Cleaning up our dirty little secrets...3

Nothing like a sleeping baby, working husband and a list of podcasts to get you in the mood to organize!
Cupboard #1-
Here is what we started with...
This cupboard is closest to the sink and dishwasher, it quickly turned into a catch-all for every reusable glass or plastic container (and of course, our sham-wows, lol).

Since canning last fall I have A LOT of extra canning jars this time of year and have no need for the dozens of salsa, juice and spaghetti sauce jars. So these all went into the curby to be recycled. The sham-wows went to the hall closet so they will stop reminding me of the silly, impulse purchase (actually Ryan convinced me to buy them more of a joke then anything).

I then used this cupboard to house all my small appliances that were taking up valuable counter space. My new rule is that things have to earn their way on our countertops. If they don't get used every day they get put away. The only thing sitting out now is our coffeepot and large cutting board.

Here is the cupboard now...

Cupboard #2-
I seemed to have lost the before picture of this cupboard. You will have to trust me that it was a disaster. This is where we stored cookbooks, water bottles and pitchers. There was not enough room for everything and the shelves were not tall enough to have the items stand up. The cupboard couldn't close and things were always falling out.

To start I got rid of all of the water bottles we had and didn't use, who wants to look at 6 Providence Hospital water bottles and remember the many stays for preterm labor? I just kept 2 water bottles and 2 travel coffee cups. We can only use 2 at a time anyway!

I removed one of the shelves to make more room to allow the cookbooks to stand up.

Here is what we ended up with...

I am so happy with how they turned out! I was also thrilled to have another box to take to goodwill, excited to clear more clutter!

What else I am up to today...

-Cleared the family room to prepare for our new roommate (my sister-in-law) to move in. I can't wait!

-Laundry, laundry, laundry!

Chores or Play?

I have been convicted in my thinking towards housework.
Somehow, somewhere I picked up the idea that housework was an option.
When I have a free moment I think “should I do housework or should I do something fun?” Well that is a no brain-er. Of course I am going to choose something fun!
What I didn't even consider is that housework is not an option!
The laundry needs to be done, the floors need to be mopped, the toilet needs to be cleaned.
I need to stop weighing housework against something more fun and just do it!
Didn't our mamas teach us that our chores have to be done before we can play?
Have you considered that when you choose not to do the housework you are asking somebody else to do it? It needs to be done. So if you don't do it, who is going to? Your husband? Your kids? Your mom when she comes to visit?
I believe that everybody in the house should have a role in the cleaning, but you have to set the example. If you set the example of reading, crafting, computer-time, whatever instead of housework that is what your family will do too.
I know from experience when I read, craft or play with Sam it is easier to enjoy when the chores are done. So now when I have some free time I spend 5, 10 or 15 minutes getting some chores done then jump in wholeheartedly to a fun activity.
My challenge for myself this year is to “Get stuff done”, with my new attitude towards housecleaning I think this is going to be much easier.

Are there chores you have been procrastinating on? Get up right now, set a timer for 5 minutes and do one!

What else I am doing today:
-Trying my hand at homemade Biscotti. It is in the oven now and oh my does it smell good!
-Spending 15 minutes organizing our important papers.
-Getting rid of 15 things from our “spare/office/craft/junk room”

Mini Smores Bites

...Because Smores are yummy in the middle of winter too!

After having so much fun clearing out my pantry I decided to have some fun in my kitchen and use up some of those ingredients that had been taking up valuable space, and that is how this recipe was born...

1 18.25 ounce package chocolate cake mix

1/2 cup instant cocoa

3 large eggs

1/2 cup softened butter

Mini Marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350*

Grease mini muffin pan (or use mini muffin cups). Of course you can use a regular muffin pan too, but these are the perfect size for Sam.

Mix ingredients until well blended. Use a tablespoon to spoon batter into muffin pan. Each cup should be 3/4 full. Top each muffin with 2 mini marshmallows.

Bake for 12 minutes. Let cool in pan for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

The next step is to try not to eat them all in one evening! Good luck!!!

What I am doing to today:

-Spend 15 minutes getting rid of paper clutter.

-Get rid of 10 things in our spare room (read junk room)

-Make a phone call I have been procrastinating about. (we all have them right? Dr appts., insurance questions, dentist appts. whatever yours is I challenge you to do it!)

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Cleaning up our dirty little secrets...2

The thing I was dreading the most about organizing our kitchen was our pantry. Every time I try to organize the shelves it seems like they return to the crazy clutter within a month. I was getting tired of putting in the work when it only lasted a short time, so I let it get out of control. Keeping our new motto in mind I decided to just “get it done”. I did it alright, a complete overhaul. Here it is step-by-step:
First, I took everything out of the pantry (took 10 minutes)
Second, wiped down the shelves with a damp rag (took 2 minutes)
Third, filled a bag with food to donate. If you haven't done this in a while you may have more then a bag, we were just visited by the local boy scouts, so one bag was perfect. (took 4 minutes)
Next, consolidate any items that we had more then one package for. This step is what freed up the most space, we happened to have 3 jars of peanut butter, all less then half full, that's just one example of what I consolidated. I also put rice, lentils, quinoa and beans in large glass jars instead of storing them in the original packaging. This will also encourage me to buy these items in bulk. (took 15 minutes)
Then, put everything back in the pantry. Make sure to put all similar items together. For example, put pastas and rice together, snacks together, canned items together. I also put healthy items in front of those that aren't as good for us. For example, putting oatmeal and peanut butter in front of cold cereals or putting whole wheat pasta in front of enriched pasta. This way when we are looking for something to eat we see healthy choices first. I also put items that I only use together in plastic shoe containers. For example, baking items such as baking soda, extracts, organic sugars or paper/plastic products such as napkins, plates and forks. (took 20 minutes)
I took my time with this to make sure that how I was organizing was realistic and would be easy to maintain. Some of these steps can be completed in much less time then I took, I encourage you to do something, even if it is just one step. I am so happy with our finished product and it encourages me to get in the kitchen!

What else I am doing today:
-Made a “bed” out of a cereal box for Sam to use with his stuffed animals. He learned how to put his favorite monkey “nigh nigh”.
-Rake more leaves to add an extra layer on top of my garlic, getting ready for the cold weather tonight.
-Add to and rotate compost bin.

I would not love God.

I would not love a god who discriminated.

I would not follow a god whose plan was destruction.

I would not love a god who made us to judge.

I would not be passionate about a god who is passionless.

I would not love a god who saw us as our sin.

But the truth is I passionately love and follow a God who has dealt with our sin, sees us as his perfect creation and passionately loves me right back.

What does this mean?

I choose to love.

I do not discriminate.

I do not judge.

I am free to live and love life.

More importantly, I am free to love me.

I love you all too. I hope this encourages you to live in love. To stop the negative self talk. To stop judging yourself and others.



What I am up to today:
-Attended my dear grandma's funeral. Looking forward to celebrating her amazing life tomorrow at her memorial service.
-Pack up some clothes to take to goodwill (along with the 3 boxes of Sam's clothes we already have ready).
-Actually take the clothes to goodwill (haha)
-Sort through Sam's toys and get rid of anything that isn't age appropriate or broken.