It’s Summertime again. The perfect time for connecting with friends and family, and taking care of things around the home.

In last week’s newsletter, we asked you to share what you will be doing this Summer. Thanks to all our wonderful readers who shared their plans with us. We have included some of your suggestions in this article.

Let’s get on with this list of things to do this Summer.

Bonfire Night

It is a bit hard to think of something more fun and heart warming than a bonfire night. Gathering with your loved ones is already one way to warm your heart. But to be all gathered around a fire under the stars warms the heart even more. Picture everyone having long sticks and roasting marshmallows. Eating, drinking and telling stories and jokes. Make this Summer one to remember by having a bonfire.

 

Baking

It is time to dust off those baking pans and tickle your neighbours’ noses. With the strong scent of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, all mixed up and placed in the warmth of your oven, you’ll have them drooling over those cupcakes, cookies and pies.

Barbeque

Get that grill pan ready for some outdoor fun with family and friends. Enjoy the smoke coming from the grill pan and the delicious flavours of some really yummy food.

Garden Party

If you have a reasonable size garden or yard, create some memories this summer with some of your favourite people. Make some lemonade and sandwiches and let the fun begin.

Volunteering

You could volunteer at a foster home, or even with a charity program. Maybe a neighbour needs some help. The hospital is always full of people who would be delighted to have a visitor even if you are a total stranger to them. Make a nice impact in  someone’s life with a genuine act of love.

Picnic

How about packing your pretty picnic basket and spreading out your blanket on the fresh Summer grass? Relax with a book and enjoy some sunshine and the smell of the grass.

Gardening

Maybe you have already started your gardening activities in Spring. But Summertime is great for gardening too. Grab your bucket and gardening tools. Put on your straw hat and enjoy the sunshine while you dig deep in the soil.

Beach Trip

Make use of the sun that you’ve been dreaming about all winter. Plan a trip with your family or gal pals and get a nice dip in the salty water.

Weekend Road Trip

Grab a friend or two and hit the road. Where are you going? Anywhere that is too hard to resist. Drive out for that road trip of a lifetime. Don’t forget your camera! You can’t do this without capturing the best sights and moments.

Camping Or Glamping

Get your tent ready and go camping. Maybe you can even step things up a notch. Add a little luxury and comfort and call it glamping.

Canning

It is not yet harvesting season. But a lot of quick crops will be well ready in Summer. So start your canning and preserve some of your crops and enjoy your canned food in months to come.

Drying Herbs and Flowers

It is the perfect season for drying your favourite herbs and flowers. Use your dried herbs in meals or make wreaths for your kitchen with them.

From our readers…

Mary: “My sister, a friend and myself have a day trip plan to go to the beach. Other than that we will take it a day at a time.”

Elaina:”This summer I will be working on my balconies. I would like to learn a bit more about potted plants and finish two cross stitch projects.”

Susan: “We are doing a little painting. Already shampooed our rugs, doing mowing, weeding, cleaning, organizing, more mowing, volunteering at a nearby assisted living facility, getting together with friends and of course, mowing! (A lot of rain this Spring has made constant mowing of our 3 acres of grass an ever-present chore.)

Whatever your plans are for this Summer, do make the best of this wonderful time of year!

Organization is one of the biggest words when it comes to our homes, and especially when we have company (kids, husbands, boyfriends – and in-laws), we tend to see things out of place more than we truly plan to. Sometimes it is hard to get things in place without a proper plan. To execute such a plan we sometime need to go out of our way to get the right things to make the proper organization truly happen. Money is not laying around everywhere so we have to be careful of the plans we make so we do not go over budget and then stress over the money we spend.

Lets go shop at the Dollar store and see what we can find to make our homes look just the way we want.

 

Labels, Labels- Labels

Okay everyone, the first on our list to get at the dollar store are labels. These are super useful for all areas and sections of our homes. Everything needs a little label in order to keep organization up to par. You will need them for pantry containers, storage baskets, storage bins, DIY cleaning products, DIY body care products and all sorts of containers that will help to make your home spic and span. In essence they make things so much easier and prevent mistakes and unfortunate mishaps.

The Lazy Susan Effect for Your Pantry

This ides is totally genius for storing jars and small containers. To create this grab two cake pans at the dollar store and some marbles. Put about six marbles in one of the pans and place the other pan on top of the marbles. This will cause you to be able to have a rotatable effect so you can easily see what you have inside your pantry, especially when the containers are of the same height.

Dollar Store Eye Glass Cases to Organize Cords:  Use some of these neat and easy to pack eye glass cases to store some of the small cords (phone chargers, iPod chargers, earphones and so on) and keep them from spreading around in the house. Use a sticker and label each so that they will always be used for the same purpose.

Organize the Pantry: See the best available storage jars and shuttable containers that will make your pantry look as neat as possible. When choosing pantry containers, always bear in mind the size of your pantry and what can easily fit well in that space. The more transparent containers are better to use. They are more attractive and you get to see quickly what the content inside is – even so, you should ensure that labeling is done properly.

 

DIY Mail Baskets: The dollar store have some nice wire baskets that can be used for the purpose of storing your mails. Arrange the baskets on a piece of board (you can spray paint it if you want) using a screw, nail or staple to hold them on in a vertical manner and label them. Place a hole in the top section of the wood or attach a piece of rope so you can hang it up where ever you see fit. Place you mails and they will be east to reach and

 

Plastic Baskets:  Some of these baskets can be used as drawer organizers. Place them in your clothes drawers and separate different items in the order you desire. Some are made a bit deeper- they can be used to store craft items. papers, paint brushes, paint, crayons ans so on.

You may also use plastic baskets in the kitchen to store dish rags and towels in an organized way – so fold the towels and place them properly in the baskets.

 

Cute Little Nail Polish Box: The dollar store have some cute little boxes which comes in different sizes and styles and they have lids to cover them. Those boxes can be used to store all your nail polishes. Storing nail polished in a covered container will make your space look more organized.

CONTINUE  TO NEXT PAGE BELOW

These days most people are longing for the “good old days!” With modern technology being a part of so many things, the our souls are crying out for a piece of nature and a rustic touch here and there -every now and then. The times when we did not have to wonder what hard work feels like is brought back to us by a nice iron fork hanging in our garage as an awesome decor piece-or a self-heater iron that charms the living room to remind everyone where we all were back then. Life has gotten much faster and we do appreciate where it is. But we never seem to want to forget those fond memories of our great grand fathers toiling in the sun or rain on a farm. Hence we create some farm house decor ideas.

Pretty Weathered Finishes: Just a bit of paint skillfully placed on your wood and you can make it look so vintage that even you will wonder if this piece of not from some thirty years back. So a rough wood surface and paint that looks like it is peeling off might spark a little “rustic touch” to to your farm house look.

Slipcovers: The true value in these are the options they allow. You can create a calm soothing and relaxing look or you may make it loud and super cheerful. Throw on to any sofa or wooden chair and create a brand new look. They may not necessarily cost less than reupholstering your furniture but they give you a chance to create a quick no fail decorating theme that balances just the way you want.

Wicker and Rattan : Boy are these time efficient-meaning they can be a touch of class for present times past times and future. Dating from the days of the ancient Egyptians- these materials were and still are so beautiful to add to our homes office and even in lobbies in the most luxurious hotels, these give a sweet feeling of nature and calm. Consider adding a piece here end there to spruce up the natural part of your home decor.

Mason Jar Chandelier: Mason jars are very versatile and are a great way to add a touch of farmhouse. Use mason jars and wood to create a beautiful chandelier for your home.

 

 

Exposed wood beams: these add such natural looks exposing the nakedness of nature to the beauty of your home’s decor. It exaggerates the fine details of the house’s architectural design. They give a sense of security and fortification. Consider installing some of these if you do not have them already.

Old Barn Board: Using reclaimed barn board is a great way to add some history and country character to a home. It can be used on floors, mounted on walls, added to furniture, used as shelving – the list goes on.

Enamel Planter: Use an enamel container as a planter to create a rustic look.

 

Lavender Wreath: Whether DIY or store bought -Add a pop of color and some pleasant fragrance to your front door or your living room wall. Lavender wreaths are so cheerfully colored to brighten your day every time you glance at them.

Cottage Crate Planter: This can be an easy DIY project or you may grab one from the thrift store or antique shop. Place some lush green herbs such as basil, sage, thyme, rosemary or you may place some neat growing flowers such as Lavender. In either case you will end up with some multipurpose plants and a beautiful addition to your home decor.

 

Wooden Coasters: this can be done DIY style or if you search for them online you will dream away into a world of such awesome beauty and creativity that you will not even know what coaster to choose. Sometimes while staring at a well detailed wooden coaster you may just be asking yourself- what on earth is more beautiful than this? They add such class and elegance to your home. Its like after having wooden floors and wooden beams-wooden counters and wooden chairs you can’t help but wonder -what can wood not make? These are fine gift ideas and you can etch smart writings on them. Consider placing some on your dining table.

 

 

Make the New Look Old: This can be a fun activity. The opposite is normally done so have fun making a new table look old. Be creative and make it look like it as endured decades of hard work. This gives a good feeling every time you look at because you know that it was intentionally made that way. The awesome thing about wood is that it can be made to look new and modern anytime you want to changes the created feel it now gives.

 

Wood Storage Ladder: A rustic ladder adds instant charm to any modern space, offering a place in the bathroom to hang hand towels and storage baskets. Or a place in the bed room to hang fairy lights and cozy blankets. Plus it adds such rustic touch to the internal scenery.

 

Up-cycled Wine Crate Window Boxes : The easiest way to boost your curb appeal it to install window boxes filled with colorful, seasonal blooms that flaunts their charm and win your heart over and over again.

 

Mix and match Botanical Prints: Oh Yes please! Who can say no to these beauties with their  “rustic” touch of class.They look Great on any wall.

Hope all these were of good help. Now go ahead and decorate your home to get that warn wonderful feeling you desire.

What’s bugging you? Whether it be mosquitoes, ants, beetles or flies, there is an essential oil to warn them to bug off!

There are many products sold in stores that you can use to repel or totally eliminate essential oils. But you might want to think twice before using those products in your home. Actually, they are not just products. They are poisonous concoctions that can will harm you. Consider how dangerous they can be to your children and pets too. These chemicals cause us the air we in our homes to be toxic, and that is just not good for our bodies.

On the other hand, essential oils are a good alternative to those toxic chemicals. An essential oil is a concentrated liquid that is totally derived from plants. You do not have to worry about essential oils making your home toxic. They are not toxic to humans and our pets. So feel free to use.

CONTINUE  TO NEXT PAGE BELOW FOR ESSENTIAL OIL COMBINATION TO GET RID OF BUGS

Want your home to smell fresh and pleasant? This is easy to do with store bought air fresheners, candles and whole lot more ideas. But maybe you don’t actually want to make a trip to the store. Or you don’t want to spend a fortune on products to make your home smell great. There is a fix for this…

You probably have everything you need to make your home smell as amazing as Williams-Sonoma store without breaking your little piggy bank.

To make your home smell fresh and inviting you will need…

4 Rosemary Sprigs

 

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

 

1 Tsp Orange Extract

 

4 Lavender Sprigs

 

2 Lemons

 

Making Your Williams-Sonoma Home Fragrance

You will be making the most wonderful potpourri with the ingredients. Fill a pot with about 5 cups of water. Slice up lemons and add to the water. Bring to a boil. Then add the sprigs of rosemary and lavender. Add vanilla and orange extract. Let mixture simmer on low heat.

How To Use

Let the mixture simmer as long as you are home.

Using a crockpot to make your fresh smelling potpourri is a good idea. A regular pot works fine. But you can leave your crockpot simmering for as long as ever without worrying about having to call the fire department in case of a simmer pot- causing house fire!

Be sure to be on the side…

If you are leaving home, it is wise to turn it off and turn it back on once you return home when using a regular pot. If you are going to host guests, start up your potpourri before they arrive. And let the fragrance fill your house to welcome your guests.

Now, don’t hesitate to get your potpourri going and get your home smelling like a haven.

The Best Of The Amish Journal Series:

Black Healing Salve: The Best Amish Natural Remedy For Skin Problems

How To Do Laundry Like The Amish

Delicious Amish Grape Jam Recipe

Amish Kitchen Tips And Tricks That Are Actually Useful

Things The Amish Don’t Buy That You Probably Shouldn’t Too

Amish Health Secrets That Will Add Years To Your Life

Housekeeping Tips From Amish Women

Amish Survival Skills That You Should Probably Learn Too

Amish Cleaning Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier

3 Shocking Truths About The Amish Rumspringa

Clever Money Saving Hacks From The Amish You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

9 Amish Lifestyle Practices For Your Crazy Morning Routine

How To Live Frugally Like The Amish