Wednesday, December 9, 2009

On Hiatus


You may have noticed a lack of posts on the blog lately.  I have recently started a side business which is absorbing all of my attention.  NeatnessCounts will definitely be back and posting in the new year!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

MommySpirit - Light a Candle



This evening, take a few moments to pamper yourself and restore your spirit from the demands of the day.  After the kids have gone to bed, light a candle.  Turn off all artificial lights, sit back and put your feet up.  Relax and watch the flickering flame, enjoy the subtle soothing scent. Perhaps, treat yourself to a glass of wine, alone or with your husband. 
Don't save anything for "best".  Today is your best day. Enjoy today.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Inspirational Wednesday



"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours...If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."
-- Henry David Thoreau

Image courtesy ONeal's Imports.

Monday, November 16, 2009

NeatnessCounts...The Remix!


I have always said that to see the state of my life, just look in my purse.

I have a thousand things going on in my life right  now.  This past Saturday, I finally had a moment to sit down and try to make sense of a few things, starting with my purse.  Some evidence of everything I am into was in there.  Information and receipts for my new home business, my kids, home bills, dates from my work calendar to be transferred to the home calendar, notes from my 9-5 job, blog ideas. 

As I sorted through it, I thought to myself, "How can I be the author of a home organizational blog, of all things when my purse looks like THIS!!!!"  That's when I realized that I had to do a remix on this blog. 

Many of my girlfriends and sister-friends in my life often say to me: "You're so organized.  You are always so well groomed.  Your house must look perfect every day."  While I am very flattered that anyone would think so highly of me, the truth is, I am FAR from perfect, FAR from perfectly disciplined.  The truth is, parts of my house (and sometimes even the whole house!) looks like someone tried to rob us.  Sometimes the systems I try don't work, and sometimes I look around this home I love so much and all I see is unfinished projects and I feel very overwhelmed.  But then I take a breath, break everything down into baby steps to be accomplished, and eventually I get it all done.   Nothing makes me feel better than making a mess into a success.  But it takes time, and nowadays I don't have much of it to do everything that needs to be done. 

We are having a party this weekend.  Tonight and tomorrow we will rush around straightening up for the cleaning lady on Wednesday, the house will be beautiful for the party, and then our family will dismantle the order we have created over the next two weeks, until it's time for the cleaning lady to come again.

So I hope that anyone who is reading this understands where I am coming from.  As this blog goes along, I will "show" you, literally and figuratively, parts of my life and home -  believe me, I could show you some before and afters that will make you shake your head in disbelief!  But it will all be done with the hope that someone who feels overwhelmed will get a little burst of inspiration.

Top image courtesy http://wiseacre-gardens.com/.

Bottom image - purse, mid-cleanout, courtesy me!

Friday, November 13, 2009

The Dizzy Duck



While trying (unsuccessfully!) last Saturday to persuade E. to lie down for an afternoon nap, I came across this old favorite in his stack of books - The Dizzy Duck by Chris Tougas.  It  seems to be out of print now (I think I picked up the worn copy we own from my mother in law's house!) but used copies are available at Amazon.  It's one duck's story of procrastination and overwhelm over the course of a day.  Though it's best when you can see the adorable illustrations, it's such an apropos teaching tool for kids, as well as being just a really cute story, that I had to bring it to the blog! 

The Dizzy Duck

The rooster crows good morning,
and the Dizzy Duck awakes.

He looks around his messy room. 
It's more than he can take.

He sits right down and plans out how
he'll put his toys away.

Which makes him feel so dizzy
that he runs outside to play.

He comes inside to try again
but cannot find his bed.

Which makes him feel so dizzy
that he takes a bath instead.

And once he's dry he plans to try
to stay up late and sweep.

Which makes him feel so dizzy...
Oops! He falls right back to sleep.

What a mess!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

MommyStyle


As mothers, along with the need to manage our time and our space, comes the need to take time for our selves. I can only speak for myself, but as "une femme d'un certain age" (a lady of a certain age), it's quite important to me that I look as close to my best as I possibly can. So along with trying to design and implement strategies for my home, I am constantly working on my personal style, checking fashion and beauty trends, and looking for resources to help me get the best prices on the good stuff.

In the coming weeks, from time to time, I'll be bringing some of those resources to you. Watch this space.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Inspirational Wednesday


A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time. A schedule is a mock-up of reason and order--willed, faked, and so brought into being.

Anne Dillard (The Writing Life)









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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Crockpot Tuesday - "Dump" Chicken



Dump chicken is a cooking concept whereby you place chicken parts and ingredients into a plastic freezer bag, then freeze and defrost for the crock pot or baking pan when needed.  It's a convenient way to have a tasty, well seasoned chicken meal on short notice.

Here's a gold mine of Dump Chicken recipes, as well as a collection of Dump Chicken recipes geared toward those who practice batch or freezer cooking.

By the way, dear readers, you may have noticed that here at NeatnessCounts, we eat a lot of chicken! And you'd be right! Although I personally do not eat red meat or pork, we will be bringing some delicious non-chicken recipes your way soon!

Enjoy!

Top image courtesy Recipe Goldmine.

Monday, November 9, 2009

OrganizeYour....Potty Training?????????


I have the unfortunate distinction of being the mother of an almost four year old who is not yet fully potty trained.

This situation is partially the result of a deliberate parenting decision.  With C., I was personally determined that he WOULD be fully potty trained by the age of three.  His daycare teacher at the time asked me if I would like to start potty training him in late June, when he was a little less than two years old.  I agreed, and everything was going along swimmingly for a couple of months, until that particular teacher left the school and a less experienced teacher took her place.  This teacher and I did not see eye to eye, so potty training was not consistent between home and school.  One Christmas trip to Disney later, the schedule was so kaput that potty training was too. 

While at a Memorial Day barbecue, C. noticed that the little girl of the house, who was quite a bit younger and not even really very verbal, was able to go poopy on the potty.  C. informed Hubby P. that he had to use the bathroom, went poopy, and was trained from that day on, at two years eight months old.

When E. came along, I decided not to even consider potty training him before he turned two years old, and in fact to sort of let him "train himself."  I joked that I wouldn't start to train him until he asked me, in an English accent, "Mummy, I think I would like to use the potty now."  In discussion with his teachers, we started training him around age three.  I thought by starting a bit older, he'd be fully trained in a matter of weeks.

Fast forward nine months.  E. understands what to do, but he just doesn't feel any compunction to do it consistently. But at least I am not totally alone - the child care center director's son is the same age, and is having the same issues.

So I write this post to pass along the benefit of my experience on how to plan, or "organize", your potty training experience.

Earlier vs. Later. As you may surmise from my stories above, it can be difficult to determine the right time to start potty training your child.  In general, I think it's best to wait until the child shows interest in the bathroom and seems to understand what goes on in there.  There are many books available which will try to convince you that you can potty train your child in as little as one day.  It certainly can't hurt to read these books, and they may even help you, but in my opinion, kids get trained when they are ready, and not a moment before.

Boys vs. Girls.  None of my mommy friends have ever expressed any difficulties in training their girls.  It seems to be as simple as telling the little girl: "Today you can wear Dora underwear (or Barbie, or pink flowered, or whatever she's into) but you have to keep it dry and clean.  Most of my friends who are parents of boys reported that it was relatively easy to train their boys to go "#1", but #2 took a longer time.  Boys tend to hide and give other cues when they have to go #2, and seem to be afraid of what will happen if they do "it" in the potty.  So this piece of the puzzle might take a while to fit, but it's usually one of the very last pieces.

Consistency is Key.  Whenever you decide to jump in, you need to be consistent from that point on.  As a first time parent, I was unaware of how convenient diapers were.  Once you start potty training, whenever you go out you have to carry change(s) of clothes and be aware of where every "potty" is in the vicinity.  And once you put your child in underwear, they should wear it full-time, with the possible exception of night time (night dryness comes last).  For this reason, I think it's best to start potty training in warmer weather if possible.  This makes it easier to change clothes with a minimum of inconvenience to you and less discomfort to your child.

Clothing. Potty training is also the point where you have to let go of those cute one-piece outfits and overalls for a while.  Clothes need to pull up and down easily, especially for boys.  Consider starting out with thicker training pants and wait until your child begins to understand the potty habit and can stay dry a little longer, before moving on to the cute superhero or frilly underwear in hopes of motivating him or her to complete training more quickly. Keep track of your child's progress using charts like the free ones available here.  Reward your child's efforts with hugs and stickers.  With C., we learned the hard way to minimize sugary rewards to one M & M for #2 success!

Dealing with Accidents. Bigger kids make bigger messes! I would keep several extra plastic bags and double or triple the amount of wipes I usually carry in my diaper bag for accidents outside the house. I have had several harrowing experiences with messier accidents, the most recent at a water park...don't worry, I figured out what was happening in time!   You might also consider investing in flushable wipes.  For at home accidents, well, sometimes you just gotta pop them in the tub.  

Oh, the Laundry!  Potty training is a laundry nightmare,  When we built our new house, I knew I was pregnant with E., (although I didn't yet know whether he was a boy or a girl) so I ordered the laundry sink.  Between potty training and all the other yuck my boys bring in the house, it's one of the best decisions I ever made.  Laundry sink or no, soak underwear in a bucket or basin with hot water and a splash of ammonia, rinse, then dump the gross water in the commode and launder the underwear as usual.  Even so, there will be times when you will just go ahead and chuck the undies.

E. is coming right along with the potty training, and in fact made great strides just this past weekend.  I console myself with the sure belief that he when we walks across the stage to accept his degree from Harvard University, he will probably not be wearing a Pull-Up!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

This is the kid who....


completed the following assignment in October 2009, one full month into fifth grade:
(Assignment is reported exactly as written.)

Science Chapter 7 Lesson 3

1.  Write about a path through the rock cycle from the perspective of a rock.  Begin with the following types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.  Be sure to include details about the forces and processes that change the rock you have chosen.

Hi!  I'm a igneous rock.  I was just cooled down and formed into rock.  Ow!  Water's being forced against me.  I'm being weathered and now I'm sediment.  Now I'm being pressurized and all of the sediment around me is being cemented together.  Now I'm a sedimentary rock.  I'm sandstone and I'm all gritty.  Whew!  Now is the room getting smaller?  Gawd, it's boiling in here!  Ah! All this pressure hurts!  Eggegeh, ahhhh! I'm glad that's over!  Bye-bye, sedimentary rock, hello, metamorphic rock! I'm igneiss and do I look good! I've got black stripes and a gray surface.  Whoah, I'm being sucked into a volcano.  Ew, I'm magma and now I'm all liquidy.  Whoah, this baby's gonna blow!  Wheee! Oof! Ahhh, now I'm back to being obsidian, a igneous rock.  Bye!


He received 100% on the quiz.  The teacher commented, "Great job!  You followed all of the directions!"...the only kid in class who did!

Image: Low Brown Karate Test, April 2008.  Image courtesy Hubby P.

Friday, November 6, 2009

What are you doing with the kids this weekend?



Have you ever seen that commercial with the three moms of infants on a "playdate"?  The moms are chatting away about how much the kids are enjoying playing together when the camera cuts to the three babies, blissfully sleeping in their infant carriers.  That "playdate" was for the moms!

Yakini commented on my post last week about my mother's group, saying she wished she had something like that to go to with her baby son Chase.  When I first had my son C., I remember wishing that I had a defined support group of fellow mommies to just "be" with from time to time.  Between everyone's child on a different schedule and each mom's differing parenting philosophies, I remember feeling a bit isolated.

The mother's group I belong to, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., (more on this in a future post) is for children aged two and up.  But I would encourage any mom of an infant to look to your own resources to make your own little support group.  Chat up other moms if you take your child to daycare, swimming or music classes.  I actually think it's easier to coordinate meetups when you each have one child - there are fewer scheduling and naptime conflicts.  Consider purchasing simple social cards such as those available at TinyPrints or VistaPrint (where you can order free cards from selected designs, just pay shipping) to simplify exchanging contact information.

Mommies of infants can meet for a morning coffee date at the bakery or the park.  A couple of hours of girlfriend chat between babies' naptimes will do wonders to recharge you.  For toddlers ages two to about four, consider meeting at a play place like Chuck E. Cheese - but be sure to go at 9 a.m. when they open.  Normally I personally consider places like Chuck E. Cheese a headache waiting to happen, but the kids love it!  There is usually have a small contained area with activities which are suitable for smaller children.  At opening time, it will be deserted enough that you can relax, and your child will be ready to go home before the birthday parties start and it gets chaotic!

So, why not reach out to that nice mom you keep seeing at morning drop off or Gymboree, and ask her if she'd like to get together with the kids this weekend? Maybe she's looking for a supportive mommy friend too.

Thanks for the support, Yakini!  Be sure to check out Yakini's blog, The Prissy Mommy Chronicles, at http://www.prissymommy.com/.  It's about her experiences as a new mommy to Chase, with some girly stuff thrown in.  I think it's great and I bet you will too!

Image courtesy bestofbakingsoda.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

MommyFit



Workout

A workout is 25% perspiration and 75% determination. It is one part physical exertion and three parts self discipline. Doing it is easy once you start. A workout
makes you feel better today than you did yesterday. It strengthens the body, releases the mind and toughens the spirit. Workout regularly and your problems
diminish as your confidence grows. A workout is a personal triumph over laziness and procrastination. It is the badge of a winner and mark of an organized, goal oriented person who has taken charge of his/her destiny. A workout is a wise use of time and an investment in excellence. It is a way of proving to yourself that your have what it takes to do what is necessary. A workout is the key that helps unlock the door to opportunity and success. Hidden within each of us is an extraordinary force. Physical and mental fitness are triggers that release it. A workout is a form of rebirth. When you finish a good workout, you don't simply feel better, you feel better about


YOURSELF.

Anonymous

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Inspirational Wednesday




"Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time,effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing."

-Jim Rohn

Image courtesy Annia 316.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Crockpot Tuesday - Overnight Oatmeal


We talked yesterday about some ways to streamline your morning routine. As the weather cools down, I want my kids to have a hot, healthy breakfast but it has to be convenient to prepare. I've heard a lot about crockpot oatmeal so I decided to check it out.

According to Stephanie Gallagher of About.com,

"This Crockpot oatmeal recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy a hot breakfast with virtually no work in the morning. Just dump the ingredients in the slow cooker at night and wake up to a healthy, comforting breakfast in the morning. Be sure to use steel cut oatmeal (also called Irish oatmeal or Scottish oats) for this recipe. If you use rolled oats, it will not hold up to the long cooking process."

The About.com recipe is for Crockpot Oatmeal with Honey and Apples looks great - but the diced apples have to be added an hour before serving, so I might try it on the weekend or omit that ingredient on weekday mornings altogether.

Blogger Ann Roeker provides a picture tutorial on how she prepares her  Overnight Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal; she puts the oatmeal in a bowl inside the crock instead of directly into the crock itself - maybe that's the way to compensate for a larger crockpot like I have.

Over at the Food Network website, I found Alton's Brown's recipe for Overnight Oatmeal with Dried Cranberries and Figs.

It's always important to look at the reviews on recipe websites like Food Network and AllRecipes.com. For example, Meghan comments on Alton Brown's recipe:

"We have been making this recipe for years now and love it! You must use steel cut oats and an average size slow cooker (3qt) for this to turn out great without modifications. If you are like me and have one of the large 6qt slow cookers, cut the time in half. Fresh fruit does not do well (which is why Alton specifically adds dried). The dried fruit absorbs the water and plumps for fantastic flavor. We change up the fruit selection and sometimes even add nuts instead. Our favorite combo's are dried apples and walnuts, dried cherries and blueberries, and raisins and craisins." 

...while Marcy adds:

"We made it for years as a half recipe in a smaller crockpot, washing it every day. Now, our four year old insists on her own big bowl, so we're making a triple batch in a six quart crock pot so it lasts for several days. I make it with 3 cups of steel cut oats, 9 3/4 cups of water and 2 cups of half and half. I give the pan a little spray of cooking spray before I put everything in. I cook it for 8 hours on low. No burning, and it's easy to clean. We heat it up with a little milk after the first day. (We omitted the fruit after the first time, and we dress it up to our liking with brown sugar and various dry fruits.)"

So as I noted in my first crockpot post, your mileage may vary based upon your crockpot and your preferences!  But give it a try! I'm sure going to! Let me know if you try it!

Top image courtesy of nursdurkin.

Monday, November 2, 2009

The Morning Scramble


Hubby P. is in law enforcement and normally has a very regular daily work schedule.  Bless his heart, he usually gets the kids up and dressed in the morning and drops them both off on his way to work.  This permits me the daily luxury of getting ready for work at my leisure in peace and quiet.  However, his work schedule just changed so that he has to leave the house by shortly after 6:00 A.M., so that I need to get to the my morning workout at the gym, get myself dressed for work, get C. to the school bus by 7:00 A.M., take E. to preschool, and drive 45 minutes to my office. 

For someone like me who thrives on order and routine, this schedule change has caused an uproar.  I have to get myself showered, dressed, made up and coiffed within 30 minutes!!!  But dig we must! So we're adjusting.  I still get my workout in, although it's a bit abbreviated, and so far I have been able to scramble all three of us out of the door within the time allotted.  It takes 3 weeks to form a good habit so I am hoping that this will all seem like second nature soon.

This is a great time to talk about just how to get out of the house in the morning.

Your success will largely be determined by what you get done the night before.

  • Lay out everyone's clothes.  For a working mom, I recommend laying out your entire outfit from hose to jewelry.  Make sure everything is ironed and ready to wear.

  • Pre-assemble any lunches and snacks.

  • Check all homework and paperwork.  Do you have to send in any permission forms or checks?  Is tomorrow school picture day?

  • Place fully packed (except for perishable lunches) backpacks, musical instruments, purses, etc. by the door.  FlyLady calls this spot the "launch pad". Don't forget to put a note somewhere where you can see it (like on your exit door!) to remind you to place the perishable items in the lunch bags before you leave the house!

  • Especially if you have little kids, make sure that their shoes, coats and hats are located the night before, because for some reason they always disappear in the morning, even if you think you put them where they belonged the night before!

  • Plan the kids' breakfast. Cereal can be prepoured into covered bowls and milk can be pre-measured into covered plastic cups.  For a hot breakfast, regular or steel cut oatmeal can be prepared overnight in the crockpot (more on this tomorrow).  My kids are picky - some days they want oatmeal, some days they don't - so I do keep instant packets available.  Cut the sugar by combining a plain packet with a flavored variety.
In the morning:  Start by getting yourself ready first.  If Hubby P. isn't at home, I shower myself and do my makeup before waking the kids up. I get them dressed and settled for breakfast, then I dress myself.  If Hubby P. is at home, I leave the house for my workout, then come back to say goodbye to him and shower while the kids have breakfast.  Now I had become accustomed to a long leisurely shower, but now I have to keep a tight schedule.  I set a timer to keep me on my morning tasks.  5 minutes to shower, 5 minutes to brush and Waterpik/floss (I have braces), and 5-6 minutes to do the world's quickest makeup. 

Through this all I still have to remember to keep the kids on task.  Are they actually eating the breakfast on the table?  Are they fighting?  I usually give them a five minute warning to put their coats and shoes on when we have fifteen minutes to go before we have to leave the house.

Why fifteen minutes?  Because a. they don't hear me and b.  if they hear me they don't listen until I say it several times.  And even then I don't hear them start to move.  Ah, the joys of motherhood.  Once they start moving, this is when I typically start to hear how a shoe lace is too knotted to be untied or they just can't get their coat zipped. By this time I am downstairs and can assist.

Once I get downstairs, we pretty much have to go straight out of the door.  Yes, I know that I have not allotted any breakfast time for myself in here.  I usually prepare myself coffee and a protein shake to go (more on that in another post), which I will drink in the car, or have yogurt and cereal at my desk.

And do it all over again tomorrow!

Image courtesy Annie Mole.

Saturday, October 31, 2009




Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 30, 2009

What are you doing with the kids this weekend?


My 10 year old son, C., is becoming more mature and independent every day.  Lately, he's been trying to prepare some very basic snacks and meals for himself.  We let him prepare cold things, like sandwiches, and use the microwave with supervision.  His latest favorite is cheese quesadillas - simply melted cheese in a folded-over tortilla.  Last weekend, he was very anxious to prepare this for his "lunch" (at 11:00 A.M., not an hour after he had eaten breakfast!).  Of course E. wanted some too, so C. started to prepare one for him as well. 

C. then announces that he is going to have to throw away the tortilla he has started preparing because it has a slight rip in it.  Of course I was aghast!  But then I remembered a story from my childhood.

"When I was your age and learning to cook, one of the first things I tried to prepare was fried eggs over easy (and I don't even like eggs!).  One day I was "practicing" cooking the eggs, and every time I broke the yolk while flipping the egg, I threw the egg out.  When Grandma found out I had wasted almost a dozen eggs, she freaked out!" 

I gave him a hug, showed him how to refold the quesadilla so the cheese wouldn't spill out of the rip, and he and E. enjoyed their snack.

So why not cook with your kids this weekend?

Image courtesy Raxxis.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

MommyStyle


For me, there is no overstating the value of a pedicure on my state of mind. So relaxing and yet I just don't treat myself enough. 

Once last spring I was so pressed for time from running around with my son C.'s activities that I didn't even have 15 extra minutes to get a spa pedicure.

The next best thing when you don't have time to get to the salon or when it's closed is to do a home pedicure.

Assemble a little kit for this purpose.  We'll keep it simple so that you get the maximum relaxation.  You'll need a manicure kit with clippers, a buffing pad, and a pumice stone or foot file. Put some toe separators in your kit if you can (I sometimes reuse the ones from the salon); some clear and/or light colored polish, and your favorite quick dry spray or top coat.  Have some flip flops or pedicure socks (with open toes) ready for when you're done.  It would be nice to keep all of these supplies together in a pretty box or tin.

A electric or battery operated foot bath - If you don't have one of those, a deep dishpan or basin will do and sometimes I actually prefer that.

Fragrant Epsom salts - My favorite brand is Dr. Teal's, available at WalMart in 3 lb. bags for about $4.  It comes in lavender and eucalyptus spearmint fragrances. The eucalyptus spearmint is my favorite - it smells heavenly, just like you're at the spa - and is wonderful in your bath also.  Unscented salts will also do in a pinch.

Water - The temperature depends on your preference.  I like the hottest water I can stand.  I start out with tap water, then fill an old tea kettle and bring it upstairs to my boudoir so that I can refresh the water as it cools down.  Don't pour it directly on your feet!!!  In the summer you might prefer cold water or even float a few ice cubes.

Light a candle or two, preferably scented, and place close by where you can see the soothing flame.  Place a fluffy towel under your basin and have another close by to dry your feet when you are done.

You may want to do some foot maintenance before you start your soak.  I like to remove my old polish and cut and shape my nails before hand.  If you like to use a PedEgg, this is best done on dry feet.  Don't overdo it though.

Now dip your tootsies into the water...ahhhh.  Relax for as long as you want or as long as you have.  Pumice or file any rough spots just before you are ready to take your feet out of the water.

Dry your feet with your fluffy towel, then massage your feet and lower legs with lotion just like at the salon.  Swipe a little nail polish remover over your toes, and put on your toe separators or pedicure socks if you have them.

Polish your toes with a clear light colored polish to hide any mistakes.  Two coats is best if you have time to let it dry.

Finish by rubbing your feet with a rich cream, slip on your flip flops and exhale.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Inspirational Wednesday




It is much better to KEEP UP than to CATCH UP.


- Sandra Felton

Image courtesy www.freedigitalphotos.net.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Crockpot Tuesday - Sticky Chicken


This didn't start out as a crockpot recipe, but it is one of, if not THE best, roasted chicken recipes ever! I love to share it!  It is supposed to replicate storebought rotisserie chicken, but I just think it's delicious.

I have had this recipe for a long time. Versions of it are available all over the internet but I want to be sure to credit the original authors.

According to the printout in my recipe box, written by Diane S., "this recipe was originally created by Mimi Hiller of Mimi's Cyber Kitchen, http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/ and this version was actually an adaptation written by Lynn Nelson of Busy Cooks,
http://busycooks.about.com/.  It is a very popular recipe, and has been floating around the internet for a long time without the proper credits to either of these fine ladies. If you have saved this recipe to your private recipe collections, please note the original authors on your copies, and be certain to pass this information along each time you share your copy (and believe me, this recipe is
fantastic, and you will be asked for it each and every time you prepare it
for someone ;-)."

Roast Sticky Chicken


1 large chicken -- (roasting)

1 cup onion -- chopped

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I use less than this)

2 teaspoons paprika

4 teaspoons salt


In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all the spices. Remove giblets from chicken, clean the cavity well and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture into the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin. Place in a re-sealable plastic bag, seal and refrigerate overnight.


When ready to roast chicken, stuff cavity with onions, and place in a shallow baking pan (I prefer breast side down). Roast, uncovered, at 250 degrees F for 5 hours. (yes, 5 hours!) After the first hour, baste chicken occasionally (every half hour or so) with pan juices. (It may take awhile to have pan juices) The pan juices will start to caramelize on the bottom of pan and the chicken will turn golden brown.


If the chicken contains a pop-up thermometer, ignore it. Let chicken rest about 10 minutes before carving.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


NOTES : This recipe is a great way to roast a large chicken for planned leftovers, and it is very easy to make. This freezes well.

To prepare in the crockpot, select a chicken you are sure will fit in your crock.  Follow recipe as above but do not add any liquid.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours.  There will be a lot of juices in the bottom of the crock which are especially delicious the next day after they have cooled and the chicken fat can be skimmed from the top.  Once your family has devoured the delicious chicken, freeze the carcass and any remaining broth for make soup (I'll provide that recipe in another post).

Monday, October 26, 2009

Top Organizing Websites





Here are a few of my favorite organizing websites:

1. Get Organized Now

This has to be my favorite. I believe it is really the best and most comprehensive organizing web resource I have come across. You can subscribe to a very useful weekly newsletter and get free organizing content just for subscribing. There is also a great discussion forum community.

Get Organized Now

Bonus! Monica Ricci: She's a professional organizer out of the Atlanta area who has appeared on HGTV's Mission Organization several times. I believe I came across her at the Get Organized Now website, and I just like her!

Monica's blog

Her business website: Catalyst Organizing

2.  FlyLady

The FlyLady is Marla Cilley of North Carolina. In 1999, Cilley created a Yahoo support group based on the home management principles of a book called Sidetracked Home Executives: From Pigpen to Paradise by Pam Young and Peggy Jones (1977). The group was a mentoring system geared toward housewives and Flylady sends several emails daily at intervals reminding subscribers, called FlyBabies, to get up from the computer and do various tasks around the house. The Yahoo group grew into a website in February 2001, and the email reminder service was recently moved to a separate company.

The Flylady is a bonafide phenomenon. I joined the group around 2000, right after I had my first son, when there only a few hundred members. Now there are MILLIONS of members, books, products, and several spin off industries. I still receive the emails but only read them occasionally (they repeat, and the goal is for you to eventually become FlyWashed - she even created her own language! - so that you know what to do without reading the email) and I will never unsubscribe.

FlyLady

3.  Messies Anonymous

Founded by The Organizer Lady, Sandra Felton, this site offers "support for Messies who struggle to control clutter and organize for order at home and work...(and)organizing help and tips to eliminate clutter and junk, organize your house, and simplify your life.  Like FlyLady, she offers support groups through Yahoo with daily coaching emails, and has written numerous books.  For some reason I get the feeling that this site is geared more toward compulsives or hoarders, but maybe that's just me.
Messies Anonymous

4.  OrganizedHome.com

An oldie but a goodie.  One of the first ones I found when I started searching for organizing resources.  Includes the concept of a Household Notebook as a resource to keep all household schedules and information, complete with a wide range of printable worksheets to help get you started.  Also the home of the Houseworks Holiday Plan, a week by week preparation countdown to the end of year holidays, which has now also grown into a book, HouseWorks.

http://organizedhome.com/









Sunday, October 25, 2009

This is the kid who.....

...lets the family know he has awakened from his afternoon nap by announcing:

"TA-DA!!!"

Friday, October 23, 2009

What are you doing with the kids this weekend?


For me, the major reason to keep the home running smoothly is to provide a serene, pleasant environment for our family, and more time to spend with our children.

This weekend, we actually don't have any specific plans with the kids. But on Saturday morning, I'll be attending a meeting of a mother's organization I recently joined. The children are divided into age groups and each month, a different mom plans an activity for the entire age group. I chose January for both age groups in order to have to plan only one activity (see! always organizing!). Our groups will be taking a guided tour of a local insect museum and then going to lunch. Although it's a ways off, I'm really looking forward to it!

So why not take YOUR kids to a museum this weekend?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

MommyFit



As the saying goes: "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"

As mothers, although it is certainly important to spend time taking care of our families and homes, it is equally important to take care of ourselves. Taking care of ourselves means taking care of our physical, emotional and spiritual selves. And if we can look cute doing all of that then so much the better!

On Thursdays you'll find posts about just those issues: MommyFit (finding the time and motivation to keep physically fit and healthy), MommySpirit (nurturing your state of mind), and MommyStyle (fashion and shopping, shopping, shopping!).

Let's start by talking fitness. Prior to having my children, I was a bit of a gym rat. But I have to admit, I worked out not so much for health, but for social interaction (my first gym was what some call a "meat market") and for the sake of my appearance (hey, how do you think I snagged Hubby P.?). Once I had my first son, I was (obviously) interested in getting back in shape, but I found that my workout took on a new value for me. It was a time of day when I could just focus on myself. I am capable of managing many priorities, but when I feel pulled in too many directions, I can get a bit cranky.

My post-partum work out of choice was a lot of cardio, but specifically boxing classes. Let me tell you something: boxing is a terrific workout!!! Coincidentally, the class was mostly women. The instructor had us warm up with calisthenics, then jump rope for up to 10 minutes (a LOT harder than it sounds!), and then we did speed drills punching the heavy bag or individually with the instructor holding the pads. The classes were an hour long, one evening per week and I LOVED it! They were so strenuous, I had to warm up for at least half an hour prior to class. But all that punching was a great way to get out any stresses of the day.

I attended boxing classes from six weeks post partum until I returned to work after a five month maternity leave. By the time I returned to work, I had lost all but eight pounds of my baby weight (and I gained over....a five year old). My arms were cut and my abs were strong. I can't recommend boxing classes enough.

Here's some information to help you determine if a boxing workout is right for you: http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/diet-fitness/24-minute-boxing-workout.html

After I returned to work, I changed my exercise schedule to morning workouts. More on that in another post.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Inspirational Wednesday



"Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines,
practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors
in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative
weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us
to either fortune or failure."

-Jim Rohn

Monday, October 19, 2009

Crockpot Cooking



Here at NeatnessCounts we are pleased to bring you Crockpot Tuesdays. These posts will focus on meal planning, and more often than not, the value of a crockpot, or slow cooker, in simplifying your life.

There is a WEALTH of information on crockpot cooking in the library and on the internet. Crockpots are relatively inexpensive but they do require a bit of knowledge for success. Crockpot recipes are generally more successful if the crock is full, so consider this when purchasing. You might have to experiment with cooking times, ingredients, and liquid amounts (very little is needed) before you find your staple recipes.

My first crockpot when I was single (almost 20 years ago!) was probably a 1 1/2 quart model and cost me about $10. A similar model now sells on Amazon for under $14. I now have a 5 quart Rival model with a removable crock and high and low settings. I definitely recommend a removable crock. You can assemble your dish the night before and place it into the warming unit in the morning without fear of the crock cracking. You can also store your leftovers afterwards.

If I were buying one today, I would also opt for a built in, programmable timer. This will allow you more versatility in cooking which some slow cooker recipes require. Of course, if you don't have a built in timer you can always get a separate timer which you plug the appliance into and then plug into the wall. Depending on the type of timer, this can be tricky though - I will never forget the time I tried to use the first timer I bought - a contraption which needed to be set by pegs or something, and I came home to a beautiful pot of chicken cacciatore, as ice cold as I had left it that morning! I had mis-set the timer and it didn't go off. My first clue was when I hit the front door and didn't smell anything cooking! So if you decide to use a separate timer, I recommend a digital model and practice setting it over the weekend before you leave the house with your intended dinner in the crockpot!

In honor of my timer gaffe, here's my recipe to get you started!

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Serves 4

Ingredients:

3 lbs chicken, cut up in pieces
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
1 can sliced tomatoes, drained
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons oregano (or to taste)
1 teaspoon dried basil (or to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

(You may also substitute a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce for the tomato sauce and tomatoes - keep the tomato paste for thickness)

Directions
Place onions and peppers in bottom of crock pot.
Add chicken pieces.
Stir all the other ingredients together.
Pour over chicken.
Cook on low heat 7 to 9 hours or high heat for about 3 to 4 hours.
Serve over pasta or rice.

Enjoy!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Top 5 Organizing Books


As a working mother, there is no way that I could even begin to get out of the house in the morning without systems. When I had my first son, my control of my time spiraled out of control and my household organization followed suit. I began to voraciously read and research ways to simplify and systematize my life so that I could spend time with my family and still manage my household. Some of the top books that made such an impression on me that I keep them as part of my personal collection are:

1.  Totally Organized by Bonnie McCullough


This is the best book for beginning to design household systems. McCullough gives practical advice for how to organize your housework, home spaces, and your kids.


Bonus! Confessions of An Organized Homemaker - The Secrets of Uncluttering Your Home and Taking Care of Your Life  by Deniece Schofield

Organizing your home systems and busting clutter.


2. The Procrastinator's Handbook by Rita Emmett

Why? Because your systems won't work if you procrastinate in designing and implementing them! Emmett explains why we put off the decisions we need to make to get rid of clutter and start getting organized.

3. How to Get Organized When You Don't Have the Time - by Stephanie Culp


An excellent resource on time and schedule management.

4. Organized to Be Your Best by Susan Silver

Actually geared more toward workplace organization. Good organization in the workplace will transfer to the home, and vice versa. Silver teaches time management and goal setting, and paper and electronic file management, among other things.

5. Ready, Set, Organize! A Workbook for the Organizationally Challenged by Pipi Campbell Peterson

A comprehensive resource concentrating on time management, storage, and home office and records organization.

"And they all lived together in a little crooked house..."


I'd like to tell you a little more about myself and introduce the cast of characters you may see mentioned from time to time in the blog.

I have two wonderful boys, C., who is 10, and E. who is 3 1/2.



C. is smart, social, and very funny. His current specialty is attempting to tell jokes. Example: "Your mother is so ugly that when she tried to enter an ugly pageant, they told her, 'No professionals.'

Well, maybe you had to be there.

E. is 3 1/2 going on.....31 1/2!!! He's very dominant. I call him "the administrator". He specializes in giving directions - "Shut the door! Turn the light off! Come here!" He adores his brother and follows him everywhere...in fact he rarely calls C. by his first name, having renamed him, "Brutherz."

And of course, there is Hubby P. Charming Hubby P. is a great daddy and actually very hands-on. He does his fair share and more of taking care of the boys, and does all of the outside maintenance of the house.

Which leaves me in charge of most of everything else. That doesn't mean I actually DO everything else, but I'm in charge of making sure it GETS DONE.

I guess I would have to say that my family is greatly the inspiration for this blog. Once upon a time, right after C. was born, I was looking at some photographs of myself pregnant. (If you have kids, you probably know what I mean - the pictures of your growing belly you take during your first pregnancy, but never during any subsequent pregnancy!) Any way, I was about four or five months pregnant in the photo, and after I finished reflecting on how I learned what big REALLY was by the time C. was born, I noticed something in the background of the photo....something I hadn't seen for a while at that point....

It was NEATNESS and ORDER. Along with the joy of the new arrival, the accumulation of all the gifts, baby equipment, the sheer volume of paper which started flooding the house, and my recent return to work, had caused chaos to begin to take hold. When I looked from the photo to the actual corner of the room, I felt appalled. And I felt that I had to find a way to bring that sense of physical order back again.

So from that point on I became a scholar of all things organizational. I combed the internet, the library, bookstores, magazines and my own brain for solutions, both short and long-term, to make my life a bit easier. Over the next year or so I designed, revamped, or reorganized our entire household. It remains an ongoing process.

The problem? Maintenance. The boys and Hubby P. love when things are organized, but they don't care to KEEP things organized, or do it themselves. ("Mommy? when are YOU going to straighten out that closet?") So many times I have to re-boot the systems, so to speak. And if you looked in my purse right now you would certainly wonder why I am writing a blog focused on organization! But because of the way I initially organized my purse, I know it's less than 10 minutes away from the restoration of order. That's the real-life confidence I hope to pass along to any one who needs a little support in ordering their corner of the world.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Welcome! and stuff


Welcome to my blog! I am welcoming myself as much as you - I have been ruminating about blogging for YEARS now and finally pushed the button!

Let me introduce myself - I am a 42 year old working mother of two boys. Like most working mothers, my life is a whirlwind of "stuff" - kid stuff, work stuff, and home stuff - just a lot of STUFF. I'm always looking for a way to manage it ALL! And as difficult as it is to manage sometimes, there is a lot of joy in the process. Nothing makes me happier than knowing that I have put a little corner of my universe in order. So the title of the blog - NeatnessCounts - is inspired by my love (passion, really) for all things organized and systematized, as well as my need to get and keep my life organized and under control.

Another reason for my decision to blog - I know a lot of STUFF. I have far more organizing knowledge than it is practical for me to ever use. And finally, I am bona fide ADDICTED to the internet. My goal is to read it ALL! and that's where a lot of my knowledge comes from. I subscribe to various blogs and often I will see an idea, and tweak it so it works better for me or someone else. Through this blog I hope to share some of what I know with others.

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