Welcome to June and the unofficial start of summer!
Our family enjoyed a pretty low-key holiday weekend — lots of swimming, eating, relaxing, and a good amount of yard work too.
Dave and I crossed off several house and yard projects, and the kids all took home huge bags of candy from our local Memorial Day parade. Our pool reached 80º, which means I actually swam for a bit.
All-in-all, the weekend was a success!
It truly doesn’t feel like June yet, but here we are, ready and eager for another fun-filled summer.
As we slide into summer break, I hope to share lots of tips, tools, and tasty treats that help our family to simplify, to stay somewhat organized, and to make the most of our time together at home.
But first… a few of my favorites for June!
FAVORITE ROUTINE = Moving toys outside
For the last several years, we’ve had a “tradition” of moving a bunch of our inside toys outside every spring during our spring decluttering. These are usually toys nearing the end of their life, toys the kids haven’t played with much but aren’t ready to donate, or toys I’m just so tired of seeing laying around inside.
The plan is that the kids can enjoy these toys outside for the entire summer (they can get them as gross and dirty as they want)… and then we trash them all in the fall once the weather turns cold.
Our kids love bringing these select toys outside, they often play with them more outside than they did inside, and when cold weather comes, we rarely have any issues parting with toys because they are usually broken by then.
Many of you have asked me for good toy-decluttering tips, and this is one of my favorites… it helps speed up my spring cleaning/decluttering, it provides hours and hours of summer fun, and we purge with minimal tears in the fall (right before the holidays roll around again!)
FAVORITE CHORE = Hand-Watering
I planted all our annuals, pots, and vegetables a couple of weeks ago already (earlier than usual due to warmer weather) and I’ve been babying them a bit by hand watering them all at some point every day.
I will tire of this eventually, but I currently enjoy listening to a podcast or audiobook while I mosey through our yard, dragging hoses and watering cans around.
The kids have started asking to help — and I let them — but I secretly wish they would choose ANY other chore to help me with!
NOTE: Here’s a really cute kids’ watering can — it holds about a half-gallon, comes in multiple colors, and isn’t a junky plastic toy!
PAST FAVORITE = Hose splitter
Speaking of hand-watering all our plants, we’ve gotten years of use out of our trusty hose splitter. It’s super high-quality, it doesn’t leak, and it has held up wonderfully to all our use and abuse over the years.
Plus, I think the brass looks really pretty!
SIDE NOTE: Installing a hot water spigot was one of the better decisions we’ve made in a long time — we use it ALLLLLLL the time!
FAVORITE BOOK = Dad Jokes for Kids
I shared Dad Jokes for Kids in one of my emails a month or so ago — we checked it out from the library and all enjoyed the silly jokes.
We liked it so much that we spent the $6 to purchase our own copy (we also gave one to Nora’s teacher who is a big jokester and is gearing up for his 2nd baby — due today!)
This book would be a fun and frugal Father’s Day gift, male teacher gift, or birthday gift for a dad/grandpa who loves jokes.
It’s also a fun “coffee table” for kids — they naturally gravitate towards it and before you know it, they’re all reading, talking, and laughing.
I think we’ll keep ours in the pool house this summer!
GET THE BOOK: Dad Jokes For Kids
Here are a couple of Dad Jokes for you today!
Q: What is the difference between a cat and a complex sentence?
A: A cat has claws at the end of its paws; a complex sentence has a pause at the end of its clause.
Q: What happens once every minute but never in a decade?
A: The letter “M”.
FAVORITE MEDIA = Canva
I looked back through a bunch of old Favorite Things posts to see if I mentioned this already, but I couldn’t find anything.
So… if you’ve never heard of it before, let me introduce you to Canva.
It’s totally a free online program (it has a subscription option with more features that I don’t use) you can use to create all sorts of graphics, printables, headers, social media images, invitations, brochures, recipe cards, newsletters, etc.
I use Canva ALL the time, and not just for my blog.
- family Christmas cards
- birthday invitations
- baby announcements
- teacher appreciation gifts
- handouts for church
- tags for birthday gifts or other treats
I’ve gotten better at utilizing the different features over the years (there’s a bit of a learning curve) but it’s totally free — so if you’re interested, just play around with it for a bit. I’m sure you can Google “Canva Tutorials” for help getting started.
Canva also made ordering our New Year’s cards extremely easy this past year as I could print directly from Canva to our local FedEx location (and pick them up THE NEXT DAY!)
FAVORITE RECIPE = Monster Cookies
Our family recently enjoyed “Moster Cookie Cookie Monsters” for dessert on the patio… YUM!
In case you aren’t familiar with a “cookie monster”, it’s basically a warm cookie, fresh from the oven, topped with an ice-cream sundae (vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, etc.).
I made our Cookie Monsters with Monster Cookie dough… in full disclosure, they were “cookie bars” because bars are so much easier than individual cookies.
Our Monster Cookie Cookie Monsters were a huge hit and might just make our summer dessert rotation a few more times!
GET THE RECIPE: Easy Cookie Bars (lots of variations).
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The only place SUCCESS comes before WORK is in the dictionary.” ~ Vince Lombardi
Dave has this quote on a poster in his classroom and it was recently featured in one of our family devotionals.
The boys know who Vince Lombardi is (they are big on sports trivia lately) so we all chatted about this quote for a while last week.
It’s a good reminder to us all (children and adults) that any amount of success in any area of life requires lots and lots of hard work!
Here’s the accompanying Bible passage for that day’s devotional — it’s one I personally keep on the magnet board behind my computer desk.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” ~ Galatians 6:9
FAVORITE ARCHIVED POST (my first post!)
This month marks the 12th anniversary of my blog/website.
Yes, TWELVE!
It’s crazy to think back to how different my life was back then (not to mention how different the online world was).
Dave and I were living in our first little ranch house, no kids yet, I was focused on growing my in-home organizing business… and on a whim, I decided to create a website and blog that I would update with tips (just for my organizing clients, of course).
I had little idea how to navigate the online world, social media wasn’t really a “thing” yet, we certainly didn’t have a fancy camera phone, and I don’t even think we had the internet at home yet!
One of my very first blog posts was about my closet.
At the time, I had an entire closet to myself and it was so organized… now, 12 years later, I’m still organized, but I only have a fraction of the clothing (and a better camera 😂)
Read the original closet post here.
While it can be embarrassing to look back and see bad photography, out-of-character writing, and SO many clothes, it’s proof of all the progress I’ve made over the years.
It’s also a good reminder that being “organized” really isn’t the same as “simplifying”. I’m still just as passionate about keeping things neat and organized… but it’s so much easier to do when we have less stuff and live more simply.
That’s all for me this month. 😆
If you’re interested, you can scroll through ALL my Favorite Things posts HERE!
And… join my email community, friends!
There is no spam, no sales pitch, no funnel… you may unsubscribe whenever.
It’s just fun and valuable content to help you create a simpler, more intentional home and life for you and your family.
Tara says
Can’t believe it’s been 12 years!! Your blog has changed the way I do so many things. Simplifying and distressing so many processes for me with your positive, nonjudgmental encouragement to just consider trying something simple and different. My house still gets cluttered up frequently but it can be whipped into shape quickly (except the garage-your garage skills are still unmatched in my opinion).
Thanks for all the years of good solid advice, honesty, and inspiration. I’ve recently learned that ADHD is something I struggle with which can lead to chronic anxiety and depression over trying to create systems that prevent me from falling off the rails as an adult.
Now that I look back, you are one steady source of tutorials and roadmaps on how to simply and effectively organize and manage life and parenting. So all along you’ve been a part of my mental health support team. Very thankful for you. Here’s to another 13 years and more!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Tara — I really appreciate your kind words and constant encouragement over the years!
JoDi says
Happy 12th Blogaversary! Enjoy the summer! We don’t get out here until the 27th of June, and it feel WAY too far away right now!
Andrea says
oh wow — hopefully your school starts later in the fall then… either way, enjoy these last few weeks. Summer will come eventually!
Carmen says
Happy aniversary and many more years of blogging!
Andrea says
Thanks Carmen!
Calliope says
Happy Blog-aniversary!
I think I found you when you already had Nora and you (and Young House Love and Clover Lane) are still one of my favorite reads.
I think I found in you my (waaay) more energetic soul mate all across the globe and you never disappoint! Keep up the good work!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Calliope! I appreciate your long-time readership… and I too still read Young House Love and Clover Lane 🙂
Chris says
Happy blog-a-versary and you’re STILL my favorite blogger! 🙂 Hope you all have a great summer!
Andrea says
Awww… thanks Chris. You’re probably up there in my top 5 most loyal readers and commenters. I appreciate you!
Alana says
Congratulations on 12 years! Your newsletters and posts have inspired me so many times. My family (of 10) has enjoyed many of your recipes. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into your blog. It’s refreshing.
Andrea says
thanks so much Alana!
I’m thrilled to have helped you simplify part of your big family’s home and life!
Becky Baustert says
Hi Andrea! I’m curious how you water your plants when you’re not “hand watering”! Is there any other way? Tell me your secret! As always, thanks for the great post! Your kids are adorable!
Andrea says
Hey Becky, We have underground sprinkling so I don’t need to hand water if we use that (obviously, still the pots on the porch, but not everything in the landscaping).
We haven’t used our irrigation in the planting beds yet, so that’s why I’m hand watering all our annuals and pots.
JJ says
Congratulations on 12 years!!! Our family has incorporated many of your favorites and ideas. We appreciate all the time you spend to share your world with the rest of the world.
Those cookies look aMaZiNg!!!
Oh, and my kids loved the joke about a teacher and told it to their swim teacher. He loved it.
Current Favorites:
No school for the summer!
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides–Someone gave this to us, so we started adding it to our morning black tea(you can add it to many different things). My nails and hair have definitely benefited. I told my doctor I felt like it gives me extra energy.
Naturello Bone Strength Plant Calcium Complex(after having 4 babies, this has been amazing!). My calcium levels were great when tested. The reviews spoke volumes!
Using a small pitcher for bathtime with the baby. Never thought of it with the first 3!
Scunci polybands to put my baby’s hair up!
Andrea says
yay — so glad you have enjoyed my favorites all these years. I’ve appreciated your loyal readership and frequent comments too 🙂
I’ll have to look into the collagen peptides as I’m trying to grow my hair out… and the faster I can get through the awkward stage, the better!
Ashley says
Collagen is a great way to grow stronger hair! We use collagen in our smoothies and gelatin in our coffee every day!
JJ says
Smoothies–great idea!
JJ says
Best wishes for fast growth!
Amy B says
Congrats Andrea!
I’ve been reading your blog since Simon was little–my oldest two are the same age as Nora and Simon
Andrea says
aww… thanks for sharing, Amy!
JoAnn C. says
Happy anniversary, Andrea!
One of my favorite blog posts (also a vlog) was about how you and Dave fold your t-shirts. After reading that post and watching the video, I reorganized every drawer in my dresser and haven’t looked back. That one post was game-changing for me. And, years later, I still have an organized dresser. I do appreciate your hard work and all I’ve learned from you.
Happy and safe summer, Andrea.
Andrea says
Yes, that’s how I’ve folded my shirts since I was in middle school — and apparently now Marie Kondo has made a fortune helping people fold their shirts like that! LOL 🙂
Thanks for sticking around all these years!
JoAnn C. says
I checked out Marie Kondo’s book from the library, and while reading it, I kept making comments like, Andrea’s been preaching that for years.
This year, I decided to make a huge purge and reorganize my things. I’m telling people that I’m Andera Dekker-ing my place.
Andrea says
I know — I basically did everything she suggests doing since I was in middle school — too bad I never thought to write a book about it.
I also “preached” most of what Dave Ramsey preaches (except that I use a credit card) since high school — I missed that bandwagon too!
Oh well 🙂
Paulette says
Still here, Andrea, looking forward to your weekly posts since 2011. It’s been so much fun following you and Dave, watching the children grow, and following the changes in your property inside and out. I’ve learned so much from you and appreciate your hard work. You’re an inspiration!
Andrea says
Thanks Paulette 🙂
Susan Smeltzer says
Thank you for sharing you favorite things. This is my new favorite thing.
Foot Scrubber for Use in Shower.
I’ve had it for 6 months and love it. It is easy to keep clean by moving to wall after use. My husband uses it for his back when on the wall. You need to use firm pressure so it doesn’t tickle. I thought of you as you could use it outside to rinse your feet before coming into the house.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07FM9CW22?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
Andrea says
Thanks Susan — this looks like so much fun. I feel like the kids would love it!
Stel says
And I’ve been following you for 9/10 of those years! Interestingly, we were renovating and I was searching closets design, when your post came up. It’s been fun following the kids growing up as well, and alays something to learn from your tips.
Andrea says
well I’m thrilled that you stuck around all these years. Hopefully you are enjoying your renovations from 10 years ago as much as we are!
Gail says
Congrats on 12 years of helpful, fun blogging
Andrea says
Thanks Gail!