Practical Tip Tuesday

It is Tuesday already... And another Practical Tip Tuesday is going on over HERE. Check it out and add tips if you can!

My tip for today has to do with your cupboard's inventory. I know there have been times when I know I have like 20 of something in my cupboard, so I use it week after week, never really paying attention to how much is left each time. And then one week, I go to the cupboard expecting to see it, and it isn't there! I know you all have done it.

My solution is to do an inventory. First, you need to be organized. Don't just throw everything into a cupboard and hope for the best. Keep all of the canned veggies together, all of the canned meats together, fruits together, all of the condiments together, etc. Then, go HERE to Organized Home and print off their Pantry Inventory Sheet (they also have them for the freezer!). Fill it out! It may take a while, so do it when you have some time!

When I did this I realized that I was running out of certain things that I really had no idea I was. This will save you money in the long run, because if you know you have 1 ketchup in the cupboard, you watch for it to go on sale, instead of having to go out and buy it and pay full price when you NEED it.

Check it out! You will be glad you did!

Practical Tip Tuesday

Last night, my boy Caden got hurt, and I had to put frozen corn on his eye. So, he got really cold. My solution was to take a rice bag or "the warm" and give him one to warm him up.

I have made several of these bags. And they are very easy (easier if you have a sewing machine or access to one), and my boys love to use them all the time.

Basically, it is a rice bag that you can stick in the microwave (or lay on the top of your pellet stove!), heat up and it will keep you warm. I use them when I get so chilled from being outside that I just can't seem to get warmed up. I heat one of these up and stick it around my neck. These can also be put in the freezer and used for an ice pack (I need to make this, because I DO need ice packs frequently...).

To see how to make one, go here...

To see other Practical Tips, go to Practical Tip Tuesday HERE...

Cleaning Hardwood Floors

I have hardwood floors, and I have tried in the past to find a solution that works to safely clean them, without leaving a streaky, mucky looking film. Yeah, well. It's been to much avail. Products at Wal-mart and such just don't cut it.

When I had laminate wood, and now with my hardwood (with a shiny varnish), I use vinegar, water and small bit of rubbing alcohol. I actually get down on my hands and knees with a soft cloth, and I scrub it! I would like to invest in a Libman mop, the kind that you can take the mop head off and throw into the wash. That way I am not spreading dirt and germs around like I would be with a regular mop, used over and over.

I also did some research on the Internet and found that black tea, lemon juice and ice mixed together then cleaning your floors with it, really leaves a nice looking floor. I have yet to try it.

But the vinegar/water/ rubbing alcohol mixture works well for me. I also found one person out of hundreds warning NOT to use the mixture because it could MAKE scratches in your floor. But they were also trying to peddle their own product too.

So, try it. IF you have hardwood or a laminate wood floor, I love that this solution really cleans well, and doesn't leave a filmy residue.

Sidenote: I also read OVER AND OVER, Do NOT use Orange Glo to clean your floors, person after person have been horrified of the streaky mess left behind. Just search for it (in your Swagbucks!) and see what you come up with!

Go visit HERE, for more practical tips!

Practical Tip Tuesday

I am going to be participating every Tuesday in Practical Tip Tuesday over HERE. Check it out if you would like to participate!


My practical tip is to start your own garden and flower plants inside! I have not yet done this. But this is going to be my first year!


You know when you go to a greenhouse in April or May, and want to buy a flat of flowers, you are gonna spend some money. And there are always some really neat ones that don't come in the flats and you have to buy it separate and spend MORE money.


Well, this year, I am going to buy seed, and plant them indoors, myself!

I don't have fancy equipment. But I have read that you can start with an egg carton, and some dirt!


You start planting your seeds inside 4-6 weeks before the last frost in your area. In my area, it was April 26th, last year. To look up your area, go here.


You need to pick out what you are going to plant. And you can either order from one of the hundreds of seed catalogs you get in the mail, or go to your local garden center. I usually get mine at Menard's!


So, you have your seed. Now you need dirt! Some places I have looked say any dirt is fine, some say it needs to be "good" dirt. So, I think I am going to get some that is specified as potting soil. I will take my egg carton(s), and fill the little cups with dirt. Then, plant my little seeds according to the direction on the package. You can also write on your egg carton what seeds you have planted in where, or when you planted, or whatever other info you need to remember for the plants.


For watering, I will probably get a spray bottle. They say not to drowned the seeds/plants, so taking a spray bottle with room temperature water, would work the best.


Location: set your egg carton in a sunny, warm location, like a south facing window.


A week before you want to plant your plants outside, set the carton outside during the day to "harden" the plants. Bring them in at night. Then after about a week, your plants should be ready to go in the ground or in planters!


I am excited to save a little money and get some different plants! Have fun! This would also be a great activity to do with your kids! Have them help!