Making a 3D cake at home can be as simple or complex as you like. For my daughter's birthday, she wanted a dinosaur cake, and I didn't think the simple pan cake with a picture or figurines would do. I researched different cake styles, pans, ideas and came up with building my own cake.
Using simple box cake mix, with a few tweaks to make it stand up to a lot of icing and a little imagination, I was able to come up with a real hit for her birthday celebration. It all comes down to cutting basic round cake layers and I make a rectangle pan cake and have found that the small egg shaped pan works very well to add some shaping to the cake for legs, facial features etc. A crumb coat layer is essential in building the cake and using the icing to stick the layers together.
I actually get something to look at for the shape like a toy or picture for inspiration and draw out a sketch of how I am going to use the cut pieces and put them together on my cake board. I then actually put the pieces together and move them around until I get exactly the scale and shape that I want.
When that is done, glue them together with the icing and prepare to frost, which is the most time consuming aspect. Using a basic butter cream frosting recipe, frosting bag and basic tips (star tip and round tip), color gels for coloring and a lot of patience you can bring your shape to life. There are many resources online for inspiration and help.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Home Made Water Purifier
Ever wondered how you could make your own water purifier? It is risky business to do so because it is not possible to tell whether water is safe to drink just by looking at it.
Simple procedures such as boiling or the use of a household activated carbon filter are not sufficient for treating all the possible contaminants that may be present in water from an unknown source. Even natural spring water - considered safe for all practical purposes in the 1800s - must now be tested before determining what kind of treatment, if any, is needed. Chemical analysis, while expensive, is the only way to obtain the information necessary for deciding on method of purification.
To use a home made water purifier you will need to first determine what contaminants you will need to remove from the water, and then choose the proper method to achieve the result you seek.
If you desire a source of clean water at home over the long-term, you will get much better results from many of the products offered commercially; especially where extensive research and cutting edge technology has been developed to achieve the most effective reduction of contaminants. No home made water purifier will come close to removing the number and types of contaminants handled by most commercial water purification systems. Your safety and health can depend on getting the water right.
Water purification technologies includes, but are not limited to: ultraviolet light, filtration, water softening, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, deionization and powdered activated carbon treatment. All of these methods can be found in a wide range of products for the home at relatively reasonable prices.
In a pinch, you can achieve a home made water purifier. The following water purification methods are taken from the Outdoor Action Guide to Water Purification, part of The Backpacker's Field Manual by Rick Curtis.
Biologically Contaminated vs. Toxic Water
Biologically contaminated water is water that contains microorganisms such as Giardia (a common microorganism that, if not killed, leads to intestinal disorders), bacteria, or viruses that can lead to infections (see Gastrointestinal Infections, page 316). Toxic water sources, on the other hand, contain chemical contamination from pesticide runoffs, mine tailings, and so on. A home made water purifier that involves boiling, filtering, or chemically treating water can remove or kill microorganisms, but it will not remove chemical toxins.
Boiling
Boiling is the most certain way of killing all microorganisms. According to the Wilderness Medical Society, water temperatures above 160° F (70° C) kill all pathogens within 30 minutes and above 185° F (85° C) within a few minutes. So in the time it takes for the water to reach the boiling point (212° F or 100° C) from 160° F (70° C), all pathogens will be killed, even at high altitude. To be extra safe, let the water boil rapidly for one minute, especially at higher altitudes since water boils at a lower temperature (see page 68.)
Chemical Purification
There are two types of chemical treatment: those using iodine and those using chlorine. There are a variety of products on the market, so follow the directions on the bottle. Be advised that many of the tablets have an expiration date and become ineffective after that point. Also, once the bottle has been opened, the tablets must be used within a certain period. When in doubt, buy a new bottle. Remember that chemical purification methods may only be partially effective, depending on the water temperature.
Iodine has been shown to be more effect than chlorine-based treatments in inactivating Giardia cysts. Be aware that some people are allergic to iodine and cannot use it as a form of water purification.
Chlorine Treatment
Chlorine can be used for persons with iodine allergies or restrictions. Remember that water temperature, sediment level, and contact time are all elements in killing microorganisms in the water. Chlorine is also a toxic substance and if not used properly or used over time can be very harmful. Home made water purification over the long-term is not a healthy or effective way to assure clean drinking water.
Filtration
There are a number of devices on the market that filter out microorganisms. A water filter pumps water through a microscopic filter that is rated for a certain-size organism. The standard size rating is the micron (the period at the end of this sentence is about 600 microns). Depending on the micron rating of the filter, smaller organisms (like viruses) can pass through.
Be cautious when selecting a filter. You should know what potential organisms you need to treat for. You don't want to go to an area where a virus like hepatitis A is present in the water (a problem in some developing countries) with a filter that will handle only a larger organism like Giardia.
If what I have told you makes it seem like a home made water purifier is more risky and more trouble than it's worth, then maybe it's time to consider a simple, easy to use, affordable commercial home water purifier. I personally recommend the Aquasana brand for it's portability (if you move, just unplug it and move it to your next house), its affordable cost and its effectiveness in removing all sorts of contaminants.
Simple procedures such as boiling or the use of a household activated carbon filter are not sufficient for treating all the possible contaminants that may be present in water from an unknown source. Even natural spring water - considered safe for all practical purposes in the 1800s - must now be tested before determining what kind of treatment, if any, is needed. Chemical analysis, while expensive, is the only way to obtain the information necessary for deciding on method of purification.
To use a home made water purifier you will need to first determine what contaminants you will need to remove from the water, and then choose the proper method to achieve the result you seek.
If you desire a source of clean water at home over the long-term, you will get much better results from many of the products offered commercially; especially where extensive research and cutting edge technology has been developed to achieve the most effective reduction of contaminants. No home made water purifier will come close to removing the number and types of contaminants handled by most commercial water purification systems. Your safety and health can depend on getting the water right.
Water purification technologies includes, but are not limited to: ultraviolet light, filtration, water softening, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, deionization and powdered activated carbon treatment. All of these methods can be found in a wide range of products for the home at relatively reasonable prices.
In a pinch, you can achieve a home made water purifier. The following water purification methods are taken from the Outdoor Action Guide to Water Purification, part of The Backpacker's Field Manual by Rick Curtis.
Biologically Contaminated vs. Toxic Water
Biologically contaminated water is water that contains microorganisms such as Giardia (a common microorganism that, if not killed, leads to intestinal disorders), bacteria, or viruses that can lead to infections (see Gastrointestinal Infections, page 316). Toxic water sources, on the other hand, contain chemical contamination from pesticide runoffs, mine tailings, and so on. A home made water purifier that involves boiling, filtering, or chemically treating water can remove or kill microorganisms, but it will not remove chemical toxins.
Boiling
Boiling is the most certain way of killing all microorganisms. According to the Wilderness Medical Society, water temperatures above 160° F (70° C) kill all pathogens within 30 minutes and above 185° F (85° C) within a few minutes. So in the time it takes for the water to reach the boiling point (212° F or 100° C) from 160° F (70° C), all pathogens will be killed, even at high altitude. To be extra safe, let the water boil rapidly for one minute, especially at higher altitudes since water boils at a lower temperature (see page 68.)
Chemical Purification
There are two types of chemical treatment: those using iodine and those using chlorine. There are a variety of products on the market, so follow the directions on the bottle. Be advised that many of the tablets have an expiration date and become ineffective after that point. Also, once the bottle has been opened, the tablets must be used within a certain period. When in doubt, buy a new bottle. Remember that chemical purification methods may only be partially effective, depending on the water temperature.
Iodine has been shown to be more effect than chlorine-based treatments in inactivating Giardia cysts. Be aware that some people are allergic to iodine and cannot use it as a form of water purification.
Chlorine Treatment
Chlorine can be used for persons with iodine allergies or restrictions. Remember that water temperature, sediment level, and contact time are all elements in killing microorganisms in the water. Chlorine is also a toxic substance and if not used properly or used over time can be very harmful. Home made water purification over the long-term is not a healthy or effective way to assure clean drinking water.
Filtration
There are a number of devices on the market that filter out microorganisms. A water filter pumps water through a microscopic filter that is rated for a certain-size organism. The standard size rating is the micron (the period at the end of this sentence is about 600 microns). Depending on the micron rating of the filter, smaller organisms (like viruses) can pass through.
Be cautious when selecting a filter. You should know what potential organisms you need to treat for. You don't want to go to an area where a virus like hepatitis A is present in the water (a problem in some developing countries) with a filter that will handle only a larger organism like Giardia.
If what I have told you makes it seem like a home made water purifier is more risky and more trouble than it's worth, then maybe it's time to consider a simple, easy to use, affordable commercial home water purifier. I personally recommend the Aquasana brand for it's portability (if you move, just unplug it and move it to your next house), its affordable cost and its effectiveness in removing all sorts of contaminants.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Homemaking Skills
In Proverbs 31:10–31, we read, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” In those verses we are told that a virtuous woman weaves fabric, sells linen—her hands are not idle: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”
"The Church has always recognized the need for women to learn domestic arts. To support the sisters in developing homemaking skills, “work day” was established. That Relief Society activity day, which evolved into homemaking meeting, was held on a weekday in the middle of the day, and all the sisters attended the same class and worked on identical projects." (1)
Homemaking is a service to our family, friends, acquaintances, and those that we know. Homemaking is a talent and as with all talents they disappear if not practiced. "It is important for all of us to learn homemaking skills; whether she is married or single, every woman is a homemaker." (2)
Have you learned one or more valuable skills from homemaking or Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meetings? While these meetings are for much needed fellowshipping and socialization, it is also important to teach and to learn skills that are not often found in other places.
Put as much effort into the look and feel of the Enrichment activities as possible. If you went to a play and there were no backdrops and the actors wore little if any costumes, it would not be as enjoyable as if they put everything into the look and feel of that play. This doesn't always mean money needs to be spent from the budget for your activity. Think of decorating ideas for the sisters to bring things from their home to add to the décor at the church or place of activity. Bringing nature indoors brings a greater appreciation for our Heavenly Father.
Remember that the sisters need to learn as well as fellowship. Enjoy being able to make a difference in the lives of others.
Works Cited:
1- Camille Curtis Anderson, “The Fruit of Her Hands,” Ensign, Sep 1996
2- Barbara W. Winder, “Enriching and Protecting the Home: A Conversation with Barbara W. Winder, Relief Society General President,” Ensign, Mar 1986
"The Church has always recognized the need for women to learn domestic arts. To support the sisters in developing homemaking skills, “work day” was established. That Relief Society activity day, which evolved into homemaking meeting, was held on a weekday in the middle of the day, and all the sisters attended the same class and worked on identical projects." (1)
Homemaking is a service to our family, friends, acquaintances, and those that we know. Homemaking is a talent and as with all talents they disappear if not practiced. "It is important for all of us to learn homemaking skills; whether she is married or single, every woman is a homemaker." (2)
Have you learned one or more valuable skills from homemaking or Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meetings? While these meetings are for much needed fellowshipping and socialization, it is also important to teach and to learn skills that are not often found in other places.
Put as much effort into the look and feel of the Enrichment activities as possible. If you went to a play and there were no backdrops and the actors wore little if any costumes, it would not be as enjoyable as if they put everything into the look and feel of that play. This doesn't always mean money needs to be spent from the budget for your activity. Think of decorating ideas for the sisters to bring things from their home to add to the décor at the church or place of activity. Bringing nature indoors brings a greater appreciation for our Heavenly Father.
Remember that the sisters need to learn as well as fellowship. Enjoy being able to make a difference in the lives of others.
Works Cited:
1- Camille Curtis Anderson, “The Fruit of Her Hands,” Ensign, Sep 1996
2- Barbara W. Winder, “Enriching and Protecting the Home: A Conversation with Barbara W. Winder, Relief Society General President,” Ensign, Mar 1986
Homemaking Skills
You may need a helping hand, but consider your needs do not merit going into a residential care home. Perhaps you are recovering from illness or find that cleaning your home, or shopping is becoming harder to manage on your own. You may already have a regular carer who is going on holiday. If you are a couple, one may be struggling to look after the other or perhaps you are both experiencing difficulties in coping. Many carers are not professionals, but everyday people looking after their wives, husbands, parents, friends or relatives. Sometimes they will need advice, practical help or just a break How to find the home care you need. Help is available from many sources. This includes your local Social Services department, GP, local voluntary organizations for the elderly, independent, care and nursing agencies and the United Kingdom Home Care association.
Types of home care
· Having your home adapted with handrails, stair lifts, bath aids etc, to make your home safer and your life easier.
· A home help to help prepare meals, do housework and shopping for you.
· A door-to-door transport service.
· Personal alarm systems, which give 24-hour emergency cover, if you need help.
· Pop in services, someone to assist with that small, but essential task, like changing a light bulb.
· Meals on wheels who can deliver a cooked meal, directly to your table.
· Help with personal care, like bathing, dressing and going to the toilet.
· Night sitters and sleepers, if you need reassurance throughout the night.
· A live in service, which offers you 24-hour care and companionship.
Your local Social Services department can carry out a carer's assessment and may also be able to help out with respite care. Many residential care homes also offer respite care.
Choosing home care
It is really important that you feel comfortable with your home carer. You will have more choice if you are funding your care yourself, rather than through the local authority. However it's still important to use a reputable agency and make sure they vet their staff. Ask about their code of practice, the service they provide and what qualifications and training the carer has.
Make sure they able to provide the specific care you need, check their charges, including any extras, and ask what happens if you have a problem with a carer or if one is ill or on holiday. You will also need to know if there is a complaints procedure.
Remember you local authority can help by making an assessment of your needs and compiling a care plan. They have a legal duty to provide you with suitable care at home, though charges and the levels of care may differ, according to the area you live in. If they cannot help, they will be able to suggest other organizations that can and will also be able to advise you about any benefits you are entitled to claim. If you need a great deal of care, you may find it less expensive in a nursing or residential home.
Types of home care
· Having your home adapted with handrails, stair lifts, bath aids etc, to make your home safer and your life easier.
· A home help to help prepare meals, do housework and shopping for you.
· A door-to-door transport service.
· Personal alarm systems, which give 24-hour emergency cover, if you need help.
· Pop in services, someone to assist with that small, but essential task, like changing a light bulb.
· Meals on wheels who can deliver a cooked meal, directly to your table.
· Help with personal care, like bathing, dressing and going to the toilet.
· Night sitters and sleepers, if you need reassurance throughout the night.
· A live in service, which offers you 24-hour care and companionship.
Your local Social Services department can carry out a carer's assessment and may also be able to help out with respite care. Many residential care homes also offer respite care.
Choosing home care
It is really important that you feel comfortable with your home carer. You will have more choice if you are funding your care yourself, rather than through the local authority. However it's still important to use a reputable agency and make sure they vet their staff. Ask about their code of practice, the service they provide and what qualifications and training the carer has.
Make sure they able to provide the specific care you need, check their charges, including any extras, and ask what happens if you have a problem with a carer or if one is ill or on holiday. You will also need to know if there is a complaints procedure.
Remember you local authority can help by making an assessment of your needs and compiling a care plan. They have a legal duty to provide you with suitable care at home, though charges and the levels of care may differ, according to the area you live in. If they cannot help, they will be able to suggest other organizations that can and will also be able to advise you about any benefits you are entitled to claim. If you need a great deal of care, you may find it less expensive in a nursing or residential home.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Home Making Through Dream Home Loans
Dream – the word is very close to us. Many of us dream of making a castle like abode and being a proud homeowner. But, it is not everyone’s cup of tea, as money is the mandatory to fulfill it. Now, the time has come make your dream home your next destination. Now home loans are available with which any UK borrower can set his dream in the world of reality.
These days, home loans are easily available in the UK. Generally, in the UK home loans are offered at various rate options, like home loans at fixed rate, home loans at adjustable rate and balloon rate home loans. So, it is required for all the borrowers in the UK to know about these various rate options before applying for a home loan.
Fixed rate home loans: Fixed rate home loans are commonly used in the UK. As the name refers, the interest rate of fixed rate home loan is fixed and constant. It means a UK borrower has to pay same rate of interest during the repayment period. Mainly such kinds of loans are protective from any change. It means if the rate of interest suddenly hikes up in the market, then it can not affect the fixed rate.
Adjustable rate home loans: In this option, the interest rate and the monthly payment become low at the beginning. But the rate of interest in this option can change during the loan period. The interest rate may increase or decrease. And a UK borrower has to make the payment in accordance with the changed interest rate.
On the other hand, in balloon rate of home loan the repayment period is decided for 30 years. Normally, two types of balloon rate of home loans are available in the UK loan market- 7/23and 5/25. In this option, a borrower in the UK can pay off the entire amount 5 or 7 years or he also can rearrange the entire home loan. Here 7 and 5 are indicating the period before the date of balloon maturity and 23 and 25 are indicating the rest of the term.
At the same time, a borrower should keep in his mind that there may be some extra fees and charges associated with his loan. These fees could be closing costs, agent fees etc. So, at the time of availing loan, a borrower should be sure that which portion of the cost he is borrowing and which portion he is paying as extra fees.
Easy availability of home loan has made it famous in the UK. But at the same time, to get the best deal a bit research is required. Always compare various loan quotes before opting for a good deal. Such kind of comparison will ensure the UK borrower to get the best deal.
Home loan- it is an exclusive opportunity for all the UK borrowers to make their dream home their next destination. With this offer a UK borrower can easily be a homeowner without facing any hassle.
These days, home loans are easily available in the UK. Generally, in the UK home loans are offered at various rate options, like home loans at fixed rate, home loans at adjustable rate and balloon rate home loans. So, it is required for all the borrowers in the UK to know about these various rate options before applying for a home loan.
Fixed rate home loans: Fixed rate home loans are commonly used in the UK. As the name refers, the interest rate of fixed rate home loan is fixed and constant. It means a UK borrower has to pay same rate of interest during the repayment period. Mainly such kinds of loans are protective from any change. It means if the rate of interest suddenly hikes up in the market, then it can not affect the fixed rate.
Adjustable rate home loans: In this option, the interest rate and the monthly payment become low at the beginning. But the rate of interest in this option can change during the loan period. The interest rate may increase or decrease. And a UK borrower has to make the payment in accordance with the changed interest rate.
On the other hand, in balloon rate of home loan the repayment period is decided for 30 years. Normally, two types of balloon rate of home loans are available in the UK loan market- 7/23and 5/25. In this option, a borrower in the UK can pay off the entire amount 5 or 7 years or he also can rearrange the entire home loan. Here 7 and 5 are indicating the period before the date of balloon maturity and 23 and 25 are indicating the rest of the term.
At the same time, a borrower should keep in his mind that there may be some extra fees and charges associated with his loan. These fees could be closing costs, agent fees etc. So, at the time of availing loan, a borrower should be sure that which portion of the cost he is borrowing and which portion he is paying as extra fees.
Easy availability of home loan has made it famous in the UK. But at the same time, to get the best deal a bit research is required. Always compare various loan quotes before opting for a good deal. Such kind of comparison will ensure the UK borrower to get the best deal.
Home loan- it is an exclusive opportunity for all the UK borrowers to make their dream home their next destination. With this offer a UK borrower can easily be a homeowner without facing any hassle.
Home Making Through Internet Marketing
There are preferably plenty of modes on how you could be assured of earning money even if you simply stay at home. The people's general view of being assured that there would be a fixed income coming to their pockets in order to be able to provide for the welfare of the family.
However, there are really the times when you would run out of cash. There seems to be not enough money for you. Imagine the worst case. How about losing your job? How about having to give up your monthly wage to give way for the payable bills? How about cases of emergency knocking at your door? Would you not fret at all? Every human being obviously wants financial security and clearly enough, you are one of those who would trade anything in the world just to be able to provide enough food on the table and have other funds remaining for the rest of the needed expenses.
Ever heard of the booming internet marketing? Nearly all people have surely heard of this popular term in the business. Most internet marketers believe that this is the best way of reaping the large amounts of money in order to keep up with the changing times and the escalating prices of commodities. Yes, internet marketing is guaranteed by many as one good way of generating an income.
Even as you stay at home, you could still involve yourself to internet marketing and earn the profit that you truly deserve. Instead of idling at home, you could become productive by doing ways of earning. Hence, your spare time would no longer get wasted because there is going to be a fruitful avenue of your effort and that is with internet marketing. Sure enough, you would love the opportunity of being able to get money from a job that you could simply do while you are at home.
Affiliate marketing is one form of internet marketing with which you may engage yourself in. affiliate marketing is all about promoting the goods or services of a manufacturer or owner and when people get to purchase them, you would get your commission. The commission rate is indeed handsome. And that would be good news for you since it is the answer to your need. Hence, would you not want to do affiliate internet marketing?
The thing with affiliate internet marketing is that you are privileged to enjoy some residual income while you stay within the confines of your home. You would somehow become part of a sales team which would be presenting the ads and linking with other sites so that people or the website visitors would know of the existence of a certain product or service. Now if you are not working out for the sale and the rest of the members of the sales team are continuously doing their share, then you could still be granted the residual income while you are at home working.
Internet marketing indeed has plenty to offer. Yet you need not be so confident and then simply start becoming a couch potato because of this scheme. There are innumerable internet marketers who tend to fail in their attempt because they securely overlook the basics yet important principles about the business. Internet marketing is an essential endeavor so therefore you have to be serious in your venture. If before you only dreamed about being part of the online business, now you are genuinely going to be an affiliate internet marketer yourself! Hence, put together your effort and time so that you could better handle the tasks assigned to you as an affiliate internet marketer.
Be ready with your computer and get a reliable internet connection. They are going to be your bread and butter. Aside from these things, all you need are your concerted time and effort coupled with your determination and dedication. Earning money while working at home needs you to be committed and dedicated if you truly want to earn without investing much. Actually, doing the affiliate internet marketing is so easy because you would not be investing money for capital so there is not much loss on your part. It is as simple as that.
However, there are really the times when you would run out of cash. There seems to be not enough money for you. Imagine the worst case. How about losing your job? How about having to give up your monthly wage to give way for the payable bills? How about cases of emergency knocking at your door? Would you not fret at all? Every human being obviously wants financial security and clearly enough, you are one of those who would trade anything in the world just to be able to provide enough food on the table and have other funds remaining for the rest of the needed expenses.
Ever heard of the booming internet marketing? Nearly all people have surely heard of this popular term in the business. Most internet marketers believe that this is the best way of reaping the large amounts of money in order to keep up with the changing times and the escalating prices of commodities. Yes, internet marketing is guaranteed by many as one good way of generating an income.
Even as you stay at home, you could still involve yourself to internet marketing and earn the profit that you truly deserve. Instead of idling at home, you could become productive by doing ways of earning. Hence, your spare time would no longer get wasted because there is going to be a fruitful avenue of your effort and that is with internet marketing. Sure enough, you would love the opportunity of being able to get money from a job that you could simply do while you are at home.
Affiliate marketing is one form of internet marketing with which you may engage yourself in. affiliate marketing is all about promoting the goods or services of a manufacturer or owner and when people get to purchase them, you would get your commission. The commission rate is indeed handsome. And that would be good news for you since it is the answer to your need. Hence, would you not want to do affiliate internet marketing?
The thing with affiliate internet marketing is that you are privileged to enjoy some residual income while you stay within the confines of your home. You would somehow become part of a sales team which would be presenting the ads and linking with other sites so that people or the website visitors would know of the existence of a certain product or service. Now if you are not working out for the sale and the rest of the members of the sales team are continuously doing their share, then you could still be granted the residual income while you are at home working.
Internet marketing indeed has plenty to offer. Yet you need not be so confident and then simply start becoming a couch potato because of this scheme. There are innumerable internet marketers who tend to fail in their attempt because they securely overlook the basics yet important principles about the business. Internet marketing is an essential endeavor so therefore you have to be serious in your venture. If before you only dreamed about being part of the online business, now you are genuinely going to be an affiliate internet marketer yourself! Hence, put together your effort and time so that you could better handle the tasks assigned to you as an affiliate internet marketer.
Be ready with your computer and get a reliable internet connection. They are going to be your bread and butter. Aside from these things, all you need are your concerted time and effort coupled with your determination and dedication. Earning money while working at home needs you to be committed and dedicated if you truly want to earn without investing much. Actually, doing the affiliate internet marketing is so easy because you would not be investing money for capital so there is not much loss on your part. It is as simple as that.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Be Crafty About Home Making
"What's so new about homemaking? It's as old as, well, homes." Absolutely. But look around.
Domestic skills that were once common are now rare. Don't believe me? If you're under the age of 40, bake a loaf of bread, or, if this mystifies you, sew a pretty blouse, knit a sweater--or fold a fitted sheet. Then show your friends. Chances are they'll make a huge fuss over your amazing ability, one that most women born before 1950 took completely for granted.
In a generation, we have lost hundreds, maybe thousands of years of domestic knowledge. Girls are raised now with no idea how to run a household; it's assumed they'll never have to. And besides, their own mothers probably don't know how to run a household themselves.
We had feminist mothers who didn't believe in domesticity. We had domestic grandmothers who didn't know about feminism. The former threw the baby out with the bathwater in their zest for self-realization. The latter were too busy scrubbing the bathtub to think about self-anything.
Why would anyone want to return to the home? Isn't it boring, self-sacrificing, old-fashioned? Those are the base assumptions of our culture. But our culture's unchallenged assumptions about both partners working, when examined, may turn out not to reflect your values, or even your best interests. These are assumptions we hear every day: You can't make it on one income. You'd be bored at home. Your career will suffer. Daycare is good for children. The schools are raising your children just fine.
I can refute each and every one of these assumptions easily and in detail, but I'll sum it up in one popular phrase: On your deathbed, as you look back over your life, would you really turn to your children and say, "Gee, I wish I'd spent more time at the office"?
Increasingly, something is just giving in people; they've had enough. One too many breastmilk pumping sessions in the toilet stall at work, one too many microwaved TV dinners, one too many requests from a wistful child for more of a parent's time--or worse, one too many reports of problems with a child from a teacher--and families start to reassess their priorities. (I'm not talking about single parents, most of whom are doing the best they can to keep body and soul together with little help or support.) More and more young families are looking around and realizing that much of what's wrong with American home life today is that NO ONE'S HOME.
Single-income families are the fastest-growing segment of the American population. In ever greater numbers, one of the family adults is choosing to stay home and keep house--to care for and even school children, to care for elderly relatives, to care for the partner working outside the home, to care for the surrounding community, and any combination of the above. That adult can be male or female, but is usually female. She's taking responsibility for her own family instead of expecting other people to do it, either for pay or by government mandate.
This much is true: Homemaking can be a lonely, thankless task, especially when you feel like you don't know what you're doing. And that's where The New Homemaker comes in. Our goal is to provide the resources, tools and support you need to create the home you want, with no condescension and no proselytizing.
Today's homemakers must take the best from what our foremothers have to offer us--both the independent thinkers and the shy housewives--and create something new, a homemaker who knows the value of her work, respects herself, and gets respect from the rest of the world. Every person who puts his or her family's best interests first, as people have for centuries, is now a rebel, reclaiming an America that might never have been except in our minds and hearts, but that deserves to be born.
Homemaking is a craft, an art; make it your job, because it's the most important job in the world. Study it. Improve yourself. Respect your work. It does get easier.
Domestic skills that were once common are now rare. Don't believe me? If you're under the age of 40, bake a loaf of bread, or, if this mystifies you, sew a pretty blouse, knit a sweater--or fold a fitted sheet. Then show your friends. Chances are they'll make a huge fuss over your amazing ability, one that most women born before 1950 took completely for granted.
In a generation, we have lost hundreds, maybe thousands of years of domestic knowledge. Girls are raised now with no idea how to run a household; it's assumed they'll never have to. And besides, their own mothers probably don't know how to run a household themselves.
We had feminist mothers who didn't believe in domesticity. We had domestic grandmothers who didn't know about feminism. The former threw the baby out with the bathwater in their zest for self-realization. The latter were too busy scrubbing the bathtub to think about self-anything.
Why would anyone want to return to the home? Isn't it boring, self-sacrificing, old-fashioned? Those are the base assumptions of our culture. But our culture's unchallenged assumptions about both partners working, when examined, may turn out not to reflect your values, or even your best interests. These are assumptions we hear every day: You can't make it on one income. You'd be bored at home. Your career will suffer. Daycare is good for children. The schools are raising your children just fine.
I can refute each and every one of these assumptions easily and in detail, but I'll sum it up in one popular phrase: On your deathbed, as you look back over your life, would you really turn to your children and say, "Gee, I wish I'd spent more time at the office"?
Increasingly, something is just giving in people; they've had enough. One too many breastmilk pumping sessions in the toilet stall at work, one too many microwaved TV dinners, one too many requests from a wistful child for more of a parent's time--or worse, one too many reports of problems with a child from a teacher--and families start to reassess their priorities. (I'm not talking about single parents, most of whom are doing the best they can to keep body and soul together with little help or support.) More and more young families are looking around and realizing that much of what's wrong with American home life today is that NO ONE'S HOME.
Single-income families are the fastest-growing segment of the American population. In ever greater numbers, one of the family adults is choosing to stay home and keep house--to care for and even school children, to care for elderly relatives, to care for the partner working outside the home, to care for the surrounding community, and any combination of the above. That adult can be male or female, but is usually female. She's taking responsibility for her own family instead of expecting other people to do it, either for pay or by government mandate.
This much is true: Homemaking can be a lonely, thankless task, especially when you feel like you don't know what you're doing. And that's where The New Homemaker comes in. Our goal is to provide the resources, tools and support you need to create the home you want, with no condescension and no proselytizing.
Today's homemakers must take the best from what our foremothers have to offer us--both the independent thinkers and the shy housewives--and create something new, a homemaker who knows the value of her work, respects herself, and gets respect from the rest of the world. Every person who puts his or her family's best interests first, as people have for centuries, is now a rebel, reclaiming an America that might never have been except in our minds and hearts, but that deserves to be born.
Homemaking is a craft, an art; make it your job, because it's the most important job in the world. Study it. Improve yourself. Respect your work. It does get easier.
Home Makers - Guidelines For A Good Home
A clean and organized home doesn’t have to take up all of your time. Follow these four top tips to help you keep things on track.
1. Keep a family messaging area. A place where messages can be taken and left. Where all mail is sorted and assigned. Have this place near the phone and include a memo pad and pens and pencils. Post a magnetic wipe off board with a cork section for posting notes. A calendar listing all family appointments and to do’s is a great idea also.
2. Don’t try and keep the home together by yourself. Train your children to help in cleaning and organizing chores and include your spouse. Share the load. And you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.
3. If there is a large job to tackle get the whole household involved. It might even be fun. Such as cleaning out the basement or attic. Painting a room. Have a contest such as who can gather the most leaves or give out rewards at the completion of your big project.
4. Spread out your cleaning. Don’t wait until Saturday to try and clean the whole home. And don’t try to do all they laundry, vacuum and dusting at once. Break it up. Touch up the bathroom in a few minutes each day and spend 15 minutes once a week deep cleaning it. Organize a drawer a day instead of tackling all the drawers in your kitchen at once.
With just a little organization and planning you can have your homemaking more organized.
1. Keep a family messaging area. A place where messages can be taken and left. Where all mail is sorted and assigned. Have this place near the phone and include a memo pad and pens and pencils. Post a magnetic wipe off board with a cork section for posting notes. A calendar listing all family appointments and to do’s is a great idea also.
2. Don’t try and keep the home together by yourself. Train your children to help in cleaning and organizing chores and include your spouse. Share the load. And you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.
3. If there is a large job to tackle get the whole household involved. It might even be fun. Such as cleaning out the basement or attic. Painting a room. Have a contest such as who can gather the most leaves or give out rewards at the completion of your big project.
4. Spread out your cleaning. Don’t wait until Saturday to try and clean the whole home. And don’t try to do all they laundry, vacuum and dusting at once. Break it up. Touch up the bathroom in a few minutes each day and spend 15 minutes once a week deep cleaning it. Organize a drawer a day instead of tackling all the drawers in your kitchen at once.
With just a little organization and planning you can have your homemaking more organized.
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