PREPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

NOVEMBER FIFTH

HELPFUL HINTS AND TIPS

'THOU SHALT NOT STEAL'  but I did.

Continuing with Flatware care this fine day.   

Choices are:

STERLING SILVER

SILVER-PLATED FLATWARE

GOLD ELECTROPLATED FLATWARE

STAINLESS FLATWARE

The 1973 BHG book I'm looking through doesn't mention plastic ware to use and of course most just throw these away after use.  The CARE is in disposing of the trash.  CONFESSION TIME FOR ME.  When I was about 5 years old I saw brightly multi- colored plastic ware in a box for the first time and thought the primary colored spoons were JUST OUT OF THIS WORLD PRETTY soooooooo I took the box of brightly colored plastic ware and quietly placed in my coat pocket on that COLD WINTERY DAY.  

I thought it was alright to take what I saw.  Didn't even THINK, no harm done.  I didn't have a clue what I was doing was wrong.  I was 5.  That NAME IT--CLAIM IT philosophy that WORD OF FAITHERS practice didn't come to mind when I did this at 5.  I saw.  I liked.  I wanted.  I took.  I conquered.  

ALL MINE except I made the mistake of showing my Sister what I had taken.  Look what I have!  I was so proud of my self.  For some reason Sister got puffed up and tattled on me to my Mom as we were loading up in the car parked outside of the Grocery Store named IDEAL.  It was an ideal idea to take what wasn't mine and enjoy my spoils of the day, but my Sister SPOILED THAT for me.  She told OUR MOMMA what I had in my coat pocket and the GIG was up.

Mom walked me back into the store and told the Manager what I had done.

It was really HARD for me to pull the pretties out of my coat pocket and give my spoils to this total stranger that seemed to stand 10 ' tall.  THIS DID LEAVE AN IMPRESSION.  He was very nice to me as I admitted pulling off the HEIST OF THE DECADE.  Never again would I steal brightly colored plastic flatware.  NEVAH.  It doesn't matter how purdee they are...it's territory I don't wonder in.  

These days I mostly prefer clear plastic that looks like crystal.  grins.  I pay.      


Back to the 1973 book.

WASHING/CLEANING FLATWARE
All flatware  should be washed, rinsed in hot water, and dried quickly after use in order to retain its luster.  The amount of care that is needed to preserve the beauty of your flatware depends primarily on the metal you select.


STERLING SILVER requires the most care, but if you use it frequently --every day if you wish--it will need polishing less often.  If you have a large service and use it for only two or three people, rotate the pieces so each piece is used and washed every few days.  Wash or rinse the silver as soon as possible after meals, as numerous foods cause tarnish when the silver remains unwashed for a period of time.

If you wash your sterling silver by hand, don't overload the dishpan.  All types of metals are susceptible to scratches, and in most cases, this is the result of overcrowding the pieces.  Don't be dis courage if you notice some fine scratches on your sterling.  These are most conspicuous when the silver is new.  Eventually, polishing will blend them so the luster, or patina, resembles that of old silver.

Choose a good silver polish, and use lengthwise, never circular, strokes when you are using it.  Keep your sterling away from salt and anything made of rubber.  Either one can permanently deface silver.

SILVER-PLATED FLATWARE has an outer surface of silver, so it requires the same treatment you give fine sterling.

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OH MY GOODNESS....aren't these purdee!

Please don't tell my Momma.  

Thanks for stopping by.

God bless you.

MAKING HOME A PRIORITY

one day at a time,

d

HOLIDAY PREPPING

NOVEMBER FOURTH 

Special Tips and Hints

Hello Dear Blogging Buds.  Moving right along prepping for the Holidays.  Today, the pile of magazines at my feet will be relocated to the telephone table.  Thumbing through HOLIDAY ones to get stirred up about how wonderful the food can be and all is well in magazine land.  

Truthfully, I am a HAPPY HOME magazine addict.  I get these cravings where I just have to have time within magazine land.  It's a psychological oddity and occasionally I have a fit to where I must break away alone with a cup of coffee AND a ancient oversized magazine when opened spills over my lap onto my thighs.  Those vintage ones with poor quality paper printed with not so right colored ink.  Navigating through the large pages takes the pressure off of using hand weights to get ones exercise for they are obedient to challenge the HOMEMAKER as she navigates through handling these huge pages.  

It's uplifting to see another time era which occur before present days that were right on with types of food, dress, furniture, appliances and state of mind.  Once in a while I get the same vintage fix from older books.

The old 1973 Better Homes and Gardens Book that I am thumbing through is interesting to me TODAY as as a 62 year old reading about Special Tips and Hints.  

I wasn't a HOMEMAKER in 1973.  Instead I filled my mind with High School Senior plans that didn't include a HOME at all.  

Career, EdUcAtIoN, career, eDuCaTiOn, career, education baby... NOT relationship with HOME and Husband.  No Husband in the picture Kiddo.  I was the liberated young woman so proud of herself in her bluejeans that I was liberated.  I was indeed mixed-up about life and what I was to do with it.  I didn't know.  

Not all Senior High School aged girls had this problem.  I did.  I would find my purpose after I married and had babies.  THEN I saw the light.  Being thankful that I did find the light instead of grieving that it took me so long to find the light have dual meaning to me.

I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but have grown to appreciate the finer things in LIFE.  OPEN mouth, insert spoon.  Speaking of spoon in mouth, here's what I read about FLATWARE CARE.

WASHING/CLEANING FLATWARE

All flatware should be washed, rinsed in hot water, and dried quickly after use in order to retain its luster.  The amount of care that is needed to preserve the beauty of your flatware depends primarily on the metal you select.  

Sterling silver
Silver-plated flatware
Gold electroplated flatware
Stainless flatware 

(Think I will break this up into two parts.  Too lengthy to do all at once.  Stainless flatware is what I use, so I will share about this first.)

STAINLESS FLATWARE
Stainless flatware is the easiest type to care for.  It's dishwasher safe and does not tarnish.  However, discoloration can occur.  This can be from a gradual buildup of some foods, from some detergents, or from the chemical action that occurs when stainless is washed with cleaning agent in a aluminum pan.  This discoloration can be removed easily with stainless or copper polish.  It is less apt to occur if you use a plastic dishpan when washing it.

GOLD ELECTROPLATED FLATWARE
Gold electroplated flatware needs no special handling.  It is highly resistant to both wear and tarnish, and it can be washed safely in a dishwasher.  The precious gold plating is applied in a manner that makes it extremely durable.  

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Tis interesting to me NOW as I was never informed as to how to take care of silverware other than to hand wash it in hot soapy water, rinse, dry it with towel or air dry and put away or place in a dishwasher after use.

Thanks for stopping by.  
God bless you and yours.

MAKING HOME A PRIORITY
one day at a time,
d

HOLIDAY PREPPING

NOVEMBER THIRD

HOLIDAY PREPPING

*Special Care Tips*

My brain cells burn a little brighter when I'm kicking ideas around in my head.  THANKSGIVING MENU IDEAS are bouncing about in dar.  Two years ago, I added Mac and Cheese to the THANKSGIVING menu as one of my Grandchildren especially LUVS it.  We had a delicate situation, Grandma wanted him to have some comfort food as his parents were newly divorced.

THOUGHTS ON THANKSGIVING MENU

Main THANKSGIVING MENU will be:  

Turkey for sure with Dressing and Cranberry Sauce
Mac and Cheese
Relish Trays with Deviled Eggs
Hawaiian Dinner Rolls with Butter
Waldorf Salad
Sunshine Salad
Green Bean Casserole
Cream Style Corn
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
Iced Tea and Coffee
Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

Left-overs will be for SUPPER that day.  HAM will be served the following day with Turkey Sandwiches that week-end.  Should be delicious. 

THOUGHTS ON SEATING ARRANGEMENTS WHEN COMPANY DINES.  This year the seating arrangement with company will be so different as we are no longer in our old rock house that had a Dining room and a Family room with room to roam.  Now we have a Dining room and Living room with fancy new furniture that I don't want littles eating on it just yet.  The Kitchen here has room for a small Kitchen table to sit at and eat along with a church pew that a couple of small children can sit in while eating off of TV trays.  Four people can sit at the Dining room table as it is small as two others sit at the Tea Table in the Dining room.   

I'll have to take a refresher course on how to deal with stains on upholstered furniture JUST IN CASE we have to take action.  Spills happen.  More on that later as a HOLIDAY PREP.

After the very busy THANKSGIVING Holiday, I will rest for a few days then get into high gear for CHRISTMAS.  The house will be cleaned and the HARVEST decorations put away as CHRISTMAS comes into play.

~SPECIAL CARE TIPS and HELPFUL HINTS~

HOW TO CARE FOR TABLE LINENS

Laundering table linens is not the time consuming task that it once was because of the many permanent press fabrics now available.  If your table linens have this easy-care built-in feature, follow the manufacturer's laundering instructions.

If they don't, use warm suds and several rinses of clear water to ensure removal of dirt and detergents.  Water temperature should be between 100 and 110 degrees for rayons, colored cottons, and linens.

After the linens are washed and dried, sprinkle and iron them.  Be sure to refer to the hang tags for fiber content and any special instructions that are recommended.

Fold tablecloths down the center, but don't crease this fold with the iron, just lightly fold the cloth over.  Each time you launder the cloth, move the fold a little to the right or left of the center to keep it from wearing out in one spot.

Iron monogrammed or embroidered table linens on a thickly padded board or a thick turkish towel.  Press the wrong side first to bring out the design.

Well, I learned a thing or two on the care of linens.  

Just the other day I was wondering the proper way to fold 

and store tables clothes to keep the creases out.

Thanks for stopping by.

MAKING HOME A PRIORITY

one day at a time,

d 

HOLIDAY PREP

NOVEMBER 2

HOLIDAY PREP

This month is peppered 

with medical appointments.

To alleviate stress next year, I believe that the regular medical exams and appointments should take place in September such as prepping the house and auto for cold weather that will come.

Get the medical appointments out of the way so October can be focused on the HOLIDAYS if possible.  Schedule them in July.

Yesterday was the beginning of my serious Preparations for the HOLIDAYS.  A quick trip to TOPEKA to drop off a couple of boxes for thrift and pick up a couple of Turkeys and Hams.  I questioned if there would be a Butcher on duty late in the day at the grocery store.  Buy a HAM and get a free TURKEY.

There was a Butcher on duty to machine slice one of the hams.  Nice thickness for Ham Sandwiches.  I figure we will have HAM MEALS this week and after I bake the TURKEY that was in the freezer, more Turkey Meals.

A whole Ham went into the freezer and the sliced Ham was bagged into smaller zip-lock bags in which a sizable amount was placed in the fridge meat compartment.  Several bags placed in the freezer for safe keeping.  Hurray.  There will be food on the table.

To make room for the new Turkeys to freeze, the frozen one was removed and placed in fridge to thaw for three days. 

Baking on Sunday will be a pleasure 

in our new oven.  

Today, if all goes well, I will have a Dental Appointment in the morning and in the afternoon I must go looking for a small humidifier.  Our house is too dry with the heater.  

I must box up more glassware to help clean up the Dining room.  Making plans.  Make 'er happen.  Been trying and just can't get there.  In two places, but not at the same time.  We traveled to Oklahoma last week-end for a Grandchild's Birthday Party, go Harvest Treating, stopped by my Mom's place on the way HOME.  

She has lost way too much weight and I'm concerned about her.  One thing is true, too much stress isn't good for people.  Worrying makes one sick.  She will spend some time in Iowa with my Sister for some R&R.  Not sure it will be enough.

FOR NOW more info about HOME.

Will share some tips.
*SPECIAL CARE TIP*

HELPFUL HINTS
*If table linens need mending, do this before laundering, as the washing may accentuate frayed areas and holes.  Also remove any spots before laundering.

*If you have inadvertently stacked  glasses one inside another, and they become stuck, do not pry them apart.  Fill the inside glass with cold water, and immense the outer one in warm water.

*If you add ammonia or bluing to water to add luster to glassware, wash metallic-banded glassware separately by hand.

*Use a small, soft brush for cleaning the crevices in ornamental silver.

*Fine china should be warmed gradually; never place it in a hot oven.  

Thanks for stopping by.

MAKING HOME A PRIORITY 

one day at a time,

d

PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

NOVEMBER FIRST

Making Preparations for the HOLIDAYS.  I know what dishes and flatware I will use, but have to locate the brown goblets and decide on linens plus centerpiece.  MENU is a no brainer and stand by.

I've already started CHRISTMAS DAYDREAMING as I looked at the CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS in some of the stores.  First comes THANKSGIVING then CHRISTMAS.  Still cleaning and tidying up around here.  Still boxing up things to go to CHARITIES.  

Two more boxes sitting by the back door ready to go.  Think I will carry these out to the car and take them to TOPEKA this afternoon to drop off.  I need to see if MY FAVORITE THRIFT SHOP has any AUTUMN FLOWERS left over for little of nothing to place in a couple of my vases to add AUTUMN FLAIR to the Living room.  Pretty sure we will have company coming HOME this THANKSGIVING.  

I looked through the local newspaper this morning...a favorite ad appeared:  BUY A HAM GET A FREE TURKEY!!!

~DAY ONE OF HOLIDAY PREP~

SO today, I hope to do just that and stick the goods in the freezer.

Hopefully get some artificial flowers to spruce my HOME up 

and drop off a couple of good-bye boxes.

Halloween has taken place and I look forward to the HOLIDAYS.  THINKING ABOUT outside Christmas decorations.

With much decluttering that has taken place in my HOME, I came across an older book about House and Home.  Thought it NOTE WORTHY to share some info found amongst the pages.
Perhaps you have had training in the finer ways of entertaining.  I haven't.  I had to observe, research and read.

I was never told how to store in the cabinets or china cabinets stemware of any kind.   We were very casual in the household where I grew up.  Not paper cups or toss aways, but very PRACTICAL drinking glasses and coffee cups.  Mom's stemware was stashed up high in a cabinet with her china that she seldom used.  They became elegant dust collectors of the nicest kind.

One Mother's Day one year, I asked if I could use the nice dishes to serve her a Mother's Day meal prepared by her teenage daughter, ME.  I wanted so badly to have a taste of class in our dinky HOME on Roosevelt Street that was filled with more love than space.

She allowed me to use her AMBER COLORED Depression Dishes.  I never did get to use her china with a platinum rim on the edges of the dishes and stemware.  Never.  She sold these when she and my Dad downsized to move into an apartment 11 years ago. 

Okay back to the older book I came across.
*SPECIAL CARE TIPS*

HOW TO CARE FOR GLASSWARE

To keep your stemware and glassware glistening, use mild suds and warm water for washing.  Never use caustic powders.  A few drops of bluing, or ammonia in the dishwater will add luster.  Rinse in cool water, drain, and dry with lint-free towel.  Polish gently with the towel, but don't squeeze your whole fist inside glassware.

Be sure to place a rubber mat in the bottom of the sink, and place a folded tea towel on the drainboard.  It's a good idea to rinse delicate stemware in a plastic dishpan, as it's very easy to chip it against the spout if you hold it directly under the running water to rinse it.

Avoid sudden temperature changes.  Extreme heat causes glass to expand; extreme cold causes it to contract.  Both can result in cracking.  Never pour boiling water over glasses, especially stemware, and don't put ice water in a glass that is still hot from washing.  Always put a silver spoon in a glass cup before filling it with hot liquid to prevent it from cracking.  

Thanks for stopping by.
Making HOME a priority,
d