21 Day Challenge - Medicine Cabinet

I think I mentioned that I didn't have a medicine cabinet, so, I have always kept my meds in a cabinet in the kitchen.  I had two containers that worked pretty good.   But, I just couldn't keep it in order.

The one on the other side of my stove, was even worse.

You can really see my stacking skills.  I will stack things as high as they will go without tipping over.  Anyway, I took everything out of both cabinets and washed them.  I went through everything and purged a lot of dishes I have never used, chipped ones, and things that just didn't belong.

Then I got my labels out and labeled them.  I know I printed these pretty labels from the I Heart Organizing blog a while back.  They are so cute, and big enough to see the letters (my eyes are getting old).

I got cool containers  for each of my categories:  Allergies, Pain and Fever, First Aid, Cough and Cold, Children,  and one for me (I have back problems).  I used clear contact paper and laminated them right to the container.  The containers came from Wal Mart (very affordable), and the idea from Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemons.

I got a little carried away with the labels and put some left over shelf  paper on an empty chip container for my raw sugar.  I think it is pretty, ha ha.

Here is how the containers look in my cabinet.  I have a little basket for vitamins (behind the Advil), the Advil stays out because I am always taking a couple here and there.

The bottom still had room for my pitcher and a few odds and ends.  Looks a lot better and is easier to keep things corralled.  Thanks Toni for such a great idea.

If you are wondering what's hanging on the door of the cabinet, it's my weekly menu and recipe holder.

The top is just a red file folder decorated with my stamping/scrapbook supplies.   I glued everything to the folder with a glue stick, and then mod podged it all.  I glued the sides (to create a pocket for my recipes) before I mod podged, and velcroed a pencil to it.

The bottom was an old magnetic board I used for my kids when they were learning their alphabet.  I just covered it with pretty scrapbook paper and mod podged it on.  I glued them both together with a glue gun and made pretty magnets with some flower stickers I had.  I love how I can keep all my recipes together for the week.  The form attached is my daycare schedule and menu.  The cupboard is right next to my stove so it is really convenient.  I know I saw it on line and I honestly can't remember who I copied.  So if you know,  please leave her name so she can get the credit.

This is on the other side and I like how it holds a few recipe books and binders.  One will be my Control Binder when I get to that.

Yeah, I got something done today..  : )  Thanks for stopping by.

21 Day Challenge - Day #6 Dresser Drawer

I know I am skipping around a little, but, I ordered some shelf paper and it hasn't come in.  I love the paper I used in my Tupperware cabinet, but, when I went back to get more, there was none.  I even looked it up on line and they don't make it anymore. 

So, this is my dresser drawer  I usually just shove  put my undergarments right in.  Socks aren't supposed to be this drawer.  Ok, time for true confession.  I feel this is how my whole bedroom looks.  I am so busy all of the time, that my room is the last to get picked-up and cleaned.  I know this is supposed to be the one room that is calm and pretty.  A place to retreat and relax.  Well, that is another thing on my long list of summer projects.  I first have to purge, clean, and then make pretty.  Boy, is that list getting long.

 

Yep, my sock and pj drawers.

I emptied all of them out and made piles. Here, again,  I am amazed.  Why do I keep the things that have seen much better days.  At least  I feel really good about purging all the holy, ugly, unmatched things I could.  I plan on getting new ones when school starts.  I am always the last one to get new undies - ha ha...

Have I told you how much I love the Dollar Store?  I got these a while back and I am finally getting to put them to good use.  I was first going to use them for craft supplies, but, when your unmentionables call???

They are cute too.

I put my all my undies in this one.   I think I like the way it holds them.  Not all stacked,  just asking for me the fist load of clean clothes to tear it down.  Who knows, maybe it will be easier to roll and put them away.  A woman can dream ; )

I put two in my sock drawer and still stacked some comfy socks to the side. 

I put my cami's in there too.

The last drawer is my pj's.  They are all folded nice and neat.  Yeah..........

All ready for bedtime.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

"a father is a guy who has snapshots in his wallet where his money used to be"
- unknown

Corn Salad

Ok, so last night we just had a hamburger on the grill and some chips.  To compliment it, I made this salad.  I got it from Lucinda, Mad Hungry.  I think the next time I make it, I will roast the corn first, and then add cilantro instead of the basil, and turn it a little southwest.  Anyway, here goes:

You will need about six fresh uncooked cobbs of corn

Fresh Lime

Green Onion about 3 or 4

Tomato (I like the little grape ones) cut in half or diced

Fresh Basil (chopped)

Salt & pepper to taste

Olive Oil (about 1/4 cup or as much or as little as you like)

I like to use a piece of that non slip shelf paper to hold my bowl and cutting board.  It really doesn't slip, therefore, it is much safer.

Cut the corn off the cobb.

run the back of your knife down the cobb after you cut it off to get the milk.  It makes it really good and adds a creamy texture too.

Add all other ingredients, squeeze your lime in, mix and enjoy.  It is really fresh, and will go with any grilled meat you have this summer. 

Enjoy!

If you have any good summber salads, please let me know.

21 Day Challenge - Linen Closet

I did get my linen closet done.  I still want to get some new organizers.  In the summer, I have time and no money.  In the fall, I have money and no time.  I am going to do the Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace, so I can be financially consistent.  Anyway, another tangent for another day.  We bought our home 15 years ago and really have never done anything to make it better.   When I bought this house, I didn't notice that lack of a linen closet.  It also doesn't have medicine cabinets.......  So, I use my hall closet for linen, storage for my daycare travel beds, kids blankets, and coats.  It amazes me how much stuff I can get into these small spaces.

This was a perfect example of the WRONG container for the job.  ; )

That clear container is too low and looks terrible.  What was I thinking.  You can also see a forgotten valentine decoration and a fish toilet seat cover.  Goodwill, here you come.

Here are my travel beds.  I like children under three to take a nap in a travel bed, so I don't have to worry about them wondering around at nap time.

Look, more beds and blankets.  We live in Mesa, Arizona.  How many coats do we have???????  That will be a job to do when all the kids are home to try things on.  Then, off to Goodwill they will go.

I even had filters for our air conditioner in here.  Really, look at those jackets.

I took everything out but the coats.

I cleaned the shelves with soap and water and vacuumed the floor.

I remember that tray.  I got it when my kids had the flu.   Hmm, Father's Day is coming up.  I may have to keep that.

A picnic basket that I have never used........

I sorted through all of this and put things away (like my daughters missing bathrobe), and bagged up everything else for goodwill.

I went shopping in my home and found these cute wicker baskets.  They were being used for the kids laundry, but, they will only get torn-up if I continue to use them for the kids.  They look kind of cute for now, and they hold my table cloths.  I have several of my mom's table cloths and I love to use  table clothes for my holiday dinners.  I also have some of the blue check material that I used to make my kitchen curtains.  I am always going to make a table runner.  Maybe I will get that done this summer too.  The green stacking baskets are from the Dollar Store.  Once I clean and organize my pantry, maybe my extra paper towels will fit in there.  For now, they will stay here and match my extra toilet tissue.

My travel beds stack neatly on floor.  I even had room for my husbands flags.

I did put my tray back on the top shelf with my son's quilt that Grandma made him.  I folded my bedding.  I don't have very much because storage has always been an issue.  We wash and put the same sheets back on in the same day.  I only have two extra twin sheet sets just in case someone gets sick or spills something in the night.  They look better folded and just placed on the shelf.  I can use that clear container in another part of my house.

I put extra blankets in these white stacking baskets.  They were used for the daycare kids diapers, clothes, papers, etc. before I got my wall unit.  I will show you the entryway soon. 

I think I am going to re-gift this picnic basket to my niece.  She will be moving soon.  I can pack a light dinner for her to enjoy while she moves in. 

 Well that was my linen closet.  I will call it a work in progress.  I love looking at everyone's blogs and how they do their linen closets.  If anyone has idea's that would improve my spaces, please, feel free to share them with me.

See you next challenge.....

Rosette Necklace

I love the Tatertots and Jello blog.  I always see a craft I want to try.  This is my version of Jen's take on a Anthropology necklace.

This is what it looks like with my blue tank.  I love to wear this with a pair of Levi Capri's.

You first cut a bib out of a piece of felt.  I only had white.  Then I made a bunch of denim rosettes.  I used an old pair of jeans.  They were too worn out for even goodwill.   I thought the denim would look great with jeans and a white tee-shirt.  

Of course, I changed my mind and made white ones out of a white Flour Sack Dish Towel from the Dollar Store.  I got so involved, I forgot to take pictures.  After your rosettes are made, arrange them on the bib and hot glue into place.  I did use one denim rosette.   Finish with gluing pretty ribbon on both sides and tie in the back.

This was easy and fun to make.  Go on over to Jen's blog and see all of her creations.  You will get hooked too.

Here is a link to Jen's blog. tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com  The tutorial is under jewelry/Make a Beachy Rosette Button Necklace.  I will be making the denim one and the Flirty Summer Necklace soon.

Challenge #2 - Tupperware Cabinet

Ok, now I know what "real time" is.  I can't believe how long it is taking me to get one cabinet organized and posted.  I know taking everything out of my cabinets, only to remember I invited a friend over for coffee doesn't help, but still.  Anyway, here are my before pictures:

I didn't realize how crazy they were until I saw them in the pictures...

This is were I keep all storage containers and daycare cups, plates and bowls.

I took everything out and filled my counter and ...

my kitchen table....  YIKES

You couldn't even see this shelf in the before pics.

EWWW, that is were the toaster lives...  I cleaned it well with soap and water, then

I replaced my shelf paper with this pretty green paper.  I love it.  It came from the Dollar Store.

I sorted through all my bowls and lids.  Only those that matched and were crack and stain free got to stay.   I used a helper shelf to make it easier to get what I wanted.  I have a habit of stacking too many bowls together and then I hate to put them back, so,  they just get thrown in.  This really helps to keep the stacks small enough to manage.  I also repurposed those white freezer containers to sort my lids by size.

I keep my toaster in here because I plug it in right above this cabinet.  After use, it is easy to put away.  I also put it on a tray to keep the crumbs from traveling too far. 

I love helper shelves.  I actually cleaned this cupboard out over six months ago,  and it has stayed this way.  However, I do need to replace the shelf paper.

See how I stack??  I need to extend my shelf or purge something.

This is my coffee cabinet.  It is supposed to be a desk, but, I turned it into my coffee station.  I have creamer and extra coffee in the cute baskets.  

When it was a desk, I just piled papers and lunch boxes on it.  This is much better.

Thank you for stopping by and I will be posting my linen closet soon.