Mother Rabbit

my luggage scale.

2012-02-16T13:42:00.000-06:00

One of the smartest little tools I ever purchased was a luggage scale. I am not a "pack light" kind of girl. I like to have the things I need and enjoy with me when I travel... so I have a wonderfully large suitcase.

Tip #1: Ideally, and whenever possible, I fly Southwest so I do not pay any luggage fees.

Tip #2: Whenever I fly (paying for luggage or not) I get my money's worth by taking the entire 50 lbs - without going over and paying the extra fees. This is where the luggage scale comes in! If by some fluke I still have some extra needed weight to hit the 50 (or 49.5) mark, I add a bottle of wine (wrapped in bubble wrap and plastic) or bottled water - both items that save $ on the other end.

Tip #3: I only buy luggage from LLBean because they stand behind their products. I have had numerous pieces replaced, and that gets my vote.

it's a new day DAWN-ing.

2012-02-16T13:32:00.000-06:00

I only use Dawn dish soap because nothing cuts the grease like Dawn. It is, or was, hard on the hands, but have you tried the new Dawn with Olay? My favorite is the Tropical Shea Butter scent. This wonderful new product comes with a warning: You are going to want to wash dishes at every possible opportunity.

out with the old, in with the new.

2012-02-16T13:26:00.000-06:00

Have you located your favorite place to "recycle" items in your home and closet? I just dropped off three bags of what has become not useful or beautiful to me anymore at my favorite spot. The point is that the adage "one man's junk is another man's treasure" has much truth to it. I can feel great clearly out stuff that has lost its value to me while thinking that someone out there in the world might really love to have it. What a win-win situation. And isn't it a huge treat when dresser drawers are not crammed full, and drawers look less hectic?

I am also motivated to regularly clear out "stuff" because I put the money I get back in an envelope labeled JCrew. It is fun to "splurge" on something special with my secret envelope.

Susan Branch says "Have nothing in your home that you do not believe to be beautiful or know to be useful."

my desk chair.

2012-02-13T12:43:00.000-06:00

Yes. I sit on an exercise ball at my desk. Over in the corner I have a rather darling pink & white Pottery Barn desk chair, but it is not what I sit on when I have hours of computer time ahead of me. I work with an amazing massage therapist at The Little House Day Spa. I happened to mention to her some time ago that the only time I feel any serious pain is when I stand up after sitting at my computer for a long time. That is when she recommended that I try sitting on an exercise ball. The ball "chair" forces you to sit up straighter and you automatically hold your core muscles a little tighter.

I headed straight to a sporting goods store and purchased the size that related to the height of a desk chair (when my weight is on top of it.) I noticed an immediate difference. And I did not roll off the ball uncontrollably as I anticipated. For whatever reason, this past week I started using my desk chair again... until the stiffness drove me back to my handy dandy ball. Besides, it is fun having playground equipment in your office.

it's a nifty thrifty Christmas.

2011-12-11T19:24:00.000-06:00

We decided to cut back on the amount of money we spent on Christmas gifts this year. We were motivated for several reasons, but this challenge has turned out to be a blast. I still made many wonderful gifts through my Creative Memories business (custom calendars and personalized boxes of note cards) and Mike will still be baking his wonderful bread.
But eight people on our gift list are in for a wonderful treat. Over a two week period I went to our local resale shop called Nifty Thrifty and did the bulk of my holiday shopping. And not only that, I told myself there would be a $10 limit for each person. The photos below show the amazing "finds". Each photo shows the collection of items I grouped for each lucky recipient. For real, all are now wrapped and under the tree --- and the combined price tag was under $80.

This adventure made me feel nifty... and thrifty.

dare to be unconventional.

2011-12-11T18:57:00.002-06:00

I got the idea for this post when I was raking leaves at the new house with the first snow fall. I meant to get the leaves picked up earlier this fall. It just never happened. I heard that 'snow was coming' so I popped out of bed on Saturday morning and started trimming back the peonies. I had not worked for 15 minutes when the first fluffy flakes began to fall. I kept thinking to myself 'I hope nobody sees me out here or they will think I am crazy'... But then I realized that I was loving every minute of feeling the big snowflakes hit my face and felt like I was intimately involved in the sacred changing of the seasons. I felt like I was participating in an exhilarating outdoor winter sport, staying warm and toasty in the cold with the aggressive physical raking and filling the pickup with my bounty. At the end of the morning I was hoping I can rake leaves at first snowfall next year too!

In honor of this splendid event, I decided I would make a little list of other unconventional things we should try - and ENJOY:

Sleep until noon.

Send Christmas Cards two months late.
(I have had people thank me for this because they said they actually have time to read & enjoy it then. ha.)

Don't attend every single sporting event your kids are in.
(Use the time to bless your whole family by working on your family photos or planning a special meal.)

Grill in the middle of a snow storm.

Spend a fraction of what you usually do at Christmas by being clever.

I can recommend ALL of the above from personal experience. Dare to do it differently.

how to be a lady.

2011-12-02T14:22:00.000-06:00

Daughter Emily told me about a charming book she has been reading to the girls in her junior high classroom. As soon as I could get my hands on a copy of How To Be a Lady by Candice Simpson-Giles, I have been reading it to the girls at the dinner table. The author shares common sense wisdom for everything from carrying a purse, to setting a table and etiquette on a date. The girls are listening, and so are Mike and I.

Most of the helpful instruction is given in one or two sentence blurbs like: "A lady never asks her friends in need what she can do for them. It is better for a lady to respond to a need she sees than to expect a friend to come up with a job for her." Or "A lady knows how to make and accept an apology."

This week I let the girls pick a section to read and they happened to select "How to Deal with Divorced Friends." I appreciated the wisdom so much that I wanted to share the whole section:

Candace Simpson-Giles says "A lady regrets seeing any loving relationship break up, especially if she considers both persons to be her friends. However, her regret is for their pain, not for her own. She does not take sides in the marital strife; she does not carry tales back and forth between opposing camps. If her friends are recently divorced, a lady does not attempt to put them in situations - a small dinner party, for example - where they will be forced to encounter each other. She tries to maintain communication with both parties, but she understands that she is now friends with two people, not a couple. Maintaining these friendships may require twice as much effort - and twice as much time. After a reasonable amount of time has passed, however, a lady may feel free to include both friends in the same event, especially when a good many other people are involved. To forestall any anxiety, though, she is thoughtful enough to make sure both parties are informed ahead of time. She also makes sure that her guest list includes other single people, so that the divorced person does not feel like a fifth wheel."

Such lovely advice. I am happy to print this because I am sorry to say that I have learned that people need some help to be graceful in these circumstances. Mother Rabbit also wants to salute her friends that have known how to manage this delicate place with love and grace.

send a photo.

2011-11-27T19:26:00.001-06:00

When I get a Christmas card without a photo or handwritten message - or at least a newsy letter, I almost throw it over my shoulder instead of putting it in the card basket. I think to myself 'why did someone spend the postage on this?'

Mother Rabbit says: Send a photo(s) in your holiday greetings.

Holiday Photo Cards have been a tradition my whole life. My mother sent a photo card of my sisters and me every year. We were usually wearing matching outfits. I grew up thinking that Christmas cards were photo cards. I have an album of all these cards and it is one of my greatest treasures.

I also believe that the parents should get in the photos. While I think it is cool to see photos of my friends' children, what I really want to see is my friends. Get in the photos.

My favorite Christmas card to date was in 2008 when our children and two sons-in-law could actually spell out M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S! This year I have been designing cards for other families - and having a blast. Photo cards are a good investment of time and money. Tis the season to be planning and sending your holiday greetings!

a true gift.

2011-11-26T10:41:00.000-06:00

The week before I was heading to Dallas to visit my oldest bunny Emily (who is having a bunny of her own in March!) Jane called and said "I would like you to come for lunch on Tuesday... and I want you to invite four or five friends. I know it is hard to see every one you want to when you are in town for such a short time."

Please take note of this. This was a true gift of friendship! I got to call my precious friends and ask if they could meet me at Jane's for lunch. Let's pass this grand gift forward whenever we can. Next time you have a friend coming into town, ask the friend who she would like to see - and plan a lunch.

My "friend shower" was a mix of ladies who had not all been together before. We had such a precious time that I don't think it will be the last time either. I think Jane started something bigger than we expected.

maximize your spa experience.

2011-11-25T17:18:00.000-06:00

Here is a great tip: When you treat yourself to a resort spa experience, purchase one treatment of your choice but spend several hour enjoying and using all the ammenities. Many resorts have steam saunas, plunge pools, whirlpool baths and deluxe shower facilities - arrive early and use them all before your scheduled treatment. If there is a fitness facility, arrive an extra hour early and get in a workout first. After your treatment, take the time to curl up with a book and lounge in your robe sipping the complementary tea or cucumber water... When you finally must go home, use all the yummy shampoos and lotions available during and after your leisurely shower.

This is how to maximize your expensive spa treatment. You only need one treatment to spend the whole day at the spa.

watch documentaries.

2011-11-25T15:26:00.002-06:00

Next time you are perusing the video store (or Netflix) take a walk down the documentary aisle. There are some delightful movies in the documentary category. Thought I would share some recent favorites:

Buck
Documentary about the original Horse Whisperer Buck Brannaman. It is as much about how to relate to human beings as it is to horses. You will want to meet this man after watching it. And you might even be in love with him. Just saying...

The Pixar Story
Go behind the scenes at Pixar Animation Studios and trace the creation and history of this groundbreaking company. (Did you know that Mother Rabbit has a secret desire to work at Pixar as a coffee girl or office helper? Anything to be around these creative geniuses.)

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
Follows two men who rescue their health with a two month diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. Wish that this was required watching for every person in America - and especially school children. We have forgotten how to eat in the good ol' USA.

Babies
Watch four babies birth and grow in four very different parts of the world. It is easy to forget into what different environments children are born... and yet some things are the same the world over.

hydrate.

2011-11-24T19:18:00.002-06:00

I have a renewed appreciation for the importance of drinking water. As of result of my husband's head & neck radiation treatments he has had tremendous difficulty swallowing, making eating and drinking a real chore. At the peak of the radiation damage he had to go on "survival mode" for a week which translated to a minimum of 1000 calories and at least 2000 ml of water. Translated: This equates to about 66 ounces of fluid or 3 bottles of water per day. Mike came close to dehydration twice which would have been a serious complication to his fragile health.

I came away from this with a new respect for water. The massage therapist at The Little House Day Spa said that the Winnebago word for water is "first medicine". We came face to face with that. Remember that one of the smartest things you can do for a common cold is push lots of fluids through your body.

I remembered that Mireille Guiliano said in French Women Don't Get Fat that French women respect the importance of water intake and recommended drinking a full bottle of water first thing every morning to "hydrate". Mother Rabbit has decided to make this part of her morning ritual again.

have quirky family traditions.

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-06:00

Silly or serious - get yourself some family traditions. Maybe you bake and decorate a two layer homemade cake for every child's birthday... maybe you purchase an ice cream Dairy Queen or Culver's cake for the occasion. Maybe you hide Easter eggs every year... even when your kids are 28 and 25. Whatever it is, it is never to late to start a good tradition.

We have a quirky family "thing" of calling out whenever it is 1:11 on the clock - or 11:11. Abby Bunny started this years ago... now we all join in. So in honor of the calendar hitting 11/11/11 I wanted to celebrate the date at 11:11am - so I decided to BLOG!

Here's to a great tradition - posted in Abby's honor on 11/11/11 at 11:11am!

underwear day.

2011-11-08T12:16:00.001-06:00

In honor of my recent birthday I had a rather fun private ceremony. The preparations involved purchasing fifteen new pairs of underwear. The secret ceremony involved collecting every old pair of underwear that I had - and throwing them all away.

It is a real treat to put on clean underwear that even look clean & fresh! I recommend this. You don't even have to wait until your birthday... just declare an Underwear Day.

dive into fall.

2011-11-02T19:03:00.000-05:00

Go on a walk and take your camera with you. Who can decorate like the Creator God? Savor the colors. Take deep breathes of the unique fall air. Susan Branch shared that if you are having trouble sleeping you should step outside and take in long breaths of fresh air. I think that crisp fall air is good for the soul - and you can quote me on that.

Sorry for the lack of posts. Most of my advice would relate to "how to survive cancer treatments" which you can read on MikesLongRide... This is a day to open your ears to leaves crunching under foot - and the fun of wearing your cashmere sweater for the first time of the season!

fall tomatoes.

2011-10-09T18:41:00.000-05:00

I have told you about planting tomatoes before. I have told you that cherry tomatoes were easy to grow and have a long growing season. I have said that everyone should get to enjoy the wonders of fresh tomatoes during the summer. Just to make my point, look what you can harvest even in mid-October from a single tomato plant. (The tired old plant makes a creepy kind of Halloween-esque decoration to boot. Smile.)

mini bottles of vino.

2011-10-02T20:15:00.002-05:00

Mini individual wine bottles are a great idea. Have you discovered how fun & economical these can be? Not only perfect for a picnic but they are perfect for a movie (and cost less than the quart size sodas they sell at the theater.) I recently planted some of these small portable bottles in my purse / bag at a street dance we attended and calculated we saved over $20 compared to the stuff they were offering for sale in the plastic cups - and our wine was actually good. There are many outdoor venues where bringing your own beverages is perfectly legitimate - and smart too. Our city grocery store has almost two dozen different mini-bottle offerings. Some good things do come in small packages.

plan trips with your grown kids.

2011-09-07T19:32:00.005-05:00

This past weekend Mother Rabbit met her bunnies in Minneapolis where we had adventures that blessed our bunny socks off. Our festivities centered around the Minnesota State Fair because Mother Rabbit likes her bunnies to appreciate the goodness of vegetable displays, butter sculptures, malts provided by Minnesota dairy farmers and a Prairie Home Companion performance at the fair. We also took a bike ride around Lake Harriett, had pizza closest to what the girls had in Italy this summer, and enjoyed Minnehaha Falls.

A sweet treat was having Katie Bunny with us. She hopped across the street to our house every day when we lived in Dallas and I have long considered her an adopted daughter. These new memories made us remember sweet times when these bunnies were little and played together.

It is always a good investment of time and money to plan adventures with your children - or bunnies.

the help.

2011-09-07T19:14:00.003-05:00

It has not been my practice to recommend movies on my blog, but I can't help myself. Last year I read Kathryn Stockett's The Help. This summer I have been re-reading the book on CD in my car. It is a delightful book-on-tape with four different & colorful readers. And I have seen the movie twice. My recommendation: See this one in the theater. And even after you see the movie, read the book (if you haven't already).

It is amazing to know that this is Ms. Stockett's first novel. I smiled when I heard she had 60 rejections before a publisher picked it up. It is a beautiful story. Don't miss out.

tomato season.

2011-09-06T14:02:00.005-05:00

Sister-in-law Rabbit wrote and said she noticed that Mother Rabbit had been too busy to post so she offered to help out with this great tip on putting up tomatoes. Thanks for the inspiration and the nudge, Melinda...

End of August and first of September can mean that you have more garden tomatoes offered to you than you can safely eat... or it could mean that you don't have enough to have an all-out canning session. May I recommend "freezer canning" for both? Follow these easy steps

1. Select ripe red tomatoes that have no bad spots. (My mother doesn't waste a thing. But she learned from her mother that you don't use tomatoes with bad spots for canning.) Rinse off to remove any dirt. Remove stems.

2. Fill a big pot with rapidly boiling water. Submerge your tomatoes into the boiling water and remove with a slotted spoon when the skins begin to pop or loosen. (It usually takes about 30 seconds.)

3. Then plunge the tomatoes into an ice water bath (which will stop the cooking and make the skins even looser.)

4. Remove the skins from the tomatoes. Use a paring knife for any tough spots and to remove the core. Compost the skins.

5. Tomatoes can be frozen whole, or in halves or quarters. Place the tomatoes in good quality freezer bags. Squeeze the air out and zip close. Lay the bags of tomatoes flat on your freezer shelves. They will keep for up to a year. Add to your favorite recipes through the long, cold winter.

I have a personal goal to never again buy a "styrofoam tomato" from the supermarket and thus support an industry that has ruined one of our most glorious fruits. (Can you tell that I have been reading "TomatoLand: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed our Most Alluring Fruit" " by Barry Estabrook?)

Anyway, eat all the fresh tomatoes you can, while you still can - and can or freeze as many as possible for winter.

i love my eye bobs.

2011-09-02T12:45:00.003-05:00

I love my readers. And if you are in need of glasses to even read your iPhone like I am, I encourage you to check out eyebobs.com. Not only do they have the coolest frames, but the names of the frames are clever enough to make you giggle. They even have prescription reader sunglasses. (I have to confess that I recently bought Rayban sunglasses and had a taste of buyers remorse when I saw how darling the eyebob sunglasses are.)

Check out eyebobs.com for a refreshing bit of trendy.

handy.

2011-08-01T16:40:00.003-05:00

Next time you are at the hardware store or a craft store like Michaels, pick up a stool of 24 gauge wire for your "handy drawer". You would be shocked how often you have a need for this fishing-wire-thin wire that is almost invisible.

making butter.

2011-08-01T16:00:00.003-05:00

When I picked up our chicken & eggs from Kvam Family Farm last week, I decided to buy a quart of farm fresh cream so I could try out my antique butter churn. The task seemed a bit daunting and I feared I would mess it up... but it turns out it was super easy. In fact it was thrilling!

1. Pour cream into churn.

2. Turn the crank.

At about 15 minutes of churning I asked Mike to Google "making butter" to see how long this process was suppose to take. All of a sudden, almost as the words were coming out of my mouth, I couldn't turn the crank anymore. The butter turned into a pretty yellow solid and separated from the buttermilk. It seemed amazing to me.

3. Place the butter in a bowl and press down with a spatula to squeeze out the excess buttermilk (liquid). Add a dash of sea salt as you stir and press.

4. Mold your butter and enjoy!

For a real treat, try it. I have heard it even works to just shake the cream in a jar until the "butter happens".

swiss chard.

2011-07-28T12:43:00.005-05:00

You might think that Mother Rabbit's favorite vegetable is carrots. hee. You should know that one of her very favorites is swiss chard. Rainbow swiss chard is one of the prettiest things you can plant and one of the tastiest treats. If you have never had this treat, it is like a combination of spinach on top and rainbow colored celery on the bottom. My Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Ed had it in their garden every year so I have wonderful memories that envelope me every time I see it...

I have to hand it to my friend Nancy for this clever idea: Growing your swiss chard right in with your flowering plants! It is certainly pretty enough and will produce into the fall.

the garden.

2011-07-14T13:04:00.008-05:00

I love talking about my garden but have I ever shown you my backdoor garden? Mother Rabbit has a kick-ass garden. I would never call myself an accomplished gardener or anything like that, but my garden brings me endless pleasure. A garden is oodles and oodles of endless work too, but it all seems worth it for the daily pleasures.

Not only are there food and flowers to pick and enjoy, but you get to play Hide & Seek most of the summer. The most active participants are the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. When you venture out to see if there is anything to harvest, more often than not you say to yourself "Looks like there is nothing to pick today..." Then you are sure you hear the cucumbers laughing behind your back. Then the Hide & Seek begins. The next thing you know you are walking into the house with twelve cucumbers and pockets full of cherry tomatoes. Gardening is a kick.

Middle photo: First cucumbers of the season. (I almost missed them.)

hot car rules.

2011-07-14T12:57:00.002-05:00

The old adage says "Don't leave your kids and your pets in a hot car." Mother Rabbit has always added "And don't leave your photos or albums in a hot car."

It is time for a new addition: "Don't leave your bottled water in a hot car." The scorching temperatures affect the plastic bottles and release dioxin into the water. Probably a similar reason why we are not suppose to microwave Saran-type wrap over our food. When you carry the groceries into the house, take the water too.

it's greek to me.

2011-07-14T12:49:00.003-05:00

Have you discovered what a beautiful taste sensation Greek yogurt is? Yesterday I served Greek yogurt at The Little House Day Spa and everyone loved it. I heard comments like "I am not a real yogurt fan but this stuff is amazing." Mother Rabbit feels the same.

Besides being thicker and richer, did you know that Greek yogurt has a lower sugar content and higher protein content than their runny counterparts? Pick up some Greek yogurt next time you are at the market for a real taste sensation and super healthy snack. I recommend Fage, Chobani and Greek God's Greek Yogurt brands. (My personal favorite right now is the later in "honey" flavor - but I am still conducting my research. Smile.)

wise words.

2011-07-11T13:28:00.002-05:00

"Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, so a curse without cause does not alight." Proverbs 26:2

If someone says something hurtful to you and it isn't true, don't let it bother you. Don't even let it land on you.

zinnias.

2011-07-11T12:09:00.003-05:00

Just a few words about zinnias. Did you know that Mother Rabbit plants some from seeds every year? Did you know that the more you cut the flowers, the more flowers will grow? This means that for the $1.79 cost of a pack of seeds (and some loving watering) you can have fresh flowers in your house from July to September. What a treat.

labor of love.

2011-07-10T22:16:00.006-05:00

If you would have asked me last night when I was pitting fresh cherries for what felt like hours, I would have told you to run the other way if someone handed you a bucket of cherries. After I tasted the pie today I changed my tune. Bring on the cherries. I will pit them.

Mother Rabbit's Advice: Enjoy as many fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the garden as you can this summer. Even though it can be a lot of work.

july treat.

2011-07-08T18:42:00.002-05:00

Bing cherries are in season. Mother Rabbit says: Get some. I always "test" one cherry before buying a bag, but when they "pop" in your mouth with freshness - indulge. I could barely stop eating these long enough to snap a photo before they were gone. Fresh fruit in season is a treat that is hard to beat.

stay away bugs.

2011-07-08T18:30:00.002-05:00

Mother Rabbit has been busy making her own "bug spray" and she wants to share her recipe. As you may know, MR refuses to put commercial bug spray or lotion on her skin. Too many chemicals to be absorbed through the skin to be comfortable with that one.

In the past, Mother Rabbit has noticed that her vanilla scented body lotions from Bath & Body Works have been a mild deterrent, but this month the mosquitoes and gnats have been crazy-bad. Thus the recipe:

1/4 cup Listerine

1/4 cup water

2 t. vanilla extract

I put mine in a little spray bottle that I keep in my purse. Or make it in larger quantities for bigger bottles. Here's hoping that the only thing that BUGS you this summer is the heat.

jane.

2011-06-30T17:44:00.004-05:00

Looking for a beach friend or summer travel companion? Look no further. Jane is the answer.

Jane Erye is a classic written by Emily Bronte in 1847. All three of my bunnies have told me it is their all-time favorite book. One even plans to name a daughter Jane. I am currently listening to Jane Erye via book-on-CD in my car. I can't get enough! I am trying to plan a long car trip just so I can finish the adventure. (Two trips to Minneapolis have me in the middle of the book.)

Treat yourself to a friendship with Jane for a summer blessing.

alleve.

2011-06-30T17:23:00.002-05:00

If you have read this blog much at all, you know that Mother Rabbit does not believe in taking medicines willy-nilly. Many people's issues probably stem from being over-medicated and having multiple drugs interact in unhealthy combinations. That aside - there is one over-the-counter pain reliever that Mother Rabbit likes: Naproxen Sodium (or its brand name Alleve.)

It is an anti-inflammatory drug that is especially helpful with tissue and muscle issues. It is a perfect choice for period cramps, muscle aches & pains, sore backs, head ache - and is a perfect choice right before a bikini wax. I usually buy the Target or store brand for Naproxen Sodium which you will find right by the Alleve.

these are not tomatoes.

2011-06-27T19:36:00.006-05:00

Resist the temptation to buy the red plastic-tasting things that masquerade as tomatoes in the off season. They are not worth it. If you are honest with yourself, they do not even taste like real tomatoes in season. This is an easy place to support "eating local, fresh & seasonally". Save your tomato recipes for late July through September - and then have a heyday! (And save fossil fuel in the process from your shipped-across-the-country-plastic-red-things.)

share meals around the table.

2011-06-27T19:29:00.002-05:00

I attended a shower over the weekend and was asked to write some advice down on a card for the bride-to-be. Mother Rabbit loves advice and I enthusiastically wrote down "Always share meals together around a table. And never, never, never have the TV on during mealtime." This is very important advice for newly married couples because you are creating the standard for your "family meals" in the future.

cable-smable.

2011-06-23T17:56:00.002-05:00

Here is another challenge for you. Review your cable bill and make yourself aware of how much you are really paying for cable service every month. Now step back and evaluate if it is really worth it.

Last time Mike and I stayed at a hotel we were amazed how long it took to find some television worth watching. (Fun memory... when the girls were little we would say "it that television worth watching??" 80% of the time the answer was no.) We actually do not have cable service in our house. Don't feel sorry for us. We have a 52" plasma TV, a Bose sound system and hundreds of movies.

But the challenge is to make sure you aren't spending too much on something that is not giving back. Maybe the money could be used for something that would yield more benefits. The challenge is just to look at your bill and think about it. Mother Rabbit loves this sort of thing.

watch the nick kelsh radio picture show on facebook.

2011-06-22T19:20:00.004-05:00

I'm addicted. If you want to learn to take better photographs and raise your level of awareness about good photography, I have a treat for you. Nick Kelsh is a world-class professional photographer and just plain great guy who puts all kinds of amazing & helpful stuff on his web site, and also does weekly videos on FaceBook to which I am now addicted. Become FaceBook friends with How To Photograph Your Baby (name of his book and his web site) and watch his weekly video production of "The Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show".

Some of the stuff is way over my head but I can tell I am still learning something, plus Nick is just plain entertaining. Go to http://www.howtophotographyourbaby.com/ and link to the red 'Find Us On FaceBook' tab. You will thank me.

The photo is one I took in Gordes, France and has always been a favorite.

carry on bag.

2011-06-21T18:46:00.002-05:00

While it seems obvious that an airline should be able to safely transport the luggage we check to the same destination as the traveler, it doesn't always happen. Even on direct flights. I am going to advice that you (and I) always pack a carry-on bag even with checked luggage. It isn't hard - pack a pair of undies, a change of clothes, a bathing suit, something that doubles as jammies, always contact case & solution, some toiletries at your discretion. It is an Emergency Kit and can prevent much stress. It is great if you can find a soft-sided, over-the-shoulder bag that you can stuff your purse into as well.

This post was stimulated by Abby's current trip to Italy. She invested much time in planning & packing. She bought a large backpack for her suitcase so they could move from city to city in Italia with greater ease. Low and behold, AA lost her bag / backpack. She is 8 days into the trip and she still doesn't have it. Her first day in Florence was very stressful because she wanted to be out exploring the city instead of out shopping for underwear. She did finally just go out and buy what she needed (and AA will be getting that bill.) But I know she wishes she had at least some of the things she packed.

Check out LLBean to see the carry-on bag that I love - TA248839 Carryall Rolling Pullman, Medium $149. See this item now at llbean.com.

push-ups.

2011-06-21T18:27:00.005-05:00

One of the best exercises you can do is good old-fashioned push-ups. About a year ago I took a challenge to "one new activity or change to your daily schedule". I decided to do 40 push-ups every day. At first it seemed like such a big deal and then I realized it takes all of 90 seconds to complete the task. I could hardly complain. (If Mother Rabbit remembers correctly, this is also the length of time is takes to make a bed.)

I remember hearing that the fastest muscles to tone are your arms, and have heard that actresses do push-ups before wearing their Academy Awards gowns

I have also heard my Marine husband say that push-ups and sit-ups are two of the most complete exercises and that you don't need a whole bunch of fancy ones.

I recently heard my massage therapist recommending push-ups to a client to strengthen her core and her back.

I have learned in my workout class that push-ups and planks strengthen your abs.

So Mother Rabbit encourages a push-up regimen. Start small and build up. Form is everything. Arms shoulder distance apart. Head straight. Abs in tight. Try it everyday for a month. Start with 20 per day. (And let's not do sissy girl-push-ups.) You can do it.

handwriting.

2011-06-06T16:35:00.003-05:00

I think I was in the fourth grade when I started caring about my handwriting. By high school I decided that I was going to develop my own style. I observed what others did and when I found handwriting I liked, I copied it. Nice handwriting is nothing more than taking the time to form the letters in a pleasing way.

I love it that all of my bunnies have handwriting that people get confused with mine. They learned that pretty handwriting can be learned & developed. Abby was just asked to address wedding invitations for dear friends... I couldn't resist photographing one of the envelopes.

If you would like different handwriting, you have the power to tweak it to something you like better. You can even use a computer font to "copy" and develop into your own. Start with a signature and move on from there.

no eating in the car.

2011-06-06T16:16:00.003-05:00

One of the fun parts of blogging is when my own "bunnies" give me things to blog about. "Mom, you need to post about 'no eating allowed in your car'."

It has always been a family rule that there is NO EATING in my vehicle. If you want a simple way to keep your car nicer for longer, this is it. It might be inconvenient at times, but it is amazing how much cleaner your vehicle will be!

People are often amazed at the cleanliness of the interior of my 15 year old Expedition. (Now granted, the steering wheel and torn leather driver's seat look their age - but for the most part anyone would say 'that's a clean vehicle'.) On a recent drive to Minneapolis my odometer passed 265,000. I never dreamed when we bought this vehicle that I would still be driving it 15 years later, and you better believe that I am thankful that the NO EATING rule has been mostly enforced.

My Expedition still gets me where I need to go... And any car trip is better with a book on tape (I recommend Jane Eyre!) and some fresh flowers in a cup holder.

mash-tini's for 300.

2011-05-28T14:45:00.008-05:00

Just in case you need to throw a big party sometime soon, I thought I would share details and a shopping list from our Mashed Potato Bar we served at Mallory's graduation party. I would say that the party was a HUGE hit. Adjust the amounts for the size of your "Mash-tini" party. (Another guest named them "spud-tini's".)

TIPS: I rented 100 "margarita" shaped glasses because the "martini" glasses at our rental place were too small to hold the toppings without spillage. We washed glasses at the neighbor's kitchen sink to keep a steady flow of clean glasses. The trickiest part was boiling and mashing 100 pounds of potatoes the day of the party, but we got it done. We kept the mashed potatoes warm in four large electric roasters. (25# of potatoes fit in each roaster.) I would recommend Yukon Gold potatoes, and it is my one regret that I did not. To save $ I bought the store brand russets and when we were forced to peel and remove spots on the 100#, I would have handed over any "savings" in a heartbeat. Yukons are a softer potato with thin skins that do not have to be peeled. What a time-saver on a project like this! Toppings can be anything you want and whatever is in season. If it was late summer I would have included chopped tomatoes and peppers from the garden. We just filled up the serving containers as they emptied. The amounts listed below were pretty spot on, except that we ran out of bacon - but that was OK since it was the most expensive topping and 8 pounds was enough. I think it is a must-do to put an olive in each glass for the "real Martini" touch - along with the carrot and celery stick "straws". We did have non-stemmed plastic cups available for young children to manage. Our decorating theme was Black & White, Candles & Crystal.

SHOPPING LIST:

100 pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes

1 gallon Half & Half

5 lbs. butter

Salt & Pepper to taste

_______________________

TOPPINGS:

7 lbs. sour cream

1 quart Hidden Valley (made from scratch - 2 packs)

1 1/2 lbs. red beans (cooked until tender with onion for about 2 hours)

10 lbs. ground beef, fried (with 6 packs taco seasoning)

8 lbs. cheddar cheese, grated

8 lbs. bacon, fried & crumbled

4 lbs. frozen corn, cooked

4 bunches cilantro, chopped

4 cups green onions, chopped

1 large jar jalapenos

2 cups chives, chopped

______________________

GARNISH:

300 green olives

300 carrot sticks

300 celery sticks

I had to laugh because when I was telling my Dallas daughter how successful our party was, and how clever everyone thought the menu was - she reminded me that she had her first "mash-tini" at a Dallas wedding when she was in middle school which was over 15 years ago! I am glad it was still fresh and innovative in our little corner of the world. Whether you are serving 25 or 250, give it a try and put your own spin on it. Love, Mother Rabbit

figure out how to have a garden.

2011-05-26T18:46:00.003-05:00

Even if your garden is only a clay pot on your back porch, figure out how you can have your own little patch of earth to grow things in. Find a spot - any spot - enrich the dirt with some potting soil and then plant something. Water it. Watch it. Feed it. Then get ready to be blessed. Few things are more rewarding and therapeutic than getting your hands in the dirt and watching something grow. I am amazed every time. How can putting such tiny seeds in the dirt yield such a rich bounty? Be it zinnias or cucumbers... grow something.

Photo: My cherry tomato plants are one of the only things I don't plant from seeds. By July, this part of my little backdoor garden will be overrun with cherry tomatoes. How glorious.

packing for europe.

2011-05-24T18:07:00.004-05:00

Mother Rabbit has three of her bunnies converging in Italy this June. How exciting. Abby & Katie are traveling together and are actually meeting Emily & Barrett in Florence one night for dinner. The bunnies are busy packing and getting cool backpacks to put their things in. They all want to pack light and Mother Rabbit has a recommendation:

Go shopping at your favorite store and buy some basic pieces you love. Not items on sale, but things you love. Select basics that you love so much that you wouldn't mind if someone made you wear them two weeks straight. Voila. Plus new clothes have sizing in them that keep them looking new for longer. Make sure items you select all coordinate and can be mix-and-matched. Pack a fabulous scarf. And select shoes that you could wear for a marathon.

And don't forget to pack your Frommer's Guide and a blank journal to record your "three favorites" from every day. Is there room in that bag for Mother Rabbit?

the potty cocoon.

2011-05-24T17:54:00.002-05:00

Try this out before you laugh. If you have a child that is having trouble going poop (is it any better to say "trouble having a bowel movement"?), tell them to lean slightly forward on the toilet and layer a cuddly blanket or soft, warm towel over them. It creates a cozy tent or cocoon that provides a bit more privacy and for some reason is relaxing. All of this helps. Encourage them to relax and be comfortable, and then they can try rocking gently forward and backward to encourage the process.

Note: This works for adults too. (Again, no laughing allowed until you have tried it.)

Before you ever take over the counter medicine for this kind of ailment, always try prune juice and/ or dried fruit first. Dried apricots and dried plums (prunes) are awesome.

I hope it comes out OK. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

never pick your scabs or blisters.

2011-05-18T11:23:00.002-05:00

This is important. Our bodies are engineered to heal and repair. They do not need our help in the form of removing scabs or blister skin prematurely. Resist the urge to pick a scab. Let it fall off naturally (unless you were hoping for a big scar.) In the case of blisters or bed sores, the top skin layers and fluid provide a protective cushion as the body heals in layers. Let the skin layers work themselves off as naturally as possible.

I know a certain cancer warrior who got a nasty bed sore from his lengthy hospital stay. He thought the skin "looked bad" and cut the skin off without consulting Mother Rabbit. He paid a very painful price by exposing all those nerve endings.

If you have a blister from a burn, raw aloe vera gel straight from an aloe vera leaf is not only comforting but helps heal the wound. No aloe vera? Try honey.

the power of a list.

2011-05-11T14:45:00.000-05:00

Life can get crazy. I can find myself running in circles... and forgetting things... and losing track of things, not to mention time. Then I remember to take time to sit down and MAKE A LIST. There is so much power in a PLAN that is written down in some form. We have a crazy week with graduation party plans swirling around me and pressing in on me. Now the activities to be done are safely on a list. Now I can breath in and out and look at the list for instructions. I still have lots of work to do, but the work load is divided by day and no longer seems overwhelming.

Do you need a List today? Mother Rabbit can't live without them.

read frommer's.

2011-04-22T19:26:00.004-05:00

Did you know that Mother Rabbit never travels to a city or country without reading the Frommer's Guide first? It is true. If I am spending the $ to travel to a new destination, I want to maximize my expereince and get the most bang-for-my-buck while I am there.

I am a huge fan of the Frommer's star rating system and I use it to select restaurants, make hotel choices and to decide which sights are most worth my time. Planning for a trip and studying the area enhances the anticipation, which is part of the fun.

If I had to rate all of my advice tidbits, this one would be in my Top Ten. If you are investing in a trip of any kind, purchase a Frommers Guide for the region and maximize your investment.

rinse with warm salt water.

2011-04-22T19:19:00.002-05:00

Do you have a sore throat? Rinse or gargle with warm salt water. Do you have a canker sore? Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

Following this age-old advice is a simple way to keep your mouth clean and promote healing. Your grandparents did it. You should too. Some of the best advice is advice that has been around for a hundred years. Mike has some sores in his mouth from the surgical equipment during his cancer removal surgery. Mother Rabbit's advice: Rinse with warm salt water.

the gift bag & brownies.

2011-04-07T15:58:00.000-05:00

Our friend Sharon is a genius and Mother Rabbit wants to pass on this brilliant advice. Mike and I are currently in ICU in a hospital in St. Louis where Mike is recovering from surgery to remove cancer from his tonsil area. Sharon baked a huge tray of brownies and told me to give it to all the nurses on duty and tell them they are from Mike. I have never seen such a happy feeding frenzy when I set the brownies down. What a brilliant idea for some excellent care & attention for the patient!

She also brought a "gift bag" filled with the handiest stuff for a hospital stay: bottled water, breath mints, granola bars, chocolate covered edamome, magazines, a sudoku book, hand sanitizer, fancy chocolates and a cute paper pad & pen. She also somehow took the logo from his cancer blog (MikesLongRide.blogspot.com) and iron transferred it to the tote bag she put the goods in. Very charming. Guests aren't always what you need during a stressful hospital stay, but handing the caregiver a bag of goodies is genius.

Mother Rabbit says: Remember the power of brownies for the nurses and how a basket of goodies might be the best way to visit.

airport socks in action.

2011-04-02T19:41:00.000-05:00

I posted advice last fall recommending "airport socks" for going through security at airports. Mother Rabbit likes clean feet and she likes putting only clean feet inside her shoes and in her bed. Walking on certainly-not-clean paths through the X-ray machine was a problem for Mother Rabbit until she started putting an extra pair of socks in her carry-on bag to slip over her feet & socks after slipping off her shoes in the TSA security line.

Upon reading about this, one of my beloved readers sent me a pair of "rabbit socks" which are now my faithful airport socks. Try it. You'll like it.

profound wisdom.

2011-04-02T19:19:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth Elliot, wife of martyred missionary Jim Elliot, mouthed some of the best advice ever given for suffering. She wisely said that when you are devastated by loss or tragedy, just "do the next thing". If you can remember this, you will be equipped to survive whatever life hurls your way. Another favorite bit of wisdom to ponder: When asked what he would do if the world would end tomorrow, Martin Luther said "I would plant a tree today." The depth and breadth of wisdom packed in a few words from these saints is staggering.

enjoy a cr-afternoon.

2011-03-28T16:02:00.000-05:00

When was the last time you spent several hours doing something wonderfully creative? When was the last time you spent an afternoon being crafty? My daughter's friends planned a CRAFTernoon doing various creative projects together, and as soon as I heard about it I had to have one. This past Saturday on a visit to daughter Abby in Minneapolis we spent the afternoon with our needlework projects. We visited a yarn shop for color inspiration for starters... I showed Abby how to design her own pattern on graph paper for a needlepoint project... and I counted the stitches and painted the canvas for my next Christmas stocking using a beloved Mary Beale counted cross stitch pattern. Abby's inspiration for her needlepoint pillow was a favorite vintage rose print. We spent hours sitting around her kitchen table on that sunny crafternoon!

Grab an unfinished project or start a new one, but enjoy the pleasure of a whole afternoon with your creative juices flowing among friends.

3 important questions.

2011-03-28T15:51:00.000-05:00

When my bunnies were little I read a book entitled "How to Really Love Your Child" by Ross Campbell. The nutshell wisdom I learned is this: When your child acts up or is naughty, before you disciple them for their inappropriate behavior, ask these three questions. Are they tired? Are they hungry? Is their emotional tank full? Sometimes, the resulting behavior was my fault. For instance, we were out shopping and - oops - I skipped their nap and - oops - I skipped their lunch. More often than not, meeting one of their basic needs fixed the problem. Learn to review these important questions in your mind next time you have naughty girls or naughty boys on your hand. Important Note: This applies to husbands too.

the common cold.

2011-03-28T15:24:00.000-05:00

Mike's dad, a champion veterinarian, always said "a cold lasts ten days - not matter what." I hated hearing this because I always wanted to think that I could do some magic thing to make it shorter, but I think he was right. But see for yourself. Next time you get a cold, start counting.

As a general rule and when possible, Mother Rabbit does not believe in taking over-the-counter medicines because for every benefit there are side effects to deal with. In most cases I think that the side effects of most cold medicines are worse than the cold symptoms themselves. I like to gut out a cold as long as possible... (But you know the ugly symptoms that make it impossible to be in contact with other humans: nose resembles a faucet turned on, sneezing that looks like a tissue commercial, tears running down your face without reason.)

When Mother Rabbit has to turn to cold medicine, her choice is TheraFlu. You pour the flavorful contents into almost boiling water and you have the impression are are drinking a soothing cup of hot tea. I add lemon for effect. It is already sweet or I would add honey too. It comes in a day version (which won't make you drowsy) and a night version (which won't keep you awake.)

And don't forget homemade chicken soup. The fat in the broth really does provide soothing comfort to a sore throat. And drink lots of fluids. And get extra sleep. And then maybe your cold will last only nine days.

turn off your flash.

2011-03-14T18:43:00.000-05:00

I could talk for days about the things you will discover with this tip from Mother Rabbit. Learn how to turn off the flash on your camera and learn the use natural light instead.

Professional photographer Nick Kelsh said this:

"A flash is harsh and mood changing. The light comes straight from the lens. Most good photographers choose to have the light come from the side of the lens for dramatic effect. Using the flash all the time makes you an amateur snapshooter. If you ever want to mature photographically, you are going to have to turn that darn thing off. And know when to turn it back on."

get a massage.

2011-03-11T16:28:00.001-06:00

Today I got a lymphatic flush massage and I am a new woman. Through a delightful turn of events we converted my office house into The Little House Day Spa. While we are starting out our budding business slowly at two days per month, Spa Days have been such a success that I have been bumped off the schedule. Besides that, on Spa Days I am busy preparing the robes, serving fresh squeezed grapefruit juice & hot tea, and playing spa music softly in the background. This week I needed a massage, so my massage therapist came today just for me.

If you think massages are just about fluffy tickling and temporary pleasure, you are wrong. Massages are preventive maintenance for your good health. Massages get things back into alignment and move nasty toxins out of your body. Massages should be required maintenance for everyone over 35, like having an exercise regiment and going to the dentist - and they are oodles more fun than both of those things.

Do yourself a favor and find an excellent massage therapist near you, and schedule a peaceful indulgence that will promote your good health.

set the timer.

2011-03-07T15:27:00.000-06:00

If you have a task before you that is overwhelming to start, or one that you just don't want to tackle, Mother Rabbit has a magical solution for you. Set the timer for one hour. No matter how nasty the task or how overwhelming the project, we can all do just about anything for one hour. Set the timer and dive into the project with gusto! Prevent distractions because this one hour is for this one particular project.

I guarantee that you will be amazed at how much progress you made in one little hour, and how little pain it actually caused you. Try it. You'll like it.

hospital advice.

2011-03-07T15:16:00.000-06:00

Personal circumstances have helped me remember a piece of classic Mother Rabbit advice: Never leave a loved one alone in a hospital. Not that you can't trust medical care or caregivers today, but you can't trust medical care or care givers today. Smile. It is best to always have an advocate with you. It is best to have two sets of ears to listen, and helpful when the advocate can take notes about what the doctor is diagnosing or suggesting.

Medical news can make you emotionally flooded and it takes a lot of energy to sort through what you are hearing. Mike and I were surprised recently when we both heard the words coming out of the doctor's mouth at the same time in the same room, but we heard two different things. (So ideally one should employ an unemotional scribe as well?) Hey, if you can't laugh through this stuff I don't think that your chances of survival are as good.

Anyway, do not leave someone you love alone in a hospital. Period.

drink tea.

2011-02-21T15:08:00.000-06:00

Did you know that tea contains minerals and is rich in antioxidants? Do you know that is it safe to say that tea is good for you and has cancer fighting properties? One of my pleasant habits is to brew fresh loose leaf tea every morning. I mix a blend of berry black tea with some berry white tea , which is berry-good. hee. (I like some caffeine but black tea has about half the caffeine as a cup of coffee.) I recommend using filtered water and organic loose leaf tea for the best experience.

Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world after water. Black, green, white and oolong derive their leaves from a warm weather tree known as Camellia Sinensis. These leaves have magic powers when it relates to health benefits because they contain polyphenols. It is these antioxidant polyphenols that are all the rage in studies for fighting cancer and heart disease.

And besides all of this, another Mother Rabbit served chamomile tea to her son Peter after he had a rough day with Mr. McGregor. It must be a good idea.

the 12 noon rule.

2011-02-21T14:59:00.000-06:00

Mother Rabbit has a little rule for anyone who decides to miss school or work for an illness. I am all in favor of staying home from work or school when one is truly sick, both to help your body to recover and to protect the world around you from your germs.
But here is the rule: If you stay home, you must stay in bed until at least 12 noon. This means in bed in a horizontal position without a DVD player, phone or computer. If you are truly sick, what your body needs and craves is sleep. This little rule helps provide that need, and sometimes helps the bunnies know if they really want to stay home.

respect the mommy meter.

2011-02-21T14:43:00.000-06:00

In my 25+ years of being a mother, I have learned the importance of respecting my mommy meter. A mommy meter is an internal barometer of the heart that alerts you when things are awry or danger is pending. You might call it a still, small voice of a mother's heart. You might call it a mother's intuition. Mother Rabbit calls it The Mommy Meter.

Mother Rabbit has learned to respect the workings of this marvelous internal meter. More often than not, the mommy meter is spot on. It is not uncommon for a daughter to get a call or text when mommy's meter goes off just to check in and make sure things are OK. It is not uncommon for Mother Rabbit to withhold permission for an activity based on a mommy meter reading.

My encouragement to mothers everywhere: Learn to listen to and heed your motherly intuition. Fine tune your meter reading skills. And never, never hesitate to act on a gut feeling when something just does not feel right.

My encouragement to children everywhere: Listen to your mother. When she birthed you, she was equipped with a unique set of skills to care for you. Mothers come equipped with a honing system and protective instincts. A Mother Rabbit could kill something with her bare hands that was trying to hurt a baby rabbit. A mother's heart knows more and cares more about you than you will ever understand... until you are a mother. Heed her voice.

send hand-written thank you notes.

2011-01-22T19:26:00.000-06:00

Little Rabbits, always remember the power and sweetness of a hand-written note. Everybody loves getting fun mail and it is becoming a rare commodity. When you start thinking you will just send an email to express your thanks to someone, think again. Think about how much you love receiving a hand-written note. Think about the power of handwriting. (Did you know that Sunday, January 23rd is National Handwriting Day?)

Mother Rabbit suggests having a collection of darling notes at your fingertips. It makes it more fun to write them if the notes themselves make you happy. And the task is easier when you keep a collection of notes for all occasions in a handy spot. Mother Rabbit also always buys pretty stamps and keeps a good supply. Make someone's day. Write a note and send it by snail mail.

always take the stairs.

2011-01-22T19:07:00.000-06:00

When given the option of escalator or stairs, always take the stairs. This is a simple path is a little healthier lifestyle. I learned reading "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mirelle Guilano that French women always take the stairs too.

collect favorite recipes.

2011-01-02T18:26:00.000-06:00

Cooking is a way of handing down the history of your family. I recommend that you respect the power of favorite recipes in your life, and in the lives of your family. Memories are made over food lovingly prepared. Family recipes have the power to nourish the body and the soul.

Mother Rabbit's bunnies have been begging for a cookbook filled with the recipes that they have grown up on. For Christmas 2010, the bunnies received "Mother Rabbit Cooks Volume 1". It contains recipes that they beg for, recipes that we know by name, and that we would even call "friends". The most fun part was adding the story of where the recipe came from and photos of us enjoying the food. If you would like to take a peek at the pages, use the link below. (Just sign in with your email address and a password to view.)

http://www.cmphotocenter.com/photos/share.php?code=xuqpipyJIJ2qwSaU-dJ8lFtGN_mGoZ4Z&share_type=storybook

I realized this fall, looking at my overstuffed three-ring binder of recipes, that in the event of a house fire I would need to grab this 20 year collection of recipes as well as all of the photo albums. I was also growing tired of fielding calls from the girls for the ingredient lists for favorite recipes. This is fine and dandy when you are standing in your kitchen, but not as handy if you are hiking in Ireland or working out at the YMCA. I couldn't get all the recipes with accompanying stories & memories in one volume, but Mother Rabbit Cooks Volume 2 is already started.

Respect the power of your recipes and the memories that they provide.

savor your history.

2010-12-29T12:38:00.000-06:00

Preparing recipes that have been in your family for a long time will bring you in touch with your ethnic roots in a very tangible way. Christmas a great time to ask your mother or your grandmother what they remember eating that formed food traditions in your family. It doesn't take long for a holiday food ritual to take hold so that "it wouldn't be Christmas without..."

Mother Rabbit is a purebred 100% Swede, and she is proud of it. Both parents are Swedish, all the grandparents are Swedish. You get the picture. It was actually a Bucket List item to make Ostakaka all by myself, and in December 2010 I did it. My Grandma Eunice Wallerstedt made it every Christmas and it was one of my favorite taste treats. For those non-Swedes out there who are wondering what it is, I would describe it as a yummy custard dessert that has an amazing and unique texture. It is made by curding raw milk with a rennet tablet and separating the whey (very similar to making cheese) then adding eggs and sugar before baking it. It is tradition to top it with ligonberries. I was always scared to make it because the process seemed foreign, but it was remarkably easy! My first Ostakaka was good, but I already think I know how I can make it even better. Similar to making bread or pie crust and needing to get the feel for the dough, I need to get a feel for the curds and whey. (I sound like Little Miss Muppet instead of Mother Rabbit.) Anyway, I was very proud of myself for making it, and felt like I honored my grandmothers by carrying on the tradition.

I am also proud to say that I baked Lutefisk and served it in a pepper cream sauce for Christmas Eve dinner. (Lutefisk is a fish that has been dried and reconstituted, and has gotten a very bad rap for its fishy taste and smell - which was not as bad as all the talk.) My grandmother would not have thought of having a Christmas dinner without lutefisk, maybe not because everybody loved it but because it was the Swedish thing to do.

Jag är glad att jag gjorde det.

the "on hold" challenge.

2010-12-29T12:34:00.001-06:00

Mother Rabbit says "Never just sit there and wait when you have a long hold time." Put your phone on speaker and set it down. Then get to work on something! I like to play a little game with myself to see how much I can get accomplished while I am on hold. Can I get the dishwasher emptied? Can I get the whole dryer load folded? Can I edit and sort two dozen photos? It is a fun game. Have fun playing it!

enjoy fresh juice.

2010-12-15T14:15:00.000-06:00

A great way to start every day is with a glass of fresh juice. Do you know how easy it is to give yourself this luxurious treat? Purchase a juicer and buy bags of citrus. It takes under a minute to produce the fabulous - and need I say - super healthy results.

Many of you might have a Kitchenaid Mixer as Consumer Reports has named it a "Best Buy" for performing well at a great price. I purchased the $29 attachment which makes this whole process even easier. Buy one for yourself next time you are at the department store.

I am going on two years now of having fresh juice every morning, sometimes grapefruit and sometimes orange. Violet, at our charming bed & breakfast in the Irish countryside, served a combination of both. Sometimes I do that and then close my eyes to see if I can transport myself back there on a memory...

store it clean.

2010-12-15T14:01:00.000-06:00

Unless you have one of those massive, over-sized closets this might be the season when you are storing your summer clothes and linens and pulling out the winter ones. I usually wait until the temps drop to zero to make the move. That time was last weekend.
One of the things that I remember from my Textile Science class as a Textile Design major in college was to always store fabric that is clean. Nothing takes its toll on fibers like dirt and grime. Have you ever noticed when pulling out a garment from storage that a spot showed up that you didn't even remember or the underarm stain looked exaggerated? Well, now you know why. You gave that dirty grime a chance to do its business!
If you have nice dresses, sweaters and blankets that you want to keep over the long haul - store them after you have cleaned them. If they are items that cannot be hand or machine washed, take them to the dry cleaners before putting them in the storage closet, or the back of your closet.
Store your clothes clean. I learned it in college. It is really true.
Note: Too much detergent left on your fibers is another nasty culprit. Do not over-do the soap.

lovemaking begins in the kitchen.

2010-12-14T13:59:00.000-06:00

This is sage marriage advice. Need I say more?

Put another way, no woman is likely to feel amorous toward a fellow later that night who spent the day and night sitting on his butt watching sports on TV. Help with the dishes or bathing the kids or doing some laundry goes a long way.

I once saw a charming colonial print of a man chasing a woman in the kitchen in a mischievous way with subtle grins on both their faces. I have looked for it ever since because it seems to capture the wisdom of a guy being tuned in to the aphrodisiac that help-in-the-kitchen really is.

This woodcut piece is as close as I have come to capturing it.

listen to prairie home companion.

2010-12-14T13:31:00.000-06:00

Your life will be richer if you take the time to enjoy some Prairie Home Companion broadcasts on National Public Radio. Storytelling is a lost art, and Garrison Keillor hasn't lost it. These live radio shows are witty, intelligent, thoughtful, funny and depict Americana in a heart warming way. Honestly, you can't live in the Midwest and not enjoy the stories that Garrison Keillor spins.

The music is one of the sweetest parts. Each week they feature a different group or vocalist that joins Guy's All-Star Shoe Band. I don't even how how to describe it except as the kind of music everyone loves. It will strike a chord deep within you, I guarantee.

Treat yourself to a live broadcast on NPR every Saturday from 5pm to 7pm (CST), or the re-broadcast on Sunday from 11am to 1pm. Or you can go to www.prairiehomecompanion.com and listen to audio highlights from the previous show. It is too good to miss!

scrape all the windows before driving.

2010-12-11T17:30:00.000-06:00

For those of you where winter means ice & snow, I want to remind you to clear and scrape all of the windows in your vehicle, not just the front window. It is tempting to take time for only the front windshield, but your safety is impaired when you do not have full visibility out the back window and sides. As soon as you think you just need to see out the front, you will find out that over sized blind spots are a fool's errand.

If you have not invested in this season's car scraper, remember that a credit card works dandy. I like to use the credit card-style room key from a exotic beach resort as my winter scraper. It helps me to savor the diversity of temperatures that I get to experience.

keep your car clean.

2010-12-11T17:22:00.000-06:00

This should not be hard, but apparently it is. Mother Rabbit recommends keeping your car clean, inside and out. Not only does it make sense but it protects this significant investment. I recommend going to a car wash that vacuums the interior and wipes down the inside windows and surfaces. Over the long haul, your car will stay nicer longer. I should know. Mother Rabbit's 14 year old Expedition has 259,000+ miles on it and still looks pretty darn good.

I employed a "no eating or drinking in my car" rule for about the first 10 years which is one of the reasons I have a clean interior. When I get a new car, I will do that again.

handy dryer in your kitchen.

2010-12-01T18:43:00.000-06:00

You have a handy-dandy dryer right there in your kitchen at your fingertips - well, actually at the tips of your toes. Did you know that anything wet that you set in front of your refrigerator will be dry by morning? The fan under your refrigerator packs a lot of drying power. This is a perfect spot to dry tennis shoes that you have run through the washing machine, or place mittens that are wet with snow. It is a great place for a rug you have washed but cannot put in the dryer. If I accidentally immerse my rubber gloves in water (which I hate) I have learned that if I put the open end of the glove in front of the frig, they will dry out rather quickly. (It works even better if you put a little spice bottle inside the end of the glove to allow the air to get inside.) Happy Drying!

be thankful. sleep better too.

2010-12-01T17:45:00.000-06:00

It will enrich your life if you can train yourself toward a thankful heart. And I am not talking about just the week around Thanksgiving either. I am talking about cultivating an attitude of thankfulness that permeates your life.
I have said it many times but I am intrigued by the story in Luke where Jesus heals ten people, and only one of them takes the time to come back and express their thanks to Him. How can they not express a thank you for a life-changing event directly from the Lord's hand? How often do I neglect to make a conscious effort to take time to go before the Lord with words of thanks? (The scriptures are there to help us see ourselves.)

My post today is actually a sleep aid tip. My recommendation is that next time you find yourself lying awake in bed that you count on your ten fingers - ten things you are thankful for. One word answers like food, water, friends do not have the rich effect that a thoughtful and specific answer will. It is a great habit to pause at the end of every day and be thankful, very specifically, for blessings of the day even if you aren't having trouble sleeping. Even on a crappy day, they are many, many things to be thankful for. If I am lying in bed full of anxiety or stress or pain, I am amazed how comforting it is to count blessings on my fingers (and toes if necessary.)
I read once that research showed that people who have thankful and happy thoughts before bedtime actually sleep better, which makes a world of sense. That great old-time song comes to mind "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

take a Sunday nap every week.

2010-11-11T12:56:00.000-06:00

Sunday afternoon naps are a long running tradition in our family. It was started when my girls were very little and it continues even now that they are grown. The whole family is involved in this important ritual - mom and dad most importantly. The routine is church, lunch, then naps. No exceptions. Children will often say "I'm not tired." And you can say "That's fine. You are taking a nap anyway." Children are required to be in a horizontal position in their beds during nap time period i.e. until the parents wake up. Books are allowed, DVDs are not. It is humorous to watch how the children who "are not tired" are sound asleep before you know it.

Your week will go better if you have a nap on Sunday. When our Creator God made us, the owner's manual instructs us to rest one day in the seven. This simple mandate in scripture is not given the respect it deserves.

pee is clean.

2010-11-11T12:29:00.000-06:00

Mother Rabbit hates to get too gritty on her blog, but I was 50 years old before I knew this handy information. It was on one of my many hospital adventures with my sweet daddy that I learned that pee is actually sterile. My dad was a storehouse of many-things-important-and-wise. And I have had it confirmed by my medical expert friend. Yes, there is no bacteria in urine (unless of course you have an infection at the time.) This is important to know because pee happens, and if a baby pees on your lap you do not need to freak out.

By contrast, poo is laden with bacteria and should be treated and cleaned up with care. Speaking of, this would be a good time to recommend the book What's Your Poo Telling You by Anish Sheth & Josh Richman. If you have not already seen this clever little book, I recommend that you find it on your next trip into Barnes & Noble, and at least thumb through it. Be prepared to laugh. And at the same time, be prepared to learn something. It is all stuff you have thought about... but not out loud.

be savvy with priority mail.

2010-11-04T13:14:00.000-05:00

Knowing how to use the benefits of the U.S. Postal Service can come in very handy. Mother Rabbit is a believer in using Priority Mail at the USPS. Did you know that packages sent Priority Mail are delivered in two days, and if not, they will tell you the estimated arrival when you send the package? Did you know that Priority Mail packages keep moving toward their destination even on weekends and holidays?

It is important to remember that your cost includes the box too. Did you know that you can take those boxes home with you for your own personal postal stockpile? Just ask the postal clerk for two of each size on your next visit to the Post Office. Nothing is handier than having a collection of boxes at your fingertips. You can also go online to usps.com and they will send you a set of boxes at no charge, with no shipping cost. You can pick up some cool sizes that the Post Offices don't even carry. (Mother Rabbit also recommends always having Scotch clear mailing tape, envelopes and stamps on hand at all time.)

For the flat-rate envelope (like the one in my mailbox) you will pay $4.90 for whatever you can fit inside, no matter the weight. There are also flat-rate boxes available. While they are priced higher than their rate-by-weight brothers, you could save $ if you are mailing something very heavy. Since you will have these boxes at home with you, you can make smarter decisions with your packages. For example, if you are mailing some dried milk weed pods and fall leaves to your daughter so she can remember what fall looks like - you would select a Priority Mail Mailing Box. If you are sending her a stack of her favorite magazines and a brick, you would select a Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box.

Everyone loves receiving a package, so why not have fun sending them too.

think 3 for snack time.

2010-11-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

When you need to grab a snack for some energy, pick something from three different food groups for a healthy, happy choice. Did you know that your body will absorb nutrients more efficiently when different food groups are eating together? So even with a snack, grab something from three different parts of the food pyramid. To review, the basic food groups are: Vegetables, Fruits, Protein (Eggs, Meat, Fish), Dairy (Cheese, Milk, Yogurt, Butter), Bread /Starchy (Cereal, Pasta, Bread, Potatoes) and Fats.
An example is a carrot, a slice of cheese and a whole wheat cracker. Or slice of bread, peanut butter and a piece of fruit. Some raspberries, yogurt and a few almonds.

I think you will have fun using Mother Rabbit's "think 3" principle next time you grab something to eat. You will be amazed how easy it will be to grab two more things. Even if it is just a bite-sized portion, you are rounding out your diet and enhancing the nutritional benefits of your snack.

grow tomatoes.

2010-10-27T15:18:00.000-05:00

These are the last tomatoes of summer picked on October 25, 2010. How glorious. Even though the tomato vines look like scary skeletons, there is fruit to be found. Are they as tasty as the August harvest? No. But are they oodles better than what you can find in a grocery store? Big yes. I recommend that you plant a tomato plant somewhere in your life next spring, and hopefully it will still be surprising you with goodness in the fall.

dating game.

2010-10-27T15:10:00.000-05:00

The most sage advice you might ever receive is this:
FOR THE GIRL
Watch and observe how your date treats his mother, sisters and grandmother. This is how he will treat you at the end of the day.
FOR THE BOY
Observe her mother carefully. You are looking at a picture of what your date will be like and look like one day.

Sorry, but there is much truth in these words. Don't be fooled by youth. One day I don't want you to say "If only I had listened to Mother Rabbit"...

journal every night.

2010-10-20T15:39:00.000-05:00

Journaling something about my day when I get into bed at night is one of the sweetest parts of my day. I spend just minutes doing it, but there is something very satisfying about capturing the day and holding it in your hands before it is over. There is something rewarding about stopping to remember what really happened in the past 24 hours. There is something rich about taking time to be thankful for specific things that were experienced that very day.

For the past ten years I have used Susan Branch's book called "Days from the Heart of the Home" to record my daily sentiments. There is a tiny space to write in (just the right size!) with much inspiring goodness in the margins. Did you know that Susan Branch is one of my life mentors? She inspires me in countless ways.

Sometimes I write down three favorites from the day. Sometimes I write about a poignant moment. Sometimes I doodle a picture. Sometimes I write a prayer. Sometimes I just list what I did or accomplished. There are no rules! But it sure is fun to look back and read your stories. This is where my history is being written. Join the fun and journal. Don't let life rush by so fast that you don't notice it.

flu shots.

2010-10-20T15:23:00.000-05:00

This is just to say that Mother Rabbit does not believe in getting them. I believe that under normal healthy circumstances the body's own immune system is equipped to fight the common cold and flu.
Flu shots mean that the medical community has guessed which strain of flu will be prevalent that year and that is the one they will immunize against. Obviously, Mother Rabbit is not a doctor but she has been around long enough to see that all the 'great' medical breakthroughs that man has come up with have not all been great.
For example, cutting edge cancer research is now working with the body's own immune system to fight the cancer rather than rushing into radiation and chemotherapy treatments which have significant side effects. Everything has side effects, which is important to remember.

I actually feel out of my element commenting on flu shots but my advice is that you don't just do whatever the "medical professionals" tell you without thinking about your options. People do not employ enough common sense anymore.
When I recently found out that babies are required to have 24 immunizations in their first year of life I was alarmed. Maybe it starts with enjoying the choices you still have.

power of a match.

2010-10-20T15:14:00.000-05:00

Did you know that the simple act of lighting a match can absorb any stinky smells that might happen in a bathroom? The sulphur in the match head really does remove odors you do not want to be smelling, even if you put the smell in the room. Try it. You'll like it.

And by the way, Mother Rabbit would never spray fake chemicals named Glade into the air to cover a smell.

Speaking of the handiness of matches, did you know that the large head of a wooden match will burn out a nasty canker sore when held on the inflamed spot? It hurts a bit, but it will heal faster and brings immediate relief.

plant flowers.

2010-10-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

These are the last flowers of summer 2010 which makes them extra precious. Frost is around the corner and temperatures have dipped enough to take a toll on anything still growing.

Having fresh flowers in the house is one of life's best simple pleasures. Be thinking about what you can plant in the spring and where you can plant it. Even a container garden can yield lots of flowering fun.

I like to collect tiny vases so even snipping two stems can look showy. Flower arrangements don't have to be big to make their impact.

take honey seriously.

2010-10-08T13:34:00.000-05:00

Honey deserves your attention. Not only is it a healthy choice, but it has medicinal benefits.

Did you know that honey can sooth a sore throat? It is not just an old wives's tale but has been medically proven that honey can kill certain bacteria at the root of the infection. Add honey, lemon juice and a pinch of salt to warm water to sip or gargle to ease the inflammation of a cold or flu. Mother Rabbit loves this recipe.

I have heard that it lessens allergy symptoms when people use local honey during allergy season. The pollens that irritate would be the same pollens that the bees use. Kind of like a natural vaccine?

Honey is also a natural way to get a needed energy boost. Forget the addictive chemical-laden energy drinks. Try a spoonful of honey. Its natural sugars (glucose and fructose) are absorbed quickly for an instant boost. A honey of a sweet deal.

my airport socks.

2010-10-07T19:15:00.000-05:00

My airport socks are the ones that I keep in the outside pocket of my carry-on bag when I travel. It is these socks that I grab from my bag right before I have to remove my shoes for airport security. As my shoes come off my feet, my airport socks slip over my existing socks (or bare feet) in a fluid motion to serve as a bacteria screen for walking through the TSA passageway. Have you ever stopped to think about how many people's bare feet walk through that screening machine every day? And have you ever seen anyone cleaning any of the surfaces? There. You probably aren't laughing anymore.

I happen to like clean feet. For the record, I do not get into bed at night without clean feet. Clean feet are happy feet. The idea of airport socks was birthed when I went through airport security in my beloved Ugg boots. The idea of walking on stinky-feet-surfaces and then putting my foot back inside my warm boot sanctuary was too much for me. Airport socks were born.

salt crystals.

2010-10-07T18:53:00.000-05:00

I think I am going on 17 years of not wearing antiperspirant or commerial deodorant. It was that long ago when I first heard that it was not healthy to have your body absorb aluminum chlorohydrate which most antiperspirants contain. Go check out the label on what you rub under your arms everyday.

Instead I switched to using a salt crystal. The ingredient label on my salt crystal simply reads: Natural Mineral Salts, Ammonium Alum.

Here is how I understand it. It is bacteria that causes the odors we do not want. Salt kills the bacteria. Sweating itself is not the culprit. Sweating is our body's natural cooling system. Give salt a try. To use, simply wet the salt rock and apply lavishly.

make your bed.

2010-09-30T15:06:00.000-05:00

Really. Make it a habit to make your bed every day, no exceptions. I timed the whole process once. Even if you go very slowly, it will take you all of 90 seconds. Just do it.

eat honeycrisp apples.

2010-09-30T14:39:00.000-05:00

One of the thrills of fall is eating Honeycrisp apples, which in my opinion are the best apples in the whole world. The Honeycrisp harvest season ranges from September 15th to October 10th, and we wait eagerly for them to arrive each year. See if you can get your hands on some this week and savor the goodness of what an apple can be.

This delicious variety was produced as part of a University of Minnesota apple breeding program in the 60's, using a cross pollination of Macoun and Honeygold. The original seedling was planted back in 1962.

Mike and I were thrilled to take our first bite of Honeycrisp this fall in its birthstate of Minnesota. I actually thought about how Laura Ingalls got fruit in her stocking for Christmas, and how I would be very happy to get an apple if it was a Honeycrisp.

perfect definition for "mother".

2010-09-23T11:49:00.000-05:00

One who hopes... "to give you wisdom in the ordering of your common life, to be a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy."
From The Book of Common Prayer

Well said.
What this Mother Rabbit strives for.

plant a garden. plant pumpkins.

2010-08-23T12:07:00.000-05:00

There is nothing quite like the pleasure of enjoying the bounty of a garden that started as tiny seeds that you set in the ground. I am amazed every year when things sprout out of the earth. I am amazed that two days ago I brought this beautiful pumpkin inside from my tiny backyard garden. I didn’t even plant pumpkins this year, but I guess the seeds from last year’s fall porch decorations were in my compost pile. You can imagine my surprise when the large leafed vine started emerging from my tiny cucumber bed. I can’t tell you how proud I was to carry this pumpkin into the house.

Figure out how you can have a garden next spring. A container garden is a great place to start. I have two 4x8 raised beds outside by backdoor. Every year I plant swiss chard, spinach, a lettuce mix, pickling cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. I am amazed every year how much food I produce in this tiny bit of soil. Some year I want to count how many thousands of cherry tomatoes are produced from my three tiny starter plants.

Start a garden someplace in your life. Then stand back and marvel as you watch what you planted grow. And be ready for nice surprises like my pumpkin.

set one day every week for cleaning your nest.

2010-08-05T14:44:00.000-05:00

It worked for your great grandmother. It worked for Mother Rabbit. Set apart one day per week to do some cleaning.

Clarification: Cleaning Day is not for "picking things up" or "sorting things". Those are prequels to Cleaning Day. You may decide to set the timer and clean for just one hour, or you maybe should spend the entire day, but Cleaning Day is for cleaning.

Per your request, I will give you some basics on what should happen every week at your house. If you have only one hour, then you should move quickly. As time allows you can be more thorough. The following are Once-A-Week-Musts:

aClean all sinks and tub with Softscrub with Bleach.

aLysol the toilet bowl and bathroom floor(s).

aAmmonia clean all mirrors, appliances, door knobs and telephones. This will take less than 5 minutes but adds sparkle & freshness to a house.

aClean all floors on your hands and knees. Wood floors like vinegar and water or Murphy's Oil Soap. Tile floors like Parson's Lemon Ammonia. Note: Swiffers are stupid and for people who just want to think they are really cleaning. They just move the dirt around. Remember, if you aren't sweating, you aren't not cleaning.

if you're not sweating, you're not cleaning.

2010-08-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

There is not a wimpy way to really clean. When you decide to clean your nest, be serious about it. Wear tennis shoes for quick and agile movements. Serious sweating is part of serious cleaning, so wear the appropriate togs. Absolutely do not wear your favorite lacy bra. When the sweating starts, you want to feel good about it and feel like you are ready for it. Do not wear clothing items that cannot handle misplaced Softscrub with Bleach. This is the place for old sports bras and baggy shorts. Few things are more satisfying than power cleaning. But always remember, dress for success even when it comes to cleaning your house.

know the power of epsom salts.

2010-07-26T17:49:00.000-05:00

This post is in honor of my dear daddy, Jerry Wallerstedt, who went to his ultimate Home on July 2, 2010.

Throughout my growing up years I have memories of my dad soaking something in Epsom Salt, usually a body part. A package of Epsom Salt reads "Magnesium Sulfate" but it might as will read "Wonder Drug". It was not until I was an adult that I realized that my dad was really on to something. While I am not actually sure how it works such wonders, I know it does. I have often said that many God-made, "in nature" cures beat the man made kind all to heck. This would be an example.

In honor of Jerry, try it out next time you have some ache or pain. I recommend it for sore muscles, stiff joints, any funky skin thing, any kind of itch-y irritation, open wounds, bug bites or anything that is bringing you discomfort. Fill a basin or bathtub with warm water, dump in a generous amount of Epsom Salts and experience the magic. Don't laugh until you try it. It is very cheap and can be purchased at any drug store.

(My dad also believed in "snore strips" but I will not be commenting on that.)

pull out your camera when life is happening.

2010-07-26T17:29:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorite photographs are ones I snapped at unconventional times. Have a camera close at all times and don't hesitate to use it. Nearly every time that I did not have my camera with me I have missed capturing something special that I have regretted.

My strategy: Have a camera handy at all times.

My advice: Take photos even when you aren't sure that you should.

I decided to pull out my camera when my dear daddy was spending his final days on this earth. We kept a round-the-clock vigil with him for three days and nights around his hospital bed. The photos I took are absolutely precious to us, as they have helped us savor a very rich time as a family.

take a cake decorating class.

2010-06-21T15:49:00.000-05:00

One of the smartest things I ever did was to take a cake decorating class back when I was in high school. It is one learned skill that I have used over and over with great pleasure. There are a few simple tricks that can make you look like a professional in no time. Also, invest in a pretty cake stand. And always remember that everyone likes having a cake on their birthday.

don't say blast & wretch.

2010-06-21T15:26:00.000-05:00

A favorite movie line from Little Women, and one of Mother Rabbit's oft spoken reprimands. In the movie (and book) Amy scolds her Jo for using derogatory language, and it is the perfect reminder for young girls everywhere to refrain from course or trashy talk. Mother Rabbit would hate to repeat whatever inappropriate language she hears slipping out of her girls' mouths, so she will continue to say "Don't say blast & wretch" as needed.

know your down comforter movies.

2010-06-16T14:09:00.000-05:00

Down comforter movies are ones that brings you comfort & pleasure again and again. You know most of the lines and you anticipate certain scenes everytime you watch them. It is very important to know what your down comforter movies are for when a truly bad day hits, or when you get sick. It is wise to keep them handy because when you really need a down comforter movie, you don't have the energy to expend hunting for them. Know what they are and keep them close. Love, Mother Rabbit