Homekeeping

Hello!

I took a hiatus to be at the whim of the weather and my family's schedule over the summer. I took a break from thinking about work life and how to be more or get more or do more. Instead I woke up, fed my kids, drove them around, fed myself, and spent a lot of time reading and tackling overdue home organizing projects. It felt comforting and right. I'm glad to be back though, I want to feel creative and inspired again. 

One book in particular  left a lasting impression.  I pored over Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson. I took notes. I changed my routines. I cleaned things I (shamefully!) have never cleaned in my life. I learned how to fold underwear. Yes. And I felt more purposeful and connected to my house than I ever have. I stopped resenting the repetitive tasks that make up day-to-day housekeeping and found satisfaction in creating order, beauty, comfort and a healthy home. The author, a lawyer by training, made me feel it's OK and not, like, somehow anti-feminist to be interested in the domestic arts.  There is a feeling of calm that comes from living in a house that isn't heaving with stuff. I am no longer confronted by things that don't have a particular home. I highly recommend this book if you've struggled to find a regular housekeeping routine, or if you're interested in almost-lost cleaning rituals and methods from the good old days. 

So you know where this post is going. Full Kondo. 

Kidding. I like my little collections. I have an unused Le Cruset mini casserole dish (I think it's called a cocotte) in a gorgeous eggplant colour. I have no idea what actual cooking use I have for it, but it's charming and pretty so it stays - for now.  But boy-oh-boy I purged this summer. Purged. There is a new Value Village in the No Frills plaza on Islington Avenue and my summer routine involved donating a box or two of cast-offs each week before grocery shopping. 

I found this list of 101 Physical Things That Can Be Easily Reduced from Becoming Minimalist thought provoking. My favourite suggestions:

1. Glassware (mismatched glasses that don't neatly stack I'm looking at you)
2. Cookbooks
3. OTC medicine
4. Make-up & toiletries
5. Craft supplies
6. Candles
7. Jewellery
8. Manuals
9. Bath toys
10. STUFFED ANIMALS
11. Seasonal decorations 
12. Board games