A Confession and a Random Act of Organization

I’ll start with the confession. I’m not going to meet my deadline this week with my “Command Center” wall. My intent is to complete on project each week, and well, it’s Tuesday. Also, I haven’t been using my To-Do List. Hmmmm . . . I wonder if there is a correlation there? So, I’m placing my little day-planner back in its place of honor on my night-stand tonight and writing out that list for tomorrow.  As for my wall, I’ve made some progress, but have had some set-backs. I had a bubbling paper incident with one of my magnet-boards. Then there is this:

I found these cork-board squares in a four-pack at Target, used my Mom’s Cricket to cut out the kid’s names, and planned to mount them to this piece of panelling I picked up at ReStore for $1. (If you have never been to ReStore, you need to.  They sell used or surplus building supplies cheap, and proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity). This is where I ran into my snafu. I cut it to the wrong size. It will be a few days before I can get back to my dad’s workshop to make the correction. My wall is still under construction.

On the bright side, I did some spontaneous organization today. Truthfully, it was my husband that spear-headed this one. We have a little freezer in our garage where we store mostly meat. In order to feed our large-ish family, we purchase part of a beef from a local farmer and other types of meat in bulk when the price it right. As we were rifling through it today, my husband said, “Why don’t we organize this so we can find the meat we want?”

‘Nough-said. I pulled out some boxes I had been saving for just such an occasion, we sorted the types of meat, labelled the boxes and placed them back in the freezer.

It’s a little difficult to get a good picture inside a freezer, but that’s one of the boxes. . . my “roast” box.  There you have it.

Although I haven’t finished the week 8 project, I am going to add another one for this week. My goal this week is to fill those cork-boards for each of my children. I’m going to be working on chore schedules for my children. Oh, they are going to be so happy. Wahahahaha (that’s my evil mom laugh). 🙂 Of course, I also hope to finish that wall!

Yay!

I had a page featured on The Happy Housewife yesterday. Check it out! 🙂

My Crafty Magnet Board

I’ve been a little slow on my “command center” wall this week. Today, however, I finally got my act together and started putting things together. One of the things I want on this wall is a magnet board so I can keep my refrigerator from becoming so cluttered with spelling lists, grocery lists, pictures and other things. Unfortunately, I had already spent most of my allotted budget for this project. As I tried to figure out how I could get my hands on a piece of cheap metal-something that would look decent enough to hang on a wall, I had a flash of brilliance . . . cookie sheets!

I had two unused cookie sheets at the bottom of my drawer collecting rust.

Not too pretty. I didn’t want this on my wall. So, step 1, I sanded it down.

Better, but still not what I want. Step 2, I used the rest of red paint from my questionable hutch makeover.

Getting closer, but still not quite what I had in mind. Step 3, I went “shopping” in my mom’s extensive scrapbook paper closet. I found some I liked, trimmed it down and used Mod Podge to secure it to the board.

I learned the hard way that one of these tools is very necessary when using Mod Podge.

My first attempt resulted in a bubbled-up mess . . . probably should have done my research first. 🙂 Along with the “pretty paper”, my mom gave me a sheet of matching scrap-booking stickers.

You know that free magnets you get from doctor’s offices, phone books, pizza places . . . ?

I used the scrap-booking stickers and the above magnets to create some new, custom-made ones. With Mod Podge and my craft knife, this is what happened.

            

And here is the final result . . . two new magnet boards for my command center wall, along with custom-made magnets.

My next step is to actually get them hung on the walls. Here’s hoping for tomorrow!

I shared this post at Thrifty Decor Chick‘s spay paint link party. Check it out!

It’s So . . . Ummmm. . . RED!

 Oh my goodness! Have I blinded you? This is the result of my “brilliant” idea to paint the back panelling on my hutch BRIGHT red this afternoon. I’ve been using red as an accent color in my kitchen, but this is too much! I did manage to clean the upper two shelves, which I’m pleased with, but the color is a flop! So, while I figure out what to do about painting it back, I’ll tell you about my next project.

This week, I’m beginning part 2 of my “command center”.  I will be working on a large blank area on my kitchen wall where I will be installing some essentials to keep us organized — some cork boards, a calendar and some other surprises (I’m going to be surprised along with you – ha, ha).

By the way, notice the top left corner of my hutch. I used that cookie jar to hold a fake plant. It stays. 🙂 Thanks for the input.

Command Center – Part 1

Here is what I’ve been working on this week:

    

A binder. . . woot-woot!   Inspired by an idea I saw on the iheartorganizing blog, I am setting up part of my family command center in this binder — a home-management binder.  Using binder dividers I created 10 sections. Section 1 is schedules with my overview of the day, week, and month. Section 2 is school information where I keep the kids’ reports, co-op schedules and similarly related items. Section 3 is for church information — volunteer schedules, kid’s programs, etc. Information related to the kid’s sports and extra-curricular activities are in section 4. Section 5 is contact information to keep important numbers and addresses, along with emergency-contact information. I included plastic baseball card holders to add any business cards I might want to keep as reference here. Section 6 is home-maintenance and improvement projects. This is where I will keep record of what and when we have had maintenance and improvements completed, as well as a list of projects we have planned. I placed baseball card holders here also for any related business cards we might collect. Section 7 is Meal Planning (I’m not sure I’ll keep this in my binder long-term — I have plans for a meal-planning calendar later). Section 8 is Finance for budget-planning sheets and also bills. I used a plastic sheet protector in this section to place bills that need to be paid, along with the check-book.  Section 9 is my personal section for things I need to refer to — my training schedules for running, book-club information, a list of blog ideas, etc.  The final section is for my husband to do the same; it is yet to be determined if he will use it. 🙂

This binder has cleaned up my refrigerator, which was previously littered with schedules and flyers; and it seems to be taking care of part of our paper-piling problems. The rest of our paper and book-piling issues I addressed by spending some much-needed time cleaning up my hutch. I added three baskets purchased at Target this week.

Using free printables from Better Homes and Gardens, I labeled the baskets.  The first is “To Do” for things I need to take care of immediately — letters to mail, items to return, magazines to read and file.  The rule for this basket is that it cannot get full; if it gets above the rim it needs my immediate attention. The second I labeled “In Use” for things I regularly use but want to keep with-in easy grasp — our family Bible study materials, the kid’s church club booklets, the magazine I am currently working my way through, and our management binder.  The final basket is labeled “To File”, which is self-explanatory.  I would like to get some matching vertical files to use in this basket so the papers don’t look so unsightly. Again, the rule is that this basket cannot get too full.  I actually need to do some filing!

Today’s project is the top two shelves of the hutch (there’s a reason I didn’t show a full picture). 🙂 I’ll keep you all posted!

Related articles

• Counters (Mostly) Complete – And My Next Project (easygoingorganizer.wordpress.com)
• Keeping up With the Coupons (savingwithsisters.wordpress.com)
• Jessica’s Coupon Binder (savingwithsisters.wordpress.com)
• Happy New Year! (haffpintreasures.wordpress.com)
• Our Recipe Binder (articles.earthlingshandbook.org)

Should it Stay or Should it Go?

I need a little help from my readers (if there are any). Last week I removed this cookie jar (left) from my kitchen counters. I was using it to hold kitchen utensils.  It has no lid, so it’s obviously not going to be used as a cookie jar. I shoved it on my hutch because that’s what I do when I don’t know what to do with something. So my question is, do I get rid of this thing? Or is there some brilliant use for this of which I am currently unaware?  Should it stay or should it go? Bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum . . . If it goes there could be trouble. . . if it stays there could be double. . . (okay, got carried away there for minute).  I’d love some input!

This is what I’m attacking this week.

This is my hutch that ends up as the catch-all for whatever I don’t want to deal with right now . . . or whatever I don’t want to walk “all the way upstairs” at the moment.  This is actually one of its better moments.  I de-clutter it frequently, but it inevitably gets cluttered again. I’m creating a system; a “command center” seems to be the latest word for it. Wish me luck!

 

Counters (Mostly) Complete — And My Next Project

Last week I attacked my kitchen counters, which were far too cluttered and had the tendency to become the catch-all for whatever.  After clearing the corner, I spent some time on the edges. They weren’t bad, but still needed some work. My biggest problem was my the wireless router for our Internet.  It sits on the edge with an ugly green cord and just looks out-of-place.

Laura, from Monkeys On My Back (a very fun blog, check it out), suggested a basket. I went to Target and bought and returned baskets twice. . . it was harder than I thought.  I finally settled on a basket I already have and use for a “miscellaneous-papers-I don’t-know-what-to-do-with-right-now” basket (my next project will be to do something with those papers :-)).

I still am not sure I love this particular basket here, and I would like to hide the cords a bit more, but it is better.

The other end of the counters I didn’t change much. My biggest problem area on this end was a recipe box that I continually shoved all my odd-shaped and printed-off recipes behind; it was quite unsightly.

I simply removed that pile of and placed it in a file folder. I have plans for a recipe binder, but that will be a project for another week.

I toyed with the idea of removing the toaster, but we use it frequently enough that I decided to keep it where it is. I think I may make a cover for it so it doesn’t look so toaster-y. 🙂 I have some decor issues I will be taking care of, but the counters are organized and I feel mostly satisfied.

This upcoming week I will be staying in the kitchen and taking care of my paper-work problem. My hutch, the purpose of which is supposed to be to hold and display my dishes, has turned into the place where we stash keys, nail polish, coupons, mail, books. . . anything that we just don’t want to deal with right now.  My plan is to create and organize a sort of command center for our family to deal with the paper-work and miscellaneous stuff problem; and to get my hutch back.

The Best Cinnamon Rolls Ever!

I’m thoroughly enjoying my newfound counter space, and have been utilizing it to bake.  I started with homemade bread this afternoon.  Then I happened to have cream cheese that needed using, so cinnamon rolls came to mind.  I’m going a bit off-topic here today (hey, I referenced my kitchen counters), but these are all I can think about.  Now I know that cinnamon rolls are a lot of work, but these are soooooo worth it! The recipe I use is my mom’s hybrid compilation of several recipes — and it is the best!  It will forever spoil all other cinnamon rolls for you.

Mom’s Awesome Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Dough:

4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 package active dry yeast

1 cup milk

1/3 cup butter or margarine

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups of the flour and yeast; set aside. In a medium saucepan heat and stir milk, the 1/3 cup sugar, the 1/3 cup butter, and salt just till warm (120 to 130 degrees) and butter almost melts.  Add milk mixture to dry mixture along with eggs.  Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.  Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3-5 minutes total). Shape dough into a ball.  Place dough in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place till double in size (about 1 hour).

Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface.  Divide in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Lightly grease 2 9X1 1/2 inch round baking pans (I use 1 rectangle 9X13 pan).  Make filling.

Filling:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 T cinnamon

Mix on medium until combined, but still crumbly (about a minute)

Roll each portion of the dough into a 12 X 8 rectangle.

Spread 1/2 filling onto each rectangle.

Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting from a long side. Seal seam.

Slice each roll into 12 equal pieces and place in prepared pans. Repeat with the other dough half.

Cover and let rise in a warm place till nearly double.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and let sit a minute or two (don’t allow to cool).

Turn pan over onto a serving tray (if I’m not concerned about presentation, I use a large piece of aluminum foil so I can quickly wrap up the left-overs — this also seems to keep it warmer for transporting).

Look how gooey they are -- turning them over helps the filling that seeped to the bottom work it's way back through. Mmmmm!

Frost and serve while still warm (although still very good when cooled).

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 T softened butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 ounces cream cheese

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Combine in a mixing bowl until well blended. Frost cinnamon rolls.

Tips:

We all know that cinnamon rolls are best right out of the oven, but who wants to get up at early o’clock in order to make them and have them ready for breakfast (well, somebody might, but not me!). I like to prepare mine the night before, but not bake them.  I cover them loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate over-night. When I’m ready for them (at a much more reasonable hour) I uncover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake.

If you want to make them extra gooey (and extra fattening — might as well, you’ve gone this far), after greasing pan(s), add a few slices of butter around the bottom and sprinkle with brown sugar. You can also add your favorite nut (walnuts, pecans) here. Place the rolls on top of this. My kids prefer just this extra goo to the cream cheese frosting. I prefer both.  If I’m going to eat a cinnamon roll, I’m going to eat a CINNAMON ROLL!

If you want to pretend to make these healthy (ha, ha) or if you just like the flavor, add raisins to your filling.

Enjoy!

Check out the Weekend Potluck here.  Lots of fun recipes, including this one.

De-cluttering Counters – Part 1

I began working in ernest today on my kitchen counters project.  I started with my worst corner first.  Some time ago, I had the idea to use my cookbooks as decor for my counter.  It started out cute, but then got out-of-control; the cookbooks started taking over. I also love those cinnamon-scented pine-cones that come out every Christmas.  They might be a bit cheesy, but it’s just not Christmas without them. This year, I didn’t know where to put them, so I stuck them in my already crowded corner. Needless to say, that area needed some serious help!

Browsing magazines, books, and the Internet for kitchen ideas, I came to the realization that these beautiful kitchens have one thing in common — the counters are clutter-free.  This is my goal this week — beginning with this corner, I am de-cluttering the counters. The pine-cones were the first to go; they had long since lost their scent and were always just an after-though, never really having a place.  Next, I took a good look at the spice rack.  I’ve had it for several years and the spices that I regularly use are empty.  The others have long since expired.  It too had to go (I’m washing it up and holding on to it for a bit just in case I come up with a brilliant idea for repurposing it — any suggestions?).  I removed the cookbooks from the counter completely. I will display a few of the nicer ones on a shelf; the others were either donated or went into the cupboard.  I then tidied the knife block and placed it closer to the kitchen sink, where it is most frequently used.

Notice the utensil holder to the left.  It’s a large cookie jar that I have jammed full of all my wooden spoons, ladles and spatulas.  I like keeping things handy so I can grab what I need as I’m cooking, but this is ridiculous.  I needed to pare down. First, I had to look at what I really am using, and get rid of those that I’m not.  I didn’t love the white cookie jar, so I used a cute water pitcher instead.  It adds a bit of character and color to my counter.  Finally, I moved it next to the stove-top so it is with-in reach while I cook.

    

My corner is now de-cluttered!

I even found a use for my shells (see previous post).  I had a nautical-looking piece I’m already using in my decor.  I simply added the shells.  It took 5 minutes!  I’m not sure why I waited so long. 🙂

   

I still have some work to do, but I’m feeling good about that corner.  My next dilemma is how to hide or disguise our Internet box.  It has to be in the kitchen because of the location of the outlet, but it is UGLY!

Any ideas?

Week 6: Organizing my Kitchen Counters

This is the story of a sea-shell.  There was nothing extraordinary about this shell.  It existed, as all sand dollars do, on the bottom of a the ocean, burrowed under the sand, avoiding its prey and feeding on tiny organisms.  It was a simple existence, but one that could not last forever.  It passed on, as all living creatures do, and loosing it’s grip on the sandy bottom was swept to shore by the incoming tide.  That morning a vacationing woman was enjoying an early-morning jog on the beach.  She spotted its dollar-shaped skeleton, perfectly in-tact, and excitedly picked it up to take home to her children.  Her children, naturally were thrilled to have such a treasure. They had found their own sand dollars, but none were in such pristine condition as this.  Carefully they washed the sand, laid it out to dry, and added it to their growing pile of coastal finds.  When the vacation came to its end, the woman carefully wrapped each of these treasures (the ones worth keeping) and placed them inside a keepsake bag to transport them safely home.  Once home, the bag was placed on her kitchen counter – on top of her bread box to be exact – until she could find them a permanent home. She had the best intentions of doing “something” with these momentos — the beautiful sand dollar, some sea glass and other miscellaneous shells — but the days turned to weeks, the weeks to months. . .  Soon, she no longer even noticed the bag on top of the bread box, and neither did anyone else in the family.  It had simply become part of the decor.

I’m ashamed to say that the woman in that story was me (as if you hadn’t already guessed).  What’s worse is that our beach vacation was last March!  And it sits there still (along with a jar I need to return to a friend and a few other things for which I have yet to find a place). . .

This week, I’m attacking my kitchen counters (and the top of my bread box). I no longer want it to be the catch-all for things I haven’t yet put away. My goal is to clear, organize and come up with a method that will help me maintain my new look.  I’m even going to find a place for those shells.