5 Simple and Random Things That I Love…
These past few years, God has shown me a lot about being content with what I have. We have been stretched pretty tight paying off bills and living on one income while I home-school these babies and live within our means. I love the verse, “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 (ESV). As we’ve had to simplify, I’ve discovered that I LOVE simplicity. It’s changed my life and I’ll never go back!
So, I thought I’d blog from a different angle today. I’d love to share with you 5 simple and random things that I have discovered that I love through this penny-pinching time in our lives. These things all make me ridiculously happy. I hope you’ll gain an appreciation to for one or all of them.
- My Bible app
I am not a techie girl but I love the app by You Version. I’m following the one year Bible reading plan right now. You can pick the translation, highlight verses, set them to cool backgrounds to share on other social media sites. It has short bible studies on every topic imaginable. Best of all, it sends reminders to my phone so I don’t forget. It’s fantastic.
- Castile Soap
This stuff is amazing and dirt cheap. You can find it on the bottom shelf in the soap aisle at Walmart. I buy it by the bar in packs of three. It’s all natural, fragrance free, and very multi functional. To make my own liquid version, I chop up a bar and put it in a quart jar and fill almost to the top with boiling water. Shake it when you think about it for 2 or 3 days and you are left with a jar of the liquid stuff. I use it as a base for shampoo, dish washing liquid, and cleaner. I wash veggies with it and children with it because it’s just so gentle. Just use caution as a baby wash. It’s still a soap and will sting a little if it gets in their eyes.
- My Library Card
I have a basket beside my favorite rocking chair that is filled with a variety of library books. The simplicity of reading a book in my favorite chair at the end of a long day calms and slows everything down. It just makes me happy. My children have discovered a love for reading too. This has been the best addition to our home-school curriculum. These kiddos crave good books and enjoy reading. I haven’t even had to push them. Our library is just that great. We also love to check out the videos, magazines and MP3 players that they have available. There are also some GREAT programs throughout the year for the kiddos.
- Vinegar
I always have this one hand. I buy it in the biggest jug I can find. I happened on this one by accident when I checked out a library book on this liquid gold. I use it to clean, to make quick pickles, to wash windows. You can even wash dishes in it if you run out of dish washing liquid. We also put it in a spray bottle in the bathroom and give it a spritz when the bathroom smells not so fresh. The vinegar smell dissipates very quickly and neutralizes the odor with no chemicals.
- Mason Jars
I saved the best for last. I have mason jars everywhere, all sizes. I use them to hold items such as toothbrushes or pencils. They are excellent for food storage. Mine are filled with fresh milk, salad dressings, leftover soups… We love to use them for drinking glasses. If we are traveling, we screw on the lid and pop them in the cooler to go. My sweet hubby even made me a cool light fixture out of mason jars. My favorite thing to do is fill them with fresh flowers and set them out. Mason jars are awesome and someone is always trying to get rid of them. Crazy people.
So there you have it…5 simple random things that make me ridiculously happy. What are some simple things that make you happy? I’d love to know.
Elizabeth Doan is married to her hubby David for 14 years. Mother to four wonderful kiddos: Sam (10), Sarah (8), Evie Joy (4), and Sadie Rose (6 months). Homeschooling Momma for 4 years with 17 years to go! Elizabeth’s favorite quote in the whole wide world is: “Life is frittered away by details. Simplify, simplify.” -Henry David Thoreau
Blessings,
Elizabeth