Get organized with this week's to-do list

There never seems to be enough days of the week or hours in the day for me to get everything on my household chores list accomplished. “Busy” is the buzz word I hear from friends and family as to why very few of their home tasks are mastered weekly. Admittedly, between work, a teenager, college classes and home stuff, I struggle with getting it all done too.

We’re staying close to home with this week’s to-do list by offering you a few tried and true organizational hacks I love.

• Zip bags - Cookie cutter control became an issue for me after years of collecting various shapes and sizes of cookie cutters. I have over 200 of them in my collection. I know what you’re thinking, but I really do use them all! Well, at least I did before I got too “busy.” After sorting all the cutters by shape, theme, size, etc. I then put each kind in its own clear zip bag and storing the bags in inexpensive clear totes was my solution. I have quick, easy access and can see my supply without having to wade through a mess. I use clear zip bags for all kinds of things at home and in the car, thus my cupboard is always stocked with bags of all sizes and styles.

• Trash can - I keep a trash can in my garage next to the back door entrance into my home. I quickly sort my mail before going inside, tossing away unwanted junk mail or catalogs/mailers on the spot. This keeps my kitchen table from becoming piled up with unnecessary clutter. I also make a quick clean up of my car before going in each night by removing any trash, cups, lunch bags, etc. which may accumulate during my daily commute. I simply toss the waste in the trash can before going inside, gathering up what needs to be put away readying my car for the next day’s drive.

• Pallets - I saw this nifty idea recently and am anxious to try it. Anyone who has a yard or garden has a collection of long-handled tools lying around or propped up in a corner. An old or new wooden pallet securely attached upright to a garage wall, fence or shed is a great, easy to reach garden tool organizer. Pallets are fairly easy to come by and many times are free or inexpensive. Just make sure to use screws long enough to go through both your pallet and the wall you are attaching it to.

• Magic peanut butter cookies - I can’t do a hack column without my go-to quick and cheap cookie recipe. I’ve used this zillions of times when my son wanted cookies and my pantry was nearly bare. Pre-heat oven to 350° and combine 1 cup peanut butter of your choice, 1 lg. egg, 1 cup sugar (plus 1/4 cup for dipping), 1 tsp. vanilla extract (I sometimes use crunchy peanut butter or add a hand full of chocolate chips if I have them) into a bowl and mix until cookie dough consistency. Drop by tablespoons (I use a small scoop) onto prepared cookie sheet. Using a fork dipped in reserved sugar, make criss cross marks on each cookie, pressing them down lightly. Bake for approximately 12 min.

Whatever you choose, have some fun checking of your own to-do list this weekend.

Email suggestions for the to-do list to news@darnews.com.