Closet ReDo . . .

My husband is amazing. Sometimes. Well, a lot of the time, when he has the time. I think you get the point.

I love to dream up little projects that I truly believe will make our lives easier, by being more efficient and organized.  My husband just sighs . . .

"Organization" is trigger word for him in our humble abode . . . You see, I am one of those Re-organizers . . . I'll try one system, it works a few months, then doesn't, so I move on to another system.

His opinion is make the system work - My opinion is find something else. Anyway.

When I broke the news to him that I wanted to completely re-do our hall closet, he sighed his what-has-she-come-up-with-now sigh. 

"Why? What could possibly be wrong with the hall closet?"

I said, "Have you looked inside it lately?" You see, he is a drop-the-jacket-at-the-door kind of person.  His response was something along the lines of "humph . . ."

Our hall closet was a builder's special - a large space, being 29" deep and 59" wide - but with only one cheap wire shelf along the back wall, were could not utilize all the potential space. 

I needed the closet to be for our coats and gear, as well as all of our dish towels and table linens. I had previously attempted this by putting in a few plastic and wire shelves along the back and sides, but that didn't work either.

Time for a total re-do, and I knew exactly what I wanted. I was going to use the sides of the closet - not the back. My idea would mean the closet would change from reach-in to walk-in status, and who doesn't like a walk-in closet?!?

Hubby said, "Show me a plan." I flipped open my notebook where I had been scribbling and drawing ideas for a few months. I think he was impressed.

My original plan was to build shelving using 1 x 10 boards, or even 3/4" plywood, go up each side, add a closet bar on each side, put shelves above . . . but that's not how it turned out - it is even better . . .

TA DA!!!!

We found the shelves at IKEA - they were $4 each - and the brackets were also IKEA at $0.50 each - yes, 50 cents each. 

I really like these shelves because not only did they fit perfectly, but they are covered with a formica-type surface, so none of my things will snag. 

Closet bars and brackets came from the local hardware store, and I ordered a motion-sensor, LED light from Amazon (here) which works phenomenally well. The light comes on as soon as you step in, stays on long enough to hang up our stuff, then turns off by itself a few moments later. It works so well, in fact, that I've ordered another one for our pantry, and am considering ordering more for other spaces in our house that could use some more light.

We decided to change the original plan and put shelving up one side, and two hanging closet bars opposite, with one being lower, so . . . wait for it . . . the kids can hang up their own jackets! A huge feat for two kids under 6! 

Total cost - about $80 . . .

Total time spent - about 3 hours, not including emptying everything out, which took another 2 hours . . .
Total value - the return of a bit of my sanity . . . no more picking up everyone's coats lying by the door . . . no more yelling, "Mom, where's my hat?"   No more nothing.   Just peace and tranquility. Ahhhh.

NOTE: After having lived with the closet for a few weeks, I am going to add some hooks on the back wall for the kids to hang their backpacks and lunch boxes, and for me to hang my purse. Other than that, this is one of the best home improvement jobs we have ever done!

I actually smile every time I open the door - every time - really. And I have thanked my man countless times, usually after I open that door . . . big hugs and kisses. 

The neighbors came over for bunco last week . . . they ooohed and aaahed as well - this may spell some home improvement for many husbands in our neighborhood over the next few months. 

Now, onto the next project . . . I wonder which space needs a re-do?!?

before pic's from store room . . .

So Saturday was a great success!!  Sister Sarah came over and really got my ass in gear and we totally organized and got rid of tons of stuff for the upcoming yard sale!!  Here's the before pics . . .

After pics are on the way!!

organization quest continues . . .

So tomorrow is a big day here at my house - we are all finally healthy enough for my sister to come over and help me clean out the storage area in our basement!!  Yippee!!  We are going to gut the shelves, throw crap away, put the keeper stuff in clear, labeled, organized bins!  I can't wait!!  I will post before and after pictures - this is going to be amazing!!

ARGH!

Why does it seem that kids only get sick at night?!?  My big guy spent all of sunday night vomiting - I felt so bad for him - but now I feel bad for me, because a night w/o any sleep put me in a reduced immune response to catch that damn virus that made him vomit all night!  But - I get sick in the morning, right after hubby goes off to work . . . ARGH!  I just want to curl up in about 4 blankets and snooze all day, but alas!!  I have my little guy who wants to play trains . . . I guess I'll suck it up and be Percy . . . chugga, chugga, choo-choo!

This and that . . .

Had a phenomenal weekend away with some girlfriends, doing tons of scrapbooking, chatting and snacking!!  Really had a lovely time, and learned tons of things to do on the Cricut machine!! 

One thing I did cook recently was on Friday, before I left.  I had found a recipe for a turkey breast roast in the crock pot.  I had some of the leftovers on Sunday when I got back, and OMG - it was delicious!!  Really simple . . . http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/slow-cooker-turkey-breast/Detail.aspx.  Used some in quesadillas yesterday for dinner, and put the rest into the freezer for a casserole later in the week. 

On Saturday, at the crafting retreat, I made Swiss chicken casserole for dinner for everyone - I thought it came out delicious!! 

Swiss Chicken Casserole

2 1/2 cups Stove Top stuffing Mix, divided
6 chicken breast halves
salt and pepper
2 tsp olive oil
6 slices swiss cheese
1 can cream of chicken (or celery or mushroom)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup white wine

Preheat oven to 350 deg.  Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan, set aside. 

In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil.  Add 2 cups of stuffing mix, mix well, remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes.  Spread stuffing evenly on bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan.

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste.  Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat and lightly brown chicken breasts on both sides.  Arrange chicken in 9 x 13 inch pan.  Cover each piece of chicken with 1 slice of swiss cheese. 

In a separate bowl, mix soup, sour cream and wine thoroughly.  Pour sauce over chicken evenly.  Sprinkle with remaining stuffing mix.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.

NOTE:  you can just arrange raw chicken into the casserole, but be sure you bake it 45-50 minutes. 

cooking in bulk . . .

One thing that I have been doing for a while now is cooking in bulk.  I can't stand store-bought frozen meatballs - so I make a huge batch of homemade ones and freeze them in dinner-sized packages for a quick and easy meal.  I make them generically spiced, so you can make them italian-style with a jar of marinara, asian-style with teriyaki and hoisin sauce, or even bbq-style with a bottle of your favorite sauce.  I throw them frozen into a small crock-pot, cover with the sauce and cook on high for 3-4 hours.  AND here are the best parts:
1.  These are extremely healthy - baked, not fried - and low in fat, high in fiber. 
2.  These are CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!  Only $2.60 for 10 - 2" meatballs, enough for us for dinner and maybe a leftover sandwich the next day!! 
3.  For one hour's work, you get 10 meals - yes, that is 10 meals! 

Meatballs in bulk
5 lbs 90% lean ground beef
2.5 lbs 93% lean ground turkey
2 lbs ground pork
2 cups freshly ground bread crumbs (see note below)
1.5 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
3 cups low-fat milk
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 large onion, peeled and quartered
2 shallots, peeled and halved
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 bunch italian parsley, stems removed
1.5 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 deg. F.  Line 3 large baking sheets with foil.  Lightly spray foil with cooking spray.  Set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor or even a blender, process the oatmeal until it resembles small crumbs.  Set aside.

In a LARGE mixing bowl (really big folks) put all the ground meats.  If you don't have one big enough, use two and divide the different types equally between them. 

In a second bowl, place breadcrumbs and oatmeal crumbs, milk and eggs.  Mix well and set aside for at least 10 minutes.

Go back to your food processor and add the rest of the ingredents EXCEPT the parmesan. Process until everything is very finely chopped.  Add this mixture, along with the parmesan, to the breadcrumb/milk mixture.  Mix well. 

Now comes the fun part.  You need to add the breadcrumb mixture to all of the meat.  If you are using one bowl, just dump it in, and use your hands to mix it well (don't forget to take your rings off!!) If you are using two bowls, try to divide it equally and mix away.  If your hands start to freeze (mine do) take a break and warm them up under some warm running water.  After you have it mixed pretty well, you can dump the whole thing onto a large jelly roll pan and mix it some more, like kneading bread.  You really want it to be uniformly mixed. 

Once you are happy with your mixture, now comes the scooping.  I use a 2" ice cream scoop and level each scoop before placing onto the baking sheets.  This gives the balls a flat side, which makes it easier for my kids to cut them!  Put them about 1/4 inch apart and fill the cookie sheet.  I get 7 rows of 5 on my sheets.  Once the sheets are full, place them in the oven for 25 minutes, or until firm to the touch.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Divide into freezer bags and freeze until ready to use. 

Makes about 10 lbs of meatballs (about 100, 2" meatballs)

NOTE:  I haven't bought breadcrumbs in about 4 years now.  I make my own using stale bread, buns, whatever I have laying around, and keep it in a bag in my freezer.  Just throw everything in a food processor, and pulse a few times to start the breakdown, then run about 3-4 minutes on high to get fine crumbs.  Don't worry about removing any crusts - it's all good.  I think 3-4 slices of fresh loaf bread will give you about 1 cups of crumbs, so try 3 and see what you get, you can always do more!  I use these crumbs for everything, and what a difference in taste and texture versus the store-bought kind! 

You can also use this mixture to make meatloaves (divide into 2 lbs packages) or burgers (pan-fry, cover with marinara and mozzarella cheese for an awesome pizza burger!)

doing little things . . .

Been trying to do something little each day toward my quest of being organized . . . today it was taking my craft boxes and resorting and labeling them - now I can see what I have where just with a glance!  Trying to redo my office area is coming along slowly - there are times when I wish at had a "bewitched" nose . . . but I think the process is just as important as the end result - I'm really working on figuring out what I actually need versus what I may want . . . how do you figure out what to keep and what to get rid of?  I was watching that new Peter Walsh program on OWN the other day and he said something that struck me profoundly (paraphrasing) "There are two groups of people - those have have memories attached to things, and those who think they might need it someday . . . the first group lives in the past, the second in the future - when are you going to live in the NOW?!?"