I just love Christmas. I have friends that dread it coming, but I organize and plan ahead so it isn’t as stressful.

I found a great web site today called www.OrganizedChristmas.com There sure is a lot of information there on many things you may want to know for Christmas. You may enjoy taking a look at it.

I am hoping for snow for Christmas but looking out my window right now we are having a gorgeous premium Fall day. There are a few leaves still on the trees and the air is chilly.

Do you want to get rid of some clutter in time for the holidays? Take a look at what you have and think:
1) How much do I love it? How important is it to me?
2) How often do I use it?
3) Do I plan on using it in the future?
4) Will my life change if I get rid of it?
These questions, or the answers can put your ‘things’ into perspective and help you decide if you should keep or toss.

De clutter for the holidays NOW, you won’t have time later.

Good luck and happy holidays

We are having the most beautiful Fall weather here in the valley. Along with the turning of the leaves there is a briskness in the air and before we know it a wintry chill will take over.

I was waiting for someone yesterday and I took the time to clean out my car of all the wrappers and stuff that accumulates (when my back is turned). I got to thinking about winterizing my car for the new season that is almost here.

It is the time to remove picnic items, beach chairs and other warm weather essentials from the trunk, back seat and other places. Then load up with winter essentials. A blanket, food and water in case you are stuck somewhere unexpectedly, a 72 hour kit, the ice scraper for those cold morning freezes and a pair of gloves handy for cold hands. A bag of kitty litter is a good thing to have in the trunk to sprinkle under tires for traction if you become stuck in the snow.

Hopefully we will never need most of these items but “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

We are having the most beautiful Fall weather here in the valley. Along with the turning of the leaves there is a briskness in the air and before we know it a wintry chill will take over.

I was waiting for someone yesterday and I took the time to clean out my car of all the wrappers and stuff that accumulates (when my back is turned). I got to thinking about winterizing my car for the new season that is almost here.

It is the time to remove picnic items, beach chairs and other warm weather essentials from the trunk, back seat and other places. Then load up with winter essentials. A blanket, food and water in case you are stuck somewhere unexpectedly, a 72 hour kit, the ice scraper for those cold morning freezes and a pair of gloves handy for cold hands. A bag of kitty litter is a good thing to have in the trunk to sprinkle under tires for traction if you become stuck in the snow.

Hopefully we will never need most of these items but “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Don’t you just love picking up a knife in your kitchen to slice a vegetable, or cut a piece of meat and it actually slices without you having to use all your strength, resort to swearing and tearing your hair out? Me too I love sharp knives in the kitchen.

With Fall in the air it is a good time to ready your kitchen for Winter. Sharpen those knives. If they are too old to sharpen on a wet stone or chantry then take it to someone who can put the edge back on the knife.

With fine steel wool apply mineral oil to wood cutting boards and wooden spoons to prevent splitting. They look so nice after being oiled.

If you are like me it sometimes doesn’t compute that it is O.K. to let go of old pans or plastic containers that are pitted or stained or toss a stray lid. Now is the time to say bye-bye. Glass has become my favorite container to store food in when putting left-over’s in the fridge.

Yesterday I put a pan I have had for over 40 years on a different shelf and because I was then able to see the bottom of it I realized it is time to let it go. Only half of the bottom touched the surface. What am I thinking? Why have I been cooking my stews, soups and stir fry in a pan that can only do half the work? The handles burnt off years ago and the lid has been history longer than I can remember. Like I tell my clients as I organize their homes, just let go. I have a new pan only better; I think it is time to use it. How about you? Do you have old kitchen items that you need to let go of? If you say yes, then get rid of it. Good luck on getting your kitchen utensils in tip top shape.