3 Simple Ways To Keep A Care-Free Home

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays with their loved ones. I spent this holiday season at home, cooking new and old recipes with my family. In that down time, I reflected on how peaceful and calm a home can be when everything is in it’s place and when we have the time to spend simply being there. The New Year is often associated with a fresh start, and so I wanted to share my simple steps for keeping a care-free home year round:

1.  Remove clutter

My general rule is that if you don’t use something for six months to a year, you don't need it. (Holiday decorations excluded, of course!) Nowadays there are so many places to donate unwanted items where they will be given to people in need. 

Another great way to remove clutter is to get rid of or donate something old when you get something new. This is especially helpful to make room for new clothes, new books, or even new household items that make old ones obsolete. 

With these two strategies, you will always know what you have and what you need, and your home won’t feel too crowded with extra junk. I always get compliments on how “clean” my home looks, simply because it’s clutter-free!

2.  Organize

Once you’ve removed the extra clutter, it’s time to organize. Those items you no longer need will go into three piles: donate, trash, and storage. For storage, you will need a box or bin to place the items in. Label it and then this can go in a closet, the garage, or under your bed. 

My home memory boxes are plastic bins labeled with a black marker. My daughters have one for birth through middle school, high school through college, and after college. All their special items are there for them to look back on and cherish. I also have bins for family photographs and heirlooms. We keep most of these bins in the garage, but special items go in the closet.

For items you need to access daily, you can get drawer and closet organizers, shelves, and bins, depending on the size of your space. You can even use old laptop boxes or shoe boxes to organize within drawers. 

3.  Have a schedule

Once your home is clutter-free and organized, it will be a lot easier to actually get work done! Creating a schedule will help keep your household running as efficiently as possible. 

I keep a schedule for chores like laundry, changing bed sheets, grocery shopping, and even cooking meals. Each chore has a designated day or time. This schedule makes it so much easier to navigate my week—I don’t have to worry about those chores on the days they aren’t designated, which leaves me time for all of my other endeavors, be them work or social.

And remember, these steps are not necessarily a one-time deal. I do them whenever life starts to feel more hectic or when my family begins to accumulate more items than usual. It’s a constant cycle, but one that leaves more time to enjoy the simple joys of life!

REVERSE TRICK-OR-TREATING

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, not because of the costumes or parties, but because of the joy on the trick-or-treaters’ faces when I hand out the candy. When my girls were younger, I always planned ahead, buying the big candy bars to set me apart from the other houses on the block. I was known as the house that gave out the best candy!

But now my girls are grown and I live in a neighborhood with few children. So I decided if no one would come to my house to trick-or-treat, I would bring the fun to them. I call it “reverse trick-or-treating,” which is exactly as it sounds. I still go to the store and buy those big candy bars, but I also search for cute bags and age-appropriate toys. I make a bag for each special kid in my life, complete with a festive card so they know who it’s from. When halloween rolls around, I drop off the bags and revel in their priceless reactions.  

Such a simple twist on an old tradition that brings such joy to both me and the recipients!

SAILING WITH A SIDE OF COLESLAW

When my girls were young, we spent many weekends and holidays on my parents' sail boat. While going sailing and spending time with my mom and dad was fun, my main reason for going was more of a safety matter—to make sure they did not hurt themselves or someone else. You see, my dad was a self-taught sailor; he read how-to books and learned by experience. And my mom did not know how to swim! So when I found out they bought a sail boat, my elation was overshadowed by my worry. 

I was all for them having a hobby in their life, but my dad tended to gravitate toward extreme sports. I imagined my parents’  sailboat heeling over, Dad whooping in adrenaline-pumping delight and Mom hanging onto the railing for dear life.

So my family of four trailed along on the days they set sail. My daughters loved these warm days, when they could sit on the edge of the boat and dangle their feet over the water.

Once my dad gained his sea legs and knowledge of sailing, we eventually began to relax and enjoy picnic lunches or BBQ dinners on the boat. We always had some kind of a protein as a main dish and, usually, my mom's coleslaw. It was by far my favorite dish--simple, fresh, and easy to prepare. And it always added a nice crunch to the meal. 

As 4th of July approaches, I find myself craving my mom's dish and am planning to serve it in her honor as we honor the amazing country we live in!

Mom's Coleslaw

1 head of green cabbage, shredded

1 half of head of purple cabbage, shredded

2 carrots, grated

Mix and place in a big bowl or container

Dressing

1 cup of Mayonnaise

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup white vinegar

Mix together in a bowl or jar

If eating later, keep slaw and dressing separate and mix together right before serving.

MOM'S HOT (AND COLD) CHOCOLATE

I was one of those kids who did not like milk. My mom begged and pleaded with me to drink the three or four recommended glasses of milk a day. Over and over again she told me, “Milk has calcium in it and will make your bones strong.” Like many kids, I didn’t care. Milk made me gag! 

Mom was always into nutrition. She held out on extra sugar, wanting her kids to have as wholesome a diet as possible. One morning, she gave up and offered me her homemade hot chocolate. Well, what can I say—It worked! I drank down that decadent chocolate-flavored milk in just a few minutes.  

From that day on, she started making large batches of the hot chocolate. After an experiment, we discovered I also liked it cold. So she poured the leftovers into a glass container and popped it into the refrigerator. Hence, no more problems getting me to drink milk!

When my girls were little, she did the same for them, with an extra special touch of using her beautiful tea cup collection to hold their delicious chocolatey treat. On special occasions, Mom would add some marshmallows in a variety of sizes. 

Simple Hot Chocolate

5 ounces finely chopped chocolate (pick your favorite dark, milk, or semi sweet variety)
2 cups milk of your choice (whole, almond, coconut, goat, or soy) 

Heat milk in medium sized sauce pan. 

When milk is warm, whisk in chocolate.

Stir until all combined.

You can cool and rewarm it for later enjoyment or drink it chilled.

THE PERFECT SUGAR COOKIE

Sugar cookies are like a blank slate. You can eat them plain and hand-shaped, or use cookie cutters and embellish them with elaborate decorations using frosting, candies, sprinkles or chocolates. If given the chance, sugar cookies can cater to everyone. Even our pugs love these cookies, though we only give them a bite!

The sugar cookie has been a tradition in my family for generations. Probably because, at its heart, it is a comfort cookie. It is simple, sweet—but not too sweet, and feeds the whole family. My mom, the perfectionist that she was, loved this recipe because she could execute it so precisely with careful measuring and cookie cutters, but it was also kid-friendly so she could have fun with me and my sister, and later her grandchildren.  Mom’s memory is a part of both the cookie and the cookie-making process, so it is one we continue to carry on and cherish.

Sugar Cookies

While this recipe is easier with a KitchenAid mixer, you can also mix it by hand.

Ingredients:

1 egg
1 Tbsp milk
1 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
3 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder

1. Mix the butter and sugar until blended. 

2. Add in the rest of the wet ingredients. Mix well.

3. Add dry ingredients. 

Once blended, form dough into a ball. If the dough is sticky, let it chill in the refrigerator for an hour—or overnight if you want to prepare them ahead of time.

Preheat the over to 400 degrees F.

Now you have three options:

1. Hand-form it:

Form the dough into smaller balls and flatten them. 

2. Cut it up:

Roll the dough into a log and cut it into 1/2 inch slices.

3. Roll it out:

1. Cover a small portion of your counter with flour (I put down a large non-stick baking liner on the area first for easy clean up). 

2. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into a large, flat square. It can technically be as thick as you want, but I’ve found around 1/2 inch is the perfect thickness.

3. Press cookie cutters onto the dough and carefully peel your shapes from them. 

4. Once you’ve made as many shapes as you can, re-roll the remaining dough into a ball and roll it back out to make more. 

5. Repeat until there is almost no dough left. 

5. Hand-form the remaining bit of dough into a circle or fun shape of your liking—this always becomes the sample cookie out of the oven!

Then:

1. Using a spatula, carefully place these cookies onto a greased baking sheet or use a non-stick baking liner on top of the sheet. 

2. Bake for 10 minutes maximum. 

3. Remove from oven when the edges start turning a golden brown. 

I watch my cookies continually to make sure they do not burn at the edges, but some family members love them burnt! This recipe makes a few batches, so experiment with how long you keep them in the oven to see which ones you or your family like best.

Let them cool and use a spatula to place cooked cookies on parchment or wax paper, or even just a paper towel on the counter.

Then enjoy plain or decorate! 

A HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT

When I was a little girl, trick or treating was simpler. My sister and I would throw on our homemade halloween costumes—always something we could move freely in—grab a pillowcase from my mom, and run around the entire neighborhood until our bags were bursting with candy, popcorn balls, cookies, gum or whatever treats the household we approached chose to give away that year. My parents felt no concern over our safety, or that harm would come to anyone who wondered the sidewalks and streets that night. They never had to look for open candy that might have been tampered with, or worry that someone would give us anything dangerous.

Unfortunately, times have changed. The concern of safety is on every parent's minds. So we adapt and create a safe environment in which to have trick or treat fun. 

When my girls were young, I would have pre-trick-or-treating parties at my home, inviting all our friends to wear costumes and come by for a halloween themed dinner and treats. After the meal, kids and parents could trick-or-treat around our neighborhood and then come back to eat more treats and play some games.

One year my husband and I decorated our house like a haunted house, which suited the grey, Cape Cod style. I bought a gigantic spider to sit on the porch bench beside the front door with cobwebs all around. My husband carved and painted foam gravestones with silly sayings (i.e. here lies Bird Rock Betty who took a long walk off a short jetty). And while everyone trickled into our home, we played scary music. Both parents and kids laughed and enjoyed the evening while trick-or-treaters knocked at our door. I responded with a bowl of various candies for their picking. 

Behind the trick-or-treaters came a cheerful family with Australian accents. After yelling "Trick or Treat,” they walked in and joined our party. The night went on, everyone enjoying themselves, I noticed this family nibble on the scattered snacks and use our restroom so they could continue their journey comfortably. After the party ended and I was picking up the house, I asked my husband who the family with the accent was.  He said, he had no idea and thought I knew them. And I told him I thought he knew them! What else could we do, but laugh that perfect strangers had indulged in our home at our party.

Years went by, and my husband and I were grocery shopping. A lady approached us and said, with an Australian accent, “You are the people who had the wonderful halloween party. We had so much fun. Thank you for it.”  Then she walked away. My husband and I looked at each other and just started laughing. I couldn’t help, but wonder how many other parties they went to...

CRAB CAKES WITH A TWIST

Most crab cakes served at restaurants are heavily bread and fried. For me the thick coating takes the flavor away from the best part of the dish—the crab! So I always love it when I find a crab cake with a lighter flare to it. Since they are few and far between  I decided to try and create my own version. I bake it instead of frying it, and leave out the egg yolk from the egg for a healthy, simple twist.

16 ounces of Lump Crab
2 egg whites
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
8 ounces of yellow corn (I use frozen, so of course defrost before adding to mixture.)
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Mix all the ingredients together in bowl (except olive oil) until you can form mixture into a ball.  You do not want the ingredients to separate, so you may need to add an extra egg white, or a tad of water depending on how easy it is to handle.

Form the crab mixture into individual balls. If the cake is going to be used as a meal, make the ball about the size of a plum. If it is going to be used as an appetizer, make them the size of an apricot. 

Once the ball is formed, flatten it slightly with your hands. Carefully place onto lined cookie sheet.  Repeat until all crab mixture is used.  

Space each cake one inch apart.  Lightly sprinkle on each cake a little olive oil.  Just enough to help the cake get a crunchy texture.

Place the sheet in the oven and watch them as they cook. You’re looking for brownness (how dark is to your liking.) Take the cakes out of the oven and, using a spatula, carefully flip them over.  Place the sheet back in the oven until the second side is the same color as the first. Using the spatula place the crab cakes on a plate.

Serve with an aioli sauce, cocktail sauce, or Thousand Island dressing. I put a dot of the desired sauce on the top of each cake.  Also, if there are left overs, you can wrap the cakes individually in a plastic bag and place them in the freezer so you can defrost and enjoy them another time.

ENJOY!

LIFETIME FAVORITE DRESS

As a little girl, I loved to go shopping with my mom and help her pick outfits to wear to upcoming parties and events. Every morning she woke up and, before she left her bedroom, applied her make up, perfected her hair style and put on an outfit that matched to a tee. Whether that particular day called for working in her office, helping my dad with his business, volunteering at a hospital or our local aquarium, doing household chores and caring for my sister and I, or a fun once-in-a-while lunch date and golf with her girl friends, she always had the perfect outfit.

When I think back about my mom’s outfits, one in particular has stayed with me. One afternoon she took me shopping at our local indoor shopping mall, at a store called Judy’s. I was about seven years old, so I was too small to wear any of the clothes, but because it was my mom’s favorite store, it was also mine. The walls and floors were covered with clothing in a variety of colors and prints. Fun pants, tops, dresses, purses, shoes—Everything a girl could want!

On this day my mom had a dinner party to attend, so she was searching for a cute dress and, of course, we found it; a white sixty’s style number with bright orange polka dots. The sleeves were short, barely covering the top of her shoulders and it was layered with one inch pleats that ran from the dresses neckline to its hemline. It was a mini dress and my mom looked great in it. 

I remember that dress hanging at the end of the rack in her closet for years after. After mom’s passing I went looking for our favorite dress, but could not find it. So it I cherish the memory of finding it with her, a favorite dress now a favorite memory.

BE PREPARED

When my daughters were young, my mother-in-law gave me a very important piece of advice: always keep a bag of emergency items in the trunk of the car. Everything from diapers and towels to protein bars and water bottles—items that may come in handy during bad traffic, a car breakdown, an unforeseeable sleepover at a friend’s house, or even a spontaneous trip to the beach. The mother-in-law bag ensured my family and I were always prepared.

Over the years I have encouraged my husband and daughters to do the same, and have extended this preparedness to include stocking up on any medications we may need day-to-day. I keep them in a coin zipper purse and either carry it with me in my larger purse or keep it in the center console of my car. I continually update these medications, everything from vital prescription medicine to over-the-counter pain killers. The drug store sells tiny ziplock bags, about an inch wide, that you can use to separate each type of medicine and then label so there’s no confusion over which white capsule is which. No matter where you are or what may happen, this is an easy way to ensure you have what you need to care for yourself and others, if necessary.

While I use my mother-in-law bag in some capacity every day, there is one day that I was beyond thankful I had it in my trunk. My oldest daughter and I were driving through our neighborhood, not far from home. As we came around the bend we passed a young teenage boy sitting over an elderly man in the middle of the street. Upon second glance, we realized the man had been on his bicycle and the boy had run over him in his truck. I pulled our car over to the curb and my daughter and I ran over to them. The boy was so upset he could not think and the man was in shock. 

I asked if the boy had called 911 and he hadn’t, so that was first on the list. Then my daughter ran to our trunk and retrieved my mother in law bag. I rolled up the man’s pant leg, which revealed an awful break in his lower leg with the bone showing through his skin. I wrapped above this area with first aid gauze from my bag to help stop the bleeding. We carefully moved him onto one of our blankets and covered him with another. 

While we did all this, my daughter and I talked to both the boy and the man, trying to keep them calm. I attempted to get information, like who the man was and where he lived. My daughter consoled the boy and had him call his parents. 

As the paramedics came to the scene, I gave them the information we had and what had happened. Then we stepped back and let them do their wonderful work, so grateful for the items from my mother-in-law bag.

AN OFFICE CAN BE ANYWHERE

Originally built as a guest house, my home was designed for ultimate practicality and comfort. Each of its rooms fulfills all my family's needs. Yet as I started writing my book, I found it lacked just one space: an office. 

For me, the kitchen is spiritually the heart of our home, and gave me a good energy for writing. So I happily used my kitchen's island counter as a writing space. Yet I needed somewhere close by to keep supplies for working and daily life. 

Tucked just beyond the kitchen in the transition space to the dining room is a cabinet. It is just steps away from my "writing desk."  So as I wrote, I added to my cabinet. Many piles began collecting inside its closed doors.

One day my daughter came home and opened the cabinet. She was in shock at how much stuff I had crammed inside “my office."  She told me I needed to organize it. I was hesitant because it was organized to me—I knew what lay in every nook and cranny—and yet I could not deny she was right. So off we went to the store  to buy separators and organizers for my office space. 

We spent a few hours going through the cabinet’s contents, threw out piles of obsolete papers and unnecessary objects, and created spots for the rest. 

My cabinet and my counter top combined are now the perfect office space. Now It is so easy to find what I need in a snap. And when I put away my notebooks and laptop and shut the cabinet doors, no one would ever be the wiser of what I really use the space for!

FUN AT THE FAIR

Everyone knows when the fair comes to town! The set up takes days, sometimes weeks. Enough time to circulate talk and excitement. Some people plan weeks in advance the exact day they’re going, others wake up and decide, “today’s the day!” Whether on break from school or playing hooky at work, the fair is worth fitting in. Even if you aren’t big on crowds, give it one more try. It’s hard to regret attending a fair!

There is a sense of community as you walk through the entrance. Others moving along with you, smiles wide across their faces, experiencing the same joy of exploring. The environment overwhelms the senses; colorful back drops, enticing smells and flavorful tastes from the crazy foods offered, musical bands and performers perched in different corners, the abundance of things you can buy, carnival games that catch your attention as you walk by. If you are lucky maybe you win a prize. Although, in the past, my husband has given up on winning the prize and haggles with the game attendant! Sometimes it works, and our girls would happily hug their giant bear or monkey for the remainder of the day. Your fair also might have a tarot card reader where you can experience the sixth sense.  

Attending a fair is like entering a time warp, the hours fly by. Somehow, eventually, you’ll find your way to the exit, the fun exhausted out of you. As you leave, notice all those walking in to begin their journey of fun in the open air. Happiness and anticipation on their faces, content and ease on yours. When you get home, rest and reminisce over your fun day at the fair. 

NOT YOUR ORDINARY POTATO CHIP

Self-made traditions are one of the best joys in life. As my girls were growing up, we always enjoyed eating what we call "the curly chips” from the chip bag. These were the chips that folded over during the baking process. We loved the extra crunch they gave, that just couldn’t be beat by layering a few chips together. 

I would put aside some of these curly chips and, when I packed their school lunches, sandwich one chip carefully between a folded napkin inside of a plastic bag. This ensured the chip didn’t break before their lunchtime, and it quickly became a gesture to let my girls know I loved them and was thinking about them.  

One day in years past, I came across a curly chip and decided to mail it to my daughter who was attending a university out of state. I went to the store and found the perfect little box, took it to the post office and found some light weight bubble wrap to keep it safe. It had just enough room to gently hug the ever-so-important curly chip—because the goal was to get the chip to her in its perfect condition. That was the thought in the back of my mind: do not let the chip break! For this was the real gift; the gift of extra thought, and extra love, which makes the chip’s journey the real message.

Nowadays, an unbroken curly chip saved for a family member or friend is the ultimate way we show love and affection. It can have no rough edges or imperfections along its edge. It must be in perfect curly shape and form. When I get my new bag of chips the first thing I do is search for a few curly chips. I set them aside and begin deciding who I am going to give them to.

After you do this a few times, everyone catches on, and you soon see curly chips appearing around you. My daughter’s best friend sometimes texts her a picture of a curly chip—and the thought works just the same. This gives us such a simple, easy way to spread our positive energy. The person who receives this curly chip can't help but smile and feel good.  

SITTING POOLSIDE

My husband had a business conference in the same city where my best friend lives, so I decided to go with him and create what I called my own underground conference. I enjoyed the environment of the hotel, did some writing and visited with my friend.

Rather than a single tall building, the hotel spanned across a flat expanse of land, where short buildings were arranged in a circle with a pool in the center. Because there were multiple pools, some of them, ours included, sat vacant the entire few days we were there. I’m not much of a swimmer, but the serene, uninhabited (and incredibly hot desert) environment beckoned me. So I took the opportunity to use the pool in a different way.

I grabbed a towel and a bottle of water, and headed outside. I laid the towel flat on the edge of the pool, took off my sandals and sat down. Then I pulled my pant legs up and put my bare feet into the cool water. My feet sat just below the water’s surface enjoying every ripple that flowed over them. A calm feeling settling over me as I basked in the sun, felt th wind on my face, and listened to the silence. I sat in solitude for quite a while and when I finally went inside, felt refreshed.  

Even if the pool you find is busy, I bet you can find a little spot on its edge and enjoy, no bathing suit needed, just your bare feet. 

CALLING ALL ANIMAL LOVERS

No matter how busy we get, we always find time for our animals. These loving creatures add so much depth to our lives and souls. Their non-judgmental, unconditional love is a precious gift and an important life lesson. It’s probably why I always love those who care for animals and share them with others. 

One of my favorite pastimes is going to my local specialty pet store or, for larger animal friends like horses, a tack and feed store. Even if I do not need to buy anything for my little creatures at home, I sometimes stop in simply to browse the space. I take deep, slow breaths, smelling the amalgam of leather accessories, plastic toys and treats—the smell that only animal lovers understand. 

Each visit I purchase my family’s horses' favorite yummy treat: a grain, molasses muffin with a peppermint candy pressed onto its top.  It made me so happy to discover them and also makes me happy to watch our horses love every bite of these treats.

Being around, not only these animals and stores, but also a stable or animal shelter can be a major stress reliever.  My oldest daughter was away at college and was a bit home sick.  She grew up riding horses and realized she missed this hobby in her life. So she researched and found a local horse stable, and began spending time at this stable; helping them cleaning the horse stalls and doing a bit of riding. She also just enjoyed sitting around the stable and, believe it or not, just taking deep breaths of the stables. The smell gave her memories of her childhood and helped her de-stress from her rigorous class schedule and workload.  These moments definitely helped her get through her college education away from home.

Never hesitate to stop what you are doing in your day and visit one of your favorite animal-related sites for pure enjoyment.

COLORS OF FREEDOM

A Poem

We awake on this special day

To shining light

With special thanks to more than just our land.

On the outside are three colors.

On the inside are all colors.

 Colors that stand singularly.

As this land surrounds them and protects them,

These colors blend and spread.

Mothered by this land.

Its water.

Its air.

Its dirt.

A land that wants to nurture.

Standing strong from its first special day.

Now with each anniversary of that date.

Growing from the inside out,

And the outside in.

Its unconditional love that protects.

With each anniversary of this special date

Are reminders of the need for protection.

Those blended colors within need stand strong with this land.

These blended colors within must protect this land’s three colors.

In doing so this land and its colors 

Will be free to be.

Happy Fourth of July