Distilled White Vinegar

Got hard water build up in your shower, tub or sink? Stay away from harsh chemicals that not only harm you, your kids, and the environment. All you need is a little vinegar!

Take your ordinary white vinegar, a cloth or sponge, and soak the hard water stains. Let is sit for about three minutes and simply rinse with water. Watch it sparkle with no sweat off your back!

I absolutely recommend buying a big jug of Heinz Vinegar and always keeping it in stock. With so many uses at such a low price, it's on my list of "Mom's Must Have." Check out the Heinz website for more great uses of vinegar!

Breakfast On The Run

Double your normal home-made recipe for waffles or pancakes and save the leftovers in a Ziploc freezer bag. Store in the freezer and pull them out one at a time for a quick snack or breakfast for the kids. Don't have time for your own recipe? Use the "Just add water" mix; add a dash of nutmeg for the "home-made" taste. Don't have your own recipe? You can use this one!

Buttermilk Waffles or Pancakes


1 qt. buttermilk

1/4 c. oil

1 c. cream or canned skim milk

1 pkg. yeast

2 c. white flour

2 c. wheat flour

2 tbsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. baking soda

2 tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 c. applesauce (optional)


Mix ingredients in order given. This is a very large recipe which serves 12 or you can use it over a number of days.


Can be stored for up to one week; mix up the night before using.
Store covered loosely with plastic wrap in refrigerator, leaving room for expansion as mixture will bubble up.


Note: Recipe can be halved. Over time, you may need to add water or flour to bring back the right consistency.

Taking Down Christmas

It's so much fun putting up the Christmas decorations, but not as much fun taking them down. First tip I can give is, take your time and use strategy while putting your beloved decor away. The more careful you are, the better your chances of having a "Merry Christmas" next year! Some basic things you'll be reusing next year are ornaments, wreaths, Christmas lights, beads, and a nativity set. On a budget? Use these tips and you'll be able to cherish your decorations for years to come!

Get Organized has some amazing deals for moms in a hurry and a budget. You can get all four of these items for only $11.99!

You'll want to save your tissue paper from the presents you opened. It works great for wrapping your ornaments if you don't have a box like this one from Stack and Stacks.

Store your wreath in a box to make sure it doesn't get crushed. If you don't have a box, use bubble wrap and store it on top of everything so it doesn't have weight on it.

Cut up the bare wrapping paper tubes into about paper towel roll size. Wrap each strand of Christmas lights around them so they don't get tangled. Make sure to put individual rolls into freezer or grocery bags so they don't get mixed together.

Separate each strand of beads into plastic sandwich bags, and store in the empty shoe box your new boots came in!

A good idea with any Nativity set is to just keep the box and wrapping it came in. If you've already pitched it, use tissue paper or bubble wrap and store it in a sturdy box.

Clear plastic boxes, like this one from Organize it Online, make it easy for you to see what is inside and helps protect from moisture better than cardboard storage containers. When stacking, put the larger, heavier boxes on the bottom and the smaller, lightweight boxes on the top. I know it seems like a no brainer, but some of us need reminding occasionally.

Be aware of the climate you store your decorations in too. If you like in the desert, you might want to find room inside your house for the candles, wax objects, and precious pictures. Throw in several packets of silica (can be purchased at craft stores or online) throughout the box to avoid moisture damage in humid climates.

By organizing your decorations when you store them, it will make finding what you want much easier when it comes time to decorate for Christmas next year. You will feel like a pro. Happy un-decorating.