Episode #143: A Home Cooking Episode

Elsie: You’re listening to the A Lovely Mess podcast. This week, we’re chatting about house cooking, our dream kitchens, and our most beloved household meals. We’re answering listener questions on controversial preferences and inventive tasks. 

Emma: Oh, yeah. 

Elsie: Okay, so I began listening to The Energy of Moments this morning, which is one in all our ebook membership alternatives for spring. This isn’t the ebook report episode. We’ll most likely do this subsequent week or the week after, however I simply needed to inform everybody, this ebook is unimaginable. It’s unimaginable. So I’m going to inform one story from it if that’s okay. It type of is like blowing my thoughts. It’s additionally a extremely brief learn. The audiobook was like, I believe it was like six hours lengthy or one thing like that. That’s like half the dimensions of lots of the fiction books I learn. So it’s fast, you would learn it in a day or a few days, relying in your schedule. So Oh my God, you’re gonna love this. So The Energy of Moments, it’s about the right way to make type of just like the belongings you bear in mind. There’s so many issues in life like generally there’s complete years the place you’re feeling such as you don’t bear in mind a person reminiscence however then there’s these little seasons the place you bear in mind each element. So it’s lots in regards to the variations between these issues, and how one can create extra of that in your life. Which is particularly fascinating for me as a mother with little children as a result of they’re beginning to get to the age the place their core recollections are one thing that I take into consideration lots. Yeah, I wish to create extra core recollections, like what mother doesn’t need that. It’s a extremely thrilling factor. So he advised a narrative about this lodge in California, I believe it’s known as The Magic Lodge, or the magic one thing, the Magic Fort Lodge. Anyway, it doesn’t matter the title of it. Principally, it’s a daily wanting lodge. It’s kind of a middle-grade reasonably priced household lodge. He described it as being type of boring, it’s painted yellow. It’s type of cute, but it surely’s not like a hipster lodge with like a ton of Instagram moments. It’s like a really primary wanting, for those who consider a Vacation Inn, that’s what the rooms appear like, simply common. They’ve like a few issues they do which can be actually particular and actually bizarre and it makes their opinions so excessive and their buyer satisfaction so excessive. The issues are so on the pool, as a result of it’s lots of households staying at this lodge, it’s like close to Disney and stuff, on the pool they’ve a purple phone, and it says like popsicle hotline. All it’s a must to do is name it and somebody brings popsicles out to the pool on a silver tray. It’s simply so easy however so particular, memorable, and funky. Then there was this different factor the place like, you possibly can name for room service, they usually’ll carry you a collection of like little candies or one thing without cost. It’s similar to a enjoyable factor. It’s one thing that anybody might do however I don’t know, similar to a special technique. As a substitute of making an attempt to make their rooms cooler, paint extra murals or get nicer issues or fear in regards to the issues that one random individual was complaining about, they did this particular particular factor.  I’m positive it’s like important effort to have a workers member there on a regular basis manning this hotline, however actually massive payoff. So anyway, I’m simply tremendous impressed to place extra issues like that into my life. I type of simply needed to present a tough promote for everybody to learn this ebook, as a result of I can simply inform it’s like one of many massive ones, like a private improvement or self-help ebook that’s like a extremely particular one. I need everybody to learn it. Does that make you wish to learn it?

Emma: Oh, yeah. I imply, I used to be already going to however sure. Now I actually desire a popsicle. 

Elsie: Sure, on a silver platter. It’s like so particular. I noticed an image of it.  I seemed up footage of the lodge instantly. So I used to be like, is it actually as bland as what he’s saying? It actually was. It was simply easy and plain and the popsicles have been the freaking factor. Yeah.

Emma: It was the facility of that second.

Elsie: Yeah, it’s like a reminiscence. My children do, the issues that they bear in mind, it’s issues like that, for positive.

Emma: Even similar to urgent the button once they’re saying goodbye on FaceTime or simply little issues. It’s just like the little issues are particular.

Elsie: It’s true. Yeah. So anyway, I’m actually impressed now. Like, how can I add extra of that particular little magic into our life? I’m actually glad I’m studying it so early within the yr as a result of I really feel like there’s nonetheless a lot we will do that yr. I’ve been type of like, in a rut with feeling like, I need issues to be extra particular. So yeah, it feels actually good. Okay, we did like one meals cooking episode so way back and it was all the time Emma’s favourite. So I did this episode only for Emma, but it surely’s additionally for me, you will notice, but it surely’s positively like, I simply needed to do an entire episode about house cooking. I do really feel like that by way of the pandemic years, I positively cook dinner at house much more than I used to. A results of having little children and different causes too, I’m positive. However my husband, it’s his primary passion. And dun dun da, I lastly began designing my kitchen yesterday. So I’m so enthusiastic about it. However the factor that I’ve been placing lots of thought into is like, there’s all these, fancy little issues you possibly can add to your kitchen design, that it’s like are seemingly so fantastic. For anybody who’s home store, it’s just like the kitchen is like the principle room that you just scrutinize, test the drawers and test how a lot you favored the home equipment and like issues like that. So anyway, however I really feel just like the factor I actually wish to maintain on the high of my thoughts as we design the kitchen is the way it’s going for use. what I imply? Just like the issues that we actually cook dinner, the traditions that we all the time do on a regular basis, like how can I make it extra excellent for that stuff? As a substitute of extra like excellent for Pinterest.  In order that’s the place I’m coming from this episode, I’m similar to fascinated about like what are just like the little particulars that make it magical. I simply wish to speak about like cooking, what we actually cook dinner, we had a couple of questions on our most made meals and issues like that so we’ll undergo all of that. Okay, so do you have got like seasons of your life? What do you suppose defines this like seasons of your life the place you’re feeling such as you’re cooking at house on a regular basis versus seasons of your life the place you’re feeling such as you’re going out much more?

Emma: Yeah, I believe it might need to perform a little bit for me like climate after which busyness degree. Then now the entire new factor is like Oscar, so Oscar goes to sleep round seven. So usually, we don’t all eat dinner collectively proper now. It’s like he has his little fourth meal, snack time, after which as soon as he goes down Trey and I make our dinner and all that however finally that’s going to vary. So anyway, so I believe there’s type of like, these kinds of things however I do love cooking, although. So most likely, I don’t know if it’s greater than the typical. I don’t know. However I positively cook dinner at house lots and all the time have as a result of I simply take pleasure in it.

Elsie: Okay, so what are the issues that you just suppose make it just like the, if you’re like actually in your groove with house cooking, what are the issues which can be making it essentially the most sensible and essentially the most joyful for you? 

Emma: For me, I believe it’s my kitchen staying considerably organized and never too cluttered. Identical to my work desk, or the rest in life actually, I simply get type of distracted if issues are tremendous messy. I’m not likely very sort A and I’m truly not the cleanest individual ever, you would ask my husband and like, I may very well be fairly cluttery. But when there’s simply an excessive amount of visible litter, I get actually distracted actually simply. So the kitchen staying type of organized is a giant one for me. In order that after which aside from that, similar to having every thing you want, which I really feel like type of messes with the primary aim of maintaining issues organized. It’s such as you wish to, generally you wish to purchase a couple of random components as a result of it’s simply thrilling to have some issues round and also you would possibly make up one thing random one evening if you’re cooking or no matter. However then for those who do an excessive amount of of that rapidly, it’s overflowing all over the place. You’re like, uh oh. So it’s type of this ebb and move on a regular basis of like, oh no, I’ve gotten method too many spices, what am I going to do? Then I’ll clear issues out after which rapidly, I’m like, properly, it is a little boring. I want some new spices. It’s similar to the cycle that you just type of are all the time backwards and forwards with a bit of bit like waves of the ocean. It’s like by no means actually stationary, tide is available in tide goes out, that’s my spice drawer I suppose.

Elsie: That’s fascinating. Yeah. I agree the organizing is a giant a part of it. The opposite factor is rather like freshly grocery purchasing, the extra constantly I’m grocery purchasing. For me, there’s like a giant distinction between if I grocery shopped only for that day or simply as a result of we didn’t have something or if it’s actually stocked. Like after I’m going to Dealer Joe’s is like the perfect my kitchen ever is as a result of I get the freezers crammed up once more. We love lots of their frozen meals. It’s similar to, they simply have like all of the staples and I really feel like once I go to the opposite grocery shops, I’ll be simply getting issues for like a day or two. Okay, I needed to share a bit of bit about like sharing my organized fridge on Instagram, that is type of humorous. So a few weeks in the past, I posted a video I did fridge group for the primary time ever. I don’t suppose I’ve ever had this sort of group earlier than, the place it seems to be fairly like a Pinterest image.  Okay, so I’ll say the professionals and cons after which I’ll say how individuals responded. The one con I’d say is that you just do want to maneuver such as you put the organizers in, the plastic bins and stuff like that, you want to transfer it round lots. I don’t even know if it’s a con. It’s simply one thing that I needed to get used to is that like, it’s going to vary each week a bit of bit as a result of we don’t maintain the very same fridge staples each week, perhaps some individuals do, however we don’t. So yeah, it’s gonna change a bit of bit. I believe that’s not a giant deal in any respect. However it type of bugged me at first as a result of I used to be making an attempt to squeeze issues into bizarre locations. Then I used to be like, you already know what, I truly suppose one shelf with no organizers is what I need. So I suppose I’m simply nonetheless like, moving into, discovering the groove. There’s actually so many professionals, to start with, there was moldy stuff in there. Everybody’s fridge who’s not, I imply perhaps you’re like a greater human than me, however most individuals’s fridge is gonna have one thing in it that’s expired, proper? Like one thing previous within the again or no matter. 

Emma: Some jar of one thing and it’s all the time the second you go to make use of it. You then’re like, had this expired a yr in the past and also you’re like, oh no.

Elsie: Then the opposite factor I felt actually impressed about is that, so my husband has an enormous assortment, you couldn’t actually inform this from the image, how massive it’s, however like of Chinese language, it’s not likely spices, like condiments, It’s like Asian cooking condiments, they usually’re principally Chinese language. It’s similar to, little jars of like, paste and issues like that so that every one these organized collectively, and he can actually see what he has. I used to be actually pleased with that as a result of earlier than it was like they have been type of everywhere in the fridge. So yeah, getting issues organized by part, truthfully, like there have been no cons aside from that the following week, I type of wanted to reorganize it once more for the brand new groceries. Like perhaps that’s simply what you get used to is that every time you get new groceries, you spruce it up once more. Possibly you don’t all the time want the bins like you possibly can put a few of them away and convey them again out later. I suppose that’s most likely simply part of it that I simply didn’t know. So let’s speak about individuals’s responses. It bought so humorous and a bit of bit bizarre on Instagram.  I didn’t take it personally. Yeah, I didn’t take it personally as a result of it’s not the type of factor that I really feel like I have to take personally. However the best way that I posted it, so I had made a reel of like earlier than and after with my fridge wanting dangerous and my fridge wanting actually fairly. However the best way I posted it was like the primary slide was an image of the fridge and it stated like, do you want organized fridges? It was like 50% sure, 50% no, or one thing like that or perhaps it was like extra nos. It was like lots of people saying no.

Emma: I put no as a result of I all the time troll you on Instagram. That’s what I do. 

Elsie: Then due to the best way I introduced the knowledge with the primary image, I believe lots of people didn’t know that that was my fridge. Then they like despatched actually imply DMs about how the fridge which is basically humorous however truly simple to roll off as a result of it’s prefer it’s only a fridge. Essentially the most factor that individuals say is that it’s unrealistic or individuals aren’t going to make use of these items or that it could’t keep that method. It was actually actually enjoyable and I’d advocate if you wish to do like A Dwelling Edit wanting organized fridge, I’d advocate the challenge 10 out of 10 as a result of why not strive one thing like that. The stakes usually are not excessive and for those who don’t maintain it prefer it doesn’t keep excellent, who cares? No less than you’re like cleansing out your fridge, you want to clear it out anyway, proper? Like wipe it and do away with previous stuff and also you’ve finished that like, so I truly don’t perceive why persons are so heated about it. However it wasn’t superb.

Emma: Sure, properly, okay, I’ll say yet one more factor earlier than we transfer on to dream kitchens, that has to do with like, you already know, for those who’re in a season of cooking and stuff. We’re type of speaking about grocery purchasing and I believe that type of leads into meal planning. So right here’s a bit of tip and I believe I’ve proven this on Instagram earlier than, however I truthfully overlook, each time I get a brand new cookbook, I instantly wish to take a look at it as a result of that’s what you do if you get a brand new ebook, clearly. However I take little posted tabs, and I mark all the recipes that I wish to make. So then every time I’m making my grocery record and meal planning, particularly if I’m feeling a bit of little bit of a rut, like, oh, I make the identical dinners each week, and I’m a bit of bored. I’ll actually discover that if I begin not utilizing the groceries that I purchased and ordering extra takeout. And it’s like, oh, you’re bored and also you’re similar to type of being wasteful now. So like, let’s change up what you’re cooking for dinner. So anyway, then I have already got my cookbooks have the little tabs and it’s simply quicker and simpler to be like, oh, okay, properly, right here’s three dinner concepts from this new cookbook, which one do I wish to make this week or no matter. Then I’ll write down on my grocery record issues that I won’t have which can be within the recipe. I don’t know, it’s similar to a bit of factor and I additionally simply love seeing them on my shelf with all of the little tabs protruding, the little post-it as a result of it simply makes me so excited for all of the issues that I can cook dinner. I don’t know. It simply will get me actually jazzed for cooking so there you go.

Elsie: I really like that.

Emma: I do with magazines too. 

Elsie: Are you able to say actual quick what’s your most up-to-date finest cookbook?

Emma: I imply, the factor I’ve been cooking from essentially the most not too long ago was two issues. One was like a vacation version of Pleasure the Baker’s journal. They only had a couple of recipes in it and I’m nonetheless making them and it’s not even holidays however I’m simply into it. Then one other one known as On a regular basis Dinners and it’s from Jessica who does Home Candy Eats and that’s her weblog. Because the title suggests, it’s fairly easy, however actually scrumptious dinners that you may make in the course of the week in order that they don’t take hours and hours. They’re easy however nonetheless very flavorful and good.  I’ve so many posted tabs of issues. There’s one recipe although, specifically, within the ebook, it’s like a sheet pan cashew hen. I’ve made it a bunch of occasions for meal trains when mates have infants. Apparently, I’ve lots of mates who’ve had infants this yr as a result of I’m like, I’ve made that lots. I’m like, oh, yeah, properly, everybody had a child this yr. 

Elsie: Good. I’m gonna strive the post-it notes factor. I simply bought a brand new cookbook the opposite day, and I haven’t even had an opportunity to take a look at it but. I’m going to do your tip and see if it makes me make extra recipes.

Emma: That’s enjoyable. We’re going to speak about dream kitchens. That’s what’s subsequent. All proper.

Elsie: Okay. I’m actually excited on this. Like I stated, I’ve been designing my dream kitchen. I can speak about all of it day. However first, I needed to ask you, moreover hidden trash, everybody is aware of your hidden trash obsession, moreover that what are your dream kitchen options? Do you have got extra the place that got here from?

Emma: Sure, I’ve a reasonably lengthy record. Strap in. 

Elsie: Inform us every thing. I really like these items. I find it irresistible. 

Emma: Yeah, so I’m not likely like designing a kitchen for the time being so this was actually type of simply the dream for the long run. So a few of these are like half-baked concepts, however I’ll simply undergo them. So we’ve already talked about hidden trash, no want, be happy although. Somebody to make me a t-shirt that claims hidden trash for all times as a result of that’s like, the place I’m at.

Elsie: It sounds actually dangerous. 

Emma: It does. It sounds horrible. It’s like skeletons in your closet or one thing, I don’t know. Okay, so I’m additionally actually into high quality hood of some form. So we frequently broil issues or cook dinner issues on very excessive warmth, and it could get very smoky. So a top quality hood is a giant deal to me. In my final home, we didn’t have a hood in any respect and it drove me nuts. It was so annoying. So I’m similar to that’s like a factor. I’ve additionally seen the place in case you have a structure the place a hood simply isn’t going to work, Elise, our third sister, had one in her present house, the place it type of like pops up out of the counter, you press a button.

Elsie: I believe it’s known as a downdraft perhaps.

Emma: It could type of suck the smoke or no matter, cooking fumes, after which you possibly can press a button, it goes again down into your counter. I believe that may be a fairly cool possibility too. Okay, so additionally here’s a controversial opinion and I’d love to listen to what different individuals suppose. So I’ve had an electrical vary earlier than so like stovetop cooking electrical. I’ve additionally had fuel the place there’s extra of a flame just like the fuel activates, after which it ignites a bit of flame. Fuel is like what everybody says is nicer and higher and I simply don’t prefer it as a lot.

Elsie: I believe it’s higher.

Emma: I like electrical. We’d return to that sometime and it’s bizarre as a result of it doesn’t look as cute.

Elsie: What are the particular issues that you just like higher about it?

Emma: I really feel prefer it heats water for those who’re like going to be cooking pasta or something the place you want to boil water, I really feel prefer it heats it a lot quicker. It could warmth issues extra evenly as a result of I’ve observed like our pots and pans, they get so sizzling, and like no matter’s in them remains to be not that sizzling. I’ve to make use of like a potholder to seize the deal with of the pot and I didn’t use to have to do this with an electrical and the contents would nonetheless be heat. So perhaps it’s our vary, I don’t know. However we would return to electrical sooner or later, I don’t know. I don’t actually love the look of it as a lot and it’s not as simple or I don’t love cleansing them as a lot. It’s not as cute in any respect as a fuel vary. Then additionally we use our air fryer a lot. I talked about my air fryer. I simply wrote a publish about favourite air fryer meals and I did this like Instagram actual not too long ago. So I really feel like I’ve talked an excessive amount of about my air fryer already however I’m like Emma, don’t go too deep, don’t go down the fryer rabbit gap. We use our air fryer each single week, a number of occasions every week, and it’s a type of home equipment that type of sits out on the counter on a regular basis as a result of we use it so typically and ours is superior. It really works so nice. It has two bays, but it surely’s not the cutest factor. It’s not like my favourite wanting issues sitting out on the counter.

Elsie: Have you ever seen the Drew Barrymore one? 

Emma: Sure. However it’s not a double, but it surely’s so cute. 

Elsie: There’s a double 

Emma: Oh, she has a double. 

Elsie: There’s a double. 

Emma: Okay, I’m . 

Elsie: I’m considering getting it. It’s the attractive model so we’ll hyperlink it within the present notes. It is available in lots of colours. I do know they’ve like a grayish, a grayish and a inexperienced. We’ve used our air fryer to dying as properly. I’d say we most likely use it every single day. I’ve not too long ago been fascinated about since you might be such a giant fan of the double I used to be fascinated about an improve.

Emma: I really like the double a lot. Yeah, in order that’s kind of my criticism with it and I’ve thought of getting a spread that like has an air fryer in it. I’d love to check it first. I don’t really feel offered that it’s going to be the identical as a small equipment that you just plugin.

Elsie: I don’t perceive. 

Emma: Yeah, that’s the place I’m at is I’m like, if that is good, then I’d find it irresistible as a result of it means much less litter on the counter tops, however I simply don’t imagine it’s. I don’t see the way it may very well be so I don’t really feel offered on it however I’m . So let’s keep in mind that. Additionally, I’d like to have an island sooner or later, with stools on one aspect. So we used to have a peninsula, which was nice however I observed that anytime I’d have a big group of mates over the peninsula simply makes it the place you possibly can’t flow into. Individuals would type of get trapped in a single space or the opposite. 

Elsie: Islands are positively higher. I had a type of as properly. I believe islands are the best way. 

Emma: Sure, and it doesn’t work for each structure in each home, clearly. I couldn’t put an island in my present house so that is simply on the dream record. So I’d love an island sooner or later, and I’d love a bit of extra closed storage. Then I additionally would actually love, so one factor that we don’t have any greater than we used to have that I miss, is a bit of fridge. We had a bit of fridge that was constructed into our cupboards, we mainly changed a trash compactor that we weren’t going to make use of, we put a mini-fridge in there. That was the place we’d put all of our Lacroix or Bubbly or no matter all of these cans. Then I’d normally have like one or two bottles of like white wine. So it was similar to I all the time had chilled white wine. If somebody ended up coming over one thing like that, then I already had it within the fridge. I type of miss it as a result of our fridge, an enormous a part of our fridge is taken up by all these cans. So I’d nearly like to have a small fridge that’s type of only for drinks that perhaps additionally has a pleasant icemaker. 

Elsie: Hell yeah. 

Emma: In order that after which I believe that’s mainly it. Yeah, I already stated extra closed storage, simply so not every thing needs to be excellent all the time. However it’s good to arrange issues and I do but it surely’s simply good to have a little bit of shut storage. Only for like home equipment or like random little issues that you just’re like, oh yeah, I desire a waffle iron however I don’t actually wish to see it on a regular basis, similar to stuff like that.

Elsie: True. Yeah, I don’t use my waffle iron hardly in any respect, like not even as soon as a month. So I’d know when it’s sitting out the place I might see it.

Emma: Yeah, or like on a shelf the place you possibly can see it on a regular basis the place it’s like, I don’t overlook that I’ve that so I don’t have to see it on a regular basis. I like to have the ability to see issues that I would overlook. So yeah, however not a lot that waffle iron or small issues like a popcorn maker. 

Elsie: That was a extremely good record. I actually favored it. I’m gonna use a few of these concepts as a result of I wish to steal your concepts.

Emma: Do it. 

Elsie: It’s one in all my traits. 

Emma: Additionally, numerous shops. A lot of shops, put an outlet all over the place so you possibly can plug issues in.

Elsie: That’s a good suggestion. Okay, so I’ve simply began designing my kitchen. So okay, my greatest hang-ups I’ll speak about my little challenges after which I’ll speak about my dream stuff, however my hang-up is 2 issues. To start with, I really feel like we now have an honest finances for our kitchen but it surely’s not a vast finances, and costs the place we reside have gotten so costly. So I do have to do like a splurge and save scenario like I want to choose the place the upgrades are and the place we’re saving. I believe that I need the splurge to be on the home equipment, so I’ve been researching lower-end cupboards. Additionally, that’s the principle factor, I suppose I positively most likely gained’t do tremendous costly flooring tile, I’ll keep cheap in like so many areas. However yeah, I wish to hear what everybody thinks about this example. If your home, like our home for the worth of it within the space and stuff prefer it must be aspiring to be no less than like a luxurious kitchen. So is it okay to do the Ikea cupboard factor with the customized fronts in a kitchen like that? That’s what I wish to hear individuals’s opinion on as a result of I’m type of fascinated about it and I don’t suppose I’d suppose that that was like a downgrade. However I do know lots of cupboards are customized. We’ve simply constructed a few of these in different elements of our home so like, I understand how that’s. I perceive why they’re useful. However I have to discover a place that doesn’t matter as a lot to chop some prices. So like, is that okay, what do you suppose?

Emma: I imply, I believe so. So two ideas is one I guess you for those who’re apprehensive about resale sooner or later, I guess you there’s lots of people who can’t inform the distinction. I believe there’s positively individuals who can however I believe there’s additionally lots of patrons who wouldn’t know, they might don’t know. So not that you just’re making an attempt to idiot them however I simply imply, I don’t know if everybody actually notices that. But additionally, then again, I type of acknowledge like, I’m not a high-end individual. So generally it’s simple for me to suppose like, oh yeah, nobody will care about that when like truly, individuals would possibly, however I simply don’t have that perspective as a result of I’m simply not a luxurious individual. Not that I don’t aspire however that’s simply not like how I grew up, or how I take into consideration the I don’t know. 

Elsie: I suppose the higher query is like, do you suppose it’s extra vital to have customized cupboards, or do you suppose it’s extra vital to have fancy home equipment? 

Emma: Fancy home equipment. 

Elsie: Okay, that’s what I believe. I believe that that’s, that’s what it’s coming all the way down to. Clearly, if I can do each, I’ll, however most likely, perhaps that gained’t occur. My different primary factor that I’m arising in opposition to is, I do know that I don’t wish to do an all white kitchen. However I additionally know that I don’t wish to have a busy like, I do know that I don’t desire a sample. I do know I don’t need totally different colours of cupboards, most likely. However I’d take into consideration like a mixture of white and wooden or paint and wooden. So I suppose my subsequent problem is is wooden a coloration? what I imply? Like, if I do like a white kitchen with lots of wooden, does that rely as like not a white kitchen, or do I have to do one thing that’s a bit of extra colourful? I don’t suppose I’d do like a daring coloration however I’d do a refined coloration. I’ve been fascinated about that like that. These are my massive hang-ups, that are like very massive image issues. However I really feel like I do know what I need for the small print however I don’t know what I need for the massive issues, which is complicated.

Emma: Yeah, that’s fascinating.

Elsie: Okay, so ship me a message and inform me what you suppose in case you have robust opinions about that type of factor I’m very curious to listen to. So so far as like dream kitchen particular issues, I really need like a type of lovely Italian stoves. That’s like white and gold. That’s like my dream range. So I don’t know if I’ll do this a number of like well-known model, perhaps. I’m between that. I positively agree with you want a wine fridge is the perfect thought ever. Our beverage fridge is likely one of the issues about our kitchen that’s like primary finest and most used and helpful. It’s like a crowd pleaser when individuals come over everybody simply loves that there’s like so many issues to select from in order that’s enjoyable. I’d by no means be capable of maintain that many drinks in our home with out it. So I agree with you in regards to the hood. I desire a hood with the little nooks the place you possibly can disguise the oil to the perimeters, such as you look within it into the perimeters there’s little shells. I actually favored that concept and I believe that our oil proper now’s like up in cupboards. It’s like we use it a lot that it simply makes extra sense for it to be proper there by the range. The opposite factor I’ve been fascinated about is my husband, he cooks most likely greater than me. I’d say bake much more and he cooks much more and he actually likes the griddle issues on stoves, when there’s like a panel within the center the place you may make like pancakes and you are able to do like tortilla shells and issues like that. He actually likes that. So I believe we’ll positively discover an equipment that has that possibility. However yeah, I’m so enthusiastic about it. However I primarily simply need it to be like essentially the most Christmas cookie-making kitchen of all time just like the recollections are a lot extra significant to me proper now. I like the concept of creating a flowery kitchen however in some methods, I like don’t care. what I imply?

Emma: I’m the identical. I’m similar to, I simply need it to be actually helpful as a result of it truly is the place you hang around lots.

Elsie: So subsequent query.

Emma: Do you have got any go-to occasion throwing suggestions?

Elsie: Hell yeah. So I just about attempt to maintain stuff in my fridge to make a cheese board on a regular basis. That’s simply what I do now as a result of I really feel like we will all the time use it earlier than it expires. Typically we simply make them on a Sunday, like as our dinner.

Emma: Precisely in my notes is like that after which arising on the define is like your final at house date evening or at house household evening and I’m like, expend the cheese board stuff if no one’s come over.

Elsie: It’s the factor. Yeah, like so many occasions previously, somebody would come over unexpectedly and I felt like I didn’t have something. I really feel like now with my cheese, there’s like a cheese drawer in our fridge, with the cheese drawer. Then, in fact, we all the time have crackers after which the drink fridge, I really feel like we might have a celebration any time which is the perfect feeling ever. It’s not likely losing something as a result of we all the time do eat the cheese similar to ourselves. Y

Emma: Us too. Yeah, properly, like make a cheese board for dinner with no matter else we now have round or no matter. It’s superior. Yeah. I don’t learn about you however like rising up, I bear in mind sure individuals’s mother and father, like sure individuals’s mothers or dads who all the time appear to have baller snacks if you would go over. 

Elsie: I keep in mind that too. 

Emma: I all the time thought they have been like, cool and fancy. I used to be like, wow, they simply have these items. That’s so like, whoa, I don’t know, such as you’re a child and also you’re impressed by something, I suppose. However now I’m like, all proper, right here’s my likelihood to be that mother.

Elsie: It’s your likelihood. Yeah, it’s all of our probabilities. I really like that. 

Emma: Oh, and I needed to point out, I not too long ago purchased some new cheese knives from Etsy. I’ll hyperlink them within the present notes. However I wish to describe them a bit of bit. So that they’re fabricated from wooden and it was like a set of, I believe six or seven. They appear like knives, aside from one in all them seems to be like a tiny ax, and like I stated they’re fabricated from wooden. They’re nice for cheese. Like we’ve used them a bunch of occasions already. But additionally they’re not truly sharp. 

Elsie: Yeah, that’s positively one in all my cheese board suggestions is mainly like, for those who want a knife like simply minimize it forward of time. Simply minimize it up and put it on there. Don’t go away a tiny, tiny little metallic knife for individuals to chop a block of chatter with as a result of then they simply gained’t use it. The mushy cheeses will get eaten and the opposite one gained’t which is like not cool. So, yeah, cheese suggestions. Okay. To be trustworthy, we now have not had a ton of events, but. We moved throughout COVID. I’m wanting ahead to having extra sooner or later. However most of our events thus far have been pool events due to having a pool. Additionally similar to numerous mates with children and in addition that’s similar to what makes individuals wish to come to our home for that. You probably have a pool or for those who simply wish to have like an out of doors porch occasion, there are a few issues. The primary one is so there’s these little like meals tents. Have you ever ever purchased one in all these like meals tents? 

Emma: No. 

Elsie: Okay, so it seems to be like, it seems to be like a bit of tent. I’ll hyperlink it within the present notes. So it’s similar to a bit of mesh factor. So for those who make a cheese board or one thing or a veggie tray and you’re taking it exterior, you possibly can put this little tent over it and no flies will be capable of contact it. It may be on the market for like an hour as a result of it’s gross to depart snack meals exterior for a very long time after which eat it. These are like the perfect factor ever. I’d positively advocate them. 

Emma: That’s cute. 

Elsie: However yeah, I’m so excited to throw events once more. I do really feel prefer it’s like too late to have a housewarming occasion. However I additionally really feel like perhaps we should always nonetheless have one as a result of most of my mates haven’t been over right here but.

Emma: I don’t see why it’s too late. I additionally suppose every time you get a serious renovation finished even when it was like simply your rest room, perhaps you need to simply have a reveal occasion. Simply go forward and do it. Why not? 

Elsie: That’s cute. Yeah, that’s what I have to do.  Okay, so the following one is that this query is definitely requested a lot and I don’t suppose we’ve answered it, however are similar to most repeated meals like week within the life, what do you cook dinner at house like on a mean week?

Emma: Sure. So I’ve 5 issues. Considered one of them’s a lunch, however then 4 are dinners. So the lunch factor is I make this like deli-style tuna salad and I’ll simply eat that with like crackers, and even carrot sticks or no matter for like days. It’s similar to, when you make it, it’s simply in your fridge so it’s like you possibly can have actually quick as a result of that’s type of my factor. Except I’m consuming lunch with a buddy or one thing, I simply wish to eat a extremely quick lunch as a result of I’m similar to making an attempt to get all my work finished or perhaps I’ll have time to go on a stroll then or no matter. I’m simply by no means like, oh, I wish to sit down and have an hour-long lunch break simply to myself like I simply don’t really feel that method. Except I’m assembly with somebody, I’m simply desirous to do one thing quick. In order that’s like one thing I make pretty typically making it this week once more, in order that. Then listed here are 4 dinners which can be on heavy, heavy rotation, like we now have these nearly each week we now have all 4 of those nearly. Some type of stir fry as a result of as everybody is aware of, or for those who don’t, I’ve a dream of creating a TV present sometime known as So You Assume You Can Stir Fry? Not likely. However I do love stir fry so you possibly can like throw something collectively to nice one for like leftovers. You too can stir fry with noodles or with rice. I’ve an entire publish that’s like constructing the proper stir fry and I can hyperlink that up. It has type of a faux meals pyramid that I made for it simply to visualise the entire thing. Anyway, so love stir fry. We additionally do air-fried hen wings on a regular basis and we do broiled steak, which each of those I’ve weblog posts for I can hyperlink them. These are two issues particularly the steak, that’s a dinner that Trey makes all the time as a result of I’m not in control of the steaks as a result of I mess them up. However hen wings, both of us will do this, and stir fry both of us will do this. Then additionally about as soon as every week I make some type of selfmade cashew hen, which I’ve a cashew hen sauce publish in our archives on the weblog. However I don’t normally bread the hen. Right here in Springfield, Missouri, there’s like very breaded cashew hen and it’s scrumptious. Let me simply say that. However that’s not the model I do for house as a result of it’s similar to a deep-fried factor and I don’t actually do deep frying at house, as a result of simply too smelly. However yeah, so that is like baked hen that’s normally not even breaded, but it surely does have some type of cashew hen sort sauce after which rice. I wish to put actual cashews in there and issues like that. So yeah, after we bought married, we have been each mainly vegetarians, and now all our meals are like meat, meat meat. Who is aware of, life’s bizarre, life’s lengthy.

Elsie: Life is bizarre. Yeah. I truly suppose I don’t cook dinner that a lot meat as you do. That’s fascinating. So a few weeks in the past once I did that group factor, I purchased a ton of fruit. It was greater than standard but it surely was like the primary day of spring break. I used to be like, I’m simply curious if we will eat all this fruit and we did. It was superb aside from like a bit of little bit of lemons and limes. We ate all of it. So it made me understand that simply having extra fruit round is like, it’s the perfect snacks for our youngsters having it like low down on the backside the place they will attain it’s good. They each like various things. So we’ve had lots of fruit salads these days, and I believe I’m going to strive making a recipe reel about this, however we’ve been making this fruit salad with mint leaves like cut-up actual tiny, and it’s tremendous good. It’s method higher than common fruit salad. So anyway, that could be a nice meal as a result of you possibly can have it for any meal. My children simply are loving their fruit. Then our second heavy rotation is one thing frozen with the air fryer. So we cook dinner a ton of dumplings, like frozen dumplings. Lots of the time from Dealer Joe’s. I particularly actually just like the cilantro ones. I do know Cilantro is a controversial factor. I additionally favored the hen ones, and my children actually favored the fried rice from there so we cook dinner that lots. It’s simply simple and easy and similar to our go-to. Then the factor that I take advantage of that kind of from scratch is selfmade garlic noodles. So it’s mainly simply butter noodles with lots of garlic and tremendous good and my children find it irresistible and I find it irresistible. Anytime that we don’t have like stuff to cook dinner with, we normally have all the components for that also so it’s simply good.

Emma: Yep, that’s my I’m out of groceries meal.

Elsie: Yeah, I really like making pasta. My children actually like pasta in order that’s useful. Then the factor that we make that particular and like, I don’t know, like cute proper now’s pizza, selfmade pizza. So we make that lots. My husband is studying his like nonetheless testing like crust recipes and issues like that, or dough recipes. We’re nonetheless making an attempt toppings and kind of like making an attempt to grasp the woodfired pizza expertise in order that’s been actually, actually enjoyable. It’s one thing we normally do on Friday nights and it’s like a solution to like kick off the weekend and brings lots of pleasure.

Emma: Yeah, I’ve been over for the pizza earlier than and it’s superior. The final one was earlier than we get to listener questions from Instagram was about final evening at house and a date evening in type of factor or like household evening so you probably did type of simply point out the pizza. We additionally type of talked about cheese board and the way if no one comes over, then that’s like, properly, we get to have a cheeseboard. In order that complete factor. I type of needed so as to add to this, mainly, what are your favourite Uber Eats? What are your takeout or supply quantity ones like what are the highest two or three?

Elsie: So our favourite Uber Eats we now have three and for those who reside anyplace within the Nashville space, you most likely have no less than a few of these. We love Nicoletto’s Pasta, 5 Factors Pizza, and Emmy’s squared Pizza, which additionally they have like an incredible salad. So these are most likely like most go to UberEATS. What are yours?

Emma: Yeah, anytime I’m in Nashville, I’m like, can we get Nicoletto’s.

Elsie: Nicolette’s Pasta is like my primary most nostalgic, like perform.

Emma: So we now have a couple of locations that we will stroll to and so we are going to like do this lots. There’s a taco place we go to lots and there’s a spot that does like rice bowls. So we’ll do this lots. However so far as what I order Uber Eats I type of have my high two my favourite two which Trey has totally different favorites. My favourite two is Thai. I really like Thai meals a lot and it’s not one thing that I cook dinner fairly often. So Thai meals after which I additionally love Mexican meals, which once more, no actual motive however like I simply don’t normally cook dinner that fairly often. I additionally consider it as positively type of a bit of bit like simply indulgent as a result of it’s normally like a ton of chips and cheese like that’s mainly what I’m after is the chips and cheese. 

Elsie: Okay, so for date evening in or similar to, for me, it’s like the last word like weekend evening after we’re drained just about. I’ve been doing this lots these days is we make our like, we now have our popcorn machine and I wrote an entire weblog publish about it not too long ago so I’m gonna hyperlink to that within the present notes.

Emma: It’s superior.

Elsie: So to start with, we had it for like 5 years in our previous home, but it surely was like in our basement within the closet and we most likely used it one time in that home. On this home, we use it no less than as soon as a month. So I’ll say like, purchase a bit of bar cart and put it on there and maintain it if there’s any method you are able to do this, maintain it in like your TV room, the place it’s simply all the time there. It simply will get a lot extra use that method. I can’t imagine the distinction. Okay, so we now have some listener questions. So okay, these are each from Instagram. The primary one that is such a random query, however I type of thought it was enjoyable. What is a well-liked TV present that you just’re simply not into like everybody else has watched it? It seems like the entire world is watching aside from you.

Emma: Yeah, I really feel like my reply is like every thing as a result of we simply don’t like these days we simply don’t actually watch TV exhibits. We watch lots of random YouTube movies however the one factor I did wish to point out although, was did you watch Bridgerton Season Two but? 

Elsie: No. 

Emma: Okay, properly, I watched it. I really like Bridgerton, love season one a lot. I actually favored season two. I really like all of the actors, love all of the units, costume design, it’s lovely, similar to season one, but it surely simply mainly simply say it wasn’t sexy sufficient for me. I didn’t suppose so. It wasn’t fairly like season one.

Elsie: Okay, so my present that everybody on the planet watches aside from me, I suppose I’ve two the primary one’s Ted Lasso. I simply really feel like everyone seems to be like gonna throw a tomato at me however we simply didn’t watch it and it wasn’t as a result of I believed it was too tacky as a result of I really like tacky stuff. I simply didn’t prefer it simply didn’t join with me. Typically one thing similar to doesn’t hit you and also you don’t know why. That’s all it’s, I don’t know why. I simply didn’t. I don’t know. Okay, so the following query, it’s a artistic one. I really like this. It’s one to finish on. How do you get unstuck from a artistic block, for instance, portray? Inventive blocks are like a giant matter, we all the time get lots of questions on them. My artistic blocks are like, it’s all or nothing like I’ve had it earlier than. However once I had it, it was so dangerous. I don’t normally get small ones, although. What about you?

Emma: I really feel like minor extra like, I’m both within the behavior of one thing or I’m not, it’s extra like that or I’m on the stage of a challenge the place I’m actually overthinking it or scared that it sucks, or that type of factor, too. Anyway, so I had two issues for this, they usually’re fairly totally different from one another. Okay, so one is to only strive one thing utterly totally different. So like, for those who’re portray and also you’re feeling creatively blocked, do one thing else, strive writing strive one thing with clay, like no matter, like simply one thing utterly totally different. For me, what this does is it takes the strain off. It additionally like forces my mind again into this artistic zone however with out feeling like I’m doing the factor that I’m for no matter motive getting blocked on, if that makes any sense. So it’s type of like a bit of trick, I suppose. In order that after which the opposite factor is to set a timer or you possibly can simply take a look at your clock, no matter. Simply type of inform your self, like nonetheless a lot I get finished on this half-hour, I’m pleased with that. For me, anyway, I’m placing lots of strain on getting far with the portray or the writing or no matter it’s that I’m doing. So generally I have to type of be like, you already know what for half-hour or one hour, I’m going to no matter I get finished, I’ll be pleased with it. If I write two sentences on this hour, I’ll be pleased with that I simply need to do one thing. That is all I’m allowed to do for the following half-hour or an hour. I’m not going to scroll. I’m not going to go clear my dishes. That is it. I’m doing this proper now. It simply type of like, I don’t know, in a method prefer it’s like a bit of child within the backseat of the automotive the place you’re such as you’ve misplaced all of your toys, aside from one, and rapidly you’re like, properly, I’m going to seek out numerous alternative ways to play with this. It simply type of forces you into this little nook. I believe that may type of result in I don’t know like if something, you’re perhaps gonna get just a bit bit bored, and you then’ll need to create one thing. So yeah, these are my two suggestions.

Elsie: Yeah, I believe that these are actually good suggestions. So the one factor I’ve so as to add to that’s like for me f I’ve a block it’s a nasty one. Like the place I don’t wish to take into consideration the factor, I don’t wish to do it, I’ll do something to keep away from it. It’s type of fairly all or nothing. So in case you have that sort of character, that is the perfect factor that I believe can work, it’s type of the identical factor. It’s like a child step is to present your self one simple win that you already know you possibly can end. For me, like how I do know I’m in a block is that I maintain beginning over, and I can’t do any, like, I can’t end something, I’m simply all the time sad with it and maintain beginning over. Which is like lots of people have that like earlier than they’ll put their work out into the world, they simply really feel prefer it’s not adequate, oh, I have to redo it, or I have to take a category, similar to excuses. It turns into like a milestone or a hurdle that you may’t overcome. So, yeah, I believe simply giving your self something that you may end in a day, and similar to end it and regardless of the factor is for you want if posting it or placing it out into the world in some methods is useful, then positively do this. If it’s extra similar to exhibiting it to a beloved one, or no matter. I believe each artistic challenge is totally different. However I believe having you’re having a bit of motion merchandise to similar to enhance your vanity might be like the perfect factor. For just like the fiftieth time I do need to say the Stephen King writing ebook, so good. It’s known as on writing. I simply need everybody to learn it it doesn’t matter what type of artistic work you do however he talks about author’s block and stuff. I believe that generally you simply need to make your self get again in your proper place. Show to your self that you just’re not misplaced. 

Emma :So thanks a lot for listening and indulging us as we speak about meals, speak about dream kitchens and all of that. If you happen to’d wish to counsel matters for future episodes, you possibly can write us at [email protected] and we’d love love find it irresistible everytime you share our podcasts on Instagram or with your mates. If you happen to simply don’t anybody who you suppose my life the present, it means lots for those who share it and we do see it particularly for those who tag us so thanks prematurely. Bye.

Elsie: Bye