My new fridge

It is a black Kenmore. This past week has not been the best week at our house. We have been living thru Murphy's law and it hasn't stopped yet. The breakdown of our 18 year old fridge was just one more in the list of bad timing, etc. The old fridge was here when we purchased our home and all indications were that it was as old as the house. Among some other problems, we knew that it was going but the other evening while Doug and I were eating dinner (in front of the TV), I heard a strange noise, like water running. As I stood and looked into the kitchen which is where the sound appeared to be coming, I saw a huge growing puddle of water on my hardwood floor! The water dispenser was running and neither of us had been near it!! We got that contained and the water turned off to the fridge. Then a couple days later the door broke. And the flap no the ice dispenser had been broken for a long time and we had just "bandaided" that one. So we talked and decided to bite the bullet, even though financially this was not what we really needed at the moment. We went to the Sears outlet store and found this lovely black Kenmore and had it delivered on Monday. The good thing is that my fridge is all nice and organized and hopefully will stay that way! I guess I should have taken a picture of the "declutter" that I threw away! I am making use of some storage containers for containment and organization. :) So far I like it. The old fridge was a dirty cream. It used to have this fake black front on it but our clothes would catch on it when we walked by so I finally ripped it off! I do like the black.

Talk about Tuesday!

Today is my 2nd to the oldest Granddaughter's birthday. This is my "gabby" granddaughter. This little sweetie didn't need to talk when she was little because her big sister would do it for her! Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I love you so very much. You have such a kind heart and you are such a sweet and innocent child. Grammie prays for you to grow up to love the Lord with all your heart. :)

For other Talk about Tuessday visit The Lazy Organizer!

I've been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Hayley and I now need to write 7 random things about me, then pick 7 more people to tag. And since I had nothing better to write about today, here we go.......

1. I am a Christian. I received Christ as my Savior when I was 20 years old. I wish I could say that I have steadfast and on the path every step of the way but alas, I cannot. I love the Lord and it is the desire of my heart to be more faithful in my walk and my talk everyday. :)

2. I have 15 grandchildren, ranging in age from soon to be 14 years to 3 months. They are all exceptional children! :) :)

3. I love riding on our Harley. We have a gorgeous bike. I have not been able to ride as much the past 2 years because of some health problems but hope to get back in the saddle soon!!!

4. I love to craft. It is a passion of mine! I love to make homemade gifts for my family and friends.

5. I have a heart for special needs children and their families. I am the mother of a profoundly handicapped daughter who is my Special Angel.

6. I love oldies music. I could be "Lost in the Fifties" and never come back. I love nostalgic things, reminders of a simpler, quieter time! Hoola hoops, jacks, Elvis, Paul Petersen, Johnny Crawford, Ricky Nelson, Sandra Dee, GIDGET!!, Sally Field, Paul Newman!, oh, I could go on and on!!! Garage bands! Louie Louie! Bobby Darin, The Wailers, Cliff Richards, silly putty! Do you think I should stop now? I really could go on and on and on!

7. I absolutely love this Autumn season. I love the colors, the feel, the breeze. Autumn brings back wonderful memories of my youth in Lincoln, Nebraska. It shows me God's magnificent force in all of nature.

Now I have to tag 7 people!

I tag:

My daughter at My Family

Diane at Where Do I Go to get Started???????????

Ginger at Lovestodream

Amanda at Momto2busyboys

Patricia at Gifts that Say WoW

Miss Mouse

Amber at Red Mommy Crafts

Tag - YOU are now it!

Craft Rooms - Oh my!!!

I love to craft. I mean that I really LOVE to do crafts! And I have a craft room. We are fortunate to have a large garage and off of my husbands work shop is a small room about 10'x10' that I have been able to claim for my "crap" as we affectionately call it. I have attempted way too many times to organize this room. I have purchased storage containers added more shelves but it never seems to get quite finished. I KNOW that I have WAY too much stuff. When I go out to create, I want to have everything I need. I don't want to get 5 minutes into it a project and realize that I can't finish it because I don't have something! - (Seriously! If something calls for 1 item, I buy 2. If a pattern calls for 4 skeins, I purchase 5! - I am not kidding. You know I must be seriously ill! lol Please tell me that I am NOT the only one!!)

This month over at The Organized Junkie, the project is organizing the craft room. I am hopping on the band wagon. This is a procrastination thing with me too. So I am hoping to get lots of ideas there and finally get this room down to a less then dull roar and make it usable and comfortable and inviting. Ideally when I am crafting I should be out there; not bringing my supplies into the house and messing up the table with everything! The only exception to this should be my crocheting which I do when I am watching TV, or visiting and such.

I was just reading this article on Organizing a Craft Room. What really caught my eye was the Decluttering section! Yeah, I need to declutter. That is probably the hardest thing because being a "creative, crafty" person, we look at EVERYTHING and think I could use that someday for SOMEthing!!!! Do you know how much "junk" I have already decluttered and given away or thrown away? Enough that is for sure but I still have soooo much! I guess what I need to do is sit down and come up with a plan. What do I like to do the most? What craft is the least likely for me to do? What area of storage for which crafts? How do I envision my workspace for sewing? for scrapbooking? for floral? for other miscellaneous crafts? INVENTORY etc... Lists, that is it. I am going to come up with a plan, lists and then execute them! ( my girlfriend recently saw my craft room - now mind you she is NOT into crafts like I am - she told me I could set up shop! )

How about you? Do you have a craft room or craft space that needs some work? Or perhaps you have wonderful ideas! Please join in over I'm an Organized Junkie with your ideas and questions!!! We can all learn from this!!

80 and Counting!

Click here for directives and see what others doing!

The Simple Woman's Daybook - October 6

For Today...

Outside my Window...Is a dark and dreary rainy day… soon to be a blustery day… Keeps Washington GREEN.

I am thinking...that I would like to be somewhere else… sorry wish I could be more positive.

From the learning rooms...sigh… be prepared… and remember that God is the Blessed Controller of ALL things.

I am thankful for...the beauty of new life.

From the kitchen...not yet but when I get home from work …the smell of pumpkin bread.

I am wearing...Black pantset with embroidered top.

I am reading...invoices.

I am hoping...to get the new fridge organized and start on my recipes to try binder.

I am creating...a camouflage sweater for my grandsons birthday. I have the front, back and one and a half sleeves done….

I am hearing...the country radio station behind me and the voices of our coworkers conducting a sales meeting.

Around the house...a kitchen table that needs to be cleaned off after my daughter and I created ribbon headbands this weekend. Dog toys around that need to be gathered and put in his toy box.

One of my favorite things...The sights of colored leave, corn maizes and pumpkin patches popping up all around.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...need to get the car in for a diagnosis as the check engine light came on, continued working on birthday gifts, work on my pattern for doll to be renewed, gather materials for my gift projects and put in individual storage containers, organized ready to work on. To thoughtfully and definitively make X amount of time for personal time alone with God.

Picture thought I am sharing:

Click here to visit the Simple Woman and see what others are thinking about this week.

Countdown to Christmas - 81 and counting

Today I have to continue on with my preparations for birthdays. :) Tonight is a celebration for both my sister in law and brother in law. His birthday is today and hers tomorrow, then there are 2 more grandchildren birthdays this wee and another the next week! Fortunately the 2 this week are not being celebrated until 2 more weeks! lol. So although they will get happy birthdays on their day, the gifts will not have to be finished until the family gathering on the 19th! Whew...

Although I like the directive today, which is get out there and take a drive and enjoy the fall foliage and colors, I won't be able to do that so on with my plan ahead. Although the ride to the folks' tonight may provide me with some of the fall colors, so I will keep my eyes peeled!

Want to see how others are preparing for Christmas and perhaps even join in the plan? Click here!

Menu Plan Monday

I am posting this a bit early today. Not sure how much I will be around today.


Monday Ground Beef Crock Pot Soup
Lazy's Ultimate Muffin Recipe

Tuesday: Pizza Pasta Casserole - (This is wonderful as it makes 2! One for now and one to put in the freezer for later!) served with Spinach Salad:

The BEST Spinach Salad Recipe

Source: Friend LindaChicken TOH message boards

This has quickly become a family favorite. Delicious!


3 tablespoons butter
1 package ramen noodles
1/4 cup slivered almonds or sliced almonds
2-3 bags baby spinach

Dressing

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce

4-6 servings

Saute in the butter, until lite brown, the package of ramen noodles (crumbled) and the slivered OR sliced
almonds. **watch this, burns easily**

These are the "crispies" and will keep in a baggie in the freezer if you have any leftover.

Combine all the dressing ingredients in jar and shake to mix.

This makes enough salad for 2-3 bags of baby spinach or baby romaine or spring greens, your choice.

Toss the salad with some crispies and dressing right before serving.


Add optional sliced green onions if you wish.



Wednesday: Broccoli Soup

Thursday: Melt in your Mouth Chicken
Scroll down the page a bit. It is there. This is a link to a lot of my favorite family recipes. :)

Friday: Runza Casserole

Saturday: Fish ( I have to go to the store first and see what they have.)

To see what others are planning for their meals this week, click here!

And more headbands!

You are probably going to get tired of seeing these! Working on birthdays today. My daughter over for awhile but something came up so she had to get home. I made 4 more headbands. The brown and pink striped is for my granddaughter and the other two are for other family children that will be celebrating their birthdays at the same family celebration. I am really enjoying experimenting with placement of my ribbons and the pattern that it makes. :) 2 of these are 1 inch bands and 2 are 1/2 inch bands. Both work up great! I have to say I think this would be a best seller at a craft fair. It really isn't something that just everybody would pick up and be able/want to do.

82 Days anddCounting

Getting closer every day! Today the sky is gray, the rain is falling and wind is suppose to come up. For me today, it is about birthdays! I am going to be spending time with my daughter and we will be making headbands and barrettes again today - this time for birthday presents! :)

Click on over to 100 Days to Christmas and see what ideas and plans are being made!

Out of this World Snack Mix

When I say Out of this World, I mean OUT OF THIS WORLD! This snack mix is SO nummy. It is great for a party. It is great for game day. It is great for poker night. And it makes a great gift at Christmas! I make this up in my 18 qt roaster and that works great. This smells so good also while it is cooking up! Makes a lot!!


Out Of This World Party Mix

Source: PatriciaRose from the TOH message board

(1) 12 Ounce Box Crispix Cereal
(1) 15 Ounce Box Honey Graham Cereal
(2) 12.25 Ounce Bags Bugles
(1) Bag Pepperidge Farm Goldfish
(1) Bag Pretzels
(2) Cans Mixed Nuts
(2) .7 Ounce Packages Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
(2) Bottles Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Oil

Dump the first six ingredients into a VERY LARGE roaster. Mix the dressing mixes and popping oil in a small bowl. Pour over ingredients. Bake uncovered at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. This makes a huge amount, so you have to have a large roaster to make it in the first place.....or find something large to mix in and use two pans to bake in! Patricia found this in an old electric company cookbooklet!

Countdown to Christmas - 83 Days!

Today the directive is to make a list of those who would appreciate a homemade gift. There is a fantastic list at Listplanit.com. I love this list. I have my list but a transferring it to this format because I love the way it works for followup and planning! :)

Head on over to 100 Days of Christmas to see what others are planning and join in the fun! There are prizes to be given away! :)

Runza Casserole

This casserole is soooo very good. I have made this and frozen the other half after cooking and it did work out but it was not frozen more than a month. Another note: My hubby does not really care for cooked cabbage but let me tell you, he RAVED about this the first time I made it. :)


Runza Casserole

3 cans crescent rolls (I only use 2 cans)
2 lbs. hamburger
onion to taste
4 cups shredded cabbage ( or you can use packaged cole slaw mix)
2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese. Or a mix of both. Swiss would be good also.

Brown hamburger with onions. Drain. Salt and pepper to taste. Add cabbage to hamburger mixture and steam until cabbage is done. Place half of the crescent rolls in the bottom of a well greased 9x13 pan to form bottom crust. Put cabbage and hamburger mixture on top and then add cheese and cover all with the remaining crescent rolls. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Cover with foil the last 10 minutes so the rolls don't burn.

Pot Roast Meat Loaf

This picture and recipe is from Carol1229 on the TOH Recipe Message boards. Yummy!!!!









POT ROAST MEAT LOAF

1 (5 oz.) can evaporated milk
1/4 c. ketchup
1/2 c. cracker crumbs (Carol used reduced fat Ritz-they worked great!)
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 lb. lean ground beef
4 small onions, quartered (Carol used half of a large sweet onion-just cut it in chunks, sort of peeled some of the layers apart and spread it around)
4 small potatoes, peeled and quartered (Carol used 5 red potatoes)
4 medium carrots, peeled and quartered (Carol used 6 or 7 and quartered the larger ends-left the skinner ends whole)
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

In a large bowl, combine evaporated milk, ketchup, cracker crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Add ground beef; mix well. Shape meat mixture into an 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2-inch loaf and place in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish (Carol packed the meat mixture into a 8x4x2-inch loaf pan, then turned it out into the baking dish-it worked great). Place onions, potatoes and carrots around the loaf. Cover dish with foil. Bake @ 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until no pink remains in meat loaf and vegetables are tender, uncovering the pan during the last 15 minutes of baking. Sprinkle vegetables with parsley before servings. 6-8 servings.
The recipe is available in Taste of Home Country Ground Beef Cookbook!

Baked Candied Apples

Yum. Can you smell them? The baked candied apples? Definitely an Autumn aroma!

Bake Candy Apples

2 C Sugar, divided
1 C Corn Syrup
12 - 15 large Red Delicious apples
Brown Sugar to taste
1 - 9 0z package Red Hots
3 - 4 drops red food coloring

Fill a large stockpot 1/2 full of water. Add 1 c of sugar and the corn syrup. Stir well. Place cleaned and stemmed apples in pot. Let boil for 15 minutes. Butter a jelly roll pan and set aside. Take apples out of syrup and place on jelly roll pan. Reserve the syrup. Sprinkle the apples with brown sugar. Add the remaining sugar, red hots and food coloring to reserved syrup and bring to a boil. Pour over the apples. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Serves 12 to 15. Enjoy! I like to core my apples but you don't have to.

Cousins - Wordless Wednesday

To see what others are posting for Wordless Wednesday, click here!

2 more headbands

I felt like going out to the craft room for awhile. I made these headbands for my granddaughter. They will match her sweater that I am going to make for her birthday. This is the fun thing about this woven headband. Both are done in the same weave but with placing the ribbons in different positions, the one on the left looks like stripes and the one on the right like a diamond back!

Spiced Pumpkin Fudge

This recipe comes from a TOH friend that KNOWS about pumpkins! Susie and her family have a pumpkin patch! This has gotten RAVE reviews on the TOH recipe message boards!

SPICED PUMPKIN FUDGE:

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup Libby's Solid Pack Pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 12oz package butterscotch morsels
7 ounces marshmallow creme
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, pumpkin, and spice; bring to boil, stirring constantly until mixture reaches 234 degrees F on candy thermometer, about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in butterscotch morsels.

Add marshmallow creme and vanilla, mixing until well blended.

Quickly pour into greased 13x9 baking pan, spreading just until even.

Cool at room temperature; cut into squares.

Store tightly wrapped in refrigerator.

Talking about My Mom

Today would have been my mother's 90th birthday. She passed away in February of 2004. My mom was the best person in the world. No, I know she wasn't perfect. None of us are but you know I only remember the good. The only complaint that I have about my mom is that she used to serve Oyster Stew on Christmas eve and I hated that! lol If that is the only thing I have to complain about I am doing pretty darn good. Mom was born in the Sand Hills of Nebraska, the youngest of 6 living children. Her oldest sibling, my Aunt Betty was 20 years older than her. Mom nearly idolized her. She and dad met at Montgomery Wards, in North Platte, where they both worked, mom in the office, dad in the shoe department. They were married in a small ceremony on Sept. 4, 1938. Mom had 3 miscarriages before she finally had my oldest brother, Mike. When World War II came along mom was very active in the North Platte War effort. She, along with good friends, Doris Kugler, Gracie Berthe and other close friends were all apart of the North Platte Canteen. I am so proud of her for that and we really knew very little about it until just before she passed away! She was a modest woman. I used to think that mom didn't have much of a sense of humor, but then she told me a story of how she made a chocolate cake for her brother and put exlax in the frosting when she was a teenager!!! My mom did THAT???? Mom loved us and her grandchildren. The second picture above is the very last picture of my mom before she passed away. She is pictured with my granddaughter who was just 2 weeks old. You lose one and you gain one. The day before mom passed away, ALL of my children were able to come up and visit her with all of the grands. After they left, I was sitting with mom. She started to tear up and say she wished she had been a better mom.... OH MY WORD!!! I shared with my mom just what a wonderful mom she had been. The memories of stirring up a cake mix in the kitchen in our Lincoln home in that old green ceramic bowl. (I thought it was so ugly then, today I wish I had it!), the time when I was in my first year of junior college and she stayed up late into the night (and she worked fulltime) to finish up my cheerleading skirt that I needed the next day for a game, the day I came in crying because I had been following a squirrel around the old oak tree in the neighbors yard and it disappeared and she had been watching from the window. Her being our Blue bird and Campfire Girls leader. As mom failed that last day in the hospital, my brothers, myself and her grandchildren came in and out of her room. I was reading her Psalm 23 and mom was reciting it right along side of me. That was such a blessing to me. At the moment that mom took her last breath, my brother was holding her left hand, I was holding her right and my two sons were at the foot of her bed each gently rubbing a foot. We were talking about her and her activeness in the North Platte Canteen when she took her last breath. She left our presence knowing she was loved. The days that followed were bitter sweet. The joy is that I will be reunited with my mother again. I love you, Mom!

I am sharing this today with Talk about Tuesday hosted by The Lazy Organizer.

Camera Critters

Our dog is so funny. He loves our feet and our shoes. He has never chewed on our shoes. He did however "choose" us when he was a puppy and I had just put him down. The breeder called them all over to him, but our puppy turned and laid himself down over my feet. It was love at first sniff, I guess! We HAD to pick him after that! He will be three in December.

If you want to see pics of other bloggers' animals, check out the Camera Critters Meme.

Toilet Paper Pumpkin Tutorial

Gather materials:
one roll toilet paper,
one plastic bag,
on paper bag (lunch size or can cut down a large bag),
autumn florals and plant pics,
one piece of autumn colored fabric (yellow, orange, etc) cut 18" x 18" square.

The pattern on the fabric should be a very small print or solid. Experiment with different patterns, you will be amazed at how cute they can be!



Open fabric, wrong side up. Place toilet paper roll in the middle. Wrap the plastic bag around the roll. You do not have to connect it, just wrap around. Take the corners and bring up and tuck into the center of the roll. Do all 4 corners.



Take the paper bag and fold accordian style about 1 to 2 inches widthwise. Place this in the center of the roll leaving about 2 to 3 inches out of the center. This makes the stem. Take your floral pieces, it doesn't take much. Cut with wire cutters to desired length and poke around the "stem" decoratively.



And that is all there is to it. It is truly that easy! I think you could make a larger skinnier pumpkin by using a roll of paper towels. I haven't done that yet, but I would think I would increase the fabric square to 30" and go from there. This makes a nice hostess gift and are darling in clumps of 3 or more around the house for an inexpensive decoration!

Todays Countdown!

Today is all about enjoying the bounty of fall. I don't have any apples, but I was given some plums. I am going to get them halved and pitted tonight and put in the freezer.

For more thoughts of how to enjoy the bounty and jump start YOUR countdown to Christmas, check out 100 Days to Christmas.

Here are some of the finished craft projects!

My daughter was more on the ball than I was the other day. I was so excited to snap pictures of all of us having FUN that I forgot to take pictures of the finished projects! lol But here are some of the headbands and and bows that she finished. They really turned out wonderful! The headband is a pattern that you have to purchase but the bows can be found at hipgirlclips forums. I honestly can tell that these were very easy. My friend and mother of my daughter in law is not a crafty person and she commented on how easy it was! The headbands take a little bit more thought at first but once you get the pattern down, it really goes quickly. We were all so excited with what we had made! Don't the babies make perfect models?

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Enchiladas (leftover meat from Saturday's Taco Salad)
Tuesday - Hamburger Tator Tot Casserole
Wednesday - BLT Sandwiches
Thursday - Stir Fry with Turkey Keilbasa
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Crockpot Chicken Stew
Sunday - Connecticut Beef Supper


Click here to see what others are planning this week!

Edited to answer question about chicken stew: I just put my skinless boneless chicken in the crockpot (breasts, legs, thighs whatever you like) about 1 1/2 C chicken broth (or a little more) cut up potatoes and whatever veggies that I have on hand, onions, broccoli, carrots, corn and place in the crockpot. Season as desired; I like a touch of sage and seasoning salt. Cook all day and serve with biscuits in the evening. It is just another one of those plain jane comfort meals! :)

It couldn't have been a more perfect day!!!

What a FUN day we had yesterday crafting away! I am so very blessed with my lovely family!!!! The first thing we made were woven headbands with plastic headbands and ribbon. It took us awhile but once we got the rhythm down, we took off and came up with some of the most beautiful combinations! They are darling! Then we learned to make 2 different types of ribbon barrettes that turned out fun and beautiful!! My daughter graciously opened her home to us. I also prepared the makings for Taco Salad so lunch was taken care of along with Fall Candy Corn bars for a treat! We unanimously decided to make this an annual event and are planning our next one for March or April of 2009! We didn't get out of town until after 7:30 PM which I do not like driving in the dark, so that wasn't fun. At one point on a drive that I have taken 100s of times, I must have followed the car in front of me and missed my turn to the Hood Canal Bridge.. about the time that I said to my daughter, we haven't gone over the bridge yet! - I came to the tiny town of Quilcene and realized that I had taken the wrong road and had to backtrack! lol... but got home safe and sound and exhausted but so happy! Things I would change for next year? I would definitely spend the night so that we could spend even longer time together. we started at 10 and ended about 6 pm. Then dd and I went to see my 2 sons and the kids that hadn't come to the craft day... that was too short!!!!

I think this was a wonderful idea of starting a new family tradition. I can see this one growing and becoming more fun every year!

88 Days and Counting!

Today's directive is to start planning your child's Halloween costume. You see, planning for Christmas means planning and organizing the time TO Christmas. It means taking care of business so that you can enjoy the holiday with family and friends in a relaxed stressfree manner!!! I am all for that!

I don't have young children but I do have grandchildren and 3 of them have birthdays in October, starting at the 7th to the 16th. (Also have other family members with birthdays!!!!) So today, I am going to get out my patterns for the gifts I am making. I believe I have yarn for one of the sweaters but not for the other two so I will be needing to make a trip to Joanns and find the yarn for the other two. (Hopefully on sale!) lol I have pink verigated for one hoodie. I would like to find a pink and brown verigated for my soon to be 12 year old granddaughter and camouflage green for my grandson! He will love that! Wish me luck!!!

Click on here to get other great ideas to start your holiday planning and if you join in you could win a PRIZE!!! I did and I couldn't be happier!!!!

Countdown to Christmas - only 89 more days!

Today's focus on 100 Days to Christmas is on getting out there and enjoying fall! :) Go on a picnic, take a drive and enjoy the fall colors!

For me today is about starting a new tradition! I am SO excited. My daughters and daughter-in-laws are getting together today for a VERY special day of crafting! This is our first day to do this and we are going to make it an annual (if not semi-annual) event! I have gathered up the materials and we are going to be making ribbon barrettes and ribbon braided headbands! (With 10 granddaughters, I think we have plenty of hair for which to make them!) I have put together all the ingredients for a Taco Salad and Fall Candy Corn Bars for lunch and all the instructions and materials are packed in the car ready to head out to our get together. All the girls are excited about this too! We have talked and wanting to make this a tradition with us. Maybe every November as focus to Christmas. Today we are all going to make the same thing but in the future, it could be a different craft for each of us but we all gather together to craft and fellowship! As time goes on, it will be fun to include the older granddaughters and actually one of my daughter in laws mom will be joining us today! I will write more and post pictures later in the week! For pray for traveling mercies for my daughter, baby granddaughter and myself as we travel to start this fun new tradition!

100 Days to Christmas is all about setting goals and organizing the way to a stressfree and organized Christmas. Check out this blog and see what others have to share. You may want to join in! There are weekly prizes!

Christmas Countdown!

Today's directive is to update the addresses in your Christmas list. Very good idea and started on that. The internet is a wonderful place to get the help you need.

Click over to 100 Days of Christmas and get organized for Christmas with us. You just might win a wonderful prize!

Giveaways!!

We all like free things!!! My daughter is having an Avon giveaway on her blog. Click HERE to find out more.

Pioneer Woman has an espresso giveaway going on until 10 PM PST time tonight. Click HERE for those details.

Friday Declutter Challenge - Sept 26

Oh boy! What fun this week! I decluttered 3 different email accounts! My personal gmail account was the first one to tackle. Wow... over 1700 emails! Most of my craft and recipe ideas get emailed and saved in here to the folders. Took me a LONG time but I got it done! While doing that my spam went from 303 to over 400! Spam I usually delete upon going into the email. Next over to my email that we use for our Secret Sister "Swap" on TOH. It wasn't as bad but had over 300 emails. I archived and labeled what needed to be kept and it is now down to 50 emails! :) Then to our personal email with our provider. This is used mainly for family and friends. It had 12 pages of emails and mostly jokes! GGGRRRR .... so delete delete delete ...Pictures saved, and down to 1 page and going to KEEP it that way!!!! Just like household clutter, this email clutter can burden you and weigh you down! I am glad it is gone!!! Gone!!! GONE!!!!!!

Marcia is talking about decluttering electronically one The Organising Queen! Jump on over and read what wonderful ideas she has and also see what others are decluttering this week!