Spend less time cleaning and do more of what you love!
Author: theselfcleaninghouse
Hi, I'm Elizabeth, the creative force behind The Self Cleaning House. With 35 wonderful years of marriage to my husband Chris, three amazing adult daughters, and four cherished grandchildren who call me "Nana," life in beautiful North Idaho is anything but dull. I'm a semi-retired daycare owner, passionate about Jesus, my family, and helping others find peace and purpose in their homes. I've learned from life's ups and downs and want to share insights on cleaning, parenting, and embracing Christ-centered living. Join me on this journey to reclaim time for what truly matters. Feel free to reach out at selfcleaninghouse@gmail.com—I'd love to connect!
Stay present, stay peaceful… and still serve the best gravy ever.
If you’ve ever been standing at the stove whisking gravy while everyone else is laughing at the table… this one’s for you. This is my tried-and-true make-ahead turkey gravy that lets you stay calm, graceful, and fully present on Thanksgiving Day. And honestly? It tastes even better when it’s made ahead because the flavors have time to deepen.
This recipe has saved me so many years in a row — and now it’s officially going on the blog so you can save your own sanity too.
⭐ Why Make Gravy Ahead?
No last-minute panic
No lumps
No juggling the turkey, the sides, and a hot pan sauce
You can reheat it gently while carving the turkey
Guests will think you’re a magician (I won’t tell 😉)
“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” ~ John F. Kennedy
❤️ A Little Note
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be stressful. Sometimes peace looks like planning ahead so your heart is free to slow down and genuinely enjoy the people sitting around your table. This simple gravy is one small way to make room for joy.
And since we’re already talking about creating a calmer, more intentional Thanksgiving… I wanted to share something with you. I put together a Holiday Home & Heart Planner – Thanksgiving Edition, It’s cozy, practical, faith-centered, and filled with the exact checklists, timelines, and planning pages I use in my own home. It’s designed to help you enjoy the season instead of rushing through it.
You can take a peek at it right here if you’d like to bring a little extra calm to your holiday planning this year.
Serve one another humbly in love.~Galatians 5:13
Thanks for being here. I hope this season brings you rest, joy, and so many sweet moments around your table.
If the holidays seem to sneak up faster every year, you’re not alone. Here’s a reminder to slow down, find gratitude, and savor the season with faith and peace.
One day it’s blazing hot and we’re sipping iced tea on the patio, and the next… the leaves are falling, the air smells like rain, and somehow the holidays are right around the corner.
This morning, my daughter and I were sitting over coffee when it hit us — Thanksgiving is only three weeks away! How does it always sneak up like that?
Make a Little Plan Before the Rush Begins
Now is the perfect time to take a deep breath and make a simple plan before the busyness hits. You don’t need to have every detail figured out — just a few small steps that will make the next few weeks more peaceful than panicked.
1. Find out who’s coming. Send a quick text or group message to confirm who plans to be at your Thanksgiving table. It’s amazing how fast those numbers can change — and knowing early helps you plan seats, dishes, and portions.
2. Start the menu conversation. Write down your must-have dishes — the ones that always make it to your table (looking at you, mashed potatoes and pie!) — and decide what you’d love help with. If family or friends ask if they can bring anything, say yes! Sharing the work makes the day more joyful.
3. Watch for baking sales. Stores are starting to roll out discounts on flour, sugar, spices, and butter. It’s the perfect time to stock up — not just for Thanksgiving but for the whole holiday season. Having a few extra essentials on hand saves last-minute grocery chaos later.
4. Do one thing early. Pick one task — clean the dining table, polish the silverware, or check your serving dishes — and do it this week. You’ll thank yourself later.
Remember the “Why” Behind the Planning
It’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of lists and errands and forget what we’re really preparing for: a table full of people we love, and a quiet moment to pause and give thanks.
God’s blessings often arrive quietly — in laughter over coffee, in shared recipes, in the sound of family gathering again. Let’s make room for those moments as we prepare our homes and hearts.
“The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us.” —James E. Faust
A Verse for Your Heart
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” — Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
So yes, the holidays may have crept up again… but this year, let’s meet them with calm hearts, warm kitchens, and grateful spirits.
Love you all! Elizabeth XOXO
If you’re ready to bring a little more peace and purpose into your Thanksgiving prep this year, I created something special for you. The Holiday Home & Heart Planner – Thanksgiving Edition is a printable guide filled with faith reflections, cozy checklists, and gentle reminders to help you prepare your home and your heart with calm and joy.
Every fall, as the leaves began to turn and the kitchen filled with the scent of apples and cinnamon, my mom would bake this Fresh Apple Cake. It wasn’t fancy — just warm and full of love. If you’re easing into Thanksgiving planning and craving something simple and cozy, this is the one to make.
Fresh Apple Cake
This week, I’m sharing a cozy favorite — Fresh Apple Cake — an old-fashioned classic filled with tender apples, warm cinnamon, and a crisp, buttery nut topping. It’s simple, nostalgic, and perfect for fall gatherings or a quiet evening at home.
When a recipe card looks like this, you know it’s good!
Serves: 12 Yield: 1 cake Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup shortening
2 cups brown sugar packed
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 cups all purpose flour
4 cups chopped apples peeled if desired
Topping:
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter softened
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking pan (or two 8-inch square pans).
Mix the wet ingredients.
In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
Add dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and flour. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, mixing just until combined.
Fold in apples.
Gently stir in the chopped apples until evenly distributed. The batter will be thick and chunky—just right for a moist, hearty cake.
Prepare the topping.
In a small bowl, combine the sugar and butter using a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the cake batter, then scatter the chopped nuts over the top.
Bake 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the internal temperature reads 200–205°F. The top should be golden and the edges just pulling away from the pan.
Cool and serve.
Let the cake cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares. It’s delicious warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce!
12 servings | 420 cal | 5 P | 22 F | 54 C
*Recipe Notes
Apples: Use firm, flavorful apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith. A mix of sweet and tart adds depth.
Texture tip: If the center tends to stay doughy, try chopping apples a bit smaller or reducing to 3½ cups. The internal temp test (200–205 °F) is your best guide.
Nuts: Walnuts add classic flavor, while pecans give a sweeter crunch. Toast them lightly before adding for extra richness.
Serving idea: Fantastic warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.
Storage: Keeps well covered at room temperature up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5. Freezes beautifully in individual squares.
Cook’n is a next generation recipe app that makes it fun and easy to share favorite recipes
Click here to get Cook’n (it’s free!)
Want to bake along with me? You can open the full Fresh Apple Cake recipe right in Cook’n here →
I’ve lived in many different houses over the years. Some were new, some were beautiful, some were fixer-uppers, and some held more love than square footage. And through it all, I’ve learned something simple but profound:
Home isn’t a building.
It’s not the furniture, the fresh paint, or even the smell of cookies baking in the oven (although that helps! Let’s be honest!).
Home is a blessing you create with your presence.
People often say, “Home is where the heart is,” but I believe it’s more than that. Home is something you intentionally build—with time, with love, and with prayer.
🕯️ What Makes a Home a Blessing?
🧺 1. Home Is Felt, Not Just Seen
Every home has a feeling. Have you ever walked into someone else’s house and sensed something immediately? Maybe peace. Maybe warmth. Maybe stress or chaos. There’s always a “vibe,” and it speaks louder than any décor.
The feeling of your home matters more than how picture-perfect it looks. It’s not about perfection—it’s about peace. It’s about creating an atmosphere of love and grace.
I remember when my kids were younger, ours became “the house” in the neighborhood. The one where all the kids gathered. They played basketball in the street, bounced on the trampoline, soaked in the hot tub, and piled into the kitchen for snacks.
It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t perfect. But it felt good. It felt safe. And that told me—I was doing something right.
🌼 2. You Don’t Have to Have It All Together
Let’s be real: there were days when the toys were everywhere, dishes were piled high, and I felt like I was failing at everything.
But my kids? They didn’t remember the mess.
They remembered how I tucked them in. They remembered the bedtime prayers, the silly stories, the warmth and laughter. They remembered the love.
A perfect home isn’t one without clutter—it’s one filled with connection.
💛 3. Home Is Where Love Is Practiced
Home is where we practice grace. Where forgiveness gets worked out in the little moments.
It’s where socks get folded with prayer. Where meals are made with tired but loving hands. It’s where we learn to trust each other, where we fall and are helped back up again.
And above all—home is the place where we invite Jesus to dwell.
🪞 You Are a Home-Maker in the Holiest Way
Dear Mom, you are creating a blessing every time you make someone feel safe. Every time you speak life over your family. Every time you show up with love—whether through a hot meal, a clean shirt, or a quiet hug at the end of a long day.
That’s home. And it matters more than you know.
What does home feel like to you today? Leave a comment—I’d love to hear your heart.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
I know laundry has a bad rap. It’s never-ending, and most people don’t enjoy doing it. But I don’t mind it—actually, I quite enjoy it. It’s relaxing. It’s satisfying. You can do other things while the clothes are in the washer. Our great-great-grandparents didn’t have that luxury, so thank you, Jesus, for technology! I like the challenge of getting a stain out. I like seeing the row of clean shirts hanging in the laundry room.
The Summer of Scratchy Towels
I especially love hanging clothes outside in the summer when I can. My kids used to joke (or maybe it was complaining??!) about “scratchy towel season!” Hey, it was a free exfoliation to use those towels!
But oh, that smell of clothes dried in the sun—there is nothing better.
Blessing My Family One Sock at a Time
I didn’t always love folding clothes. But over time, I began to appreciate the simple rhythm of it—folding things neatly, matching socks, stacking fresh towels. It became a quiet, sacred moment in my day.
When my kids were young, I’d fold their laundry and think about them. And then I began to pray for them.
🧺 “A pair of jeans became a prayer for strength. A favorite T-shirt, a prayer for protection at school. Pajamas, a blessing for sweet rest.”
I wanted to bless them—not just with clean, wrinkle-free clothes, but with the covering of a mother’s prayer. Blessing My Family One Sock at a Time
The Hidden Ministry
It wasn’t glamorous. No one saw it. But God did.
✨ “And He taught me something powerful: sometimes ministry isn’t loud or public. Sometimes it’s whispering blessings over a sock.”
The Season of Two
Now, my kids are grown. It’s just my husband and me in the house. But I still fold his socks with love. I still pray over the man who wears them. The prayers are different now—sometimes deeper. And they still matter.
Laundry as Love
Those everyday chores—the ones that feel endless and stuck on repeat—are actually acts of service. A quiet ministry. A blessing to those we love the most.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”~1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
A reminder that service—yes, even laundry! —is a way we reflect God’s grace.
👕 “Someday, they won’t be so hard. Your little ones will grow up. The laundry pile will shrink. But you will have blessed those kids’ socks off.”
A Word to You, Mama (or Grandma, or Just You)
Maybe you’re drowning in laundry. Maybe your house is suddenly quiet.
Wherever you are today, hear this:
💛 God meets us in the ordinary. There is holiness in the humdrum, if we let Him in.
I would love to hear of ways that you bless your family and ways that you let Him in!
We’ve all been there—scrolling through Instagram, admiring people’s perfect kitchens, and pinning storage ideas on Pinterest for that elusive hall closet transformation. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, thinking we can’t make our homes look anything like those picture-perfect posts.
Social media often leaves us feeling defeated before we even start. If we can’t go out and buy six matching baskets right now, the idea of getting organized seems impossible. The pursuit of perfection becomes a roadblock to decluttering and cleaning because we believe we need the perfect items to make it happen. Hello, procrastination!
Perfectionism is a risk factor for performance anxiety and procrastination. You expect a great performance. You have doubts whether you can achieve perfection. You have an urge to diverge and do something less threatening. You wait until you can be perfect. This is an example of a perfectionism-driven procrastination.
But here’s a secret I need to share with you—most of what we see on social media isn’t reality. Sure, it might be someone’s goals and dreams, but rarely is it an accurate representation of real life. Don’t let the illusion of perfection prevent you from creating routines and making your spaces work for you within your budget.
Step one—declutter. You can’t organize clutter, and having an excess of stuff makes organization nearly impossible. Once you’ve narrowed it down to what fits in your space (if it doesn’t fit, you probably have too much), decide how to organize it. Whether it’s baskets, boxes, or Rubbermaid containers, you don’t need to break the bank. I spent most of my life using cardboard boxes—they were free! Don’t let money stop you from being organized; work with what you have.
Keep it simple, especially for kids. Too many specific categories can be frustrating for everyone. The goal is to make things run more smoothly.
If you know you’ll get frustrated and overwhelmed, avoid taking everything out of a room at once. Work on one drawer or closet for 15 minutes, then stop. Don’t pull out more than you can put back in that amount of time. Consistency is key—keep at it, and you’ll see results.
Lastly, stick to your daily routines. Organizing isn’t a one-and-done thing. Consistent routines will help you stay organized and on top of things. Check out the ‘routines’ page here to see those!
Remember, you don’t have to wait until you have all the baskets and all the time in the world to organize. It doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to be functional. Don’t let perfection lead to procrastination.
Happy decluttering and organizing with what you have today!
Pssst…. It’s Time to Take the Christmas Decorations Down
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but it’s time to take the Christmas decorations down.
As I sit here typing this, my gaze drifts across the street to our neighbor’s house, still brightly adorned for Christmas. While I genuinely appreciate the beautiful lights, angels, and the lighted deer in the yard before Christmas, once the new year has begun, it starts feeling more like clutter than decor.
I’m all in for the Christmas tree and everything that comes with it, the day after Thanksgiving! Bring it on! I love every bit of it—the beautiful tree in the living room, the festive music, and the neighborhood lights. It’s cozy and fills me with joy.
However, as soon as the kids have torn through the packages on Christmas morning, the coziness starts turning into a bit of a mess. I begin to yearn for that clean feeling back in my living room, missing the space taken up by a tree that’s now missing most of its lower decorations, thanks to the cats, and a ribbon hanging a bit wonky.
After everyone leaves, and the house is cleaned up with the food put away, the tree starts to stare at me with its skirt all wrinkled up and no presents to cover it. It seems to be leaning a bit. It reminds me of someone at the office Christmas party who’s had a couple too many! It seems to want to be put back in its box so that it can emerge glorious again next year, the day after Christmas!
To design the future effectively, you must first let go of your past.
-Charles J. Givens
I’ve been known to take the tree down ON Christmas day. No, I’m not a Grinch! Those pine needles, though! What a mess! We generally take our tree down the next day. It’s not nearly as fun as putting them up, but in the end, the house is all clean, I have that space back, and I’m ready to face the New Year without dragging last year into it! We had a tradition for many years of burning our Christmas tree in the back yard as a way of symbolizing the end of the year and the beginning of a new one.
So, dear neighbors, I know it’s cold out, but it’s time to put the Christmas decorations away.
In the intricate tapestry of your life, God intricately cares for every detail. Jeremiah 29:11 reassures us of His divine plans: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Let this truth resonate; God’s love for you is immeasurable.
God loves you and wants to give you blessings. He cares about every little thing that happens in your life. He planned you to be here, right now in this moment. He cares about things that seems trivial to some but to us at the time are important.
My mother always prayed on the way to the grocery store that she would get a good parking space. She didn’t get around very well and that was important to her. I remembered that one day as I was parking at Costco with two little ones and something I needed to return. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get us and the item inside. I prayed that someone would give me a cart when we got there. God listened and provided. An older gentleman asked if I would like a cart as I was getting the baby out of the car. I was brought to tears that God cared enough to provide something so insignificant but so important at the moment.
John 3:16 encapsulates the profound depth of His love: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This sacrificial act signifies an unparalleled love.
Faith, an active choice, anchors us in God’s promises. His words, universal and eternal, extend to everyone, perpetually including you. Even when it seems He’s distant, similar to a parent guiding with love, God orchestrates our lives, foreseeing what’s best.
“God will not permit any troubles to come upon us unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty.”
– Peter Marshall
Consider Luke 11:13: “If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” The essence lies in aligning our desires with God’s will.
Psalms 37:4-5 illuminates this alignment: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” God isn’t a wish-granting genie; rather, He understands our needs better than we do.
Delighting in the Lord involves more than routine; it’s a continuous conversation and relationship throughout the day, much like the joy found in daily interactions with a loved one. I text my husband often throughout the day. He responds when he is able. We enjoy texting each other. I look forward to getting a message from him. I think God is the same way. He wants us to talk to him not once a day, but all throughout the day because we desire, “delight” in having a conversation with Him and having a close relationship.
Delight in Him, align your life with His, and trust in His wisdom, spend time with Him to know Him better and commit your way to the Lord, meaning to submit the way we live our lives, then our desires will be His desires and he will bring those things to pass. —this is the recipe for God to fulfill your desires. He longs to shower blessings upon you; all you need to do is open your heart to receive.
A few weeks ago, my mom passed away. She was an amazing woman, blessed with numerous gifts and talents that touched the lives of many. It’s challenging to comprehend the extent of her impact. Recently, we held a service to celebrate her life, and the turnout was overwhelming. Person after person, each sharing a unique connection with her—be it as a beloved schoolteacher, a recipient of her prayers, or someone she supported during tough times—stood up to share their memories. I feel profoundly honored to have called her my mom and was moved by the stories of lives she touched and changed.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
Proverbs 31:20
Today, I went to the Assisted Living home to collect her belongings. Armed with several boxes, I only brought two inside. It became apparent that many things needed to be discarded, prompting me to request a garbage sack. I carefully folded her clothes and placed them in the boxes, intending to donate them to a charity where someone else can appreciate them. Two apple boxes were all it took to contain her entire worldly possessions. It struck me—this was all she had, all she ever needed, and now she didn’t need any of it.
We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t take it with you,” but its profound truth resonated with me in that moment. My mom doesn’t care about the stuff she used to collect—the yarn, the fabric, the dishes. Whatever she’s doing in heaven, it certainly doesn’t involve missing her possessions.
The next time you find yourself decluttering or deciding whether to keep something, remember, in the end, none of it holds much importance. You can’t take it with you.
How many times a day do you pick up your phone and open Facebook out of habit? Have you ever checked your screen time and been shocked? It can make you wonder if you could use your time more productively.
“Where your attention goes, your time goes” ― Idowu Koyenikan
I’m not in the “Social Media is evil” camp. Social Media is a tool. Like any other tool, it’s all about how you use it. I have to laugh when people treat Facebook like an airport and announce their departure because it’s taking up their time or seems too filled with drama or negativity. Social Media can be a great tool for business, connecting with old friends, and even meeting new ones. There are excellent ways to filter out content you don’t want to see, so make use of them! If spending too much time scrolling is an issue, it’s simple: stop! You don’t need to delete your Facebook account; just change the habit. Next time you pick up your phone, consider trying some of these suggestions:
Delete some unnecessary photos from your phone.
Get the Kindle app and read a chapter of a good book.
Check your email and unsubscribe from a couple of newsletters while you’re at it.
Send a text to someone just to let them know you’re thinking of them.
Download an app with daily scriptures and prayers for a dose of inspiration.
Review your reminders and To-Do list.
Delete unused apps and organize the ones you keep.
Journal! There are plenty of free journaling apps available!
Meal plan; there are apps for that, or just use your notes.
Learn a new language.
Enjoy social media! If you feel it’s consuming too much of your time, I hope you’ll use some of these ideas or maybe just put your phone down and tackle the dishes!
Change can be undeniably challenging. When we encounter something new, our brains tend to react defensively, clinging to the familiar. Our “normal” feels safe, while change demands that we venture out of our comfort zone. Despite this, we often strive for change, seeking personal and situational improvements. But the actual process of change can be daunting.
Sometimes, we find ourselves in tough situations – a job, a relationship, or a financial scenario – where change appears to be the solution. Yet, even when we’re uncomfortable with our current situation, it paradoxically becomes comfortable over time.
Transforming habits to better organize our homes can be a shared aspiration, but it’s a challenging journey. Even if we’re dissatisfied with our current state, it remains our comfort zone. Additionally, it impacts our families, who may not embrace change readily. So, how can we make this process smoother for everyone?
First, pay attention to your self-talk. You can change the dialogue in your mind, convincing yourself that this change is positive and will ultimately enhance your life.
Don’t attempt to change everything at once. Altering established habits and situations demands conscious effort, and tackling too much simultaneously can be overwhelming. Small changes can set a cascade of positive alterations in motion, so start with simplicity.
Stay acutely aware of the benefits of the changes you’re making. Visualize how your life will improve post-change. Use this as motivation. It’s easier to commit to something when there’s a visible reward on the horizon.
Persevere! Understand that success often involves setbacks. Keep moving forward; it’s an integral part of the process.
Introduce new rules, expectations or routines to your family with sensitivity. Give them a degree of control over these changes. Explain the benefits in terms that matter to them, not just you. Your teenage son might not be too concerned about your inner peace but framing it as something that benefits them can help.
Support and encourage rather than criticize. Praise their efforts, and be patient. Let them know that change is challenging for you too, but you’re a team and can face it together.
Change is indeed challenging, but it’s also rewarding and vital for growth and progress in life.
Be like a flower: weather the rain, but use it as nourishment to grow.
Choose to change! Choose to have a home and routines that will ultimately give you and your family more time and give you the peace you deserve. I believe in you!
The Self Cleaning House 