Have you checked out my NEW YouTube Channel yet?

Jean is trying to grow her Subscriber base there, so please stop over and join her as she shares incredible content only found there! Don’t miss out friends! SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Jean Roman is a mother of six, published author, Podcaster, YouTuber, organic gardener, organizational guru, and influencer. A self-professed master gardener with over twenty years experience, she loves to write and teach about her passion and knowledge in organic gardening, the local food movement, food preparation & preservation.

Jean spent fifteen years as a Mennonite where she co-authored her cookbook, Lovingly Seasoned Eats and Treats. Selling over twenty-thousand copies throughout the US & Canada, the book is cherished by many. Roman recently started her Podcast, sister to her blog. In addition to chatting about her beloved topics including gardening, cooking, & organization she shares topics including healthy lifestyles & entrepreneurship. Jean brings experts in these fields and shares a combined knowledge with her listeners.

The NEW sister, her YouTube channel is filled with great content including recipes, easy & fun how-to projects, gardening tutorials all only seen there! You can also listen to all of her Podcasts there!

Thanks in advance friends,
Until next time remember to eat fresh, shop local, and have a happy day!
Jean

What would you like to see?

I would love for you to share with me what you’d like me to post on? What gardening, cooking, organization, decorating, or business related questions do you have?

Post them in the comments below, & I’ll do my best to answer them!


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If you said yes, then head on over to my Pinterest page and follow me there!

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I love sharing beautiful things with all of you…

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Be sure to Like & Follow me so you don’t miss something special!

Until next time friends,
Remember to eat fresh, shop local, & have a happy day!
Jean!

Organization 101 Day 11: Room by Room Organization~ The Bedroom, Closet & Bath

“One of the core organizing principles of my life is that success comes through a delicate balance between making things happen and letting things happen.”— Robin Sharma

Here we are at day 11 of my Organization 101 Series! What a fun time it’s been filled with new ideas & old ones revamped.  I am going to touch on how to organize your bedroom & bathrooms today. 

If you missed last week’s post on Room by Room Organization: The Living or Family Room, you can read that HERE.

Many of the topics I discuss in this series I learned from an incredible lady named Marla Cilley, A.K.A. The Flylady. Her book, “Sink Relections” taught me how to incorporate all these lessons, and to develop many of my own!0

To listen to today’s Podcast, click this LINK.

Below are photo’s of my bedroom & closet.


If you enjoyed this episode , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!

If you aren’t following me on Facebook, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden! 

Happy Day,
Jean

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All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content without written permission.

Organization 101 Day 10: Room by Room Organization~ Let’s talk about your Family or Living Room!

“There is nothing more calming than an organized home.”— Unknown

In my previous post on Room by Room Organization~ The Kitchen and Pantry, I mentioned the kitchen is the heart of the home. I genuinely believe that, however the living room or family room is where snuggles and relaxation happen. 

After a long day at work or school, then home to prepare or help with dinner it feels mighty good to just flop down on a comfy couch or oversized chair and just take a deep breath… relaxation.

Some of you may have young kids, some of you may be single, some of you may be in the golden years of your life… either way, that flop just feels pretty dang good some days!

My Living Room

The living or family room, whichever you call it says a lot about the character and style of the homeowner(s). Is your decorating style shabby chic, modern, eclectic, industrial, farmhouse, or something else? The style will inevitably dictate the type of accents you use.

My family this holiday season! Where is Frankie!!!!

My style is a mix between Industrial & Farm House. I love the metal & wood features the Industrial style offers. I also adore enamelware and cozy fabrics. I also love botanicals & birds… so,  I think I pull it together fairly well. Wallpaper coming back into style didn’t hurt my feelings either lol! Don’t hate me, but my house has a couple and I actually loved them, so I kept them. 

1. Extra blankets are always a nice touch! I mean can you really have too many blankets LOL!!! I keep about six in a cute tote rolled up tucked away in a corner.

No matter what your style is and how you incorporate it into your home, it is a reflection of what is appealing to your eye and soul. They say the eyes are a mirror into a person’s soul, well I think the home can be this as well.

2. Bookshelves hold decorative elements and books too 😀 I like to showcase special items in mine. Balance is the key.

The family room is the cozy spot in the home where each member can curl up with a good book, or share & talk about stuff.

3. Fireplace mantel in my living room holds several Apothecary bottles that match my decor. I collect these wonderful treasures and have them scattered in just about every room in my home.

“Being organized is really important in a fast-paced life while we have no time to deal with clutter. Be it physical or emotional clutter, it tends to make us sad and depressed or frustrated.” Julie Hage LifeOrganizing

I like my living room to be tidy. Here are some Walk Through tips for the Living Room:

  1. At the end of the day make sure all the throw pillows on the couch are neat and where they should be.
  2. Put any blankets away folded neatly and put back in the basket.
  3. Make sure there are no dirty glasses or plates left from snacks.
  4. If you have kids, then be sure to have them help you with this. Remember the Walk Through? Bag & basket in hand!  The concept is very simple to apply and it is one that my children completely understand. The walk through is simply going through a room and picking up AND putting away everything that is out of its place. If you need a reminder or missed that post, click HERE to read!
  5. Tidy any items that may have been knocked out of place in the room. 

Many of the topics I discuss in this series I learned from an incredible lady named Marla Cilley, A.K.A. The Flylady. Her book, “Sink Relections” taught me how to incorporate all these lessons.

Keep posted for the next in the series as we look at Room by Room Organization Bedroom & Closets!

If you missed my last post on Room by Room Organization~ The Kitchen & Pantry, click HERE to read Part 1 and HERE to listen to Part 2 at my Podcast.
Jump on over to my Podcast & SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss an episode!

If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!

If you aren’t following me on Facebook, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!

Happy Day,

Jean

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All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content.

Organization 101: Day 9 Room by Room Organization- Kitchen & Pantry

“One of the core organizing principles of my life is that success comes through a delicate balance between making things happen and letting things happen.”— Robin Sharma

I decided to extend my Organization 101 Series a bit for all of you. Lets now focus on room by room and discuss some techniques I know you’ll be able to utilize in getting your life & home where you want it to be!

Many of the topics I discuss in this series I learned from an incredible lady named Marla Cilley, A.K.A. The Flylady. Her book, “Sink Relections” taught me how to incorporate all these lessons.

It was from the inspirations from her book how I developed my P.M.S. concept! So now lets get into today’s topic!

During the month of February, I’ll touch on the most common rooms in our homes and give you tips & tricks on how-to organize and clean with purpose. I thought we’d start with the kitchen & pantry… So lets go to my mudroom/ pantry.

In Photo 5 you can see I added some useful storage space by simply adding a couple over-the-door hooks. I was able to store my broom, Swiffer, and a large step stool.

Also adding a coat rack relatively higher up on the wall allows the lower area to house a can where recyclables, a mat for shoes, and dustpan can easily be stored.

Of course to make it feel homey I added some of my botanical prints and a cozy seat cushion.

My kitchen, like in most homes, is the gathering place when family & friends stop by. It’s just so natural to lean on the counter while your friend grabs a seat at the bar top and chat it up. A lot of problems get solved in the kitchen, as well as happy memories made.

It’s where little boys get to lick the icing off the mixer beaters… where soap-bubble beards are made and wet towel ‘thwacks’ happen… yes the kitchen is the heart of the home… after all it’s where we nourish those we love.

The Family that cooks together, stays together!

I have to have my morning coffee friends!

See below for pics of my kitchen!

Would you like to hear the rest of this post and find out how I keep my kitchen organized? Well, click this LINK to go on over to my Podcast to listen! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to me HERE & THERE so you don’t miss a beat!

Click this LINK for the downloadable PDF for my list of Tips & Tricks to get & keep your kitchen organized!

Keep posted for the next in the series as we look at Living Room & Hallway organization.

If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!

If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!

If you aren’t following me on Facebook, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!

Happy Day,

Jean

Copyright Policy

All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content. 

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PODCAST~ Organization 101 Day 6: Zone Cleaning~ Let’s do this!

“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

Today’s podcast will be the 6th of 10 in my Organization 101 Series. The topic will focus on Zonal Cleaning.

Many of the topics I discuss in this series I learned from an incredible lady named Marla Cilley, A.K.A. The Flylady. Her book, “Sink Relection’s” taught me how to incorporate all this lessons. It was from the inspirations from her book how I developed my P.M.S. concept! So now lets get into today’s topic!

Organization has always been a major part of my personality. I remember growing up always wanting my things orderly. I would purchase little containers to put my make-up and hair accessories in. Even my photo albums were thoughtfully organized by date and events. Later in life I started scrapbooking which allowed me to organize my photos even more! There is a genuine sense of peace and satisfaction when everything has its place and everything is in its place. 

Which leads me into the next post in my Organization 101 Series. In my last article I explained The Walk Through and how you’ll incorporate it into Zonal Cleaning. I thought this one would come across more effectively in a Podcast, so here we go.

Click this LINK to go over and listen! Be sure to follow me here & there so you don’t miss a beat.

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to me here & there so you don’t miss a beat!

If you enjoyed this episode , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!

If you aren’t following me on Facebook, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden! 

Happy Day,
Jean

Copyright Policy

All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content without written permission.

Podcast- Organization 101 Day 4: Weekly Schedules & How they benefit you!

“Organization begins with awareness of what doesn’t work for us.”

— Unknown

Organization 101 Day 4: Weekly Schedules & How they benefit you!

Many of the topics I discuss in this series I learned from an incredible lady named Marla Cilley, A.K.A. The Flylady. Her book, “Sink Relections” taught me how to incorporate all this lessons. It was from the inspirations from her book how I developed my P.M.S. concept! So now lets get into today’s topic!

Do you feel there is no time to start the organization process? Do you ask yourself, “Why bother? I’ll never get this mess under control?” Do you have a houseful of ‘people’ that just seem to trail behind you wreaking havoc with what you just tidied up?

Well if you said yes to any or all of those questions, this informative blog will help you realize it’s not too late. It’s not impossible. It’s easy to get them to change bad habits too! Despite the challenges you are facing, YOU CAN do little things each day to bring peace to order in your daily life but following these simple steps I’m about to give you!

On this weeks Podcast, I discuss exactly how YOU can create a vibrant, happy, tidy home simply by utilizing schedules!

Click on this LINK to go on over to my Podcast & listen to me explaining how to get your life to a state of inner calm, and outer tidiness.

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to me here & there so you don’t miss a beat!

If you enjoyed this episode , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!

If you aren’t following me on Facebook, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden! 

Happy Day,
Jean

Copyright Policy

All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content without written permission.

Organization 101 Day 3- Day Planners & Journals: Utilizing the tool of list making!

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” ~ Anatole France

Welcome to Day 3 of my new Organization series! Today we’re going to discuss the importance of using a journal and day planner as well as calendars. I am also excited to provide information on a NEW tool I’ve been using to help keep me organized! Read on for more!

Many of the topics I discuss in this series I learned from an incredible lady named Marla Cilley, A.K.A. The Flylady. Her book, “Sink Relections” taught me how to incorporate all this lessons. It was from the inspirations from her book how I developed my P.M.S. concept! So now lets get into today’s topic!

Let’s recap the previous post. Now that you’ve created your lists of tasks, it’s time to put them down onto paper or a spreadsheet. I started using an incredible program called Trello. It is a functional program that grows with you and your projects. You can use it for both work and personal life. I have 2 accounts- one for my For Dragonflies And Me and one for my other business, Food Trucks To You. I’ll be sharing more on this in my next blog post, and providing you with information on an incredible course I used to learn this great time saver.

You should now be at the point where you’ve created and P.M.S.’ed your lists and routines. Now you need a place to keep them so they stay organized and are easily accessible.

This is where a journal, day planner and calendars come into play. Using these tools will help you keep on track with visual ease. I could never keep up with my many ‘hats’ without them.

What’s the difference?

My journal is primarily used for household tasks and responsibilities where my day planner and calendars keep my work related projects scheduled.

Your Journal

First lets look at the journal. It can be as complex or simple as you the designer want it to be.  Be aware that it’ll evolve and grow along with your children and as home renovations occur.

Day Planners & Paper Calendars

I purchase a new day planner along with a desk calendar every year. I live by my day planner and calendars because they allow me to visually see what I have going on and aid me in planning ahead through the year.

Google Calendars

I also utilize my Google calendar which aids me in scheduling personal & work appointments including Podcast & YouTube recording times with guests. I love that I can access my calendar from my phone for easy reference.

Incorporating the use of all these elements keeps me on task.

Let’s take a look at how I utilize my journal. Be aware you don’t have to have it set up like mine, It can be as complex or simple as you the designer wants it to be. The important thing is it fits your lifestyle and needs. It will evolve and grow with your family & as home renovations occur.

I thought it would be helpful if I explained how my journal is set up, so here we go.

I use a leather-bound 1 1/2 inch 3-ring binder for my journal. It’s filled with top loading plastic sleeves and side tabbed divider sheets. It’s broken down into the following Sections.



Zones refer to each room of your home and is where you’ll put your room-by-room detailed cleaning routine lists. With this concept of zone cleaning, spring and fall cleaning can almost be eliminated.

Daily Routines holds my morning, daily, after school and evening routine lists as well as each day of the week’s schedule of routines that get done. This is where the example of my morning routine I shared with you last time would be placed.

Here’s an example of my Monday Routine:
*Purge magazines and newspapers

*Fill bird feeders

*Bathroom (this is where you’ll go to your Bathroom Routine)- tub, sink, toilet, floor

*Wash all area rugs and throw blankets in the laundry

*Kitchen floor, sweep, dishes

The Daily Home Blessing is my Mission Statement. I’ll share this in an upcoming post!

Zone’s:

My Sections are in this order:
Zones
Daily Routines
Daily Home Blessing
Menu Plans & Grocery Lists
Tools
Personal and Activity Frequency List

Pro Tip: Having a menu helps in grocery shopping and meal prep. I will go into detail on menu planning and grocery shopping in an upcoming post… so stay tuned.

Menus & Grocery lists. I like to spend about an hour once a month creating our monthly menu. I of course ask for input from Dave & the boys so everyone is happy! 

Generally I try to design the menus seasonally.

Spring & Summer menus focus on the fresh produce we’re growing and that’s available at our local farmers market.

The second is Fall & Winter which features what we’ve canned, frozen and what’s in the root cellar along with what we may have left in the garden & again what is available at the farmers market. 

…and now for your personal touch!

My Personal section holds things that inspire me. I have several poems on mothering, being a good wife & person in general, cartoons, drawings from the children and cards from friends and loved ones.

Frequency of Activities section simply holds a list of how often I want to do particular tasks.

*Each section has a Title Page. I have family photos, pictures the children have made, poems, cards and other special things to me.

As I said, your journal is exactly that- yours. Let it be a reflection of what you love, who you want to be, your faith and your passions!

Day Planners & how I use them!

As a writer, and now having both a Podcast & YouTube channel, I have multiple dead-lines for articles and projects which cannot be forgotten. I keep a list of the magazines, other blogs for inspiration in my day planner in the sidebar on the Month-at-a-glance page. I  write the topic for articles & when they need to be published along with the due date. Having these visible on this page makes it really easy to organize my writing time through the month.

All my appointments are kept in this part of the planner as well.

My newest tool is an online organizer called Trello!

“Trello is a collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards. In one glance, Trello tells you what’s being worked on, who’s working on what, and where something is in a process.

Imagine a white board, filled with lists of sticky notes, with each note as a task for you and your team. Now imagine that each of those sticky notes has photos, attachments from other data sources like Jira or Salesforce, documents, and a place to comment and collaborate with your teammates.

Now imagine that you can take that whiteboard anywhere you go on your smartphone, and can access it from any computer through the web. That’s Trello!” Source- https://support.atlassian.com/trello/docs/what-is-trello/

I use it both singly & collaboratively! Here is a screenshot of my home page. I will be devoting a blog on this! So keep posted!

More on Day Planners

I purchase a new day planner along with a desk & wall calendar every year. I live by my day planner and calendars because they allow me to visually see what I have going on and aid me in planning ahead through the year.

On the Daily Pages of my planner I keep more detailed information. Here are some examples

*On office/desk day I’ll jot down all my phone calls that need to be made.

*I put down what’s for supper if it requires something needing to come out of the freezer, like meat.

*I’ll add extra chores to be done that may not be on that day’s routine. For example, during the canning season my kitchen gets a bit more messy. The day we do apple sauce I may want the floor washed or the cupboards wiped down when we clean the following day.

*Errands, appointments, birthdays and anniversaries also go here.

This is my favorite spot because I love the feeling of accomplishing my tasks and seeing them be crossed off the list!

The Desk & Wall Calendars!

My desk & wall calendars are basically large visual aids at a glance. It is also where Dave & the kids can leave me notes of anything they have coming up including field trips, teacher notes, vacation dates, etc.  I then add those details to my planners.

Well… now you have some great ideas of how to create your own journal and an outline on what to include in your planners and calendars. Go ahead and start working on these until I get back with the next article in the series… How to utilize Trello and an incredible opportunity for a course I’ve taken! After that we will look at how-to do a ‘walk through’ and then the how-to on Zone Cleaning!

If you’d like to see more photo’s of organization, stop by & follow me on my Pinterest page!

If you aren’t following me on Facebook, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!

If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!’

Happy Day,
Jean

Copyright Policy

All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content without written permission.

 

Organization 101 Preview- Let’s do this thing!

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.”
– Anonymous

January is a time of reflection and renewal. Much like spring, (but with snow and cold), many of us reflect over the last year with a bit of regret, but also so much happiness with our growth!

Every spring & fall I jump into purge and organize mode. It’s out with the old and in with the new. Through the month of January I will be discussing some basic how-to get organized, but not just get there. I’m going to help guide you how to STAY there in preparation for the upcoming spring.

You can definitely get ahead of the game if you’d like, after all if you deal with the winter blahs like I do, organizing always puts me in a much grander frame of mind!

It’s time to regroup, pitch and toss the junk and tidy up what stays. Organization falls into one of my ‘love’ categories… everything has its place and everything in its place.