Do you still have cookbooks, family recipes, ideas from magazines? How do you store them...if you keep them at all! 👋🏼😁 The recipe for the very first dish that hubby cooked for me when we were dating is here! ua-cam.com/video/MwCL26bqfRI/v-deo.htmlsi=9vXd76wU95PIIIfZ 😍
Unfortunately I was unable to acquire mom or granny's cook books. But that's caused me to hoard my own. I didn't even realize that till today. I should absolutely create a curated collection so my kids will have them. And donate the rest. ❤ Thank you for speaking on your loss. It's helped me some as well. Love from America 🇺🇸🤗
I have recipes on paper, clip outs, saved on the computer, youtube playlists, cookbooks 😂 oh and how many screen shots save on your phone?!?! I cleared those out sitting at the hairdressers the other day - time well spent!. I started last month that I set aside 15 mins a week to declutter something recipe over a cup of tea or coffee. It's working well!
I have some of my mums recipes in her handwriting, she gave me when I got married.... and my Delia Smith cook book.. tried and tested, and my bread book..... all in use
When you speak about your Mum I can see how difficult it is for you. After 20 years I still tear up when I speak about my younger brother who died in his early 50's. But nowadays I concentrate on the happy memories I have of him. Thank you for a lovely video as usual.
I lost my mom, it will be 20 years ago this Christmas Eve (I can’t believe it!). I remember going through so so much of her stuff. I was only 30, she was 67 when she died. She had so much she was holding onto. I kept a lot because I was not ready to let her go. It took years for me to understand that I was not throwing away or giving away memories or the love I have for her. I can see and hear the emotions you have talking about your mum’s things and I just want to say thank you for sharing this with us. I found FlyLady the year after Mom died and have been on a slow but steady decluttering journey ever since. I have conflicting feelings about not putting my own children what I went through and wanting to hold onto anything that’s left of Mom. It’s a journey, it’s layers that get peeled away a little at a time. I appreciate your vulnerability and courage and giving us permission to let go. Thank you.
I was 14 when I lost my Mom on December 23. She was 47. It took me so long to go thru all the boxes I had kept. She’s been gone 34 years and I’m finally ready to tackle the photos. I have favorite pieces displayed, some stored, and I kept the favorite jewelry to wear. The rest is gone. I have boys and they are not sentimental and I didn’t want to leave it for them.
I can NOT declutter Grandma's recipes!! I have decluttered heaps of my recipe books and loose paper recipes, etc... but not those written out for me by my grandmothers. They are too precious still, to me. ❤
@@farmerwife8412 Photographing the original handwritten recipes is my favorite method of preserving and sharing Grandma's recipes with the other grandchildren. I was even thinking of making a perpetual calendar (without days of the week) with seasonal recipes each month. I hope I can do this on a shared family calendar app. Still researching.
@eileencarroll6418 that is a great idea!! Thank you for the inspiration. I have a few handwritten books as well as loose recipes!! It will be a tough assignment. Thank you. 😊
I love that you are going to go through your recipes and decide what you want to carry forward with you. It's true that we don't have to get rid of everything, but it's also true that it's not good to carry it all into our future. I went through my mom's recipes one afternoon and had a really nice walk down memory lane. In the end, I only kept a few that were my absolute favorites as a child. I may not make these dishes again, but the recipes were in her handwriting and I remember how much we enjoyed them back then (a very long time ago). Having just three or four that represented that time makes them special rather than having an entire box full of recipes that don't mean as much and that I am only keeping because they were my mom's.
I did the same. I had a file card box from my Mom. Just seeing her beautiful handwriting brought her back to me. It was funny to see some of the recipes in the box and remember when. It was also a pleasant surprise to find a couple in my aunt’s handwriting that she had shared. You are right, no need to take them all forward but good to keep a few favorites and place them in my recipe binder.
Oh Diane, you're brave. I found myself saying out loud 'no, no, not these!' when you decluttered the cookbook with the recipes that your husband made on your fist date. But good you did! Big hugs and thanks for the inspiration, Groetjes uit Nederland
Even though you may say goodbye to things you will not use again, some things you have to go through slowly and just be with the feelings that come up and be very gentle with yourself. 💗
We recently lost my father-in-law. And now I'm going to help my mother-in-law to sort through his stuff and hopefully declutter a lot. This house has memories and things from over 60 years. It's going to be tough! But I already trained her a little bit, because I learned so much from you!❤❤❤
My husband and his sisters spent 9 months cleaning out their mom’s home. It was so hard because they were grieving and there was soooooooooo much stuff… mentally and physically exhausting. I am taking your tips to heart as I don’t want my kids to have to deal with that when our time comes
Recipes from magazines I store in an A4 folder in plastic sleeves in categories i.e. soups/veg/pasta/ chicken/beef etc/cakes/desserts/Christmas. At the front of folder on a bulldog clip are ones to try out/on probation. Note ...only recipes that get 10/10 from family can stay. If I don't try out the new recipes in 6 months they are binned. 😊
I decluttered 49 pieces of paper from a personal cookbook just last week. Some I no longer make. Some of them were never made. And some I never liked. 🤣
My daughter is moving today from Yorkshire to Inverness to a new life with her partner who lives there. She is a long divorced empty nester and all she has packed in the van is her egg chair and bed. Her partner makes UA-cam videos on wilderness skills and building mountain shelters.He's Scotland 's Bear Grylls .....she's going to be doing lots of wild swimming.😆
Dear Diane, I worked alongside you in the kitchen and was also able to get rid of a lot of cook books, my fantasy self had kept for years, but never even cooked one recipe from (I mean, let's be honest. As a mom of small children - who has time to make your own pasta-dough?) It felt so good letting go and it was a huge relief to see "I do not need these physical possessions to keep my family well fed and alive." Also I got rid of a lot of small vases, unused baking equipment and serving trays for company we never have. Both, my parent's and In-laws houses are filled to the brim and I know, we will have to deal with their possessions at some point. It is very empowering to deal with our stuff right now and travel lightly into the next season - however it may look like.
Apparently there is and expiry date on hotwater bottles. I just learned that. Maybe you should check if it's OK to use it. They say there's a circle on it with the year and month of production and you can use it for two years after that. Others say you can use it for two years after you use it first. I'm not an expert, I just wanted to share the information. ❤
My husband scanned all of my mother's and grandmother's handwritten recipes. Now i have a digital copy that I can also share with my children and my brother's family. With my mother-in-law's passing two weeks ago, we have realized that we have a lot of decluttering and organizing to do not just with things but also paperwork (insurance papers, etc). My mother passed away 35 years ago and my father 15 years ago. We do not want our kids having to deal with our piles of stuff after we're gone.
Do check how old your hot water bottles are. In the UK they have a system for showing you the age. There is a flower on the neck and the central number indicates the year (e.g., '22' for 2022). The 12 segments around this number represent months. The filled segments mark its manufacturing month. For instance, if eight segments have dots, it means the bottle was crafted in August.
I always kept my recipes on 3 x 5 index cards in a metal card box. A year or so ok I dropped it and things went flying. I decided it was good time for a declutter and to be honest with myself about the contents. I have never liked to cook so got rid of a bunch!!
Tough assignment today! I come from a family of great cooks and bakers and have recipes from my parents, grandmothers, and aunts. I love their handwriting and memories of delicious food. I also have a large collection of cookbooks that I not only cook from, but read for pleasure. I know I need to work through all of it and be more intentional about actually cooking from them and letting go of some. Thank you for your encouragement to go through the process slowly and enjoy it (I'm a type 1/2)! Thanks for being my cheerleader!💖
Phone photos are a good solution for things that you really need to let go, but that give you a pang in your heart to say goodbye to. You can eliminate the clutter, and keep the tender or useful association.
😊I was going to add a comment similar to this. I have digital files of recipes and other special things! Just remember to label and organize them right away to as not to end up with disorganized digital clutter! Have a great day!😁
I like you so much- you’re like a fun, encouraging aunt! Blessings to you for sharing your life and your good advice with strangers you may never meet- RAH RAH!
So uncanny, I saw my old exercise book of family written recipes and clippings just today and thought it could be time to let it go - like yours it’s in a fairly inaccessible space and I never use it… sentimental… I shallvtaje the fact that exactly this specific and fairly obscure item turned up here on the same day as a sign of confirmation…. 👍🏻 Thank you!
Hi Diane. Your video inspired me to clean out my cookbooks today. Wow, I feel so much better. I passed on some to a cooking friend, a stack to the library and a stack to the charity shop. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I wish I could get my mom to watch this video. We helped her move into a retirement residence in August and she brought so much stuff with her. Her kitchen was very big and my parents used to entertain quite often so she would use a lot of the stuff. But now she’s in a one bedroom apartment and she has enough mugs to have coffee with 20 people!! On Saturday, we moved her into a slightly bigger apartment in the same building and it was mentioned (mostly by me) that maybe she should get rid of some more things that she doesn’t really need or use. My brother disagreed and said that she should live how she wants with what she wants, even if it includes four different sets of salt and pepper shakers. Needless to say, after our discussion’, my brother and I did not finish the day on pleasant terms. Thank you for this, though. I have a binder of recipes that I should go through again, even though I just did it in the summer! 🇨🇦
This is one of the hardest parts of decluttering; being on the same page as the people you live with, or are helping out. I tried to help my mom with her collections a while back and she was NOT ready to let go! She had a reason for everything, including old checks signed by her father, or books she’d set a goal to read decades ago, or … everything had a reason. It was exhausting and my help was felt more like pressure than encouragement. Needless to say, I dread the day I will eventually have to deal with it when she no longer can. The worst of it, though, is that I know she would/could be so much happier with a lighter load. It really has fueled my own motivation
(Oops!) …my own motivation to declutter my own things so I don’t get bogged down in the past, but to live life to the fullest NOW! Anyone else have any tips to help others? Husbands?! 🎉
@@bethgoodwin9697 my mom has always been good about getting rid of stuff and after my dad died, she went through the house and declutterred everything he wouldn’t let her get rid of! But, for some reason, mom needed to bring enough towels for three bathrooms and enough tupperware/storage for two kitchens. I think, in time, she’ll realize that she doesn’t need all of those things and will do some more purging. Have a lovely day!
Diane, thank you so much. I did clear out a huge load of papers from the study this morning-- first all my old Garden Club notes and DAR "year" books; then a ridiculous amount of colored tissue paper that had somehow become stuffed into a cabinet-- have been way too messy and unconscious about this house. Yesterday I cleared duplicates and unused things out of the kitchen cabinets. Little by little. You are helping me and I am grateful.
I'm decluttering a very bad cold through the use of antibiotics, lol! Your video was my entertainment for today and my encouragement for when I feel better! Thank you 😊
Me too. I hope you get better soon. Your so right that the harder decluttering decisions (sentimental/memories) need to be made when we are well with stamina.
This made me thinking, a couple of weeks ago we talked with my husbands side of the family about recipes and we came to talk about a cookbook we made as a wedding present for the youngest brother of the five siblings. We made the cookbook as a photobook that we designed with pictures and text and ordered online. The rest of the siblings had families of their own and there were pictures of the kids eating or making some of the recipes. We gathered all of our best recipes, both soups, salads, desserts, bread and it was an excellent gift for a couple starting their life together 😊❤ it is so fun to look back at now!
Hi Diane: Thanks for the inspiration! I am decluttering my food pantry and my diet - saying goodbye to certain foods I stock up on, in case of emergencies, and donating them to my local food pantry. I'm keeping a few items just in case, but trying to live and eat more in the present.
Thank you so much! My mum had the Be-Ro book when I was a kid it was the first cookbook I used as a kid. Totally forgot about it until now! Yay I can finally make the chocolate biscuits with my kids that mum made with me! X
Oh my goodness, I’m an avid cookery book collector! I’ve got my late mum’s Italian Food by Elizabeth David, from which I cannot be parted. It gave me a love of cooking from an early age. I love seeing my cookery books on the kitchen shelf, so I won’t be declutterring them along with you, Diane. But I am going to declutter all those teacup-less saucers lurking in my dresser 😂
I used to read cookbooks, too! They are now on my list to declutter. My lifestyle eating has changed over the years and I’m sure I’ll find some to let go of. Thanks for the inspiration!🎉🎉🎉
I saved some of my mom’s handwritten recipes and framed them for each of the children. I kept her Oatmeal Cake, I gave my sister her favorite yellow cake and chocolate icing, etc. I was then able to let the rest go.
I cleaned out a big desk drawer today!! Didn't realize i had so much scrap paper 😂 some went to recycle and some i kept for my grocery lists. Yee haw 🎉🥳 one more thing off my list!! 👏👏
Diane what have you done to me I’m decluttering every week now! my husband died at 57 eight years ago and I have decided not to downsize I love my home but to rearrange the rooms my husband’s office is now becoming part of my kitchen dinner. But I’m definitely trying to make things more simple going forward
I have simplified my belongings, but still manage to find things to declutter. I declutter and tidy something each week and it reduces my anxiety no end. Today I decluttered some books in the kitchen and am going to go through recipes next. Thanks for always keeping us on track and inspiring us in our daily lives.
You are such an inspiration. I have a box in my shed that is my dad’s things and he passed in 2003. I still get so emotional when I see them. I don’t have any problem getting rid of my things. I had to clear out my parents house in 2003 and I don’t want my daughter to have to deal with a lot of clutter when I pass on.
As I was watching this video, I declutterred 3 recipe books, and a heap of old handwritten recipes that I’d been hanging on to for nearly 40 years. Thanks Diane…woo hoo!
Hi Diane! You can take photos of your favorite recipe pages - esp the ones of the first meal hubby cooked for you or ones in your Mum’s own handwriting.
I let another recipe book go while watching you, Diane, as well as a very large pressure cooker that we no longer use; too big for just my husband and me! Thanks for the motivation 💙
I also enjoyed reading cookbooks and I would make all the recipes (in my head of course)😅. I decluttered quite a few with you when you decluttered yours previously. Now I will go through the recipe binders I have which will take some time. I did one yesterday but still have a few more to do. I enjoy reading the recipes but I don't enjoy cooking anymore, I cook because I have to, not because I enjoy it and its especially challenging when both of us have dietary issues. Thanks for motivating us to tackle a project that we probably wouldn't have thought off.
Vous êtes une inspiration depuis plusieurs années pour moi et vous me donnez la force de me séparer d’objets , de livres qui ne me sont plus destinés ❤❤
I decluttered cookbooks a number of years ago (photocopied a few recipes I truly used and liked) and now am reviewing my mother's recipes, passing some along to my grand niece who loves to bake.
We took a carload if small furniture pieces to goodwill this morning that we set aside decluttering for the remidel. We decided to move it this morning because the hurricane will be here Wed and we need to bring some outside items inside, like the porch furniture and grill and small flower pots.
I worked hard decluttering in September with a focus on the kitchen, but am focusing on Halloween fun this month while spending 15 minutes a day on paper and 15 minutes on digital clutter. I've already donated two books and expect to donate 3 more, including a cookbook, by the end of the month.
Gee I’ve been like that over the years with recipes, either cooking mags and filed away torn out paper from mags that I intended to cook, but there’s way too much and SO much that I’ve never cooked! I really do need to go through one by one and decide will I ever use these recipes, thanks for the inspo! 🤗
Diane this category pulls on my heartstrings. I’m very sentimental about recipes especially the handwritten and clippings that we collect through the years. You are brave.
When I moved, I decluttered from 100 cook books down to 10 of them. I have got rid of a further two since then, because I only used 4 recipes from each. Another one is on side, waiting to be gone through. The arch lever file of recipies is very full and what I now cook has changed to healthier eating, so I guess that needs going through too!
My kitchen is rather well declutter. BUT, I'm downsizing for a new chapter in my live: moving to a smaller house this year or the beginning of next year🏡.That gives a whole new perspective to decluttering and organizing🚚🙋🇳🇱
I have two methods of dealing with recipes/cookbooks. When I find things online, I just simply add them to my Pinterest. No physical clutter, easy to sort things into different boards, and I can go through and try what I want when I want. With regards to physical cookbooks/paper recipes, I take photos of what I have made and truly like, and then I just use a photo editor to compile them into pages for one master cookbook I keep. Saves a lot of space, and I still have a physical cookbook of things I like in case Pinterest ever disappears, lol.
Oh my goodness, my binder of recipes… I haven’t looked in there in a while. You have such a knack for bringing good things to the decluttering discussion!
In a couple of months I’m going to downsize… a lot! Moving to a very small apartment, looking forward to it. I’m making it a challenge to make my new home minimalistic, yet cozy 💕. So I’m trying to declutter as much as I can, of everything. Realize my “hold on to’s” are kitchen utensils and dresses. Slowly I’m getting there.
I have all the little notes my Mom wrote to me usually thanking me for visiting with my girls. They don't take up much room. I am sorting photographs of my 4 siblings. They have gone to at least of my 3 siblings and three friends, cousins and everyone is thrilled. I'm not passing on the decision to declutter their photographs. I got them because my daughter promised my Dad on his death bed she would take care of them. Three years later she hasn't, so I have. I have gone down memory lane but my siblings can decide on their own what photos mean the most to them. Once I finished pictures of individual siblings, I will somehow delve into family photos and share. Joan
I am in the mist of doing this with family pictures also. I have done the same thing. They get to decide what they want to do with their own pictures. I am keeping the gamely pictures and making a shutterfly book that they can purchase a copy of if they want o e.
Thank you for the inspiring video. We were downsizing a few years ago but it fell through. I had managed to declutter many things though and most were sentimental items. All of my childhood cuddly toys and cards for birthdays and other celebrations. So many things from loved ones who are sadly no longer here. Also many of the children’s things from when they were little (they are great at letting things go as adults). It was all stored away and were rarely looked at. I photographed everything and can now regularly look at it all, which I love. 😊. Would always recommend keeping things that your heart tells you to keep. I have all my nan’s diaries and will regularly read them. They are so joyful and grounding x
😮 I love my cookbooks. . Letting go of all those cookbooks had me feeling awed and shocked! I have tons of cookbooks taking up space on my bookshelves. “Tough letting go but feels good”! I have decided to pack them up and put them in the Time Will Tell bin. Stressed me out watching Diane let them go!
Thanks for this Diane ❤I have one of those paper stuffed recipe folders and I have no idea what’s in it - I don’t even like cooking that much 😆 what a great way to go through it though. Stress free, thank you ❤
About cookbooks, you can find most everything on line now so I have decided to get rid of most of my books(about50) and let someone else have a go at them. Thanks for another video of inspiration! Much love from AZ😎
I still like to browse magazines for inspiration. The hair salon is always happy for the copies I am done with. A quick phone-photo or two allows me to check my ingredients in the grocery store.
Okay okay… yes it is time. You inspired me to go trough all the cooking books i have. But it will take a little longer than 15 minutes but will get there step by step. Off we go
I used to have one of those carving/slicing machines too! Mine got the heave-ho a while back and I haven’t missed it. Why do we buy all these gadgets?! Still hold on to my Be-ro books though 😂 Thank you, Diane, once again for your inspiration ❤
Not yet ready to give up my best saved recipes but I did spend half an hour winnowing them down. I always find recipes to try when I do this ..perfect because I have family coming to stay for a week for Canadian Thanksgiving.
Diane, when my husband and I downsized 5 years ago, I didn’t keep 80% of my recipe books. None of my daughters wanted them, and one said recipes were readily available online! I sold most books at a garage sale, donated those that did not sell, I kept a few, and just a few months ago I decluttered more. I’ve kept a few pages of recipes in my mom and dad’s handwriting, even though I never make those dishes. Now my family favourites are written on cards and kept in a small recipe box that takes up minimal cupboard space. I also peruse recipes online and I’ve now got a favourite recipe website. No storage needed!
Love doing cookbook declutter with you. I have done this along side of you before Every time it comes around again I’m always amazed at how much I can declutter. ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
I have my mam’s BERO book from the 1960s which has a black and white cover - loved it when she made the chocolate cake. I remind myself that it’s not the memory or love but just a piece of paper but struggle when it is in my mam or nana’s handwriting. I know the saying “within 3 generations you are just a name” so the memories are mine alone and my children will decide and make their own. Still find it hard at times not to hang on to things for them. Although emotional, love the inspiration to keep decluttering 💕
I wrote down your Granny's pancake recipe, it looked like she used lard to cook them in..I paused the video to try to see .I need basic recipes like that..thanks for sharing today with us!!!
The Be Ro book bought back so many memories for me, I used it every week for my cookery class, and as for your Danish cookery books that were free each week, does anyone remember when the Milk Marketing Board ( I think) bought out the yearly Dairy Diary? I had one every year for a long time as it had a wealth of information in it…… it would be great to bring back a version of it because many people these days rely on convenience foods and there wasn’t one to be had in that diary!
They still do dairy diaries. Until about 3 years my Mother used to buy me one every year. I told her to stop because I never used it as a diary and even though the information in the book was useful I didn’t need one every year. I will have to declutter my recipes from magazines. I keep them in a file. But like you said it is very easy to find a recipe on the internet now. A few years ago I declutterred some cook books and I store the ones I kept in a kitchen cupboard. But I don’t like a the different heights of books so I put them in some wooden magazine holders from IKEA and turn the boxes round so I can’t see the books.😀
The first dish hubby ever cooked for me was an old fam favorite - “party chicken” Line casserole dish with chipped beef, wrap chicken breasts or thighs with very lightly crisped bacon (it will finish cooking in the oven), cover with mixture of 1/2 pint sour cream and can of cream of mushroom soup and bake for 3 hrs at 275 deg F or until chicken tests done Yum! He knew I was eating low carb back then and took the effort to make something that would agree with me ❤. That was in ‘96
Hi, Diane, one of my weakest points: Cook books and recipes. Theoretically you’re absolutely right… but although I’m older than you, I can’t , I read them like crime stories. To be honest: I’m using the Internet more and more, so that might change one day in the future. It was so fun to see your collection, mine is very similar. Love, Monika❣
You know you reminded me of a woodworking set that I have and don’t use. So I think I’m gonna keep the knives but get rid of all the other stuff. UPDATE: my handyman is thrilled to take this off my hands! I’m giving him everything
My parents kept so many things that my sister and I were so overwhelmed when they died that we couldn't possibly look through it all. I wonder what I might have let go of that I would have preferred to keep. It's smart to start early.
I have a recipe box. All the recipes are written on index cards. It is listed in alphabetical order. Very simple. If I try an online recipe that my family has enjoyed, I will write it on an index card and add it to the box. Doing that allows me to only write down the necessary information and keeps it concise on the index card. I go through my recipe box for a purge and clean up, maybe on a yearly basis. Love your energy! Love your style! Love your videos! Take care! 🇨🇦
Do you still have cookbooks, family recipes, ideas from magazines? How do you store them...if you keep them at all! 👋🏼😁 The recipe for the very first dish that hubby cooked for me when we were dating is here! ua-cam.com/video/MwCL26bqfRI/v-deo.htmlsi=9vXd76wU95PIIIfZ 😍
Unfortunately I was unable to acquire mom or granny's cook books. But that's caused me to hoard my own. I didn't even realize that till today. I should absolutely create a curated collection so my kids will have them. And donate the rest. ❤
Thank you for speaking on your loss. It's helped me some as well. Love from America 🇺🇸🤗
I have recipes on paper, clip outs, saved on the computer, youtube playlists, cookbooks 😂 oh and how many screen shots save on your phone?!?! I cleared those out sitting at the hairdressers the other day - time well spent!. I started last month that I set aside 15 mins a week to declutter something recipe over a cup of tea or coffee. It's working well!
I have some of my mums recipes in her handwriting, she gave me when I got married.... and my Delia Smith cook book.. tried and tested, and my bread book..... all in use
I hold on to one old cookbook from my late mother. From time to time I look up something. Childhood memories.
@@doveandolive1153great idea! This is doable! Bet you find all kinds of treasures you had forgotten about!
When you speak about your Mum I can see how difficult it is for you. After 20 years I still tear up when I speak about my younger brother who died in his early 50's. But nowadays I concentrate on the happy memories I have of him. Thank you for a lovely video as usual.
I lost my mom, it will be 20 years ago this Christmas Eve (I can’t believe it!). I remember going through so so much of her stuff. I was only 30, she was 67 when she died. She had so much she was holding onto. I kept a lot because I was not ready to let her go. It took years for me to understand that I was not throwing away or giving away memories or the love I have for her. I can see and hear the emotions you have talking about your mum’s things and I just want to say thank you for sharing this with us. I found FlyLady the year after Mom died and have been on a slow but steady decluttering journey ever since. I have conflicting feelings about not putting my own children what I went through and wanting to hold onto anything that’s left of Mom. It’s a journey, it’s layers that get peeled away a little at a time. I appreciate your vulnerability and courage and giving us permission to let go. Thank you.
I was 14 when I lost my Mom on December 23. She was 47. It took me so long to go thru all the boxes I had kept. She’s been gone 34 years and I’m finally ready to tackle the photos. I have favorite pieces displayed, some stored, and I kept the favorite jewelry to wear. The rest is gone. I have boys and they are not sentimental and I didn’t want to leave it for them.
❤ Best recipes are in Grandma's handwriting on scraps of coffee- and vanilla-stained discolored paper. ❤❤❤
I can NOT declutter Grandma's recipes!! I have decluttered heaps of my recipe books and loose paper recipes, etc... but not those written out for me by my grandmothers. They are too precious still, to me. ❤
@@farmerwife8412 Photographing the original handwritten recipes is my favorite method of preserving and sharing Grandma's recipes with the other grandchildren. I was even thinking of making a perpetual calendar (without days of the week) with seasonal recipes each month. I hope I can do this on a shared family calendar app. Still researching.
@eileencarroll6418 that is a great idea!! Thank you for the inspiration. I have a few handwritten books as well as loose recipes!! It will be a tough assignment. Thank you. 😊
I love that you are going to go through your recipes and decide what you want to carry forward with you. It's true that we don't have to get rid of everything, but it's also true that it's not good to carry it all into our future. I went through my mom's recipes one afternoon and had a really nice walk down memory lane. In the end, I only kept a few that were my absolute favorites as a child. I may not make these dishes again, but the recipes were in her handwriting and I remember how much we enjoyed them back then (a very long time ago). Having just three or four that represented that time makes them special rather than having an entire box full of recipes that don't mean as much and that I am only keeping because they were my mom's.
I did the same. I had a file card box from my Mom. Just seeing her beautiful handwriting brought her back to me. It was funny to see some of the recipes in the box and remember when. It was also a pleasant surprise to find a couple in my aunt’s handwriting that she had shared. You are right, no need to take them all forward but good to keep a few favorites and place them in my recipe binder.
Oh Diane, you're brave. I found myself saying out loud 'no, no, not these!' when you decluttered the cookbook with the recipes that your husband made on your fist date. But good you did! Big hugs and thanks for the inspiration, Groetjes uit Nederland
Even though you may say goodbye to things you will not use again, some things you have to go through slowly and just be with the feelings that come up and be very gentle with yourself. 💗
We recently lost my father-in-law. And now I'm going to help my mother-in-law to sort through his stuff and hopefully declutter a lot. This house has memories and things from over 60 years. It's going to be tough! But I already trained her a little bit, because I learned so much from you!❤❤❤
My husband and his sisters spent 9 months cleaning out their mom’s home. It was so hard because they were grieving and there was soooooooooo much stuff… mentally and physically exhausting. I am taking your tips to heart as I don’t want my kids to have to deal with that when our time comes
Recipes from magazines I store in an A4 folder in plastic sleeves in categories i.e. soups/veg/pasta/ chicken/beef etc/cakes/desserts/Christmas. At the front of folder on a bulldog clip are ones to try out/on probation. Note ...only recipes that get 10/10 from family can stay. If I don't try out the new recipes in 6 months they are binned. 😊
Thank you for this video. I will try to do the same this week and go thru some cookbooks.
Sounds great!
I decluttered 49 pieces of paper from a personal cookbook just last week. Some I no longer make. Some of them were never made. And some I never liked. 🤣
you are doing so well- your emotion shows through when you speak of your mum.you are such an inspiration
My daughter is moving today from Yorkshire to Inverness to a new life with her partner who lives there. She is a long divorced empty nester and all she has packed in the van is her egg chair and bed. Her partner makes UA-cam videos on wilderness skills and building mountain shelters.He's Scotland 's Bear Grylls .....she's going to be doing lots of wild swimming.😆
Exciting!
Dear Diane,
I worked alongside you in the kitchen and was also able to get rid of a lot of cook books, my fantasy self had kept for years, but never even cooked one recipe from (I mean, let's be honest. As a mom of small children - who has time to make your own pasta-dough?)
It felt so good letting go and it was a huge relief to see "I do not need these physical possessions to keep my family well fed and alive."
Also I got rid of a lot of small vases, unused baking equipment and serving trays for company we never have.
Both, my parent's and In-laws houses are filled to the brim and I know, we will have to deal with their possessions at some point. It is very empowering to deal with our stuff right now and travel lightly into the next season - however it may look like.
Thank you for this video, your light and grace show even in your grief, you're such a treasure!
Apparently there is and expiry date on hotwater bottles. I just learned that. Maybe you should check if it's OK to use it. They say there's a circle on it with the year and month of production and you can use it for two years after that. Others say you can use it for two years after you use it first. I'm not an expert, I just wanted to share the information. ❤
My husband scanned all of my mother's and grandmother's handwritten recipes. Now i have a digital copy that I can also share with my children and my brother's family. With my mother-in-law's passing two weeks ago, we have realized that we have a lot of decluttering and organizing to do not just with things but also paperwork (insurance papers, etc). My mother passed away 35 years ago and my father 15 years ago. We do not want our kids having to deal with our piles of stuff after we're gone.
Do check how old your hot water bottles are. In the UK they have a system for showing you the age. There is a flower on the neck and the central number indicates the year (e.g., '22' for 2022). The 12 segments around this number represent months. The filled segments mark its manufacturing month. For instance, if eight segments have dots, it means the bottle was crafted in August.
I wish I had some of my grandmother’s recipes. Her handwriting was so neat!
I always kept my recipes on 3 x 5 index cards in a metal card box.
A year or so ok I dropped it and things went flying. I decided it was good time for a declutter and to be honest with myself about the contents. I have never liked to cook so got rid of a bunch!!
Tough assignment today! I come from a family of great cooks and bakers and have recipes from my parents, grandmothers, and aunts. I love their handwriting and memories of delicious food. I also have a large collection of cookbooks that I not only cook from, but read for pleasure. I know I need to work through all of it and be more intentional about actually cooking from them and letting go of some. Thank you for your encouragement to go through the process slowly and enjoy it (I'm a type 1/2)! Thanks for being my cheerleader!💖
Phone photos are a good solution for things that you really need to let go, but that give you a pang in your heart to say goodbye to. You can eliminate the clutter, and keep the tender or useful association.
😊I was going to add a comment similar to this. I have digital files of recipes and other special things! Just remember to label and organize them right away to as not to end up with disorganized digital clutter! Have a great day!😁
I used to love reading cookbooks too. But you are right - take photos of the recipes you like and donate the book. Well done, Diane!
I like you so much- you’re like a fun, encouraging aunt! Blessings to you for sharing your life and your good advice with strangers you may never meet- RAH RAH!
So uncanny, I saw my old exercise book of family written recipes and clippings just today and thought it could be time to let it go - like yours it’s in a fairly inaccessible space and I never use it… sentimental… I shallvtaje the fact that exactly this specific and fairly obscure item turned up here on the same day as a sign of confirmation…. 👍🏻 Thank you!
Hi Diane. Your video inspired me to clean out my cookbooks today. Wow, I feel so much better. I passed on some to a cooking friend, a stack to the library and a stack to the charity shop. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I wish I could get my mom to watch this video. We helped her move into a retirement residence in August and she brought so much stuff with her. Her kitchen was very big and my parents used to entertain quite often so she would use a lot of the stuff. But now she’s in a one bedroom apartment and she has enough mugs to have coffee with 20 people!! On Saturday, we moved her into a slightly bigger apartment in the same building and it was mentioned (mostly by me) that maybe she should get rid of some more things that she doesn’t really need or use. My brother disagreed and said that she should live how she wants with what she wants, even if it includes four different sets of salt and pepper shakers. Needless to say, after our discussion’, my brother and I did not finish the day on pleasant terms. Thank you for this, though. I have a binder of recipes that I should go through again, even though I just did it in the summer! 🇨🇦
Well he can deal with all that stuff at the end. You can bow out of that. Then he’ll understand what you mean n
This is one of the hardest parts of decluttering; being on the same page as the people you live with, or are helping out. I tried to help my mom with her collections a while back and she was NOT ready to let go! She had a reason for everything, including old checks signed by her father, or books she’d set a goal to read decades ago, or … everything had a reason. It was exhausting and my help was felt more like pressure than encouragement. Needless to say, I dread the day I will eventually have to deal with it when she no longer can. The worst of it, though, is that I know she would/could be so much happier with a lighter load. It really has fueled my own motivation
(Oops!) …my own motivation to declutter my own things so I don’t get bogged down in the past, but to live life to the fullest NOW! Anyone else have any tips to help others? Husbands?! 🎉
@@missmayflower that’s what I told him but I know it won’t be the case.
@@bethgoodwin9697 my mom has always been good about getting rid of stuff and after my dad died, she went through the house and declutterred everything he wouldn’t let her get rid of! But, for some reason, mom needed to bring enough towels for three bathrooms and enough tupperware/storage for two kitchens. I think, in time, she’ll realize that she doesn’t need all of those things and will do some more purging. Have a lovely day!
Thank you so much for all your inspiration, Diane. You truly are a guiding light in decluttering. From Darlene in NZ
I decluttered an old nonstick frypan, a small jam dish, 2 small travel coffee cups, and some old fall decor. Rah rah, feels great! Thanks, Diane ❤
Rah, rah, rah! 😃🎉🎉🎉
I decluttered 15 cookbooks, that's really crazy! But I went vegan some time ago, so these can go! Thank you Diane❤
Thank you Diane 😊
Diane, thank you so much. I did clear out a huge load of papers from the study this morning-- first all my old Garden Club notes and DAR "year" books; then a ridiculous amount of colored tissue paper that had somehow become stuffed into a cabinet-- have been way too messy and unconscious about this house. Yesterday I cleared duplicates and unused things out of the kitchen cabinets. Little by little. You are helping me and I am grateful.
I'm decluttering a very bad cold through the use of antibiotics, lol!
Your video was my entertainment for today and my encouragement for when I feel better!
Thank you 😊
Me too. I hope you get better soon. Your so right that the harder decluttering decisions (sentimental/memories) need to be made when we are well with stamina.
This made me thinking, a couple of weeks ago we talked with my husbands side of the family about recipes and we came to talk about a cookbook we made as a wedding present for the youngest brother of the five siblings. We made the cookbook as a photobook that we designed with pictures and text and ordered online. The rest of the siblings had families of their own and there were pictures of the kids eating or making some of the recipes. We gathered all of our best recipes, both soups, salads, desserts, bread and it was an excellent gift for a couple starting their life together 😊❤ it is so fun to look back at now!
Lovely idea!
Hi Diane: Thanks for the inspiration! I am decluttering my food pantry and my diet - saying goodbye to certain foods I stock up on, in case of emergencies, and donating them to my local food pantry. I'm keeping a few items just in case, but trying to live and eat more in the present.
Thank you so much! My mum had the Be-Ro book when I was a kid it was the first cookbook I used as a kid. Totally forgot about it until now! Yay I can finally make the chocolate biscuits with my kids that mum made with me! X
Wonderful, Emily!
Oh my goodness, I’m an avid cookery book collector! I’ve got my late mum’s Italian Food by Elizabeth David, from which I cannot be parted. It gave me a love of cooking from an early age. I love seeing my cookery books on the kitchen shelf, so I won’t be declutterring them along with you, Diane. But I am going to declutter all those teacup-less saucers lurking in my dresser 😂
I used to read cookbooks, too! They are now on my list to declutter. My lifestyle eating has changed over the years and I’m sure I’ll find some to let go of. Thanks for the inspiration!🎉🎉🎉
I saved some of my mom’s handwritten recipes and framed them for each of the children. I kept her Oatmeal Cake, I gave my sister her favorite yellow cake and chocolate icing, etc. I was then able to let the rest go.
You’ve inspired me again, Diane! To the cookbook shelves I go! 🎉🎉🎉
Many thanks Diane for more great motivation to let of items that are no longer needed/wanted/useful. Wishing you a great week❤
I cleaned out a big desk drawer today!! Didn't realize i had so much scrap paper 😂 some went to recycle and some i kept for my grocery lists. Yee haw 🎉🥳 one more thing off my list!! 👏👏
Diane what have you done to me I’m decluttering every week now! my husband died at 57 eight years ago and I have decided not to downsize I love my home but to rearrange the rooms my husband’s office is now becoming part of my kitchen dinner. But I’m definitely trying to make things more simple going forward
Thank you Diane so very much for sharing your experience with grief/decluttering/ hyyge/joy/life. You inspire me in many ways. ❤
Very inspirational and relatable!
Woohoo! Got some dishes washed and dusting done while this video playrd. Thanks, as always, for the inspiration!
I've only got one tiny shelf for cookbooks so that limits me but while I was watching your video today I was wiping off the cabinets. Yay go me!
Hi Diane,
My focus right now is going through holiday decor. That way it's upcoming and people could use and appreciate it.
Great idea! So many people try to declutter that afterwards when nobody wants it.
Yes, I'm decluttering my Christmas decor next week! 👋😃 This is when the charity shops want it!
I have simplified my belongings, but still manage to find things to declutter. I declutter and tidy something each week and it reduces my anxiety no end. Today I decluttered some books in the kitchen and am going to go through recipes next. Thanks for always keeping us on track and inspiring us in our daily lives.
Thank you, Diane for brightening up my day!❤❤❤
You are such an inspiration. I have a box in my shed that is my dad’s things and he passed in 2003. I still get so emotional when I see them. I don’t have any problem getting rid of my things. I had to clear out my parents house in 2003 and I don’t want my daughter to have to deal with a lot of clutter when I pass on.
As I was watching this video, I declutterred 3 recipe books, and a heap of old handwritten recipes that I’d been hanging on to for nearly 40 years. Thanks Diane…woo hoo!
Wow !
Hi Diane! You can take photos of your favorite recipe pages - esp the ones of the first meal hubby cooked for you or ones in your Mum’s own handwriting.
Yes, I usually take photos 📸 👋😃
I let another recipe book go while watching you, Diane, as well as a very large pressure cooker that we no longer use; too big for just my husband and me! Thanks for the motivation 💙
I also enjoyed reading cookbooks and I would make all the recipes (in my head of course)😅. I decluttered quite a few with you when you decluttered yours previously. Now I will go through the recipe binders I have which will take some time. I did one yesterday but still have a few more to do. I enjoy reading the recipes but I don't enjoy cooking anymore, I cook because I have to, not because I enjoy it and its especially challenging when both of us have dietary issues. Thanks for motivating us to tackle a project that we probably wouldn't have thought off.
🎉🎉🎉 I'll be watching - getting inspired - and getting on with it 🎉🎉🎉
Vous êtes une inspiration depuis plusieurs années pour moi et vous me donnez la force de me séparer d’objets , de livres qui ne me sont plus destinés ❤❤
Merci, Fabienne!
Oh goodness me, what a timely reminder to go through my recipe cuttings, I have far too many. Thank you for another helpful video.
Yay, glad it was a good reminder, Heather!
I decluttered cookbooks a number of years ago (photocopied a few recipes I truly used and liked) and now am reviewing my mother's recipes, passing some along to my grand niece who loves to bake.
We took a carload if small furniture pieces to goodwill this morning that we set aside decluttering for the remidel. We decided to move it this morning because the hurricane will be here Wed and we need to bring some outside items inside, like the porch furniture and grill and small flower pots.
🙏🙏🙏
I worked hard decluttering in September with a focus on the kitchen, but am focusing on Halloween fun this month while spending 15 minutes a day on paper and 15 minutes on digital clutter. I've already donated two books and expect to donate 3 more, including a cookbook, by the end of the month.
Gee I’ve been like that over the years with recipes, either cooking mags and filed away torn out paper from mags that I intended to cook, but there’s way too much and SO much that I’ve never cooked! I really do need to go through one by one and decide will I ever use these recipes, thanks for the inspo! 🤗
Diane this category pulls on my heartstrings. I’m very sentimental about recipes especially the handwritten and clippings that we collect through the years. You are brave.
When I moved, I decluttered from 100 cook books down to 10 of them. I have got rid of a further two since then, because I only used 4 recipes from each. Another one is on side, waiting to be gone through. The arch lever file of recipies is very full and what I now cook has changed to healthier eating, so I guess that needs going through too!
My kitchen is rather well declutter. BUT, I'm downsizing for a new chapter in my live: moving to a smaller house this year or the beginning of next year🏡.That gives a whole new perspective to decluttering and organizing🚚🙋🇳🇱
I'm going to declutter cookbooks. Thanks😊
Folding laundry again and listening to you. Thank you for the inspiration ❤ Take care.
Diane check the date of the water bottle it is on the roundel at the top if it is way out of date the rubber may have perished
Yes, Mum had several "out of date" bottles! 👋😊
I decluttered cookbooks. I have 5 now.
I'd like to have that creme brûlée torch. Always wanted to try it.
I feel for you, I’m exactly the same, I have piles of recipes that I have saved over the years. I really must go through them xx
Thanks for the inspiration/motivation - I’m off to spend 15 minutes looking through old recipes/cookbooks to see what I can get rid of. 🎉🎉🎉
I have two methods of dealing with recipes/cookbooks. When I find things online, I just simply add them to my Pinterest. No physical clutter, easy to sort things into different boards, and I can go through and try what I want when I want. With regards to physical cookbooks/paper recipes, I take photos of what I have made and truly like, and then I just use a photo editor to compile them into pages for one master cookbook I keep. Saves a lot of space, and I still have a physical cookbook of things I like in case Pinterest ever disappears, lol.
Great job Diane! You inspired me to work on my bookshelf of cookbooks. Have a great Monday!
Oh my goodness, my binder of recipes… I haven’t looked in there in a while. You have such a knack for bringing good things to the decluttering discussion!
In a couple of months I’m going to downsize… a lot! Moving to a very small apartment, looking forward to it. I’m making it a challenge to make my new home minimalistic, yet cozy 💕.
So I’m trying to declutter as much as I can, of everything. Realize my “hold on to’s” are kitchen utensils and dresses. Slowly I’m getting there.
I have all the little notes my Mom wrote to me usually thanking me for visiting with my girls. They don't take up much room. I am sorting photographs of my 4 siblings. They have gone to at least of my 3 siblings and three friends, cousins and everyone is thrilled. I'm not passing on the decision to declutter their photographs. I got them because my daughter promised my Dad on his death bed she would take care of them. Three years later she hasn't, so I have. I have gone down memory lane but my siblings can decide on their own what photos mean the most to them. Once I finished pictures of individual siblings, I will somehow delve into family photos and share. Joan
I am in the mist of doing this with family pictures also. I have done the same thing. They get to decide what they want to do with their own pictures. I am keeping the gamely pictures and making a shutterfly book that they can purchase a copy of if they want o e.
@@kimberlygeelhoed7660 great idea Joan
Thank you for the inspiring video. We were downsizing a few years ago but it fell through. I had managed to declutter many things though and most were sentimental items. All of my childhood cuddly toys and cards for birthdays and other celebrations. So many things from loved ones who are sadly no longer here. Also many of the children’s things from when they were little (they are great at letting things go as adults). It was all stored away and were rarely looked at. I photographed everything and can now regularly look at it all, which I love. 😊. Would always recommend keeping things that your heart tells you to keep. I have all my nan’s diaries and will regularly read them. They are so joyful and grounding x
😮 I love my cookbooks. . Letting go of all those cookbooks had me feeling awed and shocked! I have tons of cookbooks taking up space on my bookshelves. “Tough letting go but feels good”! I have decided to pack them up and put them in the Time Will Tell bin. Stressed me out watching Diane let them go!
👏👏👏😅 Sorry!
Thanks for this Diane ❤I have one of those paper stuffed recipe folders and I have no idea what’s in it - I don’t even like cooking that much 😆 what a great way to go through it though. Stress free, thank you ❤
About cookbooks, you can find most everything on line now so I have decided to get rid of most of my books(about50) and let someone else have a go at them. Thanks for another video of inspiration! Much love from AZ😎
I still like to browse magazines for inspiration. The hair salon is always happy for the copies I am done with. A quick phone-photo or two allows me to check my ingredients in the grocery store.
Okay okay… yes it is time. You inspired me to go trough all the cooking books i have. But it will take a little longer than 15 minutes but will get there step by step. Off we go
I used to have one of those carving/slicing machines too! Mine got the heave-ho a while back and I haven’t missed it. Why do we buy all these gadgets?! Still hold on to my Be-ro books though 😂 Thank you, Diane, once again for your inspiration ❤
Not yet ready to give up my best saved recipes but I did spend half an hour winnowing them down. I always find recipes to try when I do this ..perfect because I have family coming to stay for a week for Canadian Thanksgiving.
That's great, Jen!
Diane, when my husband and I downsized 5 years ago, I didn’t keep 80% of my recipe books. None of my daughters wanted them, and one said recipes were readily available online! I sold most books at a garage sale, donated those that did not sell, I kept a few, and just a few months ago I decluttered more. I’ve kept a few pages of recipes in my mom and dad’s handwriting, even though I never make those dishes. Now my family favourites are written on cards and kept in a small recipe box that takes up minimal cupboard space.
I also peruse recipes online and I’ve now got a favourite recipe website. No storage needed!
👏👏👏🤩
Love doing cookbook declutter with you. I have done this along side of you before Every time it comes around again I’m always amazed at how much I can declutter. ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
I have my mam’s BERO book from the 1960s which has a black and white cover - loved it when she made the chocolate cake. I remind myself that it’s not the memory or love but just a piece of paper but struggle when it is in my mam or nana’s handwriting. I know the saying “within 3 generations you are just a name” so the memories are mine alone and my children will decide and make their own. Still find it hard at times not to hang on to things for them. Although emotional, love the inspiration to keep decluttering 💕
Love watching your videos and rewatching them to declutter along with you
I cleaned two shelves of our refrigerator. 🎉
I wrote down your Granny's pancake recipe, it looked like she used lard to cook them in..I paused the video to try to see .I need basic recipes like that..thanks for sharing today with us!!!
The Be Ro book bought back so many memories for me, I used it every week for my cookery class, and as for your Danish cookery books that were free each week, does anyone remember when the Milk Marketing Board ( I think) bought out the yearly Dairy Diary? I had one every year for a long time as it had a wealth of information in it…… it would be great to bring back a version of it because many people these days rely on convenience foods and there wasn’t one to be had in that diary!
Gosh, the Dairy Diary rings a bell!
@@DianeinDenmark I thought it might🤣❤️🥰
They still do dairy diaries. Until about 3 years my Mother used to buy me one every year. I told her to stop because I never used it as a diary and even though the information in the book was useful I didn’t need one every year. I will have to declutter my recipes from magazines. I keep them in a file. But like you said it is very easy to find a recipe on the internet now. A few years ago I declutterred some cook books and I store the ones I kept in a kitchen cupboard. But I don’t like a the different heights of books so I put them in some wooden magazine holders from IKEA and turn the boxes round so I can’t see the books.😀
@@joannehudson9737 I can’t believe they still do Dairy Diaries, it was a staple in our home!
Congrats on the uptick if new subscribers! 🎉
The first dish hubby ever cooked for me was an old fam favorite - “party chicken”
Line casserole dish with chipped beef, wrap chicken breasts or thighs with very lightly crisped bacon (it will finish cooking in the oven), cover with mixture of 1/2 pint sour cream and can of cream of mushroom soup and bake for 3 hrs at 275 deg F or until chicken tests done
Yum! He knew I was eating low carb back then and took the effort to make something that would agree with me ❤. That was in ‘96
Hi, Diane, one of my weakest points: Cook books and recipes. Theoretically you’re absolutely right… but although I’m older than you, I can’t , I read them like crime stories. To be honest: I’m using the Internet more and more, so that might change one day in the future. It was so fun to see your collection, mine is very similar. Love, Monika❣
You know you reminded me of a woodworking set that I have and don’t use. So I think I’m gonna keep the knives but get rid of all the other stuff.
UPDATE: my handyman is thrilled to take this off my hands! I’m giving him everything
Woo hoo!!!!
My parents kept so many things that my sister and I were so overwhelmed when they died that we couldn't possibly look through it all. I wonder what I might have let go of that I would have preferred to keep. It's smart to start early.
Wow Diane your definitely on a mission ❤
Decluttered 3 kitchen items as I was cleaning in zone 2 today.😊
I have a recipe box. All the recipes are written on index cards. It is listed in alphabetical order. Very simple.
If I try an online recipe that my family has enjoyed, I will write it on an index card and add it to the box. Doing that allows me to only write down the necessary information and keeps it concise on the index card.
I go through my recipe box for a purge and clean up, maybe on a yearly basis.
Love your energy! Love your style! Love your videos!
Take care! 🇨🇦