The Laundry Room (Again)

 Happy Fall!  Is anyone still reading?  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if all have given up on me! I 'm so behind on updating here and posting some of our house projects!  Which is actually good in one sense, because it means we've gotten some things accomplished!  :-) 

After moving in, painting the laundry room and exposing the original ceiling was one of the first projects we did and it made such a huge difference.  Then last year we made a few more updates to complete this room, like replacing the shelving and adding new trim.   You can see the first laundry room post here which has all the before pictures! 

Having a laundry room that opens up to the back door and has a lot of through traffic (located between downstairs bath and kitchen) has forced me to keep a tidy laundry room and also a decluttered one!  In our previous house, our laundry room was a separate room where I could close the door and forget about the piles of laundry.  Not so much since we've lived here. ;-)  Daily laundry is a must or the piles accumulate, but it's also gotten me into a few really good habits.  

 We also added a peg rail on the back wall for hanging some of our utility items, like brooms, egg basket, dust pans, etc.  (During the summer, this also became a place to store all the ball caps - wink.)  After visiting a shaker village several years ago, I loved the idea of utilizing pegs on the wall to store items.  Since then, Justus and I have incorporated pegs in several places throughout our house.  

When we moved in, the laundry had some existing open shelves, which we used for several years.  Last year we replaced the shelving, but I wanted to keep it open as before.  The open shelving helps keep the clutter down and also helps keep the room looking open and bright. This year I also repainted the ceiling.  When we first remodeled, I painted it blue also, but I went a little more subtle this time around.  This is probably a change that is only noticeable to me!  ;-)  I painted the shelves white.  At first I tried staining a gray color, but I was unhappy with the results.  While I like the idea of it, I feel like in a house like ours where there are so many different materials and textures, white just helps everything flow a little more smoothly. 

  There are two small little windows on each side of the back door and I love the light they let in.  It's always a bright, cheery room and makes the laundry tasks a little more pleasant!  None of these pictures are styled for this blog post, but happy for you, I did move all of the dirty clothes out of the basket for these pictures.  ;-)  When I first bought this laundry basket beside the washer for our dirty clothes, I thought it too small, but it's actually been the perfect size.  When it's full, it's time to do a couple loads, so this is just another thing that helps me keep on the ball.

Having open shelving like this, I've had to get a little creative with storage.  Baskets are always a must for corralling smaller items!

I also use various buckets for holding items that aren't visible to anyone.  The large tub on the top shelf (pictured a ways above) holds miscellaneous items, like winter hats. I have a bucket that stores all of our clothes pins and the chamber pot holds cleaning rags.  

 On the other side of the laundry room, we added a shelf above the dryer for extra storage.  And while everything pictured so far looks tidy, I can assure you that everything in that white cabinet next to the dryer is a cluttered mess!  Instead of a junk drawer, we have an entire cabinet!  ;-)  

 Just for fun, the above photo is a before photo of the laundry room after we removed the styrofoam ceiling tiles and exposed the original ceiling.  You can see we hadn't done any work in the kitchen yet!  It was so dark and dreary.  And the after picture below.  (These before and after pictures are really for me... just serve as a reminder that we actually have done a few things around here!)

 (Huck's favorite sunbathing spot...)

And here's a real life photo of life around here on a daily basis... never ending laundry and ironing.  But I sure am thankful to have a cheerful, pretty room to do it in!  :-)  

I'll try to post some more of our house projects soon.  Spending a little more time here has been a goal of mine for awhile, but I never can seem to quite get there!  I'm always open to blog post suggestions... I know a few of you have asked for a cleaning post, and while I don't feel like I have much to share there, I'll try to get that done too!  I also have got to post some about our flower business and try to get some summer pictures posted for myself as memories.  ;-)  

Hope you're having a wonderful October so far!  

The Silverware Drawer

Since purchasing our vintage silver-plate flatware a couple years ago and using it daily, I've found the maintenance to be a little more time-consuming than stainless steel, but well worth the simple pleasure of using something so beautiful every day. 

I feel a little backwards - our old stainless steel flatware is tucked away for larger gatherings whereas the silver gets used every day.  But somehow I just never tire of opening the silverware drawer to this view, particularly after it's been freshly polished (smile). 

(I've found this or this natural cleaning technique to be a major time-saver!)  

A Place for Tea

 This week I used a milk glass cake platter to corral all my tea supplies in a handy corner in the kitchen, an idea I had seen a while back in a Martha Stewart Living magazine.  Practical, extremely handy and pretty, it's been a pleasure to make tea since!

My Favorite Homemade Cleaners

 Hi friends!  I hope you're having a nice weekend so far.

Since I have cleaning on my mind lately (trust me, most of the time more talk than action), I thought I'd share some of my favorite homemade cleaners with you.  I used to be the type that had a specific store-bought cleaner for each room, until the past couple years when I started realizing that I really only needed a few basic supplies for everything and I could make the majority of them too. 

I love using as natural products as I can in our home, but they do have to be effective.  I don't make every cleaning product in our house (I have yet to try making laundry detergent), but I enjoy putting together a few combinations that are effective and also very easy and quick. 

 Distilled white vinegar is like your best friend when it comes to homemade natural cleaners.  It is a great safe alternative to chemical cleaners, does an amazing job, plus it's affordable.  I buy a huge container of it at Costco to store and decant it into Ball jars (which sit on my open shelves in the laundry room) and bottles.  There are so many uses for vinegar it amazes me.  Here are some ways I use it:

Floor Cleaner 

 (I use this on our non-waxed wood floors, laminate wood floors and tile)

1 quart water

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

3 drops pure essential oil, such as lemon (optional)

Note: I use a mop with a washable microfiber pad and a refillable bottle that I can pour the solution into

Window Cleaner

equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle 

Fabric Softener

I add 1/4 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle in the washing machine

Mildew Remover + Stainless Steel Cleaner

Undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Pour a few cups of vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for an hour before scrubbing

 Mild dish soap can also be used for more that just washing dishes!  I always use Mrs. Meyers as I love the scents and effectiveness. 

Bathroom Cleaner

(I learned this from reading Martha Stewart and it works fabulous for scrubbing)

Pour a little baking soda and dish soap into a bowl and mix until a paste is formed

All Purpose Cleaner

1 quart water

1/4 cup dish soap

 A friend of mine got me hooked on having a couple pure essential oils in the house.  I have both lavender and lemon and I use them all the time.  I add them to my floor cleaner occasionally to mask the smell of vinegar, but probably my favorite way to use them is in the dryer.  I cut a lint-free towel into little squares and pour a few drops of lavender oil onto the towel square to add with wet clothes in the dryer.  Because I use a laundry detergent that is free of scents and the vinegar in the rinse cycle works as a fabric softener, this is a way I can add just a little natural scent to our clothing. 

I also want to tell you about an amazing natural homemade silver cleaner.  Recently my friend Ann over at On Sutton Place posted her recipe for removing tarnish from silver.  I decided to give it a try one day on our silverware and I could not believe how well it worked (and how easy it was!).  I immediately threw out my silver cleaner!  You can find the recipe here, but it consists of using only water, salt, baking soda and foil.

I'm sure many of you have some fabulous ways of using these ingredients for cleaners and probably know a lot more than I do about it.  I just love that there are so many ways to use natural, affordable ingredients that do just as good a job at cleaning...if you haven't had a chance to try homemade cleaners yet, I hope you enjoy the recipes!

Have a great weekend.

Mini-Makeovers at Country Living

A while back I was asked if I would contribute a photo and idea for a story on Country Living's website.  It was all about quick mini-makeovers... I spent a few days thinking it over and kept coming back to the pantry post I had done a couple weeks before.  As a busy mom myself, nothing makes me feel better than a makeover that is quick and easy and combines organizing and decor all in one.    

Above is the photo I sent them... I had such a great time rearranging our pantry and took the opportunity to give our old cabinet a little makeover at the same time.  

BEFORE:

 As you know, I love the old cabinet we use as a pantry but the inside did look a little rough.  Although the outside is painted white, I had never done anything inside other than give it a thorough cleaning.  I actually like the all wood interior in its natural state, but I thought the door could use a little freshening.  So I painted a coat of white on and then a light coat of ASCP in Paris Grey, followed with a little clear wax.  

AFTER:

I love the way it turned out... it not only looks better, but feels better to the touch.  In addition, I put a coat of ASCP Paris Grey on the lower shelf, which is the only part of the cabinet that is not original.     

You can find the tips I shared here, along with several other great ideas shared by some fantastic bloggers (I love the sugared berries by Gourmandistan so much that I plan on making some to use for Jillian's birthday cake coming up in a couple weeks).  I'm so honored that Country Living asked me to be a part of 7 Mini-Makeovers You Can Finish Fast... I hope you'll head over and check out all the inspiration! 

Organizing a Pantry

Living in an old farmhouse with (putting it mildly) limited storage space and with two active little girls running around, one area I really try to keep on top of is organization.  By the end of each day our house has toys scattered everywhere and once everyone has settled down for the night, I quickly go through each room and put everything back where it belongs.  I'm especially particular about keeping our kitchen and subsequently the pantry as organized as possible.  It makes cleaning and putting away groceries a breeze and also helps when putting on a meal.

Since I recently gave our pantry a seasonal cleaning and I was drawing a blank when it came to a blog post, I thought I'd share my pantry staples and a few things that help me. 

I know I've shown you our pantry before, but in case you missed it, it's actually a huge old cabinet I found at an antique store.  I was so thankful when we moved into our house that I already had it on hand because it immediately served a purpose!  The door squeaks every time you open it and its rustic characteristics definitely make it feel like it's always been here (smile). 

My pantry is stocked with pretty much the exact same things all the time.  I always know what I have and therefore what I'm running low on. 

My pantry's closest friends are mason jars.  I like to store my food items in glass versus plastic, and mason jars not only work great for actual canning, but they are also a very inexpensive and effective way of storing pantry goods.  I also use baskets and containers for storing smaller or grouped items.

Baking Goods

My pantry baking essentials are baking soda, baking powder, and pure vanilla extract.  I also keep cocoa powder and chocolate baking bar(s) on hand.  I store the majority of these in... yep, you guessed it... mason jars (smile).

 Oils and Vinegars

The oils I keep stocked are extra virgin olive oil (I always have plenty of this), coconut oil and sesame oil.  I keep a wide variety of vinegars, including apple cider, balsamic, rice, red wine and white wine.  The majority of these come packaged in such pretty glass bottles, but these little glass cruets also work great (I've seen these widely available - I think mine came from Wal-Mart or Target).  

 Flours

There are so many flours available now it's amazing.  I haven't delved much into the flour world (although I would like to), so the flours I always have are pretty simple: unbleached all-purpose, whole wheat, unbleached self-rising, and cornmeal.  I get asked quite frequently about the glass canisters I store my flours and sugars in.  I buy these inexpensive canisters at Wal-Mart.  The lids do not not have a seal, but I have never had any issues and I have used them for several years... I love them.  

Sweeteners

Can you believe I forgot to take a photo of any sweetener?!  I keep stocked with unrefined cane sugar, organic brown sugar, honey, molasses, agave nectar (delicious with hot tea) and maple syrup.  I keep my sugars in glass canisters as well. 

 Miscellaneous Goods

My husband and I both drink one cup of coffee a day (I can't ever seem to give this up) and I drink a lot of peppermint tea.  I like to store these in glass containers too, like this vintage coffee canister. 

Beans

I typically cook my beans from scratch, which is actually easier than it sounds (smile).  Right now I have pintos, cannellini, and chickpeas.  Pintos are my favorite... my mom frequently cooked a pot of pintos growing up. She was raised in New Mexico where many dinners consisted of pinto beans and warm tortillas.  You just can't beat a pot of freshly cooked pinto beans!

Spices

I have a wide variety of spices and actually have an entire shelf in my pantry devoted for storing them.  My most used baking spices are ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.  I don't use dried herbs quite as frequently these days as we have herbs growing in the garden, but I still keep staples like thyme, parsley, basil, rosemary and oregano.  And of course, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper get used on a daily basis.  I don't always have access to a store that sells spices in these glass jars, but I love them.  After I use all of a spice, I wash the jars and reuse them.   

Canned Goods

 This past summer I canned and canned and canned tomatoes.  Ugh!  Many afternoons I was sweaty, hot and tired... and I kept going by reminding myself of the winter months when we would enjoy tomatoes from the garden and it would all be worth it.  I can say it now... It really was worth it.  Just about the only canned goods I've bought in recent months are tomato paste, tuna and salmon. 

Nuts and Seeds

I usually have almonds, walnuts and pecans... either all or at least one (smile).  Sometimes I buy seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower, too. I have a big jar of popcorn kernels... I know it shocks most people (Mom) that we don't have a microwave.  When we moved ours stayed with our previous home as it was located above the stove and I discovered (with limited counter space) I really didn't use or need one anyway.

 I try to keep like items grouped together and (although not always possible) everything within easy reach. Sometimes I buy a little prepackaged snack for Justus or the girls, but I suppose my pantry might seem a little shocking now that I 'm writing about it... I cook and bake just about everything from scratch and have for so long that I hardly think about it.  Over the years cooking and baking has become something I love to do and I also appreciate knowing exactly what ingredients my family's eating.

Due to limited space in the pantry cabinet, I also store a few pantry staples elsewhere.  Potatoes are stored in a bag in an old milk crate on top of the refrigerator and onions in a basket that sit in the little cabinet beside the pantry cabinet. 

 Grains

 Oh, how I love grains.  Rolled oats, steel-cut oats, rice, millet, pasta...yum.  And as you can see, I'm just about due for a trip to the grocery store to stock back up!  These grains are stored in large vintage mason jars that are displayed on the open shelves of my wood cabinet next to the pantry. 

I took these pictures while the girls were napping so I don't have any photos of their little hands helping, but I did have somebody for company... Huck in the laundry basket (smile). 

Have I ever told you that my favorite part of blogging is reading your comments and emails? Since I love to hear from you, I thought it would be fun to ask you a question about your pantry (if you've managed to read this far that is!).  

What is your most used pantry item?

Hmm, I had to think about mine for a minute.  I suppose my pantry door probably squeaks the most for extra-virgin olive oil.   I'm not sure I've cooked a supper without using a little of it in something (smile).