# 28 Organizer for 2011

Every year I buy a diary to keep track of any important events, dates, holidays, etc. but somehow I've never found one that quite fulfils my needs. Then earlier this year I came across a web site with lots of free printable calendars, planners, lists, etc. and I thought that maybe I could put together my own organizer for 2011 using these free printables.

And here it is, ready to be used. What I like about it is that because I'm using a ring binder I can add any extra pages as needed. Also, bills to pay, etc. can be kept in the right section inside one of those clear punched envelopes so they are not forgotten or lost.

I took some photos to show you.

A4 ring binder with crochet cover.

Monthly planner perfect to keep track of doctor's appointments, school holidays, etc.

Weekly planner for the day-to-day run of things.

Meal planner and grocery list.

The coloured tabs make it easy to find the different categories.

Below are a few links to web sites with free printables for you to create your own organizer.

ePrintable Calendars

Free Printable Weekly Planners

Printable Forms


Have you created your own organizer? What categories have you included?




Paula


Psst! I'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. May 2011 bring you good health, a little wealth, lots of creativity and all things good. See you in the New Year :-)

# 27 Countdown to the New Year

And just like that Christmas is over and the New Year is only a few days away! Yikes, how can a year go by so fast? Growing up I remember a week seemed to take forever let alone months and years!

But anyway, hope you all had a very Happy Christmas and are now looking forward to 2011.

We stayed home most of the time as it was too cold and slippery but on Christmas Day the sun came out and we had the most glorious blue sky, just perfect for a walk and a few pictures. These were taken on the way to the nearby Deer Park.

Unfortunately there's no blue sky today but the temperature has gone up meaning the snow has melted and it's again safe to go out.




Paula

Season's Greetings

# 26 Cute little parcels

These pretty parcels all have a handmade gift inside and were given as Christmas presents to everyone at Knit Club.

If you'd like to know what's inside and how to create similar parcels yourself please visit my crafty blog.



Paula

# 25 Carrot Christmas Cakes

This year the children at A's school are having an international Christmas and have been learning about the Christmas traditions of other countries. His class did Sweden and Portugal and I offered to make some traditional Portuguese Christmas cakes. Judging by the empty box and the fact that most children had seconds I'd say my carrot cakes went down well.

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try them.

1 kg carrots
0,5 kg plain flour
0,5 kg sugar
4 eggs
Zest of an orange
2 teaspoons Port wine
2 teaspoons baking powder

Peel and cook the carrots until they are soft enough to mash. When cooking the carrots add a little cinnamon and mixed spices.
After you've mashed up the carrots drain them as much as possible by placing them in a clean tea towel and twisting it to get rid of the liquid.

In a bowl mix all the ingredients and then fry spoonfuls of the dough until they are golden in colour. Remove them from the frying pan and sprinkle with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. The frying oil should not be too hot as otherwise the cakes will not cook all the way through.

Enjoy :-)


Paula

# 24 Melting away

It felt good going out for a short walk today.

The snow is melting away quickly under an almost cloudless sky and the sun tried to do its best to make the temperature go up a little and about time too, although we've been lucky where we are compared to many other people in other parts of the country.

Paula

# 23 Nigella's Buttermilk Scones

Having watched Nigella make her delicious looking Buttermilk Scones on TV last week I just had to try them out as soon as possible, so yesterday was the perfect day it being Sunday and all of us being home.

I love scones and have tried several different recipes over the years but none so delicious, light and moist as these. Unfortunatley mine didn't turn out as pretty as Nigella's but I'm blaming that on not having a proper cutter which is now at the top of my shopping list for next week :-)

 
Despite not looking very pretty they tasted heavenly with clotted cream and homemade jam and a nice, hot pot of tea. If you'd like to try these you'll find the recipe here.

One other thing I wanted to show you is this.

Yes, I have finally finished the Christmas cards I'll be sending family and friends this year. They took me much longer than I thought they would but I'm quite happy with how they turned out and I especially like the look of the machine made blanket stitch.



Paula

# 22 Splash of colour: December

Do you remember the Splash of Colour challenge I told you about in post # 12? Well, it's time for this month's splash of colour and here are the 3 photos I chose to brighten up this very cold and very grey December.

If you'd like to take part you can read more about it at Silverpebble's blog and also join the Splash of Colour, Winter 10/11 group on Flickr.

Hidcote Manor, June 2010.

Croft Castle, August 2010.

Yarn bought for £2 at the charity shop. What a bargain :-)

Paula

# 21 A very simple Christmas bunting

Today is the day me and A. start decorating the house for Christmas and as usual I always have to make a few new decorations to add to the ones we already have.

This is an idea I had the other day when I was trying to come up with a way of recycling last year's Christmas cards. I didn't want to make any more gift tags as I still have some leftover and then a little lightbulb went on above my head and I thought of this.

What do you think? I quite like it and I know A. is going to love having this in his bedroom.

I've put together a few instructions on my crafts blog if you'd like to make one as well. Just click here to see the post.

By the way, if you like this blog and my other one would you mind voting for it? All you need to do is click on the button that says "We're on the Fence" that you see on the side bar. It only takes 1 click to vote. Thank you :-)


Paula