Ruby - the Pillsbury Dough Girl

Written by Shannon Leigh

How to Clean a Stove: According to my Husband

Written by Shannon Leigh

{This picture has NOTHING to do with this post- I just like it}

Matt and I have a gas stove. Gas stoves are notorious for being grimy. Or so I'm told.

You see, gas stoves have lots of parts. The knobs, the pan support, the flame tube, the flame cover-upper, etc - you get the idea. You can't just wipe it down like those fancy flat top electric ones. Gas stove tops are much more complex in the cleaning department.

I'm a messy person. I can't help it. I've tried, I've truly tried. I'm not the type that gets something out and puts it away. I'm the type of person that gets something out, uses it, forgets that I got it out and moves on to something else. Then I glance at the clock and realize that my "I hate messes" husband is getting home in 30 minutes and I do a whirlwind cleaning. What can I say? I need a little pressure.

I'll tell you what, when I do clean I do a bang up job. I am very thorough and quite particular. None of this mopping business, I scrub the floors on my hands and knees. I usually pile everything up in the middle of the room and then put each item away in its rightful place. I'm a messy perfectionist. Is that possible?

However, when it came to the stove, I had a lot to learn. About a year ago, we were having quests stay with us so I cleaned the house the best I could before they got there. Dusted, vacuumed, washed the floors and toilets, you get the idea. I also cleaned the stove.

Matt got home from work and said "wow the house looks great!" I was beaming with domestic bliss. He then walked over to the stove and said... "ohhh and you tried to clean the stove." Tried? TRIED? I didn't try, I DID clean the stove. But clearly not to his specifications. My domestic goddess bubble had been burst.

Over the next few months I completely gave up on cleaning the stove. Clearly I wasn't the Stove Master like Matt was. But the day I went into labor with Ruby (2 weeks late) I decided I HAD to clean the stove before she got here. So giving up all pride, I called Matt at work and asked him how he made the stove shine like the top of the Chrysler building.

The phone conversation went something like this.

Matt: You're really going to clean the stove? (I could hear the excitement in his voice) It's really easy and it only takes 10 or 15 minutes!

me: 10 or 15 minutes? That's ridiculous. I can wash the whole floor in 15 minutes.

Matt: You'll need 4 different cleaning products.

me: 4 different cleaning products? That's ridiculous. I don't use that many products to clean the whole house.

Matt: Ok. This is what you do.

1. Fill the sink with soapy water. Take all of the loose parts from the top of the stove and soak them in the soapy water.

2. Wipe down the top of the stove with soapy washcloth to get all of the "junk" off.

3. Once all of the junk is off the top of the stove, slather with soft scrub and let it sit for a few minutes.

4. Wipe soft scrub off with wet paper towels.

5. Once the soft scrub is off of the top of the stove, spray the top of the stove with 409. This reduces any greasy residue that is left over.

6. Wipe down top of stove with paper towels until 409 is wiped off. The stove will be streaky.

7. Spray windex on stove top

8. Wipe down with paper towels to remove any streaks.

9. Scrub each stove part that is still in the sink soaking.

10. Dry each part and put back in the appropriate place on the stove.

I think I laughed pretty hard but was sick of Matt being unimpressed with my stove-cleaning abilities. It was time to learn.

So I cleaned the stove using the crazy clean-freak-Matt-method.

I have to admit the stove was spotless and shiny and looked brand-spankin new. Later that night I went into labor.

I will always attribute my laborious stove cleaning for putting me into labor. Thanks honey.

Most couples fight about money or how to raise their children. Matt and I hardly ever argue about those matters. But the neatness of our house is a CONSTANT battle. I don't mind a mess, Matt can't function with a mess. See, with marriage you gotta give a little. So if it means I have to clean the stove using 4 different cleaning products I guess it's worth it. Man I must really love that guy.

Jamie & Andy Sneak Peek

Written by Shannon Leigh

Check out more here.

Things I am Thoroughly Enjoying.

Written by Shannon Leigh

Since I started staying home with the Rubster I have learned to appreciate the small things.

It's all about the small victories... the little battles won. You know, like showering and finishing the laundry in one day.

I'm really enjoying this season of life. I get to spend my WHOLE day with my sweet little girl and still run a growing business! Not to mention spending my evenings with my very handsome hubby. I feel very blessed.

There are a few things getting me through these HOT summer days. Allow me to share!

1. My BEAUTIFUL Limelight Hydrangea in the front landscaping. It's really thriving this year. It's the only "antique" thing about the outside of my house. I've been snipping off bundles and placing them in milk glass all around my house. The best part? The flowers are starting to turn lime green. You know what that means? It's ALMOST fall. OH my heart just skipped a beat.

2. My French Press. Enough said.

3. My coffee grinder. I prefer to grind Hawaiian flavored beans... they are light and bright and are JUST right in my french press. I have really perfected my morning cup o' joe.

4. Tiramisu coffee creamer paired with the Hawaiian coffee beans. It's like drinking dessert for breakfast. I highly recommend it. YUM!

5. This ADORABLE elbow dimple that Ruby has recently developed. It makes me want to nibble on that sweet little arm.

6. The smiles and puddles of drool that greet me when Ruby wakes up from a nap. PRECIOUS! Well the smiles, not the drool so much.

7. When Izzy hears Ruby cry she runs to her door and lays down. When I open the door, she runs over to Ruby's crib and promptly jumps up on the side. Some my find this disturbing. I find it sweet. Ruby LOVES it.

8. THIS video. Hilarious. Don't worry, no babies were harmed in the making of this video ;)

Grandad in a Sock Monkey

Written by Shannon Leigh

I've been thinking of Grandad a lot lately. He left us almost a year ago now. The sounds and smells of early August have made me sentimental.

I miss him.

A lot.

Every time I think of his toothy smile I get a little teary eyed.

When I think about how little Ruby never got to meet him, my heart breaks just a little.

But then I've decided she already has met him - up in heaven.

He's already held her and kissed her and whispered to her, "I'll be waiting right here." With that big toothy smile.

When I lay Ruby on her changing table in her room she wiggles and contorts her body so she can stare at the corner of her room. She turns her neck and arches her back and then her eyes fixate on something... she then talks and giggles uncontrollably with her big toothless grin.

I couldn't figure out what was so funny. But THEN it occurred to me... I have a variety of items on a shelf in that particular corner. One of the items is a sock monkey that my mom had made for Ruby last Christmas. It's not just any old sock monkey it's a special one. She's bedecked with a tutu made out of tulle from my wedding and various pieces of bling. She is quite the sight. But the best part is... she is made out of Grandad's socks.

9 times out of 10 when I lay her on her changing table she laughs and talks to that silly sock monkey. I've let her play with it a few times and she loves her. She squeezes her tight and nibbles on her ears and tail.

I can't help but think when she turns her head and laughs at her sock monkey she is really looking at Grandad, smiling her big toothless smile in exchange for his toothy one.

We miss you Grandad.