Pottery

I'm very partial to pottery bowls.  My latest acquisition is a classic shape, and a nice size to be useful for baking.  Very simple glaze which suits it I think.

I had three bowls in my hands at the sale, but when I got to the check out I put two back.  Trying to declutter doesn't work when you keep bringing more new stuff in!  In fact I should select something to donate from the kitchen to make up for this new item.

Gardening

This year I'm going to try to stay on top of the garden, not let the weeds run rampant and chaos rule.  

 As part of this plan, a fence has been installed to keep the dog out.  On Saturday I dug up the front half of the back garden and put a path of paving stones down the centre.   I'm going to plant some very simple vegetables in this half, peas on the fence, carrots, lettuce, italian parsley, perhaps some parsnips or beets.  I may buy a couple of tomato plants or green pepper.  Not enough space for cucumber or squash, and I don't really care for squash anyway.  Potatoes perhaps, if I find some seed potatoes when I'm getting plants.  I'm only growing things I might actually eat.

The back half is a random assortment of perennials and bulbs.  One daffodil.  My peony that was from my great grandmother's garden originally.  Beebalm, a couple of types of daylily, some phlox, solomon's seal, a rhubarb, a purple cone flower.  Perhaps a fern if it survived.

The chinese lantern is a pest that has got to go, likewise any goldenrod.  The garden is also infested with bind weed so it looks okay now but I know I've got a big job ahead this year if I want to keep it presentable.

A view of the same area from last fall.  This is what I want to avoid.  I really can do better if I get out there regularly and don't let the weeds get so bad that it's overwhelming.

Black Monday

Today's theme is black, so easy, so timeless, so Monday morning.  Black turtleneck, black pants, black high boots.  The high boots are a necessity in this slushy city weather if I don't want to have to dryclean my pants every time I wear them.

Note the dog's nose from the doorway.  He wanted to be in the shot too!  Or more likely he wanted me to stop messing about and feed him.  Not sure what happened to the colour, I swear I didn't change a thing on the camera and it's gone all yellow.  Oh well, the other shots were all weird or had a dog in front of me, so this will do.

I did accessorize though, very proud of myself.  This pendant is by a Canadian designer named Rafael, given to me by my parents in the 70's.  I always enjoy wearing it.

Simplify the kitchen

There are similarities between my eating patterns and my wardrobe.   Much like the wardrobe, items purchased on sale and never eaten are a waste of money, space and they clutter my life to such an extent that I can't function efficiently.  I end up eating fast sweet junk food instead of the healthy diet I know is better for me.

A good friend who is an excellent cook told me that spices do not last forever and should be thrown out after a certain period.  I think she might have said six months, but my brain wouldn't register the time period as I still have the same bags of spices and herbs that I bought before John died almost 13 years ago.  Have and use by the way.

So, shocked into rethinking my cooking habits I recently did a big clean out of my refrigerator and cupboards.  There were many expired items and things purchased for one particular recipe never to be used again - bulgar wheat anyone?  Like the mantra with clothing, if you haven't used it in a year get rid of it.  Or at least cook something else with it right away; my Scottish heritage won't let me just toss everything!

Fruit - will it be food or compost?

I regularly waste fresh food because I don't get around to eating it.  I'm very bad at thinking "I need to eat more vegetables", so I purchase random vegetables and let them rot in the refrigerator.  This won't do.  If I simplify my diet to certain planned dishes, have a meal plan for the week, the food on hand will fit what I will actually cook and eat.  Maccaroni and cheese is good, cornbread would work, salad is possible if I prepare everything washed and cut in advance.

The kitchen and diet declutter is on!