Microwaves {+ Giggles}

 

When Andre and I got married, we didn't get a microwave. At the beginning we figured it was an additional expense that wasn't really a priority at the time, and then I wanted to continue the challenge to see if it is actually possible to survive without a microwave... And we survived - for almost 3 years! We adjusted extremely quickly and got used to heating up coffee and leftovers on the stove, and defrosting meat in a bowl of hot water.

When we first moved to Brisbane, we {i.e. Andre} did some scavenging through the hard rubbish on the side of the street (thank goodness we don't know many people here) for things to repair/build/use for our home. One day Andre picked up a microwave "for parts", and then ended up testing it... And it worked perfectly!

In the early days of our microwave career, we had a few microwave moments which gave us some good laughs! Here's one example:

We're watching a movie together, and decide to make coffee. Then, of course, we feel like a treat to go along with the coffee, so Andre goes to IGA (small supermarket right next-door to our house). He gets back, picks up his coffee, and says, "Augh, it's cold - now I need to turn the stove on to warm... Wait! We have a microwave!!!" We burst into laughter at this seemingly insignificant thing, but it just shows how normal it became for us to use the stove instead of a microwave!

I'm so thankful for those years of being microwave-less. I really am more thankful for this appliance to this day!

Is there an appliance that most people think is essential, but that you have survived without?
What is an appliance you think you couldn't survive without?

~Rachel

Organisation Accomplishments {+ I am Nerdy}

This week I've realised [not for the first time, mind] that I really am a little nerdy.

Did I just say that?!

The reason being, is that I thoroughly enjoy spending time at home organising! It really makes me so happy! I find it so satisfying to sit down after a few hours of work and know I have been productive... yet thoroughly enjoyed the process of that productivity.

Tell me I'm not the only one? There has to be someone else out there who is similar!

The house we live in at the moment literally has 5 cupboards: 1 pantry, 3 kitchen cupboards (one of which is only half-size), and 1 linen cupboard. The storage struggle has been real in the Santos house for the last 8 months!

Andre recently started painting the house, so boxes and random items have been strewn throughout the house to make way for the paint job.

This kicked my butt into gear, and I have accomplished a significant amount in the last couple days, which I'd like to share here - not because anyone is probably interested, but because I'm very happy with what I've achieved, and I want to keep my motivation going over the coming weeks to get some more things checked of my list!!

• We purchased two small wardrobes, and are now using one for our clothes (which were previously hanging on a rack in the open which was quite functional, but just looked a little messy), and the other will be used for storage in the spare room.

• I did some rearranging of our bathroom cupboard/drawers/shelves to make that space more functional. This included throwing out some dried-out tubes of moisturiser and the like. I also moved our shower caddy to a different wall in the shower so it looks a little neater and more out of the way.

• The linen cupboard had somehow become very messy, so I took everything out and started again! The top shelf holds items that we will very rarely need to use but do need to keep; the next two hold linen; the next holds a box of all our board games; and the bottom shelf holds a box of Christmas decorations (we even had a "Christmas Cake" box from when we moved 9 months ago [ha!] which happened to be the perfect size for our decorations) and all our blankets.

• Our landlord installed a pantry in the kitchen for us, so FINALLY we are not limited to two shelves for pantry items! I have now rearranged our other kitchen cupboards to be functional - for me, that means all our daily-used items at the front of the shelves, and lesser-used items such as baking tins at the back of the shelves - which should make kitchen life just that little bit easier.

• I gathered some clothing, shoes, cookbooks and CDs that I no longer use and will take these to the op shop. I will also take a huge pile of plastic bags as we have far too many.

With regard to storage and organising, I often look on Pinterest for ideas, and there are so many lovely photos of cupboards and storage solutions to inspire. However, I'm not willing to go out and buy matching boxes/trays/etc to simply store things away in a cupboard (even if they do look pretty!). Right now, shoe boxes and Christmas Cake boxes do the trick for me! I am very happy to recycle for storage, especially since no one will really ever look inside my linen cupboard!

The process of organising various spaces in my home is truly enjoyable to me - I do want to live simply and with less stress, and for me, storing things neatly and decluttering helps me to relax and enjoy my home. I saw this quote today which I want to remember:

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”

(shared by The Humbled Homemaker; original source unknown)

Do you enjoy organising your home? Why, or why not?

~Rachel

Currently...

Samara from The Secret Life of Samara posted today, using the below questions, and I thought it would be fun to blog a random Question & Answer today, too! I hope you don't mind me sharing, Samara! :-)


Outside my window...
Metres upon metres of air... with city streets and many people below!

I am thinking...
About starting to use my new pocket diary to keep track of the never-ending to-do list that is always in my head. I bought the diary for $1.00 today! Bargain!

From the kitchen...
I miss cooking so much! Last night I was lucky enough to be able to do some baking. Let's just say the product of my efforts was a Valentine's Day sweet ;-)

I am wearing...
Black dress shorts, pastel green tank top with cream lace and beading (see picture at end of post)

I am creating...
A photo board to put up at Andre and my engagement party on Saturday

I am going...
On a Valentines Day date tomorrow night - all I know is that I need to dress up a little =D

I am reading...
Made to Crave Devotional, by Lysa TerKeurst. Amazing encouragement for people who tend to turn to food (or any other addiction) instead of God, when in times of need

I am hoping...
To book a caterer for our wedding soon. Fingers crossed!

I am hearing...
Fingers clacking on keyboards; papers being turned; drawers being opened; my computer's motor whirring (yes, I work in an office!)

Around the house...
"House" makes me think of my house - the future house that Andre and I will live in! I am dreaming what it will be like, wondering what engagement and wedding gifts we will receive to put in our new home... Can't wait!

One of my favourite things...
Long hair. Even though I often moan about my hair and don't know what to do with it, I truly do love it

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Family dinner on Friday, first Irish Dancing class on Saturday, and our engagement party on Sunday!

A picture to share...

My dear Australian and New Zealand buddies from Third Wave in Thailand last year! I've been missing these guys over this last week. (and the top I'm wearing in the picture happens to be the very top I'm wearing today!)

What is currently happening in your life?

~Rachel