This week, the challenge given by Toni over at A Bowl Full of Lemons is to create a Recipe Binder. I was kind of excited about this challenge (she had indicated that this would be one eventually) because I've noticed that my current methods are not working as well as they used too.
First, this is my main storage center for all of the recipes that we use . . .and don't use. . .often.
Yes, that is a Rolodex and do you have any idea how hard it is to find one due to the computer age that we live in? Not to mention the cards and protective sleeves! Anyway, I read this idea a good 6 years ago or so in an organization book. It really is an awesome idea. It keeps them neatly in one spot and it is easy to search for recipes by category. So what's the problem? I've discovered that more and more I'm using recipes from Allrecipes.com or from blogs so not only am I printing them, than I have to find time to retype them onto the same cards and sometimes shrink them so small they are hard to read. So what happens with all of those other recipes? They sit here and wait to be typed . ..
Tons of them - stuffed loosely in a file door and that skinny black blinder has recipes in it too! Not a very organized system anymore. Oh, and don't forget the "recipe" cupboard either!
Crazy isn't it? The idea of just punching holes in 8 1/2 x 11 paper and sticking it in a nice binder sounds like SUCH a better idea to me! I've decided that redoing all of my recipes RIGHT now is out of the question. Instead, as I use them, I will just reprint them onto regular paper and add them to the binder. Eventually, the recipes that we never use will be the ones left in the Rolodex and will get discarded due to lack of use!
This week I need to get a good sized white binder with a front "window" so I can slide the adorable cover sheet that Toni has provided in her post. Also, I need to get some dividers for it as well and some good post-it tabs. Hopefully I can get to the store on Tuesday and get the supplies I need so I can show it off later this week!
Oh and a side note on this challenge -- as I'm getting ready to start doing a minor re-do in my kitchen, I wanted to clean out each and every cupboard and make them more user friendly so I will be starting with this cabinet this week - it will be completely cleared out and reorganized . . maybe with the same stuff maybe not. If I'm really good - it will be painted by the end of the week too but we'll see if I can get that far since I also need to do a bunch of touch up paint in the bathroom too!
Are you up for the challenge? If so link up over at A Bowl Full of Lemons and Join the fun!
