My Cleaning Cart

Lately, my head is swimming with all that I have/want to do that I catch myself just, as I say, spinning.  So, I got out my cleaning cart.  This really keeps me on task and I get the job done faster. 

 I think I got the cart itself from the "Everything $14.95" catalog many years ago.   It is really a shopping cart intended to carry bags home from the store.  Here is how I use it.

On the front of the cart, I attach a timer.  It really keeps me from roaming (it really does work), and you would be amazed at how much you get done in a timed 15 minutes.

My cleaning caddie fits nicely on the top of the cart to hold all my supplies.  This keeps me from running back and forth because I forgot the feather duster or whatnot. 

I tie a plastic bag on the handle to catch all trash.

My caddy lifts out so I can move around the room and have my supplies at my fingertips,

while the basket holds everything that needs to go to another room.  This is the biggest help because it keeps me from getting side tracked.  I usually start picking things up in that room instead of finishing the room I was in.  

I can even carry my little bucket,dust broom and pan with me.

  

When I have finished one room, I put away all items in my cart, empty the trash and replace anything that needs it (i.e., cleaning clothes, empty cleaning bottles and so on).

Then, on to the next room until I have finished for the day.

When I am completely done, I just put the caddie away in the laundry room (I also replace all cleaning clothes and get it ready for the next cleaning day) and my cart folds up to hang on  a hook in the garage.

That's it.

Happy Cleaning,

Rhonda

Linguine and Clam Sauce and This Week's Chicken Feed

Donna requested my Linguine and Clam sauce last week so I will have that recipe today.  Please let me know what recipe you want featured next week.  This week's (Jan. 30 - Feb. 5) menu is:




Monday - Tuna Noodle Casserole, rolls, and sliced red pepper.
Tuesday - Crock pot Chicken Tacos and red rice.
Wednesday - Shepard's Pie, salad.
Thursday - Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta, cucumber/onions in vinegar
Friday - Matterhorn Dip, salad (eats like a meal)
Saturday - Hamburger on the Grill
Sunday - Super Bowl goodies




Thank you again Donna from Mom's Frugal for this request (I always double):


1 Box Linguine
1 T. olive oil
1/2 c chopped shallots (I just used whatever onion I had on hand)
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (10-ounce) cans whole baby clams, drained
1 t dried oregano
8 ounces bottled clam juice
1/2 c chicken broth
1/2 c vermouth or dry white wine (I always skip this and add a little more
     chicken broth if needed)
Salt and Pepper
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 c grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

This is lower in calories and fat than the original one.

Start your water for the linguine and start cooking the noodles.  Meanwhile, chop the onion and garlic get it ready.

Heat oil in a large pan, and saute for a minute or so until softened but not brown.  Add clams and saute for a couple of minutes.  Add oregano, salt and pepper (to taste and remember clams are a little salty) to coat.  Add clam juice (not as salty as the clam juice from the can), chicken broth and wine and bring mixture to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.

I put the drained noodles in the sauce and mix good.

Add the cheese,

and the salad, 

and you are done!

This is a quick and easy meal.  The sauce cooks in the time the noodles do so make sure you have your salad done and are ready to eat within 20 minutes max.

Enjoy!

Rhonda

Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday

U R LUV'D Mirror

I love mirrors and thought this would be cute instead my usual Subway Art.

I got my supplies from the Dollar Tree.

I glued the doily to the mirror, and spray painted it a pretty white.  If you don't glue the edges good with a glue stick, the paint gets under the doily and it doesn't have the right effect.

To get the glue off, use a damp cloth after the paint has dried completely.  It came out pretty good.

I then painted the frame a hot pink.

I used my cricut to spell out U R LUV'D.

Who ever looks in the mirror, will know they are loved.

Happy Valentines Day!

Rhonda

Metamorphosis Monday

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The Thrifty Home

Kitchen Island Organization

I have a rolling cart in the middle of my kitchen to serve as an island.  I mainly use it to keep my mixer, blending stick and odds and ends in.

Well, this is what I have been looking at for about two weeks now -- YIKES....

This is in the center of my kitchen, so, you really can't miss it.  Sometimes I think, if the top of my head was flat, I would stack stuff on it?!   Anyway, I did take everything off and cleaned out my bread basket.  I tossed stale and anything green out, and moved it to another area of my kitchen.  I also cleaned the top off.

The drawer, is never out of order (imagine that).  I just keep bag clips, seasonal sun catchers and measuring cups/spoons in it.

The bottom (behind closed doors) is another story.  I started to take everything out before snapping a picture (I saved you from that).  I did get rid of several things and relocated the bowls.

I put back the stuff I want to keep but seldom use in the bottom basket.

Just my mixer, blades and things I use all the time in the top basket.

This is much better.  I was looking for that tenderizer not to long ago -- arrg.....

That was much better.  The whole cart is organized.

Now, this picture shows the in and out box I found at my favorite thrift store.  I use it to coral my store ads and coupons.  Again, I am a piler , so, I had these piled up everywhere.  Now that they have a home, I can pile until I am able to cut and file my coupon's.  It will hold a few weeks worth without it being out of control.  I only keep the current weeks grocery ads.

This is the sides of the cart.  I hung a basket that holds my good dishes paper plates and the other side holds my husbands BBQ tools and pot holders.

That's it.  I feel much better.

Happy Organizing!

Rhonda

Candy Cane Vanlentines

I was cleaning out my snack drawer today and found a bundle of candy canes from Christmas.  I hate to toss things out when I remembered making these for my kids class one time.  I had a ton of mini candy canes and wanted to get rid of them -- ha ha.

I started with these.

Hot glued them into hearts, and

embellished a little.

I even got to use a little left over Christmas ribbon too.  This is the saying I came up with --

Another chance to use those darling rosettes.

So easy and frugal too.

Happy Hearts.

Rhonda

Wow us Wednesday

The Thrifty Home

Valentines Block

My good friend, Carol S., that hosts bunco every month has a few of these around her house, and I have seen them everywhere on the Internet.  They are so cute and can warm up any spot.

Well, I won this beauty for having the most bunco's in November.  I was very excited because I always wanted one too.  At Christmas, it looked really nice on my red hutch.  Now that Christmas is over, I just took the bow off and re-purposed it for Valentines Day.

I left the lights in and filled it with some festive shreds.

I 

Now, I am very excited about these little beauties frames I got at Michael's.  I also used one for my "Saturday Basket" sign (here).  Their dollar spot is now $1.50, but, I still got a few.  So many colors/shapes and possibilities.  I have another craft in mind for them : )

I just punched the back off.

Attached some of these little sticky things,

and added it to my block.

I got this pretty ribbon from the Dollar Tree and

made a bow.

Target has some really cute stickers.

I put the sticker inside the frame, and --

TaaaDaaa!  

Happy Crafting.

Rhonda

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