Getting Organized Challenge

Before I show you the new days for 21 Days of Organizing, I wanted to show you my desk file. 

 I picked up an accordion style file at Wal-mart for $5.00.  I liked it because it can either stand on the desk or it also has file hangers to stick in the file drawer as well.  Than I pulled out some file folders and my trusty label maker. 

Previously, I had sorted the things that seem to always pile on my desk in order to make the best choices for file names.

This is what I came up with :-)  The blue file folders I did not use -they didn't actually fit in the file itself.  So I just put the labels on the tabs in the folder and put all of the documents in there.  It includes things like "To Do", "Goals", "Coupons", "Teaching" etc.  Now, all of those lose papers have a place to go. 

Honestly, I'm not sold on this file unit. I'd rather use file folders/ hanging files but I haven't found anything yet that I really like.  Next time I go to town, I'll check out Target and a few office stores to see if I can find something skinny enough to make me happy :-)

----Guess what, I found something else I like better!!!  I had been searching at Office Max.com to find some files and came across this lovely desk file.

Doesn't this look so much better?  There is more room in the files for stuff plus I love the tabs that are more visible.  Don't worry, the other file has become my tax file.  Each tab is labeled for things like "medical", "home" etc so that next year, at tax time, everything will already be sorted instead of shoved into one folder.

I also finished up my home files and wanted to show those off as well.

 I picked up some great new filing supplies from Office Max - Gray Hanging Folders, Gray File Folders, and than these really cute pink and gray folders

 Aren't they super cute????  I'm not usually a pink person but they really caught my attention.

And here is the final product.  Nice and organized and with only the things we need. 

Now, to finish up the 21 Days of Organization post:

I wanted to give you the last few links to the final days of the challenge!

Day 19 was the Master Closet.  Have you dug into yours recently?  I have so I didn't dig into this one.  It helps to not have very many clothes - the closet stays clean LOL 

Day 20 was Photos.  She has a guest share how she organized her photos and she does give some great tips.  As a Creative Memories Consultant, I believe that there is nothing more enjoyable in life than photos.  It is so important to take time to build those memories in album, photo books, or even organizing your photos in photo boxes.  Even if YOU don't love photos, your children will LOVE them.  (If you are in need of scrapbooking supplies, please feel free to contact me or order from Creative Memories and select me as your consultant - they have the best scrapbooks!)

Day 21 was a free for all - everyone  could post whatever area they felt like

So, there is 21 days :-)  Over the course of the 21 days, I did do 21 things, I just didn't document them (some I realized after the fact and than went "duh, I sure have photographed that!)

Another challenge will be coming up soon at A Bowl Full of Lemons and, of course, I'm going to participate!

Paula's Chicken Nuggets (As in Paula Deen, that is!)

This recipe came recommended to me by a friend so I tried it one day at lunch.  It really is a good tasting piece of chicken - Josh ate his share too!

Ingredients:


Vegetable oil, for frying

1 package dry ranch seasoning mix

1 cup panko bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 cup all-purpose flour

3 boneless skinless chicken cutlets, cut into 1-inch cubes



Directions

Pour oil to a depth of 2-inches in a large Dutch oven or deep-fryer. Heat oil to 360 degrees F.

In a small bowl, combine ranch mix, panko and salt together. In a second bowl add the egg mixture and in a third bowl add the flour.
Dredge chicken cubes in flour, dip in beaten egg, and then coat in panko mixture.

Fry chicken nuggets, in batches, for 5 to 6 minutes or until done. Serve with dipping sauce of choice

Here's the chicken!  Next time, I would cut them a little smaller only for cooking time.  A few were "just done" instead of being "done".

Here's my other tip - the recipe says to heat the oil to 360 - see that burnt batch?  I think that is too hot for the oil!!  I than turned it down to 300 and the second and third batches were perfect.  I needed to cook them a little longer to ensure they were done but they did not burn and were VERY GOOD!!  So, learn from my mistake :-)