I am not a gourmet cook. I consider myself just a fair cook. I generally follow a recipe with maybe a few tweaks here and there. No one’s suffered from my cooking (or at least they’ve never said so). My meat loaf . . . well, that’s a story between my daughters and me. It should remain that way, I’m sure.

Our new travel trailer space is much more limited than it was in the 5th wheel. Creative methods are needed to provide both the tools and ingredients to continue cooking the same way that I have all these years. Nick might want an improvement or at least a change in my cooking, but that’s one of those hard things to change. So for now, it remains the same.

So, I arrived at the spice issue. If one could only take 5 spices for the next 5 or 6 months, what 5 spices to take? Those spice bottles aren’t that big, but finding space for them is limited. I don’t know why I thought 5 spices would be easy to choose, but it’s not! Does salt and pepper count? Actually, they should, but I’m not counting them. You’ve just got to have those 2! So, back to the question — what 5 spices + 2? Not an earth shattering problem, I know, but I’ve got to make that decision.

So began the Internet search. I was hoping there was a general consensus, but no. It’s all a matter of taste and lifestyle as to the necessary 5 spices. I asked people. Again, no “same” answer. I probably should have checked “what you need to have in your pantry lists”. I’m sure they would tell me. I know it all boils down to personal preference, but if you know me, you know my decision-making process, or lack thereof.

But then I remembered one company that bags their spices! Solution: I purchased small storage bags, and I am able to take many more spices. Not all my spices, but a lot more than 5 + 2. Bag labeling will also allow me to do a better job of discarding 6 month old spices, which everyone does regularly – not!

Life’s the same way, but in the end we only have 1 of 2 choices: heaven or hell? What’s your choice? Think about it, ask questions, read, whatever it takes to make that decision. You still have time and it’s one decision you want to make.

Blessings,
Boo with Nick