Pots & Pans Look Like New...

Simple Cleaning Tip for Pots & Pans ....

 Bar Keeper's Friend is my newest" best" friend. Just look below how great it works!

 My pans before Bar Keepers Friend.

 I wet the bottom of my pan and sprinkled on the cleanser. Then I lightly patted on a bit more water to form a paste. I let it sit for about 15 minutes while I did other things in the kitchen.

It comes off so clean....

Look at the difference! Wow...it came OFF so easy and the pan looks great!

I found my Bar Keepers Cleanser at Target. Had to share....

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I'm going to S.O.P. with Style...

I was asked what my New Year's resolution was this year... 

Being a little SASSY, I said,"S.O.P.!" A very puzzled look was given.

 So I replied, "SORT, ORGANIZE and PURGE! 

We have been remodeling and building the last several months. I have had houses built but NEVER remodeled. It is different! I don't like being unorganized. 

And being very busy with life in general doesn't help either! 

We have a new laundry room that needs finishing touches. A new shop with office space, not finished. AND a partial courtyard fence being...expanded! 

Photo by NeeCee

Why is it the room you need finished yesterday takes the longest? So Christmas has come and gone and I need storage space. My closets were bulging with holiday items in need of a storage room. There is one in the shop thats not finished, Y.E.T.!!! So I am stacking, upon stacking tubs & bins in the garage.
Oh MY!

While I am trying to organize around the remodeling, I feel like I am shuffling my rooms (& things ) around! Do you ever feel like you're playing that little puzzle game with the numbers on it? You know the one...where you shuffle the square numbered tiles around while trying to organize the numbers! 
 MADDENING!   URG!!!

   









My Granny use to tell me when I was frustrated, "Grin & Bare It!" 

And then...once in a while when I was REALLY frustrated she would add;

 " In other words... BITE thy tongue till it BLEEDS NeeCee!" 

She had a way of puttn' things! 

One day, I told her over the phone, "Granny...I'm tasting BLOOD today!"

She laughed and said, " At least it's YOURS!
We LAUGHED together! I loved her phone calls. I always hated to hang up.

She (Granny) had a wonderful sense of style. I strive to be like her!

 Don't know if I will EVER be ABLE to fill her shoes.

Off to my S.O.P. duties...Have a GREAT DAY!

Cleaning the house with Style...

*All photos courtesy of Pinterest, unless noted otherwise.

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Gather & Give Donations Before Christmas...

 When our children were small we would take time to clean out the toy box, closets and drawers before Christmas. 

DON'T panic, I don't mean a major cleaning. :)

 We would sort gently used clothes and coats for anything that was too small. We would make a pile, bundle them up and set them aside for a needy charity.

 Next we would tackle the toy box!  Anything that was broken would go into the trash. Then the kids would sort the good toys that were left.

 They made two piles; KEEP and GIVE-AWAY!

We explained that Santa would take the old toys and make them new again for lots of girls and boys. 

"We" were helping Santa and his Elves keep lots of toys stock piled in 

Santa's workshop. 

"Santa always needs MORE toys for his BIG RED SACK!" 

The kids were always EAGER to CLEAN out the toy box and send them to Santa.

They knew "if they were good,"... Santa would bring THEM new toys!

"My plan worked like a CHARM!" :)

It was so nice to complete this chore before MORE toys arrived! :)

Don't forget to sort the BOOKS too!

Take a quick trip through YOUR closet for gently used COATS, SWEATERS & SCARVES to donate. Shelters, Churches, Schools and/or Dry Cleaners usually host "Winter Coat Drives" for Charity's during the winter season.

And don't forget the PANTRY! Gather a grocery sack (or two) and donate canned food to a local FOOD DRIVE or SHELTER.

It's a great way to teach children to be charitable.

Donate to Charity's with Christmas Spirit & Style...

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A Dozen Uses for Distilled Vinegar...

Just a few uses for vinegar while cleaning.... 

1. Make ice cubes out of distilled vinegar, then use them to clean your garbage disposal.

2. Clean the microwave and remove odors by mixing; 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a rolling boil in the microwave, then let set about 5+ minutes. Food and spills will wipe off easily and odors will be gone.

3. Clean the refrigerator with 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water, (equal parts), mixed together. Use a clean rag or wash cloth to wipe down walls and shelves on the inside. This also works well on the outside and top of the refrigerator. Freshens, removes odors and grime.

4. For stained and odor ridden plastic containers, wipe with a cloth dampened with distilled vinegar. Let set for 5 minutes and wash as usual. 

5. Brighten chrome sink fixtures and remove lime deposits by making a paste of 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of distilled vinegar. It will make a thick creamy paste to clean and shine fixtures.  

6. After you clean your oven; use a damp sponge and some distilled vinegar to give the oven a final rinse.  

7. Remove mineral deposits from your Coffee machine by adding 1 cup of distilled vinegar, then fill the rest of the reservoir with water. Turn on the machine and run it through it's regular cycle. Then run another cycle with plain water to rinse. 

8. To clean tarnished brass, copper and pewter, use a paste of distilled vinegar and salt in equal portions.

9. Clean the wheel of a can opener with distilled vinegar and a clean tooth toothbrush.

10. Soak your cooking vent screens in 1 part distilled vinegar and 2 parts water. do this for about ten minutes. If heavy grime; use a toothbrush to loosen. Then place on the top rack of a dishwasher and wash on normal cycle.

11. Clean tile grout with a toothbrush and distilled vinegar. Place full strength vinegar on the grout. Let set a couple of minutes, them use a toothbrush to scrub clean. Rinse with a cloth dampened with water.

12. To clean a shower head of deposits; pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of distilled vinegar into a plastic bag. Tie around the top of the shower head, covering the head completely. Let set for 1 hour, bubbling will stop. Remove the bag and turn shower on to rinse. 
*Photo's courtesy of Google Images

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A Weekly Chore List...

Yipee....Laundry Day! Whoo-Hoo!
 In August I posted a Daily Chore List...Today I am posting the Weekly Chore List. With the Holidays fast approaching, I thought there might be a need to get a little organized on the home front.
 Don't be afraid to assign chores to anyone and everyone who shares your household. You know the old saying; "The family that prays together, stays together?" Well, I have one I use; "The FAMILY that lives together, DOES chores  together!" WHY NOT? I mean, who CROWNED you chief bottle washer, cook and housekeeper? Especially if you WORK outside the home. Even if you don't, KIDS need to LEARN their SHARE of RESPONSIBILITY so... share the WEALTH! (*They'll thank YOU when they are ADULTS) 
What's fair, is FAIR!
**I always start at the TOP and work down in every room.
Why? Dust floats!

Weekly Chore List...
Helpful hint: No TV..., turn on the radio or favorite music. 
It calms the savage beasties...makes for less crumbles. 
"Whistle while you work!" 
It always worked for me! You may want to include NO "cell phones or texting"... I didn't have those to contend with but, I didn't allow phones, friends, etc. till the chores were done on Saturday mornings.

Kitchen:
1. Wipe all surfaces including sink, countertops, vent/hoods, refrigerator including the top, cupboard doors exteriors of appliances, shelves and furniture.
You don't have to deep clean, just surface clean.


2. Wipe down microwave, oven and toaster oven. Don't forget the trash cans, wipe them down too.


3. Flush sink drains with hot water....throw lemon, orange or lime peels down the garbage disposal to freshen.


4. Discard any food or drinks that are "past their time for prime".


5. Wipe light switches and door handles with disinfectant. Telephones too! 


6. Dust off light fixtures including the lightbulbs.


7. Vacuum or sweep, then mop the floors.

Bathrooms:
1. Clean toilets (*always clean your toilets with a separate rag or paper towels), bathtubs, showers & sinks.


2. Change and launder, towels & bath mats.


3. Wipe mirrors, door handles, light switches, window sill & counters & cupboards.


4. Empty trash and wipe container off.

5. Dust off light fixtures and light bulbs.


6. Vacuum or sweep floors then mop.

Living and/or Family Rooms
1. Fluff, vacuum and/or use fabric freshener or leather conditioner. Rotate/turn cushions if you can.


2. Sort magazines, catalogs and discard or organize. Dust, furniture, light fixtures and bulbs, books, shelves, picture frames and electronics.


3.Vacuum and or mop.


4. Stairs and hallways, dust everything, wipe mirrors, picture frames, vacuum
and mop rugs and floors. 


5. Same would apply if you have a home office.


Dinning Room:
1. Dust all surfaces light fixtures, bulbs and furniture, picture frames and objects. Apply furniture polish if needed.


2. Vacuum and mop floors, upholstery if necessary.


Bedrooms:
1. Change and launder all sheets and pillowcases.


2. Fluff comforters and pillows. Freshen with anti-bacterial fabric spray. Mattress too.


3. Straighten night stands and dust. Dust all surfaces, furniture, objects, shutters and window sills and lighting fixtures and bulbs.


4. Empty trash.


5. Vacuum and or mop floors.


6. Straighten closets and vacuum.


7. Pick up toys, discard any broken ones.


Laundry & Mudrooms:
1. Wipe down all surfaces, doors & handles, light switches, light fixtures, bulbs and appliances.


2. Sweep, vacuum and or mop floors.


3. Spray disinfectant in dirty laundry baskets. 
~~~

Now, go bake that cake for the family! LOL...I say; "LET'S EAT OUT"!
~~~ 
Weekends are for MORE than housework! Try to spread these chores out. Choose what works best for you and your family. One room at a time or one or two chores daily, sweeping the whole house....whatever works. With this list you'll need the whole family to HELP! 
Just remember, use the system that works best for YOU. 


When our kids were home, we both worked full time...
Saturdays were chore days. 
Sundays were FAMILY DAY!
 NOW...being empty nesters, who still work,
WE try to save weekends for US and FAMILY! 
Oh, and...YARD work & outdoor projects....NEVER ending!
Do everything with Style...
Is it NAP time yet?

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Silk Scarves...Wash or Dry Clean?

I brought several Silk scarves home with me from China. For myself, family and friends. They make great gifts and they are easy and light to pack! Because they are SILK, extra care needs to be taken when it is time to clean them.  Dry Cleaning is probably the best choice...but if you do want to clean them yourself here are a few helpful hints from the Queen of Clean; Linda Cobb and Martha Stewart's Housekeeping Handbook.

Also below are some picture's from the silk factory our group toured in 

Shanghai, China.

*All photos belong to Pine Creek Style by NeeCee

 The first stop, pulling the fibers from the mulberry silkworm cocoons.

 The silk, threads onto the bobbins (below) and then winds onto the large wheels (above). Do you see the threads that look like webs? The stick (shown below) helps to guide the silk onto the bobbin above it. Below the stick...are the cocoons resting in the water while they unwind.

Here (Below photo) they are getting the silk ready to use inside a comforter/blanket.

 Silk fibers are very strong. Silk is cool in summer and warm in winter.

 This size of silk ball will be used for "one layer" in a queen size comforter.

 Here they are stretching that ball of silk to the queen size form.

The outside cover, for the comforter, is underneath the silk layers. When they reach the desired thickness, they will zip the cover together. This factory makes 3 weights of comforters; light, medium and heavy. 

 Comforter's are sold individually in twin, full/queen, king and extra king. There were a large selection of Silk Duvet covers in many patterns and colors, to use with the comforters. The store at the factory had many, many beautiful silk selections to choose from; scarves, clothing, place mats, purses and more.

 A few of the scarves I brought home.

How to care for your silk....

Check the care labels for directions. Some silk is machine washable, but always check your label. Never bleach silk, it will damage the fibers. Some silk colors will bleed or if painted on, will wash off or become damaged. If silk is not colorfast, dry clean. If there are pleats, dry clean.

~~~

Hand-washing is appropriate to any delicate fabric, such as wool or silk, as well as lingerie, vintage clothing or linens.

Silk:

Washing can damage poor-quaility silk, but most silk garments can be washed safely. To test silk quality, crush the fabric in your hand, then let go. If it feels full and "liquid" and smooths out quickly, it can be hand-washed. If it holds the wrinkles, have the garment dry cleaned. Before washing colored silk, test for colorfastness. Dampen the fabric inside the seam and wait a few minutes. Then dab the spot with a white cloth. If the color comes off, the dye will run when washed, and you must dry-clean the garment.

Wash white and colorfast silks in tepid water-no warmer than your skin-with mild detergent. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the first rinse to remove soap residue and restore luster to the fabric. then rinse thoroughly with water one final time. If the label on the garment says it's safe to iron, do so. Iron while the item is still damp for best results, with a cool iron, on the wrong side, and finish drying on a padded hanger.

Wear your Silk with Style....

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A Daily List of To Do's....

A daily list of To Do's will help cut down on chore time. If you have a daily routine, after a while, it will become a natural part of your day. 

And, hopefully, it will seem less of a chore. Being organized will also help you keep order on a chaotic day!

There ARE some days you just want to skip a chore...so Do! :)

But, leave it as neat as you can, to save you clean up time later!

Daily Chore List

1. A made bed will make the whole room feel more orderly. Which will make you more likely to pick up and put away other items. *Everyone has days the bed doesn't get "MAID" service...:)

2. Put dirty clothes in the hamper. Hang up clothes in the closet. 

*The floor is not a dresser...:)

Put shoes away, etc.

3. Sweep or dust mop the kitchen floor. *The dog can't get it all...:)

4. Do the dishes, yes...the pots and pans too! *If you are just TOO tired...at least rinse them off and stack neatly in the sink :)

5. Wipe up any spills or messes as soon as they happen. 

They will be a lot easier to clean. These spills will mainly happen in the kitchen and bathroom and laundry room. *Sorry...these ALWAYS need to be cleaned immediately!:)

You don't want a bigger mess. 

And, so far, I have not heard of a Cleaning Fairy! LOL

6. Manage your clutter DAILY! Whenever you leave a room, pick up and put away.  This is a whole family, daily chore! Help everyone in the household to make this a constant habit. The benefits are HUGE. *Nothing is worse than getting behind on this chore...YIKES :)

7. Sort the mail, magazines and newspapers. Set aside time each day to 

"purge the pile". Do this near a trash can, sort as you go! Have some in-boxes near, while you're sorting, file into the corresponding box.

 Example of labeled in-boxes: Bills, File, Catalogs/Magazines, Personal, etc. Empty your in-boxes often.

*Make a molehill out of that mountain! :) LOL

*Found this recipe box at Michael's. I thinks she's looking for that
 "Cleaning Fairy" too!

As Always, Clean with Style...

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