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?

Andie Day 4

Little Andie will have lots of good times growing up with her fun-loving parents.  

Her silly daddy put "eyeballs"  on the outside of her light-protection goggles.  

I can already imagine her as a 13 year old and rolling her eyes at her daddy when he is still doing pranks like this.  

Andie is still in the hospital but her parents have been told she should be released Monday.  

She has passed all her tests and is thriving.  

Thank you all so much for your prayers and kind comments.  

Good news!

Lamentations 3:22-23

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²² The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, 

For His compassions never fail. 

²³ They are new every morning; 

Great is Your faithfulness.

Baby Andie is doing great,  better  faster than I ever imagined she could.
She has had no more apnea / breathing problems since she the helicopter ride.
Today she is eating some of her mom's milk and it seems to agree with her.
And today we got to hold her for a little bit.
Yesterday we only got to see through a little window.  

Andie is spending time under a nice lamp for jaundice treatment.
She just relaxed under it like she was a tropical beach sunbathing.  

she is still tiny - that is my finger she is holding
but it is so amazing and encouraging that Andie has made so much progress in just 36 hours.

Thank you all for your prayers and kind comments.  

You all are so sweet and I appreciate every one of you.  

Please pray for our new granddaughter

Andie Elise was born this morning,  early and tiny.  

All her vitals and tests are good but she is just 5 pounds 1 ounce 

and she has stopped breathing in her sleep 4 times.  

She took a helicopter ride from the hospital in southern Oklahoma to the big childrens hospital in Oklahoma City and will be there for awhile. 

She is a beautiful little girl,  she has her daddy's blue eyes and long toes.  

We are already head over heels in love with her.  

in the picture,  that is her momma's hand by Andie's leg.  

and momma Sheena's hand are not very big 

Please pray that Andie will grow and breath.

How I make pizza crusts for the freezer

Traditional Pizza Dough - recipe from Zojirushi

1 1/4 C water

1 1/2 T olive oil

3 3/4 C bread flour

1 1/2 T sugar

1 1/2 t salt

2  t yeast

This will make 2 big 16 inch crusts or 4 smaller crusts, about 12 inches each.  

after you roll out the crusts,  let them rise a bit while the oven preheats
be sure to dock them -poke holes in them - so they don't puff up all over like a pillow
I used a big meat fork

bake the crusts at 500 degrees for just 5 minutes

wrap each crust in plastic wrap
or put in bags if you have bags they will fit in
Then just put them in the freezer.

When you want pizza,  get your sauce and toppings ready.
Unwrap your crust and top it as desired - no need to thaw.
Then just bake at 450 degrees until done.

I make this in a bread machine but I am sure it would be great done by hand or in mixer.