A Few Tidbits

I feel like I've been pretty MIA lately.

I missed "Life Made Lovely Mondays" and "Virtual Coffee" on Tuesday.

And when I say "missed" I really mean missed.

I guess ever since I've been back to the bloggy world, I've been trying to make sure I don't end up in the hole that made me take a break in the first place -

putting my blog over things that (while usually less fun) are more important.

Read: cleaning the bathroom before work.

So, unfortunately, a heightened sense of priority has kept me away, but I'll be back in full force tomorrow. Prepare yourself for an announcement concerning my "10 To Do in 2011," how I really feel about "Moby Dick," and possibly some pictures. In the meantime, here are a few things...

1. Can I just take a moment to tell you how much I looooooove Fresh Market. Now, they didn't pay me to say that.....but I wish someone would. Then I could actually shop there...

I mean more than I currently do,

which is a few minutes every month or so to grab some specific item,

when I don't have enough time to peruse aisles and spend my entire paycheck.

2. This is one reason I didn't have time to blog yesterday....

It's my closet - organized and arranged according to color!

Yes, it did take me all morning, but it's basically changed my life. In the last 48 hours, if I have felt even the slightest unhappiness, all I have to do it walk in and take a quick glance, and every little trouble floats away. Yeah, I'm talking about a closet.....

3. Bama Man and I just finished "The Social Network." I really enjoyed it, but I have to admit...it might be the last straw that causes me to give up Facebook for real, instead of just saying I might when I get tired of it. I'm not sure I want to be a cog in the Mark Zuckerburg machine. I'm just saying.

Hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday, see you tomorrow!

Happy Halloween Eve

Whew! Feels like the first time I've really sat down all day. As most of you probably know, Alabama didn't have a game today which left Bama Man and I to revert to our pre-football season routines of getting our own little projects done around the house. It's been one of those weeks, so I was a little daunted by my weekend to-do list, but I took one last swig of my coffee and got to it.

To be honest, it's been kind of amazing. I really do love working around our house. Tuesday, my weekday off, is usually when I spend time "homemaking," but this last Tuesday I spent the entire day holed up in my make-do storm shelter I put together in our guest bathroom, waiting for tornadoes that never did end up coming by the house. (I am grateful, by the way!) So my house has been crying out for me a little bit.

After cinnamon rolls and bacon, Bama Man and I hit a couple of yard sales. I scored James Taylor's greatest hits and the Best of Bob Marley for a grand total of $2! Possibly the highlight of my day. Then we came home, and I did weeks (and I mean weeks) worth of laundry, then to put that laundry away I had to reorganize my entire dresser and closet, then I realized I'd have more room if I moved out the summer clothes, but then I moved in the cold weather clothes - which took some more organizing. Then it was on to cleaning my kitchen from top to bottom (including throwing out old stuff from the fridge - and you know how I feel about that), and then I turned on the porch light, put out my pumpkin, donned my orange sweater, and waited for trick-or-treaters.

Actually, I've been pretty excited about the trick-or-treaters! Every Halloween, I've either been a kid, living in the boonies, or at work, so I've never actually gotten the opportunity to pass out candy to decked out kids. I was actually feeling a little hopeless, I even started eating some of the candy myself, but then it happened! A ring of the doorbell, and a bride, two princesses, and spiderman came to my door. It was a dream come true! Okay, maybe I wouldn't go that far, but it was pretty fun. No other rings yet, but I'm doing my best to save the candy.

What are y'all up to tonight?

Dishwasher Diva

Hello Everyone, I am officially a dishwasher Diva! Lately, when BamaMan and I (Yes, BamaMan is not at all above helping in the kitchen) unload the dishwasher we have been met with scum, and residue, and general ingratitude on the part of the dishes we so lovingly care for. It has been quite maddening! Finally, at the end of my rope, I did a little Internet searching and found something that made me feel like an absolute ditz: our dishwasher needed to be cleaned!


I like to think that in my mere year and (almost) nine months of keeping my own home that I have succeeded in learning (most of) the ropes. I was, apparently, wrong. I realize that most of you, my faithful readers, are seasoned pros, but for my fellow greenhorns, here are a few tips:

1. The best results will be had directly after you run the dishwasher, when it is still warm and wet-ish.

2. Mercilessly scrub the inside of dishwasher, particularly around the filter and under the door (which, I am ashamed to admit, was absolutely disgusting!) with a toothbrush and wipe out the exposed grime with a warm, slightly soapy paper towel or cloth.

3. Pour a reasonable amount of white vinegar into the liquid detergent area and run a cycle. I also read that unsweetened lemonade mix, tang, and other powered acidic drink mixes work as well, but be careful because some will stain!

I should also take a moment to warn you about something that should have been obvious to me and wasn't: vinegar is absolutely awful! It's all worth it in the end, but you should be prepared for your house to smell a little like an Easter egg-dying party for as long as the dishwasher is running.

4. Now that the inside of your dishwasher is spotless (which it should be, and if it isn't, run a cycle with a little tiny bit of bleach instead of vinegar - and NEVER mix chemicals!) give the outside a thorough going over with the warm, soapy cloth, and...

Voila, you are now a dishwasher diva! Congratulations. You owe me one :)

June's Fab Five: The Things I Adore (at the moment)

1. Kari Jobe's CD - Kari Jobe:

Just bought the CD and cannot physically stop listening to it. The girl has always been my worship muse, but she has completely outdone herself with this project. The lyrics are incredible and cowriters include such worship icons as Chris Tomlin, Mia Fieldes, and Paul Baloche. The whole album just spreads a balm over the heart of every woman!

*Only 7.99 right now at Lifeway Christian Bookstores!

2. Bananas:

Here's the thing, they have B and C vitamins, and enough potassium in them to replenish electrolytes, they're said to prevent certain cancers, and, let's face, they're just so darn good!

3. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers:

What in the world is in these things?!?

Whatever it is, it is God's gift to Domestic Divas everywhere!

4. That the "Natural" Look is in for Fall Makeup:

Okay, so even though I don't actually care too much about what's "in," as a girl who prefers to go Au Naturel, this Fall trend is going to be a godsend. I mean sure, I like going glam as much as the next girl, but most of the time, less is more. So lay off the eyeliner, slap on the shimmer and nude shades, and show off those beautiful faces ladies, and embrace what God gave you!

5. Panko:

I thought I was fine with flour, but allow me to tell you, that Panko breadcrumbs have revolutionized my life! I charge you to never try to pan fry anything again without them! Plus, they're cheaper than you think if you can get a generic version (Fresh Market's are the best!)

Snipets: All About June Edition

In light of the recent negligence, here's a mid-week snipet, full of little known facts about me! I know, I can hear the excitement from here.....

1. I arrange my groceries a very certain order on the conveyor belt at the cash register so that they are bagged in a particular way. You know, like snacks, etc. Here's the thing - they NEVER ring it up in the order I put it in! I know.....I'm a little bit of a control freak.

2. I constantly find myself in what I call the "fridge catch-22" it goes something like this: I have this serious phobia of spoiled food, coupled with an out of control gag relax which results in a problem when cleaning out old food from the fridge. The catch comes when I delay the process for fear of spoiled smells, and then I let it sit there until it becomes a self-fulfilled prophecy of disgust! I currently have a tupperware of old spaghetti and a pyrex of tomato soup in my fridge, and - don't judge me - I don't remember when I put them in there. I just can't bring myself to open them!

3. I've never read a single Charles Dickens book. I'm sure this doesn't sound like a huge deal to most of you, but, until recently, I was a pompous English major. Plus, I own like five. They're just sitting there on the shelf, staring at me, judging me.

Well, I'm sure you're just dying for more, but I have to go to work. Have good rest of the week, and I promise to be back to report on my recent national travels!

I'm Not Exagerating When I Tell You This Changed My Life.

Well, this blog is supposed to be about all things life and domestic - not just cooking! So I am diverging from my obsession with food to give you a little motivation to organize that linen closet this weekend.

Enjoy!