Soo...I've been thinking it's time for an upgrade. My friend Haley (who writes a lovely blog about scrapbooking) always has random lists on her blog, and this is a random list of sorts.
Some things in life we keep around or keep doing just because we always have, and we don't realize there is a whole other world of goodness out there to be enjoying. So with that in mind, here are some things I am upgrading, maybe you will too (or have a few of your own?)
1. Pepper Grinder
You always hear how it is important to refresh your spice drawer and not use nutmeg from 1973, because even though they are dried, spices are best the fresher they are. After awhile, the spice flavor dulls and flattens out, kind of defeating the purpose.
While pre-ground black pepper is all fine and good, lately I have been feeling it adds color and not too much flavor. So, after hearing from a chef (Jamie Oliver?) and talking about it over family dinners, I figured it's time to break out the old grinder. I have one, I just never use it. I am not a fan of exotic peppers--I'll stick with the tried and true, but it will be freshly cracked and spicy. Can't wait. (May even make the switch with salt, too).
2. Dishtowels
My absolute favorite dishtowels are the Floursack towels from Danica. Great colors, great size, great drying ability (so many towels are nice but don't actually dry anything!) I have quite a few, but I also have some old, stained uglies that are still in the drawer. I am getting rid of them and going to have a drawer full of my favorites. Now that makes drying dishes (or hands) much more fun!
3. Glasses
This is embarrassing. When Jeff and I first got married, we got a lovely set of beautiful glasses. At the time, we were also into Pom Tea which came in a reusable glass. Always one for reusing, we kept the glasses and they entered the rotation. Over the years, wouldn't you know, our nice glasses broke here and there, and now, looking in our cupboard, we have few of them left. They are supplemented with a nice collection of Pom glasses and some other randoms that worked their way in (including 2 Venti sized Starbucks porcelain cups.) The truth is, the Poms stayed around because they are an ideal size and weight and they never broke!
In reality though, it is embarrassing to serve your guests their drink in glass with a logo on it. And, we do have some new lovely glassware at the store that is the same size and shape as the Poms without the logo (or dishwasher etching). So it's time for an upgrade there too.
What do you need to upgrade in your life? Last year I made the switch to reusable grocery bags, and stopped using papertowel to wipe Hannah's highchair tray/face/hands after meals (bought a ton of baby facecloths and keep them in the drawer with the dishtowels. Works way better and we save money and paper towels! Woot!)
Gingersnaps made a seasonal upgrade too--if you are lucky, your salad will be made with fresh garden greens from the garden centre--yummmmm.
Awww. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am upgrading 2 things this year.
1. Our stroller. I hate it. But it cost us $300 so I always felt that I just had to deal with pushing it crooked or pinching fingers trying to colapse it. NO MORE! I am "investing" in a good stroller & buying it from a trusted place that will help me with any problems I may have. Too bad I didnt live in Lloyd! The stroller you guys got in look pretty amazing!
2. Christmas lights. We must be the only people who dont have LED lights. But we had purchaes ALL NEW lights the year before they came out. Last year I bought a couple LED light strands & this year I will replace the rest. Hopefully I see a difference in our seasonal electric bill!