Toss it?

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I'm in a new phase in my life I think. It definitely wasn't brought on by New Year's resolutions, but something definitely shifted towards the end of last year. I decided (consciously or not) that I needed less stuff in my life, not more. I'm not sure what brought this on. I mean I'm a good consuming American, but I kind of reached a saturation point I guess. I started by purging storage boxes, then my closet, then swapped my large dresser for a small desk and recycled stacks of periodicals I was saving (for what I have no idea). I felt lighter. Instantly. Then Christmas came. While for the most part I made it clear to the gift givers in my life that I would prefer an experience or time with them instead of stuff, I still received a few gifts meant for the kitchen. 

The kitchen had been next on my list to purge. Now I was kind of stuck. While my dress collection was easy enough to whittle down, deciding between a bamboo steamer and a pate terrine seemed to put me into a spin. In the end, I cleaned up and organized but purged nothing. This leaves me with a with a question though: What makes something a kitchen essential and what is just a toy? I mean some of the gifts I've received are clearly toys. Case in point, This PB&J cake pan:

And clearly this knife in my arsenal is essential. 

But where does this espresso pump fit?

 

Or my Silpats? 

 

And what about the fact that I still really want this vintage slow cooker?

What about you? Any new year purging? What are your kitchen toys that you can't live without?

EB

Comments

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

I purge constantly -- and obviously I refill the kitchen constantly. It's the one room I, too, cannot manage to empty.

[EB]

It's so difficult isn't it??!

[Carolyn Jung]

OK, that PBJ cake pan is probably unnecessary. But it's so darn cute! I'd be hard pressed to get rid of it, well, at least for a little while. ;)

[EB]

I know it's pretty cute! It was a gift, given with a wink as it were. I still need to use it!