Having a Martha Home the Mary Way

About the book:
Get your home and your heart in order in just 31 days! Sarah Mae wants to let you in on a little secret about being a good homemaker: It’s not about having a clean house. She’d never claim to be a natural, organized cleaner herself―yet, like you, she wants a beautiful space to call home, a place where people feel loved and at peace. Where people can really settle in with good food, comfy pillows, and wide-open hearts.

Is it possible to find a balance? To care for your heart―and your home―at the same time?

Journey with Sarah Mae on this easy, practical 31-day plan to get you moving and have your house looking and feeling fresh. But even more than that, you’ll gain a new vision for the home of your dreams, and how to make it a place of peace, comfort, and community. Originally published as the e-book 31 Days to Clean and now revised and expanded in print for the first time, Having a Martha Home the Mary Way will inspire you to find a happier, healthier . . . cleaner way to live.

My thoughts:
I thought the description of this book sounded interesting and would be helpful for me in this stage of my life.  I liked the layout of this book with short, easy to read chapters followed by a "Mary Challenge" with questions and with space to write your answers and then a "Martha Challenge" which is directions for one thing to clean in your home.

I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn't appeal to me overall.  I liked the short chapters and she does have some good ideas for cleaning.  But it seemed like she just repeated herself.  She kept repeating about getting the kids involved and saying that certain things may not work for everyone so just do what works for you and that bugged me.  It is a nice idea to use a month to get the house clean, but that just does not seem like real life to me. I have not finished to the end of this book because it just does not hold my attention.   I caught myself thinking numerous times why is this even a book?

This book was provided to me through the Tyndale Blog Network reviewers program.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
 

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (November)

Welcome to "As long as it is called Today" as we encourage one another. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

This is the link to last week's question.

Today's question: Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Share your plans. Do you prepare the meal? Do you have a traditional meal? What is your "must have" dish? Is there a special dish you prepare that everyone requests?

My answer: We go to my Mom's house and she does the cooking. She asks us for our requests. I wanted sweet potatoes with marshmallows (this is something I've just started liking), my husband asked for mashed potatoes and pecan pie, and Caleb asked for veggies and "pie" (pie is really fudge, he called it pie when he was little so we still call it that). One thing I often make at Thanksgiving is broccoli salad. I haven't gotten the ingredients, so I don't guess I'll make it this year! I really like the flavor though.

Thank you for coming by and answering the question today. Remember to say a prayer for Rachel and Cade (see Proverbs & Prayers post for other information). They are both having surgery today.

Have a day of blessings!

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (October)

Welcome to "As long as it is called Today" as we encourage one another. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Here is the link to last week's question. I enjoyed the fun fall ideas you shared!

Today's question: Do you have any yummy fall treats you enjoy making?

My answer: Here is a recipe for something I made on Monday. I found the recipe on another blog. They are tasty! Caleb liked them. I don't think he would have eaten them if he had seen me pour in the pumpkin!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Mix:
2 beaten eggs
1/2 Cup soft margarine
1 C. pumpkin pie filling

Add and mix:
1 2/3 Cup flour
2/4 Cup sugar
1 T. pumpkin pie spice
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt

Add:
1 Cup chocolate chips
Bake 20-25 minutes at 350.

Hope you enjoy these. I look forward to reading other fall recipes!

(Don't forget about the book giveaway I'm doing also! Today is the last day to sign up!)

Have a day of blessings!

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (September)

Welcome to "As long as it is called Today" as we encourage one another as Christian home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.


Here is a link to the answer to last week's question.

Today's question: Today is the first day of fall! Do you decorate your house for fall? What special things do you do in your home to give it a touch of fall?

My answer: I have a few decorations I put out but not many. I enjoy finding new little things to hang or sit on the counter. I have painted wooden fall leaves that I hang. I have some pumpkins too that I sit out. I want to get a little scarecrow for the door. I love to see the cute fall decorations out in the stores.

I look forward to your ideas.

Have a day of blessings!

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (August)

Welcome to "As long as it is called Today" as we encourage one another as Christians. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers. Today our focus is on Christian home keepers.

Here is the link to last week's question.

Today's question: What do you prepare for breakfast at your house?

My answer: Caleb doesn't like to eat the minute he gets up, his Mommy is the same way! But if I don't eat I feel sick later in the day so I do eat, just not first thing. We eat cereal, toast, pudding, fruit, and "tricky dogs" (as Caleb calls them, they are pancake wrapped sausages).

Have a good day.

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (July)

It's time again for "As long as it is called Today" as we encourage one another as Christian home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

You can find last week's post here.

Today's question: Do you have any themes or special colors for any rooms of your home? How often do you change things around?

My answer: I don't have much in the way of decorations! One thing I would like to do is decorate in our bathroom so I look forward to your ideas on themes/colors for that! I have apples in my kitchen. I have a couple apple items, we don't have much wall space in the kitchen really though. When we first got married we had lighthouses in our living room but now we don't have decorations except for photographs. Caleb's room is John Deere.

I look forward to reading your answers. Have a great day!

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (June)

I'm glad you're here for "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the fourth week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Be sure to read the answers to last week's question or leave an answer.

Today's question: Summer is here! Share a favorite idea of something to cook on the grill.

My answer: We've been cooking potatoes on the grill lately. I peel and cut up the potatoes. We wrap them in foil with some pepper, butter, and onion and throw them on the grill. My husband really does the grilling so I look forward to some new things to try from your ideas. :)

Thanks for participating! Have a blessed day!

As long as it is called Today: Christian homekeepers (May)

Welcome to "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the fourth week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Be sure to read the answers to last week's question or leave an answer.

Today's question: Share your favorite meal you prepare for your family that is fast and easy.

My answer: I like to make individual pizzas when I need something quick for supper. I buy little buns at the bakery from the grocery store. I cut them in half, spread sauce on them and then add cheese and whatever other toppings we have.

Leave your answer in the comment and come back next week to read the answers left by others to get some ideas to add to your family's menu this summer.

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (April)

Welcome to "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the fourth week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

You can read the answers to last week's question here. Thank you for sharing your ideas on kids and chores!

Today's question: Share any tips you have on organizing your closet.

My answer: I like the little gizmo (have no idea what it is called, I looked it up and found this which is similar to what I'm talking about) that has several holes where you can hang several hangers at once. Then they hang in layers and take up less space. We've had a few of these in our closet for years, and it does seem to save space.

Be sure to leave your answer in the comments and check back next week for a new month of questions! Thank you for participating!

As long as it is called Today: Homekeepers (February)

Welcome to As long as it is called Today! Our focus on the fourth Friday of the month is to encourage one another as home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Friday as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.


You can answer or read other answers to last week's question here:

Christian parents (February)


Today's question: What particular things do you do to make your home a peaceful retreat?


My answer: I like to have the floor picked up when my husband gets home from work. This doesn't happen everyday or get done 100% every time but it is something I like to do to make there be a little bit of order when my husband gets home.


I look forward to reading your answers. I appreciated the answers last month regarding kitchen organization. Have a great weekend!

As long as it is called Today....Homekeepers (January)

Welcome to a time of sharing "As long as it is called Today." I hope you will join us each week on Friday as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers. First be sure to check out every one's answer to last week's question by clicking the link below. If you weren't here last week and would like to answer, please do so now and come back to answer today's question. There were many great answers last week! Thank you for participating.


Parents (January)

Since it is the fourth Friday of the month the topic is for home keepers.

Today's question: Share a tip on kitchen organization, cleaning, etc. What is something you do in your kitchen that makes life easier for you or your family members?

My answer: As I cook meals I do the dishes as I go. I don't like having dishes all over the counter and a full sink after we eat so I wash them as I go. We have a dish washer but rarely if ever use it.

Please leave your answer in the comments and come back next week to be encouraged by others in cleaning and organizing your kitchen!