Great Little Book and Spring Cleaning (yuck!) contest!
I'm reading a great little book right now called A Pocket Guide to Amish LIfe by Mindy Starns Clark. It really is a little book, and can fit into your pocket, something I appreciate. 
What's so terrific about this book is that it gives a lot of information about the Amish in a concise, easy to read volume. I wish I'd had it when I first started researching the Amish. If you're interested in finding out more about Amish culture but don't want to get bogged down in some of the more indepth books out there, then this book is for you. You can find it on amazon and Christianbook.com.
We've had several days of lovely sunshine here in Northeast Ohio, and yesterday the temperature got up to 60! Even so, we still have snow on the ground, believe it or not. I think with a few more warm days we should have it all melted, probably just in time for one last winter storm. We usually get those during March or April, although I've seen it snow in May and June as well. Sunshine and spring put me in the mood for spring cleaning (sorta) and getting rid of all the stuff that seemed useful and a good idea at the time, but has outlived its shelf life here at the Fullers. I have friends who actually do their major cleaning in the fall, so it got me wondering--do any of you spring clean? If so, is it a scheduled event, like every third weekend in March, or is it more on a whim? Anyone have any spring cleaning tips? If you enter a spring cleaning tip you'll be entered to win a copy of A Pocket Guide to Amish Life. I'll draw the winner and post the name next Wednesday.
'Til next time,
Kathleen
What's so terrific about this book is that it gives a lot of information about the Amish in a concise, easy to read volume. I wish I'd had it when I first started researching the Amish. If you're interested in finding out more about Amish culture but don't want to get bogged down in some of the more indepth books out there, then this book is for you. You can find it on amazon and Christianbook.com. We've had several days of lovely sunshine here in Northeast Ohio, and yesterday the temperature got up to 60! Even so, we still have snow on the ground, believe it or not. I think with a few more warm days we should have it all melted, probably just in time for one last winter storm. We usually get those during March or April, although I've seen it snow in May and June as well. Sunshine and spring put me in the mood for spring cleaning (sorta) and getting rid of all the stuff that seemed useful and a good idea at the time, but has outlived its shelf life here at the Fullers. I have friends who actually do their major cleaning in the fall, so it got me wondering--do any of you spring clean? If so, is it a scheduled event, like every third weekend in March, or is it more on a whim? Anyone have any spring cleaning tips? If you enter a spring cleaning tip you'll be entered to win a copy of A Pocket Guide to Amish Life. I'll draw the winner and post the name next Wednesday.
'Til next time,
Kathleen
Good Morning, I usually do spring cleaning, I do not have a special day I just do it when the mood hits me whenever the sun is out big and bright and I can have all the windows open, so everything smells so fresh, I will probably get at it right after Easter,
I would love to win the little book that would be great
Thanks
Gods Blessings to you and yours
Lois
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I do my spring cleaning when I am in the mood to -- no set time -- no set date. With the warmer weather we have had, I have actually been doing a little this week. I like the Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wwipes. They have two sides -- one for scrubbing and one for wiping and you can use them on almost anything. Thanks for the chance to win a book. God bless!
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I put baking soda and vinegar in my toilets instead of harsh chemicals to clean and it works! I add about a cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar.
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Being Spring - the first thing I notice are my windows. I wash them with a mix of warm water and cider vinegar. I use newspapers as they leave no lint behind. I use regular white toothpaste and a toothbrush to clean the woodwork around the windows. They sparkle nicely even if the other projects last to Fall.lol
The Cherry Trees and Magnolia's are in bloom here in SC! I felt the need to photograph my daffodile's and tease all my NY family. It has been a very cold winter here in the Soth though. The 70's we have had this week feel great.
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When doing spring cleaning, tackle one room at a time. Start at the top and work your way down to the floor.
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I really hate spring cleaning so I cherish any tip that might help me through it faster!
I am an avid collector of books of my favorite authors and have several bookshelves full. Dusting all of them was a hated chore until I started using a small paint brush. It fits on the top of the books and a few brush strokes on the top, then down the closed front pages will bring that dust right off! By the way, I have them shelved by the authors last name so that I can find them easily.
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I try to do my major cleaning in the spring. But after reading so many of the Amish books...I believe I am doing it all wrong. The Amish women certainly know what they are doing. A little hard work is good for the soul.
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I do "Spring Cleaning" about twice a year. Once in the Spring and the other in the fall. My number one cleaning tip I use (and it's one that makes my pack-rat husband cry over) is "if you haven't used it in two years- get rid of it!
It has helped me tremendously over the years because I too can be a pack-rat. By using that rule, I was able to move back to Oregon with only a pick-up load of things. Granted it was a full pick-up load, but it was only the every day things I needed and of course, my books! The first time I applied that rule to myself it was quite difficult. But now, it is quite freeing.
Please enter me into the drawing! Thanks!
walkinfaith4him(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I have used vinegar & baking soda when cleaning the commode. I pour a cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar in;let stand for about 45 minutes then scrub.It works great & won't harm the septic nor environment. I use it for my drains too. Using cola in it also takes the grime out of commodes also.
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I like to Spring clean and Fall clean. Nothing like getting the house totally cleaned up and de-cluttered twice a year. We haven't been able to do that lately due to health issues. But I do look forward to returning to it. Not that I like doing it but I love the feeling of the house after it is done!
Gods Blessings
Debbie Feavel
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Hi, I don't always do spring cleaning, I actually just like doing things like that if and when it needs to be done..I do have one thing not sure if it is a tip or not,but, in getting rid of clothes, I sometimes pack some away and when you get tired of what you have been wearing then you can bring out what you packed away say a year later and it is like having new clothes again. Not sure if I worded this right, but, I think we all know what I am saying.. I think I already have this little book you just mentioned, I know I do have a little poket sized book and it is about the Amish. I bought it at Walmart..
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I always spring clean 2x a year, once in the spring and once again in the fall. The warmer but crisp air and sunshine for whatever reason tends to give me the want to clean everything! I usually open the windows and turn on the radio, cause you gotta have music to clean! I use the rule of thumb, if you haven't used it in 2 years its not worth keeping! Makes me get rid of alot of stuff! I like the idea of using a paint brush to dust my multitude of books! I will have to try that, may even work on my cd's! I also have several bookshelves with a multitude of books, I put them by authors names too! Amazing what you find to have in common with others! Would be great to win anew book!
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Sorry, I don't have a tip for Spring Cleaning--I try to avoid cleaning during ANY season! LOL! But I just have to tell you that I'm about half way through "An Honest Love" & it is SOOOOO good! Before I started it, I went back & reread "A Man of His Word". Love that book so much, too! Anyway, just wanted to tell you how VERY much I'm enjoying the new book!! Blessings!
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I currently live in an apartment so there's not a lot of spring cleaning to be done. Your question brought back fond memories of my mother's cleaning routine. The walls, floors, windows, and furniture would be scrubbed clean. Then the heavy winter drapes, rugs and bedclothes would be switched to their wonderful spring versions. I always loved coming home from school to see the transformation. Thanks for bringing back such special memories!
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I just posted a little earlier saying that I thought I had this book that is listed "A Pocket Guide To Amish Life" By Mindy Starns Clark-- But that's not the one I have.... The one I do have is:
The Simple Life--devotional thoughts from Amish Country By Wanda E. Brunstetter!
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Hope this will work. Every time I try to comment it won't let me. Borax works great for shining the tub.
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Hey lady!!! I am still waiting to get your book back from my mom so that I can get started.
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My tip is to marry someone with obsessive compulsive traits.
I love it when the WHOLE house is clean not just the upstairs or downstairs. Sadly, this seems to be nearly impossible to accomplish in one day.
Best,
Trish
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I usually do spring cleaning after the threat of frost is over and that is usually after Easter. I clean with Odorban. You can find a gallon with a spray bottle at Sam's clubs. It costs about $10. It leaves such a fresh smell and clean, disinfects and is goo to use to prevent mold. I use it in my daughter's classroom twice a year. When school opens up in August and when the come back from Christmas break. The kids really love it. It freshens the room and everything looks and smells cleans. It is good on killing viruses. I too would love to win the book.
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I Spring Clean a little at time due to having arthritis. I have to pace myself. So right now I am cleaning out my closet while trying to work on my pony express computer. It loads so slow I can put away a lot of clothes while it loads.
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Good Morning Kathleen,
I do spring cleaning! It is not scheduled, like you said it's on a whim. When the sun is shining brightly, and I can open the windows and doors. To me it feels like more of an accomplishment, with the fresh air coming in while I'm getting rid of all the stuffiness from being closed in during the winter months. So to me spring cleaning is like a new birth for my home welcoming the beautiful sunshine and warmth of the coming summer/autumn season. Have a blessed day.
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To keep spring cleaning from being overwhelming, I take one room, from top to bottom,at a time. I do this over several weeks. Then, it really doesn't seem so overwhelming. Happy cleaning
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I clean a small area first, then move to another area. I don't have a set time for spring cleaning, though, just whenever the decluttering/cleaning bug hits.
Yesterday I packed up a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf full of books with tiny print I can't read anymore, and they will be donated soon to a church fundraiser. Giving away books is almost painful, though.
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I do a good cleaning in the spring and one in the fall.I find it is best to wait until you are real rested and in the mood to do serious cleaning.I really like to do one room at a time,but find I can't stick to this.One item I find to come in handy is an toothbrush,it gets in those hard to get to places.It's always good to take a break and slip into an amish book,it can refresh you.Thanks...
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Hi. It's getting pretty close to our annual basement cleanout. My hubby and I will have a lot of time on our hands this spring because we both took an early retirement. Now I can finally go through all the boxes and fabric that have been sitting around for years. We have to rent a dumpster because our town does not have spring pick-up. We've been here for 21 years and that will be our 4th dumpster and I hope it will be the last now that we have time to really clean up. That includes the living room furniture and rug. I better stop before I start writing a book about it!!!
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I generally do spring cleaning on a whim, this year I have made best friends with Brillo pads. They work wonders on almost every surface and my house seems to be appreciating it.
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Hello Kathy, I hope I am not too late for this contest. Please enroll my name for the contest for the book. I just got on FB and noticed this contest. Please choose my name i would be much grateful. Love your books and all that you do. Thanks so much Mary Brown
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Hi Kathleen,
I know I am too late for the give away but I wanted to comment on spring cleaning anyway. I would also like to say that I bought your new book "An Honest Love" today and I am looking forward to reading it just as soon as I finish my spring cleaning. I use the term "spring cleaning" to describe deep cleaning and organizing which I do in my home every 6 months and it is usually done in the spring and fall. A few spring cleeaning tips that work for me are:
1. Be organized by making a list of all the things that you think need to be done. The best way is to do this room by room, not forgetting the outside of the house (back/front porch, grill, patio furniture etc.
2. Take your time! Don’t try to do everything in one day. Give it a week or even two, or if need be, do things bit by bit on the weekends.
3. The night before the appointed day, get a large plastic bucket or easy to carry tote and fill it with the cleaning supplies you'll be using as you move from room to room. Toss in plenty of cleaning rags, wet wipes, paper towels, an old toothbrush and feather duster. Don't forget to add a couple garbage bags.
4. Open up windows and doors and let the freshness of spring in.
5. Clean out the clutter by digging deep into drawers and closets and cleaning them out in order to make room for the new.
6. Give away or donate items you no longer want or need that are in good condition or have a garage sale.
7. Most importantly, don't forget to replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
I hope you are able to find some of these tips helpful. Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
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