Crabby Housewife

Making New Friends – That X Factor

March 25, 2016 August 26, 2015 By Crabby Housewife Leave a Comment

In the last few weeks, I’ve met a number of new people. It got me to thinking about how we choose our friends and the different ways we make new ones. When I think back on my friendships with those closest to me, I can’t really tell you that moment when we realized we were going to be the best of friends. It just happened, it was natural. We “clicked.”

Clicking or Clacking

Have you ever met someone and you instantly like that person? The conversation flows naturally. They don’t have any of those annoying habits that drive you crazy. They have similar world views, attitudes, and behaviors.

I call this “clicking.” These are the friends I can truly be myself around. I don’t worry about whether they like me or not. Our social language is the same, so I already know that they do.

Then, there are the clackers. You meet this personality type and your preference would be to just turn around and walk away from them. For me, there are several things that instantly turn me off.

Extremely loud people for the purpose of grabbing attention. Example – the woman who cackles loudly just as everyone else finishes laughing.
Know it alls. If you’re telling a story about your doctor putting you on a regimen, this person will begin to tell you why your doctor is wrong. After all, she has no degree whatsoever in that field, but still knows more than your doctor who went to school for 12 years or more to get his medical degree.
Me too women. Want to share a story about your last vacation? Don’t worry… Miss Me Too has gone on the same vacation, only hers was ten times better. It doesn’t matter how unusual your story, Miss Me Too has done it, been there, is better than you.
Crass people. While it is perfectly natural for close friends to share personal details of their lives, it is not so natural for someone you met two seconds ago to jump into the conversation and share her personal sexual history with you. I’m sorry, but that is just weird.

These are the things that clack for me. Yours may be completely different.

The Bottom Line

Cultivating friendships takes times. I like a lot of people, but I don’t click with them all. If I’m going to take time away from my family and my writing and my home, then it is going to be for a friend I click well with.

Fastest Way to Clean Your Refrigerator

March 25, 2016 August 25, 2015 By Crabby Housewife Leave a Comment

It’s a task we all despise – cleaning out the refrigerator. There is certain to be at least one forgotten leftover in a plastic container that looks like a long-lost science experiment. Oh, you don’t have these in your fridge? Me either <cough, cough>.

Cleaning the refrigerator out is something I put off as long as I can without feeling the thing is unsanitary. I have picked up a few tips over the years that makes the cleaning time go very quickly.

Tips to Clean Your Refrigerator Quickly

Set aside one day every other week to thoroughly clean out your fridge. By cleaning every other week, you will reduce the amount of cleaning and it will be faster than otherwise.
Prior to your cleaning day, start tossing out anything that is no longer fresh, is expired, wilted, etc. For example, if you are planning to clean your fridge out on Saturday, starting Wednesday, clear out things that you know you won’t be able to use or that are no longer good as you go along. See a bag of carrots that are spoiling? Toss them.
On cleaning day, gather your supplies. You’ll need soapy hot water (I fill one side of the sink and I also grab a bucket), plastic cleaning scrubbies, sponge, paper towels or a couple of hand towels, large towels for drip drying shelves and bins, and garbage bags.
Start on the top shelf and work your way down or vice versa. Quickly toss any remaining foods that have gone bad and set foods that are still edible on the counter in sections that match where they were on your shelves. One section for the top shelf, and so on…
When you’ve removed everything, pull out any shelves or drawers you can pull out and clean them in the sink. Set aside to drip dry on towels.
Now, take the bucket of soapy water and clean the fridge from top to bottom. Use the plastic scrubbing disc for any foods that are sticky or dried on.
Take the paper towels and dry the inside of the fridge.
Add a small box of opened baking soda to keep things fresh and odors away.
Dry and replace shelves and drawers.
Add edible food back to the refrigerator.
Toss food in garbage bags.

The advantages of a clean refrigerator are numerous. One obvious advantage is that you will be able to clearly see which foods you have on hand so you don’t buy too many of one ingredient at the store or let foods spoil before you’re able to eat them.

What to Do with the Empty Space Above Your Cabinets

March 25, 2016 August 24, 2015 By Crabby Housewife Leave a Comment

So, I was really excited when I saw a post on Good Housekeeping about solutions for the space above your cabinets. I have this space and have been wondering for a while how I might best utilize this area for my kitchen. Unfortunately, every solution offered over there involves clutter that would have to be dusted.

If you’ve read this blog for a while, then you know how much I hate clutter that has to be dusted. If you are a new reader, then let me tell you that I simply loathe clutter that has to be dusted. I’m lazy and clutter makes me crabby because it creates extra and unnecessary work.

So, you can imagine my disappointment as I scrolled through slides of ceramic dishes, baskets and other cluttery solutions. The only two I saw that didn’t involve clutter where using chalkboard paint above your cabinets and adding a menu or other writing (kind of a cute idea, actually) and adding a curtain. A curtain would look cook in a farm house but not in my more modern design. Plus, I have high ceilings in my kitchen, so no curtains for me.

Here are a few ideas I came up with on my own for that above the cabinet space and what one might do with it.

1. Nothing

If you put stuff up there, you have to get up there and dust it at some point. If you are like me, you will put this off as long as humanly possible until there is a little layer of dust that you know you have to clean or risk contaminating your kitchen. You will then gripe and grumble as you climb up there and clean. As of now, this is my solution. I’m exploring the others below and trying to decide.

2. Build a Box

Fill in the space. Build a box at the top and add crown molding. Stain or paint to match or contrast cabinets, depending on the look you want. For an example, check out iHeartOrganizing’s example of how to do this.

3. Move Cabinets Up

If you’re fairly tall or don’t mind using a step stool, you could do what they did over at A Beautiful Mess and move your existing cabinets up to the ceiling and then add a shelf underneath. This is an interesting concept and the overall look is very uncluttered. However, you still have a shelf with things that will have to be dusted (just on the bottom, so easier to reach). This also would not work for me because I have a Cathedral ceiling in this area of my home. It might work for one of you, though.

4. Add Art

Another idea is to add some plaques and artwork that match your overall decor. I am actually considering this option as I have an Italian theme in my kitchen. I may get some photos and sayings. Framed pictures are fairly easy to reach with a duster and keep clean. I may add one or two additional items for interest, but again I don’t like clutter to dust so I also might not.

5. Add Storage

A lot of different articles suggested adding baskets, but the best idea I saw was wide wooden baskets with lids. Inside these, you could store things you don’t use very often, such as that waffle iron you use twice a year. Opt for a basket with a lid and dusting should be minimal (swipe of a feather duster). Even better? Sometimes smoother with a lid. It wouldn’t collect dust like say wicker would. Did I mention I hate things with crevices because they are hard to dust and keep clean?

These are just a few ideas for that space. If you don’t mind dusting and a little clutter, then the sky is the limit with what you could put up there. Just be sure to invest in a good step stool or ladder.

Roundup of Delicious Apple Recipes for Fall

December 23, 2016 August 20, 2015 By Crabby Housewife Leave a Comment

Nothing says “fall” quite as loudly as apple dishes. Whether you have apple trees in your own backyard, or you take a trip to the local U-pick farm or farmer’s market, apples are fresh, crisp and inexpensive in the autumn of the year.

Below are a roundup of some of my favorite apple recipes I’ve found on the web recently. Won’t you try them with me and let me know what you think?

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Pictured in the screenshot above, these salted caramel apple pie bars are melt in your mouth delicious. Made with a simple shortbread crust and apple pie filling, the salted caramel is what puts a unique twist on this age-old favorite. This will be a hit wherever you serve it.

Recipe at Sally’s Baking Addiction

Blooming Baked Apples

the gunny sack — Screenshot from The Gunny Sack blog of blooming baked apples

This recipe is simple to put together but has enough elegance to be served at a formal dinner. The trick is in how you cut the apple halves, which Tonia over at The Gunny Sack explains thoroughly.

She even offers picture tutorials to help you understand how to prep the apples. You then add caramel, brown sugar and butter and bake. Serve with ice cream and drizzle on caramel sauce for even more pizazz.

Recipe at The Gunny Sack

Bourbon Apple Pandowdy

restless chipotle screenshot — Screenshot of Restless Chipotle’s Bourbon Apple Pandowdy

My good friend Marye Audet has created an amazingly unique apple dish over at Restless Chipotle. It is a cross between pie and cobbler all created in a skillet. The delicious oozes out of this creation that has apples, bouron and cinnamon sauce and a buttery pastry. Yowza, folks! You will love this dish and your guests will think you’re a gourmet chef or at least a really good down home cook.

Marye comes up with her own recipes but bases them on her vintage cookbook collection. You’ll find them unique and full of flavor.

Recipe at Restless Chipotle

Apple Pie Lasagna

I think this recipe over at Beyond Frosting is one of the most brilliant takes on apple pie I’ve seen. It is much lighter than apple pie and so versatile. Serve it like a parfait, from a pan, or in a pie pan.

FYI, she also offers a recipe for pumpkin pie lasagna that is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

This recipe combines wholesome ingredients like apples, lemon, cinnamon and maple syrup with the pure yum factor of graham crackers, Cool Whip and toffee bites. I’m in heaven. I can’t wait to make this for get togethers this fall.

Recipe at Beyond Frosting

Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

screenshot the kitchen mccabe — Screenshot of The Kitchen McCabe’s Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

If you’re looking for a more substantial dessert, this apple cake is moist and filling. The custard sauce gives it a unique, gooey spin that satisfies even the pickiest of palates.

This recipe fits in on St. Patrick’s Day but is also interesting enough for any other holiday treat.

Because this is a dense cake, Kayley suggests you pay extra attention to make sure the middle of the cake is cooked all the way through. We want gooey goodness, not an uncooked mess. Done right, though, this is the apple cake of a your dreams.

Just follow Kayley’s directions and you’ll be fine. It isn’t hard to make at all.

Recipe at The Kitchen McCabe

Best Ways to Save Money on College Textbooks

March 25, 2016 August 19, 2015 By Crabby Housewife Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again. The kids are getting ready to head back to college and you’re crunching numbers. Not only are tuition costs completely out of control, but textbook costs are more expensive than ever.

Each year, I take the time to shop around for used books and typically save at least 25%. Some years, I do better than other years. For example, I saved about $85 on my youngest daughter’s books this year. I had to buy one book new because of access codes and could only find it through her school bookstore at the tune of $140. Yep, you read that right. $140 for one electronic book. Craziness. I think I’m writing the wrong type of books.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tips for saving money on textbooks.

Tips to Save Money on College Textbooks

I take some very specific steps to save money on college textbooks.

I start by visiting the school website. I start an Excel sheet that lists the class and then the books required for that class. I also include the following info: ISBN, book title, edition, author, cost used and cost to rent from the school’s bookstore.
I then go to sites like cheaptextbooks.com and Amazon and I punch in the ISBN and do a comparison. At this point, I really don’t want to rent from anyone other than the school unless tKhe savings is amazing. I’ve been swindled too many times on this. I will rent from Amazon because their process is clear cut.
I don’t always just go with the cheapest price. You have to be careful. Make sure it is the right edition. If there are access codes, you’re better off buying from the school or new.
I then compare total price, including shipping, with the price I can get it from the school for. Sometimes, if a novel for a lit class is inexpensive, it is actually cheaper to get from the school and pick up there because you save shipping. If I can save at least $2 with shipping and everything, I order elsewhere. It’s easier to have the books shipped to your home instead of making the kiddos pick them up anyway.
Sell your old textbooks. I list mine on Amazon. I get the best prices there. Just make sure you ship them out right away and that you’re honest about condition (note highlighting, wear and tear, etc.) and you’ll get good feedback.

Some schools offer the option to purchase electronic copies. Unfortunately, the prices on those aren’t usually much better than the print copies. My kids like print copies better for studying, evening though they have tablets and Kindles.