Leaves 'n Leaves 'n More!

So - autumn is upon us and here in the northeast, that means leaves. Lot & lots of leaves.

A daunting task to say the least.

So here are my

IDEAS TO MAKE LEAF RAKING BEARABLE

3 bags in 15 minutes....not too shabby!

• set a timer for 15 minutes. Work for that 15 minutes, then if you have it in you, set it for another 15 minutes. Works two ways - 15 minutes seems short, and it's amazing what you can get done in 15 minutes! 
• use leaf bags. Stop moving the same pile of leaves over and over. Bag'em once, transport to the curb via brute strength, wagon, or kids. And if you happen to live in Madison, NJ, Mr. Burnet would be very happy if you use leaf bags. Extremely happy. (You can get them free at the public works garage.)
• store your leaf bags in a handy place. I put mine in the bar-b-que. Right where I need them. Hey - it was a dry storage place just sitting there! And if I happen to want to turn it on, I'd open it first and see them. Works for me.
• and take a minute to do this cool art project with your kids. Find the most colorful leaves you can, make a color copy on photo paper, cut the copied leaves out, cut them in half, then make them into butterflies! Last longer and the colors stay brilliant! 

photo copy of leaf - not the real thing!

3 different leaves + paint

That's it for now. Got to go do another 15 minutes of leaves!

Did you know I wrote a book? Get a free bit here:http://www.organizingwithevelyn.com

be organized.....evelyn

Easy, Peasy Pie Crust

Here in the USA, Thanksgiving Day is next week. And it seems sooner then ever before. What with Halloween being postponed until Nov. 4th courtesy of a surprise northeaster storm, no one is ready.

Which brings me to the need to blog about this amazing pie crust recipe I've been using for years. It will streamline your Thanksgiving and make you a convert!

just waiting to become a pie.....

It's quick to throw together.

It uses staples you have on hand.

You don't need to soften anything.

You don't need a mixer.

It's from a free recipe handout booklet published in 1980.

Ready to rock your pie making world? Here it is.....

Clips & hooks & nails & screws.....

It's the little things that drive you crazy after the big things wear you down.

This week here in NJ we've had a crazy snowstorm - trees down everywhere, school closed, power & heat out for days and Halloween postponed.

It's enough to drive any sane person crazy.

Then, just when you think it's over - the smallest thing becomes the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Like not being able to find a cup hook when you need it.

When a cup hook would be the key to your happiness.

You know what I mean.

So - I now present ......

How To Organize All Those Little Things That You Can Never Find When You Need Them

Do it now and save your sanity for when the really big things happen.

Love the zip locs!

1. gather all your small parts - hooks, adhesive things, cords, whatever.
2. bag the individual items into small zip lock bags
3. sort like with like
4. clip together the like items with a binder clip. Clip the zip top.
5. put a label on the flat part of the binder clip
6. toss all the clipped bundles into a bin
7. voila - when you need something, pull out the clip with the correct label

Get the idea?

I have 3 bundles - hooks, stickies & misc. This seems to cover all of my needs. The stickie category covers all the adhesive things - foam tape, command adhesive, magnetic tape. (My husband is very handy, so we have the hardware store worth of nails, screws and such in the basement. I don't need to store any in a small cubbie.)

I cannot tell you how much time this saves me. I used to just have everything tossed into a bin, and whenever I needed something, I'd have to sort through the lot. And most of the time that was just too much to ask, so I never got what I needed. And it drove me crazy!

This way it's easy to find what you need - it's been sub sorted into a smaller category, and it's easily accessible.

And then you can get what you need and get on with your life.

Like getting Halloween candy ready for trick or treaters on Nov. 4th.

See some of my book now - get a free sample here.......no obligation, just click, enter your email, hit send and voila - free tips for your kitchen.


freesample@organizingwithevelyn.com 

 be organized.....evelyn