Have
you ever counted the things you do a certain way because of how your Mom did
them? It’s funny how household
traditions both large and small can carry on from one generation of ladies to
the next. In honor of Mother’s Day,
let’s recount some of those tried and true home ideas that only Mom could have
instilled.
To
get your mirrors clean and streak free, spray on glass cleaner and wipe them
down in big circles with newspaper print instead of paper towels. • When you put clean sheets
on the bed, tuck in the ends using “hospital corners” for a neat look that
stays put. •
Vinegar,
baking soda, and cola can do more good at cleaning countless things than we
could have imagined without her. •
A
little salt in the water adds flavor and helps keep noodles from sticking
together in a pot of water on the stovetop.
• Run a hard-to-open jar lid under hot water and
tap it with the handle of a butter knife to make it easier to open. • When adding fresh flowers to a vase, pour in
some Sprite or Gingerale with the water to help keep the blooms fresh longer. • Hang all the shirts and
pants in the closet in a uniform way and in the same direction, making pieces
easier to see and neater to hang back after laundering. • Make up the bed every
day, whether you’re in a hurry or not; you never know when someone might drop
in. • Write and send thank you
notes for gifts you’re given. •
Don’t
let clean laundry just sit and wrinkle in the dryer; keep your loads moving. • Pull out Grandma’s
recipes from time to time to keep them in circulation and pass them on to the
next generation. •
When
getting ready for a party or a holiday dinner, set the table and lay out the
serving pieces the day before in the interest of time. • Keep a consistent
schedule of cleaning the bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming, and doing the laundry
so as not to fall behind. •
Use a
checklist when packing for a trip so you don’t leave something behind. • Test baked goods in the
oven to see if they’re done by sticking a toothpick in the center and seeing if
it comes out clean. •
Used
towels belong on hooks or bars and not on the bathroom floor. • And don’t let the dirty
dishes sit in the sink overnight.
Happy Mother’s Day to the special women who have
taught us, led us, molded us, and set us on the path to where we find ourselves
today!
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 12th.
With Mom
Kandice Duke • Melanie Krenek • Krystal Stenseng
