Daily Lists

I have a tendency to make lists upon lists, of some which I might forget about and some that I carry with me at all times. I make lists on what lists I should make. I make grocery lists, garden planning lists, menu lists, to do lists, some day to do lists, summer activity lists, monthly lists, book lists, homeschool lists, diy lists, you name it. Oh and blog about lists!

I haven't completed our new master schedule as of yet, but I have worked on a fraction of it. It's a quick over view list of Mon-Fri, of what needs to get done, or maybe of what we aim to get done. I might plan a quick menu on the side, which to be honest, rarely goes to plan, and I might add a few must do tasks that come to mind as the week progresses.

Let me warn you, it's not pretty -but it works! It's just to map out the day for me, I'm a very visual person and I like to see things on paper :) 

Here it is. Oh, right, one of my kids stuck stickers on it to make it more attractive....

 I check things off and usually cross them out as a double check. I know, it's silly.

 

So basically, I write down the homework that needs covering and also the amount of time I want them to invest in it. I have a timer on my phone, on silent (only for me to see), so that I can decide whether we need to work on a topic a few more minutes or such. I have the errands needing to be done listed afterwards, the menu for the day on the side and a few "wishes" that would be nice, if it got done.

This is my little crazy list, simple yet keeps me and my household "on track". Of course, I am working on a simple binder which will be visible to me at all times and as well looks pretty, won't be as easily misplaced.

What are your lists like?

Do share!!!

More on Home Making and Managing Your Home HERE!

Making Butter -Fun and Useful

Wanna do something super fun with your kids that is educational and delicious?! Well guess what!

-We made butter today!

J is in second grade, and for Bible we studied about the "olden ways" of grinding grains and making butter. Back then it was hard work, but today, it's only a few minute process. J and K both enjoyed watching the whole process, but most of all, they enjoyed the taste testing afterwards.

I bought regular whipping cream out on a whim, but next time we'll definitely invest in good quality heavy cream from a local dairy farm. 

So this is what we did!

First we over whipped the cream until it separated and produced butter curd. 

Then we drained off the butter milk from the butter itself -easy peasy!

 Using a spatula, we pressed the excess butter milk, and what was left, was creamy butter!

 We have a bowl of butter milk for our next recipe -Buttermilk BREAD!!! Stay tuned! And a container full of home made, delicious, finger licking and creamy butter. Yum!

 Keeps in the fridge for about a month.

Buttermilk -not a waste, no indeed!But a side product! Buttermilk Bread, heavenly bread! Recipe coming later!

It makes me wonder, a few Christmas' ago, Finland had news galore about their empty butter shelves, in all the grocery shops throughout the country. Knowing what I know now, every household could've over whipped a bit of cream and finished off their Christmas recipes, no problem!

Have you tried making butter? I wanna hear all about it:)

Managing Your Home Part 1

Since having more than one kid, fourth one on the way, I feel like I need to invest in training my children to be proactive and contribute a bit more to this household.

Lately I have been quite overwhelmed with keeping this home in a semi clean state, while homeschooling and living the basic daily life, you know, needed grocery shopping, meal making, diaper changing, nose wiping, hobby driving- life. Something needed to be done.

I ordered the Managers of Their Homes book, to get me organized once and for all. I have not gone through the whole book yet, but needless to say, I have picked up some valuable jewels along the way. I cannot, cannot, cannot, do everything in this home without sacrificing the relationships that matter the most to me, So, I have taken the very first steps to being more wise about the 24h we have been given each day.

There is freedom in structure, in scheduling, in rhythm. Yes there is. I've only tested a fraction of our new possible "master schedule" for the last few days, and we have spent more time reading, playing games, spending time together in general, while our home has kept afloat. *BIG SMILE* The house has not fallen apart! Which, to be honest, it usually does -one or the other suffers.

Sooooo, I'm so excited!!!! What are the few new (old but new) changes we have made?

Training the kids to be proactive.

Bathroom Training - Keeping the bathroom clean! No toys, no books and no toilet paper strewn all over the floor. No smudged toothpaste in the sink and no semi rinsed tooth brushes left out. 

First we tell them. Then we demonstrate. Then we supervise.....Then we remind them. 

I left a pack of wipes under the sink for the kids to give the sink a daily wipe if they see smudges. The bag of toilet paper is out of sight, so if the roll on the wall has run out (which they will learn how to change themselves) they need to ask for help. Otherwise, seriously, there will be several rolls and pieces strewn all over the floor. 

I wrote a temporary reminder on the wall saying,

"Bathroom Rules-

Keep it mess free! -No toys, no books, no papers...

Wash your hands with WARM water and soap. (My kids tend to be lazy with the tap and use cold only)

Turn off the lights, and close the door.

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The Dinner Table Training - 

1. No play No messing around, no toys on the table etc
2. Clean up after yourself Bring your dishes to the sink or dishwasher, wipe up after yourself and if needed sweep under the table.
3. Ruoka Rauha (direct translation food peace = dinner peace) 

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I purchased some pull out drawers for the cupboard next to our dishwasher, so that our kids could easily empty the dishwasher in the mornings. Usually it's been quite the hassle for them, since our plates and cups were directly on top of the washer and they had to get on and off the kitchen chair to manage the task. So for a while, it has been Simon and I doing the dishes. Well, after purchasing and after Simon installing the mesh drawers, the kids have easily been able to do this morning chore without frustration. This "small" chore has given me the chance to focus on getting breakfast done and changing baby Lucy's morning nappy, on top of other bits and bobs, that would usually leave me rushing around.

We have a long way to go yet, with finishing up a chore list for each family member, a daily schedule, a meal planner and making sure everyone gets enough one on one time with each other. We want to make sure, everyone -including the parents, get enough sleep each night, we want to plan and prep for healthy meals, we want to live a more stress free-rush free life, we want to teach the kids responsibility, we want to build relationships between family members and so on.

There is a pioneer family of 11, who inspired us to get this book. Have a look at her website! www.largefamiliesonpurpose.com

What are your ways of keeping your family afloat?

Green Life Juice

 Ingredients:

• lemon, thick slice
• 1/3 fennel, cored
• 1/2 sour green apple
• 1 head of romaine lettuce
• 3 stalks of celery
• 2/3 cucumber
• 3 handfuls of spinach
• 1" ginger
• 1/4 t vitamin C powder

The taste is amazing and I'm not just saying that! Try it for yourself!!

 such richness!

 Green Delight, super power juice! Oh you'll feel the difference!!!

 enzymes!

Do you have a favourite juice recipe to share with us?

My Omegas

Fish Oil

I have a hard time swallowing the large omega gel capsules. I gag. So, I've been experimenting with a few brands.

I'm currently taking this liquid form of fish oil. I must say that the tea spoon is short and sweet, but it does have a "fishy oily" after taste to it, regardless of being "lemon flavoured". The lemon flavour isn't very strong at all,  which is fine,  I don't mind it.

The quality and dosage is strong. Yes, this is my own option and I do not get paid for saying that :)

I recommend it!

I'm going to give it 30 days:) to see how it makes me feel.

A NEW BLOG - MY PREGNANCY

As some of you already heard, I've started a co-blog. I decided not to blog about my pregnancy on here, but to create it's very own one instead. Hope you enjoy it!

CLICK HERE

www.rawfoodspregnancy.blogspot.ca