We just enjoyed spending time in rental properties in Maine and Massachusetts on vacation I have come to the conclusion that I have to chose carefully the items that will follow us to France.

After more than 30 years of culling the items that are not necessary and finding the perfect kitchen utensils that have withstood the test of time, there are tools that must continue their lives as part our new life. I have broken more garlic presses than I care to admit and now I actually have two that are sturdy and that do the job perfectly. We are taking one with us on our next vacation to pass along to our new-found friends Alan and Tracy who had to leave theirs behind when they moved from Reno a few years ago. I have a vegetable peeler that I found over 40 years ago in a little store in San Francisco, Williams-Sonoma. It is still sharp and is pleasing to use after all this time and after taking a look at it found that it was made in France so it’s going home, too.

Take a good look at the spatula. Most everyone had one similar in their home growing up but this one is solid stainless steel. My mother broke the Bakelite handle on ours when she was using the spatula end as a paddle on one of us kids. She kept the broken piece around, and used it, until after I left for college (I think it was a reminder to me to be good or else!) Good thing she didn’t have this one or the spanking might have lasted a bit longer.

What brought all this on is walking through all the small towns in Maine that have yarn shops with local handspun yarns and the people working in them are all excited to find another knitter to discuss style, technique, patterns and ideas. I know that I get inspired to create when I’m around other artists of any kind and it would be a shame to have gotten rid of all the knitting machines and yarn only to want to create and then have to replace it at a higher price. I will not be taking all four machines but I think one will do with a small stash of my favorite yarns as there will not be a lot of room wherever we move. I think that bright colors will be at the top of the selection list.

Bob is of the mind that we should just leave it all behind and buy new as we need it. His version here. But you cannot buy photos from your past and some items are no longer made with the same care and quality so I will be the one that causes us to have to ship a pallet or two of items, including the French crystal and china that will be going back home where they originated. Are they necessary you ask? No, but they do have sentimental value and what is a nice drink without having a nice glass to drink it from?