Perfect Tidy Home

I have been reading a lot on social media these days. I see a recurring theme: having a perfectly tidy home.

I’m going to say something that might be controversial: Having a perfectly tidy home isn’t the ultimate goal of being a wife and mom, at least not for me. 

Throughout my early years as a mother, I didn’t have much in terms of home decor. Our apartment featured toys on side tables and preschool art adorning the walls. It wasn’t exactly magazine-worthy. As my kid got older, I decorated a bit more, but my floor was covered in little green men having battles. The dining room table was a fort. The kitchen sink had snack dishes, and the counters were dotted with homemade popsicle juice.  The extra bedroom was a school room and craft room. I had a few curated shelves, but not many.

As my son grew older, our lives were filled with science projects, math and reading books, and impromptu movie nights on the family room floor, complete with air mattresses. 

We entertained, and no one talked about the "mess". Their houses had toys and pets, too. If we were judging each other, I didn't notice. 

Every day, the counters were wiped clean, the beds were made, meals were cooked, and the bathrooms were cleaned. Twice a year, we decluttered and deep-cleaned the house. Despite these efforts, it wasn’t always perfect.

As my son was around high school age and I had most of the day to myself, the house was cleaner. My dining room hutch was decorated, and I had art and shelves on the walls of the house. The kitchen sink stayed empty longer. Was it like my grandmother’s immaculate and well-curated home? No, it wasn’t.

Friday nights and Saturday mornings were filled with football gear and stadium blankets. On school days, the dining room table served as my son’s study table, while the couch was reserved for spontaneous naps.  For about two hours on Friday afternoon, the house was clean, tidy, and quiet. I enjoyed those two hours.

Even now, my husband and our adult son fill the kitchen sink with food prep and lunch containers, plus dishes from late-night snacks. The entryway is lined with shoes—tennis shoes, work shoes. My slip-ons are right there with them. Beds are made, and the fridge is filled with food.  My office is cluttered with projects and Christmas gifts. 

When we sit down for a rare family meal, I don't care if the house is perfect. All I care about is that we are here together, safe and sound. My son's laughter fills the house; my husband's "dad jokes" make us groan and sigh, and the dog is barking at a leaf outside in the yard. That is all that matters to me. 

I’d rather hang out with my guys than clean until I’m exhausted. We can go thrift shopping, take walks with our dog, and watch movies together. And we can do it just fine with a tidy but not perfect house. 

I won't lie on my deathbed and say I wish I had a perfectly clean house that looked like it belonged in some magazine or home decor Instagram page. I’ll know I’ve created cherished memories with my family and embraced the chaotic beauty of life. 

Join me in lowering our expectations just enough to savor the time we spend with our families. I’ve heard that for a few years, things can be “perfect,” but then grandchildren arrive, and the windows have nose prints, and the bathroom mirrors are covered in toothpaste spray. 

What are your thoughts on having a perfectly tidy home? 

Test Kitchen Recipe: Cabbage Rolls

 This recipe was on my grandma's table at least twice a month. It was a favorite... one of my favorites. 

I started by making the filling: Ground turkey, rice, and chopped onion. I added one seasoning: ground pepper.

Next, I washed and prepared the cabbage leaves. I carefully cut out the hard core to ensure that the leaves would cook down and become tender. 

I ended up with smaller leaves, as the head of cabbage was pretty tough.  That didn't prevent me from making the recipe. The rolls would just be smaller. 

I filled the cabbage leaves with the meat filling. 

I then covered each dish with a generous amount of tomato sauce. 

Bake it until the edges were brown and the sauce was bubbling. 

I added a vegetable and a slice of buttered bread to my meal.

The cabbage rolls were absolutely delicious! They were just as I remembered them. 

My guys forgot about the leftovers in the fridge, so I got to enjoy all of them. 

This full recipe will be in my upcoming book. 

Menu for November 8-13

 

The photo is the property of Carrie Merth, photographer.

Sunday-We had hamburgers 

Monday- Crockpot Creamed Chicken

Tuesday- Fajita Bowls

Wednesday- Salmon with herb-roasted potatoes

Thursday- Creamy Tomato Basil Meatballs with pasta

Friday- Pasta Fagioli Soup (copycake recipe)

Check back this week for recipes from my test kitchen. 

Test Kitchen Recipe- Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Topping

 It had been along time since I made this big of a batch of cinnamon rolls...probably the last time I made them with my Grandma. I make smaller batches once or twice a year from my family.

I started by proofing my yeast. It actviated very quickly. 

Next I add my other ingredients.

The dough quickly filled up my mixer and I had more flour to add to get the dough to the right consistency. I poured it on the counter and rolled up my sleeves. I was covered in flour within a few minutes. 

Once I was done adding flour and kneed it to activiate the gluten in the flour, my arms ached. I left it on the counter to rise as I didn't have a bowl big enough for it to double in size.  I covered it with a flour sack towel.

I divided the risen dough into three balls. Then I rolled it out. The dough had wonderful bubbles it and while I was rolling it out the bubbles squeaked. I brushed melted butter on the dough rounds and sprinkled on brown and white sugar and a generous amount of ground cinnamon. 

Then I made a double batch of homemade caramel. I didn't get any pics of it in the pan, as I could not let it sit. Sitting would have cause the sugars to either get too hot or start sticking to the pan. I didn't want to burn the caramel.

There is the rolls with the caramel on the bottom of the pan. I ended up with four pans (two large ones). I let the cinnamon roll rise for a short while before popping them into the oven. 

Here are the rolls right from the oven. Golden color and were baked until they sounded hallow when tapped with a fingernail.

We inverted the cinnamon rolls onto waxed paper.  The ones we were sharing went into disposable foil baking pans. 

They were gooey and messy!  So good!!

Hubby called them "fork" cinnamon rolls. You could eat them with your hands but a fork was necessary if you didn't want to bathe in caramel. 

In about 4 days all the pans were empty and I got rave reviews. 

The recipe for the rolls and the caramel sauce will be included in my upcoming book. 

My Favoite Things: Throw Blankets

 A warm, cozy blanket for watching TV or reading is one of my favorite things. 

I have collected a few over the years. Some of the throws were gifts from friends or family, while others I bought at a store. I would touch one and immediately announce that I needed to take it home with me. 

This blanket sits in our oversized living room chair. It is perfect for getting cozy while I do my morning devotions and meditation. 

I made this fleece blanket for my son a few years ago. He is an adult now, so I took it back and enjoy it on my shoulders in the evenings. 

This blanket, a thoughtful gift after my recent surgery, is incredibly soft and warm. I keep it in my bedroom, either for reading in our chair or as a cozy throw over my legs during my evening wind-downs. 

This was initially intended as a  Christmas blanket, but its coziness made it impossible to pack away. It now lives permanently in our bedroom. 

This stadium blanket lived in my parents' car trunk for many years. I used it for chilly high school football games. It has seen better days, but I just can't donate it or toss it. 

This is our latest purchase. We spotted it in a store and couldn’t resist feeling its softness. Before we knew it, we had a set of throws in our shopping cart. 😊 Last night I was covered from my chin to my toes with this blanket while we binge-watched our latest TV series. 

Someone asked me recently why we have so many throw blankets when one or two would be enough. It is like potato chips or homemade cookies... You can't have just one. 

As the blankets wear out, we’ll bid farewell. However, you’ll find me at the store a few days later, replacing it with a new one. 

By the way, during the hot summer months, I can often be found cozily wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, reading a book. 

Do you have an item in your home that brings you joy and hours of coziness? Share it with us in the comments. 

Leftover Halloween Candy

A few years ago, we significantly overestimated how much candy we would need for Halloween. 

I bagged it up to use it over the next few months: some went into packed lunches, some to work with my husband and son, and the rest went into the freezer. 

A few items wouldn't freeze well, so I put them in the candy dish in the living room for guests to enjoy. 

Throughout November, December, and January, I delighted my friends and neighbors with an assortment of unique,  sugary treats. 

 Rollo Cookie Cups

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cookies, similar to Peanut Butter Blossoms

Twix Chocolate Chip Cookies. 

I was surprised by how quickly the candy disappeared. After  Christmas, we toss the last few pieces- no guilt, just gratitude that we had been able to use so much of it. 

What do you do with your leftover Halloween candy?  Share your tips and tricks in the comments below. 

Menu for November 1- 7

Happy First week of November. The holidays are almost here! It can be hard to think of what to cook when it gets dark so early, and we come home tired.

On the menu this week:

Sunday- was tacos from Costco and cinnamon rolls

Monday- Chicken, Roasted potatoes, cabbage salad

Tuesday- Burrito Bowls

Wednesday- Cabbage rolls, salmon, and roasted squash

Thursday- Pasta with fresh veggies and meat sauce

Friday- Tortilla Chicken Soup

Saturday- leftovers and sandwiches

What are you eating at your house this week? Leave a comment below.

A little more about Real Life Home Ec

 

I wanted to introduce myself again. I am a stay-at-home mom of 25 years, an author, and someone who enjoys the rhythms of everyday life. I love home and family. 

I love cooking, baking, and having a welcoming home. I am a big fan of the holidays. On most days, you will find me immersed in genealogy, paper crafts, cross-stitch, or sewing. I enjoy traditions that bring people together and the little things that make special days more meaningful. 

This blog is a place to share ideas on managing a home, honoring the stories and legacies passed down from our parents and grandparents. I don't have all the answers, but I believe there is a lot of wisdom in listening, learning, remembering, and sharing what we learn along the way. 

At my blog, you will find daily and weekly home resets, recipes, craft project ideas, home decor tips and tricks, and a few stories thrown in for good measure. 

I heard someone say they wish that one generation would share their knowledge with the next. What worked, what didn't, and how we learn from our experiences.  I hope you find that here. 

I am glad you are here. I hope you feel at home. 

Tell me a little about yourself and what you are hoping to read here over the next few weeks. 

--Carrie Lynn

Test Kitchen Recipe: Runzas

This is one of the recipes featured in my upcoming book. 

My grandma used to make this at least once a month. It is a German handpie. Very filling and great for fall or winter evenings. 

First, I proofed my yeast. It was new, so it proved quickly. 

Then, I added the dough ingredients and kneaded it until it reached the desired consistency and activated the gluten. I was a bit concerned because the dough turned out to be a bit heavy and stiff. However, by the time the dough had risen to double its size, it had softened and was much easier to roll out. 

While the dough was rising, I created the filling.

The mixture smelled so good. 

My circles weren’t perfect, but they worked.

I generously filled each runza, leaving half of it empty so that I could fold it over. 

They were ready for the oven (I had two pans of Runzas). 

I had a bit of filling left over. This is something that can happen. I put the leftovers in the fridge, and by evening, they’d been eaten as a snack. 

They turned out golden brown, and the aroma of them baking made us hungry!

I ate mine with ketchup, and Hubby ate his with Ranch dressing. 

You will find the step-by-step recipe in my upcoming book.