tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18398516548378158112024-03-13T11:41:03.577-04:003 of a Kind is a Full HouseThree of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-25510616147001995612011-04-20T19:12:00.000-04:002011-04-20T19:12:57.053-04:00Where I want this blog to goI have been gone for a little bit now. Mostly it is because I am not sure where I want this blog to go. I have so many things that I am interested in that I am having trouble figuring out what I want to write about.<br />
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I have also been away because we have been battling illness. The boys have had sniffles off and on and Matthew had influenza. I had the boys get flu shots this year because of their young age and a new baby coming into the family right around flu season. I also got a flu shot because Little Little would not be able to get one (and he would be inoculated through me). I have only gotten them when I was pregnant with each child because I loss a pregnancy and I wanted to do all I could to make sure they had help with their immune systems (also Middle Little was born during the whole Swine Flu hoopla). I was never one to get a flu shot and figured I wouldn't get them again because they were a waste. After seeing Matt go through a real flu and not a stomach bug and then it missing me and the boys I will be getting one from now on. I am not saying everyone should get shots because we are told to - it is your choice. My experience has not been negative and I feel it helps. Do your own research and make your own choice. You know I always say what works for me may not work for you. :)<br />
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Ok so on to what I would like to do with this blog. I sat down and came up with my goals for 2011 (yeah only a few months late there momma!). My goals came down to a few main categories. Family activities, organizing, gardening, sewing, and meal planning. Those will be the topics I will be covering in the year 2011. In January I will set down, look over my goals, the progress for each goal over the year and create new goals.<br />
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My 2011 Goals<br />
Gardening -<br />
Plant a vegetable garden and record growth and yeild<br />
Clean front garden bed<br />
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Family Activites -<br />
Take the boys to the library once a week <br />
Take the boys to the park, local garden, nature center, etc once a week (weather permitting) <br />
Potty train Big Little - OH PLEASE LET THIS BE THE YEAR!<br />
Take a family photo once a month - you know it took me about 30 minutes of scanning though pictures to find one I am in!!! It was Christmas 2010. I need to be in more pictures of my kids will not be able to know what I looked like when I am gone. Not to be morbid - just practical. <br />
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Sewing -<br />
This is a new hobby for me but I really want to make it work<br />
Sew 7 dresses<br />
Sew 7 aprons<br />
Make master quilt out of baby blankets<br />
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Organizing -<br />
Clear out not used items - take to garage sale/good will<br />
Do a regular chore list (daily, weekly, monthly, season, kids)<br />
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Meal Planning -<br />
Freezer Meals<br />
Budget for 5 people average $250 a month (including toiletries, cleaning products, etc)<br />
Writing a monthly meal plan - and wait for it... STICK TO IT! <br />
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Now I know where I am going with this blog I am hoping I will keep up with it more... provided we don't have any more illnesses sideline us.Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-30157640213113719732011-03-25T09:01:00.002-04:002011-03-25T09:16:18.879-04:00Organization Challenge : Week 12Lets start off with some info. I was gone last week from the challenge. I was burnt out. I went back to some areas I organized only to see that they were back to the way they were before. The pantry cabinet, the paperwork clutter, the basement all back to the pre-challenge state. I was so defeated. I gave up. Then I read Laura's post from last week about being so proud that people were still keeping with the challenge. She was right. I needed to take a week off but I am back with new vision on what I want to accomplish.<br />
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This week? I purged. I purged like I was trying to get rid of a horrible illness. Actually I was. Clutter makes it hard to accomplish anything. The week that I cleaned the <a href="http://3ofakindisafullhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/basment-you-are-going-down.html">basement</a> I slept better than I have in a long while. Then my mother-in-law came over and we went through her stuff that is stored in our basement and made a huge mess all over again. (we didn't have a plan. It was very spur of the moment and the huge pile shows. I am happy it has been sorted through though. I now have to price it all for the garage sale) My sleep has gone back to the way it was before I cleaned the basement and that is not good.<br />
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I did not take before or after pictures of this week because it was just small piles that were a little bit out of control but easy for me to get back down before they got much bigger.<br />
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<b>Magazines </b>- We have about 10 different kinds of magazines that come into our home. I flip through them and then toss them in the bathroom for ..... ummm lets say extended stays. The pile can soon get to be 2 feet high in a matter of months. No bathroom is large enough to handle that much clutter but my 10x10 size room takes quite a visual beating with that many magazines in one location. It is now pared down to 5 magazines. How? Easy. I was keeping them because there was a recipe I wanted to keep. 130 some odd pages kept for just one half page recipe (in most cases). So one night I grabbed them, turned on <i>How I Met Your Mother</i> and ripped out the recipe and tossed the magazine into the recycling bin. Then I took those recipes and started typing them into Word (yes I could scan them but I want to be able to adjust them when I try them and if they are already in the system I can do the easier). Once I have them typed in they also meet the recycling bin to become reacquainted with their brethren. I rip them out because I can't always get them all typed in so if they are ripped out I can file them away until I can get to them, in case you were wondering. <br />
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<b>Kids Books</b> - I like to read to the Littles but they really don't offer too much opinions about what they want to hear at bedtime. I try giving options but two are too small to tell me yes or no (although I still give them the option) and Big Little has a communication delay so he also doesn't say yes or no when asked a question (still ask just to show him that we want a response).<br />
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Any-who... I am always grabbing the same few books off the 3 shelves we have. Mostly because we have 3 full shelves of books. Kids books are not that thick so that amounts to 100 or so books. I decided to go through them and keep one shelf. We keep them up so Middle Little can't rip them (he even rips board books!) but he has gotten to a few. The ones that were ripped were tossed into a box. It hurt so bad to get rid of books by way of recycling. I was in big pain over but in the end I had to realize that no one would want a book that was missing a page or two. Then I took out books that we never read because of subject matter. We had books that were for 7 and 8 year olds, books that were too scary for the Littles (I still have nightmares about Bearestine Bears Strangers), or ones that they just don't like the characters (as much as I like to think I don't gender stereotype, my boys really just don't care for princess stories) . I decided those could be sold at the garage sale to go to someone who would appreciate them. When they get to be older I know they will get more age appropriate books to replace those ones for older kids. Grandma is a teacher so Christmas and birthdays always come with a kiss and a book. We also request books at holiday time because so many friends and relatives don't have a ton of money and want to get the kids something. Books can be found at the dollar store and many other places for little money. Just need to remember the one in one out rule from now on!<br />
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<b>Paperwork/Paper clutter</b> - <a href="http://3ofakindisafullhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/organization-challenge-week-8.html">Haven't I done this already?</a> Yes, Yes I have. Yet we still have it piled in a basket on the kitchen table. I am not scrambling to try to find a bill like I was before, but I do have to dig through a lot of junk in a basket to find the bill. Well I am always saying "do what works for YOUR family" and this system was not working. Off to try something new. I read in one of my 10 magazines that you could save $720 in stamps alone if you go paperless. It also stops the clutter from even coming to your house. So I set up a folder on my computer and made sub-folders for each bill. Then I went to the website and requested paperless billing. I have the bills sent to my email and download the bill from there, placing it in the correct sub-folder. That way I have them in a place I know where they are and I don't have to find physical storage for them. I have just started this so we will see if it will work or not, but I am hopeful.<br />
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<b>Chores</b> - The last thing I did was streamline our chores. With the Littles I am finding that at the end of the day I was looking around thinking I accomplished nothing. I would write a to-do list every once in a while but there was always the same thing and half the time I couldn't remember when I did something last. Now this is one of those things that I found stuff that I thought would work on other peoples blogs, saved it and then never implemented it. I did this so long ago I don't remember who came up with the concept so I apologize if I don't credit everyone who came up with the ideas. It is a hodgepodge of ideas that I put together but not one idea is my own.<br />
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The daily chores and weekly chores are place on a word document. You can create one yourself buy writing down what you want to be done daily with 7 circles underneath each item (one for each day of the week) and then on the other side the name for the day of the week with that days chores under it, leaving a place to mark off that chore. You can then laminate it and use a dry erase marker to make your markings or print off 52 pages, up to you.<br />
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Some examples of my daily chores are:<br />
Make Beds<br />
Fill Dishwasher<br />
Empty Dishwasher<br />
Round up trash from bathroom, bedrooms and kitchen. Take out.<br />
Charge Phones<br />
Fill Diaper Bin<br />
Pick up toys<br />
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Some exsamples of my weekly chores are:<br />
<i>Sunday </i>- Meal plan<br />
review budget with Matt<br />
<i>Monday</i> - Wash Mom and Dad's clothes<br />
dust living room<br />
wash living room window<br />
<i>Tuesday</i> - Wash Kids clothes<br />
Clean fridge<br />
Mop Kitchen floors<br />
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You get the idea.<br />
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Then lastly I have a once a month plan to end the frustration of having to look at places I just organized get messy again. On the first of the month, each month I will (and the family can help too) be going though each room and doing some tasks to make sure things are not getting out of control. Example you say? Of course you know I love to explain myself more. In the living room we will be making sure books, dvd's and video games have not gotten out of control (one in one out). Kitchen will be straightening cabinets, taking stock of what we have, what we are low on, what we just didn't use. The list can go on, just pick things that fit your lifestyle and home. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So there is my week of the organization challenge. Are you finding places not staying as tidy as you had them? Did you hit "a wall" and need support to bust through it? </b></span>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-74632029471023606292011-03-20T19:41:00.002-04:002011-03-22T14:53:26.084-04:00Dishwasher SoapMy first item I tested for homemade vs mass produced was dishwasher soap. I found a recipe that many people said in the comments worked so I was very eager to try it. <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2010/07/homemade-dishwasher-soap.html">Homestead Revival</a> has it pretty well laid out as to why it works and what you need to make it. It consists of 3 basic ingredients that you can also use for homemade laundry soap - to be made at a later date - as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fnhuvZ-2PLDHd9WaTPrsYeGLSJQt4kzVBdoLHW7TxAJgC9Dj6mE_g6FE677Ot8eaQpucDyHJ8wsBsnIwR0xJcW5zk86MpcgvWwZc5DtLvAfHg2j3xDm4s2RIPxyqIJqPyoYr4MNn0Ewa/s1600/DSC05073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fnhuvZ-2PLDHd9WaTPrsYeGLSJQt4kzVBdoLHW7TxAJgC9Dj6mE_g6FE677Ot8eaQpucDyHJ8wsBsnIwR0xJcW5zk86MpcgvWwZc5DtLvAfHg2j3xDm4s2RIPxyqIJqPyoYr4MNn0Ewa/s320/DSC05073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The cost breakdown is about $1.17 to make homemade compared to about $3 for generic detergent.<br />
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How does it work? Well Amy from Homestead Revival explains that it is not a one size fits all type of thing. I feel that is very true. She said she used 1 and 1/2 teaspoons per load and I found that 1 and 1/4 worked a bit better in my dishwasher. It is something that needs to be played with a bit in order to get it to work well for you, but I truly feel it will work.<br />
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I did notice that it left a dullness to plastic items but the new commercial stuff does that as well. Here in Michigan (and many other places) mass producers of dishwasher detergent have been transitioning to phosphorous free soap. This has been making my dishes dull and sometimes doesn't clean as well. I consider the homemade stuff to work better than the new mass produced item. <br />
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As for time. It took me a total of 5 minutes to place it in a jar and shake. That was opening the boxes and getting out measuring cups. I will say that I had a hard time finding the Arm and Hammer Washing Soda at Wal-mart but I was able to find it at Meijer. I checked out the prices on Amazon and I would tell you to just go to the store. The prices online were MUCH higher without the cost of shipping. When that was added in you could buy one box at a store about 3 times over for the price they were charging on Amazon. <br />
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I feel this is certainly a recipe that is worth your time and energy to try. The cost is not outrageous and if you don't like it the supplies could be used for other items. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me know if you have tried this and how it worked for you.</span></div>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-71530585655188378782011-03-19T23:03:00.000-04:002011-03-19T23:03:07.052-04:00Making it myself or just buy it?As I look through many blogs I am finding a pattern in what I choose to click on. I am intrigued about making things from scratch and for-go buying the items already made. I then asked some friends if they were interested in knowing how to (or if it was worth it) and was surprised by the answer. People actually do care about this stuff and it isn't just me who is fascinated by this subject (although with the amount of blogs I look at to find the recipes I want to try I shouldn't be surprised. It seems our culture is trying to find a balance between what we did in the past and what we do currently.)<br />
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So let me start this series of blogs off with a run down of why I am looking at homemade versus mass produced products. There are a few factors that cross my mind and may cross yours too when you look at the reasons to choose one method or another. Here is my list to reason why I am making one choice over another.<br />
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Cost Comparison -<br />
In this day and age many people look at ways to cut corners. Yes you can save most of the time making items yourself but not always. For example - toothpaste. When you factor in supplies, storage, time to make and overall effectiveness I have not found a homemade toothpaste recipe that can do a better job than it's mass produced counter parts. If you match up coupons and sales you almost always can get toothpaste for free if you don't care about the brand. If you are brand loyal, most of the time you still can get away with spending no more than $3 every few months (for our family. We don't go through a ton of toothpaste because many of our inhabitants have yet to get all their teeth).<br />
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I will break down each item I make and give you the mass produced items price and the homemade price. This will help you figure out if you even want to try the recipe. I will use the same formula on everything but not everything will fit all categories. The formula will look like this:<br />
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<i>Mass Produce Price</i> - <i>not on sale</i> - This will be easy since I just have to look at the tag. Remember regions and stores vary. It will just be a way for me (and you) to see what you could expect to pay if you were to get this item.<br />
<i>Home Made Price </i><br />
Then you will see a breakdown of the homemade product. For this I will use the cost per unit, per ingredient,to get a total cost.<br />
<i>Time</i> - Our time is important so I will give you about how long it took of actual work to make the item. Some items take a long time but not much I have to involve myself in. For example, one item takes the time of me pouring it, adding an ingredient or two and waiting a few months. I will include all of this when I give the breakdown.<br />
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Pride<br />
Yes it is a deadly sin to be prideful, but I just don't know how else to explain it. When you make something out of pretty basic ingredients and share it with someone else you get a sense of joy from their acknowledgment. I like it when I receive complements about a carrot cake or brownies (man we like sugar in our house!). It makes me feel like more than just a mom.<br />
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Knowing what is in the products we use and consume<br />
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Ahh the big one! I will have to say that this is probably the second most popular reason people choose to try homemade. Well I am just going to get this out there now... Two buzz words that really bug me are "green" and "organic". I sometimes feel more compelled NOT to do something when those words are thrown around than I am to actually think "oh this is a product I should use". I am not an expert on the subject nor do I want to be. I am pretty sure that these words are used just like the words "new and improved" on products. They are just put on items to sell them most of the time. Well I am not buying it big business!<br />
Rant Over<br />
I will say that I do care about how many chemicals are in my house. It isn't so much the whole BH - blah blah blah, but more the fact that an item gets so processed that who the heck knows if it will hurt you years from now. I strongly believe that "whole" items (foods or items we have in our home) are best. Once again not something I am too passionate about to do a ton of research on or get a degree in. Just a mom with three boys who wants to do the best she feels she can for her family.<br />
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Fear<br />
I have had this section going in my head for a week. I have wanted to explain this part without making anyone nervous for me or even put the idea in your heads. I have no idea how to explain this but I will try my best and hope it comes across how I intend it to, here it goes....<br />
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I strongly believe that another reason we are turning to the "old way" of doing things is also set some in fear. It could be a fear of money, a fear of loss of production, a fear of survival. With hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, unemployment, etc happening all over the world I can not help but see that people seem to think the end is near. We all have a fear of the unknown and when you can see things when they happen it becomes even more scary.<br />
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I don't care for a political or religious debate on this because I find those subjects to be very personal. It just gets messy and one person blames this and that person and it goes on and on. As for religion my stance is I don't want you telling me what you believe unsolicited so I won't do it to you. (I hope that isn't taken harshly.)<br />
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Connection<br />
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With social media being everywhere - and most people know I love me some Facebook - it seems we are disconnected because we are so connected. I am so drawn to how my grandmother did things now because I feel isolated as a stay at home mom of 3 (wonderful) little Littles. As I learn these skills or relearn in some cases, I feel that I am connecting my children and myself to our past. We are making tangible items and in turn making a connection with each other with memories.<br />
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Those are the main things that I think are drawing myself and others to the "homemade" items. Do you think there is a reason that stands out more than the others as to why you are interested in trying instead of buying? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-6266434217427434532011-03-17T12:35:00.004-04:002011-03-17T12:49:56.023-04:00Happy St Patrick's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAImJ5VVjAlysinKXTAbLPMNgK0qtc7dRcwUJ6SsfPRdfO8VIauh8OKLk7A-rjMwuXNza8sU4v9E-RngVn532M__OP_c2WUSmpmVpf02kOMwLdYqCjFL04xnNTOEX1nvx-TJJXbCZd9z0/s1600/DSC05032.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAImJ5VVjAlysinKXTAbLPMNgK0qtc7dRcwUJ6SsfPRdfO8VIauh8OKLk7A-rjMwuXNza8sU4v9E-RngVn532M__OP_c2WUSmpmVpf02kOMwLdYqCjFL04xnNTOEX1nvx-TJJXbCZd9z0/s400/DSC05032.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
We have many traditions in our house for almost every holiday. St. Patrick's Day is no exception. For the day - and sometimes week - I am cooking festive meals. We always have the corned beef and potatoes (no one around here likes cabbage all that much). The boys and Mom get a Shamrock Shake from Mc D's and share. We also take a photo of our leprechauns dressed in green. This year I did not pick out their clothes because it was a hectic morning. Kids screaming first thing in the morning, Little Little up all night long and I only had breakfasts that required at least 90 seconds in the microwave. Apparently 90 seconds causes meltdowns in one year olds. Once we got breakfast squared away, Little Little wanted to eat - leaving Mom out of "commission" for at least 20 minutes. Dad stepped in and got the Littles clothes around. I have learned not to complain about what he picks out because he is helping. If I don't want him to help all I have to do is criticize his choices. Since I need the help I have learned to let some things go. This is no exception. I asked why he got a yellow shirt for Middle Little and green pants. He said that is just what he grabbed. I went with it because honestly they are kids and within 20 minutes will have something on their clothes. I was impressed that all three Littles had something green! Dad did too! He isn't into holidays as much as I am, but I did tell Big Little to pinch Daddy so maybe he didn't want to get pinched.<br />
Usually we go to the park as well. It is the first warm day most of the time and we celebrate buy going outside. This year we will be doing that this weekend. I can not get all three to the park by myself - and Dad is at work in the evening. I will make sure that when Big Little gets off the bus we will spend some time in the yard before digging into our Irish Feast.<br />
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Do you have a tradition? I would love to hear what you do to celebrate this fun holiday. <br />
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<div style="clear: both;"></div>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-18671486128823417052011-03-10T20:53:00.003-05:002011-03-10T20:58:19.401-05:00Organization Challenge: Kids ClothesI can not believe it is Friday. Really, Friday? Well I guess when you get as little sleep as I do the days really run together. Since it is Friday it means another week of 'The Challenge". I kinda took it a tad easy but did something that has been driving me crazy for a LONG time. The kids clothes.<br />
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I have a small 2 year old (3 in April) a chunky 1 year old and a even chunkier 2 month old. I have clothes for them ranging from newborn to 4T. I had an idea that I would go through the boxes and keep only 14 items of each size. Meaning I would keep 14 pairs of pants in size 2T, 14 pairs in size 6-9 months, etc. This created a HUGE mess because I would have to go through each item of clothing and inspect for stains, holes, rips, etc. Then I also had to remember that what my oldest wore at 6 months would not be the same thing my 2 month old would wear when he is at that age - I live in a state with seasons. It was just a daunting task and seemed to cause more work than what was needed. I also attempted this when I was very pregnant with Little Little and could barely get everyday tasks done. <br />
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Today I decided I would have one tote per size. I sat them out and looked at the tags only when sorting. I didn't care if they had stains or what-not because when I get to placing them in the drawers I would pull those out if I need to. I may need to keep some stained clothes for painting or gardening as well. It took me all of 30 minutes to get through 7 boxes of clothes - and they are FULL boxes. I slapped a label on the boxes and put them in the basement for clothing changes when I need to.<br />
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Since Little Little is the last of the babies (unless the doctors didn't get the clips just right) once he is out of a size, the clothing will be placed in our large family garage sale we hold every summer. If an item is too stained I plan on cutting the piece up into squares for picnic blankets.<br />
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So why am I using a large tote to hold just one size? My kids are very lucky in the gift department from family and friends. I have tried to tell people that they don't have to buy them things but have found that people love to buy baby clothes. I have to admit I have a hard time not getting a clearance Target item here and there. When we get a article of clothing for holidays, birthdays, just because I have room to put the item away until they are ready to wear them. I have some new items from Christmas that I just left the tags on when I was sorting. I didn't see the need in making more work for myself.<br />
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There is my tip for organizing - Don't make more work for yourself. Changing a plan that isn't working is ok. This journey is for you and your family. Organization is not a one size fits all, much like my kids clothing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z7hDwVTq_Pr1MYX7nVg-LW2WG-Tg6QMr1kaH-ut-TL9B9Y9pqMfAx2U619rJIQNGY9yMEus4rA_EsUwi3FY-_gqUhT_IoHYpk49nmRdLApC8b5Xswz3MnkAYnR_t9YR2pZkywvqncbz8/s1600/DSC04821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z7hDwVTq_Pr1MYX7nVg-LW2WG-Tg6QMr1kaH-ut-TL9B9Y9pqMfAx2U619rJIQNGY9yMEus4rA_EsUwi3FY-_gqUhT_IoHYpk49nmRdLApC8b5Xswz3MnkAYnR_t9YR2pZkywvqncbz8/s320/DSC04821.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle Little and Big Little </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-17011790495529226382011-03-09T20:51:00.000-05:002011-03-09T20:51:46.740-05:00Make Ahead BreakfastAhh Breakfast. The most important meal of the day and yet the hardest one to get on the table to eat. I have never been a huge breakfast person. When it was just me, I would skip breakfast many times because I was in a big hurry. I would sleep in and then have no time to eat and still get to where I needed to be in time. Then you add in 3 little growing boys to the mix and not only did I have to get food on the table for myself but also some screaming toddlers. <br />
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I find breakfast to be even more stressful than dinner (the whole "witching hour" thing) to get on the table when you have little ones. The main reason is they wake up because they are hungry and crying is the fastest way of communication at this age. Most days I have to wake up at 5am to get up before Big and Medium Little and I have been up at least 2 times with Little Little. I have been trying to teach the older ones to sleep until 7am but it seems that 6am is the time they want to start stirring. So how does a groggy mommy get meals around that a 1 and 3 year old can eat without much help because I am tending to a 2 month old? I make my breakfast a month or so ahead of time. If I didn't we would be eating sugary cereal all the time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuuRGxN3dKleilfMyM2KNvTVU_gem0kgcmZEZ2UkuMjQEu0q0JkGnlYLu97tVwZmlvchipj0uTEVHFrOORHm0KSpsJMcx9AL0QrQDrx1xp57Ioyt4uJ_mFb9zwOZmb1G4J4osHDuqmtxP/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuuRGxN3dKleilfMyM2KNvTVU_gem0kgcmZEZ2UkuMjQEu0q0JkGnlYLu97tVwZmlvchipj0uTEVHFrOORHm0KSpsJMcx9AL0QrQDrx1xp57Ioyt4uJ_mFb9zwOZmb1G4J4osHDuqmtxP/s320/breakfast.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=6190798">Stock Photo</a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">Planning Ahead</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am a big planner but you don't have to be to eat a nice breakfast. I have some standard recipes that require little more than an hour to make many and then a microwave to reheat for 90 seconds in the morning. I also have some that you need to get out the night before and then pop in the oven in the morning. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I choose one day to make many different types of breakfast items and then kick the kids out of the kitchen. Dad is the only one in charge that day and Mom is 100% off limits to taking care of children. I have also spent a week making 2 or 3 dishes at nap time each day. The best way to set up any make ahead cooking is to choose one or two main ingredients and work off from those. It is also important to remember that you don't have to have a sausage based meal every day, for example, but you can make 4 sausage based items and have them throughout a month or two. It won't get repetitive if you don't want it to. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">How do I find what to make?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I have found a wonderful site for inspiration of make-a-head meals. <a href="http://lifeasmom.com/">Life as a Mom</a> is a great resource for ideas of how to cook ahead of time, what meals work and ones that don't, and how to store foods. I have also found that going online and looking for OAMC (once a month cooking) meals I can get an idea of things that I would like to try. When trying a recipe I always make it small, test in the freezer and then try to eat it a few days later. I also send some to work with Dad to get their input as well. They are very good at telling me what needs to change, what they like, what they don't like, etc. Ultimately it is up to my family to make the decision because we will be eating it, but it nice to get other feedback from outside sources. I also try to make all my recipes toddler friendly. Since small children out number adults we try to have everything in a form little ones can eat them in. We don't sacrifice taste just sometimes the presentation is missing. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Some recipes I like (and so do the Littles)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/french-toast-sticks-oamc-125399">French Toast Sticks</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/sausage-breakfast-muffins-oamc-87629">Sausage Breakfast Muffins</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pancakes - make a ton, place on a cookie sheet, freeze for 30 minutes and place in a container. Placing on a cookie sheet will Flash Freeze them and keep them from sticking for the long term freeze. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Muffins - I have my favorite muffin mix and I store the DRY ingredients in a mason jar. When it is early on a Sunday morning I just have to add milk, veggie oil and a egg. Saves time because you are not getting measuring cups and many other ingredients out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Granola - I am working on my recipe for this. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">These are just a few that we have tried with success. I have a few that I want to try but haven't had time on my big cooking days. I also have a few that I like but need some tweaking to get just right. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you freezer cook? Anything you do to make breakfast less hectic?</span></div></div>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-4834987438166257232011-03-04T12:58:00.006-05:002011-03-04T13:12:51.123-05:00Basment you are going DOWN! It is the 9th week of the year. That means if you started the 52 week challenge at <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">I'm an Organizing Junkie</a> you should have 9 areas of your house clean and put together. If you do - way to go! If you don't, you are not alone.<br />
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I started behind - about a month - because of Little Little's birth. Then I also have projects started but not finished. I don't have the money to finish these areas the way I want. That has not stopped me from starting a project and completing until I get to the point where I would have to spend money to finish it. I write down what I would like to get (or make) to complete the area and move on. Well this week is no exception, the basement.<br />
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That area is our family dumping ground as I am sure it is for many people out there. Don't know what to do with it? Send it to the basement. Don't have room for it on the main floor? Send it to the basement. Needs to go elsewhere but don't have time to take it there? Send it to the basement. Well our basement was starting to look like it belonged on <i>Hoarders</i>. <i>Side note : I love that show. It motivates me to keep cleaning so I don't end up like the home owners featured on the show. I also get stressed out sometimes when it is really bad (just plain trash and animal ones really bother me) and have to turn it off. Dad likes that I get so worked up over a show. I don't know why he loves seeing me like that, but he laughs when I see the doors of the homes open and have a shear look of horror on my face.</i> Back to my house.<br />
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I took some time the week back from the hospital and put some items away that were in the basement. That still did not do the job and our basement looked like this at the start of this week:<br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lets see, a treadmill owned by my mother-in-law, a few boxes filled with who knows what, behind me is a mound of toys that belong to the Littles, and a craft table that hasn't seen a craft in over 3 years. Let me just tell you that this is a big improvement from what it was January 1st. Picture totes of clothes and many other items in this space as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> This week I was determined to spend one hour a day down here and get it picked up. Just like every other project I have done so far I started in one area and worked around the room. In this room it was most important to start in the back and move to the middle. So on Monday I spent an hour working on the craft area and on Tuesday I turned around and worked on the toys. Dumping out things in a big pile and putting in a area designated for keeping, tossing and garage sale. <--- I would NOT normally keep items for a garage sale because I HATE holding them. Thankfully my family does a very large one every year and all you have to do is bring your items priced with your initials. My aunts do the rest of the hard work and we have a big pizza party on the last day. So I am going to keep the items in my basement until June, take them to the garage sale and what doesn't sell we donate to goodwill.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was not able to work more on Wednesday and Thursday because the Littles decided sleep was for the weak and were up all night. They also didn't do it at the same time and once I got one back to sleep the next would wake up. Lets just say when 9pm rolled around I was in bed as well. The basement does now look like this:</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwqsXssEKy0rz99ZYEukAPHf1lwZOJCqr2MPzmimXLDEq13Lf6EF0gRCjO8gITtuPREYHReK1929zpxbGPgBD996I-nCuSgHdm2dRLxCzChUleAnJWZveKWBzk5kv6-jyrc0lVx30iygH/s1600/DSC05002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwqsXssEKy0rz99ZYEukAPHf1lwZOJCqr2MPzmimXLDEq13Lf6EF0gRCjO8gITtuPREYHReK1929zpxbGPgBD996I-nCuSgHdm2dRLxCzChUleAnJWZveKWBzk5kv6-jyrc0lVx30iygH/s400/DSC05002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A work in progress</td></tr>
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The toys are moved onto a mat that will protect the Littles when they are playing. I did not measure so I need to get a few more packages of tiles but I put down what I had on hand. We picked these up at Menards for 6.95 per set of 4. I need about 4 more sets to get the floor covered. Our basement leaked some a few years back so it was important to get something that we could lift up and replace in case it happened again.<br />
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This project also has some "need to do later" items. I want to build a better unit to hold the toys and act as a wall to keep the children more contained in the play area. Right now they have access to the hot water heater if I am not watching them like a hawk. Middle Little is very quick now so it is a dangerous situation. I also want to move the couch and craft table to make it a more workable area. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What did you do this week? Are there any areas you don't start because you can't finish the way you would like because of money/time restraints?</b></span><br />
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Thank you for stopping by. I now have to take a nap, the Littles are becoming quite the handful. <br />
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</a></div>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-77534032616175941732011-02-26T20:38:00.001-05:002011-02-26T20:39:04.100-05:00Organization Challenge: Week 8?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Well it looks like it has been 8 weeks since the start of the new year. As stated previously I am a bit behind on the challenge because of the whole baby thing. *Who just learned how to smile this week!* So I am trying to catch up. I have made a bit of progress actually on catching up and was able to do 2 projects on my list this week.<br />
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On Saturday my parents took Big and Middle Little and kept them until Sunday. Dad, Little Little and I went to Menards (a home improvement store) to look for some supplies. I had gone there before Christmas and purchased some items that had rebates on them. At their store the rebates are given in store credit checks, so I could only go there to use the money. No big deal since I was buying the stuff anyways, it just made for an incentive to go there. Anyways, we did not have a set plan on what we were getting and since it had been quite a while since we have both been in public together we kinda got off track. Lets just say we were very distracted by the large store and spent a few hours looking at all the stuff we could get and left with very little. We did get an under the bed storage tote (on wheels!) for the baby blankets I have.<br />
<i>(Note to all potential mothers/fathers when and if you have a baby shower wait until ALL items are received before you open and wash them. Baby blankets were a hot item at my showers and I have children who are not fond of blankets. I have have over 30 receiving blankets. I put them in the tote and will be making quilting squares out of them to make 4 large quilts (one for each bed). The fabric is cute and it will be something the Littles can take with them when they <strike>get out</strike> leave our home.)</i><br />
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We also picked up 2 upright laundry baskets since they take up less space and are easier to lug two around when I have to take it down stairs - who are we kidding Dad does all the laundry at our house. Lastly I picked up a canvas drop cloth. This was not because we were painting. Nope it was so I could make a canvas covered box out of a diaper box. Wanna know how? <a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/02/lets-make-something-together-lined.html">Check this out!</a> So easy to do. It could work on any heavy box, not just a diaper one.<br />
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The plan was to complete many projects that are just too darn hard when Big and Middle want to help. Big has a thing with pealing stickers off from everything and when you are trying to place a label on something that just does not work. That was the PLAN but me and plans are not always the best of friends. After spending a few hours at the store and watching TV without someone crawling on us we soon saw our day slip away. I had to do something though. Something needed to be crossed off that list. That wonderful list of projects I made. 52 projects to be exact. So I put my little helper in his swing and sat on the floor staring at the pantry cupboard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrpKJBpxXl7SiNXHxWtlnAtg4mTwdvq6j9kN4lA6fibh3ncYcc86z7IhyqQUcjgY8CBKyc5wQvTsT5Qdj-bPeFefK1HcJhyphenhyphenivjtvFQs92_fVaDc95EhkCPbxive1bZ7xETv3h_Yi2Ulm9/s1600/DSC04934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrpKJBpxXl7SiNXHxWtlnAtg4mTwdvq6j9kN4lA6fibh3ncYcc86z7IhyqQUcjgY8CBKyc5wQvTsT5Qdj-bPeFefK1HcJhyphenhyphenivjtvFQs92_fVaDc95EhkCPbxive1bZ7xETv3h_Yi2Ulm9/s320/DSC04934.JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything just thrown in there. I couldn't get the door to stay shut.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmscYR60xqJUysAiqQ8EGpO4GFV4WFrMQASFOXGTt_HHKgqXeuougba7PyPY55z-qWOrR2eY6cTEy68inCcGgECgf9mhmT_AU86pB7sVVhG2ZUx0F-wrlMfvkXqdhvoDfl9XcQu4RRP-G/s1600/DSC04935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmscYR60xqJUysAiqQ8EGpO4GFV4WFrMQASFOXGTt_HHKgqXeuougba7PyPY55z-qWOrR2eY6cTEy68inCcGgECgf9mhmT_AU86pB7sVVhG2ZUx0F-wrlMfvkXqdhvoDfl9XcQu4RRP-G/s200/DSC04935.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Little supervising. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Just like I did with the spice cabinet I cleared everything out and put items into groups. Not a whole lot was no needed, a few can goods that I bought thinking they were something else (those went to a local food drive). Everything just basically needed to be straightened and put with it's proper group. It is a deep cupboard and I very much envy those of you who have a real pantry. This is what I was given in this house and I need to find a way to make it work. Once again I have a "to be completed at a later date" because I don't have the time to get it done 100% the way I would like. I want to build drawers so I can see what is lurking behind the tall bins of flour and oatmeal. For now I have to be satisfied the pasta is with the pasta and the baking supplies are all grouped together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxjrhOQEilmqwk6xFW7_toGda_aE9VaUDRajmPbpi02CZONcFBQ4FHgP61e127z-GRwPDcDj4xD-nPXvA1pBhP-4PabQGGYxwriiUys880JV1QSOfVe25DfYyivO5t3qdTEbPd61e1wP5/s1600/DSC04938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxjrhOQEilmqwk6xFW7_toGda_aE9VaUDRajmPbpi02CZONcFBQ4FHgP61e127z-GRwPDcDj4xD-nPXvA1pBhP-4PabQGGYxwriiUys880JV1QSOfVe25DfYyivO5t3qdTEbPd61e1wP5/s320/DSC04938.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing what a little grouping of "like" items can do. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Another thing that has been bothering me is mail/paper clutter. In our house paper clutter comes in mostly by way of the mail box. We also have a special needs child so we get notes home from preschool and doctors visits periodically. Most of it gets read and placed where ever we can keep it out of reach of the children. It could be the kitchen counter, bookcase, mantel, kitchen table, and my personal favorite place to stash paper clutter, a messenger bag. When a bill is about to be due it is a mad scramble for about 30 minutes to find said paperwork and envelope. Then even longer to find checkbook and stamps. A few times we had to go straight to the bank on the day the house bill was due because I couldn't find the bill.<br />
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I have seen people making household notebooks for a few months. Actually it was <a href="http://lifeasmom.com/">Life as Mom</a> talking about her household notebook that brought me to <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">I am an organizing junkie</a> where the challenge was put forth. I tried to make a notebook last year but found much of the suggested items not fitting with my family. We are a young family who live in the computer era. I live a little less with technology than Dad does, considering that is his livelihood, but I do love my smart phone. I use apps for almost everything I could use a page for in a notebook. I did, however, take the idea to organize our incoming papers. We keep a notebook in a place that is easy to access (although I will admit it hasn't found a permanent home) so when those papers come in they have a home.<br />
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I took the binder I was sent home from the hospital with (I already had 2 but they insisted I take it) and used the tab pages to make my own pocket folders. It was very simple with spray adhesive and thick card stock.<br />
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Here are my pages:<br />
<b>Mail Me</b> - Items that need to go out in the mail that day.<br />
<b>Sign Me</b> - Bills that need to be signed and other paperwork that needs a signature (think school permissions)<br />
<b>File Me</b> - Items that need to be placed in a file just in case. <br />
<b>Document Me</b> - If it just needs to be noted but not kept. Kids check-up info, notes from school, etc<br />
<b>Scan Me</b> - If we just need to have a computer file of it and not a hard copy. We do this with our bills and kids art projects. <br />
<b>Destroy Me</b> - Those pesky credit card offers and other things that need to meet the shredder. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pzn6TRvPX2lHwxRiFtdPgLDYtNnZ6inLObEnZCBxYmjYNMk1CrTNyIIWrlGf4Mk1fuLfw6CuZ94IICURQVN4wlWDperM5Og2jkvE93bA3SiB_JUaYlTOuWonfi7HbDBn6Psj2Jpx-aZl/s1600/DSC04971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pzn6TRvPX2lHwxRiFtdPgLDYtNnZ6inLObEnZCBxYmjYNMk1CrTNyIIWrlGf4Mk1fuLfw6CuZ94IICURQVN4wlWDperM5Og2jkvE93bA3SiB_JUaYlTOuWonfi7HbDBn6Psj2Jpx-aZl/s400/DSC04971.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visual for the ones out there who are like me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HMEFutzf_UD81t0HKt58f94Hkoz1rcwApvSk0xU5KAt3g6thyRkhOfnO20n6x2e6Nr3L2EPf_0B5q8bBCMMm2Xo9KYWl91eUXuqOsJ5hFHSLFD_ekcH5U3qXw9MKdx5L6jwp1YfM18q7/s1600/DSC04969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HMEFutzf_UD81t0HKt58f94Hkoz1rcwApvSk0xU5KAt3g6thyRkhOfnO20n6x2e6Nr3L2EPf_0B5q8bBCMMm2Xo9KYWl91eUXuqOsJ5hFHSLFD_ekcH5U3qXw9MKdx5L6jwp1YfM18q7/s320/DSC04969.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also added a pocket for pens, checkbook, stamps, envelopes and address labels. </td></tr>
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<br />
So that was my week of <strike>the road to recovery </strike>organizing. How did you do? Any struggles? Check out <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/52-weeks">52 Week challenge</a> for more inspiration or information about how you can get going on your own journey. It is never to late to start but if you need a reason or season, Spring is right around the corner and you can use it as a way to give rebirth to your home.Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-91724837642835140602011-02-23T19:43:00.001-05:002011-02-23T19:44:23.058-05:00Why did I buy box cake mixes all these years?!?This week I set out to do some testing of recipes I ripped out of magazines, printed off from a website, or were given to me in some other way. Those recipes were placed in a folder, thrown in a box, strew about my house like I was trying to wallpaper with them or something. Yeah it was not a pretty picture. It was also a waste of resources, something I am trying to get a better handle on this year. So I pulled out 3 recipes I had most if not all the ingredients for to try and see if I should keep them or send them to the big brown bin (our recycling bin is brown). The easiest to try without a second adult to control the Littles was a carrot cake. Our family LOVES carrot cake so it seemed like a perfect match. Plus I found some baby carrots I bought two weeks ago in the back of the fridge. I ripped out the recipe from the <i>All You</i> magazine but since it was torn out who knows when I can't give you the issue date or anything. The cake turned out great (and in one day was gone) and made me realize I will never buy a box cake mix again. The cake was so wonderful and with much more carrots than you would find from whatever brand you choose at the store. Plus I <i>know </i>what was in the cake. True that doesn't make it less calories but darn it there has to be something said for knowing and pronouncing all the ingredients in your cooking. If you are interested in trying it yourself I can tell you that you won't be disappointed.<br />
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Classic Carrot Layer Cake<br />
Prep:20 Minutes<br />
Bake:45 Minutes<br />
Cool: 2 Hours <--- this is what they say. I tossed mine in the fridge and cut it down by an hour with no issues.<br />
Serves: 12 (Normal cake slices. We slice ours HUGE. It is a tad on the rich side though and those big slices were hard to finish)<br />
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Cake:<br />
2 cups of all-purpose flour <br />
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder<br />
1 teaspoon of baking soda<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
2 teaspoons cinnamon<br />
1/2 teaspoon allspice<br />
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves<br />
1 1/2 cups sugar<br />
3/4 cup canola oil<br />
1/2 cup buttermilk<i> (I buy my butter milk and freeze it since I only cook with it. Just have to stir it when you thaw it out)</i><br />
3 large eggs<br />
3 cups of shredded carrots <i>(I placed mine in the food processor and hit puree. I did NOT wait for it to get liquidfied just nice small chunks. If you feel like you could shred them on a grater but I don't have the patience for that kind of work.)</i><br />
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Frosting:<br />
8oz cream cheese, at room temp<br />
5 Tablespoons of unsalted butter, at room temp <br />
2/3 cup of packed dark brown sugar <i>(it calls for dark but I used light and it turned out just fine)</i><br />
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract<br />
3 cups of powder sugar<br />
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<br />
1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 2 8- inch round cake pans. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. In another bowl, whisk sugar, oil, buttermilk and eggs. Pour oil mixture into flour mixture and stir just until evenly moistened. *it will be thick* Fold in carrots.<br />
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2. Scrape batter into cake pans; smooth tops. Bake until cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cakes cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes then invert cakes onto rack to cool completely. (This is where I put them in the fridge to speed up the process)<br />
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3. Make frosting: In a bowl, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add brown sugar and vanilla and beat until sugar is completely dissolved. Add powder sugar and salt and beat on low speed until smooth and spreadable. <i>*note. I did not follow these directions and put it all in the bowl and tried to mix it. While it did work to be a nice frosting, when spreading it I found some chunks of cream cheese that did not get blended well. Not a big deal to the taste overall just didn't look so great. </i><br />
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4. Place on cake layer on a serving plate, spoon about 1 cup of frosting into the center and spread with a knife. Place second layer on top and spread remaining frosting on top and sides. <br />
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Trust me you will never make it from a box again!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg9nTxWGzQtLY7Inz6nFoT_F7fjpMvYJvDaQSAGFKB5YY6t76LiFWCPxx_KBn0kEqDgcvNPSU7OHMxLnPqr07SkCzdgyIEXBeunv2SsuZRFE9E4cqRk-3JQrnBb8r97_188He-yxlFxYW/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg9nTxWGzQtLY7Inz6nFoT_F7fjpMvYJvDaQSAGFKB5YY6t76LiFWCPxx_KBn0kEqDgcvNPSU7OHMxLnPqr07SkCzdgyIEXBeunv2SsuZRFE9E4cqRk-3JQrnBb8r97_188He-yxlFxYW/s400/cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-38640356231401334252011-02-22T20:12:00.005-05:002011-02-22T20:14:59.150-05:00What I should be doing<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I should be doing is picking up the toys and vacuuming the living room. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I should be doing is folding the laundry and putting it all away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I should be doing is the dishes - unloading and then reloading the dishwasher. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I should be doing is cleaning the bathroom - top to bottom. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The list could go on.</span></div>What I AM doing is sitting on the computer wasting my time looking at blogs and facebook. I am ignoring that pile of dishes and basket full of laundry. The Littles are all sleeping for the moment and I am enjoying the peace and quiet for a moment. I would feel a little guilty about this after Big and even Middle Little were born but now that Little Little is here I take pride in the fact that they were dressed and I was showered. That everyone was fed 3 meals and some snacks. Big Little made it to and from school with no notes about him pushing a kid (I haven't had those notes ever BTW). If I get anything more than that done in a day consider it a bonus.<br />
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I am enjoying seeing Little Little make his first "not gas" smiles. Middle Little learning to communicate with small syllables and pointing. Big Little out of the blue picking up all his toys and putting them away (yeah he did that today. I said we will be eating lunch in 10 minutes and he started picking up all his toys with no one asking him to. So impressed). I am enjoying making small treats for my family, 100% from scratch carrot cake, Dad's favorite.<br />
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So take some time to look around you and ignore the TO-DO list for a night. It will still be there in the morning but you will have taken the time to enjoy what you have. 10 years from now you will not remember the night the dishes weren't done but you will remember when you learned your 3 year old can clean up without being asked.Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-43575684929089017932011-02-21T09:27:00.005-05:002011-02-21T18:11:05.583-05:00Menu Planning for 2-21Good Monday morning - and in my little land it is a cold snowy one at that. Hey wasn't their a rodent that said this should all be gone soon? I am pretty sure he just phoned it in this year since there was no way he could have got out of his little hole with all the snow. I say it was a taped piece. Yeah, Groundhog conspiracy I say!<br />
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Man I can really get worked up when the Littles have have all banded together and decided 5:30am is the new wake up time. Well lets talk about what we are eating this week. In an effort to use up what we have before we get more it is a bit more of the hodge podge mess you saw last week. I do have 3 new things to bring into the test kitchen and one new snack that made it's way onto the menu after a snafu testing something last night (an explanation will follow soon).<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the daily breakdown -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Monday</b></span><br />
<i>Breakfast</i> - Scrabbled Eggs Apples</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Lunch</i> - "Hot Pocket" sandwiches (from the test kitchen last week and I am working on getting these recipes up soon) </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Dinner</i> - Leftover Pizza (from Jet's, so greasy and bad for you but it is a treat from time to time)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b></span> <br />
<i>Breakfast</i> - <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/french-toast-sticks-oamc-125399">Homemade Frozen French Toast Sticks</a> (I make them with my own homemade bread)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lunch</i> - Leftovers or Sandwiches</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dinner</i> - Chili over noodles <--- the reason for the noodles is I used spaghetti sauce as my tomato base and it really needs the pasta to help with the flavor. It is not a recipe that can be eaten alone as chili. I froze the chili around Christmas when I was making <a href="http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgiftsoup/beef-chili-soup-mix.html">these Chili in a Jar for gifts</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> </span><i> </i><br />
<i>Breakfast</i> - Yogurt </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lunch</i> - Leftovers or Sandwiches</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dinner</i> - <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-parmesan-oamc-309659">Chicken Parmesan from the freezer</a> Instant Alfredo noodles sneaking in some puree peas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday</span></b> <i> </i><br />
<i>Breakfast</i> - <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/french-toast-sticks-oamc-125399">Homemade Frozen French Toast Sticks </a>Oranges</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Lunch</i> - Leftovers or Sandwiches</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dinner</i> - Pot Roast <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/make-ahead-potatoes-oamc-259412">mash potatoes from the freezer </a> frozen mixed veggies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b></span> <i> </i><br />
<i>Breakfast</i> - Scrambled Eggs Apples</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Lunch</i> - Sandwiches </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Dinner</i> - Fajitas for Mom and Dad. Quesadillas for the Littles because they are the same thing as ours just in an easier to eat form. Spanish Rice Black Beans</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday</span></b> <i> </i><br />
<i>Breakfast</i> - Breakfast Bake (working on the recipe to share</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lunch</i> - Test Kitchen Bean Veggie Burgers or Sandwich as a fall back</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dinner</i> - Chicken Chunks <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/make-ahead-potatoes-oamc-259412">mash potatoes from the freezer</a> mixed veggies </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday</span></b> <i> </i><br />
<i>Breakfast</i> - <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/clone-of-a-cinnabon/Detail.aspx">Clone of Cinnabon </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Lunch</i> - Leftovers or takeout</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Dinner</i> - Pulled Roast Beef Sandwiches <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/oven-potato-wedges-oamc-396419">Potato Wedges from the freezer</a> Broccoli</div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Snacks</b></span> -<i>When you have toddlers, opinionated little people, you can't just say this is your snack eat it. Well you could, but in my house it will be thrown to the floor is they didn't think that sounded good that day. In order to let them have some independence about what they are eating I let them choose from some snacks we have on hand. I do not let them choose main meals because I am not a short order cook, they eat what we eat although it may be in a easier to eat form. </i><br />
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It is Big Little's snack day today so he is taking in some store bought animal crackers. We also have hard pretzels, string cheese, grapes and the accidental crackers that were made last night in the test kitchen. A post to follow of how that happened. <br />
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So this week I am working on getting Test Kitchen tab with some of the recipes we have tried and succeed with. The test kitchen is just that, I am testing 2 or 3 recipes to see if our family will like them. This week IN the test kitchen is going to be Black Bean Veggie Burgers, Homemade Soft Pretzels and 100% Scratch Carrot Cake. We will be testing them for taste and if they stand up to being placed in the freezer to be eaten at a later date. I will be explaining my Test Kitchen process in the tab/page when I create it so please check back if this interests you. <br />
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And since I don't have a picture of any meals this week (I like blogs with pictures) I will leave you with all three Littles during a mommy photo shoot. Why I think I will get all 3 of them looking in one direction is beyond me. All the Sears Photography training was wasted on me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQuXNFXSgHsX9ByoqeKCieBwrWismYMI8LqUm3t8Y3aUzsmwioyJf05wKrngsOSFLIPANhAyH9L6u27htPGiAhyphenhyphenKav9p6Z7tBT7kNzhO8s4FaRv215em7XfktmUcm4NCrYpk7S5n9YiAn/s1600/DSC04879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQuXNFXSgHsX9ByoqeKCieBwrWismYMI8LqUm3t8Y3aUzsmwioyJf05wKrngsOSFLIPANhAyH9L6u27htPGiAhyphenhyphenKav9p6Z7tBT7kNzhO8s4FaRv215em7XfktmUcm4NCrYpk7S5n9YiAn/s400/DSC04879.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle Little and Little Little ready for the picture. Big Little had an important phone call he needed to take. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-60268342184143827692011-02-17T20:10:00.000-05:002011-02-17T20:10:09.061-05:00Week 1 through 6: Changing PlansI started the year in the hospital. It was not suppose to be that way but things were not documented properly and the date of my c-section for Little Little was moved from December 30th to January 3rd. I cried and screamed and was so very upset about the change in plans. I hate that I get so worked up when plans change but I have always been that way. Looking at it objectively I feel like a fool for acting the way I did and always do. Everything works out fine, Big and Medium Little were fine, Dad was able to be there for the birth and visit at least once a day.<br />
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I have to take this new project and rework it so I can get some order in my life. The project I speak of is the 52 Organization project over at <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">I'm an Organizing Junkie</a>. I have all 52 projects written out and because I was starting later than most people (you know a newborn will do that to ya) I was panicking to get caught up.<br />
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Well two things happened in my need to do what others were doing. First I created more work for myself because the 5 projects I had written first were very difficult to complete with the Littles running around. I tried doing them after the kids had gone to bed but that left me so darn tired I didn't want to continue. I got discouraged and kept putting it off. Second I felt like a failure for not getting those things done I couldn't see what I could do in 20, 15 even 10 minutes and start getting things crossed off.<br />
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Today I decided to change some plans. No kicking and screaming, just going forward and start crossing things off that list. As soon as I got Big Little on the bus, Medium Little down for a nap and Little Little fed and placed in his swing I set to work on the spice cabinet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk0nawLnHoYfUHRAyCj7CFTOIYbz6R28DECwhRxA0iAgyKhyphenhyphengKcVP1TQ8mxXIjNHjoQBN4iEra2b55WCQucq6DT3Pn8wVL9rqQHgU1itotDyM83SKlVSnggwMO48lrp6c6wauOUCSL0Qx/s1600/DSC04908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk0nawLnHoYfUHRAyCj7CFTOIYbz6R28DECwhRxA0iAgyKhyphenhyphengKcVP1TQ8mxXIjNHjoQBN4iEra2b55WCQucq6DT3Pn8wVL9rqQHgU1itotDyM83SKlVSnggwMO48lrp6c6wauOUCSL0Qx/s320/DSC04908.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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Oh what a mess! I had things in there that were donated by others who were cleaning out their cabinets (why do I take peoples things that they don't want!?), things that we had and made us sick (yeah Sesame Oil does not agree with our family) and things I had for recipes that we did not like. I also had two jars of baking powder and two boxes of baking soda opened and half used. Not to mention a box of Nestle Quick that had maybe half a teaspoon left of powder in it. I blame that one on the hormones since chocolate milk was my craving item with Little Little.<br />
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I cleared everything out of the cupboard to see what I had and didn't need.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CuRtS7DvF8dHy2vDpTA2e-M0B95c8uTbx4R9F-7FgeLxIxuU9irWvzjWodjzPmGQyi0SIRtG-_58bn-_ifZyNde3oo_N9afsz6mYOxj6laHoL6UgNIF_ApVYODLikKA1h48Pbw1GhNjg/s1600/DSC04912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CuRtS7DvF8dHy2vDpTA2e-M0B95c8uTbx4R9F-7FgeLxIxuU9irWvzjWodjzPmGQyi0SIRtG-_58bn-_ifZyNde3oo_N9afsz6mYOxj6laHoL6UgNIF_ApVYODLikKA1h48Pbw1GhNjg/s320/DSC04912.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Pulled the trash can right up to the counter and if it was something I know we haven't used in the past year, was pretty much empty or made us sick (that sesame oil) it went in the trash. I figured this would keep me from second guessing myself and thinking I would use it and store it for another 4 years. Spices are hard for me to let go because I could see the price tag on some of those items and $4 is a lot for such a small item. Alas if it won't get used what does it matter if it was $400 or .04, it is wasting space and needs to go.<br />
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I placed spices I use, but not daily, in the back. The daily ones were in the front and I filled the counter spice rack up with the extra bottles I had. All the baking items (powder, soda, extracts and coco) were grouped together on the second shelf. I also put more commonly used items in the front and placed soup bases in the back. On the third shelf I placed a container I had just collecting random stuff on the counter and used it for sprinkles and food coloring. Since this shelf is so high up (and I am only 5 foot ) I put items that I only use for special occasions (like cookie, cake and cupcake decorating).<br />
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I want to make a list of what is in the cupboard, place it in a page protector, and tape it on the inside of the door. That way I don't end up with 5 chili powders (yeah that happened) or start a recipe only to have to frantically have Dad run to the store, then come home, then run back because I accidentally said soda and needed powder (yeah that happened too. He came back with 3 baking powders and 3 baking sodas so he didn't have to go out a third time). For now I am happy with my clean cupboard and will get to the list over the weekend.Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-57122321067033183822011-02-15T12:22:00.002-05:002011-02-21T11:01:48.706-05:00Something newToday I am working in the kitchen while the 2 Littles are taking naps and the Big Little is off at school. If my kitchen was remotely clean enough that I would be ok showing it on the internet I would show you each step but I have 3 little ones under foot at all times so flour is thrown everywhere and measuring cups are strewn about with no disregard for their well being. <br />
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What I am making is a combination of two recipes. I am horrible at making dough from scratch. Who knows what I am doing wrong and I have given up trying to figure it out. That is why I depend on my bread maker almost as much as I depend on my mom (and I call her at least once a week just to chat, much more if I have a problem). I found a <a href="http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/article/46/17753">pizza dough recipe</a> that I have made many times and it works great. I add some garlic powder and parsley to give it a kick, just raid your spice cabinet if you are feeling adventurous. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The other part is this <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/07/kids-week-homemade-hot-pockets.html">homemade hot pocket</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/07/kids-week-homemade-hot-pockets.html">Photo Source</a></td></tr>
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I am trying to use my above pizza dough instead of the dough they make, because as stated before I make paste more than dough. I also am using the leftover meat pasta sauce from last nights dinner as a filling, some mozzarella cheese, peperoni and bacon (we LOVE meat pizzas). The test will be if they hold up to the freezer for lunches. If they do then HALLELUJAH! we can start the filling trials.<br />
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So here I go back to the kitchen before someone wakes up.Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-34858275671073462912011-02-14T16:53:00.000-05:002011-02-14T16:53:17.701-05:00Monday Meal Plan - OH and it is a holiday!What a day.... already. This is why I am happy to have a freezer full of meals so I don't have to scramble with 2 toddlers screaming at the kitchen door and an infant crying to get fed as well. The boys started getting up at 4am and as soon as I had one back asleep someone else was crying and wanting to get up. I know I shouldn't wish for these days to go away since they grow up so fast, but today was a day where I just wish someone could express themselves in another way than screaming and caring on. <br />
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Anyways.... for my Valentines I made these <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/clone-of-a-cinnabon/Detail.aspx">clone of cinnabon cinnamon rolls</a> for their special breakfast. I put the dough together last night (up until 11pm and had I known what my morning would have looked like I might not have stayed up that late) and sliced them into 12 large rolls. Wrapped with plastic wrap and placed in the fridge to pop in the oven this morning. I sent my husband to work with 6 of them and we ate a few this morning and have some saved for treats tonight. The plan was to make homemade ravioli but there was no way I could being as tired as I was so the plan was changed to just plan ol' spaghetti, made by wonderful Daddy.<br />
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Here is the rest of the week...<br />
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Monday - Breakfast - Cinnamon Rolls<br />
Lunch - Sandwiches<br />
Dinner - Spaghetti<br />
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Tuesday - Breakfast - Yogurt and Oatmeal<br />
Lunch - Leftovers or Sandwiches<br />
Dinner-Chicken Strips (from a bag, need to use them up)<br />
<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/make-ahead-potatoes-oamc-259412">mash potatoes from the freezer</a> <br />
peas<br />
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Wednesday Breakfast - <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/french-toast-sticks-oamc-125399">French Toast Sticks from the freezer</a><br />
Lunch Leftovers or Sandwiches<br />
Dinner- <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/shepherds-pie-oamc-294235">Shepherds Pie from the freezer</a><br />
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Thursday Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs and Fruit<br />
Lunch - Leftovers or Sandwiches<br />
Dinner- Fajitas from the freezer<br />
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Friday Breakfast - Yogurt and Oatmeal<br />
Lunch - Sandwiches<br />
Dinner- <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-taco-wraps-for-oamc-114397">Chicken Rice Wraps from the freezer</a><br />
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Saturday and Sunday- Big and Medium Little will be at Grandma and Grandpa's so YIPPIE - Mom and Dad can go out to eat - The insanity of it all has our fridge plastered with coupons to a whole bunch of places so we can choose on those days!<br />
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It is alot of hodge podge this week because I am trying to use up the food before I spend another weekend of cooking to fill it back up again. I have a few chicken dishes to try and of course some sweets. In March Dad will start working first shift for a month so I will have someone who can chase kids in the evening. It makes it easier to try new recipes (but I always have that loaf of bread and peanut butter in case they fail).Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839851654837815811.post-73386570670958140782011-02-11T13:58:00.000-05:002011-02-11T14:09:55.198-05:00WelcomeAh yes 3 of a kind is a full house. That describes our life as a family of 5 with 3 of the members being little boys. We have Mom, Dad, Big Little (who will be 3 in April), Medium Little (who just turned one in the beginning of January) and Little Little (who was just born a few days before Medium Little turned one). We are all living in a 2 bedroom home that was not set up to handle more than 3. We make it work but this blog is mostly going to be about our journey to make it work better. <br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"> <span style="color: #f4cccc;">So how will we try to do that? </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We will post about our organizing projects to make our life more streamline. Mom is also into crafting and plans on making things that will serve a purpose and maybe a few that just look cute. Dad likes to earn money on many of the point sites like Mypoints and Swagbucks and he has tricks to share if I can pull him away from watching the videos for points. We have many interests, guessing because Mom was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 16 and if you met Dad you would say he also has the letters. We love to share those interests and thought this was the best way. Expect to see a post about everything from food to furniture making at some point. </span><br />
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<div style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>Why a blog?</i></div><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Really why <i>not</i> a blog. </span></span><i><span style="color: blue;"> </span></i>To be honest if you look online in 2011 EVERYONE has a blog. They are just so easy to create that I think they may just replace every ones Facebook profiles. Since there are so many blogs out there, people have access to share and get ideas in a way that can be time consuming (or time wasting as usually the case around here). This is just another way for our family to share what we found to be cool and maybe you would want to try.<br />
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Now remember we have 3 under 3 so it may take some time to get this up and running so check back often. We are really happy you stopped by.Three of a Kindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820929035445676476noreply@blogger.com0