Household Work Schedule

For the past year or so I've been brainstorming ways to visually represent a cleaning/work schedule for my daily tasks.  I just can't keep it all organized inside my head.  There must be limited space. :)

After not much success getting my ideas onto paper, I must credit The Humdrum Hero for giving me a visual idea to jump from.  Thank you!

And now my brainchild is born, test tube style I guess since I didn't do it on my own.  Each day has a few tasks listed.  My focus on cleaning will be these items. If I don't get time, no biggie, as HH wisely told me, it's more likely to get done next week because it's visually there and planned on.  The list below the weekday schedule is to give ideas for what needs to be done on say.. "dusting" day.  This way my kids can pick different chores, and we don't forget about something, having it visual reminds me to do it.  Not everything under "dusting" is going to get done every week, but this way it all stands a better chance of getting done more often.

I want to be clear on my disclaimer.  Lest anyone get discouraged because this looks so organized and fool proof, remember, this is a guideline.  I don't really expect that every week (or any week) that I'll get everything on this list done, (and I have yet to do the meal planning.  That's just there to try and motivate me.  I want to... I do... I just don't want to.).  It's merely a visual guideline so that as my day begins I don't ever have that blank thought of... "now what was it I needed to do today..."

Contain. Contain. Contain.

This is the secret to organization of any kind.  I've been learning tips over the last year and trying to get my home in an order that can stay in order.  I've found containers to be key in the process. If it is contained, it's more likely to stay that way.

A place for Everything and Everything in it's place. 

I'm starting small, because I don't know exactly what size I need, what will work, so before I go buy containers (also an extra expense), I'm using cut down cardboard boxes.  If you shop at a warehouse store, you have plenty of these in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Just cut down the height to make them fit in the space you need.  If you'd like, wrap them in paper for decor, or use pictures or words on the paper to identify what's in there so you don't think you have an extra box of fruit snacks in the pantry, when in reality it's light bulb storage.

Another easy idea is to make a grid out of cardboard. A good fit is crucial.  They tend to move around a bit if not exactly cut to fit. They are very good for sock drawers.  I have used the idea for my battery drawer but that was less successful.  Those need containers, they are heavy.  Here is a good website for how to do that if you're unsure:  http://www.arealhousewifeofnyc.com/upcycled-cardboard-drawer-dividers/

Before you throw away any clear plastic container with a good wide mouth, think about it's use.  Could this be a jar for extra floss? Keep curlers in it? Spare buttons? Crayons? Toddler proof the markers?  Just wash them really well.  Be careful washing them in your dishwasher, sometimes they become misshapen with the high heat, but generally I've had success.  Mayonnaise and peanut butter jars are my personal favorite. :)

Here are some of the organization ideas I've used recently that have proved functional for months now. The best part was I didn't spend a dime to do any of them.  Just used things I had around the house.

Freezer Jam

MCP vs... Sure.Jell

What is the difference?  High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Seems like every year when I make jam I have to decide which box of pectin to buy.  I can't ever remember what I liked better from the previous year.  So here it is for future reference.

MCP no cook Strawberry freezer jam asks for 4 1/2 cups of sugar AND 1 cup light corn syrup to 3 1/4 cup fruit
Sure-Jell no cook Strawberry freezer jam asks for  4 cups sugar to 2 cups fruit and you have to mix pectin with boiling water before adding it to the fruit.  An extra step that MCP avoids by using the corn syrup.  but corn syrup has HFCS. I prefer just plain sugar.

On comparing the set of the 2 jams when used separately with their own recipes, I believe MCP has a more firm set and Sure-Jell was a bit more runny.  I like the recipe of the Sure-Jell, but the set of the MCP. Soooo...I made a batch with 1 box of each pectin and used the Sure-Jell recipe. It turned out great and set up nice and firm! I discovered this years ago as a teenager experimenting with jam and just rediscovered it this year.
I'm going to stick with MCP pectin but use the Sure-Jell recipe.  Oh, and Strawberry Peach is my absolute favorite!  Perfect blend of flavor without feeling too sweet.

Wise use of Linen Closet Space & Younger Helpers

Ever wish your 2 year old could fold the laundry?  They can.  Just lay out the towels folded lengthwise and let them roll them up.  This way also makes getting towels out of a pile much easier without upsetting the pile.  I can use more of the tall space in my linen closet this way.

Eat Your Greens!

Recently I found a way to eat my greens more consistently. I love salad, but don't like to compile it every day. I found that if I use my food processor to grate a few cups worth of carrots and just keep them in the fridge in a container, I can quickly make any amount of lettuce into a salad. After all, in my books the main ingredients for salad are carrots and greens, all else is delicious, but optional. If you exclude things like cucumbers and tomatoes, you can also keep salad in a zipper bag for at least a week in the fridge. The carrots do go bad eventually, if I discover how long, I'll put that here.

Yummy Salad Additions:
Any additional greens, spinach, cabbage, endive, etc
Small croutons
mandarin oranges or pineapple
grated parmesan cheese
thin sliced small zuchini

Also, I've abandoned store bought dressing for the home mixed variety, SO much better! Delicious. These shaker bottles are ideal, I got them from Tupperware (no affiliation), the only place I could find good ones. Don't bother with the imitations.

My 2 favorite vinaigrettes:
Balsamic
Red Wine Vinegar

Bread in all it's many forms.

All from 1 recipe

Variations on my recipe (when using 6 cups of water and about 14 cups of whole wheat flour)

6 loaves cold oven set to 350 for 35 min.

4 Loaves and 2 jelly roll pans of cinnamon rolls or sandwich buns. Cook rolls for 20 min (10 on upper level, 10 on lower if doing 2 pans at same time.)

To make Brown & Serve rolls & breadsticks. Bake 1/2 of normal time (be sure to cook just long enough so they don't deflate when you take them out). Cool, freeze, remove from pan and freeze. To bake, thaw in/on pan for about 15 min, then finish baking for the remaining cooking time. Breadsticks : bake 8 min, then 8 min again.