How to purge, overconsume books, and one of my fav cookie recipes

Female Foodie Friday Vol. 15

Friday. We made it!

It’s been an eventful week. 💔

My heart absolutely breaks for the 67 who lost their lives in the tragic collision in DC. I know that statistically speaking it’s way more likely to get in a fatal accident driving down the street to the grocery store, but there’s something truly horrific about an in-air crash.

And all this coming off the decimating LA wildfires is a true punch to the gut. I recently saw Molly Baz share a picture of her beautifully designed home completely burnt to a crisp. Brutal.

My heart goes out to those suffering and hurting from these tragedies.

The show must go on.

Like it or not, life for most of us keeps moving forward.

I know many of you have been organizing your homes all last month, but I just barely got my Christmas decor down two weeks ago (I blame this on my trip to the Philippines for 7 days!) and finally cleaned up a massive pile of junk off my living room table. *Sigh of relief.*

It’s time to get my house in order.

Let the purging begin.

Also. You are either team keep it or team chuck it there is no in-between.

I have a four-week schedule I’m loosely following that will *hopefully* help me successfully organize my entire home before our spring Italy tours begin.

No one asked for this, but here’s my rough outline for decluttering and dejunking my entire home.

WEEK 1: Kitchen (following my podcast episode with Stephanie from @somewhatsimpleliving as my guiding star, plus going through every single drawer & cupboard)

WEEK 2: Living Room & Garage (dreading)

WEEK 3: Kid’s Room & Laundry Room

WEEK 4: My Room & Closet

Are you decluttering and organizing your home too?

If you have a hard time getting rid of stuff, just ask yourself these questions:

1. Have I used it in the last 18 months? If the answer is no, donate or toss.

2. Does this bring me joy? Think Marie Kondo. If the answer is no, donate or toss.

3. Would I buy it again today if I hadn’t bought it in the first place? If the answer is no and you aren’t using it, donate or toss.

4. Does this item make me angry, complicate my life, or make me want to pull my eyes out? If the answer is yes, donate or toss.

5. Did someone gift an item to you that you don’t genuinely love or use, but you keep it out of fear that they’ll ask about said item someday? Donate or toss.

My organization and decluttering soapbox is officially over. :)

10 Things That Made This Week Great

Psssst. Are you new here? Make sure and subscribe so you don’t miss out on anything! Recipes on Mondays, and FFF on Fridays. 🫶🏻

1. Went to Powell’s Books after date night last weekend (a Portland institution IYKYK) and came home with 4 books. I still haven’t read any of the books from my last 3 visits to Powell’s but I truthfully can’t help myself. Also, I’m 100% in my audible era—anyone else?

   

   My dashing date. 🖤

   

   I will make time for books. I will make time for books.

2. And speaking of date night, we grabbed sushi at Bamboo Sushi in Portland, which is one of my favorite spots for a dependable restaurant in the PDX area. It’s somewhat of a mini-chain in the area, but the food is always fantastic. You can almost always get a reservation on Resy and our fav menu items are the crispy brussels sprouts, grilled shishito peppers, green machine roll (don’t knock it ‘til you try it), and whatever nigiri specials are on deck.

   

3. This song came on while I was cooking dinner last night and it’s just so good (sorry for the weird music vid).

4. Went to visit my 89-year-old grandma with my oldest son, George. Family is so important. Grateful to be close.

   

5. Did anyone else follow Kim White before she passed in 2020? She was inspiring and courageous throughout her 6-year battle with cancer. Her documentary Breaking Beautiful is finally available on Angel Studios. It is raw and beautifully done, and although unsurprisingly heart-wrenching, it will inspire you to get off the couch and live your life.

6. Making a charcuterie board for Galentine’s, Valentine’s, or anything in between? You’ll want to listen to this episode on That Was Delicious that I recorded with my talented friend Tyler Anastasio who tells us EVERYTHING we need to know about making the perfect charcuterie board.

7. My daughter can cast a glare like no other and it always puts the biggest smile on my face.

   

8. If you live in the PNW, then you know it’s been uncharacteristically dry and sunny. Watch this vid, have a laugh, and buckle up for 7 consecutive days of rain and snow starting tomorrow.

9. Sometimes a burger in the car with kids confined in their car seats, a large icy diet coke, and sun streaming through the windows is all you need. Anyone else?

   

10. Made Coquine Cookies this week and they are 100% in my top 3 best chocolate chip cookies of all time. The combo of brown butter, smoked almonds (yes—I smoke them on my smoker!), toffee, dark chocolate, and finishing salt is just unmatched.

    

PS- pulled pork recipe is happening!! Just need to test more this weekend.

PPS- working on a DREAMY focaccia pizza recipe that’s been several months in the making. Would you rather see that recipe or a melt-in-your-mouth beef stroganoff recipe the Monday of Valentine’s Day?