Domestic Goddess

“Meddle not in the affairs of the dragon; for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.”

I started the day saving the castle from the evil dragon... it was close fiery battle but the dragon lost after his wing was chopped off-it is a secret that a dragon can't survive this.

"Now they show you how detergents take out bloodstains, a pretty violent image there. I think if you've got a t-shirt with a bloodstain all over it, maybe laundry isn't your biggest problem. Maybe you should get rid of the body before you do the wash!" Jerry Seinfeld

I spent the rest of the morning staring at (and not working on) piles of clean laundry. Laundry is one of those thorns. It is NEVER done! Seriously unless we all ran around naked for a day there is always something that is going to need to be washed! I usually have around 13 baskets a week to fold. My machine used to run 24/7. But, when I came home from the hospital with wee one #4 in tow my beloved surprised me with one of those HE machine sets that does three loads at a time! I went from washing 21 loads down to about 7 or 8. Now that it is winter and more layers are required the number of loads has increased. So how to make a molehill out of this mountain?

I have tried to look at these domestic duties in an enlightened manner. One book I have from the early 90's (Simple Abundance) states - The time has come for us to look deep within. Reconsider how caring for our homes can be an expression of our authenticity. We may not know how to bleach linen, make cowslip wine, cure ham, or bottle gooseberries. But, it's not too late for us to rediscover the sacred soulcraft of homecaring. Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience. Like sweat equity, channeling your time and creative energy closer to home will produce a big emotional return for yourself and those you love. (are you done laughing yet?) (Don't get me wrong it is a lovely book and has helped many.... just not me today!)
I want to believe it. I want to sit and fold my mountain of laundry, wander the house searching for missing socks, turning shirts right side in and huffing basket after basket into rooms to then place them in dressers - the whole time thinking how authentic this work is making me. I want to be able to feel the love from my family when they know they have clean, wrinkle free, folded clothes...I do! But, I can't. Maybe I don't want to.

Maybe if I was doing laundry on a wind swept beach wearing a house dress and dancing in the sand.... hmmmm Did women fall for this?

Laundry to me is nothing more then a necessary task. Something I HAVE to do. So, in the spirit of trying to keep my chin up - I will pretend I am a domestic goddess... I will have a sword of domestic power, laundry will fear me! After all I have already slayed a dragon today!

Close Up

My subject from yesterday The Pileated Woodpecker came back in a much better mood today. He even stopped eating the suet long enough to allow a close up. being the grump that he is in the winter, he only allowed two shots... and then returned to his business. Bird info here.

A Zipper Pouch

I love this idea from Skip to my Lou. It is a tutorial on how to make a lined zipper pouch. I think even I (who has a fear of sewing zippers) could do this. Check it out: Skip to my Lou

Out My Window

Outside my kitchen window I asked a chickadee if I could take her picture, she said, "Let me get ready first" I snuck this picture while she preened. I love seeing the red leaf buds waiting for spring, it gives me hope that there will be green again!
Ready, and posed. I think she was going for sophisticated. You look fabulous dear!
This big guy flew in to see what was up and if those peanuts I put out were for him. He was rather grumbly about a photo and wouldn't look right at the camera. In fact he seemed a bit ruffled! Maybe it was the cold.

Fireproof Your Marriage

Off to Preschool with Wee One #4....
In the mean time check out this website.
Fireproof Your Marriage
It is a movie with a lot of bad acting and obviously low budget but it packs a powerful message for those that are married. It is especially good for those stuck in a rut... a blaming your spouse for everything rut. (I am sure we have all been there)
I just saw the companion guide to the movie - The Love Dare
at Walmart for under $11 - a good investment for your marriage.

Idea of the Day

Since it is so cold I guess I am antsy today (hence my third blog of the day!). I have been saving this for a day when my brain is dead, or time is short. Today is neither of those... oh well!

I finally convinced my dearest to help me rearrange our bedroom (no small undertaking since we have a pine log bed that my dearest made for me, it weighs a ton!) When we got things situated I realized my once hidden dresser was now visible from the door and looked every bit as messy as it was. The easiest solution was to get the "jules" off from the top, but how? I remembered using a branch to display my wares at a boutique sale years before. I commented that this would be a great solution. My lovely man went out into the dark cold night armed with a flashlight and lopers (branch cutter) and came back with a birch branch. We affixed it using brad nails, placing them into the wall studs. I love the result. If you look carefully you will see the earring solution - screen on a tin. I have to really stop making these, or thin some out before I make more!

Another take on this would be to stick a smaller branch in a decorative container and add your earrings, braclets, or necklaces.

I didn't think it could happen

If you remember last week it was cold - REALLY cold -28.5 F.....
I have seen it colder, but, not much. Until this morning.... It was -33.9 F. (-36.9 at the airport) The wind chill was -56 F. (that is below zeroooooo)


A few things happen when it is that cold.
1)School is 2 hours late
2) The sky is a molten grey color (see church pic)
3) You see plows coming and going
(orange is MN D.O.T. , yellow grader is from the County)
4) Propane stops flowing and freezes at -35 degrees.... that is how we heat our house
5) The furnace doesn't stop running all day
(I can just see the money flowing out the heat vents)
6) Things freeze up,(like our sliding glass door, which won't open), birds don't fly, small animals stay hidden (see pine bow)
7) Cars don't start and if they do they ice up quickly. (see van-Vehicles get covered in sand and salt from the roads)
8) You dress in layers - long underware, pants, snow pants, t shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweater, thick socks or two pairs, coat, scarf, hat, mittens, boots, and blankets in your vehicles (just in case)
8.5) It makes my resolution to exercise impossible! How can one walk miles in all those clothes?
9) You warm your car up before you go anywhere - letting it run for about 15 minutes before going. Then, run to vehicle and from car to location etc.
10) However... We are a hearty bunch and if you are out and about on these cold days, everyone that you run into is in the best mood. They seem to get a kick out of being able to survive this type of environment and the ones that can't, the grumpy ones tend to stay indoors!

What the news is saying....