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Paper Towel Alternative

We have had a few spring like days here in Nebraska. I love it! It is making me think about spring cleaning! I will be having radiation the next 6 weeks, so I will have to do mine in baby steps. I am planning on working in a different “zone” of my home each week, 15 minutes a day. Hopefully by the time I’m done with radiation my house will be de-cluttered and sparkling clean!!

I was inspired by this post at Clean Momma. She is someone who knows sparkly clean! I loved the idea of getting rid of paper products. It kills me to spend money on paper towels, and we were going through them like crazy! I do still keep one roll around for those nasty type spills, you know, like when you accidentally drop an egg? Or when the raw chicken leaks onto the counter? Yuck!

Both the jar and the cloths are from Target. If I did it over again, I would get a more quality cloth, like these. If you are an Amazon shopper, and want to buy the jar, here is a link.

Clean Momma also got rid of paper napkins and cloths to wash her children’s faces. She said she is saving at least $20.00 a month by not having to buy paper products!

Even though I am not a fan of bleach, I do occasionally bleach these white cloths. I also started keeping the jar under my sink, as I wanted a bit more counter space. If I had more room, I would for sure keep it on the counter, it is handy and I think the jar actually looks pretty!

Are you getting the itch to spring clean?

De-clutter?

**I’m happy to be linking to these parties.

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION/ HOME

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #43

***Please, please, please read before linking.

There are 2 areas to link up, with 2 different themes. Read more below and please link up in the right area. Thanks!***

To learn more of what this is all about, read this post.

To read my original “Doozy List,” read this post.

To read my “Summer Doozy List” read this post.

Hi Everyone! Welcome to AP Tuesday!

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying this Valentines Day! I know I am, and want to get back to my husband, so this will be short and sweet. I will do features sometime this week.

I posted a to-do list at last weeks AP Tuesday, in hopes that your accountability would help me get some stuff done. Here is that list:

~~Hotspot on bench in kitchen~~

~~Hot spot on desk upstairs~~

Paperwork sorted

~~Budget~~

Make phone calls

Deal with starred emails in gmail

Thank you notes

~~Decide on supplements to continue taking and what brand~~

Hang up clean clothes

~~Write posts for the week~~

~~Make some blog buttons on Picnik~~

Straighten study closet

Straighten my closet

Clean out refrigerator

~~Straighten~~ ~~pantry~~

~~Write list of post ideas~~

~~Room rescue~~ ~~sunroom~~

~~Write AP Tuesday post:)~~

Many of the items that are not crossed off were actually done, but need done again! Isn’t that just life??

Feel free to write your own little “to do” list in my comment section. I love seeing what others need to get busy doing, it reminds me of things that need to be on my list that are not. If you share, I’d love for you come back to AP Tuesday next week and let me know what you got done, whether in a post link up or in the comment section. I love hearing from you!

Be encouraged, Be Inspired, And Get Something Done!

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***Stop And Read Before Linking!***

I will have 2 different themes for you to link to. Please choose the correct theme, or I will need to delete your link. Thanks!

***Anti-Procrastination Themed

~things you want to accomplish (lists, goals, projects)

~goals you did accomplish

~thoughts on procrastination/ways you beat procrastination

***Flexible Themed Posts

~Recipes

~Crafts

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION/ HOME

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #42

***Please, please, please read before linking.

There are 2 areas to link up, with 2 different themes. Read more below and please link up in the right area. Thanks!***

To learn more of what this is all about, read this post.

To read my original “Doozy List,” read this post.

To read my “Summer Doozy List” read this post.

Hi Everyone! Welcome to AP Tuesday!

I am gonna start a mini-list right here!

I gotta get some stuff done by next AP Tuesday, so here it is:

Hotspot on bench in kitchen

Hot spot on desk upstairs

Paperwork sorted

Budget

Make phone calls

Deal with starred emails in gmail

Thank you notes

Decide on supplements to continue taking and what brand

Hang up clean clothes

Write posts for the week

Make some blog buttons on Picnik

Straighten study closet

Straighten my closet

Clean out refrigerator

Straighten pantry

Write list of post ideas

Room rescue sunroom

~~Write AP Tuesday post:)~~

Last Weeks Most Clicked On AP Posts:

30 For 30 @ Simply Step Back

This is a great idea! She picked 30 items to wear for 30 days. If you visit her blog and click on home, you will see some of the super cute outfits she has made with her thirty items! LOVE THIS IDEA!!

My Organized Schedule @ Home Made By KiKi

The cards are so cute and laminated, how great that they are a free download. This could be a cute gift for someone tied with a bow.

Last Weeks Most Clicked On Flexible Posts:

3 Minute Chocolate Mug Brownies @ Frugal Christian Living

She makes mugs of brownies after snow play in place of hot chocolate. Yummy fun! Only a few ingredients to chocolate heaven. I want to try this with coconut oil and sucanat:)

Rate My Space Little Girl Bedroom @ Thrifty and Fabulous

So cute, she submitted it to HGTV website and got featured! Go vote for her!!

Be encouraged, Be Inspired, And Get Something Done!

<center><a href=”https://www.amynewnostalgia.com/”><img border=”0″ src=”https://www.amynewnostalgia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/7393129504_TCNCj.jpg” /></a></center>

***Stop And Read Before Linking!***

I will have 2 different themes for you to link to. Please choose the correct theme, or I will need to delete your link. Thanks!

***Anti-Procrastination Themed

~things you want to accomplish (lists, goals, projects)

~goals you did accomplish

~thoughts on procrastination/ways you beat procrastination

***Flexible Themed

~Crafts

~Recipes

HOME/ How-Tos/ RECIPES/ Simplifying

Menu Planning For The Whole Family

**This is a guest post from Lisa @ The Pennington Point

Not being a natural cook, I have to stay organized or most of our meals would consist of frozen corn dogs and ‘Nilla Wafers. By teaching myself to make a plan, make a list and write it all down I do much better in the dinner department.

Having several kids that are old enough to cook, you can bet I get them in on the work. I assigned them each a morning to make breakfast and night to cook dinner and they decide what they want to prepare. On Sunday they each give me a list of what they need for their meals. I have veto power, of course. Sometimes I change their plan, especially when their meal includes ingredients that cost more than our monthly budget.

Once I have their list, I figure out what we need for the rest of the week and head to the store. I do NOT let myself buy anything that is not on my list. Just making that rule for myself has saved me a lot of money, especially considering my weakness for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. If they are not on the list then I can’t buy them (Sometimes I put them on the list; I’m not a martyr).

Once I get home with the groceries, I write out the menu while the kids put everything away. I found a magnetic calendar that I keep on the fridge with the menu for the week. The one I use is not available anymore, but there are several on Amazon that would work just the same, or you can simply use paper. I write the whole week of meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, on the board.

With the menu on the fridge and the ingredients in the pantry, we all know what to expect. Anyone can look at the list to see what we are having any given meal. Another benefit, if Mommy sleeps late or is busy reading blogs the kids can just look at the menu and make their own breakfast….not that I would ever do that, but you know….other people might have that problem.

This simple system has saved me time, money and the headache of stopping at 5:00 and trying to figure out what to make for dinner. Each morning I look at the list and do the dinner prep in advance. If there’s soup for dinner, I can chop the onions during the day. I can toss bread in the bread machine or mix up the dry ingredients for cornbread any time.

I have a few helpers (besides my children) that keep the work load light. My rice steamer is a lifesaver. I can toss brown rice in the steamer in the morning and it stays hot until we eat it that night. My bread machine makes whole wheat bread, which is helpful when I haven’t had time to bake. I love my blender wand for making soups. If you could only start with one of these…I’d say get a steamer. You can get one at Target for less than $30 and it will change your life.

To sum up: meal plan (let the kids plan one meal), list, shopping, menu on the fridge. So, so, so easy. If I can make it work, believe me….anyone can!

Thank You, Lisa!

I love how you get your kids involved. I was just thinking this week about how old my girls are getting and how important it is that I teach them how to cook! I think the best way is to have them do it themselves on a regular basis, your post confirmed my thoughts.

For More of Lisa please visit her blog, The Pennington Point. You won’t regret it. I especially love her home decor, she is bold but tasteful, and so homey. Isn’t that piano to die for? Yes, she is bold enough to paint her piano blue, and I LOVE IT!

THE PENNINGTON POINT–The experiences of mothering a large family on a budget, keeping a lovely home and training children Biblically

Lisa’s Etsy Shop— Personalized with a fresh perspective

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION/ HOME

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #41

***Please, please, please read before linking.

There are 2 areas to link up, with 2 different themes. Read more below and please link up in the right area. Thanks!***

To learn more of what this is all about, read this post.

To read my original “Doozy List,” read this post.

To read my “Summer Doozy List” read this post.

Hi Everyone! Welcome to AP Tuesday!

Oh boy, do I feel like a loser for even hosting a party with such a name!! I am queen of procrastination right now!!

I think I need to write a post with pics of all the things I am putting off, so you all can laugh at me and then hold me accountable to get something done around here! Much of it is home organization stuff. Yes, I think I may take some pics and use you all to help me get myself in order. Until then, I will just be inspired by your link ups. 🙂

Last Weeks Most Clicked On Posts:

Simplfy For The New Year: The Desk @ A Home Made By Kiki

Declutter BEFORE You Shop @ Thrifty 101

Declutter 365 Things @ Who Is Laura

Homemade Granola Bars @ Feathers In Our Nest

Be encouraged, Be Inspired, And Get Something Done!

***Stop And Read Before Linking!***

I will have 2 different themes for you to link to. Please choose the correct theme, or I will need to delete your link. Thanks!

***Anti-Procrastination Themed

~things you want to accomplish (lists, goals, projects)

~goals you did accomplish

~thoughts on procrastination/ways you beat procrastination

***Flexible Themed

~Crafts

~Recipes

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION/ HOME

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #

***Please, please, please read before linking.

There are 2 areas to link up, with 2 different themes. Read more below and please link up in the right area. Thanks!***

To learn more of what this is all about, read this post.

To read my original “Doozy List,” read this post.

To read my “Summer Doozy List” read this post.

Hi Everyone! Welcome to AP Tuesday!

ATTENTION ALL BLOGGERS:

I am looking for some guest posts while I heal from my mastectomy surgery.

~If you are interested, please submit your post with attached photos to amysb963@gmail.com

~I will choose a few to use the week of my surgery, and as needed the following weeks as I heal.

~I would like them to be on the subject of organizing, simplifying, or a healthy recipe.

~If I decide to use your submitted post, I will contact you and let you know when.

Thank you so much!!

Be encouraged, Be Inspired, And Get Something Done!

***Stop And Read Before Linking!***

HOME/ Organizing

Pretty Pantry Makeover Story

**This is a guest post from Sarah @ A Little Of This And A Little Of That“

One of the reasons we bought our house was because of the enormous walk in pantry.

It can hold SO much food!

I’ve periodically organized it, and then my sweet husband, who loves to cook, would un-organize it for me. On a daily basis. I mean, I love when he cooks, but the pantry was getting out of control! Let me show you with some pictures. (EMBARRASSING!)

Lots of shelf space, lots of storage. My pantry was not being well utilized!

Also, our pantry has tons of room up top, and we could easily add another shelf for storage.

I really dislike having no color on the walls.

Off to Lowe’s I happily went to buy lumber, and some paint!

Here’s a quick run down of what I did to transform and organize my pantry:

* Take everything out of pantry (for a fresh start)

* Install new upper shelf

* Re-paint all shelves (Valspar Arctic White-semi gloss finish)

* Paint walls of pantry (Valspar Butterfly Bush-satin finish)

Here is a finished shot:

I’ll show you the different “areas” of my new and much improved pantry

Baking Center:

Glass Jars from Walmart, vinyl labels from Say it on the Wall.

I LOOOOOVE my glass jars. They are my *favorite* part of my new pantry.

Wicker Baskets from Target.

They have been AWESOME for holding all my baking stuff.

Spices:

I order my spices in bulk from San Francisco Herb Company. I bought mason jars, and labeled all my spices (with dates). It has been GREAT! I never run out of anything 🙂

We cook. ALOT. So, we have about every spice or seasoning known to man.

Snack Center:

This was purposely put on a high up shelf, out of reach of my little ones.

Sorry Miss J and Mr. A!

Basket from Walmart.

Container from Tupperware.

Large Glass Jars from Walmart and Goodwill.

Having the fruit snacks in a jar saves my pantry from having a lot of this crowding the shelves:

Canned and Dry Goods:

Notice that you can SEE all my canned goods.

I made simple “risers” out of some 2×4’s I had laying around.

I stacked three 2×4’s to raise up the very back row.

For the middle row, I stacked two 2×4’s.

The front row sits on the shelf.

A CHEAP and EASY solution for canned goods.

I LOVE keeping my pasta in these containers.

(they are from walmart, and are supposed to be for cereal).

You’ll notice the container on the left has spaghetti in it. I saw this genius idea on someone else’s blog. I can’t tell you how many times my spaghetti has spilled all over the floor. The box would never stay closed! Not anymore!

Rice and Beans in their own containers (all from walmart) and awaiting their turned to be properly labeled 😀

Here is a Final

BEFORE

AFTER

Tips for organizing YOUR space:

Take everything out of your pantry/cabinets, and start fresh.
Have all labels on cans, bottles, etc face outward. It looks clean and organized.
Get can risers (or MAKE them) for canned goods. It makes a huge difference!
LABEL everything. Even if you think it’s silly, it will help you stay organized.
Buy baskets to put the pesky stuff in. I used baskets for all my baking odds and ends (vanilla, baking powder/baking soda, food coloring, chocolate chips)
Paint can do wonders. It really brightened up my space.
Be consistent in putting stuff back where it goes!

_______________________

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your awesome pantry with us! I am so inspired, my pantry is a wreck right now!!

Other great posts @ “A Little Of This & A Little Of That”

Doormat + Paint = Wall Art

DYI {Kids} Art Display

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