Mini-Review – The Prestige (2006)

Synopsis: My illusion can beat up your illusion.

Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale, yum), are wannabe illusionists who work together, but develop very different philosophies and styles. Angier is the penultimate performer, Borden is the rebellious risk-taker. After a tragic accident during a performance, they split up. Their careers develop separately, with Angier becoming a success right out of the box, while Borden struggles to make ends meet. But, when Borden develops the ultimate trick, Angier becomes obsessed with duplicating it – and besting it by whatever means possible.

Yes, this is "the other" magician movie that came out at right around the same time as "The Illusionist." I found "The Prestige" to be much darker, but more intriguing and complicated. Just when you think you have it figured out, it takes another left turn. There were a few things in this film that didn't totally cut it for me, but not many (the main one being Scarlett Johansson's fake British accent, ug). It's rated PG-13, for violence and disturbing images (including a bullet-catching trick that goes very wrong and a couple of upsetting things that happen to little birds), so be forewarned.

I recommend it.

My first spring wardrobe purchase

The weather here is miserable. Gray skies. Frequent, persistent preciptation (today rain, tomorrow snow). Uncomfortable temps. These days I am struggling to really care what I put on my body, so I tend to reach for the same three or four sweaters and jeans as my standard "I'm sick of winter" uniform.

So, to fight the end of winter blues, I have been looking for a few things to add to my wardrobe for spring. My best source for seasonal trend information has always been Style Bakery, where they recently posted the top ten trends for Spring. This year, like last year, there is a nautical trend emerging.

I love this whole yacht club look, with nautical stripes on everything. So, although it was a bit of a splurge for me (on sale with an extra 20% off it was $23), I clicked up this little boatneck sweater from J.Crew. It is a cotton and cashmere blend, and it comes in three colors: red/white, navy/white and black/white. As opposed to the typical navy/white stripe, I went with the black/white, shown here. I also ordered it a size larger than normal, because I want that little bit of slouch that seems like you borrowed the sweater from your boyfriend who's in the French navy.

I will probably wear this sweater with jeans while the weather is still cool-ish, and then with white jeans later on. It would also look cute with a little flippy white skirt. To avoid looking too costume-y, I would avoid doing all nautical head to toe.

Check out Style Bakery's recommendations, then do a little clicking yourself. It will be Spring before we know it!

My dinner with t-bone

When The Bob goes out of town and I'm on my own, I try to plan a nice dinner for one (and of course a "cry movie") so that I feel I'm spoiling myself. That situation presented itself recently, and I was in the mood for a Big Steak, spinach souffle and a nice glass of red wine. I encourage you to try this. Cooking for one is no big deal, seriously. You don't have to settle for a TV dinner or a depressing bag of microwave popcorn.

I decided to center my meal around a Big T-Bone. My steak was 1.4 lbs and about 1.5 inches thick! According to the Meatman, the t-bone has a smaller piece of tenderloin than the porterhouse. The cuts from the short loin, including the t-bone, porterhouse, club steak and tenderloin really should not be cooked for long periods of time, but are best either grilled or pan fried, and can also be broiled or sautéed. The trick is to have the heat pretty high, sealing in the delicious juices. I have a great cast iron grill pan, which is almost seasoned to perfection (a few more steaks on it and it will be ideal), so that was my pan of choice.

I have learned this technique from a lot of cookbook reading, as well as watching Food Network, but my mother was actually the first person who told me about it. (See my previous article on this subject here. )

Here is my step-by-step on the biggest t-bone of my life!

1. Drizzle a little olive oil over both sides of your steak and massage it in. Season it on both sides with some grill seasoning and salt and pepper. I used a premade mesquite seasoning, but use whatever you like, or none at all, salt and pepper alone would be fine. Leave the steak out of the fridge, but covered, to take the chill off it. Open your bottle of red wine (I had a decent Zinfandel), and YOU chill for about 15 or 20 minutes. The steak will be delicious.

2. Heat the grill pan over pretty high heat. When you hold your hand over the bottom of the pan for a couple of seconds it should feel HOT. Take another sip of wine and go to the next step.

3. Throw the steak into the pan unceremoniously. Then leave it alone. Watch the previews on your DVD rental, but whatever you do, do not touch this steak.

4. When you see some moisture (blood) coming up on the uncooked side, it should be ready to turn. You should have no trouble with the steak sticking at all; if it resists you, let it go another couple of minutes. Flip the steak and leave it alone. (Check out the sweet grill marks I got on this Big Steak!)

5a. Lower the heat just a tad, to medium. Don't move the steak around, it is fine. When you see some moisture coming to the top of the steak, it should be about medium rare. Leave it just a little longer for medium.

5b. This is optional, but not if you're from my family. Put a pat of butter (not margerine, butter) on the steak toward the end of the cooking time. There's something absolutely decadent about the flavor of the steak with a bit of butter.

6. Refill the wine glass and serve.

This steak was so huge that I got two meals out of it (I made fajitas with the leftovers). And, it did feel like I was totally pampering myself.

A meal for one can be fun and satisfying. Hopefully your movie will be as good!

Neat trick for organizing your spices

I know may people find it convenient to have their spices out near the stove for easy access, but for me, it becomes a clutter issue. I have never been a fan of spice racks because, call me lazy, I don't want to take the time to decant them into pretty little jars. Putting them willy nilly on a cabinet shelf is a problem because then I waste time rooting around to find the cumin. So, ideally, I would store all the spices in a cabinet close to the counter and stove, and access them very easily.

But I'm cheap – I want an organization method that is very inexpensive if not free. And I found just the thing. Empty silverware drawer organizers. These were leftover from a previous house, but for some reason I kept them and I am so glad I did. Because they're going into a cabinet, they don't really need to be pretty, although I am sure if you wanted to invest some money you could find wooden or colorful plastic organizers that would work. These happen to have nice, straight sections, which is necessary to accommodate all the shapes and sizes of spice containers.


I organized them by type and use – one organizer is for pure spices, the other is for all our spice blends and mixes. Find the method that works best for you. When we need the spices, the organizers quickly pull out, you can see what you need quickly, and they stow right back away.



It's a neat trick that keeps your spices under control and your cabinets manageable.

Mini-Review – The Guardian

Synopsis: What do you get when you put An Officer and a Gentleman, The Perfect Storm and Top Gun in a blender? The Guardian.

Don't get me wrong: I loved all those movies, so I am not totally panning this one. Despite it's formulaic nature, I was on the edge of my seat during the action sequences, which are pretty dramatic. Kevin Costner plays Ben Randall, a legendary rescue swimmer who becomes an instructor at the U.S. Coast Guard’s "A" school. Ashton Kutcher plays a former high school swim team champ, who wants to make it big, but has a lot to learn. It’s rated PG-13 – some of the action scenes could be pretty upsetting to kids. I recommend this film for what it is. Not overly original, but well made, exciting and entertaining.

Quick and easy crochet craft – cozy neck warmer

I have become unusually preocccupied with scarves. I can't seem to get enough of them. They're just that little finishing touch that makes the "outside outfit" work. Combine that with my mid-winter need to be crafty, and this is what happens.

This is actually the second neck warmer I have made. A friend liked the first one I made so much I gave it to her, and made myself another one. This time I used Lion brand Homespun yarn. I love the cushy, bouclé texture of this yarn, and the very subtle gradient color. If you need to brush up on stitches, here's a site that will help you.

This project took about 1/2 of the 6 oz. ball. Any yarn you like would work, it just may take more or less to get the size you need.

Here's how I made mine. With a size K hook, I chained 22. I then made one single crochet in each chain, skipping the first chain from the hook, 21 stitches. Chain 2 and turn. Double crochet in each single crochet across. Chain 1 and turn. Continue alternating single and double crochet rows until you get the total length you need. Mine measured about 23 inches long. Fold the rectangle in half, lining up the short ends. Then insert the hook through both layers and single crochet across to join. That's it!

I think you could experiment with any stitches you like, and just alternate rows to create a pleasing pattern. When you pop it on with your coat or jacket, it creates a very neat cowl effect, and it's very cozy and warm. Give this one a try!

I did it! I made Hollandaise!

The Bob isn't a huge vegetable fan (with the exception of mashed potatoes), but he will eat his veggies if they are smothered in a luscious sauce. One night he suggested asparagus with Hollandaise sauce and I shuddered.

Hollandaise. The Holy Grail of sauces. Eggs. Butter. Whisking. Double boilers. The danger of separation. Very scary.

So, I will start by describing my first attempt at "egg sauce," which was a disaster. I had read a recipe in The Joy of Cooking for "blender Hollandaise." Well, blenders don't scare me, so I thought I would try that. You were to put two egg yolks in the blender (I used my mini-chopper), with salt, a pinch of cayenne and a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice. Then you were supposed to stream in 1/2 cup of melted butter. My chopper lid is designed to stream in liquids, so I thought this would totally work. And it may have. The problem was I let the butter cool too much and it didn't incorporate. I was devastated.

But Hollandaise is versatile. The ingredients are on hand and cheap. And The Bob requested it. So, I thought I would give it another try.

This morning I had the cookbook at the ready, a pot of coffee made, and the house to myself so that no one would be a witness if it failed again. This time I decided to give the old-fashioned technique a try. The recipe came from "The American Woman's Cookbook," published in 1949.

Here's what you'll need:
2 egg yolks (separating eggs is easy, don't sweat it)
1/2 cup butter – 1 stick
1/4 t salt
Pinch of cayenne (red) pepper

Here's how you do it:
I don't own a double boiler and I don't know many people who do. Put hot water in a saucepan and set a heat-proof bowl over it, making sure the water does't touch the bottom of the pan. Turned on the flame very low. The idea is to have the water hot, but not boiling. Just lift up the bowl every now and then to make sure it's not boiling, and adjust the flame/heat if you need to. Now take your two egg yolks and a couple of tablespoons of the butter and put them in the bowl. Whisk, whisk, whisk. The butter will melt slowly. Keep whisking. When the first bit of butter melts, plop in the next two-tablespoon hunk. Do this with all four bits of butter. When all the butter is in, it should be pretty thick. Now add the salt and cayenne and whisk them in.

I left the bowl over the pan, with the flame turned down VERY low to keep the sauce warm while I made my breakfast. I just gave it a whisk every now and then to make sure it didn't separate. It was a wonderful, lemony yellow color, and the taste was rich, but bright from the lemon juice.

I did it. I made Hollandaise. It wasn't overly difficult, you just neet time, some patience and a careful eye on the heat. The Bob will get a treat the next time I serve asparagus!

Mini-Review – The Illusionist (2006)

Synopsis: Ho, ho, ho, it's magic, you know. Never believe it's not so.


Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this film runs the gamut from love story to mystery to suspense and back again. Edward Norton plays Eisenheim, a boy who meets and loses a girl who is way out of his league. Years later he returns to Vienna as Eisenheim the successful, master Illusionist. He is reunited with his true love Sophie (Jessica Biel) during one of his performances, when her fiance the villanous Crown Prince Leopold volunteers her for an illusion. Soon enough Eisenheim is under suspicion, and Leopold assigns Inspector Uhl, played by Paul Giamatti, to investigate him. The effects in this film are spectacular, creating the perfect atmosphere to surrender all disbelief. It's a terrific looking film, very rich. The Bob loved this film, so don't worry guys, it's not strictly a "chick flick." It's rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence, so probably not for kids.

Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

I love shoes. Some people might call it an obsession. Heels, flats, boots, thongs, mary janes, tennis shoes, hiking boots, ballerinas, mules, pumps, my awesome Chuck Taylor® Converse All Stars – you name them, I love them. I have quite a selection.

But here's the thing:

I keep all my shoes in their original boxes.

Despite the ribbing I have taken about this over the years, I consider this one of my best time-, space- and money-saving tips.

• It saves time. Years ago, like a lot of people, I threw my shoes on the floor of my closet, and lost precious time every morning trying to locate two shoes that matched.
• It saves space. Boxes stack easily on a closet shelf or the floor if need be. You can also stack by style, color and season.
• It saves money. That may seem like a stretch, but think about it. Taking care of your shoes keeps them newer looking longer. They keep from getting scuffed because they are safe in their boxes. Stuffing the toes with tissue helps absorb any oils that can eventually cause the insoles to deteriorate.

If for some reason a box breaks down and I'm forced to throw it away, I replace it with a clear plastic shoe box with a lid. Although I usually remember what shoes came in what box, I try to stack the boxes with the label side out, which frequently has an illustration of the shoes, so that makes it easy for me to scan for the pair I want. I personally like the box system better than hanging shoe bags. I have tried them and find that they take up too much hanging space in my closet, and my shoes tended to get scuffed or squashed too easily.

I have a passion for my shoes, and I want to keep them looking good as long as I can. I encourage you to try this and see if it doesn't help you save time, space and money in the long run!

Mini-Review – Over the Hedge (2006)

Synopsis: Some days you eat the bear's food. Some days the bear tries to eat you.


RJ is a very naughty raccoon. But he's also pretty clever. He enlists the help of some gullible animals to help him repay his sizeable food debt to Vincent, the bear he stole from. Where do they go to get all this food but over the hedge in a perfect suburban neighborhood. It's good shopping because, as RJ points out to his friends, human's lives revolve around food.

There are some laugh-out-loud hilarious moments with Hammy (voice of Steve Carrell) the squirrel. And William Shatner lends his voice to Ozzie, an over-acting oppossum. Typecasting? I wonder.

There was one scene when the exterminator is demonstrating the killing apparatus that got me a bit squirmy, but I honestly think it would go right by a kid. It's PG for some "rude humor" and comic action.

The Bob and I recommend this film – kids will like it, parents will get all the jokes.

Change a light bulb, change the planet

Happy New Year! I posted this on Shopping Tips Online, but I thought it bore repeating here, since this is definitely something I do, and believe in!

I'm not the greenest person around. I'm more of a shade of green, really. But there is one way I am doing my part to save the world – I use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The bonus? It saves me money, too.

This morning I heard that Wal-Mart, in an effort to help out, is on a mission to sell 100 million CFLs. The official news release, dated November 29th, quoted Wal-Mart Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Sustainability Andy Ruben as saying, “We have a fundamental belief that all families should have access to affordable, sustainable goods, and compact fluorescent lightbulbs are a great way for our customers to save money."

The retail giant has developed a multi-faceted approach to encourage more people to switch to CFLS, including interactive and educational displays that will help you choose the right bulb, and an online savings calculator here on the Sam's Club site. I tried the calculator myself, and found that if I replace just 5 incandescent bulbs with GE Compact Fluorescent 13 Watt bulbs, I save about $35 a year on my electric bill (at 10¢ per Kilowatt hour, the national average). The 8-pack of bulbs on Sam's Club's site sells for $10.88. So, the savings more than pays for the bulbs themselves in just one year.

You save money, but what are the benefits to the planet? According to ENERGY STAR, a government-backed program dedicated to helping us save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices, every CFL used keeps 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere over its lifetime. "If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars."

But, if all that doesn't seem like enough incentive, consider this. These bulbs last ten times longer than an incandescent bulb. So, even though they cost a little more to begin with, you won't be replacing them more than once every five years or so!

It's the simplest and cheapest way to save money, and save the planet. Just change a light bulb!

Five reasons why it is okay to have routines

I have been called rigid and inflexible. I have been told I am not spontaneous. I often ask about the "plan" and am not always comfortable if there isn't one. I like to have a routine. And there's nothing wrong with that.

The results of a 50-year study published by the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Family Psychology show that routines are important to the health and well-being of busy families.

"Routines involve instrumental communication conveying information that 'this is what needs to be done' and involve a momentary time commitment so that once the act is completed, there is little, if any, afterthought," says Dr. Fiese. I couldn't have said it better myself! Routines can include dinnertime, bedtime, chores and all the other nitty-gritty aspects of running a home.

For me, routines...
1. ...keep me from forgetting things. It's early, I'm sleepy and it's time to get ready for work. If I didn't have a morning routine, I would probably forget my deodorant on a regular basis.
2. ...make me more efficient. There are steps involved in each routine, which I have developed to get the job done quicker. That means I can move on to the next thing faster than if I approached the job haphazardly.
3. ...help me stay organized. The Bob may tease me about everything having a certain "home," but this is part of the routine. If my socks are all lined up by color, I don't waste 5 minutes a day looking for a pair that match.
4. ...make me feel competent. Working 40+ hours a week and trying to run a home isn't always easy. Routines at home help me feel like I'm doing as good a job with the "home ec" as I am with my paying gig.
5. ...are comforting. There is a certain comfort in routines. For example, I know that almost every day we are going to sit down to dinner together, spend time talking about our day, clean up the dinner dishes together and then settle down for the evening. It feels like nothing is spinning out of control, and that's a good thing.

Here's my disclaimer. Routines are just constructs, providing structure to our activities of daily living. If they start to take the place of people, they may have become obessions and it's probably time to rethink them.

My routines are important to me despite the occasional teasing I get. If you haven't developed your own routines, start with something simple – like your morning routine. Try thinking through the things that need done and do those things in the same way every day for a week. I think you'll find that you get a lot of satisfaction, and chances are, you won't forget your deodorant!

Christmas morning casserole – good for any weekend or holiday

The Bob requested his favorite breakfast for Christmas morning, and it was so easy to throw together the night before, I couldn't refuse. This is almost a standard recipe, but I vary the meat, the cheese and even the bread depending on what I have or what Bob asks for. I have made it with ham, his mom makes it with little sausage links. This time he wanted it with fresh sausage, so I was happy to oblige. After all, it's Christmas, right?


The night before:
1. Crumble and fry 1 lb bulk pork sausage. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, a few crushed red pepper flakes and a little dried rosemary. If you have sage, that would be good, too... I was out. Cool this completely.
2. In a big bowl or pitcher break 6 eggs and whisk together with 3 cups half-and-half, salt and pepper and a grating of nutmeg if you have it.
3. Spray a 3 qt. casserole with non-stick spray. Cut about 8 slices of bread (I used wheat) into 1" cubes. Take half the bread and spread in the bottom of the dish. Layer 1/2 the meat on the bread. Top that with about 6 oz. processed cheese (I used Velveeta) cut into chunks. Then pour about 1/2 your egg mixture over, making sure to soak the bread evenly. Make another layer of bread, meat and another 6 oz. of cheese, then pour the rest of the egg mixture over all. The dish will be pretty full. Cover this with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning:
1. Preheat the oven to 350º. Melt a stick of butter.
2. For fresh breadcrumbs, take about 2 slices of bread and blitz them dry in a food processor. If you don't want to make your own, you can use unflavored, dried bread crumbs from the grocery. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the bread crumbs and drizzle the butter over all.
3. Bake for 1 hour, until the casserole is puffy and golden on top.

The Bob always wants a sweet bread to go alongside, so I make cinnamon rolls to go with this. It's very rich.

My big gift from The Bob this year was a new digital camera! So, the photo you see here is the casserole as it came out of the oven. I am excited to be able to share more real-life photos of how my recipes or crafts turn out!

Have fun with this recipe!

Silly-Simple Tuna Casserole

You may have big, elaborate meals planned for this holiday weekend, but save this recipe for sometime mid-January when you are over all that and looking for something easy for a weeknight meal. The Bob, lover of all things gooey-casseroley, highly approves of this stuff.

Here's what you need:
1 box mac 'n cheese (like Kraft) (and the milk & butter it calls for)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (undiluted)
2 cans tuna, drained
A big handful of potato chips

Here's all you do:
1. Preheat your oven to 350º. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Make the mac 'n cheese
3. In that pan, add the soup and the tuna and stir to combine.
4. Plop it in the pan, smooth it out, and top with the chips all crunched up.
5. Bake until it's bubbly and the chips are a little toasty brown.

Didn't I say it was silly-simple?

Happiness. Now in flannel.

The Bob and I are such homebodies this time of year. It's not at all unusual for us to go home after work, make a quick dinner and race to put on our pajamas so we can begin our "power lounging." And of course, since it's winter, we must have flannel. I have always sought out the fun, funky flannel prints for their ability to make me smile. I usually wear the top open, with a solid tank underneath.

Of course there are lots of more upscale brands, but this year I ran across a great find at Kmart. Joe Boxer flannel pajama sets in some very adorable prints, regularly $16.99 but the in-store special was buy one get one free! The store in my area is running this special through Christmas eve. To check the in-store specials for your area, go to the Kmart web site.

I think $8.50 is an excellent price for all that flannel happiness!

New Look for the New Year

It's the little things in life that make me all giddy, and this is one of those little things.

I'm pleased to roll out a new look for Home Ec. for Grownups, with new easier-to-scan labels and an improved layout! I hope you like it as much as I do.

Thankfully – an easy leftover turkey casserole

I know it's been a few weeks since Thanksgiving, but I made a turkey breast in the crock pot this past weekend (see my previous post here for the how to), and had some leftovers I wanted to use up. This time of year, The Bob requests big comfort foods, so I cooked up this easy pseudo-Thanksgiving-leftovers casserole for him. This is falling-off-a-log simple.

You'll need:
1 box of cornbread stuffing mix (such as Stove Top; serves 4)
1 can of corn, drained
about 2 cups cooked turkey, cut up
1 jar of turkey gravy
1 pkg instant mashed potatoes (serves 4; flavored is okay)

Here's how to do it:
1. Preheat oven to 350º. Spray a 9x9 square baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Prepare the potatoes per package instructions (I did them in the microwave), and reserve.
3. Put the stuffing mix in the bottom of the dish and pour the water/butter over, following the package for measurements. Stir to make sure all the stuffing is moistened. Press into the bottom and slightly up the sides to create a crust.
4. Over the stuffing, layer the corn, the turkey and the whole jar of gravy. Drop the potatoes on top and smooth with a spatula. I raked a fork across the top to create a lattice pattern.
5. Pop in the oven for about 30 mintues, until heated through and the top is a little browned.

You could easily use chicken in place of the turkey, and switch up the stuffing and gravy to suit. Bob likes corn, but that could be omitted.

An easy, very fast, turkey casserole that you'll be thankful for on a weeknight.

Mini-Review - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)


Synopsis: Keep all arms and hands inside the ship until it has come to a complete stop at the bottom of the ocean.

Note: Possible spoiler included.

I actually purchased this DVD because I knew this was my kind of movie. Turns out I was right – and wrong. Big waves, big monsters, and big crazy swashbuckling scenes are the order of the day in the second installment of the wildly successful Pirates of the Caribbean series. The crew of the ill fated Flying Dutchman, and especially its captain, Davey Jones, are extremely creative, and pretty darn scary, seamonsters. Jack Sparrow (Depp) Will Turner and and Elizabeth Swann (Bloom and Knightley) are all great fun, running around trying to save each other and Sparrow from an eternity of servitude under Jones. All that is right up my alley.

Spoiler alert!
What wasn't up my alley was the doggone cliffhanger ending. It's a personal quirk of mine – I like a beginning, a middle and an end! It was still a great thrill ride and I will definitely watch it again.

It's rated PG-13, for "intense sequences of adventure violence, including frightening images." Take that to heart if you have kids.

It's beginning to look (and smell) a lot like Christmas

Here's a cute decoration I accidentally came up with a couple of years ago that I just love. After decorating the tree, I had a strand of plain white lights left over, so I plopped them into a big Longaberger basket I have, just to get them out of my way. For some reason I looked at it and thought to plug it in. The way the light came through the weave of the basket looked really pretty, I thought, but looking into the basket and seeing the lights wasn't so pretty. So, I grabbed a bag of cinnamon-scented pine cones I had picked up at Michael's and threw them in on top of the lights to disguise them. Plugged the whole thing back in and a few minutes later the cinnamon scent was all through the house. The lights put off just enough heat to warm the pine cones, releasing the fragrance. (I always unplug them when we're not home, just to be safe.)

This year in addition to the pine cones, I wove strands of red and natural wooden bead garland through, draping them here and there over the rim of the basket. Then I stuck in these apples and pears to add more interest. The end result is so cute, very homey, and of course smells delish.

Any basket with a somewhat-loose weave would give the same result. I also think you could use any fragranced pine cones or pot pourri – evergreen would be wonderful. If you're not into a rustic look, try spray painting a basket gold or silver, and put shiny colored Christmas ornaments on top of the lights. Then you could weave in some satin ribbon and silver or gold bead garland. If you want the fragrance, you could try some esential oils on a cloth or cotton balls, which would be hidden by the other decorations.

The Bob and I love the way the house looks, feels and smells at Christmas. Try this decoration and let me know how it works for you!

UPDATE 12/29 – Since The Bob gave me a neat-o digital camera for Christmas, I thought I'd update this post with an actual shot of my basket decoration. I hope you try this next year!

Ten very unscientific ways to deal with holiday stress

I posted this over at my other site, Shopping Tips Online, but I thought it would fit in well here, too.

I am not a psychologist or a doctor of any kind. I'm not a guru, yogi or guide. If you want advice about beating holiday stress from any of those types, there are articles out the snow globe all over the Internet. Have at them. Here are three I found in a matter of seconds. Take the stress out of holiday shopping. Tips offered for holiday shopping stress. 10 tips for stress-free online holiday shopping. There you go.

That being said, I have 10 very unscientific ways to deal with holiday stress. (The standard disclaimers apply.)

1. Shorten the gift list. This is not a joke. This year, buy only for the people closest to you. Give cards and a hug to the rest. You will feel like a thousand pound weight has been lifted. Don't feel guilty.

2. Admit you're human. There are only so many days, and only so many hours. If you’re not ready to admit that, check out the dark circles under your eyes and the vein popping out on your forehead. It will be okay.

3. Play A Charlie Brown Christmas – The Vince Guaraldi Trio every chance you get. It's like a sedative.

4. Have an eggnog, hot buttered rum, hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps, or the holiday drink of your choice. A little glow from the drink and a glow from the Christmas lights and all will be right with the world. (Drink in moderation.)

5. Avoid the situations you know will make you mad. I can't drive into the parking lot at the mall after Thanksgiving without feeling like I have a severe case of Tourette's syndrome. So I don't do it. There is always somewhere else I can go to get what I need. Saving a buck isn't worth feeling like the top of my head is going to come off.