Recipies for a Happy Cook

Family compound located on the banks of the Arroyo on the former site of the Manuel Garfias Adobe, and is designated as Official City Cultural Landmark #20. Consisting of two legal parcels totaling nearly ¾’s of an acre, two family residences, a carriage house, pool, and grounds by noted landscape architect Charles Gibbs Adams. Main house features 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, open floor plan w/ spacious living room w/ fireplace, dining room, and a gourmet, custom-built kitchen by Mission Millworks. The public rooms have walls of glass which open to the rear patio, pool and gardens. Second residence includes 2 bedrooms, full bath, living room w/ fireplace, dining room, kitchen and laundry. Property includes a carriage house with ¾ bath, storage garage, and workshop. Magnificent grounds w/ 36’ brick-pillared arbor leading from the pool to a private patio area with massive outdoor fireplace and custom built outdoor kitchen. Mature trees and lush plantings create a tranquil oasis.

Girl's Room

I wasn't sure how I was going to finish this room. I got four boxes and three bags for donation. Two bags of throw aways. Once all the clutter was out it was fun arranging their things. If we stay on top of it every day it'll be easy to keep it this way. Everyone seems to enjoy having it nice and tidy. Glad I finally did this. Feels good.

Boy's Room

This is my son's room .... was just .....well.....awful. It didn't really bother him. It was an issue. I had to take the bull by the horns. I went in there with boxes and bags. Took out three bags if trash. One box for donation. Finally I could see the floor. It's actually quite a nice room. The blues and the wood create a nice warm relaxing mood. He's been good about putting his dirty clothes in the laundry basket I added. Realized today he needs a trash can so he doesn't make a pile of trash on his desk and floor.

Kitchen

It's not difficult at all to make this kitchen shine. Keeping on top of five people preparing food for themselves is another matter. I did clear off the windowsill. The stove and hood got a thorough cleaning the other week. A product called Sheila Shine was recommend to make the stainless look good. Fantastic product!

More decluttering

Took most of the books and collection if I-don't-know-what out of this bookcase. Took the desk that was here away. Made it into a nice sitting area. It's adjacent to the dining table. The sideboard behind the dining table never get too out of control with clutter. It's amazing how much more relaxed it feels with all that stuff gone. I donated the majority of the books to a local church for their book sale in the spring.

Decluttering and organizing

I've been busy decluttering and organizing. This first photo is of the cubbies in the laundry room. When they were first out in I had intended them to be a place for the kids to put their things when coming home from school. Of course this never happened. It became an unsightly dumping ground. I love how it looks now with some of my Longaberger baskets.
More to come.