Let's get organized!

I am not the kind of person that enjoys keeping a clean house, a clean desk, or anything that requires being neat and tidy--far from it. But there are times...

This photo is the result of the latest-dual-effort-clean-out-the-pantry project. My husband John and I tackled the job together, which actually made it go much more quicker. We even got to laugh about some of the things we found, like canned goods with an expiration date of 2001. That means some of them were old when we lived in our old house, but we moved them here only to get even older.

I got to clean the bottom shelves; John got to clean the top. That works out just fine for us since he's tall. I'm not. Without even discussing it, he handled taking out the trash while I organized the products onto the shelves. I guess that is the beauty of being married a long time--we have our own duties based on what each of us is good at. We don't even have to think about it.

Truth is, I'm very picky about where I want things. All the tomato products go together, labels forward, neatly stacked. This discipline probably originated one of my first jobs at a grocery store. That was back when I was a teenager. Some things stick with you. Besides, I have a natural penchant for order, when I feel like it.

I also like connections. So, from the tomato products, like canned tomatoes, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, the natural progression to toward tomato soup, pork and beans, then to dried beans. Another great connection are the noodles--spaghetti, lasagna, egg noodles, and other kinds of pasta. They are never far from rice products, which includes basmatti, long grain, white rice and couscous.

I've always been funny about what I call my "order thing." By all appearances, people who don't really know me would never guess that I have such a condition. I've never been a slave to my house or office. If there is something I want to do, say work on a quilt, write in a blog, or watch a movie, there can be chaos all around me. I don't fret over it, or even pay attention to it, until I feel like it. I certainly never let myself feel guilty over it, for I know it will be waiting for me when I'm darned good and ready to tackle it. And I always do eventually.

When I finally getting around to something like this, I always feel a sense of satisfaction. Cleaning out may be essential for health, but organization is good for the soul.

Practicing what I preach

My idea of a beautiful day--looking out over Bull Shoals Lake

Time for a change--mine!

For the last several years I have been joining what appears to be a movement toward a healthier lifestyle. Though the changes I'm making in my daily life are minuscule, I recognize that if everyone did just small things, the cumulative effect could become epic.

I'm starting a feature in CH Musings called "Practicing what I preach." I hope to share information, healthy recipes, and tips toward making life better for all of us. My hope is that others will join me with their own tips, ideas, and comments. Feel free to email me with your thoughts.

I'd like to explain why this is important to me. First of all, I'm nearing 62 years old. When I refer to a good life, it doesn't have anything to do with going out to dinner, seeing a movie, taking a cruise, or traveling in Europe. My life is much more simple than that. First, I couldn't afford those things. Second, I have no desire to do them. My desire is to make my life easier. I have already shared the things I enjoy in CH Musings; things like writing, quilting, gardening, watching the wildlife on our five acres. Mother Nature is my muse.

I am troubled by the direction the world is going. I abhor the marketing frenzy that has seemingly taken over. I believe billboards along the highway are ugly. I'd much prefer to see a pretty landscape. I hate commercials in a television drama. They are always at just the wrong time. I dislike the idea that a perfectly manicured lawn is pretty much mandatory in so many communities. In fact, I could be categorized as more of a wild forsythia rather than a neatly trimmed boxwood. I am really bothered that common sense has diminished, not just in our national policies, but often times in our own decision-making.

I believe one of the most important aspects of our lives, is our health. Beyond that, it is just great to feel good. I never watched what I ate or cared about such things until I reached that certain age. Perhaps that is what is meant by the golden age. It certainly isn't because life is beautiful all the time. Rather I believe the golden age is when the wisdom we pick up along the way begins to reveal itself to us.

There is no question in my mind that the food we eat and the water we drink must be of the highest quality to maintain our health. I feel that is sometimes in jeopardy. I don't think our food should be manipulated in a science lab. I dislike poison being put into canned goods just to make them pretty and keep them on the shelf longer. I believe in real, natural food. Fresh is best. In that regard, I am a fan of growing as much food as our own gardens can produce. My personal challenges in that regard are ongoing, but I refuse to give up.

I have never liked taking pills. I don't like artificial flavorings or chemicals. Sometimes it is harder to work through a problem without the quick fix, but often times working hard to achieve a desired goal makes the success all the better. Victory really is sweet.

These are the basic ideals that drive me. I have so much still to learn, but the resources are available. I can't say how many times I looked at some ingredient in the refrigerator and went online to see what I could make out of it. That has lead to some pretty wonderful things--things that I now make all the time.

Sometimes a solution to my problems are so simple, I wonder why I didn't think of it before.

For example, I went out to check on the garden. I Noticed lots of tiny flies on my tomato plants as well as some little worms eating the leaves of my radishes. I made up a natural pesticide that seems to be working.

Here's the recipe:

Natural Pesticide

6 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup of hot pepper--
2 cups of water

Combined these ingredients into a jar. Let it sit for 24 hours. Strain through a coffee filter and into spray bottle.

***

I didn't have hot peppers at the time so I added several tbsps of hot pepper flakes.

This will be my second application. My tomato plants are looking really good.
The spray smells strong, but in a natural way. It is so much more pleasant to smell garlic than that chemicals.