I have had some email from readers (and I love email, or you can comment on the blog and I will respond) curious about if this is all about high end, high priced products. The answer is no, and, yes. I am a beauty junkie. I freely admit that. I use high end products that work and seem worth the price to me. But, I use bargain products as well. I am a big fan of bathing -and, I will also freely confess to being a Lush Lover, I buy all kinds of bath products. I have found some killer bubble baths at the all kinds of places. Including but not limited to Target, Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree. Yes, Dollar Tree -they have all kinds of great beauty stuff - you have to watch what you are buying. Hair thingies and clips, head bands, bath brushes, sponges and stuff as well as some terrific body butter. I am a body lotion/cream/butter fiend. I think the body butter sold at Dollar Tree is good, as good or better than other higher priced products. In fact, I have seen this same body butter (and scrub) sold in a catalogue for 20.00 for 2 scrubs and 2 butters.
The past two years for the holidays, my young daughter has made me "spa baskets" that have a lot of stuff from her favorite store, Dollar Tree. This years included 5 body butters - I really use this stuff folks and will use it all up in a year or less. This years scents included jasmine, passionfruit, aloe vera, tangerine and olive/sage. I was especially happy to get the jasmine as one of my favorite bath ballistics from Lush, which I use mostly as a treat not as a daily thing due to the cost, is the Sex Bomb, which is jasmine/rose/ylang ylang. The one thing about Lush, their stuff smells incredible and is very good, but, they really don't have matching things -ie no body lotion/cream for each ballistic. I took the jasmine body butter, and broke out my essential oil collection, and added some rose and ylang ylang - not exactly the Lush blend, but, it smells pretty close and pretty darn good to me. Also in the basket was some new poofs, (she loves them so much) some bath fizzies, a new headband, some foot buffers, some spa face cloths, a bath brush, some nice fuzzy soft slipper socks and slippers (another thing I love) and then some Lush goodies and a Philosophy 3 in 1 bath gel in Enpowerment. My daughter obviously knows what Mama likes. And she is a bath addict as well.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
The Best Beauty Advice I Have Ever Received
The best advice I have ever received, and, therefore, the best advice I pass on is pretty simple. Never go to sleep with makeup on (and make sure your face is really clean), use eye cream, exfoliate, use sunblock, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep. I fall down on the sleep one, but the rest I am pretty diligent about following.
I can count on one hand (with fingers to spare) the times I have slept without removing makeup. Many cleansers say they remove makeup, and, I would use cleanser, then toner. But years ago an exotic dancer gave me one of the best tips. At the time, I sold flowers in nightclubs in a southern city. One of the accounts was a gentlemen's club and I would frequently use the ladies room attached to the dancer's dressing room when there. Many times I would basically take a break there and sit in the dressing room a while, chatting with the girls, (they liked to scope out my basket of flowers and gifts and pick what they wanted and then later get one of their customers to buy it for them). One day, one of the dancers, who had incredible skin, was sitting at the dressing table removing her makeup with cold cream. Now, this interested me as one, we used the same foundation - I was in and out of clubs all night and needed makeup with staying power. This was about the time that the long lasting stuff was first hitting the market and I had recently switched from a stage foundation to Revlon's Color Stay (not bad, I had to buy two and mix them to get my perfect color, but, it really did last!). I noticed though that she also had the same cleanser I was then using (and while I remember the cold cream, I can't recall what cleanser it was). After tissuing off the cold cream. She then used the cleanser and washed it off at the sink. I commented that I used that cleanser as well, and it did take off makeup. She shook her head and said "not the kind we wear." I asked her what she meant and she said that the heavier makeup really didn't come off in one washing, and if you didn't remove the makeup, one wasn't cleansing one's skin, one was cleansing the makeup. Hmmm, I thought, maybe she is on to something. She had the most gorgeous complexion and I knew from previous conversations that we were the same age. I had fairly okay skin at the time, I did have regular small breakouts which were a pain. I used a lot of concealor and really didn't have skin that looked nice and even and all without makeup. Later that evening, I stopped at an all night drugstore and bought a jar of Pond's Cold Cream. And when I got home I did what she did. As I mentioned, I was then using toner and when I used it after removing my makeup and cleansing, I was amazed that the first ball of cotton soaked in toner came away clean! That never happened. Anyway, made the separate makeup removal part of my routine and within a couple weeks, I noticed an astounding difference in my complexion. I pretty much stopped having any kind of breakouts or blackheads and my overall skin just looked better. One thing that helped is the double massage I was getting - with the cold cream, and with the cleanser. Massage is one thing that really helps. But getting all the crud off my face is the main thing.
Now I use the Purity Made Simple Cleanser by Philosophy. I love this and it will take off makeup - but, if I have anything more than light tinted moisturizer on my face, I use it twice. Once for makeup, once to cleanse. A couple months back, I started using a different mascara, and realized that while the Purity Made Simple did take off my old mascara and most makeup, I was really having to work to get it to get off the new mascara. It isn't good to have to really rub and all. I do like this mascara (Hard Candy) and I have never cared for the liquid clear eye makeup removers. Even the ones that say non oily seem oily to me, or they just feel like they make my eyes blurry. So I bought a jar of good old Pond's Cold Cream, and I use it to remove eye makeup and then I use a bit to remove the rest of my makeup. On a normal day, I use tinted moisturizer, a dab or two of concealer, blush and maybe some loose powder. It all adds up. Then I cleanse with the Purity. My skin was already looking good, but, it started looking even better.
I can count on one hand (with fingers to spare) the times I have slept without removing makeup. Many cleansers say they remove makeup, and, I would use cleanser, then toner. But years ago an exotic dancer gave me one of the best tips. At the time, I sold flowers in nightclubs in a southern city. One of the accounts was a gentlemen's club and I would frequently use the ladies room attached to the dancer's dressing room when there. Many times I would basically take a break there and sit in the dressing room a while, chatting with the girls, (they liked to scope out my basket of flowers and gifts and pick what they wanted and then later get one of their customers to buy it for them). One day, one of the dancers, who had incredible skin, was sitting at the dressing table removing her makeup with cold cream. Now, this interested me as one, we used the same foundation - I was in and out of clubs all night and needed makeup with staying power. This was about the time that the long lasting stuff was first hitting the market and I had recently switched from a stage foundation to Revlon's Color Stay (not bad, I had to buy two and mix them to get my perfect color, but, it really did last!). I noticed though that she also had the same cleanser I was then using (and while I remember the cold cream, I can't recall what cleanser it was). After tissuing off the cold cream. She then used the cleanser and washed it off at the sink. I commented that I used that cleanser as well, and it did take off makeup. She shook her head and said "not the kind we wear." I asked her what she meant and she said that the heavier makeup really didn't come off in one washing, and if you didn't remove the makeup, one wasn't cleansing one's skin, one was cleansing the makeup. Hmmm, I thought, maybe she is on to something. She had the most gorgeous complexion and I knew from previous conversations that we were the same age. I had fairly okay skin at the time, I did have regular small breakouts which were a pain. I used a lot of concealor and really didn't have skin that looked nice and even and all without makeup. Later that evening, I stopped at an all night drugstore and bought a jar of Pond's Cold Cream. And when I got home I did what she did. As I mentioned, I was then using toner and when I used it after removing my makeup and cleansing, I was amazed that the first ball of cotton soaked in toner came away clean! That never happened. Anyway, made the separate makeup removal part of my routine and within a couple weeks, I noticed an astounding difference in my complexion. I pretty much stopped having any kind of breakouts or blackheads and my overall skin just looked better. One thing that helped is the double massage I was getting - with the cold cream, and with the cleanser. Massage is one thing that really helps. But getting all the crud off my face is the main thing.
Now I use the Purity Made Simple Cleanser by Philosophy. I love this and it will take off makeup - but, if I have anything more than light tinted moisturizer on my face, I use it twice. Once for makeup, once to cleanse. A couple months back, I started using a different mascara, and realized that while the Purity Made Simple did take off my old mascara and most makeup, I was really having to work to get it to get off the new mascara. It isn't good to have to really rub and all. I do like this mascara (Hard Candy) and I have never cared for the liquid clear eye makeup removers. Even the ones that say non oily seem oily to me, or they just feel like they make my eyes blurry. So I bought a jar of good old Pond's Cold Cream, and I use it to remove eye makeup and then I use a bit to remove the rest of my makeup. On a normal day, I use tinted moisturizer, a dab or two of concealer, blush and maybe some loose powder. It all adds up. Then I cleanse with the Purity. My skin was already looking good, but, it started looking even better.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
I love Philosophy
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I love cosmetics and beauty products of all kinds. What I love most right now are Philosophy skincare and Benefit Cosmetics. I have been using Philosophy skincare for a little over a year now - I use the Makeup is Optional Skincare line and I absolutely love the results!!! Go to Philosophy Girl and you can get this line at a great savings. They send you the kit, which includes Purity Cleanser, Hope in a Jar, Hope in a Tube, When Hope is Not Enough Serum and the Microdelivery Peel. They bill you monthly in three payments and they say that this is a 90 day supply. (I disagree, it lasts me 5 - 6 months, overuse of product is the major thing I learned in beauty school, more doesn't do anymore for your skin, it just wastes product) They will autoship you a new kit every three months, (oh, and did I mention they include a great free gift and samples with every kit?) or you can call them and have them change the dates. The customer service is first rate. They also sell their products online at the regular Philosophy site and at various retailers on and off line, but, the kit I linked to is the best deal.
Except for makeup remover ( the Purity Cleanser will take off light makeup, and while I don't wear heavy base, I find it isn't the best at removing mascara, so I use plain old Pond's Cold Cream) the Philosophy products are all I use. Oprah has plugged Hope in a Jar and I got a sample that convinced me in three days that it was good stuff. I love the smell of the products, kind of herby, but a very light herby scent. And I like Philosophy's various 3 in one body cleansers (shampoos, shower gel and bubble bath) and hair care. More about various products in the future.
But, I can't end without mentioning how much I love the new Philosophy the Fragrance and another fragrance, Amazing Grace. I was a really good girl this year and Santa brought me an Amazing Grace set and a bottle of Philosophy the Fragrance. Both smell so great. And so do I!
Except for makeup remover ( the Purity Cleanser will take off light makeup, and while I don't wear heavy base, I find it isn't the best at removing mascara, so I use plain old Pond's Cold Cream) the Philosophy products are all I use. Oprah has plugged Hope in a Jar and I got a sample that convinced me in three days that it was good stuff. I love the smell of the products, kind of herby, but a very light herby scent. And I like Philosophy's various 3 in one body cleansers (shampoos, shower gel and bubble bath) and hair care. More about various products in the future.
But, I can't end without mentioning how much I love the new Philosophy the Fragrance and another fragrance, Amazing Grace. I was a really good girl this year and Santa brought me an Amazing Grace set and a bottle of Philosophy the Fragrance. Both smell so great. And so do I!
Turning over another new leaf!
I ponder why I don't blog daily, well, daily. And I really don't know the answer. Part of the problem has been this whole year has just been, well nuts. I was sick this summer, actually I was sick all year and didn't know it and that really screwed things up. Then I have also had a lot of computer issues. The most recent has been the motherboard dying in my desktop. I just got it back running yesterday, and in the meantime was using my laptop, which I find fine for surfing and light email but I have major trouble typing for any period of time on it. It just really kills my hands.
So here I am. I have been thinking for about the past month that what the problem is, is that I kind of limited myself to homekeeping, which on one hand is fine, I love that. But, what I really love is makeup and beauty. All kinds of girly things. Besides having a near lifelong obsession with makeup and skincare, I have actually been to beauty school. (I will tell all about that in the days and weeks to come. I have great skin for my age (which I will tell sometime, I promise) and am the person that everyone I know asks for advice. I love to read the beauty blogs of others and one day it just hit me. Blog about this. So, while I am not abandoning homekeeping, I will be blogging a great deal about all things beautful. I am a makeup junkie and have opinions about everything! I use all kinds of product from high end to drugstore items. I can only give my honest view of things, and I will. I love love love perfume and bath products.
Maybe I never told you this, but, even when I am barefoot, or in slippers, I wear makeup. That part of Flylady, getting up and getting made up I never had a problem with. Unless I am ill, I am madeup and pretty close to being ready to run out anytime. I am one of those women that really look better with a little help. I think that. My husband says that is bull, I look great au natural, and I suppose he is correct. I don't look bad, I just look better when I enhance what I have. And honestly, who doesn't?
So, I will just jump in on this. There will be some various affiliate things, as I hope to make a little off this. I am stating that right out in the open, although, that is a secondary thing.
I will also blog about homemaking as the mood strikes me. LOL. Which is pretty much how I keep house, as the mood strikes me. Maybe with the New Year upon us, it will be good to blog about my routines as I always revamp and all at this time of year.
I am thankful beyond expression for those of you have stuck with me, those of you who email me and keep in touch. I really appreciate it.
Hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday, whatever you celebrate!
Maybe I never told you this, but, even when I am barefoot, or in slippers, I wear makeup. That part of Flylady, getting up and getting made up I never had a problem with. Unless I am ill, I am madeup and pretty close to being ready to run out anytime. I am one of those women that really look better with a little help. I think that. My husband says that is bull, I look great au natural, and I suppose he is correct. I don't look bad, I just look better when I enhance what I have. And honestly, who doesn't?
So, I will just jump in on this. There will be some various affiliate things, as I hope to make a little off this. I am stating that right out in the open, although, that is a secondary thing.
I will also blog about homemaking as the mood strikes me. LOL. Which is pretty much how I keep house, as the mood strikes me. Maybe with the New Year upon us, it will be good to blog about my routines as I always revamp and all at this time of year.
I am thankful beyond expression for those of you have stuck with me, those of you who email me and keep in touch. I really appreciate it.
Hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday, whatever you celebrate!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The Day After Yesterday
Was quite busy yesterday with the election and didn't get a chance to blog. But, it was very worth it as I won my precinct for my party. So it is all good. All though I have been recuperating today. Didn't party hearty, just stayed up too late watching the returns. We went to our party's party for a bit and then I just couched out with the tube.
Even the Wild Child helped out yesterday - we hung door tags reminding folks to vote on a bunch houses in our precinct. She is such the little politician, I like hearing her talk to people at the party about how she got her vote out. LOL
Today's dinner is broiled chicken breast, rice, broccoli, rolls and fruit salad. It is actually warm hear after a couple chilly days. And after eating the hearty buffet last night a lighter meal is a good thing.
I cleaned my desk off today and am happy with the results. I got a bunch of coordinated things, folders, postits, memo pads, blank notes and a new desk basket (not a big splurge, found them at Dollar Tree, and they were just the tonic to spruce things up and give me a some new color on the desk. And now I have much more room to work, since I took my inbasket and have it up on a shelf over the desk.
Am still excited about the Martha Homekeeping book. She has a bunch of routines, and, I really like the basic plans. and I am copying them and personalizing them for my Control Journal. Will figure out how I can post my Control Journal contents soon. It isn't that I change every time I read something new; I really don't, but, I like to be quick to change when the change is good.
Even the Wild Child helped out yesterday - we hung door tags reminding folks to vote on a bunch houses in our precinct. She is such the little politician, I like hearing her talk to people at the party about how she got her vote out. LOL
Today's dinner is broiled chicken breast, rice, broccoli, rolls and fruit salad. It is actually warm hear after a couple chilly days. And after eating the hearty buffet last night a lighter meal is a good thing.
I cleaned my desk off today and am happy with the results. I got a bunch of coordinated things, folders, postits, memo pads, blank notes and a new desk basket (not a big splurge, found them at Dollar Tree, and they were just the tonic to spruce things up and give me a some new color on the desk. And now I have much more room to work, since I took my inbasket and have it up on a shelf over the desk.
Am still excited about the Martha Homekeeping book. She has a bunch of routines, and, I really like the basic plans. and I am copying them and personalizing them for my Control Journal. Will figure out how I can post my Control Journal contents soon. It isn't that I change every time I read something new; I really don't, but, I like to be quick to change when the change is good.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Chilly and Raining
What a cold dreary day. Had to run out to the bank and the supermarket to get stuff for a breakfast/goodie basket for my election judges tomorrow. Worth the effort as I have good judges and being an election judge is hard work. Hope the rain clears so more people will get out and vote tomorrow.
Had computer issues starting Friday afternoon. My daughter plays on NeoPets. Heck I used to, but, I don't think any of us had since last Spring, maybe late Winter. About 2 weeks ago, she decided to start again, and Friday afternoon the computer shut down for no reason, okay, on Thursday for no reason my network connections where gone and I had to reinstall the DSL. So when the computer came back up my antivirus went nuts and I had over 200!!!! According to a geeky friend who knows, he says it is from Neopets (we have/had a firewall and all) and that meant I had to restore everything, which sucks. I actually had to do it twice cause for some reason after the first time, it wouldn't boot so I had to do it again. Everytime I set it to do automatic updates for Windows it won't reboot - this has been an ongoing problem since last summer when I put on a new hard drive. If anyone has any ideas, send them my way.
Have been reading Martha's Homekeeping book and I really do love, love, love it. It has so much great info! I know I will use it all the time. Have to give a thought to doing some desk top reorganization though. It is a big book. LOL
Taking a break from calling my voters, will start again about 6. Dinner tonight is cheating and using a Banquet Frozen Salisbury Steak. I know - but both DH and DD think this is the best entree ever and we have it once in a while. DD had it at a friends and when I was in the hospital this summer, she pretty much stayed with my parents during the week and came home to stay with him on weekends. One day he took to the grocery store to shop and she picked it out. It was fine by him and then she was telling me later that evening at the hospital how good it was and wanted it again at the store. I keep a couple of those and some Stouffer's frozen lasagna in the freezer for those certain days. Seemed like a good thing to have on a cold day when I really didn't feel like cooking as I have too much to do. - I bake it in the regular oven and am serving it with mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and green salad.
DH will probably go to bed way early tonight as he worked all weekend and he is an election judge tomorrow, has to be there by 5. I am planning on catching up on Desperate Housewives. I recorded every episode this season but haven't watched any yet.
We had company yesterday and I cleaned Saturday so the house still looked great today. Just a little once over. Got several loads of laundry done and folded, but, never took them upstairs to put away. Will do that here in a bit.
Take a minute and vote tomorrow - it is an important election!
Had computer issues starting Friday afternoon. My daughter plays on NeoPets. Heck I used to, but, I don't think any of us had since last Spring, maybe late Winter. About 2 weeks ago, she decided to start again, and Friday afternoon the computer shut down for no reason, okay, on Thursday for no reason my network connections where gone and I had to reinstall the DSL. So when the computer came back up my antivirus went nuts and I had over 200!!!! According to a geeky friend who knows, he says it is from Neopets (we have/had a firewall and all) and that meant I had to restore everything, which sucks. I actually had to do it twice cause for some reason after the first time, it wouldn't boot so I had to do it again. Everytime I set it to do automatic updates for Windows it won't reboot - this has been an ongoing problem since last summer when I put on a new hard drive. If anyone has any ideas, send them my way.
Have been reading Martha's Homekeeping book and I really do love, love, love it. It has so much great info! I know I will use it all the time. Have to give a thought to doing some desk top reorganization though. It is a big book. LOL
Taking a break from calling my voters, will start again about 6. Dinner tonight is cheating and using a Banquet Frozen Salisbury Steak. I know - but both DH and DD think this is the best entree ever and we have it once in a while. DD had it at a friends and when I was in the hospital this summer, she pretty much stayed with my parents during the week and came home to stay with him on weekends. One day he took to the grocery store to shop and she picked it out. It was fine by him and then she was telling me later that evening at the hospital how good it was and wanted it again at the store. I keep a couple of those and some Stouffer's frozen lasagna in the freezer for those certain days. Seemed like a good thing to have on a cold day when I really didn't feel like cooking as I have too much to do. - I bake it in the regular oven and am serving it with mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and green salad.
DH will probably go to bed way early tonight as he worked all weekend and he is an election judge tomorrow, has to be there by 5. I am planning on catching up on Desperate Housewives. I recorded every episode this season but haven't watched any yet.
We had company yesterday and I cleaned Saturday so the house still looked great today. Just a little once over. Got several loads of laundry done and folded, but, never took them upstairs to put away. Will do that here in a bit.
Take a minute and vote tomorrow - it is an important election!
Friday, November 03, 2006
It's Here!!!!
It came. Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook, The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home. Wow - all I can say is Wow. It look's like it is everything I hoped it would be. It is also quite attractive. The cover photo is printed on the book cover, the dustcover is clear plastic with the name and inside info printed in blue. I was flipping through it quickly and I really like the way it is organized. I know what I will be doing this afternoon!
I love the book Home Comforts and it sits on my desk and I use it often. But, I really have to say the style of Martha's book is much friendlier, the author of Home Comforts is an attorney and it shows. Now, I actually worked as a legal secretary and assistant many years ago, the style doesn't necessarily bother me, but, I have heard others comment that it is written like a law book. Martha's book is in the tone of her other books. In the forward, Martha says that she was given a copy of Mrs. Beeton's book back in 1961 and always liked looking at homemaking books, So do I. I have a copy of Mrs. Beeton's and various other old books. Will have to get them all together I suppose and spend some time with the old ones again. But, after I have been through Martha's.
I love the book Home Comforts and it sits on my desk and I use it often. But, I really have to say the style of Martha's book is much friendlier, the author of Home Comforts is an attorney and it shows. Now, I actually worked as a legal secretary and assistant many years ago, the style doesn't necessarily bother me, but, I have heard others comment that it is written like a law book. Martha's book is in the tone of her other books. In the forward, Martha says that she was given a copy of Mrs. Beeton's book back in 1961 and always liked looking at homemaking books, So do I. I have a copy of Mrs. Beeton's and various other old books. Will have to get them all together I suppose and spend some time with the old ones again. But, after I have been through Martha's.
Friday all day
Hope you're having a great Friday. I am, I suppose, although it is a very big Friday in my life, I have quit smoking. Why today? I don't know. I was finishing a pack late last night, when I realized it was my last pack, and I thought, either I could run up to the local convenient store and get some, which being about midnight I really didn't want to do, or, leave a note for DH to get me some before work, which he would do, but, I just thought, NO. No it is time to stop. So I found a couple patches on top the fridge in a med basket I keep there (hmmmm, there is a project, reorganize the crap on top the fridge) and stuck one on my arm, I have a couple boxes of Smoking Withdrawal tabs from Natra Bio which is a homeopathic product that provides relief for cravings, nervous tension, irritability, all the while helping one detoxify. I bought some early summer when I thought I might quit but didn't attempt it. Oh, and I also have some Endits from the same earlier time - although then I bought all the stuff and then said screw it I don't want to quit. So I can't really say I tried any of them, except the patch, but, I was thinking the other two things will help. And you know, so far they are. I am not plotting a run for smokes and I really think, although maybe I am afraid to say it, that this is it? Wish me luck.
I am anxiously awaiting the UPS to bring me the books I ordered. One being the Martha Stewart Homemaking book pictured at left. I have to run out in a bit, run a couple quick errands (go to bank, pay sewer/trash bill at City Hall and that is it. I went to the grocery store Wednesday and other than running out and getting milk (but I don't want to go get that one, we buy it from a store called Farm Fresh on the other side of town cause they have hormone free milk, but, it is also the store with best deals on cigs in town, so I need to stay out of there. For a few days anyway. DH can get later. So actually it is a pretty good Friday in terms of not having to run all over. But, I hate to leave till the books come as UPS just leaves the boxes on the front porch and last year I had a pair of shoes stolen!
My three kitties are running around like wild cats right now. I have a chair by my desk that I have a Surefit slip cover on and they are currently running under the slipcover and over the chair and down the back. It appears to be some kind of game..
Chores today - pretty much just the basics as I am okay with the not smoking but figure I should take it easy. Although having written that I am now wondering if activity is the answer. Hmmm. Well, I also have to do some campaign literature and that will get me outside a while. I also plan on doing some pilates later (I do Winsor Pilates, which I adore.) I am actually thinking of doubling a workout and also doing them daily for a while instead of three time a week.
And I must write today, the NaNoWriMo thing is going great. I have 3200 words, so I am better than my goal, but, I decided to write daily anyway. And probably not going to take the weekend off. We'll see.
Must remember to stop and get some kind of sugar free candy. I like Charm's Sour Balls but they are sugared so I don't want to suck on many of those. Most sugarfree candy though isn't that great, I haven't seen any made with Splenda, which would probably help. Ah, maybe I would be better off munching on carrot and celery sticks or brushing my teeth a lot. That with the Endits might help. Maybe that and just very occasional use of the Charm's which are sitting here anyway. My biggest problem I have always thought in quitting smoking is the act of smoking. I like the idea of pulling out the cig, lighting it, inhaling, etc. (must stop this) so the Endits do give that ritual thingy. I know they tell you change your routine, but, that is so hard, actually the changing the routine to something temporary which will not be my real routine ends up, in my opinion, being my problem. So, I am doing everything the way I normally do, with a few small exceptions and moving on ward. I am trying to keep in my mind a smoke free life and all and keep telling myself that the first few days or week will be the hardest.
I am anxiously awaiting the UPS to bring me the books I ordered. One being the Martha Stewart Homemaking book pictured at left. I have to run out in a bit, run a couple quick errands (go to bank, pay sewer/trash bill at City Hall and that is it. I went to the grocery store Wednesday and other than running out and getting milk (but I don't want to go get that one, we buy it from a store called Farm Fresh on the other side of town cause they have hormone free milk, but, it is also the store with best deals on cigs in town, so I need to stay out of there. For a few days anyway. DH can get later. So actually it is a pretty good Friday in terms of not having to run all over. But, I hate to leave till the books come as UPS just leaves the boxes on the front porch and last year I had a pair of shoes stolen!
My three kitties are running around like wild cats right now. I have a chair by my desk that I have a Surefit slip cover on and they are currently running under the slipcover and over the chair and down the back. It appears to be some kind of game.
Chores today - pretty much just the basics as I am okay with the not smoking but figure I should take it easy. Although having written that I am now wondering if activity is the answer. Hmmm. Well, I also have to do some campaign literature and that will get me outside a while. I also plan on doing some pilates later (I do Winsor Pilates, which I adore.) I am actually thinking of doubling a workout and also doing them daily for a while instead of three time a week.
And I must write today, the NaNoWriMo thing is going great. I have 3200 words, so I am better than my goal, but, I decided to write daily anyway. And probably not going to take the weekend off. We'll see.
Must remember to stop and get some kind of sugar free candy. I like Charm's Sour Balls but they are sugared so I don't want to suck on many of those. Most sugarfree candy though isn't that great, I haven't seen any made with Splenda, which would probably help. Ah, maybe I would be better off munching on carrot and celery sticks or brushing my teeth a lot. That with the Endits might help. Maybe that and just very occasional use of the Charm's which are sitting here anyway. My biggest problem I have always thought in quitting smoking is the act of smoking. I like the idea of pulling out the cig, lighting it, inhaling, etc. (must stop this) so the Endits do give that ritual thingy. I know they tell you change your routine, but, that is so hard, actually the changing the routine to something temporary which will not be my real routine ends up, in my opinion, being my problem. So, I am doing everything the way I normally do, with a few small exceptions and moving on ward. I am trying to keep in my mind a smoke free life and all and keep telling myself that the first few days or week will be the hardest.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Something really cool
Today Yahoo launched a new site that I have been exploring this morning. Yahoo Food at http://food.yahoo.com/ is really nice. It has so much there, kind of a great one stop beginning to finding all kinds of food and recipe information. Except for a recipe for pork chops, which is what's for dinner here this evening. Oh, well, they have a Martha section so you know I like it anyway. If anybody has any ideas on pork chops let me know. I like to try new things now and then, but, will probably just end up making DH's favorite smothered chops.
Pretty day today. A bit chilly, but, it is actually fall the way I like it. Fall is just so brisk. I guess that it inspires me. Doing just fine on the NaNoWriMo. I am actually amazed at myself.
Today's agenda is light housekeeping - ie just my basic daily stuff. I pretty much model on the Fly Lady stuff. I do like her ideas for the most part. I just don't like the shoe shit. I am sitting here comfy in my new slippers. I finally found them, they are velor booties, little ankles ones that are softy and cushy, and just hug my ankles in cushy warmth. I had some a couple years ago and then couldn't find any I liked at a price I would pay for slippers. So I found them the other day at Walmart. I plan on buying several pairs and putting them up for when these wear out. They only have them for the holiday shopping season. These have rubber soles so you can run out in the yard and all and not worry. The last pair I had washed well a few times, no dryer, but eventually fell apart. I am declaring them the official slipper of the Barefoot Domestic Goddess. They come this year in black (my choice) and pink. Which I will pick up a pair of when I stock up as it makes the Wild Child so happy when Mama wears pink. You know I pretty much wear all black, but, thanks to her I do add some color in periodically.
More to come.
Pretty day today. A bit chilly, but, it is actually fall the way I like it. Fall is just so brisk. I guess that it inspires me. Doing just fine on the NaNoWriMo. I am actually amazed at myself.
Today's agenda is light housekeeping - ie just my basic daily stuff. I pretty much model on the Fly Lady stuff. I do like her ideas for the most part. I just don't like the shoe shit. I am sitting here comfy in my new slippers. I finally found them, they are velor booties, little ankles ones that are softy and cushy, and just hug my ankles in cushy warmth. I had some a couple years ago and then couldn't find any I liked at a price I would pay for slippers. So I found them the other day at Walmart. I plan on buying several pairs and putting them up for when these wear out. They only have them for the holiday shopping season. These have rubber soles so you can run out in the yard and all and not worry. The last pair I had washed well a few times, no dryer, but eventually fell apart. I am declaring them the official slipper of the Barefoot Domestic Goddess. They come this year in black (my choice) and pink. Which I will pick up a pair of when I stock up as it makes the Wild Child so happy when Mama wears pink. You know I pretty much wear all black, but, thanks to her I do add some color in periodically.
More to come.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
I love cheesecake!
I was browsing at Amazon and just got these cool little pans. I have several large springform pans, but, these caught my eye. I am going to make small cheesecakes for Thanksgiving, instead of one large. In multiple flavors, then if they are sliced, everyone can have an assortment instead of one large slice. Not sure yet on flavors, will figure this out and post the recipes soon.
How cool is this!
This is a book I have wanted for years. All of Martha's advice on homekeeping in one handy volume. 752 pages and I will have it Friday!!!! (I am too cheap to pay for next day delivery, but, I am an Amazon Prime Member which means I get it in two days!)I have actually written MS several times over the years suggesting this book, although, I am sure I am not thanked. Doesn't matter. I am just happy it is out.
Here is what the Amazon review says about it:
"Book Description
Whether your home is small or large, an apartment in the city or a country cottage, it is a space that should be at once beautiful and livable. The key to that is managing the upkeep without feeling flustered. Until now, there has never been a comprehensive resource that not only tells how to care for your home and everything in it, but that also simplifies the process by explaining just when. With secrets from Martha Stewart for accomplishing the most challenging homekeeping tasks with ease, this detailed and comprehensive book is the only one you will need to help you keep your home looking its best, floor to ceiling, room by room.
In Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook, Martha shares her unparalleled expertise in home maintenance and care. Readable and practical–and graced with charts, sidebars, illustrated techniques, and personal
anecdotes from Martha’s decades of experience caring for her homes–this is far more than just a compendium of ways to keep your house clean. It covers everything from properly executing a living room floor plan to setting a formal table; from choosing HEPA filters to sealing soapstone countertops; from organizing your home office to polishing your silver and caring for family heirlooms.
Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook is organized for clarity and maximum practicality:
Room by Room covers the upkeep of the appliances, tools, furnishings, and surfaces found in each room, from the entryway to the kitchen, from the attic to the laundry room.
Throughout the House instructs the reader on the proper ways to routinely clean and periodically maintain everything in the home, including dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, polishing, scrubbing, waxing and much more.
Comfort and Safety focuses on techniques to ensure your home is running properly and safely, such as recognizing when to clean vents, fixing a leaky faucet, and eradicating pests.
A-to-Z Materials Guide provides an invaluable resource that explains the unusual materials that many favorite objects are made of–from abalone to zinc–
and how to care for them so they last.
Encyclopedic yet friendly, Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook is a seminal work–a must-have for everyone who wants a well-cared-for home that will endure for generations.
About the Author
Martha Stewart is the author of many books on cooking, decorating, gardening, weddings, and other domestic arts, and is the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She lives in Bedford, New York."
I will post more about this when I actually have it in my hands!
Here is what the Amazon review says about it:
"Book Description
Whether your home is small or large, an apartment in the city or a country cottage, it is a space that should be at once beautiful and livable. The key to that is managing the upkeep without feeling flustered. Until now, there has never been a comprehensive resource that not only tells how to care for your home and everything in it, but that also simplifies the process by explaining just when. With secrets from Martha Stewart for accomplishing the most challenging homekeeping tasks with ease, this detailed and comprehensive book is the only one you will need to help you keep your home looking its best, floor to ceiling, room by room.
In Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook, Martha shares her unparalleled expertise in home maintenance and care. Readable and practical–and graced with charts, sidebars, illustrated techniques, and personal
anecdotes from Martha’s decades of experience caring for her homes–this is far more than just a compendium of ways to keep your house clean. It covers everything from properly executing a living room floor plan to setting a formal table; from choosing HEPA filters to sealing soapstone countertops; from organizing your home office to polishing your silver and caring for family heirlooms.
Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook is organized for clarity and maximum practicality:
Room by Room covers the upkeep of the appliances, tools, furnishings, and surfaces found in each room, from the entryway to the kitchen, from the attic to the laundry room.
Throughout the House instructs the reader on the proper ways to routinely clean and periodically maintain everything in the home, including dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, polishing, scrubbing, waxing and much more.
Comfort and Safety focuses on techniques to ensure your home is running properly and safely, such as recognizing when to clean vents, fixing a leaky faucet, and eradicating pests.
A-to-Z Materials Guide provides an invaluable resource that explains the unusual materials that many favorite objects are made of–from abalone to zinc–
and how to care for them so they last.
Encyclopedic yet friendly, Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook is a seminal work–a must-have for everyone who wants a well-cared-for home that will endure for generations.
About the Author
Martha Stewart is the author of many books on cooking, decorating, gardening, weddings, and other domestic arts, and is the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She lives in Bedford, New York."
I will post more about this when I actually have it in my hands!
Where does the time go?
Here it is, November 1. Hard to believe, but, the calendar says so. I am actually kind of excited today. November is the month of NaNoWriMo which you can find at http://www.nanowrimo.org/
I have wanted to do this for years, but, never signed up until this year. I am working on getting today's done. To write 50,000 words in a month you need about 1700 per day, more is better and you need to figure out if you are going to do it Monday to Friday or include weekends. What I am doing is going with my momentum and then will figure out in a couple of weeks where I am and then adjust. Daily counts, as you all might imagine, freak me out. Just the "Daily" part is probably drawing chuckles. Ah, well, I can only give it a go.
This is a busy month for me. I just got 150 boxes of Girl Scout cookies yesterday to be delivered for some and some sold. We order like that as DH finds it easier to sell at work if he has the boxes of cookies with him, rather than take orders. It is for a good cause. My daughter just loves being a Girl Scout, actually, she is a Brownie and in her final year of that.
Then there is the election. I am a precinct committeeman and have to finish getting literature out this week and then start my phone calls this weekend. Between Saturday and Monday night, I call all the registered voters in my precinct (of my party) and remind them to vote and see if they need a ride to the polling place. Call people really gets the vote out. But, it makes for a busy week. I am really nervous about this election. I know how I want it to go, how I really think it will, but, I am so worried about potential election fraud/voter machine mischief (not in my state or local area but nationally) that sometimes it just makes me sick to my stomach.
Last night was Halloween and my darling daughter was a Fire Fairie. She was totally adorable. A Fire Fairie is a fairie dressed in reds, oranges, pinks, etc. She was so cute. I can't get over it. There probably won't be too many years left for her to Trick or Treat. I will miss it.
This is the time of year (November 1) when I start really planning the holidays. I always think I will start in July or so, but, never do. Thanksgiving first. Luckily the menu is pretty standard year to year. The difference this year is that my Mother wants to have it at her house, for the last 10 it has been here. So, there will be some changes, and I won't be cooking the turkey for the first time in a decade. I am kind of disapointed to be honest; but, my Dad doesn't want to leave home and then go home after dinner. So we change.
More later today. I am along with the NaNoWriMo keeping my blog window open and have some more stuff I want to post about.
I have wanted to do this for years, but, never signed up until this year. I am working on getting today's done. To write 50,000 words in a month you need about 1700 per day, more is better and you need to figure out if you are going to do it Monday to Friday or include weekends. What I am doing is going with my momentum and then will figure out in a couple of weeks where I am and then adjust. Daily counts, as you all might imagine, freak me out. Just the "Daily" part is probably drawing chuckles. Ah, well, I can only give it a go.
This is a busy month for me. I just got 150 boxes of Girl Scout cookies yesterday to be delivered for some and some sold. We order like that as DH finds it easier to sell at work if he has the boxes of cookies with him, rather than take orders. It is for a good cause. My daughter just loves being a Girl Scout, actually, she is a Brownie and in her final year of that.
Then there is the election. I am a precinct committeeman and have to finish getting literature out this week and then start my phone calls this weekend. Between Saturday and Monday night, I call all the registered voters in my precinct (of my party) and remind them to vote and see if they need a ride to the polling place. Call people really gets the vote out. But, it makes for a busy week. I am really nervous about this election. I know how I want it to go, how I really think it will, but, I am so worried about potential election fraud/voter machine mischief (not in my state or local area but nationally) that sometimes it just makes me sick to my stomach.
Last night was Halloween and my darling daughter was a Fire Fairie. She was totally adorable. A Fire Fairie is a fairie dressed in reds, oranges, pinks, etc. She was so cute. I can't get over it. There probably won't be too many years left for her to Trick or Treat. I will miss it.
This is the time of year (November 1) when I start really planning the holidays. I always think I will start in July or so, but, never do. Thanksgiving first. Luckily the menu is pretty standard year to year. The difference this year is that my Mother wants to have it at her house, for the last 10 it has been here. So, there will be some changes, and I won't be cooking the turkey for the first time in a decade. I am kind of disapointed to be honest; but, my Dad doesn't want to leave home and then go home after dinner. So we change.
More later today. I am along with the NaNoWriMo keeping my blog window open and have some more stuff I want to post about.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
I'mmmm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, didn't realize it is almost four months since I blogged. Where does the time go? Well, I for one had a summer that was both eventful and speedy. Maybe sometime I will blog about all that happened, but, then again maybe not. One thing, probably the biggest thing was I was ill. Ill as in hospital for a week and a half with about a once recovery at home once discharged. So, that was the big thing. Then a hard drive failure after getting home took a couple weeks to resolve. And I still have trouble with Windows XP staying installed, which is a rant on its own.
I think about blogging though. I wonder why I don't daily. It isn't as much laziness as it is more likely fear of blogging. Not actual fear of writing, but more fear of being read. I sometimes wonder who would want to read what I have to say, but, then again you have to wonder why anyone blogs at all. And why we read them.
Now that Fall is nearly here, and, weatherwise, it really feels like Fall this week, I guess I am inspired a new to begin putting my thoughts out there. There is certainly enough going on to have something to say. I suppose I am one of those that really feels like Autumn is the new year. The crispness of the weather makes me think of back to school and all, and with other things like clubs and whatnot getting going again, it is my personal new year's time. So, onward.
So what is a new year without some resolutions? Probably a better one, but, here are some of my resolutions anyway.
Continue my diet and exercise routine. 15 pounds down since July 20. Yeah me!!!
Get up and reorganize my day to start watching The View. For some reason I want to. Let's see if I make this one tomorrow. I forgot today even though I was up and it some time before it started.
Fall clean. This always seems more important to me that Spring Cleaning. Cleaning and getting ready for the holidays. Note to self, find that elist I was on a couple years back with this very theme that worked great and if I remember started around October 1.
Write daily. The blog, but, several other projects I have in mind.
And those would be enough for resolutions.
Today I am ticked about what looks like my first ever eBay problem. Ordered a birthday gift to me on August 26, still don't have it and am getting runaround bull$*it from the seller, who had good feedback (99.7 for about 350 when I ordered). DAMN! IT! I am so pissed. She is apparently trying to stall me past the PayPal cut off to charge back, which isn't going to happen. I really wanted this item. Needless to say it put a damper on my birthday - yeah I got other stuff, but, this I wanted. DH and I decided that this year instead of buying each other something, we would each take the amount of money we would have spent and buy what we wanted. I spent one third on the eBay item in question, and the other 2/3's on a couple other things. But the eBay item was the gift I was most looking forward to getting. If I don't get it PDQ I will name the seller here. The only thing that gives me a wee bit of hope is she actually left me feedback (positive of course) the day she claims to have shipped it, so I don't have to worry about not being able to be honest about her in fear she will give me a negative. I say claimed to shipped as she sent me a tracking number which is invalid and refuses to give me either a valid one or even say the actually day she shipped. Am crossing my fingers.
So what's up with you all?
I think about blogging though. I wonder why I don't daily. It isn't as much laziness as it is more likely fear of blogging. Not actual fear of writing, but more fear of being read. I sometimes wonder who would want to read what I have to say, but, then again you have to wonder why anyone blogs at all. And why we read them.
Now that Fall is nearly here, and, weatherwise, it really feels like Fall this week, I guess I am inspired a new to begin putting my thoughts out there. There is certainly enough going on to have something to say. I suppose I am one of those that really feels like Autumn is the new year. The crispness of the weather makes me think of back to school and all, and with other things like clubs and whatnot getting going again, it is my personal new year's time. So, onward.
So what is a new year without some resolutions? Probably a better one, but, here are some of my resolutions anyway.
Continue my diet and exercise routine. 15 pounds down since July 20. Yeah me!!!
Get up and reorganize my day to start watching The View. For some reason I want to. Let's see if I make this one tomorrow. I forgot today even though I was up and it some time before it started.
Fall clean. This always seems more important to me that Spring Cleaning. Cleaning and getting ready for the holidays. Note to self, find that elist I was on a couple years back with this very theme that worked great and if I remember started around October 1.
Write daily. The blog, but, several other projects I have in mind.
And those would be enough for resolutions.
Today I am ticked about what looks like my first ever eBay problem. Ordered a birthday gift to me on August 26, still don't have it and am getting runaround bull$*it from the seller, who had good feedback (99.7 for about 350 when I ordered). DAMN! IT! I am so pissed. She is apparently trying to stall me past the PayPal cut off to charge back, which isn't going to happen. I really wanted this item. Needless to say it put a damper on my birthday - yeah I got other stuff, but, this I wanted. DH and I decided that this year instead of buying each other something, we would each take the amount of money we would have spent and buy what we wanted. I spent one third on the eBay item in question, and the other 2/3's on a couple other things. But the eBay item was the gift I was most looking forward to getting. If I don't get it PDQ I will name the seller here. The only thing that gives me a wee bit of hope is she actually left me feedback (positive of course) the day she claims to have shipped it, so I don't have to worry about not being able to be honest about her in fear she will give me a negative. I say claimed to shipped as she sent me a tracking number which is invalid and refuses to give me either a valid one or even say the actually day she shipped. Am crossing my fingers.
So what's up with you all?
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Running Behind
Am running way behind today. We had some thundershowers and I always shut the computer off when we have them.
I was so inspired by yesterdays total overhaul of my cabinet that I did go ahead and do two today. It has been years since I did this and it astounds me all the crap that was in the back of the cabinets. I threw so much a way - it really does feel good to do that. I am left with a nicely organized baking cabinet and, get ready for this, and empty one. For the moment. It is kind of a weird cabinet. It has the bottom shelf and then halfway up it has a half a shelf - so that you can have two levels of stuff in the back but only one (tall) one in the front. I am pondering the best use of this space. I am going to get some trays that will fit side by side and can then put things in it - one good idea I read somewhere,(you buy inexpensive baking pans - like 9 x 13's from the dollar store, spray paint them all to match and then you can slide them in and slide out easily) but the upper back level is hard to get to so I know I don't want everyday stuff there. I am leaning toward putting a small winerack on the shelf and then on the side can set other liquor bottles. We aren't big drinkers, in fact, The Rock doesn't drink at all. So this might be a good use of the space.
I am thinking of taking seldom used baking pans or extra bowls and storing them in the back of the bottom. Then maybe cereal and snacks in the front in two trays. Of course, putting the seldom used baking pans and such there means I am going after the baker's rack next. Hmmm. Well, it does put off doing the main pantry cabinet and that is a good thing. LOL I will probably tackle that one next week.
Dinner tonight was easy. I had a chef's salad and TWC is having canned kid's pasta - The Rock has his monthly eating meeting at his sportsman's club. Canned kid's pasta is a major treat for TWC so she is quite happy. She had a small salad earlier.
We are having a party Saturday night and I have been planning that.
It is much cooler today, that is I suppose the good thing about the storms. Oh, heck, the rain was a great thing - we needed it. I got some laundry done earlier and worked a bit with TWC on cleaning her room.
And I got some reading done. Not too bad a day.
I was so inspired by yesterdays total overhaul of my cabinet that I did go ahead and do two today. It has been years since I did this and it astounds me all the crap that was in the back of the cabinets. I threw so much a way - it really does feel good to do that. I am left with a nicely organized baking cabinet and, get ready for this, and empty one. For the moment. It is kind of a weird cabinet. It has the bottom shelf and then halfway up it has a half a shelf - so that you can have two levels of stuff in the back but only one (tall) one in the front. I am pondering the best use of this space. I am going to get some trays that will fit side by side and can then put things in it - one good idea I read somewhere,(you buy inexpensive baking pans - like 9 x 13's from the dollar store, spray paint them all to match and then you can slide them in and slide out easily) but the upper back level is hard to get to so I know I don't want everyday stuff there. I am leaning toward putting a small winerack on the shelf and then on the side can set other liquor bottles. We aren't big drinkers, in fact, The Rock doesn't drink at all. So this might be a good use of the space.
I am thinking of taking seldom used baking pans or extra bowls and storing them in the back of the bottom. Then maybe cereal and snacks in the front in two trays. Of course, putting the seldom used baking pans and such there means I am going after the baker's rack next. Hmmm. Well, it does put off doing the main pantry cabinet and that is a good thing. LOL I will probably tackle that one next week.
Dinner tonight was easy. I had a chef's salad and TWC is having canned kid's pasta - The Rock has his monthly eating meeting at his sportsman's club. Canned kid's pasta is a major treat for TWC so she is quite happy. She had a small salad earlier.
We are having a party Saturday night and I have been planning that.
It is much cooler today, that is I suppose the good thing about the storms. Oh, heck, the rain was a great thing - we needed it. I got some laundry done earlier and worked a bit with TWC on cleaning her room.
And I got some reading done. Not too bad a day.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Two in One
Two in one, that is what the Tuesday after a three day weekend always seems like to me. I have things I do on Mondays, that I never seem to do on holidays. So, then I have to double up. Argh. Oh well, I guess it was worth it for having a lovely weekend.
It was very warm, but, never got as hot as predicted, which was nice. I have been trying to ingrain this into The Wild Child - one must never really think or say it is hot, - and, yes, I plead guilty to forgetting this rule last week and bitching about how hot it was - instead think cool and stay cool. It works when I remember to do it!
We had a nice weekend. Got the mudroom (although maybe I should think of a better name) almost as done as it will get till later in the summer. In other words, we got it cleaned out, yeah, and found cool things we forgot we had and cleared out a massive amount of stuff/junk/fill in your own word choice we don't need and it is all gone! Some to a local thrift store but most trashed. I can't tell you how good it makes me feel.
I was so inspired that after my daily routine stuff this morning I cleaned out the kitchen cabinet I have been meaning to. This cabinet is where all the spices, and various other things were. I was in a mood to pitch. Flylady would be so proud. It looks great - I made small basket (those little tray ones) and have one for all flavorings, all odd things, all cake decorating things, etc. I found a cool little three tiered shelf thingy when cleaning out the mudroom and it is a great little think in the cabinet - you can see everything - I have it mostly with various little bottles of flavored oils and am impressed at all the empty space. I found a bunch of meat and candy thermometers, didn't realize I had that many. Or bottles of peppermint extract, four vanilla, and two almonds. And a lot of sprinkles!!
The Wild Child found it hysterical at how many cans of cooking spray we have (7 - but hey, you have your butter flavored, olive oil, plan) and how much salt (regular, sea - coarse and fine, kosher) and since I always love doing things that bring joy to my child's heart cleaning the cabinet had a nice bonus. Tomorrow I am going to redo two more - I kind of have to since the some of the contents of one have to go in the other.
Tonight we are having Mexican night, The Wild Child insists. Primarily home made tacos - since she realized you can do this (and they are better than bought!) we have to have homemade Mexican once a week, although not always tacos. The plus is she can do almost all of it herself and call it fun while she is at it. Not sure on side dishes. She is lobbying as I write this for the tacos being a complete meal in themselves (I know The Rock agrees with her on this) and I think I am just going to go along with it.
Other than cleaning we basically just relaxed this weekend. Cooked out a couple times (pork steaks and grilled chicken,) and hung out with some friends Sunday and yesterday. Nice to really just take it easy.
TWC goes to Brownie camp this weekend for an overnight and then Day Camp next week, so I have to make sure everything on her camp lists is ready.
I guess I am really on summer mode now. We did break down and turn the air on this weekend, even though I like to hold off. Here's a tip that makes life easier in the summer. Find a good sized basket and stock it with stuff you need for summer entertaining - plates (either disposable or plastic ones you wash) glasses and cutlery (ditto) salt, pepper, napkins, bug spray, a spray bottle with water, etc. Then just grab one thing to take it all outside. A simple idea, I know, but, it really does help.
It was very warm, but, never got as hot as predicted, which was nice. I have been trying to ingrain this into The Wild Child - one must never really think or say it is hot, - and, yes, I plead guilty to forgetting this rule last week and bitching about how hot it was - instead think cool and stay cool. It works when I remember to do it!
We had a nice weekend. Got the mudroom (although maybe I should think of a better name) almost as done as it will get till later in the summer. In other words, we got it cleaned out, yeah, and found cool things we forgot we had and cleared out a massive amount of stuff/junk/fill in your own word choice we don't need and it is all gone! Some to a local thrift store but most trashed. I can't tell you how good it makes me feel.
I was so inspired that after my daily routine stuff this morning I cleaned out the kitchen cabinet I have been meaning to. This cabinet is where all the spices, and various other things were. I was in a mood to pitch. Flylady would be so proud. It looks great - I made small basket (those little tray ones) and have one for all flavorings, all odd things, all cake decorating things, etc. I found a cool little three tiered shelf thingy when cleaning out the mudroom and it is a great little think in the cabinet - you can see everything - I have it mostly with various little bottles of flavored oils and am impressed at all the empty space. I found a bunch of meat and candy thermometers, didn't realize I had that many. Or bottles of peppermint extract, four vanilla, and two almonds. And a lot of sprinkles!!
The Wild Child found it hysterical at how many cans of cooking spray we have (7 - but hey, you have your butter flavored, olive oil, plan) and how much salt (regular, sea - coarse and fine, kosher) and since I always love doing things that bring joy to my child's heart cleaning the cabinet had a nice bonus. Tomorrow I am going to redo two more - I kind of have to since the some of the contents of one have to go in the other.
Tonight we are having Mexican night, The Wild Child insists. Primarily home made tacos - since she realized you can do this (and they are better than bought!) we have to have homemade Mexican once a week, although not always tacos. The plus is she can do almost all of it herself and call it fun while she is at it. Not sure on side dishes. She is lobbying as I write this for the tacos being a complete meal in themselves (I know The Rock agrees with her on this) and I think I am just going to go along with it.
Other than cleaning we basically just relaxed this weekend. Cooked out a couple times (pork steaks and grilled chicken,) and hung out with some friends Sunday and yesterday. Nice to really just take it easy.
TWC goes to Brownie camp this weekend for an overnight and then Day Camp next week, so I have to make sure everything on her camp lists is ready.
I guess I am really on summer mode now. We did break down and turn the air on this weekend, even though I like to hold off. Here's a tip that makes life easier in the summer. Find a good sized basket and stock it with stuff you need for summer entertaining - plates (either disposable or plastic ones you wash) glasses and cutlery (ditto) salt, pepper, napkins, bug spray, a spray bottle with water, etc. Then just grab one thing to take it all outside. A simple idea, I know, but, it really does help.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Finally Friday
I think I mentioned earlier last week that I was thinking about switching my shopping day from Friday to Wednesday (or even Thursday), but, what did I do this week? I waited till Friday. Madness of the normal Friday, but, extra chaos today due to the holiday weekend. UGH!! But, what can you do? I sure didn't want to end up there tomorrow. So now we are well stocked for the weekend and all.
We are staying home and working on the garden (the lovely think about gardening is there is always something to do. And, The Rock has promised to help me finish cleaning out our back porch. This is not a porch like with nice chairs, a porch swing, fan, etc where one passes time. No, it is actually a mudroom type room that for whatever reason has always been called a porch. He started that and I suppose I should try to change the term.
Since I have fibro there are some things I can't do alone and The Rock helps, although I can't always say he does so gladly. But, he does. We have something to do every weekend in June and into July, so this is the last home all weekend we will have in a while. We will cook out almost every meal and not only work in the yard, but, enjoy it. It is the weekend the screen house goes up and the hammock goes up.
I was planning dinner for tonight when I realized that with the Brownie BBQ I don't have to . Lovely. And I don't even have to make something for it, as everyone is supposed to do, as The Wild Child took care of it. Bless her heart!
Even though the calendar doesn't say so, summer is here. Hope you all have a good weekend and stay safe!!!
We are staying home and working on the garden (the lovely think about gardening is there is always something to do. And, The Rock has promised to help me finish cleaning out our back porch. This is not a porch like with nice chairs, a porch swing, fan, etc where one passes time. No, it is actually a mudroom type room that for whatever reason has always been called a porch. He started that and I suppose I should try to change the term.
Since I have fibro there are some things I can't do alone and The Rock helps, although I can't always say he does so gladly. But, he does. We have something to do every weekend in June and into July, so this is the last home all weekend we will have in a while. We will cook out almost every meal and not only work in the yard, but, enjoy it. It is the weekend the screen house goes up and the hammock goes up.
I was planning dinner for tonight when I realized that with the Brownie BBQ I don't have to . Lovely. And I don't even have to make something for it, as everyone is supposed to do, as The Wild Child took care of it. Bless her heart!
Even though the calendar doesn't say so, summer is here. Hope you all have a good weekend and stay safe!!!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Lazy Day
I was seriously considering skipping blogging today, but, you know I am just so proud of myself for blogging regularly that now I can't.
Today I did the morning routines and then homeschool. And had a nice surprise in that The Rock came home for lunch - he NEVER does this but was in the area. In an ideal world he would just stay home all day. I never get tired of him - well, not much. LOL
The Wild Child made her second batch of cupcakes all by herself today!!!! So proud. She beats her batter by hand the 450 strokes the box says to. She counts them outloud. (I don't let her use the Kitchen Aid alone yet, and I mislaid both my hand mixers. I put them somewhere and since I don't use them (much) I can't recall where.) Then she felt a need for colored sprinkles and all we had on hand was green and red sugar, so I showed her how to color sugar (sugar with a drop of food coloring or two if you are making an non primariy color and then you stir like heck till the color is even ) and you would have thought I taught her the greatest mystery of the universe. Knowing that (at least for this day) your offspring thinks you are superwoman is awesome!
Besides that today is kind of a mellow do nothing day. I have been surfing the net, reading other blogs (am taking a news holiday today, we'll see if I can make it through without watching Nancy Grace later) and performing beauty rituals. I gave myself a facial and touched up my hair color. I am a goddess!
Dinner is something on the grill (chicken breasts) and probably veggies in foil. And a salad. I guess we are officially into summer eating. Which makes means a lot of the recipes I am discovering in the old cookbooks won't get made for a while.
Here's the recipe for our house blend ice tea. Everyone loves this and it is tasty without sugar - even big sugar lovers like The Rock like it. Although one could add sugar. Take four bags of Tazo Passion tea and one family sized bag of Luzianne (you could use four regular Luzianne's or Lipton works I suppose, but, for some reason I am a Luzianne girl for iced tea). Pour your boiling water over it, let it steep till it looks done and then put in a 2 quart pitcher and add cold water to fill the picture. Don't ask me why I use half boiled water and then add cold. My mom has always done this and the tea tastes great. We add the ice to the glass when I pour it.
Today I did the morning routines and then homeschool. And had a nice surprise in that The Rock came home for lunch - he NEVER does this but was in the area. In an ideal world he would just stay home all day. I never get tired of him - well, not much. LOL
The Wild Child made her second batch of cupcakes all by herself today!!!! So proud. She beats her batter by hand the 450 strokes the box says to. She counts them outloud. (I don't let her use the Kitchen Aid alone yet, and I mislaid both my hand mixers. I put them somewhere and since I don't use them (much) I can't recall where.) Then she felt a need for colored sprinkles and all we had on hand was green and red sugar, so I showed her how to color sugar (sugar with a drop of food coloring or two if you are making an non primariy color and then you stir like heck till the color is even ) and you would have thought I taught her the greatest mystery of the universe. Knowing that (at least for this day) your offspring thinks you are superwoman is awesome!
Besides that today is kind of a mellow do nothing day. I have been surfing the net, reading other blogs (am taking a news holiday today, we'll see if I can make it through without watching Nancy Grace later) and performing beauty rituals. I gave myself a facial and touched up my hair color. I am a goddess!
Dinner is something on the grill (chicken breasts) and probably veggies in foil. And a salad. I guess we are officially into summer eating. Which makes means a lot of the recipes I am discovering in the old cookbooks won't get made for a while.
Here's the recipe for our house blend ice tea. Everyone loves this and it is tasty without sugar - even big sugar lovers like The Rock like it. Although one could add sugar. Take four bags of Tazo Passion tea and one family sized bag of Luzianne (you could use four regular Luzianne's or Lipton works I suppose, but, for some reason I am a Luzianne girl for iced tea). Pour your boiling water over it, let it steep till it looks done and then put in a 2 quart pitcher and add cold water to fill the picture. Don't ask me why I use half boiled water and then add cold. My mom has always done this and the tea tastes great. We add the ice to the glass when I pour it.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
What a Change
Today it is hot. Really, I just checked and the temp is 90F right now. So that really bothers the fibro, but, not so bad today as it could be.
Got a lot done. Got my standard routines, got all laundry done and put away - 4 loads.
Got a lot of school done with The Wild Child and still helped her make a batch of cupcakes. Her Brownie troop has its end of year BBQ and awards night Friday and we all have to bring something. She is bringing cupcakes. She made white cupcakes with fudge icing today and is saving one dozen and then tomorrow making chocolate with vanilla icing to have a dozen. So we also have lots of cupcakes for snacks.
Not sure what dinner is. Think it will be grilled pork chops. It is just too hot to think of anything that requires inside heat. Although, we made cupcakes, and actually that is probably why I feel like outside now. Just have to think of a side and make a salad.
In the first chapter of The I Hate to Housekeep Book, Peg tells us there are five important things to keep in mind.
1. Don't cover things up unless it is absolutely necessary. It just means you''ll have two things to take care of and keep clean instead of one.
2. Keep the pots and pans you cook in out of sight, in the cupboards or drawers.
3. Each tie you give the hosue a good going-over, start with a different room.
4. Establish a clutter depot.
5. Act immediately on whatever housewifely impulses come your way.
Words to live by, my friends.
Peg then goes on to mention what I really feel is the most important thing about homemaking. Know the answer to this question - "Who, or whom, are you keeping house for?"
"Certainly not for your friends and neighbors. If their windows are shinier than yours are, it will make them feel all warm inside, and they'll like you for it. You never heard a woman say "I simply adore Marcia, she's the most marvelous housekeeper.
Certainly not for your children. You don't keep house for them, but in spite of them.
No, what you keep house for is for you and your husband, but, mainly for you. Because if things get oo cluttered you won't be able to think straight and you never will get to record twoin your Conversatiolnal French course."
(uh, it is from 1958, remember?)
Peg goes on to add:
"Husbands with few grim exceptions, don't care much. They want a modest modicum of order, tha's all. They'd rather not see how it got there either, and they hate the whine of a vacuum cleaner only slightly less than the wail of a policeman's siren hard behind.
This modest modicum, then, is the thing to keep in mind. And don't let it be upgraded too far by other housekeepers. Remember, women have a tendency to grow neater as they grow older anyway. In spite of yourself, you can turn inot a compulsive picture-straightener, shade-twitcher and ashtray-emptier, which is a straight shoot to a terribly nervous old age."
Okay, I don't know about all of that about becoming neater as I grow older. Maybe I care more. I suppose that is it.
What I really agree most about is the modest modicum of order. That is what I strive for. The other part, about husbands (most of them) only wanting that is, in my opinion, pretty accurate. I know I was smart enough in my single days to run from a couple neat freaks I encountered. Great guys, but, I know there was no hope of a happy future. Not that I am now, nor have I ever been a slop or lived in squalor, but, I could tell pretty quick that my standards and theirs wouldn't be the same. I like things good enough to allow the rest of life to happen with ease. I strive for that. And luckily, I did find a man who's happy with that!
Got a lot done. Got my standard routines, got all laundry done and put away - 4 loads.
Got a lot of school done with The Wild Child and still helped her make a batch of cupcakes. Her Brownie troop has its end of year BBQ and awards night Friday and we all have to bring something. She is bringing cupcakes. She made white cupcakes with fudge icing today and is saving one dozen and then tomorrow making chocolate with vanilla icing to have a dozen. So we also have lots of cupcakes for snacks.
Not sure what dinner is. Think it will be grilled pork chops. It is just too hot to think of anything that requires inside heat. Although, we made cupcakes, and actually that is probably why I feel like outside now. Just have to think of a side and make a salad.
In the first chapter of The I Hate to Housekeep Book, Peg tells us there are five important things to keep in mind.
1. Don't cover things up unless it is absolutely necessary. It just means you''ll have two things to take care of and keep clean instead of one.
2. Keep the pots and pans you cook in out of sight, in the cupboards or drawers.
3. Each tie you give the hosue a good going-over, start with a different room.
4. Establish a clutter depot.
5. Act immediately on whatever housewifely impulses come your way.
Words to live by, my friends.
Peg then goes on to mention what I really feel is the most important thing about homemaking. Know the answer to this question - "Who, or whom, are you keeping house for?"
"Certainly not for your friends and neighbors. If their windows are shinier than yours are, it will make them feel all warm inside, and they'll like you for it. You never heard a woman say "I simply adore Marcia, she's the most marvelous housekeeper.
Certainly not for your children. You don't keep house for them, but in spite of them.
No, what you keep house for is for you and your husband, but, mainly for you. Because if things get oo cluttered you won't be able to think straight and you never will get to record twoin your Conversatiolnal French course."
(uh, it is from 1958, remember?)
Peg goes on to add:
"Husbands with few grim exceptions, don't care much. They want a modest modicum of order, tha's all. They'd rather not see how it got there either, and they hate the whine of a vacuum cleaner only slightly less than the wail of a policeman's siren hard behind.
This modest modicum, then, is the thing to keep in mind. And don't let it be upgraded too far by other housekeepers. Remember, women have a tendency to grow neater as they grow older anyway. In spite of yourself, you can turn inot a compulsive picture-straightener, shade-twitcher and ashtray-emptier, which is a straight shoot to a terribly nervous old age."
Okay, I don't know about all of that about becoming neater as I grow older. Maybe I care more. I suppose that is it.
What I really agree most about is the modest modicum of order. That is what I strive for. The other part, about husbands (most of them) only wanting that is, in my opinion, pretty accurate. I know I was smart enough in my single days to run from a couple neat freaks I encountered. Great guys, but, I know there was no hope of a happy future. Not that I am now, nor have I ever been a slop or lived in squalor, but, I could tell pretty quick that my standards and theirs wouldn't be the same. I like things good enough to allow the rest of life to happen with ease. I strive for that. And luckily, I did find a man who's happy with that!
This will make you feel better
This morning, as is my custom, I was reading a few websites I visit every morning. My local newspaper for one, a couple other regional and national (I skim the front pages and on those who have it, the most emailed section) and then Salon.com I have been reading Salon for years and am a premium member, which should express how much I like it.
Anyway, Salon.com has a daily advice column,Since You Asked by Cary Tennis and today's letter is interesing. The letter writer is complaining about his wife being a compulsive hoarder and the damage this is doing to their marriage. Tennis gives his advice and then you can read other reader's comments on both the letter and the advice. While reading the comments I came across reference to a website called Squalor Survivors
Wow, what a website. I am just awestruck. And greatful. No matter how cluttered I think my house is, it isn't that bad! I can't tell you how good I feel about that. Okay, my little moment of superiority a side, there are mega tips and ideas on that site and I always look at things for what I can use.
If you are a hoarder, please accept any apologies if it seems I am making light or fun of this. It is a serious problem and I am thankful that I don't have it. At best I am a mild pack rat and have learned to pretty much control that.
Will be posting more later today.
Anyway, Salon.com has a daily advice column,Since You Asked by Cary Tennis and today's letter is interesing. The letter writer is complaining about his wife being a compulsive hoarder and the damage this is doing to their marriage. Tennis gives his advice and then you can read other reader's comments on both the letter and the advice. While reading the comments I came across reference to a website called Squalor Survivors
Wow, what a website. I am just awestruck. And greatful. No matter how cluttered I think my house is, it isn't that bad! I can't tell you how good I feel about that. Okay, my little moment of superiority a side, there are mega tips and ideas on that site and I always look at things for what I can use.
If you are a hoarder, please accept any apologies if it seems I am making light or fun of this. It is a serious problem and I am thankful that I don't have it. At best I am a mild pack rat and have learned to pretty much control that.
Will be posting more later today.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
This and That
Thanks for those of you who took the time to email me good wishes. I do feel better today and am trying to catch up.
I got a hair cut over the weekend - a shorter (and perkier according to the Rock) for warm weather. I like it, it is shorter than I have had it in forever.
Discovered a great tip when making strawberry shortcake. Slice up your berries and then sprinkle a little balsamic vinegar and a TINY amount of sugar (maybe 2 tablespoons of vinegar per quart and ONE tablespoon of sugar). Trust me on this and just do it. You then refrigerate at least an hour, but, longer is better. This really makes them juicy and you can't taste the vinegar at all - there is just something better than without the balsamic vinegar.)
Thanks to a suggestion from a reader I am going to try doing different themes for various days beginning Monday.
Monday - Recipe Day
Tuesday - Kid's Day
Wednesday - Blogs and Home Business Day
Thursday - Tips and Home Routine Days
Friday - Hobbies including Gardening
Thanks Domestic Chicky!
If you have blogs about any of these, email me with the link and I will promote your blog on the appropriate day. I will also be adding a blog roll and can add your blog there. And I will be sure and stop by daily, see what's new and click on anything you need clicking on!
I am also going to be talking about Peg Bracken's books a great deal, as I mentioned last week. The first is The I Hate to Housekeep Book - I am finishing up a rereading of this delightful little volume. Tell me Ms. Bracken doesn't have us Barefoot Domestic Goddesses in mind when she says "My own goals are more modest. I only want to make it around the clock, that's all, and I don't want to think about it too much eitehr, because I'm thinking about something else. If you're a bit nervous in the service anyway, and your mind is on raising the African violet or running an office or painting a picture, reorganizing yourself into an efficient housewife is a grian step you're not about to take. You want an aspirin, not radical surgery."
Ms. Bracken, who I am just going to start calling Peg, since she really does seem like an old friend, calls us Random Housekeepers. And I suppose she is correct on that point. Her other two categories or Spotless Housekeepers (the gal who won't stop) and Spotful (the gal who won't start). Those of us who are Random are just here in the middle.
I also think that the Fly Lady approach ties in nicely and we will have some more discussion of that.
I have planted more seeds (this will end soon) and have some more to get going yet. I have been aspired a new in the gardening realm by the Chelsea Garden Show I love to browse the gardens at the show and I point you especially to this one -
WOW - isn't that something!!! While I think it should have won Best of Show, it did win the Silver-Gilt Flora. Here is link to the website for the garden that did it and especially note the diary of the past year on all the work involved. It makes my own garden chores look easy. And it gives me some new ideas of my own.
I got a hair cut over the weekend - a shorter (and perkier according to the Rock) for warm weather. I like it, it is shorter than I have had it in forever.
Discovered a great tip when making strawberry shortcake. Slice up your berries and then sprinkle a little balsamic vinegar and a TINY amount of sugar (maybe 2 tablespoons of vinegar per quart and ONE tablespoon of sugar). Trust me on this and just do it. You then refrigerate at least an hour, but, longer is better. This really makes them juicy and you can't taste the vinegar at all - there is just something better than without the balsamic vinegar.)
Thanks to a suggestion from a reader I am going to try doing different themes for various days beginning Monday.
Monday - Recipe Day
Tuesday - Kid's Day
Wednesday - Blogs and Home Business Day
Thursday - Tips and Home Routine Days
Friday - Hobbies including Gardening
Thanks Domestic Chicky!
If you have blogs about any of these, email me with the link and I will promote your blog on the appropriate day. I will also be adding a blog roll and can add your blog there. And I will be sure and stop by daily, see what's new and click on anything you need clicking on!
I am also going to be talking about Peg Bracken's books a great deal, as I mentioned last week. The first is The I Hate to Housekeep Book - I am finishing up a rereading of this delightful little volume. Tell me Ms. Bracken doesn't have us Barefoot Domestic Goddesses in mind when she says "My own goals are more modest. I only want to make it around the clock, that's all, and I don't want to think about it too much eitehr, because I'm thinking about something else. If you're a bit nervous in the service anyway, and your mind is on raising the African violet or running an office or painting a picture, reorganizing yourself into an efficient housewife is a grian step you're not about to take. You want an aspirin, not radical surgery."
Ms. Bracken, who I am just going to start calling Peg, since she really does seem like an old friend, calls us Random Housekeepers. And I suppose she is correct on that point. Her other two categories or Spotless Housekeepers (the gal who won't stop) and Spotful (the gal who won't start). Those of us who are Random are just here in the middle.
I also think that the Fly Lady approach ties in nicely and we will have some more discussion of that.
I have planted more seeds (this will end soon) and have some more to get going yet. I have been aspired a new in the gardening realm by the Chelsea Garden Show I love to browse the gardens at the show and I point you especially to this one -
WOW - isn't that something!!! While I think it should have won Best of Show, it did win the Silver-Gilt Flora. Here is link to the website for the garden that did it and especially note the diary of the past year on all the work involved. It makes my own garden chores look easy. And it gives me some new ideas of my own.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Monday
Hey! Wow, did that weekend fly by or what? This is going to be a shorter post than I planned as I had a flare up of my fibromyalgia today and pretty much down for the count. In fact, much shorter. Just wanted to keep the momentum going and will return tomorrow.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Getting the Hang of it
Wow, five days in row I have blogged this week. Hmmmm maybe I can keep at this.
Today is gorgeous and the weekend should be as well. Ran some errands today, alone, which is nice, but, actually I am so used to having The Wild Child along it was a little odd. But, a nice kind of odd I supposed. I went through McDonald's anyway and had a Mighty Kids meal in her honor to get her one of the eight new Build a Bear toys. She is an avid fan of Build a Bear and Micky D's toys so you know she is all excited about this one. Since Double Cheeseburgers are my favorite food from there getting the meal just makes lunch fun. Although, I do feel odd ordering them. LOL
You might think from the Amazon link to the book Home Comforts that I enjoy reading about homemaking. You would be correct. I love reading about it. I could read about it all day. I love reading about house work far more than I enjoy doing it, but, don't we all?
I developed this love of reading about homekeeping at a young age. Everytime we visited my Great Aunt, she would give me magazines - old movie magazines and crime magazines as well as Good Housekeepings, Ladies Home Journal's etc. I devoured them all. I still do some, although my magazine consumption has dropped with the Net and all. Later, I discovered the housekeeping books. I love them, as well as cookbook and etiquette books. I collect them. I read them. My favorite of all times are the I Hate to books by Peg Bracken.
I Hate to Cook probably shaped my life as a homemaker. And even though I love to cook, I love I Hate to Cook.
Clickable links for all the books referenced are below - I just spent over 45 minutes trying to figure out why they won't work in the text format, which I thought I mastered but apparently not.
From the I Hate to Housekeep book - "Here is hilarious, yet sound guidance on how to let a house virtually clean itself. Hundreds of sensible suggestions for the harried homemaker, from tips on handling electrical equipment to care of clothes and entertaining. The very useful and funny contents include Don't Just Do Something, Sit There and Stains, Spots Blots, Scars and Dueling Wounds.
First published in 1962, these books are gems. Since I haven't read The I Hate to Housekeep book in at least five years, I just decided after getting it down from the shelf that I shall reread it and over the next week will share some of the choice tidbits with you. And actually the cookbook is good too and has some great recipes (but easy and quick for the most part) so I will be rereading that soon. And then there are the supplementals to the cookbook and her etiquette guide I Try to Behave Myself.
Wow, while making that link I discovered a book by Ms. Bracken that I don't have -I Didn't Come Here to Argue, a copy of which is now on its way to me (there are others - these are all out of print by the way and are available from the wonderful sellers of Amazon's Marketplace.
I didn't come here to argue
I Try to Behave Myself: Peg Bracken's Etiquette Book
The Compleat I Hate to Cook Book
The I Hate to Housekeep Book
I love books like these from 50's and 60's - and decades both plus and minus I guess. I got to looking around to see what there about Peg Bracken on the Web and found the following article. I am quoting it as it is only available cached. And you know I love to make things easy for you! ;o)
" Bracken’s banter is still cooking
Portlander’s prose challenges ingrained ideas about domesticity
By JILL SPITZNASS Issue date: 5/13/2003
The Tribune Visitors to Peg Bracken’s West Hills home are offered a homemade ginger cookie and then asked to sign the kitchen tablecloth. Later, the slender hostess in the St. John Knits pantsuit will embroider over the name with colorful thread, creating a one-of-a-kind guest book.
Don’t be swayed by the social niceties. Bracken, 85, is not your average “LOL” (little old lady). Her 1960 best seller, “The I Hate to Cook Book,” put forth the then-radical notion that for a lot of women, cooking was a drag.
Wielding wit as dry as a gin martini and as sharp as a paring knife, Bracken offered easy, clever ways to approach the culinary tasks that millions simply viewed as domestic drudgery.
Her fresh, irreverent attitude turned down the heat on women’s self-imposed domestic expectations. And while they weren’t on the same culinary level as James Beard’s, her recipes helped the harried chef of the house create quick and delicious dishes.
In the next eight books, which spanned nearly 40 years, Bracken’s humor and wisdom extended into the realms of housekeeping, travel, etiquette and most recently aging: “On Getting Old for the First Time” was published in 1997.
During a recent interview, Bracken proved that she still possesses the keen perspective and no-nonsense humor that made her name recognizable worldwide. When asked her age, Bracken says dryly: “No euphemisms, please. My birthday’s this month, and I feel great except for a tendency to want to throw up when I look in the mirror.”
Bracken lives with her third husband, John Ohman, father of The Oregonian’s political cartoonist, Jack Ohman.
Signs of the couple’s opinionated mind-sets are everywhere, from the numerous thought-provoking books that lay open to the photo of Attorney General John Ashcroft that’s taped to the refrigerator, a Hitler mustache drawn on his face.
Patience is a virtue
Bracken says friends provided the ingredients for “The I Hate to Cook Book.” She simply stirred it all together.
“It all started with a group of friends that used to get together for lunch,” says Bracken, who was an advertising executive in Portland at the time. “I said, ‘Why don’t you each give me a recipe that’s easy, that you can count on, and I’ll put them together and we’ll exchange them.’”
Another friend suggested the now-famous title, and Bracken knew she was on to something.
“I went to work on the book, but then I hit a speed bump,” she says. “My husband who was also a writer was jealous. He said, ‘You’re wasting your time; who’d want a book like that?’ He didn’t want competition. He wanted to be the only writer in the family.”
After that particularly telling period in their marriage, Bracken says, “I showed enormous patience and waited four more years until I left him.”
The episode led Bracken to believe that perhaps he was right about one thing: “I don’t think it’s great for a couple to be in the same business.”
Nevertheless, this mother of one daughter has always believed that women should expect the world, at least in pieces. “I think women can have it all but not all at once,” she says.
Revealing that she’s got her finger on the pulse of popular culture, Bracken refers to the comical British best seller “I Don’t Know How She Does It” when discussing the challenges that women face in juggling home and career. “I think a sense of humor is important. Mark Twain once said that there’s no humor in heaven. He’s nuts. I don’t believe that at all. You have to laugh about it all.”
Seen and not heard
The occasionally brazen Bracken says that she wasn’t encouraged to speak her mind as a child.
“My mother was a successful club lady, and I was always in awe of her,” the St. Louis native says. “I knew when I’d crossed the boundaries; the bridge of her nose would become pinched.”
Bracken recalls being equally reticent on the sports field: “I prayed that no one would pass to me; I never knew what to do with the ball.”
Bracken married after graduating from Ohio’s Antioch College. Following a brief stint writing advertising copy for a department store in Cleveland, Bracken and her husband decided to move west.
The couple landed in Portland, where she was hired by the ad agency Botsford, Constantine & Gardner. One of her co-workers was Homer Groening, the father of “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening. Bracken and Homer Groening co-wrote a syndicated cartoon called “Phoebe, Get Your Man.”
“It was a sort of how-to cartoon about a gal eager to get married,” Bracken recalls. Incidentally, Matt Groening’s mother, Margaret, now lives across the street from Bracken.
The surprising success of “The I Hate to Cook Book” spurred Bracken to leave the agency and write follow-up books such as “The I Hate to Housekeep Book,” “I Try to Behave Myself: Peg Bracken’s Etiquette Book,” and “I Didn’t Come Here to Argue,” a collection of vintage Bracken observations.
Bracken’s literary accomplishments led to many high-profile appearances. She was a spokeswoman for Birds Eye Foods for several years and toured with a national speaking bureau. Bracken says that the twice-annual lecture swing was the least favorite part of her career.
“I can speak in front of a group now without having kittens, but at the time I hated it,” she says.
Despite the saucy confidence that characterized her writing, Bracken claims she possessed little of it herself, even at the height of her success, when an appearance on “The Mike Douglas Show” was all in a day’s work.
“I didn’t feel that I could do anything,” she admits. “And I don’t think that I was unique in that way. Things have definitely changed for women since I grew up, when you were aware of the limitations of your sex. So many more opportunities are available now for either sex.”
Including the ability to call out for Chinese."
Have a great day and a joyous weekend. I may or may not blog over the weekend, but, I will be back for sure on Monday!
Today is gorgeous and the weekend should be as well. Ran some errands today, alone, which is nice, but, actually I am so used to having The Wild Child along it was a little odd. But, a nice kind of odd I supposed. I went through McDonald's anyway and had a Mighty Kids meal in her honor to get her one of the eight new Build a Bear toys. She is an avid fan of Build a Bear and Micky D's toys so you know she is all excited about this one. Since Double Cheeseburgers are my favorite food from there getting the meal just makes lunch fun. Although, I do feel odd ordering them. LOL
You might think from the Amazon link to the book Home Comforts that I enjoy reading about homemaking. You would be correct. I love reading about it. I could read about it all day. I love reading about house work far more than I enjoy doing it, but, don't we all?
I developed this love of reading about homekeeping at a young age. Everytime we visited my Great Aunt, she would give me magazines - old movie magazines and crime magazines as well as Good Housekeepings, Ladies Home Journal's etc. I devoured them all. I still do some, although my magazine consumption has dropped with the Net and all. Later, I discovered the housekeeping books. I love them, as well as cookbook and etiquette books. I collect them. I read them. My favorite of all times are the I Hate to books by Peg Bracken.
I Hate to Cook probably shaped my life as a homemaker. And even though I love to cook, I love I Hate to Cook.
Clickable links for all the books referenced are below - I just spent over 45 minutes trying to figure out why they won't work in the text format, which I thought I mastered but apparently not.
From the I Hate to Housekeep book - "Here is hilarious, yet sound guidance on how to let a house virtually clean itself. Hundreds of sensible suggestions for the harried homemaker, from tips on handling electrical equipment to care of clothes and entertaining. The very useful and funny contents include Don't Just Do Something, Sit There and Stains, Spots Blots, Scars and Dueling Wounds.
First published in 1962, these books are gems. Since I haven't read The I Hate to Housekeep book in at least five years, I just decided after getting it down from the shelf that I shall reread it and over the next week will share some of the choice tidbits with you. And actually the cookbook is good too and has some great recipes (but easy and quick for the most part) so I will be rereading that soon. And then there are the supplementals to the cookbook and her etiquette guide I Try to Behave Myself.
Wow, while making that link I discovered a book by Ms. Bracken that I don't have -I Didn't Come Here to Argue, a copy of which is now on its way to me (there are others - these are all out of print by the way and are available from the wonderful sellers of Amazon's Marketplace.
I didn't come here to argue
I Try to Behave Myself: Peg Bracken's Etiquette Book
The Compleat I Hate to Cook Book
The I Hate to Housekeep Book
I love books like these from 50's and 60's - and decades both plus and minus I guess. I got to looking around to see what there about Peg Bracken on the Web and found the following article. I am quoting it as it is only available cached. And you know I love to make things easy for you! ;o)
" Bracken’s banter is still cooking
Portlander’s prose challenges ingrained ideas about domesticity
By JILL SPITZNASS Issue date: 5/13/2003
The Tribune Visitors to Peg Bracken’s West Hills home are offered a homemade ginger cookie and then asked to sign the kitchen tablecloth. Later, the slender hostess in the St. John Knits pantsuit will embroider over the name with colorful thread, creating a one-of-a-kind guest book.
Don’t be swayed by the social niceties. Bracken, 85, is not your average “LOL” (little old lady). Her 1960 best seller, “The I Hate to Cook Book,” put forth the then-radical notion that for a lot of women, cooking was a drag.
Wielding wit as dry as a gin martini and as sharp as a paring knife, Bracken offered easy, clever ways to approach the culinary tasks that millions simply viewed as domestic drudgery.
Her fresh, irreverent attitude turned down the heat on women’s self-imposed domestic expectations. And while they weren’t on the same culinary level as James Beard’s, her recipes helped the harried chef of the house create quick and delicious dishes.
In the next eight books, which spanned nearly 40 years, Bracken’s humor and wisdom extended into the realms of housekeeping, travel, etiquette and most recently aging: “On Getting Old for the First Time” was published in 1997.
During a recent interview, Bracken proved that she still possesses the keen perspective and no-nonsense humor that made her name recognizable worldwide. When asked her age, Bracken says dryly: “No euphemisms, please. My birthday’s this month, and I feel great except for a tendency to want to throw up when I look in the mirror.”
Bracken lives with her third husband, John Ohman, father of The Oregonian’s political cartoonist, Jack Ohman.
Signs of the couple’s opinionated mind-sets are everywhere, from the numerous thought-provoking books that lay open to the photo of Attorney General John Ashcroft that’s taped to the refrigerator, a Hitler mustache drawn on his face.
Patience is a virtue
Bracken says friends provided the ingredients for “The I Hate to Cook Book.” She simply stirred it all together.
“It all started with a group of friends that used to get together for lunch,” says Bracken, who was an advertising executive in Portland at the time. “I said, ‘Why don’t you each give me a recipe that’s easy, that you can count on, and I’ll put them together and we’ll exchange them.’”
Another friend suggested the now-famous title, and Bracken knew she was on to something.
“I went to work on the book, but then I hit a speed bump,” she says. “My husband who was also a writer was jealous. He said, ‘You’re wasting your time; who’d want a book like that?’ He didn’t want competition. He wanted to be the only writer in the family.”
After that particularly telling period in their marriage, Bracken says, “I showed enormous patience and waited four more years until I left him.”
The episode led Bracken to believe that perhaps he was right about one thing: “I don’t think it’s great for a couple to be in the same business.”
Nevertheless, this mother of one daughter has always believed that women should expect the world, at least in pieces. “I think women can have it all but not all at once,” she says.
Revealing that she’s got her finger on the pulse of popular culture, Bracken refers to the comical British best seller “I Don’t Know How She Does It” when discussing the challenges that women face in juggling home and career. “I think a sense of humor is important. Mark Twain once said that there’s no humor in heaven. He’s nuts. I don’t believe that at all. You have to laugh about it all.”
Seen and not heard
The occasionally brazen Bracken says that she wasn’t encouraged to speak her mind as a child.
“My mother was a successful club lady, and I was always in awe of her,” the St. Louis native says. “I knew when I’d crossed the boundaries; the bridge of her nose would become pinched.”
Bracken recalls being equally reticent on the sports field: “I prayed that no one would pass to me; I never knew what to do with the ball.”
Bracken married after graduating from Ohio’s Antioch College. Following a brief stint writing advertising copy for a department store in Cleveland, Bracken and her husband decided to move west.
The couple landed in Portland, where she was hired by the ad agency Botsford, Constantine & Gardner. One of her co-workers was Homer Groening, the father of “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening. Bracken and Homer Groening co-wrote a syndicated cartoon called “Phoebe, Get Your Man.”
“It was a sort of how-to cartoon about a gal eager to get married,” Bracken recalls. Incidentally, Matt Groening’s mother, Margaret, now lives across the street from Bracken.
The surprising success of “The I Hate to Cook Book” spurred Bracken to leave the agency and write follow-up books such as “The I Hate to Housekeep Book,” “I Try to Behave Myself: Peg Bracken’s Etiquette Book,” and “I Didn’t Come Here to Argue,” a collection of vintage Bracken observations.
Bracken’s literary accomplishments led to many high-profile appearances. She was a spokeswoman for Birds Eye Foods for several years and toured with a national speaking bureau. Bracken says that the twice-annual lecture swing was the least favorite part of her career.
“I can speak in front of a group now without having kittens, but at the time I hated it,” she says.
Despite the saucy confidence that characterized her writing, Bracken claims she possessed little of it herself, even at the height of her success, when an appearance on “The Mike Douglas Show” was all in a day’s work.
“I didn’t feel that I could do anything,” she admits. “And I don’t think that I was unique in that way. Things have definitely changed for women since I grew up, when you were aware of the limitations of your sex. So many more opportunities are available now for either sex.”
Including the ability to call out for Chinese."
Have a great day and a joyous weekend. I may or may not blog over the weekend, but, I will be back for sure on Monday!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Success!
Today is feeling very successful. I cleaned off my desk and threw away over half my whatever box and organized the rest. In terms of time, it really didn't take that long, maybe 30 minutes, I should have timed it. But, the pay off is great.
My daughter is going to her grandparents later this afternoon, to stay till Saturday morning. How wonderful. Tomorrow, I am cleaning her room. I also have a big surprise for her when done cleaning. I have new curtains, spread, etc. I have an idea on rearranging her furniture that I think will work well. Why am doing this while she is gone you might ask? Well, The Wild Child is a bit of a pack rat (hmmm, I wonder where that comes from) and can't stand the idea of parting with anything and she just has soooooo much stuff. I am probably not going to get rid of much - a lot of it I will box up for the attic, some might find new homes. She has so much stuff I doubt she will miss it.
Dinner is grilled chicken kabobs with veggies, rice and salad.
It is sunny but still a wee bit chilly. Even so, I am finishing planting a bunch of seeds this afternoon and have made a makeshift greenhouse box to set the trays of seeds in - some old wood I nailed together and an old window laid over the top. I am not that talented a carpenter to make a hinged top, no, the glass just fits over the top, but I can slid it open a bit or just take it off in the day time - this will keep the seedlings and soil warm till they are ready to transplant. I like to start zinnas and various other annual plants this way - then when I put them in the ground where I want them I know what I have. I hate just planting seed and then thinning.
I bought a hanging copper (?) bird bath at Big Lots a couple weeks ago and it is totally rusted! I should have known as it was cheap. (but some solar lights I bought shaped lock Sun, Moon and Stars are awesome) I am so ticked, I thought of taking it back but decided to sand off the rust and spray it with Rustoleum. I hope to get that finished this afternoon as well.
All the laundry is done, but, I have to put it away which I hate. Seriously, putting away laundry just might be my least favorite chore. I would rather clean the bathroom - although that is easy with the daily routine and all..
What ever you're doing - have fun doing it!
My daughter is going to her grandparents later this afternoon, to stay till Saturday morning. How wonderful. Tomorrow, I am cleaning her room. I also have a big surprise for her when done cleaning. I have new curtains, spread, etc. I have an idea on rearranging her furniture that I think will work well. Why am doing this while she is gone you might ask? Well, The Wild Child is a bit of a pack rat (hmmm, I wonder where that comes from) and can't stand the idea of parting with anything and she just has soooooo much stuff. I am probably not going to get rid of much - a lot of it I will box up for the attic, some might find new homes. She has so much stuff I doubt she will miss it.
Dinner is grilled chicken kabobs with veggies, rice and salad.
It is sunny but still a wee bit chilly. Even so, I am finishing planting a bunch of seeds this afternoon and have made a makeshift greenhouse box to set the trays of seeds in - some old wood I nailed together and an old window laid over the top. I am not that talented a carpenter to make a hinged top, no, the glass just fits over the top, but I can slid it open a bit or just take it off in the day time - this will keep the seedlings and soil warm till they are ready to transplant. I like to start zinnas and various other annual plants this way - then when I put them in the ground where I want them I know what I have. I hate just planting seed and then thinning.
I bought a hanging copper (?) bird bath at Big Lots a couple weeks ago and it is totally rusted! I should have known as it was cheap. (but some solar lights I bought shaped lock Sun, Moon and Stars are awesome) I am so ticked, I thought of taking it back but decided to sand off the rust and spray it with Rustoleum. I hope to get that finished this afternoon as well.
All the laundry is done, but, I have to put it away which I hate. Seriously, putting away laundry just might be my least favorite chore. I would rather clean the bathroom - although that is easy with the daily routine and all.
What ever you're doing - have fun doing it!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Hump Day
Today has been just getting finished on things I started yesterday. Plus did the grocery shopping. Normally I do it on Fridays but we were out of catfood so instead of just buying some of that, I ended up doing the weekly shop instead. I got off track last week with being gone Friday. It was actually better in that the store was far less crowded. May have to just change my day for it. One of my goals now is to get organized as a couponer and only shop loss leaders and sales. For some reason I am not making much progress with this.
I am trying to get motivated to clean out and reorganize a couple cabinets in the kitchen. And looking around I realize my desk has gotten disordered and I need to deal with it. Primarily I need to deal with my whatever box. I can't really call it an inbox as I know there is all kinds of things in there, I just need to sort it all and probably pitch half. I try to open the mail by the trashcan in the kitchen and toss a lot right away, and, I do pretty good with this. But, one of my downfalls is catalogues. I save too many - I do shop a lot from them though. But, you know, there is always something or somethings to do! It never stops.
Hubby has been gone since Monday morning and will be back this evening. Dinner is going to be pork chops alfredo, pasta and fresh green beans with fresh baked French bread, although I cheated on the bread and bought a half baked loaf at the store. Hey, it's the thought that counts! It is still a bit cool and this sounds good to me. No planned dessert as there a plenty of sweets people can pick something from.
I planted a bunch of eucalyptus in big pots this year. It is growing. I love eucalyptus, we were planting it yearly and then a few years ago, suddenly I couldn't find any locally and just never got around to ordering any. I love to make wreaths in the fall. The plants don't overwinter here, but, DH is hoping to get a small green house made by fall so perhaps I can save them. I also have a lot of rosemary and lavendar and sage growing, so I am quite excited at the possibilities.
Now I think I am going to curl up in a comfy chair and read for a bit before time to start dinner. I am reading
With No One as Witness (Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers Novels)
by Elizabeth George. I love her books. This is a great big British Mystery. Perfect with a hot cup of tea.
Have a good one!
I am trying to get motivated to clean out and reorganize a couple cabinets in the kitchen. And looking around I realize my desk has gotten disordered and I need to deal with it. Primarily I need to deal with my whatever box. I can't really call it an inbox as I know there is all kinds of things in there, I just need to sort it all and probably pitch half. I try to open the mail by the trashcan in the kitchen and toss a lot right away, and, I do pretty good with this. But, one of my downfalls is catalogues. I save too many - I do shop a lot from them though. But, you know, there is always something or somethings to do! It never stops.
Hubby has been gone since Monday morning and will be back this evening. Dinner is going to be pork chops alfredo, pasta and fresh green beans with fresh baked French bread, although I cheated on the bread and bought a half baked loaf at the store. Hey, it's the thought that counts! It is still a bit cool and this sounds good to me. No planned dessert as there a plenty of sweets people can pick something from.
I planted a bunch of eucalyptus in big pots this year. It is growing. I love eucalyptus, we were planting it yearly and then a few years ago, suddenly I couldn't find any locally and just never got around to ordering any. I love to make wreaths in the fall. The plants don't overwinter here, but, DH is hoping to get a small green house made by fall so perhaps I can save them. I also have a lot of rosemary and lavendar and sage growing, so I am quite excited at the possibilities.
Now I think I am going to curl up in a comfy chair and read for a bit before time to start dinner. I am reading
With No One as Witness (Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers Novels)
by Elizabeth George. I love her books. This is a great big British Mystery. Perfect with a hot cup of tea. Have a good one!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Tuesday
What a lovely Tuesday. The sun is shining, the birds are singing. It almost inspires me to spring clean. I said almost!
Actually, I don't really spring clean. I try to keep up all year so there really isn't the major cleaning to do at any time. But, what I like to do is do a regular nice cleaning and then get the house ready for spring and summer. This involves getting out spring linens and taking down heavier winter drapes and bed stuff. Changing slipcovers on the furniture to lighter stuff. I clear most all of the knick knacks and pack them up and put out (less) more summery things. I take down, wash and put away the shower curtain and window curtains in the bath, as well as the throw rugs in there and swap them out for the summer stuff. It is an (close to) instant makeover that lightens up the house. So that is what I am working on today. Not quite warm enough though to throw open all the windows.
Also working in the garden. Our garden is going to be better than ever this year. For the first time we used a tiller instead of hubby digging and all by hand. We went to a huge plant sale last month and got all sorts of wonderful things. I still have some seeds to get going (I do them in waves so we have more things blooming longer).I do the same thing with lettuce. Plus it has been cool this spring so some seeds needed to wait. Rock got very ambitious a couple weeks ago and built a huge new pergola for our wisteria which is about 7 years old and needed something huge and sturdy. So we have this lovely new outdoor room.
My other project this week is to clean and paint our wrought iron patio furniture and get some new pads for the loveseat and chair. They need a nice sprucing up. I also have some large plain plastic pots that I am painting and then have to plant them. And then we got our daughter a new play house and want to get that up this weekend. I have an area we have been making a deck/platform to put the house on and then it will have plantings around it on two sides (it is in a corner and already has fence on two sides) to make it cozy and private.
Have a good one!
Actually, I don't really spring clean. I try to keep up all year so there really isn't the major cleaning to do at any time. But, what I like to do is do a regular nice cleaning and then get the house ready for spring and summer. This involves getting out spring linens and taking down heavier winter drapes and bed stuff. Changing slipcovers on the furniture to lighter stuff. I clear most all of the knick knacks and pack them up and put out (less) more summery things. I take down, wash and put away the shower curtain and window curtains in the bath, as well as the throw rugs in there and swap them out for the summer stuff. It is an (close to) instant makeover that lightens up the house. So that is what I am working on today. Not quite warm enough though to throw open all the windows.
Also working in the garden. Our garden is going to be better than ever this year. For the first time we used a tiller instead of hubby digging and all by hand. We went to a huge plant sale last month and got all sorts of wonderful things. I still have some seeds to get going (I do them in waves so we have more things blooming longer).I do the same thing with lettuce. Plus it has been cool this spring so some seeds needed to wait. Rock got very ambitious a couple weeks ago and built a huge new pergola for our wisteria which is about 7 years old and needed something huge and sturdy. So we have this lovely new outdoor room.
My other project this week is to clean and paint our wrought iron patio furniture and get some new pads for the loveseat and chair. They need a nice sprucing up. I also have some large plain plastic pots that I am painting and then have to plant them. And then we got our daughter a new play house and want to get that up this weekend. I have an area we have been making a deck/platform to put the house on and then it will have plantings around it on two sides (it is in a corner and already has fence on two sides) to make it cozy and private.
Have a good one!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Long time no blog
Since several folks have emailed me recently asking what was up with the Barefoot Domestic Goddess, I have been prodded to come out of hiding and post.
Actually, I wasn't really hiding. I was here in plain site spending a lot of time laying about reading and doing various other things. It has been a cool drizzly spring following a blah winter. In fact, it is cool and drizzly today.
BDG and her family went camping this weekend. Yes, camping. I know, many who know me, don't think I am the type of person who camps, and, well, you would be correct. My idea of roughing it is a Motel 6. But, as it happens, BDG married a man who likes to camp. And we have friends who like to camp. So, this weekend we went camping at a not too far away state park with a large group of friends. We left Thursday and I spent Wed and Thurs getting ready.
BDG and her dear spouse have an arrangement. He doesn't want to take her camping TOO often (no more than once a year. Next, she gets everything ready. He does everything at the camp site and treats her like the Goddess she is and then after he hauls all the stuff back home, she deals with it. This works out well, except I still feel like I am involved in the camping. Loads and loads of laundry and several tubs of stuff have to be unpacked. I did several of each already today and should be done with all by late this afternoon.
We don't pack light when we camp. We took too vehicles (LOL) and a large 3 room tent, accessories and some decor items (the BDG likes a pretty camp) a canopy and tables and stoves and coolers and tubs and rugs and chairs and ended up with a large portable home. With many of the comforts of same (although the wind doesn't blow through my real home quite so much).
Before I go I make out menus for the entire trip for all meals and snacks. I make a number of check lists for all categories. Food, each family member, campsite things, etc. This works really well, and helps elimates forgetting important things.
And it was fun. For the most part. It is lots of fun to be in a lovely campsite with lots of friends forming a great little tent village. Being out in the fresh air, seeing wild life (herrons, ducks, turkeys, deer and raccoon as well as hearing wolfs or something and many birds including woodpeckers) is nice. But, the downside is it doesn't last - you know you are going to be taking it all down and packing it up to go home. I have decided that the next time I camp, it will have to for at least a week. And that my friends won't be for a couple years since our vacations are planned for the next two.
Actually, I wasn't really hiding. I was here in plain site spending a lot of time laying about reading and doing various other things. It has been a cool drizzly spring following a blah winter. In fact, it is cool and drizzly today.
BDG and her family went camping this weekend. Yes, camping. I know, many who know me, don't think I am the type of person who camps, and, well, you would be correct. My idea of roughing it is a Motel 6. But, as it happens, BDG married a man who likes to camp. And we have friends who like to camp. So, this weekend we went camping at a not too far away state park with a large group of friends. We left Thursday and I spent Wed and Thurs getting ready.
BDG and her dear spouse have an arrangement. He doesn't want to take her camping TOO often (no more than once a year. Next, she gets everything ready. He does everything at the camp site and treats her like the Goddess she is and then after he hauls all the stuff back home, she deals with it. This works out well, except I still feel like I am involved in the camping. Loads and loads of laundry and several tubs of stuff have to be unpacked. I did several of each already today and should be done with all by late this afternoon.
We don't pack light when we camp. We took too vehicles (LOL) and a large 3 room tent, accessories and some decor items (the BDG likes a pretty camp) a canopy and tables and stoves and coolers and tubs and rugs and chairs and ended up with a large portable home. With many of the comforts of same (although the wind doesn't blow through my real home quite so much).
Before I go I make out menus for the entire trip for all meals and snacks. I make a number of check lists for all categories. Food, each family member, campsite things, etc. This works really well, and helps elimates forgetting important things.
And it was fun. For the most part. It is lots of fun to be in a lovely campsite with lots of friends forming a great little tent village. Being out in the fresh air, seeing wild life (herrons, ducks, turkeys, deer and raccoon as well as hearing wolfs or something and many birds including woodpeckers) is nice. But, the downside is it doesn't last - you know you are going to be taking it all down and packing it up to go home. I have decided that the next time I camp, it will have to for at least a week. And that my friends won't be for a couple years since our vacations are planned for the next two.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Cold again today. On the menu and already cooking is Red Beans and Rice.
Ingredients
1 ham bone
16 cups water
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste - start with 1/4 and when closer to done, taste it and add more if you want)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 pound red beans, washed
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic minced (uh, if you like garlic, go for it and up this to 3 or 4)]
3 tablespoons oil (I use olive, but any cooking oil is fine)]
1/2 pound ham, cubed
1/4 pound (one link) hot sausage, sliced (this can be raw sausage or smoked)
1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
2 bay leaves
salt to taste
course ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley (if dried use a couple tablespooons)
2 cups cooked rice (you might make more depends on how many you are feeding. The 2 cups serves 2 - 4 in my opinion and family - the recipe for the RB makes more. But this does freeze well and then can micro for another meal with fresh rice)
Beans - wash them and place in a large pot or dutch oven with a tight fitting lid. Cover with water. Bring to boil, and boil a couple minutes, then turn off heat, cover and let it set for one hour. Then drain and rinse the beans. (No, they are no where close to done. I have to add this. I gave this recipe to someone without that caveat once and....)
I drain the beans in a big colander and just let them sit on the counter in it with a paper towel under it. This saves on the washing up.
In same dutch oven, put the oil and saute the celery, onion and garlic until the onions are transparent. Stir often. I then use a slotted spoon to put the vegetables on top of the beans (uh see prior note about saving on dishes). Then put the chopped ham and the sausage in the dutch oven and brown the sausage - keep you eyes on this, this goes really fast. If I am using raw hot sausage, I put this on the bottom and when I turn it I add the others. If all the sausage is smoked, I just put all of it and the ham in and stir till it has a nice color.
Now, put the beans and veggies and meat in a large pot. I use a medium stainless soup pot. Add the water. Add the garlic salt, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Add the bay leaves. Add some salt and pepper. Go light on the salt now - or just wait, as when it is about an hour from done, I taste add them then. I also adjust the hot sauce.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook uncovered over a low flame till beans are soft and creamy. About 3 hours - check them at least every half hour, giving them a good stir. When done, take out the bay leaves and throw them away! Add parsley before serving. Depending on how you like your beans - thicker or thinner sauce, you can cook this longer. I often cook them closer to 4 hours. Serve over hot, fluffy rice. We are really into jasmine rice and are having that with it.
Serve with hot freshly baked French bread - or cornbread is good if you are in the mood for that). Will make the bread later this afternoon. I make the dough in the bread machine then shape, raise it again on the baking sheet and bake in the oven. We are having spinach salad with thinly sliced red onion and orange slices. And for dessert chocolate Whip and Chill.
I am always impressed with how incredible the RB smell while cooking. I can't wait till dinner.
Was thinking about baking heart shaped sugar cookies today, but, decided to do tomorrow.
Got laundry done for day. Got morning routines done. Except for bed making, which I will do shortly when I go upstairs to put away laundry. Putting away laundry is my least favorite household chore. Went outside and checked on the animals, DH fed them all before work (sometimes he does the chix and the bunny but forgets the outside cats!?!!). It is cold and I just have a feeling we are going to get some snow here, I REALLY hope I am wrong but as much as I am not wanting snow, The Wild Child, is working on getting some, so I don't know. She is very strong willed.
Have to make some boot disks for my mom's computer which I think is actually going to need a new harddrive. I was thinking of taking everything out of my pantry cabinet and the spice/baking cab and reorganzing, but, that sounds like too much work for me today, LOL - I still might. The cabs are dark inside and I want to clean them, then spray paint high gloss white paint inside before putting things back. This is supposed to make it easier to see inside and come to think of it, this is a project for a warmer day when I can open the windows.
Ingredients
1 ham bone
16 cups water
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste - start with 1/4 and when closer to done, taste it and add more if you want)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 pound red beans, washed
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic minced (uh, if you like garlic, go for it and up this to 3 or 4)]
3 tablespoons oil (I use olive, but any cooking oil is fine)]
1/2 pound ham, cubed
1/4 pound (one link) hot sausage, sliced (this can be raw sausage or smoked)
1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
2 bay leaves
salt to taste
course ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley (if dried use a couple tablespooons)
2 cups cooked rice (you might make more depends on how many you are feeding. The 2 cups serves 2 - 4 in my opinion and family - the recipe for the RB makes more. But this does freeze well and then can micro for another meal with fresh rice)
Beans - wash them and place in a large pot or dutch oven with a tight fitting lid. Cover with water. Bring to boil, and boil a couple minutes, then turn off heat, cover and let it set for one hour. Then drain and rinse the beans. (No, they are no where close to done. I have to add this. I gave this recipe to someone without that caveat once and....)
I drain the beans in a big colander and just let them sit on the counter in it with a paper towel under it. This saves on the washing up.
In same dutch oven, put the oil and saute the celery, onion and garlic until the onions are transparent. Stir often. I then use a slotted spoon to put the vegetables on top of the beans (uh see prior note about saving on dishes). Then put the chopped ham and the sausage in the dutch oven and brown the sausage - keep you eyes on this, this goes really fast. If I am using raw hot sausage, I put this on the bottom and when I turn it I add the others. If all the sausage is smoked, I just put all of it and the ham in and stir till it has a nice color.
Now, put the beans and veggies and meat in a large pot. I use a medium stainless soup pot. Add the water. Add the garlic salt, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Add the bay leaves. Add some salt and pepper. Go light on the salt now - or just wait, as when it is about an hour from done, I taste add them then. I also adjust the hot sauce.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook uncovered over a low flame till beans are soft and creamy. About 3 hours - check them at least every half hour, giving them a good stir. When done, take out the bay leaves and throw them away! Add parsley before serving. Depending on how you like your beans - thicker or thinner sauce, you can cook this longer. I often cook them closer to 4 hours. Serve over hot, fluffy rice. We are really into jasmine rice and are having that with it.
Serve with hot freshly baked French bread - or cornbread is good if you are in the mood for that). Will make the bread later this afternoon. I make the dough in the bread machine then shape, raise it again on the baking sheet and bake in the oven. We are having spinach salad with thinly sliced red onion and orange slices. And for dessert chocolate Whip and Chill.
I am always impressed with how incredible the RB smell while cooking. I can't wait till dinner.
Was thinking about baking heart shaped sugar cookies today, but, decided to do tomorrow.
Got laundry done for day. Got morning routines done. Except for bed making, which I will do shortly when I go upstairs to put away laundry. Putting away laundry is my least favorite household chore. Went outside and checked on the animals, DH fed them all before work (sometimes he does the chix and the bunny but forgets the outside cats!?!!). It is cold and I just have a feeling we are going to get some snow here, I REALLY hope I am wrong but as much as I am not wanting snow, The Wild Child, is working on getting some, so I don't know. She is very strong willed.
Have to make some boot disks for my mom's computer which I think is actually going to need a new harddrive. I was thinking of taking everything out of my pantry cabinet and the spice/baking cab and reorganzing, but, that sounds like too much work for me today, LOL - I still might. The cabs are dark inside and I want to clean them, then spray paint high gloss white paint inside before putting things back. This is supposed to make it easier to see inside and come to think of it, this is a project for a warmer day when I can open the windows.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
In Control
I finally found the perfect Control Journal for me. People familiar with Fly Lady will know what I mean. It is a notebook/journal that has all your homekeeping information in it. Your checklists for cleaning, etc. Calendars. Menus, shopping, etc.
Now I know I am something of a perfectionist. I want something perfect before I begin. Or I want to know things will be perfect before I begin. As you can imagine this often means I don't begin at all.
Since I home school the Wild Child, I have long recognized the need for record keeping and actually have a pretty good system for the school things (which I will blog on another time). But I wanted the perfect home one. I have used a Daytimer - those are really great and I recommend them, but it seemed like it was a bigger expense than I wanted for home use. I could justify it when working (they are pricey and have all kinds of little addons that add up fast!) So, I worked last year (well not all year) on finding a good system. And I finally did. I made it myself, adapting ideas I found here and there. And it works. I have a yearly and monthly calendar. Sections for receipts I need. Budget plan pages - although I came up with the super duper easy way for that as I knew from experience if too difficult we wouldn't use it. It is adjustable, and I suspect it will be refined a bit more as it is used. There is a weekly at a glance two page section, menu planners, shopping list, pockets for bills and small bits, a work planner for my creative endeavors. And a section for some manuals I use a lot - I found them on line at manufactors websites (like for my bread machine - the original was small and lost) and printed them on 8 1/2 by 11 paper, hole punched them and - viola - a nice copy in my book that is easy to use.
When bills come in I can throw away all I don't need that comes with them and just put the bill and envelope if needed in the pocket for the appropriate payday - the budget runs on payday, every two weeks instead of monthly. It works for us! And it could be adapted anytime.
One thing I did, I made the weekly pages, menus, etc., dateless - I write them in - and thus it can be used and started any time.
Just this one thing and I feel more organized. It works so well. Now, the main CJ is way too big to carry with me, so I don't. I have a smaller date book with calendar and blank paper I carry with me. I take the time daily to transfer anything I added. I also make sure I mark calendar entries back to the date book, so I can tell when talking to someone if a date is free. This is also working well.
I started this in early December - as I said it can start anytime. When one week is done, I move all the weeks pages to the back of the section, so I have them for reference. If it gets too big, I can make a second CJ for archival purposes and put half the year in one - or the older pages, etc.
The point is, I designed something that worked for me. With the computer and printer it was easy (although I personally take my masters to a local 4 cent copy place for copying).
Right now I am working on a way to organize coupons into/with the Control Journal. I want to use them, I should use them, but, I have a tendancy to not/or lose them. Control! That is my mantra.
Now I know I am something of a perfectionist. I want something perfect before I begin. Or I want to know things will be perfect before I begin. As you can imagine this often means I don't begin at all.
Since I home school the Wild Child, I have long recognized the need for record keeping and actually have a pretty good system for the school things (which I will blog on another time). But I wanted the perfect home one. I have used a Daytimer - those are really great and I recommend them, but it seemed like it was a bigger expense than I wanted for home use. I could justify it when working (they are pricey and have all kinds of little addons that add up fast!) So, I worked last year (well not all year) on finding a good system. And I finally did. I made it myself, adapting ideas I found here and there. And it works. I have a yearly and monthly calendar. Sections for receipts I need. Budget plan pages - although I came up with the super duper easy way for that as I knew from experience if too difficult we wouldn't use it. It is adjustable, and I suspect it will be refined a bit more as it is used. There is a weekly at a glance two page section, menu planners, shopping list, pockets for bills and small bits, a work planner for my creative endeavors. And a section for some manuals I use a lot - I found them on line at manufactors websites (like for my bread machine - the original was small and lost) and printed them on 8 1/2 by 11 paper, hole punched them and - viola - a nice copy in my book that is easy to use.
When bills come in I can throw away all I don't need that comes with them and just put the bill and envelope if needed in the pocket for the appropriate payday - the budget runs on payday, every two weeks instead of monthly. It works for us! And it could be adapted anytime.
One thing I did, I made the weekly pages, menus, etc., dateless - I write them in - and thus it can be used and started any time.
Just this one thing and I feel more organized. It works so well. Now, the main CJ is way too big to carry with me, so I don't. I have a smaller date book with calendar and blank paper I carry with me. I take the time daily to transfer anything I added. I also make sure I mark calendar entries back to the date book, so I can tell when talking to someone if a date is free. This is also working well.
I started this in early December - as I said it can start anytime. When one week is done, I move all the weeks pages to the back of the section, so I have them for reference. If it gets too big, I can make a second CJ for archival purposes and put half the year in one - or the older pages, etc.
The point is, I designed something that worked for me. With the computer and printer it was easy (although I personally take my masters to a local 4 cent copy place for copying).
Right now I am working on a way to organize coupons into/with the Control Journal. I want to use them, I should use them, but, I have a tendancy to not/or lose them. Control! That is my mantra.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Politics and news are out
I am not going to be commenting on politics or news here, as I have another place for that. Hopefully, I will be able to figure out how to remove the old stuff, but, if not, it will just be there in the past. I know a lot of things about homekeeping and such and that is the new focus of this blog.
New Year New Blog
Well, at least a new blogging attitude. I have neglected this as I couldn't think of why it mattered. And now I know. It matters to me and I have some great ideas to implement in the next few days. The Barefoot Domestic Goddess is back and determined to turn this into the blog I want. I have been studying some ideas and found a great new template that has three columns which is a look I like. Watch for new art, pictures, and lots of content that I hope others will like as much as I do.
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