Throwback Thursday - Media Mania: Book Review Real Life Organizing by Cassandra Aarssen

 

Here is  a post Heather did in October 2017!

Blurb: Real Life Organizing offers clutter free storage solutions and advice that can help you create a Pinterest worthy home on a small budget: Learn how to organize your home, simplify life and have more time for the things you love. Organizational expert Cassandra ‘Cas’ Aarssen, the guru from YouTube’s ClutterBug channel, reveals her tips, tricks and secrets to a clean and clutter free home in just 15 minutes a day. Aarssen, spends her time organizing other people’s homes, teaching college workshops on organization, and creating weekly videos and blog posts. Cas offers diy Pinterest type tips to people like you who are interested in how to get rid of clutter and how to organize your home.

Organized person on the outside: The secret to her success? She’s a giant mess on the inside, but an organized person who can teach you how to get rid of clutter and organize your home once and for all.

Simplify your life: In her debut book, Real Life Organizing, Cas walks you through the steps you can take to create a beautiful, organized, clutter free, and almost self-cleaning home ─ a DIY Pinterest home. Simplify your life. You do not have to get rid of all of your things, you do not have to be a yoga loving minimalist, and you do not have to radically change your lifestyle or personality in order to simplify your life and have an organized home. The truth is that you do not need to actually be an organized person to live like an organized person.

Organize home: Through her years of experience as an industry expert, Cas has uncovered easy and inexpensive tips, tricks and solutions that allow her to maintain a clean, organized and functional home with minimal effort. After you’ve read Real Life Organizing, you too will be able to live a more organized life without having to give up your sanity.

In Real Life Organizing: Get a Clean and Clutter-Free Home in Just 15 Minutes, you will learn how to:
• Create a Household Management Binder
• Make a “Kids Cupboard” in your kitchen
• Create an IN/OUT system
• Organize paperwork based on your unique style
• Create a Kitchen Command Center
• Organize your holidays with a gift closet
• Build the best toy organizing system
• And, enjoy a diy Pinterest home

My thoughts

Watching organizing and cleaning videos is sort of my guilty pleasure. I can't even describe why, besides it gives me a motivational kick in my rear, especially when I need it.

I pre-ordered this little ditty of a book, a couple months back. I've read through it several times, as there was just too much to absorb at once. It helps that she has it split up into manageable sections.

Clutterbug is a organize vlogger on youtube that I stumbled upon last year. She has some great organizing videos that she uploads weekly. I am still very much a book person, so when she told us she was releasing a book, I jumped on the pre-order bandwagon. I like holding books in my hands, and this one is no exception. While I confess this is my first straight organizing book I think I have ever bought, Cassandra doesn't disappoint. Her personality shines in this book, as much as it does in her videos.

There are 4 types of clutterbugs, as she calls them. Depending on the type of person you are, how you organize and clean. Honestly, I'd just toss everything into a tote and put it in a closet. But that is NOT helping, that is borderline hoarding, and lazy. Some of us are lazy, Cassandra explains that we need to organize smarter, take the lazy part of all of us, and make it work for you.

I even whipped up my own badge, I'm cool like that.

She even has a way to declutter, in just 15 minutes (a day). That is the tagline for her book after all.

Did her book make me laugh? You bet it did.

Did it kick my butt to WANT things organized? Yes.

Did I start organizing? Yes.

Is it a miracle book that does it for you? No, but it gives you the tools you need to get it done!

Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

If you are like some of us, who need a little help, who needs some direction, but have no idea where to start, this one is for you. You can buy it on Amazon.

She has a facebook group you can join for tips, you can watch her videos (subscribe! I did!) and if you feel so, go buy her book. Or her printables, her printables are soooo nice!

STALKER LINKS!!! Site      Facebook      Youtube

Media Mania: As Far as She Knew by Diana Awad

 

This is  a new to me author - this book was in my Facebook feed and it looked interesting - I got the Audible version.

As Far as She Knew by  Diana Awad

For twenty-three years, Amira Abadi believed she had a strong, loving marriage. But when her husband, Ali, dies suddenly, that certainty shatters with the discovery of a house she never knew existed. As whispers of betrayal spread through their tight-knit Arab American community, Amira refuses to let others define her husband’s legacy—or her path forward.

Diving into an investigation of Ali’s final days, Amira uncovers decades-old secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew. With her children struggling to process their father’s death, Amira must balance protecting her family with pursuing the truth, even as each revelation brings her closer to danger.

As Amira peels back layers of lies, she discovers that the greatest mystery isn’t what her husband was hiding—it’s how far she’ll go to uncover the truth.

Last week this book was in my Facebook feed as new release thriller, I checked it out and decided on the Audible version.  

This is the authors first book in this genre,  I did enjoy it but I would NOT have put this in the thriller category as it was more suspenseful.  

The story was complicated and unfolded too slowly I thought due to a lot of filler. 

Overall I do give it 3 out of 5 Drinks! 

Throwback Thursday: Top Five Food Dishes

 

This was posted originally in 2017!

This week's Top Five...Food Dishes (non-deserts)

Heather's Top Five
1. Tacos
2. Pizza
3. Chicken Fried Steak
4. Steak and Potatoes
5. Macaroni Salad


Tammy's Top Five
1. Pizza
2. Chicken Parm with angel hair pasta
3. Tacos or Fajitas < depends on my mood :)
4. Chicken Stir Fry
5. Stuffed Shells with Meat-Sauce

For fun we decided to answer this question again now to see how the answers 

would change in 2026!

Heather Top Five

1. Tacos
2. Pizza
3.Bugers
4. Steak
5. Any kind of potatoes

Tammy's Top Five
1. Pizza
2. Chicken Parm with Angle Hair Pasta
3. Taco's or Fajitas depending on my mood
4. Chicken Stir Fry
5. Steak and Potatoes

Media Mania: Trevor Noah: Joy in the Trenches Standup

 

Trevor Noah: Joy in the Trenches

on NEFLIXS

From unexpected social media beef to a therapist's truth bomb, Trevor Noah turns chaos into comedy in this hilariously sharp, playful stand-up set.

I've always loved Trevor Noah and this special did not disappoint! 

LOVED IT!!

I GVE IT A 5 OUT OF 5 DRINKS

Throwback Thursday: Drink Mix Friday: Cosmopolitan

 

  Who doesn't love a Cosmopolitan?

Ingredients

1 ½ Parts Vodka

⅓ Part Lime Juice

½ Part Triple Sec

⅔ Part Cranberry Juice

1 Twist Orange

How to mix

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange.

Cheers!

 

Media Mania Monday: Kelly Bishop - The Third Gilmore Girl

The Third Gilmore on Audible

Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy.

Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.

Full of witty insights and featuring a special collection of personal and professional photographs, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down.

* * * *

INCLUDES A FOREWORD WRITTEN AND READ BY GILMORE GIRLS CREATOR, AMY SHERMAN-PALLADINO!

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A Goodreads Choice Awards Winner

“Come for the Gilmore Girls anecdotes, stay for the revealing truths about what it takes to build a lifelong career in and out of Hollywood” (The A.V. Club) in this candid memoir from beloved actress Kelly Bishop, spanning her six decades in show business in A Chorus Line, Dirty Dancing, Gilmore Girls, and much more.

I loved that Kelly Bishop narrated her own memoir. 

I love Gilmore Girl - I've watched like easy 50 times or more - I even have a cat named Rory. 

It's my go to show! I one I have playing in the background or when I'm sleeping.

So, I couldn't wait to devour this book, I chose the audible version. 

Kelly Bishop has led an amazing life, not always easy but she never gave up.

I loved learning about her early years in theater and  The Corus Line,

 the all the fun stories from the Dirty Dancing set. but of course I was all in for everything Gilmore Girls

 and she didn't disappoint. 

I give it 5 out of 5 drinks!

Throwback Thursday: Heather's Macaroni Salad and Hard Boiled Eggs

 

You get two today as they go together!

With spring here lets start thinking warm weather and outdoor food!

Heather's Macaroni Salad and Cooking 101 Hard Boiled Eggs

Heather's Macaroni Salad

This is the recipe that I always get asked to bring. It’s a simple recipe. This is an alteration from my Mother’s Potato Salad. She adds chopped onion and celery to hers, you can substitute the onion powder and celery salt for fresh chopped up onions/chopped up celery if you prefer.

Course: Summer Side Dish
Skill: Easy
Tip: I always cook more eggs than I tend to need, as I almost always lose one or two when peeling, and I will eat them while assembling the salad.


Ingredients
8 eggs
6 cups of salad noodles (that is 2 pounds)
2 spoonfuls of Sweet Relish
2 spoonfuls of Dill Relish
1 4 oz can of diced olives
1 Tablespoon of Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
2 Teaspoons of Celery Salt
1 Tablespoon Salt
4 cups of Mayonnaise (You can use half Mayonnaise & half Miracle Whip)
Mustard (to taste)

Directions:
Cook eggs 

Cook salad macaroni, according to package directions. Drain, add macaroni to a large bowl.

Cut your deviled eggs in half, add your egg yolks into a bowl, fork them to break them up into small bits, add a cup of Mayonnaise, and a tablespoon of mustard. Mix well.

Dice up eggs, place in a big bowl.

Add the relishes, a drained can of diced olives, your yolk base mixture, the rest of the mayonnaise, and mustard to the large bowl. Mix well. Add Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Celery Salt, and Salt to the large bowl. Mix it again, and place in the refrigerator.

*Note: To make it  Gluten-Free use Gluten-Free Noodles*

Hard Boiled Eggs.

Welcome to Cooking 101. Today's host is Heather. Hello!

We are learning how to boil eggs. It's a simple thing, the peeling though that is the tricky part. I'll admit I have a short fuse, I should of been a redhead. Nothing, and I mean nothing frustrates me more than peeling eggs. I have tried every hard boiled egg peeler on the market. They don't work. I have tried multiple techniques in peeling eggs. So what works for me, might not work for you.

Cooking the eggs.
Put the amount of eggs you desire in the bottom of a cold sauce pan and fill it up with cold water.
If your eggs float in the water. STOP. You need new eggs. Go get new ones, I'll wait.
Did they stay at the bottom of the pan? Good! That's where they should be.
Put the stove on medium high. I have an electric one, so my temperature dial reads 1 through 8. I place my dial at 6. When it starts boiling, set a timer for 20 minutes.

Drain the eggs into a strainer. I let them drain for around 3 minutes.

Peeling the egg.
Pick up an egg and gently crack your eggs on the side of your sink, cracking them all the way around. Place eggs under warm water. Using your fingers and thumb gently peel the shells off. The water will help you peel the egg.  You do not want the eggs to cool down. Place them in a strainer.


That's it. You can eat them or use them in a recipe.

Do NOT put your egg peels in the garbage disposal! Put them in the trash.

*They will clog up your pipes, trust me that's not something you want to fix. It is disqusting.*

See you Monday for Media Mania!                          

 

Media Monday: The Pitt Season One

 

THE PITT on HBO MAX

 The daily lives of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburg hospital as they juggle personal crise, workplace politics, and the emotional toll off treating critically ill patients. All while having to navigate staff shortages, underfunding, and their own personal crises. Each episode, set in real time, covers approximately one hour of the work shift.

Thursday's at 9 PM on HBO MAX

 

Before I get into my thoughts on this series I want to talk about the cast...

My top 5 favorites!

Dr. Robbie

Nurse Dana Evans

Dr. King

Dr. McKay 

and of course Whittaker!

I went into this just thinking it may be a good ER drams as I've watched ER and I still watch Grey's Anatomy, but what I found was something maybe brilliant and completely amazing!

An ER drams done in real time! You miss nothing. 

I did found it to be graphic (because I'm not a fan of blood and gore) but the story line, the emotions, the interactions between staff and patients were so raw and real. 

I'm watching season two now and I'm completely in! 

I give The Pitt 5 Drinks, I would give it 10 if my scale went that high!

  See you for Thursday for Throwback Thursday!

(Fanfiction Friday is on hiatus for a few weeks)

Throwback Thursday: Drink Mix Friday: Strawberry & Lime Moscato Punch

 

Here's a great drink to try! Justin time for a long Easter weekend!

Drink Mix Friday

Strawberry & Lime Moscato Punch

I hope you'll enjoy this wine punch as mush as my friends and I have!

Strawberry & Lime Moscato Punch

What you'll need...

1.5 liter of Moscato wine

1 can frozen limeade concentrate, defrosted

2 cup of strawberries, 1 cup diced and 1 cup sliced

1 lime sliced

2 liter of Sprite or 7 Up

Preparation....

place 1 cup of diced strawberries and 1/ of the limeade in a blender and puree

Run through a strainer to remove seeds

pour into pitcher

add remaining limeade and moscato into pitcher

top with strawberry and lime slices

chill in the fridge

when ready to serve fill wine glass half way and top with soda

place a sliced strawberry on the rim

enjoy!

See you Monday!

No Fanfiction Friday tomorrow!