A Bunch of Things

The original plans DID call for blogging, but life interfered once again...rats! So sorry if anyone did worry about me, but so grateful that you are so wonderful to do so. It's good to know that you might need my little boost of insanity mixed with trying to make this world a little more Christ-like, loving and giving.

So, now you are asking yourselves WHAT on earth was she doing (either that or you are scared that I am about to share that). ONE of the many week-end thrills was the thing we just all LOVE to do...cleaning out the fridge...not!! All of the pictures you see in this post have been snagged (legally) from the Internet as I can't seem to remember to take pictures during the 'event' (which could be a definite blessing for you).

My refrigerator is a side by side but it was pretty much stuffed with scary things like this one. While Michael had been busy finishing off the hamburgers and hot dogs from the 4th of July, unbeknownst to him (and me) were some hamburgers from another grill time and they were starting to grow some alien life forms. Refrigerators should have shelves that rotate the stuff from the back to the front before they become unrecognizable blobs. There is something unnatural about having to ask yourself or your spouse what something is or could be in the back of your fridge!!

Here are some helpful little hints for our refrigerators:

Baking Soda
"To get rid of smells and dried-up spills inside your refrigerator, remove the contents, then sprinkle some baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the sides, shelves, and compartments. Rinse with a clean, wet sponge. Don't forget to place a fresh box of soda inside when you're done. Cotton Balls
Sometimes the refrigerator just doesn't smell fresh. Dampen a cotton ball with vanilla extract and place it on a shelf. You'll find it acts as a deodorizer, offering its own pleasant scent. (Just don't forget what it is and think another life form is in there!)

Lemons
Remove refrigerator odors with ease. Dab lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and leave it in the fridge for several hours. Make sure to toss out any malodorous items that might be causing the bad smell. (Caution: There is such a thing as too many cotton balls int the fridge plus if they smell or look good enough some family member may try to eat them!)

Plastic Lids
Drippy bottles and containers with leaks can create a big mess on your refrigerator shelves. Create coasters from plastic lids to keep things clean. Place the lids under food containers to stop any potential leaks. If they get dirty, throw them in the dishwasher, while your fridge shelves stay free of a sticky mess. (Another caution: Let family members know about this or they will:

A. Throw them out when they NEVER throw anything else away.

B. Move the lids away from whatever they are under, so that spillage can continue.

C. Use your needed storage lids for everything that doesn't need them.

D. All of the above.)

Salt
We all have to do it sometime, and today it's your turn. You've removed all the food and the racks from the fridge. Now mix up a handful of salt in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) or so of warm water and use it with a sponge to clean the inside of the refrigerator. The mixture isn't abrasive, so it won't scratch surfaces. And you won't be introducing chemical fumes or odors.

Tomato Juice
Did a power failure cause the food to spoil and become malodorous in your fridge? Get rid of spoiled-food smells in your refrigerator and freezer with the help of some tomato juice. After disposing of the bad food that caused the smell, thoroughly wipe the insides of the fridge and freezer with a sponge or washcloth doused in undiluted tomato juice. Rinse with warm, soapy water and wipe dry. If traces of the smell remain, repeat the procedure or substitute vinegar for the tomato juice. (If you are in need of some sympathy, leave some tomato juice on the inside wall and say you've worked yourself to the bone for them and it involved a little blood on the way to that bone.)

Vanilla Extract
Having trouble getting rid of that bad odor in your refrigerator, even after scrubbing it out? Wipe down the inside of the fridge with vanilla extract. To prolong the fresh vanilla scent, soak a cotton ball or a piece of sponge with vanilla extract and leave it in the refrigerator. (Hmmm...wonder if this would work on hubby's underarms after some yard work? Or you could sprinkle it on his deodorant!)

Vinegar
Did you know that vinegar might be an even more effective safe cleanser for your refrigerator than baking soda? Use equal parts white vinegar and water to wash both the interior and exterior of your fridge, including the door gasket and the fronts of the vegetable and fruit bins. To prevent mildew growth, wash the inside walls and bin interiors with some full-strength vinegar on a cloth. Also use undiluted vinegar to wipe off accumulated dust and grime on top of your refrigerator. Of course, you'll still want to put that box of baking soda inside your refrigerator to keep it smelling clean when you're done.

WD-40

When soap and water can't get rid of old bits of food stuck in and around your refrigerator, it's time to reach for the WD-40. After clearing all foodstuffs from the areas to be treated, spray a small amount of WD-40 on each resistant spot. Then wipe them away with a rag or sponge. Make sure you wash off all the WD-40 before returning food to the fridge. " (Also do not get carried away with spraying it liberally or you may get carried away to the hospital when you slip and slide on your kitchen floor.)

Here is what I do with everything in the fridge...actually this is my regular method for cleaning out cabinets, drawers etc., then theses items get cleaned or tossed as needed.

On Saturday night we had home made garlic mixture on five grain Italian bread. Michael absolutely loves this mix, does it himself and it's easy to make, but his got blackened this time.

If we don't have Italian bread, I will still make garlic toast (just sprinkle garlic powder lightly on bread, toast and then butter).

The best part is the home made spaghetti sauce. God must have inspired me with this recipe and it is lip smacking good, freezes so well and full of good things. By the way, I have no problem with sharing any recipe as it seems silly when people say it's a secret family recipe...the world NEEDS these 'secrets'! It looks a little like the picture below:

Saturday morning found me trying to get all the mud and crud we had been bringing in from our yard work, off of the carpet. After four shampoos it is looking really good, but i will do two more anyway. Our carpet is about this color, but our shampooer is prettier :o) !

Now, with one this size, you can do a room in 30 seconds!

Finally, last night when it was dark and stormy, there was something spooky and scary outside...it was us. The tomatoes were supposed to have been staked earlier in the day, but that didn't happen, so with Kelly holding the big flashlight, the three of us went out into the wind and upcoming storm. We did get two big tomato plants secured to their stakes...we may have scared a couple neighbors too! Tinkabelle loved it and all of us came in slightly damp as the rain finally started.

A chuckle or two for you:

Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think .

If you are willing to admit you are wrong when you are wrong, you are all right.

Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.

A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it's a forgery.

I have this nagging fear that everyone is out to make me paranoid.

"I've recently discovered that I can predict the future. You'd think I would've seen that coming."

It's what people don't know about each other that makes them such good friends.

I wear the pants in my family ... right under my apron.

My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.

I wish that Hallmark would make a card that says, "Sorry, what was your name again?"

If someone calls me fat, I don't get angry. I just turn the other chin.

There is a guaranteed way to get what you want... want less.

I go to a woman dentist. It's a relief to be told to open my mouth instead of to shut it.

"My grandfather is hard of hearing and has to read lips. I don't mind, but he uses those darn yellow high-lighters."

I walked into my doctor's office and said,"Doctor, I've eaten something that disagrees with me." A voice from inside my stomach said, "No, you haven't."

Character is like a fence - it cannot be strengthened by whitewash.

My wife made me join a bridge club. I jump off next Tuesday.

Those who say they "sleep like a baby", haven't got one.

Looking for 'true love' is like buying a book on how to read.

The best way to keep your kids out of hot water is to put some dishes in it.

A perfectionist is one who takes great pains, and gives them to everyone else.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

P.S. Tomorrow I will acknowledge my sweet awards, in fact I'll get started today plus tell you that other job I had!

~~~Thank you Lord for the blessings of things that need cleaning and the ability to clean them.