Archive | April, 2011

A Royal Affair-Fare

By on April 29, 2011 in Busy Mom Living The Dream, Recipes, The Organized Party Planner

For a casual affair, enjoy this royal- but simple- fare.

A Royal Affair-Fare Menu for The Royal Wedding

A Royal Affair-Fare Menu for The Royal Wedding

Whether you’re inviting guests over to watch William and Kate tie the knot, or simply want to celebrate by creating a simple, but elegant fare, try this royal menu from The Organized Cook:  To download and print menu, just click image.  Frame from HomeGoods.

Using prepared mashed potatoes makes my Mini Cottage Pies so simple.  Cottage Pie, a favorite dish of Prince Williams, is a tasty version of the Shepherd’s Pie.  I found these adorable blue mini casserole dishes at my favorite store, HomeGoods.

Cottage Pie by Toni Spilsbury, The Organized Cook

Cottage Pie by Toni Spilsbury, The Organized Cook

In an effort to create an appetizer both simple and regal, I used the “something red”- “something blue approach” for these easy-to-prepare crackers.

Westminster Crackers Appetizer

Westminster Crackers Appetizer

 

I haven’t figured out how Kate Middleton could possibly keep her figure if this high-calorie desert is actually her favorite.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Chopped up pitted dates are the main ingredient for Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Pie stand with blue ribbon from HomeGoods

Sticky Toffee Pudding Ingredient

Sticky Toffee Pudding Ingredient

What better martini choice to celebrate the Royal Wedding than a “Blue-on-Blue” martini.

Blue On Blue Martini

Blue On Blue Martini

 

Kir Royale- you’ve probably had the cupcake, now try the drink that inspired the tasty treat; champagne poured over Creme de Cassis.

 

Red strawberries and blue blueberries give this lemonade a royal touch.

Lemonade with Strawberries and Blueberries

Lemonade with Strawberries and Blueberries

 

Look who stopped by to celebrate with us.

A Royal Affair-Fare Guest

A Royal Affair-Fare Guest

Knight in shining armor from HomeGoods

The the most adorable party favors, check out my friends at TheTomKatStudio.com for these free downloadables:

A Royal Affair-Fare TheTomKatStudio

A Royal Affair-Fare TheTomKatStudio

 

For a free grocery shopping list for A Royal Affair-Fare Menu by Toni Spilsbury, The Organized Cook, and cooking instructions, click here.

 

 

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Spring Into Clean

By on April 29, 2011 in Survival Guide for Busy Moms

What is “Spring Cleaning”?

I’ve now read so many blogs and articles about spring cleaning, you would think I’m now an “expert” on the matter.  However, I’ve determined that it’s really individualized.

To some, it’s the mere act of catching up on neglected housework throughout the year.  For others (like me), it’s the task of going through the old to make way for the new by sorting, organizing, storing, donating and tossing.  And still for many, it’s the annual chore list of scrubbing, dusting, shining and painting that has become family tradition.

Spring Into Clean Spring Cleaning

Spring Into Clean

What is “Spring Cleaning”?

I’ve now read so many blogs and articles about spring cleaning, you would think I’m now an “expert” on the matter.  However, I’ve determined that it’s really individualized.

To some, it’s the mere act of catching up on neglected housework throughout the year.  For others (like me), it’s the task of going through the old to make way for the new by sorting, organizing, storing, donating and tossing.  And still for many, it’s the annual chore list of scrubbing, dusting, shining and painting that has become family tradition.

So how do I break it down to determine what “spring cleaning” means to me?  That is the question.  This year I decided to give it some thought rather than artificially make the day special by slapping the label “spring” onto something I do all the time- “clean”.

As always, getting out the old pencil and paper is how I begin my journey to the answer.

And here it is.

As a busy mom of four, I often say that taking care of kids is one job while taking care of their things is another.  So, I take one day- without the kids– to go through their things, store, toss and donate.  Pack up or give away Fall/Winter clothes making way for Spring/Summer clothes, organize toys, artwork, etc.  This chore I will call “Spring Organizing”.

Spring Organizing then makes way for “Spring Cleaning”.  And I agree with all the articles out there that boast the benefits of having children involved in this all-day spoon-full-of-sugar event.  My 7-year old daughter actually loves any chore related to sorting and organizing and jumps for joy when I mention the words, “clean_out_garage”- really.

Toni’s Tips For Spring Organizing

  1. Schedule it and find a day without kids
  2. Have a written plan: kids closets, toy room, garage, etc.
  3. Use the “three bin rule”: have storage bins or boxes ready and labeled:  “Keep“, “ Give“, “Toss”  Click here for free downloadable.
  4. Have one “Memory Box” for each child with their name to store items that are too precious to throw away
  5. Have label machine ready.  Label everything!
Spring Organizing Tips from Toni Spilsbury

Spring Organizing Tips from Toni Spilsbury

 

Toni’s Tips For Spring Cleaning

  1. Schedule it for you and each family member involved
  2. Go through each room in advance and make a list of every cleaning chore
  3. Divide chore list
  4. Make supply buckets for each person
  5. Create incentives.  Make a game out of it with prizes and a fun family event grand prize

 

Don’t forget to enter this week’s Manic Monday Giveaway for a Spring Cleaning Fashionable Gift Set!  Click here for details.

Spring Cleaning Fashionable Gift Set

Manic Monday Giveaway: Spring Cleaning Fashionable Gift Set

Here is my favorite and most helpful article on the topic of “spring cleaning” by Sarah Aguirre at About.com: A Spring Cleaning Extravaganza.

 

 

 

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Tortellini Soup and Spinach Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza

By on April 25, 2011 in Making Dinner

Tortellini Soup and Spinach Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza may just be one of the simplest… yet tastiest recipes on the menu from The Organized Cook.

Tortellini Soup with Spinach Chicken Gorgonzola Pizza

Tortellini Soup with Spinach Chicken Gorgonzola Pizza

The meal is also a perfect example of a cooking technique from my upcoming book that I like to call “reincarnating the leftover“.

Let’s face it, as a busy mom of four, by the end of the week I start to run our of steam… and new ideas for dinner.

Balsamic Chicken with Pear Walnut Gorgonzola Salad

Balsamic Chicken with Pear Walnut Gorgonzola Salad

However, using my cooking technique, this dinner only takes about 10 minutes to prepare from my family-favorite Weekly Meal Plans.

By simply cooking and storing extra Italian sausage on Monday, along with extra chicken from Wednesday’s Balsamic Chicken and remaining Gorgonzola cheese, and leftover Tomato Soup (pizza sauce); this meal really is the ultimate “reincarnated” dinner!  But it tastes anything but- it’s always a favorite for friends and family.

By the time Friday rolls around, I simply assemble all of these prepared ingredients and have dinner ready in minutes.

 

Now, how’s that for a “10-minute meal”?

The Organized Cook Weekly Meal Plan System

 

 

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Manic Monday Giveaway: Spring Into Clean

By on April 25, 2011 in Giveaways and Promotions

Spring into clean and be fashionable with a “Spring Cleaning” Gift Set- this week’s Manic Monday Giveaway from Toni Spilsbury, The Organized Cook.

 

To enter, simply visit and “like” The Organized Cook Facebook Page and leave a comment below about what “spring cleaning” means to you; be sure to include any helpful tips.

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