Minimal frustrations

I've been experiencing some minimal frustration lately, and by "minimal" I don't mean "hardly any." You'd think that being a minimalist would be easy, but sometimes? Really, really not.

Well, simple is never simple, right?

When I went through my kitchen last year at the start of this whole minimalist ordeal, I got rid of a lot. But as time has gone on, I've noticed the things I thought I couldn't bear to part with have not been used. At all. In eight months. Cake pans, tart pans, stoneware, kitchen gadgets. Lots and LOTS of kitchen gadgets.

So last week I put everything on my counter, and nothing went back that hadn't been used since my last clean-out. I just didn't think about it, that's how. I am emotional. All of my everything is associated with a memory. Even my lemon zester. So yes, I am at war with myself sometimes. That's why I don't think, I just act. You might be surprised how easy it is not to think. (Ha!)

And you know what? My cabinets are gorgeous now. Sometimes I like to just open them up to admire the result. Well, I don't get out much, that's why.

But anyway, right after the big second culling, instead of feeling shiny and happy* like I'd expected when I FINALLY moved that unwanted stuff on out of my kitchen, I started to feel frustrated. I was a little depressed is what I'm saying.

For one thing, my once clean retreat is brimming with crap again. All my unused, unwanted, stupid crap. I feel like I'm making such great progress, and I bask in the glow of my uncluttered cabinets, and then I come into my room and I have to look at piles of crap.

I've started up the classified ads again. Things are not moving as quickly out as I would like, i.e., so far not at all. (Why do I always get the lessons in patience? Dude, it gets old.) I guess the upside is that the church rummage sale is coming up in a couple of weeks, and this will soon be just a bad memory.

I'm also frustrated because my big ideas often go nowhere. I've cleared off a lot of counter space because I love the look of nothing. True story. Plus it's just easier to clean. Anyway, I have two crocks of utensils on my counter, and I thought that having no crocks would be even better. So I dumped everything out, and picked through, and discarded. Then I found an unused plastic basket in the freezer (don't ask) that I cleaned and tossed everything into.

That's when I discovered that A) Not everything even fits and B) My counter might be clear, but finding stuff in this basket is going to be practically impossible. Plus: Where the hell do I put the basket?

Frustration Part C is my silverware drawer. I used to have three crocks of utensils, and since I have two now, I guess it doesn't take a genius to figure out where THAT all went. (In case it doesn't translate: My silverware drawer.) More dumping on the counter, more ruthless culling, more clean uncluttered after to swoon over.

It's lovely, all right, but there are a few things I use and don't have room for now if I want to keep things uncluttered--looking at you, three sizes of cookie scoops--so those got tossed into my General Purpose Kitchen Tool Catch All Basket of No Return, too.

Also, can someone please explain to me why I am keeping a set of biscuit cutters I've used like twice in the three years I've owned them? Sometimes not thinking doesn't solve everything. (I'm tossing them in the rummage pile right now.)

The normal thing to do would be to just put everything back in the crocks and forget about it. What's a little clutter, really? Instead I went online to see if I could find some stainless steel, made in America, multi-use utensils to weed out even more of this shit.

What I learned is that finding stainless steel, made in America, multi-use utensils is HARD. And by "hard," I mean impossible.

Depressing.

Okay, fine, having two crocks is just the way things have to be in this house. I put one back on the counter and the other, with the less used stuff, is in a cupboard. When I do my baking, I take it out, and when I'm done I put it back again. Sure, it's an extra step, but it's a compromise I'm willing to make. Someday I might decide to upgrade my cooking utensils, but for now I'm going to let it go.

The General Purpose Kitchen Tool Catch All Basket of No Return has become simply The General Purpose Kitchen Tool Catch All, and is also in a cupboard. It hold the things I use on more of an occasional basis--the cookie scoops, my steamer basket, my two funnels--but because not everything is in there, I can easily find what I'm looking for without having to rummage through the thing.

I still need to go through the food storage area and under the kitchen sink, but for the most part, my kitchen is now a shining, happy spot in my house. And because it's literally like the center of the house, when it's shining and happy, the everything else tends to be shining and happy, too.

So it's not perfect yet by any means, but it's better. My frustration level has gone down, maybe not all the way, but let's say at least by half. I'm trying.

...And Abby wants the computer, so I guess this is done.

*You're welcome.

It all depends on how you look at it. And which filter you choose

You guys! Instagram is THE BEST. Don't ask me how it all works because I have no idea. Abby hooked me up. Go ask her. What I do know is that now I can take all kinds of artistic photos without even trying! That's called "filters." I guess.

I have a very patient husband, by the way. On one of our walks this week I brought my iPod along just to take photographs. I was being silly, but instead of telling me to grow the hell up, which would have been completely understandable, Eric gave me suggestions.

Probably I should quit my job right now and do this full time. I mean, right?

The awesome thing about all of this is I didn't even have to leave the neighborhood. Or take a class. Or worry about things like "talent." That is so 2012.

So... this is why I haven't had time to call, Mom. I know, it sounds stupid to me, too.

My bulk reality

After experiencing the joy that was The Future of Bulk (which, rereading my post, sounds like one big advertisement for Market of Choice. Huh. Well, I was really excited about all that bulk, don't change stores on my account, which is probably impossible anyway because they're not everywhere), I had to come to terms with my limited options here at home. And the more costly prices.

But ever undaunted I move on, because really, what choice do I have? I can rage against the machine, or accept it and get on with my life.

You don't live with an optimist for 17-plus years without some of that shit rubbing off on you. (Looking at you, Eric.)

Huckleberry's Natural Market

Anyway, on my most recent trip, I took a good second look at my options. Sometimes I get into such a rut that I fail to see what else is even out there. This is what happens when you are very pro-routine.

So I looked. I filled a jar with dried plums, I got some spelt flour, I picked up two mozzarella balls because emergency Stromboli* happens often in this house. I stuck to the perimeter of the store--forget you, inner aisles--and you know what? My bill was lower than usual. But mostly I was thrilled because I had very little that would need to be recycled or end up as trash at the end of it all.

I will never get to a true zero waste, but I might get close.

Oh, and maybe I should mention that we ate very well all week and at all three meals (plus snacks for the girls). There was no starvation. There was also less "MOOOOOM! What can I eaaaaaaaaaaaat!" because they had so many options. That week was full of win. It was very good for my self-esteem.

One thing that I've learned with my Adventures in Bulk-land is that bulk is not one section of the store, but everywhere. There's the main ordeal, all right, with its grains, sugars, dried fruits and herbs et al (even lotion and shampoo and liquid soap), but there are also nuts and trail mix in the produce section, fresh feta and mozzarella at the olive bar, and fresh yeast and maple syrup in the organic dairy aisle (not sure why that is, but whatevs, it's awesome).

And I guess you could count the loose fruits and veggies as bulk, too, right? I told you bulk is everywhere. My store also has bulk coffee and tea, but I like going to a local coffee roaster with my jar because it's fun to chat with other people who love coffee AND get a free pound after buying ten. That is math I can get behind.

Some bakeries have bulk bins for breads, but ours does not. Since we're in Oregon, there are "rules and regulations" about putting stuff into bags and jars from across the counter, apparently. Question: If it's MY bag and MY jar and MY germs and I'm okay with that, why do you care, The Man? We have two kick-ass bakeries in town that use paper bags--and one lets me use a pillow case at the farmers' market, so I'm willing to bet they'd let me do that in-store--that I know I should be utilizing but just don't. I'm a one-stop shopping kind of girl, and going to different locations is hard for me to get behind, even if they're just down the street.

What I'm saying is that this is on my list. Baby steps, y'all.

Anyway, I am very grateful for the bulk selection I have in my teeny little town, that my store lets me use bags and jars for some purchases, and that my family tends to not notice my zero waste efforts on the whole. This change has, for the most part, been easy. I wish all my minimalism projects were this simple.

*I've linked the recipe that taught our little family about the joy that is Stromboli. Since we don't believe broccoli belongs on a pizza--come on, nothing is THAT desperate--I use this as a guide and then do my own thing. Good recipes let you do that. Oh, and someday I'll have to post my favorite Naan recipe. That stuff is gold. And makes killer pizza crust.