Saturday, October 31, 2015

a clean home

To say I am crazy for fresh air is an understatement (my husband can attest to windows wide open even in the dead of winter).


Perhaps that's why I am such a home wrecker when it comes to those synthetic plug-ins, plug-outs and hang-ups. Just can't stand them. In fact, when touring houses with clients, I tend to do the seller a favor and remove their plug-ins from walls/countertops/behind the washer/wherever they hide them (I know, not cool, but I am doing them a favor).


Beyond the fact that a synthetic tropical/vanilla/maple sugar smell is always detected by the passerby; creating the question, "what are they covering up?", a lot of people are highly allergic to these products and let's face it - chemicals are never good (something we all learned in the eighties).

A number of years ago I represented a client whose auto immune system made it impossible for her to use chemically-laden cleaning products. At that time I was using bleach, bleach and more bleach. Thanks to Sally, I became familiar with more natural, environmentally friendly cleaning products.  In fact, she started me on my journey of making my own cleaning products - thank you dear, lovely Sally!

Below are a few of my very favorite, go-to recipes for a cleaner and greener home, a home that should start feeling and smelling like fresh air with the scent of clean riding on its back!

LEMON DUST CLOTHS
step one
Make a solution of 1 cup water, 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 2 drops of olive oil. Soak your cotton rags in this solution. Squeeze out any excess water, leaving them damp. 

step two
Pare the rind from 1 lemon and lay a couple of pieces on each smoothed-out cloth. 

step three
Roll each rag and store in a clean, airtight jam jar with an extra piece of lemon peel. 

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DEODORIZING DRAINS
Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain, leave for 30 minutes, then flush with cold water.

Vinegar and baking soda works even better! Pour 2 Tablespoons baking soda down the drain followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let  bubble for 20 minutes, then flush with old water for 1 minute. 

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WASHING PAINTED WALLS
Combine 2 parts vinegar, 1 part baking soda and 3 parts warm water. 

Dip a cloth in the solution and wipe down the walls, working top to bottom; rinse with clean water. 



Until next time,

la chasse au bonheur


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

happy haunting

I always love a good scare (when it doesn't involve work) and thought you might too!  Enjoy!
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Craven Farm Pumpkin Patch
13817 Short School Road, Snohomish
360-568-2601, www.cravenfarm.com

Dr. Maze's Farm
15410 NE 124th Street, Redmond
435-869-9777, www.drmazesfarm.com

Fox Hollow Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch
12031 Issaquah-Hobart Road SW, Issaquah
425-996-0575, www.foxhollowfamilyfarm.com

Remlinger Farms
32610 NE 32nd Street, Carnation
425-333-4135, www.remlingerfarms.com

Bob's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm
10917 Elliot Road, Snohomish
360-668-2506, www.bobscorn.com
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Hauntlake Cemetary
2236 East Blaine Street, Montlake
Now through November 1, stop by day or night to see this amazing display of spooktacular delight!

KUBE 93 Haunted House, Georgetown Morgue
5000 East Marginal Way, Seattle
Thurs-Sun through November 1st
www.seattlehaunts.com

The Pike Place Market Ghost Tour
1499 Post Alley, Seattle
Thurs-Sun through November 1st
www.seattleghost.com

KISS 106.1 House of Terror
19802 Highway 99, Lynnwood
Now through Halloween
www.kissfmseattle.com

Nightmare on 9 Haunted House
Thomas Family Farm, 9010 Marsh Road, Snohomish
Now through Halloween
www.thomasfamilyfarm.com

Haunted Nightmare at the Nile
6601 244th Street SW, Mountlake Terrace
Please check www.hauntednightmare.com for dates
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Leavenworth Oktoberfest
Oct 9-10, 16-17
www.leavenworthoktoberfest.com

Pumpkin Bash
The Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle
October 24-25
www.zoo.org

Run Scared
Halloween, 10 am, Seward Park
5k run, 4k walk, free kids' dash
www.runscared5k.com

Halloween Train
Snoqualmie Train Depot
October 24, 25, 31
www.trainmuseum.org

Boogie Nights 5k and Dance Party
Green Lake Community Center
October 30th, 7pm, 21+ years of age
www.promotionevents.com/boogienights

The Best 80s Party Ever: Halloween Prom
Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th Street, Seattle
October 24, 8 pm
www.nectarlounge.com, Advance tickets $12

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Here are some on my watch list this year: Alien, Babadook, Birds, Blair Witch Project, Cabin in the Woods, Carrie, Conjuring, Dracula, Frankenstein, Halloween, Insidious, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, It, Jaws, Nightmare on Elm Street, Night of the Living Dead, Poltergeist, Psycho, The Shining, The Thing.
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Have a safe and happy Halloween!