My Cookbooks: Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook

Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook was a Christmas present from my youngest BIL and I love it. It is so Martha. It is laid out beautifully and crammed full of baking know how, but you wouldn't expect anything less from Martha Stewart. 

The first few pages of the book contain general baking tips, baking equipment, and techniques. The equipment section has pictures and what each piece is used for. The same goes for the technique pages, plus great insight from Martha's years of baking. 

At the beginning of each the recipe sections, there is information and tips on how to bake that type of baked goods. What type of equipment needed to make that particular baked good is covered, as well as a variety of helpful tips. The instructions are very well laid out and go step by step. I have never had any problem following any of Martha's recipes(...well, I did once because I didn't read the recipe all the way through before starting. My bad!) and everything has turned out well. I have tried only one recipe from this book to date ~ Chocolate Scones ~ and we liked them. I have many, many more marked to try. Now, I just have to find the time to get to baking.

I can't recommend Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook enough. It would be a great gift for a new bride to be or the budding baker in your family. Martha's Baking Handbook, as she would say, is simply a good thing!  

My Cookbooks: The Joy Of Cooking

If you are looking for an all purpose cookbook or a cookbook for a new bride, I highly recommend "The Joy Of Cooking." It is crammed full of valuable information and tons of recipes. First published in 1931, "The Joy Of Cooking" has been updated several times to reflect the current cooking knowledge. 

While I haven't used many of the recipes, this is my go to cookbook if I have a question on how to prepare something or how to cook/bake something. It has a whole section called ~ Know Your Ingredients. Here you can find 5 1/2 pages of equivalents and substitutions for common ingredients which is VERY helpful. This section also has measurement equivalents and conversion charts. You will also find tips on how to grow, harvest, dry, freeze, and use herbs, as well as how to use spices. Other chapters include; "The Foods We Eat", "Entertaining", and "Menus." 

As for recipes, you will find everything from drinks, to game, to pies, to cakes, to pickles, and relishes. I have a lot of recipes marked in here to try and even found a new favorite of ours homemade potato chips. There is a cheese blintzes recipe I want to try but I haven't worked up enough courage to try making crepes, yet. 

Not only is the cookbook a great tool to have on hand, there is also a "Joy Of Cooking" website that corresponds with the cookbook. Just don't expect to find all the recipes from the book on the site, however, you will find some new recipes thrown into the mix. It also has a ingredient and technique page you will find helpful. The site also gives a history of how the cookbook came to be and the history of it over the decades. It is one of those sites, you will want to bookmark for future reference.

"The Joy Of Cooking" has become a staple in my cookbook collection and in my cooking/baking efforts. I highly recommend it and think it is simply a good thing!  

I Love Cookbooks

I love cookbooks and not just for the recipes. I love to read them. They give insight to the history of recipes and the regions they come from. They also tell stories about the authors or surrounding how a recipe came to be. They also contain a lot of valuable information on different cooking techniques, tools for cooking/baking, and how to go about preparing certain cuts of meats. They are just a great resource to have on hand. They are also a great shower gift for a new bride to be. So all this week, I will be sharing some of my favorite, go to cookbooks. 

The books I will be sharing have helped me out a lot over the years as I grow in my cooking/baking skills. They have helped me branch out of my comfort zone to try new recipes and new techniques. Some of them, I love because of the story and history they tell. All of them I think would be welcomed by anyone that has a love for cooking/baking or a bride (or new couple) setting up a new household. All of them are simply perfect!

Reynold's Non-Stick Foil

Reynolds Non-Stick Foil is one of my favorite products. It is one of those non-stick products that actually works. I use it for all sorts of cooking, baking, or storing products. 

When I roast potatoes, I line the baking sheet with non-stick wrap. It helps the potatoes crisp up quicker and makes clean up easy. I also wrap potatoes in non-stick wrap when I bake them. I use it to cover up casseroles as they first start baking to keep the top getting extra crispy. When I take meat out of the oven to rest, I cover it in non-stick wrap to keep it warm. I will sometimes line a cake pan with it before I bake a cake, especially if I am using a cake pan that no matter how well I grease and flour it the cake always seems to stick. It won't stick when I use the non-stick wrap.

The non-stick wrap does have it down side. It cost more than the regular aluminum wrap, but since I really don't use it that often I don't mind paying a little extra for something that I know will work. Another little trick to keep in mind is to make sure you are using the non-stick side of the wrap when you want something not to stick. The non-stick side is the dull side of the wrap.

I know there are concerns about using aluminum foil when you are cooking, so I limit the times I use to those things I know will stick or make-up clean up a chore. Even with the concerns, I still think Reynolds Non-Stick Wrap is simply a perfect product!   

Simply Perfect Product: Cottonelle Toilet Paper

Let's talk about toilet paper. I never really thought about toilet paper. It is just one of those items that you need in life and not much thought is given to the pros and cons of different types of toilet paper. I became aware of the qualities of toilet paper, when we started having problems with our septic tank. 

A few years after moving into our first home, we began to have problems with our septic tank. It had settled some and was messing with the drain of the water from the  home. There was also this thick sludge settling on top of the water. We tried RidX to get rid of that sludge with no success. Our septic tank guy told that RidX is a waste of money to try Brewer's Yeast instead. It helped but we still were having problems. Finally our septic tank guy asked us what kind of toilet paper do we use. We told him Scott's Toilet Paper. He told us we needed to try another brand, because the Scott's was reacting with our hard well water and was forming a thick layer of what amounted to plaster of paris on top of the water. That thick layer was the main reason our septic tank wasn't working right. So, we started trying other toilet papers. 

As we began to use other toilet paper, I kept getting yeast infections. Yeast infections aren't uncommon in women, but mine seemed to go away as I treated it only to come back in a few weeks. As I began to look for things that could cause yeast infections, I came across an article that toilet paper ~ especially the scented ones ~ could cause yeast infections. With that info, the light bulb went off in my head. The toilet paper we switched to was scented. So, I began searching for another brand of toilet paper. After trying several brands, we finally landed on the brand we use today ~ Cottonelle Toilet Paper.

Pic via Cottonelle.

We really like this product. It is soft and cleans well. More importantly, it is unscented and hasn't caused any yeast infections. An added plus is that it doesn't react with our hard water to form that thick layer on top of the water in our septic tank. It is simply the perfect product for our family!  

Simply Perfect Product: Whole Grain Pasta

In our effort to eat healthier, we have tried to switch all of the pasta we eat to whole wheat pasta or whole grain pasta. We have found that we actually like the texture and taste better than regular pasta. When it is reheated or frozen, it stays firmer than regular pasta. 

Muller's pasta use to be our choice of pasta and we still use it in a pinch, but I would much rather use Barilla pasta. I like the it cooks up better and it has a better taste than Mueller's. Barilla pasta comes in all the usual types of pasta and a few different kinds. All of their pastas are also GMO free. Barilla's website has a ton of info about their pastas, from how to cook it to how to measure it. They also have a recipe section full of recipes for every skill level of cooking. 

Barilla whole grain pasta is simply one of perfect products! Enjoy! 

Simply Useful: Plastic Linen Bags

If you are like me, you like things neat and tidy, and an organized house is a must for me. However, buying containers and storage tubs to help keep things organized can be an expensive. So, you have to look for creative ways to find storage solutions. One of my favorite storage solutions is plastic linen bags. You know those plastic bags that often come with the set of sheets or bedspreads you buy. There are so useful and are perfect containers to store linens in. 

I use these plastic linen bags to store all of our camper linens in. After they are washed, I fold them up with a dryer sheet placed in the middle folds. The dryer sheet keeps them smelling fresh and the plastic linen bags keep the mice out of them.

I use plastic linen bags to store all of my linens in. For example, all of our camper linens are stored in our camper in these bags. They help to keep the mice away from them. All of my Christmas linens from towels, to dish towels, to place mats, to napkins are stored in these bags. As well as, any antique linens such as my great-grandmothers handkerchiefs are stored in them. Since one of the concerns about storing cloth in plastic is that moisture can form inside the plastic, I make sure all of my linens are completely dry before I put them in the bags. I also don't zip the zipper all the way shut. To keep all of the linens smelling fresh, I place a dryer sheet in the middle folds of the linens.  

It may take a few years to accumulate as many as I have right now, but they are definitely worth starting a collection. Plastic linen bags are simply a useful item!   

Simply Useful: Ziploc Bags

Ziploc bags are simply the best, especially the slider bags. They are the easiest to close and the easiest to make sure they are close. I use Ziplocs for more than food storage. I use them to store a variety of items in. They are easy to carry and can be flattened out which makes them stackable. So, today I thought I share with you all the ways I use Ziplocs and why they are a simply useful item when it comes to organizing. I find the slider bags work the best.

Ways To Use Ziplocs

• Use them to store all the little pieces from board games. This prevents all the little pieces form being scattered. The bag can be flattened out to fit nice in the boxes. 
• Use them to store cards in your camper if you don't have a card holder. 
• Use them to put crayons, markers, colored pencils, pens, etc. in. This makes them easy to transport and helps keep them contained. It also makes it easy for kids to use in a car on a long trip. 
• Use them for snacks for the kids on those long trips. They are easy to open and easy to close. 
• Use a gallon size bag to store the item you may be embroidering or cross stitching in as well the embroider thread, scissors, and needles. The project can easily be transported so you can use those few spare minutes to work on it. 
• When traveling, store all those hair items you may need; rubber bands, hair clips, hair bow, as well as your brush and comb. 
• When traveling, store your toothbrush and toothpaste in them. This will keep those items from making a mess and getting all over your other items. 
• Use the gallon or larger ones to send a spare pair of clothes in to day care or school. It will also provide the day care workers or teacher a bag to send the soiled items home in. 
• Use the to store bows you use for decorating your house in the various seasons and holidays. 
• Use them to store those open bags in your cabinet or freezer. I use them for my opened bag of noodles or marshmallows. It helps keep them fresh and from critters getting in them. I do the same with bags that are opened in the freezer. 

  

I could go on and on, because Ziplocs are so versatile. The possibilities of how to use them are endless. So the next time you need something to store an item in, think about Ziploc bags. They are simply a good thing! 

My Pillows

While I was in high school, I had a wreck in a Volkswagen Beetle and flip it several times. I almost got a ticket for driving left of center while I was flipped upside down. Yes, it sounds ridiculous but it is completely true! I was banged up and bruised but had no major injuries. However, the effects of that wreck began to show up years later in my neck. 

About 15 years ago, I started having a terrible time with my neck and shoulders. I went to the  doctor and he diagnosed me with bulging disks in my neck. He prescribed anti-inflammatories along with pain pills. The anti-inflammatories tore up my stomach and weren't helping. The doctor then gave me exercises to try. They helped some but the problem still remained. It was getting worse and I was losing sleep. 

After one very bad week, DH made me an appointment with a chiropractor. I was amazed at the relief he provided me. I have been going for 15 years now. I started out going every 4 to 6 weeks, then I was able to push my appointments out to 6 to 8 weeks and now I am up to every 8 to 12 weeks.

Besides giving me adjustments, he has given me advice of what to do or not do. He has advised me on when to ice or apply heat. He also recommended two different types of pillows for me. A D-shaped Cervical pillow for my neck and a body pillow to help with hip joint pain I inherited from my daddy's side of the family. 

The D-shaped Cervial pillow has a d-shaped hole in the middle to lay your head in while the lobe supports the neck. The design is to help restore the natural curvature of the neck, which it does. This pillow has provided me with a more comfortable night sleep. An added plus is that Miss Oakley loves the pillows too. The hole in the middle is just the right size for her to curl up in. 

Pic via Core Products

Most of my daddy's side of the family seems to have a hip problem of some sort. Whether it is a sciatica nerve issues or inflamed hip joints. My is more of the inflamed hip joint issue. Going to the chiropractor helps me out a lot. The adjustment relieves a lot of the pain and gives me some relief, but what has helped me the most is using a body pillow which was recommended by my chiropractor. I sleep with the pillow between my knees when I lay on my side or use it to prop up my right side (which is the problem side) while I am on my back. Since I have started using a body pillow, I have had a lot less issues with my hip. 

Pic via Walmart

Both of these pillows go with me where ever we travel. I don't think I would sleep very well without them. I have even got DH hooked on using a body pillow. Both these pillows are simple good thing!

Living life and loving every minute of it! 

My Go To Beauty Products: My Favorite Fragrance

When it comes to fragrances, I am very picky. I don't like anything heavy or overpowering. Most of the VERY expensive fragrances are to cloying for me. They also tend to inflame my asthma symptoms. I like light, floral fragrances. Fragrances that you wear that don't wear you. So when I found the Sweet Pea Collection at Bath & Body Works, I was hooked. 

Pic via Bath & Body Works

Sweet Pea has a lot of floral and fruit notes to it, but it stills manages to be a light fragrance. I use several of products in this fragrance line. I love the fragrance mist which covers me with enough scent that people get just a hint of it when I walk by. I also use love the body lotion, shower gel, and bubble bath. 

Two of my favorites in this line is the body cream and sugar scrub. The body cream doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy like some lotions or creams can. It leaves your skin feeling silky. The sugar scrub is a great product to use to exfoliate your skin. DH spoiled me for my b-day this year by buying me several tubes of it. We have heard it has been discontinued for now, but I am hoping that it will come back soon because they are in the middle of a packaging change. 

I love Bath & Body Works. They have a lot of fragrances and products to choose from. I like a lot of their different fragrances and have tried some, but my favorite is the Sweet Pea. It is my signature fragrance collection!

Living a simple life and loving every minute of it! 

My Go To Beauty Products: My Make-Up

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I rarely wear make-up. I definitely don't wear make-up while I am at home or when I go to work. After years of rubbing off my eye make-up and smearing mascara everywhere when my allergies were bothering my eyes, I just don't bother with putting make-up on. However, I will put on make-up when we go out to eat or to a movie or to a party or church.

I have used everything from Avon to Mary Kay to Maybelline make-up, but Cover Girl make-up is what I use the most. Although right now, I am using L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Sculpt Mascara. I like L'Oreal's mascara, but I am not over the moon about and will probably switch back to a Covergirl mascara when it is gone. 

I believe make-up should look as natural as possible. I live by the axiom of you should wear the make-up the make-up shouldn't wear you. So I tend to choose neutrals and shades of brown. I add a pop of color with my green eyeliner. 

For a foundation, I like to use Cover Girl Clean Matte Liquid Foundation in Classic Ivory. It matches my skin tone well and is easy to blend in. For a foundation powder, I use Cover Girl Professional Powder Make-up in Translucent Light or Fair.  It matches the foundation I use well. It also gives a polished look without giving a caked on look. 

For my eyes, I like to use eye make-up in shades of brown. I buy Cover Girl Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Shadows in Country Woods or Natural Nudes. Those shades match my coloring well. They enhance my eyes without being overbearing. To make my green eyes stand out, I like to use a green eye liner - which may or may not be Cover Girl depending on whether I can find it in green. For my lashes, I like to use black mascara. 

I don't like the feel of lipstick on my lips, so I go for more of the gloss or lip balm product on my lips. I use shades of pink or peach, because anything else just looks to harsh on my face and for my coloring. 

I am by no means a make-up expert, but I know what looks good on me and what doesn't. I have picked up a few make-up tips from family, friends, and tv shows that have really helped me with my putting on make-up over the years and I am still learning more. Over on Pinterest, I have a board called Make-Up Mastery where I am compiling tips, ideas, and tools for me to learn more about make-up and to improve my make-up techniques. Go and take a look at it! 

Living life simply and enjoying every minute of it!

My Go To Beauty Products: Olay

Growing up, the soap of our household was Jergens soap. It was the only soap that didn't break my momma out. When I got married and set up a household, we started out using Jergens. It wasn't that soon before, DH started breaking out. So, we tried all different kinds of products from Dove to Ivory to Dial. All of those products dried me skin out terribly. We finally landed on Olay soap. It didn't dry my skin out and DH didn't react to it, so we had found our new soap. 

Pic via Olay

As I have gotten older and getting closer to 50 with each passing years, I started noticing littles wrinkles and that wrinkles that kept appearing. My skin is really in good condition because I don't smoke, drink, or lay out in the sun or tan. I rarely wear make-up due to seasonal allergies that affect my eyes. Yet, my skin is changing with age. So when I started looking products to help out with wrinkles and bags under the eyes. The first product I tried was Olay products and I am very pleased with them. I use 3 products from the Regenerist line of products. 

As a moisturizer, I use their Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion W/Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15. It doesn't have a heavily scented smell. It is easy to put on. It makes my skin feel soft and moisturized.  I also like that it has a sunscreen in it. I use it when I am going to be outside instead of regular sunscreen which makes my stings my skin. 

Pic via Olay

For a face cleanser and exfoliant, I use Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser. It is easy to use. It cleans and exfoliates my skin gently. I like the tube it comes because you can get every last (or almost every last) bit of cream out of it.

Pic via Olay

Around the eyes, I use Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum (which I just found out that they are discontinuing.)  I really liked this product. It did make my eyes look better and it didn't sting when I accidentally got some in my eye. I am really disappointed that it is being discontinued. I guess I will have to switch to Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Swirl, Eye Treatment. When I buy some and try it, I will let you know what I think about it. 

Pic via Olay.

Pic via Olay.

Aging is a natural process and I believe in aging naturally as gracefully as possible. However, it never hurts to take care of your skin and using products out that are out there to do so. While products like this do help, I still believe the best thing you can do for your skin is to not smoke, not drink heavily, not lay out in the sun or a tanning bed, eat a health diet, get plenty of rest, and wear make-up as little as possible. 

Simply aging as gracefully as I possible can and loving every minute of it!

Simple Perfect Product: Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner

Our water comes from a well and is what you would call hard water. I mean really hard water that leaves a red mineral water stain on clothes and surfaces, especially if they happen to be white. In order to get surfaces clean, it requires elbow grease and the right cleaner. The right cleaner for me is Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner.

Pic via Clorox.

When we first moved into our new home, I used those little scrubbing bubbles to clean the sinks, tubs, shower, and toilets. After a while the hard water stains became more difficult to get rid of using those bubbles. So, I started searching for a new cleaner. I choose a Clorox product because I use Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner w/ Bleach in my kitchen and love it. 

This disinfecting cleaner helps to cut through the hard water stains making it a little easier on my elbows. Its scent isn't to overpowering, which I like because I am sensitive to scents. The bottle is a good fit in my small hands. I have been using it now for about 6 years. I am very pleased at how well it keeps my sinks, tubs, and shower looking clean and white. 

Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner is one of those simply perfect products! 

Simply Perfect Product: Windex

Over the years, I have tried a multitude of glass cleaners; from Glass Plus to organic cleaners to water and vinegar. However, I keep coming back to Windex. Glass Plus didn't give me the streak free shine I wanted. The organic products left streaks and the one I really liked that I could get at the grocery store isn't made anymore. Water and vinegar weren't strong enough to handle the hard water stains on our glass shower wall and door. 

I was looking at other products when I noticed that Windex made a product with vinegar in it and had the added bonus of being a multi-surface cleaner. I bought a bottle of Windex Vinegar Multi-Surface Cleaner  and stopped my searching. I had found my new glass cleaner. 

Pic via Windex

Not only do I use this to clean windows, but I use to spot clean places on our kitchen and bathroom floors. I also use on my knick knacks, picture frames, and our kitchen table. It doesn't have a smell to it and is just handy to have around. 

Windex Vinegar Multi-Surface Cleaner is just one of those simply perfect products! 

Simply Perfect Products: Pledge

We all have an allergy to dust mites. So, I make a special effort to keep our house as dust free as possible. To do this I use Pledge Furniture Spray or more specifically Pledge Dust & Allergen Furniture spray. 

Pic via Pledge

Pledge has a variety of sprays to choose from. They have lemon and orange scent. They also have dust wipes available. Pledge also has other products; from multi-surface cleaners, to floor sprays, to an orange oil furniture spray. You can see all of their available products at the following link: Pledge Products. 

I know there is a risk of Pledge Spray building up on furniture which may make it attract more dust particles, but I also know it picks up a LOT of dust. I have tried using just a damp or wet rag, but that can damage the furniture too. I am still looking for a more environmentally friendly product that works as well, but until then I will stick with Pledge. 

For me Pledge Dust & Allergen Spray is just of those simply perfect products! 

Simply Perfect Products: Dawn Dish Soap

I grew up using Dawn Dish Soap. We tried others in my childhood home, but after I started breaking out in bumps on my hands and arms we switched solely to Dawn. It is the dish soap we use today. It is one of the gentlest and the best for handling greasy pots and pans. 

Pic via Walmart

Dawn is environmentally friendly and is biodegradable. It has been used for years in rescue efforts of birds and other affected by oil spills and other man-made disasters. It helps get rid of the tough messes but it is gentle on the animals' skins. While I am not a tree hugger, I appreciate the work of Dawn in adding in the rescuing of animals God put here on the earth for us to take care of.  

Dawn's web page has a wealth of information for it users. It has ideas on other uses for Dawn beside dishes. You will find other tips and ideas on how to wash dishes and those collectibles. If you want to learn about the safety of Dawn and their sustainability efforts, they have pages with info on it as well. 

Dawn is one of those products that is a great product and does it job well. However, they are also concerned with its impact on this earth and how it can help animals in trouble. That makes Dawn a simply perfect product! 

Simply Perfect Products: Wisk Detergent

All this week I am sharing my favorite products I use to clean things; from laundry to dishes to the house. These are tried and true products I have used for years in the running and keeping of our home. I hope some of you may be looking for just the right product to do a job and this will help you find one you haven't thought of. 

When I first started our keeping our home, I used Tide powder detergent. It got the laundry clean, but it wasn't practical of getting spots out. So I started trying other products just to treat spots and still using Tide for the rest of the laundry. I landed on Wisk detergent for treating spots. It worked on all kinds of different spots on clothing. So for years, I was buying two laundry detergents. 

When liquid Tide became readily available, I switched from powder to it. I started using liquid Tide to treat spots. It didn't work as well as Wisk, but it saved me from buying two different laundry detergents. However, another problem came up. Soon after switching to liquid Tide, DH's skin began to itch. At first, we couldn't figure out why. We went through all the things we could think of and finally realized the only thing that changed was the Tide. For whatever reason, DH was reacting to the liquid detergent. 

I knew I didn't want to go back to powder detergent. It was to messy and hard to use to treat spots. I also didn't want to go back to buying two detergents. So, we decided to give Wisk a try for all of our laundry and haven't looked back since.

Pic via Walmart

Wisk is relatively inexpensive. There are coupons in the coupon circulars several times a year. They often coincide with sells at one of our local grocery stores. I have been able to get a 52 loads bottle of detergent for $3.00. Besides all of that, it is the best thing I have found to get out those spots and stains my family seems to accumulate almost every day. 

Wisk detergent is simply one of those perfect products!  

Spray Paint

When most people think of spray paint, they think of graffiti or - here in the South, the poor man's car paint job. While it is used for these purposes, it is also an all around great product with a variety of uses. Another plus is that it is relatively cheap. We use it quiet a bit around our simple place. 

I first started using spray paint to freshen up all the plastic flower parts I have on hand. I like to use hunter green flowers pots to match the shutters on our home. I had bought several but they were faded and looked shabby. I also needed more of them, but didn't have the funds to buy them. So I thought I would give spray paint a try. I found a Hunter Green Krylon Spray Paint for plastic. I bought some and started painting. The paint made my green pots look like new. I then sprayed my other colored pots green. The paint covered them well and made them look like new. I have been doing this to my flower pots every year since then. 

Spray painted flower pots.

Since my flower pots turned out so well, I went on to spray paint our faded out plastic lawn furniture. I sprayed two Adirondack chairs and a small table. DH was so impressed with the results that he decided he would use spray paint to freshen up our fading hunter green shutters. They turned out really well and have held the color for a long time. This summer he used spray paint to freshen up the shutters on his parents house. 

Spray paint has become one of those staple items around our house. I have used it to make decorations for special occasions and to make pretty items for our home. I spray painted a cardboard box we got peaches in, put some ribbon around it, and used a paint pen to decorate it. I use the box to transport food in to family dinners and covered dish dinners. I received a lot of compliments on it. People are shocked when they find out how it was made. I also took a cardboard tray I got from somewhere. I spray painted it and decorated it with some ribbon. It turned out to be a pretty tray I use around our home. 

The cardboard tray I transformed with spray paint and a little ribbon.

Now that you have read and seen some of the ways I have used spray paint around our home, it is your turn to get those creative juices turning. How could you use spray paint around your home? Leave me a comment and let me now what you have come up with! 

Who knew a simple item like spray paint could turn out to be such a simply useful item!  

Simply Useful: Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets are one of those simply useful products I like to keep on hand. However, I don't use them for our laundry. A long time ago, we tried to get rid of all the paper products we could. Since dryer sheets were an expensive product to buy and use for laundry, they were one of those products we cut out. Yet, I found another use for them that doesn't cost as much because we are not buying them as often. I use dryer sheets as sachets. 

When spring rolls around, I wash and put away all the big blankets we used during the winter. As I put them up in storage, I tuck a dryer sheet in the folds. This helps keep the blankets smelling fresh and will still smell fresh when I pull them out when winter rolls around again.  I also use them in the sheets, blankets, and towels that we store in our camper to use when we go camping. So as we pull out our camping items to use, they all smell fresh and clean.

Tucking a dryer sheet in the folds of a blanket will keep the blanket smelling fresh.

Dryer sheets are also nice to tuck in the folds of clothes you are storing. They won't stain or damage the clothing. I have them tucked in the baby clothes of DD I have safely tucked away in a container. I also tuck them into the clothes we don't wear all the time; like our swim suits and snow gears. 

Dryer sheets are one of those things that have many uses and are simply a great thing to have on hand. Try them in the clothing or linen items you are storing. I think you will like the way they smell when you pull them out again. 

Loving the simple life we lead and looking forward to where it will take us!  

Simply Useful: Tissue Paper

Tissue paper is one of those things I always try to keep on hand. I use it not only for wrapping gifts, but for storing breakable items. All of my holiday decorations are packed away in boxes until I need them. After many, many years; they still look great and I have rarely lost one due to breakage. I always try to use white tissue paper, but in a pinch I will use colored paper. 

Getting ready to pack away some keepsakes using tissue paper.

Here is how I go about packing those items to be stored for safe keeping. First, I find a sturdy box to place the items in. Next, I start wrapping the items in tissue paper and place them in the box.

Starting the process.

I keep wrapping and packing the items. I fit them together to help with the cushioning factor. When I can, I will place a smaller wrapped item inside a bigger wrapped item. Fitting and packing the items close together help prevent the items in the box from sliding around which can lead to breakage. 

Fitting the items together and packing them tight.

I have had such success with wrapping things up with tissue paper. It is better than old newspapers and it relatively cheap, especially if you buy it at at dollar store. Tissue paper is just one of those simply useful products!

Living a simple life and loving every minute of it!