LUV-2-ORGANIZE MY KITCHEN

STEP BY STEP 

LET'S GET STARTED!!!

• STEP 1: Start with one cabinet at a time! Start sorting through things in that cabinet. Now make boxes that say:
  
  TO DONATE
  TO TRASH
  TO THINK ABOUT
  TO STORE
  TO KEEP
  
  The key in organizing is to make it fun & not to overwhelm yourself. As you go through your cabinets, sort things into your boxes.
  
  TO DONATE: When you are finished, immediately take your boxes for donation to your car & take them to the place you're donating or call the place you are donating to and arrange for them to pick up your stuff.
  
  TO TRASH: Take your trash out immediately & don't look back!
  
  TO THINK ABOUT: Now - there is your think about it box. If you haven't used it in the past year - then my motto is "LOSE IT!"
  
  TO STORE: Go out and buy some storage containers, preferably clear ones with a lid. Walmart always seems to have the best price on these, sometimes Target. Put your stuff in the containers & make a label on the end of the container that says what it is. Now take it to your basement, garage, storage shed, or wherever you store your stuff & stack it neatly.
  
  TO KEEP: Now we are left with the stuff that you want to keep!
  
  
• STEP 2: Now - let's look at everything you have left in each cabintet! I put the things that I use the most closest to me in the kitchen. Here's how I have organized my cabinets:
  
  Cans & Jars
  
  Glassware That I Use Daily
  
  Glassware For Special Occations
  
  Oil, Olive Oil, Vinegars, Salad Fixings, & Nuts
  
  Plates, Bowls, & Saucers
  
  Pots & Pans
  
  Serving Bowls (Glass & Plastic)
  
  Storage Containers
  
  
  HERE'S HOW I HAVE ORGANIZED MY DRAWERS:
  
  Kitchen Tools
  (Like: Can Opener, Wine Bottle Opener, Garlic
  Presses, & My Pampered Chef Stuff)
  
  Measuring Cups & Spatulas
  
  Pan Turners
  
  Serving Spoons
  
  Silverware - All Spoons
  
  Silverware - All Forks & Knives
  
  Towels & Wash Cloths
  
  Pet Food
  
  
• STEP 3: Now - let's put it all away! Take care to put things back in your cabinet neatly! Put like things together. Let's take vegetables for instance. Put them back in your cupboard by type and put them in straight lines & stack them if possible. This makes it easier to find what you need quickly, plus helps you when you are making a grocery list. It's nice to look into your cupboard and to know what you have quickly without having to dig around for it.
  
  

ITEMS THAT HELP YOU ORGANIZE 

ITEMS THAT HELP YOU ORGANIZE

1. Clear storage containers by Sterilite. I love storing my bigger items in these. They are wonderful because you can see through them. It helps when you need to find something quickly in your storage areas. You can find these for under $5.00 at Walmart.
2. Packs of different sized drawer organizers that are in packs of two, three, & four. They are white in color. They are usually .94 at Walmart. I use these in all my kitchen drawers. I even got rid of my silverware tray and put all my utensils in these. They are great to keep like items separted.
3. A Brother P-Touch Labelmaker. I bought this at Costco and have also seen them at Sam's Club. They usually run under $40.00.They are wonderful for making labels to put on all your containers & plastic drawers.

HELPFUL KITCHEN TIPS 

JUST A FEW THINGS THAT HELP ME IN THE KITCHEN!!!

1. MICROWAVE - HOW TO KEEP IT CLEAN:
   
   Fill a cereal bowl half way full of water and put it in the microwave for around 3 minutes. Remove it carefully! You'll notice all the build up of condensation from the steam. It's the perfect time to wipe it down really good. Do this once a week to keep your microwave looking nice & clean.
2. DISHWASHER - HOW TO HELP WITH SPOT BUILD UP THAT'S REALLY BAD:
   
   About one time per month I fill the bottom of the dishwasher with one cup of plain white vinegar. This really seems to help with keep the dishes from having soo many spots on them, and also keeps the dishwasher clean.
3. COPPER BOTTOMED PANS - HOW TO CLEAN THEM:
   
   Take some ketchup and put it all over the bottom of the pan. Now sprinkle salt over the ketchup to act as an abrasive & scrub the bottom of your pot with an ordinary dish cleaning brush. It's amazing how pretty they will end up looking. Sometimes - when the pan is really bad, I let this mixture just sit on the pan for an hour or so - then scrub it.
4. KEEPING YOUR CABINETS ORGANIZED:
   
   Each week pick one cabinet to straighten up! If your like me & have boys who put the dishes away out of the dishwahsher, you'll find that things end up in some really strange places in the kitchen! It only takes minutes to do this and your kitchen cupboards will stay nice and organized all the time!

EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE TIPS FROM MARY HUNT 

HER WEBSITE ADDRESS ABOVE

1. NO STICK SPATULA. When I make scrambled eggs, I always end up with eggs stuck to the plastic spatula. So I've started spraying cooking spray on my spatula before I use it. This technique saves me some time on the cleanup. Theresa, email
2. CLEANING CHROME. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is wonderful for cleaning chrome fixtures. I spray some on a paper towel and just wipe away. Works great. Emma, email
3. GARLIC STORAGE. Skin a whole batch of garlic and freeze in plastic bags. This gives the garlic a much longer shelf life and it can be used directly from the freezer. Sue K., North Carolina
4. GREAT LEMONADE. For great tasting lemonade, juice eight peeled and cored apples and two peeled lemons in your juicer. You'll sweeten the lemonade with the natural sugar in the apples. It is so good! Bobbi G., email
5. FRUIT FLY REMEDY. The best way to get rid of fruit flies is to put out a glass with an inch of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of lemon liquid dishwashing soap. The flies will die and your kitchen will be fly-free, with no dangerous or expensive pesticides. You will be amazed how quickly it works. Rita T., Texas
6. POTLUCK BOWL. I use empty frozen ice cream cake containers for disposable bowls. They are great for taking to potlucks or parties. Just turn them over and put the food you are packing in the bottom of the bowl-shaped lid. The flat "bottom" makes a snug-fitting top. This way you won't have to worry about leaving your favorite bowls behind at the scene of the potluck. Just tell the host or hostess to please recycle! Deb M., Pennsylvania

WHY IS JOHN316 MY USER NAME? 

• 
  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."
  
  WOW - this verse says it all! God was willing to give His only Son to die on the cross for our sins, so that each of us would have the opportunity to accept Jesus into our hearts & accept the free gift of salvation. We just have to ask Him! If we ask Him & believe with all our hearts - He promises us a home with Him in heaven when we die. It's so easy that even a child can accept this gift. If you're reading this & accept Jesus into your heart - please sign my guestbook & let me know!
  
  God Bless You!
  Much Love - Stacey