Get-ting Organized.

For some reason I've got ORGANIZATION on my mind! Maybe it's the fear of how I'll manage everything when I have a little one around (One day in the not so far future hopefully) or just knowing how much freedom I would gain by feeling put together.  Lately, I've gained new knowledge in this arena so I thought it would be helpful to share the good news I've found with you!

Who likes to feel like they can get things done effectively and efficiently? I DO!

I was introduced to these two websites recently and I've begun re-organizing my life. (I will post pics to PROVE :) ) 12mintuestogo.com and jenniferfordberry.com

Courtesy of 12minutestogo.com:
Set your timers for 12 minutes.
Do as much of the task as you can.
When the timer goes off, STOP! You're finished for today!

Sun (11/7) 52 Pick-Up

12 min - Today's task is a "52 pick-up"! Don't worry about the timer. Concentrate on things that are out of place - kids' books, paperwork, toys, laundry, etc. Count each time you put something back where it belongs, and when you get to 52, STOP! The trick to this is to put things away EXACTLY where they belong, not in a "holding area". Try to touch each item only once!

Mon (11/8) Pamper Yourself

12 min - Today's chore is to PAMPER YOURSELF! Spend 12 minutes doing something special for yourself.. Enjoy your “day off”!

Tues (11/9) Pantry Round up

12 min - Go shelf by shelf through your pantry take all of the items out, wipe out the shelf and put them back in an organized fashion. Do as many shelves as you can in 12 minutes.

Wed (11/10) Kitchen Counters

12 min - Give your counters and stove a good wipe-down today. Shake the crumbs out of your toaster too.

Thurs (11/11) Kids' Closets

12 min - Today let’s tackle our children’s bedroom closets. If you have more than one child, pick the one whose closet is in the worst shape. Go through the closet and pull out clothes that are too small, out of season or that need to be mended. Pick all those stray hangers out from in between the clothes and move them all to the front of the closet so they’re easier to find next time you need to hang up clean clothes. I keep a Rubbermaid storage bin in the bottom of each of my kids' closets. When I come across something they've outgrown I toss it in the bin; when it's full I label it and it goes into storage.

Fri (11/12) Arts and Craft Supplies

12 min - Those of us with kids all have a stash of scrap paper and random crayons and coloring books floating around. Get them out of their various storage places and let’s get organized! Involve your kids with this task if they’re old enough to help. Fish out any broken crayons and dried out markers (I’d love to hear if someone has a use for broken crayons!) Put all the useable, clean paper in a neat pile and toss anything that’s already been used and doesn’t have sentimental attachment. Put all the decent crayons, markers and pencils in a container of your choice (pencil box, Ziploc bag, etc. – it doesn’t matter as long as they’re all together). Stack the coloring books together, and make a separate pile for the paint-with-water books, and another for stickers. I like using gallon-size Ziplocs for keeping these kinds of things together.
The second website is from Jennifer --I've started learning a few things from her so far:

How to Master time management
How to Make your kitchen efficient
How to Permanently organize closets and drawers
How to Deal with your finances
How to Reclaim "dumping grounds" like the guest room, garage and basement
How to Declutter the kids' rooms
How to Organize your travel plans--and the vacation photos and souvenirs
How to Entertain with joy

Get-ing Organized Projects

I  found this MDF Organizer System at Michaels last week on sale. Watch out it was 40% off!

It was very easy to put together and the only tool I needed was a screw driver!

My paints are so happy to FINALLY have a place to call home. I painted a lot back in college when I had much more time on my hands. I'm hoping getting organized will allow me to get back to my old ways. :)

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies

I was challenged by a good friend of ours tonight to make Salted Caramel Chocolate cookies.(an inspiration from G'burg a few weeks ago!) I'd been talking about them nonstop all afternoon so, I checked the pantry and all the ingredients were staring me in the eyes: EAT ME! :) Well, what's better than FOOTBALL, SATURDAYS, COOKIES & FALL!?
Didn't you feel the crispness in the air today?! (yay!)

It's a good thing Fall/Winter brings out the sweaters and boots! Since I've had a MAJOR sweet tooth lately I'm glad it's time to break out the layers!
Maybe someone will let me borrow their parka if I can't fit into my jeans after eating these sweets. ha! 

First, I started with a fav chocolate cookie recipe and redesigned them with a caramel sauce by the well known Ina Garten.

Directions

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies*

2 sticks softened butter3/4 Cup sugar

1 Cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 Tablespoons pure vanilla

1/4 Cup burnt caramel sauce (*homemade click here)

3 3/4 Cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

12 oz bag semi sweet chocolate chips

Ingredients

  

 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixer, beat the butter and sugars (granulated and brown) until well combined.

Beat in the eggs, vanilla and swirl in the caramel sauce until smooth.

2. Place the flour, salt and baking soda into a large bowl and mix. Slowly add to the wet ingredients then add the chocolate chips.

3. Place a 1/4 cup scoop of cookie dough onto a cookie sheet Press down, then sprinkle with a pinch or two of sea salt. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just golden around edges.

Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Serve with milk!!

 * Caramel Sauce

From the kitchen of Ina Garten

 

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/3 cup water

1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 vanilla bean or 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

 

Mix the water and sugar in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cover and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves.

Increase the heat and boil uncovered until the sugar turns a medium brown, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Watch it carefully at the end, as it will go from caramel to burnt very quickly. Stand back to avoid splattering, and gradually add the cream and the seeds scraped from the vanilla bean (or vanilla extract). Simmer until the caramel dissolves and the sauce is smooth and thick, about 2 minutes.

 Drizzle caramel sauce and enjoy with milk! 

SWEETNESS!

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Paula knew what she was doing when she tweaked this box cake mix...Yum, Yum! It's an easy cake to throw together and leaves everyone wanting more. :)

by: Paula Deen
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package butter recipe cake mix
two 3.4 oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6-ounces chocolate chips
Confectioner's sugar, for dusting

 Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a bundt pan. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, water, and vanilla by hand. Stir in the cake mix and pudding mixes. Slowly add the butter and oil, and mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour into the prepared pan.

 Bake for 50-60 minutes.

 

Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cake plate.

Sift confectioner's sugar over the cake, if desired.

TA-DA! Enjoy this delish stuff!

<3,

tcc

Splurge vs. Steal:

Bonjour!! I feel so guilty that I've left my “followers” hanging for several weeks waiting to see our completed house. Btw, Paul and I are LOVING the new house and enjoying making it a HOME.

Well, I'm still working on the final touches so it will be another week before official photos go up. :) It's def worth the wait so please be patient! I had an idea to give you a few teasers of the house in the mean time. Here it goes!

Remember a few months back when I was researching light fixtures? Well, I have a successful Splurge vs. Steal to share with you.


Who doesn’t love French décor? A. I am obsessed with Chandeliers! B. I wanted one in every room in the new house. C. I did get one in the dining, living, eat in area of the kitchen, master bath and the secondary bathroom. There are many different styles to choose from these days so do your homework! I was determined to find what I was looking for at a discounted price. Therefore, many hours of research on the computer, magazine flipping and driving around town = STEAL!

First, decide on the style you’ll be incorporating into YOUR home, then worry about size and color. BEWARE…there’s some great stuff out there.

I just LOVE the mixture of iron and wood! Have you visited your REVAMPED, local Restoration Hardware!? If not, GO!

Thanks for letting me chit chat…Now, on to the important stuff!

Splurge: French Country Chandelier

$1700

Steal: French Country Chandelier (At Home)

$389

Splurge: Wine Barrel Chandelier

$2695

Steal: Wine Barrel Chandelier (At Home)

$689

Total Savings = $3317
Horray for SAVINGS! :)

PEACE, LOVE AND STEALS!
<3,
tcc

Third Saturday in October

My favorite time of the year has quickly approached us! Have I mentioned I LOVE football? Well, seriously if I haven't then you may have missed out on one of the most interesting things about me! 

What makes me tick?

a. God

b. Family, Friends, Football & Fellowship

c. Eating good food, Cooking

d. Shopping & Dressing well

Onward to the topic of my Blog post...Third Saturday in October.

If you google Third Saturday in October you'll actually find a wikipedia definition. Even though the game has only fallen on that weekend 5 times since the '92 season. For the last 22 years (at least) it's been a family tradition to head up to Gatlinburg for the weekend to watch the Crimson Tide slaughter the Tennessee Vols.   On Saturday we make the drive from G'burg to Knoxville and cheer on the Tide.

This year makes #5 that Paul & I have made the trip with my parents. It was like no other this year... Friday night we ate at The Peddler and if you've not been here it's AWESOME! I recommend the ENORMOUS salad bar if you are not starving. For the men or starving women the Peddler comes to take your order and cuts your meat tableside.   

This year was a little different... Paul didn't meet mom, dad and I until Friday night.

We had FUN in the meantime!

Zip lining was an adventure! It's a bit hard to explain the experience but I would totally do it again!  

Oldies but goodies! Our first trip to Knoxville together 2002

BAHAHAHA! Paul looks so mean! :)

The Carter Family + Paul looking excited!

G'BURG 2004 (I've already added these to the embarassing folder) :)

 I'm sure we are making fun... too bad we look AWFUL!

You're welcome! I'm sure you've burned off some calories. Go have a cupcake!

Welcome to the world!

Another presh-ious baby was welcomed into the world yesterday! My best friend, Kristen was a trooper. London arrived at 2:08 p.m. and weighed 8 lbs and was 21 inches.

I can't wait to get my hands on this little one today! She is def going to change my life! :)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” – James 1:17