Small Successes: Homemaking Tweaks

I haven't written a "small successes" post since April, and in that time it's moved from Faith and Family Live to Chocolate for Your Brain. 
Here are a few of my recent (not all this week, though) accomplishments:

1. We have an effective chore system, and one of the weekly tasks is the emptying of trash cans.  Historically this worked fine for 9 out of 10 containers, but the receptacle in the kids' bathroom was always overflowing before Saturday.  Overflowing.  Every week.  With trash on the floor.  Ugh!  It took many years, but I finally came up with the no-duh solution--I bought a bigger trash can.

Not bad for a $5 impulse buy

2. My in-laws generously bought me a new bread machine 2 Christmases ago, which I've mostly used for making dough.  This summer I've been working to develop a 100% whole wheat recipe that will mix and bake in the machine.  It will save time and is so much more energy efficient than using the oven, especially in hot weather.  I've had some successes and failures, and so far don't have a keeper recipe.  Yesterday's attempt came out fairly well, though (a little dry, and I'd prefer a perfectly smooth top).

3. I have a pantry with plenty of wire shelves, plus an extra high set that Len built for me long ago, but sometimes it's still tricky to manage all the food and equipment I want to store in there.  Lately the bags have been driving me crazy!  We have more than usual--Boy Scout popcorn, chips, pretzels, rice cakes, tortilla chips, etc.  Not everything is open or eaten every day, but those floppy bags take up space and get jumbled and fall down from on high.

I decided to buy a container to corral all those goodies--something clear or with open sides so we'd be able to view its contents.  It also needed to be light enough to easily pull down from the shelf.  I located a few possibilities in the store, but as I kept wandering I found . . . ta da . . . a laundry basket!  It's light, open on the sides, and cost an unbelievable $2.75.

Yes, I know I'm easily amused.  Thank you for pointing that out.  ;-)

Sherry has links to other moms' successes.  Go be inspired!