Spring cleaning: kitchens

When I was packing to move out of my old apartment, I didn't realize how much kitchen stuff I had accummulated!  All those drawers and cabinets that helped me organize everything neatly also led me to believe it wasn't that much stuff.  Now that it's divided -- or added to -- two already-furnished households, the big purge kitchen clean really has to happen.

[my old kitchen]

I am hanging on to my old pots and pans and some extra plates, as well as any doubles between DC and me, as a "starter set" for my younger brother.  He's moving back home from college this summer and I will keep these essentials on hand for him so that when he moves out he won't have the added expense of buying all new.  It's agreed that I'll keep these things from nine to 12 months; if he's still living at home, they're going to be donated.

I found this blog post helpful when it comes to the basics.  But in terms of my own needs/desires/whatever, how do I know what or how much to throw away?  For example, Whatabout the silverware? I'd like to keep some handy for entertaining, so that what I'm cutting down on is disposables.  But are three full sets for 12 really necessary?

[new kitchen]

Don't worry, I'm not all worked up about it.  Things will work themselves out.  My task for the next week is just to clean out and re-line the cabinets (drawers already done!).  That's manageable, especially with DC coming to help!

New ride

Although I am now only two miles away from my old apartment, I am on a new and very different get-to-work schedule that involves taking Metro railways instead of the bus. It makes me feel like I am living in Portland.  Or San Francisco. Or Tokyo. (Well, not really, but let a gal dream a little!). The ride is much smoother and faster than the bus, but now involves walking to the station and changing trains -- which means a lot of exit options and a lot of stairs. It took me about a week of emerging out of Metro stops three blocks away from my office or at the extreme other end of the platform before I finally got a handle on how to properly navigate those underground walkways.

[union station]

[two yellow lines; waiting for gold]

I even purchased a TAP card, which means no more fiddling with tokens and no more wasted paper printed for tickets. I think the Metro ticketing infrastructure is still being built, which is why there are ticket "sweeps" by officers every now and then. It's annoying for some people, but I don't mind.

[emerging from underground]

Other major changes need to be made, however, in terms of shoes and bags.  When I used to have to just walk downstairs or a couple city blocks to the bus stop, heels were bearable.  So was a load of library books.  But such is the case no more.  I have been rummaging for appropriate footwear and baggage.  So far, my work flats are okay, albeit barely.  I'm also testing out some of the free bags DC has gotten from conferences.  But I'm still looking (online, in stores) for cute, lightweight, efficient accoutrements.  And maybe an upgrade to a smart phone.

That's a lot of newness for someone who's not generally comfortable with change!  But I have been re-learning about embracing the new life, not being concerned or comparing it with the past.  And I'll do what DC always tells me: keep on keepin' on!

If anyone out there has suggestions as to good walking shoes (that may be appropriate with work clothes or not, I'll keep some heels at the office), bags, or a phone/PDA, I'm all ears!

Spring cleaning: closet

I'm a fan of the Makeunder My Life blog because of the author's intentionality to create a quality life.  I like the term "makeunder" as opposed to the ubiquitous "makeover," which connotes that if we're not happy with our lives or ourselves, we can simply do it "[all] over."  Which is not really the case, right?  I love Jess' definition of a makeunder: "any action that improves one’s life through addition by subtraction."

Back in January, DC and I edited our closets and had at least three bagfulls to donate to Beach Cities Interfaith Services.

Taking a cue from MML's "end of the week exfoliation" (another brilliant word choice that evokes the image of scrubbing out to reveal something nicer underneath) series, right after the move I went through my closet and purged a fully-stuffed-paper-grocery-bag-size load of clothes, which DC donated -- along with a host of other things, including pillows and drapes from old roommates and apartments -- to the local American Veterans.

[part of the pile to donate]

I don't think I would have actually gotten rid of anything if it weren't for BCIS having a drop off at DC's church, or if DC hadn't already made an appointment for a pickup by AmVets.  How many times have I had bags of recyclables or donations nicely bagged, yet sitting by the front door for weeks on end?!  Remember, equally important to selecting and gathering the items to purge is actually taking them out of the house!

Mother's Day Bouts

This year I intended to make bouquets for the mamas in my life: mom, g'ma, two sis' in law.   Then I found out my folks were hosting a get-together.  For about 40.  And about 10 moms.  Whoa.

My plan was to go to the farmers market and pick up some flowers to make small boutonnières for them all.  But DC had the excellent idea of cutting flowers from his garden.  Luckily for us, the former owner was a florist, so beautiful -- and many sweet-smelling -- blooms were in abundant supply.  So on Saturday night, before sunset, we walked around the front and back yards with pruners in hand.

DC cleaned them all off and helped me decide on combinations of flowers.  Just a few rounds of floral tape (that I already had on hand), and in a couple of hours we'd made over a dozen little arrangements.  It was fun -- and better yet -- FREE!

[nasturtium, roses, orange leaves, camellia leaves, lavendar, basil]

[boutonnières, done]

[boutonnières, next morning]

We stood them up in a plastic container with some water, and left them outside overnight.  The next day I pinned them on all the moms in attendance: a combination of aunts and cousins, including some visitors from France!  They were a big hit, especially the ones with the multicolored roses and herbs, because of the lovely fragrance.  A nice way to appreciate the mamas and make them feel special, because they are!

Hope all you mamas had a wonderful day!

New reading nook

In addition to cleaning, this spring we have organizing and arranging.  Which is enjoyable in two households: I get to play interior designer using a mix of my stuff and items that are already there at each place.  Another fun instance of slowly but surely merging lives.

The first project was to create a reading nook at DC's.  Previously he simply had a chair (the ever-recognizable Poang) and footstool in a corner of his bedroom.  It looked nice, but functionally, just held a lot of clothes or bags.

We put one of my old floor lamps in the corner (this one), along with a small bookshelf, and a pillow for some color contrast.  Result:

[new reading nook]

A cozy corner where DC can read or grade papers, with room for his books and a glass of water.  All it needs is some art on the walls.  I have some small pieces picked out, specifically us-related as it's in a private part of the house -- with plenty of space on the walls for our collection to grow.

DC was super excited about his new area, and began using it immediately.  "What's going on here?!" he asked in disbelief, from his chair, with books within arm's reach.

Your house is becoming functional, dear.

Spring cleaning: times two

I tried to exercise foresight in packing, divvying my possessions between DC's place and my new place (already fully furnished).  But in the final days, in a frenzy to just get it all out of the apartment, things started going all over the place.

Now with spring in full swing, spring cleaning means tackling two households:  daunting.  But it's a good thing I like this kind of stuff.  There's no real rush, but to hasten the *exhale* of completion and carrying on with life more simple and with more focus on what's really important has my motor revved up and ready to get to it!

[packing - moving - unpacking]

I'll be checking in with Re-Nest's spring cleaning series, especially using things like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon for cleaning!  Since they just started it last week, I don't feel so behind!

May 5th menu

When it's my turn to cook, it can be a very long day.  Sometimes I have the meal planned in advance, but more often than not I am public transporting home, driving to market for ingredients, and heading to my brother's or folks' to wash + chop and then cook.  Lately I've been going to the farmers market during lunch and letting my findings there dictate the menu.  I couldn't be bothered yesterday, and it wasn't until the end of the work day that I realized it was both Cinco de Mayo and Kodomo no Hi. 

Luckily my brother and sis'-in-law had all the goods for guac; we cheated a bit by buying a rotisserie chicken.  Even after a stop at home and two markets, we had dinner on the table by 7:00.  Thanks especially to DC, who came to pick me up, and always offers helping hands.

I'm not sure if Mexican and Japanese cuisines go together, but in the spirit of multiculturalism we had a little bit of each last night.

Beverage: Michelada (made with dark or light beer)

[my first michelada]

Appetizers: Guacamole + chips; Somen {cold noodles + sauce}

Mains: Chicken soft tacos;  Hamachi Kama {yellowtail collar} + rice

Dessert: Ice cream!