a slower pace: thoughts on line-drying laundry

It's no great mystery that our life has been slowing down over the last year. If you're wondering how that can be with three toddlers and one on the way I will tell you: it's all God. It started probably long ago but for this story's sake it started last November when I started to question the importance of the sponsor-driven blogging I was doing, as well as the time I was spending using social media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest - even my iPhone was in question. I felt a strong urge (and pleading from my husband) to simplify life and live in a quieter time, more able to hear what God has in store for us. I am sure there are plenty of people who find their life calling through social media and the like, I am just equally certain I'm not one of them. Easily distracted and do-it-now-while-you're-thinking-about-it-before-the-moment-passes is usually more my style. 

For me a slower and quieter life has looked like this: giving up my iPhone in favor of a more old school type that simply calls and texts. It has the ability to take pictures and "browse the Internet" but those features were so clearly unimportant to the cell designers when this particular phone was made that it's really more of a hassle than anything. I just don't bother. It's also meant blogging less, which gives me more time with my family and quality time as a human to enjoy life instead of constantly trying to "capture it". And doing without Facebook, Twitter and Instagram almost completely. I say almost because I have followed a Facebook link on more than one occasion for a company phone number, etc., and I did stalk a friend's recent delivery of her baby on Instagram via the computer, just to scope sweet baby cheeks :) Guilty + guilty.

Another way I've slowed down is by reading more actual books. I've gone through so many since giving up Facebook that I feel like a newly educated woman again. Bob and I have more to talk about than we have in quite some time, and it's deep topics, not just what so-and-so did on his vacation via social media. (Who cares?)

Another 'nother way I've slowed down is the diminished use of the dryer in our home. Actually it'd be more accurately described as the joyful doing of more of the household duties in general, but for this post's intents and purposes... the dryer. I am fairly certain that I owe my renewed vigor for line-drying clothes in part to two recent reads: All You Need is Less by Madeleine Somerville, and Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth. Both women write, in their own ways, about the simple joys that can come from line-drying clothes, as well as the positive environmental and financial impacts, too.

"All in all, it had taken about only ten minutes longer than hurriedly throwing everything into the dryer and pressing "Start," and I'd been able to get outside and enjoy some sun and fresh air too. I was hooked. Laundry, usually one of my most hated chores, suddenly became enjoyable." -Madeline, All You Need is Less, p.93

Any old line between two posts will work for drying laundry, here are some of my own personal nuggets of wisdom for first-timers:

1. Before you fold and bring in dried laundry, give it a good shake. More times than I prefer (that would be anything over zero, for the record) I've found a critter in a line-dried garment either before or, the less desirable, after I've brought it inside. Also on that note: you might want to clear cobwebs from the lines before you hang clothes, too. Just a suggestion from a spider-a-phobe whose "been there."

2. Double up on safety pins to save. Here's my tried-and-true method: let's pretend we're hanging a basket of washcloths. I would clip one side of one washcloth, and clip up the other side with a second pin. When I bring up the second washcloth to pin I would overlap the last place I clipped. Make sense? (See photos for examples) That way you're saving space + pins (and therefore money, too!).

3. Take note of the weather. Especially windy days are good for drying loads quickly (got somewhere to be? not sure the rain will hold off?) and extra sunshiny days are great for "bleaching" whiter items. If this is your desire consider adding a 1/8 cup of lemon juice to the wash, too - aids in the all natural "bleaching" of whites.

4. The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Most often when I'm hanging clothes my kids are outside playing; benefit number one: they get to see me work, benefit number two: I get to be near them while they play. Also, if they're not around me I can use the quiet moment with beautiful bright colored clothes, fresh air + sunshine to clear my head, or even say a quick prayer. I remember reading about a man who loved to do the dishes because it was his time in prayer with the Lord, that always stuck with me as a great reason to love chores. And finally, the sense of doing something worthwhile with my time - caring for my family, extending the life of our clothes by treating them with care, saving our Earthly and financial resources - is worth the few extra minutes it takes to hang.

So there you have it, my thoughts on line-drying clothes. Have you ever "gone there" with your garments? What was your experience? If you haven't - what's holding you back? I'd love to hear from all sides! Leave your comments below and be sure to check back, I'm a firm believer in every comment deserving a response :) 

All You Need is Less

It is no surprise that I love a good book. If you've been following along for any amount of time you know that I get caught up reading multiple books all the time. Recently I finished a book that changed the way I'm living my life. When that happens I think it's worth mentioning.

This year our focus as a couple - Bob and I - has been to try and really simplify our lives. We've said ti all along but this year, we mean business. If we don't need it, aren't using it, and don't sincerely enjoy it then why oh why do we own it? As I heard so well-put recently: why would you save that thing for "someday" when someone else  could be blessed by it now? 

So that being said let me introduce you to a new family favorite: All You Need is Less, by Madeline Somerville. It's sort of quirky, I think, to tell you how awesome this book is and maybe suggest you buy it, considering its title, but it really is a phenomenal (and quick!) read. In fact I had to break it out of my husband's pile of "currently readings" just to review my own notes. 

Side note: ever since breaking up with Facebook I've been reading that much more and loving all of the in-depth chats we've had because of it.

What I love about this book: I learned about ways to "be green" that are literally pain + thoughtless. What do I mean? There are times when I want to implement changes into my life and that of my family in order to lessen the footprint we're leaving, thus improving the world for generations to come, yada yada, but no ounce of my lazy body has any desire to put in the work. All You Need is Less to the rescue with ideas like baking soda toothpaste, Terracycle, and why it's maybe best to avoid toasted sesame oil for body application purposes.

Why I love Madeline: she. just. gets people! She writes in a way that is completely relate-able, never condemning, and will make you laugh until you cry. Some of the best lines in the book:

"...in our house, Adam trying to trap and terrify me using assorted confectioneries as bait is just called "Tuesday."

"Having children does inevitably involved the acquisition of stuff - even if you initially vow otherwise." This one really spoke to me.

"(I mean, who wouldn't want to find a tiny bottle of Bailey's in their stocking?) (CHILDREN! that's who, you monster.)"

and the best and most heart-wrenching, life-check-worthy quote of all...

"The best part of taking the initiative to create a sustainable life for yourself is that you are giving your children a head start on doing the same."

Pick up a copy for yourself and see what good can come from these pages, or at the very least check it out or request it at your local library (amazing free resource plug). Heck, drop me a line and I'll lend you mine, for the sake of being more Eco-friendly (after Bob's done reading it, of course!). This will make a perfect summer beach companion. Happy reading, friends!

SIMPLE // MEET DENA

I've had the pleasure over the past few weeks of getting to know Dena, who writes the Blog Live. Love. Simple. I fell in love with her Blog title first, if I'm being honest, but my admiration for Dena + her wise ways soon grew. Take a peek at her deep and intelligent writing, and adorable fam dam... you'll soon be star-struck, too. I'm so glad to have found her! I asked her to share with me how she manages to keep her life simple. Because, duh, that's something I struggle with daily! This is what she said:

HOW TO KEEP LIFE SIMPLE AS A MAMA (AKA How to Accomplish the Impossible)

 

Four years ago, I embarked on a journey toward minimalism. I got rid of a lot. You can read all about that here, but today I want to write about minimalism -- or simple living -- and motherhood.

 

It may seem like the two things are impossible to put together, but it can be done... sometimes! We live in a small house and don't have many possessions as compared with the average American family. We've always felt that stuff not only clutters your space, but it also clutters your soul. Plus, if I'm being honest, it's hard enough for me to keep our little house and our little stuff clean as it is. Because simplicity is such an integral part of our lives/happiness/sanity, we talked a lot about simplicity + parenthood before we decided to start a family.

 

I am a big fan of conscious living. I think it's important to evaluate my life and decisions often. One way that I do this is to write down my values once in awhile and reflect on how I am doing in terms of living them. Every time I write down my values, simplicity ends up in my top five. My values usually look something like this: 1. Family / 2. Creativity / 3. Simplicity / 4. Health / 5. Kindness. I have found that the easiest way to keep life simple is to constantly evaluate my decisions (purchases, actions, and so on) against my values. Before I bring anything into our home I ask myself: Does this align with my values? This holds true for things, people, and even ideas. I constantly ask myself: Is this serving me (and my family) well? If the answer is no, I just get rid of it.

 

I have ended "friendships;" quit jobs, and purged many possessions through this method. It's simple but it's also incredibly effective. Motherhood definitely adds a challenging element to the mix. I thought that my husband was going to keel over after my baby shower when I arrived home with a Ford F150 truck bed full of baby stuff. Literally. He said, I don't understand. It's just one, little baby. He was genuinely confused.

 

The fact is that, yes, babies and children need a lot of stuff. But really they don't need as much as the big baby/kid stores would have you believe. We received more little clothing and blankets than we could have used if we'd had triplets. A lot of the stuff ended up going back to the store and got exchanged for other practical necessities like baby food and diapers. It may be tempting to have fifty different adorable onesies, but it's not necessary. Excessive-ness like that will only cause you more headaches and more laundry.

 

Roman is just five-months-old but we plan to maintain our family value of simplicity throughout his life and to, hopefully, pass it along to him. I am happier and healthier since I've started living simply. It doesn't always work. I would be lying if I didn't admit that Roman has three adorable pairs of shoes and he can't even crawl yet, let alone walk. But, at the end of the day, it's all about balance. Like I always say, "Give a little. Take a little. Donate A LOT.

 

 

Thanks for reading. You can check out more about my little family over at my blog, Live, Love, Simple and you can connect with us at Live, Love, Simple on Facebook, too. xo    -Dena

 

Let's keep the positivity + simplicity going! How do you keep life from getting out-of-hand?

Is it a priority for you? What have you found that works and what have you found that doesn't? Please comment below.

 

and as always, please: 

Simple Studies

Having an education makes life easier, and we are all about taking it easy!

I received my bachelor's degree from The University of Nevada and have had opportunities presented to me simply for completing something I set out to do.

Now my new goal is helping others live simple, and here's todays simple tip, in regards to school and education: UTILIZE YOUR RESOURCES, like Campus Book Rentals, and save yourself a world of headache and a wad of cash.

Tribest + Soyabella

Tribest: a name I'd never heard of UNTIL I was on a mission for products to simplify my life of whole food plant-based eating, and soymilk drinking and making.

Tribest carries an ENORMOUS variety of healthy living products - some of which I'd never heard of - including: water revitalizers, seeds, sprouters, grain mills, juicers, storage containers, oils, and even some refurbished items. The list goes on and on.

I was given the opportunity to try the Soyabella soymilk (and so much more) maker. You bet I was geeked! It's deemed easy to use and easy to clean... sounds simple enough to me!

What it looks like:

A fine-tuned coffee maker. It's a sleek metal and heavy-duty plastic container with life-improving attachments (one for rice, milk & tofu).