Hanging Sheets On the Line

Every so often, I will declare a "sheet washing day." Such a day is favored by the children because they do not have to make their beds in the morning. Instead, I ask them to unmake their beds...completely. Everyone's sheets get pulled off and put in the laundry room. The laundry washing cycle then begins.

During the summer, I try to hang all of the clothes on the laundry line outside. When they are allowed to airdry, it helps to prevent shrinkage, especially when it comes to jeans. Therefore, weather permitting, I hang everyone's sheets on the clothes line outside, which is located in what we call the "butterfly garden." This area is my flower and herb garden, and the idea of putting the clothes line out there, is for the clothes to smell like the flowers and herbs that are planted nearby.

If you have ever hung your freshly cleaned sheets outside, there is nothing like the fresh, outdoor air that they absorb, and when you crawl into bed, they still smell fresh and clean.

This year, right before I started back to homeschooling the younger ones, I made a point of washing the sheets. It is my way of getting everything clean, and ready to go before the craziness of the school year begins. Bellow is a picture of the sheets spread out on the line.

Yes, the clothes line is full! However, it is satisfying to look out of the windows, and see all of the laundry hanging up. It represents a lot of time and hard work, (It takes me a while to wash sheets for 10 beds!) but it also reminds me of the rewarding feeling of having crisp, clean, fresh sheets at night!

The saying goes, "Find joy in the little things." This is one way I do that. Maybe that sounds odd, but the little things in life that can be a chore, are often very rewarding when completed.