When you "swish and swipe" your bathroom, it's just a daily routine of wiping over things to keep the room looking and smelling nice. It's not deep cleaning. You do that once per month when you are in that ZONE (for more info on "Zones", visit FLYLADY)
*
How do I "swish and swipe"?
*
Well, I like to pick up the Lysol or Clorox wipes when I can get them cheap. I also make my own cleaning wipes (recipe to follow). I keep the wipes along with some Windex and paper towels under the sink in the bathroom so it's easy to grab when I'm ready to clean.
*
I take a wipe and start with the counter top and sink. I give it a good wipe down and get rid of all the toothpaste gunk that my crew seems to leave ;-). Then I'll get another wipe and go over the toilet. I'll start with the tank and handle, then the outside of the lid, the inside of the lid, the seat, the underside of the seat and wipe the top of the rim and sides of the bowl. Next I'll spritz the mirror and wipe it down with a paper towel and sometimes I'll Windex the faucet. Then, I'll spritz the toilet with Windex and swish the toilet with a toilet brush. What about the tub and shower? What about the floor? What about a stronger cleaner in the toilet? I do that once per week when I do my "Weekly Blessing" (better known as cleaning the house).
*
That's it. All done. Does it sound like a lot? It's kind of like the directions to making a PB & J. Lots of info to make something SO simple! This takes less than 2 minutes to do and will keep your bathroom clean all the time.
*
How do I make my own cleaning wipes? I'll get those really nice paper towels (like Viva) and tear them off the roll. I'll smush them into a plastic container with a lid. Next, I'll pour in a cleaner like Mr Clean or Lysol until the paper towels are moist without being soppy wet. That's it. I use them just like the Lysol or Clorox wipes you buy. I like to keep a container of these under the sink in each bathroom. I find I'm more likely to swipe down the bathroom if I don't have to go all over the house to get the items I need.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Well, hi ya'll!
Welcome to the Ice House!
Come in , come in.

I am so glad you found time to stop by. What a busy day you are having.
Come on into the kitchen. You do know that "backdoor friends" are the best kind of friend, don't you? ;)

You caught me putting together Christmas gifts. 1 pound of pecan halves and 1 bag of Spritz cookies...who wouldn't just love that as a gift?



I know you've been getting lots of offers for hot chocolate, coffee, or eggnog but since you're here in the south, and it's not very cold, I thought you might like a refreshing glass of ice tea! You do know there is a TON of sugar in it, right? It will give you lots of energy while you are out visiting today. Not for you? How about a tall, ice cold glass of milk instead? And please try one of my Spritz cookies, I know you'll love them. Of course I'll share the recipe with you, just click HERE.



Since we are already in the kitchen, let me show you how I decorate it for Christmas. I try to keep it simple in here because too much stuff on the counters will just get in my way, what with all the baking and cooking I'm doing this time of year.

See the little gingerbread cookie ornaments on the curtains? I think they give a such sweet touch all around the room.



And I have this beautiful wreath here on the wall above the counter. So festive, don't you think?

This is my most favorite decoration in the entire house...my egg tree. Each year I get one of these eggs for my hubby and I. We have our names written on it along with the year. This year the egg has a church on it because this is the year we joined our church and also the year I was baptized as a Baptist along with 2 of my children that were baptized with me. A very special memory indeed. You can see a close up of that egg HERE.




I know you want to see the rest of the house so let's step through here into the dining / family room. The dining area is small so I don't do very much in here, just a little table with Santa on it. Sometimes simple is best. I made this Santa back when hubby and I first married. He' s been a part of 14 Christmas celebrations so far. I found a GREAT deal on these luminaries (FREE) and I think they add such a soft glow to this space (and are safe around the kids).



Onto the tree. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, what special memories can be found on thee. This tree just drips with memories.





Ornaments from when I was a child.





Ones my mother in law made when my husband was a little boy.



This one was made by my mother for my great-grandmother and hung on her tree for years. When she passed away, my parents found this ornament tucked away...the only ornament she had saved...and they gave it to me for a Christmas gift.



This one always goes front and center on the tree. I just LOVE it. Cute, huh?



My children receive a new ornament each year from their Papa and Gram. We don't put it on the tree until the following Christmas. They get so excited when it's time to unpack the ornaments each year. They can't wait to see their ornaments and put the "new" one on the tree. It's a MAJOR big deal around here. This one was given to my daughter, Jessica. Doesn't it look just like her?

One more special ornament. It think it says its all...



We could stay and talk about the tree for hours but there is more to see.

Here we have the mantle decked out and waiting for Santa to fill all those stockings.

Another precious decoration is the nativity. I bought this ages ago and I just adore it. It's very different and very "me". It sits in a special place on the mantle to remind us of the TRUE meaning of Christmas.



Did you see the beautiful angels there on the mantle? Here, let me show you a close up.

This one belongs to Jessica.



This is Kimberly's



This one is Daniel's



Each child has their own angel and we put a different angel on the tree every year. This year it's Andrew's turn to have his angel on the tree. She is already at the top of the tree, so I don't have a close up of her right now.

The other "big" decorating we do are the Christmas houses. The children have given me many of these houses along with my mother in law and my mom and dad. This is a view of the top of our entertainment center. I also have bookcases on each side full of Christmas houses.



And here it is all lit up. Isn't it warm and cozy?



I have way too many to show close ups of each, but you can get an idea of how beautiful they are with these examples.

Yes, I know you have to go. You have many beautiful homes to visit today.I am so glad you stopped by The Ice House. Please come back a visit anytime.

Merry Christmas!

For more beautifully decorated homes visit

Boo Mama , Hooked on Houses, Southern Hospitality and Thrifty Decor Chick

This first picture is with the flash. In the center of the mantel is my nativity. On each side are angels. Each child has their own angel and they take turns putting them on the top of the tree. The two angels here belong to my daughters. Jessica's is on the left and Kimberly's is on the right.

Here it is without the flash. So warm and cozy. I added red, white and green balls that used to be on my grandmother's tree. I've always wanted to use them someway and I think this worked out pretty well. I've also added ribbon and strings of sparkly stars to add some glitz. It doesn't all show up in the pictures, but I'm very happy with my improved garland.

Want to see some absolutely gorgeous garlands? Click on the "Your Garland is Showing" button at the top of the page and be prepared to be WOWED!!

Be sure to come back Monday December 15. Boo Mama is hosting a Tour of Homes and I'll be participating. That's when you'll get to see all of my decorations in all their glory.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday is hosted by Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

I just heard this new Christmas song (new to me, anyway) yesterday and it is UNBELIEVABLE!! You MUST listen to the whole thing!!!!


It's called "A Baby Changes Everything" and is sung by Faith Hill

Bloom Transaction #1

(4) Fresh Express Salad: $2.50 (sale price) - $0.75 Q x 3 = $0.25 each
*
(4) Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls: $2.00 (sale price) - $0.30 Q x 3 = $1.10 each

Bloom Transaction #2

(1) Zip Lock Vacuum Pump: $1.99 sale price (reg. $3.68)
*
(4) Zip Lock storage bags: $2.00 (sale price) - $0.40 Q x 3 = $0.80 each
*
(1) Zip Lock storage bag : $2.00 (sale price) - $0.55 Q x 3 = $0.35 each
*
(4) Pop Tarts: $2.00 (sale price) - $0.55 Q x 3 =$0.35 each
*
(8) Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup - $0.59 each - $0.40 off 4 Q x 3 = $0.29 each
*
(4) Blue Bonnet Butter: $0.99 each - $0.50 Q x 3 = FREE each
*
(2) Daisy Sour Cream: $1.29 - $0.50 Q x 3 = $0.29 each
*
(4) Lusianne Family Tea Bags: $1.59 (sale price) - $0.60 Q x 3 = FREE each +
* $0.21 overage each






(4) Electrasol Dishwashing Liquid: $2.20 (sale BOGO) - $0.35 x 2 = $1.50 each
*
(6) Ragu Pasta Sauce: $1.29 each (sale BOGO) - $0.50/ 2 x 2 = $0.79 each
*
(2) Cape Cod Chips: $1.74 each (sale BOGO)
*
(2) Sliced bacon: $2.00 each (2 / $4.00 sale)

For more Super Savings visit Money Saving Mom!

This is my oldest child, Andrew (now 10 years old) back in 2001 when he was 3 years old.

I HAD to include this picture (it's okay...he's got on underpants).

We used to call him "Mr. No-Pants" because he ran around in just his shirt and underpants all the time LOL!

This is my sweet, sweet, Jessica! She is now 8 years old. Where did the time go? This photo was taken in 2003 when she was 3 years old.

Little Miss Kimberly and her dad enjoying cookie dough while brother and sister were asleep. This cutie is 5 now and this picture was made in 2005 when she was 2 years old.

This is the youngest of the clan, Daniel. This is his "first" Christmas playing mom's helper. We made the first of the Christmas cookies today so he had his picture made this afternoon. He is 2 years old.

I hope my kids look back years from now and have fond memories of the times we made Christmas cookies together. I know I will.