Podcast Ep.47: Hoarding & Marie Kondo, Farmhouse Updates, Favorite Cookies

Join us as we talk about when hoarding meets Marie Kondo - what makes people want to keep everything? And also - what makes them want to give it all away? We share some surprising things we learned and also what "Kondo" things we still do. The excitement continues with the hundred year old farmhouse as we get closer to our nephew's wedding - stuff is getting done! Plus the cookie recipes each in our family loves, just in time for the holidays (hint: these will be the first cookies eaten from the goodie bag) and some cool discoveries.

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Hoarding in the Time of Marie Kondo

The above photos are from our epic garage sale a that was actually few years before our Marie Kondo decluttering spree in preparation for moving. Here are the garage sale tips I shared - we made about $600!

But for our move, I didn't have it in me to do all the work a garage sale needs so we kept detailed lists for tax purposes and donated everything to charities.

Here are links to what we talked about:

• Atlantic article: Hoarding in the Time of Marie Kondo
• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, Marie Kondo
• My review of the book in 2015.
• And the article about the opposite problem, Extreme Minimalism

Farmhouse Updates

Many of the things on the wedding list from the last podcast were completed and now we're on to a new list! Another workday is scheduled so we'll keep you updated, of course. Here are some of the other things we talked about accomplishing:

• Bought windows for the new bedroom extension at Discount Windows.
• Finished wallboard on inside around new door.
• Siding on outside porch around new door (that's it above - yay!).
• Lumber for addition will be delivered and our framer is starting!!).
• New-old back door getting a new jam made (I'll be sharing this and other things to Instagram, so follow there to keep up!).

As promised, here's the before and after of those insulation holes (where they blew in insulation back in the 80s through the original siding) Brian was so excited about making disappear:

Actually the before example doesn't show them sticking out about 1/4 inch, which is how most of them were. Brian used this favorite tool to shave them down before filling and priming over:

He called it a "plunge saw" but it's actually an Oscillating Multi Tool. It's the flat blade that he uses most and loves. He can cut off door moldings for flooring without taking it all off as well as shaving off little bits of wood in cases like the insulation holes. (Tip: gift idea for any DIY men in your life!)

What's Cooking: Our Family's Favorite Cookies

• Amazing Multi Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies (with oat flour)
• The Best Chewy Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Quadruple Chocolate Brownies (pictured above)
• Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookie Bar Recipe
• Peanut butter Chocolate Swirl Bars
• Classic Cream Cheese Mints Dipped in Chocolate

After recording, I (Jami) realized I never said what my favorite cookie was! Many of these are, and it's really hard to choose, but I would probably go with Rich & Mouthwatering Mini Chocolate Truffle Cakes.

This is Really Cool!

Brian: The Good Place (make sure to find it on Netflix or Hulu so you can start at the beginning)

Jami: Y Decor EL0523IB Lora 1-Light Black Outdoor Wall-Lighting (under $40!)
+ these dawn-to-dusk bulbs: Sensor Lights Bulb Dusk to Dawn LED Light Bulbs Indoor/Outdoor Warm White, 2 Pack

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