--Thread a rubber band through the hole in a binder clip or a
paper clip. Hang it from an upper cabinet knob and use it to
hold the recipe card or loose page you are using to keep it in
sight and off the counter.

--A toddler can be kept busy and within sight with some plastic
measuring cups, spoons, and a bowl of water in the kitchen sink.
Be prepared for lots of spills and overflowing!

--If you keep a large variety of spices in a cabinet, they are
easier to find if you group them by category: blends, savory,
baking/sweet/leaveners, ethnic, etc.

--Recipes with lots of ingredients are easier if you use
mise-en-place: measure the ingredients and place in small
bowls, putting containers away before starting. Think of
the food tv sets and how the chefs have everything at hand.

--Read through an entire recipe just before starting so you
have and idea of the flow. Preheat the oven then if necessary.

gloria p