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In my kitchen - June 2014

3/6/2014

 
Pie bird in my kitchen by Liz Posmyk Good Things
A little birdie once told me that life in retirement from full time work would be busier than I could have ever imagined. I simply smiled and nodded, secretly dreaming about the relaxed, if not altogether-lazy, lifestyle that Peter and I were so looking forward to. Six months into it I can unashamedly tell that you I'm eating humble pie on this one. Bizzy Lizzy is busier than ever!

It's quite interesting. The solid work ethic that has been with the both of us throughout our lives is still very much there, so we do look for structure in our days, to a degree. But it's at a far gentler pace. For me, there has been a little bit of crash and burn, physically, I mean. My body is still recovering from last year's illness and, truth be told, years of pushing through stress in all its forms. And it has taken me until the last fortnight or so to allow or force myself to sleep beyond 6am! Go figure, I know.

There's no sign of boredom on the horizon. Frankly, there's no time for that. As Peter says, 'we do stuff' now. We go to the gym and swimming pool, as regularly as possible. Then there's the cinema. We no longer have to wait in line, as there aren't too many folks who go to the movies mid morning! We can travel (near and far) on a whim, or simply take it easy and read a book all day long. Peter is engrossed in researching his family tree and has traced lines back to the Normans. He is meticulous in his research and I feel sure that the book he finally produces will be as accurate as can be. It's a wonderful retirement project for him.

Meanwhile, I've engaged in casual PR and marketing consultancy work, food-related, naturally. And I'm thoroughly enjoying it. In between jobs, I've been de-cluttering and re-organising the Blue House, as some of you who follow me on Facebook will have seen. Hopefully I've inspired you to do the same. I'm amazed at how much of 'everything' we have accumulated. Clothes, books, shoes, pantry items and kitchenware. We have loads of storage space, much of it groaning under the weight of 'things'. It's a slow but truly liberating process. Most recently, I re-arranged the white ware in my kitchen, freeing up space and storing dozens of items that are not used on a daily basis. I love white china and ceramics, evident by the stacks of it in my kitchen cupboards. Once upon a time I would scour op shops looking for more unusual pieces to add to the newer items in my collection. I thought it would be fun to showcase just a few of the pieces via an In My Kitchen post:

In my kitchen is my little mortar and pestle, handy for crushing or grinding everything from a few peppercorns to dried chillies or things like walnuts, when I don't feel like chopping them. It's also great for a small quantity of pesto.
White mortar and pestle by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

In my kitchen are these very cute little chopstick rests, purchased for $1.00 at an op shop many years ago.
Chopstick rests by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

In my kitchen are these fluted ovenproof dishes, which can be used as soup bowls, deep pie plates or pudding bowls.
White ceramic dishes, by Liz Posmyk Good Things

In my kitchen are these heart shaped moulds, about which In her book, Good Things (the name sake of this blog), author Jane Grigson wrote: 'Little white china hearts... make a good summer birthday present'. I use them for my couer a la creme.
Couer a la creme moulds by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

In my kitchen are soufflé dishes in various sizes, perfect for baked puddings and pies too, including these chinchillas.
Souffle dishes by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

In my kitchen are these squared off bowls which can be used for salads and soups. Of course I have a dozen of them, as well as their 'Mother' which is a much larger version.
Soup or salad dishes by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Also in my kitchen there are exquisite Meyer lemons, freshly picked from my pots. Oh, and a tiny white espresso cup.
Lemon in white cup, still life by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

My lovely friend, and fellow cook and food writer, Celia, hosts a round up every month, where food bloggers from around the world open the doors to the kitchens. Pop in to Fig Jam and Lime Cordial and say hello! Happy cooking.

Tell me dear readers, what do you imagine yourself doing in retirement? What are your plans and what's on your bucket list? Perhaps you are already retired? How are you finding it? And do you happen to collect white ceramic ware?
Maureen link
4/6/2014 12:14:53 pm

I'm in love with those chopstick rests. How cute! I've always wanted some coeur à la crème dishes but never could justify buying something for one use only. I would like some though. :)

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:39:44 pm

The little chopstick rests are cute, aren't they. You never know, a little birdie might send some coeur à la crème dishes your way someday!

Bmpermie link
10/6/2014 10:11:00 am

I totally agree about the delightful chopstick holders. I would even improve cooking repertoire to use them.

Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas link
4/6/2014 01:33:48 pm

I have been thinking that a little mortar & pestle would be handy for crushing small amounts. My large one is far to heavy and bulky to justify dragging it out for a few peppercorns or spices. I like the look of yours. Might have to go shopping ;)

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:40:25 pm

Hi Tania, the little M&P is perfect... I have a large granite one too... but this is perfect for those fiddly little tasks.

SallyBR link
4/6/2014 03:27:13 pm

Great post! Not sure the white theme was done on purpose, but it is all very peaceful and stylish, I love it!

the chopsticks rests are cute beyond words!

We are not close to retirement, and we often wonder what it will be like, since our work is such a major part of our lives, and the reason why me and my husband met... I guess we will cross that bridge when we come to it...

:-)

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:41:20 pm

Hi Sally, thanks so much for your kind words... yes, the white theme was deliberate. Retirement is fabulous... as you get older you will come to appreciate the prospect, I'm sure!

Amanda link
4/6/2014 03:46:57 pm

Lovely collection there Liz and I especially love those sweet little chopstick rests too!

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:41:37 pm

Thank you Amanda, they are cute, aren't they!?

ela@GrayApron link
4/6/2014 05:31:39 pm

Good for you Liz, with the retirement and all. Beautiful white porcelain pieces. I can imagine, they must look great together in a cupboard.

ela h.

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:42:05 pm

Thank you Ela, I love the white too, they look even better when used
: )

Gerrie M
4/6/2014 07:11:58 pm

I really enjoyed your post Liz, as my husband and I have recently retired...and you have described exactly the way it feels to us. It is just so wonderful to have a bit more head space, rest, and time to enjoy reading, cooking etc...even de-cluttering!!

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:42:46 pm

Gerrie, thank you.... it's good to know that others like yourself are finding fulfilment in retirement. Thank you for stopping by : )

Jane @ Shady Baker link
4/6/2014 07:36:51 pm

Your kitchen is always a nice place to be Lizzy! I love that little espresso cup, it looks nice and weighty without being too chunky. Beautiful colour in that lemon too!

Your retirements sounds peaceful and rewarding. What a great opportunity to de-clutter, re-evaluate and re-organise. I think it is good to be busy even in retirement...there is only so much day time tv and sitting around one can do, surely?

Retirement feels like forever away for me but I secretly think about simplifying things...I would live in a tiny shack near a quiet beach. I would bake bread when I felt like it and sell it to friendly locals, perhaps from my garden gate. I would wander on the beach and probably grow vegetables. Sounds terribly romanticized doesn't it? x

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:43:20 pm

Jane, your wishes for retirement sound beautiful and I wish that your dreams will come true, my friend xo

Elizabeth link
4/6/2014 08:11:52 pm

What beautiful items you have In Your Kitchen! I am just starting to harvest the lemons off my trees in the garden and love how they smell in my kitchen, better than flowers! I'm not sure I would use a little mortar and pestle as mine is large (featured in my IMK) and it never seems to be big enough! Thanks for sharing! Liz x

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:44:05 pm

Hello Elizabeth... aren't freshly picked lemons exquisite! I have a large M&P too... love both. Thanks for calling in, I'm off to see your kitchen now.

Lisa the Gourmet Wog link
4/6/2014 09:16:18 pm

So many gorgeous white items with a splash of yellow this month!

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:44:17 pm

Thank you Lisa! : )

Taryn @ The Wooden Spoons link
4/6/2014 09:52:45 pm

Hi Lizzy. I've never seen anything like those fluted ovenproof dishes before. I absolutely love the shape of them! Thanks for the tour :)

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:44:43 pm

Thanks Taryn, I used to sell them when I co-owned the cookware store and cooking school. Love them!

Liz link
5/6/2014 12:21:44 am

You have Meyer lemons at your disposal??? Lucky you!! And I'm a big fan of all your lovely white ceramic pieces :)

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:45:08 pm

I do, Liz, and feel so chuffed to be growing them! Thanks for your kind words.

MandyTheCompleteBook link
5/6/2014 01:48:58 am

Oh I love that everything in your kitchen is white Lizzy. Beautiful!
Have a wonderful day.
:-) Mandy xo

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:45:23 pm

Thank you, Mandy, happy cooking lovely xo

John @ Kitchen Riffs link
5/6/2014 04:32:45 am

Love all the porcelain goodies in your kitchen! When we retired we got up early at first too. Didn't last long, though -- now we get up pretty late every day (although we also go to bed quite late too).

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:46:02 pm

Makes a difference, doesn't it John. I feel a little sorry for all the people rushing around first thing in the morning, on their way to work.

Christine (FoodWineTravel) link
5/6/2014 10:09:27 am

Love those cute chopstick rests Liz! And lovely to read about the joys of retirement for you both. Glad that it is working out so beautifully for you!

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:46:17 pm

Thanks Christine.

celia link
5/6/2014 10:35:44 am

Darling, I'm so glad you're enjoying retirement so much! And I love your white ceramics, particularly the little chopstick holders! We have a set of white bone china that we've used daily for 21 years. Most of my other pieces are colourful, but I've never tired of eating off basic white plates - they always seem to make food look better!

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:47:15 pm

Thank you love... I really like the white too! We have two other sets, which were Peter's, but I prefer the white ware... and most of it was second hand!

Jennifer Milk and Honey link
5/6/2014 08:14:26 pm

I'm a bit of a white bakeware/crockery fiend. Love all your white goodies Liz.

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:47:31 pm

Thank you, Jennifer.

Kylie link
6/6/2014 01:24:26 am

Love the white- so classic and goes with everything! I have M&P envy- having recently moved I have somehow misplaced my mortar and pestle and Im devastated! It was so incredibly heavy….hopefully show up one day! Love the pie flutes too xx enjoy your retirement xx

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:48:00 pm

Oh wow, a missing-in-action M&P... I do hope you find it soon! xo

Karen (Back Road Journal) link
6/6/2014 12:55:11 pm

I love it all but I especially like the Meyer lemon in the white cup. :)

Lizzy
6/6/2014 08:48:19 pm

Karen, thank you... I was rather taken with that shot too.

sherry link
7/6/2014 03:18:19 pm

i too retired just a year ago and have found myself very busy ever since. lots of blogging stuff and various other items of interest! quite amazing how time fills up. hubby still works so it is just me having all the fun!

Lizzy
8/6/2014 09:58:30 pm

Hi Sherry, wow, glad to know you are finding retirement enjoyable. That's great. Thanks for stopping by... do come visit again! : )

Judy@Savoring Today link
8/6/2014 03:34:47 am

Retirement? We decided years ago we would not retire as is commonly imagined, but reduce working to some kind of part-time. Being purposeful is important in life. Of course, we want to enjoy traveling or popping in to see grandchildren. I am glad you are doing so much better, health-wise, stress takes a toll we do not even realize at the time we are pushing through it.
I adore all your white dishes -- I add white whenever possible as it goes with anything and I can always pull it out when entertaining. Ah, a Meyer lemon tree? What a treat!

Lizzy
8/6/2014 09:59:29 pm

Helloooooooooo Judy! How are you getting along? So good to hear from you. Part time work is good too... that's what I'm doing I guess.I have not one but three Meyer Lemons! : )

BarbaraBamber link
8/6/2014 08:06:51 am

My favorite color is white too! I love all of your dishes, especially the sweet heart one.. I adore anything shaped like a heart. You say your lemon is from a pot.. where do you live that you can grow such beautiful lemons? The flavor must be spectacular! xx

Lizzy
8/6/2014 10:00:00 pm

Hello Barbara, I am in Australia.... I have a thing for heart shaped dishes too. Thank you for stopping by!

Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
8/6/2014 01:41:13 pm

Beautiful meyer lemons!

Lizzy
8/6/2014 10:00:12 pm

Laura, thank you!

Fiona @TIFFINbitesized link
8/6/2014 03:50:10 pm

I love a good theme. Those little chopstick holders were no doubt made cheaply and were a cheap buy but these days, you'd never see them as manufacturers go to even cheaper plain designs. Good buying Liz!

ps: stop taunting me with your tales of leisure

Lizzy
8/6/2014 10:00:44 pm

Many thanks, Fiona! And I can now taunt you more for I am even more at leisure with a broken foot! : )

Moya link
8/6/2014 08:00:34 pm

Love all your white dishes Lizzy and your cute chopstick rests are too cute. What a beautiful Meyer lemon and picked from your own tree, how wonderful. Italy is on my bucket list, hopefully one day. :)

Lizzy
8/6/2014 10:01:09 pm

Hi Moya, lovely to hear from you... yes, white dishes are so nice... : )

David Scott Allen link
9/6/2014 01:26:06 am

I love all your white wares, Lizzy - most of ours are white, too, but I can't help but have at least 30 million other things for photos, too. Okay, 30 million might be a bit of an exaggeration, but Mark will think it is an underestimation. Reorganizing is fun. I can't wait for retirement, as I just have so many projects waiting to happen!

Lizzy
10/6/2014 09:51:01 am

Hi David... retirement is da bomb, until you break a bone!... but that will pass soon I guess. I love all my white ware... used to do a lot more entertaining once upon a time. Some day I might have to part with it all, or some of it, but not yet : )

Rosa link
9/6/2014 08:43:23 pm

Cute props!

Good to hear that you are enjoying yourselves...

Cheers,

Rosa

Lizzy
10/6/2014 09:51:44 am

Thanks Rosa... isn't it funny, you see props, I see dinnerware that I use, or used to use. We are indeed enjoying retirement... it's great! : )

Kim | a little lunch link
13/6/2014 09:48:00 pm

Liz, I enjoyed your thoughts on retirement and your pie bird, too. That lil' birdie speaks the truth! After I left the workaday world several years ago (unofficially retired), I found myself wondering how I "did it all" back then. These have been the busiest years of my life! I think a lot of it has to do with pursuing your interests to a degree you weren't able to before -- and you have many interests.

Be sure to carve out some 'nothing' time between decluttering and downsizing and just breathe. The one consolation is that once its done, it's DONE. I, too, believe work ethic is a major influence as you mentioned, and 'boredom' isn't in my vocabulary either! Take care.

Lizzy
16/6/2014 10:37:33 am

Oh Kim... isn't it the best time... and you are so right... Peter and I are now wondering how we had time to go to work! Strange, isn't it!


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    Welcome...

    Üdvözölöm
    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

    ​Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion.
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