The kids finished up school last week and that means for most of us here in the South our kids are now home full time the next couple of months...I worked with a client last week to help prepare for the kid "invasion" and set up some systems to help with their items and projects over the summer.  It's easy to tailor these ideas no matter where you are and what you have to work with...Big key is labeling for ownership and accountability :) 

Sometimes the only thing that stands in your way of parting with something is that you are not exactly sure where to donate it to if it's not a "Goodwill Type Item"....Here's a list of local (N. Atlanta) places that would LOVE to have your items - check each site to see what their needs are/what they accept and pick-up/drop-off procedures. Please message me through the website (contact tab) if you have any others I should add to this list - I am always looking for great sources for clients to be able to donate their items!


Provides housing/assistance to families in need


www.thedrakehouse.org


Provides housing/assistance to families in need


www.homestretch.org


Habitat for Humanity Store


www.gwinnettrestore.org


Collects women's business/dress clothes for women re-entering workforce


www.dressforsuccess.org/atlanta

The boys only have 8 more days left of school - I'm not sure where the year has gone but gone fast it has!  Since October I've been doing the Crock Pot Mondays feature because 1)  I love mine and trying new recipes and 2) I am convinced it's one of the best multi-tasking tools for anyone's home out there - let it cook dinner while you get to do other things:)

With that being said as we come up on high grilling season - I have to say I'm going to take a break from the Crock Pot Mondays and start back up in the fall...Mind you - I still use the crock pot all summer long.  In the heat of the South the last thing I want to do is turn on an oven but ideally we do grill a good bit and I'll be trying to do that as much as possible.

I've been working on some great projects with great clients recently and blessed to say Life is Good!!  I'll still be blogging this summer about organizing and other household ideas:)  Check out the Before and After pics tab for some new projects.  If you are in the Alpharetta GA area and need help - I'd love to help you start gaining!  Go to the contact tab to get in touch via the website.

My family - even the kids love Indian food so I'm always on the lookout for a new dish...this one is actually the combination of two different recipes I found on the net and picked the pieces from each we liked and tweaked the rest to suit us.  It came out fantastic!!!!!! Hope you enjoy it!  Use a large, lined crock:


1 1/2 cups lentils (I use the tri-colored mix)
2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2  red onions, chopped
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped or generous squeeze from tube
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger or squeeze from tube
1 tsp. Cumin powder
1 tsp. Chili powder
1 tsp. Curry powder
½ tsp. Cayenne powder
1 tsp. Coriander Chutney (optional – found in Indian grocery or section of
store)
1/2 cup red wine
1 14-ounce can low sodium diced tomatoes
¼. C. Tamarind/Date Sauce (optional – found in Indian grocery or section of store)
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

Wash lentils in cold water in a medium bowl until the water runs clear; drain and spread in an even layer in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Place chicken on top of the lentils.

Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, add onions and cook, stirring often, until soft and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add spices and chutney and cook, stirring, until very fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in wine, scraping the onion mixture from the bottom of the pan, then stir in Tamarind sauce and tomatoes with their juice.

Add the onion mixture to the slow cooker on top of the chicken, then pour in broth. Cover and cook until the chicken is falling-apart tender, 4-5 hours on High or 6-7 hours on Low. Stir the stew to combine.