Monday, September 08, 2008

Weekly Home Blessing

Calendar
Good morning! How do you feel about Monday mornings? Sometimes they seem to sneak up on me and I'm faced with a huge t0-do of chores, school lessons and errands. One of the things I try to do on Sunday afternoon is a weekly home blessing (also known as a tidy-up), to help things go more smoothly for the coming week.

Apron
I put on a favorite apron.

Candle
Light a candle, so that by the time I'm finished cleaning, the scent is all through the house.

Baking soda
Often, I fill a small ziplock halfway with baking soda and a few drops of essential oil, mix and sprinkle over all the carpet. Here are a few more things I take care of:

Washcloths
Finishing up any laundry leftover from the weekend, especially the kitchen towels and dishcloths.

Book
Gather school supplies and books together.

Flowers
Water the flower pots.

Fridge
Tidy up the fridge.

~Empty garbage buckets
~Dust the living room
~Vacuum

Book
When I'm all done, I relax with a favorite book and wait for the new week to begin.

Do you do anything special to get ready for Monday?

53 comments:

Kelli said...

You make cleaning look like fun!

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos and beautifully organised!

Jennilee said...

I do my home blessing on Monday morning. In fact, I'm getting ready to do it in a few minutes!

On Sundays I like to get my menu made for the week

Terri said...

What a good job, Kelli. My problem as a pastor's wife is that Saturdays and Sundays are swamped with church stuff! Alas, I can only look at your pictures with envy and wish to be so organized for Monday. Usually, I'm wiped out by the time Monday rolls around!

Tina Leigh said...

Since the Package is here more often...I freak about the house being clean....you know that girl is a dirt magnet and will find any no matter where it is lurking! I dont like her crawling on the floor and it being nasty.

June Cleaver in Sneakers said...

Wow. You just made cleaning look warm and cozy! Now, that's a first. Thanks for blessing my home with how you bless your home.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

My cleaning like that is Friday evenings. My hubby works evenings so I spruce up everything because he is home on Sun, Mon, Tue. I want to be able to go with him and not worry about the housework! Have a great Monday!!

Cindi said...

Sounds like my routine! Except I forgot to water the plants this morning. Thanks for the reminder!

Carrie said...

Lovely glimpse of your homemaking routines.

The Hamilton's said...

Nothing in particular, but I need to get motivated to start this Monday morning!! I love you idea of the baking soda and essential oil...will have to try that one today! Thanks!
Kelly

Mrs. H. said...

Oh! There's 2 "Mrs. H.'s"! :-)
This post was lovely Kelly - I do so many of the same things! Housekeeping is all in the attitude - you have to do it anyway, so you might as well make it a pleasant exprience. You do it well!
Have a great week! :-)
the other Mrs. H. :-)

Happy@Home said...

That's a great idea for setting the tone for a good week. I'll have to give it a try.

Beautiful pictures too, Kelli.

Have a wonderful week,
Kim

Anonymous said...

I put the kids' clothes for the week, outfit by outfit, in one of those hanging organizers in each closet. I have my menu planned and the groceries ordered for Monday morning pick up. And I take a long hard look at our calendar. . .

Thank you for the homekeeping inspiration!

Emily

Jennifer Hoots said...

Good morning, Kelli. To get ready for Monday, I do gather all our school books together and plan for the week, but I tend to be so busy on Sundays that I don't have time to clean as you described. (Not the true sabbath I long for.) You have given me something to think about, another discipline to consider adding! Thanks and have a wonderful week!
Jenn

Anonymous said...

On Sunday I always help the kids get their rooms and backpacks organized for the coming week~ that might take most of the day!! =) Monday morning, I start cleaning and catching up on all that laundry!! =)

Jen said...

I really enjoyed this. Thanks for doing it.
I always on Sunday go through closets and decide what in a round about way what everyone is wearing or thoughts at least....separate weekend laundry...and get it ready for the Monday morning bustle...get school books together and ready at the back door. Make sure clothes are laid out...dinner menu's are set...and my calender I go over to see what I have for the next couple of days. We are a busy family and eating together is so important to me. i also enjoy watching at least one show a night as a family...which gets harder every year. You should do your schedule on here for people to look at or join in on...I would.

Anonymous said...

This Monday (today) is special. It's my daughter's 14th Birthday!
She asked for a homemade dinner.... Corned Beef & Red Potatoes! Of course handmade vanilla cake too!
:O)
ps: essential oil/baking soda mixture for the carpet... Never heard of that one! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelli! You make cleaning look fun and enjoyable. Unfortunately, my Sundays are pretty unproductive. Our mornings are spent at Church and our afternoons are lazy. I did make a fresh peach cobbler yesterday. It was delicious.

You have such wonderful ideas for your posts. Thank-you for being you. :-) Debbi

Rachel said...

busy day so far! =) Have you smelled the September scent of the month from yankee candle? Its called Autumn wreath...it smells sooo yummy! :)

LBP said...

You are a reader of Gladys Taber! I love the Still Meadow books! I read them over and over.

I love your fall touches. I have been working on mine, still need to get them photographed.

Blessings

Linda

Jenn said...

I do this on Monday. It's nice to get things in order and get some fragrance whether it's potpourri or a candle going and enjoy the space you call home!

Sunday is Mike's only day off....but I usually do a couple loads of laudry at some point in the evening so I'm not swamped with everything at once on Monday morning.

The Proverbs Wife said...

~I pick out 5 outfits per child for the school week

~Clean & tidy the bathrooms

~Place backpacks and shoes at the front door

~Get my pocket book together for the morning (purse, keys, gym card, cell phone, etc.)

~Pick out my clothes

Jennifer C. Valerie said...

I've been enjoying reading your blog. Just wanted to say hi and thanks for your inspiring blog.
Jenn

GranthamLynn said...

Oh what a sweet post. I loved your photos. Everything always looks so pretty.
Have a great week now that the house is all ready!
Smiles,
Sherry

Anonymous said...

For me Sundays are my day of rest and reflection. If I can't get it done on Saturday, it has to wait till Monday.

Anonymous said...

Love your post. Most of the time my kids come on Sunday about 5 and leave when I run them out the door so I can get some sleep. I work a ten hour shift on Monday so I never look forward to it now.
Im still praying about going back home and doing what I love.

Lindsay-ann said...

Kelli - you are so organized. I think my house could do with a bit of blessing at the moment!
Lindsay

Sandra said...

Great post Kelli :)

Anonymous said...

I try to make Sunday a family day, not too busy. Our church is a 30 minute drive away, so I make a big brunch to keep us going. We don't get home until 1.30pm. After fixing a "proper" Sunday lunch I give the stove and sink a good clean over and tidy the kitchen. Supper is often toast or waffles and homemade jam with cosy candlelight and snuggles on the sofa. I do make sure school things are ready and I sort my menu and shopping list for the week too. I straighten the rooms every night as I go round to turn out the lights and check the doors are locked. Gill.

Christine said...

I love that Yankee candle (my favorite one), and the delicious apple juice. It looks so lovely at your house.

Christina said...

Great post Kelli! I always make sure everything is ready for the school week--clothes, backpacks, lunches....makes Monday morning run so much smoother.

Simply Heart And Home said...

Kelli,

Your blog always brings a smile to my face. You have such a warm friendly way about all that you write from your pictures to your stories to your crafts. You are a blessing. Thank you

Gina

Lulu said...

you always have such nice tips..Your home is so beautiful..

Paula said...

Monday is catch-up day for me as well. I do like to start the week off with a tidy house. :)

Carole Burant said...

You have to be the most organized person I know:-) Don't you know you're supposed to RELAX on weekends?? hehe I know your weeks are very busy, though, so I can understand why you try to do all that work over the weekend. Loved all the pictures! xoxo

Anonymous said...

I rest on Sunday.
Donna

Julie said...

I plan out the week on Sunday, and get to work on Monday. I like to rest on Sunday. Rest, that is from the usual work, and just focus on family and church.

Julieann said...

What a lovely home blessing you have Kelli!!
Where do you get your essential oils-I have no idea where to find them.
Julieann

Anonymous said...

I love love LOVE the idea of mixing baking soda with essential oils.
Kelli, you are fabulous daahhhling.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and on Mondays, since I am a weekend-only-wohm, I usually spend the day cleaning up the mess they all left over the weekend while I was gone.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post. Sundays is rest day in our home and Mondays we take on with a full head of steam only to rest again on Mondays :)
Judy

A Hint of Home said...

There is always so much to do, isn't there? I'm glad you found time to read a book and relax. Have a good week.

Danielle said...

You have such a pretty and homey blog :) Your photos are so pretty. What a nice home blessing you do.

On Sundays for me I get ready for my family to come over for supper. We have family night every Sun. It's a tradition that I love, my 3 kids get to see their grandma,uncle,and aunt and for me which means I see my mom,brother,and sister :)

I do some tidying up for that, but I generally am always on the move all week through with cleaning.

Anonymous said...

I had one of those CRAZZZZY MONDAY'S today. This really refreshed me and I will have to try to incorporate again this!!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Beautifully presented! I love your new banner too, is that your house? It so nice!

I usually dash out on Mondays to go to my Faith Sharing Group (or have it here at our house sometimes.) It was canceled today, so I had a lazy Monday!

Katherine

Mimi Sue said...

Home Sweet Home is my favorite Yankee Candle fragrance. I love Harvest too. What a great idea. Mondays wouldn't be so hectic if we get ready for them...Mimi

A happy heart at home said...

You have such a lovely blog! Your post makes me want to bless my home!

~Susan

Carla said...

Sunday is my day off. Monday I do home blessing hour, laundry, and catch up on my online activities. This week I took Monday off too! So today will be wonderfully active! I love your carpet refresher! Thank you for always sharing!

Kay said...

I like to do all that on Friday to get ready for the weekend... By the time Sunday rolls around I go to church and relax watching football all afternoon.... but I'm thinking maybe I need to add something a bit more productive to my Sunday schedule so that I'm ready for the start of a new work week.

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

I want to clean with you Kelli, it sounds like a breeze :).

cryssi said...

You make it sound easy...lol. I dont really do anything to get ready for Monday, I know i should but by the time Sunday is over, I am so exhausted. Maybe I can start doing a few things at a time...

Blessings
Crystal

Lynda said...

You have a beautiful blog! I just found it yesterday and now I'm going through your posts. Your schedule makes sense with your homeschooling during the week. You photos are great too! It's Monday for me right now and I'm on my break from my finishing my first round of Weekly Blessing my home, which the majority is done on today.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post! I will try to make my home blessing hour this lovely from now on.