Become Mini-Wise
July 8th 2008 -
You’ll simplify_and free up loads of space—if you miniaturize whenever possible. How? To get started, consider downsizing your
Christmas tree and ornament stash. One of the smartest moves I ever made was to buy a two-foot artificial Christmas tree with lights already evenly distributed on the branches. Each year I pull it out of its compact box, fluff the branches, and it’s ready for decorating. It needs fewer and smaller ornaments, so they take up less storage space, and I spend far less time trimming the tree. Placed on a pedestal table with gifts rising up from the floor, it makes a very fine Christmas presentation indeed, if I do say so myself. • Bake ware. My muffin tin makes only six muffins. That’s plenty for Ivan and me. Previously I used half of a bulky, twelve-muffin tin that took up too much precious space in my cramped kitchen. Eventually I woke up to the fact that there were muffin tins with only six cups. An unexpected advantage is that the smaller tin fits nicely into my economical toaster oven.
• Appliances. Speaking of toaster ovens, we need a new one. Ivan wants one big enough to roast a turkey, even though our counter is small, and I haven’t roasted a turkey or anything like it in years. But I am holding out for (you guessed it) one just large enough for toast and muffins.