Week Four Update

This past week has been more of a hibernating time with Simplicity and Passion being the focus. The cold, cloudy weather brought out soup pots for homemade recipes, hot cocoa and books! The main "mind candy" for me has been "The Simple Living Guide: A Sourcebook for Less Stressful, More Joyful Living" and I've really enjoyed delving into the pages. It's a mindful read that gets you thinking about why you do the things you do. It's not so much about living without, but about thinking through choices that create future possibilities...and the possibilities are different for each person. So good!!!

On the Passion forefront, I've always wanted to learn how to knit, but don't know a soul who knows how. So during prayer time I asked for God to guide me to a person or group that has a love for knitting. Sure enough, the next day I met a lady who was thinking of starting a beginner's knitting class, but wasn't sure if anyone might be interested! Turns out she's right in my neighborhood and has already found several others who would like to join and things are in motion to begin within the next couple of months!

I'm learning to declare the desires of my heart more. This week has helped to show that all I have to do is put the desire out there and if it's right for me then God will bring things together. I don't have to make things work or search and search for just the right thing...I declare, I do my part and then believe God for the rest.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Winter Bliss and Snow Filled Clouds

Full snow clouds in the sky. Ah...I love winter. Hot cocoa, snuggly pajamas and a time to curl up in a warm, cozy haven. The colder the better! Now, I say this because my home is in North Carolina, near the South Carolina border, and it usually doesn't get lower than the teens. If I lived in Minnesota or Maine I might have a different philosophy. This has been the first real flake fest of the year and it looks like it's going to stick around for a little while. Our side yard is covered with a combination of snow, sleet and ice...but it looks so lovely!

There's something about snow clouds...they seem to absorb all the noise of the hustle and bustle so we can truly hear what's around us. Cloudy days like today offer opportunities to take things slow and breath in the fresh, crisp air. So, while the snow is here I'll enjoy it and thank God for the white blanket of love He's sent our way. For now, I'll be on the sofa, sipping hot chocolate and watching old movies.



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Laundry and Dishwasher Detergent Recipes

Last week I posted recipes on how to make your own cleaning products and received several emails from those wanting more info and possibly pictures. These are really simple recipes...I'm all about the simple way (: The photos should help you know what to expect as you're preparing your own detergents.

I know there are several recipes out there for liquid laundry detergent. I've tried all of them, but found the process took too much time, not to mention the space needed to hold large quantities of the stuff (: I prefer the dry detergent because it takes up less space and can be made within 10-20 minutes at the most!

Laundry detergent

• ¼ cup liquid castile soap
• 1 cup borax
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup washing soda

Use a fork to blend the liquid castile soap with one of the dry ingredients first. A hand pastry blender works even better and the process goes much faster. Then add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix.

Once all of the ingredients are added and the clumps have been blended out it should look like this.

Make as much as you need! I keep mine in this plastic container that fits perfectly above the washer.

1 Tablespoon does an entire load! If you have a really large load or one that’s extra grungy, use 2 Tablespoons.

I prefer not to use essential oils in the laundry detergent because the castile soap has such a beautiful scent all on its own. But feel free to add oils if you like. Just make sure they are clear oils, as those with any color will end up coloring your clothes. On my first batch I got a little trigger happy with the lemon essential oil and quickly found white towels to be a lovely soft yellow (: If you have a favorite essential oil, just add several drops on a cotton rag and toss it in the dryer with the clothes. Instant dryer sheet! Not only will your clothes smell great but the scent will fill your home too (depending on the location of your dryer).

Dishwasher detergent

• 1 cup borax
• 1 cup baking soda
• 10-20 drops of lemon, lavender or tea tree essential oil

Add borax and baking soda to the bowl. Then sprinkle essential oils on top and blend with a fork.

Store in an airtight container. I use this type and keep it under the kitchen sink. All it takes is 1 Tablespoon per load! Use vinegar instead of products like Jet Dry and pour into the rinse compartment of your dishwasher. Dishes come out sparkling!

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

The Simple Living Guide

When I first came across this book I couldn't help myself!! The title alone was drawing. But the more I read, the more I had to read (: It's a thoughtful and practical guide to simplifying busy lives and stresses that living simply is not about being frugal, living on a tight budget, or a modest income, but rather, being fully aware of what you're doing and why you're doing it.

Luhrs demonstrates through many real-life examples how you can redesign your life and learn to savor every moment. I'm about 1/4 of the way through and love the way she presents simplifying as a process. It's not something you do in one weekend and it doesn't happen overnight. Luhrs breaks things down into categories of life and discusses each one in detail. Topics include:

• Time
• Money
• Inner Simplicity
• Work
• Simple Pleasures and Romance
• Virtues
• Families
• Holidays
• Cooking and Nutrition
• Health and Exercise
• Housing
• Clutter
• Gardening and Travel

If your looking for a comprehensive guide to living the simple life, give "The Simple Living Guide" a try and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear about changes you're making to bring simplicity into your life.



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Building An Altar

The altar in my home is a sacred space where I go to meet God to meditate, pray and center myself before Bible study. For me setting up an altar has helped me to get in the zone. By simply going through the motions of lighting a candle and sitting in the same place, it jump starts things and takes less time to leave the outside distractions behind.

Now, I know when I say the word altar people immediately think of a wooden bench with candles and incense. It can be anything you would like it to be. Possibly a bench, ottoman, rug, your favorite cozy chair in a hallway nook, a tree in your garden or even a window sill. Just create a space that has special meaning for you...a space that is quiet and peaceful where you can hear that still small voice within.

"Okay. Now I have an altar...what am I supposed to put on it?" Again, anything you like. It's different for each individual. You might have candles, some cherished mementoes like river rocks collected on a walk with a loved one, favorite Bible study books, cd's with classical music, a prayer journal, note pad with goals jotted down, etc. Anything that brings in gratitude as well as items you might use during your Bible study times.

During many times in His life Jesus withdrew from His disciples and the crowds to be alone in prayer. He often went to solitary places like the mountainside or gardens for prayer, even very early in the morning while it was still dark. Jesus found it very important to be in undisturbed quietness so His soul would be ready for communion with His Father. Like Jesus, we too need to find that quiet place where we can be free from disturbance for often God does not shout His messages to us, but gently whispers His words of guidance.

So this week, find your place of solace. Build an altar where you can shut out the world to hear that still, small voice and connect your spirit.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." ~ Mark 1:35



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Week Three Update

For some reason Organization has been most of the focus this past week. I've started my hallway library project and can't believe the amount of magazines that were purged! Some I've had since 1997!!! I decided to only keep those from 2005 to present, except for my beloved Victoria and Cottage Living magazines. Cottage Living is no longer in print, and Victoria was out of print for a few years, but has since come back after popular demand. By eliminating magazines prior to 2005 I was able to free up an entire bookcase!! To prevent another collection from forming, I've decided to use the "1 in - 1 out" rule. If a new magazine is brought in, an old one must go out.

This same principle is great for clothing. Overhauling my bedroom closet made this quite clear. It's so wonderful to have a visually pleasing space. Adding more clothing, accessories and shoes would clutter up the clarity, so the "1 in - 1 out" rule will work wonders in keeping this area tidy.

More work in the studio progresses. I'll post before and after shots of the process, but right now it's a mess. Things are all over the place as I'm separating everything into categories. I keep reminding myself that things didn't get messy overnight and it will take time to get things in order. I've been working in sections of the room. Once that section is taken care of, then I move on to another section. This has greatly helped to prevent overwhelm.



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

An Organized Closet

There's nothing better than having an organized closet! I never really appreciated the significance of these closed spaces until I overhauled the one in my bedroom. It's amazing how the simple act of arranging clothing, shoes, bags and scarves in a pleasing way can start your day off right. Simplicity at its finest. The bedroom is my sanctuary. The rest of the home might be a mess, but if I start and end my day in an organized space, the rest of the day seems to fall into place. After installing a closet system I found getting ready was more fun than a chore. I know it may sound silly, but it almost feels like shopping without the added cost (:

I've always loved those custom closets that you see in decorator magazines, but thought the cost was out of this frugal gal's reach. That is until I found the Rubbermaid Configurable Closet Kit at Walmart! It's just over $100 and has more than doubled my storage space! You can also get the same kit from Amazon at a better savings for $91 and the shipping is free.

Living in an apartment offers a set of challenges when it comes to design and organization. Any alterations made must be returned to it's drab state once you leave. This closet kit was the perfect fit because it was very easy to install and can easily be removed. It only requires a few holes for the top horizontal rail and the vertical rails hang off of it. My closet is just over 4 feet wide and 22 inches deep, but this set expands up to 8 feet offering maximum flexibility. For additional storage, hanging shoe pockets were added on one door, 3M Scotch Removable Utility Hooks on the other as well as more hooks on the previously unusable inside slanted wall. These hooks alone hold 10 handbags, simply come off with a tug of the tab and don't leave any holes to fill!

Not only are my clothes, shoes and accessories organized, but I even have enough room to store a 13" TV! LOVE it! I've thought about painting the inside of the closet in a pistachio green for a pop of color, but that means I'll need to paint it white again when I leave. We'll see...another project for another day (: So if you're looking to simplify and create more storage, give this closet kit a try!



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

How to Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

Thank you for visiting The Homesteading Cottage. If you subscribe to our blog via RSS feed or email, you'll get helpful tips on simplicity, organization, all things DIY, natural cooking, entertaining, homesteading and emergency preparedness sent straight to you!

Making your own natural cleaning products can be one of the easiest steps to create a healthier home and save a ton of cash in the process. Think about all the cleaning products you buy, and if going green is important, these products can cost even more. Usually there's a different cleaner for every task, but if you stock just a few items you'll be able to tackle any job that pops up, and in a natural way!

There are so many books out now offering recipes and concoctions, but I suggest trying several simple recipes to get your feet wet. Below are a few essentials, many you might already have on hand.

• Baking soda
• Borax
• Distilled white vinegar
• Essential oils (lemon, lavender or tea tree)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Liquid castile soap
• Washing soda

Liquid dish detergent – Ratio of ½ liquid castile soap, ½ water, and 10-15 drops of lemon, lavender or tea tree essential oil.

Dishwasher detergent – 1 cup borax, 1 cup baking soda, 10-20 drops of lemon, lavender or tea tree essential oil. Use 1 tablespoon per load.

Dishwasher rinse – White vinegar. Use this instead of products like Jet Dry and pour into the rinse compartment of your dishwasher.

Laundry detergent – ¼ cup liquid castile soap, 1 cup borax, 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup washing soda. 1 tablespoon does an entire load! If you have a really large load or one that’s extra grungy, use 2 tablespoons.
I’ve found it’s best to blend the liquid castile soap with one of the dry ingredients first, using a fork. Then add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix. A hand pastry blender works really well if you have one.

I prefer not to use essential oils in the laundry detergent because the castile soap has such a beautiful scent all on its own. But feel free to add oils if you like. Just make sure they are clear oils, as those with any color will end up coloring your clothes. Or just add several drops of your favorite oil on a cotton rag and toss it in the dryer with the clothes. Instant dryer sheet!

Fabric Softener – ½ cup of distilled white vinegar. This is the best fabric softener and so easy! Yes, that’s it, just plain ol’ vinegar. Simply add it to the rinse cycle.

Vinegar also gets rid of urine odors – perfect for those who have little ones that wet the bed or pets who aren’t quite housetrained yet. Simply wash the load with ½ cup of vinegar and hot water. Then wash again with the laundry detergent and items come out fresh and clean!

Basic Cleaner – 16 oz of hot water and 1 oz of liquid castile soap. I use this to clean everything and always have some in a spray bottle! It also works as a floor cleaner. I use a steamer mop to clean our floors, but when I don’t want to drag it out, simply spray the Basic Cleaner on the floor and use a towel to wipe it up!

Another Multi-Purpose Cleaner – 16 oz of hot water, 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 10-15 drops of essential oils.

Window Cleaner – 16 oz of water, 2 oz of vinegar, ½ teaspoon of liquid castile soap and 10-15 drops of lemon, lavender or tea tree essential oil.

This also works as a great bathroom cleaner for the toilet, tub & shower since vinegar and tea tree essential oil kill mildew.

Vinegar can also be used on its own as a wonderful window cleaner.

Tub & Tile Scrub - Ratio of ½ water and ½ baking soda. Use a sponge or brush and scrub away! If you feel you need more “power” in the scrub, add a little liquid castile soap.

Bleach Alternative – Hydrogen peroxide makes a great bleach alternative.

Here are a few book recommendations to begin your natural cleaning journey:

• “Clean House, Clean Planet” by Karen Logan
• “Better Basics for the Home” by Annie Berthold-Bond
• “Clean & Green” by Annie Berthold-Bond

In Gratitude,

Post shared at Frugally Sustainable

New to The Homesteading Cottage?   Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Gaining Storage in Small Areas

When you live in a smaller space getting creative is essential. I was very fortunate to grow up in a home that had a small library filled with bookcases my father built. These walls were home to the classics, encyclopedias, dictionaries, fiction, nonfiction, research journals, children's books, poetry, records and just about anything you might need to travel within the mind.

The library has always been a place of solace for me. A space where anything is possible. Where knowledge is waiting to be embraced. A place that opens the door to new worlds and new experiences. Since that time I've wanted a library of my own, but with the current small digs I never imagined there might be room for it. I'm not really a gal that gives up and knew there had to be a way to dedicate a special spot for my beloved books. And as a matter of fact there was...

Welcome to my library...my messy library. Okay, it's actually not a library in the traditional sense, but a hallway 3.5 ft wide by 11 feet long leading to my studio. The right side of the hall used to be a long blank wall and the left side has one door to my bedroom and another to my bathroom. Here was this long blank wall in the hallway with no purpose...why not make it into mini library! Up popped four 11 inch deep bookcases I found on sale for $25 each and voila! Instant library. There's still plenty of walking room and most people don't even notice the hallway size has been reduced.

Now my new task is to turn it into something with a little more pizzazz. Right now books, journals, research materials, CD's, DVD's, magazines, as well as odds and ends are just being housed in the hall with no style or special placement. I'll do one last purge to make sure only needed and cherished items are kept and the rest will be donated. These photos are the "Before" and the "After" will be posted in the next week or so when the makeover is done.

(Sorry about the blurry photo)

Are there spots in your home that could be reclaimed and transformed into something new? Do you need more storage? Have a tiny space needing a new identity? Think out-of-the-box and embrace every ounce of square footage available...and don't leave out the walls. When there's no more floor room the walls are your best asset. And the most important thing...make sure the space reflects your spirit and have FUN!



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Week Two Update

Last week's focus areas were Health, Spirituality and Passion.

For Health I've added green smoothies to my morning breakfast routine. This is something I do quite often, but have not been diligent about having one every morning. My favorite recipe for a green smoothie is...

~ 1/4 cup goji berries
~ Frozen berries (any combination of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries)
~ 1 lemon
~ Plain yogurt
~ Honey to taste
~ TONS of baby spinach
~ Water to blend

I have meditation CD's that have been sitting my library for several years and now they're back out of the shadows to be used again. I begin each day with Bible study, prayer and meditation, but these CD's have helped take things to a whole new level.

I've also set up an altar. It's a sacred space where I go to meet God to meditate/pray and center myself before Bible study. For me setting up an altar has helped me to get in the zone. By simply going through the motions of lighting a candle and sitting in the same place it jump starts things and takes less time to leave the outside distractions behind. It could be your favorite chair, your bed, a quiet room of your home, even a simple rug in the corner of the room...anywhere! I'll post later this week on how to set up an altar for yourself.

Establishing a morning routine has affected two areas - Spirituality and Organization. Here's a great post by Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking. She discusses the "Maximize Your Mornings" ebook and how it works for her. So good! I immediately downloaded it and put it into action. It's made a huge difference in how my day flows.

I've always wanted to join a book club, but could never find one that was substantial...you know, not a fluffy kind of book club, but one that makes you think. When I found out my church was beginning a study of "The Shack" by William P. Young I immediately signed up. I'm so glad I did!! Not only is it a great place to meet new friends, but it reminds me of college days. I love to learn, especially with in-depth, out-of-the-box studies and this book club has not disappointed!!



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Prayers for Haiti

My heart has been burdened for the past several days with thoughts of Haiti....the devastation, the fear, the loss. I have dear friends from Haiti and the sadness at what those there are experiencing is overwhelming. But among those thoughts, hope rises to the top. We see videos of the devastation and then in the middle of the destruction we see groups of people gathered together in prayer and praise.

Please pray for the beautiful people of Haiti and their relatives around the world. For the children now with no mother and father, for the husband who has lost his wife, for the grandmother who doesn't know if her family will be found in the rubble, for the familes with no where to go, no water or food. Pray for the healing of broken bodies and hearts. Please pray for the country and that hope is not lost.

Pray that relief teams and supplies can get to Haiti as quickly as possible. Pray for the safety and security of relief workers and wisdom for those who are carrying out the relief efforts. Please pray for the BGEA (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) Rapid Response Team chaplains and Samaritan's Purse team members in Haiti as well as those en route. If you are looking for a way to help, prayerfully consider contributing to the BGEA Haiti Emergency Fund.

Week One Update

The first week of my year challenge went well. There were a few bumps along the way, but I was quite surprised that the list of desired accomplishments was followed. The focused areas were
Spirituality, Relationships, Health and Organization.

For my spiritual side I decided to begin a study series called "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul" by John and Stasi Eldredge" and am really enjoying it. I'm a thinker and sociologist at heart so this kind of study comes naturally. Of course my brother says I could analyze the word "hello" to death...I call it being observant (: I'm just getting started, but can see it moving deeper soon. We'll see if I'm so jovial about unveiling the mystery of my heart in the days to come. I also decided to join a Friday morning women's Bible study and it was wonderful!! I met a lovely group of ladies who made me feel right at home the moment I entered the room and I look forward to continuing the fellowship. There's nothing better than a group of gals getting together to worship and support each other.

The one bump in the road this week had to do with my relationship focus. Last week I wanted to begin a journey of seeking ways to honor my Mom each day. We've always had a strong but rocky relationship...it's because we're so much alike, but yet so different at the same time. We call it the "is it blue or green" syndrome. We can be saying exactly the same thing, but in two totally different ways. This leads to one thinking the other is not fully understanding what is being communicated. I may be saying "blue," but she's hearing "green" and vice versa (: I think it's a universal mother-daughter relational issue and Saturday was one of those times.

I asked God to show me ways to honor my Mother last week and an opportunity showed itself, but pride got in the way. I was in the right and wasn't about to apologize for holding my ground. Hum...How old am I? Now that's a mature way to open the channels of communication, eh? We resolved things and hopefully the next time (because there's always a next time on this lovely learning journey) honor will be the first response (:

Health last week was pretty simple...I made a mindful effort to drink water and take vitamins each day (lately I've been so slack on this!!). I also added rebounding to my exercise list plus increased dog walking an additional 5 minutes. I have a heel injury and have to really be careful to not do too much at one time. Breaking it up during the day helps.

Organization. This one has been such a challenge for me!! I'm a very organized person as long as things stay organized, but if things get in a mess it seems to take me forever to get things back under control. When my Mother, Grandmother and I moved in together we each brought three households to one 1200 square foot space. A storage unit became a fast friend (:

Since that time huge amounts of purging and donating have occurred and now Mom and I are sharing the same space. Grandmother's room has become my studio, but I haven't been able to get things together in there. I think totally changing the space is a reminder she's no longer here. But it's time to move on and so I started small by purging things from the studio, began redesigning the closet storage and donated books and magazine from my library. As this process continues I'll post photos of the progress.

New Year's Day Fun

New Year's Day was the first day in my New Life Plan journey and a busy one. Mom and I visited a friend of ours, Debbie, and spent most of the day laughing, talking and taking down Christmas decorations. I missed her Christmas party a few weeks back and did not want to miss the holiday splendor she puts up each year, so we decided to make a day of it including an organic healthy feast!

Debbie has the most beautiful home and it's such an inspiration!! Her haven is lovingly designed with a swirl of cherished heirlooms, hand-me-downs and new pieces that all fit together in a perfect blend. We had a ball looking at the "before" and "after" photos and the changes were remarkable. Debbie is so talented and a joy to be around.

Design inspires me and visiting her cozy haven started the wheels turning the minute I entered the space! But strangely enough it also gave a greater appreciation for my own home. I've been apartment living now for about 12 years and had no idea it would be this long, but no matter where my abode may be I try to make it my own with paint, accessories, art and love. Coming home after our visit solidified the fact that I had truly made this apartment into a home.

Debbie's house has so many of the things I'll be incorporating into my own one day right down to the gardens, hardwood floors and circle driveway. Sometimes when you come away from a space with such great design it can be pretty easy to look at your own digs and wish they were something else. But for the first time I looked around my apartment and realized it had become a home haven (a home that naturally reflects your true spirit). That evening I snuggled into the sofa with a blanket, a great book, with my sweet dogs by my side and felt blessed to be in such a lovely place.



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...