organized by cathy

Little Tin Cans

2011-07-21T20:41:00.001-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while because we have a brand new little blessing in our life! I'd like to introduce Nathaniel James, born December 24, 2010. He is the sweetest little guy, and truly is a gift from God. For the past six months I have been nursing, rocking, cuddling, kissing, playing, singing, and changing his diapers...at all hours of the day and night! Tonight he fell asleep right at his bedtime (what a little angel!) so what should I do with myself? oh yeah, I have a blog! ; )

I completed this project a while ago and it has been a lovely addition to our nursery. I saved four empty formula cans and covered them with pretty scrap booking paper. Then I personalized them with Nathaniel's nick-name, and set them along the back edge of his changing table.

I keep miscellaneous tiny items in them that I will need while bathing and dressing him. Some of the things I keep in them are cotton balls, a baby comb and brush, an extra rattle for him to play while I am changing his diapers, a thermometer and a nasal aspirator.

Reusing empty formula cans was an inexpensive and fun way for me to organize my baby's room. Not only are they pretty and functional, but they also add a nice personalized touch to his nursery, which I love!!

Happy organizing & saving,

Cathy : )

Make a Fun Jewelry Organizer

2011-02-19T00:36:00.001-08:00

What do Valentine's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day all have in common? Chocolate! And after all the chocolates are eaten, what do you do with the cute little containers they came in? This year, instead of throwing them away (or letting them clutter up your house) recycle them and use them to make a fun jewelry organizer. Here's how!

I made mine with this Ferrero Rocher Easter bunny, which came with hazelnut chocolates inside. I found it in the Easter candy section of my local grocery store. Make sure that your chocolates have plastic trays, and not the little paper cups inside. After all the chocolates are eaten, you are ready to start making your jewelry organizer!

First, I took out the paper bunny insert and used it as a template for my scrap booking paper.

Next, I drew a line around the bunny, and used a pair of scissors to cut it out.

Then I decorated it with stick on pearls and rhinestones.

Here is a close-up for you to see.

I laid my newly cut-out bunny rabbit on top of a matching piece of scrapbook paper. Then I traced a bigger bunny about 1/4 inch larger than the original and cut it out.

I used a non-toxic glue stick to glue the two together and...

Here it is! I slipped the scrapbook paper into the lid (on the left) and my earrings are in the tray (on the right.)

Kissy-kissy!

This will be pretty on top of my dresser with all of my favorite earrings inside. And did I mention how easy this project was? It was so simple that children can make one. And this would make such a cute Easter basket stuffer, too!

Here are the chocolates that came inside my bunny.

Who's been nibbling on them? Was it the Easter bunny?

It was my hubby, James! While I was crafting, he nibbled on some chocolates. : ) And I sneaked a few, myself, too. : )

Happy organizing, saving, & crafting,

Cathy

What did you Organize this Week?

2011-01-07T04:15:00.000-08:00

Its hard to believe the week is almost over! Did you finish your organizing project for the week? If so, awesome job! If not, keep up the great work! Be sure to keep the momentum going now that you’ve gotten the year off to a good start! These are pictures of my recipe books that I categorized by main dishes, soups, salads, etc. I also added a cute little basket for my grocery list pad and pens. So fun!

Happy organizing & saving!

Cathy

You're Invited to an Organizing Party!

2011-01-05T03:24:00.000-08:00

Happy new year everyone! Is one of your new year resolutions to become more organized in 2011? If so, today is your lucky day because you are invited to an organizing party!  

You are Invited: To an organizing party!
Where?: Organized by Cathy
When?: This week

Thats right! Its time for all of us to get together for an action packed week of organization and fun!

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by clutter? Would you like a little (or a lot) of moral support to help get you going and moving in the right organizing direction? If so, this party for you! There will be encouragement. There will be support. And the best part of all...there will be fun!

This picture is of Courtney Clark, Food Network chef and owner of Cake Nouveau, my favorite cupcake bakery in the whole wide world. Courtney’s shouting a great big “HOORAY” for all the the FUN we’re going to be having!! (Doesn’t this chocolate cupcake look yummy?)

Maybe you’d like to organize a drawer, a cupboard, or an entire closet. Or maybe you have a stack of mail to sort through, papers to shred, or filing to be done. Choose one small project to work on (and complete) by the end of this week. I will be beside you, cheering you on, encouraging you every step of the way!

When you’re finished, tell me what you organized, or send a picture for everyone to see! Wouldn't it be fun for the world to “oooh” and “aaah” over your accomplishments and celebrate with you?

Here's to a great new organizing year! Woo-hoo!

 Cathy

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-19T20:41:00.001-08:00

Organized by Cathy (that's me!) wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a HAPPY new year!

Christmas Cards...from Hurry to Happy!

2010-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

With the Christmas season quickly approaching, here’s a trick that I like to use to keep things simple and enjoyable during the holidays. I choose an evening to slip away and head out to my favorite book store (Borders.) I order a yummy holiday drink, search for the comfiest chair I can find, and sign my Christmas cards free from interruption with relaxing holiday music playing in the background.

Here are a few things I like to bring with me...

My address book
Christmas cards
Holiday stamps
A comfortable pen to write with
Return address labels
Christmas stickers
And a clip board to write on

This is one of my favorite traditions as the holiday season draws near. It gets me into the Christmas spirit, and makes me feel festive and happy. It sets the tone for the rest of the month as I finish the remainder of my holiday preparations. Maybe I'll even mail out my Christmas cards a wee bit earier this year!

Happy organizing, saving & getting ready for the holidays,

Cathy

Apple-Pie Order

2010-08-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! I hope you are having a terrific day!

Lately, I've been looking forward to September, and all the baked goodness that Autumn brings. And with October being right around the corner, I've been wondering where the phrase "apple-pie order" got its start. So, I did a little research on the web, and this is what I found...

The History Behind “Apple-Pie Order”

“The housewives of New England cut their apples in even slices. Then they filled pie pans with them in an organized way, row upon row. As one writer said, the women of New England loved to have everything in its place. This perhaps explains why it generally is believed that the expression apple-pie order began in New England.” (courtesy of voanews.com)

I can't wait to go apple picking this year and come home to bake-up all my favorite homemade goodies...apple sauce, apple turnovers, and of course, apple pie! Now is a great time to begin gathering recipes...ahhhh, I can smell the cinnamon already!

Happy organizing, saving & baking,

Cathy

My {Happy} Organizing Accident

2010-07-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Just last weekend I traveled to Southern California for my nephew's baptism day celebration. And while I only had a short amount of time to pack, I experienced a happy accident along the way. You see, purely by luck I discovered an already packed overnight bag ready and waiting for me in my closet! All I had to do was add a few things, and my overnight bag was ready to go! Yay!

You may be asking yourself, "Why did Cathy have an already packed overnight bag in her closet? And why is she so excited about it?" Let me just tell you! A couple of weeks ago, I planned to spend the weekend at my brother's house where my parents were visiting. I packed my bag, brought it with me, and ended up staying for only one night. When I got back home, I put the bag in my closet, intending to unpack it later that evening. Little did I realize, I forgot all about my packed bag...until it came time to pack it again!

For me this was a very happy accident! Then I had a light bulb moment. Wouldn't it be nice to keep a pre-packed overnight bag ready and waiting in my closet all the time? This way, whenever I need to spend the night again, my packing will be done in no time at all.

So that's exactly what I did!

Here are the contents of my (newly pre-packed) overnight bag...

an unopened toothbrush
a tube of toothpaste
shampoo & conditioner
a comb & ponytail holders
an extra blow dryer
a make-up bag
sunscreen
a baseball cap
a camera
a pair of pajamas
underwear and socks

The next time I go away for the weekend, all I have to do is pack a few outfits, some shoes, and I'll be ready to go! Easy! Who knew a little procrastination could actually lead to better organization? ; )

We had a wonderful time at my nephew's baptism, and the day couldn't have turned out nicer.

What items would you include in your own (pre-packed) overnight bag?

Happy organizing, saving & packing,

Cathy

Photo courtesy of Vanessa Christenson

An Attitude of Gratitude

2010-07-20T00:38:00.001-07:00

Today, I'm feeling grateful for this beautiful brick church across the street from our home in Michigan. Every afternoon, the church bells ring, and they are such a peaceful presence in our neighborhood.

Here is a lovely and inspiring quote written by Author Melodie Beattie...

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It runs what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

What are you feeling grateful for today?

Happy organizing, saving & feeling grateful,

Cathy

My "Real" To-Do List

2010-06-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon in the park watching my hubby play a game of volleyball. Afterward, we all went out for some ice cream, and as I waited for my chocolate sundae, a colorful ceramic plaque behind the counter caught my eye. It read...

The “Real” To-Do List
Sing
Smile at strangers
Keep learning
Notice kindness
Eat ice cream
Hope
Count your blessings
Laugh
Love
Love some more

This plaque makes me happy. Maybe because it reminds me of all the little things in life that really matter. In just three short months the summer will be over, the weather will be turning cooler, and the trees will be changing to the colors of Autumn.

I want to savor every last drop of summertime this year. I want to eat ice cream, go for long bike rides, and enjoy all of life's little blessings. So here's my own "real" to-do list this summer...

Go swimming
Pick a flower
Lay in the grass and look up at the clouds
Dance
Cuddle with my pet rabbit
Spend quality time with my family
Count the stars in the sky
Run my toes through the sand at the beach
Catch a firefly
Try something new
Read a book that I've always been curious about

What are some of the "real" things on your own to-do list this summer?

Happy organizing, saving & eating ice cream,

 Cathy

Photo courtesy of pet shed.

Organizing is like Dancing

2010-06-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

This beautiful young lady is my niece, Jianna. Last weekend, I helped her get ready for her end of the year dance recital. Jianna did a wonderful job and had lots of fun dancing with her friends!

She was so happy! And her Auntie Cathy is so proud of her!

If you like to dance just as much as Jianna and I do, you’ve probably heard of the term “muscle memory.” This is when our muscles remember movements even after our brains forget them (and why I can remember so many of the dances that I learned when I was Jianna's age...and all of the songs that go with them!) The more I practiced, the better I knew the steps, and so my muscles "remembered" the dances.

We all use our muscle memory for various daily living activities. While brushing our teeth, walking down the street, or driving a car, we are using our muscle memories. This is because when we do something repeatedly, pretty soon it becomes a natural reflex.

The same principal holds true for organizing. The more times we repeat a motion, the more likely we are to remember it. So lets pretend that every time I come home, I put my keys exactly where they belong (in the little yellow basket next to the back door.) If I do this on a regular basis, pretty soon I’m forming a new habit (or muscle memory) and the motion will become a part of my daily routine. But best of all, my keys will always be there, exactly where I hoped they would be.

Just like learning new dancing steps, we can practice new organizing steps, too. Is there one item in particular that you are consistently prone to losing? Like keys, a wallet or a cell phone? If so, exercise your memory muscles! Practice putting that one item away in the same location every single day. By doing this, you will be engaged in the process of creating a brand new daily habit. Eventually it will become second nature to you. And then guess what??? No more lost keys! Now that's really something to dance about! : )

Happy organizing, saving & dancing!

Cathy

Three Generations of Handwritten Recipes

2010-06-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Is there such a thing as organized handwriting? If so, my mom has it! Her handwriting is so pretty that it should be turned into a computer font. The interesting thing is, my own handwriting is very similar to my mom’s handwriting. Is it because I have the shape of her hands? Or is it because I've always wanted to have handwriting just as beautiful as hers? Maybe its a little bit of both. :)

Here is a recipe written by me. My handwriting resembles my mom’s, but the strokes are larger and a little bit rounder. I've always loved my mom’s handwriting...and I think that I have nice handwriting, too.

Below is a recipe written by my Grandma. The three of us have similar handwriting styles that all slant gently to the right. I feel so blessed to have my Grandma's recipes...like this one for apple jelly.

I recently got to wondering how my mom has been able to perfect her handwriting over the years. After thinking about this for a while, I realized that she always takes her time when she writes. Even when she makes her to-do lists, she always writes very slowly and intentionally. Each and every time she writes its as if she’s practicing the art of calligraphy.

Calligraphy seems to be such a lost art these days, and having nice handwriting comes in very "hand-y." From writing thank you notes and birthday cards, to labeling presents and pictures in a scrapbook - it seems like there is always a good reason for having pretty handwriting and for jotting something down.

We all have the potential to have nice handwriting. Ask yourself what you would like you’re handwriting to look like. Is there someone who has handwriting that you admire? Maybe you could check out a calligraphy book from the local library, or print out a computer font that you like. The key is to practice and take your time...even when writing checks and making to-do lists. Be patient and kind to yourself while you are practicing. And remember mistakes can always be erased.

There is a Japanese term called “kira-kira” that translates into “something that glitters." To me, my mom’s handwriting is kira-kira. And so are her hands. They are very graceful and her fingers are long and elegant. But what I love even more than the way they look, is all the good they have done throughout the years.

It would be fun for someone to analyze my handwriting someday. Is anybody a handwriting expert out there? :)

Happy organizing, saving, & writing by hand,

Cathy

Reusing Leftover Flower Vases

2010-05-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

My childhood friend, Julie, recently wrote to me with this question...

"Have you considered doing a segment on leftover flower vases? I mention this because I recently had a birthday and received a lovely vase of sunflowers (my favorite). Like most people, I have a whole bunch of flower vases stored away. What I'd really like are some ideas on what to do with them besides making flower arrangements."

I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Julie! I'd be delighted to share some of my organizing ideas for re-using leftover flower vases in your home. But first...

Making her appearance for the very first time, I'd like to introduce you to my adorable dog Sydney! She's a border collie/husky mix, and she's going to be my model for today. She was such a sweet little thing and sat so still while I took her picture. What a good girl!

Now, back to the flower vases! I used this leftover glass flower vase to plant an herb garden on my windowsill. I added little rocks to the bottom so the roots will have enough drainage to grow.

This particular variety of basil has purple flowers that I think are just beautiful. I'm going to be planting some rosemary, parsley, oregano, and cilantro, too.

Here are some more ideas for reusing leftover flower vases...
make-up brushes in the bathroom
extra toothbrushes in the bathroom
plastic combs in the bathroom
hair accessories in the closet
spare change in the closet
pens and pencils on desk
scissors in the arts & crafts room
paint brushes in the arts & crafts room
puppy treats in the pantry
people snacks in the pantry
scrub brushes under the kitchen sink
vitamins on the kitchen table
wooden spoons on the kitchen counter
yarn and knitting/crochet needles on a nightstand
lemons and limes as a centerpiece
breadsticks on the dinner table
sipping straws at a party
garden gloves in the garage
box tops in the garage
decks of cards in the game area

This is Sydney visiting with Sadie, our next door neighbor's dog. Isn't it amazing how they look so much alike and their names are so similar, too? Sydney and Sadie are best friends and have lots of fun getting together for play dates.

Playing is lots of hard work!

I think I need a rest.

Ready for playtime again!

Well, I'm off to go play ball with Sydney now! She loves to play as long as I chase her, and she won't retrieve unless I bring her puppy treats. (Is she a little spoiled, or what???;)) I hope you like these ideas for flower vases and until next time, happy organizing & saving!

Cathy : )

Everything & the Kitchen Sink

2010-05-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Good morning, everybody! I hope you are having a wonderful day! Today I’d like to share with you a few quick and easy kitchen organizing tips. Each of these will help you save time, and be more efficient all around the kitchen!

#1 - Laminate place mats on the dinner table means no more washing and drying the fabric kind. Not only are laminates lower maintenance, but they keep their color and last much longer, too. Just wipe up spills with a wet dish cloth, and you are ready to set the table!

#2 - Store eggs inside a berry bowl. Berry bowls are an "egg-cellent" way to store eggs within easy reach. Donate leftover cardboard containers to egg merchants at the local Farmer's Market.

#3 - Keep a stack of folded plastic trash bags inside the bottom of the kitchen garbage can. Every time the trash is taken out, a new bag will be ready and waiting!

#4 - Remove the utensil caddy from the dishwasher and place it inside the kitchen sink. This makes loading the dishwasher faster, and saves time when unloading it, too. Rinse and sort the silverware into the caddy and place it back inside the dishwasher when full.

Do you have any favorite tips that help you save time around the kitchen, too? If so, I'd love to hear them!

Happy organizing & saving time in the kitchen!

Cathy : )

Organizing Family Photos

2010-05-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

Boxes and bins and baskets, oh my! This is how I felt recently with over 1500 photos to organize. My goal was to go completely digital by scanning and backing them up on CDs. I finally accomplished this major project, and boy-oh-boy, does it feel good to be finished! If organizing photos is on your to-do list too, here are a few of my simple suggestions to help you get started and moving in the right direction...

Its a good idea to set aside time each day to work on sorting your photos. Even if your schedule is wide open, I’d still recommend just 30 minutes a day. It feels good to take your time. Look closely at each photo, and really enjoy them.

Group like-sized photos together. Some of my photos were 3x5, and others were 5x8. I separated them into two different stacks, and first scanned one pile, and then the other. A small number of photos were different sizes (like wallet or portrait photos) and I put these into their own piles, too. Each pile got it's own paper bag that I labeled by size to make the scanning process easier.

If possible, opt for a multi-photo scanner. This made scanning so much faster because I could feed in up to 20 photos at a time. Check with your local photo center to inquire if they have a multi-photo scanner. A flat bed scanner will work just fine, too.

Organize photos on the computer. Once I scanned my photos and uploaded them, I labeled them on my desktop by date, event and year. This way, I'll always be able to find them, right when I really want to use them.

Burn photos to CD for back-up. After I saved my photos on my desktop, I burned them to CDs, and made extras copies for back-up.

Choose a safe place to store back-up CD's. Store backup CDs inside a fireproof save or in a safety deposit box at the bank. They can also be saved and stored online at photo sharing websites such as Flickr.

Organize and store the original photographs. After I finished backing-up my photos, I separated, labeled and alphabetized the originals by the people and events in the photo. (For example: James' birthday, our Hawaiian vacation, John and Lora's Wedding, etc.) I keep them inside several pretty photo boxes which I store on a shelf in my office.

This was a very special journey for me as I took a walk down memory lane. I laughed, I cried, and I felt joy and gratitude for all the precious memories that my photos brought back to me. I hope these tips that I have learned will help you along your photo organizing journey, too!

Happy organizing, saving & picture taking,

Cathy

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

This adorable little girl is Elia, the daughter of our dear friends, Sandy and Shawn. Elia has been taking ballet lessons for the very first time this year. What a beautiful little ballerina!

I'm sending out a very special Mother's Day congratulations to Sandy and Shawn today...for the adoption of their newborn baby boy!! James and I are so very happy for you!!

And to you, mom, happy, happy, happy Mother's day! You are the kindest, sweetest, most loving and caring woman a girl could ever ask for in a mom. And I'm so proud to be your daughter. I love you!

Cathy
xxxooo

Polka-Dotted Push-Pins

2010-05-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

This morning, I was surprised and delighted to find this little visitor on my refrigerator!

Look! A ladybug! Isn't she cute? At first I thought she was a polka-dotted push-pin...until she got up and started walking away! I snapped a quick picture of her sitting on my bulletin board before I offered her some pastries and tea. ; )

I found another one crawling on my bathroom mirror.

And another one in my bedroom.

And another one on the lampshade in my living room.

It seems my whole house is being visited by ladybugs! I wonder why they're all coming inside? Maybe because its been a little bit chilly outside for the last couple of days. This one is sitting comfortably on my rocking chair. Would you like a cozy little blanket, ladybug? Some chamomile tea and furry slippers, maybe?

What a fun way for the morning to begin! So, today I'm grateful for...

~Ladybugs who visit my home
~New friends (no matter how small)
~A lovely breakfast of pastries and tea
~Finding joy in life's little blessings

What are you feeling grateful for today?

Cathy : )

Eye Candy Monday

2010-04-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today I want to bring you some fun organizing pictures to brighten your day! These photos are from Do You Mind if I Knit, my new favorite blog in the whole wide world. If you've got time, do stop by to see Vanessa Cabban's charming and fun blog. I just LOVE how colorful her photos are. Enjoy!

Button, button, who's got the button?

I like buttons. Can you tell? ; )

This wire basket is so pretty! Vanessa made this adorable tag.

It reads, "A basket to fill with lovely bits 'n' bobs. I painted it for you myself."

Luggage tags that are simply enchanting. Who wouldn't want these adorning their luggage?

These little gift tags are so much fun!

Here they are on Vanessa's presents.

Such a cheerful shade of yellow! The pink polka-dots are a pretty touch, too.

Hello, little flower! : )

The cutest little bag of yarn.

A gigantic vase of yarn!

What a sweet little puppy. She looks comfy on her pillow. : )

Crochet circles inside a basket. And pretty yellow daffodils, too.

Lots and lots and lots of crochet circles. I wonder what Vanessa is going to be making?

This lovely scarf! I'll bet it keeps her toasty and warm.

Flowers and knitting...simple and elegant.

A pretty tray filled with flowers to be planted.

I can imagine Vanessa enjoys these roses while she paints the illustrations for her latest children's book.

Isn't it sweet how she keeps her paint brushes inside this tiny, white porcelain vase?

Yellow daffodils and pink gingham...a very pretty combination.

Wouldn't you just love to sit down here and read this book and sip cappuccino?

I hope that all these photos by Vanessa Cabban have brightened your day and made it more beautiful! Have a lovely Monday!

Cathy

Free Ebook: Living Organized

2010-04-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

I have some really good news for those who love to organize (and save money) as much as I do! If you have a Kindle reading device, you can now download the ebook Living Organized: Proven Steps to a Clutter Free and Beautiful Home by Sandra Felton for free here. If by chance you don't have a Kindle, you can download a free application that will allow you to read ebooks on your PC here. Thanks Crystal, of Money Saving Mom. I can't wait to read this book!

Green Spring Cleaning

2010-04-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

Usually when I walk down the grocery store baking aisle, I’m thinking about brownies and chocolate chip cookies. But did you know that the baking aisle also has ingredients that can be used to replace many common household cleaning products? Some of these everyday items are vinegar, baking soda, salt and cornstarch. Other natural cleaners at the grocery store are fresh lemons, castile soap, hydrogen peroxide and borax powder.

Here are a few of my favorite homemade cleaning recipes --- along with my favorite homemade brownies recipe, too. (We are visiting the baking aisle, after all.) Each of these recipes cleans my home, saves me money, protects the environment, and clears the chemical clutter from my cabinets.

And as for the cappuccino brownies recipe? They're just yummy! : )

Window Cleaner/Antibacterial Spray/Disinfectant
1 part distilled white vinegar
1 part water
Mixed together in a spray bottle, this is a great all-purpose cleaner. I like to use diluted vinegar to wipe down my kitchen and bathroom counters, sinks, mirrors, doors, windows, and any other surface (other than wood finishes) for a quick everyday cleaning. You can print a Heinz vinegar coupon here.

Scrubbing Bubbles
baking soda
distilled white vinegar
I use baking soda mixed with vinegar to clean my kitchen and bathroom sinks. Sprinkle with baking soda, spray with vinegar, and watch the bubbles as they go! Scrub and rinse clean.

Soft Scrub
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
1/4 cup water
1 or 2 drops of lavender oil (optional)
1/2 lemon (optional)
distilled white vinegar
This is hands down my favorite cleaner. Combine ingredients to form a paste until it has the same consistency as soft scrub. Apply the paste to the cut side of a lemon, and rub onto the shower using a circular motion. Spray with vinegar, scrub and rinse clean. The lavender makes my bathroom smell wonderful!

Mold and Mildew Remover
1 part hydrogen peroxide
1 part water
This simple formula is great for sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, you name it! The longer it sets, the better it cleans. Scrub and rinse clean.

Laundry Detergent
1 part borax powder
1 part baking soda (optional)
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar (optional)
Use 1/4 cup of powder per load. Add the vinegar during the rinse cycle. (It works as a natural clothes softener.)

Table Salt (as an abrasive)
Can be used in combination with any of the above cleaners.

Cornstarch (as a grease remover)
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Water
This works great for cleaning up spills. (And for oil spatters on the stove top after cooking.) Sprinkle with cornstarch, spray with water, and wipe up clean with a wet dish cloth.

So, there you go!

And for a really great read on going green, check out Environmentalist Sara Snow’s Fresh Living. Sara will walk with you step by step, and show you how to live a greener, more natural lifestyle. A greener lifestyle means a healthier lifestyle, and a healthier lifestyle means a happier you!

And finally, my favorite cappuccino cake brownies! (Photo courtesy of Taste of Home Magazine.)

Cappuccino Cake Brownies
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
6 teaspoons boiling water
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a small bowl, dissolve coffee in water; set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips. In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, melted chocolate and coffee mixture. Combine flour and cinnamon; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Happy organizing, saving & green spring cleaning,

Cathy

Gratitude Wednesday

2010-04-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

My gratitude journal is a way for me to give thanks for all of the many blessings in my life. Sometimes I’m grateful for big things, like my health and my home. At other times I’m grateful for small things, like a ladybug or a flower. By writing down just one thing each day, I’m more appreciative of all life’s blessings.

Today, I'm grateful for...the love of my family.

What are you feeling grateful for today? I'd love to hear!

Organizing is Fun!

2010-04-07T00:30:00.000-07:00

This picture is of my niece Kimberly (bottom, left) with her high school cheerleading squad. They are here to help me say why organizing is so much fun!

“Give me an F!”
“F!”
“Give me a U!”
“U!”
“Give me an N!”
“N!”
“What does it spell?”
“FUN!”

That's right! Organizing is FUN!! Here are just a few of the ways that organizing brings fun and joy into life...

Why is organizing so much fun?
1. Its a great excuse to pump up the volume and listen my favorite music!
2. It gives me a chance to wear my favorite, most comfy jeans and tee-shirts.
3. I can pull my hair up into an easy ponytail.
4. The best snacks can be enjoyed while organizing. (My personal favorite is kettle corn.) Yum!
5. I can invite over a few good friends for a fun and productive organizing party. (I provide the pizza, they provide the organizing help.)

Now do you see why organizing is fun?
But wait! There’s even more fun to be had!
6. I save money because I don’t have to purchase new items just because I can’t find them. 
7. I save time because I know where my things are, and I can find them right away.
8. I'm peaceful, calm and my day flows more smoothly.
9. I have more energy for myself and my family.
10. My home is my haven.

These are just a few of the reasons why I think organizing is so much fun! Do you think organizing is fun, too?

Happy organizing, saving, & having fun!!!

Cathy

"Hoppy" Easter

2010-04-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

Bluebell bunny says, "Hippety, hoppety, happy Easter day!"

Neat as a Button

2010-03-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

Somehow I felt like my grandma was with me today as I was sifting through her tin of buttons. There are several hundred antique buttons that I’ve been saving for over a decade now. My grandma passed them down to my Aunt Carolyn, who in turn gave them to me.

Originally, I planned to sort through my grandma's buttons, separating and organizing them by color. But then I realized that I love to sieve through them, feeling the textures, and reminiscing about the past. They go as far back as the 1930’s and my grandma, Rachel Siopes, was an excellent seamstress. I like to imagine her sewing on these buttons; maybe hand stitching them onto my grandfather’s coat, or even on my mother’s dress.

I’ve decided not to sort my grandma’s buttons, because I love them just the way they are. They are still in the original tin with my mother’s childhood name written on the lid. They are a mixture of diverse colors and textures, with a couple of green Tiddly Winks circles tossed in (who remembers the game Tiddly Winks?) My buttons remind me of my beloved grandma, and what her life was like back then. Grandma’s tin of buttons are a link to my past.

Here is a part of the original label, with a list of ingredients for chocolate candy on the lid. My grandma used a candy tin to organize her sewing buttons! How cute is that?

On this note, do you remember when your own mother or grandmother taught you how to sew? Do you still remember how? Do you still like to sew now?

Happy organizing, saving treasures & collecting buttons,

Cathy

Signs of Spring

2010-03-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

I love this photo because it reminds me of springtime. And what better time is there to get organized than spring? The weather is warming up, the birds are chirping, and the world outside is fresh and alive again! Here are a few of my favorite spring projects as the weather starts turning warmer.

#1 - Wouldn’t it be nice to look outside through clean windows at all the beautiful spring flowers in bloom? Open the windows, remove the screens, and thoroughly wash the panes and sills. I like to use vinegar in a spray bottle, and recycled newspapers for this task. Newspapers keep my windows streak free, and vinegar really makes them sparkle!

#2 - Patio flags are festive and fun, and I look forward to changing them with the seasons. Today, I decided to fly this colorful butterfly flag in celebration of spring. It makes me happy just to look at it! : )

#3 - Its been a long cold winter! Open up all the windows and doors and breathe in all the nice fresh spring air...aaahhh! Replace the filter in the furnace and vacuum out the air-conditioning registers.

#4 - It's not too late to plant a few seeds and begin a vegetable garden indoors. If you have seedlings that are already growing, its a perfect time to transplant them outside! (Be sure to check the Farmer's Almanac for the last few days of frost in your area.)

#5 - This time of year, I begin to pack away our winter hats, gloves, scarves and jackets. I also rotate our winter sweaters and cold weather clothes to make room for spring and summer clothes. It feels really good to clean out our closets, and put away the things we won't wear again until next Fall.

#6 - Springtime = fun + sun, so now is a good time to stock up on sunscreen. I also like to keep my gardening hats, baseball caps, and sunglasses handy.

#7 - When spring rolls around, we get ready for BBQ season by wiping down the BBQ and cleaning off the grill. Then we make sure the propane tank is full, and replace any tools, if needed.

#8 - I just LOVE the idea of drying my clothes outside on a line as the weather starts turning warmer. Hanging them outdoors saves electricity and money, and makes my clothes smell so fresh and clean!

#9 - Switch over from heavy winter bedding to lighter, cooler sheets and covers. Wash and fold our winter blankets, and tuck them away again until the Fall.

#10 - Treat myself to a pretty new spring lipstick! : )

Do you have any favorite routines to help you get ready for springtime, too?

Happy organizing, saving, & welcoming the sunshine,

Cathy

Tea for Two, Two for Tea

2010-03-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

This jelly cabinet was a housewarming gift from my Uncle Gene when we first moved into our new home. Last weekend, I finally finished painting it...and now I have a special place to keep my tea! Yay!

Here is the pine wood cabinet that I started with.

First I lightly sanded the cabinet, both on the inside and out. Next, I painted it with non-toxic milk paint by the Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company in "Light Cream." Then I stained the top of the cabinet using Eco Procate Timber Soy natural wood stain in “Oak." After it dried, I used very fine sandpaper to gently distress all of the edges. And last, I found a little glass knob, which I attached to the door with a screw.

This is the inside of my newly finished tea cabinet! Can anyone spy my favorite ballet mug? I’ve owned this cup since I was ten years old, and I still sip tea from it every single morning.

On the top shelf are my teacups, on the second shelf are my teas, and on the third shelf from left to right, is a little box I made to hold our fireplace key, essential oils, and even more tea.

On the bottom two shelves are my Christmas mugs, a set of dessert plates, a tiny tea-cup I received as a baby shower favor, and my flower vases.

James and I vacationed in Northern Michigan last summer, where we visited the Great Lakes Tea and Spice Company. Here’s a picture of James relaxing outside.

The owners, Chris and Heather Sack, are very knowledgeable about all things tea. They even have a resident parrot, who as it turned out, was quite the character! If you ever find yourself in the Traverse City, Michigan area be sure to drop by the Great Lakes Tea and Spice Company in Glen Arbor.

Fruit Juice Tea

I’d like to thank my friend, Veronica, for her simple and delicious fruit juice tea recipe she shared with me today. It only has two ingredients...I'll bet you can guess what they are!

Just warm up some fruit juice on the stove top, let a tea bag steep for a couple of minutes, and you have fruit juice tea!

I’m partial to pear juice with an orange spice tea bag, myself. But you can try any kind of tea, in any combination of fruit juice that you like.

Has anyone else tried fruit juice tea before?

Happy organizing, saving & sipping tea,

Cathy

Berry Organized

2010-03-03T14:45:00.000-08:00

This week, I decided to recycle some berry baskets to organize miscellaneous items in my bathroom. Do you know those cute little plastic baskets at the grocery store filled with yummy strawberries, blueberries and raspberries? Who knew they would be absolutely perfect for organizing make-up, q-tips and hair accessories?

The berries at the store were on sale this week for 10/$1 each, with the 11th basket being free. I couldn’t resist this great sale...so I decided to buy all eleven baskets of berries.

I removed the sticker using my blow dryer, and found some left over scrap booking labels, ribbon, scissors and a non-toxic glue stick. I glued the tags to both sides of the lid, so when I open them up, they look pretty on the inside.

I’m just tickled by how they turned out! These whimsical tags dress up the baskets and give them a personality and style of their own! They look cute and colorful inside my bathroom cabinet.

From top left and clockwise - my lipsticks, q-tips, ponytail holders and cosmetic mirrors.

I threaded some pink satin ribbon through a strawberry basket to house my everyday make-up items.

Here’s my finished make-up basket!

This turned out to be such a fun project! As you can see, I didn’t have to spend a lot of money on storage containers to organize my miscellaneous bathroom items. While big chain organizing stores are fun to walk through, most of the time I find myself using containers from garage sales, thrift stores, the dollar store, and my own home.

Oh...and since I just bought eleven baskets of berries...I'm looking forward to baking berry cobbler this weekend!

Mmmmmm!

Happy organizing, saving money & baking berry cobbler : )

Cathy

A Tisket, A Basket

2010-02-24T20:35:00.000-08:00

Growing up, I always dreamed of living in a house with stairs that I could play on. Now that I have my very own house, with my very own stairs, I was always carrying things up the stairs, and down the stairs, and up the stairs, and down the stairs, and up the stairs, and...well, you get the picture! Until I found these cute little white baskets from Ikea.

Now I like to keep one of these handy baskets at the bottom of the stairs in my house. It holds all kinds of miscellaneous items that I'm eventually going to carry upstairs and put away. I like to keep one at the top of the stairs too, to carry things back down the stairs when I'm ready.

The beauty of this system is, my things look very neat and contained while I'm waiting to return them to their everyday homes. And perhaps the biggest plus of all is, I'm no longer carrying things up and down the stairs one hundred times a day - and this gives me more time to play!

Happy organizing, saving time, & playing on stairs ; )

Cathy

Welcome!

2010-02-17T20:10:00.001-08:00

Lemonade, daisies, lazy Sunday afternoons...these images all conjure up feelings of peace and tranquility for me. I think we’d all like a little more peace and tranquility in our lives. Our days are filled with so much activity that sometimes creating a home that is functional and orderly can feel like a never-ending task. Never fear...you’re fairy organizer is here! Let me wave my organizing wand, and together we'll create a beautiful home that's transformed into the haven you’ve always dreamed of.

Happy organizing!

Cathy