A Couple of Questions

Just to answer a couple of your questions about the linen closet.

Yes, I printed the labels. I have a couple of cool fonts from scrapbookers who have the cutest handwriting!!

Also, the containers under the sink are labeled candles, hair care items, post baby items, and misc. items. The miscellenous tote held all the little ziploc labeled bags. I labeled these little bags razors, bathcap, lotions, sanitizer, perfumes, makeup, and chapstick. In the closet the drawers are labeled toiletries, toothbrushes, and first aid supplies. The containers in the linen closet are labeled lotion, refill items, and outdoor items. The refill tote is filled with hand soap refill bottle, body soap refill bottle, cotton balls to refill containers, etc. You get the idea. Hope this helps, for those who were curious.

Organizing Bathroom and Linen Closet

Okay, here are some pictures of what I worked on this last week. Its funny how they look nothing like Martha Stewart, in my mind I was really hoping they would!! BUT, I realized as I compare pictures that Martha organizes all of her new products and makes sure colors match, etc. I, on the other hand, am working with all of our OLD STUFF, all mixed together and NOT colored coordinated. Well, it may not look like Martha Stewart, but it makes me oh so happy to know that everything has a place.

Under my sink in the bathroom.

View of the inside of the containers under the sink. I bought a box of bags and labels and categorized all those little items that I don't use on a daily basis. It was so easy and fast!

Top drawer in the bathroom. Mostly Steve's stuff, except for the toothbrushes that we both use.

My drawer. I tried to just keep things out that I use everyday!! I put a bunch of stuff that was in this drawer in those plastic sacks shown earlier.

LINEN CLOSET

Outdoor products, lotion, and items that I use to refill other items all labeled and easy to access.
Aren't the blankets pretty all folded up??!
I really like the drawers. Thinking about getting some more drawers, makes items super easy to access, but they can hide away at the same time.

It feels really great to get this done. I keep going back into the bathroom to look at everything all organized. I also have the bottom drawer in our bathroom and the cupboard under Steve's sink EMPTY, can you believe it?? I'm keeping them empty because I believe as I keep working on organizing I will find items that need a new home. I also wanted to point out that I did not buy any containers to do this project. The only things I purchased were the plastic sacks and labels. I collected the containers from around the house, looking for ones that matched. I found them scattered through the kitchen and my scrapbook room. As I added these containers to their new space, I ended up taking a few of the containers I was using out of the linen closet/bathroom and will use them in other areas of my home. I loved the look of matching containers, I think that it really adds a look of order. I also love knowing I didn't spend money on bringing new items into my home that I didn't need!! I love when I can figure out how to use the things I already have to complete a new project.

Well, hope this post doesn't bore you!! I also wanted to wish everyone a

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

Think I might make cookies or something fun for the kids. We don't really do much on this "holiday" and are doing little easter scriptures everyday this week in gearing up for this weekend. Trying to help the kids understand the true meaning of Easter. I have to go try and find something green to wear, something that will fit my growing belly.

Meatloaf Dinner

Just wanted to post a couple pictures of how our meatloaf turned out!! I love my big crockpot!! I loved how easy it was to cut!! (Ignore the chip on the plate.)
And, of course, proof that it really was good. Isabelle, our pickiest eater, licking her plate!! Love this shot!!
I think we will have this again sometime soon!! Definitely a success. It smelled so good cooking all day!!
Oh, and a little preview. I got my linen closet organized yesterday while Isabelle took a very long nap. I'm so excited to have this completed. I will be posting more pictures soon.

Meatloaf Night??

Thought I would share a recipe I got off line that I'm going to try tomorrow. I finally got a new crockpot, a 6 quart, so much bigger than my last one. Recipes just didn't fit in it!! Anyway, early easter present from myself. I love the idea of throwing in something in the morning and having it all cooked and ready to eat at night. I'm never in the mood to cook dinner at 3:30/4:00pm. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Easy Meatloaf

1 egg
1/4 cup milk
2 slices day-old bread, cubed
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped green pepper
1 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/4 cup ketchup
8 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks (I just use baby carrots)
8 small red potatoes

In a bowl, beat egg and milk. Stir in the bread cubes, onion, green pepper, salt and pepper. Add beef and mix well. Shape into a round loaf.
Place in a 5-qt slow cooker. Spread ketchup on top of loaf. Arrange carrots around loaf. Peel a strip around the center of each potato; place potatoes over carrots.
Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 7-8 hours longer or until no pink remains in the meat and the vegetables are tender.

Yield: 4 servings

Source: Taste of Home’s Slow Cooker Classics

Yes, He's 29!!

Steve's 29th birthday was yesterday!! We celebrated with dinner on Friday night and Steve bought himself a bike for a gift. On Sunday, his actual birthday, we gave him a few little gifts and cards. I actually wrote down 29 reasons that I loved him, punched them out with my circle punch, and stuck them on our mirror to make a big "29." It turned out cute and was easy to do. We had his family over for a potluck dinner and cake and icecream. It was fun to get together since our family here hasn't all gotten together since Christmas.

My hubby with his mama!!

And.....

Wanted to share this fun magazine that I bought at Target the other day. So good, all of the articles are about organizing and it is so great!!! Highly recommend and will be getting a subscription soon.

IT'S A BOY!!

Well, the newest member of our family will be male, so Isabelle and I are outnumbered. We are really excited!! Jakob and this new little brother will be 5 years apart, which is the same distance between Steve and his older brother. Everything went well at the ultrasound and I'm feeling great!! It was so amazing to see this tiny image on the computer screen, this little life inside me; kicking, moving his little arms, watching his little heart beat, knowing he will be part of his life so soon. This next few months is going to fly!! I'm very motivated to get EVERYTHING DONE before he comes!! Anyway, just wanted to share.

Letting Go!!

So, I’m feeling the need to go through and let go of things in my home. Trust me, I’m not the greatest at this!! I hold onto many things that we might use someday, but I feel so good when I can let go of some items. It brings such order to my home and will make it a lot easier to organize (why spend time organizing things you will never use??). We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with so much stuff. We have to monitor it or it can take over our lives. Look at how many things have come into your home in the last week!! As I’ve looked around my home and listed these items I feel justified to get rid of more!! If you need some inspiration check out 100 Reasons to Get Rid of It. Very fun and inspiring.