There are so
many ways to make a home nice and they don't have to involve a lot of
money. In recent years I have done many
things to make our home comfortable, warm and pleasant and I didn't spend a lot
of money doing so. In fact, many of
those things I've done have actually allowed our home to operate
thriftier. Today I thought I'd share
some of the ways I like to make our home warm and pleasant.
Keeping
House
The simplest
and thriftiest thing one can do is to keep a clean and uncluttered home. I know I spend a fair bit of time tidying up
and cleaning my home. It always seems there
are dishes to do up and laundry to wash, but I much prefer to take care of it
right away rather than allow it to pile up.
I routinely wipe down countertops and dust surfaces. I run the vacuum cleaner often.
Before leaving
the bathroom in the morning I make sure I've cleaned up after myself and
everything is in order. I spring clean
each room twice a year as I find it goes much faster and easier than if I only
do it only once a year. I constantly
work to keep clutter at bay. At the end
of the day each of us makes a "walk through" to collect our things
and tidy up before heading off to bed. It
is always a joy for me to be able to walk into a neat and clean room and find
that everything is in order. My mind is
able to rest and I can relax.
I have a set of
placemats to put on our table to protect and decorate it. In recent years I've made a few dozen cloth
napkins and stopped buying paper ones altogether. Not only are they useful and thrifty, but
they look pretty too. We eat all of our
meals on an assortment simple dishes, glassware and silverware I've collected
over the years. I also have my
grandparent's beautiful set of china as well as a set of Christmas china I
purchased in phases several years ago, which we use. Most importantly we eat together as a family
at the table.
The heart of
most homes is the kitchen. It is where
our meals are prepared and conversations had.
It is where we can nourish our hearts, our bodies and our souls. I create in my kitchen. I bake bread, make salad dressing, prepare
lunches and cook dinner. I slice and dice,
whip and stir. And while I do these
things I think and plan and visit and chat.
In our kitchen
there are terry cloth dish towels and cloths, muslin tea towels, hand
embroidered cloths to cover the bread while it raises. Quilted pot holders and handmade fabric bowl
covers. A cookie jar that never seems to
stay full, a bread machine that constantly gets put to work, a crock filled
with my favorite cooking utensils. A
refrigerator and pantry full of food I have carefully and thoughtfully selected
for my family with thrift and nourishment in mind.
When it is cold
outside our home is warm and comfortable.
The fireplace is on to add heat and ambiance. I buy scented candles to light and kerosene
to fill the lamps and burn in the evenings while the lights are low. There is always a kitty to curl up in a lap and
a warm throw to snuggle up in. I love
the sight and scent of candles burning.
I find them at thrift stores and clearance tables at the store which
makes them quite affordable.
When the
weather warms we open the doors and windows and let the fresh air and sunshine in. Especially when it rains, I love that.
How are some
ways you make your home special?
ENjoyed your post.. I too love a tidy house and find it easier to maintain than to let it pile up.. Thanks for sharing your hints.
ReplyDeleteYour house looks beautiful.. Have a great week.
Thank you Judy. Very nice of you to say.
DeleteInspiring! Thank you for reminding me what is important in a home. Rose (UK)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Rose. Take care.
DeleteSpeaking as a super tidy person. You have a lovely home.
ReplyDeleteThank you. You are too kind. :)
DeleteI use my quilts and hand hooked rugs on the walls for extra insulation and coziness...stitched wool curtains for two doors with large windows...light colored to add cheer to the room..
ReplyDeleteyour house looks wonderful and inspiring to this not very tidy gal...
Yours sounds very warm and cozy!
DeleteI too can rest and relax when my house is in order. It makes my mind be at ease. Too much clutter makes me feel off balance and out of kilter.
ReplyDeleteI find it easiest to do up dishes as they get dirty and not wait. At the very least they get done and the kitchen cleaned before going to bed. Laundry is another thing I don't like to let get out of hand. It just makes the day start so much better to see a clean kitchen. Take care.
Having our homes in order brings peace and contentment. My home is my sanctuary.
DeleteThis time of year we always have cozy throws and afghans on the couches and chairs to cuddle up under and of course, there is our Doofy cat, who spends his time inside either curled up on my lap, the corner of the loveseat or on top of the pellet stove. I do have candles that I will burn and the heat from our pellet stove, along with the fire in it, makes for a very nice ambience. And then there is the food. This time of year finds us having more "stick to your ribs" comfort food. I also drink more tea and hot cider in addition to my daily cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteI like the comfort foods this time of year as well and lots of hot soups and fresh baked breads. Like you I drink a lot of hot tea throughout the day and evening. Fortunately I'm not one who is adversely affected if I drink caffeine at night. Quite the opposite, in fact.
DeleteYour home looks lovely! I struggle with keeping things neat and clear. I probably have too many things cluttering up the place!
ReplyDeleteToo much stuff was my issue as well. I seriously cleared out a bunch of stuff. A few yards sales, craigslist and several truckloads to the thrifts store over a period of two years. I admit I was a slow starter, but I finally got my rear in gear and now I feel much better.
DeleteRight now I am still decluttering. I really don't know where all the "stuff" comes from.
ReplyDeleteHow do I make our home special? We have family pictures scattered throughout the house. Knitted and cross stitched blankets abound in the living room to wrap up in, the bread maker sends forth its wonderful smells at least twice a week, and on the days it doesn't the smell of scented homemade candles fills the air.
God bless.
I love candles (and homemade bread). They sure can warm up a home. And a cozy blanket to wrap up in is always nice.
DeleteYou have a lovely home. Life circumstances have found me moving homes every 2 years since I divorced in '12. Each move is a pain, but there is always a pile of things that I refuse to move with me. This last move was also a downsizing venture. I sold a lot of furnishings, amassing $3500 which more than covered tte cost of my move, the msc handyman and cable installation services, the purchase of a bed to replace my breaking, 30 y.o. one. I wish to have less and less "stuff" as I age, it's liberating. I am also one who can't sleep well should the kitchen, for example, not be tidy.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I am the same way. If my home isn't in order I have a hard time sleeping. Clutter makes me feel claustrophobic. And yes, moving is a pain!
Delete