Sunday, November 25, 2018

My Minimalist House Tour: The Kitchen

I have been on a journey towards becoming a minimalist for many years.   I would visit friend's homes that were clutter free, with lots of open rooms and clear counter spaces; they were so cozy,  welcoming, and peaceful!  I longed for that!  I would be inspired and would spend the next week organizing every area of my home.  But it never stayed that way.  We just owned way too much stuff!

Two years ago I watched a documentary called Minimalism.  There were only three of us at home at that point, and I had already given away about half of my belongings, and downsized to a small townhouse.  I was finally able to keep a neat and organized home most of the time, but my closets and drawers still got cluttered up time and time again.  But after watching that documentary I have been able to keep the main areas of my home and the closets and drawers organized (most of the time!).  I want to take you on a tour through every area of my home.

I still think I have too much stuff, but it's manageable now.  I have two teens still at home and I have to consider their feelings.  My daughter can part with things pretty easily, but my son not so much!  I always ask them before getting rid of something that might mean something to them.  Also in the kitchen I would like to have less of some things, like glasses and mugs for example, but they like to have more.  I will spread this post over a few days; let's start in the kitchen!



Here is my kitchen


In the white table I keep my daughter's school books and art supplies. She also keeps some homeschooling books in her backpack.


These are all of our glasses, mugs, small bowls and plates.  


I have a lot of mason jars and lids.  We use them as drinking glasses and for storing foods that I get from the bulk bins at the local food co-op.  


My daughter and I like to bake!  


This is above my stove. On the left are cleaning supplies, and on the right are cooking oils. 


On the left are all my pots and pans and our large strainer.  The cupboard on the right holds candles, toothpicks, salt and pepper, and matches.  It also has a few empty glass spice jars that I can refill at the food co-op.


Only three things under my sink


Bowls, pie plates, bread pans and storage containers on left. Spices and food from the bulk bins at the local food co-op on right. 


This is the cupboard above my sink. 


The left is a lower cupboard where I keep my foreman grill, juicer, crock pot, food processor, coffee pot, and large glass jugs I refill with water at the food co-op.  On the right is my food pantry. I also keep my broom and mop in there.



We don't use paper napkins or paper towels.  This drawer holds my dish towels, dish cloths, and pot holders.  I keep cloth napkins in a drawer in my table.



I keep enough for 6 place settings of silverware here so there's enough when my older boys come over.  Also, here are all of our knives, and metal straws (I hate plastic straws!).


Above my fridge I keep a few cookbooks; I get most of my recipes online.  In the basket I have my extra silverware and a few kitchen items I'm waiting a bit to see if I really need. 

  Not shown are a few casserole dishes in the drawer under my stove.  I also have a narrow cupboard next to the stove where I keep 2 cookie sheets, a cooling rack, 3 cutting boards, and a few muffin pans. 

A minimalist lifestyle gives me more peace.  I spend less time cleaning and dealing with stuff, and more time doing the things I love, with the people I love. 

Friday, November 23, 2018

November Daybook



For Today:
November 21, 2018

Looking out my window... the ground is covered with snow!  We've had two snowstorms in the last couple days.  

I am thinking...about how I feel content lately.  I like my life right now.  There are some things coming up in the near future that I'm not sure how they will turn out, but I'm hopeful and not worrying about it.  

I am thankful...that I got to see my brother and his family more this year.  It was wonderful to spend Thanksgiving with them! 

One of my favorite things...is spending the holidays with family!

I am creating... snowflakes out of toilet paper rolls!  This craft has been so relaxing and fun!  You cut half inch strips out of toilet paper rolls, then you glue the strips to form the snowflake.  I spay painted them white,  then dipped in glue and glitter. They came out so pretty!  Here is the link if you want to make them. 




I am wearing... a purple sweater and jeans.

I am reading...Educated: a Memoir by Tara Westover.   Excellent book!

I am watching... a Vlog called 1000's of Roots.  Its about a family of eight who are homesteading off grid. 

I am listening to... the audio book: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. 

I am hoping... to get more work.  I went to two interviews at a craft store last week.  I've also been thinking about how I love helping people declutter and organize their homes.  I have thought about making money doing it for a while; I just need to take the step! 

I am learning...about homesteading, off grid living, and tiny houses.  I think I'd like this lifestyle, but I'm not sure...maybe someday, at least the tiny house part.  

In my kitchen... I made homemade falafel.   It was so easy; why haven't I done this before?  I got the recipe at budgetbytes.com.  We like to have it over roasted spaghetti squash with pasta sauce. 

In the school room... we've gotten into a pretty good routine.   I'm so proud of Sophie, she's getting all her work done each week!

A moment from my day:
Thanksgiving Day!
  My daughter, my mom and I
 My family

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Weekly Wrap-Up: Week Eleven


It's been a great week-lots going on! 

Sophie had a lot of fun working on a couple of projects for her Whodunit? Mysteries and More class.  She wrote a  story using this photo prompt.  Click here to read the first chapter of her story. 


She also gave a presentation on the mystery of Oak Island. Click here to see her slides.


Sophie wants to earn money to by Christmas gifts, so she started a holiday gift wrapping service.  


Every Wednesday night Sophie babysits during the woman's bible study at our church.  She always prepares a craft, coloring pages, a snack and often a movie. 



She did two art projects this week.  



My friend Kim put on a craft fair at our church.  Sophie and I spent the day helping my mom sell beautiful bird houses, lamps, decorative shelves and more.  


Monday, November 12, 2018

Weekly Wrap-Up: Week 10

The weeks are flying by! I didn't write a wrap-up for last week, but Sophie did five days of school in three days, then her best friend spent from Wednesday night to Friday night with us. The girls like to cook, so they made pineapple pizza, chicken stir-fry, and chocolate chips cookies.  On Friday I took them to Starbucks, bowling and to the library.  This week Sophie has been doing her regular schoolwork and online classes. She been working hard on a couple projects for the Whodunit? Mysteries and More English class. We still haven't started science because I've been waiting to hear if we are going to do the weekly experiments with friends.  I'm hoping she will start it next week. 


 Sophie worked hard on this Starry Night project   

 Izzy the hamster   
         
Sophie on a walk near our house


We got to see my son's band, Andrew and the Intervention, play at a local coffee shop.  Andrew is on Keyboard, and Isaiah plays drums.


Sophie went with three of my older sons to Comic Con in Rhode Island.  This is a pic with David Harbour who plays Hopper on Stranger Things.

 I had to throw one of Christian in!