Recipe Organization (And some Thirty-One too!)

Over the years I've had various recipe organization ideas and all have worked well but my current format has worked the best!

First, I used a Rolodex.  Yes, you read that right.  It was pretty cool, really, but I had to type and print all of the recipes on those little cards.  It took a lot of work.

Next, I used 3 ring binders.  This was great because I could just print recipes, hole punch them and put them in the binder.  This was great except I took the weekly recipes out and wouldn't put them back until I had almost all the recipes out and had to reorganize them . .. .again.

Now, I use this file system.

This is a file box from Thirty-One that I picked up several years ago.  I created a file for each of my recipe categories (Beef, Pork, Soups, Slow Cooker, etc.) and now, I just pull out what I need and refile it when I'm done - easy peasy!  I keep the blue file in the front so, if I'm in a rush, I can put recipes in there that need to be filed so that they don't get lost. I'm considering purchasing another one of the files to use with organizing my scrapbooking things.

My friend, Cindy, sells Thirty-One products so if you are looking for something new, check out her site HERE.

I recently picked up a couple new items that I just love.

This is the Round Utility Tote and it is just amazing.  I love that it actually sits on my shoulder and the straps make it just long enough to carry on your shoulder.  It opens wide and holds alot - it is currently holding all of our beach snacks :-) 

 I also picked up this cute little bag as a special - I love it because it has a clip to hook it inside another bag, it has a zipper pouch that is perfect for holding my little camera, money, and my phone when we go to the beach and it has the zippered outside pocket that is great for things like chap-stick.  I searched the site and couldn't find it but maybe I was missing it! 

I also picked up a Fresh Market Thermal and the Small Utility Tote in the same pattern as the small pouch above.  They are both perfect for hauling to the beach. 

And, no, this is not a sales pitch.  I personally like to see what other people are using for organizing so I thought I'd share what I'm using too! 

Weekly Worship - Come Thou Fount (Above All Else) - by Shane & Shane

This is one of my favorite Hymns and I really like arrangements by Shane and Shane.  This one doesn't disappoint.

2020 Weekly Photos #32

We had some fun things planned this week as our extra kids were at their grandparents all week. 

Saturday - I had hoped to show photos of our magnificent fridge.  Nope!  Instead we hung out at home and just enjoyed being together.

Sunday - A no photo day but we did lots!  I had to go to the grocery store since I had put it off waiting for the fridge.  Darryl and the boys did some cleaning for me while I was gone.  I had to get stuff ready for our beach day/picnic on Monday.  I cleaned out my truck to get beach stuff ready.  Finally, we made a 9:30 "run" to Wendy's for a Frosty Treat since we have no ice cream in the house right now.

Monday - Our day trip to New Buffalo! I shared alot of photos in my post the other day - here are a few more!

Tuesday - Today was a recovery day!  We were all tired from our adventures.  We did end the day with going to get a Hot Fudge Sundae from McDonald's as a treat (Plus I needed to pick up ice for the cooler!)

Wednesday - We headed to my mother-in-laws for the day.  They live on a lake and the boys have a great time fishing, tubing and swimming in the summer.  They had great success catching fish!

 Josh and Nate fishing on the lake. 

 They caught a lot of fish! 

 Nate wanted to learn how to de-bone and filet a fish. 

 This was my view most of the afternoon - it is amazing! 

 We all went out on the boat while Josh and Nate road the raft. 

 My mother-in-law raises butterflies and lets them go. 

 She puts those little stickers on their wings and they get tracked all the way to South America.  It's crazy! 

She has this "house" built right into a wall in her house where she raises them all. 

 Thursday - Darryl and I had a date afternoon.  He had a doctor's appointment concerning his neck so I went with him and enjoyed some quiet time in the car reading :-)  After his appointment we went and got Taco's from our favorite place (The Adobe) and headed to a park to enjoy lunch.  Then, for dinner, we cooked up the fish that Josh and Nate caught on Wednesday.

Friday - Darryl took off on a road trip with is dad for the day while I conquered grocery shopping!

We really had a great week of an unexpected "staycation" with lots of fun things!

Weekly Menu

Yes, it is another week without a fridge.  Blah!  We are supposed to get our fridge a week from the date of this post but after it being delayed the first time, I don't have my hopes up.  We are entering week 5 without fridge and I must admit, I like having a fridge :-)  A few weeks ago we got tired of having luke warm drinks so we started buying ice to keep all of the drinks in the "ice" cooler and that has helped.  Nothing better then an ice cold bottle of water!  I am cooking more but I have to be creative - either cooking with no leftovers or enough leftovers to put in the chest freezer for a second meal down the road.  Leftovers don't keep well in the coolers.

So, here's the plan for the coming week

Friday - Darryl is hanging out with his dad so the boys and I will probably treat ourselves tonight.

Saturday - Most likely dinner at my mom's.  :-)

Sunday - Stuffed Shells, Green Beans, and Garlic Knots

Monday - Marinaded Chicken Legs, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, and green beans

Tuesday - Crock Pot Fajita's with chips and salsa (My mom will come over for dinner if she reads this HA!)  If there are leftover I can send them home with her!)

Wednesday - Pork Chops, Baked Beans, and mixed veggies

Thursday -  Chicken, Amish Noodles, and green beans

Not a super exciting menu week that's for sure!

Grove Cleaning Products

Recently my mom placed an order from a company called Grove mostly to get some free things but in the end, she found that she loved the products.  She shared some with me (and did some cleaning one day while I was gone) and I just loved the smell and how clean things were when she was done.  That inspired me to place my own order and try out more of their products. 

 This box showed up on my doorstep almost a whole week earlier then promised and there was a hand written note on top (Jacquelyn - Stay safe!) Even the box made me feel good about ordering! 

 The best part about this box?  Over half of it was free for being a first time order!  

 This was my complete order.  Again, over half of it was free. (My cat is SUPER curious!)  

 I was most excited about this - Room Freshener.  My mom had given a bottle of the multi-surface cleaner and I just loved the smell so I used it to spray around my house to freshen it up HA!  Well, now I have this!  Darryl loves it too and wants some for his cab.  

 Notice the photo bomber? HA! 

 This cleaner is awesome.  It cleans so well and leaves everything smelling great.  I have the honeysuckle and decided to try Apple Cider.  My one "complaint" is that there are some things, like the multi-purpose spray, that I couldn't order multiples of in the same smell - otherwise I would have ordered all honeysuckle. 

This wrinkle reducer spray was one of the free items so I decided to try it (instead of switching it out for something else).  I hate to iron and Darryl has a few shirts that need "just a little" ironing.  I'm hoping this helps me out! 

Who knew cleaning products could be so exciting? 

What We are Eating Wednesday

Still living without fridge means I'm not doing much creative cooking but I did try something new this week! 

On Tuesday I made a big ol' pot of chili for dinner.  I know, I know, that is not a summer food but I'm trying to make food that we either eat all of so there are no leftovers for the coolers OR that I can freeze enough of for another meal later, thus, I made chili.  I picked up this cornbread mix instead of the normal "Jiffy" mix and it was amazing!  It was sweet and crumbly and went perfect with dinner.

My first slice I just had butter on it and it was good . .. . the second slice I added a little honey and it was amazing.  It was the perfect side dish to my fabulous chili!

A Little Summer Fun

Earlier this summer, Josh made a request.  He asked to visit the beach that is the farthest South on Lake Michigan.  If I remember correctly, this request came after swimming in Lake Michigan further North where it was 42 degrees.  There are many things that we couldn't do this summer but visiting Lake Michigan is always a for sure thing! 

My mom joined us on our adventure and I think we all had a great time!  Our adventure started with a fun lunch at a long standing tradition of a burger place just outside of New Buffalo. 

Darryl and I have eaten at Redamak's one time years ago so we thought it would be fun adventure to take the whole family.  Due to Covid, they have an outside ordering window and we were fortunate enough to end up with one of their two picnic tables to enjoy our meal.  The burgers were big and messy and the onion rings were super tasty.  We were ALL very full when we were done!

From there, we drove through New Buffalo to head to the city beach.  New Buffalo is a beautiful town with a marina that houses some incredible yachts. The city beach was huge with plenty of space to spread out. 

 My mom and the boys were having a blast in the waves! 

Lake Michigan is always beautiful. 

It was a "red flag warning" day due to the huge waves and strong under current so we stayed close to shore - we still got soaked due to the high waves!  

After spending a few hours at the beach, we headed back to the car to continue on our trek along the lake shore.  We started out going South so the Josh and Nate could step foot in another state! 

 They first stood right on the state line with one foot in Michigan and one foot in Indiana. 

 Next, they stood in Indiana. 

And the "Michigan" sign on the other side of the road. 

We explored alone the lake shore and saw some amazing homes and great views.  We also stopped at Warren Dunes State Park. 

 This state park as huge dunes that you can actually climb (if you feel so led HA!)  They are just amazing. 

 One of the reasons we love exploring is you find neat stuff - Josh and Nate had fun with this huge log.  

 And we found this amazing tree with a huge above ground root system. 

From the park, we continued on our trek and found a great park for a picnic dinner. 

We stopped at one more park before hitting the highway. 

At this park, there is a plaque that commemorates homes that fell off of the dune/cliff that we were standing on.  There was an earth slide that caused the homes to become unstable, then another one not long after.  Several homes were lost while several more were able to be moved.  There are still a couple of houses left on the cliff but are close to falling into the lake as well.  Nate, my history buff, loved this information 

It was truly a great adventure - we all came home sandy, tired, and sun kissed.