Who is Marie Kondo and why is she mad at books?

Who is Marie Kondo and why is she mad about tossing books? If you have been hiding or at least not accessing Netflix you may have missed Marie Kondo and the mission. If you’re living my favorite decade, Marie was born while you were learning to drive or graduating high school.

At 19, she started helping other people tidy up and it grew from there. It is uncommon for someone so young to create such a stir around the world. Her book titled “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” has stuck a chord that has been globally heard by millions.

In addition to thoughts on tidying up your home, she has a process for this minimalist magic. Nothing is sacred. It is all up for tossing if if doesn’t bring you joy. Marie also commented that in her home she only keeps 30 books. Yikes, I have more then 30 cookbooks.

Only 30 books, what? This created a viral conversation between writers, book lovers and Marie-Kondo-nistas. Which 30 would you choose from to toss? Toss books, what?

Is your stuff weighing you down?

Of course, I never thought tidying up and magic were a pair. Unless you count that I dream it’s possible to recline, twinkle my nose and clean a room like Samantha from Bewitched. Marie has a different approach for the messiness in your life.

Marie’s concept is based on the minimalist approach where everything in your house should bring you joy. Apparently, plenty of people have a ton-of- junk that they are unhappy with. If your junk is weighing you down, then maybe it should be tossed.

Possessions around you should not take over your life or prevent you from living well. Yet, my daughter laughingly accuses me of bring a hoarder but I know this is simply not true. I have seen an episode or two of the tv hoarding shows and they create nightmares. Honestly, I can only watch for about 15 minutes before I start breaking out in hives.

First of all, I will admit my house has stuff. And if you’re one of my friends this has made you laugh out loud. Yet, I clearly still have plenty of walking around room. If you had to maneuver a wheelchair around my house it could be easily done.

Secondly, my home has plenty of available space because there are no boxes piled high with random crap. Any boxes are in the closet with very specific crap. Even I must admit, I would love to have more open space in my closets with a little less crap.

My closets could use some help from the tidy-up-fairies. Whether it’s tossing clothes, crafts, Grill Mans fishing magazines (on the list) or unwanted items it will make you feel better to toss or donate. If you need to de-clutter Marie is your girl.

Marie Kondo has rules about tidying and tossing. There is a system to rid yourself of everything that you have worked hard to purchase . Oddly, Marie’s web site offers a ton of stuff that you may purchase to align yourself with joy. Joyfully she sells.

Anyone that is able to make a $145 concrete bowl sound like a purchase that you need has skills. Yet, if your stuff does not fill you up with bubbling joy, just toss or donate. From clothes to books, Kondo suggests a quick toss or donate to make you happy.

Yet I see a Fallacy in the Joyful Marie Kondo book toss.

But nobody and I mean NO-BODY is tossing my books. A house should be surrounded with books. Books are there when you need them whether it is to read, for reference or to share with someone else.

Remember the library has a world of books that you may borrow. If you haven’t been to your local library recently, drop in for a visit. There is a world of information available at your fingertips via books, readings and more.

Cookbooks, photography, travel, fiction and non-fiction books educate us about people and the world around us. When I hold a book in my hand and read, it calms me. Between work and writing I am in front of a computer screen more than enough. I am at peace holding a book and yes it does bring me joy.

So, do you only have a number of books that you keep and toss the excess? I don’t think books should be counted or limited. You need however many books that you desire and space will allow. Be creative and store your extra books on the stairs, on top of the cabinets or stacked in a basket.

How many books and cookbooks do you have? Do you sit and read cookbooks for hours? I LOVE reading very old cookbooks. Have I purchased my last book or cookbook? Is it enough?

In summary I think not, I spy Fallacy in the Joyful Marie Kondo book toss. What do you think?

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Where in all this is a balance? How should parents offer the heirloom dishes to ensure acceptance? Is it really necessary that young people take their parents old dishes? And should the next generation accept heirloom dishes into their home and lifestyle?

Why is the dish important at all?

Of course, I enjoy cooking and setting a pretty table whether it’s a dinner party, or for Grill Man and me. Does that mean I set out the fine china daily? No,but I use my antique dishes when it suits me. For numerous reasons, I rarely use paper plates. Just because you can serve food on disposable plates, does not mean you should.

Years ago I purchased a used set of fine hotel china that did not bring a flash of guilt when I loaded the dishwasher. When the mood strikes I pull out my dishwasher ready dishes. Yet, most of the time they sit lonely in the cabinet. Good food simply tastes better on pretty or heirloom dishes.

A chief executive of Table + Teaspoon, Liz Curtis, stated,”If your guests walk in and it looks like you spent time curating the table, it makes them think they are having an elevated experience.” By setting the table a few days ahead of your event, it will allow you plenty of time to create a pretty table without huge stress or expense.

Even the simplest meal is improved by a table that is well set with pretty dishes, silverware, candles or flowers. If your budget does not include flowers look at the greenery in your yard. That will add an element of nature to your table setting.

At the end of a meal many hands make light work. And I truly appreciate all of my friends that have chipped in and helped with the dishes from one event to another.

What are the benefits to saying yes to the dish?

Why millennials should reconsider heirloom dishes before it’s too late

1. Accepting heirloom dishes will make your family happy that you will carry a symbol of their life into your new life. This may not be important in your 20-30’s but one day it will.

2. If you don’t accept the heirloom dishes now, odds are that they will be shipped off to parts unknown whether it’s sold, donated or headed to the dumpster.

3. In the past it was common place to use “heirloom dishes” on special occasions. Every day should be a special occasion. Live your beautiful life now and don’t save it for later.

4. Accepting the dishes does not mean that you have to use them in the same manner as your parents. Using a mix of new and old china patterns or colors together will make a beautiful table that is special to your home and family.

5. A gift of family dishes is truly a gift. This allows you to select items on your bridal registry that you may really need. Young couples starting out require so many things. If you have everything already add art work to your registry.

6.Say yes to the dishes so you can say no to the dozen other things that your parents may want to pack up for you. Dishes serve a functional purpose in addition to aesthetics unlike figurines or knick-knacks.

7. Using family dishes for entertaining will make your table stand out. This will add a unique soulful display to the table. Unlike millennials that have followed the herd and bought into the “new is better”. Break away from the herd.

8. Over time most antique or heirloom dishes will retain their value more than brand new china, dinnerware or stoneware.

9. Trends change rapidly. Who can keep up. Older dishes have a classic appeal and will stand the test of time.

10. Also, accept the dishes and maybe it will encourage you to limit the disposable paper and plastic products. Our environment will be improved by the reduction in our landfills and reduced carbon footprint.

11. One day your loved ones may not be with you but their dishes will. Even if your family dishes are not heirlooms they will bring joy and cherished memories. Inanimate objects like dishes have a history to share with us and will preserve family memories.

12. Use antique dishes and platters as part of your everyday decorations and art. Ballard Designs offers great insight and pictures for 9 Ways to Hang Plates on the Wall.

13. Years from now you may want to give your special memories and dishes to others. What will your offering say?

Although not everyone’s family has heirloom dishes to hand down or enough to go around. Never fear, you may start your own tradition by selecting a pattern from estate sales, yard sales or thrift stores. With Marie Kondo spinning her philosphy of “tidying up” stores are bursting at the seams. Their joyful toss of dishes could be the answer for your table.

In summary, whether cooking or dining on take-out, these are all good reasons Why Millennials Should Reconsider Heirloom dishes. Breaking bread with family or friends is one of life’s joys. Our best intimate conversations are shared over food and wine. Why not break out the heirloom china, porcelain or transfer ware, and show it off?

Lagniappe: If you have heirloom dishes find someone who will appreciate and care for them. They deserve a home where memories will be created.

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Before we know it, we will have warm days that lead to fun in the sun but until then, it’s damn cold. My fountain even froze over for days in addition to everything else resembling a puddle of water. No matter what you have had to deal with  in your house, it has been cold.

Cold weather is a great time to put a dent in the woodpile and enjoy the fireplace. At the first freezing temps Southern girls are quick to pull out the fancy winter clothes. We  have to wear them quick along with our newest boots.  Otherwise,  if we blink, it will be 70-80 degrees again.

I don’t know about the rest of you but frankly I am ready for some sunshine. I like cold weather fine but its like company that stays past four days. Hot days and cool nights suit me fine. Never ending days of cold is just too brrrrrrrrr for me. 2018 has continued to bring ever-changing temperatures for all of us.

Best part of cold weather besides another reason to wear my boots is sitting by the fireplace. The memorizing effect the fire has on me is calming. Surely fire taps into our caveman DNA and forces us to watch endlessly. Cold cold go away, Mimi wants to go out and play.

To help you survive, Hot Soups Cold Daze

Endlessly this chilly weather has lingered enough that I am cooking soups and playing around with my new Instant Pot.  Hot soups cold daze! Still stunned by lengths of this weather pattern. Lots of hearty meals on my site be sure to scan older posts for the following recipes.

Southern Girls Instant Pot Intro- Venison Cutlets

Spicy Chili with Chipotle

Waste Not Want Not Series Shrimp Chowder

Seared Bone-In Pork Chop, Eggplant and covered in Spicy Corn-N-Crawfish Sauce

Stay warm. Enjoy your cold days and hopefully the daze will go away eventually.  If is gets too cold, open a bottle of your favorite.

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If you spend any time at all on the internet, it may lead you right smack dab in the middle of it. “It” being the deluge of uncensored thoughts, unfiltered comments, total lack of kindness, mean-spirited behavior that makes me pause. Comments that make me want to ask, Who is your Momma? Surely, she taught manners in your house, right? Oops, maybe you just forgot to use your manners. It happens to the best of us.

Everyone has heard, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, keep it to yourself”. Occasionally I may even be guilty of a bit of gossip but folks, it is necessary to be so mean? At this point in my life, I am able to put negative comments in their place. Not everyone is as forgiving or able to handle the onslaught of negative comments directed at them personally.

Is it Common or Uncommon Sense?

Everyone has the right to their opinion but not every opinion needs  sharing, communicated or posted for the world to see. Discussions are important for growth in our families, environment and world. It is possible to listen or read a different opinion, share facts and engage without personally attacking.

Now that I have had a good nights sleep, the sun is shining, birds are singing, I realize  someone may think this is a bit dramatic. I am good with that. I know plenty of people that are very talented and intelligent and I adore sharing time with them. Our community hosts a wealth of articulate and creative people who have excelled in their careers and life in general. Of course, this is not the group that I am referring to in my rant.

Remember, words have power. Use your head the good Lord gave you. Think before you speak or type. Don’t wine and whine, all of us only have so much tolerance. This morning, I have faith in our ability to  exercise  common sense but there are days that I think it should be called “uncommon sense”. What do you think?

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Cook, please! Your body will love you for it.

Our body’s health operates by the nutrition that we give it. Heather Mangieri from The Academy of Nutrition and Diabetics is a registered dietician nutritionist. On a recent study Heather commented that “The findings support the evidence-based position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that the best nutrition-based strategy for promoting optimal health and reducing the risk of chronic disease is to wisely choose a wide variety of foods.”

Choosing fresh foods and preparing is the best way to know what ingredients actually go into your food. When was the last time that you cooked a meal and included a list of chemical preservatives in your recipe? We should not have to resort to research to find out what an item is when you see on food labels.

Cook, please so you know what your eating

However, understanding food labels is a job in itself. In my research I located this article  from Dr Mercola that provides a scary list of information. If your interested in Dr Mercola’s background and education it may be viewed on his site. Visit the about page for details on his medical expertise and background.

Cooking is something that I love to do. I know that this is not the case for everyone. Learning to cook is something that we should do for our health even if we do not enjoy the process.  It truly is the way to help our bodies work as well as they may.  There are some things that we don’t have control over but our food intake is not one of them. Cook, please.

As a result the more I research and learn about food processing the more I want to limit. I try to be selective about the processed foods that we eat and balance it out with fresh food. I confess to being a potato chip addict. If I bring it home, I am going to eat them because I adore the crunch of just about any kind. Sadly, I’m not even snobby about it, any chip will do.

In conclusion, I too struggle with using processed foods. They are a huge convenience and may taste good. Food manufacturers actually insert items in the food to make us crave their products. Learning this fact makes me want to limit all of their products from my diet. If it doesn’t grow in nature, we probably should not eat it.  Easy to say but harder to do, cook please.

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Turn off the news occasionally

Go Outside and explore

Add in exercise or a little play

Occasionally, plan your day around adding in a little play. If you are gainfully employed, summertime allows for  extra daylight to visit the beach, paddle board, exercise, bike,  watch the sunset over the bay etc.  Adding in play or exercise will yield benefits in many ways, reduced stress, increased calorie burn, improved attitude, health benefits and overall improved well-being. What is stopping you? Today, make a plan to add in play or make a date with yourself or include your family.

If your tired of news today? Divert your attention

Because the daily news will add more stress to your life, divert your attention to other activities. At times we should walk away from the news and take care of our own mental health. Plan time to relieve stress and squeeze more out of your day, it is so worth it.

If you have squeezed every ounce out of it and your too tired too cook, visit my site.   You will need a quick appetizer plus a craft beer.  Check out a few of the following options that you may have missed on the site:

Weary Souls Chicken Soup Recipe

Shrimp Recipe and Rich Sauce

Simply Zin Tomato Garlic Sauce

In conclusion, exercise, play, food, beer, music and what else do you need? If your tired of the news today, make a plan and try a couple of my suggestions. Let me know how you manage or send me a photo of your activity of choice. I may need a few suggestions too.

Alexa shout out to Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet’s version of It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.

“Pour me somethin’ tall and strong
Make it a hurricane before I go insane
It’s only half past twelve, but I don’t care
It’s five o’clock somewhere”

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For anyone that knows me well, I think that they would agree that I am passionate about food and words. I enjoy cooking and adore being served tasty flavorful food. For many of us, food is part of our social dynamic that we like to share whether at home or eating out.

On a social media group locally I made a statement and posed a question. My question was based on curiosity.  I wanted to check the pulse of our thoughts about food and flavors. I posed the question and then walked away. Imagine my surprise when I read through some of the comments when I returned much later. Clearly from some of the negative responses, I believe my comments were misunderstood.

My first statement:

“We should have Amazing food choices in our lovely cities by the Bay.”

How can anyone argue with that point? I did not say that we didn’t have any, I stated that we should have them. After I read some of the comments from the group, I reviewed the definition of amazing. Due to the backlash, my first thought was that I had used it incorrectly.

Here is what I found:

Webster Dictionary: “causing astonishment, great wonder or surprise”

Collins Dictionary: “You say that something is amazing when it is very surprising and makes you feel pleasure, approval or wonder”

Urban Dictionary: “Something that is so wonderful, it is hard to find the words to match. Something that makes your heart beat faster or your heart melt. Something that tops everything else and always crosses your mind”

I admit that I may have strong opinions about food.  When I go to a restaurant and taste something that is “amazing” my brain goes to the Urban Dictionary definition. A dish that is so wonderful that you become excited talking about it and your heart beats faster. Long after the meal, you think about it for days. Or is it just me?

Amazing is not an experience that you expect to have every time that you go out to eat. That does not mean that the food is bad. Amazing food is something that you are not expecting and it turns out surprisingly delicious.

In Destin, Grill-Man and I stopped at a French Vietnamese restaurant Zesty Baguette Bistro. I had never tried this fusion flavor before but it sounded interesting. My mouth started watering reading the menu. I settled on a chicken sandwich with egg roll and Pho soup. The description  may not sound exciting but the flavors spoke to me.

The menu described the sandwich as crispy fried chicken served on fresh ciabatta bread with asian mix, pickled ginger, avocado pesto, spicy and sweet chili sauce. Grill-Man ordered the Lemon grass chicken. It was delicious as well. Oh my God, it was more than amazing. My sandwich was surprising and inventive. I gave half of it to Grill-Man because he loves fried chicken. I wanted him to experience the joy of this dish. He shared his Lemon grass  Chicken with me as well.

We contemplated eating the same spot the next day because it was just that amazing.  Any trip remotely close to Destin will call for a stop at this restaurant. The food was a flavor explosion in your mouth. I was over the moon about the food. If you want to visit, it is located near Wine World in the Destin area.

An amazing example for me locally was at “Dragon Fly”  when I tried the turnip fries. The first time that I had them, I fell in love. I love turnips but I never thought to turn it into a french fry.  Whenever we eat at Dragon Fly, we always order one batch to share. I love the turnip fries and the Dragon sauce. I expect to love them, I am not surprised the “turnip fries” are delicious. I am thankful to Doug and Brie for bringing  the exciting flavors of Dragon Fly to our area.

We are so fortunate to live in such a unique area. I have lived on the eastern shore for twenty plus years and plan to retire here. I love the creative and unique atmosphere of our city by the bay.  In 1950, Fairhope’s population was 3,354 people. Clearly our area has grown and is bursting at the seams with people from other locales. All of us were not lucky enough to be born here but we arrived as soon as we could.

In any conversations with me it doesn’t take long before we wind up at food or entertaining.  I enjoy cooking and sharing my food adventures. My next comment stemmed from past conversations that I have had with other people about dining in Fairhope.

“The only complaint that I ever hear about Fairhope is the lack of Great Restaurants.”

Note, I did not say we had zero great restaurants. Sadly, every restaurant in Fairhope, does not serve great food. Great food is quality ingredients, proper preparation, inventive flavors and  correct cooking methods. Every restaurant should strive for this and then continue to do so. I am sure that it is a constant battle as with all businesses.

In my first comment, I did not mention any restaurants good or bad. I posed my statement to the group to see if most were happy with the Fairhope restaurant scene.  I wanted to know what  your thoughts were on our food choices. In all areas, businesses should strive for constant improvement.  I too struggle for  this in my daily practice.

Food is no exception. In some cases we have establishments that offer close to the same menu options that they have offered for years.  My friend Red shared a quote with me, “Change is inevitable but growth is optional”.

My next statement defined the food choices that I was seeking.

“If you are a foodie, love to cook and eat Fresh flavors the choices are limited.”

The term foodie is a relatively new word arriving on the scene in 1980. Webster defines it as “a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads”. Cambridge defines a foodie as a person who loves food and is very interested in different types of food. Both of these definitions capture what I was trying to say about food flavors and that I would like to see more foodie choices.

The last three statements were not directed at the restaurants that offer Farm to Table,  fresh local seafood or new flavors.

“We need Farm to Table supporting our local farms. We need fresh seafood from our coast. We need exciting new flavors with ethnic twists.”

My comments were referring to the locations that do not offer these items.  Every restaurant in Fairhope does not offer these options. I am sure that a few restaurants source pre-made meals and frozen meals. When I choose to spend money to go out to eat, I prefer that prepped fresh and on site. Is that a bad thing?

I fully support the local restaurants. I know how hard running a business is let alone a restaurant. I have never taken to the internet and complained about a restaurant. I have had meals that were more than disappointing locally.  I have friends that will attest to a similar experience. Although they are smarter than I and don’t take to the internet to discuss. My Momma said that curiosity would kill the cat.

When I am served food that is bad, it is hard for me to send back to the kitchen. When this occurs more than once, I struggle to revisit the restaurant unless something has changed. As customers, we hesitate to send food back but we remember the meal and may choose differently the next time.

In the last six months, I have dined out in restaurants locally that had lots of empty tables at prime dining hours. Empty tables in a restaurant is not a good sign and are lost opportunities for owner and wait staff. Our city has had a number of restaurants close after being opened. I know of at least one place that has changed names more times than I have fingers.

The local community supports new flavors otherwise we would not have the ethnic choices that we do.  When dining out locally, most of the restaurants do not require reservations. To me this is another sign that they do not have all the customers that they require. I like that I don’t always need a reservation but I would plan ahead if I needed one.

Out of curiosity, I offered an opinion and posed a question.  Numerous people responded that they agreed with my sentiment. Obviously other people did not agree and chose to call me out about the post . I understand that everyone will not always agree with my opinion, I am ok with that. It is important that you understand what I meant by the statement.  I decided to write this post to clarify my point which really boils down to the following:

I want to eat more amazing food in Fairhope!

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I would like to think that I am knowledgeable about food, flavors and culinary things that matter. Not that I have been professionally  trained in the art of food, but because I love to eat good food.  I love to eat exciting complex flavors that explode in your mouth.

I detest bad, boring, bland and uninspired food. I am not referring to food that is “bad for you” because we all make food choices that are unhealthy.  Although eating poorly, is something that we should  pay attention to as well. I am talking about food that tastes bad.

Dining out is a choice. The premise is simple. A customer walks in a restaurant, and chooses from the planned menu. The restaurant cooks and delivers the meal. All of this so far seems really simple and not rocket science. If that were the case, so many restaurants would not open and then close.

As a person that loves to eat good food and loves to cook, I know that cooking good food is hard work. It requires quality ingredients created with interest, prepared properly and delivered promptly. Once achieved,  delivered consistently.

Owning a restaurant  is extremely hard for a host of reasons. I waited tables as a young adult and I remember the challenges of working in a restaurant let alone owning one. If you decide to open one, be ready to give your life over to food and service. It is a noble cause and we will love you for it.

Please don’t do it, unless you mean it. All of us want to support your restaurant, but give us a break. I will no longer feel guilty that your restaurant served “bad food”. I will be kind but respectfully send it back.

When I travel and dine on food with interesting flavors or spice combinations it makes me happy. All restaurants should strive to excite your palate.

It is hard to get excited when restaurants  have similar items on the menu. What makes one menu stand out from the other?

It is hard to get excited and be a frequent customer if the menu is the same all the time.

I am often in the kitchen cooking which makes me love dining out on new and different flavors. We should only support good restaurants.  We need to communicate with the ones that are “not so good” and let them know what we expect.

Restaurants should offer the following:

Farm to Table
Fresh Local Seafood
Seasonal Menu Changes
Wine and Food Pairings
Diversity in Flavors and Ethnic Foods

If a restaurant is willing to serve bad food, then I am going to send it back. How else will they improve if we don’t let them know that it is bad, boring, bland or mediocre?

The Reluctant Critic

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Food and travel feed my soul in a unique way. I love learning about the cultural differences and how they impact our lives. The differences are special. Traditions are passed on to each generation. They become the threads that bind together communities.

I have noticed that some people become offended by identification of the differences. The differences are what make us unique. I love that we are different. I don’t want to live in a society where we are all the same.

How boring would it be if we all had the same opinions and ideas?

How boring would it be if we all had to cook and eat the same meal?

How boring would it be if all had the same house?

How boring would it be if we all liked the same food, things, hobbies, books, music?

Different is good.
Variety is the spice of life.
Change is healthy.

Experiencing different, enjoying variety and adapting to change is important to our growth. We should look for ways to find how we may share common ground.  Introduce our differences to our neighbor. Share who we are and learn acceptance of others. Acceptance does not equal approval of all their choices.

“Love thy neighbor.”

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