Cleaning Your Sanctuary – Tackle & Simplify

Spring cleaning feels amazing when it is complete, but the initial getting started isn’t always as exciting. 

As a way to minimize how much I have to take on when this momentous event arrives each March and April, I am a big believer in cleaning my house every week without fail. However, as we know, there are a handful of things that must be cleaned, but thankfully only a few times a year. Martha Stewart breaks it all down in great detail in her Housekeeping Handbook, but you can also print off the specific list you want here on her blog.

With that said, while I’m meticulous, I also don’t have a house cleaner, so below is the list that works for me.

Daily
*Make the bed
*Pick up after yourself
*File incoming mail
*Clean as you cook (thank-you-for-coming bowl – a la Rachael Ray!)



Weekly
*Launder sheets, towels, bath mats – anything used regularly
*Clean the bathrooms – everything
*Dust – tables, televisions, lamps, etc
*Clean mirrors
*Vacuum and mop floors, vacuum upholstered furniture
*Empty all trash and wipe canister
*recycle old magazines, newsletters, etc
*Go through fridge – take stock and toss if necessary
*Clean all counters, microwave, toaster, sinks, vents, and ovens in kitchen
*Clean hand prints, pet prints from windows and doors
*Add fresh flowers to dining room, coffee tables, bed stands, etc

 
Twice a Year
*clean all windows – inside & out
*flip mattress
*clean pantry
*clean refrigerator
*clean oven thoroughly
*launder pillows
*wipe baseboards and moldings
Yearly
*clean the fireplace

I would love to hear how your approach cleaning your home, what works for you, what tips you’d suggest, etc.  I’m all ears!

Images: (1)  Source (2) Decor Pad 

Bring on Monday!

I don't know about you, but for me I have a much better Monday if I at least start the week with a spruced up house, a full drawer of clean socks for my workouts, an empty laundry basket, and food in the refrigerator. So my job today was to attain this goal because none of these lovely tasks had been completed yet (wouldn't it be nice to have a cleaning person?) Now unfortunately, I must confess that my dream list doesn't happen without fail every week, but when it does, it truly does seem to help in starting the week out on the right foot. My reward for finishing these tasks was to whip up a batch of chocolate chip bars, something I haven't made for quite awhile I realized. (Spoiler alert! This story does have a happy ending.)


(Picture courtesy of Oliveaux blog and House Beautiful magazine)
Envision my great room looking just as clean as the room above.
With that kind of motivation, on top of simply being able to relax in my house knowing the chores were done, I took my to-do list to task. It didn't have a chance!

The chocolate chip bars recipe is, for the most part, a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe, but with a secret ingredient that is never placed in writing except for now, cinnamon. A comfort food favorite, I have to make sure I don't make them regularly or my waistline would be in trouble, but every once in awhile I figure why not?

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars


























Ingredients:

*1 c. butter
*1 cup sugar
*1/2 c. brown sugar
*1 tsp vanilla
*2 medium eggs
*2 cups & 2 Tbs flour
*1 tsp baking soda
*1/2 tsp salt
*6 oz milk chocolate chips
*1/2 cup walnuts (if desired)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease a 9x12 inch baking pan.
3. Cream butter and sugars
4. Add liquids (vanilla and eggs)
5. Slowly add flour, baking soda, salt and secret ingredient. Combine.
6. Add chips and nuts
7. Put into pan
8. Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 30 minutes.
9. Enjoy!
(For cookies, bake for 12 minutes)