Two Local Churches

At first I thought this was a church converted to a house until I saw the sign.

This church was up on a hill and both access points had chains across.  Not very inviting despite their handicapped accessible sign.  I didn't think I should get any closer.

There are a few old quarries nearby so I'm sure its built of local stone.

It was a week day and I at least expected a church office to be open but then maybe the church is too small.

Joining Inspired Sunday

"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"

Whoever coined that phrase never had to experience downsizing.

Deciding what large stuff to take (furniture) is fairly easy.  We take what we need and what will fit.

It's the small stuff that major decisions have to be made about whether to keep or not.

Yesterday I purchased 4 new plastic bins.  My goal was to go through all my Christmas decorations which include a collection of nativity sets, a collection of Father Christmas figures, lots of ornaments since here we have had a very tall tree, and lots of house decor.  

I thought I would try to pare it all down to three bins.  I had 7 large bins and three small bins of small stuff to go through.

I took one bin out at a time and sorted through.  What I wanted to keep went into a new bin and what I didn't want went into an avocado box I got at the grocery store.  As a bin was emptied I could use it to sort unwanted things into.  That worked very well.

I did end up with some empty bins.  

I am very proud of myself.  I filled one bin and partially filled another.  That's one less bin to put into our storage space for Christmas.

Here's the filled bin.

I'm not giving away any of the small stuff I did not select to take until daughters get to go through it to see what they want to have.

But that's not the only small stuff to be sorted.  I'll be sweating the small stuff for days and weeks to come.  There's more in the attic yet and in other places in the house.

A Great Recipe

First I must give credit to First Man at Two Men and a Little Farm for this marvelous recipe:

Crockpot Spare Ribs

I made it several weeks ago, took photos for a post, but selling the house took precedence so its just now getting posted.

Here are the ribs out of the crockpot in preparation for putting them under the broiler for 5 minutes.

Here is my plate with ribs, mashed potatoes, green beans and a bean salad.

My husband never orders these if we go out.  He says they're too messy.  The meat was falling off the bone and easily eaten with a fork and knife.  No need to pick them up at all.  This one rack which weighed over 2 lbs was enough for two meals.

Thank you again, First Man.

Update on the Big Move:  

Contract all signed. Settlement set for June 30th.  

House inspection next Monday.  

Saturday we sign the paper work and put down our deposit 

for our retirement apartment at Vantage House.  

Daughters coming in two weeks to decide what 

they want to take home. 

 Furniture to sell and give away.  

New furniture (smaller) to be ordered. 

 Lots of sorting and deciding on what we really need to hold on to.  

That's the hardest part of this downsizing.

Under Contract

Yep!  We have a contract on our house!

Now the downsizing truly begins as we make plans to move in July!