Margaret Arnold • February 8, 2025
Humble Helpers: Six Kitchen Tools for Simple Living

At a recent social event, I met a woman who helps families downsize their parents' homes. We clicked instantly over our shared passion for simple living. Our brief conversation confirmed what we both knew: the kitchen is where simple living often begins — eliminating duplicate storage containers and saying no to large gadgets because of space, etc.


That conversation made me reflect on my own kitchen essentials – the simple tools that I use every day.  I’ve discovered that humble little tools, not fancy hard-to-store gadgets, are the extraordinary helpers for simple, sustainable living. Many were inspired by, or came from, family and friends, and I treasure them, not only because of their purpose, but their small size and mighty reuse.


The kitchen is where simple living begins ...



My kitchen's most treasured tools, each with a short

description:

  • Elegant Wood Bag Dryer for Plastic Bags – I use this rack for drying my plastic storage bags (except those used for meats and oils). My goal is at least two safe uses.
  • Decorative Compost Bin – This decorative bucket with charcoal filters makes year-round composting easy and convenient (and easy to look at).
  • Silicone Bowl Covers – Perfect replacement for paper towels and plastic wrap when reheating and storing – a cost and waste savings, too.
  • Cloth, Insulated Tortilla Warmer – One of the best cooks in my life used this at my 60th birthday dinner. Another paper towel saver. Where was this when I was cooking for six people every day?
  • Ceramic Knife – Years ago, watching my sister-in-law’s impressive chopping technique led me to this knife. I now have multiples, gift them often, use the product warranty (a future post on product warranties is coming) and watch for promotion codes (current code I've received is CRAFTLOVE).
  • Blue Mason Jar Storage – Our mother, a home economist/dietitian, canned while raising her large family. I cherish these blue mason jars – some from her, some from other sources. See her alma mater’s article on the proper vintage jar storage.


After decades of cooking for a busy family of six, I’m now drawn to (and more confident with) uncomplicated cooking that is healthier and less wasteful. These humble little helpers are with me every day.


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Past Blogs

Downsizing Without Losing Memories

By Margaret Arnold • August 23, 2025
With the State Fair and the new school year here, memories flood back — once captured on a paper calendar pinned to the bulletin board, then in spiral-bound weekly calendar (still my favorite, pencil only!), and later on desktop electronic calendar. When we decided to downsize while preserving memories, I organized nearly 35 years of family dates into a single Google Sheet called "Family Important and Fun Dates from Margaret’s Calendars." This simple digital chronicle of our family’s journey, from our children's milestones to the activities and adventures my husband and I now enjoy as empty nesters. tODAY, THERE IS JUST ONE GOOGLE SHEET ...

Saying Goodbye to Boxes, Keeping the Memories

By Margaret Arnold • July 26, 2025
Thirteen years, seven rental properties, and countless storage boxes later, my oldest daughter finally has a home of her own. Through college, medical school, and residency, we continued to store belongings that didn't fit or belong in the cramped spaces of her temporary living situations. Passing along her belongings felt like closing one chapter and opening another—most of all, it represented the end of her grueling training years and the beginning of truly settling down in a lovely home and neighborhood. Her move got me reflecting on my own relationship with storage and my journey toward "Silverish Simplicity." In our former family home, we had one large storage area and two guest bedroom closets filled with plastic totes and banker boxes (see picture below). I even stored empty totes—a sure indication I was planning to accumulate more rather than less. With our move nearly four years ago and the natural process of downsizing while launching our children into their first homes, the number of boxes and totes has dramatically decreased. More importantly, I have no reason to purchase new totes, and I celebrate each time I empty a box or bin and it moves on to family members who need them. ... THE NUMBER OF BOXES AND TOTES HAS DRAMATICALLY DECREASED ...
Flower container pot with a bag of tools

Next Needed Thing: Grandpa's Summer Visits

By Margaret Arnold • June 28, 2025
My spring and summer to-do lists fondly remind me of my father. When my husband and I started caring for our long-time family home and 30 acres, spring's excitement came with overwhelming feelings. Early there with four young children ages six months to five years, I found myself in tears facing all that needed to be done, including a large pasture that needed mowing. My dad — a master gardener and hobby farmer — saw my tears and what was needed and stepped in. This began a 15-year summer routine to help with pasture mowing. Our family fondly remembers those early summer mornings when Grandpa arrived in his little tan truck, sometimes before 7 a.m. We'd chat over coffee at my kitchen table (youngest daughter remembering him sitting in "my chair"), then off he'd go to mow his adopted pasture. He loved to mow and, like everything our energetic father did, approached it as if he were running out of time. Oldest son recalls: "I'd bring him lemonade, and he'd drink most of it quickly. Then, without stopping, he'd throw the almost empty cup back at me and keep mowing." Oldest daughter added: "He was so focused that when we delivered lemonade, I was scared he might run me over." ... SPRING'S EXCITEMENT CAME WITH AN OVERWHELMING FEELING ...