hand pressing.

Hand Pressing is a technique that Mother Rabbit (and oodles of other smart women) do to remove wrinkles from hand washed or delicate cycle items.  For all of my "special" sweaters and clothing items, I lightly fluff the items in the dryer on the lowest, lowest heat for just 5-10 minutes. (Always set the timer or you will forget!)  Then I remove them lightly damp and lay them flat in table tops or sofa backs that have been covered with a clean white bath towel.

Here is the "hand pressing" part: Using your hand like it was an iron, gentle press out any wrinkles. It really works like magic and it rather fun.  Smooth and "press out" the knits until they look like they have just been pressed.  Then let them dry naturally.

Mother Rabbit does not like dry cleaning, both for the "smell" and the added cost. My front loading Neptune washer is gentle on clothing and has both a "hand wash" and "delicate" cycle.  What is hard on your delicate items is the dryer.  A gentle wash cycle + a light fluff with a dryer sheet + hand pressing + natural drying = clothing that looks nice longer.

baby nails.

It is true.  Many of my posts are going to be related to babies now... because that is what grandmas do.

Clipping a tiny baby's fingernails is a scary thing.  That is why I was all ears when I heard the nurses at the hospital mention "filing" them instead.  Grandma Bunny would like to add that the fancy glass files work especially well.  I am always amazed that the clear glass files even work whenever I use them - but they do.  And they seem to be even gentler on baby girl's tiny nails... and that is what matters.

capture it.

When you are fortunate enough to have a newborn in your presence, make sure to photograph the "womb position"... that magical way that the baby's legs fold right up into the same place they have been for many months.  It is remarkable. And every baby "folds up" a little differently. 

Don't tarry with this photo though.  Before you know it, their little legs don't spring back anymore... and it means your baby is growing up at lightning speed.

Isn't Charlotte Grace enchanting? She is perfect in every way.

the little scraper.

One of the handiest items in any kitchen is the little scraper - and I hope you have one. It is a tiny piece of hard plastic that is your best defense against baked on food. How do you survive without one if people in your kitchen make scrambled eggs?

I got my first little scraper from an insurance agency as a handy give-away advertisement. I have since seen them for sale at specialty kitchen stores for about $1.99.

Whatever you are cooking, baking or frying I recommend putting the dish or pan in the sink to soak as soon as you are finished with it. Even then, some things still stick. That is when the little scraper comes to the rescue. There is nothing that the little scraper, followed by some Bonami powdered cleanser, cannot clean. Note: I like the little scraper better than a brillo-type pad because I get creeped out by the way the food sticks on and into the pad.

This is also a fun little "treat" to stick inside a birthday card.

my daddy.

Two years ago on June 30th we put my daddy in the hospital for the last time.  Instead of coming home, he went Home on July 2, 2010.  I adored my dad and he continues to live large in my life.  I tell myself I want to learn all the things my daddy taught me and strive to be more like him.  This will keep me busy until I meet up with him in eternity again one day.

I keep this photo of my daddy on my desk.  When I made this photo panel, and put things I always heard him say in each corner.  Now when I look at it, it calms me and guides me.

Thy Will Be Done.


Keep It Simple.


First Things First.


One Day at a Time.

At this particular juncture of my life we are moving, anticipating a new baby and having a wedding - all within the next 7 weeks.  Believe me, I need my dad's counsel right now and am thankful he is still helping me.

http://www.bandbvideo.com/Jerry
If you would like, please enjoy this 10 minute video dad made for us just weeks before he went Home. He was truly one of a kind.

beware of flat rate boxes.

You have heard me say a jillion times that I am a huge fan of the USPS Priority Mail Boxes.  The envelopes and boxes are "free" with a mailing - and you can take a supply home to keep in your office.  You can even order specialty sizes from usps.com and they will deliver them to your door.

But buyer beware.  Be careful which boxes you choose! DO NOT use a flat-rate box if you are not mailing something HEAVY because you are being charged a "flat-rate" no matter what you put in the box.  For example, my sister just sent me three rather small bottles of my favorite Mary Kay eye makeup remover. She put them in the above "large flat rate" priority mail box.  Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. It cost her a "flat-rate" of $15.45 to mail this lightweight package.  If she would have used the flat-rate ENVELOPE it would have cost her $5.15!  If she would have used a regular non-flat-rate box, I am guessing she would have paid about $7.

The bottom line is:

ONLY use the flat-rate boxes if you are mailing a stack of books or jars of jelly.

Whenever possible, see if what you are mailing fits in the Flat-rate ENVELOPE because you can mail anything you can fit inside of it for $5.15.  And it does not have to stay "flat". It can be as bumpy or lumpy as you want, and long as you can get it sealed.

Make it a priority to make thoughtful decisions next time you are mailing a package at the USPS.

must-have gloves.

Find yourself a hardware store and treat yourself to what will be your favorite gardening gloves!  These new "Muddy Mate" gloves by Boss are amazing.  They give you gripping power and dexterity all while keeping the dirt out! I have never had gloves perform like this.

And for the record, what new grandma could refuse the cherry tomatoes named "sweet baby girl"!

 Mother Rabbit says: Even if it is a pot on your porch - PLANT SOMETHING.  It is a unique pleasure to plant a tiny seed and then watch it grow.  Happy Gardening!