30 December 2016

PIZZA ON THE FLY

I made an yeast-free pizza dough that's ready to bake faster than my oven needs to preheat. This is a game changer.

I'll include the crust in my upcoming video series. That's right, I said video. Watch out world, I'm not chicken shit anymore.

29 December 2016

Fermented Fun (for realz)

I've said this before but I gotta say it again, homemade fermented veggies kick the asses of every store-bought, ready-made jar, I've ever eaten. And I've eaten a lot. Not only that but the cost comparison isn't even on the same planet.

For realz.


28 December 2016

BETTER THAN JEWELRY

For awhile now my large garbage bin for the kitchen has been too blippin' big. Problem solved. Behold, my new baby bin.

Better than jewelry.



26 December 2016

Happy as Balls

Tonight I made egg-free noodles, lasagna sheets and teeny tiny pasta nuggets. So flippin' yum. I'm happy as balls to have my own allergy-friendly options.

Suck on that eggs, you're not needed.


23 December 2016

The Flippin' Kitchen

Even with 95 percent gone, the kitchen still has a lot of stuff. It's my office, lab and home kitchen. And if I'm REALLY honest, there are some baking toys that I haven't used since I decluttered 34 weeks ago.

Today I pull EVERYTHING out of the kitchen (again), and see what (if anything), I'm willing to let go of.

One word: aldfladkjfalkfjlsdkjfaldfjla!!!!

And to those who celebrate ...


22 December 2016

FQ: What Are We?

For all the allergies that I no longer have (thank you immune system), I'm still not able to handle corn. I test it every so often, but I'm not there yet. So I make due by drizzling these with melted unscented coconut oil and a sprinkle of Kosher salt and cayenne powder.

What are we?


Too Long? Or Just Right?

Ohhh bonkers, I'm pooped today. But I'm outta laundry soap so time to get my butt in gear and make some. Pictures to come. Meanwhile, I may have let these ferments rest a tad too long ....


21 December 2016

Kitchen (challenge accepted)

I just cracked open my largest ferment and boy, it's gettin' tangy. My oh my. It tastes so good. Not sure I'll be able to wait.

In other news, part of my kitchen is solved. We're building a new pantry. I never drew plans or built one before but you know what? It doesn't even occur to me that I can't.


Happy Winter Solstice


The Fantastic 4

The chunky carrots are my first ever brine-water test batch. Not sure if that's what it's called, still learning the words. The rest are regular ferments mixed with napa cabbage, spices and the two outer ones have onions. No set formulas. Just chop, season, taste, smash, protect water line, close lid, wait.

Suck on that, bad belly bugs. You gonna die.


20 December 2016

My Kitchen Annoys Me

When I started decluttering we had at least, 500 pens, markers and pencils. I kept a small stash, donated the rest. Time moved on, but I still wasn't using most of them, so I reduced my share by half.

Below is what's left.

In other news, my kitchen annoys me. So I'll post this, unplug, make a cuppa hot chocolate and get crackin'.

Thanks for the suggestions yesterday.






19 December 2016

CAN'T FIGURE THIS OUT

I'm struggling with where to store our quick-turnover room temperature produce like bananas, potatoes and onions. Tim cleared a bookcase but put I my cookery and bake books there, along with waters on the bottom. I just can't figure this one out.

Yet.

PS: My latest ferments. Oh my yum.

16 December 2016

Friday Question: Fermented Veggies

I eat fermented veggies for my gut bugs but up until this week, I bought them. Now after making my first jar there's nooooo going back. Sooooo many combinations. Sooooo much fun. And soooo soooo much cheaper.

Friday Question: Do you like fermented veggies?


14 December 2016

Sorry Batman, Ya' Gotta Go

Next to me is the biggest cuppa free from dairy hot chocolate in the history of ever. So flippin' good. Before this, I removed what clothes I had left and you know what? Everything I own fits into one large laundry basket. And yet, there are a few items I'm not wearing. Like my Batman shirt. I like it, but I don't wear it. Now my Captain America, Halloween and zombie shirts, I wear those all the time.

In other news, yesterday I cleaned the house and oh my gosh ....

09 December 2016

I'm Baaaaacccckkkkkk !!!!

Hello Boogerbutts! Long time no blog. Good to be back. And oh my gosh, so flippin' pretty outside. We've already had a snowed-in weekend a few bits back, but I'm excited for another one.

Bring it on.

In other news, so much has happened, that I didn't know where to start writing today. So I figured, I'd just pop on here and say howdy to all your boogerbutts and buttfaces.

That's about all from me. Gonna jump in the shower and when I get out, make the biggest mug of hot chocolate in the history of ever and then after that, a batch of maple vanilla pizzelles.

Num, num, num.

28 October 2016

Halloween Staycation (yeah, baby)

I did it. I finally finished that pile of keeps and moved everything into the new space. And just in time to lock the doors and bolt the windows, because our 10-day Halloween staycation, is here.

My plans? I got none.

My goals? Don't got none of those either.

With any luck, we'll get one heavy snow storm, lots of rain and a few days of sun.

Happy Holiday! May witches fly over your house, werewolves howl in your garden, and spiders lay eggs in your ears.



25 October 2016

NEVER EVER !!!!

I made laundry soap for the first time and oh my gosh, does it work. It gets clothes so flippin' clean.  Didn't smell enough of the lemon but the fabric was super clean and no static! OMG. I will never use store-bought again.

EVER!!!!!

In other news, the pile of KEEPS from yesterday's post, is coming along well. I'll write more when I'm done.

24 October 2016

I'm THIS Close

I still have one pile of stuff that I'm keeping but haven't done anything about. Unless you count moving it from one room to the other, and back to the other room again.

So this past weekend, Tim cleared off shelves that are smack-butt next to my lab. This could work. I want this pile DONE before our 10-day Halloween staycation.

I'm this close I tell you. THIS close. 

In other news, this is ...




18 October 2016

My Head Smells Like Chocolate

I'm playing around with homemade shampoos because each time I go to buy ready-made poo, I get disgusted by the ingredients.  So today, I made dry shampoo with arrowroot and cocoa powder. I smell like a giant Willy Wonka Bar.

And yesterday ....


15 October 2016

I Love Saturdays !!!!

Yesterday I pumped gas and last week I mowed the lawn. Both without a rash or breathing problems.

Huge step forward. No step back.

During the healing process there's been plenty of step backs, knock downs and grumpy days. But if asked, I'd do it all again.

In other news, 14 sleeps until our Halloween staycation and this weekend, we're on a 3-day holiday. Up next, a hot mug of homemade pumpkin spice yum and then after that, anything we want.

I love Saturdays!

PS: Last week's answer: Chocolate bubbles.

07 October 2016

Friday Question: What Are We?

With all the demo and repairs going on, this Halloween season is whooshing past me. So in the spirit of spooky, gross and fun things, tell us what these are and win a broken broom stick, a cracked cauldron and a wart.

Last week's answer: Bean curd.


30 September 2016

FQ: WHAT IS THIS?

With the dizzy-dos and vertigo gone, I'm back in action. And today, I'm fixin' to make this again. Tell us this is and win a piece of string and a stinky shoe.

Hint: It's not chicken.

In other news, Tim got cleared for our 9-day Halloween Staycation, I finally joined G+ and this weekend I'm gonna make crackers.

That's all from my end. Have a yummy day and boogie boogie.


27 September 2016

Cluttered Thinking (no thanks)

Yesterday, I wasn't able to do what I wanted so I switched gears and worked on my whitebox (for food photos). I'm having a terrible time with white backgrounds looking blue. If you know how to remove the blue, please drop me a note. Thanks.

Today, I've spent the morning on the couch, but I'm starting to feel better. Two years ago, if I had to stop and rest like this it might have made me cranky. But these days, I don't have that cluttered thinking.

Not too shabby.

PS: Made some killer draft 2 crackers last night. Chipotle, paprika, onion powder and fresh garlic. Oh my yum. So flippin' good.


26 September 2016

BRING ON THE MUD

I'm excited to start this week because after removing the items listed, my reward is (drum roll please), that I get to put 100 percent of my attention on repairs.

Hot dog.

LIST OF DEMOED STUFF (so far)
Floor-to-ceiling pantry thingy
Bar (ugly-ass bar)
Movie room closet
Mirrors on walls
Mantel looking thing
Tall bathroom cabinet
1 shelf in hallway
2 cabinets in hallway

GONE!


23 September 2016

Friday Q: Ask Me Anything?

To celebrate the Equinox yesterday, I dropped off my last BIG load and now I can honestly say that I'm done, done, done. 95 percent of my crap is gone and I miss nothing.

But now, I'd love to hear from you. So I'm copying three lovely ladies, Debra, Martha and Bethany but with a topic in mind.

Ask me anything about decluttering.

Speaking of which, here's my next demo project. I don't like these cabinets or that shelf so today, I'm kissing them goodbye.

And for those who don't have clutter questions, here are the texts that I sent my friends, this week. This phone is so flippin' fun.

Seriously. I had no idea phones were fun.











Kiss 'em GOODBYE 

15 September 2016

No Regrets (what are we?)

People ask me if I miss anything or if I regret letting go of 90 percent of my stuff.

No. I miss nothing. I regret nothing.

If I did, I'd write about it. Instead, I'm finding more can go. So far today, it's a duster, 8 CD's, a glass baking dish and a Rubbermaid container with lid. All things I originally wanted to keep but now, I'm happy to see go.

During this entire process I never put pressure on myself, I played by my own rules and I didn't get rid of something that I didn't want to let go of.

Also, I was ready.

All of those things, plus more, exploded into a new life. Which, I'll save for another post. Because it's time to crank the Halloween music and get a room ready to paint.

But before I go ....


12 September 2016

Pick a Room - ANY Room

Today, I'm roasting seconds. They're tomatoes (or any produce), not good enough to sit on the table at the Farmer's Market. Often shunned to the ground, marked LOW (depending on the vendor).

They're bruised and dinked but make the BEST roasted tomato sauce in the history of ever. Bag bigger than me, 6 bucks.

In other news, I'm fixin' to kick it into high gear this week. Maybe even start painting. I don't care which room.

Pick a room, any room.

PS: I sent these texts to Tim. Right before I made the first one his profile picture on my phone. So fun!







11 September 2016

Holy Ding Dong

Back in May, we sold our guitars (that we no longer wanted), for 200 smackers and last week, our phones were on sale for $80 each. When we couldn't get the phones ordered online (to save $50 in activation fees), I went to the store and asked if they would waive the fees and they said, "YES". When we were done paying for everything, they tossed in two free cases.

Holy ding dong. What a deal.

In other news, we're outside, both wearing big hoodies (burr). Tim's writing and I'm playing online. Soon to enjoy another bagel. Speaking of which, here's a text I sent earlier to my friends and family.

PS: My phone came with a pen. So. Much. Fun.


09 September 2016

Guess Who?

It's nearly 4 and I'm still in my jams. Been playing with my new phone all morning and I haven't gotten ANYTHING done. Unless you include downloading Bryan Adams and Halloween music to my new phone. Plus, making a homemade chocolate bar - which I may or may not have already eaten half.

Yesterday, I donated another BIG BOX of stuff and last Friday a trunk-load along with some in the back seat. I'm past the 90 percent mark and still ...

I miss NOTHING.

That's all from me. Have a groovy weekend and boogie boogie.

PS: Answer: Eggplant/Aubergine.
PPS: Guess Who?




07 September 2016

Wednesday Update (what am I?)

Today, I peeled paint and wallpaper off the walls, baked an apple crumble, scrubbed the crappers and prepped tomorrow's breakfast. Only, not in that order.

This past weekend, I removed the much taller than me, bathroom cabinet. See the second photo for the footprint (taken after removal). Those little flowers came with the trailer. I hate those flowers. They were every flippin' where.

They gotta go.

And lastly, the first photo was from today's lunch. Tell us what is and win homemade flatbread and a pair of orange clogs.



31 August 2016

TEST BATCH (what am I?)

It's Wednesday night here at The Manor. I just pulled something out of the oven. Here's what it looked like right before that. Tell us what this is and win three earlobes and a foot.

PS: Tomorrow I demo the bathroom cabinet.


30 August 2016

Farmer's Market (organic heirloom goodies)

I'm hanging outside, under the shade of several big black walnut trees, which believe me, comes in handy when living in a tin box.

Once my break is done, I'll continue filling the trunk with another round of goodies for the thrift store. I just don't need these items.

They can GO!

In contrast to things leaving, here's our weekend haul from the Farmer's Market. Most of which, is already processed or gobbled up.

Yum.

25 August 2016

RAISE YOUR HAND IF ....

I was gonna head to Erie (30 minutes north), but with the morning rain, I decided to stay local. Now I'm about to remove all my cookery/bake stuff from under the sink so that the area can fully dry (from the leak).

Meanwhile, I've got Bryan Adams cranked and I'm wearing my Halloween shirt. You know why? Because I love Halloween and the only shirts I have left are the ones that I love to wear, year-round.

In other news, I'm making homemade peanut butter. Well, not me, the food processor is doing all the work, but I helped.


24 August 2016

Mother Clunker

Today, I skipped working on house stuff and made onion crackers and plain bagels. Cracker photos to come. Tomorrow, I'm on the hunt for bath towels and veggies then Friday, it's back to house stuff.

First on the list is the leak under the kitchen sink. It's time to get that mother clunker, fixed. After that, it's pick a project, any project. We have many to choose from.

But for today, I had a nice break. And now, I'm gonna kick back, read a few blogs and sip some hot tea.

Thanks for reading and boogie boogie.



23 August 2016

Puffy & Hungover

Even with the stained doors dried, I still woke with a puffy eyes, rashy face, and slightly hungover.

But in better news ...


21 August 2016

Blueberry Breeze

We have the air off and the windows OPEN with a breeze blowing through. The oven has been on once (made more jalapeno crackers for breakfast), and soon blueberry hand-pies. I love blueberries but I've never made blueberry pie.

That changes, today.

You know what else? I wrote a lot before, formulas/bakes/recipes. But now ... with 90 percent of my stuff gone, I write MORE.  I don't have to move my piles of paper from one spot to another. Instead, I get to work.

How flippin' cool is that?

20 August 2016

When I Say We, I Mean Tim

It's Saturday night and our butts are parked at Barnes. At home, tonight's supper is prepped and ready. And earlier today, after the Farmer's Market, I wrote and baked draft 1 of the bestest ever, jalapeno crackers.

In other news, here are the newly-stained bedroom closet doors, first coat. Not to be confused with the closet from the Lemon Tart Room. That closet ain't EVER coming back. Anyway, here's what we did today.

And when I say we, I mean Tim.