Simple Pleasures

I'm not sure what it is about this picture that makes me happier.  The Double Stuff Oreos and milk, or the vintage orange Tupperware cup that reminds me of Grandma Lois.  Oh, Double Stuff....you are not only double stuffed but oh so Double D.  Tupperware, thank you for cute little mugs in shades of rust, olive green, chocolate brown, and gold that take me back to a happy place in time. 

My Hands & Feet

I loved this picture and saying on my calendar because I am the lucky sister to two sisters, two brothers, three SILS and three BILS.  I can honestly say that I would be lost without my siblings (in-laws included) just as if I'd lost my hands and feet.  Today I was reminded of how much I value my siblings and being able to talk to them about anything and everything.  And the best part about having brothers and sisters to talk to is that when they're as rad as mine are, you end up laughing and crying all during the same conversation.  It's kind of like a real live version of "Steel Magnolias".  You've got humor, tears, and sarcasm together in perfect harmony.  It doesn't get any better than that. 

I'm Smarter

What I Learned This Weekend:

Chokecherry syrup, plum syrup & applesauce

*There is a reason smart people buy their food at a grocery store rather than make it themselves.  For starters it's cheaper and waaaaaaay easier.  Let's take applesauce for instance.  You've gotta pick the apples, wash the apples, cut the apples, cook the apples, mash the apples, strain the apples, sugar the newly made applesauce, cook the applesauce, bottle the applesauce, and process the applesauce.  Delish?  Yes.  Messy?  Yes.  A workout?  Yes.

*Certain provisions are required for a full day of canning produce.  Just as if you would take someone soup if they were sick, two of my favorite ladies prepared me with Dew, a Milky Way Simply Caramel, and marshmallow brownies for my Day of Domestic if you will.  Much thanks to both of you.

*Canning home goods is much easier if you have a Camp Chef.  You can cook inside and process outside.  It's pretty much fabulous.  But if you've never lit the Camp Chef yourself because your husband usually does it be very careful.  It can result in singed eyebrows, eyelashes & peach fuzz.

*Oprah wasn't kidding when she gave us all a step by step guide on how to pluck eyebrows.  Unfortunately my plucking this weekend ventured out of the Oprah designated perimeter.  Singed hairs are better plucked than left alone.  Trust me.  Otherwise it's like have dozens of tiny dandelion balls all over your face.  And as baffling as it is, Oprah didn't discuss what to pluck or not pluck in the case of a singeing emergency.  I can truthfully plead ignorance.

*I've been reading a book that takes place in ancient China.  At one point of the story the elderly Uncle Lu lost his position with the emperor and came home.  This is what was said about him.  "He had two moles on his face.  All people cherish the hair on their moles, but Uncle Lu's were splendid.  He had at least ten hairs--coarse in texture, white in color, and a good three centimeters long--sprouting from each mole."  Wow!  Why have I been plucking all these years?  But seriously, I just threw up a little in my mouth.

*I'm am badly out of shape.  Most times this truth is revealed when my pants are too tight or my butt shakes more than normal when I run up and down the stairs.  This time it was magnified with tight sore muscles after canning all day.  Who knew it was such a workout to be domestic?!

*Chocolate covered cinnamon bears = YUM!

*My mother is pretty much to the moon and back amazing.  When I was a child she sewed all our clothes, canned our food, and made everything from scratch.  As much as I joke about the downfalls of being dometic, I'm grateful for an incredible mother and an equally amazing grandmother who taught me everything I know.  I'm glad to know the secrets of a dying trend even if I don't always love doing it.

*I've got a little "whi-rash" in me at all times.  Living in an old farm house that has green carpet in the kitchen doesn't exactly scream "practical" to me, especially with applesauce flying everywhere.  But for me, no prob.  Simply drape tableclothes on the floor.  Might be tacky but is way easier to clean.