June 26, 2020
It’s the Little Things #88
Happy Friday! It’s time for some little things from this week. My hope is that these posts spark a little something with you, give you an idea or solve a problem for you too. It might be a quote, a print, what I’m reading, a favorite podcast, a playlist, a recipe, a helpful tip, a cleaning product, or something I added to our home. Basically if it’s something little that I feel is shareable or if it’s something I’d bring up to a friend over coffee or on the phone, I’m probably going to share it with you here. Here’s a link to all of the posts in this series. 
Are you planning a getaway this summer? With travel being different this summer, I thought that this post with 10+ freezer meals to take on vacation from Thriving Home might be helpful, especially if you’re renting a house or condo in lieu of staying in a hotel. Or how about a staycation? Having meals made ahead sounds like a vacation to me!
10+ Freezer Meals to Take on Vacation via Thriving Home
This image stopped me in my scroll on @athomewithnikki ’s feed. The aqua got my attention but then I was trying to figure out what she had going on in that canister. You guys – it’s an alternative to a junk drawer.
image via @athomewithnikki
I am not a fan of the traditional junk drawer so you can imagine my excitement with this organizational idea. She uses travel pouches to contain specific items and labels the travel pouches so anyone can grab the right one. I did a little searching and found Nikki’s YouTube video where she details this process and shows what’s in each little pouch. Go here to check it out.
We went strawberry picking this week and can I tell you, this was such a fun family activity. If you have a farm near you (or not so near you), it’s strawberry season in most areas of the US. I shared this pic on Instagram.
We haven’t been berry picking in a while so I searched up farms near us and landed on one about 30 minutes away and we’ve been eating strawberries ever since. Besides eating them by the bowl full, we made this Strawberry Cobbler from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe and served it with fresh whipped cream. Delicious – like a giant strawberry shortcake – but better!
I’ve had a lot of questions recently along the lines of sustainability and reusables. If you are looking for alternatives to paper towels, it can be difficult to make the switch but the switch is worth it for a number of reasons. You won’t run out of paper towels, it’s more economical (if you go through 4-8 rolls a month, you could save up to $20+/month), and you’ll be making a step towards more sustainable home goods. This post shares what I use, how I use them and launder them.
Paper Towel Alternatives via Clean Mama
What have you been enjoying this week? Any little things to share?
Sherrie Says
I love your Paper Towel alternative. I purchased a pack from you back in January or so. I was going thru a roll of paper towels every week, since changing to your cloth paper towels I have saved a fortune. Thank you these work so well. Also used your idea to clean my toilet, perfect ideas thank you again
Lisa Lowrey Says
I have a question. I mostly use paper towels for heating up tortillas in the microwave, or soaking up bacon grease. What do use instead for these applications?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI keep an emergency roll or two on hand for those applications 🙂
Elle Says
First, I’d like to say that I’m impressed with the way you have brought together an organized system for taking care of the home. It sure beats the “old fashioned” way of making a list on a day to day basis, which is what I practiced for years and years. You took the things that I had on my lists, plus some I did not, and organized them all into a pleasant system. I need to be able to “check” the things I’ve accomplished off of a list. It not only helps me stay on track, but also gives me the motivation to complete the tasks. So, thank you! I have really enjoyed using your Homekeeping Planner.
As far as the Little Things go, I have been a wife/homemaker for
40 years (in September 2020) a mom of 5 for 37 years, and a grandma of 8 for 7 years. So, I am here to tell you that you are never too old, or experienced, for that matter, to learn new and better ways to do things. I have researched a lot of organizational/homemaking sites and found yours awhile ago. In my opinion, it is the most appealing, in every aspect, and I have found myself drawn to it each time I need to find an idea or help concerning the daily care of my home and family. I have been impressed with many of the others and I am not discrediting or criticizing those sites, I just find that I prefer yours over the others. So, “Clean Mama” is my “Little Thing” lately! 🙂 *Which, turns out to be not so “little”! 🙂
***Side Note:
I also ordered your aqua bar mop towels, which I LOVE, but after the first wash, the hemming is coming undone! I was shocked by that. I’m not sure what would cause this and it was so disappointing when I saw what had happened, because I like to keep my things looking “new” for as long as possible. I still love the them, but they are now “defective”. So Sad, 🙁 Anyway, I don’t know if you have had anyone else share this same experience, but I wanted to make you aware of this issue so you are able to address it with the manufacturer/producer of your towels.
Clean Mama Says
Post authorAw, thank you for sharing that Elle 🙂 I love hearing that the routine is helpful in all stages of life. It sounds like you have a defective set of bar mop towels – manufacturing is close to perfect, but it happens. I looked up your order via your email address and sent you a new set. You can always reach out via email for order concerns, I never want a customer be unhappy with the products!
Elle Says
Oh, goodness, Becky! That is very kind and generous, but you did not need to go to that trouble. I only wanted to make sure you were aware. I apologize if it appeared any other way. It didn’t even occur to me to address it through email, because truly, I wasn’t looking for any kind of compensation…I’m so sorry. Thank you, so much, for your response to my comment. 🙂