Small closet ideas: Organization solutions that work in the master bedroom

It's been two years since we moved into our 52 year old house and finally I have been able to get my painfully small closet organized and efficient.   This house has pretty much all we could ask for -- a finished basement, totally renovated, an outdoor firepit and outdoor fireplace, a large front and backyard, hardwood throughout,  large bedrooms, walk-in closets (in 3 of the 4 bedrooms) and 3,000 square feet.  About 3 of those feet are claimed by the God-awful small closets in the master bedroom.

I have come to the conclusion the reach-and-grab closets in the master must be the world's smallest closets for a master bedroom. Sure, they have about 10 foot ceilings -- that's great for someone who's not even barely 5', but they don't have much of anything else.  Seriously, don't you think this should be illegal??

Organizing tips: Home office paperwork organized in 5 easy steps

When the bottom literally fell out of one of the file cabinet drawers in my home office, due to the weight of all the papers, files, folders, and junk, I knew it was time to seriously get the office paperwork organized.  While it seemed like an overwhelming task at first, it actually turned out to be pretty easy -- plus, I got to put my label maker to work. Score!

If you're like me and are constantly rummaging through piles of old bills, paperwork, and essential junk to find a receipt or a physical form -- there is hope.

Just follow these 5 organizing tips and the home office clutter will turn into a color-coded, orderly, pared down, bottom-intact drawer of neatly organized paperwork where you can actually find everything you need -- quickly!

Boston Marathon Attacks: Lessons from Mr Rogers and Whitney Houston

Today, I find myself the same way I found myself after the Sandy Hook school shootings, the same way I found myself in the days after Hurricane Sandy, and the same way I found myself after September 11, 2001.  All those days I was left teary eyed and questioning -- a huge lump in my throat.  I'm questioning how this world, this great country called the USA, can endure such tragedy -- in three of the cases -- at the hands of fellow man.  We will survive.  We will come out stronger, and we will find bring justice -- that much I know.  But what I don't know is WHY does this keeping happening and WHAT is WRONG with our world

On Monday, when I got the AP News Alert on my phone that there had been two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon I got instant chills.  My heart was racing and my head spinning.  I had two friends running the race -- one of them raised thousands of dollars for a sponsor child associated with Boston's Children's Hospital.  These were thousands of racers running for a cause - cut short by an individual or a group trying to..what? bring attention to their cause which can be explained as nothing more than hate? It's sick.  It's just sick.

Yummy roasted brussel sprouts that even picky kids will eat

Brussel sprouts aren't exactly the most kid-friendly food.  I can remember my parents tempting bribing me to eat them with the lure of a quarter.  That was big time. 

A few weeks ago, I decided to give brussel sprouts a try again.   I didn't really have a trick up my sleeve for getting my picky 4 year old to try them.  In fact, I was pretty much not even planning on even going there, until she inquired.  I told her they were like little lettuces that I cooked for a few minutes in the oven.  She loves salad and it turns out, she loved roasted brussel sprouts too. 

They're seriously the simplest thing to make.  Just buy a bag of fresh brussel sprouts at the grocery store and in 5 minutes they'll be in the oven cooking.  Here's how I prepare them:

• Preheat the oven to 375.  
• Cut the ends off the brussel sprouts and then cut them in half.
• Put the brussel sprouts in a single layer on a cookie sheet. 
• Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over them.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic salt. 
• Use a spatula to gently coat all of the brussel sprouts and all of the outer leaves that fall off (leave these on the pan, they crisp up like little brussel sprout chips)
• Bake for 20-25 minutes

I like to serve them with a perfectly cooked steak which can also be done in the oven (gasp!)

How to cook steak in the oven...I swear it works perfectly everytime

Perfectly cooked steak in the oven

I love a good steak.  I don't love a perfectly good cut of meat that is overdone, dry, and gray.   It needs to be pink and tender and preferably straight off the grill.   It used to be that we only had steak when the weather cooperated and we could use the grill.   But recently we've been cooking steak in the oven and they've come out perfectly -- if you know the secret.  Lucky, for you I'll let you in on the secret....okay, more like 8 of them.

Here's how to cook steak in the oven so it comes out perfect. We like medium rare...if you prefer your steak a little more well done, Step 6/7 is where you'll adjust the cooking time.