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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Out with the old and in with - NOTHING! Further adventures in minimalism.

995 replies

MrsPennyapple · 12/04/2013 21:34

Following on from the Minimalist Journey and Minimalist Quiche threads. The journey continues...

OP posts:
alarkthatcouldpray · 01/05/2013 08:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeCool · 01/05/2013 08:28

A friend of mine has her microwave on a small purpose built shelf below another shelf. So it kind of floats - is at great height for use and takes up
No bench space.

educatingarti · 01/05/2013 11:37

Morning all! - finding it soooo hard to get going in the mornings right now! For me that's one of the worst things about fibromyalgia. However I am now up and showered and dressed ( delivery man with my Staples order managed not to bat an eyelid when I opened the door to him in my pjs at 9.00am! (Do they get special training in that?) Still - it got me out of bed!

Lark Thanks for asking about dad. When I spoke to mum this morning she said he hadn't been quite so good the last couple of days - very stiff and immobile and his blood pressure was a bit low this morning. He is still eating very well though - and feeding himself - especially ice cream and chocolate!

OK- I have a "suitcase/travelbag dilemma" I will post about later but must do some work first!

hobnob57 · 01/05/2013 12:30

Not so much a minimalist question, but more of a basic organisation question. I've just had my weekly shop delivered and between pittas, crumpets and bread (both normal and free from) my bread bin is woefully inadequate and it's contents, along with a week's worth of fruit, occupy a good third of my work top space. What does everyone else do with all their shopping? We are not fans of cold refrigerated fruit so that option is out. I plan to declutter some of the cupboards at the next available opportunity which will require DHs input so that may help, but at the moment cupboards are only for equipment and plates, etc. and for tins/jars/dried foods.

I would love to get rid of my microwave as it takes up half of the counter space in the utility room but it is so handy for that porridge!

educatingarti · 01/05/2013 12:35

Bread goes in the fridge - if to be used quickly or in the freezer if not - but I live alone so if I didn't freeze bread it would go mouldy before I ate all of it. Fruit goes in fridge (ditto about going mouldy/soft). Bananas in a (rather naice Wink ) small trug on large window sill.

hobnob57 · 01/05/2013 12:35

I definitely need to do that declutter and re-evaluation of the kitchen before the Tesco Pyrex offer expires. Nothing like a deadline to spur you on!

SilentMammoth · 01/05/2013 12:40

hobnob, would you consider just trialling without micro for a few days?

Right, willsomeone please tell me how I can declutter for 3 hours and it seemingly have little effect!!!!

Lark, very unhelpful post. I've just downloaded "fast Cars"!!! Smile

MinimalistMommi · 01/05/2013 12:54

I'm decluttering as I clean today, I'm doing two lots of twenty/ten and then takinga break by walking to the park and then doing another twenty/ten to get dinner prepared for tonight. I always use this method if I don't really want to clean/declutter/do tasks.

buildingmycorestrength · 01/05/2013 13:06

I optimistically cleared out a load of winter jumpers last night and put them into storage, and got out my summer clothes - linen trousers, etc.

That is why it is so cold here again today.

Sorry everyone.

buildingmycorestrength · 01/05/2013 13:06

Oh, and try Spotify for music.

Like online radio but you type in which songs you want to hear.

BeCool · 01/05/2013 13:55

Hello, my name is BeCool and I am a Muji addict!

Right fruit & bread storage - I use these.

Yes I know they are 'officially' DVD holders but please don't laugh. It was OCDCF's idea and quite a genius one at that. They are a great size and shape, hold quite alot of stuff (I have one with a loaf of bread, crackers and breadsticks and whatever else is lying around, one for fruit and one for unchilled vege). They fit really nicely along back edge of countertop, are kind of invisible. Also they take up loads less room than a round vessel would.

I would really like nothing on countertop, but that's not going to happen. These keep everything together, but they almost aren't there.

One of the DVD boxes I've had for years and years - it's worn well, is unscratched and still look fab.

BeCool · 01/05/2013 13:57

it's scorchio bliss in London this afternoon!

Original poster
MrsPennyapple · 01/05/2013 16:10

Hi everyone. Feels like I haven't been on the thread in ages! (I'm clearly not spending enough time on MN.)

Cappucino I'm so glad you have been able to deal with the wedding stuff, have some Flowers Well done, I know what a big deal it was for you.

Hobnob Our fruit bowl is in the living room, and the bread lives on the worktop Blush. I've considered a breadbin, but wouldn't be able to see at a glance how much we have. (Because lifting a lid for a second is such a massive inconvenience, obviously.)

I already don't like the amount of stuff that still lives on the worktop, but am racking my brains to figure out what to do with everything, especially with the impending wedding gifts to take into account. I think a full kitchen re-jig is in order.

The main problem is the veg, the stuff that doesn't go in the fridge. The carrots and onions currently get shoved in a bowl on the worktop - totally in the way and not remotely practical, except for being within reach. It's my grandma's ancient mixing bowl, which is cracked and chipped but I kept it for sentimental reasons. We buy potatoes by the sack, so the sack just lives on the floor in the kitchen, not in the way but not exactly tidy. I'm a bit stuck for what to do. I don't think we could fit a proper veg rack anywhere.

OP posts:
hobnob57 · 01/05/2013 16:35

Ah I feel better now Mrspennyapple! Our veg is actually the one thing I am pleased about in our kitchen. We have a butchers trolley with 2 shelves. I have a basket on each shelf - top one for veg and bottom one for paper and card recycling which is the handiest place.

Becool I loved Muji when I was in Japan but now I live Oh So Far Away from one. I will ponder on your solution though. I feel a fundamental rejig coming on.

BeCool · 01/05/2013 16:39

(((whispers - you can order online)))

I have a MUJI a short drive away (but hard to find a park area) - they love me in there :). I was actually thinking of popping up there after work tonight as ExP is collecting the DC so I have a sliver of child free time & need 2 more PP drawers .........

clearsommespace · 01/05/2013 17:14

We've always kept non-fridge veg in a veg rack stored in either under stairs cupboard or garage. I can't remember when I was last in a house without one or the other. It keeps better in a cool dark place.

Bread bin is bugging me too. We don't have much bread to store as we get it practically daily from the bakery. Ours is a roll front one and we usually just leave current loaf on top. I think it's currently stuffed full with sandwich bags that are good for another use. Will go and investigate...

MinimalistMommi · 01/05/2013 17:26

I think I'm the only person who keeps all her veg in the fridge!
My bread also lives in the freezer and I get out a slice when I need it.

wendybird77 · 01/05/2013 17:26

I gave up on my bread bin and charity shopped it - we just kept everything except bread in it. I experimented with the bread in a cupboard above the toaster, but have relocated it to the fridge now as we just pull it out when pulling out items to put on the bread for sandwiches or toast. I aspire to a lunch basket in the fridge as well which has various spreads, etc and then everyone can choose what they want and then put it back in the basket. I had a friend who did this and thought it was a stroke of genius. We have a drawer dedicated to non-fridge veg and fruit lives in a bowl on the window sill. When the kids are older and more sensible Hmm I will move it to the table where they can reach it themselves.

MinimalistMommi · 01/05/2013 17:41

wendy what veg is non-fridge Blush

I also keep all my fruit in the fridge too, aside from bananas and I only get about four at a time as I don't like them looking a mess on my work top Blush

clearsommespace · 01/05/2013 17:56

Tomatoes lose their flavour if kept in the fridge.
Root veg such as pototoes and carrots keep longer in a cool place which isn't as cold as a fridge.

Bread is now in the cupboard above the toaster next to the breakfast tray (this is a tray with jam, chocolate powder, marmite etc so that all the jars can be taken out of the cupboard and put away in one go).
Breadbin, which we bought in a charity shop years ago, is in the charity shop pile. I hope DH approves of the new system.

MinimalistMommi · 01/05/2013 18:07

Didn't know that clear I don't think I will change my ways though as I like clear work tops too much Blush

SilentMammoth · 01/05/2013 19:18

We buy potatoes by the sack too; they live on floor but yes, not exactly tidy. Can't think of alternative though.

I want a naice trug for my bananas! All my fruit lives in the fridge (bar bananas, which skulk uncomfortably in the tupperware section looking embarassed.

I'm another Muji addict! unfortunately living in the depest darkest shires we are far from the neasrest one, I'm a bit envious of BeCool

Well, successfully decluttered large kitchen cupboard and one drawer, plus loaded up car for the chazzer tomorrow. Next week I have my eye on shelf which runs length of my large-ish kitchen. I did reach a point where I had it all clear, and it looked great, but it has cluttered up again. I have divided the reason for this into three aspects said the woman with too much time on her hands

  1. We got a dishwasher. Great with five dc, but we lost a whole double cupboard to accommodate this.
  2. My mum gave me some luuuuuurvely, expensive, top quality cooking stuff. Most importantly, it's almost catering sized. I can't get rid of it, it's too nice, also DH bough some expensive cooking gear several years ago which does duplicate, but he would have a fit if I chazzered it.
  3. We're short of space for food. 7 of us = large amounts of shopping, and we tend to do mahoosive shops infrequently due to living very rurally. Hence when I buy breadsticks, I buy 8 boxes. Need somewhere to put tem and the top shelf looks a great place when I just want to get the sodding kitchen tidy.

I've analysed this far too much haven't I? Feel free to ignore me.

On another note, how many times would you re-list ebay stuff that's failed to sell. I'v got some lovely baby gear that I'm struggling to part with Sad like everyone else it appears.

clearsommespace · 01/05/2013 20:14

You could keep them in the cupboard.

Personally I think a bowl of tomatoes is a thing of beauty. I love the colour red.

alarkthatcouldpray · 01/05/2013 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sokmonsta · 01/05/2013 21:21

Decluttering successes today;
Three bags of stuff in storage.
Two boxes filled to go.
Purse has been decluttered of £440 Grin
£140 on 4 new(ish) tyres.

Joshua has had his inhalers doubled, see if that helps poorly boy.

Baby group was lovely. Next time they are having a shwap (I think that's how they spelt it). You take along some dc clothes you don't need and swap them for things you do, but literally it's just swaps, no money required. Am thinking I might give it a go to get rid of some of the twins outgrown stuff and maybe get some things any of the children need.

Microwave looks cosy in its new corner. And my food processor sits in top so even more space :)