Ask The Helpful Housewife

"Club House"

Here's what has been floating through my mind the last couple of days...   A Housekeeping Club.  This wouldn't be related to the Housekeeping College at all, this is something different that I'm picturing in my head. 

If you participate in Amy Karol's "Mail Order" then you have some idea of where I'm going with this.  I love what she has done for a crafting club and it's absolutely amazing to get a package in the mail with the club-like goodies in it.  It has inspired me.  I don't want to copy her, or anyone else that has a similar thing, but I like the idea of a club.  For housekeepers.  Not a chat room club or a forum style club where we all post and talk and yada yada yada....  No, I want a CLUB where you get a membership card and other goodies and you have to know a secret pledge and all that good stuff!  Think back to when you were in second grade...that type of club!  But for housekeeping, not selling cookies and earning campfire badges.  I have more thoughts on this in my head.  And I want to have every little detail figured out before I would start one, but if I DID start one, would anyone be interested in joining?  I'm thinking membership cards, a member's only apron, a handbook and a few other things could be in the initiation packet?   Yeah, I'm going to do it.  It's just too fun not to!  Drop me a line and let me know if you would be interested.  I'm going to get to work on the details.  As soon as I have it all figured out, I'll send out the info!

Because I Have No Willpower When It Comes to Pretty Things from Plumo...

All on their way to me as of May 1st....  I have a sickness.  I know.  It's called "pretty things at Plumo are just plain irresistable"...

Can you blame me, really????

Housekeeping 101 Information

All class supply lists have been emailed to class participants for Housekeeping 101, Spring Session 2006.  Please be sure to check your inboxes to print them out.  Class starts May 1st!!!

Send Me An Email

DON"T FORGET!

Today is the final day to register for Housekeeping College! Enroll here...

Email me

Housekeeping Swap Package Came Today!

OOOOHHHHH!!!!  Looky what I got!!!!  Oh, Peggy, it's too wonderful!  Thank you so much!  My housekeeping swap package came today, and I absolutely love it all!

There is a scrumptious package of tea, days of the week dishtowels, new clothespins, two homemade goats milk soaps, some yummy candy, and one of her mother's cookbooks (which brought a tear to my eye, by the way...  how precious of you to send this!  I will treasure it!)  And the vintage peg bag deserves it's own photo:

Isn't it just adorable?  I love all of it, Peggy!  Thank you so so so much!!!!

OOOOHHHHH!!!!  Looky what I got!!!!  Oh, Peggy, it's too wonderful!  Thank you so much!  My housekeeping swap package came today, and I absolutely love it all!

There is a scrumptious package of tea, days of the week dishtowels, new clothespins, two homemade goats milk soaps, some yummy candy, and one of her mother's cookbooks (which brought a tear to my eye, by the way...  how precious of you to send this!  I will treasure it!)  And the vintage peg bag deserves it's own photo:

Isn't it just adorable?  I love all of it, Peggy!  Thank you so so so much!!!!

Biscotti for Breakfast

I made some of the biscotti that I gave you the recipe for in an earlier post.  This time I decided to take a photo of it so you could see just what it would look like!  Please ignore the filthy vase in the background, as these flowers are past their prime and I just haven't gotten around to tending to them yet.  (I know -- how horrible of an example to set, especially on this blog! I usually don't let them get this way, I promise!)  Anyway, these biscotti are so yummy dunked in your coffee or with a nice hot cup of English Breakfast Tea.  Try making it -- it's so easy, I promise.

The Toothpick, a Very Useful Tool

Have you ever taken a really good look at your dishwasher door?  I have.  YUCK!  On a very regular basis I scrupulously clean that thing because it grosses me out that my dishes would come out of something that has such nasty gunk stuck in the crevices.  Take a look at this:

This is with regular cleanings, too, so if you've never done it, you might want to look at your dishwasher door.  And the absolute best tool for this job?  A toothpick!  Just slide it along the crevices (using new ones as you need to, of course!) and it will pull all that yuck right out.  Then spray a little vinegar into it, pour a cup of vinegar into your empty dishwasher, and run a normal wash cycle with no dishes inside.  Your dishwasher will be sparkling and fresh again!  You'll thank me for this disgusting post, I promise...  Now get to it!

I have been TAGGED!

The lovely Ms*Robyn has tagged me!  So, I'm taking my turn now, but be on the lookout!  I may be tagging you next!

TEN SIMPLE PLEASURES

1.  Remembering to set the timer on the coffee maker the night before, and thusly having a fresh hot cup of coffee waiting for you to start your day...

2.  The soft breeze of a warm spring day gently waving the curtains back and forth, bringing in the scent of freshly cut grass...

3.  Johnson's Baby Lotion soaked into every pore of my babies' bodies after bathtime and then snuggling them for a rock-a-bye before bed...

4.  Freshly laundered, ironed, lavender-scented sheets on your bed at the end of a long tiring day...

5.  A chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven with a tall glass of cold milk...

6.  Holding hands with my husband...

7.  The soft purr of Forrest Gump, our cat, when he's sleeping in the sunshine...

8.  A clean house, freshly folded laundry, dinner in the oven, and no one is crying...

9.  A mid-afternoon nap in a hammock...

10.  Two little hands grasping your cheeks, pulling your face in to a small cherubic face, and a head bobbing up and down in first attempts to give Mommy a kiss...

Those are ten of my simple pleasures, but there are many more like them...  now I tag 10 people and forgive me if you have already been tagged: Autum , Julie , Amanda , Mirre , Beki , Peggy , Flossy , Kristy , Tash , and Kali .  I enjoyed this one, and I hope you do, too!

Perhaps I Should Head To Culinary School?

Here we have the pancetta, minced garlic, and chopped sweet onion carmelizing together nicely:

And here we have the final dish after the blanched green beans have been added and sauteed in:

I don't even like green beans, and I ate THREE servings of these!  No recipe, but a vague memory of someone somewhere making green beans with bacon mixed into them and a desire to take it to another level.  Just a strange compulsion to watch food network and cook the last few days.  I served these on Wednesday night along with some potatoes mashed with a fresh garlic and herb butter I made, and Andy perfectly grilled some organic rib steaks to star as the entree...  It was divine.

SO then last night, I got a little antsy in the kitchen again.  Here are recipes for what I created using whatever I could find in the refrigerator (I was feeling spontaneous!).  Sorry, no pictures, but at least I remembered to write this stuff down!  I usually forget to record any ingredients or measurements when I am inventing a new dish, but this time I was prepared!

The menu consisted of Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken Breasts with Cucumber Salsa Relish over a bed of rice lightly seasoned with kosher salt.  It was warm here, and I wanted something light and fresh.  This really hit the spot.  Here's how to make it:

Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the following mixture:

1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup dry white wine

zest of one lemon

4 garlic cloves finely chopped

heavy pinch of kosher salt and black pepper

1 sprig of rosemary, coarsely chopped

(I warmed the marinade mixture in the microwave for about 30 seconds just to get the flavors mingling and working, then placed it in a ziploc with the chicken breasts and popped the whole thing in the frig while I made the relish.)

Grill the chicken breasts until no longer pink in the center, turning once halfway through cooking.

Cucumber Salsa Relish

1 seedless cucumber, diced 1/2 inch cubes

1 scallion, thinly sliced

1/3 green bell pepper, diced

1 medium tomato, diced

2 medium garlic cloves, minced

dash salt

dash pepper

handful of cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped

juice of one lemon

Gently toss all ingredients with a spoon.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Could be used as a nice light pico de gallo dip with margaritas, but we really enjoyed it over the top of the grilled chicken breasts on a bed of lightly seasoned rice.

Dinner was nice and light, yet VERY flavorful.  And all of the kids cleaned their plates.  My kids tend to like big flavors over the bland -- unusual, I know.  But the fact that everyone really liked it was a big bonus considering I just threw it together from what I had on hand.  So much for culinary school; I think I'm doing alright on my own...

The Good Home Cookbook, coming October 2006

Over at Collector's Press (which is where I have gotten my incredible library of retro books from) they are putting together a new cookbook, "The Good Home Cookbook".  I was one of the lucky ones who was able to participate as a recipe tester for this massive work!  (I tried out recipes for "Ambrosia", "Baked Apples", "Old Fashioned Tapioca Pudding" and more, just to name a tiny few!).  If you would like a peek at some of the recipes in advance or just to read about the creation of this cookbook and the journey it will have taken before it is published in October 2006, just head on over to the blog by Richard Perry, Collector's Press founder, at this link.  If you want to get your hands on the cookbook before they are sold out, you can pre-order it at Collector's Press on this page.

It's Official -- I'm Famous!

Retro Revival has me on their links page!  I didn't have any idea this page was linked there until just now when I happened to take a peak at their links to find some new places to surf.  Lo and behold, there I was!  Between that, the email from the owner of The Laundry and the email from Darla Shine, I'm about to fall off this chair that little old me could possibly have attracted that kind of attention!  Wow, what a ride this has been so far....

Swap Package is in the Mail!

I know the packaging isn't exactly beautiful, but I had to make everything watertight -- just in case!  This was a vintage swap, remember?  So some of the items need to be protected.  And I had to mail it today, because apparently Peggy has already sent my package and I want this shipped out before hers arrives!  Otherwise I would feel like such a lazy bum...  So, Peggy, your package is on it's way!  I'm sure yours will be in my box tomorrow, as it was so quick last time to arrive.  I'm looking forward to seeing what goodies you've put together this time, and I hope you enjoy this one I'm sending you.  When you open each item, they may not seem like the items are commonly grouped, and they weren't meant to be.  In the spirit of the vintage housekeeping theme, this is a very eclectic mix of items all meant to be used around the house to brighten those jobs a little more! 

More Sites I've Surfed For You

• Manuals Galore!  Worth a glance...
• Minnesota Historical Society Historic Housekeeping Handbook  If you own a historic property or home, this information is for you.  If you don't have a historic home, it's still applicable information to keep your home in great condition to become a historical property someday!
• Mik Wright -- Greetings that Provoke  Hilarious!  Sometimes a little off-color, but mostly just fun, this line of napkins, cards, notepads, coasters, etc... has the best retro photo art around!  I personally am enjoying my napkins pictured here:

Interesting Find...

I ran across a website for a professional cleaning company in the Northwest that had more than just information on how to hire them to clean your home.  This company actually publishes some great cleaning tips and information on their site.  Go check it out here. 

New Address

The new official email address for this site is:  thehelpfulhousewife@hotmail.com

All future emails and questions should be sent to this address.  Since typepad won't allow me to change the previous email link to this address, I simply removed that link from the sidebar and will be sure to include this email link in the closing portion of each post.  That way it is always accessible to click on it!  Be sure to add it to your address book!

Housekeeping 101 Is Now Enrolling

For those of you who are interested in joining the Housekeeping College, please read on!  I have decided to make this a "6-week course" and have a daily lesson for each of you.  You don't have to write a research paper or send me a completed pot holder or anything like that!  No, rather on each day of the week, excluding weekends, I will put a new 'educational' post on the site.  At the end of the 6 weeks, who ever answers at least 15 of 25 questions on a "pop quiz" correctly, will get a diploma and an official housekeepers packet!  (I'm not telling what's in it--you have to complete the course to find out, but I promise it will be worth it!)

At the end of 6 weeks, I will start up another session called Housekeeping 201 to continue the college.  Anyone who wishes to enroll for the first time will be able to take the Housekeeping 101 course as I will repeat it concurrently. 

Here's the administrative fine print to note:  Registration must be completed by April 25th.  Class begins on May 1st!  To register, simply complete and return this formto me:  Download housekeeping_college.doc

On April 28th, I will send to all participants a list of supplies for the class.  Don't worry, you won't be required to purchase a Dyson or a stand mixer!  No, simply things like a notebook that will be specifically for this purpose and things like that.  Items you may not even have to purchase, they may already be in your possession! 

This will be fun, and I'm excited to see how many sign up!  If anything, the packet at the end will be worth it!

 

A Question Already!!!

Here is an email I received just after posting today...

I have a question.  How do you do it?  You have 4 small kids, and I only have 3 and I feel I can't get anything done during the day unless I turn on the tv for them which I hate.  If I sort clothes, the 16 month old is right behind me unsorting them.  If I try to scrub a toilet, a 2 1/2 yo is swinging the yucky dripping wand around the bathroom.  How do you keep your kids occupied while you clean?  My house isn't a pigsty or anything, but I could do so much better.  Tell me, domestic goddess, how do you do it?

Well, first of all, I am definitely not a domestic goddess!  There are days where my house has gone to the dogs (or to the kids, rather!).  It's simply a matter of maintenance.  You try to keep everything from going below a certain standard.  If you do a really thorough housecleaning once a week, or even less often really, then you have a basis to start from and you simply maintain it by picking up after activites, swiping a cloth over a surface, etc.  It's easier to keep something clean than it is to start from square one.  But for me, the secret is that I have swings installed from the beams in my basement!  The kids are addicted to swinging and they could spend hours doing it.  But ususally they are underfoot and wanting to play.  So, I get them involved.  My 4 year old loves to clean.  She's at the age where it's big fun for her to be able to do the things that Mommy does.  I give her a damp cloth and let her go to town.  If anything, it at least gets the top layer of dust and leaves me with an easier job when I go behind her.  And one of the twins, Aelin, is perpetually putting things away.  She's been like this since birth.  She has to have things in their place or she gets unglued.  So she is great for picking up the clutter as I vacuum.  And Annika, my other twin?  Well, she likes to just run in circles and call it help!  Hey, she's occupied and it's not tearing apart anything I've done!  The baby still takes quite a few naps during the day, so he is usually asleep while I clean.  My secret is to just get them involved.  Or else wait till naptime!  And somedays I do just that.  I will do a speed clean during naptime if I haven't managed to get anything done in a day.  I work up a heck of a sweat, but it gets done somehow!  And I have to admit, there are times when I'm doing a yucky job, such as cleaning toilets, and I break out the Disney videos or a Blues Clues dvd.  I don't think kids need tv every waking moment, but a half hour here or there won't cause a learning disability. 

And if you've been able to create a system for yourself that helps you maintain a certain level of order in the house, then having days where you let things go won't mean the house has descended into condemnation.  That's what we're going to try to work toward here.  And I highly recommend the book "Home Comforts:  The Art & Science of Keeping House" by Cheryl Mendelsson.  I purchased it years ago when it first came out and it has been the one source I couldn't live without in helping me find my systems and my levels of acceptability here in our home.  Because sometimes you just need to say forget the dusting, I want to play with my kids!

Monday is Laundry Day!

If you want to see me get red-faced with steam coming out of my ears, just ask me how I feel about the difference between men and women's clothing.  The price is just the starting point!  And the fact that we pay twice as much as men do for the same darn thing really is frustrating when everything made for women shrinks or gets misshapen the first time you wash it!  So, my solution to keeping my clothing looking like new after laundry day?  I don't put any of my things in the dryer during the spring and summer months.  I hang them out to dry on my drying racks.  In the fall and winter, I do put them in the dryer on gentle, permanent press with low-heat.  And I pull them out just before they are completely dry.  It has really saved my wardrobe since I figured this out! If you happen to find that everytime you wash a new pretty top or a pair of jeans they get smaller all over, it probably is the dryer.  No one gains 10 pounds overnight.  (But if the size decrease is gradual?  Then perhaps one fewer Krispy Kreme per week is in order!)

And if you like to have freshly scented clothing, toss some lavender or other fragrance sachets in your drawers and closets.  Or simply spritz with linen spray a minute or two before wearing.  It can completely change your energy level for the day!

APPLE-BLUEBERRY CUSTARD PIE

For a fruity spring dessert when the evenings are still a little chilly, bake up this lovely creation.  It is perfect for a family gathering or for when friends come by for coffee...

APPLE-BLUEBERRY CUSTARD PIE

3 c Rome apples (4 med-lg apples), peeled and sliced
1 c blueberries
1 1/2 c skim milk
1 1/2 c egg substitute
2 egg whites
1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 c granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350F.  Coat a deep-dish 10-inch non-stick pie pan with cooking spray.  Arrange apple slices and blueberries evenly in pan.  Combine milk, egg substitute and slightly beaten egg whites in a mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients to milk mixture and beat with a whisk.  Spread batter over apples and blueberries.  Bake one hour until crust forms and pie tests done (toothpick inserted will come out clean.).  Serves eight

Housekeeping College

I know that when I was in high school, there was only 1 period where Home-Ec was offered, and now you can't even find it in most curriculums.  I wasn't able to take that class as it was offered at the same time as Physics, and, well, back then I was much more interested in getting into the Navy's Nuclear Program than getting into an apron.  How foolish I was!  I never did join the Navy, and now I find that I didn't even like working with the engineers I once collaborated with on highway designs.  Nope, now I am in love with wearing aprons and all things domestic!  Go figure...

So, my personal mission this week is to try and find out if there is a movement to save the Home-Ec instruction in our schools.  And if there isn't?  I think I'm going to start one!  And I don't want it to be exclusive to girls.  Many men are waiting longer and longer to marry and settle down.  They need to know how to take care of home as well, and when they do have a family, a little knowledge would be a good thing in order to get them to pitch in when the baby's been up all night with fever and mom needs a rest. 

Back to my original thought, it seems that very few of us have ever been taught the right way to "keep house".  Since I felt that this site needed a more definite plan and a path to follow, that's what is going to be found here at The Helpful Housewife.  I'm going to continue to put the little tidbits out here that have been characteristic of the site all along.  But as a concurrent theme, I will start posting about the way to keep house properly.  Not a strict, this-is-the-only-way methodology, but a general guideline of hygenic standards and pleasant added touches.  I hope you enjoy this new format.  I'm going to try to post daily, Monday through Friday, with a longer post on Friday to carry throughout the weekend.  (Hey, even I need a break!  I'm a little tired out suddenly between the three sites, the kids, the farmers market, the aprons, the husband, the laundry....shall I go on?!)

And, as another new item, I want you to utilize the "email me" link on the page.  If you have any question about a housekeeping issue (cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening, pets, anything at all) please email me your question.  I will then post it with the answer on the site (no names mentioned unless you want it there!) so that all can benefit from it. 

Now, go get dinner started and freshen yourself up before hubby gets home!  Tomorrow will be the beginning of our new education!

Still here, but busier than ever!

We're all still here, but it's been really busy with the farmer's market, aprons, kids, and life in general... and the computer time is the first thing to go when life gets crazy.  I'll post again soon, but it may be a couple days yet!  As soon as I dump some of the obligations we suddenly have, there will be much more free time again for this wonderful world of the web!

My Latest Treasure Trove

OK, I don't know why the pictures aren't clear but I haven't changed the settings on the camera at all!  Anyway, here is the wonderful collection of goodies my parents brought to me this weekend!  Other than the two prom dresses and two pair of prom shoes hanging over the ironing board, and the jar collections, everything else belonged to my Great-Grandmother Attie.  The amazing woman that my daughter is named after.  I have lots of pictures, so if you don't mind, I'm going to share all these goodies with you!

First is the wooden ironing board.  It is in excellent condition, and I can't wait to sew a cover for it!  Under the green shoes is a quilt made entirely of feedsacks, turned to the inside so you can't see the printing on them.  Here's a closer look:

Here is a photo of the things on the bench in front of the ironing board:

There is a set of 4 nesting canisters, 4 lovely (3 are vintage) dishtowels, and a selection of glass jars that my father was collecting.  The blue ones are part of a complete set and the white ones are original smooth ground top jars that are self-sealing from the first year they were ever made.  Here are the other jars:

Here is a view of the jars that I've already decided to use as vases.  Don't they look beautiful?  Perfectly suited to the purpose...

Two of them are the largest blue jars and I just love them.  The other two are little pint milk jars!  They are so sweet!  And the neat thing about them is that they are slightly pink, and the more they are exposed to sunlight, the more pink they will get!  How scrumptious!  Here's a closer look at them:

Then there are these two quart size milk jars that were on top of the ironing board in the first picture.  The caps that you use to cover them are in front on the table here...

And now the absolute best item of the entire collection...the absolute treasure for me of all time...Great-Grandma's flour sifter!  If I never had another kitchen momento of hers, that would be just fine, as I am in love with this!!!!! In fact, in this book:

on page 162:

Did you see it?  From the center of the ironing board?  You got it!!!!  My Great-Grandmother had the yellow version, and it is in pristine condition considering it's age!  I've never been in love with a kitchen gadget in my life as much as I am in love with this one.  It was hers, which I love the most, but it has my absolute favorite type of print on it!  Don't you just adore it?  Here's the one I now have:

And Meghan, at your bridal shower today you said that you would like to have some of these things as well.  Next time you are here, please please please feel free to pick through them!  Mom and Dad said they were bringing more stuff down as they are starting to clean out the basement and there are some real treasures in the boxes and cabinets they are going through...  You are welcome to the things that you would like to have, since you will now be a part of our family and Ryan has lovely memories of the farm himself.  I know he would love you to have a part of his history, too! 

Fun Stuff

• The JunkMarket Gals have the most wonderful stuff and project ideas !!!  Go see all the goodies you can find at their market in Minnesota as well as all of their other adventures...

• Hudson Beach Glass  lovely colored glass items like the soap dish pictured above
• Maison Reve  French living and decor at it's absolute finest
• Villeroy & Boch  because if you went to www.villeroy-bach.com you would want to buy one of everything, so just skip straight to the e-shop!
• French Meadow Bakery  from Minneapolis.  One word:  delicious!
• EUROPEAN SOAPS LTD. for the most beautiful soaps!  I particularly like the Pre de Provence selections of Lavender soap and Lychee Nut soap.  The Verbena sounds wonderful, too!
• smallflower has the "bath of the month" club as well as the wonderful Nesti-Dante italian made soaps...
• Kitchen Krafts, the "foodcrafters supplier" has lots of wonderful baking and cooking items that are sure to delight any chef-at-heart.  (Julie, I recommend this for you especially!!!)

Mail Call!

As a housewife loyal to her calling, I feel compelled to do research for my sister housewives.  Therefore, I placed an order a while ago with Feather Your Nest to make sure that it was indeed worthy of mention to you.  This is where the beautiful cake stands and the cherry glasses were from that I posted about here.  I must say that it was more than worthy!  I just love all of the selections I purchased.  There is a pair of pink gloveables for my dishwashing duties along with two tea towels for the Christmas season.  They appear to be handmade and are adorable!  I also restocked my pancake mix and tried a new item:  carmel apple butter!  Doesn't that just sound scrumptious?!  The cookbook, "101 Things to Do With A Slow Cooker" is filled with delightfully mouth-watering recipes that I will be making very often.  But the best part?  The soaps and lotion.  Pictured from left to right are:  White Lilac hand soap, White Lilac dish soap, and White Lilac hand lotion. All smell divine.  So fresh and springy!  I promptly put them in the hall bathroom and on my sink to make it really feel like spring here.  So if you do get a chance to check them out, I highly recommend shopping with Feather Your Nest!

Chicken Casserole

OK, here's the recipe from the question/answer post I did earlier.  Enjoy it!  It's yummy!  Plus, kids will eat it.  Mine love it....

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Cook 1 box of Uncle Ben's Long Grain Wild Rice according to package instructions.  Cool.

Saute the following in a small amount of butter:

1/2 c.  chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery

Mix onion and celery with:

1 small can mushrooms
1-10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
1 can sliced water chestnuts
1 c mayo
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
3 c diced cooked chicken
cooled rice

Spread in a 9 x 13 pan.  Top with one bag of Pepperidge Farm bread stuffing which has been tossed with melted butter.  Bake at 350F for about 45 minutes.   Be careful not to overbrown.

***  I like to substitute light mayo, and the lo-fat healthy request soup from campbells.  I also use any old bag of stuffing mix as long as it is just the traditional flavor.  But I only use half a bag--a full bag is way too much for our tastes.  Half a bag creates an even layer over the entire casserole.  That way you aren't eating a lot of dry, baked croutons with a little bit of chicken dish. 

Question Time With the Vintage Housekeeper!

In the most recent mailing of the Vintage Housekeeper's Digest, Alison asked us to answer these questions and post them.  Well, here goes! 

1. Tell us about your house:   It's a suburban cookie cutter home in a new subdivision.  The standard 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 3 car garage spec home.
2. Who lives in it? The Roman Empire!  Andy, Leanne, Attie, Annika, Aelin, and Andrew.
3. Are you running your house or is it running you? I'm running the house, but the kids are running me!
4. Ironing: love it or hate it?  I adore it.  It's so relaxing.
5. Who's your favorite Domestic Goddess. Why?  Reese Witherspoon.  This girl, even though she makes millions acting in movies, has a down to earth lifestyle.  She does her own cooking, housework, and is a true mom to her kids.  No nannies for her!  And she just looks darn cute doing it.  I love her dresses!  She has iconic style!
6. Most hated domestic task?  Keeping the junk-mail clutter at bay on the kitchen counter!
7. Do you stick to a routine or fire-fight on a daily basis?  I try to stick to a routine, but sometimes you have to get out the fireman's helmet...
8. Any dirty secrets...?  If I told you, they wouldn't be secrets anymore, would they?
9. How green are you?  I recycle everything that we have the ability to, I try to use only natural cleaners, we are organic food lovers, we purchase organic beef from a local farmer, and we try not to drive too much.  If they made a vehicle large enough for 4 car seats that was eco-friendly we would have one. 
10. Favorite housekeeping music, vintage website and soap powder.  Music:  anything upbeat and turned up high.  Usually some Sara Evans, Paul Vassar, or KISS, depending on my day.  Vintage Website:  Vintage Pretty and Brocante Home of course!  Soap Powder:  My favorites are Caldrea or Williams-Sonoma brands but I usually buy what's on sale at the market.
11. Best ever vintage find?  My great-grandmother's piano music box.  It's priceless to me.
12. What time do you go to bed? Whats your evening routine like?  Whenever I collapse.  My routine has gone out the window with baby #4 so I need to get one again.
13. Favorite waste of time?  Watching Boston Legal or searching crafting weblogs.
14. Secret vintage hunting ground?  Jewell's Antiques & Treasures (Oops, there goes a secret!)
15. Do you get much help around the house?  YES!!!!!
16. One of the local yummy mummies calls to say she is on her way
round, but the house is a mess. Quick fixes?  "I was just on my way out, can we meet tomorrow instead?"
17. Your signature housekeeping scent?  It's a tie between Peony, Lavender, Sweet Pea and Cherry Blossom
18. No-fail emergency dinner party menu...  light salad, chicken & wild rice casserole (it's more gourmet than it sounds!), steamed vegetables, rolls, and cannoli for dessert.
19. Dream home?  The house from the movie "Something's Gotta Give".  I just love the classic style and decor.  And all the windows!!!!
20. Martha Stewart: ogre or genius?  Ogre.  I don't care how much genius she has to create her empire -- she is too cold and bitter to like her.  PLUS, she did lie. Under oath.  That was pretty stupid, not very genius-like.  And she has made an entire generation of women feel inadequate.

There you have it! 

Today Is The Day To Re-Stock

You've got a sparkly refrigerator and a spotless pantry.  Today you are going to go through them and make note of anything you need to restock and take yourself shopping!  Remember:  fresh is best, frozen next when it comes to produce.  Look for vibrant color and absence of blemishes.  Be sure to check expiration dates on all purchases.  Ask the butcher about the cuts of meat and choose those that look the brightest, firmest, and most marbled for meats.  The fishmonger can direct you to the freshest fish and recommend a new way to prepare it, too!  Steer clear of processed foods, but don't ignore aisles with the dried pastas.  Even though fresh pasta is wonderful, it's nice to keep a box of spaghettini or farfelle on hand for a quick pantry meal. 

While making your list, consult your cookbooks, recipe cards, and your weekly menu if you have one (I highly recommend it!).  This way you are sure to purchase all of the items you need.  But don't forget to take the list with you!

You may also want to check if you have any manufacturer or store coupons.  This may help you decide where to shop.  Many stores offer double coupons on Wednesday.  With the money you save grocery shopping, you can go get a manicure tomorrow!

P.S.

The Cath Kidston USA site is now updated with all of the Spring/Summer 2006 items...

In Search Of "Green Gate"...

In my quest to find Green Gate retailers in the USA, I found other gems entirely!  Green Gate is my new love.  You really can't tell the difference from Cath Kidston, but that's partly why I love it!  You can see their entire collection here.I've been searching high and low for them in stores here, but alas none exist that have the goodies.  I did find some new places that I'm going to go sigh over as soon as I'm done posting this, though!  Go see these beautiful, breathtaking sites for some absolutely divine home decor:

• Country Chic   I really, really, really want the blue bread bin!  (The cream would match my kitchen much better, but the blue is just gorgeous!) They are located in Lancashire, so I suspect that Kristy and Alison tend to haunt the doorway!
• Simply Living  Don't let the austere homepage fool you.  As you navigate your way through, the simplicity of the background lets you fully appreciate the beauty of their offerings.  To die for!
• Lily Blue  This is where I first discovered Green Gate and prompted my search for U.S. retailers.  This shop will always be a favorite of mine...
• Basic French  I've posted this link before and it's worth a visit.  There is a very small sampling of Green Gate products, but it's a cute site to check out anyway!  This is the only US link I could find, so hopefully they will carry more in the future.

The Pantry Is NOT A Mushroom

Good morning, darling Housewives!  Now that our refrigerators are sparkling and pretty inside, it's time to move on to our next task.  We are going to tackle the pantry now.  And in case you were wondering why in the world I could admonish everyone by saying the pantry is NOT a mushroom, it is because most people treat the pantry that way.  They keep it in the dark and it's covered in dirt!  I know that us Housewives don't do that, but you would be surprised to peek into the pantries of those who are homekeeping-phobic or those who would love to be an efficient homemaker but have no idea where to start or what to do.  Pantries tend to be neglected more than any other area of the home with exception of the utility closet, but most use their pantries as a utility closet as well. 

I'm going to tackle this as if your pantry is a multi-purpose area.  If you are fortunate enough to have separate closets for brooms and paper/cleaning goods, and the like, then only take out the points that would pertain to you.  Let's get started!

To keep foods fresh and to prevent pest infestation, we need to keep the pantry clean and dry at all times.  This doesn't mean filling a bucket with bleach water and scrubbing it down everyday.  You can maintain a high level of cleanliness with afew simple preventative measures.  But a good, thorough initial cleaning is in order, as well as at least one per year thereafter.  Here are the steps to take for that initial scrub-down:

1. Remove everything from the pantry.  Every can, box, bag, crumb of food.  Remove all cleaning supplies or paper products that you may have stored there.  The pantry should be completely empty. 
2. Sort through the items you pulled off the shelves/hooks and discard anything that's past it's prime.  If you have items that are still good and you don't plan to use them, DON'T TOSS THEM OUT!   Set aside a box of these items to deliver to your local food pantry, shelter, or church for those less fortunate.  These places are always in need of donations and every little bit helps.  Any cleaning product that you are going to get rid of need to be properly taken care of.  Be sure to read labels for disposal guidelines.  Most can be flushed down the drain with lots of water and the container recycled.  If you have some things that are a little stronger and require different disposal techniques, be sure to do so appropriately.  Contact your local waste management company for advice or instructions on where to take these things.
3. Now that you have room to work, it's time to clean.  First, dry dust the shelves and walls to remove any dust and crumbs.  Sweep the floor to prevent any dirt/dust from becoming wet and hard to clean up.  This way any drips from the cleaning will not create a bigger mess. 
4. FIll a bucket with warm water and a drop of two of a gentle dishsoap or an all-natural cleanser.  (I really like Dr. Bronner's liquid soaps for this type of job. The peppermint or eucalyptus scents work especially well, although any of them are perfect for this project.)  Grab about 6 cleaning cloths from your rag bin stash and lets get to work.
5. Wash down each shelf.  As your cloth gets too dirty to continue, toss it in your washing machine and grab a clean one.  Keep going until all shelves have been cleaned.  Next, wipe down the walls.  Start at the top and work your way down.  If any drips get on your clean shelves, simply wipe them away. 
6. Using a spray bottle, lightly mist your shelves with a very weak vinegar and water solution.  This will help to ensure a thorough rinsing of any residue, and will also act as an antiseptic for anything that may have  been setting up home in your pantry.
7. All that is left to scrub is the floor.  This is one of the times that I encourage a little bleach in your water.  This will ensure that no pests decide to meander on in and make themselves comfortable.  Give the floor a good scrub with a natural bristle brush and rinse thoroughly.  Leave the door open to air and dry the pantry while you go on to the next step.
8. Now I want you to wipe down any jars or cans that will go into your pantry.  Dust off any boxes that will be returned to the shelves or, ideally, empty the contents of the boxes into airtight glass or plastic containers. 
9. When placing items back in the pantry, place like items together.  Heavier items go toward the bottom and lighter items at the top.  Place all cleaning products on the bottom shelf or on the floor so that there is no chance of contamination of the food items.  If you have small children, you are probably thinking this is absolutely insane for childproofing reasons.  It really isn't.  In our main floor pantry, we keep snack foods, cereals and cleaning products, while the bulk of our items are in our basement pantry.  We simply put a hook-and-eye latch on the door at our eye level.  This keeps the children out of the pantry and away from the cleaning supplies.
10. Using your vacuum, clean the bristles of your broom and the strings of your dust mop.  Hang the mops/brooms back on their hooks (don't stand them up in a corner--this ruins the bristles) and place any bucket or cleaning caddies on the floor beneath them.  This is also where I hang our plastic grocery bag catch-all and my cleaning smocks/aprons.  TIP:  to cut down on the massive collection of plastic grocery bags, ask for paper bags the next time you go to the market.  You can always plant another tree, but we can't always create another landfill, that's my motto.  I've found that paper bags are easier to  manage when putting them in the car.  They fit side by side very neatly.  I usually bring my own canvas and oilcloth totes to use.  When I'm low on paper bags for holding my recycling items and newpapers on trash day, I will ask for paper at the market.  When I am low on plastic bags that I use for changing the litter box, lining the utility room wastebaskets, or containing dirty diapers while away from home, then I ask for plastic bags at the market.  But for me to get any type of disposable bag from the market, it has to serve a dual purpose later. 
11. Step back and admire your clean and organized pantry!  To maintain this work of art, all you have to do is remember to rotate out your items that you keep in there, wipe up any spills or crumbs immediately, and vacuum the floor every week or so to keep any dust bunnies at bay.  Occasionally wipe a mop over the floor to maintain, but with proper attention to the pantry on a minimal daily level, the floor should stay clean for longer periods.

For more information on a sparkly pantry, you can go to the following places for some great tips, ideas and instructions:  Real Simple Magazine, Home Comforts : The Art and Science of Keeping House, Keeping House: Hints and Tips for a Beautifully Clean Home , and of course, Alison has the most wonderful site on all things housekeeping vintage-style!

As If We Need Another Reason to Lock Up Our Pocketbooks!

These glasses would be perfect for lemonade this summer...

These cake stands would be perfect for holding my Lemon Blueberry Bundt cake and a batch of Lavender Tea Cookies to be washed down with that lemonade...

 

And even if I manage to behave and not purchase the glasses or the cake stands, I really must restock my pancake mix.  This Stonewall Kitchens mix is absolutely the best I've ever tasted!  I usually make my mix from scratch, but sometimes we have a treat and "get out the good stuff"...

The American Housebook

Join the American Housekeepers Club.  (Did you know there was such a thing?  I didn't either!) This is just now starting to form, and looks to be a very promising place to go for almost anything a housekeeper may need to know.  Receive the complete ORGANIZED HOUSEKEEPER'S HOUSEBOOK CD absolutely free when you sign up.  To find out what this wonderful new organization is all about, visit them at their site at www.housekeepersclub.com.  I've already signed up, so if you have any questions just ask me, The Helpful Housewife!