MOP #1 !!!!!!!

Okay.... here is my first project for January!  These are stackable trays on my desk...that somehow get everything in the wolrd shoved in them.  I always start with:

1.  "DO NOW"
2.  Camp Blanding 
3.  Mail Orders
4.  Receipts
5.  Scratch paper

and so on..... Now.. I don't know about you... but I think it's OUT OF CONTROL!!

I'm so excited to show you this area when I'm DONE!  

I love all the comments you have shared with me.... I'm so happy tons of you are joining me!

Remember... MOP !!!  (Merge.... Organize... Purge!!)

Happy sorting!!!  

2015 - MY ORGANIZATIONAL PLANS!

Hi!! 

Today is the last day of our Christmas Celebration... the family is arriving around 1:00 and we are going to have a heavy food "munching" day... open gifts (for the kids) and just visit and have a good time.  

I'm hoping the kids enjoyed their Christmas day at home with their little ones.  It was pretty quiet around here... I cooked a BIG dinner for  Vicky & Larry, Linda  and of course Jack.  It was wonderful (if I do say so myself).  It was a bit unusual but fun to fix!

Shrimp Scampi & pasta
Fried Oysters
Cornbread
Caesar Salad
Gingerbread 

Then we just hung out and watched GREAT movies.

So.... the title of my post today is 2015 - ORGANIZATIONAL PLANS!!  I am going to work on this next year of cleaning, reorganizing, purging, etc. every nook and cranny in my house.  We've only been here a little over 2 years... but it's time.... know what I mean?

I have a HUGE walk-in pantry and I noticed the other day it looks like a typhoon swooped through it.

We have cabinets over our desk area that have things inside we have not touched since we moved in... so why do we have them?

I have tons of drawers in the kitchen... many of them contain (for lack of a better word) "junk"... you know.. it's those things you DO need to keep but only use them in a blue moon.  Well... I'm going to post pictures of what I'm working on "pre-organized" and what I've done after it's organized.

Now...this is baring my sole people.... letting you see my short comings!  But I feel it will give me inspiration to get some control back in my life and to  ACTUALLY know where things are!

Are you all game for this plan too?  I read an article that said if you take 15 - 30 minutes every day to straighten and reorganize something in your house you will feel so much better eah day...so
2015 is my year.  If you plan on working right along with me.... send me a comment and let me know!!!  We'll help each other get through this UGLY process.

Now... one more comment and then... I'm done with this posting.... here's what happens in my brain... when I start organizing certain things...it only makes my CREATIVE BRAIN CELLS go crazy and I can truly, truly get off track.  I'm now thinking of a million things I want to make and/or design.  So... as I work I have a notepad with me.  This too I will show you each day.... (what in the heck am I thinking...)  eeekk..... so you can see how a creative person's brain works!

Now... who's with me?  Do I hear a ton of you shouting... "MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"  !

Let me know... our mission begins on January 2 (after the holiday.... HA!!)


Organizingly yours,

Gloria

I'm off to take pictures....

The Party is Over.... NOT!!

Hi All!!

Today is December 26, 2014 - the day after Christmas... my sweet daughter's birthday - Heather!!!

I remember (40 years ago) when we lived in Great Lakes, IL (Jack was still in the Navy) and my doctor told me he would see me on Christmas Day... !!  She was due December 10... I told him NOOOOOOOOOO ... I don't want my baby born on Christmas - I want her to have HER special day.  Well...he just chuckled and told me... Merry Christmas!

Sure enough... Christmas NIGHT - I woke up and it was time... Just a few hours later...this wonderful little girl was born.  Back then we had no idea what sex we were having... it was a total surprise.  

When the doctor told me I had a baby girl... I cried... you see... I already had the best little boy in the world (Toby) and I wanted a little girl too since we decided two children was all we thought we wanted.  I was the happiest mommy in the whole wide world.

And here she is... my sweet, sweet Heather.  
I do believe she's one of best mothers, wife, friend, and Christian woman I know.  I'm sssssssssoooooooooo proud of her!  God certainly blessed Jack and I with she and TOBY.  

Happy Birthday my sweet Heather.... I simply love you more than words can describe...   Mommy

Mistletoe!!

Merry Christmas to everyone!       

I recently gave these to my sewing friends and posted them to a Facebook page that I belong to for all of us wool addicts!  

Everyone loved them so much I decided to pass on the instructions to you.  I'm hoping this works... I use OneNote for my designs and I'm hoping I can get it moved to the blog.... here it goes!

 

Size:  Large 5"L x 3" w    Med 4" L x 2 1/2" w   Small  3" L , 2.75" w 

You may have to adjust drawings  on your printer to get these sizes.

Step 1:  Choose 2-3 colors of wool felt (you may use all wool - however the fibers must be tight together - wash in soapy water and dry).

Step 2:  Take a square of the light green and iron it together with a medium green using Heat-n-bond Lite.  Using two pieces of wool felt together give the leaf more stability.

Step 3:  Trace each of the above shapes on Freezer paper and press to the two joined pieces of wool felt.  Cut them out on the drawn line.  Remove Freezer paper.  It can be used over and over to make more!

Step 4:  Thread your sewing machine with green thread.  Stitch vein lines down the center and out on each leaf.

Step 5:  Attach buttons (stitch or glue)

Step 6:  Tie together in a group of 3 leaves and tie with red/white butcher string and a red jingle bell!

Step 7:  Attach a tag if you would like.

There you go.... My Christmas Gift To YOU!!!!  

These are so pretty on packages, hanging in the house, or as tree ornaments!

Enjoy!!

Gloria

Olde Green Cupboard Designs

www.oldegreencupboard.com

Recipes!!

Wow.... I had no idea I was causing a "cooking storm" with my Christmas yummies....

My friend, Mary Ellen, asked me if I had the chance to read my blog comments yet.... of course I told her "no".... "you'd better read them... you have a bunch of women that want recipes!"  So... here you go... Let's start with the YUMMY Cheese Dip!  This is a recipe that one of my employees(Kathy) brought to an event and it has been my NUMBER 1 favorite since then!

Green Chili Cheese Dip

Ingredients:  2 large packages cream cheese, 1 small can of green chilis, 1 FULL cup of "fresh" shaved parmesan cheese.

Soften cream cheese to room temperature.  Combine the cream cheese, shredded parmesan cheese, and green chilis into a bowl.  Stir until mixed well.  Place in a round pie pan.  Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until bubbly and a bit brown on top! 30 - 45 minutes

Serve hot with scoops, crackers or a spoon!  (I swear I can just eat the stuff)


Denise's Caramel Corn    

This yummy treat recipe was given to me from my friend Denise.... Wow, how I love caramel corn... it reminds me of when we were kids and went to the fair.  That was one time when mom and dad bought us great things!  We got cotton candy, caramel corn, corn dogs... the best homemade lemonade you've ever had.... Our fair was in our little town of Columbia City, Indiana - called Old Settler's Day.  I loved that time of the year... rides.... cake walks... auctions.  What a wonderful childhood memory!

Ingredients:  2 large bags of microwave popcorn (popped)
1 C. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick butter or margarine (I use butter)
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 small bag pretzel sticks - optional
1 cup nuts (your favorite) - optional
1 cup craisens - optional
brown paper grocery bag (1 per recipe...if you are doubling recipe - 2 bags)

1.  Pop popcorn and place in a large brown grocery bag.

2.  In an oversized medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, salt, butter, corn syrup and vanilla.  NOT THE BAKING SODA.  Heat the mixture on the stove until melted, stirring until well blended.

3.  Set timer and boil mixture for 5 minutes.  IF YOU DO NOT BOIL FOR 5 MINUTES, THE CARAMEL CORN WILL BE STICKY INSTEAD OF CRUNCY.  Remove from store and add baking soda.  Stir well.  It will expand to the top of the pan and become a bit frothy.

4.  Pour caramel misture over popcorn.  Roll the top of the bag down and shake the bag, up & down, side to side.  You want to be sure the caramel coats the popcorn.

5.  Put the bag in the microwave for 2 - 3 minutes, stoppng after eah minute to shake well.  Open the bag after shaking to make sure it has been mixed well and is not starting to burn.  I toss the popcorn with a long metal spoon to be sure it's all coated well.  Popcorn should be crunchy.

6.  Pour out on ALUMINUM FOIL.  Using a large spoon, spead the caramel corn to cool.  It doesn't take long.  Enjoy!

I normally make a double batch - especially since it seems like the bags of corn have LESS popcorn in them these days.


Meatball - Breadstick Skewers  

Ingredients:
Meatballs (I buy my them frozen in bag)
1 can Pillsbury refrigerated original breadsticks (12 in a pkg_
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)
Pasta Sauce (optional)
parchment paper

• 1.  Heat oven to 375°F. Line 2 large cookieets with parchment paper.

2.  Unroll dough; separate into 12 breadsticks.  Thread one end of a breadstick on 10" skewer' add 1 meatball, leaving 1/4" between dough and meatball.  Repeat threading with breadstick and 2 additional meatballs.  Place 1" apart on cookie sheet.  Repeat with remaining breadsticks and meatballs.

3.  Bake 18 to 22 minutes, rotating cookie sheets halfway through bake time, or until meatballs are no longer pink in center. Sprinkle each meatball skewer with about 1 tablespoon cheese (mozzarella & blue cheese). Bake 3 to 4 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

4.Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, cook sauce over medium-low heat 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thoroughly heated. Serve with meatball skewers.  

ENJOY!!!

 Stuffed Mushroom Caps    

Ingredients:

Mushroom caps (or mushrooms with stems... remove stems and use in other recipes)

Store Top Stuffing (I love this stuff)  - Your favorite flavor

Mozarella Cheese - large package

Spray baking dish with Pam (butter or olive oil)

Prepare mushroom caps and sit in baking dish - with under side up. 

Make Stovetop stuffing as per instructed on package

Spoon stuffing into mushroom cap

Top with mozarella cheese

Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and slightly browned

Serve hot!!

Okay... I think I'm off the hook now for recipes!  Have a super holiday season....  

Merry Christmas! 

Gloria, Vicky & Heather

Put away those Pumpkins!!

 

Good Morning to all!

Well... it's time to put away those pumpkins...they are so sad...  Getting all shriveled up !

Because it's time to bring out SANTA CLAUS and the ELF ON THE SHELF and the ANGELS and our JESUS in the MANGER scene!!!!..  You know... I just dread getting out all of the Christmas things... it's so MUCH WORK... but once I unpack it... touch it...ew and aw... I'm IN THE MOOD!

The best part of this year... Jack and I are already done with our Christmas shopping.  Of course we only buy for the grandkids now (5) and they are all girls...right up my alley!  Jack was so funny yesterday while shopping... he has NO CLUE about what little girls like.  I was laughing at him... he was very picky about several things I wanted to get our littlest one... but guess what... we compromised and she'll love her presents.  It feels so WONDERFUL TO HAVE ALL THOSE DECISIONS MADE ALREADY.

We are doing something different this year... we are letting our children stay HOME with their little ones on Christmas day!  I remember how awful it was to pack them all up and go to Grandmas when all they wanted to do was play with their toys... so this year we are waiting until Saturday for all the family to come to the house and then we are having Christmas ALL OVER AGAIN!.

I've already started my menu... Ham with those little Hawaiin rolls (what makes them so delicious anyway???)

Barbecued wings   

                               

Baked cheese dip... I could simply eat this with a spoon...forget about the dipping part!

  

stuffed mushroom caps                                

   

  deviled eggs

   

meatballs with bread and cheese melted on top... OMG!!!

     

carmel corn (thanks to my friend Denise's recipe)  TO DIE FOR!

 


So... that's my portion of the HEAVY SNACK FOOD day... the rest of the gang is bringing stuff too!

Have I made you hungry?  It sure did me!!!   Wahhhh.... now I need a snack!

Today I'm headed to Cinnamon's Quilt Shop to sew with my friends.  I haven't seen MANY of them in ages so it should be a GREAT TIME!!

For those of you that may be wondering about the Sew & Stitches Needlework Cruise that we are coordinating for PRIMITIVE GATHERINGS - Lisa Bongean AND  BUTTERMILK BASIN - Stacy West.. it is ALMOST FULL...FULL...FULL!!!!  I think we have 12-14 openings!  So.. if you want to come... you MUST register NOW.. or call me  904-742-1100.  Go to my website and get the details!

Olde Green Cupboard Designs Website

I'm off to pack up my sewing and get dressed for the day!!!  Keep those stitches going....

Gloria