2 full minutes...

I took my children to the dentist the other day and each one came home with a new toothbrush, watermellon toothpaste and a 2 minute sand timer. For those of you that have never timed yourself while brushing your teeth you may be surprised. I love clean teeth and enjoy a good teeth flossing but to go the full two minutes... I think I need to rethink my morning routine by at least 1.3 minutes...

Snow Fairy

Recently my children have been asking why be have been getting so much snow. It is more than they have ever seen in one year. I have explained that the snow fairy has been very generous and that this year we have been very blessed. "Keep watching out so we can Thank that Snow Fairy when we see him". I changed my mind. I think we'll just send him a letter....

Valentine tips 101

AN ACTUAL 1955 GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ARTICLE
(HOUSEKEEPING MONTHLY 13 MAY 1955)

THE GOOD WIFE'S GUIDE

*HAVE DINNER READY. PLAN AHEAD, EVEN THE NIGHT BEFORE, TO HAVE A DELICIOUS MEAL
READY, ON TIME FOR HIS RETURN. THIS IS A WAY OF LETTING HIM KNOW THAT YOU HAVE
BEEN THINKING ABOUT HIM AND ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIS NEEDS. MOST MEN ARE HUNGRY
WHEN THEY COME HOME AND THE PROSPECTS OF A GOOD MEAL (ESPECIALLY HIS FAVORITE
DISH) IS PART OF THE WARM WELCOME NEEDED.

*PREPARE YOURSELF. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO REST SO YOU'LL BE REFRESHED WHEN HE ARRIVES.
TOUCH UP YOUR MAKE-UP, PUT A RIBBON IN YOUR HAIR, AND BE FRESH LOOKING. HE HAS
JUST BEEN WITH A LOT OF WORK-WEARY PEOPLE.

*BE A LITTLE GAY AND A LITTLE MORE INTERESTING FOR HIM. HIS BORING DAY MAY NEED A LIFT
AND ONE OF YOUR DUTIES IS TO PROVIDE IT.

*CLEAR AWAY THE CLUTTER. MAKE ONE LAST TRIP THROUGH THE MAIN PART OF THE HOUSE JUST
BEFORE YOUR HUSBAND ARRIVES.

*GATHER UP SCHOOLBOOKS, TOYS, PAPER ETC AND THEN RUN A DUST CLOTH OVER THE TABLES.

*OVER THE COOLER MONTHS OF THE YEAR YOU SHOULD PREPARE AND LIGHT A FIRE FOR HIM
TO UNWIND BY. YOUR HUSBAND WILL FEEL HE HAS REACHED A HAVEN OF REST AND ORDER,
AND IT WILL GIVE YOU A LIFT TOO. AFTER ALL, CATERING FOR HIS COMFORT WILL PROVIDE
YOU WITH IMMENSE PERSONAL SATISFACTION.

*PREPARE THE CHILDREN. TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO WASH THE CHILDREN'S HANDS AND FACES
(IF THEY ARE SMALL), COMB THEIR HAIR AND, IF NECESSARY, CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES. THEY
ARE LITTLE TREASURES AND HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM PLAYING THE PART. MINIMIZE ALL
NOISE. AT THE TIME OF HIS ARRIVAL, ELIMINATE ALL NOISE OF THE WASHER, DRYER, OR VACUUM.
TRY TO ENCOURAGE THE CHILDREN TO BE QUIET.

*BE HAPPY TO SEE HIM.

*GREET HIM WITH A WARM SMILE AND SHOW SINCERITY IN YOUR DESIRE TO PLEASE HIM.

*LISTEN TO HIM. YOU MAY HAVE A DOZEN IMPORTANT THINGS TO TELL HIM, BUT THE MOMENT
OF HIS ARRIVAL IS NOT THE TIME. LET HIM TALK FIRST-REMEMBER, HIS TOPICS OF
CONVERSATION ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOURS.

*MAKE THE EVENING HIS. NEVER COMPLAIN IF HE COMES HOME LATE OR GOES OUT TO DINNER,
OR OTHER PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT WITHOUT YOU. INSTEAD, TRY TO UNDERSTAND HIS WORLD
OF STRAIN AND PRESSURE AND HIS VERY REAL NEED TO BE AT HOME AND RELAX.

*YOUR GOAL: TRY TO MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS A PLACE OF PEACE, ORDER AND TRANQUILITY
WHERE YOUR HUSBAND CAN RENEW HIMSELF IN BODY AND SPIRIT.

*DON'T GREET HIM WITH COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS.

*DON'T COMPLAIN IF HE'S LATE HOME FOR DINNER OR EVEN IF HE STAYS OUT ALL NIGHT.
COUNT THIS AS MINOR COMPARED TO WHAT HE MIGHT HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT DAY.

*MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE. HAVE HIM LEAN BACK IN A COMFORTABLE CHAIR OR HAVE HIM
LIE DOWN IN THE BEDROOM. HAVE A COOL OR WARM DRINK READY FOR HIM.

*ARRANGE HIS PILLOW AND OFFER TO TAKE OFF HIS SHOES. SPEAK IN A LOW, SOOTHING AND
PLEASANT VOICE.

*DON'T ASK HIM QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS ACTIONS OR QUESTION HIS JUDGMENT OR INTEGRITY.
REMEMBER, HE IS THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE AND AS SUCH WILL ALWAYS EXERCISE HIS WILL
WITH FAIRNESS AND TRUTHFULNESS. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO QUESTION HIM.

*A GOOD WIFE ALWAYS KNOWS HER PLACE.



THIS ARTICLE ACTUALLY APPEARED IN HOUSEKEEPING MONTHLY ON 13 MAY 1955

Whoever wrote the song "Let it snow" obviously didn't live in Idaho and have to clear a 1/4 mile driveway.

6 or 7 things about me

Paul Tagged me so here goes...


1. I threw up once from laughing so hard. It was at the State Football game in the ISU Minidome (aka Holt arena) in Pocatello. My boyfriend came back from the bathroom and leaned over and wispered.. "their toilet paper is hard" right as was starting to drink my 7-up. I started laughing, turned to choking, then full on throwing up right on the people in front of me. I wonder if they use the same toilet paper at the minidome?

2. I have never had a nightmare. No full on scary wake up in sweats screaming type of anything. I'm more of a giggle in my sleep kind of girl. I wake myself up laughing or giggling at least once a week. Yeah, and don't ask. I don't remember....


3. My favorite place in the whole world so far is Vermont in the Fall. The entire place is transformed into a magical and amazing place. The rolling hills and covered bridges and in some places small lakes just take your breath away.

4. I made out with one of my best friends boyfriend once. (don't ask I won't tell...) I still feel guilty about that...


5. My favorite book is called " I Like You " by Sandol Stoddard Warburg.. I've known this book as long as I can remember and it still makes me happy everytime I read it. "Here is the book that Romeo would have given Juliet; Charlie Brown would have given Snoopy; and you can give to some very special friend..."


6. I really love ABBA. Yes the Group. Shut up this is my blog of favorite things... I am not ashamed of my love for such a sensation. I have now worn out two CD's and working on my third of ABBA's greatest hits.


7. I was a professional seamstress once which consisted of quilting those really cheesy velvet seatcovers. I was super fast and made great money. If you have ever had one of these seatcover.. I'm sorry. I still think they are full of cheese.

.
. Alright time for a tag... Sherri- Show us your stuff.. And Robin. Get a blog going We know you have some great stuff to get out there...

I'll never not remember...

.
.

"Christopher Robin?," whispered Pooh.

"Yes, Pooh Bear?"

"I'll never not remember you...ever."

.

Yesterday I cleaned out my studio and prepared for the final closing. It is bitter-sweet as I think back on all my clients, (some good, some bad) and plenty of memories. It is hard to explain the attachment to the work I have made my own for the past 10 years. It is something that I have taken personally. Something that I can be proud of. I feel it defined me and helped me with who I am today. Now I start a new chapter in my life. Now my children are what will define who I am. They will be my greatest work that I can be proud someday. As for my photography... it will always be part of me somehow..I'll never not remember...ever.

New Recipe Blog

Recently I have had a lot of requests for many of my favorite recipes. From Pumpkin Pecan Waffles to Refried Beans I've been sending out e-mails quite a bit recently. To save time and also to share with all my friends and family I have established a new blog of my favorite recipes. I'll update with a new recipe as often as I can and try to keep things seasonal but if you do have a special request just add a comment and I can get it posted for you. Happy cooking...


www.nansrecipespot.blogspot.com