2011 TDL (to do list) Update!

I already have 5 things checked off my list! I really had a good run this week. A trip to Ikea and Lowes really sped things along. 


Here's the updated list. I just love crossing things off. Individual posts on each project will follow. Sorry for the tease but I just had to share! There are even two bonus projects that weren't on the list.


1. purchase mushroom growing supplies and make preparations for logs
2. pot rack for kitchen
3. organize phone and message center in kitchen
4. clean and organize under kitchen sink
5. purchase supplies for maple tapping for next spring
6. new couch for living room and general living room design
7. paint dining room
8. figure out a better situation for shoes/recycling by the front door
9. finish reorganizing and clean dressing room
10. clean windows
11. start and finish handmade gifts for Jenny, Helen, Becky, Melissa, Allison, Carol, Sarah and Pat.
12. new lighting for Iris's room
13. organize and backup iphoto
14. clean out pantry and wipe down shelves and bottles (ANTS!!!)
15. find and purchase vintage ceramic egg holder
16. sort through wardrobe and donate, trash or repurpose
17. learn one new knitting pattern
18. learn one new crochet pattern
19. paint giant urn and candle stick holders
20. finish mending and repurpose projects
21. plant salad greens, tomatoes and kitchen herbs
22. keep blog up to date
23. start etsy shop
24. buy more vintage and handmake more of our clothing
25. run in at least two 5k's 

The Bitter Truth... about vinegar.

I recently read in Natural Home Magazine that some white vinegar is produced using natural gas or petroleum. The FDA does not restrict its use in food. Yikes! Look for vinegar that says "grain alcohol", "neutral grain spirits" or "wine". But take it with a grain of salt because even this labeling is not strictly enforced. The article did have a link for a recipe to make your own vinegar which you can find here.

#2 ... no no nothing like that

#2 on the 2011 to do list was the pot rack. I suggested to husband that a pot rack  would free up some cabinet space to make room for a recently acquired and long awaited Kitchenaid mixer which was residing on the countertop. I was also able to stash the blender (also on counter) and a few items cramming up a shelf in the pantry. Now the counters feel more spacious and the cupboards ... less gridlocked. Deeeeeep breeeaaaaatttthh! Ahhhhhhh!

Where did this pot rack come from and why is there no before picture you ask? Well no sooner did I mention my idea and G-man was in full on project mode. He produced a piece of trim with the same finish as our cabinets leftover from the reno ( I thought that was a little matchy matchy but I'm not gonna complain about free), five old pot rack hooks (what the?), some hardware and chain within minutes. This pot rack materialized, no joke, in an hour. I went online and ordered 3 more hooks (Taylor & NG) and viola... pot rack!

Here it is again close up.

Now the phone and message center (directly underneath) just need a liitle spruce up and we'll be in business.

To Do List: Part 2

This is my list so far

1. purchase mushroom growing supplies and make preparations for logs
2. pot rack for kitchen
3. organize phone and message center in kitchen
4. clean and organize under kitchen sink
5. purchase supplies for maple tapping for next spring
6. new couch for living room and general living room design
7. paint dining room
8. figure out a better situation for shoes/recycling by the front door
9. finish reorganizing and clean dressing room
10. clean windows
11. start and finish handmade gifts for Jenny, Helen, Becky, Melissa, Allison, Carol, Sarah and Pat.
12. new lighting for Iris's room
13. organize and backup iphoto
14. clean out pantry and wipe down shelves and bottles (ANTS!!!)
15. find and purchase vintage ceramic egg holder
16. sort through wardrobe and donate, trash or repurpose
17. learn one new knitting pattern
18. learn one new crochet pattern
19. paint giant urn and candle stick holders
20. finish mending and repurpose projects
21. plant salad greens, tomatoes and kitchen herbs
22. keep blog up to date
23. start etsy shop
24. buy more vintage and handmake more of our clothing
25. run in at least two 5k's 

My makeshift dining room office/studio

I even have one thing checked off already (see next post). There are not 50 items but again those were just boundaries to work within. Having composed this list I already feel lighter and more focused. 

2011 To do list...

Since the feeling of being overwhelmed seems to be a running theme in my life these days I decided to make a to do list... for the year. Some of you are probably thinking that this will further complicate my daily life instead of making it flow a bit easier but I assure you if your mind works like mine... it won't. When I get an idea it tends to self pollinate and the next thing I know I have 20 new projects and I don't know where to start or where to stop and smoke starts coming out of my ears and finally I become disenchanted with all ideas and nothing gets done. What it will do (theoretically) is give me a set of goals to work towards (yay!) and parameters to work within (discipline) and still have that feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day (or year as the case may be).

dining room/studio

Here are the rules/guidelines that I have come up with so far:
The list will include everything from purchases, diy projects, gardening to cleaning and reorganizing. Oh and it will have a 50 item cap on it. Sounds high but it is for the year after all and some of the list items will only require a small energy expenditure. Also, some of the things on the list may depend on economical circumstances. If finances do not allow for an item to be checked off then so be it.

Here's what I have so far...
1. purchase mushroom growing supplies and make preparations for logs
2. pot rack for kitchen
3. organize phone and message center in kitchen
4. clean and organize under kitchen sink
5. purchase supplies for maple tapping for next spring
6. new couch for living room and general living room design
7. paint dining room
8. figure out a better situation for shoes/recycling by the front door
9. finish reorganizing and clean dressing room
10. clean windows

farm market fresh

Ok so that's 10. You get the idea and I'm sure some of it doesn't make sense. Fear not all will be revealed. I'll post the full list when I finish it and as each project gets checked off the list it will become a post here on this blog. Yay!