Thursday, March 31, 2011

Cake Mix Recipes: Triple-Berry Angel Shortcakes


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 box (1 lb) angel food cake mix
1 1/4 cups cold water
1 can (21 oz) raspberry pie filling
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups fresh blueberries
Whipped cream, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for angel food (tube) pan, using cold water. Cool completely, about 2 hours. In medium bowl, mix pie filling, strawberries and blueberries.

Cut cake into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half diagonally to make 2 triangles. Arrange 2 triangles on each of 12 serving plates. Top with fruit mixture and whipped cream.

Calories 220

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

52 Weeks: #13 Outside of Fridge

I took everything off the fridge front and sides before cleaning it. I cleaned the whole outside of the fridge including the top and dusted the coil in the back.

This is everything that came off the fridge.

These things didn't go back on the fridge and went to the donation box.

This is what went back onto the fridge after it was clean.


Submitted to:
I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing

Monday, March 28, 2011

March 28- April 3 Menu Plan















Monday: Pork Roast with Potatoes & Carrots, and Green Beans

Tuesday: BLT, and Black Bean and Smoked Sausage Soup

Wednesday: Sausage w/ Green Peppers, Mushroom Barley Casserole, and Peas

Thursday: Sautéed Worcestershire Chicken, Rice, and Corn

Friday: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, and Green Beans

Saturday: Pork Loin Chop, Scalloped Potatoes, and Corn

Sunday: Sloppy Joe Cornbread Bake, Green Beans, and Salad


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

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole















2 small carrots, shredded (1 cup)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 packages (6 oz each) fast-cooking chicken and wild rice mix
4 cups boiling water
8 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 lb)
4 slices (1/8 inch thick) cooked ham, cut in half
4 slices (1 oz each) Swiss cheese, cut in half

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In baking dish, stir together carrots, butter and rice mix and water. Arrange chicken on rice mixture. Top each breast with ham.


Cover tightly with foil; bake 55 to 60 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Place cheese on ham. Bake uncovered 3 to 4 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Makes: 8 Servings
Calories per Serving:  420

Sautéed Worcestershire Chicken


















1 1/2 pounds thin chicken breast cutlets
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley


Preheat oven to 200°F. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; dredge in flour.

Warm 1 Tbsp. butter and 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams. Add half of cutlets and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and cook until firm and browned on both sides, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate and loosely cover with foil to keep warm.

Add another 1 Tbsp. each butter and oil to skillet and repeat with remaining cutlets. Add to platter and keep warm in oven.

Add Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and chicken broth to empty skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. Boil, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 1 Tbsp. butter until it is melted. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Yield: 4 Servings

Calories:372 per Serving

Friday, March 25, 2011

52 Weeks: #12 Plants

I cleaned the plant stand, plants, plant pots, and added new dirt if needed.


Before
After
A close up to show that I cleaned the water line on the inside of the pots and around the bottom.

Submitted to:
I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Cake Mix Recipes: Maple Walnut Bars









1 pkg yellow cake mix
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
4 large eggs
1 1/3 cups maple syrup
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 ºF. Grease 13x9-inch pan. Reserve 2/3 cup cake mix; set aside. Combine remaining cake mix, melted butter and 1 egg in large bowl. Stir until thoroughly blended. (Mixture will be crumbly.) Press into prepared pan.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Combine reserved cake mix, maple syrup, remaining 3 eggs, sugar and vanilla extract in large mixing bowl. Beat at low speed with electric mixer for 3 minutes. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is set. Cool completely in pan. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator. Makes 24 bars.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

52 Weeks: #12 Canned Goods Cabinet

I organized the canned goods cabinet and added new purchases. I made a list of anything that was still needed for my next shopping trip.

This picture is during the process. I like to have one full row of each canned good that I buy except fruit is usually 2 or 3 of each one. If it isn't a full row on shopping day I add them to the list.

This is the finished cabinet. You can definitely see that I buy most of my canned goods at Aldi.

Submitted to:
I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing

Friday, March 18, 2011

52 Weeks: #11 Coupon Box

This is my coupon box and the stack of expired coupons I took out of it.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. Proverbs 31:14


Putting this box together was an organizing project I did about a year ago. I have a notepad, scissors, pen, pencil, and rubberband stored in the front. I have a divider for Kroger and Wal-Mart stores with store coupons and coupon policies. I have dividers for grocery departments, rebates, restaurants, and discount cards.

  
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more inportant than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:25-27


I used a file box that I had in the basement and supplies that I had on hand. I made the dividers with cardstock and scrapbook paper. I labeled the tabs with a permanent marker and printed typed scripture that I glued onto the dividers. I put a label on the top of the box.

 
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31


















I store the coupon box with my cookbooks, cooking notebooks, file box, and cooking magazines in my kitchen which you can see in my post about What Type of Magazines?


Submitted to:
I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Cake Mix Recipes: Grasshopper Fudge Cake













1 box white cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons mint extract
3 egg whites
12 drops green food color
2 jars (16 oz each) hot fudge topping
1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
5 drops yellow food color
Thin rectangular crème de menthe chocolate candies, unwrapped and cut into pieces, if desired (Andes Baking Bits, Dark Chocolate & Mint Chips, or Mint M&Ms)

1.Heat oven to 350°F for shiny metal or glass pan (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour.
2.Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the mint extract and the egg whites. Reserve 1 cup batter. Stir 3 drops of the green food color into reserved batter; set aside. Pour remaining batter into pan.

3.Drop green batter by generous tablespoonfuls randomly in 12 to 14 mounds onto batter in pan. Cut through batters with metal spatula or knife in S-shaped curves in one continuous motion. Turn pan 1/4 turn; repeat cutting for swirled design.

4.Bake 28 to 33 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

5.Carefully spread fudge topping evenly over cake. In medium bowl, stir whipped topping, remaining 1/2 teaspoon extract, remaining 9 drops green food color and the yellow food color until blended. Spread whipped topping mixture evenly over fudge. Garnish with candy pieces. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes: 15 Serving
Calories: 440

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

52 Weeks: #11 Sink Area

This is before I cleaned and organized under my kitchen sink. Notice the nosey dog hoping to get a treat.
This is after I cleaned and organized everything I also refilled the dog food and  bird food jars. It was pretty organized before and I didn't have anything to declutter or discard so this was really fast and easy.

So I decide to clean the kitchen sink since I had washed all the dishes they wouldn't be in my way.


Submitted to: I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

52 Weeks: #11 Kitchen Drawers

I reorganized and cleaned my kitchen drawers.















I took out the silverware and divider and ran it all through the dishwasher and washed out the drawer.















Everything is clean and back in the drawer.















I ran all my kitchen towels through the washer and then washed the drawer before putting it all back together. We don't use paper towels so I wash all these towels twice a week. I went to a paperless kitchen about 7 years ago, we use cloth napkins and real dishes instead of paper. I do keep some paper goods  in the basement but they seldom get used.















I took out all of my storage bags and wraps and stuffed everything back into its container and washed out the drawer.















I like to keep a small sticky note pad in my drawer for when I do a crockpot meal. I write the start time, temperature, and cook hours on the note and put it on the outside of the crock the night before and then in the morning I pull the crock out of the fridge and I know how to set the crockpot without pulling out the recipe. This helps also if someone else besides me is going to start the crockpot: they know what I want them to do.

I also use sticky notes when I prep casseroles and food for holidays or parties. I start preparing desserts two days before and sides or casseroles a day before the event. I can make sure things get put in the oven at the right time on the day of the holiday by writing the cook time and temperature on the sticky and putting in on the top of the dish. It helps if something needs to cook for an hour but something else only needs thirty minutes or a different temperature.

The storage bags and wraps are back into place.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It really didn't take that long to get it all done since it’s usually pretty well organized and there wasn't anything to declutter or discard of.

Submitted to:
I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing

Monday, March 14, 2011

March 14-20 Menu Plan



















Monday: Ham, Broccoli Mac & Cheese Bake, Peas

Tuesday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Green Beans

Wednesday: Pork Loin Chops, Mushroom Barley Casserole, and Green Beans

Thursday: Bacon and Cabbage Soup, and Garlic Potato Bread

Friday: Chicken Breast, Scalloped Potatoes, and Corn

Saturday: Meatballs, Stuffing, Carrots

Sunday: Sloppy Joe Cornbread Bake, Green Beans, and Salad


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

Friday, March 11, 2011

52 Weeks: #10 Gadget & Plastic

I purged and reorganized my kitchen gadgets drawers. I forgot to take before pictures but everything is the the big garbage bag with the plastics that I purged.

This is my plastic storage cabinet after the first purge and reorganization that I did. I forgot to take before pictures of my project.

I had one large trash bag to donate after the first purge.

I decided to get some new storage containers so I purged a second time and added my new containers to the cabinet. I spend $20 at Wal-Mart and got 2 boxes of the Better Homes and Gardens brand containers. I had one medium size bag after the second purge. This was my first organizational spend so far this year except for the $1.50 I spent on my Office Tablescapes decorations.
The final results of the plastics cabinet. I already have 4 of my new containers in the fridge.

Submitted to:
I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Cake Mix Recipes: Butterscotch Spice Cookies


























1 pkg spice cake mix
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine cake mix, eggs, oil and vanilla extract in large bowl. Beat at low speed with electric mixer until blended. Stir in butterscotch chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until set. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheets. Remove to cooling racks. Cool completely. Store in airtight container. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

March 7-13 Menu Plan



















Monday: Tuna Noodle Casserole, and Carrots

Tuesday: Chicken Breast, Broccoli & Noodles Supreme, and Corn

Wednesday: Pork Loin Chops, Mushroom Barley Casserole, and Green Beans

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, and Corn

Saturday: Sloppy Joe Cornbread Bake, Green Beans, and Salad

Sunday: Salsa Chicken, Rice, and Peas


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

Friday, March 4, 2011

52 Weeks: #9 Purse

My husband got me this purse early fall at a yard sale for $5.00. He knew I would want it because I had been watching the yard sales and thirft stores for a blue quilted bag. This purse is the only one I have that is a Vera Bradley it has her name on the front design and a tag inside.  In my Activity Bags Part 2 post you can see pictures of my quilted style Book Carry Bag and Project Bag. My makeup bag that I have in this purse is also a quilted design.


My purse is only slightly disorganized because I try to clean it out everytime I come home.


This is contents of my purse.

This is what is in the quilted makeup bag.

This is after I put everything back in that I am keeping. I really need to get a smaller hairbrush but haven't found one the size or style that I want.

This is what is not going back into my bag an apple, small change purse, ponytail holder, and receipts.















My purse is all packed back up and neatly organized for the next time I leave to run errand or go to activities. I hang my purse on the door knob of my office. If you would like to see a picture visit my Magazine Storage or Organizing My Office posts.
Submitted to:
I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Cake Mix Recipes: Orange Cinnamon Tea Cake




























Cake:
1 pkg Orange Supreme Cake Mix (Duncan Hines)
3 large eggs
1 1/3 cups orange juice
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Glaze:
1/2 cup vanilla frosting
1 tbsp orange juice
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 10-inch Bundt or tube pan. For cake, combine cake mix, eggs, 1 1/3 cups orange juice, oil and cinnamon in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup walnuts. Pour into pan.

Bake at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 25 minutes. Invert onto serving plate. Cool completely. For glaze, combine frosting and 1 tablespoon orange juice in small bowl. Stir until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup walnuts.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

52 Weeks: #9 Activity Bags Part 2

I have several Activity Bags for different things that I am involved in that needed to be reorganized and last week I showed you my Library Bag, Yoga Bag, 4H Bag, and Quilting Bag. If you would like to see Activity Bags Part 1 click on the link.

This week I am sharing my Book Carry Bag, Project Bag, and Activities and Groups Bag. I am sharing the pictures of each bag and the contents of what is staying in the bags since it would be too much to show before and after picture of each bag.

 
Book Carry Bag

In this bag I have the current book I am reading, a small notepad, pen, chapstick, and a small cross-stitch project.
I usually have this bag setting at the kitchen table where I read but I also carry it to the bedroom for reading in the evenings sometimes. I carry the bag with me a lot when I leave the house to keep myself busy during waiting times. I add my Book Carry Bag sometimes to the big Project Bag if I am going away for the weekend or am having a project day.


Project Bag

I use this bag for projects that I can do on the go such as in the car or waiting on appointments. Sometimes I use the bag when I want to do projects in other locations in the house besides the kitchen or my office. It also works well for when my church has a project day and the lady’s work on anything they want to bring to keep busy as they socialize. I also carry this bag when I go on trips. I have something’s I always keep in the bag but I add to it depending on where I am going and what projects need to be worked on. I sometimes carry my Seasonal Notebooks, Personal Interests Notebook, Cooking Notebooks or Homemaking Notebook. You can see a picture of some of these notebooks in my Office Bookshelves post.

The bag itself I got at a yard sale at least 5 years ago. It has a big pocket on the front and back along with pockets along the inside.


These are the things I keep in the bag:



A Small Notebook

I use this notebook to make list of projects I am working on.















While I was organizing I had to do a little prettying up of the inside of my notebook. I used a piece of scrapbook paper, 2 pages from an old Mary Engelbreit desk calender, a glue stick, and scissors.

I used the scrapbook paper to cover the front and back pockets and then I cut out the calendar pictures and added them. This was a simple no cost project that added some cuteness to my notebook.

Zipped Pencil Pocket

In the pocket I have a bookmark, yellow marker, pen, pencil, notepad, paperclips, glue stick, scissors, and a card.

A Book

I always have a craft or how-to book that I want to read or do a project from. I usually have more that one book but this is what I have right now in the bag.















Magazines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calendar
 
free from bettycrocker.com 


Craft Projects

I carry small craft projects that can be done on the go. I bag up each project in a kit so that I have everything I need to work on the project together.





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wordfind
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Snacks
 
I currently have a box of tissue, a bottle of water, 2 water flavor tubes, baggie of instant coffee or tea making supplies, candy, breath mints, and a breakfast bar that I carry in the pockets.















I find it very helpfulness that I can do tasks on the go, then bring it to my desk and easily transfer items to their proper spots or hang the bag on the back of my office door so I can work on my projects later. A real time-saver and it helps to prevent desktop clutter.















Activities and Groups Bag

This is the bag we carry to Activities and Groups we are involved in. The toddler cookies are because I am the Nursery Worker for one of our Coops. I have snacks, bottled water, baggie of instant coffee making supplies, and a notepad and pen in case one of the boys need to take notes. Usually each boy has a notebook or two for the coop classes they are taking but they haven’t received anything yet because the classes just started up for 2nd semester.















The notebook is where I keep info for each Activity and Group such as Coop’s, Youth Group, and Volleyball. I decorated the Notebook with scrapbook paper, pages from my notepad, scripture that I typed and printed, and a marker.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Zippered pencil pouch with a notepad, pencil, pen, highlighter, paperclips, and a clip.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notepaper for Notes that I decorated.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A Year at a Glance Calendar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monthly Calendars
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filefolders that I cut in half to make dividers for my groups so I can organize my papers. I decorated them alittle too.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Everything in the bag.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Submitted to:
I'm an Organizing Junkie 52 Weeks of Organizing