Use your gadgets Part 3

Another gadget I found in my decluttering is this potato ricer.
I think Jeff bought it about 7 or so years ago and I think he saw the Barefoot Contessa or Alton Brown or one of those tv chefs use one.
The first time I used it was for a big Thanksgiving meal and  I cooked at least 5 pounds of potatoes.
Jimmy helped me that day and we were both tired from squeezing that many spuds.  

this Sunday,  I only cooked 6 small potatoes.
Ricing just a few potatoes goes really quick and easy.  

See how fine they are?
I just added a little half and half cream to them until they creamy
and a little salt and pepper.
They were really good mashed potates - very light, and smooth

If you like really smooth potatoes,  then you should try a ricer.

Cook your potatoes all the way tender so your won't have to work up a sweat while you press them  through.

But if you cook mashed potatoes for a crowd,  I would not recommend ricing unless you have some helpers with  muscles.  

about the Pampered Chef 4 loaf baking pan- I looked on the Pampered Chef sight and they do still sell it. 

 I think it is $34.  

I've got one more gadget to show you later,  as soon as I work up my nerve to use it anyway. 

Any guesses on what it might be?  

Bloggers are the best! Many thanks to Jilly

Blogging friend Jilly over at Sunnyville Cottage    just moved to a smaller town and smaller home.  She downsized her craft and sewing supplies as she says she really prefers to cross stitch and crochet.  

So Lucky Duck me,  I was the recipient of  her quilting strips.  

These pictures don't do justice to just how much fabric and how nice this fabric is.  

Jilly packed this box with precision and I think she had to of sat on it to get it close.    

 This box was much heavier than it looks, and my Marine husband dropped it when he got it out of the mailbox,  .  Jilly's Sailor husband will probably think that is funny.  

I tried to spread them out to take a better picture of them,  but there are just so many and I am not a good photographer.  

You will just have to believe me that this was a wonderful gift and I will have so much fun sewing up some strip quilts.  

Thank you Jilly!  I think you are the best.  

Sweet Baby Andie

 We had the best time Saturday,  we spent the whole afternoon with tiny Andie and her parents.  

Andie was 10 days old yesterday and is doing just fine.  

She gave us such a scare coming into this world so early and then taking a helicopter ride to the big hospital when she was just 1 day old.

Except for still being tiny and sleepy,  you would never know any of that.  

Sheena, Bobby and baby Andie

This proud Grandma Rhonda holding precious Andie.

Isn't her little cap so sweet?
Sheena pinned it on Pinterest and my mom crocheted it for them.  

Use your gadgets - part 2

During my decluttering,  I found this Pampered Chef stoneware pan tucked under some other bakeware.
I've been making all our bread since Christmas in the new breadmaker,  it makes very nice bread but the loaf is huge.
Well,  one batch of bread dough is the exact amount needed to make 4 little loaves in this pan.

I just make the dough in the machine,  then take it out and divide it.  After it rises,  the little loaves get baked in the regular oven.  This size loaf is much more practical when just my husband and I are here.  I sliced each loaf and froze the extra in ziploc bags.

Lent Declutter 2012

I've read on several blogs about other homemakers doing a 40 bags for 40 days decluttering challenge for Lent.   I am not sure cleaning out drawers will make me a better Christian but I do like the timeframe of this challenge.

So, I made a list of every place in my home that needs cleaned out or decluttered and I plan to have them all done before Easter.  My list starts at one end of the house and works my way to the other end.

I started making the list on Ash Wednesday and have crossed off a few things.  

I was alone all day this Wednesday and made a lot progress on some of the bigger places - mainly getting the entire kitchen done except for one cabinet that is in a corner.  

The places highlighted in red are decluttered 

A list is my way of staying on track and eating this elephant one bite at a time.  

Master bedroom

Endtables

Desk

Under bed

M bath

3 drawers

2 lower cabinets

1 upper cabinet

M closet

File cabinet

Supply shelf

R – clothes

J – clothes

Laundry Room

Upper cabinet

Lower cabinet

Drawer

Dining room

2 drawers

Entry closet

The whole thing!

Charging dresser – 3 drawers

Living room

Dresser – 7 drawers

1 cabinet

End table

Lamp table

Table drawer 1 and 2

Recliners

Bed #1 closet and under bed

Bed #2 top shelf and under bed

Bed #3  computer desk

Hall bath

Sink cabinet

Big cabinet

Kitchen

Red pantry

Green pantry

Drawers

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Under stove

Cabinets

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Attic

Garage

all the the discards are going into a big pile in the master bedroom, 

thankfully it is a big room.

Then I will have to decide whether there is enough for a yard sale,  or if I should Freecycle it or donate it to a charity shop.


 - anyone else working on this too?