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I am a list maker through and through. I often say...if it's not on list, then it doesn't get done. Sometimes I have several going at once...a daily one and a weekly or even a monthly one. And nothing gives me greater pleasure than being able to cross things off my list and eventually toss the daily one in the garbage. :) I am not too hard on myself tho if I do not cross everything off, I just move it to the next day. I recently received this e mail on to-do lists from the organizing guru herself, Marcia Ramsland that I thought I'd share with you. It is jam-packed with great to-do list pointers. Enjoy! A written to-do list is the secret to clearing your mind of mental clutter and accomplishing more each day. When the list is more than a day’s worth of actions, it is actually considered a “Master List.” Marcia’s Time Slotted To-Do List: When you start listing items on your to-do list, you have three choices: you can put to-dos in the order they occur to ...

Every year we like to go to u pick farms in our area. Even though we have our favorites, we still like to find new ones to try. This year we tried Evergreen Farms in Watertown, CT for the very first time. They had blueberries and black raspberries. YUM! Here are some scenes from the day. :) Enjoy! I know we will be enjoying blueberry muffins and pie and pancakes for the next week. :) The neck pails they give you to store your bounty in. :) The happy pickers. ;) The berries:

Here is what my kitchen table looks like this summer. The table runner is from Target and I absolutely love love love the vibrant happy colors. The candle & candle holder which holds my current favorite scent, carribean salsa, are from Bath & Body Works. And all the rest hails from HomeGoods. :)

I have always wanted a Lazy Susan for my kitchen table but the problem was finding the right size and color. After much searching, I broke down and bought a cheap one from Target for $7.99 and decided to spray paint it. I went for Heirloom White to match the chairs. I think it turned out pretty good. WDYT? Before: After: Next up...the stuff that goes on top. :)

If you are looking for a really delicious and easy recipe to take to parties this summer, then this is the one for you. I made these yesterday to take to a pool party and they were yummy! My hubby actually asked me if I made them or just heated them up!? LOL! Tray is from Ikea. It's my new fave. It's long enough to hold lots of goodies. :) Recipe: 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed 1 small zucchini or yellow squash, cut into 3-inch matchstick-thin strips 1 small red pepper, cut into 3-inch matchstick-thin strips Directions: Heat the oven to 400°F. Stir the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice and black pepper in a medium bowl. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 10x12-inch rectangle...

I am a part-time knitter for sure. And I have the attention span of a gnat when it comes to my knitting projects. If it's not a gift and I don't have a deadline, it can linger on for months. But that doesn't stop me from buying more yarn. :O So, as you can imagine, I have a yarn stash that has gotten out of control over the last few months. The little basket that I bought to house my yarn is beyond overflowing. It is littered with bags and bags of unfinished projects and new yarn. I have been on the hunt for a lidded basket that doesn't look like a laundry basket. It is has been harder than I thought. Then today while I was perusing the aisles of AC Moore for wooden letters, I saw a big but not too big basket that would work and it was 50% off. Well, when I got to the register, it ended up being $5.00! The original price was $14.99. I was stoked over the bargain even though I had to climb the shelves myself to get it. Everytime I go in there, I swear I ...

Here they are... They were a hit. So much so that my Mom was jealous. LOL! For my Dad... For my hubby...

This year I wanted to do something really special for my father and my husband this Father's Day. So, I came up with this inexspensive photo idea. I hit Michael's today armed with a 50% coupon for 1 regular priced item and a 20% off my total order one. I picked up unfinished wood letters for $1.99 each and a heart for 99 cents. The paint was 2 for $1.00. I always have foam brushes so no cost there. And I picked up a 3 photo black frame on super sale at Kohl's for under $10.00 and a wood desk frame on clearance for $6.99 at Michael's. My photos were even 25% off after I used a special Father's Day coupon code for CVS. My supplies: Here they are painted: The photos: The frames: As soon as I pick up the photos from CVS, I'll share the finished product. The photos should be ready in 30 minutes. :)

What You Need: 3 qt. (12 cups) cold club soda 1 can (12 oz.) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed 2 pkt. (makes 2 qt. drink) CRYSTAL LIGHT Lemonade Flavor Drink Mix* 1 qt. (4 cups) raspberry sherbet Make It: ADD club soda and concentrate to drink mix in punch bowl; stir until mix is completely dissolved. SCOOP sherbet into punch just before serving. *NOTE: CRYSTAL LIGHT Packets come in two sizes. Please note packet size before preparing recipe. Kraft Kitchens TipsSpecial Extra Sherbet adds color and flavor, as well as acts as ice cubes to chill the punch. To Halve: This recipe can easily be halved. Prepare as directed, cutting all ingredients in half. Makes 9 servings, 1 cup each. Substitute: Prepare using 4 pkt. (makes 1 qt. drink each) CRYSTAL LIGHT Lemonade Flavor Drink

Show your colors for Flag Day or 4th of July with a fun and festive dessert. Raspberries, blueberries and creamy filling are the red, white and blue toppings on the easy cookie crust. Prep Time: 20 Min Total Time: 1 Hr 35 Min Makes: 24 servings INGREDIENTS: 1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/4cup powdered sugar 2teaspoons grated lemon peel 2cups fresh raspberries 1 1/2cups fresh blueberries 1/4cup apple jelly, melted. DIRECTIONS: 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. Cut cookie dough into 1/4-inch slices; place in pan. With floured fingers, press evenly over bottom to form crust. 2 Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool completely, about 25 minutes. 3 In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon peel until fluffy. Spread over baked crust. Arrange raspberries in large star shape in center. Arrange blueberries around raspberries. Drizzle or bru...

for the end of the school year. Just put a lollipop stick into a marshmallow. Dip it in melted chocolate. And decorate it with nonpariels. :) Add a cute tag and some curling ribbon and voila a sweet treat for teachers and friends. :)

I love flea markets. You just never know what little gem you are going to find. And luckily for me the whole family loves them as well. We happen to have a pretty good one not too far from us in Stormville. It is a mix of old and new and they have a great food court too. My son hunts for baseball cards he needs. My hubby digs for rare records. And my daughter loves the jewels and gems. And, it was because of her, that I got this fabulous necklace and earring set. It was marked $24.00 but the lady gave it to me for $20.00 without me even asking. :) Yay! I plan to wear it on Easter Sunday. :)

A sweet treat for the Easter table or a spring party, these cookies couldn't be easier, starting with refrigerated sugar cookies and purchased frosting. Prep Time: 45 Min Total Time: 45 Min Makes: 24 INGREDIENTS: 1package (16 oz) Pillsbury® Ready To Bake!™ refrigerated sugar cookies (24 cookies) 1container (12 oz) fluffy white frosting 1cup flaked coconut Food color Jelly beans DIRECTIONS: Bake cookies as directed on package. Cool completely, about 10 minutes. Frost cookies. Add coconut to a 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add 2 to 3 drops favorite food color, shaking bag to blend color. It may be necessary to add 1 to 2 teaspoons water to help disperse the color evenly or additional food color until desired color is reached. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon coconut on each cookie. Top with jelly beans or candy coated chocolate peanut candy. High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Nutrition Information: 1 Serving (1 cookie)Calories 160(Calories fr...

■1 (super moist) lemon cake mix ■2 eggs ■1/3 cup vegetable oil ■2 tbsp lemon zest ■2 tbsp lemon juice ■1 tsp lemon extract ■white sugar for coating ■confectioners’ sugar for coating 1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 2.Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and lemon extract until well blended. Drop cookie scoops of dough into a bowl of regular ‘ol white sugar (this will help the confectioners sugar stick). Toss the sugar over the ball of dough until coated. Move the ball into the bowl of confectioners sugar, toss ‘em around more. Once sugared, put them on an non-stick (or lined with parchment) cookie sheet. 3.Bake for 6 to 9 minutes in the preheated oven or until the edges are lightly browned. I had to keep mine in for 10 minutes. I guess the timing depends on your oven. They were so good that I am making them again for company on Easter Sunday. :) Enjoy!

I love anything lemon especially during spring and summer. I am putting this cake on my to make asap list. :) What You Need: 1 pkg. (2-layer size) lemon cake mix 1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Gelatin 1-1/4 cups water 1/2 cup oil 4 eggs 1/4 cup poppy seed 1/2 cup (1/2 of 8-oz. tub) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread 2 Tbsp. butter, softened 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted 2 Tbsp. shredded peel and 1 Tbsp. juice from 1 lemon, divided Make It: HEAT oven to 350°F. BEAT first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Stir in poppy seed. Pour into well-greased and lightly floured 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan. BAKE 50 min. to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan 30 min. Loosen cake from sides of pan with knife. Invert cake onto wire rack; gently remove pan. Cool cake completely. BEAT cream cheese spread and butter with mixer on low speed until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar and lemon j...

What would life be like with the one who got away? From the acclaimed author of My Husband’s Sweethearts comes this bighearted, funny, fiercely perceptive tale about a happily married woman and the little white lie that changed everything. For Gwen Merchant, love has always been doled out in little packets—from her father, who lost himself in work after her mother’s death, and from her husband, Peter, who’s always been respectable and safe. But when an old college boyfriend, the irrepressible Elliot Hull, invites himself back into Gwen’s life with a surprising proposition, she suddenly starts questioning everything she’s ever expected from love. Elliot, it turns out, is in need of a pretend wife, just for the weekend, in order to fulfill his dying mother’s last wish. But as Gwen finds herself drawn into Elliot’s quirky, wonderful family—and uncovers a few secrets about her own—a pretend relationship just might turn out to be the most real thing she’s ever known. I cannot wait t...

I struggle with this on a daily basis as I know many of you do too. I have been able to gain a handle on it by using the file folder system. I have a desk area in my kitchen and that is where I have a pretty wicker basket that holds my main file folders. That's where I have the bills and school notes, etc. The desk drawer holds envelopes, stamps, address labels and my checkbook for easy access. Underneath the desk I have another basket that contains file folders with documents that are not needed on a daily basis but that we need access to fairly regularly. If you are looking into starting a file folder system, here are some pointers from Marcia Ramsland: Five File Folders will clean up any mail piles from scattering across your kitchen counterop. A portable file holder is a key ingredient to set up a “Personal Organizing Center” along with a supply drawer. Every home needs one. Each day an average of fifteen pieces of mail arrive in your mailbox. If you flip through and deal ...

I am a pastanatic. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner and even as a snack. But, I hear that carbs are the enemy these days so I am always on the lookout for ways to make me feel less guilty about eating them. When I first tried whole wheat pasta some years ago, I literally almost hurled. However, I am happy to admit that they have come a long way. I prefer Barilla whole grain but Ronzoni healthy harvest is good too. This recipe is from Whole Living. Enjoy! ;) Mediterranean Pasta with Artichokes, Olives and Tomatoes Ingredients Serves 4 Coarse salt and ground pepper 12 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 medium onion , thinly sliced, lengthwise 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced crosswise 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 can artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed, and quartered lengthwise 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, quartered lengthwise 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes , halved lengthwise 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more serving 1/2 cup fresh basil leave...

If you are as anal as I am and you like lists and charts, here is one to get you started on your new weekly cleaning schedule. Happy cleaning & organizing! http://www.organizingpro.com/downloads/3x5_weekly_chart_colored_%202up.pdf

A neighbor of mine has had one for years. And you know what? Her house always looks FABULOUS! I used to think that I didn't need one but since I've gone back to work, I just can't keep up with it all. I am tired of saving it all for the weekend. And, I am tired of the house looking not so fabulous during the week. I am ready to jump on the bandwagon. So here is a weekly schedule courtesy of Marcia Ramsland. A Weekly Cleaning Schedule is the backbone of staying on top of clutter. It frees up time since regular routines create order. The goal is to stay ahead of the dust and clutter without much effort. Here’s what you want to do in Weekly Cleaning so your house stays clean: l. Empty Wastebaskets. Believe it or not, this is a sign of all clean homes and offices. Get your money’s worth from your weekly garbage and recyle pickup by tossing out everything you can. 2. Change Bed Linens. Instead of tackling the Herculean task of changing all the beds on the same day, try c...

This is thee best stir fry recipe I have ever made. It is quick and easy too making it a perfect busy weeknight meal. It is from the Jan/Feb 2011 issue of Everyday Food. I've made it twice already. The whole family loves it. Give it a try and let me know how much you love it. ;) Ingredients: -white rice -1 TBSP cornstarch -1/4 cup sugar -1/4 cup soy sauce (I used reduced sodium) -1/4 white vinegar -1 TBSP vegetable oil -1-1/4 lbs of boneless/skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces -2 bell peppers (any color- I used red & yellow) seeded & diced large -1/2 lb green beans, trimmed & halved -5 scallions, thinly sliced -2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled & minced -3 garlic cloves, minced -2 TBSP chopped roasted peanuts (I omitted these - I don't like nuts in my food) 1. Cook rice according to package. Meanwhile, in a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce & vinegar. Set aside. 2. In a large wok or skillet, hea...

I have had this ficus tree in my family room since we moved in. Actually, it came with me from the townhouse when we moved. It is older than my kids. But the pot that it was in matched my old decor not my new one. So, for years this poor tree sat in it's ugly old plastic container. But not anymore. After several failed attempts, I finally found the perfect container for it and the tree fits in it perfectly!! It was from TJ Maxx and it was only $12.99. Yay!! That may seem like not such a big thing but let me tell you it is harder to find the right color and size than you think. How do you like?

For every holiday, I change out the decor on my sofa table. I change the runner and candy and mix in some homemade crafts. This is what I did for Valentine's Day. The table runner is from HomeGoods. It was $12.99. A little more than I had wanted to spend but it was the only one I liked. The little heart candles were from Target. They were a gift from a student of mine a few years back. :) The candy dishes were all wedding favors. :O And the love frame (which still needs a photo) is from Kohl's. It was a gift from my friend Irene. :) The cards and frame are the homemade part. TFL! :)