Monday, March 31, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Thirty-One - THE END!

This is the next task...the garage.  I doubt there will be much minimaling going on since I am married to the pack rat extraordinaire when it comes to tools and guy-stuff.  A quick whiz 'round, however, before he got home yielded stuff that I know we are not going to use in this lifetime and so off it goes.


What a  mess!


I managed to minimalize the following - five speakers, two pieces of electronic stereo equipment (don't know what they are for but they've been sitting in the garage for two years so how useful do you think they are?), one cooler, one beverage cooler, seven pieces of looks-like-crystal-but-it's-really-plastic servingware, one thermal jug, one basket with liner and one extra liner, one mini food chopper, three books, one coin purse, one keyring, two nightgowns (no clue how they ended up in the garage!), and at least a dozen pieces of foam piping from the Rhode Island house.  How many is that? 28 + 12 = 40, yippee! I met the goal plus some.

April is Paper Minimalising Month for me - Vic has a mountain of documents (no doubt some in triplicate) and there are things I've been hanging on to for years.  Can you believe this?  I have every tax form since I entered the workforce - 1978!  Hello, Pamela, you keep them for 7 years, not 36!!  Let the shredding begin.

The Week Ahead - March 31

Outside my window...temperatures in the low 60s all week...is this spring at last?
 
I am thinking...about the chaos that was my first thirty-one party on Saturday.  Large, very social group, lots of loud children and two barking dogs, interesting dynamic, hope I never encounter it again.

I am thankful...that the aforementioned party yielded $661 in sales, a $165 commission for me, and that I don't have to do this for my livelihood.  I'm realizing that direct sales of this type is not my forte.

From the kitchen...gammon with cabbage mash, carrots, and parsley sauce.

I am hearing...the heater, but it's still cold in here.
 
One of my favorite things...Call the Midwife and Mr. Selfridge, a double-header premiere last night - awesome!

I am reading...still nothing.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...consignment shop drop-off this morning and the last March Minimalism Game post, taking the car for an alignment tomorrow, Tidewater Collection board meeting on Wednesday, CORE planning committee meeting on Thursday followed by Sophia's riding lesson, thirty-one Celebrate & Connect meeting on Friday (preview of the new summer catalog), and working at the Tidewater Collection on Saturday.  Another busy week.

College Update...Sophia filed her taxes so I can finish the FAFSA.  Very happy to hear that Western Washington University will waive the difference between the in-state tuition and the out of state tuition because Sophia will not be considered a resident for her first year.

Volunteer Update...still need to narrow down my replacement and start training with her.

Travel and Family Field Trips Update...work travel plans for Vic are still changing daily.

Remembering Mum on the UK's Mothering Sunday which was yesterday.  She always got to celebrate Mother's Day twice.

And...in case you were wondering...still no orders!

Leave a comment below if you'd like to share your Week Ahead.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Thirty


Blurry picture (probably from all my tears) of thirty of my magazines - Sandra Lee, Cook's, Tea Time.  Full of recipes I never tried, tablescapes that were never set...great ideas, but just never got around to carrying any of them out.

Still catching up on the March Minimalism Game - Days Twenty-Six, Twenty-Seven, Twenty-Eight, and Twenty-Nine

Such a crazy few days and honestly, these things were gathered and forwarded to their respective new homes - consignment shop, donation bin, or trash - but I just haven't had a moment to get the posts up.  Without further ado...


Day Twenty-Six - Twenty-five pieces of Chief Petty Officer insignia and one stray LTJG bar.



Day Twenty-Seven - Eleven pieces of wood that once belonged to an entertainment center plus eleven items from Sophia's room - two framed pieces, one plate, two necklace hangers, one Math dictionary, two CDs, one luggage tag and two key rings - and five pieces of clothing that I forgot to photograph before they hit the donation bin.


Day Twenty-Eight - Twenty-eight copies of This Old House magazine.


Day Twenty-Nine - Twenty-nine assorted woodworking and home energy magazines - if you think I'm being unnecessarily cruel to my better half by pitching his stash, my Sandra Lee magazines will be culled next!  Have to worry about that as-yet-to-be-determined household goods weight allowance and magazines weigh a lot!

I have to admit, having a good clean-out is very liberating.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Catching up again on the March Minimalism Game - Day Twenty-Five


Searching for something for Vic led me to a storage tub that revealed, among the useful stuff, this pile of useless items.  Clockwise from top: one grey sweatshirt drawstring, one USS KAUFFMAN rubber bracelet (made as a fundraiser during a deployment - I think I was going to cut it open and scrapbook it but it's developed a nasty, sticky texture so off to the trash it goes), one key ring, ten items in a bag marked "unknown", one bag of bits and pieces marked "Sophia's closet hardware", two markers and a pencil, odd pieces of craft foam, one silver dollar (can't see it too well, it's in the plastic bag under the craft foam - it was sent to Vic by a friend to be used as the silver dollar for his First Salute after commissioning but it's dated 2008 - probably wouldn't have mattered but I had already purchased new ones), brown shoelaces (from Sophia's paddock boots that we no longer own), a blue drawstring, and below that, a red ribbon from a giant Christmas ornament (how do I remember these things?), a red stretchy thing that I think is the bracelet part of a keyring (ring nowhere to be found), a thumb drive case, and a bookmark/photo-holder.

I shudder to think what's in the box marked "Destroy 2015 - cords, wires and stuff of undetermined origin or use" that I just spotted in the closet but that post will be coming up soon.  It's marked Destroy 2015 because that is when we were supposed to be moving but since the move date has been moved up, so will the Destroy date.  It's been sitting in the closet since June 2012 so it's unlikely that we will have a use for anything in the box.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

All caught up on the March Minimalism Game - Days Twenty-Three and Twenty-Four


Day Twenty-Three - More stuff from here, there, and everywhere - MacBook Pro and iPad boxes, three boxes of sales receipts that I thought I needed to keep for tax purposes, three little drawer boxes each containing wallet-size photo albums, four Royal Albert Old Country Roses placemats, one pink cafeteria tray (Sophia loved eating her lunch off this when we were homeschooling), two striped platters, one black plastic tablecloth (left over no doubt from one of Sophia's Twilight parties), three Virginia state CandyMelts molds, two pairs of glasses, one Prince of Persia Christmas ornament, and one CrockPot cake insert pan.


Day Twenty-Four - God is smiling on me today!  Pulled this bunch of cutlery out of a cupboard and guess what? Exactly twenty-four pieces!

Catching up on the March Minimalism Game - Day Twenty-Two

Breaks my heart to part with my Jell-O molds but my days of sending snacks to preschool and elementary classrooms are over.  I think the concept is being phased out in these days of food allergies and liability issues, so I'm sure it won't be any different by the time I have grandchildren.


Six Jell-O molds, one American flag mold, three packs of snowman treat boxes, four each of tropical leaf plates, flower bud cups, and piƱa colada glasses.

Catching up on the March Minimalism Game - Day Twenty-One

I'm still behind but today is the day to attack the garage so stand back to be amazed at what I find there!


More bits and pieces - three more shirts for the donation box, Persona shipping box (sniff, sniff, so sad to see this one go), two Wii games, Zumba belt, Bunco glass, Staples Easy button, four pillowcases, one purse hanger, two coin sleeves, one gold combination cover band (picked up the female by mistake and when Vic went to use it, we'd already thrown the packaging away so it couldn't be returned - the consignment shop on base takes uniforms and accessories so it will find a home there), and four LTJG insignia items - that's twenty-one!

Monday, March 24, 2014

The Week Ahead - March 24

Outside my window...73 on Saturday, 38 today - unbelieveable.
 
I am thinking...that I could cheerfully strangle whoever is in charge of orders...still nothing.

I am thankful...that Sophia came through another weekend of riding clinics almost unscathed.  She took a tumble but somehow managed to land on her feet!  She was at the far end of the field so it wasn't captured on film...maybe that's a good thing.

From the kitchen...not sure if Vic is here or not - he was supposed to leave this morning but when I went to the pier after dropping Sophia at school, his ship was still there.  A quick call revealed a slight change in plans and they will know later if they are actually leaving or not.  If he leaves, it will be snack night for Sophia and me; if he's home, Plan B will go into effect.  What is Plan B?

I am hearing...the heater...it's cranked up to 74 and it's still cold in this house.
 
One of my favorite things...Mr. Selfridge, back on PBS this weekend.

I am reading...nothing and that's how it's probably going to be for a while.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...waiting for someone to look at my freezer this morning (please, please take it off my hands!), MudLynn's dentist appointment on Wednesday, riding lesson for Sophia on Thursday, training a new volunteer at the Tidewater Collection on Friday, and my first thirty-one party (as a Consultant) on Saturday.  Sophia's got a smattering of kid and/or pet sitting throughout the week.  I have to catch up on minimalizing - I'm four days behind which means I have to find 90 items today!!!

College Update...anxiously waiting for orders here too.  Sophia would love to commit to her prospective roommate but just can't at this point.

Volunteer Update...still need to narrow down my replacement and start training with her.

Travel and Family Field Trips Update...work travel plans for Vic change daily.


Beautiful day for riding on Saturday - sun shining, short sleeves, sunglasses...Sunday, not so beautiful.

Leave a comment below if you'd like to share your Week Ahead.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Catching up on the March Minimalism Game - Day Twenty


Another crazy combo - Shake Weight, pair of Birkenstocks, One Direction quiz book, Fabulous sign, SAT flash cards, four shot glasses, three mirrors, MK key ring, night light, martini glass, stuffed toy, jewelry pouch, fanny pack and a small bag.  Bits and pieces but they might bring a quarter or two at the consignment shop.

Update:  have to count each Birkenstock as one item since I added up the list above and there were only nineteen items!

Catching Up on the March Minimalism Game - Day Nineteen


An assortment today - ten pieces of clothing + four candles + five pieces of Longaberger pottery.  Some headed for the consignment shop, a few for donation, and a couple for the trash.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Days Seventeen and Eighteen


Ta-da!  21 pieces of clothing + 5 pairs of shoes + 9 uniform items = a two-day total of 35 items.  Now what do I do with all these extra hangers???

Monday, March 17, 2014

The Week Ahead - March 17

Outside my window...shorts and T-shirts on Saturday, colder yesterday and now we're back under a Winter Weather Advisory.  Always flexible doesn't just apply to Navy life, it now works for the weather too.
 
I am thinking...that I am going into panic mode soon - looks like the move to Washington is back on for May - yikes, that's getting too close for comfort - orders, where are you? 

I am thankful...that Vic arrived home from Ohio safely and enjoyed his course.  I'm thankful also that a kind reservation agent rebooked his flight so he didn't have to arrive home so late and that he bumped him to first class.  Thankful, but jealous.

From the kitchen...trying to stick to the menu plan but it's Day One and I've already failed.  I so need a personal chef.

I am hearing...the heater...it's cranked up to 74 and it's still cold in this house.
 
One of my favorite things...the prospect of a new duty station.

I am reading...nothing and that's how it's probably going to be for a while.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...board meeting this morning followed by a farewell lunch for a couple of our volunteers, quiet day tomorrow but most likely a dinner guest in the evening, hair cut on Wednesday morning, packing up the shop in the afternoon, and a night out with Vic's co-workers in the evening, Joint Services Luncheon (with guest speaker Tanya Biank, author of Army Wives) on Thursday (the aforementioned packing is for taking the shop on the road so it will be a working luncheon), free day on Friday, and the riding clinics on Saturday and Sunday for Sophia.

College Update...back to school after spring break.  Sophia got the first hit on her roommate profile for Western Washington so she's been messaging back and forth with a new friend.

Volunteer Update...need to narrow down my replacement and start training with her.

Travel and Family Field Trips Update...several short trips for Vic coming up followed by a longer, international one...all tentative now that the moving plans seem to be back in the works.

I'm really late getting this post up and have no photos to speak of - it's all been about Minimalism lately.  Hope your St. Paddy's was fun and that you were wearing a bit o' the green so you didn't get pinched!

Leave a comment below if you'd like to share your Week Ahead.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Sixteen

Thought I'd take a quick look through a bag of clothes Sophia came up with when she cleaned out her closet - what a deal, there's exactly sixteen items in there.  Off to the donation center.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Fifteen


Longaberger dinner plates and luncheon plates - eight of each - yes, that's sixteen on day fifteen but it didn't  make sense to hold one over to tomorrow's post!

Friday, March 14, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Fourteen

Took a break from the kitchen to put away a few things in the upstairs closet and found this little (not) treasure trove.


I didn't count every single one of the headbands as an item, I grouped them into skinny headbands, thicker headbands and the thickest headband, but I did count each one of those blue massager-things as well as all the other hair paraphernalia (yikes, definitely had to spell-check that one!) and the oddball bottle of Off! that's been around for a hundred years...well, almost.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Thirteen

Continuing on in the kitchen and it's the dreaded junk drawer.


Eight different mini-cookbooks and catalogs, one set of Mardi Gras-colored stick-on beads that I used to decorate my Bunco glass, one lone cupcake box, and three sets of assorted plastic cookie, candy, and treat bags left over from when I was in charge of baking for new guests at our church in Rhode Island.  Not really junk, but definitely things I won't use again.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Twelve

The lure of Saturday's yard sale sent Sophia scavenging through the corner cabinets and we agreed that the following things can be sacrificed in the name of the vacation fund.


One Land of the Free, Home of the Brave candle/photo stand, four different dog figurines, one deer figurine, one Playmobil nun, three red pillar candles, Christmas set one red (still in plastic wrap) and one white votive candle, another Christmas set of two green votive candles, Fall set of three pumpkin votives, and one pumpkin tart.  Can't take the candles when we move so they may as well go.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

If this is Tuesday it must be England #10

Thrilled to hear that one of my favorite British actresss, Penelope Keith, was appointed a  Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2014 New Years Honours for her services to the arts and to charity.


If you're a fan of British comedy from yesteryear, you'll love her as Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life (1975) and as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To The Manor Born (1979).  Congratulations, Dame Penelope!

March Minimalism Game - Day Eleven

Back to the kitchen cupboards/drawers.


One set of silicone mini-cupcake molds, one snow cone cup, two measuring cups for rice, one giant measuring scoop, two more heart cookie cutters, one red mini-funnel, white scraper thing, one set of corn on the cob holders, the previously mentioned metal measuring spoons and cookie scoop all on top of a silicone snowflake mold that I bought to make snowflake-shaped peppermint bark.  To say I failed miserably is an understatement as it all ended up as peppermint bark snowflake pieces.  Popping things out of silicone molds is not as easy as they say it is.  Off to the consignment shop/donation center after a brief stint in the yard sale!

Monday, March 10, 2014

The Week Ahead - March 10

Outside my window...first day of Spring Break and we'll be having a high of 68 degrees today.  We'll have a couple of days to lure us into thinking spring is really here and then we'll be back down to 39 on Thursday.  Oh, well, enjoy it while it lasts.  Just no more rain, please...my backyard is under construction as contractors work to fix a plumbing problem in these houses (no problem here but since I'm the end house, it's here that they chose to put the manhole).  Honestly, it looks like the Battle of the Somme's been fought out there.
 
I am thinking...that I am going to detour the things meant for the consignment shop to a quick stop at the community yard sale this weekend - a chance to make a little for the vacation fund. 

I am thankful...that Vic arrived safely at his destination.  Another week, another destination.  Last week it was Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for a training session with two of his co-workers; this week, he's a little farther away.

From the kitchen...Vic's still gone until the end of the week so it will be an interesting combination of takeaways, snack foods and maybe an experiment or two again.

I am hearing...the heater...it's not 68 outside yet!
 
One of my favorite things...decluttering - having so much fun on the Minimalism Game and finding all sorts of long-forgotten treasures.

I am reading...finished Georgette Heyer's A Civil Contract and now I remember why I don't like books like that.  The Regency language is so florid...it's really hard to read at times. (I was pretty sure florid was the word I was looking for so a quick check of the dictionary "elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated" confirmed it).

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...meeting with my thirty-one upline today to go over a couple of things - got my start-up kit in the mail and I'm loving some of the contents - training a new volunteer at the boutique tomorrow, stopping by quickly on Wednesday to introduce myself to another new volunteer but she's working with a veteran so I won't have to stay too long, Mustang Spouses lunch on Thursday followed by Sophia's riding lesson followed by an evening event at the Tidewater Collection followed by picking Vic up at the airport at midnight (that's going to be a day and a half), sleeping in late on Friday to recover from Thursday and then the community yard sale on Saturday.  Any leftovers will be taken to the consignment shop on Monday.

College Update...Spring Break this week.

Volunteer Update...more new volunteers to train this month.

Travel and Family Field Trips Update...Vic's back from one trip and off on another.  His next trip has been changed but it's still an international one.

The Tidewater Collection has been decorated and the spring merchandise is out
Leave a comment below if you'd like to share your Week Ahead.

March Minimalism Game - Day Ten


Taking a short break from the kitchen to declutter the utility closet (where the hot water heater is stored) - cubes of winter accessories yielded excess in the form of two pairs of gloves, two scarves, three hats (two winter, one summer), one fanny pack, one American flag, and one barbecue fish basket.  Off to the donation center they go; well, maybe the fish basket can go to the consignment shop.

Side Note: Blogger consistently shows the red squiggly spell-check line under declutter, so I changed it to de-clutter and voila! there's the squiggly line again.  I'm making an executive decision - it's declutter without a hyphen from now on because the dictionary says that's the way it's supposed to be spelled.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

The Things you find when you're Minimalising

Good grief, you'd think I bake all the time with this little collection.

Clockwise from top left:

1.  The orange set of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, combo 1 teaspoon and 1 1/2 teaspoons, and 1 tablespoon is my most often used set.  I love the long, flat shape of the spoon bowls, super easy for measuring, and the way the wording is molded into the handle (more on that later).

2.  White 1/4 and 1/2 - sadly, it appears that the dishwasher heating element may have eaten the other members of this set.   I like these because the bowls are a convenient size for dipping into small spice jars.  The wording is not molded, but the ink has spanned the test of time.  I was going to feature these in a future Minimalism Game post but I think they have been spared.

3.  King Arthur Flour 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon - keepers as well - you can never have too many of these measurements.

4.  Coffee scoop - kind of useless since we use a lot of K-cups now but there's just something about it that says "Keep Me".

5.  The mix n' match spoons that are fortunate to have holes in the handles so they can be kept on a ring and in one place - the black one on the right is another coffee scoop but there's no marking on it so I'm not sure how much it holds (I'm thinking 1 tablespoon?), then there is a white set of 1/4, 1/3 (honestly, have you ever used 1/3 teaspoon of anything?), 1/2, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 tablespoon and 1 tablespoon that has the added advantage of having the milliliter conversion as well.  To its disadvantage, the ink of the wording is fading fast.  Next up, also white 1/4, 1/2, and 1 teaspoon, a different color ink but also fading, then a metal set of 1/4 and 1/2 teaspoon, and then my favorites (even though I have never used them), a set of dash, pinch, and smidgeon - so cute!

6.  The green thing is a cookie scoop but that was a total waste of money.  The green part is soft rubber so you are supposed to use your finger to push the rubber part up and voila! the scoop of cookie dough pops out.  Sadly, the voila! and popping out part failed miserably every time I used it.  Soon to feature in a Minimalism Game post.

And that is my measuring spoon collection!

Saturday Night at the Movies

Took in a couple of  movies in the last two weeks - a free preview for the first one which is always an added bonus!


300: Rise of an Empire was pretty gory, especially since it was in 3D.  Nothing like seeing an arm or leg or head lopped off and appear to be flying right at you!  My goodness, Artemisia was one evil woman although I have to admit that IMDB's Quotes really missed the mark - she had the best one-liner of the movie.  Definitely gory, but a good show.


Really enjoyed this one last night - had to come home and Google the Ghent Altarpiece and the Bruges Madonna and Child.  Must sees on a trip to Belgium.  Have to agree with Caroline, an aspect of World War II that I had not known about either.  Read more about the real Monuments Men here.

March Minimalism Game - Day Nine

Honestly, it's a wonder I can count to nine this morning!  I had to take Vic to the airport at 4:00am which meant that I got up and threw on some sweats at 3:30am which, thanks to Daylight Savings Time, was actually 2:30am!  Since it was one of those "open door, eject husband and luggage to the curb" airport trips, I figured dressing down was ok.  Thank goodness I didn't have any car trouble on the way home or that would have been me, in the snowflake fleece pants, standing by the side of the road!  Can't you tell we've been married 20+ years?  Ten years ago, I would have dressed appropriately for going out in public, parked the car, walked with husband to the ticket counter, pleaded for gate pass so I could walk all the way to the boarding gate, and shed a tear or two as he waved goodbye.  Lol, open door and eject method is so much easier!

Continuing on through the kitchen cupboards and drawers yielded this little stash of junk.


One paper tablecloth, extra medicine cups, one plastic divider for dishwasher basket (that's in the Rhode Island house dishwasher), birthday cake candles (no birthdays before we move so no use for them), one knife sharpener tool, one extra potato peeler, tiny plastic spoons from last year's Easter eggs, paint brush for painting chocolate onto previously-mentioned (and now trashed) chocolate liqueur molds, one horizontal can opener (never did get the hang of this thing!), and Christmas stocking cupcake decorative picks.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Eight


One Easter pretzel  mold, one Flavor Injector in plastic bag with instructions (As Seen on TV, courtesy of Dad!), one snowman squeeze bottle (used for syrup with long-gone snow cone maker), one round thing that looks like it could be a corer of sorts, one tool for removing core from heads of lettuce, one pink thing with serrated edge (cheese cutter, perhaps?), and two of the same tool used to remove the peel from oranges.  All headed for the consignment shop - go ahead, laugh, but they might sell as a group lot for 50 cents!  Item number eight for today was three molds for chocolate liqueur cups that I forgot to photograph before I tossed them in the trash can (and I wasn't digging in there to retrieve them!).

Friday, March 7, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Seven


Continuing on through the kitchen cupboards - I love that I'm re-organizing as well as de-cluttering.  Today's clean-out yielded (clockwise from upper left) four sets of Petite Loaf Pan baking liners (don't have the pan any longer so no sense in keeping the liners!), one glass vase, one ceramic jug (held a bouquet I received as a gift), one set of salt and pepper shakers, three random cookie cutters (Virginia state outline, Girl Scout symbol, heart), one tier of one of those plastic turntables, and an insert for my steamer for cooking rice (ugh, it makes the worst rice ever!).

Thursday, March 6, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Six

 
Moving on from the living room to the kitchen yielded this lot of extra baking pans for the consignment pile - heart-shaped cookie, roasting, cupcake, mini cupcake, snowflake cookie, and another mini cupcake.  I already have cupcake and mini cupcake pans and my days of baking for classrooms full of Sophia's schoolmates are over.

Travelling on Thursday - Eating In and Eating Out in Kettlewell

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/alisonchristine/8488299735/sizes/o/in/photolist-dW5KMr-dXNEyY-9SHuNj-ae9doU-7ZwB4Z-5gstfS-6XcUf2-5gogUn-ajUmaK-afhnLU-6e47TE-xyUKW-afj9Uo-8njwDG-7ZzMc7-aeMNVH-dVcvGZ-7H2afJ-bZgLgw-bs5vvM-9JSV3Z-916GRX/

I remember fondly the Kettlewell Village Store.  It's within walking distance of the house and the perfect place to pick up a loaf of bread.  However, we need to stock the house for the week so I did some research on the shopping options in Skipton.  I remember visiting a supermarket there and from the choices and photos that appear when I Google "Supermarkets in Skipton", I believe it was Morrisons.


It's very close to the railway station so we'll be able to run over for a few supplies when we arrive and then make another trip the next day for more provisions.

I remember that the produce section was really lovely, and there was a nice variety of ready-made items like pies and sausage rolls.  I seem to remember that it was a cafe-type set-up but you could buy the items to takeaway as well.  We'll definitely be picking up some supplies there.  I suppose I'd better take my suggested week outline and match some meals to it so I can get the basics although I know that we'll be eating out at least once during our stay.  I was very sorry to hear that The Kings Head pub was closed; I have very fond memories of the meals we had there during our last stay.  Hopefully, we will find just as good at one of the other pubs in the village.  It will be interesting to see what is available when we get there; as of this post, the two other pubs in the village are still options, The Racehorses Hotel and The Blue Bell Inn.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

What's In A Name?

Artwork courtesy of http://inkblotpaperdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/11/letter-p.html

Found this over at Victoria's former blog, Vintage Tea, and thought it would be fun.

USE THE 1ST LETTER OF YOUR NAME TO ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. THEY HAVE TO BE REAL PLACES, NAMES, THINGS, NOTHING MADE UP! TRY TO USE DIFFERENT ANSWERS IF THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU HAD THE SAME 1ST INITIAL. YOU CAN'T USE YOUR NAME FOR THE BOY/GIRL NAME QUESTION.


1.What is your name? Pamela


2. A 4 Letter Word: Poem


3. A Boy's Name: Paul


4. A Girl's Name: Penelope


5. An Occupation: Pediatrician


6. A Colour: Pink


7. Something you wear: Panties


8. A Beverage: Pimm's


9. A Food: Pistachios


10. Something found in the bathroom: Petroleum Jelly


11. A place: Paris!


12. Something you shout: Put that down!

What's in your name?

March Minimalism Game - Day Five

I've decided to get a little more organized with this de-cluttering scheme.  I seem to be randomly finding things to de-clutter and I think I'd be better going from room to room.  That being said, I'm starting with the living room.  You'd think I'd be able to find five things to part with from this cupboard but it was very hard.


Although the majority of those bits and pieces have a special memory attached to them, I did manage to find five things that can go. 


A crystal clock that has never worked, a paperweight from the 2009 Khaki Ball, and three sets of commemorative coins.  The coins were a gift from my Dad but they really don't have any sentimental value other than the memory of the good laugh we all got when we reminisced about the damage Dad could do from his recliner with the remote control and a credit card.  He was a little addicted to shopping those "As  Seen on TV" bargains!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

If this is Tuesday it must be England #9


Steamed puddings are a favorite dessert in our house, especially Spotted Dick.  It's a dense but moist cake-like dessert full of sultanas and raisins and the Aunty's brand comes in a package of two that are easily microwaved.


I recently found the Mr. Kipling variety at my local British Foods shop which has jam or lemon sauce at the bottom of the tub so that when you invert it, it cascades down the sides of the pudding.

I've always wanted to make my own steamed puddings.  Place some jam in the bottom of a pudding basin, pour in the pudding mixture, cover with a creased piece of foil tied around the basin with string and steam in a saucepan until done.  The problem has always been the pudding basin itself.


Mason Cash - "choice of the discerning cook" - pudding basins are available on Amazon.com so I ordered one and hope to shortly turn out a masterpiece like this one.

March Minimalism Game - Day Four

 
Cleaning off the DVD shelves - four duplicates off to the consignment shop.

Monday, March 3, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Three


Three holiday brochures from Viking River Cruises - all three titled 2013-2014 River Cruises - not sure how many they put out in a year but saving more than one is totally unnecessary.  Off to recycling with these three.

The Week Ahead - March 3

Outside my window...snow day...schools are closed...uh, where's the snow?
 
I am thinking...that I am so ready to attack my scrapbooking.  Probably not in this house, but I can't wait to get a new craft room set up wherever we settle next and get some albums done. 

I am thankful...that Vic arrived safely at his destination.

From the kitchen...Vic's gone until the end of the week so it will be an interesting combination of takeaways, snack foods and maybe an experiment or two.

I am hearing...the heater.
 
One of my favorite things...my Mason Cash pudding basin - I can't wait to make a steamed pudding.

I am reading...almost done with Georgette Heyer's A Civil Contract and I knocked out Bah, Humbug! on my Kindle while waiting for several appointments last week.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...putting a hold on 31 days of Living Well & Spending Zero while Vic is travelling this month - can't keep a straight budget with two people in one place and the other one on the road but I'm full speed ahead with the Minimalism Game and looking forward to getting some of this clutter out of here...a couple of quick appointments on Monday, free day on Tuesday, two board meetings (back to back, ugh! remind me AGAIN not to volunteer for so many things) on Wednesday, riding for Sophia on Thursday, and training a new volunteer on Friday and then heading to get my bangs trimmed.  We'll have one day with Vic at the end of the week and then he's off again.

College Update...still going well.  Spring Break next week.

Volunteer Update...more new volunteers to train this month.

Travel and Family Field Trips Update...Vic's heading out on his first trip - he's got two domestic ones first and then two international.  Quite the jet-setter.

I love following this page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Duchess.of.Cambridge.News
Can't wait to see all her new clothes during the Australia tour

Leave a comment below if you'd like to share your Week Ahead.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day Two

 
Two cardboard boxes from a recent purchase and a delivery - thought I'd save them for storing things but then I remembered how much I hate cardboard boxes so it's off to the recycle bin they go.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

March Minimalism Game - Day One

Here we go - throw it away, sell it or donate it, the goal is to get rid of excess stuff.  If you want to play along, check out the details here and leave a comment below so I can check out your progress.

My task for today is to get rid of excess paper - file what needs to be kept and shred the rest.


One large stack of filing turned, for the most part, into one giant bag of shredded paper and it's out to the recycling bin it goes!