I used to be terrible at documenting life.  I probably have a dozen journals in a shoebox somewhere under my childhood bed at my parents’ house.  The best books were ones I was required to keep for school.  The worst ones seemed to be the ones I only wrote in when I was confused or upset.

Have you ever found a successful way to document life?

Digital cameras started making it so much easier.  We’re more generous with snapping pictures and capturing memories.  Take this photo of my grandma and me for instance.

Since we posed for that picture when I was a college sophomore, the two of us and my dad have both been working like crazy to document life.  I interviewed my grandma on NPR’s StoryCorps when the organization was in town the day before we celebrated her 90th birthday a few years ago.  Members of StoryCorps drive around the United States in these little recording studio buses, inviting people to share their stories.  Over 50,000 people such as my grandma have shared life stories with family and friends like me.

I loved listening to her tell stories about my grandfather and her childhood.  Then we got our very own copy of the cd.  The original file is stored in the National Archives in Washington DC.  (cool, huh?!)  My grandma and I even practiced some interview questions over ice cream at her house the day before.

But the problem was my grandma couldn’t remember it all.

My dad asked my grandma to sit down and write the story of her college experience,which included her meeting my grandfather.  You can imagine she really struggled.

My dad turned to me and said, “Katie, please write about what college was like for you.  [That's when I had met my husband, too.]  One day, it would be so nice for future generations to read.”

I know he was wishing he could read more about his own parents.  That’s when I began changing, adapting, and growing in the approach I take to documenting life.

It’s amazing how much we grow through life, and it’s now so important to record those ideas.

Why?

Maybe nobody wants to dig into your story today.  They will.  Your kids and grandkids will wonder what your life was like.  My great-great-grandfather dictated his stories to my great-grandmother.  Talk about a fascinating collection to read today!

(This photo is of my great-great-grandparents!)

When people share their stories, they get this amazing sense of joy.  After all, that’s why so many love to blog today!  That’s also why so many older people love telling stories of the past.  We get this little piece of validation in life.

I promise.  One day, those ideas will be like gold to future generations.

But don’t wait to tell them.

Since that day my grandma and I participated in NPR’s StoryCorps, my dad, my grandma, and I have become hugely involved in documenting family history and family experiences.  My dad researches and tries to capture people as they were.  I work to capture people as they are today.  And my grandma works hard to remember.

So when I talk about journaling and introduce you to the products I am creating, you’ll know why I think documenting life is so important.  I’m frequently talking about decluttering and living with less on Making This Home.  Though when it comes to Your Story, a pile of journals or typed up pages under the bed or on your bookshelf are worth more than gold.

That’s why I create books with writing prompts instead of blank pages.  I want to help people bring out those stories and those passions for life.

Things in your life might seem boring or uninteresting to you today.  Perhaps that’s what my great-great-grandfather thought, too.  Writing these things down is an incredible way to clarify your ideas for yourself, too.  I’ve learned so much about myself and overcome so many fears (such as learning to fly an airplane!) through these writing prompt journals.

Preserve your story. That’s all I can say.  If you want to do it through some of the writing prompt journals in my shop, well I’d be more than touched to help with your story.

This guy came home with us last week.  We like to bring one of these vegetables home maybe once a month.  It’s an interesting looking thing, isn’t it?  We’ve never seen anything like it in the United States.

The vegetable is officially called a romanesco.  Sometimes it’s romanesco broccoli.  Other times it’s romanesco cauliflower.  We didn’t know any of this before.  All we knew was that this vegetable had the most amazing mathematical structure.  The florets spiral into peaks, creating nature’s own perfect fractal.  They’re the perfect food for people of math and science.

But how are you supposed to cook them?

After weeks and weeks of seeing Martin leaning over this vegetable while I gather potatoes or eggs, I told him to grab one.  ”What’ll we do with it?” Martin asked.  He wasn’t even looking at me.  He was still gazing at all the mathematical glory stuck between red cabbages and ginger.

“I don’t know,” I said, shrugging.  ”Maybe soup?”

Soup is always the answer.  And as it turns out, romanesco makes an amazing soup!  I treat it just like broccoli soup, which is just by touch and feel.  Soup is such a flexible food.  I rarely turn to a recipe.  Soup can be the perfect food to try experimenting with and inventing your own combinations.

As it turns out, romanesco soup is delicious!  It’s also really fun.  But you can’t call it romanesco soup.  Oh no!  I had to look up the word “romanesco” just to write this post.  To lure in the non-vegetable, scientific folks, this recipe must be called: fractal soup.

Here’s my simple recipe for Fractal Soup:

1. Sauté some chopped onions, then add garlic

2.  Add chopped fractals/romanesco

3.  Sometimes add a little bullion or herbs (optional)

3.  Pour in hot water (mine’s from the hot pot – so German of me!) so the vegetables are 2/3 submerged

4.  Add salt and pepper

5.  Cook around 5-8 minutes until almost tender – don’t let them get mushy

6.  Add cream and quark (quark is optional)

7. Pour in the blender and give it several quick pulses

8.  Serve with grated cheese and croutons (which are just cut up stale bread coated in olive oil and toasted or broiled)

Now I’m curious.  What’s the weirdest thing you’ve picked up at the grocery store lately?  Any pickled pigs feet out there?  Or a label you could not understand only to find out you brought home something way, way wrong?  And while we’re at it – any math junkies out there?  Know someone who’d love to chow down on a little fractal soup before the summer heat hits us?

Want to get cooking with some of our funnest recipes?  They’re all on one handy-dandy recipes page right here.  From homemade graham crackers to different European cookies we’ve featured on Making This Home, it’s all there.  Yum!

I’m back with another No New Clothes Challenge update.  As most of you know by now, our family went on strike.  We stopped buying new clothes in May and haven’t looked back since.  Sure we’ve purchased the occassional socks and undershirts.  I needed boots for all my walking; Martin needed gloves.

It’s time for change.

No – I don’t mean buying new clothes.  Over the last few weeks, I came up with a few strategies on stretching the summer wardrobe that I have and turning “ho hum” items on the bottom of my shirt pile into “little lovlies”.  Here’s the plan:

1.  Absolutely -0- purchases in clothing stores or online.

2.  New handmade earrings are okay. I’m turning to Etsy for handmade products and my old college hobby of browsing bead shops to make one new pair.  Earrings are that little piece of glam that completely change how I feel about an outfit.  I currently alternate between three pairs (two of which I made in college).  So if you have a handmade shop and ship to Germany…!

3.  Try sewing my own clothes. It seems pretty silly that I sew everything else in our house – from curtains to blankets – so I’d like to at least attempt sewing.  (If you have any tips or beloved patterns, please share!)  I especially need to find a plan for a dress to wear to a hot July wedding.  Time to finally sit down and learn how to sew a zipper.

4.  Alter a few pieces of clothing. Lace, new collars, different sleeves.  Other than darning hole after hole in our socks, I’ve never reworked a piece of clothing.  I think I can do this.

5.  Figure out what to do with two shrunk sweaters. Yep.  My sweater selection this winter was slim.  It did not help that I lost two sweaters to German washing machines.  I’ve had one of those sweaters since high school, so you can imagine the number of times they’ve gone through the washing machine.  But those, I guess, were American washing machines.  Either way, I have two wool sweaters (green and pink) that have seriously shrunk.  I’d love to repurpose.  Or pass on.

So there you have it!  The newest No New Clothes plan.  I’m pretty excited about it, and I’m always up for a challenge.  You know, because apparently going a year without clothes shopping isn’t a challenge or something.  I’m ready to expand and try new things.  After all, that’s how we keep life interesting and motivating.

What do you think of these ideas?  Do you craft your own earrings or alter your clothes?  Or do you purchase handmade jewelry or repurposed clothes?  I’d love to hear any experiences or resources you can suggest.  And while we’re at it, what types of plans do you have for your summer wardrobe?

Psst… have a handmade shop that relates to these clothing goals?  Let’s get in touch because guess what – I’d be thrilled to feature readers’ businesses and philosophy.

And yes – I was squatting in this photo from German class.  I’m the big American giant. ha!

A couple of months ago, I was flipping through an English magazine.  The entire issue was all about decluttering and organizing for the new year.  The funny thing was that I didn’t agree with a single one of the suggestions.

Take this one for example:

Bring a cluttered drawer with you to your favorite chair while you watch TV.  When the commercials are on, you can declutter the drawer and get rid of stuff you don’t need!  It’s win-win.

Decluttering is not something you can multitask during.  If you really want to do a good job and get rid of stuff, your entire attention has to be on that problem area from start to finish.

I know that decluttering can be overwhelming and tough.  So yes, certainly break it into smaller projects such as a drawer at a time.  But do not distract your mind with other activities while you work.  Music is okay.  Anything with a plot (such as a TV show) is not.

Every time I start multitasking, I stop and ask myself one question.  ”Will combining these tasks really save me time?”

Sometimes we just have an urge to justify relaxing activities.  You can’t relax when you’re adding chores to the activity.  You also end up dragging out that project.  So there’s less relaxing and less accomplishment.  Sounds more like a lose-lose to me.

Make sure that you are doing relaxing things when you’re watching TV or a movie.  Sew a little.  Flip through a magazine.  Cuddle.  If you need to “do stuff” while you’re sitting, don’t make those activities items on your to-do list.  Make them other relaxing activities.

What are your thoughts on multitasking?  Would you agree?  Do you find activities to be faster or more enjoyable when you separate them?  I’ll never forget the day Martin walked into the room to see me reading a novel and watching a movie at the same time.  Hello unproductive and un-relaxing multitasking!  Have your thoughts on multitasking changed over the years?  How about your approach to decluttering time?

(Image of a huge patch of flowers growing randomly along my route to German class this week)

Sometimes I forget English.

It isn’t one of those brilliant moments where I know the German word instead of the English word.  Not that easy.  I start forgetting words like “jet lag” and “toiletries”. And in case you’re wondering – I have absolutely no idea how to say either of those in German.

I’m just forgetting.

My head is a mixed salad.

Once a week, I get together with a few girls from my German class to practice.  I suspect that the other patrons in the cafe just roll their eyes.  We butcher German like a dog left alone with a feather pillow.  The fact that I can even sit down and speak to people in a second language is unbelievable.  When I started writing Making This Home, I could only count to 10 and introduce myself.

Now I’m not sure what I can do in German.  I think of German words and doubt myself because I can’t translate to English to double check if I’m right or not.  And then when I speak English, well, like I said – I make up phrases and draw ——– blanks.

How old are you, Katie?

Me:  (blank stare)

What time is it?

Me: It’s… uhh… thirteen… no… one… 1:15.

My new friends from class are forgetting their native languages, too, when we go out for coffee.  Sometimes they throw in an English word or two.  I don’t understand that they’re saying “STAR” or “VACATION” in English.  All I know is that I understand.  Learning a new language completely challenges everything that you never had to even think about before.

That’s me in the middle of saying something very complicated to my classmates about the American health care system, Obama, the Atkins diet, diet pills, organic meat and….

Oh who am I kidding.  I was probably saying, “I don’t read verbs in the newspaper.”

Verbs.  Advertisements.  Yes – I actually made that mistake.  It was the mistake I actually caught myself saying when we were visiting last.  I meant to tell them, “I don’t read advertisements in the newspaper.”

I’m starting to wonder exactly what I am saying in every language.

We can’t have sophisticated conversations in German.

Writing blog posts is becoming slower and harder.

When I talk to Martin, I ask him to hand me my “hand shoes”.  He laughs.  Then I realize I am not saying “mittens”.  I am directly translating the German term “Handschuhe” into “hand shoes”.

I have been approached by a few advertisers interested in promoting their language programs on Making This Home.  Apparently, you can master a new language and speak like the natives every three months with some of these online products.  The average person CANNOT DO THAT.  I believe my classmates could sum up my response after 600 hours of class:

“Katrin (my name), you sound so American!”

And just for the record, our grammar is far from perfect.  They really end up saying false grammar like, “Katrin, you speak always American.”

We’re trying.

Tomorrow I am bringing chocolate chip cookies to class.  I have to cut up bars of chocolate to create chocolate chips (no chocolate chips here, as you expats know!), and I can only hope my classmates enjoy the treat.

Because when I offered chocolate chip cookies to Martin’s coworkers?  Well let’s just say it’s not what you ever ever expect to have happen to America’s favorite after school snack, and I do not want to be left with that many cookies ever again!

Can any of you relate to my struggles with language?  How about communication?  Or heck, cookies?  I know I am not alone.  So please pipe in with your thoughts.  (And yes, I had to stop and think.  ”Really, Katie?  ’Pipe in’?  Okay.  I think that is all right.  Readers will tell me if I’m wrong…”)

Simplicity is a journey.  It’s figuring out what you really need and challenging it with what you want and what society tells you you should want.  It’s not easy, is it?

My German class was discussing lost wallets and lost stuff today.  I always like these conversations because I’m hearing stories from people from Africa, South America, Russia, the Philippines… Today it was pretty obvious that no matter where we live, we’re all battling with the need for more & the struggle with what we have.

So today, what if we just talked about the simple things in our homes?  These are very much the little things that we overlook.  But they’re also the things that make a simple home so beautiful.

1. The food we cook is better than food at restaurants.

For the past couple of years, I have been making a huge effort to learn how to cook.  We love how eating at home saves us money and keeps mystery foods (like nasty MSG) out of our bodies.  And most exciting of all: the food we cook at home tastes better than the food at most restaurants.

2. Our utility bills stay low.

Line drying our clothes really does wonders for our electric bill.  As it turns out, having only a shower (we have no room for a bathtub) also keeps our water bill down because we’re grabbing thick blankets and cups of tea in the winter instead of taking frequent baths.

3. We can soak and cook our own beans.

Instead of buying canned black beans and chickpeas (a big part of our vegetarian diet), we buy dried beans.  We soak and cook a whole bag of beans and divide them into smaller containers to store in the freezer.

4. Disposable dishes, silverware, and napkins don’t exist in our house.

I hate the thought of unnecessary waste.

Plus cloth napkins can easily fit into a load of laundry.  Fun fabrics make cloth napkins fun to use.  It isn’t a huge burden to carry a metal fork back and forth to school with me, either.  Truth is, I hardly notice it on the walk home.

5. Stuff stopped owning us.

We’re supposed to own stuff.  Sometimes people can get too carried away with fancy cars and beautiful homes and small airplanes and boats and…  All of a sudden, they have to go to work every day to pay off all of those bills.  I just don’t want to do that.  I would rather have less and not feel like I must work and work and work.

6.  We help the environment.

Yep – less stuff means less production.  Fewer resources are used.  Less stuff winds up in the trash.  And the next thing you know, you’re BFF is Mother Earth.  Just know that if you’re buying less, you’re doing just as good (I’d guess perhaps far better) than someone who might be purchasing large and green every day.

7.  Cleaning is faster.

When we don’t have as many things in our home, it’s much faster to go around the house picking stuff up.  My all time favorite part is dusting and vacuuming.  Fewer items to pause and dust.  Fewer objects to move and work around while vacuuming.

I’m sure you have found many of the same things in my list.  Which ones?  Or which ones would you say, “No way!” to?  And most important of all – what simple things would you add to your list?

Just for fun, here’s a post you might love: 5 Reasons We Love Living Small.