The Downstairs Reorganization Is Finnished....

Labeled and stacked fabrics.

And more labeled and stored fabrics.

So finally after almost a year I have gone through every single drawer, closet, cabinet, appliance, nook, and cranny, tote, and box in this house.  I have pitched and reorganized until I am blue in the face!  But I am finished....well I do need to dust again!   At any rate there are a few chore type things to do like cleaning the downstairs carpet, hauling off the treadmill, and buying more power cords before the holiday season but those things pale in scope.

This is 4 of 5 boxes of my favorite notions!

There were 40 some boxes and totes of things to be gone through down here and it has been condensed to 17 totes and trunks of things I really want and plan to use.  The closet system has been refurbished and things as old as dirt hauled from it too.  The freezer has been cleaned out, gone through, and moves as has been the bookcase.  So I am happy now to tend to my garden and do normal chores and an looking forward to many sewing projects I have in my head.

My chair, bookcase, and John Wayne watches over me.  This is where I visit with you and post.

Now I sit before you surrounded by as George Carlin so often mused "my stuff."  And it feels so good to be done and able to move on!

This is not a fancy room but a large one.  The two quilting frames from my daughter-in-laws family sit tucked behind the back and end of the sectional.  Soon I hope to have one put up.  So on now to the next thing!  See you soon!

Special thanks go out to Grandma Neukam who got me interested in sewing, Grandma Powell, my Mother, sisters, Linda and Sheree, Julie Wade, Diane Goss, my best friend, my dear friends Joyce Bruce, Doris S., and others too for sharing their sewing treasures with me.

Thanksgiving Menu, Cleaning, & Pre-Holiday Preperations

Noodles rolled and left to dry before slicing.

It is past time to get into the spirit of things and begin the holiday preparations.   Even before the menu I start making the noodles.  It will take at least three batches for Thanksgiving and the same for Christmas.  I have batch one made and rolled out on the big white porcelain counter of the Hoosier Cabinet.  These are made ahead, rolled, cut and then frozen until time to drop them into the bubbling stock.    thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2011/11/make-egg-noodles-for-now-or-store-in.html    This is the link if you would like our family recipe and detailed instruction with pictures.

I will turn these and when they are no longer tacky slice.

Thanksgiving Menu:

Roast Turkey Breast
Baked Ham
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Dressing
Noodles
Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potatoes
Crudites & Dip
Rolls
Cheesecake
Pumpkin & Pecan Pies
Iced Tea
 

Confession.  Today I have started what I have been thinking about for at least a year? What has possessed me to drag down the vacuum and a whole box of trash bags I cannot say.  First I have thought to start here but then I think no, maybe there......Finally I have decided to just start somewhere as no progress can be made just thinking about this task!

The task.  What needs to be done is to go through and reorganize every room, closet, bookshelf, tote, nook, cranny, box, and drawer in this whole house!  What has not been used in the past?  Say six months, well, maybe year needs to go away.  We are pack rats, collectors, appreciators of the vintage to a fault.  My husband even more so than I.  Would you believe he has a ceramic black panther about 10" long that some old lady who owned a jewelry store in the town where he was born gave him as a little boy?  It has moved with us at least a dozen times and sits on the shelf in his side of our bedroom closet?  I of course have an entire drawer devoted to every color style of ladies hose for the last 40 or so years. Doesn't everyone?  Nuts!  Just plain nuts!

My goal.  I would like to get everything shifted around so as to be able to decorate and use the downstairs family room  over the holidays.  Previously our Grandsons were to young to go downstairs so the door remained locked and we all stayed on the top floor.  Now at age 5 they are perfectly able to navigate if I am able to consolidate.  There stands the big if!

So today I start and we shall see how far I get before dismay overtakes me.   I shall keep you posted! 9 AM.,  11/19/13.

Well gang, it is 2:30 PM and I have torn into the down stairs closet and taken a SUV filled with coats, equipment, and decorations to the Good Will.  Next I gave the stove a good cleaning .  After that I was pooped so I made noodles and had a sandwich!  More fun tomorrow!