Thursday, April 29, 2010

Gift Wrapping Center: Part 3

Gift Wrap Storage

I got this gift wrap container several years ago.
Tape
Glue Sticks
Pens

Gift Wrap
Wallpaper

I use the wallpaper for craft project and to wrap gift boxes.


Small trash can holding more gift wrap.

Gift Wrapping Center: Part 2

I have had a collection of cards and stationary for many years. A couple years ago I couldn't help but look for it at yard sales or thrift stores everytime I went and my collection grew large. I spent about $10-$15 for it all over the course of the year. I haven't bought much since because I am limiting myself  to using up what I have.

The Dresser

Top:
Cardbox with Cards
Cat Figurines

1st Draw Left Side:
Greeting Card Organizer
Mini Notepads
Scissors, Pens, and Glue

I frequently use the mini notepads for quick love notes to my family.

At the beginning of each year I go through my cards and fill in the pocket of my Greeting Card Organizer. At the beginning of each month I go through it again and make sure I have a card for each event or any special cards I want to give.

1st Draw Right Side:
Thank You Cards and Invitations
Contact Paper
Bookmarks to stick in cards


2nd Draw:
Cards

I had the cards in containers before I had the dresser but they wouldn't fit in the dresser. I am on the look out for containers that will fit better I am thinking of using shoe boxes. The cards have dividers between them but it doesn't show very well in the picture.

3rd Draw:
Stationary

Postcards and Folded Stationary

Stationary

Stationary and Tablets

Fold and Seals

4th Draw:

Recycled greeting card boxes

Bag of greeting card boxes
ribbon
Treat bags
Paper Plates

Plastic Container
White Lunch Bags
Plastic Treat Bags and Tags

5th Draw:
Bows

They look so pretty I had to show a close up.

6th Draw:
Gifts

These are gifts I use for last minute or add to other gifts.

Gift Wrapping Center: Part 1

I am breaking this down into 3 posts because I have lots of pictures of each area and I think it could get too confusing and long otherwise.

I have a gift wrapping center in my basement and I add supplies and gifts to it as needed or when I get a good deal. I pick up things at yard sales and rummage sales along with after holiday sales.

I have not bought gift wrap or ribbons in several years. I had bought a large amount at an after Christmas Sale about 6 years ago and then about 3 years ago my sister gave me a lot that she had bought at a after Christmas Sale. When I bought the gift wrap I made sure to get some plain colors that could be used for all occasions such as blue, red, green, and gold. We went through lots of gift wrap when the kids where little so I never imagined my supply would last this long. The kids gifts get smaller as they get bigger instead of boxes with toys in them they get Cd's, books, and Ipods which don't require a lot of wrapping paper.

This is the gift wrapping area in my basement which includes the changing table, containers, dresser, and gift wrap storage.


Wrapping Table
This is a changing table turned wrapping table. I bought the changing table about 7 years ago at a thrift store for about $10.00. I wrap presents on top. I used contact paper to decorate the front up a little last fall.

Under the Lid:
Ribbons
Tags
Tissue Paper

On the Side:
Gift Bags

I have never bought a gift bag. These bags are all ones I have saved from ones my family has been given and I reuse them for gifts I give.

1st Shelf:
Wrapping Paper
Over sized Gift Bags
Small Gift Bags
Medium and Small Grocery Bags

I bought a really large amount of 3 sizes of grocery bags at a Flea Market about 10 years ago for about $10.00 and this is what I have left of my supply. A good amount got thrown away because they originally where in a cardboard box on the floor and got wet.

2nd Shelf broken / Floor:
Card Making Supplies
Bag of Large Envelopes
Party Supplies
Party Supplies Tote
Plastic Gift Wrap

My sister has given me lots of envelopes because she works at a card store. She is not allowed to give me the old cards but the envelopes have come in handy when I get cards at yard sales or thrift stores with no envelopes. I have also used them for other projects.

Containers:
Baskets
Tins
Plastic Containers

I have mostly picked these up at yards sales to make gift baskets or food treats.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Training for a 5K: Beginning of Week 4












But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles;
They shall run, and not be weary;
They shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

I am enjoying training for the 5K. I like going out each night and fast walking and stretching. My husband and I are keeping pace with each other and talking as we go. The kids are all trying to keep up with each other so that they have some company also. We are walking/ running 5 days a week with Thursday and Sundays off but we have traded days if we are busy one night. This past week we walk/ran 2 mile per night and this week it is bumped to 2.25 miles per night. My husband and I will start adding in some jogging this week.

When the 5K training started I weighed 185 lbs. and now weight 178 so I have lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks by following the training program of warm up stretching, the walking/jogging plan, and cool down stretching. We have never followed an exercise plan before and it has been hard to keep my family motivated to go walking/running each night since there are lots of aching muscles. I am seeing some results like being able to fast walk longer and can feel more muscles in my legs and back.

My daughter Nastasja and I are going to be adding in some exercise videos this week to our training to help us with strength and weight loss. We are borrowing videos from the library which allows 3 week check-outs so we will be taking turns checking them out. This is what we are planning to do:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Yoga for Beauty with Rainbeau Mars: Dawn
Pilates for Life: 20 Minute Overall Workout

Tuesday & Thursday
Yoga for Beauty with Rainbeau Mars: Dawn
Leslie Sansone's Walk At Home Walk Slim - Fast Start 1 & 2 Mile Walk / 3 Fast Miles

I have not started dieting but am watching what I eat by adding healthy food choices and cutting down on unhealthy choices and extra snacking. I am considering getting some weight watchers recipes off the Internet. My family will not like me putting them all on a diet so I may be adding one or two recipes a week to my menu plan and see how it goes. The recipes would have to be consistent with what I would normally serve and not taste like diet food. I am going to try avoiding eating out at restaurants or try lighter menu options when I do.

My daughter took a picture of me today in my walking cloths.

April 26-May 2 Menu Plan


















Monday: Crockpot Shepherd's Pie, and Garlic Bread

Tuesday: Meatloaf Burgers, Spaghetti, and Corn

Wednesday: All Day Macaroni & Cheese, and Green Beans

Thursday: Chicken Broccoli Lo Mein

Friday: Party Invite

Saturday: Beef and Cheese Melts, Shoestring Fries, and Coleslaw

Sunday: Cheeseburger Quiche, Apple Crumb Coffee Cake, and Fruit Salad


Submitted to:
Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie to see more menu ideas.

Crockpot Shepherd's Pie

1 lb hamburger, cooked and drained
1 can tomato soup
1 can corn, drained
1 can green beans, drained
2 cups mashed potatoes
2 cups cheese

Combine beef, tomato soup, corn, and beans. Pour into bottom of crockpot. Spread potatoes on top. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Last hour of cooking, sprinkle cheese on top.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

April 19-25 Menu Plan













Monday: Pork Loin Chops, Roasted Baby Potatoes with Rosemary, and Green Beans

Tuesday: Takeout Pizza

Wednesday: Hamburgers, Delicious Broccoli Casserole, and Corn

Thursday: Chicken Broccoli Lo Mein

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Beef and Cheese Melts, Shoestring Fries, and Coleslaw

Sunday: Cheeseburger Quiche, Apple Crumb Coffee Cake, and Fruit Salad


Submitted to:

Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie to see more menu ideas.

Apple Crumb Coffee Cake

the cake:
1 1/2 cups of flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups chopped apples, not too chunky

the crumb topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp margarine
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped, toasted pecans or walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch round pan (the kind with the removable bottom is good.)

2. Prepare crumb topping: Using a fork or your fingers, mix crumb topping ingredients together in a separate bowl. Stop mixing when everything looks crumbly and non-uniform. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, thoroughly sift flour with other dry ingredients.

4. In a small bowl, beat the egg, then combine with milk and oil.

5. Pour wet ingredients into dry, then add chopped apples and mix well.

6. Scoop and spread batter (batter will be very lumpy and not at all runny) into the pan. Sprinkle with the crumb topping, and place in the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cheeseburger Quiche

3/4 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shell

In a large skillet, cook beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the flour, seasonings, milk, eggs and cheese. Transfer to pastry shell. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Beef and Cheese Melts

8 (1/4 inch) thick slices pot roast
1 cup gravy
4 slices white bread, lightly toasted
4 slices Cheddar cheese
Shoestring fries
Coleslaw

Heat broiler. In a skillet, heat roast and gravy until heated through, about 3 min. Spread toast out on a broiler pan. Divide roast slices among toast. Spoon most of the gravy over the meat, and top each sandwich with a slice of cheese.

Spoon any remaining gravy over cheese. Broil 1 min. or until cheese is melted. Serve with fries and coleslaw. Makes 4 Servings.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Basement Clutter

This week I have been working on cleaning and organizing the basement. I loaded up the van with everything that needed dropped off for my errand day yesterday. The trash was broken down and put with the garbage to be picked up tommorow.

The Bags of Bags

I reuse grocery bags in our small trash cans but we always have lots of extra bags. This is a winters worth of bags that I have saved to donate to the Cloths Closet. I will be dropping them off along with my donations.

















The Donation Pile

These are the things that I had in a pile in the basement waiting to be donated. I save everything and donate it the the local Clothes Closet it is run by local church volunteers and they give everything away for free.

















The Trash Pile

We had mostly boxes and recyclables except the chair that broke soon after this pile was made.

















Submitted to:
Spring Clean Along
Clear Out the Clutter Challenge

My Yard in Bloom with Spring Flowers


























































































Submitted to:
Outdoor Wednesday