Ask The Helpful Housewife

Another Day of Gratitude

2009-11-19T09:39:03-05:00

Part of being able to love my "domestic duties" is my outlook on them. Yes, it does help that I have mild OCD which makes me despise clutter & dirt. Yes, it also helps that I like the satisfaction that comes with the sparkle after my home is in order. And yes, I am blessed to be fascinated by homekeeping books & experts.

But mostly it is my gratitude for what I have. My family is so important to me, and I want to care for them in the best way, in every way, possible. I am grateful for the home we have, whether modest or luxurious. I am grateful for what our hard work provides our family. So that drives me to care for it in a way that shows my pride and love.

So often I hear about how much the cleaning, the laundry, the cooking, and the shopping are hated "chores". Why not try to change your viewpoint and look at them as a privelege instead? In this economy especially, it can be healing and inspiring to look at these tasks as a luxury! How lucky we are to have homes to clean! Lucky to have clothes to launder, hot water to wash the dishes, food to cook...

Our attitudes when shifted to gratitude can drive us accomplish so much more! We can get our tasks done so much more quickly because we aren't plodding through them. And we are more inspired to add the little extra touches along the way to show our families how much we care.

With Thanksgiving almost upon us, it's the perfect time to shift our perspective...

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Monday Mama Ranting...

2009-11-16T21:57:02-05:00

Somebody uncorked the bottle today. Now, normally no one has to wonder what I'm thinking! I am one of those people who lets it all hang out there, no matter what. You want to know my opinion? You'll be sorry you asked! But some things I've been able to just pass on and keep my thoughts to myself. Until today. I guess I've been bottling them up too long? Or else I have some other deep seeded distress that is making me redirect in this way subconciously. Who knows... but apparently I need to get this out of my system.

1. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PROTEST THE NEW RESTRICTIONS ON MAMMOGRAMS! Now they say that you shouldn't get them until you are 50 because they are ineffective on women under 50. Tell that to any woman in her 40's or younger, who had a mammogram whose life was saved! In an interesting interview on Nightly News with Brian Williams, this "brilliant" doctor from some UCLA think-tank decided to open her remarks with a very tellng statement: [sic] "It's time we caught up to the rest of the world's standard of care and guidelines for government sponsored healthcare systems". Uh, does anyone else see the problem with this? Welcome to Obama care! Listen, I'll be the first one to stand up and demand affordable, accessible care for everyone. But not when they take away necessary health screenings for one of the deadliest diseases for women in order to have it! I'm not a Republican, and I'm not a Democrat. Now you know why I don't buy into our partisanal government crap. Are you kidding me? Slap a set of mammaries on Obama and see where his position is then!

2. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, JUST EAT PEANUT BUTTER IF YOU ARE PREGNANT! There, I feel better already! This has been bothering me to no end. Some idiot pediatrician out there, who undoubtedly has no kids, decided that pregnant women should not eat peanut butter because it increases the risk of peanut allergies in the child once born. Are you kidding me? Excuse my language, but common sense tells me this is complete and utter bullshit! I ate tons of peanut butter when I was pregnant with all four of my kids, and none of them have a nut allergy! It flies in the face of all logic! Think about it: if you get allergy shots, what are you getting? Small inactive doses of the allergen to desensitize you to whatever you are allergic to, right? So, why should a pregnant woman avoid peanut butter in order to prevent a future possible allergy? Desensitize the child in the safety of the womb. Jeepers! In fact, studies have shown that the longer you wait to introduce many foods, the greater the likelihood of reaction! So what the heck is this all about? Oy vey!

3. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GET YOUR KIDS VACCINATED! Listen people, vaccines do NOT cause autism. The reality is, autism symptoms just happen to show up around the same age that vaccines are usually given. Total coincidence. And parents are looking for something, anything to blame. Don't jump all over me here. The science proves it. And I have twins with mild autism, so it's not like I'm yelling over the fence at you. Yes, it's hard. Yes it can be a heart breaking experience to hear it. I understand. It rocks your world. You struggle with it, and look for the first thing to blame as the cause. Leave that to the researchers... instead of wasting energy on all that hate and fury and misinformation, just love your child. The reality is, this is just who they are. Maybe there isn't anything wrong with them anyway? Maybe it truly is just WHO THEY ARE? That outlook has helped me cope tremendously. And I have been able to help my kids progress forward to a happy and stable year of kindergarten, with less meltdowns than I expected. Because I just accept it as who they were meant to be, not a flaw or an illness. But if you choose not to vaccinate your kid just because you decide to believe some crap some quack decides to spew out? You're welcome! The ONLY reason you have the luxury of vaccinating your kid is because I vaccinate mine. But watch carefully... mumps, measles, rubella, scarlett fever and more are on the rise again thanks to folks like you!

OK, I've probably alienated enough people for one day. Stepping down off my soap box now! I fully expect an inbox full of hate email shortly, but I'm OK with that. My next post will go back to green housecleaning, recipes, or whatever else housewifey I can come up with! But please do think about raising a big stink about the mammogram thing with your doctors, politicians, health insurance companies, anyone who will listen. Your boobies, you lives, are worth it!

Sweet, Lazy Sundays

2009-10-18T13:13:34-04:00

Not having a computer has put a crimp in things around here. I've been living through my cell phones, but it's just impossible to really function the way I like to. Yes, Blackberry has all the features that enable me to keep up to date on what's going on; my HTC Pro even allows me to blog as if I'm sitting at my laptop. But it's just not the real thing! I like the full size screen vs trying to squint at the small little square on a handheld; and even though the pda's have "Full QWERTY" keyboards, let's face it, no one's fingers are that small! So, needless to say, I am very grateful to have my dinosaur laptop back in operation today.

While I was unable to post, I was able to be crafty! Here are photos to prove it....

Headband mania around here! So fun to make! If you are interested, you can actually buy them at Twiggies here in downtown DeWitt. I love Twiggies, one of my favorite places in the world. I even have had the luxury of watching the shop when Beth has to run out on floral deliveries or spend a day doing a wedding. I love this cozy little corner of the world. She one Best of the Best in Knot Weddings for 2008 and 2009! Well deserved, too. Her weddings are amazing. But her boutique? Full of treasures! I could get lost in there!

So today is a lazy Sunday. Andrew is feeling a bit under the weather. Although he and Aelin have already gone through the H1N1 bug, he's now got some type of stomach bug. So he and I are snuggled up on the couch with football on the tv. Mom has to pay attention! I've got fantasy football stats to keep up with. I pulled off a miracle win last week. No laptop?? No lineup changes. That meant two of my actives were actually on bye weeks! How did I pull that off???? The girls are off playing, and Dad is yakking on the phone. It's cold, and icky, and a great day to just lay low, watch some great games, and enjoy the lazy time. Tomorrow it will be back to the grind of running kids around, and trying to fit everything into my days. For today? Rest and relaxation!

Oops! Missed a day! I've

2009-10-06T11:35:22-04:00

Oops! Missed a day! I've been hidden away in the craft room working on some big secrets that I will share soon... Good stuff!

Bourbon Sauced Bread Pudding -- come on over!

2009-10-03T13:11:00-04:00

You're all invited over to enjoy some with us! I'm making it right now... Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1990. Anthony Bourdain would propose to me after one taste.

This was created based on the description my husband gave me of a good bread pudding he had in New Orleans before Christmas. But it was still a little too cakey for him. This one is gooey, ooey, and oh so sinful! My own creation. I'm not sharing it, just in case I make it big in the gourmet world! But I wanted to extend an invitation to all of you to come on over and share it with us.

But I am posing this question to all of you: how do you prefer your bread pudding? There seem to be two schools on this dessert. One is the very dry, dense version. Another is the more moist, fluffy, cakey version. I've even watched entire Food Network shows dedicated to this historic food. It is typically found in the south, and mostly in the New Orleans area. But the name alone does NOT fit the food. When I think of pudding, I think of custard. Of something smooth, velvety, creamy.... NOT cakey!

So this version I've created is a true bread PUDDING. Hmmm.... maybe I do have to publish it!

Anyway, what do you think? Dry & dense; cakey; or custardy? Let me know!

THE Must Have Item This Fall...

2009-10-02T14:29:53-04:00

These bowls are simply amazing! Two years ago, my mom gave me 2 sets of these bowls for Christmas. They come with matching plates that sit under them perfectly if you like. Unfortunately, one broke, so this past Christmas, I asked for one more set of 4. We use them ALL the time, so they are always in the dishwasher, and 4 more would be so handy in this family of six. Well, bless her, she gave us 2 more sets instead, since we didn't want anything else! We use these every. single. day. No lie. Every morning, they come out of the cupboard for cereal, oatmeal, or Malt O Meal. At lunch I fill them with soup or mac and cheese. At dinner they get used for chili or stew or any other hearty dish. Even lasagna at times when it's extra gooey! And at night, Andy uses one for his evening ice cream indulgence!

These are so versatile. They are great for any occasion. Put them on your registry. Your birthday list. Your Chrismas wish list. Dishwasher and microwave safe. Durable. (Unless a 4 year old throws it in a sink a little TOO hard!) And a good basic white to match most any decor. A bargain at $29 for a set of 4 bowls and 4 plates that will be a favorite for years and years! And occasionally they go on sale, so watch for that, too. Available at Williams-Sonoma stores and online.

Tonight I'm using mine again... chicken chili is on the menu, along with home made rolls, veggies to crunch on, and home made hummus dip. And then later on tonight we'll use them for popcorn, the plates for donuts, and have cider while we watch a movie!

Honeycrisp Season! YUMMY!

2009-10-01T14:30:32-04:00

What is the best thing about this time of year? Just the fact this is the only time you can get Honeycrisp Apples!!!!! OMG!!!! Have you ever tasted one? They are exactly as described... sweet as honey and oh-so-crisp! They are the only red apples I will eat. And I will eat them by the bushel. And I do! Because the season is so short, I gorge myself on them. They are so divine. And I do not bake with them. It seems almost sacreligious to do so. I will bake with MacIntosh apples any day. Those are the absolute best for apple crisp. And Gala's or Paula Red's are perfect for apple pies. But Honeycrisp's? No. They must be eaten as is.

They crunch as you bite in. The juice runs stickly down your chin. The sweetness fills your mouth, without a hint of tartness. It's like eating candy from nature. Literally! And I have a kitchen full of them.

My next stop? Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. John's for fresh cider. It's fall. Cider is a must have around the bonfire! Warm cider with a stick of cinnamon for stirring... so simple and yet so elegant. Want to feel like Martha Stewart without the stick up your you-know-what? Get some big, over-size mugs. Pour warm cider in them. Insert long stick of cinnamon. Ouila! Throw in a couple whole cloves and a sprinkle of fresh ground nutmeg and a squeeze of an orange wedge, and you can be Martha's overlord in mere seconds. MUAHaaaahhaahaaaa!

With the fresh air coming through the windows in the kitchen (I don't care if it's chilly out - the sun is incredible, and the smell of leaves is amazing), pumpkins galore at the farmers market this week, and my favorite apples in abundance, life is good right now! As long as it doesn't snow anytime soon... And I have to go back to my second favorite apple, Granny Smith, and bundling up in snow gear.

Are you in the mood for Autumn on this first day of October?

Need a quick and easy dessert?

2009-09-30T12:29:14-04:00

Here's a delicious, perfect ending to a family dinner on a busy weeknight, or if you need to entertain grandly without the fuss and muss. No matter who you serve it to, they'll think you are a Michelin star pastry chef!

(No need to write this down; you'll have it memorized after reading it, which makes it even more wonderful!)

1 chocolate cake mix - any old brand

1 lg. can cherry pie filling - again, any old brand

3 large eggs

1 cup milk chocolate chips

Stir together first three ingredients until moist. Gently fold in chocolate chips. Bake in a greased cake pan at 350 deg. F for as long as the cake box says for the size pan you are using. (ie: 9 x 13, 2 - 9" rounds, etc...)

When cool, drizzle with warmed hot fudge ice cream topping and serve. YUM!

Need a variation? Try the following:

Spice cake mix + apple pie filling + caramel topping

Caramel cake mix + apple pie filling + caramel topping

Golden cake mix + blueberry pie filling + warm blueberry syrup & whip cream

Chocolate cake mix + 1 jar warm hot fudge + 1 bag toffee bits + peanut butter frosting

See what combination you can come up with!!!!

Those Crazy Hazy Days of Fall

2009-09-26T11:37:18-04:00

No photos. Ughh. I hate posting without photos! My camera is out for the count. The auto focus is out of whack, and I need to get it fixed. So, a text only for today, unfortunately! But, on the bright side, there are signs of life here!!!

As we end the month of September, things have finally settled into a routine for most of us. School has become old hat for everyone, and we've got some semblance of order in our daily grind. At least in our house it feels that way. For the most part...

Until I start thinking about all of those little things that creep up on me! School pictures are Thursday and Friday for us. WHAT?!?!?!? They can't be! It's already October 1st and 2nd? Panic has just set in for me! You see, each year I handknit a sweater for each child to wear in their school photo. Tradition dictates it. Well, not really. It's my tradition that I started for myself. It wasn't handed down or anything. But my kids have come to expect it. Now, one sweater is finished. Andrew's was knit last spring when I thought I was being pro-active. Smart! So glad I did it! That only leaves three sweaters to knit in a week, and they are the three larger ones to boot. (Insert long, tired, sad sigh here....)

So, out comes the yarn, that thankfully had already been purchased, and the ball winder/swift. Wind up a hank or two and knit like a fiend. One sweater is now done, and it is for the oldest. That leaves me the two middle sized sweaters to knit by Thursday. It is now Saturday. My hands hurt as it is. But I WILL GET IT DONE! Because I am a martyr and a moron.

I'm also thinking about how I should already be doing my fall cleaning about now as well. Getting the house ready for the cold weather season. But when it's 80 degrees outside yet, it's hard to get in the mood. But I'm running out of time on that one as well. Where does time go? It seems each year goes faster and faster and faster. Stop already, father time!

And Andrew turns 4 on Monday. So I will be spending the weekend preparing for the big day - cupcakes for school, cake for the family party, getting linens ready for houseguests tonight, finding time to wrap a gift or two, entertaining family that will be here this weekend to celebrate from out of town, etc. In our family it's never a small affair. I'm not complaining here, but let's just say my mother likes to make a big deal over "St. Jump Rope Day". She's into celebrating! Must prepare.

And this has been how my life has been the past few months. Hectic. This kind of daily chaos that isn't normal yet somehow has become our normal? Time to find a way to grab hold of the routine of the school year and defend the rut! Get the message across to all that we like our schedule, that we like our mundane life without the craziness, and settle into the LAZY, hazy days of fall. And let me get back to having a few minutes each day to be here. Posting what I love to share with you: all things domestic!

I'm even thinking about adding in some video tutorials and some other new ideas. Some interactive updates. And going back to more of the how-to, and less of the where-to-buy. My first love is still the concept of helping you find better routines, better methods, and ways to fall in love with being domestic. I have to remind myself once in a while to get back to the core when it starts creeping away from the heart of the blog!

OK, I have to get back to my knitting. At least I love to do it, and I can watch the MSU Spartans play football while I work on it! Enjoy your Saturday!

It's that time of year again...

2009-09-06T14:08:12-04:00

leanne0505