Lemon Juice

I've recently discovered the amazing cleaning powers of lemon juice. You can add it to many different concoctions to clean washing machines, grout, etc. The best use I've found for it so far is cleaning microwaves. It's great because it requires hardly any effort or elbow grease at all. Just stick one 1/2 cup lemon juice in your microwave for about 5 minutes. Then simply take it out and wipe all the steam left behind with a paper towel. It's amazing how easy and effective it is! Now, for a real mess with baked on globs of food this may not be the ticket (although it would probably help to loosen up and moisten those stains). For weekly microwave cleaning, this is exactly what I need! 

Just chillin'

Here's a good tip

Need a good way to get the nasty stains off of your grout? Use a paste of lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda and let it sit on the grout for about 30 minutes. Come back and scrub it off with a toothbrush. I know because I did this last week and, although it took some time, the result was completely worth it. My tile shower wall looks new again!

Use your leftover lemon juice to brighten up your whites. 1/4 to 1/2 cup will make them look brand new as well. I can now tell my husband to grab a white towel and he won't respond with "But all I see is beige!". 

The two loves of my life.

Still here.

It's been quite a while since I've had time to post or work on the list of things I'd like to make. If you've ever had a teething baby then you know what I'm talking about. Here's a couple things I managed to get done.

Definitely not one of my better creations, but easy and quick to make and something I was really in need of. This was originally the extra piece of cardboard they always stuff behind calendars when you first buy them. As you can see, I'm trying to make good use of the chalkboard paint sitting in my closet as well as the roll of ribbon I bought on sale at Michael's. The left side of the menu board is quite sloppy, but that's mostly due to my horrible handwriting. I always hoped God would bless me with beautiful penmanship. Alas, I take after my dad. 

Finally got around to making my make-up box that will eventually have a matching hanging jewelry box next to it. Again, you'll note the use of the chalkboard paint and my attempt at making the word "make-up" look pretty. It's hard to write with chalk! The rope design is on both sides to go along with the nautical theme around the house.

I'm the creepy lady standing at her window taking pictures. And they could be of you.

I call this "The Spiky Ball". 

The following pictures sum up my weekend

Closet organization

Before:

After:

Steak, mashed potatoes and salad

 (With A1 sauce. YUM!)

Hanging with these handsome boys

Never find yourself without vinegar. Ever.

A misty Washington morning.

It needs some definite perfecting and practice, but I'm a fan of the Sock Bun Curl. Here's the result.

..........

I want to share two floor cleaner recipes I've found to be the absolute best. If you've never tried making your own cleaner I highly recommend giving it a whirl. I was shocked at how much better it cleaned, got rid of nasty pet/food odors and was able to get out any stain I've ever had (including dried up paint that had been stuck to my kitchen floor for months).

No-Rinse Floor Cleaner Recipe

Fill bucket with hot water. Throw in 1/4 cup white vinegar. If you have any essential oils you'd like to add, 15 drops is about right.

Heavy Duty Floor Cleaner Recipe

Fill bucket with hot water. Pour 1/2 cup each of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol or vodka. Add 2 tablespoons liquid dish soap and 15 drops essential oil (if you have any - definitely not a must). If you want to make sure no odor, bacteria or stain survives toss a 1/4 cup of baking soda in there as well. Stir it all up and rinse with hot water afterwards!