March 23, 2017

Ten Things You Can Never Have Too Much or Too Many Of

 

There are a few things I can't imagine needing another one of...ever. 

Mugs, for instance. Hot chocolate, hot tea, life-sustaining coffee-flavored creamer: I have vessels for all of these. All at once. With several in the dishwasher, awaiting a run cycle. Even if we have guests. 

I'm also good to go on lice outbreaks, having done three. (Which was four too many.) 

And decorative scarves. For every mood, outfit, meteorological condition, and neckline, I. Am. Set. 

On the other hand, here are a few things I've always got room in my kitchen or closet or desk drawer or life for.

1. Friends who know what you're really like...but like you anyway. People in my life who fit this description, you know who you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Also, thank you.

2. Chocolate chip cookie recipes. Once you find a classic recipe you like and can rely on for emotional rehab when your family has a rotten day, you stick with it. But there's always some new variation out there that just might change your life, and really--do you want to miss it? Here's my favorite, one-stop-shopping collection to get you started. 



3. Caramelized onions. Every time I make a batch of these (usually for the caramelized onion, spinach, sausage, and Parmesan pizza my husband and I slightly addicted to), I look at the huge pile of raw rings in the pan and think, "We'll never need all these." Then, half an hour later, when I'm staring at the two tablespoons of finished product, I think, "Why didn't I make more?" (Need a lesson/recipe? Start here.)

4. Rolls of tape that have ends you can find. Re: "they can put a man on the moon...."

5. Staplers that actually work. And by "work," I mean they actually staple (gasp) on the first try and do not cause me to yell, "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THIS STUPID THING???!!!!" before throwing it against the wall. For example.

6. Outfits that fit any time of the month that you feel good in that don't wrinkle or bunch up or show stains or require that belt you used to have but haven't seen in three years. 

7. Music that inspires, motivates, soothes, heals, helps, guides, and comforts. Some of my favorites (a VERY incomplete list):


8. Love that comes anywhere close to the 1 Corinthians 13 standard. Or even tries to on a regular basis.

9. Working batteries. I would love to know what it's like to have too many of these in my house. In fact, usually, I'd just like to know what it's like to have any at all.

10. Faith. Life is hard--for now. But God is good and great--forever.

What's missing from this list? I'd love to have you add it on in a comment or over on Facebook. And if you've got a make and model for #5, will you please, please let me know about it? My walls are thanking you already.



This post may have been shared at some of these link parties.
Photo credit: Sanja Gjenero, www.rgbstock.com/gallery/lusi.

36 comments:

  1. Hi Elizabeth, I love your list, and I love your "shameless share." What a cutie she is! I particularly love what you said about it not being a year of lasts but the last year before a list of firsts. What an interesting perspective.

    Good being your neighbor over at Grace & Truth! Have a good weekend!
    Tiffiney :-)

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    1. Hey there, Tiffiney! It's always so nice to hear from you! And thank you for your kind words about my sweet senior...we are pretty crazy about her. I appreciate your reinforcement about my "year before the year of firsts" perspective...we grad moms have to do what we can to keep it together! Blessings on your weekend!

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  2. What a delightful post! Your humor and perspective are much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon:)

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, Gretchen! Your kind words have made MY afternoon! Thank you for taking time to stop by and encourage me with your feedback!

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  3. This was a great, fun post! It's comforting to know we aren't the only ones with tape, mug and stapler issues at our house.
    Your post made me smile:)
    #Grace&Truth

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    1. Thank you so much, Julie! I feel an instant bond with you on account of our shared "tape, mug, and stapler issues"! And your comment that this made you smile is one of the best responses anyone could give me. Thank you for that gift! And may a dependable stapler come into your life soon! :)

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  4. Such a fun post, Elizabeth. I'm sharing it on Facebook. Chocolate chip cookies--YES. I'm searching your site for recipes now!

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    1. Well, bless your heart, Sarah! Thank you so, so much for sharing this! You've made my day. Sending you a virtual batch of chocolate-chip cookies right now!

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  5. This was great! I could mismatched socks to things I do not need more of lol... unless it's the other matching sock of course.

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    1. Oh my word, Kristy, you are SO right. I can only assume all the "other" socks are in some land-of-lost-things, having a party with the lids from all the storage container bottoms I can no longer use. Because I don't have lids for them. ;) Thanks so much for stopping by...maybe all your socks come in pairs this week! :)

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  6. This is a terrific list! Visiting from Mommy Moments.
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
    Do drop in!

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    1. Thank you so much, Laura! And every time I see "Harvest Lane Cottage," I DO want to drop in...and stay forever.:)

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  7. I could never have too many hugs from my teenage daughters!! They're not always in the mood for them, but especially when they come up and give me random hugs, I just want to soak it in!

    And...I don't think I could ever have too many of your blog posts :) Your writing always resonates with me - fellow mom of teenage girls and all... In fact, I thought about how you'd mentioned the blessings of having a teenage driver in the house when, on Saturday, my 16-year-old drove herself and her sister to an ice skating party with friends, and I didn't have to leave the house. (insert praise hands :) Loved it!!!

    Have a great week!!

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    1. OH! YES to those hugs! I loved them when my girls were little, but they somehow seem to "count" even more now. And bless you for your sweet words...I feel exactly the same about your posts, Tracey! :) I love your bit about the driving...I see those hands raised in praise! ;) Isn't it awesome? Thanks so much for blessing my day with this comment...you are a treasure!

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  8. Hi Elizabeth, I usually enjoy your pleasant mix with humor. It is relaxing every time I get to read your post.
    Your list is great especially friends, Faith and love.
    Hugs 😉

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    1. Aw, thank you Ifeoma...what a nice thing of you to say (or, as the case may be, write)! Bless you...and hugs back! P.S. Those three you mentioned are my favorites, too.

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  9. Yes! Staples and Tape? Seriously where are the staples!!!

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    1. Hehe, Kristin...I'm pretty sure the staples are with the other sock and the storage container lid. ;)

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  10. How is it that we all seem to accumulate ridiculous numbers of mugs?
    I like your list and I would add cups of coffee, kisses from my girls, and recipes for easy-to-prepare dinners.

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    1. Love your additions, Shannon! And at least those cups of coffee you mentioned have plenty of mugs in which to land?! ;) Thanks so much for stopping by! Now if only I had one of those easy-to-prepare dinners at my disposal...

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  11. LOL! That's so funny! I agree with you on the tape with ends you can find and a working stapler but I seem to need more coffee mugs anytime I find a pretty one!
    Thanks for sharing! #HomeMattersParty
    Jeannee

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    1. Oh my, YES, Jeannee...I SO know what you mean about the siren call of a(nother) pretty mug! ;) In fact, I put that item in my intro after I saw the MOST fabulous mug at the grocery store. I was literally walking past the display, chanting, "Do not need...do not need..." But I might have to "accidentally" break one in my current stash so I can replace it. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  12. Lovely list. I would add tissues / wet wipes. With little ones and puppies... there is a box in every room. 😬 #alittlebigofeverything

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    1. Okay, so now that is brilliant. In fact, one of the things I miss now that my girls are teenagers (apart from my sanity, which was never in that great of supply to begin with) is having wet wipes around in constant supply. I really should still keep them on hand, but I think their line-item in my budget has been replaced by bobby pins. ;) Thanks so much for stopping by...I love #alittlebitofeverything!

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  13. I would add toilet paper and laundry detergent. One minute it seems like we have enough to last 100 years, and then a week later its gone! #alittlebitofeverything

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    1. TRUTH, Jeremy! I think you have nailed it: these items fall in the "feast-or-famine" category of life stuff. ;) Thanks so much for taking time to click over from #alittlebitofeverything!

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  14. :D So with you on this! Especially batteries. It feels like no matter how many I buy, when I need one it's just dud after dud. #FridayFrivolity

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    1. Oh my word, Jessica...YES. Just this morning, I caught my husband putting two double As in the flashlight he carries when he's jogging, and I thought, "Are you kidding me? I just bought those! What are you doing USING them?" I think this has gotten a little out-of-control if I've turned into the battery Nazi...

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  15. I'd love either better pencils that actually sharpen or a sharpener that doesn't eat the whole darn pencil before we ever get to use them...

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    1. That is SO true, mama! Which is why #1 on this list, via my teacher friend, was pretty epic for me... ;) Thank you so much for stopping by! http://guiltychocoholicmama.blogspot.com/2016/08/teachers-know-these-things-10-practical.html

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  16. Don't hate me 'cause I have a stapler that works! But I don't know where it came from originally; my husband brought it into our marriage 16 years ago . . . old age is probably why it still works. They sure don't make some things like they used to! Tape with ends you can find, on the other hand . . . well, that's another story altogether. And I'd take you as a friend at my kitchen table any time, Elizabeth. Thanks for the fun start to my morning. :)

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    1. WOW, Abi...a husband AND a working stapler? Talk about a double-score! I think that definitely makes up for uncooperative tape.;) Thank you for your sweet words...it was lovely to hear from you today!

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  17. You ALWAYS hit the nail on the head in my life, Elizabeth! Are you SURE you don't have a hidden mike or camera in my home somewhere?? I mean, seriously, it's kinda spooky sometimes. But then again, maybe that's why I find you so hilariously funny - who could make this stuff up?!?
    And, funny friend, featuring this at Coffee and Conversation this week - you're sure to put a smile on our readers' faces :-)

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    1. Awww, Pat! Thank you so much...for so many things! This is one of the nicest messages I've read at 6 a.m. in, well, EVER. You are a doll. A thousand blessings on your day, lovely and funny lady. We may never meet in person until heaven, but we'll laugh our heads off together when we get there! :)

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  18. Geez Louise, will I EVER get caught up? Just now finding this one in the old inbox, but it was such a happy gift for me today. Thanks for always giving me a laugh and putting a smile on my face, my friend!

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    1. Oh my goodness...you are so sweet to even worry about getting "caught up" where my ramblings are concerned! A thousand thanks (alas, in lieu of faxed cookies) for your sweet, faithful encouragement and support. You are a gem.

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I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to tell me what you really think. Years ago, I explained to my then-two-year-old that my appointment with a counselor was "sort of like going to a doctor who will help me be a better mommy." Without blinking, she replied, "You'd better go every day." All of which is just to say I've spent some time in the school of brutal honesty!