My Possessions are Strangling Me!

I was reading this article in the NY Times called “Living with Less. A lot Less.”

This article is about a guy who made millions, up-sized to a larger home, then bought yet another apartment in another city, furnished it all, had to sell one home, sell the furniture, relocate to second city, buy more stuff to stay “on top of the latest gadget, thingie, item.”, learn how to use the latest stuff, get roommates because it was lonely in his large apartment, manage roommates, etc. etc. etc. ad infinitum. He finally realized what a burden and how very socially paralyzing it all was.

He then fell in love, moved with girlfriend to a small flat in another country. Leaving it all behind, he never looked back.

His experiences have increased through travel, his life is enriched by the people he meets, and he has even continued as an entrepreneur with a portable office in his backpack. Alas, his relationship ended and he’s back in the US. However, he is now living happily and comfortably in a 420 sq ft apartment in New York.

His story really struck a nerve with me. I mean how much space and stuff does a person really need? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately as my hubby and I are planning to remodel our home. I thought I wanted a bigger home. Then I got wind of the Tiny House movement, Small space living & design ideas, and others. It seems we should have enough (more than enough) room for two people and two smallish dogs – right? Why then does it seem like the walls in our 1645 Sq ft home are closing in on me, not to mention our two car garage (which does NOT house our cars)? Why am I always wading though “stuff” looking for that one thing that I really need and want, and yet, I can never seem to find it until it’s too late. It’s maddening.

We have two computers, two monitors, multiple iPods (4 or 5, I lost count), two kindles, multiple TVs, multiple linens, blankets, towels, sheets. Three bikes. I have two sewing machines. Jewelry I never wear but can’t bear to part with stuck in boxes. Clothes that have seen better days. More clothes that I’ve never worn (tags still, on I embarrassed to say). Shoes I’ve forgotten about. Let’s not talk about my handbag collection (cringe). I don’t want to go on. It’s obnoxious.

I am taking this man’s cue and downsizing my stuff so that I can live peacefully in my own home. My goal is to own my things and not have my things own me. I think when we remodel our house, it won’t get bigger. Just better. And cleaner.

Meantime. . . where’s the garbage can?

Janet J.

P.S.

You may want to check out these articles if you are thinking of doing the same.
An Idea a Week to Organize your Home
How to Organize your Home
Organizing your Home

Adventures in Beef Bourguignon (alas . . . not Julia’s)

January 25, 2013

It was my turn to host book club this week and as the hostess I got to cook dinner for my BC pals as well as choose the next book selection.  Both are things I love to do. 

Cooking for me is stressful when I’m trying out a new recipe or technique.  But, cooking for BC is easy.  My friends are highly supportive and rarely do they criticize.  I mean, why would they?  Someone else is cooking for them.  I get that.   When I’m the guest I’m highly appreciative of their efforts and I’m supportive – even if everything does not turn out perfectly or as planned. 

So, for my recent Book Club meal I chose something I’ve never done before. “I must stretch my skills.” – was my thinking before I embarked on my culinary mission!  So with that (and after watching Julie and Julia for the 100^th time), I decided to cook Beef Bourguignon (alas . . . not Julia’s).

Anyway, the recipe I used was Ina’s.  As in Ina Garten.  She’s never steered me wrong in my culinary experimentation world.  You can find her recipe and nice instructional video here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beef-bourguignon-recipe/index.html

I made some minor changes (due to what I had in the pantry and the weather), but for the most part the ingredients and technique was fairly close. 

Changes I made (mostly due to reviewer’s recommendations):

-Doubled the amount of carrots

-Used Brandy (on hand) instead of Cognac (Cognac is pricey!)

-Prepped everything on the stove-top per the recipe (up to the mushrooms & butter/flour slurry part) then I put the whole thing in my crock pot instead of the oven because it turned out to be a really warm day – in January no less!  So, I cooked the stew in my crock pot for 4 hours on low.  At about the 2 hour mark I added the onions, mushrooms and butter/flour slurry as per the recipe.

-After 4 hours of slow cooking, I let the whole thing cool. Then I put it all in my Le Creuset Dutch oven and into the refrigerator it went.

-The next day (yes, it was a two day process!), I took it out of the refrigerator, skimmed the fat solids, and slowly reheated the stew on low for about an hour before it was time to eat.

- I served it over chunky mashed potatoes instead of the bread that Ina recommends, and I think noodles would work well too.

Warning: This really is quite a process to cook – it’s definitely a “Treat” dish – but the results are amazing and totally worth it! So invite some friends over and have a go.  Let me know how it went.  I’d love to hear what you think of this dish.

My menu, about 8-10 servings:

·         Salad Greens dressed lightly with a raspberry and citrus vinaigrette (homemade) and tossed with thinly sliced Fuji apples, crumbled feta cheese (could also use goat cheese), and toasted pecans

·         Beef Bourguignon served over chunky mashed potatoes, with French bread (for sopping up the broth – A requirement!)

·         Gingerbread cake (used a Trader Joe’s mix that I had on hand) dusted with powdered sugar served with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream

·         Wine was a 2009 David Bruce Pinot Noir (a local winery and totally fab!).

And, if you are a diehard fan, here’s a link to Julia Child’s recipe (very similar to Ina’s after all!): http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe/julia-childs-beef-bourguignon-8222804

Alas, I forgot to take a picture in my lovely china, but here it is as my lunch the next day.  It was even more delish!

Hugs and good eating,

Janet J.

P.S. The book I chose was: Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns.  Can’t wait to read it!

2012 A Year in Review

 January 23, 2013

I got a cool email from a local Chamber of Commerce of which I’m a member.  They outlined 10 things they did for their members in 2012.  I thought – “how neat!”.  We should do that for our clients.  You know, outline 10 things we did for them in 2012 – it’s a simple nice way to show we are bringing VALUE to them – and toot our own horn at the same time. 

Then I thought (light-bulb moment coming), “Hey I should do that for me!”

So I said to myself: “Self, What did I do for you this last year? How did I provide value to you in this so-called-crazy-life-journey?

Hmmm… could I even think of 10 things? 

(Nails rapping – LOUDLY – on table)

Darn!  Could I even think of 5 things?

Strangely, 2012 was filled with lots of highs and lows.   Month by month it was an extremely odd, yet interesting year.

1. January – was 5 lbs up.  I ramped up my workouts and healthy eating ensued.

Overlying theme was on Health.

2. February – overcome by vertigo in the middle of the night.  Put a damper on my working out (dizziness was awful).  All I could do was walk and some days that was challenging. Stayed sane for the next 3 months by counting my blessings and focusing on what I could do rather than what I couldn’t, especially on the bad days.

Overlying theme was on being kind and patient with myself and working on staying positive through adversity.

3. May – Vertigo nearly all gone.  I booked a vacation for myself and hubby to Hawaii.  It had been 5 years since we’d been there.  Our Hawaii vacation was wonderful!  I reconnected with my husband; ate wonderful food; and was surrounded by beauty for a whole week! I was overcome with thankfulness on this vacation.

Overlying theme here was to find time to rest, reconnect and rejuvenate. “Gratefulness” is what I felt in a word.

4. June – This is usually a fun month for me. I celebrate my birthday at the end of the month.  And, I have an annual “Birthday Week”.  I try to schedule things I like to do and/or want to explore.  On some of my adventures I invite my friends to tag along and on some days it’s just for me.  This year it all culminated in a picnic at a local winery for me and my friends.  It was nice and the weather was gorgeous!

Overlying theme was to focus on me and my wants and needs. I matter!

5. The last half of the year flew by – But I think the overall theme was that I found time to work on my home and projects as the days got shorter.  I ramped up my cooking at home.  I spent less time shopping and buying things.  I worked on bumping up my retirement savings – Difficult but worthwhile.

Overlying theme was comfort and security.

Well how’s that for “Five things of value that I did for myself”?  I like it.  On to face the new year.  2013 here I come!

Hugs & Blessings,

Janet J