Several years ago, I started compiling our family's favorite recipes into binders. I bought some 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 binders and some page protectors and typed our 'go to recipes' into the computer. Then I printed them on card stock and popped them into a binder. These binders have gotten a work out. I pull them out weekly when I'm meal planning or looking for last minute supper ideas. Because the recipes are in the computer, I've printed out copies for friends and even made a couple of 'cookbooks' to share with friends who were moving.
But of course, over the years since everything was first put into binders, I've acquired several new 'keeper' recipes. They've been piling up in my cupboard and I've gotten tired of rifling through the pile to find the one I wanted....so, over the last week, I took some time and typed in the new recipes. My friend (hey Laurie!) asked me how I knew which recipes to add and which recipes didn't quite make the cut. My answer was the test of time. If I find myself making a recipe over and over again (and it's getting eaten over and over again) then that recipe belongs in my binder!
I started with two binders and now I'm up to three. I spruced up the covers with some fresh scrapbooking paper...(thanks for the inpiration on that Kristyn) I'm thinking one day when my kids are ready to start their own households, that these will make wonderful housewarming gifts! (and at the rate I'm going...there will be plenty to share!) These binders are not only stuffed full of special recipes but memories as well!
20 comments:
When I want inspiration, I come to "Stitching Under Oaks"! Your binders look great and are soooo organzied. I have one HUGE binder filled with recipes I've printed off the web, but it's almost overwhelming. I like the idea of having different binders for different types of recipes. Much more user friendly. Thanks again for this subtle push! :)
Donna
LOVE that you shared this idea with everyone! this one idea has helped me organize many, many recipes. thanks for that!
I'm thinking I need to update my scrapbook papers...yours look wonderful!
Okay girlfriend, you've exceeded all my lofty notions of being neat and organized. I give up -- you win the prize! This is absolutely amazing.
Once upon a time, I compiled all our recipes into a little ringed cookbook and gave away copies to my brothers, mother, etc. But, this is above and beyond. Nice job. No, amazingly nice job!
Wow! Great recipe binders! How wonderfully organized they are. I am sure your kids will love that you have taken all the time and effort into keeping your recipes organized for future use. Great idea! :)
I LOVE them! They look so cute and stylish as well as being so practical. I have a binder of recipes from my mom, and since I've gotten married I've been stuffing the pockets with loose recipes. I'm feeling inspired to update!
Great job. I've got a good beginning but I'll take some cues from you - more binders, with nice covers. I also copy recipies from my cookbooks and magazines because I know I'll never find the right cookbook again.
I also have 2 binders filled with reciepes, but they aren't as organized inside as your's are. My binders have protective sleeves as the pages, then I just add clippings from magazines of reciepes or hand wriiten ones. I do plan to sit down at a computer one day and make it a lot nicer and more organized. These will make great gifts for your kids one day, I'm always asking my mom for her recipes, one at a time.
I love the idea of keeping track of all favorite recipes for your children when they grow up. I would have loved to get one of these. It would be great to add some pictures of you cooking or of the actual meals. They will cherish them forever
I have a file drawer full of family favorite recipes that I plan on making into cookbooks for my children and grandchildren. My plan is to add photos and anecdotes where I can. when I discussed about typing them,my daughter suggested I not type them, but scan the grungy, spotted well-used and well-loved recipe cards. these favorite cards have many good memories. You have just inspired me to get started.
I also made up recipe binders to store all my recipes. Mine are broken out by season, one for fall winter and one for spring summer.
I love your placemats from the last post. Beautiful!
Wow! I love your organization, and the fact that you're thinking ahead on sharing your "family" recipes with your little ones when they leave the nest!
I have a binder that has gotten overstuffed--I tend to clip magazine recipes or print from the computer and let the recipes languish in the binder. Recently, I've decided to take the ones I really use--not just those I made once--and write them down on all the recipe cards I keep picking up from the dollar bin at Michaels. Then I'm going to (eventually) find a cute box to keep them all in. My goal is to replace the binder with the recipe box full of meals that we love.
What a beautiful, handy, organized and wonderful idea... I love this! I need to weed though mine as I'm forever clipping out and jotting down recipes. This inspires me to make my own two recipe files/notebooks a bit more tidy and pretty too. Thanks, Lisa! :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))
I want an iPhone app that will allow me to do this. You know, copy down all the recipes I like and use and load them on my phone to access at the store. Because last night sitting in the grocery store parking lot at 8:30 pm and wondering what I was going to make the next day was no fun!
Wow, I'm a little late to the party here but i just read everyone else's comments and I want a binder just like yours to pass down to my kiddos too. You see i really only follow recipes for baking and not so much for cooking. i just begin with chicken or beef and then we think of a country and add the veggies we have on hand. (ie: Chinese stir fry with rice, indian curry with noodles, mexican burritos with beans, roasted chicken with veggies or soups/stews with everything) ezra loves rachel ray and sometimes we'll improvise on a recipe he's seeon on tv. now that i've written all this i feel like i must write something down so that i'll have something to give my kids. And i want to keep them in pretty binders just like yours so that my guys can access them and begin to prepare dinner without all my mico-managing (definitely an issue i'm still working on). Your binders are so beautiful and functional - all things allowed into my house after spring cleaning must meet these criteria.
i really should try and do this,my recipes are on index cards and in need of help, thanks for sharing. i love that all your family favourites are right there at your finger tips and when your kids are older and move out you can just print off a booklet for them!
great placemats too!
You and your organized recipes -- LOVE IT! We have ours in binders ... but they're a total wreck. Thanks for sharing the inspiration :-)
Wow, these are wonderful looking. I have used binders in the past, but they are just large and white. What great inspiration to make things a little bit more beautiful
This is a beautiful way to organize. I really need to get my bunch of recipes off the fridge and put into a nice binder! I've lost too many good recipes due to my lack of organization. Thanks for the inspiration.
lisa
Love these! I have been wanting to do something along these lines to simplify meal planning and making in our own home. Your great designs on the cover just pushed that project onto the top of my list! So lovely...and wonderfully functional too!
I love these binders! They are beautiful and personalized and so very practical. I linked back to them in a post I just did. Thanks!
http://neatenyournest.com/?p=1258
~Erin
Neaten Your Nest
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