a Saturday pantry re-do...

This past weekend I could take it no longer! My pantry was WAY out of control! I would find myself getting anxious just at the thought of having to go into it and TRY to find something. Plus, I didn't even know what was in there anymore -hiding behind all sorts of boxes and mess. So, I decided to make it my mission to get things in order and get my pantry back. I felt that getting things in order will only help my in my planning of meals and save me a bit of money (and my sanity!) in the long run.



 I started by just standing there, looking and feeling completely overwhelmed! HOW did I let this happen?
After those feelings of defeat left me I trudged along...my mind on the goal of a nice, clean, workable pantry space. I actually got inspired to even start this project from a blog called The Manly Housekeeper. Can you believe it? The site was great, though, and it gave me a great idea for organizing: plain ol' mason jars! This tip got me going in the right direction. 

So I started the task by taking everything out of the pantry first. You would be amazed as to how many empty boxes of crackers, cookies, and other strange things, lurked in there. Candy was hiding from goodness knows HOW long ago. Stray stale rice crispys, odd bits of sticky stuff and too many crumbs to count is what I encountered along the way...oh joy!

Oodles of tea bags, a minute amount of white chocolate chips,  bags of brown-stuff that I can't recognize! All on the counter it went- to sort through and to see what stays and what goes. And, a TON went bye-bye.

My main goal (other than a cleaner pantry) was to fill as many glass or see-through containers as I can.

That way, I could see "how much" was left and easily see when I needed more. So, I poured this sugar into a glass jar for easier reference. I then took a sharpie pen and wrote directly on the glass.



 One trick that I use is to use a permanent pen to label jars...when no longer needed, just wash off with soapy H2O. If you are really feeling crafty though, you can try another neat labeling idea: chalk board paint like at The Flibbertigibbet blog.  My friends, that know I like to paint ODD things, will be surprised I didn't do this. Well, I STILL plan on it, so there!! lol

So, moving on...

I tried to house similar like-minded items together. This is the baking shelf. Sprinkles, cake stuff, baking chips, etc... it is all right here for me, every time I need anything.

This spice rack was already here. I just went through it and got rid of super-old spices or empties.

As you can see, this is the spices shelf. I just used a cheap piece of masking tape to label it. Go ahead and fancy it up if you wish. I think that see-through containers are most important for me on this shelf. When one thing is running low I can quickly add it to the shopping list.

Jars and liquids...





My plastic grocery bags finally have a home of their own... in a reusable bag.

                                             

So, there you go... It really does look better in person than from this photo. I can see where everything goes and the kids (and husband) now know where to put things away (well...we'll see how that goes!)

true colors...

And I'll see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And that's why I love you

So don't be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

True colors are beautiful,

Like a rainbow

~ Cyndi Lauper-True Colors

My youngest daughter has been asking me for several months now for me to paint her room. The color on her walls was from when she used to share the room with her older sister. The color was a pretty periwinkle that was picked out by me. ME! Not HER! And so, there is where the issue arose. SHE wanted to pick out her OWN color for her OWN room.

Being a youngest child of the family growing up I could strongly relate to this! You see, being the youngest has a weird set of dynamics attached to it. Being the youngest gets one initiated into the you-get-everyone-else's-hand-me-downs club..whether you like it or not! This includes everything from that  'too-expensive  dress that Grandma bought and older sister never wore it, but hey..youngest daughter still has a shot at wearing it' ....to..... every odd toy, trinket, book, junky-this-and-that, that sister and brother no longer want but don't want to part with ...to... sisters old bedding, shoes, hair prettys and even underwear! So, realizing that youngest daughter is entitled to a little "piece of her own" from time to time, I accepted her offer to paint her room. I figured, a gallon of paint.. how hard could that be?.  huh....

I started the conversation with daughter as such, "so, I think we should look at some paint colors to get an idea of what would be nice for your room." Before I could even finish, my daughters eyes lit up so big and she lept up into the air for joy! Finally! This was HER time to have a little piece of herself. She then continued to tell me that she knew exactly what color(S) she wanted her room. Um. colors? Yep! Colors!!

She didn't want any more "boring" color in her room. She wanted to jazz it up with 2 brightish colors of teal and green. We took several trips to the paint stores and each and everytime she came back to the same two BRIGHTISH colors of teal and green. Even with Dad's gentle persuasion, this girl was in no-way going to budge from her colorful choices. Her mind was set! Her colorful imagination was going to be splashed across her bedroom walls, whether Mom or Dad liked it or not.

Now, I took time to rationalize this colorful decision (purchase) ahead of us. "Do I really want to stare at those brightish walls everyday? Do those colors even match? Do I let her "win" this and not step in and change her mind??" But the answer that yelled back to me was... nah! Run with it! This young(est) girl is HAPPY!

I went to make the paint purchase this past weekend. I had them mix 2 cans of paint - one gallon of Simply Aqua and one gallon of Celery. I went home and got right to work. Several hours later a little girls room was transformed into a brightish room of "WOW"! When husband came in he gave me a "Whoa! This sure is bright!". Son came in and didn't make a sound...he just gave me wide eyes, and walked back out. Oldest daughter gave me an "oh, MY!"  But, when youngest daughter walked in and saw her finished room for the first time, the effort, the cost, the brightishness was ALL worth it! Her first words were, "I just LOVE it! It is so nice and BRIGHT!!"

Not all of us have the same "colors" inside each of us. Some of us (like me) tend to be sage, tan, and boring beige's. Others, like my youngest, thrive on the brightest, boldest, loudest colors in the crayon box. And, you know what? That is really fine with me. I love her vibrant personality and her brightish walls! After all, that's why I love her.

still looking

Just recently my family and I have been on the hunt for a new couch.. or should I say sofa? Our current one is in its "senior" years of life. It is nearing its 14th year (which, in furniture years is pretty old!) I can still remember purchasing this couch. I was newly married and we had some extra money to blow. No kids yet. No pets. We purchased pretty much on "looks", but have been blessed with a piece of furniture that has held up. As the years have taken there toll, however, the sags are becoming more saggy. The bottom cushions have holes, tears, rips.. cleverly placed to "try" to hide them. The pretty sage green color has taken on many shades and variations. The back cushions' fluff has separated, causing big balls of uncomfortableness. Needless to go on, we NEED a new couch.
The hunt has begun and sadly it is proving to be quite a fierce one. Living in a smallish town with little to no decent shopping is not helping the matter! When we do encounter a worthy store, the merchandise is "um" or "ugh!" We are not looking for anything too fancy. Just something on the practical side, wish a dash of "somewhat tasteful." Ideally, we are looking for a sectional sofa with a sturdy fabric to last for at least the next decade or so. Something that can withstand 3 busy children and 2 scratching kitties would be a bonus!
So, in the meantime, the hunt continues.

old fashioned goodness

"Don't spent two dollars to dry clean a shirt. Donate it to the Salvation Army instead. They'll clean it and put it on a hanger. Next morning buy it back for seventy-five cents." - unknown

I clearly remember one Christmas opening up a gift my aunt gave me. It was from my eighty-something year old aunt from Texas. The gift was a bar of Fels-Naptha soap! Now, I was not married at the time and had no children. What the heck was I going to do with a bar of "heavy duty laundry bar soap"? That bar of soap sat dormant for many years. It moved from apartment, to house, to yet another house and so on. Perfectly intact in the wrapper, unused and really forgotten about.

Many years (and three children) I found that bar of soap. I believe I was washing something stained and was desperate to try anything! I unwrapped it and noticed the odd color. Golden-brown. I quickly began to rub the stain with the soap and was amazed at what happened next. The stain began to go away!! After that I became hooked. If you have never tried Fels-Naptha soap I think you should. It can be found in the laundry aisle at your local store. Some stores though, like Meijer, has is by the bar soap aisle.

Have you used Fels-Naptha soap? Tell me what you think.

-Poison Ivy Treatment: Fels Naptha has been used for over 100 years in the treatment and pervention of poison ivy, sumac and oak. If you are exposed to poison ivy and you have a reaction, simply shower with Fels Naptha to remove any resin left on the skin and it will help to dry up the rash as well.

-To clean your shower, rub a non-abrasive scouring sponge with a wet bar of Fels Naptha and start cleaning. It will take a little hard work the first time you use it but it will be a breeze after that.

-Washing with Fels Naptha can greatly reduce the itching and discomfort from bug bites.

-Though it is NOT a hand soap, it can cut even the grimiest of messes. Wash hands with Fels

Naptha to remove ink, grease, or a variety of other nasty stains. Again, remember that this can be a skin irritant and should be used carefully and only after reading the warning label on the soap.

-To clean paint brushes, simply drag the wet brush through a lathered bar of Fels Naptha and work in. Rinse well with warm water. The brushes stay soft and supple using this method.

-Fels Naptha Soap is a fantastic stain remover and pre-treater. It works especially well on oil-based stains. Just rub the stain with a wet bar of Fels Naptha Soap. Let it sit for a while and launder as usual. It works great on baby clothes which have formula stains.

* For chocolate smudge on clothes, rub the stain with Fels Naptha Soap and let sit in your filled washer with 20 Mule Team Borax for 30 minutes. Launder as usual.

* To remove Halloween makeup from clothing, simply work a little Fels Naptha into the stain and launder as usual. It may take a repeat washing to completely remove the stain.

* To clean white canvas tennis shoes, simply work the Fels Naptha Soap into a lather and use a soft brush to work into the canvas. Launder as usual without chlorine bleach.

* To remove old stains on colored clothes, make a solution of 2 cups warm water and 1/2 cup white vinegar. Pour on stain. Let soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse well and work in Fels Naptha Soap. Launder as usual.


Powdered Laundry Detergent 1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap 1/2 cup washing soda 1/2 cup 20 mule team borax Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For normal loads, use 2 tablespoon. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons.

are ya kidding me?

“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein

This is what I had staring back at me today! A heap of random socks with (or without) its mate. UGH!
I don't want to hear it! I know, some if not most of you would never have a monsterous pile of socks loitering around your home!! (..pat yourselves right now) For some reason though "the pile" tends to form every now and again...and, without prior warning. Today, the pile really got on my nerves and I just had to walk away from it. I know I will have to face it again, tomorrow perhaps. I think I may need a textile-intervention!