Week 2: Linen Closet

The Linen Closet.

It has a name that describes exactly what it should be used for, to store your linens. It is not called the "junk closet." My point is.... utilize your linen closet for linens: Sheets. Towels. Drapes. Blankets.

• It's only necessary to have 2 sets of sheets per bed (some people even place the extra sheet set in between the mattress & box spring it belongs with).
• The same goes for towels, 2 per person and an extra 4 for guests.
• Label your sheet size on the tags.
• Fold your sheets and put the matching sheet sets inside the corresponding pillowcase that way there are no straggling pieces.
• If you need to, label your shelves by size or even by room, placing the corresponding items on their matching shelves.

What have you found in your linen closet that doesn't belong?

Week 2: A Place for Everything

"A place for everything, & everything in its place."

One of the biggest issues that I run across are finding a place for everything. If everything in your house has a designated spot to "live" then you will not have a problem organizing.

If you were to stand in the middle of the living room and do a complete 360 degree circle, looking at every aspect of that room.... What do you see? Is everything in its place? Or, do you have items that are constantly stacked on your desk and coffee table. If the latter it the case, then it's very likely that those items do not have a designated place to belong to in your home.

What first comes to mind when picturing my home and an item not having a place is the living room remote controls. Before my remotes had a place, they would always end up on the couch arm rests, jammed down in the couch, or on the kitchen counter top (away from button happy toddlers). I finally got tired of constantly searching for the remote and it getting in the way of food splatters in the kitchen, so I created a spot for them. The remotes are still located in the kitchen. They are now placed in a pencil holder that is hung on the wall right as you leave the living room and enter the kitchen. I know this is not everyone else's ideal place to put TV remotes, but it's what worked for me.

Choose to put your items in places that work for you. Your shoes don't necessarily have to go in your closet. If you have a mud room that you would rather put them in, then go for it! Brush your teeth in the shower?! (ugh,men....) Then hang a toothbrush holder in your shower. It's YOUR HOUSE people! The whole point of being organized is to simplify. If you are constantly putting things where other people want you to, you'll never remember where they are and will spend most of your time searching.

Where are you storing the:

• TV Remotes
• Dog's Collar
• Camera Charger
• Mail

Every single thing in your home needs a spot. What still needs a spot in your home? What is an area that you struggle with?

Week 1: Let Go

One of the hardest parts of getting organized is having to just let something go. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's okay.

It's okay to let go of:

• The things that we think we ought to have; Such as that crock pot or toaster oven that takes up an entire shelf in your kitchen that you've only used once since you got it 5 years ago. It's okay that you don't use it, but get rid of it. All it's doing is collecting dust and taking up space.
• Expensive Items. This is always the hardest for me. Getting rid of something I spent a lot of money on but don't use. A prom dress you bought when you were a size 10 is not something you need hanging out in your closet when you have been a size 2 for years now. Newsflash: You're not going to need that prom dress.... and it's already out of style.
• Things you think you may need one day. A fur coat in Texas. Unless you make frequent trips to the Northeast in the winter for formal events, there is no need to keep this large item in your coat closet. It's just taking up space.
• Things you are saving for your kids. This is my mom all over (sorry mom). Saving every piece of artwork and every test that your child brings home is crazy. They aren't going to want a paper they wrote about a bird in the 3rd grade to hand down to their own kids. Pick a few key pieces out and trash the rest.
• Gifts. Just because someone gives you something, doesn't mean you have to like it (or keep it). If it's not something that you are actually going to use, take it back to the store & exchange it, re-gift it, or get rid of it.

I know that I may sound harsh when I tell you to pretty much get rid of everything you own (since i'm sure that's exactly what it feels like), but I'm just being honest. If you continue to keep everything that comes into your home without getting rid of something else, you will end up on a reality tv show about hoarding. 

Letting go of things is hard, I get it. But, if you don't let go of old, unused things, how will you have enough room for the new?

"Never love anything that can't love you back."

Week 1: Clutter

Clutter.

The one word that defines all of that extra "stuff" you have lying around your house. It's stacked on tables, shoved in closets, and packed in boxes in your garage. All of those cernaic cats on your bookshelf, what purpose do they serve other than collecting dust?

Clutter is all the stuff that keeps our homes from being what we need them to be.

As the days pass, I want you to keep in mind that one of the main goals for getting your house organized is to get rid of as much clutter as possible. A good quote to envision as you are going through your house and clearing your clutter is by William Morris.

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

With that in mind, I want you to picture what you want your home to be. If you have to, get out a pen and paper and write a motto for your home. Maybe you want your home to be your Haven or Sanctuary. Your home does not become these things by just uncluttering; but by ridding your house of clutter, you open a door (or window) for that to shine through.

"Clutter is the meaningless getting in the way of the meaningful."

Week 1: Intro

Good Morning!

I know, I know. It's been a little while since I've posted but I've got a great series that I have been working on. That's right, I'm going to get you on the fast track to organizing your home in 30 days (or less)!! I'm going to cover things like your linen closet, what to do with all of those pesky manuals you have laying around for all of your electronic gadgets, & even your kid's school work.

Have a trouble spot in your house? Feel free to reach out to me!

" Happiness is a place between too little and too much"

Meal Planning 101: Freezer Meals

One of the best ways to save time with cooking is by making freezer meals. There is A LOT of planning that goes into them. I am just going to briefly touch on this topic because there are so many tips, tricks and techniques that go into freezer meals. My meal plan bible is called Don't Panic Dinners in the Freezer and the sequel, Don't Panic--More Dinner's in the Freezer . It not only tells you how to prepare and package your meals but also how to triple and quadruple to have multiple meals to freeze or share. I have picked a couple of my favorite recipes out of the second book to share with you.

• The 1st step is to just get started. The freezer cooking method can be implemented simply by choosing a favorite family recipe & just doubling or tripling it. 
• The 2nd step is to choose a day. I cook my freezer meals the day after I go to the grocery store. This way the meat does not have to be frozen and none of the produce goes bad. Block out 2-3 hours, one day a week and you can make about 6-9 meals!  
• Step 3 is to choose your recipes. 
• Step 4 is to write up your shopping lists

EASY AS PIE!

The first one is the Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs  I actually cooked this meal on Tuesday and it is the absolute best one so far.I couldn't get over how well it turned out! The only adaption I made to the recipe is that I used boneless instead of bone-in thighs. This can be done in the oven or on the grill, yields about 6 servings and is only 225 calories.

Ingredients:
6 chicken thighs, with bone and skin
1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
3 T. balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
Cooking Day:
Mix oil, vinegar, salt , and pepper in a small bowl. Transfer marinade to a large freezer bag. Add chicken to bag, turning to coat thoroughly. Freeze!
Serving Day:
Thaw chicken completely. Place chicken, skin side up and well coated with marinade, into rimmed baking pan/dish. Roast uncovered in a 350 degree oven until brown and cooked through, about 35-40 minutes, Chicken may also be grilled over medium-hot coals until cooked through, turning once, Serve with salad, tomatoes and cheese biscuits.


The next one is my second favorite, Telluride Black Bean Tortilla Bake. This recipe yields about 4-6 servings and ground turkey can be substituted for the ground beef.
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion
1- 15oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed
1- 16 oz. can stewed tomatoes (Mexican style)
1/2 c. enchilada sauce (Mild or Medium)
1 t. chili powder
1 t. cumin
1/4 t. pepper
6 flour tortillas (I use more like 8)
3 oz. low-fat cream cheese, softened
1- 4oz. can diced green chilis, chopped.
Serving Day:
1/2 - 1 cup shredded Monterrey jack or cheddar cheese (or both)
Cooking Day:
Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet; drain fat, Put stewed tomatoes in a blender (or food processor) and blend just long enough to break up large tomato pieces. Add to skillet with meat. Stir in black beans, enchilada sauce, chili powder, cumin, and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
Spread one side of tortillas with cream cheese, topping with green chilis. Fold tortillas in half over cream cheese. Pour half of the cooled meat sauce into the bottom of a lined 7x11 baking dish, Arrange the folded tortillas over the sauce, overlapping if necessary. Pour the remaining sauce over the tortillas. Freeze.
Serving Day:
Return the unwrapped meal to original baking dish and thaw to a slushy state, Cover dish with foil and bake in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, until heated through. Uncover and sprinkle cheese on top; bake for 5 more minutes or until bubbly.

I highly encourage you to pick up one of the books above if you are at all interested in diving into freezer meals. Since I hate paying full price for anything, I got my books at half price bookstore for under $8 a piece.

If any of you decided to try one of the meals above please let me know how it turns out! Check back tomorrow for a little insight to crock pot meals.

Happy Freezing!