Ivy says: My latest in bathroom reading has been a book of household hints from 1970. Some of the hints are useful, some of them are truly amusing in their datedness, some of them are perplexing. Something that really struck me was this quote: “There is no point in embroidering or buying a ‘Welcome’ mat …
Ivy says: Even the best budgeters may have trouble making ends meet with this down market. I am continually surprised with fluctuating prices. What is costing me more this week was less expensive last week. If it’s not gas, it’s produce. Or the kids’ school is raising prices on milk. Or something. It’s always something. …
Ivy says: I’m skipping church today for a much better reason than I did several weeks ago. Several weeks ago, the excuse was, no clean underwear. And I didn’t think I could go to church commando. My mom calls that, “ox in the ditch” time. I call that “Home Ec 101 Seal of Disapproval” time. …
Ivy says: It’s been awhile since we had a good, rousing debate about householdy stuff. Now, we all know by now that using fabric softener on things like towels causes them to lose absorbency, but what about everything else? Do you use fabric softener? Or what about dryer sheets? Or maybe just some vinegar in …
Dear Home Ec 101, For a few weeks I’ve occasionally noticed a musty smell. At first I thought it was something in my house, but I couldn’t ever pin it down. I finally realized it was my favorite pair of jeans! I think they sat too long in washer, but I’ve washed them several times …
Dear Home Ec 101, I was hoping you could help me with a cleaning problem I have been having lately. I can’t get my floors clean! No matter if I wash the floor on my hands and knees or if I use a mop, there’s still a dirt residue that will not go away. I …
Ivy says: Congratulations to our lucky winner of the Diaper Cakes By Becca giveaway! What’d the Randomizer say? Lucky number 10! That would be Mary Jenkins from Now Entering Momville! Congrats, Mary, we will be in touch. Keep an eye out for more fab giveaways coming soon!
Heather says: I was a little scarce last week while I worked behind the scenes preparing for the launch of our new look. While I won’t be doing any major rework at this time, if you have any minor suggestions, I would love to hear them. On an unrelated topic, I would also like to …
Heather says: I suppose we could call this the Doh! Episode or perhaps it’d best be filed under the “We’re Not Smart Enough to Own Appliances.” Last Sunday dragging ourselves home after a day spent as manual labor, my husband and I were dismayed to find the fridge door slightly ajar. I accused him of …
Retro Saturdays are a chance for new Home Ec 101 readers to see something from the archives and allow Ivy and I a chance to spend time with our families. This was originally published in October 2007. Heather says: Our governor has asked South Carolinians to conserve water as nearly every county has been upgraded …