Fake a Clean House in 6 Steps

 Keeping it real, some weeks or months are just rough! Things aren't how we want them to be, we are tight on time, or patience or both in my case! When we are in one of those seasons of life this is how we do life. Or if you forgot you were having company and it's 30 minutes until they arrive. It's not ideal, it's not organized or perfect, but when you just need to make it through today, this works! 

1. Make the Beds

 I know I am not the first to say it, a made bed just has some special powers!

And really, when you look at a room with a made bed it looks cleaner, even if it's not really.

2. Clean the Toilet

Not even all of them, just the main one. 

3.Candles, Windows and Flowers

Yummy smells and breezy air and some fresh flowers from the yard make things look, smell and feel put together, even if they aren't!

4. Clear the Clutter

Just grab a laundry basket or box, run around real quick and grab anything that isn't where it belongs. They aren't going to get hurt in the box, and you aren't spending time putting them away right now. These are my favorite, so simple and don't take up room when not in use!

And if you are like us, kids toys everywhere, a basket and blanket combo will hide SO MUCH! It's nice to have a spot that still looks pretty but has function too! Easy squeezy! 

5. Dishes

Just load them in the dishwasher, out of site for now.

Quick wipe down of counter and sink while you are in there.

6. Entry

If you have time, sweep the porch off real quick.
For me, cobwebs/spiderwebs have to go. They creep me out.

And if you STILL have time, wipe down light switches and doors that people might see.

*May contain affiliated links* I participate in Amazon Associates Program occasionally. I won't recommend a product I wasn't myself interested in trying or have tried. I may receive monetary compensation for participating. This does not change the price for you.

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How We Keep a Clean (Enough) Home

 This will be a multi-part post so it doesn't get too long and boring, it's already a boring subject!

My GOAL is to have it Clean, Welcoming, and Comfy. Of course there is a BUT to that. 
BUT, it can't take too much time. Family time is our most important thing! We don't want to spend it cleaning. We have 4 busy kids and plates that are a bit on the full side. 

Think I am crazy? Think this balance doesn't exist?  

I'm going to share how we do it.

1. Fake It When Needed

2. 15 Minute Tiding

3. Weekly Cleaning

4. Seasonal Cleaning

*****Disclaimer*****

I'm not telling anyone their business or how their home should look, or anything like that. I'm not judging anyone who doesn't care so much about housekeeping. It's not something everyone spends time thinking about. I get that, I promise! So if that's not you, totally ok! 

If you already feel led to keep a tidy, clean, or clean enough home, then great! Let's chat about that!

 I wouldn't claim that our home is spotless, not ever. It varies on a week to week basis on if I would even call it clean.

*May contain affiliated links* I participate in Amazon Associates Program occasionally. I won't recommend a product I wasn't myself interested in trying or have tried. I may receive monetary compensation for participating. This does not change the price for you.

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Thermos lunches

Our kids are picky (and school lunches are spendy) so we do a lot of thermos lunches. We save sandwich lunches for extremely busy days and field trips. 

We use these fabulous ones! 

 
Here are some common thermos lunches  around here:

-Quesadilla triangles

-Pasta with some veggies and cheese 

-Teriyaki chicken and rice

-Deconstructed burrito (filling but no shell)

Taco meat

-Send stuff for nachos or a taco

-Spaghetti

I make an extra batch of sauce, freeze it in ice cube trays and just make the pasta in the morning, thaw a cube in the fridge or microwave and done!

-Soup and stew 

Easy to make extra! 

What do you put in yours? 

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Back to School Snack Mix

This is a fun, easy, not terrible snack for after school. The first day of school makes me think of apples and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches 🍎🍞

I don't usually measure but made some guesses this time! Add more of your favorites, you really can't go wrong!

3C Chex (or crispix or life, whatever is on sale!)

1C Freeze dried apples broken into little bites

1C Peanuts

3/4C PB chips 

3/4C Pretzels 

You can add dried strawberries too if you want to make it even more sweet. We didn't have any or I would have halved the PB chips and added some dried strawberries. Yogurt peanuts are a good alternative too. Might make it look a little less monotone hehe

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