I don't like using my favorite cookbooks in the kitchen. They get messy and don't last as long. I also don't like having to look for them when I need them. To solve this problem, I made up a list of recipes that I make often, then I bought 2 of the wire-bound index card pads. I didn't put the entire recipe in the pad most of the time. I put in whatever I needed to be reminded of when I make the recipe, such as an ingredient list, oven temperatures, and cooking or baking times. This allowed me to keep each recipe confined to one card.
When I was done, I used one peel and stick magnet on the back cover of each pad (the kind that are used to make business cards into magnets-- you can buy them at Wal-Mart). I put them on the front of my refrigerator. I also bought two clips with magnets on the backs that I put above the pads. They hold the pads open to whatever recipe I am making, so I can refer to it hands free and without taking up precious counter space.
I now have an easy to access "cheat sheet" for all my favorite recipes.
One thing I learned from my elderly friend Mary, is to put recipes in a photo's album with the sleeves or adhesive. It's great...cut-outs from magazines, recipes cards, etc...all stay clean. If something spills, well, just wipe it off. When I saw her recipe book, I was really impressed, and went home and organized my loose recipes in a photo album.
I use an expensive music stand to hold my cook book away from the counter top, yet close enough to read the recipe. I keep the books open with large chip clips. Saves counter space and less spills on the pages. The music stand is from the time when my son played a trombone in high school. Didn't know what to do with the stand, yet couldn't get rid of it. Glad I kept it.
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