Put That On Your Pizza...

And cook it!

What do you do with a giant basil plant that is going to seed? Don't save it Justin Case you need it another day.  Its time for an eviction. Cut that baby down and make some pesto.

Pesto is a matter of taste and proportion so since I did enough math today, I just gave it a shot and used the old eyeball and taste method. (if it looks like a good amount, put it in and taste it)

So I used all that basil*, about 10 cloves of garlic, 1/3 a jar of Parmesan cheese, all the pine nuts I had (about 1 cup), some salt and pepper and enough olive oil to get the perfect consistency.

*Helpful hint: rough chop the basil before putting it in the Ninja or your food processor of choice.

Basil is cheap, my friends. Plant another one.
In the words of Emeril Lagasse... BAM! Pesto Perfection!

Good bye- Justin Case!

The Black Hole

Do you have a place that you rarely look into? A dumping ground for things that don't fit somewhere else? ME TOO!!!

Its this cabinet. So in my best Evicting Justin Case mode, I decided it was time to investigate the black hole.

Books, Candles, School pictures, VHS Tapes

It was a mish mash of stuff. Tons of old school pictures - seriously after Kindergarten they should make school pictures packages with about 5 photos in them. I'll say it for all those thinking it right now. Only grandma and grandpa really want your kids school pictures. No one else! Both of my kids have that school photo album where you put each year's picture and some personal info sooooo ALL of those pictures had to go. Yep, I threw them away!

The whole cabinet got emptied.

Only the stuff I really wanted got put back in.

The rest went on Craig's list to find a good home with someone who cared.

VHS Tapes??? Unopened! We don't even have a VCR! 

Nice candles going to waste because the scent is overpowering

Unused glassware and china! If I forgot I had it, I obviously don't need it... Justin Case.

I'm a little lighter in space and a little heavier in the pocketbook. $$$$$
See ya Justin Case

Too Many Or Can't Get Enough?

...Mason Jars. 
Disclaimer, this post was inspired by a post on one of my FAVORITE sites - BuzzFeed. (www.buzzfeed.com) This is the original post.http://bzfd.it/1aC7VNL

I love a good mason jar project. I use them all the time for their original purpose - canning or for my homemade mango/pepper jelly. Get some here. http://etsy.me/1DczsRM

I use them for my toothbrushes. 

My Actual Toothbrushes

And mason jars are great to make a quick salad dressing.  Add your ingredients and shake away.

I typically have many on hand. I could use them for drinkware if I run out of Red Solo Cups at a party. Yeah, right..cause we always buy a new pack - Just in Case. 

The chandelier is creative for your country home in Red Neck Town.

Or hang them in your trees at your fabulous Back Yard Bash

Possible Fire Hazard

There are tons of cool projects - just Google or Pinterest it if you want to make some.  

But I'm not sure I can get behind the Mason Jar for Everything craze.

Like Bakeware?

Looks Too Perfect To Be True

Do they really need sweaters?

Keeping That Soap Warm

Or as wedding Invitations?

Bring Your Invitation - Its Also Your Wine Glass

Don't we all dream that the Mason Jar craze can help us be so organized?

Our cabinets?

Like this?

Our Salads?

Or This?

Our craft supplies?

Possibly This?

Our spices? How does this even work without a giant mess?

Seriously?

And would you trust your kids to get some pretzels?

Nope, Not me...

 You can even have your very own...

Mason Jar Manatee

Put it in a Mason Jar and BAM! You are instantly organized!