savor your history.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

if you could pick only one cleaning product, select parson's lemon ammonia.

I love to clean. I mean deep, deep clean. I do not believe you need a lot of fancy-pantsy cleaning supplies to do it either. In fact, Mother Rabbit believes you can do practically everything with Parson's Lemon Ammonia. Add lots of elbow grease and real cotton terry washcloths to scrub and real cotton tea towels to dry, and you are good to go.

If Mother Rabbit were to recommend other cleaning helpers she would also recommend SoftScrub with Bleach for sinks and tubs. Remember, no kitchen is clean without scouring the sink with SoftScrub with Bleach, or some bleach solution. Remember the Oprah Show that Angie Rennerfeldt's family was on where the scientists found more bacteria in the kitchen sink than the toilet? It adds such a fresh smell to a clean kitchen too. Think of it as the finishing touch.

use whole milk when cooking.

When you are cooking and baking and the recipe calls for milk, use whole milk. You will be baking more goodness into whatever it is you are taking the time to make. You do not need to be afraid of it. Did you know that when you buy 2% if means you are getting 2% milk fat, and whole milk gives you about 4%? The difference is not that great, but it will make a big difference in your finished recipe. This kind of "fat" equals goodness in baking. Mother Rabbit would say never cook with skim milk. It is not really milk in her opinion.

I had the pleasure to buying raw whole milk straight off of a family farm today. This brings back memories from my childhood that I am enjoying.

beware of a sale.

You have heard me say again and again "If you wouldn't pay full price for it, don't buy it just because it is on sale." If you would pay full price for something you see on super sale, then by all means snatch it up. If not, leave it on the rack. It's probably the sale that appeals to you, not the item.

Another good bit of wisdom: If you can live without it, don't buy it. This is what I say to you when you call me from the store and describe in detail this amazing clothing item you just found on clearance. I know if you are taking time to call me about it, you are having doubts and want some confirmation. You won't get it from me. Love it or leave it.

I don't know anyone who doesn't have too many clothes.
Love, Mother Rabbit

remember the four hour rule.

This is a valuable piece of wisdom. Basically it goes like this: If you throw up, do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours. Do not cheat on this time frame even by 10 minutes. It takes four hours for the lining of the stomach to heal. So if you have the flu and you keep drinking water (because you will be thirsty) you will keep throwing up. Wait the four hours. Then start with ice chips and tiny sips to test the stability of your tummy. You will thank me for this. No one likes cleaning up vomit, even if it is from your precious child.
Love, Mother Rabbit

get your sleep.

Your life will be sweeter if you get more sleep. Years ago I read some research that most people need 9 hours and 20 minutes of sleep every night - not just 8 hours - and I knew it was true. The research was from someplace very authentic like The National Sleep Institute. I'm not making this up.

I am convinced that the reason that many people are grouchy, unhappy, cranky, dull, bitter, discontent, with bad attitudes or the blahs is from not getting enough sleep. I think most of the world lives sleep deprived.

I want you to remember to always get your sleep.

Next time you can't think of ten things to be thankful for in two minutes, ask yourself "How much sleep did I get last night?"

If you possibly can, arrange your life so that you do not have to wake to an alarm.

Love, Mother Rabbit