Addition by subtraction

 I knew that, as time went on, I would be able to let go of even more things.  As I make my way as a single person, I realize that less stuff makes more space - addition by subtraction is my mantra.  Last week I sent another set of china away, along with two very fussy silverplate candlesticks and some pink cocktail glassware.  Shocking, right?

For me, there is zero purpose in storing this stuff away until I die and making it someone else's problem.  And I don't think my kids' generation views china as practical.

More empty space.  I love it.

I saved out a pretty dish for the sewing room.  This can get passed down to my daughter as a memento of her Nana and a grandfather she never got to meet.  I also saved out 6 pink martini glasses, just because I like them.  

We didn't use these dishes even one time - just stored them.  This set dates from 1950 and likely was not used past 1970, if even then.  That's a long time to keep something pretty boxed up and un-loved.

I set it all by the door, and the next morning it went to a charity thrift store to find its new owner.  Who knows? Someone may see it and recognize the pattern.  Or fall in love with it and buy it for their home.  Or gift it to a couple as an anniversary or  wedding gift.  My garage and closets and cabinets have never felt emptier or cleaner and my home is getting more representative of me.

Gina

5 thing Friday - freezer cleanout/restock, backyard relaxation, paver re-do, ice cream, Girl Lunch

For the last few weeks I had been doing little grocery runs for fillers and eating meals made of what I had left in the freezer.

I got myself organized with everything I wanted to do for the morning.

I made some containers for work: Beefy Spaghetti, Chicken and Lentil Tikka Masala with rice, and Veggie and Chicken Korma with rice.  Eight containers that should make Friday food prep easier for almost a month. Pasta and rice dishes generally heat up really well for me at work.

Then I wiped down the inside of the freezer and bought some things from Trader Joe's that I think will be both appetizing, and easy to cook.  I will fill in with sandwiches and the occasional meal out.

I bought a new strap for the vintage binoculars - worth it to not accidentally drop this thing on my concrete patio.  I have been spending lots of time in the backyard, listening to and watching birds.  So relaxing.

I got the firepit put up and hauled the lounger over to the shade.  A perfect place to unwind with a glass of wine.  Now I need a pretty lumbar pillow.

Then I reworked the pavers (again!) and will gift the others to a friend for her garden. (she also has the timber from the Cannary kid's playscape!)

 The two piece design was making it easy for the oak sprigs to push up between the pavers.  And it was impossible to keep them level.  While I was at it, I used some random ones to make a small little "plant patio" under the window.  That's how it goes with projects sometimes - tweak it 'til you get it just right.

And then reward yourself with a treat - sweet cream ice cream with bananas and caramel swirl in a waffle dish at Coldstone's.  That hit the spot.  Our days are pushing 100 degrees now and rain is nowhere in sight!

Another way to cool it down - Girl Lunch.  This week: fresh peaches, water crackers, Caesar Salad dip, prosciutto rolled with mozzarella, pinot noir rose.  Better than take-out!

Gina

Orange Fig Jam

I've been mostly letting the squirrels have the figs my tree produces.  In years past, it was nothing to write home about. But for some reason (probably all of the rain we've had) she decided to make a lot of fruit this summer.

She's hiding waaay back there in the corner.  She has been very nearly dead two or three times due to ice storms or drought, but always manages to claw her way back!

 

Lately I've been finding a couple fat figs per day.

And since one of my favorite things is fig jam, I made some!

This is about 1 1/2 c. quartered figs placed in a small pot with the juice and peel of one small orange, about 1/2 c. or so of sugar, and a couple tablespoons water.

I brought it to a boil, then simmered it nice and slow until it was the thickness I wanted.

I also sliced the orange rind very thin and stirred it in. When It was cool, I ladled it into a pint jar for the fridge. I'm having a friend over for wine and charcuterie this week and I think this will pair nicely with some cheeses! 

But it will also be wonderful on my oatmeal, a bagel, or PBJ!

Gina

Little project: garage opener bulbs

I truly am trying to make headway on my summer bucket list - I would say I have at least a third of it done.  But along the way, these other mini "projects" keep popping up and I think, oh I can do that right quick. Case in point are the bulbs in the garage door motors. 

One of them is burned out, so I decided to replace all four and in the process discovered that the opener on the storage side of the garage actually works.  I could have sworn Mark told me that its motor was burned out.  But no, it opened smoothly and quietly - unlike the side I use all of the time.

These motors are 30+ years old and still going strong.  I do need someone to come out and adjust them, but I can change the bulbs and clean them up.

I hauled out my trusty ladder and unplugged them first. A YouTube video later, I had figured out how to open the lightbulb cover.

They were very dirty and had a couple of dirt dauber wasp nests in them.

(side note: do you know that people actually sell large wasp nests on Ebay? What a weird world we are in. Mine got tossed into the driveway.)

Things like this make me pause - why did we never have actual pull strings on the emergency release?

I found some paracord and a 2 knobs from my stash and put one on each door, making it long enough for my 5'3" self to reach.

You would think a simple project like this would take maybe 30 minutes, tops, but I also had to look things up, go buy the dang bulbs, and talk myself onto that ladder.  I also swept out the garage and set some stuff by the trash bins.  Plus, it was already climbing in the 90s here.

I'm gonna have to pace myself with outside projects in the summer...

Gina