THE PETERSENS

As we are getting ready to move into our new home in about three months, I try to do a few organizational projects here and there.

My two goals are typically:
1.) Purge and get rid of stuff.
2.) Cut down on overall clutter.  The less we have, the less time we need to put toward taking care of STUFF.

This past week, I did an overhaul on the massive IKEA bookshelf in our living room.
Step One: Go through all of our books and determine which ones to sell on half.com.
Step Two: List these books on half.com.
Step Three: Pack up the books we want to keep, but know that we won’t need to refer to in the next 3 months.
Step Four: Categorize books by subject.
Step Five: Move all books to edge of bookshelf.  This cuts down on the need to dust…yay!
Step Six: Go through all of the kid’s toys…throw out anything broken, set aside anything that needs to be fixed, and make a pile to give away.
Step Seven: Put everything back in boxes and shelves categorically (puzzles in one box, balls in another, tools in yet another, etc.)
Step Eight: Take picture of accomplished task.
Step Nine: Sit down and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.
Step Ten: Blog about it!

A picture of the finished bookshelf…believe me, it looks better than it did before!

So, I have settled on the fact that we are simply in a busy season of life.  That’s okay though; it’s kinda nice sticking to simple recipes.  Hopefully some of you women will be able to benefit from them.

Sunday
Breakfast:Breakfast Casserole, Brown Sugar Biscuits and Apple Slices
Lunch: PB&Js on Homemade Wheat Bread, Wheat Thins and Baby Carrots
Dinner: Caw w/ Chicken, Tofu, Egg and Spinach; Jasmine White Rice
Snack: Goldfish

We have yet another crazy week, with something going on every day and every evening again.  This week’s meals definitely have to be simple.

Sunday
Breakfast: Cereal and Apple Slices
Lunch: FELLOWSHIP @ TCC (church)
Dinner: Bean, Cheese and Onion Quesadillas on Whole-Wheat Tortillas
Snack: Rice Crackers

Monday
Breakfast: Bran Muffins (need to find a recipe)
Lunch: PB&J Sandwiches on Homemade Whole Wheat Bread, Goldfish and Grapes
Dinner: Broccoli-Chicken Casserole (pulled from the freezer) with Brown Rice
Snack: Soft Pretzels

Tuesday
Breakfast: Pancakes (from Joy of Cooking, but made with 1/2 all-purpose flour and 1/2 whole wheat flour)
Lunch: Macaroni and Cheese with Baby Carrots
Dinner: Steak Fajita Burritos with Whole-Wheat Tortillas and Spanish Brown Rice
Snack: Applesauce

Wednesday
Breakfast: Cereal and Yogurt
Lunch: Egg Salad Sandwiches on Homemade Whole Wheat Bread and Peas
Dinner w/ Community Group: Chicken Pot Pie with Homemade Pie Crust
Snack: Cubed Cheese and Crackers

Thursday
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Brown Sugar and Raisins
Lunch: Spinach Quiche and Applesauce
Dinner: MEAL TO THE HOLLANDERS (we will eat Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Campbell’s Select Harvest Soup)
Snack: Dry Cereal and Almonds

Friday
Breakfast: Banana Bread
Lunch: Baked Potatoes with Cheese and Sour Cream; Mandarin Oranges
Dinner: Herbed Baked Chicken with Saffron Rice and Veggie Medley
Snack: Goldfish

Saturday
Breakfast: Cereal and Juice
Lunch: Deli Sandwiches on Homemade Whole Wheat Bread and Popcorn
Dinner: EATING OUT ON A VALENTINE’S DAY DATE (for me and hubs) and Leftovers (for kids)
Snack: Yogurt