ORGANIZATION!!!

The new year has brought with it a few trials...like corneal keratitis...which means I can not wear my contact lenses for at least two months and my vision has been blurred like peering through frosted glass, but it's also brought a blessing with it. My computer time has been quite limited and so I've needed to find other things with which to fill my spare moments. ORGANIZATION! I'm a neat-freak anyway, but now I have the time to spend doing all the little organizational things I've always wished I could do.

I went to Office Depot and purchased several plastic storage boxes. Why plastic, you may ask. Because here in Florida we deal with bugs, humidity and rain aplenty (most of the time, if we're not in a drought like last summer) so any storage boxes must be air and water tight, hence the plastic. I'm storing away old tax records (when you own a business, even a small one, the paper work you must save is horrid.) I'm also going through old photographs and sorting them into three piles..one to save and scrapbook, and one each to send to my two sons. I'm also sorting through old greeting cards and only keeping those I wish to add to a scrapbook. The rest...storage or garbage.

I must admit, I am not a Oprah fan, however there is program on her new network called Enough Already. It's made me have a new appreciation for organizing and, while I am no where near a hoarder, how we all keep things we do not need nor even particularly want. We keep things for sentimental or other reasons. We all have closets we can't open, cabinets that are bulging with stuff, yet we continually buy more and don't use what we have already.

Last year I took a 365 challenge...get rid of one item per day for an entire year. I accomplished it in less than a month and STILL have more than enough stuff to do it once a month for a year. So this year, I'm challenging you to declutter and destuff your home. If you haven't used it, needed it, wanted it, looked at it, worn it...you get the idea...this past year put it in a box and give it away. Yard Sale, Goodwill, Salvation Army...you decide. Donate books you've read to your local Friends of the Library or good Christian books to your church library. Jewelry and perfumes or colognes you don't like can go to your local nursing home. Blankets and comforters, sheets, pillows and the like can go to your local shelter. Good used professional clothing can go to shelters and organizations for abused women.

Anyone else have any ideas with what we can do with STUFF???

Crab-Stuffed Tilapia with Orange Sauce

Yummy dinner tonight....here's the recipe!

1 Tilapia filet per person
1/3 c crab cake mix (I purchase mine already done at the fish counter)

Oil the bottom of your baking dish with olive oil. Coat the tilapia with the olive oil then place the crab cake mix on one half of the filet. Fold the other half over the top and secure with toothpick. Salt, pepper and paprika to taste. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

While fish is cooking mix in sauce pan 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 T orange zest, pinch of salt, and you may add 2 T citrus juice if you wish. Bring to boil and cook about 1-2 minutes, reducing slightly. Turn heat down to simmer and begin whisking in 1/2 cup butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly. If you have the heat too high or fail to whisk the sauce will "break". After the entire 1/2 C butter is added continue whisking until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and serve over the fish. DELICIOUS!!! Even my picky husband, who genearlly prefers catsup on his fish (ick) loved this.

Cheesy Potato Soup with Bacon

My sweet husband's birthday is Jan 5th and he always asks for the same thing..potato soup and a bologna sandwich. This year I decided to try and "jazz up" the potato soup a bit. It turned out to be delicious! I thought I'd share the recipe here with you.
2 cups water
2 cups diced potatoes
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder..to taste
3 T chicken boullion or you can use 1 C chicken stock

Cook together until potatoes are tender

In sauce pan prepare a white sauce:
1/4 C butter
1/2 C flour
2 C milk
mix butter and flour together over medium heat until smooth, add milk and whisk until thickened. Then add 1 C Velveeta Cheese, shredded and stir until cheese is melted.

Slowly add to soup, stirring until it begins to thicken. Add 1 cup of crumbled cooked bacon (or you can use Hormel real bacon bits). Simmer until soup is desired thickness.
I think it was the best potato soup I've made.