On Monday, I shared pictures of our disorganized garage. I wanted to share our progress with you. Two shelves are complete!
Here is a small work table we are building with leftover scrap wood.
One more shelf to go…. and LOTS of sweeping!
Happy Thursday!
Jen
Several projects are going on in my home right now. If you read my blog from time to time, you know how I jump from one thing to the next. Seriously, I have never been able to sit still for very long – it is just in my nature. So, along with the front entrance, the boys’ bedroom, and the guest bedroom, we have now started organizing the garage. We needed to to this project when we first moved in, but it always got pushed to the bottom of the to do list.
So junky! Very stressful just going in there. Jump over this, trip over that!
So embarrassing.
A shame really.
I had one little space to work on furniture. Difficult to get to the lawnmower to cut grass.
And, yes, the tumbleweed is still there too. I have an idea for that…saw it in a PB catalog once.
We are making progress.
We loaded the back of the truck with items for donation and junk for the dump. The back seat was full too. After the big drop off, we made a trip (or 3) to Home Depot for supplies to build a few shelves! The best husband ever – which happens to be my husband – has completed one shelf. Which happened to be built in 100+ degree heat. It was like a sauna in there! But he loves me… Only 2 more shelves to go! I can’t wait to show everyone my organized garage!! I am so super excited.
Hope your Monday has been tolerable 
.
Jen
Fresh fruit is one of my favorite snacks. Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, is a favorite chef of mine. These two together = perfect fruit salad. Please do not be shocked when you read the ingredient – balsamic vinegar..what?..why? Trust me, it works! I used a little less sugar and left out the mint, but it is just as tasty! Enjoy for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack.
Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
Servings: 6
1 pint of strawberries hulled and cut in half – hulled and sliced
1 cup of blueberries
1 cup of raspberries
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine berries, vinegar, and sugar. Stir gently. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Enjoy!
Additional serving suggestion:
You can also top angel food cake or pound cake with these delicious berries – along with a dollop of whipped cream…YUM!
Source: Barefoot Contessa and Patricia Wells
Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you try the recipe 
.
Jen
Link Parties:
Last week, I shared several dreamy classroom photos. Part 2 is all about teacher desk/workspace organization. If you are a teacher, then you definitely know how difficult it is to keep your area clutter free. Is it even possible…??? On several occasions, the cluttered mess pushed me to the edge! I trashed every single piece of paper that was not of high importance. I apologize to all those trees…but something had to be done! By the way, I do this at home too. My advice to anyone having clutter issues, sort and trash before you ever try to organize. Sure makes me feel better.
These organization solutions can be used in the classroom, office, or your workspace at home.
Cookie sheets – how clever! These could be found at garage sales or the Goodwill.
Muffin tins would also work.
Spray paint them with your favorite color.
Great idea! Clipboards to hold lesson plans..?
Or use at home for homework, projects, etc.
Over the years, I have used coupons from time to time. I would usually save around $5. That amount pretty much covered the sales tax when I lived in AL. I just realized a few weeks ago there is no sales tax on groceries in TX. Awesome! It only took me 4 years to figure that one out… So yesterday I had a couple of free hours and decided to read about the new sport of Extreme Couponing. I have not seen the show, but I have peeked at The Krazy Coupon Lady site for several months. I took 1 hour to clip coupons from Sunday’s paper and print a few from online resources.
My 3 stores:
Walgreens: Accepts coupons from their circular along with manufacturer coupons = stacking coupons
Target: Accepts coupons on their website along with manufaturer coupons = stacking coupons
Albertsons: Double coupons to .50 and triple coupons to .39.
**Those of you that already use coupons probably knew this already 
**
I have 3 close locations and several within a 10 mile radius.
Products purchased:
Total Retail Price: $43.35
Total Cost after coupons: $21.34
Total Coupon Savings: $22.01
$22.01 – not too bad for 1 hour of reading/clipping/printing and 1 hour of driving and shopping. I was determined to buy the Lysol cleaner – so I went to 3 different Walgreens..Ha! But I found it!
So 2 hours of my time = $22 in savings.
I will never be an extreme coupon queen. But I can find 3-4 hours per week to clip and shop.
The only item pictured above that will not be used is the Nivea cellulite cream, but I couldn’t pass up the savings on that product. No I am not perfect…just no cellulite…yet .
All other products above will be used.
My Rules for Couponing:
I will only purchase products that will be used by my family.
Just because I can get it free, doesn’t mean I need it.
I will not stockpile or be a hoarder. No offense if you do…just not for me.
I hope my next coupon trip saves me even more 
. Have a great weekend. Relax and enjoy it! Those dishes and socks will still be there on Monday .
Jen
