Glimpses of Christmas

My daughter just asked me if I had written a blog post lately.

"Nope," I said.  It's not that I've planned NOT to.  It just hasn't happened.

She thought about it for a moment and replied, "People probably think you've fallen off the turnip truck!"  -- which really made me chuckle.

Since our daughter was quite young, she got the idea of verbal "expressions," but she got this one all wrong.  I tried to explain to her that she was thinking of the expression:

"I didn't just fall off the turnip truck yesterday!'

which is the equivalent of

"I wasn't born yesterday!"

which does not mean the same thing as

"People will think you've fallen off the face of the earth."

OR saying that somebody has

"fallen off the wagon."

Did you follow any of that?  If not, don't worry about it.  It's just a long way of telling you that my daughter's words lit a fire under me, and here I am writing another post... finally.

So, guess what happened today?  The sun came out.  Really.  Our area isn't usually quite this gray in December, so this morning when the sun came out after SEVERAL really gray days -- well, I grabbed the camera just like I told you I would.

I feel like the decorations around here are a little half-hearted this year.  As I mentioned in previous posts, there's been a lot going on around here.  I've got one more afternoon of childcare tomorrow, and then I am home-free.  But life has been busy, and rather than stress out about what isn't done, I'm just letting it be.  For me, I'm just looking for some peace this holiday season -- not polished perfection.  Can I get an AMEN?  Let me also say that I salute those of you that have the time and ambition to "do it up big."  {And p.s., I have enjoyed touring your homes!}

MOVING RIGHT ALONG.  Sorry if I am belaboring that[above] point this year, but I am mostly preaching to myself that it's okay to keep it simple.  Thanks for bearing with me.

In keeping with simplicity -- I'd like to share a few Christmas scenes from around our home.  It felt good to take advantage of the sunshine this morning to get these shots.  EnJOY!

The weirdest thing happened this year.  I stocked up on candy canes -- specifically a brand that I've been buying for lots of years... cheap and delicious.  My daughter opened one to snack on, and it had ZERO peppermint flavor!!!  Have you ever had that happen?  Weird, right?  So, as far as my family is concerned... I purchased a Christmas decoration -- not a SNACK!  Oh well, fewer calories that way!

Simplicity :: A woven tray filled with pretty collections in jars and bowls.

I LOVE this silly little ornament.  I'm not sure if it's because that roof looks a little bit Mary Engelbreit-ish, if it's that glitter, or if it's a little bit of the Scandinavian looks that I love.  Each year I try to find a little place of honor for this gem.  Do you do that with favorite ornaments, or do they automatically go on the tree?

Speaking of little gems -- have you tried these Candy Cane Tootsie Pops?  They are awesome!  I happened to be standing behind a lady at Target who was purchasing them, and when I inquired, she really bragged on how delicious they were.  Hmmm.  She should know that she got me hooked! [as in "who cares if the candy canes have no flavor!"  LOL

This little scene [below] is atop my microwave.  Do you like the little runner?  It's wrapping paper from the Christmas Dollar Spot at Target.  I can't tell you how many times I have looked for that ever-blogged-about gold polka-dotted paper at Target.  No dice.  It's always GONE.  But I spotted this and just couldn't resist.  I knew I'd find something to do with it.  Hey - I might even wrap gifts with it! *wink

Thanks for stopping by to see my glimpses of Christmas!  May your Christmas Season be filled with GREAT JOY, remembering the REASON for the season -- Jesus Christ!

I'm linking up over at Nesting Place for the 2014 Christmas Tour of Homes,

and at the 2nd Annual Holiday Home Link Party.

Living With Less ~ A Work in Progress

There's much to be said for living with less.  And yet, the mentality these days is that we CANNOT DO WITHOUT.  Society, (along with a lot of questionable marketing) has led us to believe that we HAVE TO HAVE IT ALL.

There is a huge incongruency between what we don't have (because we cannot afford it), and what we have (but cannot truly afford).  The price that our society is willing to pay for things that we think we must have is, at times, sickening.

Lest you think that I am just here to pass judgement...  [As our pastor used to say, "If I am pointing at you, there are three fingers pointing back at ME!"]  ... our basement is filled with things that, honestly, we no longer want or need.  It's a racket, I tell ya.  Want.  Want.  Want.  Buy.  Buy.  Buy.  And in the end, be buried under it all.  Can you tell I feel like my house is OWNING ME lately?

Now, let's not pretend that I won't ever buy another pretty thing -- or even that things will never start to accumulate in my basement again.  I mean, I do understand the concept of things accumulating over time -- regardless of good intentions.

But, I'm going to confess something here:  I have long accumulated things -- all in the name of that FUTURE YARD SALE that will make me lots of money.  What was that sound?  YOU?  Laughing out loud?  I know, I know.  Call me crazy.  Other than out-grown, out-styled clothes that are a pain (IMHO) to keep around or sell at a yard sale, I tend to hold onto things thinking "someday when I have a yard sale, I maybe could get some money for this!"  And you know, my intentions really ARE good... thinking I'll pay off a bill, or do something nice for the family, or make a purchase that we've been putting off.

But... enough is enough.  My yard sale days are drawing closer -- for real this time.  I've just been waiting for Vacation Bible School, and then Vacation...  Soon, there will be nothing standing in my way.

Can't. Hold. On. Much. Longer.

In the meantime, AMVETS called, and will have a truck in my area soon... so I am loading up a few bags of things I don't want to be bothered with at the garage sale.  They used to call me, and I'd say - "I don't have anything this time, but feel free to keep me on your list and call again!"  Now, I just tell them, "See you soon!" -- and I know I will find something to put out on the front porch for them to pick up.  The beauty in this plan is that the only toting around I do is to the front porch.  AMVETS takes care of loading it on the truck, and getting it to their facility.

We also have a few GOODWILL drop-off locations locally.  When I'm "antsy" enough to want something out of the way, I have been known to load it in the van and deliver it to the drop-off!

It's very freeing to get rid of stuff that has just been sitting in your way-- especially if it can ultimately go to someone who needs, or could use it!

Those are just a few suggestions for you, in case you are in the same boat as I am!  *wink*  Do you have a garage sale planned for this summer?  It's a lot of work, isn't it?  Pricing is my least favorite part.  I want to price things to SELL (remember: purging is the goal), but I don't want to devalue my stuff either.  It's a fine line, people!

What's your best garage/yard sale TIP?  (Not buying!!!  Selling!!)

31 Days...

to get organized!  Anybody with me?  I'm following along with Peter Walsh on Facebook as he delivers daily 10 minute challenges in the month of January to help us get organized for the new year.

Yesterday he asked us to take 10 minutes to declutter one drawer in our house.  Any drawer.  I picked a drawer in my KITCHEN (I know, you're so surprised), and ended up decluttering not one, but FIVE drawers!!! One thing leads to another... you know.  This guy is very sneaky.

I started with the silverware drawer.  It wasn't too bad, but all those "extra" knives over at the side were driving me bonkers.  I have a knife block with other knives, so I could totally get rid of these (how do you get rid of KNIVES by the way?????), but my hubby is a knife snob (meaning he loves a good, sharp knife that does what it's supposed to do, and typically turns his nose up at the knives I choose for a job) -- so those knives are going nowhere... except to another drawer where they will be [I think] less in my way.

Wouldn't you know it?  One drawer turned into TWO, turned into FIVE.  The second drawer wasn't too bad either -- just needed a few things redirected, and... there are those knives (like a bad penny).

Of course, I took the opportunity to remove everything from the drawer, wipe it down, wash and dry the drawer-liner, and some things got sent to the garage sale pile.

Today, the challenge is getting rid of sweaters.  Wow.  Two instantly come to mind.  I bought them several years back on clearance after Christmas.  They weren't my favorite, but I thought I needed some sweaters for everyday around the house, and the price was right.  More than anything, that's what those sweaters did... sit around the house!!!  What was I thinking???  Boom.  Two sweaters in the Goodwill.  Maybe I'll find a few more?

You might remember that in 2012 I started the year with some weekly home organization themes, and... I'm not gonna lie.  I fell off the wagon.  Which is not to say that NO organizing was done around here that year... just that I sort of swerved off onto my own little path and pace.

Recently, I happened to see someone share Peter's post on Facebook, and I jumped back on the next bandwagon.  31 days?  I can do that, right?

I'm not going to share all of Peter's challenges.  You can follow along with him on Facebook for that -- but I do think I will share my random "little successes" here and there.  Like: yesterday, in drawer THREE, I rolled my dishtowels, and they seem to take up less space.  I think I'll leave them like this for the month, to see if they get messy and come unrolled, or if this really works.

Do you have big organizational hopes and dreams for 2014?

Do you follow along with someone (like Peter) that is your organizational inspiration?

My goal for this year?  A spring garage sale.  I've had garage sales in the past, and they are so much work... But, it's time.  TOO.  MUCH.  STUFF!  Stay tuned!

Overwhelmed? Do a Sweep!

I don't know about you, but I live in my kitchen.  I don't have an office, or a craft room, or a finished basement. Now, none of this is me complaining.  Just statement of fact.  You can imagine that my kitchen "suffers" from all that goes on in it.  I'm not just cooking and baking.  I'm blogging, bill-paying, crafting, and seasonally decorating here in the kitchen as well, and from time to time it gets... overwhelming, and I have to STOP and do a sweep.

This kind of sweep doesn't involve a broom, but rather a trick I learned many years ago as a young mom. Perhaps it will help you get out from under things today.  Let me share what I mean -- it's so simple!

When things get overwhelming (meaning my kitchen is loaded down with stuff that A. doesn't belong here in the first place, or B. just needs to be put away), I have to take my eyes off the big picture (afterall, that's what is overwhelming me), and look at each separate area.

I start in a corner -- for me, it's the end of a counter-space -- and I work my way around the kitchen counter-clockwise..  I move in a direction that works naturally with the flow or layout of my room.

My first tiny counter-space involves the toaster.  Unplug.  Set back in corner.  Brush away toast crumbs.

Next, the stove-top.  Wipe clean, and work on any stuck on food spots.  Put away pots and pans and clean dishes that land here.

Onto a bigger area of counter-space.  Put food/dish items away.  Tidy up what belongs there.  Wipe down counter.

The sink... yada yada.  You get the idea.

The whole process doesn't take long at all, but it's amazing how I feel when it's done -- like my life is back in order again.  After tackling the counter-spaces, I finally arrive at the kitchen table.  Sometimes during the process, lots of odds and ends wind up here.  I make myself take the time to put things where they belong, and wipe down the table.

And now, I'm ready for whatever's next.  The cobwebs get swept out of my brain while I'm going through this routine, and I end up with a fresh work place!  A place for everything, and everything in its place, and aaaaaaah -- a big sigh of relief.

This kind of sweep works in any room, and it's a great way to tidy up in a hurry.  If you circle the entire room, it's hard to miss things.  I usually dust this way as well, so that I don't miss a spot.

'13 Gratefulness

* grateful to have caught up on so many things around the house, so that I don't feel overwhelmed when I return from my trip

* grateful for my sweet daughter who is ever my encourager

* grateful for that amazing "Billy Goat" that my hubby used to clean up all of our leaves, and for my hubby's hard work too

* grateful to see the Cleveland Pear trees turn to gold before my trip

Feel free to chime in with a comment!  What are you grateful for today?

Taking a Cue on Stylish Storage

Kelly from The Essence of Home did a great post on "Stylish Storage" the other day.   She shared some awesome "stylish storage" ideas for the kitchen.  After reading it, I looked around my kitchen to see where I could tweak things -- and where I was already using the "Stylish Storage Principle."

Let's face it -- the kitchen can be a boring "service-oriented" space.  Some of us have kitchens that are on the small size where every inch counts, and it's hard to make room for things just for the sake of decor.  It's important to keep the things that you need often close at hand, and I also like to make sure that whenever possible I choose useful things that are also beautiful and colorful.  Then, they're fun to display.

Each of us has our own "favorite things" that we like to keep close by in the kitchen.  We each have our own storage issues and needs -- so not every idea works well in every home --but here are some of my ideas:

* files on my desktop in a wooden drawer-style box
* small useful items on my desk in a bowl

* colored silicone and patterned paper cupcake liners in a glass jar

[Notice I've added a few other small items to the jar for interest.]

* dish liquid in a pretty bottle (I totally copied this idea from Sasha!) coupled with a stack of useful bowls in a basket

I love it when the sun streams in the window and makes the soap glisten.  Also, I'm a bit of a bowl fanatic collector, and this basket is perfect for corralling a few of them with the soap and keeping it all handy.

* a bottle-drying rack used as a mug tree

I've bragged on this bottle-drying rack before, and I'm sticking to my story.  I LOVE it.  It's "look" changes every day.  Uh... most days the "Lego guy" mug doesn't make the cut... just ignore that one.

* a small mirror bounces light around in a dim corner

No, this isn't a storage solution -- but you were probably wondering about the mirror...



* teabags in a pretty jar

At Christmas-time, I often put peppermint teabags out in a jar, and include a tag made from the colorful box.  I loved the colors of the "Tangerine" box too, so I made a tag from it --and love the pop of color in the jar!

My kitchen is way different from Kelly's, and probably from yours too.  But, I challenge you to think about stylish storage solutions that will be effective for your life, and in your kitchen.  I've shown you the ideas already in use at my house.  Kelly has inspired me to think of some new ones.

What's your favorite (kitchen) stylish storage solution?

Organizing Receipts

January is the month for organizing and starting fresh, so I've been checking out a lot of posts about organizing "home office" areas.  "Home office" makes my space sound like so much more than it is, but regardless of it's size, it is command central for our family -- and so every little bit of organization helps!  Some organizing solutions seem like so much effort -- and actually seem to make MORE work, and use MORE paper!  Those solutions aren't for me.  For me, SIMPLE works best.  This is one of the easiest things I do, and I've been doing it for years -- corralling my receipts.  At any given time, I have twelve months of receipts, all in the same place, and taking up only a small amount of space.

This type of expandable file with month tabs is my secret.  No matter what the receipt, it goes into the appropriate month. If we need to return merchandise, or match up credit card statements with receipts, we know exactly where to find them.  It's a file system that I make work for me year after year.  I use the expandable file as long as it is in good condition, usually several years.  When a new month begins, I remove the receipts from that month the previous year and look through them.  Most get shredded -- but there are sometimes a select few that need to be saved. They may be for a purchase with a warranty, for example.  I keep a manila folder at the back of the December pocket for these receipts.  At the end of each year, I decide which of those receipts can be discarded.

I do have a few exceptions for placing receipts in this expandable file.  They are car repair and medical receipts. Those each have their own 3-ring binder for the year.  I have found it so convenient to pull out one binder to access anything medical or car related.  Each vehicle has it's own binder, to keep track of title, registration, e-checks, and repair receipts.

These are some very simple suggestions that really work for me.  Since I've learned all kinds of new things from other bloggers, I thought I'd share these tips -- knowing that people are always looking for ways to do things better.  Maybe this system will work for you.

I won't lie.  At the end of the day, my kitchen table can be a mess of receipts and paperwork.  But -- it makes me feel better to know that ultimately, it all has a place to go.

Organizing a "Command Central" Bookshelf

Recently, I did a post-homeschooling purge, and have reclaimed some space -- namely a bookshelf.  As we are no longer homeschooling, I was able to tidy up a 3-shelf bookshelf in our kitchen that was previously used for a lot of homeschooling materials, and turn it into a more organized space for my little home office area.  The shelf is adjacent to my desk in our kitchen, so it's handy storage space, and yet...  I wanted it to look nice, and not just be crammed with notebooks and paperwork.

I found a trio of metal baskets at TJMaxx for a grand total of $19.00.  Actually, I brought home one of the smallest ones to test it out. When I decided I liked it, and went back to get more, they only had one small basket left, so I ended up purchasing that as well as one of the medium sized baskets.  (I wasn't sure the medium size was going to work -- but I do like it better than I think I would've liked one more basket of the same size.  It's more visually interesting, I think.)

<<NOTE: I like the open-style metal basket rather than something with solid sides.  This way, I can see what's inside.  I'm an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of person, and if I store things (to be used often) in closed containers, I forget all about them, and end up buying duplicates.  NOT efficient!>>

I wish I had a "before" picture to show you of this bookshelf.  But, no.  Suffice it to say, there were a lot of things there that had been there a long time, and I have reclaimed the space!

The bottom shelf holds a receipt binder (more on that later), school supplies (some stored vertically in magazine racks), and smaller school supplies in a metal basket.

The middle shelf keeps our Bibles handy, and has a larger metal basket for some "whimpy" record-keeping notebooks that don't stand up well, as well as some larger 3-ring notebooks for insurance and school records.

The top shelf includes another metal basket which holds my stationary supplies (to help keep my birthday card commitment!)  The rest of the area is FREE SPACE consolidated into one area after all of the purging.  I decided to use that space (a luxury!) for our collection of favorite books that were randomly scattered around the house. It looks nice and tidy, AND by collecting the books here, I've tidied up a few other areas around the house!

Trust me when I tell you that this is a big improvement.  Yes, it would be nice to have some of this stuff hidden (behind doors, for example), but for now, I'm happy with the REfreshing change!

Tomorrow, I'll share one of the easiest things I do to keep our life organized.  It's an oh-so-simple tip, but one that has been so helpful for us.  Stay tuned...

Playing Catch-Up

I'm pretty sure that I was supposed to clean out the cupboards underneath my kitchen sink back during WEEK TWO of 52 weeks to a more organized home.  I don't remember what happened that week, but it didn't get done.  I've been thinking about it ever since.  I KNEW that it still needed to be on the "to do" list.  Indeed.

Well, apparently there was a reason I was supposed to wait.  I happen to know that back then when I was supposed to clean it up, it was DRY under there.  Last week?  Not so much. Apparently the sprayer hose decided to spring a leak.  And so last week -- the day that I picked to go full speed ahead with that area under the sink... LAST WEEK, I found a puddle where it once was dry.

See that?  If I had done the cleaning when I was supposed to, I may not have found that little puddle until... until... Well, nevermind.  The point is, I FOUND it.

And now, not only is that area under my kitchen sink DRY, but it is TIDY as well.  I was going to show you pictures, but really?  There's really nothing pretty about it any way you look at it.

That "under the sink" area is such a catch-all at our house.  Amongst other things, I also store the vases and jars that I use for flowers under there.  So, in the midst of my project, I washed those up, and set them in the sunshine to dry.

I love getting good pictures out of the every-day things of life,

don't you?

Give it to me straight.

What have you been playing "catch-up" on lately?

Flying By The Seat of My Pants

Do you use a chore planner or household planner?

I have tried.  More than once, in fact.  Here's the problem (I think).

There is something inside of me (call it my inner child) that balks at the idea of somebody (you know, the person that wrote the planner) telling me what I ought to do on any given day.  Oh, I've printed out planners with great intentions.  One is in the drawer to my left. Two weeks ago, I won a terrifically detailed planner, and I thought this would finally be the one.  It sits half-printed on a shelf.  God bless the people who create these planners. I'm sure there ARE people out there who use them effectively.  Me?  Not so much.

Now, you know I've been following the "52 Weeks To a More Organized Home" -- and that has really been helpful.  The reminders are delivered via e-mail, and I can check it out in more detail at the website as time permits.  And that's kind of been working for me.  How about you?

My mom and I talked about it, and agreed it's a good thing.  But, we sort of take it with a grain of salt -- if you know what I mean.  Sometimes, we feel like we have our acts together in certain areas, and so we bypass the suggestions for that week.  Or sometimes, we don't feel the need to go about it in quite the same way as others do -- like beautifying our recycle areas (which for me is just a bin in the garage).

Anyway, here's what I use... since my college days.  A desk-top book-style yearly calendar. The brand has changed, but the format is the same: you can see a week-at-a-glance and month-at-a-glance.  Not only do I write down appointments here, but I also jot down our weekly menu-plans.  On a good week, the menu is written down ahead of time.  But sometimes, I just write down what we've eaten after the fact, so that I make sure that I don't make my family eat soup every night.  (What a fabulous world THAT would be!)

Sometimes, I take my calendar into the doctor's office with me, and they say, "You're so organized!" -- because they don't have to give me a little handwritten reminder.  What they don't know is that in five minutes, I will have forgotten the next appointment, and will only remember it when I turn the page to that week in my calendar.  You can ask my mom or sister if this is true.  Many times, they'll say, "See you on Sunday" - and if my calendar is not in front of me, I just smile and nod -- because I don't have a clue what they're talking about. {One time it was my daughter's birthday party.  True story.}

Don't be mistaken.  This week-at-a-glance calendar doesn't tell me what chores to do.  But it DOES make me feel like I have my act together.  Even if it's all an illusion - HA!

I guess the moral of the story is to do what works for you.  And I am.  I'm going to go clean the toilet now... because NOBODY "told" me to do it!

Clipping and Saving

Do you cut out coupons?  Are you a mega-couponer?

I cut out coupons, but no - I'm not a mega-couponer.  I don't even know if that's the correct term they're using nowadays.  But you know who I mean.  The people who use two coupons on a product when it's on sale, and end up getting paid to buy the product... in multiples... and have their shelves stocked... sometimes with items they don't even use... because they got them free or sometimes, just really cheap.  Personally, I don't have room in my house to stock up on items that I don't even USE.  But, that's just me.  If you do it -- good for you.  I salute you.  Because... FREE is FREE.

On the other end of the spectrum, I've heard people say they don't even have TIME to clip coupons.  It's never struck me as too-big-a-deal to sit in front of Sunday night TV shows clipping and alphabetizing coupons.  Then, I'm ready to go for another week.  My little coupon wallet goes in my purse, and is with me wherever I shop.  I put every coupon I clip in this wallet.  Groceries.  Craft stores.  Entertainment book.  If I put EVERYthing in my coupon wallet, and then there is no doubt where I will find ANY coupon.

Oops!  Do I see an expired coupon?

My mom always taught us that every little bit helps -- so I've always been a coupon-clipper. I confess though, I go through stages in my effectiveness.  I don't always watch the sales to use my coupons on sale items, getting the best price.  There are weeks when I just buy what we need, and never look back.  But, admittedly, I need to get better about that.  Grocery bills could strangle you these days!

Through the years, I've watched my mom's shopping patterns.  After reading the ads and making a list, she would (still does) visit multiple stores to get the best deals.

I, on the other hand, did not want to spend that much time driving around town.  I've always had a favorite grocery store that I visit.  Upon occasion, people have asked me how I can shop there because they're so expensive.  However, I've compared prices through the years on the items we buy, and have come up cheaper at our store.  So, I've stuck with it.

My sweet hubby has a totally different "favorite" store, and if he shops for me, that's where he likes to go.  I  wrestle with that because, they don't always have the brands, sizes, varieties, or flavors that I'm used to purchasing at MY favorite store.

Also, we have one of those small grocery stores nearby -- you know the ones... You bring your own bags, you pack your own groceries.  You don't see a lot of name brands.  But, you DO see a lot of inexpensive products.

Lately, I've been thinking that I need to change my approach to grocery shopping.  So, last week, I went:

1. to the small un-branded store, and bought items that we regularly use, but that we don't favor brands for.
2. then to the thrift bakery, where I stocked up on breads.  We take a loaf out of the freezer as we need it.  (I only buy bread at the grocery store when I'm on a desperate mission and the thrift store is closed!)
3. then to my hubby's favorite store, where they were having a mega-sale on canned veggies and beans -- as well as other items.  I got a lot there.  It struck me that for about the same amount that I'd pay at my favorite store, I took home a lot more groceries. A good feeling.
4. then to my favorite store.  I confess to favoring their meat.  So, I bought meat and a few other items that I couldn't find at my other stops.

Times are changing, and I'm learning to roll with it.  (Better late than never, right?)

So, what are you doing in this crazy economy

to cut your grocery bill?

Do you clip coupons?

Do you shop at multiple stores?

Are you brand conscious?

Have you changed any brands?

(In a shocking move, I bought a store-brand ketchup last week!  I've purchased the SAME BRAND OF KETCHUP for all of my almost-twenty married years!  That's ONE brand I've been conscious of.

Don't forget to organize your coupons this week!

There are a lot of good tips over at

Home Storage Solutions.

ALSO, check out this WEEK OF GIVEAWAYS!

Organize Coupons

Week 6 of 52 ~ Recycling

So, do you recycle?  Are you familiar with your local recycling policies?  If you aren't, you can check your city or town's website.  I'll bet you'll find information there.  Afterall, they want people to know the correct way to go about recycling.  I went to our township web-page, and this is what I found:

"Aluminum, newspapers, phone books, corrugated cardboard (flattened), plastic and glass bottles and jars and metal cans (labels do not have to be removed) are all materials that can be dropped off by residents for recycling. Free up the amount of trash that you put out each week by recycling and keeping our environment cleaner. Collection bins for items above are located near...."

In our garage, we have two round plastic "tubs" with rope handles.  You've probably seen them around.  We used to use them to store the kids' toys.  I've also seen people use them at a picnic.  Filled with ice, they're great for keeping bottled and canned drinks cold.  Anyway, you get the idea.  They're colorful, and that's about as pretty as I get with this project.

When we drop our recycle materials off, we don't have to worry about sorting.  Glass, plastic, and cans go in the dumpsters on one side of the building, and any kind of paper goes in the dumpsters on the other side of the building.  That's pretty basic, right?

Our recycle tubs are right outside my kitchen door in the garage.  Everyone in the family knows the system.  Not everyone is good about putting things in the tubs, but at least they know to rinse things out well, and leave them in the sink.  When the tubs are filled, we put them in the back of the van, and drive them over to our township recycling area.  Easy as that.

The hard part some weeks is getting there.  Things come up.  We forget that the tubs are full.  You know how it goes.


Here's our system:

Jars, bottles, cans, and plastic food containers get rinsed and left in or at the sink.  I'm usually the one who makes sure they get to the garage.

What about plastic grocery bags?  I DO use reusable grocery bags, but plastic grocery bags still find their way into our home sometimes.  I put them in a (plastic grocery)bag that hangs on a hook along my basement steps.  When that bag is full, I take them back to the grocery store.  The store that I visit most frequently has a wooden recycle box outside the store for just this purpose.  Handy.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Dear grocery cashier and/or packer,

Just because I use reusuable grocery bags

does not mean that I am Superman.

It also does not mean that my reusable bags are made of steel.

Thank you for not over-loading my bags with heavy items.

Sincerely,

A grateful customer.

Newspapers arrive at our house on Saturday and Sunday, and by Monday morning (if I can wait that long), I make sure I have my coupon papers, and I take all of the other newspapers OUT.

Cardboard from food products or other home products gets tossed in the tub as soon as we've consumed that product.  I only recycle cardboard boxes that did not have the food in them directly.  In other words, I recycle cereal boxes, because the cereal was in a bag, "protecting" the box, so to speak.  I do not recycle Minute Rice boxes.  The rice is in direct contact with the box.  I read that someplace -- don't really know if it's an issue or not. I think it has something to do with food starches that end up in the recycling process.

Shipping boxes get taken out to the tub as soon as we've emptied the box of the goodies!

And mail?  Each day I go through the mail, and sort it into piles.

• bills
• no-name-or-account-number recyclable stuff
• name and account number stuff that should be shredded (all credit card offers also go in this pile)
• "other"
  

Those are my thoughts about recycling.  Don't get the idea that we've perfected the system around here.  We have weeks where the recycle tubs are overflowing, and I just start to put things in the trash.  Cop-out, but true.  Also, there are days when that "recycle" mail pile just gets dumped.  But most days, I try to keep up the system.

It feels pretty good when we see all of the stuff that we end up taking to our drop-off location.  I'm sure there are things that we could be doing better, but I look at it this way: it's a process.  As we learn, we do better.

What's your best recycling tip?

Here's mine:

Do you know about Target's reusable bag policy?  I read about it HERE.  It's old news, but I thought I'd share anyway.  In short, they'll credit you 5 cents for every bag that you save them.  If they use TWO of your reusable shopping bags to bag your order, you get 10 cents off your bill.  (Hey, every penny counts!)
You don't have to be using a Target reusable bag,

but it cannot be paper or plastic.


Learn anything here today?

Pass it on!

Create a home recycling center

(plus dealing with trash)

a bowl full of lemons

Two February No-Nos

There are two things that our family doesn't do in the month of February.

We don't talk about the ground hog.  Instead, we talk about birthday girls.  After all, what birthday girl wants to talk about a 4-legged rodent on her big day?

Also, we don't watch much (if any) of the super bowl, because we are too busy with birthday parties and such.

This was a big birthday weekend in our family.  Two birthday parties.  Our daughter and our niece were born on the same day -- six years apart.  Giving each girl her own "party space," we celebrated with our niece on Saturday, and for our daughter on Sunday.

Super Bowl Sunday is typically the day that we schedule our family gathering to celebrate our daughter's birthday.  This year after everyone left, I chuckled and said the neighbors probably wonder why we have a super-bowl party every year, and everyone leaves BEFORE the game....  (Because all of the birthday gifts have been opened, and all of the cake and cupcakes have been eaten, and the icing licked off our fingers - duh!)

So, yes, we birthday-partied.  And what a party it was.  Celebrating 14 years of pure joy! We enjoyed a new Pinterest recipe for a birthday cake (I'll tell you about that another time). There were camera lessons (of some sort, I heard) and lots of Leapster-Explorer-sharing in the living room.

At one end of the kitchen, the birthday girl showed a bunch of the girls how to make THESE Christmas stars, as well as some Duck tape wallets and clutch purses.

One lucky cousin even got to take a purse home!

At the other end of the kitchen (this makes me laugh, because it's not like our kitchen is huge or anything), my hubby gave a demonstration of the teapot he recently purchased.  It allows you to watch the flowering tea leaves "bloom," and then to dispense the tea from the bottom of the pot, leaving the tea leaves behind.  Sound wacky?  It is.  He found it for cheap on clearance at Bed, Bath, & Beyond. There stood a group of family members watching those silly tea-balls "bloom" -- well, it IS kind of fascinating.  (Wish I would've taken their picture, all bent over and watching...)

Looking forward: It's week SIX of the 52 Weeks to a More Organized Home.  This week we're learning about a home recycling center, and how to handle trash.  Do you recycle? I'm headed over to Taylor's Home Storage Solutions 101 next to see if our family is doing things the most efficient way, or if there are things we could be doing better.  More about that later in the week.

For now, party's over.. big kiss... everyone back to work.

HAPPY MONDAY.  Have a great week.

Recipes, Cookbooks, and Some Treasures

Since we're supposed to be tidying up our recipes and cookbooks this week (are ya still playing along?), I thought I'd show you how I have my recipes organized.  I am not a crazy-wild recipe collector -- probably because I'm kind of a chicken about trying new things. There's nothing worse than a "flop" from your own kitchen.  Everyone in our little family tends to like what they like, and doesn't want to be bothered with the rest.  My sweet hubby is the most adventurous, and likes to do the most experimenting in the kitchen.

Anyway, back to my recipes.  Many of the recipes that I've saved are old standbys, used often.  Some are clippings of classics, like Rice Krispies Treats because, isn't it good to always have that recipe on file?  There are some that are copied or clipped because I genuinely think I will try them someday... when the time is right. (Can you say STALLING?) Still others are handed down from family members, and I just cannot bear to part with them. (i.e. My gram's peanut butter cookie recipe is not a favorite at our house, but I will never part with it.)

Recently, I sat down and went through my entire recipe drawer, and discarded a lot of recipes that just weren't going to happen.  I'm happy as long as everything fits in one drawer -- so that's enough discarding for now.

With the exception of a handful of cookbooks that I refer to, and another handful of recipes that are saved here on my computer, all of my recipes can be found in this little drawer.  I have tabbed-dividers for appetizers, salads, desserts, etc.

This is one of three drawers found in this sweet little "recipe box" that my dad made for me. (The other two are used for other purposes.)  My mom has always-as-long-as-I-can-remember had a 3-drawer like this (I'm not sure where she got it).  My dad copied the design, and made one for me and for my sister as well.  It's one of my treasures.

It's gotten beaten up over the years -- even pulled right off the counter-top by a pre-schooler whizzing by at top speed!  So, it definitely has some knicks and scratches.  One of the drawer-fronts has even been broken in half.  Still, it remains one of my proudest little treasures -- all the more special, knowing that it was made with love especially for me.

While we're talking about my dad and treasures, let me show you this beautiful china shelf that he made for me as well.

Again, my mom has a shelf JUST LIKE this.  Dad took measurements, and traced shelf profiles making copycat shelves for my sister and I.  Isn't it beautiful?

I love having my dad's handiwork in our home.  These are treasures indeed.  As are the recipes that are tried and true, and have stood the test of time.

Do you have a special way of storing

or organizing your recipes?

Pinterest Has a Way...

of getting me off track,

and helping me get things done at the same time!

Does anybody out there in blog-land know what I mean?

First I spotted this on Pinterest:

                  My original pin HERE.

and I got on the band-wagon to a more organized home in 52 weeks.  There are so many great ideas here! This process has made me look at spaces that get overlooked in our home, and how I can do things differently... BETTER!

And then, I'd spot something like this:

Original pin HERE.

Do you see my problem?  Those of you who saw the movie "Up!" will know what I mean when I say: "SQUIRREL!"

Yes - it's a silverware tray.  But no - it's not being used in the kitchen where I'm still supposed to be cleaning and organizing in week four of 2012.  I'm so easily distracted.  I'm off to the dollar store to get a cheap silverware tray to organize our BATHROOM.  I'm pretty sure this "pin" will be a success!

So... I'm still cleaning and organizing.  I'm just in the WRONG ROOM.  Is anybody there with me?

Oh, Pinterest.
Here are the rules for Project Pinterest:
1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.
2. Create it!
3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.
4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!




UPDATE:  Amanda has done a great tutorial post about how to add a "pin it" button to your blog -- on every post.  Check it out HERE.