My tween-aged daughters appreciated this outside, objective source of advice for determining the modesty of an outfit from The Secret Keeper website: "Truth or Bare," a set of modesty "tests." Obviously, a reader's personal standards might be much more or much less conservative than this, but it's a starting point to discuss modesty standards, and why they matter. … [Read more...]
Kid-Hosted Tea Party
The kids knew that we were planning on a tea party in the afternoon, so as I worked on something else, two of them set the table with a blue cloth and prepared the treats. They artistically arranged Girl Scout cookies, Trader Joe's Oreo-style cookies, truffles, and Andes mints on plates and pulled silk flowers out of the storage cabinet for a centerpiece.The small white … [Read more...]
Monday FunDay (week 7)–Tea Party
I'm a little late with my Monday FunDay post. I'm still in the post-retreat Slow Zone (sigh). Please accept my apologies. Welcome to:Monday FunDayWhat? You didn't know about Monday FunDay? Why, it's a carnival dedicated to swapping simple, amusing–maybe even silly–everyday ways you enjoy good, clean fun.Just post a story, idea, or explanation at your blog of how you and/or … [Read more...]
Where to Hang Washcloths?
Two clear, plastic suction hooks are functional and discreet.Suction stuff usually doesn't work very well for me--bigger items like shelves or soap holders have been known to un-stick from the shower walls and flop down in the middle of the night--SLAM! CLATTER-clatter-clatter!Scares the liver out of me.But these simple, basic hooks have fallen off only a couple of times … [Read more...]
Love Those Lentils
Years ago, my sister-in-law told me about a cookbook called More-with-Less Cookbook (suggestions by Mennonites on how to eat better and consume less of the world's limited food resources) by Doris Janzen Longacre The copyright dates back to 1976 and has been renewed, renewed and renewed. Mine leads up to the 43rd printing in 1996. "There is a way of wasting less, … [Read more...]
Singing Revere Ware’s Praises
I'd just like to put in a good word for Revere Ware. Sixteen, almost seventeen, years ago, we received a set of Revere Ware pans as a wedding gift from my uncle. We've used them daily for all of those years, and they have occasionally served as an impromptu drum set for the little ones. With constant use and mild abuse, I suppose it shouldn't have come as a surprise to … [Read more...]
I Love to Tell the Story: How Advent Traditions Invite Us to Reflect, Together
A few years ago we bought a preformed Advent wreath at Michael's. I wrapped some ribbons and beads around it, stuck some plastic red berries into the greenery here and there, and deemed it ready for service. It was hardly an example of artistic brilliance, but it would serve us fine. It was festive. It would hold the … [Read more...]
An Oasis in our Fast-Paced Lives
Ken Gire, in his book The Reflective Life, described the plentiful options we have before us to fill our plates, our days (I'm adding a few and updating to reflect opportunities present in 2007): Vehicles to transport us wherever we want, even off-road, with audio technology and reading material--iPods, books on CD, podcasts--to keep the ride from getting … [Read more...]
10 Simple Ways to Class Up One’s Act (a notch)
You may have concluded at some point that I'm not exactly a style guru. If so, you are correct. Just ask the friend who does my hair—she's thrilled if I agree to something other than a blunt trim straight across. I often forget to wear makeup, even though my face would certainly benefit from daily attention and improvements. And then of … [Read more...]
Group Books by Color
When my friend A. was helping me with some decorating ideas (I'm hopeless on my own), she recommended that I group the books on my family room shelves somehow. "Group them? Like, with the Dewey Decimal System?" I asked. I wasn't opposed. As a matter of fact, it would have made locating books much easier. "No, not like that. I'm thinking like a decorator here. You … [Read more...]
Thick and Chewy, Fast and Easy Pizza Dough
(Disclaimer: Experienced breadmakers must simply move on. They will find it too painful to read how I mess around with the nuances of bread-making.) Once a week, the kids ask for pizza. To save money and time (and eat a little healthier), I make my own crust. I got the original recipe and instructions from one of the Tightwad Gazette books … [Read more...]
Castile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face)
One, simple idea. One bottle. One product to suggest: Castile soap, a product is made with vegetables and herbal oils. The one I use (Updated 2012: I originally used Trader Joe's Pure Peppermint Castile Soap in liquid form, but several years ago switched to Dr. Bronner's, which I love except for all the strange messaging printed on the bottle) adds a touch of Aloe Vera … [Read more...]
I'm a Midwestern Blogger: Sensible as a Wool Hat
Ever since I discovered Scott Russell Sanders a few years ago and read some of his books that extol the virtues of firmly planting oneself in a physical, geographical place, I've been thinking about my place: the Midwest.The suburban Midwest, no less.I've always wanted to try living elsewhere, to escape for a time, to see what it's like away from the mild, vanilla … [Read more...]
Crepes? Mais, Oui!
Every other week or so I make crepes. My family goes nuts. You'd think I told them we were going to shovel sugar straight from the sugar bowl into our mouths. Of course, that's not too far off reality. Crepes (once filled) are sweet. Crepes are also fattening. Crepes are delicious. In fact, when I'm feeling unappreciated, I simply pull out the eggs and announce a … [Read more...]
Family LoveFest
In grade school, Valentine's Day was pretty neat: mailboxes made out of milk cartons and cereal boxes decorated with tissue paper and heart-shaped doilies, overflowing with ready-made and homemade Valentines; boxes of candy hearts; school parties with cupcakes and juice. Everybody shared in the fun. No one was left out. We had to make a Valentine for everybody in … [Read more...]
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