Archives for August 2014

Cheesy Bacon and Corn Muffins …

August 30, 2014

I baked a batch of these just after lunch today so the kids could come home from school and uni to a yummy afternoon tea that would keep them going until dinner. I also love that it presents an opportunity to sit down quietly with the girls and have a chat and catch up about our day before they settle down for homework and assignments. In winter I’ll serve some hot chocolate and in summer, a nice cool drink. I love it and I hope you enjoy these yummy muffins. Cheesy Bacon and Corn Muffins …   Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 20 mins Total … read more

How to Organise the Computer/Printer Cables in the Office …

August 28, 2014

I don’t know about you, but the mess and jumble of cords behind my computer in the office was driving me crazy! It looked awful and was extremely difficult to keep clean and free of dust, so it was time to find a solution. I visited Officeworks and found this fantastic Cable Box. It comes in black or white and cost me $19.95. I personally preferred the black because it matched my printer and white plastic products can sometimes yellow with age. It was so easy to set up … simply remove the lid, run all the cables through the groove on either end, replace the lid … read more

Peach Muffins …

August 26, 2014

I love these Peach Muffins and once you’ve made them you’ll see why. It’s a very simple recipe that only needs one bowl and one jug … love that! I also love that these are a great option if you’re in a hurry and need breakfast on the go. These muffins freeze very well and you can also use fresh peaches when they are in season if you prefer. Enjoy! Peach Muffins …   Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 22 mins Total time 32 mins   Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 12 Ingredients … 1 ½ cups plain flour ¾ cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking … read more

20 Great Ideas for Creating More Space in a Small Kitchen …

August 24, 2014

Recently, one of my lovely readers contacted me with the following question: I have a very small kitchen with almost no pantry or cupboard space … help … what do I do? So, today I thought I would share some tips and ideas that may help if you find yourself in the same situation. This is more common than you may think, particularly if you live in a unit or apartment. As I’ve said in a previous post, it’s not always possible to add more cupboards or an extra room so it’s more about making sure we utilise every millimetre of space that’s available so that we have … read more

Bathroom Routine Posters … Free to Download …

August 22, 2014

Recently I shared with you a fantastic Chart I’d created for the bathroom to help kids learn and remember to complete simple tasks. When my own kids were little, I used things like this all the time because it was a fun way for them to learn. If you missed that post, you can download your free copy below: These proved to be really popular so I’ve now created for you, each habit/routine as individual posters. Download one if you are focusing on a particular habit/routine with your child or download them all … it’s up to you and, as always, they are … read more

Decluttering (Part 3) … When Will I Find the Time to Declutter?

August 20, 2014

Hi there and welcome to Part 3 of my Decluttering Series. If you’re new to the blog or if you want a refresher, you might want to catch up on these two previous blog posts before reading on: Decluttering (Part 1) What is Clutter? and Decluttering (Part 2) The Benefits of Decluttering Managing a home and family can be very rewarding but it can also be hard, exhausting and time consuming. Throw work into the equation and the demands on our time can be enormous … I call it the curse of modern day living! So for me it’s about finding balance, deciding what my goals … read more

Chocolate Chip Chocolate Muffins …

August 18, 2014

Here’s a fantastic recipe that I’ve been baking for years. I can almost guarantee it will be a hit … it’s delicious, it’s suitable to freeze and it’s oh so simple! Perfect for lunch boxes, morning teas or when friends stop by to visit. Chocolate Chip Chocolate Muffins …   Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 19 mins Total time 29 mins   Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 24 Ingredients … 3 cups self-raising flour, sifted ¾ cup cocoa powder, sifted 1 ½ cups caster sugar 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup … read more

How I Organise my Plastics/Tupperware Cupboard in 6 Easy Steps …

August 16, 2014

Does this look familiar? More importantly, how does it make you feel? It made me feel frustrated and annoyed! I got sick of the mess and untidiness and was sick of not being able to find what I needed to store leftovers or frozen vegies! I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone in my lifetime who at some stage hasn’t been overwhelmed by their plastics/tupperware cupboard. It’s one of those cupboards that never seems to stay tidy no matter how hard we try so I decided it was time to find a more permanent solution to the problem. The biggest problems I find with storing … read more

How I Keep my Kitchen Sink Clutter Free …

August 14, 2014

The area around the kitchen sink often seems to act like a magnet that attracts all kinds of things. However, I like to keep this area as clear as possible otherwise it contributes to general untidiness in the kitchen. As with other areas of the home, I find the best approach is to declutter first by getting rid of everything you no longer need or use. Then, everything you decide to keep, needs to be given a home or a “place to live”. Most of the products and things that I need to clean in the kitchen, I store neatly in the cupboard underneath the sink and you … read more

Pineapple and Carrot Muffins …

August 12, 2014

I’ve really been in the mood for baking lately and trying to get a bit of a head start on morning teas when Miss 15 heads back to school. I’ve been making Banana Bread, Apple and Cinnamon Loaf, and loads of muffins including these Pineapple and Carrot Muffins. These are yummy and moist and freeze beautifully. Pineapple and Carrot Muffins …   Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 30 mins Total time 40 mins   Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 18 Ingredients … 1 ¼ cups plain flour (I used gluten free) 1 ¼ cups self-raising flour (I used … read more

How to Save a Small Fortune on the Cost of Hair Care …

August 10, 2014

I am regularly complimented on the shine and condition of my hair and, while I’m always surprised, I also have to giggle at the “shock” that registers on peoples’ faces when I explain how little attention I give my hair and how little it costs. On the other hand, I have a very dear friend, who is mortified by my casual treatment of my locks and feels that my attitude is totally disrespectful to the “Hair Gods” and every hairdresser that’s ever walked the planet! She chooses the full service treatment from her hairdresser and, while I completely respect her choices, I … read more

Travel and Packing Checklist … Free to Download …

August 8, 2014

There is always so much to remember when you’re packing to go on holidays, particularly if you’re a Mum with children. As well as packing for yourself, you often need to pack for two, three or more people. I learned the hard way what it means to leave some vital item behind when travelling, so I overcome this now by using my Travel and Packing Checklist. I print one off as soon as I grab my suitcases, then it’s just a matter of working through the list and ticking things off as you go … so much easier and no more stress! You’ll be so organised that you will arrive … read more

Banana Bread … Best Ever …

August 6, 2014

Nothing beats a good Banana Bread ….. easy to make, quick to cook, can be frozen, absolutely scrumptious ….. and this recipe will produce probably the best Banana Bread you will ever eat … true … would I lie to you! I can’t remember where I found this particular recipe but I’ve been cooking it for years. In most of my baking I use Gluten-free flours but feel free to substitute for the regular variety. I especially love the Orgran brand flours because they substitute cup for cup with regular flour and I’ve noticed no difference to the end result in terms of density, … read more

12 Simple Things You Can Do to Protect Your Identity and Personal Information …

August 4, 2014

In this day and age, particularly with technology, dishonest people are using more sophisticated means to access your personal information. You may or may not know someone who has experienced this problem but with a stolen identity, people can do all kinds of things like apply for loans or welfare benefits in your name or access and use your savings or credit cards. Any of those things could cause enormous stress, cost a lot of money that may never be recovered and play havoc with credit ratings but there are some very simple steps that I try to take to safeguard my … read more

Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder …

August 2, 2014

Well, winter has finally arrived! It’s chilly and definitely the time to drag out those winter woolies! It’s also the time to cook up some yummy soup and this one’s a winner at my house … hearty, rustic and delicious! For something a little different, I scooped out the inside of some fresh jumbo-sized Tiger Rolls that I bought from Coles and created a little bowl … a simple trick that lifted the presentation stakes! Give it a try it was so simple. Enjoy! Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder …   Print Prep time 20 mins Cook time 30 mins Total … read more