Heloise Helps Us Out

Oh, sweet sweet Heloise, why did I not find you years and years ago??? Some of your wonderful suggestions would have saved this housewife many vexing moments over the years. I'm sure that your hint below would have saved me much time and frustration! If only I had known that cleaning needn't be as complicated as I had been making it...


Pearl Number Four

I wouldn't tell you this if I thought it wasn't worth every little bit of energy you will save... It is not necessary to sweep under your beds every day. Who is going to look under your beds? Save your energy... never waste it. Cleaning under beds once a week is considered good housekeeping nowadays. Especially since most people have carpets. And if you don't, so what?

~Heloise

So what indeed. 

Overheard From the Back of the Van

Lukas:   You madam, are too much.



Right back at you little man. Right back at you.

Overheard From the Back of the Van

Lukas:     Mikah, did you know when you are 20 you are a grown-up? 
Mikah:    I knew that.
Lukas:    And when you are a grownup you will be able to take me places, just the two of us!
Mikah:    When I'm 20 you'll be 19. Duh. You'll be grown-up too and can just go places by yourself.
Lukas:    You're a big-fat-stupid-poopy-head.


~Well played Lukas, well played.~

Heloise Helps Us Out

Don't worry dear readers, our darling Heloise has not forsaken you. She is back today with a helpful hint. This hint is appropriate now that the snow has finally melted (mostly) and we are longing for summer days and slushy alcoholic drinks. I had you at alcoholic drinks, didn't I???

Heloise has a trick that I have never heard of before, but is sounds like a dandy one!

Pearl Number Three

Rejoice you lovers of the frozen daiquiri! If you have freezer space tall enough to store a two-quart plastic milk carton... you're in business!

After you have rinsed out the plastic carton, fill with water and store in the freezer. When ready for that finely crushed ice, remove one or more cartons from the freezer. Next - and this is the trick - take the cartons to a solid concrete sidewalk or patio. Holding onto the carton, slam it against the cement on all four sides until it quits going "crack" and starts going "thunk."

Then open the top and pour out the finest crushed ice you have ever seen. It's amazing! This saves getting out the ice bucket too. Another good thing about this method is that you can pour out justas much ice as you need for your iced tea and drinks and then return the carton to the freezing compartment with the unused ice. It also saves filling those ice trays and spilling water. 

~Heloise

I just happen to have two plastic milk cartons and a bit of space in the freezer. My summer will be much happier if this tip actually works!

Overheard From the Back of the Van

Lukas:    Hey Mikah, have you changed your mind about getting married when you grow up?
Mikah:    Nope, 'cause you now what happens after you get married - you get a bunch of little annoying people 
              following you around all the time. I don't want any of that.

~after a pause, and because I couldn't help myself~

Me:      Who are the little annoying people?
Mikah:   You know - obviously kids.