Simplify -- Bye Bye Books

Simplify!

Our Goal

A simple and beautiful house

that the Lord can use as a peaceful haven

for my family and others.

Click here to find out why/how I started!

I'm back in the living room today, ready to tackle the other half of the room.  I set up my camera and tripod to document the process, with my back to the bookcase I decluttered and organized yesterday.

Books.

In today's world, with our smart phones and Kindles and tablets, I'm sure books aren't a big deal to declutter.  But listen--I'm a homeschooling mom.  I grew up lounging on the living room couch with throw pillows all around, absorbed in some adventure.  I read everything.  There is just something about holding a book in my hands, feeling the pages, the touch of paper against my finger as I turn a page.  You just can't replace that.  Books are something special.

Middle/upper elementary historical fiction books, soon to find a new home.

The decision.

With the help of my sister-at-heart Lori, I realized that when it comes to homeschooling, I'm really done (it still hasn't sunk in yet).  And saving everything for my grandchildren isn't worth it.

• It's not practical; how/where will I store all this stuff?
• Will I even have grandchildren?  (I sure hope so.)
• Will my grandchildren be homeschooled?
• Will homeschooling look the same as it does today?
• Will my future daughters-in-law even want the stuff?
• Would they feel forced to accept the stuff?

There were way too many variables for me to decide that keeping a ton of stuff in the hopes that all of these questions--and some I haven't even asked--would be answered positively.  I also looked at it from another perspective:

• My home would be less cluttered.
• I would be freer from stuff.
• I can keep a small number of quality books for visiting grandchildren.  Or stop at the library before they visit.
• My sons/DILs can purchase/borrow their own books.
• My DILs may already have books of their own!
• My relationship with future daughters-in-law wouldn't be burdened.

This second list is also incomplete, and much more positive in practical and tangible ways, even right now.  My mind was decided.

The process.

These books are serial sets, so it was easy to remove them from the shelves and divide them up into separate boxes.  I plan to sell these this spring, before the homeschool convention season hits and homeschooling moms are searching for materials for the next school year.

Once all the series were boxed and stacked, I took stock of the bookcase.  I decided I didn't like the look of the Bible concordances on the stop of the bookcase--they're too much competition for the border.  I moved them to the tall bookcase (behind me, the one from yesterday's project).

I took the bookends--giant hand-crafted fishing lure bookends I found in a shop in upstate New York--and moved them to the middle shelf to hold a few books I decided to keep.  That freed up some space and made the top look prettier.

The below picture is the end result of the day's work.  I ended up decluttering that canoe shelf on the right, too.  I removed the picture frames--no one can see those pictures, anyway--and put them in the Goodwill box.  I then organized the little games, mostly card games, in another basket which now sits on the bottom shelf of the canoe.

I really want to declutter the CD rack next to the canoe, but I have a husband who enjoys the CDs...  Although, you know, we never listen to them, and the CD player in our stereo system doesn't work all that well.  I wish I were tech-savvy enough to figure out how to get all the music stored digitally!  For now, everything is neat and tidy, and I'll soon have a few more dollars in my pocket from book sales.  The CDs can wait until I have some time for research and someone to help me.

Sometimes, a room doesn't have to be completely done; it just needs to be good enough for now.  That's not settling for less, or leaving it undone; it's simply acknowledging that even though I could do more, I'm content with how it looks now, I can enjoy the items that remain, and I can tackle the harder task of going deeper with decluttering when I'm ready.

This project took just a few hours, in the morning and again in the evening--as evidenced by the lamp in my pictures!


Back to life,
Christine

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Simplify -- Living Room Bookcase

Simplify!

Our Goal

A simple and beautiful house

that the Lord can use as a peaceful haven

for my family and others.

Click here to find out why/how I started!

Hi there!  I tackled one more decluttering project in my home:  the living room.  And really, it was just one half of the living room:  the business side.  This is the north half, with windows facing the front yard, and nice bright light throughout the morning.  Our computer desk is at one side, and a bookcase graces the middle of the wall.  Just two pieces of furniture, but oh what a mess they can be!  Here's what this section of room looked like when I started:

If you're just starting to declutter, this hint will help you--start small.  I'm a natural de-clutterer, so if I decide to tackle a room, it usually doesn't overwhelm me.  But, sometimes I do feel overwhelmed, and need to focus on a small area--my project desk, maybe, or even just the silverware drawer in the kitchen.  Today, it's just half a room.  Here's the bookcase, below.

I didn't handle every item, remove it from the shelf, look at it, decide whether or not it's worthy of space in my home (all good questions to ask).  I did look over every title, every book, and decide that way.  There are things I eventually left on the bookcase for now--homeschool material, for example--which are better tackled later when I have a good chunk of time to devote to it.  I wanted to both declutter and straighten up, so that the space felt friendlier, more open and inviting, and freer, prettier.  There was a stack of paperwork to be filed, so the bulk of my time was spent in the filing drawer--that bottom pull-out which is the coolest thing--filing recent paperwork and decluttering tons of no-longer-needed or outdated paperwork.

The filing is mostly finished.

The computer desk doors can be closed for guests or entertaining, so I wasn't too worried about the actual desk at this point.  Most of my focus was the floor areas and the bookcase.  I had recently removed books (before I took picture #1, wouldn't you know) from one of the shelves, leaving room for the bookends my dad made in high school shop class.  These hold our family hymnals and music books for church.  (Second shelf from the top.)  Also, a few cookbooks and books on photography went in the giveaway pile.  I was able to give most away on Freecycle, and the rest went into a box destined for Goodwill.

My beloved Scrabble game went from the top of the bookcase to the bottom of the basement stairs, where many of our games are stored.  Soon, I hope very soon, all of our games will be housed there, for easy access to all of us and to guests.  A project for later, but not too much later.  :)

Once the bookcase was decluttered and straightened up, I decided to spend a little time on the computer desk, mostly on the cork boards attached to the insides of the doors.  Fernando wants the bills to be pinned on the left side so he doesn't forget to pay them (we have several that are not on auto-pay for various reasons).  I sorted through them, filed some that had been paid, and sorted the rest neatly.

I also went through my wicker magazine basket (between bookcase and lamp, under the clock), which holds mostly music books for flute tutoring.  I had extra magazines stored there (out they went), and a few pages ripped from an advertisement (I took pictures of those to save for master bedroom decor ideas, and uploaded them to Pinterest).

The cork board on the computer desk's right-hand door is mine, mostly photography business stuff.  I sorted through that, filed some things, and threw others out.  I input necessary stuff into documents on the computer--don't you just love storing things digitally?  No paper mess!

Above is the day's finished work.  Remember, minimalism looks different for each person or family.  Since there are six people in our household, I need to defer to them when there are things I'd like to throw out, but they want/need to keep.  For now, everything is neat and contained; I will continue to weed out unwanted books throughout the year, and work on the inside "guts" of the computer desk (Fernando is starting a business, so I expect the computer desk will be due for a makeover).  I also have to find a solution for that clip-on lamp at the top of the bookcase; I need something to light up the computer area when I'm working in darker hours.  Suggestions, anyone?

Remember, start small.  At the end of this day, I didn't want to leave anything messy.  I wanted it to be done, so that I didn't have to finish the next day.  Of course, you can stretch a project out, too, if you need to!  There are no hard and fast rules, which you'll see in my own journey as I handle different spaces in different ways.

Where in your house did you start?  Was is small or big, radical or something minor?  Don't you feel freer, lighter, and more carefree?  I know I do.


Back to life,
Christine

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Typical

January 24.

Saturday--I shot a mother/daughter event the entire day, and was blessed with food, dessert, and two cans of whipped topping to bring home for my guys.  When I got home, I found Jacob messing up my kitchen with a homemade hot chocolate recipe he found online. 

At least he made hot chocolate for everyone!

All the guys were in their typical silly moods.  Fernando grabbed one of the cans of whipped topping, and did what every guy usually does upon opening it.

Danny had some whipped topping with his ice cream with his whipped topping.

Silly guys.


Back to life,
Christine

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Sweet Potato and Quinoa Burgers

Remember--the recipe is at the end.  :)

I found this recipe on Pinterest, and was immediately intrigued.  With a few very minor modifications, I made these "cakes," which are burgers, in my opinion, hence the name change.  Don't they look fabulous?  I think so, too.

One note about pepper. The original recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.  Whoa, Nelly!  Let me just say, you've never had pepper until you've had freshly ground pepper.  You use so much less of it than pre-ground pepper, and it is so much more aromatic and spicy.

Store-bought pre-ground pepper has been sitting in jars, and it takes a lot to achieve that nice zip that pepper gives.  See, as soon as you grind a peppercorn, it releases its full flavor; as it sits on the store shelf, it loses all its zest and pep.  Try some on your next corn on the cob--wow.

Trust me on this--you need to buy a decent pepper mill and some good quality peppercorns.  White, black, red, telicherry, mixed--you'll become a pepper gourmet and never go back.  Just a few cranks of the pepper mill will produce more seasoning than half a teaspoon of store-bought, pre-ground black powder pepper-like substance.  Hope that doesn't sound snobby, but it's true.  Hope someday you'll thank me for it.  :)

Here's the recipe, modified the way I like it.

Quinoa & Sweet Potato Burgers
Serves four

one medium sweet potato (~6 oz.), peeled and chopped
1/2 red, yellow, or white onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
fresh pepper (3-4 cranks of your pepper mill)
two cloves garlic, minced
one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or other fat for frying--I used rendered pork lard!)

1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
two tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
two tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt (yes--it's in here a second time!)
one large egg, lightly beaten

This recipe comes together quickly if you prep everything first--chop, dice, measure the ingredients into prep bowls, etc.  Now on to the nitty-gritty.

Heat a large skillet (you'll use it again to cook the burgers) on medium-low heat and add the olive oil or other fat.  Add in the sweet potato, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper.  Stir, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until potato is soft.  Remove lid and stir in garlic, and cook for an additional 30 seconds or so.

Mash the sweet potato a bit with a potato masher, and transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.  Let cool, since you'll be using your hands; I put my bowl in the fridge for ten minutes.  Add the quinoa, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, herbs, and remaining salt (add more pepper, too, if you like!), and mix a little.  Then, add in egg and mix it all up just like you're making hamburger meat.  Use your hands to shape four patties.

Heat the skillet again to a medium heat and add a little fat--olive oil or pork lard work great.  Gently place the burgers onto the pan and cook about three or four minutes per side, or until they're golden brown.  Flip them carefully!

We have eaten these burgers plain, with blackberry salsa (fresh blackberries, a little cilantro and lime juice, and chopped jalapeno and minced onion, all to your taste), or even on a bun.  Fernando put mustard on his, and Jacob ate his burger with cheddar cheese.  Try it different ways and see what you like best!

Back to life,
Christine

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A Letter to Thomas

January 20.

Dear Thomas,

Well, you did it.  Or rather, we did it.  You graduated from homeschool, and so did I, in a sense.  I suppose we'll laugh for a long time as we playfully dispute the actual date of your graduation--New Year's Eve 2014?  Or New Year's Day 2015?  Well, I put January 1 on both your diploma and transcript, so I guess that's the official date, and we'll both have to live with it.

We had a rough start (to high school) together, didn't we?  I remember the first year that it was just you and I.  No brothers to buffer teaching time, learning styles, or curriculum.  Just you and I to figure things out.  It took us a chunk of that first year to stop butting heads, appreciate our personality differences, and work together toward a common goal.  Actually, it took me that long to figure out that you are your own person, unique and completely different from any of your brothers.  In fact, I still don't get you, and I doubt I ever will.  But I love you, and I know you love me, and that's what counts.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again here, for all the world to read if they care to.  You are an amazing young man.  Your faith is a quiet one, a steadfast standing in the grace of Jesus.  You constantly amaze me, whether it's the things you're interested in or the witty and crazy things you say.  Your mind is a fascinating place!

I realized you were growing up when I received an email from Pastor Fraley, with a Bible study for someone who desires to be baptized.  I had no clue you were even thinking about it.  The church helped make that happen for you, and God even sent the rain to flood the river for you, too!

I also realized you were growing up when I received that early morning phone call from Theresa, student rep at Universal Technical Institute.  I had no clue you had contacted the school, or were even interested in auto technology.  You took the initiative, and now here you are.

You encouraged me to bring my camera as Dad drove you to school that first day.  We said goodbye and you walked off, much like Jacob did, without turning back.  I snapped a picture, and didn't cry until I got home and downloaded it, and then it became real.  Even though you're home every night, you've got one foot out the door--and that's as it should be.

I thank the Lord for blessing me with such an amazing young man.  I look back at all the goofiness, the escapades, the crazy toddler years with you, your funny jokes and witty remarks, the emergency room visits, and on it goes.  I have a treasure chest full of memories, because you're you.

As you start this new chapter in your life, as you stride into godly manhood, I can't wait to see what the Lord does in your life.  I know His hand is upon you, and He'll guide you safe and sure.

I love you, Thomas.

Love,
Mom

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Simplify -- My Project Desk

Simplify!

Our Goal

A simple and beautiful house

that the Lord can use as a peaceful haven

for my family and others.

Click here to find out why/how I started!

After decluttering our master bedroom, I found myself looking over at my project desk every time I was in my room.  It was time to tackle another project.  This desk was in a different part of our room several years ago, and here's what it looked like then, along the northwest wall  Now, the desk sits next to the bed along the southeast wall, and I use the edge on the right for my Bible and clock, sort of a "nightstand" section.

This desk very easily gets cluttered, and I rarely do projects any more.  I'm in the midst of selling all my scrapbooking supplies--punches, stickers, paper, scissors--because I'd like to convert my photos to digital format for online storage and for creating memory books.

Random family photos and scrapbooking supplies...

I bought this three-tier organizer at a garage sale for a buck, cleaned it up, and it now holds various crafting supplies.  It could stand a little decluttering, too.

I spotted a few buttons on my desk as well.  These belong to a number of articles of clothing that are missing buttons (or are extra buttons for them).  I'd have to pull out my sewing organizer to put the buttons away.

Below is my sewing organizer.  The little containers pull out, then snap back into place.  Each container has several compartments for organizing.  Over time, this piece became my sewing organizer, and guess what?  I don't sew.  I do save buttons from clothing, though--you know, the extra ones that come with sweaters, dresses, coats, etc.?  And every now and then, I need thread to fix a tear, or sew on a loose button.  I've amassed quite the sewing collection over the years.  This is where I started the day's decluttering.

One of the organizer's compartments.

I started pulling out thread, snaps, hooks, buttons, needles, ack!  Where did all this stuff come from??

I set these buttons in one compartment for saving, since they're for clothing items I still own.

Most of the thread I had amassed was in the red or blue palette.

I bagged up most of the buttons in little jewelry bags I already had, and collected all the spools of thread together.

Below are the spools of color I saved, since they're basic colors I know I'll be able to use in the future.

And since at this point, that jewelry organizer was empty, I used this other empty storage container to store my sewing items, as you can see below.

What are these keys doing in this post?  I found them in the single desk drawer.  I cut out tags and attached them to the keys, labeling the ones I knew.  I hung all the keys in our key box in the back hallway by the kitchen.  Hopefully we can figure out what the keys are used for!  If not, after a while I'll just drop them in the trash.

Well, my project desk project turned into a sewing organizer project!  I donated the thread, buttons, and other sewing items to two ladies at church, and sold the sewing organizer to a lady whose son loved to organize his Legos.  Bingo!

I will share more on this desk in a future post.  For now, I'm happy that I got rid of so many little items.


Back to life,
Christine

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Simplify and Beautify -- My January Mantel

I took a few close-up pictures of my mantel, and thought I'd like to share them with you.  But first, a spelling lesson.

1.  mantle -- a loose sleeveless cloak or shawl, worn especially by women.

2.  mantel --  a beam, stone, or arch serving as a lintel to support the masonry above a fireplace.

Please don't confuse the two.  Thanks.


Now, my mantel isn't that original or unique, and will never grace the pages of a home decorating magazine (or blog).  And I don't even have a full image of the whole thing!  Here are (most of) the elements I used for my winter mantel.

1.  A pine-scented soy candle bought when we purchased our Christmas tree.

2.  A rectangle serving dish, Pfaltzgraff Ocean Breeze pattern, from my dishes.

3.  Pine cones gathered at a nearby park.

4.  Acorn and butternut squash picked from my garden this past autumn.

5.  A Mason jar from my canning collection, filled with...

6.  Dried flowers from a birthday flower arrangement, and

7.  Three snowflake decorations given to me by my brother Jeff for Christmas.

(That's my wedding picture tucked back there--I can't even remember how it got there, lol!).

8.  Ash tray purchased at a farmers market on vacation several years ago (used as a candle holder and now my snuffer tray).

9.  Little wooden plaque given to me by my mom after I surprised her for her 75th birthday.

That's it.  Many of the elements will be used elsewhere during other months, the pink flowers will be tossed, and the snowflakes will be stored in one of four boxes of Christmas decorations.  And the squash is being eaten, of course!


Back to life,
Christine

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