Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Same and Different

Morning temperature of 5 degrees,
 the sun is shining and that is wonderful.

The beginning of deep cleaning is in process.
Just finished refrigerator and it seems much thrown out
because of dates.  Use a lot of items but not much of many
because of the difference in my life at this time.
Seems the use date arrives quickly.
Drains in sinks have been cleaned with vinegar, baking soda and hot water
and surely everyone knows to use this.
Bathroom gone over with 100 Team Borax which makes everything sparkle
and some baking soda.

Bed linens in washing machine and seems linens are not like in the past.
When home in town was built I bought sheets and duvet from the
Pottery Barn and in a short time both had imperfections.
I still have a few sheets that were purchased when I lived in the really
big house with family 25 years ago  and they are still being used.  Percale and now feel
like silk.

Soon will go over all the old furniture with Murphy's Oil Soap and then in a few
days will nourish everything with Lemon Oil.

Have just ordered cotton flat baby diapers, they are the best for cleaning mirrors and windows
with no lint left behind.  I have to be careful and keep them separate or they might
be picked up and used for dusting - these are only for mirrors and windows and occasional help uses newspaper.  The ones I have are over 4 years old and will use for dusting.   I do not like paper towel - too much lint left behind.  Also with gas heat it seems mirrors and windows are now getting
a light film on them....

Will slowly go over everything in this home and when the day arrives that
something is peeking out of the soil - I will be outside :)

One of the few luxuries I enjoy at this time
is a hot bath with fragrant Bedadas, it last forever ( a very small amount and your tub is
sparkling when emptied) Many years ago I used Vita Bath that was just as good
but a few years ago after doing some research I found out Bedadas, it is about same
and less expensive, from Germany  and I  order from Amazon.
 My Beth gave me some Lavender
soap and lotion from Thymes for Christmas and I love it....

Seems my what brings me pleasure list at this time of life is so simple.

Difficult to believe that 4 1/2 years have gone by so quickly.  That is when construction on
 this small home began.  That winter a day was never missed on the building site with very mild
weather.  Callie a year old when I found her at the shelter with a chain around her neck that had
to be removed with a saw :) so this Fall she will be 6 years old.

So - the beginning of Spring cleaning has begun and in the past it took several weeks and now
at this time of life it will take several months :)
On a pleasant day need to clean garage and soon car and truck need to be cleaned

As long as the sun is shining and I cannot be outside
I enjoy doing this.

11 comments:

Tabor said...

Loved reading about your cleaning methods and tools. I always go from one cleaner to the next and must be more careful as you do.

lil red hen said...

Oh my, you put me to shame! I do keep things picked up and kept in their places, but not much deep cleaning goes on I'm afraid. Yes, gas heaters do make a film on the windows and I find it's very difficult to get it off. We only have one gas heater, so far, but something may change in years to come when it's too much work for the farmer to cut wood for the furnace.

Poor little Callie; it's so wonderful that you took her in and gave her such a loving home.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Tabor and Charlotte, I love to clean :) but a 1/2 day person.
Finished, lunch soon and will work at desk or read.
My furniture is old and the way I clean would probably not be good for newer furniture. Also do not like the newer products but do keep on hand if not feeling up to it and can clean quickly.
I have gas from the county and have not burned gas fire place this winter. I really do not like it and yearn for what use to be "a wood stove and fireplace."

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I want to do a deep cleaning, and would appreciate more cleaning tips from you.

I am working on decluttering more and doing some remodeling too, trying to get some things done so I can relax and live. This first year has been rough that's for sure, but I made it through. My missing Mark doesn't end, but I am thankful for each day that I am blessed with. I am thankful for this little haven I have. I am thankful for God's love and strength.

Love and hugs to you dear Ernestine ~ FlowerLady

Beverly said...

Yes, Ernestine, I too clean with vinegar, baking soda, and bit of Dawn. It really works! Glad you are staying busy... I still say that I want your energy!!!

Nan said...

Loved reading this. The sheets I have are from Garnet Hill. They are pricey, but they last, and are wonderful.

Hill Top Post said...

How can anyone read your journal and not be inspired! I cleaned out the refrigerator a couple of days ago and threw away some out of date items, much to the raccoons' delight.
Wood heat is wonderful, but it is a dry heat, and there's a lot of dust to deal with. Happy Cleaning Days to you and Callie!

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

Inspiring to read about how you are deep cleaning. I imagine it smells so fresh in your home. I only have two and 3/4 cloth diapers left from when the kids were babies. 3/4 of one because years ago it was used to wrap my daughter's pet guinea pig in, and the piggy used to like to chew holes in part of it. I cut that part off. I use one of the "good" ones in hot summer as a cold cloth for my neck if I'm doing something outside.

I know what you mean about older percale sheets feeling like silk. They are softer, smoother, cooler, and don't wrinkle like the high thread count cotton sheets that I bought new. I always search the thrift stores for any percale pillow cases that they may have. Usually they are slightly faded prints, but truly as soft and smooth as silk. I now have several thrifted pairs of vintage percale pillowcases because I like the way they feel on my face as I am falling asleep. I wish I would find a set of percale sheets that weren't worn out.

Aren't you glad that Callie found you. She sounds like such a sweetie.

You've got me in the mood to clean my mirrors and glass lampshades.

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Lorraine, Beverly, Mary, Nan
and one from the cottage.
Thank you for visiting
and Nan I have ordered from this also. Checking out Amazon for some quality sheets maybe on sale :) and enjoy that new grandbaby :)

thewiildmagnola said...

Good old time cleaning! More natural products.