Oh Dishwasher, how do I love thee.....

Many of you know that I am a devout gadget and technophobe. I would rather use a pencil than a pen (do pens count as a new fangled invention, or is it just me?) and I still just have one, very old television, which is barely bigger than my computer screen.

Like many creative people that I know, I run from some new things because I just don't understand them. Not because I don't want them in my life, or am unwilling to learn, but because my brain doesn't work that way. Ask me to design a room, or find a solution to almost anything else, and I can do it, but don't ask me to program your widget, or move the red coaxial cable to the black wot-sit, located second from the right. I am embarrassed to say, that these type of words don't even register in my brain; you could tell me seven times what a coaxial cable was, and on the eighth time I couldn't even repeat the word back you. Those who love me, know that I will never learn how to operate their electric can-opener, or remember how to jump start my own car. (Is it the positive to the negative, or the positive to the positive? Do I start the car first, or after I have connected everything. I forget (again).

This doesn't mean that I wash my clothes in a creek, churn my own butter (well, just on special occasions...) and try to control the television channels with a wire hanger. I do know that some inventions are worth their weight in gold, and for some reason that I can't explain, my favorite one ever is the dishwasher.

Which makes absolutely no sense, because I love washing dishes by hand. There is something really comforting about filling up a sink with hot, soapy water, taking your time, and seeing all the dishes come out sparkly and warm; stacked precariously, and waiting to dry. But, when I can tidy up my kitchen in a few minutes, press a button, and have everything be magically clean in an hour, I am the happiest person on the planet.

There are even days when I whisper to my dishwasher. The other night, I had some friends over, and it took three loads of washing to get everything done. Dish after dish went in, and as soon as they were done, I put them away on the shelves. Scalding hot, and lovely and clean. As he hummed away, I scrubbed the larger pots by hand, listening to the sounds of the cycle, and reveling in the warm water gurgling all over the kitchen.

Maybe it is the instant gratification that I enjoy (well, that is not a good thought), or maybe it is the nurturing simplicity of a task that signals the end of a lovely day (I prefer this thought). Who knows what it is, but the other night, I loaded him up, poured in the powder, said "Thank You", and told him that I loved him very much! And, I meant it.

Pink washing machine from Pottery Barn Kids.

Coffee Cup Confessions

At last count, I have 46 coffee cups on my shelf, and, I am the only one who drinks coffee. When I was younger, I began collecting them as souvenirs; an easy way to preserve a memory, and remember the places that I had visited. As I got got older, I traveled less, apparently needed more caffeine, and I started to search for larger cups to begin my morning with.

Even though travel was no longer a priority, I still liked the idea of having lots of different cups. Ever fussy, I decided the new cups had to have meaning - a saying, a symbol, or simply something that made me smile when I reached for it.
I don't know if other people do this or not, but I decide on the cup before I make my coffee; do I want a large cup, so that I can keep my hands warm when it is really cold, a special one that was a gift from a dear friend, or my ugly Frida Kahlo self-portrait mug that makes me happy because she was so talented, but sad to think that she thought so poorly of herself when she looked in the mirror.

They all have a story, and they are all precious in their own way, but they also need somewhere to live.

Years ago, we used to have Mug Trees that sat on our counter. Mugs came in matching sets, and often the tree was made of wood, with little wooden arms sticking out on an angle to hold the handles (I guess that is why they called it a Mug Tree). But, they did take up extra room on your counter, and I always worried that they would tip over if they weren't balanced right. I don't want to think about the careful placement of my mugs when I am putting them away, so I never quite embraced the Tree.

Another thing I have seen, is to find a wall mounted, or ceiling hanging, decorative holder. They are usually made of wrought iron or stainless steel, and it is a nice way to show off a few special mugs, while adding a bit of color to your kitchen wall. Even a pot rack, with those "S" shaped butcher hooks, might look interesting filled with cups and mugs in a lovely large kitchen.

Have to confess though, my favorite of all, is the simple cup hooks with the safety tab. They easily screw into the bottom of a shelf, give you twice the amount of space, and will hold cups of all shapes and sizes safely. (I have been using the same ones for nearly 20 years, and they are less than a dollar each).

I am sure not everyone spends time thinking about their coffee mugs, or confesses to having 46, but however many mugs you may have, and regardless of how you store them, why not enjoy them as a collection of memories instead of just things?

All About You...

Last week, I wrote about Emotional Insurance; the small things that we all look forward to when we first walk through the front door. I got so many responses, that I just had to share them with you. 

I do hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.

Thank you for your constant feedback, and for making this blog such a pleasure to write! 

See you next week,   
                             

Wendy, What a fabulous post! I love seeing my cats curled up in their favorite chairs, snoozing The most important .... is the kitchen.  It's where I used to spend so much time and felt the most productive. ... clean counter tops and an empty sink are important to me....... it all goes back to organization.  When I am organized, I feel like i can handle the rest of life a lot better. ...whenever we're away, for either a short or long period, upon our return(just as the key is inserted into the door lock), I would swear that the entire dwelling breathes a kind of sigh of relief, somehow glad that, finally, we're back. I like coming home and seeing the pile of shoes and coats that my children have left on the floor. I want those memories, because I know they will soon grow up, and I will miss having them around.  Ok girlfriend! My emotional insurance list! - painting of my fav place - plants I have many - nz book on coffee table - bowl of chocolate kisses - wild pillows on sofa Nothing makes me feel better when I come through my front door than the smell of my favorite candle. Coconut Lime Verbena from BBW or Buttercream soy candles... ...our living room, the first thing visible upon entering the foyer, reflective (in its furniture and mounted artwork) of our joint tastes, but every other room in the house looks and feels as if it recognizes us as we enter..... My wedding photograph is my emotional insurance.  A clean kitchen counter! No dishes in the sink,and dinner in the crock-pot. I have a bowl of shells on the table that I have collected over the years. It reminds me of when we used to go on vacations with my mom and dad and grandparents and cousins. Seeing them almost makes me forget the other pile of stuff on the table LOL .

Emotional Insurance for You and Your Home

This week has been unusually busy for me; I have felt like I was chasing the train, instead of sitting in a comfy seat traveling to my favorite destination. Not someone who thrives on feeling over-scheduled, I found myself dreaming of bed-time, or, at the very least, walking through the front door, and into my home.

I know I've said this before, but when you come home, it should be somewhere that makes you feel comfortable. It should welcome you in; your home should be your refuge, not a place that makes you roll your eyes as you turn the key.

One of the simplest ways to do this, is by placing some tangibles around your home that will make you feel happy straight away, with barely any effort at all. 

When I come home, I look forward to seeing my pink geraniums, the daybed with my Union Jack pillow on it, and no dishes in the sink. These small things instantly remind me of life, family, and how grateful I am to have a dishwasher. (In my perfect life, there would also be dinner cooking, and a fire lit). Making sure I have these things,  is like giving myself a little bit of emotional insurance. 

Have you ever wondered what would give you a bit of emotional insurance when you walk in the door? Would it be:

-   To see all the coats and scarves neatly hanging on hooks?
-   A clutter free entryway, with all coats and shoes hidden from view.
-   Seeing a favorite photograph before you even take off your coat?
-   A vase of flowers, or a plant, on the table?
-   A neat pile of books waiting to be read?
-   A big basket for whatever you wanted to put in it until later?
-   Having the coffee maker set, so all you have to do is press the button?
-   Knowing your favorite comfy chair is free of stuff, so that you can have a sit down?

Write to me, I'd love to know what is on your emotional insurance list.....

(Squishy, comfy, patchwork chair from: Couch in England)

A Space for Children to Call Their Own

I visited an Art room at school yesterday, and I didn't want to leave; it was joyfully cluttered, over-flowing with activity, and it smelled of warm crayons. The Art teacher looked so comfortable in her paint-splattered smock, and she welcomed me with such a big smile, that it made me feel like a child again. 

Our children's lives are far more controlled now; school days start at 7:58am (not 7:59am, or you'll get a tardy slip), they are allowed exactly 1 1/2 minutes to go to the bathroom, and they are driven to sports activities that mandate entire days to practice for a game that is, well, just a game...So, when I walked into this colorful room, it really made me smile.

Don't get me wrong, I know that we all do our best, and we need rules, but we also need permission to be ourselves, at our own pace. The Art room is that place in school; a perfect oasis of mess, in a ridiculously formal environment. 

It's not just about creativity, it's about having the freedom to discover what makes you tick, and not to be controlled all of the time. Children need to figure out who they are in-between the activities. Some crave organization, with straight, printed labels, and a place for everything, while others like to grow a mountain of stuff that crawls towards you when you open the door. Many want their favorite color from top to bottom, and others just want a place to play with toys or listen to music. (Strangely enough, they all seem to know where everything is). 

I am a firm believer in giving children some place to be themselves, and letting them own who they are. And, I think their bedroom is often the easiest place for us to give up control. If I am decorating a child's (or teen) room, my biggest goal is for them to know that it is about them, and I want to create a space that they will love. Here are some ways to do the same thing with your child:

- Pretend to interview them.
- Take notes as they talk, really listen, and try not to judge their answers. 
- Ask them what they love about their room the most.
- What would they get rid of if they could? 
- What is missing? And, why do they want that in their room?
- Ask them to draw, or write, about their most perfect room.

Afterwards, take some time to read over your notes. Decide what you are willing to do, and why/why not? Be as open-minded as you can be. Consider alternatives to what they want. Wait a few days (this shows them that you really do care) and then write your own list.

- Offer solutions eg. more, or less, storage and organization, removing an old piece of furniture, storing childhood toys, creating a wall for posting notes and thoughts, painting everything a different color, getting new curtains, having a more grown-up theme etc). 
- Consider giving them a small budget, and taking them shopping for some new things. Let them  spend it any way they want.
- Don't promise them things you have no intention of doing.
- Plan how, and when, you will both work on the solutions. Schedule a start date.
- Explain what you cannot/won't allow (and why). 

I know this might seem like a lot of work, but if we give them the time, and show them that we really care, they will learn how to embrace who they are, and create a place that they will always love...

Photograph of a Girl on a Swing, by the talented designer, Kate Jackson