Project Simplify: Tackling Paper Clutter

For one month, Tsh over at Simple Mom is hosting Project: Simplify. Each week, she announces a new hot spot for readers to tackle. Last week was the closet. This week the dreaded paper clutter. I didn't get to my closet last week. After moving last summer, I cleared out a lot of clothing, so it really isn't a hot spot. However, after seeing the work Tracy at Girls to Grow did on her closet, I realized that I could have made even more progress organizing the clothes I kept. I will work on that another day.

Paper clutter is definitely a hot spot for me. Earlier this month, I created a family finance goal list for us. I listed time lines for entering receipts, clearing files, etc. Hopefully, it will help me be more intentional about keeping our finances (and my many receipts) in order. Tsh's instructions were very thorough. I almost felt like if I couldn't get it all done, perhaps I shouldn't try to organize my paper at all. I didn't get to every item on her list, but this week's challenge was the incentive I needed to finally finish shredding my paper, and clean out my to-be-filed drawer. I also created "Monthly Receipt" and "long term receipt" folders. I still need more work organizing and I definitely need a go to place for daily receipts. However, these were tasks that have been on my to do list for a while. I suppose with these challenges I need to recognize that I may not get everything done in one week, but it helps to get part of it done.

Before: "To Be Filed" Drawer

Before: Shredded Pile

After: To Be Filed Drawer

After: Shredded Pile

I'm looking forward to seeing the progress others made on Project: Simplify.

Sandwich Bread Success!

One of my New Year's Resolutions this year was to learn how to make sandwich bread. My friend at Clearly Tasty recommended this recipe from the Joy of Cooking. I've made it several times and we really enjoy it. It is hearty, but not too dense. Ben said it is better than store bought. I make the whole wheat version using 3 cups bread flour and 2 cups whole wheat. Once, I even turned a loaf into cinnamon raisin bread. The bread got a hole in it, so it wasn't that great for toast, but we enjoyed a tasty french toast dinner! The recipe makes two loaves. Unlike store bought, this dries out faster, so we make sure to use it up fast. I've started freezing the second loaf so it lasts longer. Plus, I only have to make it every other week. Now, I just have to figure out how to cut the slices nice and straight. I'm getting better, but Ben had some funny looking sandwiches at first. He was a good sport about it.

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday.

Menu Plan Monday, March 14, 2011

This week promises to be quite busy, but has already started with a couple menu successes. Yesterday, we hosted some friends for dinner. I made my best chicken ever, cheesy potato bake (tip, this tastes best if you use a shallow dish), and carrot cake from Bob's Red Mill with homemade frosting. (I've reduced the sugar in the cake to 1/4 cup brown and 2 T white. I also omit the nuts and add 1/4 cup raisins. It is moist and tasty!) They brought a tasty corn and green bean dish.

They have a son near our daughter's age. It was fun to watch our children play together. At one point, they were playing with some toys, and slowly and steadily, our daughter managed to take all the toys and put them next to her. Apparently, we will have to teach her about sharing someday in the near future! She has also started eating solids. So far, she likes pears, applesauce, banana, sweet potato, and avocado, and tolerates carrots and peas. It is more work than nursing, but kinda fun to have her join me for breakfast in the morning, and us for dinner in the evening.

I also came across a Crockpot March Madness Bracket. This looks like fun! Plus, I may get some good ideas.

This week's menu has a few new dishes and a few standbys:

Sunday: Tammy's Creamy Mac and Cheese. (I used half and half and topped it with breadcrumbs.) This is rather rich so I won't make it all the time, but it is delicious and creamy. I think I may try sharp cheddar next. My husband liked it. He said it was much better than the boxed stuff :-)

Monday: Cider Bacon Chicken (a new recipe). I plan on serving this with Honeyed Carrots and Oranges. I got this recipe from Real Simple. The first time I made it, the orange was not good, and it turned the whole dish rather bitter. I'm hoping that since the oranges are much sweeter now, it will improve the dish. I'll serve it with leftover applesauce.

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn.

Wednesday: Leftover Mac and Cheese.

Thursday: Eating out! I'm also making this recipe for Baked Moroccan Chicken to take to a mama who just had a little baby girl. I did a test last week to see if I could make it in the morning and then reheat it in the evening, and it worked just fine.

Friday: Chicken Strips and Fries.
I tried making hamburger buns, but they didn't turn out at all. So, I learned how to make bread crumbs in my blender, and now I have a freezer full! I used to buy my breadcrumbs at the store, but I saw they contained High Fructose Corn Syrup. I'm trying to avoid it as much as possible, so I decided to learn how to make them instead. I'm looking forward to using fresh crumbs with this recipe.

Saturday: ? TBD I'm hoping to get some good ideas from more menus at Laura's Menu Plan Monday :-)

Finally Seeing Secretariat-A Finer Thing

When I was pregnant, my pastor shared that he no longer remembers a time without children. Two of his children are grown and one is a teenager. About two months after our daughter was born, he asked me after the service if I no longer remembered life without her. Still sleep deprived and cluster feeding, I pointedly admitted that although I didn't want to put her back, I definitely remembered life without her...sleeping when and for as long as I wanted, eating when I wanted, not being so emotional. The youth pastor, also a mom, was standing beside him. She just laughed knowingly. Interestingly, after 6 months, I can now say I don't really remember life without her.

The first few months, I missed going to the movies. Wistfully, I'd drive by the theater and wish for the freedom to see a movie...whenever I felt like it. And yet, every time I'd look at the marquee, I'd realize that nothing was playing that I'd even remotely want to see....much less pay 9 plus dollars for! That always put my desire back into perspective and I'd drive on. However, I really wanted to see the movie Secretariat. I kept hearing such good reviews that I finally told my husband when it came out on DVD, I was planning on renting it right away. I wasn't even going to wait the 6 plus months in line to reserve it at the library.

Last week, Ben surprised me by downloading the movie for an impromptu date night! It didn't disappoint. The story was family friendly, well told, and well acted. I cared about the characters and what happened to them. We both marveled at the difficulty of writing an engaging story for an event where you already know the outcome. And yet, I was still on my seat during many scenes. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it. I am going to add the book to my reading list for this year too.

Impromptu date nights, and patiently waiting for a fun treat are definitely Finer Things.

This post is linked up to Finer Things Friday at Amy's The Finer Things in Life

Homemade French Bread

I received a wonderful surprise gift from my husband for Christmas this year: a Kitchen Aid mixer! I've used it every week, either for beating egg whites, making whipped cream (the first thing I made with it), and making fresh bread. A week after I got the mixer, I looked for a French Bread recipe. I found this one on Food.com. "Old Reliable French Bread." I followed the recipe to a T, except I took advice from the reviewers and at the end brushed it with butter instead of egg white. Ben loved it! It was a little heartier than store bought french bread, but the crust was soft and dough wasn't too dry. It didn't make good garlic bread, but tasted best warm with some butter. It did go stale rather quickly, (after a week) but I used the rest to make croutons, which were also very tasty. Lesson learned, we just have to eat it faster next time!

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

Menu Plan Monday January 24, 2011

We made a really tasty meal last week: Cinnamon Apple Porkchops. I kept seeing the recipe on Org Junkie's site, and finally got around to making it. Ben loved it. The chops tasted great with the apples. He asked that I make the apples for apple crisp or to top ice cream.

We also started a bit of solids for my daughter. So far, she has had banana, carrot and avocado. Avocado is her favorite. On tap for this week is more of the same while we see how she takes to the avocado and then I have a sweet potato I'll puree too.

I really don't know what to plan for this week, but here is an idea. I'll probably switch the days around depending on how busy I am for the day. I really need to use up food I have and not get more at the store, except for fruit, so this will be a pantry use up meal too. Although, if potatoes go on sale, I will pick up a bag as well.

23 Sunday: Leftovers (we need to use up Enchiladas and Mock Lasagna Casserole) with peach crisp
24 Monday: Chicken Souvlaki with lettuce and homemade pita bread
25 Tuesday: Burgers and Fries (I have buns I need to use up....or freeze, that is also an option)
26 Wednesday: Braised Pork Chops with corn
27 Thursday: Breakfast for dinner? Waffles? We have a lot of eggs.
28 Friday: Salsa Chicken (if we still have salsa to use up)
29 Saturday: Oatmeal for breakfast. Perhaps we'll have Chicken in Lemon Cream with Penne. I'm not sure I have all the ingredients, but I know I have some lemon juice in the freezer, and cream, and penne, so I think it is a go.

Kitchen tasks, make pizza sauce and freeze.

Well, we'll see how this lasts, I'm not too tied to the menu, but it is helpful to have something written down.

For more menus visit I'm An Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Welcoming the New Year: Goals and Resolutions

Yesterday, I took the last of the Christmas decorations down. I still have a couple snowman/snow baby decorations up, but those are fun for the icy weather in January and February. I am always sad after Christmas. The week between Christmas and New Years is the worst. I love the fall. Even though the weather is getting colder, fall represents cozy nights, the return of stews, casseroles, and apple cake. Then fall merges right into Christmas with gift giving, celebrating Advent cookie making, decorations, and music. After Christmas, the weather is just cold and icy :(. This let down after Christmas is pretty common for many. This year, it seemed worse. I think it was because I couldn't put on my sweats and hibernate through the week. I still had to be "on" to be my daughter's mommy. I really wanted a break that I knew wouldn't come. Thankfully, as my routine has returned with Bible study and moms' groups, not to mention enjoying my beautiful daughter's smiles and laughter, I'm feeling better in the New Year. It also helps to see the New Year as a fresh start, find fun things to look forward to (traveling to see family, birthdays) and planning goals and resolutions.

With a little baby, I decided not to plan big goals, but instead, be more intentional about my time. Amy at The Finer Things was my inspiration and has a wonderful post about being intentional during the urgent.

This year, I want to enjoy my baby, and grow as being a mom, wife, friend and daughter.
I also want to be more intentional about staying in touch with others.
Last, I want to spend more time in Prayer and Bible Study.

Since I also find it fun to plan, I thought of a few simple goals for the year.
1. Learn how to use my camera (at least read through the instruction book)
2. Read one book at a time. I would love to read one book a month, but it is not realistic. Instead, I've decided to focus on just one book, instead of the five barely read books I have stacked around the house. I'm currently reading Bright from the Start by Jill Stamm PhD.
3. Learn how to make sandwich bread and buns. I think I have to add Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day to my reading list :)
4. Create a price book.
5. And, if I'm really ambitious, learn how to can fruit this summer. That one I can let go if I have to though.

I'm looking forward to enjoying 2011! For further reading, I enjoyed these wonderful articles on handling the post-holiday blues and being intentional in the New Year.

Holiday Hangover, by my friend Eric. Easter is coming!
Celebrating Christmas More Than Once a Year from a Thankful Heart (via The Finer Things)
2011: Intentional by Amy at The Finer Things
Building Good Habits in the New Year, by Kristy at Homemakers Cottage