Monday, February 16, 2026

Little Pockets of Time in the Kitchen

Greetings all! 

This weekend, a friend of mine and I were chatting about what we do to keep our homes tidy. I shared the “lazy” cleaning strategy that I read about a while back and since then implemented quite successfully. This is where “done” is better than “perfect” - and by the way, this works in so many areas of our life!

I then dug out an email from Chef Joel from Homemade, in which he shared his “5-minute rule” to save time in the kitchen: 

"This might seem basic, and maybe it’s obvious to you, but you can save a ton of time in the kitchen by cleaning as you go. I really think this is something everyone knows… but that very few home cooks actually do. You get swept up in the whisking over here, then the pouring over there, then, “Oh no, the butter’s browning!” at the stove. Before you know it, you have a trail on your countertops that looks like a tornado came through. 


Image: https://deepai.org/

Here’s my timesaving trick: Find the pockets in the recipe to clean.

Before you start cooking, do a quick scan through the recipe steps for anything that takes longer than 5 minutes to cook (hence the “5-Minute Rule”).

When something takes less than 5 minutes to cook (like frying an egg, sautéing some onions, or boiling small potatoes, etc.), I want my full attention on what's happening in the pan.

When something takes more than 5 minutes to cook, instead of picking up your phone or standing around and waiting, start cleaning. This means putting jars of spices back where they belong, wrapping up pieces of meat that you aren't using, and maybe even doing a quick load of dishes.

We know this is super obvious, but it is the #1 reason why people are slowed down in the kitchen. Find those little pockets of time and make them count.” 

What did you think? Drop me a line and tell me what your timesaver tips are!

Monday, February 9, 2026

Poem of the Week: The Secret Day

The Secret Day

My yesterday has gone, has gone and left me tired,
And now tomorrow comes and beats upon the door;
So I have built To-day, the day that I desired,
Lest joy come not again, lest peace return no more,
Lest comfort come no more.

So I have built To-day, a proud and perfect day,
And I have built the towers of cliffs upon the sands;
The foxgloves and the gorse I planted on my way;
The thyme, the velvet thyme, grew up beneath my hands,
Grew pink beneath my hands.

So I have built To-day, more precious than a dream;
And I have painted peace upon the sky above;
And I have made immense and misty seas that seem
More kind to me than life, more fair to me than love —
More beautiful than love.

And I have built a house — a house upon the brink
Of high and twisted cliffs; the sea’s low singing fills it;
And there my Secret Friend abides, and there I think
I’ll hide my heart away before tomorrow kills it
A cold tomorrow kills it.

Yes, I have built To-day, a wall against To-morrow,
So let To-morrow knock — I shall not be afraid,
For none shall give me death, and none shall give me sorrow,
And none shall spoil this darling day that I have made.
No storm shall stir my sea. No night but mine shall shade
This day that I have made.

~ Stella Benson

Sources:

Monday, February 2, 2026

2025 Fine Art Photography Awards: Nature Photos

1st Place Winner: Flower Portraits By Tim Platt

2nd Place Winner: Kanso By Alessandro Tagliapietra

3rd Place Winner: Flow By Hayleigh Beach

Villarrica Volcano By Francisco Negroni

Reflector By Ben Goode

Dream Fulfilled – Japan By Fin Erik Eckhoff

Paradise By Stanislav Bartnikas

The Meeting By Petros Nikolaidis

Source (and more!): https://www.boredpanda.com/nature-winning-photos-fine-art-photography-awards-2025/ / Image credits: fineartphotoawards