IT'S THINK--IT THURSDAY

What's Think-It Thursday, you ask? Well, it's your day to prep for the rest of the week. You can make life in the kitchen much easier for the rest of the week if you do a little planning and leg work on Thursday. 

What's up with THURSDAY, you ask?  Well, here's my rationale.  I like having everything ready to pick up supplies for the following week on Friday after work, or on Saturday morning.  I don't want to have to go back to the store either.  Who has time for that???

So, I like to get my thoughts together on THURSDAY.  Just takes a quick minute to pull it all together!

1. Make sure your menu is made out and posted. Be sure to make certain that your menu selections are appropriate for your schedule this week.
2. Set up your Make-a-Menu Box.
3. Do you have plans for your lunches and the kiddies' lunches for the upcoming week?
4. Check to make sure you have all the supplies you'll need. If not, add them to a grocery list.

If you get all this done today, you will be a happy camper this week... You might be crowned The Mama again!

Love,
The Menu Maker Mom

Happy New Year!

Wow! 2010!!! Seems like life just seemed to zip by this year. The faster it goes by, the more I realize that I need to 'stop and smell the roses', as the old saying goes. Last year was so full of family fun, and I just love thinking about all the events that we shared. Since I haven't posted since October, I thought I'd show you what was going on in our household!

During September and October we attended a slew of volleyball games. Being that we live in a rural area, going to a game in another school's gym means traveling, which means we had a few late nights out during the work/school week. No matter... I just love watching my girls play!

Another happening this Fall was my birthday. I turned 45. OMG! That sounds soooo old! Here's the boots my wonderful hubby bought me. I LOVE them! The last time I had a new pair of boots was for my 16th birthday. YES, 16!! I think I was due for a new pair!

Halloween was so much fun. We carved pumpkins and went trick-or-treating. This year was interesting, as it was the first year that I didn't make the girls their costumes. They got together with a friend and designed their own costumes and put it all together themselves. They were "catnappers". No, they didn't fall asleep. They were some type of burglar that takes cats. Don't ask.

In December, the twins showed their animals in both our local Chapter Show for our FFA, and at a prospect show. "B" (pictured on left) won her first showmanship buckle and was so proud of herself! They both have done a fab job raising, caring for, and training their animals.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas volleyball came to an end and basketball started, the girls participated in their school band concert, club volleyball startted for Baby B, there were tryouts for Winterguard for Baby A and then practices stared, there were family events to participate in, and finally thyroid surgery for me... More on that later.

Through it all I managed to stay pretty well organized, and I had all my shopping and planning done by December 13th. My surgery was on the 17th, and recovery was very quick. We ended up sharing a very relaxing holiday, and we all spent two full weeks at home together. It was a wonderful Christmas!

We ended the year on a high note by adding a new member to our family. We're so excited to introduce our new little girl, Trixie!

As the new year begins, I'm thinking about the changes and growth I hope to experience this year. Do you make resolutions? I usually make a resolution or two, and while I don't think I've ever succeeded 100%, having a plan sends me on the path of positive change. Change is good.

Here's what I'm planning this year:

1. Go to bed earlier. It's amazing how much better I feel when I get 7 hours sleep versus 6!

2. Scrapbook all our photos this year.

3. Have friends over for game night at least once every 2 months.

4. Pay off at least 3 debts.

5. Complete the Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred (do all 30 days!) and the Slim in 6 program. I have both sets of DVDs, so there's no reason not to exercise!!

6. BLOG REGULARLY!! I have so many more menu plans to share!

It's going to be an awesome year with so much to look forward to!

Menu Maker Mom ~

Makin' Yummies. Stuffin' Tummies.

FRUGAL FRIDAY :: Have a list, Check it twice!!

I am a household list maker. My list making is an uncontrollable compulsion, and I just can’t help myself! In fact, that is how Menu Maker Mom got started. After all, a menu, in and of itself, is nothing more than a list of food items, isn’t it? I love lists because they just seem to make decision-making go totally autopilot. Things just seem to “click”. For me, when it comes to managing a busy household, lists create household order, whereas flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants just creates chaos!

What good is a list if you can't find it???
If you’re a list maker like me, or you want to start using a list or two, one of the most important concepts in making your lists work FOR you and not AGAINST you is having a regular place to put each list so each one is easy to access and easy to use. There is nothing more frustrating than having several running copies of the same list or losing a list. That just ADDS stress, not reduces it! If a list is kept hidden in a drawer, it won’t be used and probably will get lost.

Here's how I keep track:
* Menu is on the fridge. I use this daily.
* Camper packing list is in my household notebook. (More about that later!) Only use this one a few times a year.
* Freezer Contents list is on the freezer door. I use this daily.
* Fridge Left-Overs list is on the fridge. I use this daily.
* Grocery & Shopping list is on the fridge door. I use this daily.
* To-Do list is in my planner. I use this daily.
* Cleaning list is in my household notebook. I use this monthly.
* Gift Giving list is in my planner. (I keep a copy in “notes” in my phone too.) I use this
periodically as needed.
* Bill Paying list is in my accordion bill file. I use this list every 2 weeks.
* Budget and Savings list is in my accordion bill file. I use this list every 2 weeks.
* Holiday/Event/Vacation planning lists are in my household notebook. I use this list a
few times a year.
* School list of dates/phone numbers/important information is in my planner. I use
this list periodically as needed.
* Coupon code list. I keep this by the computer and use periodically.

For some my list might seem a little excessive. One might wonder if I actually keep a list of all my lists!! Especially for anyone who is NOT a list maker, my list-making compulsion may seem a little… Well, one might say “over-the-top”. I have a list of those people! ( just kidding! )

Truth is, I can’t imagine life without my lists. Don’t know how I’d get anything done or remember where anything is! I absolutely love my lists. They keep me organized and sane. They keep my house clean, my bills paid, and my family fed; and because they keep my life running smoothly and efficiently, they give me extra time in my day for rest and relaxation!

My list-making compulsion gets even worse...
Know what else I can’t live without when it comes to staying organized? Notebooks! I love notebooks almost as much as I love lists. In fact, I put some of my lists in notebooks! I'm sure you'd loooove to hear more about my notebooks, and I would be thrilled to tell you more..., but that’s not on my list for today!

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Menu Maker Mom~
Makin' Yummies. Stuffin' Tummies.

"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the Way"....

You must think I’ve completely lost my mind! Why, it’s not even October yet, and Menu Maker Mom is singing Christmas Carols?!?!

Well, I’m just trying to get your attention because CHRISTMAS IS JUST 94 DAYS AWAY!!! Yep, Advent starts in only 68 days!!!

As a busy working wife and mother with busy kids, I know how important it is to stay organized, especially with approaching holidays. There’s so much to do: shopping, cleaning, cooking, attending plays and parties, wrapping, decorating... It’s just a flurry of activity and it seems like it’s just a blur from Halloween until New Years!!!

To help out, I’ve found some great online planners on the web that can help a busy mom like you and me stay calm, organized, and with our budgets. Grab a cup of joe and sit for a while and check these out:

OrganizedChristmas.com – This great site from the writers of OrganizedHome.com includes organizing articles, 2 organized plans called “Christmas Countdown” and “Holiday Grand Plan”, and you’ll also find a free printable Christmas Planner. The Holiday Grand Plan has already begun, and the Christmas Countdown is a 6-week program that hasn’t yet started. Go to OrganizedChristmas.com to register for either. It’s free!! By the way – this planner is cool because it includes a Bible study. “Jesus is the reason for the season!”

Celebrating-Christmas.com – What a fun site full of recipes, party planning tips, crafts, and free checklists. Visit Celebrating-Christmas.com to download their free “Celebrating Christmas Magazine 2008”. While you're there, don't forget to visit their other sites, including Celebrating-Halloween.com!

ChristmasOrganizing.com – This is the place to join a Yahoo discussion group where you'll learn from others and share with others. The authors also have a great organizing plan called the “Christmas Organizing Express.” Don’t forget to check out the easy tips for setting up an organizing center, the gift giving ideas and coloring pages too!

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Menu Maker Mom ~
Makin' Yummies... Stuffin' Tummies.

WHAT'S ON YOUR FRIDGE?

This is my fridge - the freezer section, that is. Sorry the pic is so poor ~ I took it with my cell phone's camera.

There are three very important items on my fridge that help this family stay organized. The white papers in the upper left-hand corner are a pad of grocery lists. Using Word, I made a grocery list with four columns. It includes all the items that we normally need, and a few lines for adding items that aren't quite so regular. The list is broken out into the same sections as you would find in the grocery store, for example, "frozen foods", "produce", "meat", "canned goods", etc. It's so easy to check off any item as I run low or run out. I don't have to remember anything! Finally, this list keeps me sane when I get to the store, as I know I won't forget anything before leaving any particular department. No more running back and forth across the store, or showing up at home without this or that.

In the middle of the fridge I have a pen cup that's magnetized. It's meant for school lockers and it's so cool! I found it at Dollar Tree for, you guessed it, a dollar! Love it!

On the right side is the calendar. Mine is simple. Got it from the church and it hilights a different saint each month. It has all the holy days listed, which is nice for my family. The squares are uncluttered, so it's easy to see any notes that I have made.

Of course, I have a few photos of my favorite people. I love looking at them each time I check out the list or the calendar!

So what's your fridge like? What keeps you organized?

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Menu Maker Mom ~
Makin’ Yummies. Stuffin’ Tummies.

MAKE-A-MENU END-OF-MONTH TASKS

"Like sands through the hourglass.... Those were the days of our lives..." As I think about how fast the month flew by, this phrase comes to mind!
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It's time to close out the month in the kitchen. Here's your end-of-month task list:

1. File your old menu away in your Make-a-Menu Binder, or at least make a couple of notes regarding what worked or didn't work before you throw it in the trash.

2. Place your new menu in the special place just for menus. Mine is on the fridge.

3. Take note of frozen meals, meats, cheeses, etc. that are in your freezer.

4. Inventory your pantry for supplies that you'll need this month. Are you running low on flour, sugar, coffee, etc? How about canned tomatoes, canned soup, etc? Do you have a surplus of any items that need to be used in recipes? Taking inventory now will save you money down the road.
5. Inventory your supply of foil, wax paper, ziplock bags, etc.

6. Don't forget to take a look at your paper products as well. How are you doing on paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper?
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Inventory notes:

I keep a check-off form type of grocery list on my fridge. As I inventory, I mark on the list the items that I will need.

If I find I have a good supply of any particular item in my freezer, fridge, or pantry, I make a note of it in my Make-a-Menu Binder. I'll use this list when planning my menu.
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Have a great week!!
~Menu Maker MOm

THE ORGANIZED MOM: IS YOUR WEEK ON AUTO-PILOT?

There are a few things you can do to get your week started on the right foot. If you get organized on Sunday, you can say goodbye to the junk foodie store for dinner, say goodbye to laundry basket diving, end your morning "what should I wear" hassle, get to the kids' practice sessions with equipment and snacks on hand, and basically eliminate some of the weekly stress that comes with being MOM! And, of course, you will be in the running for the much coveted MAMA award! (The Most Awesome Mother Award)

To save your sanity this week by going Auto Pilot, here's a small list of 5 things you can do:

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1. Of course, MMM's #1 suggestion is to make sure you ENTIRE menu is made out. I'm talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner, girlfriend!

2. Get your Make-a-Menu Box set up for the week. (If you don't do this, at LEAST review the menu for ingredients and make sure you have all the items.)

3. Make sure the laundry is done and put away. Anyone over the age of 5 can do their share, and nothing has to be folded or hung up perfectly! Just getting it done is good enough!

4. If you will be running from activity to activity, make sure the equipment you will need is in your vehicle. For example, I have a basket that I've put library books in, a sports bag has a basketball and practice clothes, a plastic box has Gatorade and snacks, etc.

5. Choose your clothes for each day this week. I don't recommend having kids do this, as they change their minds too often and you'll end up with clothes all over the floor or flung in the closet. They can choose their each night before bed.

KEEPING KIDS ORGANIZED

Okay the title of this post just makes me giggle for two reasons. First of all, we all know that kids are like puppies and kittens. They can never truly be tamed and organized. Second, I am not the queen of organization... I'm just your average working mom, trying to stay on top of daily chaos and clutter.

Keeping kids organized can be a huge struggle, especially when both parents work full time! There are a few things you can do to keep your busy kids organized. The truth is, you'll probably always be behind the 8-ball if they are involved in a variety of activities, and no system is fail-proof, but at least you can say you tried!

Here's what we do at our house. (Okay - we intend on doing this, we try to do this, for the most part we do this... and sometimes we're just flying by the seat of our pants!!)

* Assignment books must come out of the backpack first thing when we get home. Homework comes next. This is when I sign papers, etc.

* Soccer items stay in a soccer bag, cheerleading items in the cheer bag, etc. Just grab a bag and go.

* Children can write events on a family calendar and younger kids can give you papers with important dates. My kids know that if it doesn't go on the calendar, it doesn't exist. It's their job to make sure it gets to the calendar.

* Do it all the night before: pack a lunch (mine pack their own lunch), get the backpack ready and set by the door, choose clothes and accessories (from head to toes!).

* I keep a binder for all the important papers that come into the house. When I file papers right away, then I'm be able to my your hands on it quickly when I need to! Of course, as much as I try, the paper monster occassionally rears its ugly head!

* Clothes must go INTO the dirty clothes hamper in order to make it into the washing machine. Favorite jeans and tops can stay on the floor forever, as far as I'm concerned, but they cannot be worn if they're dirty. Amazingly, the favorite jeans end up in the hamper, just as I've asked.

Finally to make your own organizational system work, just stick to the basics:

1) Develop a routine, and stick to a it as much as possible.
2) Have a place for everything. Everything goes in its place, or it goes in the trash.

We parents have to stay on top of this and give our little disorganized mushy-brained kids a zillion nudges a day. By keeping some sort of organization system we can prevent a little frustration for everyone!