When Homeschooling went from frustrating to beautiful part 2

I firmly believe in long luxurious Saturday mornings.
A third cup of coffee?  Yes please.
Still in jammies at 9:30 am,
 perched at the window taking in a swath of forest in quiet contemplation suits me just fine.
The rest of the family know it is a more relaxed, hushed morning.
 The teens sleep in.
Our littles have anticipated, plotted and planned what creative play
these carefree hours will hold.
Eventually, I will make a big, lavish brunch of warm comfort food.
Saturdays are defined by order and structure
 that become a standard of living 
which breathes life
 and beauty into our home.

Order and beauty.

The question was posed to me a few weeks ago:
 "Just how did you  transform your home schooling into something beautiful?"

We began with a new vision for raising our children.
  First, we endeavored to live a life of nurturing. (part 1)

Secondly, seeing that our children had met the necessary educational standards
 suddenly became not enough,
 and, not even the point.
 What was our reason for home schooling anyway?
This must be determined.
Without a goal, there is nothing to aim at.
"Where there is no vision, the people perish."
(Proverbs 29:18)
We determined that what was most important to us is
that our children would grow in refinement, in knowledge, in strength,
in wisdom, in patience, gentleness, kindliness, in physical vigor,
 and be trained in all that would make them true and noble men and women.

Obviously, it would take more than a good working knowledge of math, English and science.

Our definite purpose
 is that of training, building up, and sending out people
filled with lofty ideas and aspirations,
governed by principles of honor
 and outfitted to embark upon the duties and struggles of life
 with wisdom and faith.

So, what kind of culture would produce such results?

Again, we turned to the rich wisdom of J.R. Miller in the book "Homemaking."
"There is nothing in all the influences
 and surroundings of the home so small 
that it does not leave its touch of beauty 
or of marring
 upon the life. Wherever a child grows up
 it carries in its character 
the subtle impressions of the home in which it lives."

 Wow. Oh my.
 Wow.
This would not be a task easily attained,
 and it would take everything we have to make it happen,
 and alot we didn't have.
 It was these thoughts, the gravity of the responsibility,
that drove us to our knees and caused us to cling to the Lord for the strength, resolve,
 and perseverance to see this thing through.

 We then discussed how order and beauty would be
  purposefully created and planned,
 so that our home life would be,
 every moment,
a structure for educating and discipling our children.

Home schooling would not be confined to text books.
In fact, I gave up all text books except math.
 The content of our schooling as it was, was happily, freeingly, defenestrated.
I recall telling a friend that we determined to not home school our children anymore,
in the sense of doing what the public schools do, just at home....
 but rather disciple them....which would include some school, of course.
 What this idea birthed was something bigger, more grand, and.... more beautiful
than home schooling had ever produced.

All of our home life was affected.

 We would have to fashion a godly culture in our home,
which means a culture based on Biblical ideas and on the very nature of God Himself.
This implies also that we wage war on the current culture,
because current culture is completely, thoroughly anti-family.
  I hope you realize that.
(this is another post entirely)
So, I firmly aim everyday to do exactly what the trend isn't.
 Wholesome movie, yes,
 Lovely outfits, yes,
 Dinner together at the table, yes,
Slowing down long enough to spend time with God, yes.
 Planning nothing Thursday night so we can visit with one another without any technology, yes.
 Inserting a half hour of silence into our day, yes.
Beauty in our daily lives, yes.
  Orderliness in our home, yes.

The very essence of the homelife we desired to create would be
 orderlines and beauty.

When God created the earth,
 He didn’t have to get everything done right now, in one day,
rushing it all through so he could get on to the next project.

  Instead, he took His time,

and enjoyed every minute of it,

for at the end of the day, He proclaimed his work “very good.”

He spoke,
 and carefully, creatively fashioned everything into being,
 in an orderly way, relishing the moment, making it worth savoring.
So should we. 

When I get up,

there is no reason to slosh my way through the morning

without paying careful attention to the details of beauty and creativity. 

As the Creator God modeled, I should follow suit in my work.
In every part of our day, we look to see the beauty,
we savor every good thing with eyes of wonder.
The idea is to live ordinary life artfully, appreciatively.

The thesaurus says that
to beautify is to sanctify, hallow, consecrate and bless. 

Interesting.
Is that how we see our day or our homes?
Something to sanctify and bless?
To consecrate?
Or is it something to endure, or to conquer, or to survive?

All of us create a culture of some kind.
As home maker, my choice and joy is to adorn my home with gifts of the soul,
purposefully creating rich experiences,
a sacrificial, validating, forgiving atmosphere of loving kindness,
 a treasure trove of all that is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and excellent.
(Phil. 4:8)
I will not allow the destructiveness of selfishness, strife, slothfulness, or apathy
 to have a place in my home.
  I do not want there to be any room for those things,
 because it is instead filled with an inspired lifestyle
which billows sweetness mingled with grace.
This is living fully, beautifully, abundantly. 

When I think about uplifting rituals that add beauty to our life, 

my desire is to enhance our home life in a way that does not idolize materialism,

so I look to the Lord, and ask Him for creative solutions. 

I have spoken often of these ways many times:
singing at the dinner table,

taking turns listing what we are thankful for that day,

holding hands while joining in prayer, 

reading aloud at bedtime,

taking walks together, 

and relishing the gentle moments throughout the day.

 There won't be any gentle moments if you do not purposely fashion them.
We must create the beauty.

Order, may contain cleanliness, but I think it is much more.
  Order is the road map.
What will we do when we get up to make life more meaningful?
What will it look like?
Really it is the detailed plan of how we are going to accomplish our goal.
Orderliness, is the actual habit of having a time and place for everything.
Orderliness is a wonderful, blessed thing.
For example, Ecclesiastes says there is "a time and place for everything under the sun."
  I love that.
  It has helped me manage my home more effectively and efficiently.
When is the time for sweeping the floor?  After breakfast everyday.
How about dusting and cobwebs?  That would be on Friday, our current day for weekly cleaning.
When does Jim get his laundry done?  Ah, yes, this is my favorite....
Jim is on Tuesday.
Joe is Monday, Jim is Tuesday, Ben is Wednesday, Bethany- Thursday, Gabe is on Friday,
Olivia-Saturday.
This is soooooo freeing.  It is really just the best!
This means that instead of 12 loads of laundry that fill the laundry area and always need to be done,
 I only have Joe's two loads in the laundry room to get done on Monday,
 so I will also add  a load of towels.
 Three loads a day, and I am done.
These three finished loads go back to the rooms they came from,
 Then, on Tuesday, there will be Jim's laundry, and I will add a load of my own.
 Three loads, done.
  A time and place for everything. 
 All our laundry gets done in an orderly fashion every week without it being a burden,
 or an overwhelming force to be wearily reckoned with.
 Order is lovely.

It is also lovely with school.
 Math, English, Science, History every day?  Nope, not in our home school.
We will make time for those things through out the year,
More importantly, a daily study of Proverbs-to instill wisdom.
 And a full hour to read good quality living books.
And a time and a season to work outdoors with the garden, or providing meat and wood.
 There is also time to learn ancient church History and all about the Puritans,
because it is important to our faith,
 much more so than Greek Mythology...which, by the way, we literally threw out the window.
Apologetics as a subject for speech?  Yes.
Missionary biographies instead of English lit?  Yes.
This has all become part of our beautiful schooling.
Home Educating becomes beautiful when the biblical culture 
of nurturing, order and beauty,
 rock the path of everyday life. 
Each day then has a smooth, well thought out surface to travel.

"There is nothing insignificant in the life that we live within our doors. 
 There is nothing that is without influence in the building up of character."
 -J.R. Miller

Seven year old Olivia proclaims that she wants to be just like Betsy Ross when she grows up.
Her new 18" doll is named Elizabeth, after the virgin Mary's cousin.
She is dressed as a princess, like usual,
and today she has set up a beautiful tea table because her friends are coming over.
This wasn't accidental.  It is all consequences of our home life...
overflowing into the makings of the next generation.

Diary of a Quiverfull Mom: Mastering Breakfast

Faintly I hear the pitter patter of little feet getting closer, closer...

...I strain to attain some sort of consciousness out of the deep, wonderful, life giving,

 (did I say wonderful?) slumber of the night.

Then there she is.  My eyes will not open, try as I might.

  Her eyelashes brush my cheek and suddenly she is kissing me, hugging me,

 like an over friendly cat that wants to be petted. 

 It is 6:09...

A.M.

 I finally get one eye partially open. 

This is my life, and I adore it...most of the time.

Olivia is 3, and very lovey-dovey, in the morning, especially. 

 So, while I try to attain vision and coherence, she reads to me "Blueberries for Sal" 

in typical 3 yr old fashion.  I should have video taped it.

  Priceless.

The inside thermometer reads 61, so Olivia and I head downstairs to start a fire.

  After a few cups of coffee, I am finally fully awake.

 The other 6 children start getting up, and I head to the kitchen to make Wednesday breakfast; 

German pancakes. 

Brian and I believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, 

so we have a healthy cooked meal everyday. 

 Why do I think it is so important? 

 Because it starts the day off well, with a loving atmosphere and both spiritual 

and physical nourishment.

  When we all sit down together, hold hands, pray, and share a good meal, the days plans, 

and Bible reading, we pour the foundation for the day ahead. 

Most of my mothering life, I have delegated cooking breakfast to children, since I am

 A). not a morning person, 

and B).  over the last 22 years have usually have a nursling that needs me first thing in the morning. 

 Currently, I am the breakfast cook instead of the usual dinner cook 

because I have recently found that by the end of the day

 I am just plain too tired to deal with dinner 

and still be a human till bedtime. 

 Anyway,  I have three teenagers that need to learn to cook. 

 Last season, they took care of breakfast quite well and are now moving on to dinners. 

 They each cook two nights a week, leaving me one night,

 and that I have planned to be the weekend, not a school day,

 because I have more energy on non school days.

 It is really so much easier, I have found, to have a daily breakfast plan. 

 Mine goes like this: 

 Monday- egg casserole,

 Tuesday- hot cereal, 

Wednesday-German Pancake,

 Thrusday- Gluten free pancakes, (Bob's Red Mill)

 Friday- Oatmeal,

 Saturday- fried potatoes and eggs,

 Sunday- granola.

Like I said, I am not a morning person, but this meal is so important,

 it is worth the extra effort.

New Ideas From New Mexico

Anna just sent me the rest of the pictures we took when I was visiting her in New Mexico, 

and I just had to share them, 

so many of them were especially
for you.

So many creative and beautiful ideas-

this first one is Anna's friend Kristin's idea,
on her dining room wall she has made a "Gratitude Tree"  for her family.
 They add leaves that have what they are thankful for written on them.
 Love this!

Anna has another friend who actually owns more books than I do.
(a rare find)
Here were three that really piqued my attention, and are now on my wish list:

Anna took me out to lunch several times.

One day we met up with some of her friends at this quaint place called "The Lunch Box."
  They have some very innovative decorating ideas-

I really do think I will do this tree thing in the boys room, it was pretty awesome.
But no bicycles on the wall for me,
that would surely end up with someone in the hospital.
(chuckle)

Happy Valentines Day to each of you!




Warmly,
Julianne

Creating a Wholesome Wardrobe

What does a homeschooling mama do on vacation? 

 That which refreshes and inspires,

 provides rest and relaxation, 

and,
the things she rarely gets to do at home.

I rarely get quality time with my daughter, Anna, who is married and lives 1500 miles away. 

 That is mostly what I am doing.  

I did, however, bring a whole suitcase of sewing along with me on my vacation.  

It is a need at the moment,
to dress the rapidly growing 7 yr old young lady at our house. 

  I really enjoy sewing, 

and it is something I usually do not take the time to do at home.

Bethany is growing tall and slim. 

 So slim that nothing that is long enough for her stays on her!

While here in New Mexico with Anna, I bought this book:

...Which has over 20 patterns in it,

 including  patterns for a peasant blouse, capri pants, and summer pjs. 

These were all items on my list, so this proved a very cost effective way to go about it. 

I bought the book at Hobby Lobby, 

with a coupon, of course.

So far, I have finished two blouses and one skirt, 

with another skirt just awaiting some trim detail.  

A third skirt is cut out and next on my list.  

The patterns are simple and take less than 2 hours per garment to complete. 

 I am so pleased with the results 

that I hope to continue to round out her new wardrobe when I get back to Idaho.

People often ask me where we (girls) find our clothing. 

 We rarely buy clothing at Walmart. 

We do look over the clearance racks in the nicer stores.  

Fred Meyer, JC Penny, L.L. Bean, Land's End are a few favorites.

I like to think of shopping as I do hunting:  

It is exciting to think what might be out there.  

Searching for it usually takes time and skill, 

but often times, the Lord just blesses, 

and we come home with bags in hand, the evidence of a great and successful hunt.

When we cannot find what our wardrobe is needing,
 we get out the sewing machine and fashion custom articles that suit our tastes.

I find both shopping and sewing enjoyable, 

plus, seeing my girls in the feminine dress we prefer 

is well worth my efforts. 

Anna lives so close to good shopping that we have been out and about several times. 

 We both found plenty of modest, feminine articles at Rue 21 in the mall.

 Rue 21 had long floral skirts, 

solid maxi skirts, 

and this lovely long romantic skirt that I quite liked.

Anna, Rose and I often find pretty blouses and great deals at this store.

Although we love to thrift shop, 

surprisingly, the mall can be a great place to find nice pieces for creating a wholesome wardrobe. 

We both liked several items at Maurices, 

one very nice long black skirt on clearance nearly came home with me.

Also,we have found Pinterest very helpful for gaining ideas

as well as helping each of us to create an individual style
which will then help us to put together a cohesive wardrobe.

This is how I plan-
For Bethany, I would like to make three basic skirts like this:




 -in Navy, Brown and Gray.
Paired with the same colors of shoes and tights,
this will form her wardrobe basics this year.
I will be shopping for lightweight cardigans of the same to extend through spring and fall.
I am sewing up several cotton blouses in a variety of colors: pale pink,
purple(her favorite) white, cream, red, light green, and peach.

Added to these will be four multi-colored skirts 
and 3 capri pants: one tan and two light denim.
To finish it all off, traditional hair bows, one of each basic color-  navy, black, red, and white and pink.
Underthings need to be thought of, several pair of bloomers,



as well as two sets of light weight PJ's and a nightgown.
(nightgown will be peasant blouse plus length).

Here is the Pinterest look I desire to create for Bethany:




Are we having fun yet?
Most definitely! 

Our School Schedule this Fall

Well, we finally did it.

  With the pig in the freezer,  most of the canning done, a winter wood pile of good size,

 and nasty weather upon us, we started our fall school schedule.  

I have always found it interesting and inspiring to find out how other families organize their school day, 

so I thought it may be of interest to share with you how things are going in our neck of the woods.

The first day went fairly well, 

so that is a good sign to me that this year's more creative schedule is going to work. 

 This is possibly the first year I have ever planned a huge break in the middle of the day,

 but after our first day, I think it was a positively Providential idea.  

With children 14, 12, 9, 7, 4 and 2 involved,

 (Rose is graduated, working part time as well as involved in ministry, 

so she is not home a lot, therefore, I did not count her) 

here is how it worked:

7am wake up! > Coffee, tea, snuggles and chatting.
7:30 dress and chores > Rose: milk goats. Joe: feed and water outside animals, bring in firewood. Jim: Breakfast. Ben: fold and put away laundry. Bethany: tidy her room and living room.  Mama: read to littles.
8ish Breakfast > Jim is the breakfast cook. Daddy reads our Bible chapter for the day at table.

8:30-9:30 Math > Joe, Jim, Ben and Bethany. (We are using Life of Fred.)
I put Jim (aka Extra Energy Boy) on the Pilates ball at the table, so he can bounce away while he works.
Gabe and Olivia are at the table with us.  Today they did pattern blocks and puzzles first.  Olivia played "Family" with a dinosaur for a daddy,  a tiger for a mama, and five horses for children.   So, umm, I don't know what that means.
9:30-10:30 Grammar/Phonics > Joe grammar, Jim Spanish, then switch at 10 am.  Ben phonics, Bethany copy work, then switch at 10 am.  Gabe and Olivia played at the table stringing beads.
I bought a small tub of animal beads at Micheals for a very reasonable price.  They were thrilled with them.

10:30-11:30 Science > Today we just got materials and journals organized.  Joe, Jim, Ben and Bethany have Nature Journals Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Tuesday and Thursday Joe has biology and Jim astronomy, Ben and Bethany have science with me.  Gabe and Olivia played with various math manipulatives and did a little painting.
11:30-12:00   Balancing the Sword (Bible) > Joe and Jim.  The rest of us went downstairs and made lunch, set the table, put wood in the fire.
12:00- 2:30 Free Time!!! > Mama started some laundry, checked her email, had a cup of coffee, puttered about the house, the children went out, but then it began pouring down rain, so they came in to play, then it got sunny, so I sent them out and not 5 minutes later it was raining hard again, so they came in.  lol.
2:30-3:30 Quiet Time > EVERYONE lays down. No audio books, no lights on. F.O.B = Flat On Back.  It is wonderful.
3:30- 4:15 History > Joe and Jim.  Smaller children play when they wake up. Ben went out to ride bikes and chop down small trees. Mama reads to Olivia "You and Me Little Bear" for the 11th time today.
4:15-5:00 Bible Quiz > Joe and Jim study time. Bethany and Olivia watched a movie. Gabe went out to join Ben.  After that, adding Joe and Jim, their play turned into the usual battle For Narnia!, swords drawn.
6:00 Dinner > Rose is the dinner cook, except on Mondays. After dinner, Jim does the dishes, Joe sweeps the floor, Mama milks the goats, daddy reads to or plays with the littles.
8:00pm Story time > We are currently reading Dragonquest, by Donita K. Paul.  We read the first book, Dragonspell, this summer, and even though I am not a fantasy fan, it was a great book full of analogy to the Christian life, making for good discussion with the older children.  The children loved it and begged for more.
After story time, it is off to the land of Nod.

I love love love the routine of the school year, 

the sameness of each day, 

being together all day, 

seeing the delight of discovery on the children's faces while learning,

 having to drag them away from the school table for lunch, 

and that big contented sigh at the end of the day that says, "yes, this is what I was made for."  

Wood Cook Stove Days

 Outside, the weather has been cold...

in the single digits and teens. 

 Beautiful, 

 but frigid.

 Some don't mind the cold at all, they are well equipped....

Caspian for instance...

 

Or Little Bit here.  

Little Bit has a lotsa warm fuzzy hair to keep him warm 

and adorable as ever.

Inside, 

we have a wood cook stove 

that adds the extra warmth the lodge needs in this kind of weather.

The lodge is so very big, with high ceilings which make it challenging to keep heated.  

In the cold weather, below 20 degrees or so, we really have to keep the cook stove going all day

 for adequate heat through out the house.

Therefore, we are doing a majority of cooking on and in the charming cook stove. 

One can always find tea water, and often some pot of soup or sauce simmering.

Today we are making cheeseburger soup for lunch.

(no recipe, we just made it up)

                         
                        After a while, you get used to the rhythm of stocking the firebox with fuel.
                                                                   This I have enjoyed.
                                          If you a country gal who relishes in those little moments, 
                                                                   like baking by smell, 
                                                          then you know just what I mean.
                                                                                smile.

It has taken me some time to get the hang of kindling a good hot fire

 with a thick coal base

 that will enable me to close up the dampers

 and heat the oven to a cooking temperature.

And, I am still learning how to keep the oven an even temperature while baking. 

Smaller chunks of wood are used for a hot fire.

  Small logs have not burned well for us.

The boys are sure getting good exercise keeping the firewood split for the cook stove.

Now, I know it will be cold in the morning,

 so I like to have the wood all ready and inside,

 making the warming up of the lodge quicker, and....my cup of coffee prepared sooner.

The wood cook stove has been a real blessing, adding cozy warmth to our country home.

Now that we are using it every day, I cannot imagine life without it.

Today, as I look at the thermometer that reads 16 degrees,

the wood cook stove is going on my Thankful list, 

right after I have a bowl of that soup.

Savoring Saturdays

Autumn rains pouring forth outdoors,
wood fire crackling inside,
the lodge is hushed from the usual comradere of littles,
  and the clamor of a big household.
 I adore Saturdays.
 This is the day of the week I often look forward to the most.
 The day where my cozy, nesty side comes out
and gets to putter about, which I find romantic.

First of all, I love Saturdays because it is a great opportunity to pamper my family a bit.
The children get to sleep in.
This means a quiet, slow morning for me,
(and Olivia, who is always my alarm clock being the morning person she is).
The boys awaken to the weekly radio programs at Moody Radio,
 which they listen to in their room
while I make the children a big ol breakfast full of scrumptious yummies
to celebrate the arrival of the weekend.
We have worked hard all week,
and today is a special day
unlike the other weekdays.

I take great comfort in this a weekly ritual.
It is something to look forward to.
We are creating something special and beautiful out of the ordinary.
I like that.

Few things in life give me more pleasure than setting a nice table for my family,
and filling it with homemade food.

My boys think hashbrowns or fried potatoes are one of the most marvelous of foods.
Therefore, each Saturday breakfast will be slightly different, but always contain potatoes.
This week, a hearty  skillet breakfast and fresh milk for starters.

Today my pampering included Doughnuts...hot from the oven.
They are incredibly easy to make and have fast become a favorite in our home.
First the dough.

Then the frying.

 Next the glaze.

  At last into mouths!

The little ones have their own Saturday rituals as well.
 We have a special music CD they only listen to this day.
 It is full of Sunday School songs and Bible Club songs like we sang when I was growing up.
 They start their day dancing.
 They sing.

  They play dress up.
They take turns hiding.
They sense this is a special play day, and make the most of it.

The second reason I love Saturdays is this:
After breakfasting, each child  is given a housecleaning chore.
 Saturdays are for housecleaning,
 and we all work together to get the job done.
 By each one taking a chore, we get the majority of the work done in around an hour.
  This day, Rose and Caleb cleaned the kitchen,
 Joe folded and put away the laundry...which had been stacking up on the couch upstairs..
so quite a pile for him!
 Jim vacuumed the rugs and helped Ben with the bathrooms.
 Bethany, Gabe and even Olivia get in the spirit
and help wash surfaces such as the frig, dining chairs, doors and door handles, light switches.
  I sweep and mop.
Then go about finishing my list;
 washing windows, dusting, changing beds, tidying surfaces,
setting out a different table centerpiece, rearranging this and that,
what I call puttering.

This again is one reason I love Saturdays.
The house getting clean and tidy,
 restored to order and thus beautified,
  a marvelous part of homemaking that I take great joy in.
Making a clean and lovely home for my family is giving (it, the home) life.
It is this spirit of a home that the wife and mama makes,
filling the house with her own spirit,
 and pouring out a sweet pleasant fragrance,
 which is a ministry to her family and all who enter.

The children, done with their chores, return to their play, or watch a movie,
 leaving me, again, in relative quiet.
Often, I find this the perfect opportunity for that
time alone with God
 that I have been needing.
Time to write in my journal of 1000 gifts,
time to reflect and make sure my heart is right.
Here is my third reason for my love and anticipation of a beautiful Saturday at home,
rarely during the week do I find this kind of time available to me for the taking.
Aaaah, God is good!

The evening is made up of a simple dinner,
 baths for the littles,
clothing laid out and ironed for Sunday,
and all to bed early, so that we are prepared and rested for the Lord's Day.


Here is the why of our Saturday rituals:
It is the way we live each day of our life that make up the tone and color of how we live in this world.
We can make it to be vivid and rich, sweet and pleasant,
 or not.

JR Miller writes it so well,
"What is true of our individual lives is true also of our homes.  
We are making memories day by day and year by year,
 and what they shall be in the future  will depend 
on the home life we are living now."


God created women to give life,
 to be helpmeets,
to nurture,
to imitate Him in beautifying all that is around us.
 When we seek to cultivate these passions He has built in us,
we find that contentment, that peace, that inner joy that delights in the smallest things.
And there, as these aspects grow and flourish,
overflowing from what is in our hearts all along, out to our families,
we live in the beauty of the Lord.

Organization Obsession

 I have a dear friend whose cupboards are beautifully organized,

 much to my envy, I admit. 

 Finally, I took the plunge to organize my own cupboards and spaces. 

 The result was a quick addiction...possibly a new obsession.  

Once one space was organized, 

I felt so much satisfaction and content with it,

 I would just go open the door and stare at it, a euphoric glaze in my eye.

My first project was the miscellaneous closet in the bathroom 

containing all kinds of herbal remedies, 

a plethora of first aid supplies, 

and all kinds of other medical stuff.  

Gathering baskets I purchased at the dollar store, 

I emptied the random and chaotic mess in the closet. 

 I then began making groups, 

and eventually worked out appropriate smaller groups for the baskets.  

The effect so elated me, 

I immediately began making plans for the next area. 

Like a drug, with just one try, I was hooked.

Next I moved on to the children's bathroom,

 where multiple bottles of shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, and bubble bath

 vied for position on the shower shelves, 

often ending up knocked over and used  liberally by the littles,

 to the horror of the true owners.

  My techy daughter, Rose, found this idea on Pinterest.

  It is working wonderfully.

I bought a tension rod and hung it over the wall side of the tub/shower.

  Back at the dollar store,

 I found baskets with handles and shower curtain rings to hang the baskets on.  

Now each big person has their own basket for their stuff, out of reach to smaller people.

I just had to organize something else, so down to the cellar I went.

Ahhh, (sigh) 

Oh the delight of an organized food storage area.

The 40 gallon cans in the middle of the floor are for big staples

 such as flour, sugar, rice, wheat, and salt.

My most recent little project was the most miserable cupboard in the kitchen.

  The one where everything falls out as soon as you open the door. 

 You probably guessed it,

 the storage container cupboard.

Again Rose came to the rescue with the idea of using a dish drainer for all the lids.

We put them in smallest to largest. 

 Loving this one.

Who knew the sheer joy awaiting the one who organizes!