40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge

40 Bags-40 Days to Declutter your house!

The Reality

A little over a month ago I read a blog that stopped me in my tracks. You can read it for yourself here at CloverLane (one of my new favorites). There was something about this theory of decluttering your house in 40 days that was appealing and frightening, but I wanted to take the challenge.  See, the whole concept of this theory is "less is more"... I'm sure you've heard of it, and now I, ....well.... I now live by it.  Essentially you have 40 days and 40 trash bags to declutter your house, getting rid of any unnecessary junk, extras, or items you are no longer using. It felt so good to donate clothing, toys, and extras to our local Salvation Army and clothing shelters, and it felt even better to get rid of junk that we've been moving with us the past ten years of our life together. Isn' it easy to accumulate so much "stuff"? I found myself looking at what we kept...asking...ummm WHY do we have this??

Where do I start? ( I wish I took pictures throughout this process, but forgot, I was focused,...ok?!)

So where did I start? Well I took a room a day, if I was really on a roll that day I'd do closets, dressers, AND rooms, but at the end of the day my goal was the same...."less is more".

I broke it down on a piece of paper....for me, seeing it makes it real...

McKenzie's Room
-closet
-dresser
-bookshelf
-bins
-under bed

Riley's Room
-closet
-dresser
-toys

Master Bedroom
-closet
-drawers
-nightstands
-under the bed

Hall Closet
-jackets
-winter stuff
-shoes

Kitchen
-cabinets
-utensil drawers
-pots and pans
-pantry
-under sink

Bathroom Closet
-medicine chest
-old lotions, etc
-irons, flat irons, etc

Basement Laundry
Basement Toy Room
Basement Office
Basement Living room

I mean, you get the point...if you can see it on paper,...it doesn't looks so bad. It's manageable...and for many of us time is something we have a hard time fitting in. (I know that sounds crazy, but it's true)

The Outcome

I found that once I got started it was easy to do. It actually felt GOOD donating, tossing, giving away to others. There were numerous items we left out on our front lawn with a big "FREE" sign, and within minutes they were gone....someone needed it, and in my eyes I helped them. I learned that this is a multi step process...and although I feel as though I made a huge dent in my goal, there is still more I can get rid of, but for now, I want to reflect and say good job. I can always organize more/better, and I can learn how to utilize what I have.

But, what I really learned throughout this process is to really appreciate what I have. Our worlds are so surrounded by "stuff" that we sometimes get lost in what is truly important. Stuff means nothing when you have a house full of love. Stuff is just stuff,... junk to fill the space. I learned that children (yes, even McKenzie's age) can understand how important it is to give to others that are less fortunate, and how a simple act of kindness can feel so good. I learned to rethink purchases (do I REALLY need this???), and how to relax more (not feel like I always need to be buying/purchasing stuff to make me happy, retail therapy ring a bell?).  At the end of this process I felt like I not only accomplished something big (something I've been wanting to do forever, but never had the motivation to start), but my world is a bit lighter. Do I have more to tackle in front of me, absolutely,..but I realize that by taking this process one day at a time, little by little, I slowly was able to change my life.

 I encourage you to try it! Let me know how it goes!!

Fiesta Dip

Looking for a cool and refreshing (and super-duper easy) dip? Try this salsa fiesta dip....

1 cup of sour cream
1 cup of mayonnaise
1 cup of chunky salsa (I like medium)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 diced tomato

Optional additions to the dip
black beans
jalapenos
black olives
shredded cheese (Mexican, pepper jack, etc)

Mix all of these ingredients together. Then chill in the refrigerator.

Serve with tortilla chips or fresh veggies.

I'm loving fall!

We have had an unusual fall this year.  For a few weeks we had nothing but rain, and even snow (yes, in October) and then... BOOM! It's gorgeous out! We are talking mid 60's and 70's on and off for the past two weeks. It seems like every weekend is so full of fun, by the time Sunday night rolls around we are exhausted. I love all of the fun fall activities, and family time. Personally, I can't get enough. I love being able to open the windows for that crisp breeze blowing through my kitchen. And although I am *starting* to get the Christmas itch (how can I not, they have decorations up everywhere!) Here are a few of my favorite memories from the past few weeks....

Seriously, could I be any luckier? I have the best life!

Here are a few of my favorite things....

I obsess over Autumn/fall. From the first crisp hoodie day, to the last leaf that falls from the tree in our front yard, I eat, breath, and enjoy every minute of it, and I think Kenz is following right in my footsteps. I find her stopping to look at the leaves falling from trees, the squirrels frantically chasing each other around the yard and stopping to inhale that same clean air. Here are some of the girls' fall favorites...

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

This oldie but goody easily turned into an instant classic in our house. How can you NOT prepare for Halloween without watching this movie?  We own it, and have been watching it for over a month now,...don't judge ;)

On a normal day I do not like Jewel, however this album is actually somewhat good! I love the relaxing lyrics, melodies, and tones of this CD, something I am constantly searching for. What I love most about this CD is that after a song or two, I can look in the mirror to see both of my girls, passed out in their car seats.  Instant relaxation? I think so. Thank you Jewel for some quiet hour drives to my parents house.

 This book is adorable! It's quirky, fun, and catchy! I find myself picking this one off the shelf each night to read before bed. It's a personal favorite.

 If you've ever lived in the northeast, especially Upstate, NY you will understand why I have footy jammies on here...enough said =)

Cupcakes seem to be a staple in our house. We (the girls and I) always seem to make a batch on Saturday when we have a whole 12-14 hours together while Daddy is working. Not only are they super yummy, but the oven warms up the house on those cool fall days. Plus you can create the design based on the occasion....have you seen my ladybug cupcakes for Kenzie's first birthday, or Rileybears's owls for her first birthday? They were fun and so easy to make!

Kenz is obsessed with leaves. She will pick up a pile and bring them in the house to show Mac. He sniffs them for about 3 seconds with little interest and then walks away. However, Kenz is often proud of her colorful organic findings.

And, last but not least, a big THANK YOU to Miss Calli for introducing Kenz to candy corn. She was quite upset the other day when she found that someone had nibbled all the white parts off the tops of each corn....hmmm...I wonder who that could have been.

What are some of your favorites?

Wordless Wednesday-Pumpkin Farm

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta

This is another one of Tony's delicious recipes inspired by a dish that I used to crave from the Olive Garden (it was the best dish on the menu). However, they no longer serve it there, so lucky for me, Tony created this dish using all the essential Mediterranean flavors of that dish. It has easily become a favorite in our house, kids included. It's so creamy and rich with flavor that you'll always find yourself going back for more.

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon butter
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4" cubes (or shred rotisserie chicken)
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
1 box penne pasta
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (I use tomato and basil)

Steps

1. Drain the artichokes, save marinade. Set aside.

2. Spread butter and olive oil in an unheated large skillet. Preheat over medium heat. Add chicken and garlic to skillet and cook until chicken is brown all over. Add the artichoke marinade, the 1/4 cup chicken broth, and 1 cup of heavy cream.

3. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Let sauce thicken.

4. Stir in the artichokes, red peppers, olives and feta cheese (at the last minute so it doesn't melt into sauce). Heat through.

5. Spoon the chicken over the pasta and sprinkle with extra feta cheese.  


NOTE: If you are looking for a little extra kick, add a 1/4 cup of white wine to the sauce and simmer. NOTE 2: If you are looking for a time saver, use a rotisserie chicken (I love them!)

Only the most amazing Chicken Alfredo recipe out there!

This recipe is courtesy of one of my former students Jenna. Prior to this recipe I would usually buy the pre-made jarred Alfredo sauce, which I always found myself altering with more garlic, Parmesan cheese, roasted red peppers, etc. even after feeling like mad scientist in the kitchen the sauce was still bland.  I kid you not, this recipe needs nothing added to it, well, maybe a big loaf of Italian bread to soak up all the leftover sauce on your plate. I cannot take credit for any of this deliciousness, but, I can take credit for finding myself easily able to eat a pound of this pasta in one sitting (yes, it's THAT good). 

Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients
1/2 cup sweet butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
1 (12oz) box of pasta (angel hair, bow ties, penne, etc)

Steps
1. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium.low heat
2. Add the garlic, cream, white pepper and bring mixture to a simmer
3.Stir often
4. Add Parmesan cheese and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until sauce is thickened and smooth
5. When sauce is thick and smooth add mozzarella cheese and stir until smooth
6. White the sauce cooks, boil pasta
7. Place pasta on serving plates and spoon sauce over pasta

Cook chicken first in a saucepan.  Use some of the broth from cooking the chicken to add to the Alfredo sauce to make it even more yummy.

Talk about comfort food, this one is amazing!