A Mixed Bag

You don't realize how much junk you have until you start trying to declutter. I've had a really productive couple of days here cleaning out and organizing my pantry and freezers. I can't believe how much stuff I threw out! I go grocery shopping, think I should pick up stuff for future use "whenever", they it gets sucked into the vortex of the downstairs freezer or the pantry never to be thought of again. I threw away a bunch of old freezer-burnt meat, buns, pizza pops that the kids never found, and a bunch of UFO's (unidentifiable frozen objects). I even found two whole chickens that fortunately still look edible. In the cupboards I found a whole bunch of boxed rice dishes bought at various times that must have looked good when I bought them but never get included in meal planning because I forget I've got them.

But what really amazed me about how I accumulate stuff was the home-canned stuff in the pantry. I had three jars of pickled beets and three jars of corn relish. Now you need to understand that I haven't made corn relish in at least 10 years, and I haven't made pickled beets since before I had kids. DD is 17yo! This means that I've packed up these 6 jars and moved them from house to house at least 3 times. Why would I do that? It's a sickness, I tell you. I think it's safe to say that no-one's going to eat them. They don't even look edible anymore and probably haven't been for a very long time. Well those jars are no longer taking up space in my pantry. Out with the clutter; no pantry space for you!

Just to show you that I'm not the only one who can get obsessed about stuff, here's DH playing on his laptop. Of course which one is anyone's guess... In all fairness the closest one is mine. Now It's understandable that he has one for work. And it's understandable that he has his personal one. And it's even understandable that he bought another one because his personal one is on the blink. But to play with them all at once? I rest my case.

On to knitting stuff; have you heard of a knitting bra? Neither had I until I read about it this week on Knitty. Apparently they sell these things to hold your ball of yarn while knitting. Someone suggested using an ankle sock. I can't believe I never thought of this before! It holds the yarn from exploding all over (especially with slippery yarns) and keeps it clean as it bounces on the floor. What a scathingly brilliant idea! Tabitha graciously offered to model it for us. (notice the table is still cleared of clutter!)

The Gilmore sweater is coming along. It now has a sleeve and I'm working on the second one. Who knows; it might even get worn this season! :)