Operation Organization: My Pantry

I found a really realistic organizing challenge that I am going to be participating in for the next 8 weeks. I am excited to know that I am going to tackle many of the "dirty laundry" spaces that I have to live with every day.
Some of them are 'lack of space' places where things just get shoved because there is too many items to fit in the confines.
Others are lazy places that people just pile things on because they know they can and since we are so busy, they know until mom is fed up enough, they don't have to pick up and things just get dumped.
So over the next 8 weeks, I am going to commit to taking on 1 organizing project and posting the results on Friday. There are sooo many things I would love to get in order so picking my first 8 will be the hard part. lol I have learned that I am much better at focusing when I realistically plan and write things out. It helps me to break things down into smaller goals where I can see the to-do's step by step and feel accomplished when I achieve them.
So, (drum roll), for my first project, I am going to post my newly organized pantry.
I want to look through some old pics since I didn't take a before shot, but I am so happy with the after, I really don't want to remember the before. The new layout makes it easier for the kids to get the dishes, cups and bowls they need and get snacks and lunch items since school is right around the corner.

Here is Melinda's blog, which you have to check out:
Coming Clean: Confessions of an Imperfect Parent and her 8 weeks to organized boot camp.
http://parentingconfessions.blogspot.com/2009/07/operation-organization-battle-for-order.html

Doggie Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup molasses
4 tablespoons honey
1 cup water
½ cup vegetable oil
6 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger or one tsp. of dried powder ginger

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the molasses, honey, water, and oil in a medium bowl.

In another large bowl mix the flour, the baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Combine well. Divide this dough in four sections and roll each piece into a ball, wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 – 5 hours.

After the dough is well-chilled Put dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll dough out into 1/4" thickness. Cut dough with a cookie cutter into gingerbread men or other fun shapes.

Dress Them Up!

You could use carob bits to form the eyes and buttons if you like. Bake 10 – 15 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned around the edges and firm.

These are great fun for you and your dog. They'll make great gifts for your doggie friends too.

Gift Idea : Wrap a batch of these up in pretty colored plastic wrap, tie with a ribbon and pair with the 3 Dog Bakery Cookbook of Dog Treat Recipes

Guard Dog

Hi Cali, What do you see? What's out there? A squirrel? A bird? Another dog?
Your such a good watch dog. Thank you for keeping an eye on the house.


What Cali? What do you see? Us, leaving you?
Bye Cali. Be a good dog. Watch the house. And the squirrels, birds and other dogs.

when the cows come home, or have big eyes

ah... memories! remember the cow in vegas a few yrs ago?

payton had this funny attraction to a cow that looked like this in vegas when we went for our friend's wedding. he was 2 yrs old. then, the next year, he decided he didn't like cows anymore because they had big eyes. strangest thing, but now, at 6 years old, he is no longer liking cows or hating them.

jumper, or not. i wasn't quick enough with the video to capture rea jumping into the water, again. after the first time she was afraid and decided not to jump again. without support.

swimming in the pool now. rea fits into payton's old life jacket. she's a fish!

we're here!

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we're on the road. just

we're on the road. just stopped for gas. $2.29/ gal! what a treat!

today is day 3 of

today is day 3 of our vbs week. it's fun, exciting and the kids are loving it but it's exhausting. I'll post pics soon.

Island Fun

Last night we went to the park district. They were having and Island Fun Fest. It conformed once again that P does not like fast moving, high flying rides and R LOVES them. For her, the faster, the dizzier, the better.

Jimmy's getting to be a pretty good shooter too.

Oh, and a new $15 dog to join our family too. Welcome home Sally.

Now ain't that cozy?

Now ain't that cozy

running, motivation and deep dish pizza

i have just decided again that i want this medal, i eat too much bad food (and yes, deep dish pizza is part of it) and i have a little less than 3 weeks to be able to run 13.1 miles.

whew! i'm a slacker. I need to get out there and run, or at least run/ walk this thing.

can i do it? i have to. failure is not an option. accomplishment is a decision and i have not been making it. yikes, reality bites but the positive is i can only go up from here.

today is day 1.

 

Did You Know?

Chicago is the birthplace of the Deep Dish Pizza.  Ike Sewell created the dish in the 1940's when during the war Americans ate one-dish, casserole type, meals that would satisfy hunger on a tight budget.  Therefore, the deep casserole like pan made it easier to load anything and everything on top of the crust to become one of Chicago's legacies.  Don't forget to try a bite of history after all of your hard work training for the race!

 

 

Check out the awesome hardware you will receive after crossing the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon finish line!

 

the cows are loose! the cows are loose!

this is hilarious. i know there are so many un-needed and un warranted sterotypes out there about WI and it's residents... but come on... sometimes I wonder. lol

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my new idea for the dining room wall

happy 4th of july

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hey jimmy - it's on.

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quick kids update

Jimmy was none too pleased when we found out Wednesday that his playoff game took place on Tuesday, the night before! The coach seemingly had the wrong number and was calling "our house" all night, but it just kept ringing. Nice. We somehow managed to make it to EVERY other game and practice this season. So that really was crappy for Jimmy. Especially since his team LOST to the last place team and it completely knocked them out of any standings this year. Ouch, life lessons in a nutshell.

Payton ended his season on a high and happy note! He caught 2 pop flys and threw 3 people out in his last game. He had a great t-ball season this year and is anxious to move along and up to the rookie league next year. Too many, "nobody wins or loses, here, everyone is a winner and we all tie", for Mr. P.

Surprisingly, I didn't take 14,000 pictures of the children or the B this time. Here is the lone picture of the girl in her bathing suit. I'm sure it had nothing to do with me seeing way to much of the child (like the contents of her stomach, yeah, I know, gross) the whole week. I'm just glad she made it to the picnic healthy and was able to enjoy her day.

It's cute to see her and P together. He is still so much bigger than her :0)

and, of course, it wouldn't be a post without a cali shot. this one is funny, she was sleeping and looked up like, "WHAT NOW PEOPLE!? ANOTHER PICTURE! CAN'T A DOG SLEEP IN PEACE AND QUIET ONCE IN A WHILE?"

the answer I'm afraid, is no, Cali, you can't.

A 'shout- out' to free speech and American liberty

Well said, Mr. O'Reilly.
Once again we can thank you for "shouting out".


Don't Say That
By Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.comThursday, Jul 02, 2009

With Americans busy celebrating the 233rd birthday of the USA this week, freedom of speech comes to mind. We Americans are big on speaking freely, but the words we are using are quite another matter. In fact, we are becoming a nation of braying sheep, using the same words and phrases over and over again. Benjamin Franklin, a wordsmith if there ever was one, would have some issues with that.
Issues.
That is a drastically overused word that is being used to avoid the proper word: "problems." "He has issues" sounds a lot better than "the guy is dramatically screwed-up." So, my friend, issues, not problems, is the new polite.
My friend.
Is it just me, or does calling someone you just met "my friend" sound a bit condescending? Friendship takes time and commitment. I don't want somebody telling me I'm their friend. Alexander Hamilton, who could be a mean guy, would understand, and if he were still alive, he would give me a shout-out.
Shout-out.
That cliché comes from the hip-hop world which has done more to ruin the English language than Paris Hilton. But the rappers have won this lexicon battle. Millions of Americans are now "shouting out" to their friends and neighbors. What's next? Dick Cheney giving a "shout-out" to Don Rumsfeld? Could happen and if it does, it will be Cheney's "bad."
My bad.
This may be the worst cliché to hit the country since "groovy." Again, it comes from the hip-hop industry, where "they be chillin'" over using actual phrases like "that was my fault." Why say four words when you can say two, and rhyme at the same time? "My bad, I'm mad." Awesome.
Awesome.
Why? Why not "splendid?" Or "excellent?" Or "super?" Sorry, we had "super" a few years ago and it almost drove me to learn Farsi. But, really, why awesome? Why is everybody saying that? And don't tell me "it is what it is."I hate that.
It is what it is. What does that mean? Should we go around and saying stuff like "hey, look at that alligator over there—it is what it is." I know that. I know what I'm seeing and hearing. I don't need someone to tell me "that refrigerator is what it is." That is sooooo not cool.Sooooo. Pleeeeease. Stopppp.
And cool.
When Brando said it in the 1950s, it sounded good. When Edd "Kookie" Byrnes said it on "77 Sunset Strip," it was in context. When President Obama says it, I want to turn in my passport. Grown-ups should not be saying "cool" unless they are wiling, like Brando, to ride big motorcycles very fast. Then it's okay. "You go, girl!"Yikes.
You go, girl!
Another expression from the 'hood made popular by Oprah and other TV people. Now all the girls are going. But to where? Where are the ladies heading? I don't know.


Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday America!

Facts about the United States Flag:
· The colors on the flag symbolize: red - valor and hardiness, white - innocence and purity, and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

· The stars represent the 50 states in the union.
· The 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies.

 

and a yummy dressing for a healthy salad to go along with this weekend's BBQ:

Basic Herb Vinaigrette

Today's salads, made with more delicate greens, do not stand up to heavy, creamy salad dressings. Experiment with a variety of vinegars and herbs to make your own signature vinaigrette. Save your best-quality extra-virgin olive oil for salad dressings where its flavor will stand out. Lesser-quality olive oil can be used for cooking.

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 heaping teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon minced fresh herbs (a combination of thyme, lemon thyme, marjoram, basil, savory and/or parsley)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Generous grinding fresh black pepper

1. Combine the vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest (if using), herbs and salt in a medium-size bowl.** Let stand for 10 minutes. Whisk in the oil, adding it in a slow, steady stream. Season with pepper to taste. To test the flavor, dip a lettuce leaf into it, taste and adjust accordingly.

** Most professional cooks will make a vinaigrette in a bowl using a whisk, but for those of us who have less time, making it in the blender or food processor is entirely acceptable. You can also put everything in a jar with a lid and shake until it's quickly blended. Shake again before serving if it separates.

 

http://deliciouslivingmag.com/mag/dl_article_19/