Category: home

when the gobble is gone…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay5 Comments
We truly had a beautiful four day weekend to be thankful for. The sun was shining, spirits were overall high and I, personally, found myself sitting back on multiple occasions- reflecting on how truly blessed my life is… 

For dinner, on Thursday, we had my sister and her kids, Amanda’s biological sister Bekah (who is very much a beautiful part of our family! We adore her!) and Amanda’s good friend Zach too. It was small compared to what we are used to, but really lovely. Aside from the youngest kids running around and playing, it was quiet too- which was needed. 
So grateful… 
Chw and I went out, at four in the morning, on a Black Friday mission. Half was to capture an amazing deal, that was NOT captured. I did however decide I probably won’t be shopping at our local Michaels ever again. We did manage a few deals, pick up a few gifts and enter a drawing for an iPad. I’m secretly keeping my fingers crossed while he is being uncharacteristically naive about the whole thing. *smile*
On Saturday Chw’s best friend (since he was about 7) and his wife were in town and we got to hang out with them. We went to lunch, hung out for a good amount of time and saw a movie. While I have no photos, (*frown*) I can say we loved seeing them… 
Sidenote- while we were hanging with them, our good friend had the fortune of selling hunting tags to Matthew Fox and his brother. She is one lucky girl… 
Other Sidenote- I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Muppets! GREAT movie! 
All in all, a lovely weekend… Today was a bit family rocky, but whatever- at least the holiday wasn’t… Nothing quite drastic enough to dampen my gratitude… 
Right now I am grateful that school resumes tomorrow… 
How was your Thanksgiving? 
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Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay10 Comments
While browsing do you ever just stumble across something that absolutely changes or challenges the way you currently do things? I am a big meal planner. I’ve talked about that before. I love the process of it, love the recipe searches, etc. 
What I haven’t really talked about though, is life. How life kind of complicates meal planning sometimes. How unexpected plans result in take out, or a migraine of mine inspires my husband to make something completely different and simple- and honestly after a day full of working I don’t blame him. What happens though, is that things inevitably waste. 
It’s sad. 
It isn’t prudent. It certainly is not practical… 
And then, one afternoon last week I came across this post in my reader. It’s amazing… 
Call me naive but I feel like this is the post that could change the entire way that my days function. The amount of time it frees up almost gave me chills. 
Yes, I am dead serious… 
After Thanksgiving- (because I am the girl who needs time to change- time to adapt to such things… And because I ordered the book and I need it to arrive) or maybe before, if the copy i requested through the Library comes in… 
I am excited though, because it is flexible… 
It will waste less. 
It sounds like the perfect compromise between cooking, and not… 
It sounds simple.
God knows my life needs a lot more simple… 
What are your thoughts on the plan? 
If you were to adapt a similar domestic strategy, what staple items would you always have on hand, in the freezer/pantry? 
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The ordinary…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay7 Comments
It is in the exchange of simple, kisses in passing or grazing fingertips through doorways. 
Stretched out foot, in bed, reaching for his. Reassuringly it reaches back, touching. 
Cheek peck kisses, zipped up jacket and lunchbox in tow. 
Ordinary. 
I love my ordinary. My loud morning following by dirty breakfast dishes and silence. 
It is in those dishes that I know my home has family in it. Love in it. Warmth. 
In the morning’s oatmeal, more than fiber and belly warming happened. 
Ordinary. 
Cozy towels still evident with lingering dryer heat. 
Soft socks. 
DVD rentals and take out. To droves of hipsters and cynics this life is known as the boring life, the over life- The end. 
To me it is simply the ordinary. The goodness. The toothbrush, complete with toothpaste waiting for me because he brushed his teeth first. The coffee pot, full with steamy goodness waiting because one of us turned it on. 
The ordinary. My ordinary…
{For more Five Minute Friday, please go to the Gypsy Mama.}
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A bit jarred…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay5 Comments
Quite some time ago I whined and complained about this beautiful oversized apothecary jar that I purchased at a home design sale for a steal of a price. It was one of those must haves, that- once home- I had no idea what to use it for. 
I used my blog as a tool to beg for your help- and I was given some great tips through your comments and emails. 
But still, there the jar sat. 
Every morning that i washed my face and every evening when i brushed my teeth it served as an oversized and incredibly empty reminder of my lack of creativity… 

I grew more and more sad. 
Then, (and I already hear the growing and annoyance as you read the next part-) I ended up coming into a bit of a lavender supply. {Sidenote: at the amount I’ve mentioned lavender on the internet, over these past two months, it’s a wonder my name isn’t among the top google search results under lavender…}
Well, interior happiness heaven shown it’s light on me because I am quite happy with…

What do you think? 
Personally i LOVE it…

As you can see, I filled it with white/grey stones. then, downsized a large jar filled with dried lavender bouquets. For this sweet little dish, I used a couple of random soap bars and then made some small bars with lavender…  {of course}

So, since you are all so smart and stuff, I have another question for you:

Every morning I wake up and, VERY first thing- I wash my face. I use one of these-

It is the Neutrogena Wave, and honestly i love it. But, that’s beside the point…
I am pretty anal about things. I won’t use a washcloth on my face more than once. I won’t keep a hand towel up for more than one day. These sorts of things just gross me out. (don’t get me started on dishcloths.)

So, typically, every time I wipe down my bathroom, I use a Kirkland wipe. As far as wipes go- these tend to be my favorite. that being said, however, I feel like they are very wet and leave a really wet/icky trail. So then I end up paper toweling behind the wipe. It just feels really wasteful.
HOWEVER, the simple act of spraying everything down and using a rag- everyday, seems overwhelming and I question if I’d actually do it every day. PLUS there is the fact that I already launder three loads of towels a week. For a family of four…
yeah.
So… An aunt suggested wiping the counters down with my face rage and mild soap, daily with a weekly spray cleaner. She also told me she often uses her shower towel, when she’s done and dressed.
Between us- this kinda grossed me out. I mean- wouldn’t both the cloth and the towel have dead skin on it? I mean, sure- they are both “clean”, due to the body/face soaps and encountering clean skin. But, there is also dead skin, right?
Maybe I am incorrectly OCD about this idea…

What are your thoughts and how do you approach daily bathroom tidying? 

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