Slowly things are turning into a routine. I’m still in a huge mess (I’ll show you my office after the squash.) This house is ginormous, no disputing that, but I’m lacking shelves, cabinets, organizing stuff etc. So things are just sitting on the floors and hanging out in places. The blessing is there’s still plenty of room to walk around, lol. But I’m haunting pinterest and ikea.com for ideas of how to put everything away in an organized manner. I can’t wait until IKEA decides Kansas City is a worthy market to bring a store. I think they are losing millions each year by NOT having an IKEA here. Can you hear me, IKEA? Please come to Kansas City.
So I’m serious about my next round of Fit Yummy Mummy. Above is a delicious lunch that I had this week. It’s 1 cup of baked spaghetti squash, with 3 oz of ground beef–seasoned like Italian sausage and sauteed peppers and onions. It was even better the next day when I added steamed lamb’s quarter to the mix and topped with a touch of parmesan. Can you imagine how pretty it was with that pop of green? And so tasty too.
I’ve got some serious sugar cravings to overcome. I had beat that horse once and then indulged over Christmas. The sugar came at me like a snowball rolling down a moutain. At first I just took a “taste” then before long was stuffing my face with handfuls of cookies and chocolates. I ended up gaining 4 lbs between New Years and the start of FYM’s new contest, sigh.
But I can pick up and start over. I know what I need to do to feel fantastic about myself, have energy, and overcome my sugar addiction. And Holly’s workouts are so short yet so effective I can fit them in.
I’ll be sharing some more of my recipes like an update on Italian Eggplant Bake; chocolate chip cookie dough protein balls; and a green smoothie that’s tasty enough to actually drink. (I’ve had some doozies, lol.)
Here’s a scary picture of my office (Have to have a before so there’s motivation to work on the after.) And now you know why my blog is so quiet. I’ve been busy making a mess of my life, lol.
I can imagine the paneling painted white (except that there is water damage ripples on the roof that the brown hides very well); and darling Amy Butler or Heather Bailey print curtains at the window. A pottery barn work table in the middle and Ikea shelves stacked with gorgeous fabric all around. I’ve counted the cost though and it will have to wait until my children and hubby have their rooms done.
In another post, I’ll show you my inspiration rooms.
So, did I lose all my dear readers by being quiet so long? If you are still there will you write a comment and let me know? If you have an organizing link or tip that you could share I’d be so thankful.
I didn’t know you moved. I’ve been knee deep in the Christmas festivities and then the post Christmas cleanup. I’m off to search your posts for more about the move! Congrats on the new house!
I’m still here! Congratulations on the move. As for organizing, we moved into our house 2 years ago and are still organizing! It is a process. Being creative with what you have on hand is my best tip! Eventually, making things you use the most more accessible is key. These tips are quite simple, but easy to lose sight of when I am overwhelmed by needing to clean/organize. Hope this helps
Still hanging in here, lol! Don’t have any helpful tips though. We’re constantly adjusting here because I haven’t found that perfect plan!
I’m a regular reader and a very rare commenter. I’m still here and enjoy reading all the great things you post! Have a lovely day.
Margaret 🙂
still here!
Angela I am sure you will find organization ideas on pintrest. I have a co-worker who has found numerous great ideas to organize her house. If you can see who I am following on pinterest her name is cynthia allen to see what she has found.
I’m still here too. I’ve been redecorating so I’ve been busy too.
Still here…..looking forward to more posts 🙂
I’m still here also. I enjoy your post too much to leave, even if they are scarce right now. Life gets busy sometimes 🙂
I’m still here as well. I hardly ever comment. I follow you on pintrerest and noticed a lot of office organization pins! I’ve gotten so many great ideas for organization on there. It’s so important for me especially because I have my first baby due in June. I have been reading up on all your old post regarding babies and organization.
Still here. I always enjoy reading your adventures and insights.
Me, too — still here! Thanks for sharing your life with us. (Don’t quit your day job. I got a crick in my neck from watching your video.) 🙂
Still here. I’d love to know how you spiced your ground beef in that lunch picture! Can you give specifics?
Jenn–I started with 2 lbs of ground beef–part of it was used for pizza night and I saved the leftovers to eat with my squash. So for 2 lbs of ground beef I sprinkles approximately 1 tsp of garlic salt, 1 tsp of whole fennel seeds, and 1 tsp of dried basil flakes. Then I drained the beef with an old yellow tupperware strainer over a yogurt carton, and rinsed it with hot water to get more fat off. This also inevitably rinses off some of the salt. I weigh my serving sizes after it is cooked, rinsed, and drained. Is that the right way to do it?
just missed you but glad you know you can get on with family priorities and we will all be hear waiting!!! x
Still here! I’m excited to see what you do with your new home and I enjoy reading your posts.
Moving from a smaller place to a bigger place always brings about “where do I put all this???” Just don’t let two years go by before finding places. Not cool.
Lunch looks good! Can’t wait to see the after pictures of the house!
Still here! Can’t wait to see future recipes and see the progress on the house!
Still here…..and usually gain a new tidbit when reading your site. Happy settling!
Of course I’m still here Angela! Don’t have any tips though, I need them myself. I do okay at “re-arranging” things but deciding where to put everything in an empty house has me floundering! Your lunch looked yummy, I need to buy some squash! 🙂
Still here, and totally understanding the moving craze.
No tips on the room, but on the meals:
go get yourself a sturdy spiralizer: “noodles” almost every veg.
One of the > fool & fuel veggies into dislikers < proof tool lol, cooked or raw.
Katja, The spiralizer is a new tool to me. I’m off to check it out.
I’m still here, been patiently waiting for a new post from you but I knew you were busy with the new home. I agree, we definitely need an IKEA in Kansas City. I can’t believe they aren’t here either.
I enjoy reading the blog, Dear Lissy – here is a link to a couple of posts that you might enjoy http://dearlissy.blogspot.com/2011/07/finish-job-finish-job-get-it-done.html, http://dearlissy.blogspot.com/2011/03/controlling-clutter.html. Don’t know why that didn’t show up as a link. Sorry.
By the way, do you ever cook with a pressure cooker? I got an electric one for Christmas and I really don’t know what to do with it.
Oh wow, I LOVe spaghetti squash. It tastes so good and it’s good for you 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
I’m here! I have you in a reader, so I read other blogs when you’re not posting :o) I always look forward to your posts, even if they’re sparse. It’s smart to put some things aside when life is busy.
Hey Angela! I’m still here! I know you moved and have a lot on your proverbial plate (less on your dinner plate, lol), so I just check in once or twice a week… does that make me sound like a stalker. I bought spaghetti squash this week for the first time and I think I’ll take it to my parents’ house tonight for spaghetti dinner so I can opt out of the pasta. I’m in FYM, too, and started the first week off quite poorly – back on track!
I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with your new work space! Those types of triangular rooms can be a challenge, so I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.
Still here! I miss your frugal tips. 🙂 I’m happy your family is doing well.
We recently moved too and I can feel your pain. And we moved into a larger house and we are finally, I stress finally, getting somewhat organized! So happy that you are back and look forward to reading more and more of your ideas! 🙂
My “organizing” 21 yr. old daughter loves to read Iheartorganizing.blogspot.com. This mom/wife likes IKEA and the fabric you enjoy, too. There was no IKEA in the Detroit metro area until 2000 something, and then it was 1 1/2 hrs. away, but I made it there once in a while! Three yrs.ago we moved to San Antonio and the closest is again, 1 1/2 hours away in Austin. I, too, believe IKEA is losing A LOT of customers for not having one in SA! Same goes for a Trader Joes! NONE in TX yet…. Hope the above blog gives you some ideas!
Pam, I popped over to I hear organizing and I love it!!!! I’ll be lost there for awhile drinking it all in.
I’m a newer reader, so while you were off I read all of your old posts. I enjoy your recipes, thoughts, outlook, and overall frugal nature. Your work really is appreciated.
Julie M
Yeah!!! You are back! Soo glad :0)
Hi Angela,
This my first time writing but I have been following you for about a year now! I love you and your family. I have 2 older boys married. One 21 boy still living at home and I had a daughter Sarah (17) who past away almost 3 years ago. I think in my loneness the Lord let me find you and your website.
Children are such a blessing! God is still healing my heart daily but I love him and know he has my husband Rich and I in the palm of his hand.
God Bless you and your family for sharing and caring about all of us. P.S.I use your cleaning recipes, and meal planning ideas all the time. I also took the Dave Ramsey financial class.
I’m still her too. I love the homemade cleaning products and use them daily. Your family was truly blessed with a wonderful (soon to be amazing
home) once you have added your decorating talents. I wish we had an IKEA in South Dakota as well…
Glad you survived the move… Glad you are back. I wiull look forward to the future posts. They are always insiteful and motivating.
I think you’d make a great and fun friend! Glad you are back. If you have any ideas for decorating a mobile home (second home by a lake) let me know. Hard to decorate when you can’t hang much on the non-wood walls. Keep those ideas rolling!
I am still here. I don’t ever email you. But I read all the time since seeing you on the 700 Club. The only tip I know that works is how to keep celery fresh for about two months. I live alone so when I buy celery at Whole Foods, it is expensive and I have trouble using it all. I read on the internet to take it out of the plastic and wrap very snugly in foil with no way for air to get in and place in crisper. Once I didn’t wrap snugly and it was rotten when I opened it. I actually got it to last for two months!
Thanks for all of your tips.
I’m glad you are posting again and that you are working on your diet like the rest of us! I can’t wait to see what you do with that office.
I found your blog yesterday, and I can´t stop reading, it´s lovely and full of inspiration!
Still here! Glad you’re back! We’ve missed you!