The Craft Guru

Spring is almost here! I am so glad. Some of you may not notice because you have the same season all year, but for me, when it goes from freezing cold to mild I am overjoyed.

So, it’s time to put the winter blahs away and learn some Spring Homemaking Tips.

by Monica Resinger

DECORATION FOR SEA-THEMED ROOM…
Fill decorative see-through glass containers (such as a small fish bowl)
about a quarter of the way full with beach sand. Add seashells, feathers,
driftwood, starfish or other beach findings and you have a quick, easy decoration for
a sea-themed room.

AN EASY WAY TO CLEAN MINI BLINDS…
I just did this recently and it worked really well. On a sunny day, lay the
blinds in the grass and spray with a hose. Fill a bucket with soapy water and
use this and a soft brush to wash the blinds clean. Rinse and do other side.
Let dry right in the lawn.

LAVENDER TEA BREAD
Take advantage of your blooming lavender and make a tasty quick bread.

3/4 cup milk
2 Tbsp. dried lavender flowers, finely chopped, or 3 Tbsp. fresh
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
6 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs

Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Heat milk
with lavender almost to a boil, then let steep until cool. Mix flour, baking
powder and salt together in bowl. Cream butter, gradually add sugar, then eggs,
one at a time, beating until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture alternately
with lavender milk, in 3 different batches. Mix until batter is just blended, do
not over-beat. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until
toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 min., then remove
to a wire rack to cool. When completely cool, ice with a powdered sugar glaze
made with 3 Tbsp. milk and enough powdered sugar to make a thick but still
runny paste if desired. Garnish with sprigs of fresh lavender around cake, or
sprinkle additional finely chopped lavender on glaze before it hardens.

Check out the ‘Get your Home in Order!’ e-book package that includes 6
e-books to help you do the job: Chore Schedules, Bathroom Cleaning Guide, Homemade
Household Cleaners, Storage Solutions, Guidebook for Getting and Staying
Organized and Kitchen Organization Tips! Click here for details:
http://homemakersjournal.com/ebooklets.htm
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