Can I Say That I Love This Colander?

I was tired of wrestling stuff into one of my kitchen cabinets and only being able to fit things in *just so*.  I got on amazon and ordered this a couple of months ago.  I threw away my old, broken Ikea colander and now everything fits in that cabinet just fine.  Sweet relief. Gosh, what an organizational nerd that a collapsible colander can bring such contentment when I see it and use it.

Bonus is that not only can this colander collapse, the handles extend and it can fit over the sides of any sink.  Here it is holding basil, ready for a lasagna.

We're having in-laws over for dinner tonight.  And the next 6 nights.  :)  Here's to a couple date nights in the upcoming week.

I Love Hooks

I have hooks all over my house. Originally, these hooks by the back door were intended for hats and coats, but after my husband kept stealing my kitchen shears for inappropriate uses, I designated this extra pair of scissors to hang by the back door.  I don't care what they are used for, as these scissors can handle pretty much anything.  Now that they have a permanent home, my husband knows where to find them and isn't tempted to use my nice kitchen shears.  

Pulling Out The Big Guns On My Stroller

From all the crazy amounts of traveling we do, my umbrella stroller was looking pretty funky.  Nothing wrong with it structurally, but the hood was getting very dirty.  When it folds up, the wheels touch the inside of the hood.  Dang, I wish I would have noticed that when I bought it and would have kept shopping for a black or grey one.  At the time, I thought the navy would be fine for dirt-hiding, and that the green hood would be irrelevant in terms of dirtiness.  After all, there is no cheerio-smooshing or diaper-leaking in that region.  Anyhow.  We often check the umbrella stroller as luggage or at the gate when we fly, so much of the dirt and discoloration was probably from conveyor belts and such.  I have tried repeatedly to scrub the dirt off, using all kinds of soaps and even a magic eraser.  No luck.

I talked to my dad about it.  He's a pilot.  And a teacher.  And a farmer.  He suggested that I attack the stroller with a hose and aerosol Spray-N-Wash (since it is a true solvent-- though the non-aerosol version is not).  So that's what I did today.

(As you can see, I removed the seat cover from the main body, and I later threw that in the wash.  Its currently air drying out side.)

The hose and the solvent did a good amount to remove the dirt, but there still were a lot of visible scuffs.  I broke out my Flylady Rubba Scrubba and went to town.  

My son, helping me out ::

After some good elbow grease and more solvent, I am happy to say the hood looks far better than it did.  It is not good-as-new, but its better than buying new.  I was seriously considering trying to find a new stroller (or new-to-me) because it looked so bad when it was dirty.  I forgot to take a before photo, so you'll just have to take my word for it that it was TRASH---EEE.  

So, the big guns worked and I feel so accomplished in my day.  Its the little things, people.  

Any stories about big cleaning guns you've had to pull out?  Lori?  Lori?  :)

Nothing to Do with Order, Decent or Not

Sooo, I went on a trip to upstate New York recently.  I  got lucky enough to book a shoot with my friend Nancy Noble, who is a bi-coastal pro photographer.  She happened to be in town when I was there.  Score.  Anyhow, this post has nothing to do with organizing, but I am compelled to post, because I am so in love with these photos that captured an unforgettable day.  I am proud of these boys.

First, my big boy.  This is my favorite photo of the bunch, which perfectly captures the spirit of my boy.  He did not have to be prompted to go explore the creek.  He just *did.*  And what a gorgeous setting at Thatcher Park.

Concerned.

Telling us all about it, and with a stick!

Now, my little boy.  On the run.

Sweet baby, I'll take those snuggles while I can get them.

Oh, happiness.

And now with this photo, I'll never forget those ginger swirls on my baby's head.

Brothers.  Friends for life.

Checking out a rock formation on the Indian Ladder Trail.

One is longing for the waterfall ahead, one is eating a stick.  Poetic.

And finally, hiking out of the trail.  Yes, I totally wore my flats on the hike.  Yes, my calves were killing me the next day.  Who needs crazy sneakers for a work out?  

There were dozens of other wonderful shots, but I suppose if I posted more, it would be less of me being a proud mommy and more of me being completely annoying.  So, I'll stop.  :)