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 :)

Yes, I Know It's The 12th

Though I'm not a general believer in New Year's resolutions I am a firm believer in self-improvement. Sometimes self-imprvement is like stepping into a vat of ice water, but hey, it's good for you (the improvement, not the ice water) And so, as ambitious as this list has gotten, here are a few thoughts for my new year.....

1. Get my wedding album developed - It's been almost a year for goodness sake

2. Develop an organization/cleaning schedule, and stick to it - No matter how tired I am after work

3. Pick 12 deserving books from my over-crowded shelves and actually read them

4. Write to my Meme every-other Friday

5. Purge my wardrobe and other formerly-beloved things that could use a better home - As well as recirculate and put to god use the things I can't live without

6. Have a Yard Sale - That stuff's got to go somewhere

7. Set up my guestroom and put it to proper use at least once this year - It is currently serving as the scary room full of misplaced junk that you see on shows like "Clean House"

8. Become an expert on Irish history and culture - For a third generation immigrant, obsessed about her roots, I know embarrassingly little about the beautiful county I (partially) came from

9. Cook or Bake one new thing a week - Topping the list are homemade pasta, chocolate mouse, and pork chops

10. Lose 5 pounds - or tone it but it's got to go somewhere, by exercising portion control and..just exercising

11. Put things away when I am done with them - sounds elementary, I know, but when your parents tell you it's an important habit to get into before you grow up, they are not kidding!

12. Master the art of extreme couponing

13. Decrease my sugar intake - Possibly the hardest since I'm such a sweet tooth, but I'm starting small, with my morning coffee

14. Drink more water and start drinking green tea - my skin needs a little more love

15. Become a better student and a better teacher by remaining organized - as well as getting of my you-know-what and getting stuff done

16. Get my rings cleaned once every six months

And possibly the most important...

17. Talk less and listen more!

Sure, I've lost almost two weeks headstart, but better late than never. Wish me luck!

My First Christmas As A Mrs.

Since it was an absolute blast, I think it only far that I touch on my first Christmas as a Married Woman. I suppose I won't go into the details of festivities and such (We made rounds with the families, spent time by ourselves, and wrapped it all up with the new Sherlock movie, which was incredible by the way) but i do have one thing to point out.

There comes a time in every young lady's life when she looks herself up and down, taps herself on the shoulder, checks her pulse, and realizes....she's a woman. My moment came, quite appropriately, on my first married Christmas when I looked around and realized that, among the many other things, many of my gifts were kitchen appliances, aromatheraputic cleaning supplies, and gift cards to high-end grocery stores - because that's what I wanted!

Growing up, I have found my Momma ridiculous to buy gifts for. Partially because I have a hard time picking out gifts for anyone I care about that I feel are "good enough." but mostly, in her case, because she very often asks for "tools" of her trade...which happens to be a full time Homemaker. Something about buying Mom a good set of pots and pans never seemed adequate to me. This however, was before I understood the relationship of a woman and her household, a woman and her kitchen. I suddenly, and quite unexpectedly do now. Which also begs the question, is that transformation into womanhood actually found in that quirky moment when you look and realize you're becoming your Mother.

What do you think? When did your a-ha moment come?

Concerning This Blog

In a world of microwave dinners and over-priced produce, every old-fashioned-modern woman needs a moment to reflect on the charming (and not-so-charming) aspects of domestic life: keeping her kingdom, feeding her household,and keeping her bathroom shiny. I am such a woman. I happen to be tired of my own disorganization, apathy, and hit-and-miss culinary skills and it is time for change. I have launched myself on a course of cinnamon-scented self improvement, and I'm inviting you to join me. If you long for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipie, live for the occasional houseguest, or love the glow of a freshly organized linen closet, this is a place for you. My hope is to include recipes, tips, and (just to warn you) ramblings that should be a combination of Momma's tried and true wisdom with a Grace Kelly twist.

Here we go.

P.S. To contribute and connect check out our facebook group, As a Matter of Fact, I do Vacuum in Pearls!