It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers. As always, please pipe up if you have any input or are knowledgeable when it comes to any of the following questions:
When do you start shallot seeds? Do you start them the same as onion?
~Jamie
Shallots and onions are planted and grown in exactly the same way {see How to Grown Onions From Start to Finish}. I normally start mine from seed in January or direct sow starts when the soil starts to warm, but that depends on your region. You can check out all the Regional Planting Guides here.
I just wondered if you have ever read the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. My New Year’s goal this year is to simplify-in every aspect of my life. I really started studying the idea of minimalism a few months ago. I decided to start my resolutions before Halloween because from October 31st through January 2nd-life is a little crazy. I didn’t want added stress or pressure about changes that I needed/wanted to happen.
Anyway…the book is about the process of letting things go and the mindset that goes with it. It is an easy and fun read and is on Amazon.
~Sue
Yes. Read it. Loved it. Would recommend it to everyone. And I also love your idea of starting your resolutions a few months early. What a great way to get a head start on them!
Hi Mavis, Do you have a favorite olive oil? Where do you purchase it at? What is a good price per ounce? In the past I’ve bought my olive oil from Trader Joe’s, but I think the quality has changed. Thank you!
~Julie
I’m not really particular about olive oil as long as it’s not the super cheap stuff. But we do really like Zoe olive oil. I try to grab it when it goes on sale on Amazon, otherwise I just pick up the Costco brand. We’ve been pleased with that {and the price, too}. Sometimes Zoe EVO will go on sale for under $.40/ounce, which I think is good. I want to say Costco’s is right around $.32/ounce if I remember correctly.
Good morning Mavis, I am in search of durable dinnerware that won’t break when you drop it on tile floor. My wonderful husband tiled the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room a few years ago…. unfortunately every dish we have will break when it is dropped on the tile besides the plastic kids plates. I would rather not buy a set of plastic kids plates to feast on when we have company over. I can not find anything that is durable enough to withstand accidental dropping on tile floor. Please help a lady out.
~Leah
I’d recommend a set of melamine or Corelle dinnerware. While they aren’t microwave safe, they’ll hold up if dropped.
Love your blog. I noticed in your 2017 goals you mentioned that you won’t buy any clothes except undergarments. Do you have a suggestion of a place to buy good but reasonable cotton briefs? Thanks so much!! Happy New Year and good luck with your goals. Just the same day you mentioned “your muffin” and getting rid of it, I had thought about I need to do the same.
~ Thanks, Barbara
I always wait until I get a Kohl’s coupon or a JCPenney’s coupon, pair it with a sale and get great prices {or sometimes free!} panties. I also think the cotton underwear that Costco sells is a pretty good deal. I think it something like 8 pairs for $9.99. Hope that helps!
I recall you writing about “spuglies” aka ugly potatoes that WalMart was experimenting with selling in some stores. I was in a local Hy-Vee, and saw that something similar was offered for oranges and applies. They were marketing them as ugly or imperfect. Color me shocked to find that they were the same price as the other bags of oranges and apples. I’m wondering if this is an isolated occurrence, or if this is now the “hip” thing being offered and people are willing to pay the same to feel like they’re doing the right thing.
A quick Google search shows that there are lots of regional start ups, and it sounds like they are direct to consumer sales, similar to a CSA. Might be an interesting follow up story….I know I’d read it! Be well in 2017 and love to Lucy!
~Emily
Anytime I have seen the “ugly” produce, it has been at a discount. But it might just be a regional thing. I’m going to look into that and and follow up! Stay tuned!
~Mavis
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Brianna says
FYI As far as I know, most Corelle dishes are microwave and dishwasher safe, in addition to being sturdy. They are great – lightweight, durable, and cheap!
DebbieB says
I had a Corelle platter shatter when I dropped it on my kitchen vinyl floor. Two years later I still occasionally find a shard. What a mess! Though I love them when I don’t drop them!
eliz says
I have some corelle and it definitely does not hold up when dropped.
Judy says
Ditto Eliz. Mine shatter and the edges have chipped. Granted, I have had them since hopechest 1975 so all and all they have been great! I added a set of monkey dish (small bowls) and rice bowls and got more dinner plates at a yard sale so I am good to go. Will never need other day to day dishes. Plain Winter White goes with everything!
Patty P says
While I love my Corelle, they will shatter if dropped on a tile floor…I’ve even had them shatter when they hit the corner of a counter. On the plus side, they are relatively light and easy to find to replace.
Wendy says
I have broken Corellen plates and looked into their guarantee. They are supposed to be unbreakable. They are lightweight and do well in the microwave and dishwasher. I do enjoy mine.
Lunch Lady says
Corelle not only breaks, it shatters. Glass shards!
Karen S Picoult says
We’ve had our Corelle Slate pattern dishes for going on 40 years now. I’ve only lost only one plate. My pattern is discontinued, but I added plain white pieces and they compliment my pattern well. I can microwave leftovers in them, cook my morning oatmeal in the bowls. I finally convinced our daughter to have Corelle for her daily dishes. She loves them. The reason she switched? Tile floors and children!! they have had their beige set for almost 10 years now.
Melissa says
Corelle won’t break with normal wear and tear and occasional drops, but I have shattered a couple dropping them “just right”. They are much more resilient than normal dishes. I don’t see myself ever buying a different kind.
They are most definitely microwave safe and I just read they are oven safe to 350!
Tracy L. says
I used Corelle dishes for 25+ years while my kids were growing up. The only thing that ever broke was one plate my ex THREW at the floor, and then said “you said these were unbreakable”. It did shatter. We’ve never had tile floors though. But, with regular wear and tear and kiddos they were awesome. Another plus I haven’t seen mentioned, they stack nicely and take up a lot less space than “regular” dishes. I liked being able to have double and triple sets available when we had extra people and they fit great in the cupboard. I switched back to regular dishes when the kids were all grown, but I would HIGHLY recommend them.
Debbie N says
I have tile floors all through my house and I got rid of all my Corelle when I moved here. If dropped it on tile it shatters into many pieces that are very hard to clean up. To me it is much more dangerous than stoneware. Melamine will hold up but it is not microwaveable, I find this impractical. I have Fiesta dishes, they are not unbreakable but I have only broken one piece in 15 years.For some reason I drop many things but not usually my fiesta dishes.
Jamie says
I got rid of all my Corelle when one easily shattered into tiny glass slivers. Never cleaned so much or worried so much about a broken anything. Too small, glass!, slivers, thousands of these glass slivers and I have children. Never again!
Toni says
I have also experienced the ongoing haunting of shattered Corelle. YIKES! Anything will break when it hits kitchen tile. What about putting a mat or two along the floor near your counter and sink?
Gigi says
FYI, the links in the regional planting link are broken.
AlysonRR says
I just but inexpensive white dishes wherever I find them: Ikea, Target, grocery store, Amazon, etc.
AlysonRAR says
*Forgot to say, because then t don’t worry about breaking them!
Also, on the other topic, our grocery store (QFC/Kroger) has a rack for ugly produce. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one who looks forward to it 🙂