February 5, 2026 K.I.S.S.

 I think that sometimes there are those who are under the impression that once your home has been simplified and organized, it automatically stays that way. I wish!

But the fact is, keeping it simple and organized is an ongoing process. It's just easier than starting all over again. I'd like to share a few housekeeping tips I use on the regular.

This is an optimal time to check on your pantry. Items like nuts, bread crumbs, corn meal, crackers, to name a few, have a limited shelf life. Do yourself a favor and take a whiff of anything that may have outlived its usefulness. I cannot be the only one who has assumed nuts were okay, only to ruin a batch of cookies when it turns out they were, well, icky. 

 Same with refrigerated items that may have passed their expiration date. I realize most dates are more suggestions, not hard and fast rules, but really, how long do you need to hang onto something that doesn't get used regularly?  

Spices, with the exception of whole spices, lose their potency. If a jar doesn't give off the scent of the spice, it's done. It isn't worth keeping that 1/4" of nutmeg for "someday". No longer being able to sprinkle a spice that has formed a brick inside the jar met its fate long ago. I recently found a partial bottle of crystallized honey that had solidified.

Staying in the kitchen for just another moment; that 'one function only' gadget that seemed, at the time, a wonderful addition to your utensil drawer, yet hasn't been used more than once  may give a thrift shopper great joy, rather than crowding out more well-used tools. One of my brothers always called me the Gadget Queen, a title that I earned at one time. I'm happier, giving up the crown.

Lastly, keeping only one of everything also keeps the clutter down.

Moving on, I adopted the one in, one out when replacing clothing. I have only so many hangers, so when I'm tempted to add on, if there isn't a hanger for it, or something no longer worn to replace, it doesn't get put into the rotation. This also applies to my cedar chest where I store sweaters.

This brings me to something I did the other day, and oh, how I hope you'll laugh along with it. Even for me, it's a little out there.

I have favorite socks. I try to make things last. So, you see where I am so far. Several pair of these socks had begun to look a bit shabby, though no with holes or worn spots. Just shabby, and not quite as clean looking. Not wanting to dispose of these, I got out the fabric shaver I use for pilling on sweaters, and shaved my socks.

That's right. I shaved my socks.

Now they suddenly don't look shabby and appear much cleaner. It was amazingly therepeutic, as well!

I hope you all with join me in celebrating fresh food and renewed favorite socks. ☘



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