Anyway, he was playing this game with me where he'd give me a list of things and I had to guess their category.
One went something like: "This table, my shoe, the clock."
My guess: "Thinks in this room?"
"No," he said. "Miscellaneous!"
Still makes me chuckle :)
That's today's category too. A few random tips that aren't really substantial enough to stand alone, but also aren't connected. So here we go.
DISHES....All the plastic kids dishes (raise your hand if you have these from IKEA too!) are stored in one plastic bucket in a lower cabinet. The kids can reach them, they don't spill out all over a shelf, and I can set it right on the counter for easy unloading from the dishwasher.
PILLOWS...To put pillowcases on really fast and make sure the corners of the pillow are actually down in the pillowcase, I turn the pillowcase inside out first. I stick both hands in the pillowcase and grab the corners of the pillow. Then I take one hand out, grab the pillowcase and pull it up over itself. I then hold the top of the pillowcase, give it a little shake, and the pillow's in!
MENU...I finally found a use for those whole-month pages in my calendar: I write out my menu plan on them. I have my daily calendar right there so I can see if there's an evening activity that needs a quick meal or if my day is jam packed with errands and appointments so I won't be in the kitchen. Plus I'm at least a little more likely to commit to it if I've written it down first. And if I want a little extra motivation still, I transfer the list to my weekly chalkboard menu made from poster board--then it's visible to my husband as well!
I guess none of these are earth-shattering, and maybe most people already do them. I take small steps around here. Do you have any random tips to share? I'd love to hear them! Feel free to leave a blog link as well.
**After posting this, I had a few requests for the Maple Salad listed in the picture above. So I took some pictures and put the recipe up for you. Yes, you can thank me. And I hope you like it!**
Maple Apple Chicken Salad

I love the calendar idea for meal planning. I just have to use one calendar. It seems like I am using 3 calendars and hoping I keep them all up to date. I need to just sit down and plan the meals too, I struggle with that.
ReplyDeleteI want the recipe for the Chicken Apple Maple Salad!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips -- especially the meal planning one! Your blog is lovely
ReplyDeleteJenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
P.S. If you are interested, i have a giveaway for adorable kids/nursery room art that is ending tonight. Come check it out if you'd like :)
You know how it is.. sometimes simple things are the things you seem to have skipped. I love the menu planning. I should totally do that!
ReplyDeleteKarlene
Hi, found ya on a link party. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! We use the plastic bucket for bottles and sippy cups too! I also want the chicken salad recipe.. sounds yummy!
Great ideas! I like the planner one...I might need to start doing that. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to store plastic dishes in a big bin. I need to do that with my regular plastic dishes. Mine are such a mess right now.
ReplyDeletePs.. I'm a new follower :)
Umm, yea, never thought of using the month planner section for menu planning! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteAll those tips are good, but that last one especially is really a great idea. Then you can page back through to get ideas when you think you've run out of ideas for meals! And I love ring binders that are not those nasty spirals that get bent and then don't work. :-)
ReplyDeleteThose are great tips Steph. Thanks for sharing. I love the kids dishes in that bin in the lower cupboard. Genius. I might have to try that.
ReplyDeleteCheri
Great tips...I have really got to start doing a weekly menu!! You have a lovely blog, I visit you from the Sunday Social. Really enjoying reading your blog and look forward to all your future posts! I am one of your new loyal followers! When you have a chance come on by and check out my blog (and make sure to say hi!). If you like my blog, I would love it if you would follow me back! Cath @ Home is Where my Heart is: http://cathhasablog.blogspot.com/
ReplyDelete