View Full Version : Simple living things you'd like to learn.
Just finished up a stir-fry dish for supper tonight, and got to thinking (as I was doing all the prep-work), "I'd really like to master the fine art of cutting and slicing, using the chef-style of knife rocking", which of course got me to thinking, I wonder how many other members would like to learn a simple living trade.
P.S. I'm quite slow at cutting/slicing/dicing, hence my desire to learn the chef-style way! By the way, do you practice the chef-style knife-rock when cutting/slicing/dicing?
Was just thinking what a complimentary thread topic this is to Catherine's started thread topic-
"What is your simple living expertise", also posted in the Open Forum!
rosarugosa
12-6-12, 7:25pm
Mrs. M: DH is very proficient at chopping and slicing and doesn't seem to mind these tasks at all (it sounds like Rosemary also gets into the zen of the knife). I have no real talent with this. The frugal skill set I really covet is carpentry skills. It still irks me that basic carpentry was not taught to girls in school when I was a kid. On the other hand, they did teach us sewing, and I'm not terribly skilled at that either . . .
Yes I am. I watched a lot of cooking shows in my younger days and learned by watching them. It's really not difficult at all once you just mimic what they do and start trying. You'll never get good if you don't try.
Also the old flip-the-food-in-the-saute-pan-rather-than-stir-it-with-a-spoon (I think that's the official term) routine is also easy once you try it a few times. It's a lot faster, too.
Gardenarian
12-6-12, 7:36pm
I need to learn more about finance. I seem to have an aversion to the subject - couldn't even get through YMOYL.
fidgiegirl
12-6-12, 7:38pm
I'd like to learn more about growing things, and learn some more crafts. Hoping to learn crochet in January.
I do enjoy chopping veggies every day. I try to find a time to prep dinner when I'm not in a rush. So, for instance, if we have a late activity, I prep everything earlier in the day and leave it in the fridge. There is no zen aspect to slicing veggies in a rush and then having to run off to urgent care to get stitches!
One thing I'm working on this winter is growing greens in the cold. There are a couple of books about this which I read this summer, so I'm giving it a try. A lot of my greens actually germinated in the last month, so I am encouraged! I will probably bring them inside the house to see if they will grow faster. I need to transplant them, as there isn't enough soil for their roots currently. Extending the growing season is definitely a good SL skill.
Fidgiegirl, I found crochet really easy to pick up from simple books - a lot easier than knitting. There are many good videos online, too. And if you get stuck, feel free to contact me for assistance - I could give you a quick lesson. I made some felted, crocheted mittens for DD last month that are incredibly warm.
I would like to improve my sewing skills. Like most of the skills I have, I learned to machine sew by just doing it, and there are some technique aspects that I am missing. I'm currently working on improving my knitting.
Better carpentry and fix-it skills around the house would be nice. I take on small projects, DH takes on slightly larger ones, but anything major, we hire out - partly because of skills but also because of time demands.
SteveinMN
12-6-12, 10:06pm
I learned to chop food with the rocking method. A good sharp knife with a comfortable handle is an absolute must. Like any muscular skill, however, I had to practice to get really good at it.
I have to admit to having no sewing skills whatsoever. I can cook, clean, wash clothes, I can do light handiwork and auto repair, I "get" computers and bookkeeping/investment, but ... well, DW knows her way around a sewing machine, so I will save that energy for a different skill. But I have to think about what I'd want it to be.... Hmm....
Laser_Cat
12-6-12, 10:11pm
I'm with Rosarugosa, I would love to learn fine carpentry skills. Every time I see something like some nice cabinets or even just a solid hardwood door at the store or on a beautiful old house I think, "That can't be that hard, can it? And it has to be less to make it than the thousands of dollars they charge for it at stores."
Also any kind of investing knowledge, investing baffles me, I just have no idea where to even start.
fidgiegirl
12-6-12, 10:30pm
Ooh, thanks for the offer, Rosemary! I am going to go to a new group that some gals from high school have started up. One has just lost her mom to cancer and wants to make some warm hats and blankets for patients. So they have agreed to teach me to crochet. I did once make a scarf, but it was far from professional! :)
I want to learn how to sew clothes, re-upholster furniture, cut and chop vegetables "like a boss" (!), and knit. I also desperately want to learn how to do stained glass, but I'm not sure that really is a "simple" living task.
The soldering skill required for stained glass would translate to nice 'simple living' skill to have.
I want to become proficient at various types of welding. I've done some mig welding, done some using aluminum, also.
We move around too much, have no garage so no place to consistently practice what I've been taught.
Oh, and to grow vegetables. Lots and lots of vegetables!
me too on the vegetables. I used to do this but it was many moons and several USDA zones away. I haven't been successful yet in this cold climate so I am going to work on it. I have now developed some resources (skillful people) to draw on for the next growing season. I did plant garlic this fall as a start.
I like it you guys! Funny stuff, too!
Yeah... when I think about it, the way the school system used to be (gender specific), it's nice to see both men and women venturing into traditionally uncharted territory.
Rosarugosa. I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, I'm jealous of your husband! Must be nice having a chef (ready and waiting) for those times of need. :)
Bunnys. For sure, I watch in awe, whenever a pro is at work in the kitchen.
Gardenarian. You and me both! :)
Fidgiegirl. Growing things, definitely ranks right up there on my list, too!
LMAO, Rosemary, Re: cutting/slicing!
SteveinMN. I knew (by your look) you could make any wife proud! :)
Laser_Cat. For sure, the fine art and craftsmanship related to home-details, is a definite weakness of mine as well.
Selah. I'd love to learn how to re-upholster furniture, too! I watched a master at work on a television program, and was he ever good! Right down to using authentic and traditional materials and methods.
Dhiana. Like Selah, I absolutely love anything/everything stained glass! I could (easily) spend my days visiting cathedrals and old churches, taking in all the stained glass work.
Leslieann. Fresh garlic is so good! You did right! :) When it comes to gardening, actually doing it, is how you get better at it, that, and talking with other people who garden, too! I'm forever garden-chatting with our Italian neighbours! They live in their garden from spring till fall, and produce a bounty of outstanding goodness!
I love to learn more about uses for different herbs. I love my herb garden but I know I could make better use of it.
BTW... I do make use of the chef-style knife-rock.
rodeosweetheart
12-7-12, 8:47am
I would like to learn to spin wool.
Artist. I'm going to learn (and master) the chef-style knife rock! :)
Rodeosweetheart. I've watched a few spinners at work (television), and I find it so soothing and calming. Would be such a relaxing thing to so IMO.
One thing that has always frustrated me is that I don't know anything about how to work on my car or anything else mechanical. It doesn't really appeal to me in the first place but it would be good to know basic fix-it things.
Figured it out: I want to learn how to refinish furniture. We have some old Danish Modern pieces which (I suspect) were garage-sale subjects in Denmark before they found their way to the U.S. They're not in horrible shape but they could use some TLC and I don't want to learn on pieces that, properly finished, are surprisingly costly. I've looked for classes here but they don't seem to be popular enough to be offered. :(
I'm a good knife-rocker and vegetable-grower, but I can't sew a lick, and would love to know how.
I'd also like to learn some simple home repair skills in a non-pressure, non-dangerous kind of way. Like, I'd like to know how to install or change a light fixture or electrical outlet, but I've always been afraid to learn.
We have a couple of step-by-step books for home repairs that have been helpful. However they can really underestimate the difficulty in a task for someone who has never done it before. Case in point: replacing front door. Looked easy enough, and would have been if our house had been perfectly square. Reality: it isn't, and it took about 4 times the amount of time to do this job as we expected - not good when we began in the afternoon.
DH and I have complimentary skills which has been a great asset in our simple living quest. He handles electrical and plumbing jobs, for instance, while I do food, painting, gardening, sewing, etc.
iris lily
12-7-12, 11:28am
Mrs. M: DH is very proficient at chopping and slicing and doesn't seem to mind these tasks at all (it sounds like Rosemary also gets into the zen of the knife). I have no real talent with this. The frugal skill set I really covet is carpentry skills. It still irks me that basic carpentry was not taught to girls in school when I was a kid. On the other hand, they did teach us sewing, and I'm not terribly skilled at that either . . .
When doing home sewing projects last winter it struck me that carpentry, and sewing, are similar in the planning of a project. You take straight blocks of material (wood or fabric) and cut them up and them reassemble into multi-dimensional objects. DH (who is a profesisonal carpenter) helped me plan fabric layout on a screen. He plans pattern layouts of flooring materials and so knows how to center patterns, thinks about placing seams, etc.
I would also like to reupholster. I have a green denim chair that the cat has absolutely ruined. I know if I just take it apart and use the old fabric as the pattern, I can do this.
But currently my 50-year-old sewing machine is not working and I haven't taken it in to get fixed, despite wanting very much to do so. (I think I'm too frugal [or do I mean cheap] to spend the money.) But I really want to do it because I'd like to take a whack and see how it turns out.
Being frugal is good and well but one actually must spend some money to have a life, right?
Our washing machine has not been draining after the rinse cycle. I think I am going to see if I can at least diagnose it myself via web tutorials. Might save me a $150 plumber's call if something simple.
So many good ones! Thread topics like these are nourishment for my soul. Thanks everybody for making this thread happen!
tailoring clothes, making tamales.
Tailors, never fail to amaze me, especially the really, really good ones!
I cannot wait to grow vegetables next summer! Hubby is building me some raised beds, we will both work on getting the garden paths done. He can build anything which is great :) I can dream up what needs to be built!
I would love to learn how to can and preserve food, sew, and upholster.
Another one would be cutting my own hair. Having to pay someone $45 every six weeks is not frugal. If I could take my head off, I think I could do a really good job since I could get to the back. But that's probably not a good idea...
Making pasta at home...all kinds. So far I've only done it a few times and the results were pretty good, but I've had better.
Gardenarian
12-10-12, 2:10pm
Ooh, I'd like to know how to make tamales too!
Tussiemussies
12-10-12, 3:28pm
I can cook and bake many things but usually use a Cuisinart or mandellon for extra speed since I'm not as fast as these appliances.
Right now I want to learn how to landscape my yard so that I have a meandering path that includes all my vegetables and flowers. I saw a picture of one and it was beautiful!
Wildflower
12-10-12, 10:51pm
I know basic sewing and knitting, but would like to become more skillful at both.
My Mother was an artist, and I would love to be able to paint landscapes like she did. I'm not sure that is about simple living, but more like simple pleasures... :)
So many fun entries!
Learning to play the piano, would be another for me.
Another one here who would like to know how to upholster. Also, I NEED to learn to fix a flat on my bike and do simple maintenance on it. YouTube must have something on that, I'd think. But I like real time instruction better.
KayLRZ. When I was a kid, we had a neighbour, who was a fix-it/fix-all/mechanic/handyman/tinker type, so whenever we needed a flat-repair or tuning, we'd visit Mr. L, and he'd take good care of us! He smoked a pipe, and us kids used to savour the sweet-smell of the pipe-tabacco that filled his garage, and on cool/cold days, we'd visit Mr. L, in his garage, to warmup by the wood-stove he always had going.
Tussiemussies
12-13-12, 11:57am
KayLRZ. When I was a kid, we had a neighbour, who was a fix-it/fix-all/mechanic/handyman/tinker type, so whenever we needed a flat-repair or tuning, we'd visit Mr. L, and he'd take good care of us! He smoked a pipe, and us kids used to savour the sweet-smell of the pipe-tabacco that filled his garage, and on cool/cold days, we'd visit Mr. L, in his garage, to warmup by the wood-stove he always had going.
Sounds like the sweetest neighbor!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.