Thursday, July 15, 2010

Recipe Organization

Do you remember several months back that I asked for help with recipe organization?  Many of you stepped up to the plate and left some great ideas.  Tnfarmgirl called me after that post.  She commanded me to set a date that we could meet.  She came to the house armed with binders, plastic covers, and tabs.  She spent the whole day with me organizing my recipes.  I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed her handy work.  I am now an organized recipe collector and owner!!  Her system is simple and best of all it works.  She brought 2 heavy duty large 3 ring binders.  They have pockets in the front and back.  She brought tabs that also had pockets in the front and back.  She labeled the tabs and we started placing my recipes in the plastic sleeves and filling up the binder.  The pockets that are on the tab sheets are there to store recipes that I would like to try.  For instance, if I find a good looking chicken recipe I can just tuck it in the pocket labeled chicken.  It will be waiting for me when I am ready to try it. If I like it, then it will go into a plastic sleeve and be added to the binder.  If we don't enjoy the dish, the recipe will go into the trash. 

Here is the part that has always given me fits in the past.  Her suggestion was to take apart all of my other homemade cookbooks and put them in the new binders.  We did just that.  We also started copying my favorite recipes out of my other cookbooks.  The addition of a printer with a copy machine has been greatly appreciated for this job! I added those recipes  to my new binders as well.  Now if I am making a meal all I have to grab are these two binders and not 6 different cookbooks!  I leave all of my other cookbooks on a bookshelf upstairs. 

I am still in the process of making copies of my favorite cookbook recipes.  Cheri suggested that as I use the recipe from a cookbook to take a few moments and make a copy.  Each time I cook I should get another recipe added to my binder.  I can't tell you how much frustration that I have eliminated out of my life due to this one organization project.  Thank you, Cheri!!!!!  Your the best!

grace and peace,
julie

9 comments:

Carmen S. said...

That looks so neat and organized, love it!!! Hope you are enjoying the new house:)

Boysaplenty!! said...

Thanks for posting this. I am taking notes and getting motivated!
I have a couple of questions: Do you make copies of the little recipe "cards" that come in the magazines, for example the Taste of Home magazine? And, the second binder is the same set up as the first right? Just to use as the first one fills up? This idea looks like simplifies things so much! Cheri is a good friend!!

flcountrygirl said...

This is funny! I just started working on my recipes yesterday, good timing sister. I have all my recipes laying on the counter in categories and the book idea fits in just perfect. The only thing I thing I might do is put my most used favorites in this really cool recipe book that I received as a gift (it has categories and it opens up just like it is in a book holder, which is nice when you are trying to read and cook). Thanks for shearing.
I am looking forward to Sept. sister.
Love ya

Marci said...

Alright Cheri, when are you coming to MY house!!! :)

I am thrilled for you Julie!!

~ Jackie said...

I'm so jealous! I have mine very organized *except* for that they are in four different places (box, word files, recipe sites) ...and sometimes I can't remember which place which recipe is located....

Anonymous said...

Would you mind sharing names of the tabs you put in each binder?

Also, do you make freezer recepies? We are a family of four and my wife Karen and I are considering doing this. If so, do you use all pyrex or is are there cheaper pans to purchase?

Thanks so much!

Under HIS Grace,
Scott W. Bennion

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Anonymous said...

Wow, how awesome! That looks great! One day I would love to do something like that with mine. RIght now though.. my husband is still unemployed and at home so I am a little too overwhelmed to take on a task like that alone. I can't wait until I have some time though. :)