Monday, January 12, 2009

The Great Recipe Project

Want freedom? Get organized.
Want to get organized? Get creative.
- David Allen

I did it. The recipes are done! My first completed to-do project of 2009. It felt freeing and deeply satisfying seeing all that paper from all over the house reduced to a stack of pretty cards.

See? From that to this:

*Happy sigh*

Twenty recipes into the pile I got out from under the covers and decided I needed to find larger recipe cards than the Martha Stewart ones. I liked the strawberry/vintage look, but there was no way I was going to fit those big mama recipes on them. (Like that recipe for Stuffed Fried Chicken with Vidalia Onion Gravy? The one I change up and make every few weeks? No way was that one going on a little Martha card.)

So I found these big recipe cards from Alicia Paulson's sister, Julianna Smith. Free to print, and they were my favorite of all the ones I found. Thanks Julianna! I happily copied them, cut them, and scribbled on them. And in a matter of a weekend, my great recipe project was (beautifully) done. Did I mention how happy it made me?

So it's onto a new mess. Looks like we have another project to tackle. Sunday night, while I was copying the last recipes, Millie jumped up from a snoring sleep just as the most horrible crash reached my ears...



The "closet" fell down, dumping all my clothes, shoes and bags to the unfinished floor below.

Want to get organized? Get creative. Guess I'm moving from recipes now to clothes...

19 comments:

Amy said...

I would love to have a nice organized recipe book. The stuffed chicken sounds good, thanks for a new recipe! Good luck with the closet. I'm getting ready to move and am organizing and cleaning myself. It's a pain but definitely refreshing once done.

Christy said...

Hi!

I just recently found your blog and truly enjoy reading your posts. I just wanted to say thanks for the links to the beautiful recipe cards!

Blessings
Christy

Vee said...

The recipes look great and those do look like wonderful ones from Julianna. Oh-oh about the closet! I know nothing about keeping clothes in closets...I keep all of my clothing down in the basement on racks from a closed department store. Strange, I know! I'll be anxious to see what your reclaimed closet looks like.

Michelle said...

When you're done with my closet can you come do mine? Ugh. I'm always afraid to walk in there for fear it will eat me up! Lol! Your recipe cards look great!

Unknown said...

You did it, whoohoo! I'm so happy for you cuz I know how happy I'd be if I ever get mine done! Can't wait to see what you do with the closet! Stuff fried chicken, how's the cookbook coming along?

Kathleen Grace said...

Organizing is such a chore, but it gives us the best feeling when it's done! I love the recipe cards and I'm cheering you on to that closet project:>)

Meagan said...

I am totally impressed that you seriously copied ALL of those recipes! WOW!

The whole closet thing kind of stinks, but I bet it will lead to something fabulous!

Terri Steffes said...

What a deeply satisfying project. One that you will use for a long long time. One that will not reverse itself, unlike my drawer reorganization project!

Donna said...

I am amazed. I shouldn't be, given it was you that was doing the organization and not me, but still amazed that you got it done this past weekend.
I am sorry about your closet, but you should have it together in a snap!

Mia said...

Very nice cards - and nice handwriting too! I can't read my own. honestly, it's horrible.

Now.. can't wait to see what you do with the closet :)

Anonymous said...

my mom organised all of her recipies. Now, my siblings and i can cook, and we know where the recipe is. I love your blog. Looks like a ton of other people do too. I don't, but it is good to know a least someone reads it!

Amy said...

So are you walking around with a claw for a hand? I can't imagine that task! Did you ever find the recipe card box? I know I have one, somewhere...if I ever find it I'll set it aside for you.

Unknown said...

Before you buy anything compare prices, find the lowest prices, and print free online coupons for your favorite stores.

Runner Girl said...

Phew! Better your recipes...and closet than mine! Good job!

Vintagesquirrel said...

There was no way I was going to rewrite out all the recipes I have saved. So, I purchase a plastic accordian file at the Container Store, and have organized my clippings.

Speaking of organizing, I'm hosting a giveaway for Cath Kidston's Dream Home journal, which is a book with lots of pockets to stash your magazine clippings and fabric swatches. Come by and enter...

Geri said...

I need to be doing some organizing, and you're inspiring me to do it.

Julie said...

Oh, Brin!
You did it!!! You must be so proud of yourself(or at least, you should be)! They turned out beautifully and your handwriting is just so neat and pretty -- love it!
Many Blessings,
Julie

Lynda Meyers said...

Organizing must be an epidemic. I'm doing a bunch of it myself this month! Something about starting a new year fresh.

Thanks for the tips - and the links!

Madison Richards

Paula @ Organizing Tips For Moms said...

Way to tackle the recipes! That's a challenging area!