WFMW - Kitchen Organization

This week's WFMW at Rocks in my Dryer is all about kitchen organizing. Two of my favorite subjects to blog about!! Since we remodeled our kitchen this summer, mine has now be reorganized and updated! Here's one thing I was so excited about adding. A "command center" in one of my kitchen cabinets!! It's a way to organize and control paper clutter in the kitchen. Let's avoid that "pile of mail" and kid/school information that gets forgotten in the pile too.

• I started by purchasing black tier plastic trays for catching paper work. I put all papers I've got to get to on the top and Brendan's school papers on the bottom shelf.


• Then I have a basket for note pads and post-its. My other basket holds my coupon organizer and weekly shopping fliers.


• I have a can for pens,pencils, markers and scissors.


• Then I got a mail seperator for school/babysitting/house cleaning envelopes which I've pre-dated for the year. That way all I have to do in put in the $$$/check for tuition, weekly money for my sitter and my house cleaning woman.


• I also purchased those little metal magnetic cups for paper clips, magnets and rubber bands.


• On the top shelf are my recipe boxes, a basket for charger plugs, and menus.

I just open the cabinet to find everything I need at my finger tips. I usually clean through the bins about every 2 weeks to keep it all up to date and neat. Good luck and happy organizing!!

Click here to see the rest of my new kitchen and the adventures of Kitchen renovation!

Works for Me Wednesday - Magazine Tips

We get quite a few magazines at the house. I'm one to read through them and file them in the magazine rack. Here are two systems I use for oganizing & controlling magazine "clutter!!"

Tip #1

My cooking magazines {faves include: Cook's Country, Everyday Food, Everyday with Rachael Ray} always have great recipes I want to try out. I don't like to rip them out [right away] because Sean likes to read them too. So when I find a recipe I want, I fold down the corner. Then when I go through the magazine to toss it or pass it on, I look through it fast and then rip out the recipes I wanted. This way I don't have to "reread" the whole magazine again!

Tip #2
If you read a lot of magazines and then "swap & trade" them with friends (that's a good thing to do too!) is to write your first inital on the back corner. This way whoever you swap with will know if you read it already.

Works for Me Wednesday - Behavior Star Chart

This week's WFMW is Brendan's Star chart. I created this because we needed Brendan to improve in his potty training. (This was a VERY difficult "adventure") I really likes the positive aspect of this earning chart. Here's how it works!

Brendan chooses something to earn and then we decide on the number of stars he needs to earn his treat. I laminated the chart and I use a Vis-a-vis (wet erase) marker so I can clean it off and reuse it again. When he's earning he really checks the chart often and we count "how many more" we need to get his treat. I use similar ones in my classroom. I personalized this one for him and used Google to find pictures of the things he wants to earn. I attached a velcro dot to the back of each picture and a velcro dot to the chart (after I laminated it!).

Works for Me Wednesday

Here's a supermarket shopping list that can keep any kid busy while shopping!

Here's how I made it!
I made a chart with 5 boxes in each column. One column I called "I need" and the other column "I found". Then I laminated it. Next I attached velcro dotes to each box. I then created "food cards". Each food card is a different food item we buy with the name and picture. I attached the opposite velcro dots on the backs of each "food card" after I laminated them. Before we go shopping, my son chooses 5 food items he will be responsible for finding at the store. While there, his job is to find the items. When it's in our cart he moves the card to the "I found" column. He loves feeling responsible for "his items" and playing scavenger hunt fo them. I love it because it keeps him busy while shopping.

I also use this activity book I found in Target. It's by Cranium/Bloom. It attaches to the cart with a velcro strap and you use a wipe off marker to do the cards.

Works for Me Wednesday - Kid Schedule

Here's what works for my 3.5 year old. A schedule.

Being a teacher, I know that kids thrive on a schedule. They like to know what is going to happen each day...what to expect...it's makes them comfortable to know this. So I created a schedule for my son so that he knows what's on the agenda for the day. It also got him to take a nap since he knew that after his nap he could do other fun things...but not until he took his nap.

On the front I printed the activity and on the back I printed DONE. I glued them on index cards and laminated them. I have them in a pocket chart. He loves to turn over the cards and say he completed the task. I don't add any times for this since I need it to be a little flexible. (plus he can actually tell time by the hour so I don't need that added pressure to keep on schedule that way!!) I also don't use the schedule every day. I want him to also be flexible. Too much scheduling won't allow that.

(Sorry these pics are not the best- My kitchen is under construction!)

Works for Me Wednesday

This week's WFMW is 5 Ingredients or Less .
Here are 2 of my faves! Enjoy!

Well, the best "quick and easy" recipe I can think of does not have 5 but 7 ingredients...but the extra 2 are well worth it. This is an easy "go to" recipe and you can have most the ingredients in the pantry.
I can't take the credit for it, I found it in the Kraft magazine and they keep reprinting it...so I know it's a good one! I love it in the Fall/Winter b/c it warms the house with a delicious smell!

I also attached a good, quick, "no heat in the kitchen" recipe. It's great for the slow cooker. The hardest part is finding the McCormick seasoning packet...usually it sells out...so stock up!!

Bruschetta Chicken Bake
Prep Time:10 min
Total Time:40 min
Makes:6 servings, 1 cup each

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1/2 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese

HEAT oven to 400°F. Stir tomatoes, stuffing mix, water and garlic just until stuffing mix is moistened.
PLACE chicken in 13x9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with basil. Top with cheese and stuffing mixture. BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through. **************************************************************

Slow Cookers BBQ Pulled Pork

Sweet and tangy describe this mild, family-style BBQ pork. Start with a boneless shoulder roast or substitute a boneless loin roast for a lower fat BBQ. Coleslaw is a must have side!
Makes 10 servings. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH

3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast, well trimmed
1 package McCormick® Slow Cookers BBQ Pulled Pork Seasoning
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup cider vinegar

1. Place pork in slow cooker. Mix Seasoning, ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar until blended. Pour over pork. Cover.
2. Cook 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH. Remove pork from slow cooker.
3. Shred pork, using 2 forks. Return pork to slow cooker. Mix and heat with sauce before serving. Serve on sandwich rolls, if desired.
IMPORTANT: For best results, do not remove cover during cooking.
Substitute: Use 3 pounds boneless pork loin roast in place of the pork shoulder roast.