Cleaning and Maintaining Your Home Appliances

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Cleaning and Maintaining Your Home Appliances

     Life at home becomes more pleasant and really easy for a housewife with all these home appliances--oven, stove, washing machines. In America and Australia and other parts of the world, they have their dishwashers. In the Philippines, we need electric fans and air-conditioners. But as much as many of these gadgets help us ease our chores at home, they also need cleaning and maintenance which we, housewives, take on the responsibility.

     When we purchase these appliances, we normally get a manual which show us the DYI (Do-It-Yourself) steps to cleaning them, plus in it we find their service centers with numbers which we could contact in case our appliance suddenly conks out. The manual would also suggest after how many months you need to have your appliance checked by their own professional service personnel. Therefore, in order to maintain your appliance for it to serve you a lot longer, you need to follow their suggestions. But in order for it to function a hundred percent, you need to clean it yourself. Here are some cleaning tips that you can do or ask your helper to do for your appliances:

Note: The number one thing to remember when cleaning electrical appliances is to see to it that the unit is UNPLUGGED. 

     1) Electric Fans  -- Easy. Remove the fan blade cover (some are screwed, so unscrew them) front and back (if back cover can be removed). Using a clean paint brush, brush away the dust in between the grill of the fan blade cover. Remove the fan blade. If it is made of plastic, you can wash it. But if it is made of metal or tin, use a damp cloth to remove the dust, then use a dry cloth to dry it. Replace all the parts making sure that screws are tight.
    2) Air-conditioner -- For window type, every month, you should remove the window cover and remove the filter that traps the dust. I usually get an old toothbrush and scrape away the trapped dust from the filter, then I wash it together with the window cover and dry them with a dry cloth. Replace these parts and your air-con will be cooler. Twice a year, you need to call a service center or a refrigeration company to take out the whole air-con and wash it clean, check the motor and freon reading. Here in the Philippines, it would only cost P400 to P500. For the bigger air-conditioners, you need to have them cleaned by their service centers regularly in order to maintain them.

     3) Washing Machine -- After every wash, you need to wash also the inside of your washing machine because the lint and the minerals from the water may clog its parts. It is advisable to use warm water with lemon or a cup or 2 of vinegar and run a cycle to remove the impurities, probably once a month. If you have fabric softener dispenser and bleach dispenser, you should also remove them and soak them in warm water with detergent for a while. Of course, you need to rinse your washing machine with another cycle of warm water to rinse off the vinegar and other grime that's stuck and rinse also your dispensers. Check also your hoses; it is recommended to change the hose every 5 years. 

    4) Oven -- It is important to clean the oven every after use. Wipe off any dirt with the use of damp cloth. For grimes that stick, you can use baking soda soaked in warm water and liquid detergent and scrub it off. The inside of the oven is as important as the outside. If your oven is gas, make sure the gas is turned off before you clean the inside of the oven. There are many appliance companies nowadays that offer cleaning and maintenance of your stove-oven for you. Aside from cleaning it like new, they would check the parts of your oven if they need to be replaced and your oven would look brand new. 

     Whatever your appliance is, you need to keep it clean and maintained so it would last long. There are many appliances today which are like 'disposable', meaning they get busted easily. What this means is that if you bought your appliances cheap, do expect that it would conk out easily. So be wise when you purchase them.

   

     

Curtains, Drapes, Blinds--Serve Their Purpose for Your Home

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Curtains, Drapes, Blinds--Serve Their Purpose for Your Home

All photos courtesy of Photobucket

       

     Windows and glass doors are part of our home and are placed there for us to gain access to the outside and let the air and sunshine in. In order to control the air and the light that comes into our home, we place curtains, drapes, and/or blinds over these windows and glass doors depending on our home's style and needs.

     With the varied, wonderful materials available to us today, curtains, drapes, and blinds are used for many purposes. Firstly, they provide privacy for our home covering  us from the outside world, yet when using light, opaque fabric, you can still let the light into your home, but not too much. So, secondly, they control the light that comes into our home. Thirdly, they are decorative pieces which add ambiance to your room. Depending on the style statement that the homeowner wants to impart, curtains and drapes are added attractions that complement his furniture set up or to dress up a grand window. Curtains and drapes also set the mood of your room through choices of color--to give warmth to the room, choose dark colors like burgundy, dark green, etc.; to lighten up the room and make it cool, choose light or neutral colors like beige, white, etc. Fabric patterns can also add style to the room; a striped fabric can give an impression of a taller ceiling and blinds could give an impression of coziness and modernity. Another purpose of curtains and drapes are for acoustic purposes. Ideally, a home theater or music room should not have windows, but there are homeowners who prefer to maintain their windows in these rooms. But the glass in window panes causes sound to bounce off. The solution? Use acoustic curtains so that the sound is contained inside the room. 

     There are many types of curtains and drapes--some standard, some pleated, some with valance and some just hung in great curtain rods. Blinds are being used more in modern homes but there are some colonial-style, Spanish and Mediterranean-style houses which use blinds in them in combination with drapes or curtains. 

     Well, whatever your style of home is, curtains, drapes and blinds will serve their purpose for your home.

Recycling Left-Over Food

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING/PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS: Recycling Left-Over Food

     With all the hunger in the world, it's almost a crime to throw away left-over food. That is why when we eat in restaurants, left-over food goes into "doggie" bags which, in the Philippines, are mostly intended for the pet dog at home. Just curious--I know that we also give our dogs dog food, why not give the "doggie" bags to those poor beggars and street kids begging near the restaurant, if you don't want to eat the left-over yourself? Just asking.

     Anyway, what I'd like to discuss here is the left-over food after your meals or after a party in your home. I have a friend who could whip up a great meal from the left-overs and from whatever is in your fridge. Do you have left-over roast chicken? She could make a great chicken salad out of it if you have the mayo, the celery sticks, white onions, and if you have apples, she'd put that too. Or, she could make a hearty macaroni soup with that, too. If you have left-over steaks, she'd whip up stir-fry veggies in olive oil with it or make great "salpicao" (a Spanish dish with cubed steaks sauteed in chopped garlic and olive oil) pasta. She could also make great baked macaroni into left-over corned beef and turn sardines into a great pasta sauce. However, I think you cannot whip up something else from left-over Chinese food. What I do is cook something else Chinese to accompany the heated left-over Chinese food so that my husband can eat it again. With my almost expiring bread, I could also make into bread pudding for snacks and dessert.

     Well, I know many good housewives can whip up magically something great from left-over food. Always remember that you need to do something with that left-over food  as soon as possible until the very next day so it won't spoil. Always transfer left-overs from the "doggie" bag into separate food containers and put them in the fridge the minute you get home. 

      I found this photo in Photobucket, village kids scavenging for left-over food at a village wedding.

     But, if you and your family are not into eating left-over food and you're in the Philippines, don't just throw them away to rot and become compost; give them to the hungry, the needy and to the "basurero" (garbage truck people). Or simply, don't cook beyond what you need so as not to waste food. But again, if you are generous and kind, you could cook more and give these people a taste of your great home-cooked meal. And what a blessing you will be!

Preparations for a House Party

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Preparations for a House Party
 

     A good housewife should know how to throw a party or entertain at home; if she doesn't, she, instinctively, tries to learn how to. Why? Because sometimes, the husband brings home some friends or his boss, sometimes the family get-together is at your house, many times you need to throw a kid's party for your child's birthday, sometimes you need to host dinner for your friends and neighbors, etc. 

    There are several tips you'd find in the internet on how to prepare for a party. But these are general rules I've learned from my own experiences which I've added to those found in the internet and I would like to share them with you. One general rule is regarding the number of your guests. If your guests can all sit at your dinner table, prepare for a sit-down dinner; if your guests are too many for your dinner table, prepare a buffet. 

     Sit-down dinners are, to me, like a first class service in a long-haul flight. You have to remove the used plates for every course--green salad, soup, entree, dessert. It's okay if you have maids like we do here in the Philippines. A great idea is to turn a console table in your dining room into a salad and dessert table where your guests can get their salads  and desserts and then sit down at the dinner table. All you have to serve individually are the soup, if you are serving that, and entrees. Then you can offer tea or coffee with the dessert in a big tray. 

     Buffet is the best thing for medium to large parties because you don't have to serve, individually, your guests. All you need to do is to replenish the chafing dishes and display all the soft drinks, pitchers of iced-tea and water, and bottles of wine, and your guests can help themselves. If the party is really big, here in the Philippines, you can hire one or two waiters who can service the beverages for you. 
     Here are some tips that might help you in your preparations for a party.
     
1) Always stick to what you know--Food preparation is essential to a party because you socialize with guests through food. So if you're preparing the food, stick to the ones you can cook with your eyes closed and your friends have tasted and said, "Hmmm...delicious. Can I get the recipe?"
2) Choose food that you can prepare ahead of time--The worst scenario is that you're still cooking while your guests are already arriving; you would look so haggard and won't be able to socialize much. 
3) Choose to have your food catered, if you don't have the time to prepare--Do you know that, many times, it is cheaper to have a caterer do your food preparations than you, yourself? Aside from providing you with waiters, they also bring the buffet table and the centerpiece (flower arrangement, sometimes with small fountains or ice sculpture,etc.) as well as the dishes, knives and forks, etc. All you have to do is socialize.
4) Always allot at least 15% more food and drinks against the number of your guests-- This is a wise move because, oftentimes, there are more guests than you invited or plate accident happens where the food is dropped.
5) Prepare your fridge and serving dishes, plates and utensils ahead of time--Before you buy your groceries for the party, clean out your fridge so that there would be room enough for your party food. Estimate you serving platters, dishes and utensils against the number of your guests. In the Philippines, we are used to borrowing from a neighbor, a friend, or a relative. 
6) Buy your party groceries in bulk--This will save you a lot of money buying in wholesale.
7) Show a little flair--A motif makes the party interesting, like Hawaiian or whatever you feel is your style. A friend of mine made a Hawaiian buffet so she scooped out the insides of large pineapples and watermelons and served her chicken macaroni salad and melon ball salad in these fruit containers underneath a bed of cut banana leaves. 
8) Choose your lighting, music, decors, etc. that would be conducive to socializing--No loud music; instead you can put on soft, piped-in music. The lights should not be too bright, but also not too dim. 
9) Clean as you go--Pick up pieces of tissues from tables, empty plates and glasses, etc.


     Remember, a great party is a well-planned party.

     

Php88 Items at Japan Home Stores

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Php88 Items at Japan Home Stores

  

     Do you need a Japanese tea set? Where else can you buy a cheaper set in Manila except in Japan home stores? Do you want to buy bowls, frying pans, mops, hangers, basins, storage boxes, socks, slippers, office supplies, sewing kits, toilet tissues, soap dishes, fabric softeners, umbrellas, etc., etc...each for Php88 or even less? Go to any Japan home store in various malls in Metro Manila. 

    Japan home stores have become the place to go for many housewives who need items for their homes and even for others who simply want to buy office and school supplies. They have a wide array of items which cater to all our needs and very affordable, too. Although the items are cheaper, yet the quality is good and not "disposable" as others may think. I've always had so much fun exploring their items as they are really practical to use in our homes and also gives us a glimpse of the Japanese lifestyle. 

     

     Many Filipinos flock to these stores everyday as these stores have become the practical place to buy items for their needs, making these Japan home stores an essential part of the Pinoy lifestyle today.

Ways to Save and Help Augment the Family Finances

Good Housekeeping: Ways to Save and Help Augment the Family Finances

    
    The housewife is the one who manages the home and in the Philippines, she is mostly the one who does the budgeting for food, education, household expenses like electricity, water, telephone, cable, etc. Some housewives have to work outside the home in order to augment their husband's salaries so that the finances would be enough for the expenses until the next pay-day. And there are some who work at home so that they can keep an eye on their kids and do the household chores. But there are ways to save money and there are simple ways housewives can do to augment the family income.

     
     Wastage is really a waste of money. The children need to be taught how to turn off the lights, t.v., radio, electric fans, air-conditioners, and computers, when not in use; imagine how much electricity flows into those currents when turned on. Also, we need to learn how to close the tap while brushing our teeth to save on water and on our water bill. Pile enough laundry before using the washing machines and before ironing. Teach the children not to keep the fridge doors open for a long time. Make a menu and a grocery list so that food will not be wasted and just thrown out because of spoilage. Learn how to turn left-over foods into another meal. Recycle so that you will not throw out things. Do a garage sale for your old clothes and furniture and stuff so you can make money out of them. 

     Now for the ways to help augment the family finances, many housewives in the Philippines have a trade in their homes--putting up small variety stores ("sari-sari" stores); selling ice-candies, packed ice, and soft-drinks, cooking "turon" (sweetened plantain bananas wrapped in rice paper), banana-que, "lumpia" and other Filipino snacks  or frozen cooked foods packed in microwaveable containers and selling them; selling cellphone prepaid loads; or dressmaking or making handicrafts and other stuff. Other women engage in selling tupperwares, Avon, and other products which they promote at home. Many women around the world get part-time jobs in real estate, insurance, and  in other companies in sales. Some also make their homes into day care centers for babies of working mothers. Some women plant vegetable gardens in their backyards so they won't have to buy for their own family's consumption and some are able to make their own curtains and bed sheets so they won't have to buy from the stores.

    There are many ways to stretch that budget or your family's finances. Wives have come up with so many ideas which have been proven to be truly effective.

Good Housekeeping: Women's Hobbies Turn into Profit

Women's Hobbies Turn into Profit

     With all the many responsibilities placed on a woman's shoulder, she needs time for herself, time dedicated only to herself. Well, that's the reason why women have hobbies which allows her to refresh and relax her mind and body. Although having a hobby doesn't mean you just lie down and do nothing; hobbies are expressions of a person's creativity--outlets for her emotions and passions which allow her to flourish and improve her well-being. Hobbies allow her to deviate from her daily routine for her family and work by doing something that she, herself, loves.

     
      
     There have been many hobbies developed throughout the years as women's taste vary and have evolved into much higher and newer things. Although needle work, crocheting, knitting, quilting, embroidery, etc. are still the usual hobbies, we find many women go into soap and candle making, jewelry making, photography, writing, art, even into wood carving. What's more, there are women today who fly airplanes, hang glide, mountain and wall climb, race cars, and all other stuff that many used to believe only men can do.

     What is even more intriguing is the fact that, nowadays, these hobbies are being turned into profit. A framed cross-stitched work really gives satisfaction to a woman who labored days, perhaps months, to finish this work but it gives her even a greater sense of fulfillment if someone buys her work. People have told stories of women who go to Divisoria to buy tools and materials in order to create her own fancy jewelry or to give some away as a gift and now have their own stores of fancy jewelries and are able to export them or sell them online. Many have learned the art of making aromatic soaps and candles and are now also selling them in gift stores. Even women's hobby of writing and just expressing themselves online as a blogger, like us, have given us opportunities to earn.

     But what profits a woman more than money is the satisfaction that she gets when she is able to knit a pair of booties for her baby, or when she is able to sew matching curtains and throw pillow cases for her own home, or when she is able to bake a delicious chocolate cake for her child's birthday. And to some, the profit of turning a hobby into a business gives great sense of fulfillment and success. What profits a woman most from her hobbies is the fact that she can turn something that she loves to do into something that is beneficial to her family, to her home, and to herself.  

      

   

Good Housekeeping: Mugs Reflect Your Home's Personality and Your Own

Mugs Reflect Your Home's Personality and Your Own

     If you are a coffee or tea drinker, chances are you have a mug somewhere in your home, your office or in your locker. Kids love to drink their hot marshmallow-chocolate drinks in mugs or even their warm milk. It's because these are sturdy cups which hold larger amounts of liquid (usually 12 fluid oz. or 350 ml.) than the usual tea cup. You can bring  them anywhere with their sturdy handles or ears and put them down anywhere without a saucer. With the busy lifestyles of many today, the use of coffee or tea cups with saucers are becoming less and less and are being replaced by these handy mugs. 

     Mugs are cheap and because of that, there are gazillions of mugs out there all over the world, made of different materials, shapes, designs, and colors. The most common are made of ceramics and earthenware or stoneware. Some of the more expensive ones are made of bone china and porcelain for those who want a more elegant-looking mug. Some are made of glass (Pyrex), plastic, steel and enameled metal which are break-resistant for campers. Nowadays, many use the thermal travel mug which is insulated and completely enclosed for those who go on long road trips or who like to sip hot beverages on the go. There a lot of varieties to choose from; some may even match your tableware which most housewives try to find. In my home, we each have our own mug (not a set), which reflect each one's personality and moods. If we get tired of one, we can change it into another and the old one gets to be a container of all sorts of things like scissors and pens, spoon and fork, etc.

     What's best about these mugs is that you can personalize them through silk-screen printing or decals which many manufacturers can do for you. You can write your advocacy or even put your own photo or of your idol. You can also put logos of your company, your favorite teams, etc. Whatever your heart's desire, you can put into your mug. That is why mugs are also perfect gifts or give-away to other people because they are practical to have in their own home or in their office. 

Good Housekeeping: Outdoor Lighting, For Security and Ambiance

Outdoor Lighting, for Security and Ambiance

     Last week, we tackled about indoor lighting; therefore, it is always good to follow it up with Outdoor Lighting.

     Outdoor Lighting is basically necessary at night time for the security of our home by providing the necessary illumination for walkways, steps and entrances. With the increase of prevalent crimes in our cities, we need to light up our garage, our front and back doors, our gardens to discourage car-nappers and thieves to enter our homes. Not only for outsiders, outdoor lighting is needed for our own safety illuminating our walkways so we won't have to walk in the dark. But outdoor lighting also gives ambiance to our homes at night. It creates artistry and drama as visitors approach our home. It also improves the beauty of our home's exterior  and landscape and creates a sense of modernity and liveliness. The perfect example for this is when we put multicolored, blinking lights and lanterns during Christmas season in our garden and in the exterior of our homes. These set the mood and the atmosphere of the season. 

    Floodlighting is a kind of outdoor lighting that is used in walkways, entrances and steps. Silhouetting is used to provide dramatic effects on a broad surface like a wall, behind a landscape feature such as bushes and pool. However, lights and cables should be installed at least 5 feet from the edge of a swimming pool. Low-voltage (12 volts is safe) landscape lighting is recommended for use in trees, shrubs and flowers. 

     Today, solar-powered outdoor lighting is one of the most efficient methods of outdoor lighting and undoubtedly, the most cost efficient, according to Hubpages  (http://hubpages.com/) with solar-powered light. You don't have to worry about the wiring and it automatically turns off during the day. These are now available in the Philippines but I think, you have to order and it takes some time to arrive. If you are only using it for outdoor lighting, you don't need large panels; all you need is to place the fixtures in a position that they get a good amount of sunlight and make sure that nothing is blocking it from getting the sun at any point. I found in http://bacoor.olx.com.ph/ a Solar Security Light with infrared sensor and LED lights, built-in 5 in 1 rechargeable battery pack for Php2,350. But I'm pretty sure that the amount of money you will save from electricity will be more than this initial cost.

    

Good Housekeeping: The Basics of Indoor Lighting

The Basics of  Indoor Lighting

      "Let there be light!" That was how God created light for the earth, He commanded it. Well, for us, we can command it, but somebody's got to fix it.

     Lighting is most essential at night time. However, even during the day, areas of our homes need lights for us to be able to do our tasks. Lights also set the mood of our home and give it a great look and ambiance. Here are the kinds of lighting we put in our homes, according to http://www.lighting-one.com :

     1) Task Lighting --these are necessary to carry specific activities such as:

        - for food preparation and cooking

        - for grooming (shaving, putting on make-up)

        - for reading

        - for activities in the laundry

    2) Ambient Lighting -- the total amount of light that is present in a space. Depending on 

         how much is desired or needed, ambient lighting is usually of personal preference. 

         For example, in the family room, we usually put pin lights in ceilings which we can 

         dim or brighten depending on the ambiance we desire for the activity that we do 

         like dim for watching movies or films and bright when we play board games with 

         our  kids.

   3)  Accent Lighting  -- this kind of lighting brings attention to itself or to an object, such as a painting or artwork, a framed photography or posters.

    4) Layered Lighting  -- a process of placing multiple types of lighting in a single space,  created from a variety of sources. Example, in the kitchen, task lighting can be achieved with a combination of under-cabinet lighting and recessed lighting; ambient and accent lighting can be achieved with a central chandelier and/or wall scones.

     There are many ways to use lighting to give the ambiance or the look we want. We can use lighting fixtures and portable lamps. Nowadays, we have a wide array of fixtures and lamps to choose from. Lamps, according to the above web page, should be typically 20 inches tall as an accent, but table lamps should be 25 to 32 inches tall for the purpose of lighting living rooms, bedrooms, dining and family rooms. Lamp shade height should equal the measurement taken from the base of the lamp to the bottom of the bulb socket, again, according to the web page. However, this rule varies nowadays, depending on the design of the lamp and lamp shades. 

    Another tip: you can get the most out of your lighting fixtures if the bulb is clean. Hellow! Makes common sense?

  

Good Housekeeping: Potted Herbs for Your Kitchen

Potted Herbs for Your Kitchen

Potted Herbs

 
       Do you love to cook Italian food? Do you love to cook with fresh herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary and thyme? Well, I do. I love the smell of fresh basil on tomatoes on bruschetta and coriander in Asian green salads and fresh Vietnamese spring rolls. So I buy my herbs in the supermarket. Sometimes they are cheap; parsley and coriander are sometimes P10 a bunch only. Sometimes I can find cheap styro pack of basil for only P20 but since I only use few leaves, I tend to throw the rest after a few days because they wilt fast. Rosemary doesn't wilt fast but some packages contain too much and are very expensive. Other expensive herbs are dill, marjoram, thyme, and mint. 

 

This is my potted rosemary which is 3 years old already.

    
     But I found out, one day, that I could buy the herb-plants, themselves, in black plastic bags from plant shops for only P50-80 in the malls like in Festival or Market Market, or in regular herb plant shops. I bought basil and rosemary for starters and transferred them to pots. Somebody taught me that for rosemary, I must put pebbles or gravel at the bottom of a big pot first then put compost or fertilized soil on top before transferring the rosemary plant in the pot so that the plant will not be soaked in wet soil. when you water it. I've seen a lot of foodie shows on t.v. with potted herbs on their counter or on the window sill of their kitchen. When the chef needs herbs, they just pick from the potted herbs and 'voila', perfect and aromatic food. So whenever I need rosemary or basil, I just pick from the plant.

     Here are some tips on growing herbs indoors from http://oldfashionedliving.com :

    Basil  - requires sunniest position and tolerates dry air.

    Mint  - enjoys some sun but not hot midday sun. Put in moist, cool soil.

    Rosemary -- large pots; likes bright situation so reflected light can be used. Be sure, 

              however, that the room is cool, about 60 degrees.

    

         Make sure all containers can adequately drain. Be sure not to over-water indoor 

    herbs. Water in mornings so excess moisture evaporates. Air is important for potted 

    herbs and over-watering can cause root fungus to thrive. If necessary, place a small fan 

    beside your indoor herbs. Place potted herbs where there is enough light like a good 

    window sill.

Good Housekeeping: The Modern-Baroque Style

The Modern-Baroque Style

 Welcome! The Entry Hallway

     When my husband and I visited again my step-daughter's home in Green Meadows, I was able to take some photos which I would like to share with you. Her husband is an architect but both of them chose the style and interior design of their home--Modern-Baroque style. 

     From the outside, the home looks so modern and simple. But when you go inside, the home is a mixture of old and new, elaborate and simple, magnificent and laid-back. The sofa design is modern and massive in plain off-white upholstery, but accented with large throw pillows with intricately-printed, shimmery-brown satin case, the same fabric of which was also applied on the huge ottoman as part of the living room set. Simplified Louis XIV  chairs accent the sides of a red baroque-style console table at the entry hallway. Touches of baroque style here and there, including the ceiling, accentuates the plain white walls and drapes. 

     What is baroque anyway? According to http://www/buffaloah.com, 'baroque' means curious, odd, or strange. The term 'baroque' was initially used with a derogatory meaning, to underline the excess of its emphasis, of its eccentric redundancy, its noisy abundance of details. Baroque furniture was first introduced in the reign of Louis XIV of France, according to the web http://www.juliettesinteriors.co.uk. The designer emulated the power and opulence of the king in his style. If you have been to the Louvre Museum and Palace of Versailles, you would note the intricate baroque style in their architecture, furniture, and interior. Baroque style automatically demands attention, a sense of power and elegance, a style which the famous Versace also used in some of his furniture pieces which I've seen in some posh houses in Alabang and Makati.  

Good Housekeeping: Framed Photographs and Memories

Framed Photographs and Memories

     With the invention of digital cameras and cellphone cameras which you don't have to develop and you can take anywhere, anytime, and post in the internet for social webbing, many people have come to love the art of photography.
 

     But to the housekeeper, like us, the good old developed pictures, the ones that you cannot easily delete, are of utmost value. Why? Because these are the ones we frame and hang in our wall or place in a corner table, the ones we put in scrap books or photo albums that we flip into when we're not doing anything, the ones that we show off to our guests and to relatives who visit, these are the ones that provide the memories of experiences and places we've been to, and most of all, these are the ones that provide a lasting remembrance of the ones we love and the ones we once loved.

     There are two purposes of framing photographs and art. One, they become part of our interior decoration because a picture easily grabs one's attention and beautifies the room. Large pictures can be hung and make a focal wall. Smaller pictures can be grouped together and also hung on a wall. Many have indulged in the use of black and white photos as a classic approach to hanging pictures. Vintage black and white photography, according to Lauren Wise of e.how.com, has been regarded as one of the most beautiful forms of photography and art since black and white was the first type of photo ever and has influenced hundreds of technologies, ideas and forms of entertainment. As we have been digitalized, black and white pictures can still be  taken and developed by using  functions in cameras and several techniques, and of course, by photoshop editing. 

These Photos courtesy of Photobucket

    

     Hanging pictures also requires technique. According to buzzle.com, we must hang a picture slightly above our eye level, seated or standing up. Therefore, if you are in the bedroom or in the living room, the eye level to consider is when you are sitting on the bed or on the sofa. In the hallway, the foyer, the patio, the stairs, where you do not sit, consider your eye level standing up. 

     The other purpose of framed photograph is for the memories. We, women, love to look at pictures of our children growing up, of our childhood with family and friends, of those whom we cherish, of our special events like graduation, debut, wedding, or first date or prom night. These photos provide instant remembrance of where we've been and help us to look forward to more photos we can frame in the future. 

   

Good Housekeeping: Useful Throw Pillows

The Useful Throw Pillows

     Throw pillows have been used and 'abused' by many people including homemakers. They have many uses. For one, they are used by kids to play; throwing throw pillows at one another is much fun for growing kids and teenagers. Sometimes some Dads and Moms also throw pillows at one another but not for fun. He, he! But, kidding aside, throw pillows truly are useful to the homemaker. 


     One of the most important role of a throw pillow is for accent. Accent pillows or "toss" pillows are used for decorative purposes to bring life to an, otherwise, drab sofa or chair, to add color and volume to beds as the centerpiece of the bedroom, and to add texture to a corner of a room. Throw pillow cases are made of different fabrics and designs. Many housewives have made the hobby of cross-stitching or embroidering these throw pillow cases to pass the time and to express their love for crafts. Also, throw pillows come in many sizes and shapes. Many big ones are used as furniture; two, piled-up together, can make a comfortable seat in a small living room, bedroom, den, or a home entertainment room.
                                                                                         All photos courtesy of Photobucket

 

     Another use of throw pillows are for hugging and comfort. Fluffy ones are used mostly in bed for hugging and used as anchors to legs. Others use them as pillows for guests who sleep in the sofa or in guest beds with no pillows. Placing a throw pillow in your back while sitting in bed to watch t.v. also gives comfort and relaxation. 


    I know any home do have at least one throw pillow or a pair. How many do you have?


    

Good Housekeeping: The Benefits of Baking Soda

The Benefits of Baking Soda

     One of baking soda brands available in the Philippines

     "Baking soda? It's used for baking." This is probably the answer by many Filipino housewives when asked about this important element because we don't usually use baking soda. We know that it is used as a  leaven in baking to make cookies, cakes and pastries rise but we don't know that it is also used as a meat tenderizer because it breaks down protein and neutralizes acids. Also called sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is a white powder with crystalline grains--magical-- which today have been found to have many other uses --from cleaning, to deodorizing, and even, for health care purposes.

     For cleaning purposes in kitchens and toilets, baking soda is sprinkled in a damp sponge or cloth and scrubbed on tiles and tubs, let stand for 30 minutes, and rinsed. To remove tough grout and tile stains, make baking soda into a paste by mixing 1 part bleach to 3 parts baking soda.( Always remember to use rubber gloves.) For more drain clogs and grease, pour 1/2 cup baking soda on drain and grease, then pour 1 cup vinegar, let sit for 10 to 20 minutes then flush with hot water. Do not use baking soda and vinegar on aluminum and  stainless steel surfaces. 

     In the kitchen, you can also use baking soda to put out fire in the stove by sprinkling it over the fire to put it out. Sprinkle baking soda in water and soak your vegetables and fruits, then rinse well to remove bacteria.

    As a deodorizer, baking soda kills bacteria in the fridge while keeping food fresh. Place baking soda in an open container and put inside your fridge to absorb odor. You can stir and turn over the soda from time to time and replace every 2 months. You can also add your favorite scented bath salts to the baking soda and place in your toilet or bedrooms. You need to replace this every 3 months. For smelly tennis shoes, socks, boots and bedroom slippers, sprinkle baking soda and let stand to eliminate odor.

     For laundry, baking soda can also be used as a fabric softener by adding 1/2 cup to the rinse cycle. You can also add 1/2 cup with your detergent to freshen laundry because it enhances the detergent's effectiveness. In the U.S., baking soda is used to take out stains especially blood and red wine stains on clothes by soaking the clothes in warm water mixed with baking soda and salt.

     Baking soda has been used as a traditional old-fashioned toothpaste because of its whitening effect. You can still use it in sync with your toothpaste by sprinkling baking soda on a wet toothbrush. Soak your grandpa's dentures or your son's mouth guards in a solution of 2 tsps. baking soda dissolved in warm water. You can also add 1/2 cup baking soda to your bath to soften skin. You can also bathe your babies with water mixed with baking soda and use it as shampoo for your pets to deodorize them. If you go swimming in a pool, remove chlorine from your hair by rinsing it with 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1 pint of water to remove dullness and discoloration caused by the chlorinated pools. Make a solution of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or liquid soap to remove fish, onion or garlic odors from your hands. 

     Hey, baking soda can also be used as underarm deodorant. Ouch, I think! So, have a box handy for your home. 

References: thefarm.org --Sixty Uses of Baking Soda

                  home.howstuffworks.com --Uses fro Baking Soda

                  assocciatedcontent.com --The Perfect Household

                  handyhints.gophercentral.com--So Many Uses For Baking Soda 

Good Housekeeping: Budget Helpers--Plastic Fantastic!

Budget Helpers: Plastic Fantastic!

     When we say 'plastic', we always think of credit cards. Well, there are other plastics nowadays which we, housewives, have found truly useful to help stretch our budget. Instead of getting credit which you need to pay later with interest when you shop, how about shopping with the points you've earned by the same, shopping. These are plastics which we call 'Reward' cards or 'Suki' cards or 'Discount' cards or 'Membership' cards.

     Do you know that since 2002, I have been getting almost 5,000 pesos worth of groceries each December, covering my Christmas groceries, from my Shopwise Elite card. When I buy medicine from Mercury Drug, I can immediately deduct the amount from my 'Suki' card from my bill and still earn points from that purchase. Recently, before December 2009, my husband received a BDO (Banco de Oro) Prestige Reward card for our BDO accounts which blessed us with 7,000 pesos worth of shopping free at SM Department Stores. I also have an SM Advantage card, though slow to earn points, which we use when I do grocery shopping at Save More or SM groceries. 

     The so-called 'marketing gimmicks' of different business establishments reward you for shopping in their stores, the idea or concept of which came from banks which reward creditors for using their credit cards. I also believe these reward cards are better than credit cards because they do not encourage you to be in debt. Though, there are some who say that these business establishments pad their retail prices to make up for these rewards. Perhaps so, but it is to the consumer's or shopper's discretion whether to buy or not the products at certain retail prices. Housewives, like me, compare prices of different grocery stores and yet some of us just buy at a certain grocery for convenience or because the products that we're looking for are just available there. 

     So now, how can we get these reward cards? Usually, grocery stores like Shopwise and South Supermarket require shoppers to accumulate 5,000 pesos worth of receipts from their stores. Then they'll give you the reward card or membership card. Depending on your recorded monthly points which they monitor simply by swiping your card every time you shop, your card can be promoted to an 'Elite' card for Shopwise or a 'Prestige' card for SM which gets more points and more privileges having a special check-out lane. Sometimes, they even give small gifts on Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, etc. for these cardholders. In some groceries and shops, you have to pay for the membership card or 'discount' card--some very minimal like 150 pesos for a 5-year membership to the utterly absurd like 500 pesos for a one year membership. There are lots of other stores which promote their plastics--National Bookstore for buying their books, school and office supplies, etc.; imported leather goods stores giving 20% discounts on their products; and even pizza delivery card-- buy one family size pizza and you get one family size Hawaiian pizza free, but the card cost 300 pesos. 

     There are different types of point-system with each card. Some, for every 100 pesos worth of groceries and items, you get 1 point or equivalent to 1 peso; some you get a point for every 200 pesos worth of shopping. Some companies have a lot of affiliate stores like gasoline stations, restaurant, hardwares, appliance stores, drug store, hotels and lodges and apparel shops, so you can earn more points with their cards. BDO which is a sister-company of SM Department Stores, adds points when you make a deposit in their bank aside from shopping in SM stores and all its affiliates.

     A word of advice: read the fine prints of an application form and analyze its benefits and disadvantages before you even sign up for a card, especially for those you have to pay for membership. But for those cards which are freely given, then freely accept.

Good Housekeeping: Zen-Inspired Gardens, Designed to Restore the Soul

Zen-Inspired Gardens, Designed to Help Restore the Soul

     'Zen' is a shortened word for 'zenna' from the Sanskrit term 'dhajanam' which means meditation or contemplation, a Japanese philosophy which is the foundation of the Zen Buddhism and culture, according to The Buddhist Channel website. The garden is both  a philosophical statement and an object of aesthetic appreciation and aim to imitate nature. 

     According to Maureen Katemopoulos of eHow.com, Zen gardens are not exclusive to Japan. Their simplicity and beauty are admired and emulated all over the world and take many different forms based on the original principles of Zen garden design. The 15th century dry garden of Roanji in Kyoto, Japan is a fine example of classic Zen garden where rocks represent mountains or other formation which are surrounded by sand that is carefully raked to simulate the rhythmic motion of water and waves. 

     Yes, indeed, Zen gardens in the Philippines have taken many forms and designs--from the simple classic gardens which uses tall lean bamboos with rounded bamboo bushes and plants at their foot, white and gray pebbles and stones lined in the classic ripple against blue grass,  to designs which incorporate real waterfalls and ponds which are inspired by Balinese designs. What is important is that the 'minimalist' concept of zen gardens are maintained in the landscape designs which we see in Asian-inspired and modern homes and buildings, in parks and in small pockets of condominium units and offices here in the Philippines. 

     The eHow.com post adds that the key to the Zen garden design is  total serenity--a place to sit and meditate and "restore your spirits".  For us Christians, we don't need to restore our spirit because it has already been renewed through Christ. But we appreciate the simplicity of the Zen-inspired garden, the relaxation that it brings especially with the sound of rippling waters that many Philippine Zen-inspired gardens provide. Coming from a hectic day, it's a relief to sit in the middle of greenery against a backdrop of tall bamboos swaying against the wind, read a Bible, and pray, thus helping to restore our soul.