin into my schedule, I fling my clothes and shoes on the floor to change into what I need for the next event. I leave dishes in the sink and the craft area a mess because there is no time to organize and clean before rushing off to do the next thing. Overload makes for chaos because there is simply no time to pick up, put away and organize. Then I wonder why I'm three feet deep in debris in every room.

Margin really is the cure, and it is an important Tidy Habit. It's a Lifestyle Habit.

 

Today's Small Thing is to create margin in your schedule.

 

Leave extra time for the unexpected traffic jam, slow customer service line, or time to thaw the chicken for dinner. Remember that projects always take longer than you think, so give yourself the gift of an extra chunk of time to get organized before, during and after your work. Look at your calendar: is it back-to-back-to-back meetings, phone calls and deadlines? Work to space things out so you can breathe and be fully present, rather than thinking about the "next" thing you're late for.

And this is really, really, really important:

Margin not only helps us be tidier with our stuff and our time, but it allows us to be available to serve others when we see a need. It gives us time to be creative, inventive, gracious and giving. We can be the kind of people we know we are meant to be. This is what our souls long for in this busy world.

Margin.

 

Tell me your margin story. Are you on Overload? Do you need space to breathe? Have you begun to create space in the areas of your life that are stressed? How has this helped you? We'd love to hear!

P.S. So sorry about not posting yesterday. I took a Benadryl the night before and it KNOCKED ME OUT! Went to bed early and could not, for the life of me, wake up early enough to get this posted! No more Benadryl for Rachie.

P.P.S. The link above to Margin is an Amazon Affiliate link, which means I'll earn a few cents if you purchase. I'll only use these links on books or products I believe in and think you might benefit from. 

Tidy Habit: CAYG Method

 

Oh, those Tidies. Sometimes it seems like they don't work very hard. I never see them break a sweat over cleaning up kitchens or shovelling out bathrooms. It's like they have little fairies that keep everything nice while they whiten their teeth and inspect their cuticles.

How DO they do it?

I'm glad you asked, because this month's series is all about Tidy Habits. It's a peek into the lives of Tidy People, the people we aspire to become. I can't get anyone to 'fess up to employing fairies, but I HAVE learned a thing or two about their top-secret methods...which I am revealing exclusively to you.

So, here's a bombshell for you: Tidies utilize CAYG.

That's neatnik code for "Clean As You Go."

The reason Tidies never seem to have huge piles to pick up is because they....well, clean as they go.

They rinse and soak pots, pans and utensils as they are making dinner.

They wipe down the bathroom counter and sink after they brush their teeth.

They throw out junk mail before they set the rest of the mail on the desk.

They put their clothes away right after they wear them! Mercy.

They grab an extra handful of debris every time they get out of the car.

Goodness. These people even put their toiletries away each morning!

They return tools to their storage spot each time they use them.

Maybe you are getting the picture. The point is, it only seems like they never do major housecleaning because they always make picking up, wiping down, and putting away PART OF EACH TASK.

Not part of a disaster relief program.

 

Today's Small Thing is to CAYG: Clean As You Go.

 

What would your home look like, if TODAY you simply put away what you took out, wiped down surfaces you use, returned things to their storage spots, hung backpacks after school and washed dishes as you went along? 

Why, your home would look purdy darn tidy, my friend.

 

Do you CAYG? What is your favorite CAYG task? How can you make this a habit each day? Do you help your kids emply CAYG?

 

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Tidy Habit: An Ounce of Prevention (+ Coffee)

Tidy Habit: Start

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Tidy People Know the Power of Now

Tidy Habit: An Ounce of Prevention (+ Coffee)

You've heard the saying: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It's often murmured by smug people as they darn their socks. You know....a stitch in time?

Well, THANK YOU for that Ad Council moment, Ms.Smuggles. Aren't YOU wonderful!

 

 

You know, once I'm over feeling slightly defensive for waiting until there's a proverbial hole in my bucket, I see that there is some real wisdom in "prevention."

Today's Tidy Habit is: prevent messes before they happen.

Tidy people have the foresight to put rugs near entryways for wiping feet. SUPER tidy people make people take their shoes off before going any further into the house. I really like that idea in theory, but...my feet hurt when I don't wear shoes.

Anyway, I've noticed that Tidies are always one step ahead of the mess tsunamies. They don't let their kids eat and drink on the couch. Horrors! Children are confined to tables or blankets to eat their snacks? That's child abuse.

Tidies use things like Water Armour to keep shower walls and doors clear of soap scum.

Tidies have stain-resistant coatings on their carpet and furniture. Brilliant.

They put coasters under cups and glasses. Placemats under plates. Imagine!

Those crazy Tidies use spatter-guards on their frying pans.

They put foil in the bottom of their ovens.

They put extra trashbags in the bottom of trashcans.

They put their toasters on small trays to catch the crumbs.

I've even seen them put bibs on babies! And mats under their highchairs!

 

Thinking, thinking! These people are always thinking ahead, so that when the inevitable spill or mess happens, it is a cinch to clean up. I have such begrudging admiration.

 

Today's Small Thing is to use an ounce of prevention.

 

Take one of the ideas above....or one of your own...to stop messes before they happen.

Your kids will live if you make they eat their snacks in the kitchen, AT THE TABLE. You will have less mess to clean AND create some good eating habits in the process.

Taking your dirty shoes off really isn't that hard...especially if you have some Mr. Roger's styled house shoes to slip into.

Maybe some Scotch-guard on your furniture will keep it looking nicer, longer.

I'll bet the list is endless. You choose!

I'd love to hear your Prevention Tips! What tactics do you use to stop messes in their tracks? I'm really getting into these Tidy Habits....how about you??

 

 

 

Link up below for Company Girl Coffee! (If you don't see the link in your email, hop on over to the blog.) I've gotten behind on answering comments, emails and blog reading, but I hope to catch up this weekend....and this is a great way to do it! 

What's going on in your life! Let us know!

Tidy People Know the Power of Now

 

As a lifelong procrastinator, I feel I have mastered the art of putting things off until they reach a crisis point. At which time, I whip into high gear and get them done at the last minute, fully hating myself for perpetuating my personal illusion that "I work well under pressure."

 

This spills over into my home life, as I put off seasonal tasks like raking and cleaning closets, as well as daily tasks like vacuuming and dishes. Why do things now, when tomorrow is just as good? Who even cares if it gets done today? I certainly don't.

 

Tidy People know the power of NOW.

 

They seem to know that cleaning up tonight's dinner mess NOW means less work in the morning. They know that sending that birthday card NOW means they won't have to buy a belated birthday card and grovel later. They have a mindset that prefers a little bit of pain now to a lot of pain later.

 

Now where was I when they handed out THAT gene?

 

Nonetheless, we are learning Tidy Habits this month, and we can certainly copy our Tidy friends and their Tidy ways.

 

Here are some tips that will help us learn the use the power of NOW around the house:

 

1. Keep tools and supplies handy. Nothing makes me power down from a momentary burst of cleaning frenzy than realizing I'll have to hunt down paper towels, Windex and trash bags before I can start. Putting these items where they are needed makes NOW a very real possibility.

 

2. Work first, play later. Get the hard stuff done when you are fresh, so that you can truly enjoy time to relax when you are done.

 

3. Break jobs down into smaller tasks. When you see a kitchen that looks like a bomb exploded and don't know where to start, look at individual parts of the job. Clear counter. Load dishwasher. Soak pans. Sweep floor. Each task is not nearly as intimidating as the whole monster.

 

4. Turn off distractions. The internet is really cool, and so are all those phone alerts. Television offers a plethora of fascinating shows. But it's so easy to fritter away whole hours, just a few minutes at a time here and there, checking how many "likes" you have and looking at headlines. I'm guilty of this!

 

5. Reward yourself. A Tidy friend of mine once remarked that she liked to get things done "so she wouldn't have to think about it anymore." Her reward was a clear mind and stress-free day because she didn't have the dreaded chore hanging over her head. Some of us need more than that: chocolate seems to work well as MY reward. What's yours?

 

Today's Small Thing is to harness the power of NOW. Do one thing you've been putting off.

 

Perhaps you've been avoiding writing a thank you card because you can't find stamps. Or your bathroom mirror is so fogged you can't see yourself anymore. Maybe the dust on your coffee table is so thick you can draw pictures in it with your finger. You walk by the task a dozen times a day, hating yourself for not doing it. 

 

Do it now.

 

Most of the tasks we avoid (and which weigh us down) take five minutes or less to accomplish. So why do we do this to ourselves?

 

Let's learn the Tidy Habit of NOW and live free of procrastination!

 

What task will you do NOW? What simple thing have you been avoiding? Do you have the courage to tell us how long it actually took to do it? I hope you will!

PS The winner of Angie Ryg's book, Clutter Free Simplicity is Amber! Congrats, Amber...I'll send you an email and give you the details.

Related articles

Tidy Habit: Get Up Earlier

Tidy People Make Their Beds

Tidy Habit: Do a Little Bit Every Day

Tidy People File Stuff

Tidy people file their papers. They know how to get their hands on birth certificates and gas grill warranties. Car titles and insurance policies. Immunization records, the dog's AKC registration and the receipt for Uncle Wally's Christmas gift sweater.

It's enough to make you want to throw up.

Or be just like them.

Possibly both, one right after the other.

Having a simple household filing system is one of the best Tidy Habits there is. I say "simple" because you and I both know how much we Perfectionist-But-Not-So-Tidies love to overcomplicate things to the point of being unworkable. This is why we have stacks...because our overly detailed filing systems are too cumbersome to actually use.

We have the "I Know It's In Here Somewhere" stack.

The "To Be Filed" stack.

The "Bills, Paid and Unpaid" stack.

The "Things I'm Going to Read Later" stack.

The "Junk Mail That May Have Valuable, Albeit Expired By Now Coupons" stack.

You're talking with the Stacking Queen here, and you can't outstack me with your stacks.

HOWEVER.

Every home should have three files, named ABC: An Active File, a Basic File and a Classic File. I really like Organized Home's structure below.

An ABC household filing system includes:

• Action File: a tabletop file for daily, short-term filing. Use an action file to organize bills for payment, papers that require response, and information that must be filed.

 

• Basic Files: a household's working file system. Kept in a file cart, cabinet or drawer, basic files hold medical insurance records, credit card statements, rent receipts and bank statements. Use basic files for routine activities like bill paying, tax files, medical information and home maintenance. 

 

• Classic Files: archives for long-term file storage. Copies of tax returns and insurance policies, homeowners' records, medical records, and copies of legal documents belong in classic files. Use file cabinets or records boxes to protect these items for long-term storage. Note: original documents such as insurance policies, legal documents, or tax records should be stored in secure facilities such as safe deposit boxes.

 

I use separate drawers for the Basic and Classic files, and use hanging file folders for broad categories in each. Inside the hanging folders I might add manilla files for specific items. I've found that the broader the category, the easier it is to file AND FIND things.

I put receipts from each month into gallon ziplock bags. Hey, don't judge. It works for me.

 

Today's Small Thing is to file as if you are a Tidy. Because you are one.

 

Create some files and stick your papers in them. That's all.

Filing does not have have to be complicated. Simply having a place to put your receipts, warranties and check stubs will make you feel confident and organized.

Filing will even make you feel sexy.**

 

**Resulting sexiness (including, but not limited to, shortness of breath, heaving bosoms and irresistible attractiveness) is not guaranteed, but mild to severe cases have been reported after bouts of filing and organizing. Home Sanctuary and its proprietor are not responsible for instances of passionate kissing, flirting or lovemaking as a result of creating household files, and is not liable for loss of work time, subsequent hot dates in little black dresses, or unexpected pregnancies. Files and their side effects are the sole responsibility of the filer, and filer understands the risks associated with said activity.

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Tidy Habit: Start

Tidy Habit: Start

I've asked my online friend, Angie Ryg, of Finding Joy in Everyday Moments to help us out with a Tidy Tip today. Angie is the author of Clutter Free Simplicity - a wonderfully encouraging ebook that speaks directly to my soul. This is the stuff I love, people.

 

Angie is giving away a free copy of her book today, but first, here is the simple tip she shares:

It is easy to feel overwhelmed from the desire to declutter and feel the burden from clearing every item in every room. It is easier to say, “I’ll start tomorrow… this weekend… next month.” In reality, there is not a better time than now to start the decluttering process. Devoting ten minutes a day, every day, to cleaning your clutter is the first step in a process that will produce amazing results. In Clutter Free Simplicity , this is called the Ten Minute Tidy. You may wonder, “Where do I start?” Pick a room. Pick a drawer in that room.  Or even just one shelf.  The key is to stay focused on that one area. Invite your family to help, add a little music, and even set small rewards (Once we get all the kitchen drawers cleaned, we can go out for ice cream.) in order to keep it fun.   By focusing for ten minutes a day on one room at a time, the clutter will disappear. Don’t give up! Remember that it’s all about making your home a haven in order to use it to welcome people no matter when they stop by!

 

I've taken the liberty to highlight my "takeaway" from Angie's tip. 

START.

 

source

 

And perhaps I should add the word "STOP."

We "Not-So-Tidies" put off really big jobs because, well, they're really big. And so cluttery! But Tidies say to themselves, "I'm going to clear off this shelf in the garage today," rather than "I have to clean out this whole garage from top to bottom....someday." They start...and then they stop.

They start again....and then they stop.

 

Today's Small Thing is to START to declutter. 

 

You do not have to finish. You do not have to do it perfectly. You do not have to instagram your results. Simply start one declutter task and see how far you get in 10 minutes.

Do you have a specific area that needs to be decluttered? Is the job so big that you are waiting for the stars to align, a paid month of vacation and beautiful weather so that you can do it the "right" way? Hate to say this, but that day will never come. But TODAY is here...and so is 10 minutes.

Whatcha waitin' for? Go START...and let us know what you spent your 10 minutes on!! One of our commenters will receive a FREE copy of Clutter-Free Simplicity!

 

And hey, if you'd like to go ahead and purchase a copy, you can find it here: Clutter-Free Simplicity. Here is what one reader says about delightful Angie's book:

"The author gives laugh-out-loud examples of her own failures in maintaining an organized home. From unexpected neighbors dropping by to friends visiting, she captures the life of those who struggle with clutter. Fortunately, she doesn't stop there. She gives specific examples of practical steps you can take to make your home more of the haven you desire. In addition, the author reminds us of how living a clutter-free simplistic life is part of God's plan- living in a place of order where hospitality can be practiced."

 Follow Angie on Twitter at @AngieRyg!

 

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