toot-toot

That is the sound of my own horn. And I am a-tooting it!!

I think I have come forward, all be it a few small steps, in my efforts to become a "good housewife". When I set out dinner last night, I noticed that:
* all the plates were hot, freshly cooked (not half cold) which means I am getting my timing (and order) right in cooking things. since we only have 2 gas coils, it means a lot of juggling, but I am getting it!
* there was a huge selection of dishes!!! When J and I first started living together, I was SUCH a one-dish girl. Which is fine with home cooking, but Japanese style, a bowl of rice and ONE main dish just doesn't cut it really, haha. Last night I had a pork and vege stir fry, chinese veges in sweet and sour sauce, renkon kinpira, roasted chicken legs (from Costcos, granted) with fried rice and a side of mini beef udon noodles! Ok, it sounds like a bit of a mish-mash, but it all went together very well, and ALL tasted yummy.
* I am getting my portions right. I used to make MILES of food. Now I try to make enough, but not too much that we get left-overs that I have to eat for 4 days in a row or forget about and simply throw out.
* I am getting better with my flavourings. Everything I used to cook was "aji ga usui" according to J. Last night he even commented that my kinpira was perfect! nice!

Add to that, I am getting better at actually PUTTING AWAY the washing within a day of it being washed...most likely because it is all hanging in the living room (the only heated room) to dry, lol. I actually enjoy doing the washing - sorting it to put in the washing machine, taking it out of the washing machine and hanging it up - recently I don't even mind folding it (although K has taken to "folding" it too, making it 2 or 3 times the amount of work for me, haha) but putting it away has ALWAYS been my downfall. But baby steps, and we are getting there.

And I am keeping all sorts of places around the house spic and span and dust free - places that I wouldn't have even THOUGHT of cleaning a few months ago.

So I just thought I should toot my own horn once in a while too. I know it is all still in housekeeping 101 - "housekeeping for dummies", but to me it is a little achievement. Next, I need to tackle my cluster and hoarding problems. But they are the really big problems....maybe they might have to wait until 2010??