I have a fairly large household. With 4 kids and two dogs my husband and I are always on our toes ready for the next adventure. Some days those adventures are simple, like getting our 5 years old to eat in a timely manner (seriously, some days it takes her an hour to finish a bowl of cereal) and other times they’re a little more complex. But nonetheless we’ve adapted our lifestyle to the ebbs and flows of our family and with that comes some must-haves for the Fullers.
1. Coffee Maker. If you’re a coffee drinker you know how essential the first cup of the day is. Admittedly I’m slightly dramatic when it comes to coffee but it’s such a large part of my life it’s hard to be anything less than enthusiastic when I talk about it. A GOOD coffee maker (or 4) is non-negotiable in my home and that means a brand that adheres to the Golden Cup Standard. I know, I’m a coffee nerd. The Golden Cup Standard was established to basically brew the best cup of coffee calculating the right temperature of the water and the ratio of ground coffee to achieve perfection. There are several coffee makers that follow this guideline and I can attest to the difference it makes! You can find your perfect home brewer here: https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer and pair it with my favorite coffee from Black Rifle Coffee here: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com
2. Hurricane Preparedness Kit. With a large family comes large responsibility and that applies to safety! Florida is a hotspot for hurricanes and severe storms anywhere between June and November. Because of this we take safety very seriously in our home, especially during those months. Usually you can see a hurricane come closer in the days leading up to landfall to make preparations or even evacuate if needed. But you never want to be rushing to the store during those times and push through the crowd only to find the essentials already gone. Prepping for storms (or safety in general) is a standard, not an exception, in my home. We always have a surplus of things like first aid kits (one in the car and one in the house), propane for the grill, gasoline, dry goods/foods, water bottles or in gallons, batteries, flashlights, lanterns and satellite radio. My best advice would to be to have a family meeting and discuss the things you need, make a list and start collecting! The next time a storm or disaster strikes you’ll be prepared to care for yourself and others without the added stress of not having what you may need.
3. Outdoor Space. Are you a back porch or front porch person? Personally, I’m more of a back porch person because you can make it your own and generally you have more space to do so. It can be such a wonderful oasis to relax and clear your mind. Or it can be party central (am I aging myself yet?) just waiting on the next weekend’s gathering. Here in Northeastern Florida we see some wonderful weather September through April where we can enjoy the outdoors with minimal bugs and low to no humidity. I love sitting outside in the early mornings with a coffee cup in my hands or watching the sunset – thank you west-facing backyard! I remember when my husband and I were house hunting and one of the first things we would do after walking in the home is go to the backyard. A home can speak to you just from the outdoor space.
4. Knives. Yep, knives. I’m a sucker for a good chef’s knife because how else are you supposed to cook a great meal without one?! My background is in hospitality and culinary arts so I naturally gravitate towards cooking for people and making them feel happy and with that comes home cooked meals. Ever since I met my husband he’s been buying me knives for special occasions and it brings me so much joy! If you don’t have at least one great knife, like a Shun which is a company that used to make Samurai swords, I highly encourage you to take the leap and buy one! Your kitchen will thank you and your cooking will never be the same again.
5. Exercise Equipment. This one is so versatile! It really just depends on how you enjoy moving your body. It can be as simple as a great pair of walking shoes or as grand as your own workout room - my personal dream. Right now, we have a spin bike, weights, a bench, some resistance bands and my favorite Brooks running shoes! There isn’t a perfect spot in my current home for those items but we make it work! Having a healthy mind and body is so important to success in anything from work to every day parenting.
