When someone visits your home the first thing they will notice is how it smells. Like I said before I am a sniffer. I sniff everything from a glass, before I drink from it, to the family room to make sure there are no unflattering, lingering scents. There are times when my house picks up the scents of my cooking and I don’t readily notice. So I make it a point to deodorize after cleaning.
There are plenty of commercial product on the market to extinguish offensive smells, but I would rather use ordinary everyday solutions.
If you have an offensive smell …read more

There never seems to be enough time in a day for me and I’m sure it is the same for you. I came to the conclusion recently that I needed to set up a time schedule for myself and it really helps. We all need to make the most of our available time in a way that is constructive.
Here are a few tips to help you spend your time wisely.
Create a schedule and stick to it. It will be hard to do at first, but will become easier; make it a habit.
Prioritize chores and activities daily. Do the …read more

Once again, I’ve been plumbing the wealth of knowledge available on the blogosphere. Here are some of the downright useful posts I’ve found:
* Find out how to make your own baking powder, brown sugar, coffee creamer, non-stick vegetable spray, sour cream, and potato chips over at Your Coupon Buddy.
* Creative ideas for making your own soap, stickers, finger paint, sidewalk chalk, also at Your Coupon Buddy.
* I love this collection of unique and creative sofa designs featured at Freshome.
* Here’s an easy recipe for Penne with Chicken, Spinach and Tomatoes with Balsamic Vinaigrette at Making a House a Home.
* …read more

It’s been a long time since I’ve taken you on a tour of b5media’s Lifestyles Channel. Once again, I found some really informative posts that will help us in our homemaking efforts.
* Marye, at Baking Delights, made some Old Fashioned Cloverleaf Rolls
* Cyndi shares her gelato experiments at Busy Family Meals
* What can you do with s’mores? Find out at Chocolate Bytes.
* Jennifer wants to know whether you’d toss unfolded towels in a pretty basket, to save time. Let her know at Declutter It.

We know that baking soda is extremely useful for cleaning around the house. But did you also know that it can also be used to:
* tenderize meat? Rub the meat with baking soda and let is sit in the refrigerator for 3-5 hours. Rinse before cooking.
* bake better beans? A pinch of baking soda will reduce the bloating and gas that results from consuming baked beans.
* make omelets fluffier? For every 3 eggs, add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
* deodorize your garbage can? Use a a wet paper towel dipped in baking soda to clean the inside of the trash can. …read more

There have been reminders going my way about the coming school year: back-to-school sales, which I’ve been taking advantage of, as you should; my son’s list of things to bring to the first day of class. Everything he needs would fit nicely in a backpack. Not so for the college student, especially one who will live away from home for the first time.
To help you along, here’s a list of basic essentials:
For your comfort:bedsheets (at least 2 sets, one to use and one to launder)pillowsblanketsbed risers (to increase under-bed storage)mattress pad/coveralarm clockfannight lightpajamasstorage containers

Thanks to everyone who threw their names into the hat to win a 1-year subscription to Domino magazine!
I picked the winning comment using random.org. And the number that was picked was:

#85! Congratulations to Patti!
PattiJul 30, 2008 at 6:26 pm
This magazine is wonderful. I’ve picked it up a few times, but don’t subscribe! Thanks for the chance!

I hope you enjoy this magazine as much as I do. I will send you an email about the details.

I’ve been reading some useful info at several blogs today. Here are some, which I know you’ll enjoy too!
* 101 green changes to save some green (written for small business owners, but totally applicable to the home) at Greener Assets
* No-bake Mango Griddle Scones from Baking Delights
* Turn old uniforms into a cool diaper bag, at Craftster (thanks to Tangled Thread!)
* 30 ways to use baskets for storage at Declutter It

Even coffee-makers are smarter these days. As example is the Braun Tassimo Coffee Maker can deliver coffee, tea, espresso, hot chocolate, cappuccinos and lattes. Discs containing measured ingredients for your drink of choice are brewed perfectly each time. The secret are barcodes in the discs. The machine reads the barcode and knows the temperature, amount of water, and brewing time needed for the perfect beverage.
Products like this take the guesswork out of the perfect cup of coffee, or tea.
Spotted at Macy’s.
affiliate links

Working from home presents certain challenges with regards to separating work and family life. To maximize productivity, it’s best to set aside an area for storing files, references, and projects, as well as actually doing the work you need to do. The best solution is to have an entire office or at least, a dedicated desk and a set of shelves.
As a blogger and an at-home mom, I not only work from home, but I’m also highly mobile within my home. Sometimes, the place where I work is my own choice, but there are times when it is dictated …read more