Flamingos

It's snowed recently where I live, but it's not 'good snow'. It hasn't settled. Instead of the sky placing a white blanket over the world, it appears to have cut up a dirty sheet over my neighbourhood.  Even early this morning, I hardly recognised the snow for when I looked out of window, I was greeted with what looked like an immense dusting of grey on the landscape.

I generally prefer winter to the heady days of summer, but this year I've found incredibly dull, and I long for brighter days and warmer climes.  So, just to lift my spirits, I'm going out to find something flamingo pink.  Not necessarily to buy it, but to infuse my life with colour. A colour that is soft and inviting, one that doesn't shout loudly or sit quietly in a corner.  I'm looking for a colour that's assertive without being dominant, but calming without losing its charm.

February can be a difficult month. There should be more daylight than in the previous months. But light reluctantly enters our world at around 7:00am, although it still seems dark, and hurriedly exits at around 2:00 in the afternoon. It's also a month of ice, sleet, and snow, which sometimes becomes a slushy mess.  And to make is worse  Valentines is only a few days away, and the shops are chaotic with Christmas reds.  But the boldness of the Valentine season serves only to accentuate the bland days and indifferent nights of late winter. 

I recently found this beautiful picture of flamingos that I took a few years ago.  I recall the sea of coral that I witnessed when I saw these beautiful birds and the great desire I had to ensure that I captured the moment.  And I believe that I was inspired to take this picture so I cheer myself on dull February days.

TIP OF THE DAY

Take lots of pictures of everyday life during the different seasons as you'll never know when a picture will be there to cheer you up.

Happy Homemaking!

LIFE

Time Out...

You will probably have noticed that I've not posted for a few days.  It's called Life.  Last week, Life handed me a full plate of eye and head pains and demanded that I sit and devour every morsel.  By the end of the 'meal' that lasted several days, I feel 'sick', really unwell. My head is too big for body, my right eye is constantly tearing and feels as heavy as lead.  So, I'm not coping as I should.  Little else than the essentials are getting done and my best efforts to be a freelance writer and contemporary homemaker are under attack.

All of those lovely platitudes spring to mind - when life gives you lemons, made lemonade. The truth is I don't have the energy to make lemonade and there is no's sugar anywhere to be found.  So, I have decided that the best thing that I can do is to allow the illness to run its course and accept the dishes that Life hands to me.  Now, I'm not saying that I like doing this, but I believe that I need to stop fighting my instincts to 'get up and get on' and let my body heal.

Life often comes around and disrupts our daily schedules.  While we can organise, structure and plan, ensure that our diaries are updated regularly, when Life unexpectedly arrives, sometimes we have no choice but to take what's on offer. And that means a disrupted schedule, often an unkempt appearance and a home that's more about comfort than class.  

And that's alright.  That's fine, if you don't cope for a while, because you are human and you have a right to timeout while your body is healing. As a Contemporary Homemaker there will be days that you will not look or feel at your best.  You may work outside the home and have a job where sick leave, except for life-threatening ailments, is not an option.  Of you may have a part-time position and you need the money in order to 'make ends meet'.  And then there are those of us whose main base is our home.  This means that we either work from home as a contractor or we are the primary manager of the household. Whatever your circumstances, you may find it challenging to get some time for yourself to heal.  

TIP OF THE DAY

Be honest with people about how you are feeling.  Don't just sit in silence allow yourself to wither away. This doesn't mean that you have to brag about your illness, just be realistic about the limitations that you currently face.  Inform family, friends and even colleagues, especially your boss, of the challenges that you are facing, especially, if you, like me, have a long term condition.  It may be possible for your organisation to make 'reasonable adjustments' to accommodate you, but this won't happen if you simply don't take time out to let them know. And remember, illness doesn't define you, but what does ultimately change the way you respond to challenges, even if for a short time.  So be kind to yourself, take time out and ask for your help, when needed.  

Happy Homemaking!

YOU TURN MY WORLD MISTY BLUE

Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Cufflinks with Genuine Turquoise Marble

Today, is BLUE MONDAY.  Apparently, it's the day when we feel the most sad, depressed and unhappy.  It's the day believe we are 'poor' after Christmas spending, we shiver with the freezing temperatures outside and the weather has caused travel chaos in parts of the country due to ice, sleet and snow - last night been one of the coldest in the past three years.  And most of us have had a definite drop in our motivation due to the cold and continued darkness.   

Some believe that the concept of 'Blue Monday' was created by a travel company as an advertising strategy based on junk science.  The date was apparently picked by a man called Cliff Arnall after he created a scientific formula, based on the time of year, our spending habits, lack of sunlight etc.

If you're like me, the last few days have been a little overwhelming to say the least.  Although there it's been warm inside, I have felt full of the cold and flu and I have a persistent sore throat.  The sleet on my car doesn't appear to want to melt, and I drinking hot brews all day long.  

So, what can we do to make BLUE MONDAY a little less blue? What can you do apart from have an early night, sit in a warm bath or warm yourself in a blanket and watch a weepy movie?  Why not take up a hobby!  A few years ago after a bout of illness, I took up jewellery making, specialising in sterling silver and genuine gemstones.  It was fiddly and I needed bucketfuls of patience, but it also gave me a great amount of pleasure when the pieces were completed along with some much needed extra money. 

TIP OF THE DAY

Think of a hobby that you would like to take up and do some research into it. Crafting or creative activities are always very rewarding, and most can be done from the comfort of your home.  A hobby will brighten your evening and will help to make those long, dark hours more bearable.

Enjoy!

Happy Homemaking!

HEALTH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Before I start, I'm writing a disclaimer. I am not a health professional and never will be. But I do know what it is to be sick and it's so important that we try to keep ourselves healthy at this time of year. There are so many viruses around and its a common fact that eating lots of of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet will help you to steer clear of those 'nasties'. 

Now, that sounds quiet easy.  It slips off the tongue like syrup, but it can be much harder to actually do.  And for all the recipe books that promote healthy living, accompanied by glossy pictures, it's still really hard to eat fruit and vegetables when you have cakes and pies and pastries, especially with children.

One of the ways that I have found of having my 'five a day' recommended by the government, is making smoothies.  With smoothies, I can blend fruit and vegetables and consume them in their best form, raw.  You can also have a delicious, nutritious smoothie for breakfast as a replacement meal.  If you are looking for one I would try the Kenwood Smoothie Maker.  It's quite neat and compact and it's under £20.00.  I purchased this one myself, because I wasn't sure if I would like making smoothies or if I would be able to be consistent, but actually because it's so easy to  use so that I make smoothies almost everyday.

TIP OF THE DAY

Why not try this smoothie recipe that we created this morning:

Tuesday Blend

2 bananas
1 persimmon (sharon fruit)
1 large handful of prepared kale (
1 small glass of apple juice (preferably 'not from concentrate')

Method

Remove the skin from the bananas and chop into small pieces. Wash the persimmon, cut into around 10 pieces. Wash the kale and place the fruit and vegetables into the smoothie maker.  Last, add the apple juice.  

Blend together for 20 - 30 seconds in the smoothie maker.  Serve with crushed ice.

Enjoy.

Happy homemaking!

SIT BACK AND STARE OUT

I spent a wonderful week in Wales last summer.  We rented a barn with my 'sister' and her family and we had the 'best time ever'.  One of the best things about the break was the lovely church pew that sat in the slate-floor bedroom corridor. While seated you were able not only able to see the garden immediately behind the barn, but there was awesome views of the sea.  I sat on the bench for at least a few minutes everyday and watch the waves crash against the rugged coastline.  It was awesome. 

You're probably really relieved that you have a few days away from the grind of working life to spend some time relaxing.  Do something that takes your mind away from the paperwork, lesson plans, client reports, etc. 

TIP OF THE DAY

Find a special spot in your home where you can see some greenery.  Spend at least a few minutes in that space.  Alternatively, buy yourself a small plant and bring nature into your home. 

This is short today, because you need to go and relax...

Enjoy the weekend.  Happy Homemaking!

THE POWER OF THREE (3)

 

 

 

Returning to work after a break can often feel like that you are ship that is in dry dock.  The smooth or even rough waters of your time away are often preferable for the drudgery of your working life at the beginning of the New Year.  And so you get up when it's dark, and cold and miserable and you return home to the same.  There are days that you hardly see any kind of daylight because you've worked through your lunch break.  So you return home stressed, tired, and hungry wondering why work?  Your question is answered when you see the large pile of bills that the postman has very kindly delivered and you sigh, groan, but know that today's pattern will be repeated tomorrow. 

 

But work doesn't have to be drudgery. It doesn't have to dull and unexciting, but it needs to work that fulfil your ultimate purpose in life.  Oh dear!  I've probably touched a nerve and if I have let me apologise, but also allow me to see if I can help you.

 

Work dictates our life. According to Madeleine Bunting, 'For many people it's not so much the time they spend at work, as the effort required while they are there (work).  They complain of being rushed off their feet, of always having more work to do than time to do it in, and of there never being enough people to get the job done' - page 28, Willing Slaves: How the overwork culture is ruling our lives (Harper Perennial, London, 2005). And Max Lucado, New York Times Best-selling author backs that up by stating that '70 percent of us go to work without much enthusiasm or passion' - page 15, Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot (Thomas Wilson, Tennessee, 2005),

 

So, how do you manage your work life so that you gain maximum benefit without being feeling totally overwhelmed.  Simple - find out your purpose, find that 'sweet spot'.  According to Lucado, it is that work that best tells your S.T.O.R.Y.  This story is your strengths, topics that stimulate you, optimal conditions, relationships and something that gives you that yes feeling.

 

Spend a few moments this evening thinking about your S.T.O.R.Y.  Make a list of the elements of your story.

 

Strengths

 

How you get things done using your unique gifts.  The verbs you use to describe your activities reveal these strengths.

 

Topics

 

You feel completely absorbed when you get involved in this, whatever it is - be it a person, a group, a care, a concept, food, music, fabric, furniture, or anything else.  The nouns you use in your story reveal your topic.

 

Optimal conditions

 

Some people work best under pressure, some need challenges, some like structure, some like an audience.  What triggers you, gets you started, sustains your drive, defines the tasks, and provides the setting to feel highly motivated to effectively accomplish the task is part of your optimal conditions.

 

Relationships

 

What kind of role and relationship to others you seek in doing your tasks.

 

Yes

 

You achieve this joyous affirmation when you fulfil the purpose for which you were designed.  At that moment your sweet spot experience tastes ever so sweet.

(taken from the Sweet Spot Discovery Guide by People Management International, Inc and Steve Halliday)

 

TIP OF THE DAY

 

Spend some time reflecting, what job would you even if you weren't getting paid to do it?

 

Happy Homemaking!

 

 

 

 



 

THE POWER OF THREE (2)

The Wedding Cake

Imagine your world without some kind of family life.  Not a pretty thought.  Most of us understand the basics of what family life is about.  And when we talk about work/life balance, we really mean, work life versus family life.  Work shouldn't be in competition with family life. You,your family life and work should all be in balance, but sometimes that is easier said than done.

Family life is different for everyone.  If you're young and single, you still have family, but it parents and siblings.  You may have your own family, a partner or husband and children.  You may be a grandparent or on the verge of retirement, but it's likely that you have some family somewhere, even if it's a distant cousin, somewhere.  And for many of us, we have friends that are closer to us than our blood relatives and who we might even prefer over our own families, if given a choice.

The idea of the traditional family has been replaced by the notion of 'blended families' which often include step, adopted or foster children which all come with their own challenges, but are still family.

So, whether, single or attached, married, divorced, widowed, young or old, we all belong to a family and have responsibilities.  And these responsibilities can overtake your life.  Family is time-consuming, and needs to be managed accordingly. Never under-estimate the value of spending time with those close to you, it will always pay dividends.

But sometimes you could almost tear your hair out dealing with family.  Sports and music clubs, homework, hobbies are all very timely and at times costly.  I recall helping my daughter to make a cake for her RE homework depicting items from the story of Creation.  All those sugar flowers, fruit and animals along with the cake mix cost nearly £20.00.  I couldn't believe it!  And to make matters so much worse, she agreed to make another one the next day for all of her friends.  So, I had a late night making the cake, ensuring that the icing hardened with another set of very expensive decorations. Another £20.00. 

Your family may also consist of aging parents for which you have a responsibility and for who you need to make time.  This might mean numerous doctor and hospital visits and home care and residential care, if appropriate.  

If you are a  grandmother, you might need to adjust your day in order to pick up your grandchildren from school.  Whatever your circumstances, family life should be prized and valued.

Over the next few weeks we will go into greater detail of how to effectively manage family life, but for now:

TIP OF THE DAY

If you can afford it, get some hired help.  You might find that the cost of a cleaner for two hours a week, just takes that pressure off you to clean, dust and vacuum.  Or you may want to send the essential items of clothing to a reputable laundry to be ironed as it's such a time consuming activity.  Even if you can't afford it weekly, consider help once or twice a month for a few hours.  It's worth it!





THE POWER OF THREE (1)

Paper suitcases

Life can be appear to be very complex so when we talk about work/life balance, it can seem nigh impossible and even the mention of it can seem totally overwhelming.  Many women complain about being too tired or having too much to do, whether they are single, partnered or married, with or without kids.  The demands that 21st century life places on the average adult female is enormous and this can leave women feeling inadequate, trying too hard to live up to unrealistic expectations and often ending up with low self-esteem, as a consequence. 

So, how do you deal with the increasing amount number of roles that you, as a woman, are expected to fill?

One suggestion is that you divide your life into three - work, family life and you.  This keeps it very simple, but you will find that all of your life fits neatly into these three categories.

You

You are a unique individual and you need to accept this.  Don't be tempted to be someone you are not, or try to imitate anyone else.  You were created to be special and there is no-one else on this earth who exactly like you.  

You are also an individual who is spiritual, emotional, sexual, physical and intellectual.  You have likes and dislikes, prejudices and preferences.  Some of your habits surprise other people and you, like all of us, have skeletons in your life - some hardly noticeable and others that fall out every time you open an emotional draw or cupboard.  

You are quirky, have a sense of humour or not.  You smile when you're sad and cry when you're happy. There is no-one on earth who understands you, like you do, so be kind to yourself.  

At the beginning of the year it is normal that you are thinking about self-development.  This might mean exercising more, learning how to say 'no' and mean it, or taking up a new hobby.

You are an important.  You are valuable.  You are you. 

So, here are a few ideas to help you to start caring for you:

1) Develop a sense of spirituality in everything that you do.

2) Make appointments with yourself to do the things you love and diarise these.  

3) Have regular health checks - doctors are not the enemy and unless you are a doctor, you are NOT a doctor.  Stop self-diagnosing.  

4) Learn to think - switch off all technology and think through a problem without distractions.

5) Look your best at all times, even at home alone.  No walking around the house constantly in pyjamas with your hair uncombed. 

6) Be positive.  Life isn't always going to go your way. Accept it.

7) Remember you were created for a purpose, live to fulfil that purpose. And, if you don't know what that purpose is, begin a journey of self-discovery.

TIP OF THE DAY

Buy yourself a set of Paper Suitcases and the largest suitcase is to be filled with items that reflect who you are or who you aspire to be.   This might include a journal, creative thoughts, positive quotes or the name of your hairdresser, photographs, etc. This is the box of you. If you need inspiration, you should find something in your box to affirm that you are special, valuable and unique. 

Happy Homemaking!

YOU DON'T BRING ME FLOWERS ANYMORE!

Daffodils on the kitchen windowsill

It's the end of the first day of the first full working week of January 2015.  You're probably feeling a little worse for wear and exhausted after enjoying the festive season.  It's already the 5th of the month, and you are wondering where has the time gone?  As you sit down to relax after a long journey home, serving dinner for you or other family, completing homework with the children, prepare for an important meeting tomorrow or settle down to start an assignment, you need a little pampering. But you either can't afford it because of time and/or money and you wonder how you are going to get through these dark days of winter without a break for the next few weeks or months...

Treat yourself to a bunch of flowers.  Bright yellow daffodils are appearing in the shops right now and you can purchase a small bunch in your local supermarket for a £1.00. This makes them an affordable luxury.  Flowers look great on the dining table, kitchen and even the bathroom but they also look great on your desk at work or in your classroom.  'Daffs' don't usually have a scent and so don't  usually affect those with allergies or who don't like strong scents. They should be kept in a cool spot away from direct heat - this includes sunlight or radiators.  

You can even buy a larger bunch from your local florist and divide them into several small vases and place them around the house.  It will not only brighten your home, it will brighten your life.  And you can mix different types of daffodils to add variety to your floral arrangements.  

So, don't wait for someone else to buy you flowers...pop out tomorrow tonight, if you are able, or tomorrow morning on your way to work, or taking the children to school and buy some of those bright yellow daffodils for you.  

TIP OF THE DAY

ALWAYS keep daffodils in a vase on their own.  Their stems have a toxic compound that is harmful to other flowers.

Happy Homemaking!

BACK TO THE GRIND

January can be a challenging month.  Especially the first full working week.  We return to either to our various jobs, either outside or inside of our homes and the kids return to school.  After a month of Christmas parties, carol servies and numerous 'days off', it's not always easy to get back 'into the swing of things' as our bodies and minds are still in holiday mode.  
So, how do you create work/life balance as we leave the intensity of December and return to the normality of a working January with all the frost and cold?

What steps do we need to take in order to ensure that your re-introduction into the 9-5 working day as hassle free as possible?

Plan.  

1) Get yourself a diary.

Don't be tempted to have several diaries.  Stick to one diary.  If possible, buy diary that is especially designed for women, or better still buy yourself a page a day diary, one that can fit into your handbag.  Even, if you are a techie, a diary is always useful.  

2) Write ALL appointments in a diary.

Don't be tempted to write information down on 'scrappy' bits of paper.  Make sure that you take time to write down all appointments, for yourself, and your family.  

3) Plan all the meals for the next two weeks.

Spend some time planning all the meals for the next two weeks.  That includes, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  If you work inside the home, ensure that you plan lunch for yourself too. 
Planning meals will prevent wastage, take pressure off you before meal times and save you time and money.

4) Iron a week ahead.

The one thing that can really stress you out in the mornings is discovering that the ironing isn't done and you rush around desperately trying to 'not' burn the said garment.  

5) Travel 

Over the weekend, check on the travel situation in your local area.  Everyone will be returning to work, school and university in the next week.  Check that the buses, trains and planes are on schedule a day ahead.  Make sure that you are aware of any road closures if you travel by car.  

6) Weatherwise

If you travel by public transport, check on the weather for the next week.  Make sure that you and the family have appropriate winter shoes and boots for the weather.  If you travel by car, ensure that you have deicer in order to quickly defrost the car in the morning.

7) Early to bed, early to rise.

On Sunday evening try to get an early night so that you can get up early in the morning, refreshed and ready to go.  This will help if there are any unforeseen hiccups in the morning.

8) Prepare food supplies the night before.

Spend a few minutes the night before preparing sandwiches for lunch, fresh fruit for breakfast and any food ingredients for dinner the next day.  Make sure that all of these are put in the fridge to keep them fresh.

Wow!!!  That seems a lot to do over the next few days, but as a contemporary homemaker, you will find that you work inside and outside of the home needs to be planned in order for you to maintain a level of calm.

Imagine you have the next few days to get it all done...

Tip of the day

You may feel overwhelmed by the long list of tasks you have to do over the weekend, but just imagine how relaxed you will feel when it's all done.  

WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN

Christmas Tree 2014

It's officially 2015.  You probably had a late night - staying up well past midnight. You woke up late feeling lazy, tired and lethargic.  You could easily stay in bed, sit on the sofa in your pj's and watch back to back episodes of your favourite show (NCIS Season 11 might be nice).  And then you turn your head and look at the Christmas Tree.  Once shiny and bright, it's looking jaded and needs to be tidied away.  That's probably going to be a job for tomorrow.

It's tiring even thinking about it - but 'what goes up, must come down'.  And it's time for it to come down.  Here's a few tips:

Taking down the Christmas Tree

1) Find a large and sturdy box and label it 'Christmas' along with bubble wrap, tissue paper, label, parcel tape, a notepad and your diary (Every homemaker MUST have a diary).

2) Put on some relaxing music, something soothing after the late nights to help you get this job done.

3) First take off any 'edible' decorations that have not been eaten and throw these in the food recycling bin.

4) Check the decorations - discard those that are broken, scratched beyond repair or those that have seen better days, except those with sentimental value.

5) Remove the tinsel from the trees and place at the bottom of your box.  

6) Package the decorations that you are going to keep in tissue paper and/or bubble wrap and place them carefully on top of the tinsel.

7) Before you take off any lights you have on the tree, switch them them and check if any of the bulbs need replacing.  If so, make a note of this and place in the box and also put the information in your diary for the beginning of November 2015, so that you can purchase any bulbs prior to buying your tree. Carefully wrap all the lights up and place on the top of the box.  Seal with packing tape.  Label the box and place in loft or a dark cupboard.

8) If you have an artificial tree, then dust off, ensure that all the branches are flattened and replace in the original box with all of the legs or the stand. Place next to the 'Christmas' box.

9) If you have a real tree, then you should ring your local council who will advise you how to 

dispose of it correctly.  

10) Arrange over the weekend to dispose of the 'real' tree - the sooner, the better.

TIP OF THE DAY

When you take down the tree, take down the Christmas cards and decide whether you want to recycle them or not.  But before you do that, write a list at the back of your diary of all the people who sent you cards that you might want to send cards to next year.  Also, if you weren't able to send them a Christmas card, write a thank you card to them along with the thank you cards to those who have given you gifts over the Christmas season.  Don't forget now!

Happy Homemaking!!!