Holiday Grand Plan Week 6 - Kids Rooms Week

I did it!  I actually did my assignments for Week 5!  Cleaning out the master bath was a strangely satisfying experience.

Cabinet, before and after

Drawer, before.

Drawer, after

I found an odd collection of stuff, including:

What's the weirdest thing you've found so far?

Anyway, it's time for Week 6! This is the grueling week to clean out the kids' rooms.  Luckily my kids are old enough to help, although their version of "clean" is not the same as mine.  Sometimes you just have to choose your battles!

In addition:

• Make a "goody basket" for the guest room/bath of sample sized items.  I found enough dental floss and hotel body wash in this week's purge to almost fill mine!  
• Don't forget your freezer meal and goodies to share.
• Continue shopping.  Focus on any gifts that must be shipped.  When purchased, wrap and label them, and start looking for a shipping box that will work.  If you find one, store the gifts in it until it's time to mail.
• If you are making homemade gifts, commit to working on them at least one hour a day until they're done.
• Check the smoke detectors.  Clean them, check batteries, and replace them if necessary.  Need motivation?  Watch this: 

Freezer Friendly Meal of the Week -  Chili

I know this must seem like we eat a lot of beef.  In reality, I find it freezes more consistently.  Anyway, just so you know, this recipe works great with ground turkey!

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 onions, chopped fine
• 1 red bell pepper, cubed
• 6 cloves of garlic, minced

Stir together in a small bowl:

• 1/4 C chili powder
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

• 2 lbs lean ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 15oz cans kidney beans (I use dark red), rinsed and drained
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 28 oz can tomato puree

Heat oil in bottom of a large pot.  Add onions, pepper, garlic and seasonings.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are soft (about 10 min).  Increase heat and add meat.  Stir and cook until brown.  Add remaining ingredients and salt to taste.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.  Remove cover and simmer another hour. 

Delicious with grated cheese, chopped onion, sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), and/or diced avocado. 

To freeze, let cool completely first, then freeze in batches.  Thaw and reheat over low heat on stovetop or in crock pot. 

Holiday Treat of the Week - Bourbon Brownies

Need I say more?  These freeze beautifully and are YUMMY!

• 1 Family Size Duncan Hines Brownie Mix  (I know, I know...I never use a mix.  But you could probably substitute your favorite brownie recipe here.  I have just never tried it that way and don't want to steer you wrong.)
• 1 C chopped nuts

Bake as directed.

• 4-5 Tbsp bourbon.  

 Pour over brownies as soon as they come out of the oven.  Chill.

• 1 stick butter
• 2 Tbsp rum or rum extract
• 2 C 10X Confectioners Sugar

Mix and spread over brownies.  Chill

•  1 6oz package chocolate chips
• 4 Tbsp butter

Heat to melt and blend together.  Spread on chilled brownies and return to refrigerator.  Store in fridge or cut and then freeze.  (Warm knife before cutting for best results.)

Enjoy!