Friday, February 17, 2012

Decluttering and home of the week.......

So I cleaned out my cleaning and vase cupboard on Thursday.  If I do nothing else, I won't be bothered as this was a major job that had to be done, as it's a bit like the freezer; things go in there never to be seen again!!!


Before:
001
All the things out of the cupboard:
002
Cupboard washed out and everything put back in:
004
Now if the amount of cleaning products is anything to go by, I should have the cleanest house around.......I wonder what has happened? Will say I was pleased to find two pairs of brand new rubber gloves which I didn't know about.

This week's Home of the Week is mine, if I ever had $5 million!!!  It's not very often I actually love a house, but I love this one.  I could move in without doing anything much to it, other than probably painting the little girls room some other colour than Barbie pink!!  Will say I am surprised they didn't stick a swimming pool in the back yard, as that is something you would expect to have at that price range?  Overall though, it's great, even down to the movie theatre in the basement; and I don't watch movies that often!!

Now the Condo of the Week, is a whole different ball game. It's not a bad condo, I have seen a lot worse, and the price is reasonable for downtown Toronto, it's just the location.  I think sketchy would be a polite way of putting it, and I wouldn't want to wander around there after dark.  However this article tells you about the good and the bad of the area and it's an interesting read.  Back to the condo though, there is something missing for me, it feels too stark and urban, but then you're buying and living in an urban area, so that's what you get.  Just not for me.

Maggie asked about freezing bananas yesterday.  All I do is throw over ripe bananas in the freezer, skin on and use them in banana bread/muffins.  Just pull them out of the freezer and let them defrost a bit and the skin comes right off, just like it does with frozen whole tomatoes. 

Christine asked about the freezer list.  It's an Excel Spreadsheet that I save on my computer.  You could do it as easy in Word, just make a couple of tables and fill them in.  I find Excel easier, although we have just updated our software to Microsoft 2010 and I am still finding my way around it.

Pat, I went and deleted your comment, sorry.  You were asking about cream cheese, I agree it is not as good after it has been frozen, but when you're mixing it in with something else I don't find it an issue.

And finally, if anyone has any bright ideas what else to do with over ripe bananas other than banana bread, I am all ears!!!!

23 comments:

Scarlet said...

How about banana ice-cream? I'm sure over-ripe bananas could be used for that. I've used them in flapjack and muffins. And I've found a recipe for vegan cookies which would be great for Jane.There's a few other recipes too.They're all on here-

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/recipesbyingredient/tp/Uses_for_Overripe_Bananas.htm

Kaisievic said...

Great decluttering, Gill, I am so impressed that you are persevering with it. Your house of the week is gorgeous - I would love to live there, too.

hugs, Kaye xoxox

Angela said...

Smoothies are good - but sling in a splash of OJ, or a plum or something, to perk up the colour, so you don't get grey slush!
OR add a little cocoa powder dissolved in 1tbsp boiling water to make chocolate banana smoothies.
OR blend 50/50 with greek yogurt for an icecream type dessert.

banana blessings!

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

Funny you should mention the cleaning stuff, Gill. I was just thinking the other day I have tons, why did I buy so much, who uses all this stuff! LOL, must have scared the Genie away.

Cuby said...

Clearing out is such good therapy the cupboard is tidier and the soul feels cleansed. Relax now all is beautiful. Great and varied blog I invite you to take a look at mine.

Cuby said...

Just left a comment don''t know if I managed to send it1 Like the blog.

Bonnie said...

I like to make banana muffins. I am impressed with all your decluttering. I went through 2 boxes this week and was proud of myself.

Jane and Chris said...

House of the week.....
you can see the neighbours!!!
Jane x

Karine said...

For the bananas, I made these muffins once and they were amazing! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-chip-banana-muffins-2/

I'm with you for the house, it looks amazing!

Scrappy quilter said...

Great job on the decluttering.

No, not for the north. I'm making them for the local foodbank and for an organization that works with first nations families. It would just be too costly to send them north now. Hugs

megan blogs said...

Nice job, Gill, on cleaning out the cupboard!

megan

Unknown said...

My cleaning supplies are overabundant as well. My house definitely not the cleanest on the block, LOL.

Kim said...

I like making banana chocolate chip muffins with this recipe:

http://www.tammysrecipes.com/banana_chocolate_chip_muffins

Hey I think I have bananas in the freezer too - might make some today! :)

Fee said...

You are doing really well on your decluttering. Sorry I can't think of anything healthyish except banana cake/bread. Good luck

April's Homemaking said...

I have been enjoying all of your decluttering posts and I really enjoy reading your blog, and have awarded you The Versatile Blogger Award. You can stop on by my blog to check it out. :)

Stella Jones said...

I think you've done a great job with that cupboard. I've got a cupboard like that too. It goes right into the corner and it's hard to reach the things at the back. Like you, I usually find a few treasures when I go into it.
The Victorian Mansion is interesting. It is large and rambling but would be great at Christmas, wouldn't it!

Jane said...

Now me, I prefer small, cozy and cheap to heat! I could live in ONE of those rooms! Your cupboard looks great - can't believe how much stuff it contained!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Star; I have one of these deep corner cabinets as well, and everything at the back disappears into a black hole!

Unknown said...

Mashed bananas and oats in you pancake mixture is healthy and delish! Well done with the decluttering. Kitchen cupboards are the worst. Susan

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm impressed with your decluttering. Way to go, Gill!

Boyett-Brinkley said...

Love your new blog design and love that house!

Rose said...

Wow! I do love the home of the week...I couldn't pay for it my lifetime so I don't guess it is for me. But if I didn't see anything but that view from the porch, I would want it.

Rose said...

Also meant to say under my sink looked about like your cleaning corner...amazing what will fit there.

{{{SIGH}}}

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