Chocolate Chunk Raspberry Pancakes
This is the breakfast I will be surprising my sweetie with this Valentine’s Day. It looks sinfully delicious! Can’t wait to try it.

Find the recipe for these yummy pancakes at:
http://joythebaker.com/2012/01/smashed-raspberry-chocolate-chunk-pancakes/

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is that quiet little voice that says, I will try again tomorrow.”
Do you ever feel like you just can’t win? Next time you try new ventures and it doesn’t work out, remember this simple phrase. I hope it helps you as much as it did me.

Amanda Klein

I am dying to try this recipe out SOON! It is such a cute idea and I can use all of my empty mason jars that once contained pickles or jelly. It is so simple and requires very little ingredients. It’s a must try!

Find the step by step instructions here: Once Upon A Plate
(http://www.onceuponaplate1.com/2011/02/little-pies-baked-in-canning-jars-redux.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FBuHf+%28Once+Upon+a+Plate%29)

Open Your Hearts, Open Your Homes!
Become a foster home for a homeless animal. I am an animal lover, I would foster them all if I could, but then they might feature me on that animal hoarder show. Remember, they want to be loved too! Even if you can’t foster an animal, you can always give a donation or volunteer your time. Here are some shelters in your area:

In Franklin/Nashville Area

Happy Tails Humane
230 Franklin Road, Suite 1303
Franklin, TN 37064
PH: 615-791-0827
Fax: 615-599-8473

Love at First Sight! Puppy and Kitten Adoption Center
4423 Murphy Road
Nashville, TN 37209
Tel: 615 297-2464
Fax: 615-383-9096

Nashville Humane
213 Oceola Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 352-1010

In the Memphis Area

Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby Co.
935 Farm Road,
Memphis TN, 38134
901.937.3900

DeSoto Animal Rescue Society

The Tunica Humane Society
PO Box 236
Tunica, Ms 38676
662-363-1625 or 662-519-1700

Does it ever seem like we focus too much on ourselves. “If I only had this, I need that or I wish my house looked like her house.” Do we rely too much on the phrase “The grass is always greener on the other side.” Well if we took time to stop focusing on our needs and saw the world as it is, then we would see the lonely, the needy, the tired and the hopeless. Did you ever think that a random act of kindness on your part could completely change a person’s day. I can remember one day at Starbucks when a stranger paid for my coffee before I made it to the window. I didn’t know them but it really lightened my mood. So this month, being the month of love, let’s show our neighbors that we can take the time to care… You never know, it may change your outlook too.

Amanda Klein

Here are some tips that I love, check out the website for the full list.

http://www.helpothers.org/story.php?sid=14154

1. Write an encouraging note.
2. Give blood.
3. Adopt a soldier.
4. Get a haircut and donate it to Locks of Love.

Tips for organizing your closet!
Tips from Adam Glassman from Oprah.com

Rules 1- If you haven’t worn something in over 2 years, get rid of it. Stop hanging on to something if you aren’t using it. We have all made those impulse purchases and then the item just hangs in our closet.. If its not working for you, find a friend that might use it.

Rule 2- If it doesn’t fit anymore, get rid of it. By the time someone gets back into a size, it may be out of style. Donate it.

Rule 3- Don’t fantasy dress. Don’t buy items that fit into a lifestyle you wish to have, buy items for the lifestyle you have.

Rule 4- Everything in your closet should promote joy, beauty and usefulness. You should feel pretty in it and you should be comfortable in it.

Rule 5- If something brings up a bad memory or has a negative energy around it, purge it. Don’t keep an item that makes you sad when you wear it. It may not work for you anymore, but it may work for someone else.

Rule 6- Get rid of duplicates. If you tend to have lots of pieces that look the same, streamline.

Keep These:
Top Ten Closet Must Haves from Oprah.com

1. A Crisp White Shirt
2. Black Pencil Skirt
3. Lightweight Cashmere Cardigan
4. Dark Wash Jeans
5. Slim Black Pants
6. Little Black Dress
7. Comfortable, Stylish Flats
8. Cute Pajamas
9. Well-fitting, Figure Flattering Undergarments
10. Khaki Pants

A Lean, Mean Kitchen

In order to conquer the kitchen here are some steps to follow:

Step 1- Adjust your attitude. This is the time to harden your heart. Leave no survivors.

Step 2- Clear the visual clutter. Get rid of old bills, coupons, and never used cookbooks. Take time to remove all old papers and pictures from the fridge. If you want to keep them, retire them to a file folder.

Step 3- Get rid of any pots, pans, and dishes you don’t use. Keep the essentials. Why would you need 3 different vegetable peelers?? Place any items in boxes and donate them to a charity of your choice. Someone else could put them to good use.

Step 4- Tackle the cupboard. It never fails, I am walking through the grocery store and I find something that looks interesting to me. So I end up taking it home and in the cupboard it sits. Take time to go through and check use by dates. Throw out anything that is open and going bad. If you happen to come across items that are unopened, still in date and you have no interest in using it then donate it to a food pantry. There is no need to let it sit there and not be used.

Step 5- Moving on to the fridge. This can be just as scary as the cupboard. There may be things growing wild in there. If its old send it to the compost pile or down the disposal. Once again, check the dates on salad dressings, sandwich meats, etc. If its not good, get rid of it. If it is still good, either have leftovers or get freezer safe container and save it for later.

Tips by: Amanda Klein

I love this too! I’m a huge fan of the apothecary style organization. Whether it be a cabinet of drawers or a wall of cubes I like everything having its own separated little space! A huge A+ on this one for Pottery Barn!

Yes!!!!! This is the perfect pantry for a small space. I dream of the day when my pantry looks like this! Organized food leads to healthy organized eating too, it’s double the benefit!

Check out the post at:

http://yellowdoor.tumblr.com/post/9391501554/myidealhome-perfect-pantry-via