Clutter: My nemesis…is it yours?

Posted on July 13, 2010 by viviankirkfield

We just got back from the carpet store. Our downstairs carpeting is in BAD shape and so we took the plunge and ordered a new one (made of recycled soda bottles).

From where I stand (on a worn-out rug) this is a WIN-WIN situation for me. First of all, we will have beautiful new flooring. Secondly, in order to have the carpeting installed, the furniture in the rooms will have to be moved by the installers. In order for them to be able to move the stuff, I have to empty every bookcase, cabinet and clear off every surface of anything and everything in the rooms that has to be moved.

Now, you might think this is a big job, boxing up hundreds of books and photos in frames and all the other STUFF that somehow accumulates as we journey through this life. And, you would be right! However, it will also be an opportunity to go through EVERYTHING. The question is, will I be able to toss or give away some of the STUFF, so that the house will be less cluttered.

I truly believe that clutter increases stress in one’s life. What do you think? I’ve always wished my home could be neat and organized so that if company came, you could open a closet and STUFF wouldn’t fall on you. Or, you could open a drawer and wouldn’t have to push the STUFF back in so that you could close the drawer again.

When my children were little, I had an excuse…I wanted to save EVERYTHING that they created…every picture and craft project. I know it is really difficult to be organized with young children…but if you can be, it makes life so much more simple. No running around the house 5 minutes before the school bus arrives, looking for a missing shoe. No wasting precious hours searching for the car keys that are hiding under several layers of papers on the table instead of hanging up on a key holder.

I’ve read quite a few “how to get rid of clutter” books…right now they are on the bookshelves…soon to be boxed up with the rest of the STUFF. Getting rid of clutter (and staying rid of it) is a mind-set one must acquire.

Wish me luck!

Bad day? Bake some bread!

Posted on July 12, 2010 by viviankirkfield

We all have bad days…alarm fails to go off and everyone is late, coffeemaker filter had a hole in it and your mouth is full of coffee grounds, you’ve just finished buttoning and zipping your toddler’s outfit and he spills his breakfast all over it…and these are the little things. Health, relationships, finances…we won’t even go there!

Life can definitely be frustrating. I’ve found that baking bread, especially with young children, can lift your spirits, help lessen anxiety and get rid of negative feelings (all that kneading and punching down the dough…I think bakers must be among the most peaceful people in the world). It also provides a wonderful activity (with science and math concepts) for you and your preschooler AND everyone gets to enjoy delicious homemade bread!

When my children were young, we baked bread at least twice a week. They had fun. The house smelled like heaven. Here is a recipe for their favorite bread.

CHILD-FRIENDLY SWEET WHEAT BREAD

You will need: 2 cups warm milk, 2 packages of yeast, 1/2 cup canola oil, 1/2 cup honey, 1 egg beaten, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup wheat germ (optional), 5 cups (or a little more) flour, 1 Tb milk, 1 Tb honey, large bowl and 2 lightly greased loaf pans.

Combine milk and yeast in large bowl and mix well. Then beat in 1 cup flour.
Add canola oil, honey, egg, salt, vanilla and wheat germ and beat well.
Add enough flour (about 4 cups) gradually, mixing till you can knead the dough.
Knead 5-10 minutes (you can give your child a small piece of his own to work on), keeping a little flour nearby for your hands if the dough is too sticky.
Put kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean cloth (dish towel is fine) and let rise for about an hour. Then punch down(YES! Get rid of all those negative feelings…you and your child will be laughing by the time you finish punching the dough) and shape into loaves and let rise till a finger mark remains when you press a finger into the dough (about 1/2 hour).
Heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake about 25 minutes. Brush tops with milk and honey, if desired, and bake 5 more minutes. Cool on wire racks.
Makes 2 regular-size loaves or 4 or 5 mini-loaves.

The new parenting book I’ve just written has quite a few delicious, child-friendly bread recipes that have been favorites in our home for decades. Encourage your young children to help with the planning and preparation of family meals. It will provide a GREAT boost to their self-esteem. Positive parental participation develops a life-long parent-child bond.

So, make it a GOOD day…bake some bread!

Have any healthy, child-friendly recipes to share? I’m going to be setting up a contest to solicit recipes for my next book…winners get a free copy of the book (SHOW ME HOW! CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING) and their recipe will appear in the book with credit given to them.

Best job: work from home or not?

Posted on July 11, 2010 by viviankirkfield

I was going through the fridge and freezer this morning, chucking “out-of-date half-eaten yogurt containers and planning next week’s meals based on stuff that needs to be used up.

It hit me how much less time I have, working outside the home as compared to when I worked from my home.

Years ago when my own children were young, instead of returning to my position as a kindergarten teacher, I had decided to operate a home daycare.

I guess I had a well-ordered schedule with established routines for the children as well as for myself. In addition to my own 3 children (1 was in 3rd grade, 1 starting kindergarten and my youngest was only 10 months old), I took care of 5 teacher’s children (ages 8 months to 4 years) every day. I also had a lovely kitchen garden in season and shelves of canned and preserved fruits, veggies and jams. I baked bread with the children at least twice a week (they each got their own piece of dough to knead, bake and take home to share with their families…in tomorrow’s blog I’ll include the BEST bread recipe ever…at least my children always thought so). I never bought a Christmas or birthday gift…I crafted everything.

Now, although I only work 3 days a week outside my house, my children are grown with families of their own, and I’ve traded my hat as daycare provider for that of writer of parenting and children’s picture books, I find I have LESS time than before. Is it that I am older and have less energy? Am I less organized than I was before? Or does life become more complicated even though it seems it should be more simple.

I know it is different for everyone…each person’s situation and personality dictate how they feel about working from home or outside the home.

What is your experience? Better to work at home? Or better to work outside the home?