I don’t think there’s one among us that enjoys weeds in our gardens or flower beds.  Weeds seem to be the topic of discussion and how to get rid of them.  Mulching is a super simple way to not only keep your plants healthy but cut down on weeding time as well.  Mulching benefits your gardens by:

• inhibiting the grown of weeds from the very beginning.  Not only do weeds look bad, they steal nutrients away from the plants.
• holding moisture in the soil.  The hot sun wont’ dry out your plants as quickly.
• keeping your plants cooler.
• protecting the plant from harsh winter weather.  Fall mulching is important to protect the plant’s roots from extreme frost.
• possibly adding a little nutrition back into the soil (depending on the type of mulch you use).

There are many types of mulches, see which kind works for you and works well in your geographic location.  A little research goes a long way.  Some are free, some are more costly. Some are colorful, others are nature friendly.  Whatever mulch you decide to use, your plants will thank you!

Here’s a list of possible mulching options:

• grass clippings
• wood/bark chips
• decaying leaves
• compost
• peat moss
• straw
• hay
• pebbles, gravel or stone
• landscape fabric
• coffee bean shell

What kinds of mulch work for you?  Do you have a favorite?

If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s situation regarding prioritizing her spring cleaning list (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 creative cleaning tips.  Molly

Dear Midge,

I hope this letter finds you well!  Have you tackled any cleaning projects yet?  I’m still procrastinating because I’ve been pulled outside and enticed by the sunshine!

I think the easiest way to organize your checklist is by the room.  Choose one room to work in at a time.  I think adding the bathroom remodel to the bottom of your list may be in your best interest, for now.  I’m afraid if you started the remodel before any of the other spring cleaning chores, you may get sidetracked.  Remodels are a cleaning project all on their own.  I’ll say a quick prayer for you when you start that project!

I like to start with my least favorite project first.  I do this because then I can get it over with and stop thinking about it.  Which one are you dreading the most? Cleaning the baseboards, underneath the bed or the windows (inside and out)?  It seems to me that your teamwork would be best applied in washing the windows.  It might even be a tad funny if one of you cleans the inside while the other cleans the outside (think of all the funny faces you could make through your shiny windows!).  Why not have a little fun with your chores?  It makes them more enjoyable…and the time will probably go by much quicker.

Cleaning the baseboards shouldn’t take long if you also use teamwork and just do a room at a time.  You could do a ‘commercial challenge.’  An ice cream pail of soapy water and a rag for each of you- when a commercial comes on TV, hit the baseboards in that room.  Each of you start at a different side of the room.  I dare to bet you’d be almost done before your favorite show pops back on the TV (this only works if you still watch real-time TV). Does anybody still do that these days?

Bathroom baseboards wipe up in a hurry during your routine bathroom cleaning chores.

As for the spare room bed, dare I ask?  If you’re like me, every square inch is used (that’s why I love using dust ruffles, it hides my storage contents).  That project may need it’s own weekend.

Your projects will be done before you know it, then take your pretty baby out in that sunshine!

Love ya, Molly

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

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 dilemma with over-packing for a weekend getaway (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 packing problems:

When traveling, the easiest thing to pack is samples of baby supplies such as diaper cream, lotion, baby soap, etc.  You probably received some while in the hospital and if you watch the mail, there always seems to be yet another sample of something in a magazine or with baby coupons.

Depending on your getaway destination, the following checklist offers some great tips on things NOT to forget. Of course if you pack everything on this list, you may end up in the same dilemma as Midge.  Be sure to pick and choose exactly what will be appropriate for your trip.  Is an umbrella really necessary in mid-January?

It’s also a good idea to have an emergency ‘stash’ of baby items in your car.  You could store these in a small bin, resealable bag or even a recycled ice cream container.  Your stash might include things like: a few diapers, travel size wipes, sunscreen, insect repellent, a onesie (or season appropriate change of clothes), snacks, pacifier and/or a small toy. Having this small stash of extras in your car will safeguard you in the event of a forgotten diaper bag or a baby mishap (we all know what the results of a diaper blowout can be!).

And always remember to bring your wallet because unless you’re planning a weekend backpacking in the mountains, there will most likely be a store close by in case you need something.  Pack with purpose and enjoy your trip!

The folks at Iddiction.com just sent me a list of apps geared to saving you money and told me I could share with my readers. And, they are all free!  Hope you enjoy,  Molly

With spring (and spring cleaning) in full swing, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to spruce where we need it most – our finances. That’s why the we put together a list of apps that will help save you money this spring (and the rest of the year!).  They’re free, of course.

1. App-o-Day: This app, dubbed “the Groupon of apps,” delivers the best, newest, hottest paid apps and games daily for free. You will never have to pay for an app again – and those savings add up! Just think, if you download a paid app every day for a month with App-o-Day, you’ll save around $50 dollars per month.

2. PageOnce: This app helps you keep track of all your bills, when they’re due, and track how they fluctuate over time. This can help you avoid late fees and interest rates, and also monitor your spending. By keeping a close eye on your finances, you’ll save big.

3. Remember the Milk: You can organize, prioritize, and modify your to-do list items through this simple app – you can even tell Siri what to add to your list. Studies show that you spend more when you don’t have a list, especially when you’re at the grocery stores, so this is a great option to keep your spending down.

4. Checkpoints: The “App that Pays You Back” specializes in rewarding shoppers for scanning barcodes in the store, with no purchase necessary. The app’s newest feature is “Scan@Home,” which offers points for scanning common household products. Now you can earn rewards that range gift cards to an iPads without even leaving your house.

5. Mint.com: Mint’s app is a great tool to help you keep track of every dollar here and there so you have no surprises at the end of the month. More importantly, it helps you set up an organized system to curb overspending habits and save for more important things like retirement (or your next vacation!).

What are your favorite money-saving apps?

This is the time of the year that I set a date for my yearly garage sale. The garage sale date is my goal date for my whole house to be decluttered.

I plan to have my garage sale the first weekend in May. Each day I will take 15-30 minutes a day to clean out items I no longer want or use. I do this yearly so it takes less time than if it were my first time.

Even If this is your first time to tackle decluttering, it is still a good idea to only set aside 15-30 minutes a day. Do one section of a room every day. If you have never decluttered you may want to set a later date, such as sometime in August for your goal date. This will give you more time, but will not be overwhelming since your only working on it a few minutes a day.

Having a date for your garage sale will keep you motivated. The feeling of freedom you have when your house is decluttered and organized is even better than the extra money you will make from the items you sell.

Organized Home has a nice list of yard sale checklists and  printables to get you started.

What about you? Do you have a yearly yard sale? Do you have any favorite tips or tricks as far as preparing or making the most money from your sale?

One of the best things about spring is the clean.  Something happens when the air starts warming up.  I open the windows and “let the house air out.”  The air inside starts to smell fresh and all of the “stale” of winter is gone.  I look around after smelling all of that fresh air and EVERYTHING seems a mess!  I need to clean.

This weekend I am going to start with the closets.  I am going through each piece of clothing and discarding anything that is faded, worn, or has not been worn in over a year. 

How do you begin your spring cleaning?  Do yo do it over time or all at once?

Today I thought I’d share about how I prep quick-grab lunches for my husband. Since he’s gluten-free, he can’t just grab a sandwich and go. Therefore, I’ve been spending Sunday afternoons prepping a week’s worth of lunches that he can grab. That way I don’t have to worry about it again and he has a healthy lunch ready to go.

Recently, I fixed him some salads with two kinds of beans, marinated grilled chicken and cheese. I actually had two boxes of Ziploc bowls that I’d gotten free on a promo and never used. The salads worked perfectly in them. I prepped the salads, boiled up a bunch of hard boiled eggs and filled sandwich bags with some mini carrots, string cheese and almonds. I also made up some brown rice with lentils and peas and put them in bowls as well (not pictured.) I put some dressing in tiny cups and put some yogurt nearby. Now hubby has all his lunch items on one shelf and can easily grab what he wants.

This week I made a TON of potato salad. I filled six bowls with it for hubs and kept a tub for us to eat as well. I made my version of Southwest chicken salad. I used a package of the cubed chicken I’d prepped from my Zaycon foods purchase, mixed it with black beans and corn and dumped in some taco seasoning. Then I topped them with cheese.

I then cooked up a bunch of rice and added the rest of the chicken/corn/bean mixture to that to make a “rice bowl” type dish. I had some extra taco sauce packets from Taco Bell in my odds & ends drawer so I stuck a couple right on top of each bowl.

Another week down! Here’s a pic of things “in process”.

Here’s a shot of the rice bowl. You can put pretty much any kind of meat & veggies in these and have them come out well.

I took another shot of the fridge this week to show how I label dishes with my pink hair tape labels. I like these because they’re cheap, easy to write on, and peel right off. I decided I’d better label them after hubs took two of the same dish for lunch last week. I thought they were see-through enough (or that one could lift the lid and look?!), but I guess not.

Oh! And if you look at the cost of a pre-made salad bowl you’ll find that they’re right at $3!! And rice bowls are about the same, I believe. CRAZY! it’s definitely worth the time to make your own. Same with potato salad. It’s very inexpensive to make, but costs a fortune to buy pre-made. These tips work whether you have food issues or not.

What about you? Do you have any easy lunch tricks or tricks for dealing with allergies or intolerances?

It is creeping up towards the end of February. The weather outside your door is either A. Snowing/Cold B. Warm and Spring Like or C. All the Above (depending on the day)

The February Blues can get to all of us. Whether we are hiding from the cold, or suffering from spring fever due to teasing temperatures, spring just seems to call out our names!

There is no need to wait for spring cleaning to make a fresh start! Here are some freebies fit for an organization frenzy!

Better Homes and Gardens has wonderful customizable storage labels for print! There are more label printables and ideas on this page as well.

Creative Mamma has a beautiful 2012 calendar printable available! Perfect for keeping all of your important dates and appointments organized!

The Pretty Blog offers free printable mason jar labels. These are perfect for organizing your pantry goods, and is a wonderful alternative to writing on the lid itself.

Design Finch has comprised a list of wonderfulorganizational printables. Everything from menu lists to blog weekly planners! These are must have!

Here is a neat way to help young ones remember their morning routine. Cute little routine flash cards to display thanks to Living Locurto.

Here is a wonderful free ebook from Money Saving Mom’s, downloadOrganize for a Fresh Start now!

I hope the coming week finds you refreshed, organized, and encouraged!

Disclaimer: All these products were available at the time this post was written. All deals are subject to change at the discretion of individual sites.