1001 Children's Books

Learn more about this book here

Once upon a time...

I collected children's books with the intensity of a tropical cyclone. I wanted my children to love reading as much as I do. (Whether or not they love estate sales is up to them--but when it comes to an appreciation for books, there's no room for debate.)

For years, I've watched for books at tag sales and picked up the titles my friends' children were discarding.

And then I discovered the book shown above.

In lieu of Author Friday, (but have no fear--I have another author lined up for next week), I want to introduce you to this book, published in October 2009. As the title suggests, this book, "offers a comprehensive and diverse compendium of more than a century's worth of essential reads." Many of the books you read as a child are listed in this colorful index of stories.

(Assuming, of course, you didn't limit your reading to the Saturday morning comics.)

And while I recommend that you always exercise the highest level of discernment when selecting the books that are appropriate for your family, I also advise that you collect your books with purpose. Part of cutting down on clutter involves adding only those things to our home that bring value.

It's Friday--the day we have designated to focus on our office/study areas. What is the process for adding books to your collection? I encourage you to consider it!

Happy reading.

The Sands of Time

Photo by TinyApartmentCrafts

So another week has come and gone.

One of the things I consistently hear my friends say is how fast time flies. And--while it feels like the days are here and gone in the blink of an eye--the truth is, they're no faster today than they ever have been or ever will be. In reality, we've filled them so full it's hard to know what day it is.

In today's blog post, I challenge you to consider setting weekly goals for your home. Not major, earthshattering--write a novel or train a horse--type of goals. But the type of goals that will make Fridays a day for recognizing the things that have been accomplished during the week. Without taking inventory of what we have completed, it's hard to feel like time ISN'T passing us by.

Consider the following:

1. Find a place to record your goals for the week. You can do this on your computer, in a journal, on the back of a grocery list. Just make sure you put something in writing.

2. Set realistic goals. If you have a household full of children, setting a goal of reading the phone book next week probably won't be beneficial to you. Be realistic about what you can and should accomplish.

3. Determine your reward, (for accomplishing your goals), ahead of time. And in case you're wondering, the reward doesn't have to be about money. Alone time, for some, is a treat well-deserved.

Next Friday, you'll be amazed what you've accomplished if you take the steps to set your goals. Feel free to drop me a note and let me know if you finish your list!

Dear HouseHoncho

Photo by The Wandering Angel

Dear HouseHoncho,

I was so excited to see that you would be starting a Dear HouseHoncho column because my friends and I frequently talk about the things we'd like to ask you. For one thing, where do you get your excitement about your home? I can't seem to get excited about it most of the time. For another thing, how far in advance do you write your blogs? (Maybe we are supposed to keep the questions about home things.) Lastly, how do you not get bored when you're cleaning? I need to be engaged in what I'm doing or I quit.

Carrie T.
Arizona


Dear Carrie T.,

Thank you for sending in your questions! I am glad to hear that you are looking forward to Wednesday's Dear HouseHoncho column. (At least I can rest assured that I have some friends in Arizona who will be reading my responses!) Now to answer what you asked...

My excitement about my home comes from my excitement about my family who occupies it. As I have said--and others have faithfully alluded to here on the blog--our homes are only the cases which house the items most important to us. When I've had a long day at the office, I find my motivation for home management in the rest and relaxation it brings my husband when the house is clean. When any goal is challenging, it is most motivational not to think about the difficult hurdles, but the intended outcomes.

When do I write my blogs?--moments before hitting, "Publish." I like them to be written out of the spontaneity of my day.

Finally, Carrie, I am like you. I like to keep an engaged mind while working around my home. For this reason, I usually listen to audio books or a music CD that will lift my spirits while I'm scrubbing the counters. (Be careful, though, not to get too engrossed in your audio book or you might find that you've worn a hole through the counter.)

Thank you, Carrie T.
Keep it simple!

Inhale. Exhale.

Photo by whitneyinchicago

Just breathe.

Tonight I am late getting this blog post up. Usually by now, I am curled up in bed--somewhere between here and far away--but not tonight. (And actually, that's not entirely true. Usually by now, I am up scrubbing dishes or filling lunch boxes or dancing to some who-knows-who singer on the radio. But anyway.)

Tonight I am late getting this blog post up because I spent time with my family. Huddled around the dining room table playing games and munching on carrot sticks, hours passed before we realized what time it was. We laughed, (sometimes at each other), we competed, (sometimes we lost), and we forgot about the numerous responsibilities awaiting us once the game was tucked back into the game closet.

And for now, I do not feel guilty about that.

Tonight, I will wait to put the dishes back into the cupboards. Tonight, I will bypass the tremendous need I have to feel like I've never quite done enough. Because tonight I spent time with those I love. And though I am a strong advocate of my home, I am a stronger advocate of my family.

Tonight, I practiced what I preach. I kept it simple.

To Mom with Love

Photo by uppityrib

It's that time of year again.

Very little says, "home" and "family" like a good mother. Those of us fortunate enough to have a good mom understand that Mother's Day is an important time of year.

So it's that time. We must find a way to tell our mom how much she means to us--via something wrapped in shiny paper or hidden in a bag filled with layers of pointless tissue--and, if that isn't tricky enough, our criteria for finding this gift is more detailed than the heavily-debated healthcare bill.

The gift can't be too expensive. (She'll want you to be good with your money.)

The gift can't be too cheap. (You'll want your mom to talk to you on Mother's Day.)

The gift can't be too practical. (Remember the year you gave her a toilet bowl brush? Not happening again.)

The gift can't be too whimsical. (What would she DO with it?)

Here are three suggestions I offer you when searching for the perfect Mother's Day gift:

1. Give a gift she can enjoy WITH someone. Perhaps a DVD she can watch with her family or tickets to an event she can share with someone she chooses. You'll not only give your mom the gift itself, but you'll give her the opportunity to make some memories.

2. Give several small items in lieu of one large. If you can't find the one thing that really says, "Mom" to you, why not give a few little items that show you've noticed her interests.

3. Give a non-perishable item, (i.e., something that doesn't need to be wrapped). And by "non-perishable," I am not referring to anything that comes in a can. I am talking about projects around the home or promises to spend time doing something. The most important thing to remember--if you promise it, you better do it!

Mother's Day comes only once a year. It's best to get it right!

State of the [HouseHoncho] Union

Photo by MShehan

Fasten your seatbelt!

HouseHoncho.com launched 37 (short) days ago.

During this time, we have received over 70,000 hits. We have gained new members at a surprising rate. (Our daily e-mail has never gone out to the same group of people twice!) We have received an incredible amount of private feedback--via e-mail--letting us know how HouseHoncho has made a difference. We have successfully finished our first contest, (with many more in the works!) And we have been in communication about ways we can expand our message beyond our website.

In short, we're just getting started!

Here at HouseHoncho.com, we are interested in forming a network of home managers--from around the world--who are interested in sharing ideas that will further improve our homes. We are actively seeking homemakers who are passionate about the job of "keeping house"--whether it's a full-time or part-time job.

As such, here is what's happening right now:

1. As of today, we are launching a forum on our website to further our networking capabilities.

YOU are encouraged to take part in this forum by providing your own insights into the daily responsibilities of home management. We are going to give this forum a 30-day trial. If, in 30 days, it is apparent that the forum is not helpful, we will take it down. If it is something that our readers are finding useful, it will take up permanent residence on the website.

To further encourage you to give the forum a try, we have removed any requirement to enter personal identification. Simply enter a nickname with your comment and you're good to go!

2. Due to the overwhelming number of e-mails that flood our HouseHoncho e-mail account on a regular basis, we are going to start addressing comments/questions on the blog--via a Dear HouseHoncho column--every Wednesday.

If you have a question for HouseHoncho, feel free to send it via the "Contact Us" page and it will be considered for publication in Wednesday's column--along with HouseHoncho's answer.

As always, thank you for your loyal support as we get this new initiative off the ground! The greatest way you can show us your support is by telling other home managers where to find us!

Keep it simple!

This Fine Life

Read more about this book here

She's rarely still and she sleeps very little.

When I met Eva Marie Everson two years ago, I was impressed by her enthusiasm, her sense of humor, and her all-around southern charm. (I actually watched her perform in a talent show similar to American Idol--but that's a different story for a different day.)

One week from tomorrow, Eva Marie's 22nd book, This Fine Life will hit bookstore shelves. About the book:

It is the summer of 1959 and Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that the answer is waiting for her within the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and fourth floors?

Eva Marie was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us about her book and her love of home.

To read Eva's interview, keep reading below. . .

Meet Eva Marie Everson

Photo of Eva Marie Everson

7 Questions. 7 [genius] Answers.

1. According to a recent reviewer, This Fine Life is the story of growing up and facing the reality of choices we’ve made. What is a choice you made, growing up, that you are still glad you did?

I made some pretty bad choices growing up! LOL But one in particular, one good one, was making GOOD life-long friends. I was blessed in that area. I still am.

2. Mariette Puttnam, the lead character of This Fine Life, finds herself in the midst of an unlikely romance. In my opinion, the best romances are the "accidental" ones. Do you agree?

Absolutely. My husband -- who I can't imagine living without -- is the polar opposite of me. I like to "go and do" and he likes to "sit and stare." I like having lots of friends and he likes having no more than five -- and that's pushing it. He is the exact opposite of what I always thought I'd have for a husband and I just love him to pieces!

3. You were born and reared just outside of Savannah, Georgia—meaning you were not only living in the Bible belt, but you were living in a never-ending, living Housekeeping magazine. Did you ever witness any fascinating homemaking habits?

My mother was a great homemaker. I remember her ironing every little thing. Even my father's underwear and his handkerchiefs! Like most women in her day, she had the "once a week" help but I never knew Mother to be afraid of getting her hands dirty. I think the "help" came mostly to allow Mother to run errands without little ones hanging on to her legs. :)

4. This Fine Life begins in the summer of 1959. The 1950s were to the apron and high heels what the 1970s were to bell-bottom pants and platform shoes. What did you learn about this time period during your research?

What amazed me was the amount of work the average housewife/homemaker did in order to keep her home in order. I interviewed various women--typically my mother--and asked them about the day to day. I learned about things like "wash day" which ended with taking the clothes off the line, sprinkling them with water, rolling them up and then putting them in the refrigerator overnight before ironing day dawned the following morning. I also had the opportunity to revisit the fashion, the new products, the hot artists, and the cool sayings.

5. Tell us about your writing space. Where does the magic happen?

My husband and I turned a third bedroom into a shared office. My desk (with hutch) is against one wall, his (without hutch) is against the other. Back to back we face each other ... I have an antique pie safe from my paternal grandmother's home that I took the doors off of and turned into a book case. Another antique pie safe -- this one belonging to my maternal great-grandmother is also used for storing books, promo materials, and special items such as mother/daughter porcelain what-nots from my mother, photos, etc.

6. What is your favorite home management tip?

I clean every day. EVERY DAY! I start at the back of the house and work forward. I don't do a little here and a little there. If I did, it would never get done. Make it one of the first things you do each day: keep it clean and keep it up.

7. What is something you’d like us to know about This Fine Life before it officially hits the shelves on May 1?

Honestly, I love this story so much! When it was done, I cried, mostly because I would not get to visit with Thayne and Mariette on a daily basis any more. Between sending it in and seeing it on the shelf I would, occasionally, go back into the .doc file and, at random, read a few pages just to visit with them again. Now, I have my book copy and I do the same.

But seriously, I think everyone will enjoy This Fine Life ... more than anything, I hope they conclude the message I tried to convey: God's long arm will reach to the heart of every child, but in His time and in His way.

(From Eva) This display is on an antique chiffarobe as you walk inside the master suite of our home. The hats belonged to my mother and father (Mother wore hers on her wedding day) and the Bible was Daddy's. I have it opened to his favorite psalm (27). The flowers on top came from the arrangement sent to me by my AWSA sisters when he went on to Glory. This entire display is one of the most important to me, inside my home.

Thank you, Eva Marie Everson!

Stratego

Photo by tanakawho

Dedication. Determination. Discipline.

No. I am not referring to the fortitude necessary to complete a game of Settlers of Catan--though having played the game many times, I can vouch that all three are necessary, (as is a bag of candy four pounds in weight). I am referring to the characteristics necessary to remain committed to our homes.

This week we have spent time reviewing specific clutter busting techniques. Each of my daily e-mails has been filled with suggestions for getting the "stuff" under control. But we haven't really discussed strategy--the anchor that holds all of the tactics. As is the case in much of life, the how is often more important than the what. Or at least it is sometimes most important to the what.

Consider the following 5 important strategies for clutter busting your actual home management techniques:

1. Determine one solid goal before beginning each task. (Having as a goal "to get rid of things," for instance, is much different than a goal, "to put things out of sight." Different goals yield different results. If you are currently unhappy with your results, stop and review your goal.)

2. Consolidate everything onto one calendar. (Previously, I kept calendars for events, projects, work responsibilities, etc., but after realizing that I never had the right calendar at the right time, I consolidated. It's made a remarkable difference!)

3. Set the timer. (If you don't have enough time to get things done, chances are great that you're spending too much time on too few tasks. Get out the ol' egg timer or set the timer on the microwave. You may be amazed how much you can squeeze into any time you determine.)

4. Write to-do lists. (I believe in them. I write them every morning, first thing. Without them, I'd sit on my couch and eat Bon Bons every day...until I eventually lost my couch in a fire sale.)

5. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. (Not only can we not do everything 100 percent of the time, but we aren't teaching others--namely our children--the benefits of organization or the practice of home management, when we insist on doing everything ourselves. Besides, why not spread the fun?)

Another week is coming to an end. How wonderful to know we've made a difference!

P.S. The photo above is my answer to anyone who asks what "clutter" looks like. Thanks to a recent estate sale, I now have a decent visual aid.

My "Soap" Opera

Photo by soapylovedeb

I am a sucker for soap.

Little excites me as much as something that smells like apple, softens my hands, or promises to relax me at the end of a long day. Likewise, I love to give soap as a gift. No doubt I have offended many with repeated gifts of soap. (No! You smell fine! I am giving you this soap because I love you!)

But nothing threatens to clutter my bathroom faster than too many containers of the good stuff. And, because old habits die hard, I never seem to actually finish the fresh pear before moving onto the apple blossom or island mango, which means I am generally left with several half-empty, perfectly good containers that fill the limited space that is supposed to be my sanctuary.

Maybe you aren't addicted to soap the way I am. Maybe you prefer collecting hairbows or towels or make-up. Whatever it is, here are some tips for storing items in a small space.

1. Utilize the back of the bathroom door. Towel hooks are a must.

2. Think vertically. Put up a shelf or two. (Use the shelf to creatively store things you use every day.)

3. Use drawer space like it's the last drop of water. If something doesn't NEED to be stored in your bathroom, (think special occasion make-up or your daughter's holiday headbands), don't give it away. Store those items elsewhere.

4. Cut down on the clutter by hiding small items in baskets or boxes, grouping like items together.

5. Use the space inside the shower to your advantage. While I don't recommend stacking your towels on the shower floor, hanging a sleek over-the-shower-head steel caddy that holds your shampoo is a great use of space.

HONCHO HINT: If you need to tame a collection of hand lotion, consider donating some to the women's bathroom of a place you frequent often. (It's a good idea to ask the janitor first!) Your lotion will be used and your bathroom will be lightened.

Thank YOU.

Photo by takomabibelot

And we interrupt this broadcast. . .

"I just wanted to stop a second here (from caring for our Furry and Feathered Family members) and let you know that I receive several daily e-mails, blogs, newsletters, homeschool lessons, etc.. BUT yours is the ONLY one I actually check to see if it has arrived each day, never fail to open, AND follow the links to any and every thing mentioned.

Your love for Family and Home is apparently genuine, infectious and wonderful.

Like most good things, friends, opportunities, gold nuggets,and priceless experiences in life, I discovered you by 'accident' and am grateful I was blessed to do so.

You are a gem."

To the dear reader who sent me that e-mail--and to all of you who faithfully read this crazy blog: I find caring for my home to be extremely enjoyable. But what I find truly wonderful is the fact that home management--and the love of it--is still alive and well. There are certain types of people that would like to say "homemaking" is not for the classy, sophisticated, or professional--but do not be fooled. It is the most classy, most sophisticated, most professional person who understands that caring for the needs of others--in whatever capacity that time and resources allow--is second to no other occupation.

Thank you for reading. I look forward to growing this home management initiative with you.

Keep it simple!

Frogger

Photo by Blanzer

Big brown box. Flopping fearful frog.

Back before high-definition computer games or video game consoles that did everything for you, there existed the Atari. Those of you born after 1901 probably have no idea what I'm talking about. But in my family, the Atari was a big deal. I remember with clarity the day my parents brought one home. The excitement I felt at the sight of that huge brown eyesore, about 90 pounds in weight, rivaled that of the news my baby brother was coming home from the hospital.

We owned, like, 2 games. (I was raised in the era where playing outside was still a good idea--even if hailstones were pouring from the sky in buckets.) So the Atari was pulled out of the closet on "special occasions." (Think Leap Year and your Golden Birthday.) Sticks and stones had nothing on the Atari. I considered the days I got to play with it holidays of the greatest kind.

There was one game that I loved. I believe it was called "Frogger." The object of the game was to direct these little bright green frogs across roads plagued with traffic. And, of course, the higher in level you got, the more hazards you had to maneuver. By the end of the game, there was so much activity and so many hurdles and hazards, that you were actually ready to commit frog kamikaze.

I'll make my point.

There have been days where I felt like I was the frog in my own house. Too many items on the bookshelves. Too many dishes in the cabinet. Too many "piles" that need to be sorted. And I am left to maneuver the hazards. It doesn't make being home nearly as enjoyable.

The goal this week is to eliminate clutter. Sure the object may be useful to someone--but are YOU using it? If not, it has become another one of those hurdles on the highway of hazards. And being that frog isn't fun--especially by the eighth level.

This is the week to do it. Pick one room and be really honest about what needs to stay and what needs to go.

The Ultimate Challenge

Photo by M.Markus

If you're like me, you have days where putting up the caution tape just makes the most sense!

I'll be talking about clutter busting all week here on the blog--managing those areas in our homes where clutter springs up like weeds. And--also like weeds--these clutter spots can threaten to take over the whole house if left unattended.

Here are 5 facts I'd like you to consider when it comes to clutter:

1. On average, we spend about an hour a day looking for items that we have misplaced.

2. Experts tell us that eliminating clutter--those items that are not useful, beautiful, or sentimental--would cut back on roughly 40 percent of our housework.

3. The number one reason clutter exists is because we don't give things a place. Contrary to what we may believe, it has nothing to do with the size of our house.

4. Since the 1970s, houses in the U.S. have grown substantially. The average new home is 80 percent larger than homes built 4 decades ago--yet we have less usable space than ever before.

5. Ultimately, clutter is costly to our health, our wealth, and our happiness.

I hope you'll come back to the blog this week to take part in our ultimate clutter busting challenges!

[And yes, that photo at the top of this entry is real. I took it over the weekend when visiting someone's home.]

Meet Deborah Raney

Deb Raney!

She writes incredible books in a pretty amazing place.

Meet Deborah Raney, author of 20 novels, winner of multiple awards, and home manager for a husband, children, and grandchildren.

From the inside flap of her recently-re-released novel, Beneath a Southern Sky:
Her Second Husband Healed the Sorrow of a Tragic Loss. Her First Has Just Returned from the Dead. Which Man Has the Right to Claim Daria's Heart?


Learn more about this book here.

And here are my questions for Deborah:

1. You are a home manager and a writer. How do you find time to balance both, (and do them so well!)?

Well, I have to admit that now that we are empty nesters, it's much easier than when we had four kids at home. But even then, the secret was to delegate. My husband helps in so many ways, not the least of which is picking up after himself. We made sure the kids did the same, and they each had assigned jobs that helped the household run more smoothly. We kept charts and lists of whose turn it was to do what job and switched off often so everyone learned how to do each job well.

2. Your novels tend to center on strong family relationships, (in this case--a husband/wife missionary team). Do you draw from your own family experiences as you write?

Absolutely! There is so much of me and my family in my novels––both my immediate family, and my family of origin. I draw from what has worked for us, as well as what has caused conflict between us.

3. A recent review of Beneath a Southern Sky called it "emotionally intelligent" writing. After reading it, I know exactly what she meant. Whether something great happens or something terrible happens, I as the reader felt it. How do you connect to that emotional core of your reader?

I think one of the necessary skills of a writer is being able to put ourselves in someone else's shoes and truly imagine how it would feel to have this thing that's happening to our character happen to us. Even if I've not experienced the exact event my character is undergoing, using something that author Brandilyn Collins calls "emotion memory" I can empathize with my characters' emotions and thus write them convincingly. For example, I have never committed murder, but I can remember how it feels to be enraged when someone hurt my child.

Deb's lovely office!

4. What is your favorite tip for keeping your home office organized?

I think one secret to staying organized is getting organized in the first place. Once I clean out a drawer, closet or room, I'm motivated to keep it that way by having experienced how nice it looks and how much easier it makes my life to have things in order. I try to walk through the house each evening before I go to bed and tidy things up along the way. I think it helps me sleep better, and I know it makes waking up and facing a new day far more pleasant.

5. One of the reasons I couldn't put Beneath a Southern Sky down was because there was no easy answer to the conflict. In life, what do you find helpful for solving conflicts as they pertain to the home?

Compromise! Anytime more than one person lives in a household, there are going to be disagreements and differing opinions on how things should be done. I think one of the best things my husband and I have done to resolve conflict involving our home is to divvy up tasks. I hate to empty the dishwasher and Ken doesn't mind, so that's his gift to me. He despises changing the empty toilet paper roll, so I've simply accepted that task as my own. Ken's a neatnik who's really bothered by clutter, so I try to keep clutter to a minimum in the parts of the house we share, but he agrees not to say a word if I let my office closet become a rat's nest.

It takes a while to learn what works, but once you do, it simplifies life so much. We decided early on in our marriage––after watching a couple compete negatively (to the point of divorce!) over every little task that needed to be done––that we wanted our own marriage to be a competition of who could serve the other best, who could outgive the other most. We've been doing that for almost 36 years now and it works!

6. What is something you keep in your office that we wouldn't expect to find there?

I don't know that there's anything especially unusual in my office, but one thing my family wouldn't expect to find there (until they read this, of course!) is my stash of candy! I can buy a package of chocolates or a box of jawbreakers and make them last for months. If I put that same candy in a bowl on the coffee table, it will be gone in 24 hours! So I always keep a secret stash in my office. The vegetable crisper in the fridge is another good hiding place for candy!

7. Any last-minute tips from one home manager to another?

Just that when it comes to home management, people are always, always more important than any material item, than any routine, than any standard we might try to attain. I'll never forget the comment of our hostess when a friend's son accidentally broke a beautiful dish at a dinner party. She said, "Don't think a thing of it. There is not one thing in my house that is worth someone's feelings being hurt over." I've never forgotten how welcoming that attitude made her home feel, and I've tried to adopt it for my own home.

Thank you, Deb!

(Now go...check out her books!)

Introducing...AF!

Photo by LollyKnit

Introducing Author Fridays.

On my list of loves—right before baking soda and right after my affection for notebooks—is a good plot. (As in novels, not cemeteries.)

Good writers—the truly reliable ones that write a good book every time—are hard to find. And when they are found, they usually have a lot of good things to say. In my line of work, I rub shoulders with a lot of great writers every day--many of whom happen to love home management, (since many of them work out of their homes!)

So since Friday is the designated day we work on our home office/library/study spaces, it would only make sense that we interview the people whose books line our shelves. I intend to use Friday's blog space to interview writers of all types--asking questions that pertain to you and your home.

One of my personal favorite writers is Deborah Raney. I met her two years ago at a conference and now search for her books at book shops with the tenacity of a child searching for Easter eggs.

What has always impressed me about Deb, in addition to her truly intriguing writing, is her love of home and family. (And, let it be known that she has created and maintained a home office worthy of her work. (Though rumor has it, her first office was synonymous with with her kitchen table.)

Deb was kind enough to answer some questions for me about her recently-re-released novel, Beneath a Southern Sky, mixed in with a few questions about her love of home management. You'll want to come back to the blog tomorrow to check out our inaugural Author Friday interview, as well as see pictures of Deb's cozy office space.

Keep it simple!

Truth or Dare.

Photo by orphanjones

Credit Card Fraud.

We take great pains to prevent it. We don't let our credit cards out of our sight, for instance, and we never respond to those nutsy e-mails that begin, "Dear Madam" and end with, "send me your money."

We know better.

But one of the areas where we sometimes fail to exercise enough caution is in the area of preparing for fraud--as opposed to just trying to prevent it. What we don't like to think about may be the very things that we should consider.

Today's blog post is one giant Honcho Hint.

Consider how much faster it would be--once you realized that your card had been violated--to rush home, pull out a list of numbers, and start making the necessary phone calls? (As opposed to trying to remember what cards you had, what institutions they were associated with, etc.)

Though this is something that requires strategic thought and careful planning, I encourage you to copy your cards, whether on the copy machine or by hand, and hide that information somewhere in your home where no one--including someone who might break in--can find it. Copy down the names of the cards, the emergency phone numbers, and the account information. (Perhaps you can place this in a lock box or that secret room behind the bookcase?)

And whatever you do, don't leave your card in the copy machine.

Recipe for Disaster

Photo by shimelle

Hundreds of small cards. Magazine pages ripped and folded. E-mails. Dusty books.

What do these things have in common? For many of us, they are the means by which we've collected recipes over the years. You know the drill. You go to someone's home, eat something you dream of eating every day thereafter, and you ask for the recipe. The hostess graciously writes the recipe on one of those cards bearing images of birds--or else rips the corner off of her church bulletin--and now you have to keep track of that piece of paper until you get home.

How often does the recipe actually make it into our file? (...and likewise onto our kitchen table?)

I would suggest that--if you can find it in your heart to do something drastically different than your ancestors--you should consider storing your recipes online. There are hundreds of free websites dedicated to storing and swapping recipes. The great thing about keeping your files online is that you can access it absolutely anywhere the Internet exists.

Trying to figure out what you'll fix for dinner when you get home from work? Pull up your recipes. Want to share a recipe with your friend while at her house? Pull up your recipes. Want to share a recipe with your mother while at her house? Pull up your recipes. (After helping her figure out how to open Internet Explorer.)

There are so many possibilities. AND if you don't have the Internet or don't feel great about storing things online, consider organizing your recipes in a document to be saved on your desktop. It will cut down on those pesky pieces of paper that tend to get lost in the shuffle.

Either way. . .you won't be digging through your pockets to find that recipe for cream puffs when you most need it!

Flower Power

Photo by SuperCarly

I read every comment that is made on this blog.

Truly, it is very pathetic how excited I get when someone decides to throw in their two cents. (Honestly. Who wants to listen to me all day? I don't!)

So when a particularly loyal reader, known as "mewsmeme" made a comment last week, I read it aloud to my husband so he could enjoy it, too. Her comment?

"Flowers!!! Fresh cut flowers!!! So many of "Those" rooms have a vase or an arrangement of some fresh cut flowers. And with spring blooms popping up everywhere I am getting my scissors sharpened and my vases brought out of storage. . ."

Loved it. And I have mewsmeme to thank because my husband showed up last night with the arrangement pictured at the top of this entry! Which got me thinking. Nothing improves a room like bringing the outdoors in. No amount or dusting, primping, painting, or polishing equals the improvement of the great outdoors.

So what are some ways that can be done? Consider the following:

1. Open the windows. (Push aside those heavy window coverings!)
2. Bring in a freshly cut flower. (But ask your neighbor before chopping her rose bush!)
3. Sun your mattresses or pillows.
4. Hang your clothes to dry on a clothes line.
5. Place a potted plant inside. (Say that 10 times!)
6. Turn off the overhead lighting and rely on the natural stuff.

You'll feel better. . .for real!

And the Winner Is. . .

Photo by AnnaKika

This has been an incredible week for HouseHoncho.com!

Our membership grew by 39% during the past 7 days, and that can only be attributed to those of you who got out and spread the word! So thank you to each of you who were kind enough to tell your friends, your family, your cats about our [quickly growing] home management initiative! It is my goal to find as many home managers as I possibly can so that we can rally together, share ideas, and improve upon our home management systems! No matter what popular opinion says, we are blessed to have homes to take care of.

But enough about that for now.

Emmy from Wyoming won our first contest! Congratulations! And thank you to Vibrant Designs! If you're ever in need/want of a customized bag or purse, please consider Vibrant Designs!

Do not lose hope if you did not win our first contest! We have more contests still to come with more fabulous prizes. Additionally, we have several great insights lined up to share this week, (including photos of 2 incredible treasures I discovered this weekend while estate saling).

Alright. That's all for now. Keep it simple!

The Bare Necessities

Photo by Luiza

Welcome back, Friday. You were missed.

I work with clients who spend millions of dollars on ad campaigns, think nothing of hopping cross-country flights to take afternoon meetings, and spend what I make in a year on a celebratory dinner with colleagues. So when these, my clients, say, "Jump!" I don't have time to ask how high--I find the nearest trampoline and wear out my Achilles tendons with a smile on my face.

This was one of those weeks.

In addition to looking for new tendons, today I am pondering my list of "bare necessities" when it comes to home management. Because let's be honest. There are days/weeks/months, even, when doing everything on our to-do list just isn't possible. So what are the bare necessities--the things that have to get done every day as long as we're alive? Below is my personal list of daily must-do's.

1. Make the beds.
2. Collect dirty clothes and put them in the hamper.
3. Empty the trash. (Overflowing trash cans. . .uglier than impacted wisdom teeth.)
4. Manage dirty dishes.
5. Keep walk-ways as clear as possible.

Are there other things that should get done in lieu of watching afternoon television? No doubt. But on those days when the number one priority is survival, we can't expect more of ourselves than is truly and physically possible. And certainly, doing the minimum is better than doing nothing at all. Always.

When my world is spinning like the tea cup ride at an amusement park, I can pillow my head at night with confidence if I have done the bare necessities.

Page by Page

Photo by o5com

Look at a picture of a room you really love and ask yourself one question:

What's missing? (Besides you, of course, and a really good book!)

Flipping the pages of my favorite glossies lately, I have come to the conclusion that one of the things that sets "those rooms" apart from the rooms in my house and the houses of my friends is paper. Ever notice that there are no piles of paper in magazine shots of bedrooms or home offices? Even the carefully organized stacks are missing. Next time you look in a magazine, take note.

So here are some strategies for taming the paper beast:

1. Make sure there is a trash can near the places where paper collects.
2. Set your bills to be computer-automated.
3. File it. Don't pile it.
4. Designate a spot for the sentimental items, (letters, cards, etc.) and only save what fits in the space.
5. Banish loose-leaf items. Stray pieces of paper are out of place. Always.

Now to comb through my home in search of offenders. . .

You're Invited!

Photo by e pants

Tonight I was a guest in someone's home.

And by "guest" I do not mean that I was "just someone invited to dinner." I was a guest. Do you know what I mean? There's a difference. After dining on homemade crab cakes and cupcakes the size of my car, I drove home, (in pouring rain), watching the windshield wipers do their magic...and pondering what, specifically, made me feel like I was an honored member of an exclusive dinner party.

Here are the things that I experienced and plan to try with my own guests.

1. The hostess greeted me at the door. She invited me to remove my shoes, (soaked through from the rain), or leave them on, assuring me it didn't matter to her. She wanted me to be comfortable.

2. She asked if I liked dogs. (Consequently, she owned a dog that resembled a cartoon--and she wouldn't let him out unless every member of the dinner party liked dogs.)

3. Within two minutes of entering the home, I was offered something to drink. And as far as I know, my glass never went empty.

4. The host and hostess announced that it was their goal to spend the evening serving their guests. And they did!

5. At the end of the meal, I was thanked for coming, hugged, and invited back.

Had this host and hostess actually rolled out red carpet, I'm fairly certain it would have blended in with the treatment they were already giving their guests.

Who wants to come to my home for dinner? I've got some things to try!

Dream a Little Dream

Photo by Trisha (This item was found at an estate sale!)

Today's post has nothing to do with kitchens.

Have you ever considered the details of your dream home--I mean really thought about them? For me, my "dream home" has always been built on the foundation of relatively-achievable expectations: polished floors, clean laundry, and a bed with lots of pillows. (Oh. And a toilet paper roll that never runs out.)

Last weekend, my brother, sister, and I went to a handful of estate sales. And I came face to face with two things I had never considered putting in my dream home.

1) We were greeted at the front door of one house by a woman (who wore very high heels and claimed not to have any power) who tried to sell us a $50,000, Italian-made chandelier. Consequently, I wanted to ask her if she realized how many boxes of baking soda she could buy with that kind of money. But something else--perhaps the fact that she looked and talked like Fran Drescher--kept me from saying much at all.

2) At a second home, we found a room full of something I had never seen a room full of before. (Not cats and not porcelain dolls--though I have visited whole houses dedicated to both!) This room was full of closets! No joke! One right next to the other. . .an entire room full! It was like heaven in the Hamptons.

I now have 2 new things to add to my idea of a dream home--a chandelier worth more than my own life. And a room full of closets.

Lovely.

Behind [red] Door #1

Photo by smith

Feel free to join us.

Ploofy leather couches. Cool breezes floating through open windows. Tall glasses of perfect lemonade.

And I get the opportunity to interview Julie, the designer of Vibrant Designs bags (who happens to have a pretty cool red front door on the front of her house!)

So tell us about yourself: I graduated with a B.S. in education. . .and I sew! I taught briefly before having children, and then my husband and I decided staying home worked best for us. So, 3 little ones later and I started sewing and selling bags!

What inspired you to start creating bags?: I started sewing when I was in junior highschool, but I didn't stick with it long enough to really learn much. Fast-forward to 3 years ago. . .I was pregnant with child number 2, and I was placed on bed rest due to pre-term labor. I got the itch to have a diaper bag that didn't look like everyone else's! So I drafted a VERY basic pattern and made my first bag! (I still use it!) I enjoy crafting, but most importantly, I enjoy crafting something that is useful to me.

Tell us about something you've learned about home management: I've found in my nearly 7 years of marriage that most of the time, the things that we accumulate are just variations of "stuff." Most often, there's no use for it and it just gathers dust for me to clean! So thus began my quest for crafting things that are only useful.

Share a favorite home management tip: One of our biggest problems over the years has been MAIL!! We would have piles of mail sitting everywhere. . .bill paying time would come and I’d have no idea where to find them. So, a couple years ago, I went and purchased one of those accordion file containers. I use that to contain my bills. At that time, we had absolutely NO office space in the house. So, the home management tip that has helped me the most, (and is subsequently my favorite), when the mail comes, immediately go through it, pitching the trash/ads/mailers, file your bills, and if you happen to be one of those lucky enough to get GOOD mail, decide what to do with that card or letter. FYI, when we get a card or letter, I keep it long enough to show to my husband when he arrives home, then to the trash it goes.

What is your favorite/least favorite room in your house?: My favorite room in the house would be the living room. It's our adult space--the place where we try to keep things picked up at all times. This is where my husband and I spend our evenings. The other room I love is our basement--which houses our family/sewing/play room. I love it because it houses all of the toys! They do NOT escape!

Any strategies for keeping your home in order?: If I don’t have a place for it, out it goes! To the trash, Good Will, or a friend. . .but out it goes!

[With or without the couches, breezes, and lemonade] It was a great interview! Check out yesterday's blog entry to find out how to score one of Julie's fabulous bags!