You might have noticed that I have not posted for a few days. Well, exciting things are happening behind the scenes with my blog.

My blog is in the process of being redesigned. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I’ll be able to launch the new design. In the meantime, I’m working on blog posts that will relate to that new design.

So, please bear with me. I promise that great things are coming. While you are waiting, connect with me on Facebook to continue getting tips and inspiration.

I hope to see you all soon!

Time Management from the Inside Out is one of my all-time favorite books. In fact I just finished reading it again this week.While it has been out for about 10 years, the principles that Julie Morgenstern teaches are timeless.

I love her method for mapping out time. Julie demonstrates how to create a schedule that works with your personality and your individual lifestyle. She makes it easy to come up with a reasonable plan that will allow you to maximize your time while remaining in control of how you spend your time.

The Busy Mom’s Guide to a Happy Organized Home:  Fast Solutions to Hundreds of Everyday Dilemmas by Kathy Peel is an excellent guide written for moms. I’ve been a fan of Kathy’s for many years since I picked up one of her earlier books, The Family Manager, at my church library.

Kathy approaches a mom’s role as being a family manager. She equates a mom’s responsibilities with those of a manager or CEO of a company. With my business background, I can definitely relate to running a home like a small company.

Kathy’s book covers everything from managing your time, home, and meals to relationships, finances, and special events. This book is broken up into sections so you can quickly zero in on the areas you want to work on.

Another of my favorite books is A Life That Says Welcome:  Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman. This book is all about hospitality and helping women understand that their lives and homes do not need to be perfect in order to have people over.

Karen talks about having an attitude of hospitality while giving tips and hints on how to create an inviting place where people feel welcome. I have read this book many times to inspire myself to open my home to others. If you are looking for a book on hospitality, then this is a great one to check out.

What are your favorite resources on organization?

Photo Credit: Transportation Issues Daily 

Some days I just can’t get myself motivated to accomplish what needs to be done for my family, my blog, or myself. It seems lately that I have had more of these days than I want to.

Although my to-do lists usually consist of a mix of things I HAVE to do and WANT to do, I sometimes can’t motivate myself to get anything done. I do not know what causes this. Maybe one day I’ll figure it out and will be able to share it with you.

For right now though, I keep repeating these three little words to keep me moving:

JUST DO IT!

Because sometimes that’s all you can do. No amount of motivation is going to get you moving other than telling yourself to just do it.

“It” may be the next step you need to take. Often if I do the next thing necessary, I find I continue to keep moving until what I need to do is accomplished.

Are you stuck today? I am. I need to plan ahead for this blog and for events coming up for my family. While most of the tasks related to these to things are pleasant, I’m having a hard time following through.

So, you know what I’m going to do?

I’m going to just do it!

All too often our kids struggle with being organized. Many times we accuse them of being lazy or undisciplined when in reality all they need is a little guidance.

There are many causes of disorganization for our kids. They may have too much stuff. Maybe the space that they have to work with is not adequate. Or, there is an issue with being able to focus and stay on task.

Often, though, the main source of their disorganization is the lack of skill.

This past week my 10 year old daughter and I have been perusing organization books geared for kids. She desperately wants to be organized, but she lacks the skill and thought process to help her deal with her stuff.

We have found three books we think will help you and your kid to get their stuff organized.

Many years ago Julie Morgenstern wrote an excellent book on organization called Organizing From the Inside Out. Her book set forth workable principles that have helped me personally in my quest to become more organized.

About ten years ago, she and her daughter Jessi wrote a book for teens called Organizing From the Inside Out for Teens. Even though the book is geared for teens, it could certainly provide a benefit for older elementary kids.

This book shares tips and strategies for organizing their stuff, their schedules, and even their study habits. My daughter and I will certainly be applying what we learn from this book.

Another book that provides valuable and easy to follow tips is Clutter Control by American Girl. This book gives information on how to contain the clutter in their backpacks, lockers, and bedrooms.

My daughter likes this book because it also provides ideas for crafts to make to store your stuff. There are also stickers/labels in the back to help your girl get organized in style.

Get Organized Without Losing It is an excellent resource if your kid is having trouble managing their school papers, homework, backpacks, and lockers. There are valuable charts and checklists that teach your kids how to plan a long-term project and to work through it.

This book provides a sensible and doable way to keep their school papers organized. I wish we had read this book earlier in the year. I think it would have helped my daughter out tremendously.

What are some of your organizing tips for kids?

 Photo Credit: Family Circle 

The weekend is fast approaching. What are your plans for your family? Will you spend your time together as a family, or will you all be running in different directions?

This weekend my family will be going in two different directions. My son is playing in a tennis tournament in a town about an hour away from where we live. My husband will be running in a 5k on Saturday morning.

We normally like to do things together, so it makes it hard when we have to split up. Fortunately, not too many weekends are like this. We usually have time to spend as a family.

If you are looking to spend quality time together as a family but don’t know what to do, here is a list of ideas to get you started:

1. Have a family night. Pick one night to spend time together playing games (board or video), watching a movie, or cooking your favorite meal. Let everyone have a voice in how you spend the evening.
2. Go on a hike. Explore trails and paths in your neighborhood or town. Talk about God’s awesome creation and spend some time praising Him for even the smallest details.
3. Be a tourist in your hometown. Visit the zoo, a local museum, or other attraction in your town. Spend some time learning more about the history of your town.
4. Volunteer together. Consider spending some time volunteering at your local food bank or homeless shelter. This is a great way to spend time together while teaching your kids the value of service. Your kids will also walk away with a greater appreciation for the material blessings they have.
5. Beautify your yard. Sometimes yard work is not fun. Doing it together as a family allows you to work toward a common goal while having fun in the process. Pick out new flowers to plant in your yard or in a container. Let your kids choose the colors of the flowers and teach them how to plant and care for the flowers.

What ideas do you have for families to spend time together?

I have tried couponing many times in the last few years. But no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to gain the maximum benefits. Like any other area of organizing, couponing requires discipline. Something I lack severely at times.

So, I usually just give up when I don’t reap the rewards I think I should be getting. I mean, it gets tiring cutting out coupons, trying to match them to the lowest price, and remembering to take them with me when I go shopping.

Have you tried couponing but didn’t feel successful?

Well, it’s a new day, and I’ve decided to give it a try again. The potential for saving money and using my family’s resources wisely has drawn me back in. I’m not aiming to be a super saver or the coupon queen. I just want to save a little money each week.

This time I’m trying a different approach. Instead of stressing out wondering if I’m getting the best deal, I’m just going to clip my coupons each week and make it a habit of saving some money. Saving a little money is better than not saving any money, right?

Here are a few things to think about when you start couponing:

• Cut out the perfection tendencies. If you are running all over town just to save $.50 on an item, you are probably wasting more than that in gas for your car. Clip the coupons you know you’ll use, and pick the one store that has the best deals.
• Check out CouponMom.com. CouponMom.com has a free list of sale items at different stores all over the country. Check here to see what is on sale and to match any coupons you may have. This is a great way to get more bang for your buck with your coupons. There are also links to printable coupons for items that are on sale.
• Beware of sale items. Just because something is on sale does not make it a good deal. Even if you have a coupon and can get an item for almost nothing, it will do you no good if your family does not need that item. Don’t become a hoarder and buy up all the sale items. Think responsibly and buy only what your family can actually use.
• Plan your meals. Having a plan for what you will cook for the week will help you to make a comprehensive list of what you really need. Check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer to see what you can cook with what you already have on hand. Consider planning meals based on what is on sale for the week.

What are some of your tips for couponing?

This week our country has seen more than its share of tragedy. Between the bombing at the Boston Marathon and the plant explosion in West, Texas, our minds have been filled with images of suffering and pain we will never forget.

One thing that has stood out to me is the fact so many people were willing to help at a moment’s notice. There was no hesitation as people rushed to the aid of the injured. In Boston, many of the runners kept running to the nearest hospital so they could donate blood.

Yes, in spite of all the horror, good has prevailed.

As I’ve watched the coverage of these events, my mind has wondered, “What can I do?” I mean, I’m so far away from these places. I know I can pray and that is always helpful and needed. But what can I do to make a difference?

This morning my devotion time consisted of reading 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. Verse 4 jumped off the page at me. It says:

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (NLT)

I think God uses times of disaster to remind us that there are hurting people all around us. We don’t have to go far to find people who are living their worst nightmare.

There are also people who just need comfort and help for a season. With so many people out of work, marriages failing, kids getting into trouble, and natural disasters, there is always a need to be met.

So, what can we do?

Here are a few things I’ve thought of:

Volunteer—Consider giving of your time at a homeless shelter or crisis pregnancy center. There are hurting individuals who need your love and encouragement.

Donate blood—During times of crisis, there is always a need for blood. Contact your local hospital or Red Cross to see how you can help out.

Lend an ear—Do you have a friend who is going through a hard time? Maybe all they need is someone to listen to them. Be a friend and just listen.

Take them a meal—In times of a death of a family member or the birth of a baby, meals are appreciated. It helps the family by relieving them of that one mundane task.

Do random acts of kindness—Be generous with your time and resources. Consider paying for the meal of the person in line behind you in the drive thru line. Offer to help your neighbor clean up their yard. Babysit for a young couple so they can spend some much needed time alone.

What else can we do to help others out in a time of need?

I don’t know about you, but I love to save time when cooking dinner for my family. I love the idea of putting a hot and wholesome meal on the table each evening. However, I don’t always enjoy all the work that comes with accomplishing that goal.

Lately I have turned to my slow cooker to help me out. I have discovered that by investing a little time on the front end, I save a ton of time when I go to cook dinner each night.

Cooking chicken breasts in my slow cooker is one of my favorite time savers. I put 5-7 frozen chicken breasts with a carton of chicken broth in the slow cooker and set the timer for 6-8 hours. Once the chicken has cooled, I take it out and shred it. Then I place 2 cups of the shredded chicken in quart size freezer bags for use in future recipes.

I did this yesterday and came up with 4 freezer bags ready to go. Actually just 3 as I used one bag in a meal I made last night.

I love having chicken at the ready so I can take that step out of cooking each night. I find I’m more willing to make homemade meals when I have a lot of the work already done ahead of time.

Here are a few ways I use the shredded chicken:

Chicken Pot Pie

Poppy seed chicken casserole

Chicken Quesadillas

Chicken King Ranch Casserole

Tacos

A new craft obsession of mine is SMASH* Books. These books embody what scrapbooking used to be about. The idea is to collect bits and pieces of life (ticket stubs, travel brochures, receipts, etc.) and then smash (glue) them in a book.  Some people add pictures and journaling to tell a story.

When I began working on my first SMASH* Book, I searched YouTube and Facebook for inspiration. I stumbled upon a Facebook group called SMASH*aholics. I find tons of inspiration in this group from people all over the world.

I began to see that many SMASH*ers had created travel kits or storage solutions for all of their SMASH* supplies. So, I looked through items I had in my home to create my own organization system.

Here is what I came up with:

I used my Organizing Utility Tote from Thirty-One Gifts. I added a plastic letter size hanging file folder container to make the bag sturdier.

My Sharpie markers, scissors, inks, and other tools are housed in the outside pockets.

I repurposed some small plastic bins from Sterilite to hold my washi tape, memorabilia, and SMASH* supplies. The supplies that wouldn’t fit in the plastic bins stand up nicely next to the bins.

Click here for a video tour of my bag.

Last week I had the joy and privilege of welcoming my aunt and uncle from Florida into my home. They have been visiting my parents for the past week. When I first heard that they were coming for a visit to Arkansas, I knew I would have them over for supper.

I don’t know about you, but when I invite people over for a meal, I get a little nervous. I mean, so many people these days are picky about what they eat or may have some kind of food allergy.

So, I spent some time thinking about what I would serve. I came up with a simple supper that would appeal to most people. I emphasize the word simple because there is no need to wear yourself out cooking for company unless you are trying to impress them.

Here is what I fixed:

BBQ pulled pork

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Baked Beans

Pecan Pie

Now, here’s the best part…the baked beans came from a can and the pecan pie came from the grocery store. The only things that I actually had to fix from scratch were the pulled pork and the potato salad.

If you’re in a hurry, though, you can always pick up any kind of BBQ and potato salad from your local grocery store.

Let me share how I fixed the pulled pork and potato salad.

I bought a large pork shoulder butt and cooked it in my slow cooker for 8 hours on low. I added a bottle of BBQ sauce while it was cooking. When the pork was done, my husband chopped it in small pieces, put it back in the slow cooker on warm, and added another bottle of BBQ sauce. I served it with hamburger buns for sandwiches.

I found the recipe for the potato salad on Pinterest. Usually I don’t like to take the time to make things like this. But this potato salad did not take very long and it tasted much better than store bought potato salad. My 13 year old son could not get enough of it!

Click here for the full recipe.

So, if you have company coming over soon, don’t worry! Find something you like to cook and make it simple.