If I May by Lady of the House

* Photo by Jack & Lulu *

I'm usually kept caged until Wednesdays when I'm let out to post and play here, but when I read Erin's post yesterday morning I couldn't stop myself from sharing a few recipe box finds. I don't own a recipe box, so I wondered, what's out there? I've divided my results into some silly, if not non-existent stereotypes. (Do you have a kitchen alter ego?) Now it's just a matter of choosing which one!

-For the folksy type that picks wild flowers...

-For the little ones--it's never too early to start collecting I suppose...

-For the utilitarian with a cheeky side...

-For the preppy minimalist...

-For the zen master...

Ok, back to my cage!

xoxo

Lady of the House

Feelings by Lady of the House

It was my sophomore year of high school, and I befriended the phenomenally cool, and oh so foreign exchange student from Germany. Of course she was stuck in the Midwest of all places, but she didn't seem to mind hanging out in basements, loitering at the bowling alley, or waiting in line at McDonald's. One evening, as I stared up at that golden, glowing menu, I proclaimed, "I feel like a milkshake." And the sweet, but totally confused exchange student asked me, "What is it to feel like a milkshake?" We both may never know.

However you're feeling today, here are a few links to take you away for a bit. Enjoy!

*** These paper boxes turn "clutter" into "categorized." Wouldn't they be divine with shortbread tucked inside? Go, have a look at all the pretty options at Smock.

*** Maybe the only thing more fun than enjoying the beautiful wrapping on this soap is tearing it off. Okay, I actually know that for a fact.

*** Can't wait to give one of these bags to each of my September birthday buds. Fabric and Handle serves it up chic and sensible. Yes, please!

xoxo

{ Lady of the House }

She's Crafty

5 essential tools for crafting you'll always want on-hand, and my favorite sources...

1) Washi tape - One of those cheery touches that takes ordinary to splendid very quickly

2) Twine - Sweet, delicate and completely fool-proof

3) Labels - I love a border, and these just look terrific on dark envelopes

4) Glassine envelopes - Super for adding just a bit of texture and panache. They're also perfect for sticking to notes and cards like a pocket, and tucking gift cards or other little treats inside.

5) Luscious papers - For everything including wrapping, lining envelopes, making pretty gift tags, and lining your drawers.

xoxo

{ Lady of the House }

Organizing Your Recipes

If you're anything like me, you have recipes coming out your eyeballs.  Stuffings from sweet to savory printed from the internet.  Newspaper clippings of fab summer salads.  Treasured family secrets in dear ol' grandmom's scrawl.  Not to mention the cookbooks.  Oh, the cookbooks!

How's an aspiring culinary mastermind supposed to keep track of all this good food?  And just as importantly, how are you supposed to keep a modicum of cleanliness in your kitchen when it's covered in recipe cards??

Well, I haven't exactly figured it out, but this is how I attempt to organize my (ever-growing) recipe collection.  There are two parts:

1. File Folders - I keep a stack of file folders on the shelf with my cookbooks.  Each folder is labeled with a course or type of food (main course: meat, main course: vegetarian, dessert, etc.).  When I read a recipe that I just must attempt, I print it from the internet or cut it from the newspaper/magazine I'm reading, and I shove it in the appropriate file folder.  Then, it's easy to find what I'm looking for when I'm planning our meals. 
2. Recipe Box - After I've tried a recipe from the file folder, and the husband and I have declared it delicious, I copy it onto a recipe card, and it's stored in my recipe box (also on the shelf with my cookbooks).  That way I know all the recipes in my gorgeous green box are tried-and-true.  

That's how I manage my recipes, but I'm wondering, what do you do to keep your recipes organized?

I Love My Calendar by Lady of the House

3-2-1-Happy New Year! Is it just me, or does a new calendar with fresh pages kind of trump that apple dropping at midnight? I have always relished this integral purchase, and I think the joy of choosing just the right guide to take you into the next year is nothing to mess around with.

I have come across a few in the last little while, and I thought I'd share a few resources.

Paper Source is an obvious spot to check out, and their 2011 Wall Art Calendar is a vibrantly printed option for the laundry room or drab dorm.

I troll Etsy like it's my job, and Bryan Kring's Organic Wreath Letterpress Calendar is simple, lovely and wonderful. I purchased one for a friend, and at the cost of sounding like a complete letterpress nerd, I must tell you the registration is impeccable. You'll be so proud to pin it up somewhere in your home.

Another yummy Etsy find is Dekanimal's large 13x19 Little Flower poster. It's the right amount of folk meets Japan meets quirky enough to please you til next December.

I hope you all have a happy New Year!

xoxo

Lady of the House

Dinner Co-op

Am I the only one running around like a chicken with her head cut off this time of year?  Between buying presents, trimming the tree, singing with Bing, baking cookies, and signing cards, there's barely time for the little things...like working, for example.  Needless to say, cooking hot dinner has dropped a few pegs on my priority list.

On days like this I'm particularly grateful for dinner co-op.  Now I'm sure you're asking yourself, "Dinner co-op?  What in the world is that?"  Well, I'll let you in on this genius idea.

My friend and co-worker, Therese, and I both enjoy cooking.  For years we've swapped recipes and tips.  Then one day, we decided to start a dinner co-op.  It's a pretty simple concept: Therese and I both cook twice as much as we need one night a week, and then swap the leftovers.  Typically, we both cook the double dinner on Mondays and bring the leftovers to work on Tuesday.  So, the husband and I have a new-to-us meal on Tuesday night, and I don't have to cook a thing!

In addition to saving time, dinner co-op is fun because it gives you the opportunity to try new dishes.  Therese has some delish recipes that my belly has benefitted from.  Chicken curry, Indian lasagna, mini burgers, mac n' cheese...  I'm getting hungry just thinking about some of these meals!

So, if you have a friend who enjoys cooking, consider proposing a dinner co-op.  Once a week, month, quarter, or year, it's a fun project that will save you money and time.  Oh, and if you do start a co-op, I'd love to hear about it!  Comment, send an e-mail, or visit our Facebook page to let me know.