I guess I could abbreviate it to “PO” because that’s what Ken was when he found out about the mistake I made. Not really … he doesn’t get upset about stuff like that. And for those wondering, it wasn’t a life-altering mistake or anything … we’re not going to lose our house or cars or anything, it just made things a little difficult in a stressful time. It’s all taken care of now, and life goes on.

When we took apart the hutch and moved it into the breakfast nook, I moved all of my cookbooks into it. But as me and my mom were moving them, I remembered a recent post I read on Organizing Junkie about donating cookbooks you don’t use. The idea was met with a little resistance among some women, but I am NOT attached to cookbooks. I have a few favorites, and I do tend to collect the old Southern church cookbooks since they have the BEST comfort food recipes, but I could easily do without a few of the other ones. In addition to my paper cookbooks, I also have a virtual cookbook on Delicious, as well – you can check it out if you want.

Anyway, I decided to try to consolidate my most-used recipes into one binder. Since this will be a binder I use often, I bought a pretty one on clearance from Target.

The first page is a print-out of my Google calendar menu plan for the current month.

Then, I have all of my recipes divided into the following sections: appetizers, beef, bread, breakfast, cakes, chicken, cookies, dessert, fish, pasta/rice, pork, salads, soups, veggies.

I used clear page protectors since cooking is messy.

Or maybe I’m the only messy cooker out there? ;)

I plan to |1| print all of my recipes that are stored online and then print them as I save them, and then |2| go through and type up the recipes from the 4×6 cards my mom made me when I moved out on my own, and then |3| go through my cookbooks and type up the recipes I want to keep so I can donate the books I don’t need anymore.

So this is potentially a HUGE project that I’m not going to finish today, but I’ve made a good dent in it.

My ultimate goal is to end up with a binder (or 2) of recipes that I actually use … so if I find a recipe, make it, and end up not liking it, it goes in the recycle bin.

Now it’s your turn … how do you organize your recipes?

1| I’ve never been really good at replying to my blog replies, because I don’t like mass replies. But then I noticed that one of my most favoritest bloggers, Secret Agent Josephine, edits a comment with her reply. So I’m totally stealing the idea from her. And now I’ll be able to reply to those of you who respond. Thanks, SAJ!

2| I think I’ve convinced Ken to let me move my work area downstairs.

me: hey, hon. when you’re in a really good mood and totally stress-free, can you read my blog post?
him: i already read it. and it does not put me in a good mood.

But I think he knows how frazzled I am every other day, because I don’t know what’s going on in our lives, so he’s willing to make ONE MORE MOVE to make me happy. Gotta love him.

Plus, I’m going to totally convince him with this picture.

See, honey! Emma likes playing on the computer, and we need one down here!

I am totally not above bribing him with his princess.

3| Speaking of pictures (how about that segue!) – are you following my Project365? Did you even know I’m doing Project365? Do you even care? Well, if you do … I’m taking/posting one picture a day for a year, and it’s been really fun so far! I’ve gotta admit, it keeps me busy and creative. Okay, I haven’t really had to be creative, yet, but I am making lists of things to take pictures of. [Ack, I know you're not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition, but I don't feel like changing it.] You can either bookmark it or just click the little picture over there on the left if you want to follow along with me (and Emma). :)

4| I made cinnamon & raisin bread this morning — um, I even got up at 5:15 to go put the raisins in the machine. But it did not turn out that well. So if you have a recipe for a yummy cinnamon & raisin bread [for a bread machine] and preferably non-yeasty, please please share!!

I think that’s it for today. I may have had one more item, but I don’t like odd numbers, so it can wait for another day.

* I pronounce “ketchup” like “catch-up” … just a little play on words today

This is one of our recent nighttime favorites …

1 mug milk
3 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla

Heat milk in microwave 1.5 minutes or until hot (but not boiling); stir in sugar and vanilla.

As Emma would say, “num, num.”

We just got the little monkey down, and I’ve got to work, so this is all I can post tonight, but I hope this warms your tummy now that the colder months are upon [most of] us.