Author: Shannon Rooks

10 Activities To Do With Mom

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

When it comes to Mother’s Day, flowers and cards tend to be the most common gifts. Instead of wrapping up something this year why not take Mom out for a fun activity to celebrate the day? Here are 10 fun things to do to celebrate the woman you call mom!

 

  1. Invite the whole family to brunch at a local restaurant
  2. Take mom to a paint bar to test her artistic skills
  3. If mom is a little bit competitive, take her and the rest of the family to bowl a few strings
  4. Check the schedule at your local theater and buy tickets for a show or play
  5. Does Mom like wine? Bring her to a local wine making shop to make her own
  6. If the weather is nice, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your meal outdoors at a local park
  7. If mom likes the outdoors, plan a hike for the two of you
  8. Pamper her by making an appointment for her to have a manicure and pedicure
  9. Want to stay in? Buy all the fixings for her favorite meal and serve her dinner
  10. Everyone loves movies, get tickets for a flick and grab dinner afterwards

 

6 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

When warm weather finally arrives we are all eager to spend more time outside. Unfortunately the boost in temps also brings everyone’s least favorite pests…..mosquitoes!  This year, try keeping them away by planting these in your pots, planters and gardens.

 

  1. Citronella
  2. Catnip
  3. Rosemary
  4. Marigolds
  5. Lavender
  6. Basil

 

3 Tips for Cleaning Patio Furniture

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

It looks like spring might be here to stay (fingers crossed the snow is gone for the season)! Warmer weather means spending more time outdoors so it’s time to pull out the patio furniture. Depending on the type you have or what you need to clean, there are different ways to get them ready for the upcoming season.

 

  1. If you have mildew on your furniture, put some white vinegar in a spray bottle. By spraying the surface of the furniture you should be able to easily wipe away the mildew and the vinegar should also keep it from growing back.

 

  1. If your white, plastic lawn chairs are looking dingy try using bleach to get them looking their best. Mix ½ cup of bleach with a gallon of water and a little detergent. Wash the chairs with the solution and then towel dry.

 

  1. If your patio furniture is made of a more sensitive material, try using baking soda to get it clean. Wet a sponge then dip it into some baking soda. Wipe the stains with a circular motion until clean.

5 Tips for Making Spring Cleaning Easier

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

This past Monday marked the official first day of spring! It’s time to start refreshing our homes and thinking about spring cleaning. It can be a daunting task to get things deep-cleaned and organized, but using these tips should make the process smooth!

1 – The first thing you need to do is purge! Start getting rid of junk and unwanted items so you don’t waste time cleaning them, organizing or finding a new home for them when it’s time to start.

2 – If you have small children, find a busy activity for them to do or a place for them to go when it’s time to clean. You won’t want children making a mess in the middle of your spring cleaning.

3 – Get all of your supplies together early. Make sure you have rubber gloves, cleaning solutions, rags, mops etc ready to go so you don’t have to waste cleaning time with trips to the store.

4 – Make a playlist of all of your favorite upbeat songs. Press play when it’s time to put the gloves on and start cleaning. The music will make the time go by faster and it will keep you entertained and moving.

5 – Make a list and stick to it. Write down all of the rooms you want to clean and the order you want to clean them. Stick to the plan so you don’t get distracted. It’ll feel great to cross each task off the list as you complete it!

5 Tips for Keeping a Clean Bathroom

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

It’s probably everyone’s least favorite room in the house to clean, but it also needs it the most! Stop stressing about having a tidy bathroom by following these tips. They don’t take much time and your bathroom will never have a chance to get filthy!

 

  1. Choose one day a week to give the bathroom a deep clean. Put on your gloves and pull out the cleaning solvents to make your shower, tub and toilet sparkle.

 

  1. Once a week when you’re doing laundry, pull all of your bathroom linens (i.e. hand towels, rugs) and get them clean.

 

  1. Every morning take a couple minutes to wipe down the sink and faucet. Add it to your morning routine after you’ve brushed your teeth and it will keep your sink free from soap scum and toothpaste!

 

  1. Bathroom trash can be forgotten, especially if it’s hidden under a vanity. Don’t let yours overflow. Use a plastic grocery bag to line your trash can and pull the whole bag out and add it to your kitchen trash before you bring it outside.

 

  1. Sometimes we tend to forget about the floors in the bathroom too. Once a week (maybe when you’re doing laundry), pull out your swiffer or mop and wash your bathroom floors. That way you can lay bathroom rugs back onto a clean floor after they’ve been washed.