Monday, April 6, 2009

Menu Plan Monday



This will be a short menu plan because we are going to visit family for a few days this week (no cooking for this mama :-)

Monday: Today is the hubby's birthday so I am making his favorites- BBQ Pork Roast, homemade scalloped potatoes, cream corn and homemade carrot cake

Tuesday Grilled Ham and Cheese and Tomato Soup

Wednesday- Saturday- visiting Mommom and Poppop

Sunday (Easter Dinner here with family)
Ham, scalloped corn, green bean casserole, mashed sweet potatoes, homemade cheesecake, lemon pie (others are bringing dinner rolls, macaroni and cheese and cookies)

What are you cooking this week?

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Ask the Organizer!

Every Saturday I will answer your organizing questions. Feel free to leave the questions in the comment section!

Question: What can I do with excess Longaberger baskets?

Answer: Well, if all else fails I will be glad to take them off your hands LOL. In all seriousness, in my life there is no such thing as an extra basket. I use baskets for everything! I have baskets that hold stationary for when I write cards and letters. I have a big basket that holds my son’s hamster’s food and bedding. I have baskets that hold the outgoing mail. I have a basket by the door to hold my purse and keys so I always know where they are. There are baskets in the bathroom holding toiletries and make-up. Baskets can be used for everything no matter how much you paid for them! They also make basket stands (I usually get mine at country stores) that hold and display up to ten baskets at a time. Also, Longaberger baskets are worth more over time, in many cases. So, if you are looking to get rid of them consider resources like Craigslist, Ebay, etc.

Question: What do you recommend for family members who are resistant to cooperate in organizing the household?

Answer: When I was growing up there was a sign hanging in our kitchen that said “When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”. This really can be true. Express the effect that clutter and disorganization has on you. Sometimes people need to understand why you are asking something from them. So be honest about how it makes you feel to come home to a cluttered mess. Start with your spouse. If you can garner support from your spouse than he will be behind you, backing you up with the other family members. Establish expectations and consequences and follow through. My prayers are with you that your family will come to see the importance of cutting through the clutter of life!

Happy Organizing!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Want to go to design school?

I didn't set out to be a professional organizer- in college I majored in social work and then psychology. I worked in human services for almost ten years, mainly with the elderly population. And then my entrepreneurial spirit kicked in full gear and I decided to put my Type A personality to good use and help people become more organized. That was back in January of 2007 and I haven't looked back since. I really enjoy helping people create order from chaos.

One of my favorite parts of the organizing process is interior decorating. I enjoy helping people make a space attractive and comfortable to them. The more inviting a space, the more likely a person is to keep it organized and uncluttered.

I have found a great site for interior design training. Through comprehensive correspondence courses, you can obtain training and certification in interior design and feng shui. I have sent off for more information about the courses that Sheffield offers. I am a firm believer in continuing education and online/correspondence courses are the only type I have time for with all the things I juggle.

Here are some details about the program(s) at Sheffield:
Sheffield began as an interior design school in 1985, and then expanded its course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui and Wedding and Event Planning. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, they have trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Sheffield's offices are located in the heart of Manhattan, between Grand Central Station and the United Nations. This location, in the design capital of the world, allows them to hire faculty members who are among the top professionals in their field.


So, if you are looking to break into this fulfilling career path, be sure to check out all your educational options, including Sheffield.

Happy Learning!

Melissa Multitasking Mama

Monday, March 30, 2009

Energizer Battery pack Giveaway


I am giving away the new Energizer lithium batteries (valued at $12.00) on my mama blog. The giveaway ends tomorrow March 31, 2009. Click here to enter. Good luck!

Melissa, Multitasking Mama

Menu Plan Monday




Another week, another meal plan! Here is what my family will be feasting on this week, how about yours?

Monday- Ham, Cabbage and Potatoes (one-dish meal)

Tuesday- Leftover night

Wednesday- Steak Subs with onions/peppers, baked potato

Thursday- Ham and Bean soup (using leftover ham from Monday), bread and butter

Friday- Breakfast for dinner- french toast, bacon and grits

Saturday- Eat Out

Happy Menu Planning,

Melissa Multitasking Mama

Monday, March 23, 2009

Menu Plan Monday




Are you menu planning yet? You should be!! Here is my menu plan for this week:

Sunday- Pork Chops, Potatoes Au Gratin and corn

Monday- Chicken A la King over biscuits (this is a great recipe from a Southern Living magazine years ago, yum yum)

Tuesday- Lentil Stew, cornbread

Wednesday- BBQ Pork Sandwiches, cole slaw and french fries

Thursday- Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans

Friday- Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread

Saturday- Shrimp Salad in whole wheat pitas, tater tots

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Cinnamon Pecans

This is an easy recipe from the lead singer of one of my favorite contemporary Christian bands, MercyMe (Bart Millard) and can make a great homemade holiday/hostess gift.
Cinnamon Pecans

1 bag pecans White egg yolks

Cinnamon Ziploc bag

Sugar

Heat oven to 250 F. Put egg yolks into mixng bowl (two yolks per bag of pecans). Add pecans and stir. Get Ziploc bag and put three small spoonfus of sugar and cinnamon into bag. Add pecans into bag and shake. Put pecans on baking sheet and cook for fifteen minutes. Allow to cool completely before placing in plastic bags for gift giving!