Saturday, April 16, 2011

Book Review - Home-Ec: 101: Skills for Everyday Living

Home-Ec-101-Book-Cover-233x300Have you ever wanted or needed a book that you could “go to” for all your homemaking questions? I have! I really hate doing the everyday to day chores. And if you have children you know what I mean when I say it seems like my home is NEVER clean!

Author Heather Solos (who also writes the excellent blog Home Ec 101) uses this book to teach us how to take better care of our living quarters.  And the best part: She does it with a sense of humor! With over 230 pages of informatin that includes tips on cleaning, washing, fixing and cooking!!

For example, read what she has to say to those who say they’re too much of a free spirit to be tied to household tasks:

“Again with the “But I’m artistic!” argument.  Really?  Here’s the thing, roaches don’t discern the subtle difference between laziness-induced filth and that caused by eschewing the cultural norm.  Art is not an excuse for being a slob. Fight the man, make your own cleaning products, weave you own clothes, buy handmade, recycle, up-cycle, stay up all night, sleep all day, dance, paint, sing, whatever. Just wash the dishes, sweep the floor, and take out the trash, you damn dirty apes!

It’s this sense of humor sprinkled throughout the book that makes daunting household chores seem a bit more manageable.

She shares her tips that can help you break down your weekly chores. Heather suggests big chores and fast chores. Sometimes, you simply only have time to get a fast chore done, maybe in between appointments or picking up the kids. I think it’s a great idea.

Fast Chore Ideas…
  • 15-Minute Pick-up
  • 15-Minute Dusting
  • Car and Entry Clean up

How about tackling the Spring Cleaning? Do you have a system for getting your chores done during the Spring? Some of these you may have thought of or maybe not.

Spring Cleaning Ideas…
  • Inspect screens for damage {preventing bugs from entering along with the fresh air}
  • Clean and inspect gutters
  • Clean patio furniture

As a previous Apartment dweller I overlooked a few of these that I will now have to do as a home owner.

 

I know I learned TONS from Heather’s book. And I keep it handy for all those just in case moments. All in all it's a great book to read that will leave you chuckling and ready to take on the house.

You can find Home-Ec 101 on Amazon and they even have one for Kindle! (I love that there is a Kindle Version!)

Disclosure: I received Home-Ec 101 Book for review through the One2One Network. All opinions are my own.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

OOMPA winner

Sadie I have contacted you! CONGRATULATIONS.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Yanni Truth Of Touch - Album Review

 

 


I was recently given the opportunity to review Yanni's new album, Truth Of Touch. This is Yanni's first instrumental release of original compositions in over eight years and is a return to the genre Yanni helped create and advance.

 

 


Track List:

1. Truth of Touch
2. Echo of a Dream
3. Seasons
4. Voyage
5. Flash of Color
6. Vertigo
7. Nine
8. Can't Wait
9. Guilty Pleasure
10. O Luce Che Brilla Nell'Oscurita
11. I'm So
12. Long Way Home
13. Yanni & Arturo
14. Mist of a Kiss
15. Secret


I had never heard of Yanni before this review offer popped up, but according to Wikipedia he's been around for a while and was even nominated for a few Grammy Awards in the 1990s.

My overall opinion: I enjoyed listening to the whole album. The melodies are so pretty and so relaxing. I love to play any music in the background of my busy life and this album this is the kind of music I like to have playing in the background when I have some time to relax with a book.

I personally like to add some instrumental music in my playlist but think that if you are a ‘Top 40’ type of person you won't find this album to be your style. But I'll be adding Yanni's Truth Of Touch to my playlist!

 

 


Are you a fan? Do you want to see Yanni in person? Well on March 22 Yanni launched a 40-date tour of the U.S. The tour will take him through theaters in major cities across the U.S. including Radio City Music Hall in New York City and the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.


 

Tour Dates:

3/31/2011 Montreal, QC, CA
4/1/2011 Quebec, QC, CA
4/2/2011 Toronto, Ontario, CA
4/3/2011 Toronto, Ontario, CA
4/5/2011 Providence, RI
4/6/2011 Lowell, MA
4/7/2011 Washington, DC
4/8/2011 Atlantic City, NJ
4/9/2011 New York, NY
4/11/2011 Charlotte, NC
4/12/2011 Durham, NC
4/14/2011 Jacksonville, FL
4/15/2011 West Palm Beach, FL
4/16/2011 Miami, FL
4/18/2011 Tampa, FL
4/19/2011 Naples, FL
4/20/2011 Orlando, FL
4/22/2011 Greenville, SC
4/23/2011 Atlanta, GA
4/29/2011 Denver, CO
4/30/2011 West Valley City, UT
5/2/2011 Seattle, WA
5/3/2011 Spokane, WA
5/4/2011 Portland, OR
5/6/2011 San Jose, CA
5/7/2011 San Francisco, CA
5/8/2011 Los Angeles, CA
5/10/2011 Fresno, CA
5/12/2011 Santa Ynez, CA
5/13/2011 San Diego, CA
5/14/2011 Las Vegas, NV
5/15/2011 Glendale, AZ
5/17/2011 El Paso, TX
5/19/2011 Houston, TX
5/20/2011 Grand Prairie, TX
5/21/2011 McAllen, TX


To find out more about Yanni, visit his website by clicking here. You can also follow him on twitter and become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure - I was given a download of this album from One2One Network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.