Mopping

all you need to mop a floorAs I have professed before, I do not like to spend my time and money on cleaning and the supplies that go along with it.  The easiest task for me to avoid is mopping. I always seem to have an excuse, “it may rain or snow in a day or two, or it’s muddy out. I don’t have time to let it dry – why bother.” However, springtime brings guests to our home and prompts me to clean areas that I have ignored over the winter, such as the floors and cobweb removal.

The funny thing is that once I start, like most things in life, it takes very little time and energy to accomplish and I love the way the floors look once they’ve been mopped.

I have a very simple recipe for non-wood floors:

2 cups white vinegar

2 gallons hot water

2 tbsp. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Pure Castile liquid soap

Mix and mop – simple.

Dr. Bronner’s offers a variety essential oils infused liquid soaps to choose from, I prefer peppermint liquid soap.  For wood floors, I have yet to find a better product than Murphy’s oil soap. Now that the floors are done, I guess I need to tackle the cobwebs. Boy, those spiders have been very busy this winter.

 

Nature’s music

wind chimesI have a very deep respect and passion for wind and its power. Wind is amazing. It is a powerful invisible force that provides relief on a hot summer’s day, or can simply rip a house to pieces.  The dichotomy of wind is very profound. I can list numerous positive attributes along with its destructive powers. However, today, I am going to focus on it musical qualities.

When I was child, we lived in house surrounded by a forest and babbling brook. There were huge boulders scattered throughout the land. I spent my time lying on the boulders, looking up, watching the trees sway and clouds blow, while listening to the wind flow through the leaves and pine trees. The wind created music in the forest. It was so exciting and awesome.

Over time, my fascination with wind has continued. I started buying instruments for this invisible force to play. I am excited by how diverse and beautiful my wind chimes collection has grown over the years. I have scattered wind chimes throughout our property so they serenade us daily. I love the music the wind makes.

I have been fortunate to live near the Woodstock Chimes Warehouse, which has warehouse sales every spring and fall. This has allowed me to indulge in my passion at affordable prices. Woodstock Chimes make beautiful musically tune chimes, gongs, bell instruments. The next sale is May 16, 17, 18 & 19, 2013, 9am – 5pm each day.  If you are in the area, go early, as it can become a mad house.