Were you able to join us at the Facebook party last week?  If so, you may remember me asking “Where do you need guidance in managing your household.”  Many of you commented on clutter or the need for decluttering in your homes.  So, here we are on Monday morning. It’s a new week, a new day and a fresh start to kick that clutter to the curb.  Depending on the type of clutter you have around your home will determine your strategy or strategies in removing it.  Take a minute and do an inventory of what you see.  Is it paper clutter that threatens to ruin your day?  Are piles of clothes tripping you up?  Maybe you’re in the season of life with lots of littles around your home- with toys & trinkets scattered about.  No matter the mess, it can be tackled and taken out. One.Step.At.A.Time.  You can do this!

The folks over at Organized Home.com have a lot to say about the matter of decluttering.  Their step-by-step instructions may be all you need to begin the process of getting rid of the excess in your home.  Declutter 101 talks about clearing the clutter and how to start (if you feel like the clutter monster has moved in for good).  Remember, slow and steady wins the race…

Every task needs a strategy, right?  Strategies lead to plans and plans lead to action.  Let’s do this thing!  See what the 4-box method is all about.

One of my worst ever habits was dumping the mail in a pile.  Doing this caused my pile to grow into a mountain.  I then had an unsightly mess to worry about, random avalanches to try and avoid and the daunting task of sorting through it all just to find the electric bill (before it was past due).  Over time I began sorting the daily mail over the trash can.  When the kids bring the mail in for me, I ask them to set it on the kitchen table.  This spot works for us because know that before the next meal I must clean it off before we can eat.  I be sure to get rid of the junk mail immediately and place the bills in their ‘designated spot.’  Implementing this one routine has helped me tremendously.

Getting rid of clutter is just part of the battle- once it’s gone it needs to never return!  Check out these tips about staying clutter-free.

What are some of your favorite decluttering routines?  Have any of these tips inspired you to attack your clutter?  Drop me a line and share your strategy…talk to you soon!

Molly

Decluttering works for me!  To see more Works For Me Wednesday tips visit: We Are That Family

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Enter using PunchTab.   The winners will be randomly chosen and notified by email.  Entries will close at 9:00 pm EST, Friday, April 27, 2012.

Guest Blog Featuring: Midge

I made a new resolution on April 1^st: I want to cook more.  No, no… this is not an April Fool’s Joke! I really do want to learn how to actually cook. It is my dream and desire to bake and cook like my cousin Molly. The result is that I have decided to take the Molly Recipe Challenge this year. At least one new recipe a month and if I get really motivated – two!

Molly’s Magazine has so many wonderful Back to Basics – how to cook – kind of articles. There will be a lot of great recipes with which to work. So, here I go!

The first recipe I selected is from the newest Molly Green Magazine the April 2012 Coupon Craze! The only problem was that I got so excited about actually making this recipe for Deviled eggs (my first time!) that I forgot to read part of the directions. Can you tell what I did wrong? For those of you who read the article, it may be a bit too obvious!

Thanks for coming with me on this journey!

Love ya guys,

Sous Chef (or maybe that should be don’t sue the chef) Midge

My hard boiled eggs!

I carefully scooped out the egg yolk.

Next, I mixed all of the ingredients listed in the article.

My favorite part...

Yeah!!!! They were so good looking that I snuck one before I handed them out to our company on Easter!!! Shhh...

So what’s your take on this? You know, the “O” word.  Some people live for it, others run from it. Where do you fall in the category of organization?  I understand this is quite a broad topic, there are oh so many things in life that could be organized. I’ll try my best to refrain from going down that rabbit trail!

I used to think organizing was simply trying to find a creative way to fit in more STUFF.  Then I realized ‘stuff’ can weigh a person down and I started trying to live life more simply.  I learned the art of donating unused items.  I’m telling you, this practice goes a long way in getting organized.  The more stuff you have, the more room you need to store it and the harder it is to organize it (and the more time it takes!).

Bookshelves work well for me, as long as I keep up with them!  I’ve found that for kid’s school supplies, it works well to have see-through shoe size bins that can be stacked on the bookshelf.  One bin for watercolor paints, one bin for markers, one bin for flash cards, etc.

Less-is-more really works well for me in the kitchen too.  I’ve also found there’s really no reason for 8 wooden spoons.  Hmmmm, really? Yes, I had 8 wooden spoons.  Tupperware type containers also tend to multiply in my cabinets and then jump out at the most inconvenient times.  This doesn’t happen to you, does it?

Bathrooms can be short on storage so make the most of what you have.  Utilize your cabinet(s) or bathroom closet and make it work for you.  *Note* I just so happened to have found 4 bottles of cleaning supplies under my sink.  Again, less-is-more!

So what organizing tips work for you? What space do you have that is organized well?  Where could you use some organizing help?

If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s situation regarding laundry (if you don’t get my newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner of the blog). Here are a few thoughts I had regarding her request for keeping ahead of laundry chores.  Molly

Dear Midge,

Boy am I glad you asked about how to keep ahead of laundry chores!  I was just thinking about this the other day as I was watching my clothes flapping in the breeze on the clothesline.  Do you remember my October 2010 Digest? I talked about laundry and some common ways to tackle Mount Washmore.  You do call your monster pile of laundry Mount Washmore, don’t you?

Just as a refresher on technique, remember to do what works for you.  If you don’t have one day during the week or weekend that you can devote to tackling a weeks worth of clothes, try to do a load per day.  Maybe one day you could do a load of darks and then a load of lights the next. You can decide when to work in towels and bedding, etc.

If you are using the dryer, another great reminder is to set the ‘indicator alarm’ so when the load is finish drying you will know. If you can manage to get the clothes directly out of the dryer and hang them/put them away, you won’t have to worry about a single wrinkle.  Most dryers have a fluff option, if you need just a few more minutes before you can get to the clothes use the fluff option to keep the them moving so no wrinkles form.

Tis the season for clotheslines as a frugal option to drying clothes. Are you using yours?  Go and check out that October issue again, I hope you get inspired!

Love ya, Molly

Here we are again, it’s Monday morning!  Are you rejuvenated after the weekend or was it a whirlwind for you? I must confess, I’m hanging on to my beloved coffee cup just a little tighter this morning.  Molly

Does the beginning of the week find you thinking about meals, the shopping list or your checkbook?  Meal planning is beneficial in so many areas.  Not only does it help to know what is on the ‘menu’ for each day of the week but it helps to streamline the grocery/shopping list.  By making an ingredient list, you can check what items you may have on hand in your pantry or fridge.  This method will help you only purchase exactly what is needed for the week, making meal planning budget friendly.

I usually begin my planning by thinking about my family’s favorite meals.  I think about the meals we have had too many times and the ones we haven’t had for awhile (including seasonal favorites).  Then I write out the next 5-7  days and start categorizing them by the type of meat.  One day I try to use ground beef and maybe chicken the next.  If I plan on using meat from a fryer chicken on Tuesday (and I only need a portion), I choose a recipe for Friday that will use up that remaining chicken.  Once a week I try to squeeze in a meat-less dinner or even breakfast for dinner (like pancakes or french toast).  Going meatless for one or two nights really helps stretch the budget along as well.

Along with planning the main evening meal, I also think about sides such as vegetables and/or ‘fillers.’  Anyone raising boys or teens will probably know exactly what I’m talking about here!  I try to use my homemade wheat bread as often as possible as it helps fill keep those bellies satisfied until breakfast.

The Old Schoolhouse Store has many types of school planners available.  You can check this one out to begin with if you haven’t heard of them (or tried one out yet).  Inside you will find TONS of helpful information for not only your school year but for organizing your entire life as well!  Menu planning pages are just one of the many organizational pages available.  If you’re a list-lover like me, you will absolutely love these planners! Check out this page for more choices, there’s a planner for everyone in your family!

Do you menu-plan? If so, what’s your favorite method?

Fabulous Friday is a way to recap the week and give you some frugal tips for the weekend. Please share what you’re up to this weekend! Molly

Have you ever started watching one of those DIY shows and thought, “Hey, I can do that”? I rarely have time for the television these days but as I was flipping through the channels late one night, a certain project caught my eye: distressing furniture.  I’ve always loved the look of distressed furniture because it made me feel like I had a real gem, an antique if you will.  While I don’t have any real antiques, I like to make it look like I do. 

I started thinking that distressing a piece of furniture is really one of the most frugal ways to give a tired piece a face-lift!  If you don’t have anything you can work on, try looking at garage sales, estate sales or even your local charity type store (i.e. Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc).  Extra paint lying around? Search what you have sitting in your basement for your next project. No paint? Try asking a friend or relative (maybe you can trade them a batch of cookies for their unused can of paint).  You can also check stores for their ‘oops’ paint.  Sometimes an incorrect color is mixed up for someone and as a result they put it on the shelf to sell for a cheaper price.

Check out this tutorial on distressing a piece of furniture.  Does it give you the itch to start sanding and painting?

I have an old desk that needs some love.  I’m thinking I’ll paint it black and distress it. I’m wondering what to do with the drawer pulls though. Any thoughts? You guessed it, that’s what is on my agenda this weekend!

What’s in store for your weekend? Do you have any frugal projects you’re working on? If you’re traveling, how do you make frugal choices for your family while on the road? Enjoy your weekend, see you back here bright and early Monday morning!

Weekend projects work for me! To see more Works For Me Wednesday tips visit: We Are That Family.

Guest Blog featuring: Midge

Let’s face it, “I love Strawberries”.  My grandfather had a small backyard garden at his home when I was growing up with about a dozen little strawberry plants.  I loved to visit him and sneak in the backyard to pick a few strawberries eating them right from the garden.  They were so warm and juicy; you just could not get enough!  My grandpa would always catch me and we would giggle as if “strawberries sneaking” was the best kept secret in the world.

My family would often visit our local fresh produce farms and buy large flats packed full of fresh strawberries from their road side stands.  They never lasted very long in our household of six.  Usually, we would just wash, sprinkle sugar or add a dash of whipped cream and eat.  Wash, eat, repeat…

Recently, my neighbor Piney, introduced me to this very simple and scrumptious strawberry dip.  One jar of marshmallow cream was added to a softened 8 oz. package of cream cheese.  It was divine!

In the process, I have also found that strawberry juice is one of the tougher stains to remove from your clothing.  It is always inevitable that even if I am REALLY careful while eating strawberries, a little juice will drip as if out of nowhere and land right on my shirt or pants.  You can always tell if I have been eating strawberries just by looking at my clothing.

My husband recently returned from a business trip with a cute little strawberry covered bib.  I was surprised with the sweet gift that he bought our little girl.  Then he said, with a smirk and a chuckle, “Nope, that’s for you… strawberry girl”.   Great, I guess it really was that obvious!  Oh well, I will still giggle and sneak them from my fridge… now where did I put my new bib?

What are your favorite dessert or dip ideas when it comes to the use of strawberries?

Do you have any recommendations for removing strawberry stains?

If you are going to be in or near Southern Californiathe weekend of May 19^th and 20^th, 2012, check out this awesome festival!  It was my favorite festival to attend when I was growing up.  It is my wish to make my way back to this  Strawberry Festival again some day.

Check out these links for further Molly Ideas involving strawberries or become a member and access all back issues for one low monthly price plus lots of extras!

Molly Saves in the Nursery July 2011 has a great recipe for Strawberry Punch!  This issue is on sale for $1.00!

Molly Money Saving Digest: Learning for Life – Your Child’s Education May 2009 has a whole article dedicated to Strawberry Season!!!!  There is a recipe for chocolate dipped strawberries and how to make strawberry jam, as well!

My neighbor Piney sampling the strawberry dip...

I shudder to even say the words. Don’t get me wrong, I love garage sale hopping with the best of them and I usually come home with a treasure or two (or ten).  But the thought of having a garage sale is so intimidating it sends me over the edge.  I love the idea of garage sales, they are the definition of shopping frugally! Do you agree?  Every time I begin to entertain the notion that this may be the year for me, I get stuck after the beginning steps of cleaning out & gathering items.

The only childhood memory I have of my mother being involved in the selling aspect of a garage sale is when I was around 7 years old.  She told my sister and I to look around our rooms for toys we didn’t need anymore.  Our incentive was that if our items sold at the sale, we would receive the profits.  I don’t remember exactly how many items I put out for sale, or how many actually sold with the exception of one baby doll.  I was confident I had outgrown her but when she sold, I was fairly certain I would rather have her back than the $2.

I would like to say I no longer have such strong attachments to material possessions as I try to keep our home as clutter free as possible (with children around sometimes that’s easier said than done!).  Each time I fill a bag that could be sold in a garage sale type setting, I get discouraged and happily donate it to a local charity.

For garage sale planning tips, check out my May 2011 Molly Green Digest Called: Molly Saves! In the Garage & Shed.  I suppose it’s probably time I get to it and practice what I preach!

Did you know that Molly Members have access to all back issues of the magazine?  Give it a try and you’ll be blessed by all the frugal advice at your fingertips.

What tips do you have to help conquer the fear of planning a garage sale? Are you a garage sale shopper?  What types of treasures do you look for while shopping?

If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s situation regarding soccer practice (if you don’t get my newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner of the blog). Here are a few thoughts I had regarding her request for healthy, yet frugal, after practice soccer snacks.  Molly

Dear Midge,
One of the most important things to remember when playing hard out in the sun is to remain hydrated. Water is a very good option but there are also sports-type drinks on the market that are beneficial as well. Sports drinks not only offer replacement electrolytes your body needs after burning lots of calories but they can also help your muscles recover after strenuous activity.

After practice your body will need to refill and recharge.   A healthy snack might include some dried fruit and nuts (like a lot of the trail mixes available in the stores). It’s really easy to mix your own trail mix, and frugal too. All you need are your favorite ingredients such as cashews, peanuts, raisins, dried apricots, dried bananas, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Mix them all together in a big bowl and divide into sandwich baggies for individual portions.

As far as getting motivated after a long winter’s rest, you know my motto: “Winter Weak- Summer Strong!” So get out there and keep at it, dear cousin. Before you know it you’ll be dribbling circles around the kids!

Squeeze that adorable niece of mine! Love ya, Molly