Real Simple Follow Up

I got the 3rd issue after writing the last post.

And yes, as Thorny pointed out in the comments, the magazine does have some sections that may lead to a more simple life. One issue listed the essential utensils any kitchen needs. I can do some culling there. With each move, I've been culling items - some we received as wedding gifts and have never used. Since 2002. That's enough denial. How many serving platters does one need, anyway?

In each issue there is a list of 10 bargain finds under $50. I'd be more happy if it was under $25...but that's quibbling. I admire many of these items but have yet to be so overcome that I need to buy it for myself.

There is also the section Thorny mentioned - other uses for common items. Sometimes there is a gem there. But mostly I'm left trying to imagine the person who writes these - and the relationship they have with their maid(s). Take the current issue, for example. What to do with marbles. One suggestion was very practical - put marbles in the bottom of that spray bottle to raise the level of the fluid when it doesn't reach the bottom of the sprayer. If I had any marbles around the house, I would follow that suggestion. I'll have to find find a substitute. Golf balls a-plenty we've got; marbles, not so much.

But then they lost me at the next suggestion. Put marbles in your soap dish to avoid the soap getting mushy and the soapdish getting dirty. I love using handmade soap. My favorite soap is from Shepherd's Choice, the Cinnamon with Lanolin soap. It's a big rectangle bar that lasts forever. (Hey, Real Simple - here are 11 finds under $10!)

Now, the process we follow in the Haus is to make sure the mushy side of the soap is placed facing up after using it so that it dries. And the soap dish is the easiest thing in the house to clean. The one in the bathroom gets cleaned each time the bathroom does. The one in the kitchen gets cleaned whenever I notice the dirty soapdish while doing dishes. Swish, swish, it's clean. Why would I want to have to clean soap globs off the marbles, too? To me, this is just adding extra work.

Extra work? Who's got time for extra work, for pete's sake? I've got knitting to do!

Real Simple. Uh-huh.

So a couple of months ago, I subscribed to a magazine as part of a fundraiser for a relative's school. Process of elimination was how I picked the magazine. And price. I wanted a subscription that would run the whole year, but not break the bank - it's going to a good cause but we've only so much expendable income this time of year. I had never read this magazine before. I judged a book by its cover, or more, by its title. I thought I'd find helpful hints. How to do more with less. How to use what I've got. How to live a more simple life.

Yes, I'm that naive that I could think a magazine, that relies on advertising for its revenue, might lead me down the road less travelled.

Well, it does, if you mean the road travelled by those with six figure incomes.

I've had 2 issues so far.

In the first issue, one of the must-have makeup items is a foundation that retails for $85. And I grimace each time I have to put out nearly ten bucks for the big bottle of Oil of Olay.

If you're looking for interesting lamps, may I suggest this little number for only $590. I liked this standing chandelier until I saw the saucy little price of $1,032. In another issue, this chandelier will only set you back $3,690.

Somehow, when I think real simple, I think how-to-redo-rooms-on-a-budget, how-to-refab-furniture-I-already-own, simple-gardening-techniques. Most of all, I think of suggestions that won't break the bank. I certainly don't think of decorating suggestions that cost 3 or 4 figures for one friggin' item.

Cheap, but fabulous. Now that's real simple.

My Own Bit of Camp

Just when all my friends were signing up for Camp, there I was, actually traveling through the towns linked to camp, Marshfield and Pittsville, WI. Oh, what a torture, to know that in 5 months, my friends will all be there, knitting with Meg, Joyce, and Amy, hearing Kristi's morning greeting, and so much more (with side trips to Culver's and Nutz Deep II) without me.

Well, we got our own little taste of camp last Monday when Meg Swansen was the speaker at our guild.



I could listen to Meg read the entire owner's manual for my dishwasher, much less expound on knitting, her ma, and the new book coming soon from Schoolhouse Press, Knit One, Knit All.

Come July, I have a feeling I'll have to stop at Culver's - just to drown my sorrow in a Turtle Sundae.

While in one of the myriad waiting rooms I've been in lately, I was reading a 2 year old Better Homes and Gardens magazine and found a recipe for roasted garbanzo beans. Very easy - one can of bean, toss in 2 tbsps of canola oil, spread on pan, salt and pepper, cook at 375 for 25 minutes or until crisp.



I changed the recipe a bit - I used a bag of dried beans that I had soaked overnight. (I'm going to try canned beans next time to see if there's a difference.) Instead of salt and pepper, I sprinkled on Mrs. Dash. I had to cook them for about 20 minutes longer and a couple of beans on the outer edges of the pan were close to burnt. I'm liking them - I think they'd work great as a substitute for croutons in salads. I like just eating them as a snack.

I'm working towards one goal for 2011 - to actually finish a pair of socks. This pair I'm knitting from the cuff down. The next I'll try again from the toe up to see which method I prefer. I can see why sock knitters love them - they are so portable, and an easy project to pick up and put down when you've only got a short time to knit.



I'm knitting these as part of a sock class at a LYS. When I've gotten stuck on the one, I put the stitches on waste yarn and work on the second sock - so hopefully no Second Sock Syndrome here. Could I have these done in the next 2 weeks? It's a possibility.

I Have Never Been More Proud

of my fellow citizens who are taking a stand in Wisconsin.

If you want to know what it's all about, view this.

Miscellany - Again

This week was the first of 6 weekly biological treatments for my dad. He's doing well and seems to have no side effects. Hopefully this will work at keeping the cancer from growing again.

This is my sister's car. It's a Bonneville - which means it was a heavy duty car with a massive trunk. She is still at my parents' house recuperating.



The brightest spots since the beginning of the year have been the arrival of packages - how lovely to come home to!

The first is from Melissa who was my partner last year in the Swap for all Seasons. Somehow the yarn was left out of her last package so she sent this yummy skein of madelinetosh pashmina. It's lovely to pet. I can't wait to make it up into something!



The second is my first package from my Secret Pal 16 partner. Some lovely Knit Picks lace and a gorgeous shawl pin.





With yarn like this, how can anyone have the mid-winter blahs?

In the meantime, I've gotten some knitting done while sitting in the waiting room at various medical clinics.

Another finished object, which I'm keeping for myself. Just another version of Lauren's Whimple, a Mountain Colors pattern.



You can see the "lace" pattern here. It's knitted at both ends with the middle section just stockinette stitch.



And I've bitten the bullet and signed up for a sock class. Perhaps this will result in that I actually finish a pair. I'm using some Socks That Rock mediumweight in a wild color. Wait til you see 'em.