Home-Ec 101(A how to manual with spunk)

In these days of life at the pace of a hummingbird, when mom no longer lives a few blocks away, and many people don't EVER talk over the fence with their neighbors(Disclaimer~ we LOVE our neighbors, and we even walk THROUGH the fence(there is a gate!) to visit with one family~ but generally, in the "Big cities" many people don't have any idea who walks down their sidewalk every day), where does one go for support or help when the new blouse your friend brought home from an Asian trip doesn't have readable tags?  You're sure that it's cotton, but how do you wash it?
How about old zippers that keep catching on your favorite zip sweater~ wonder if Mr. Rogers had any tricks up his sleeve? 

Mr. Rogers can't answer that question for us anymore, but for the past 4 years Heather Solos has been dishing out advice with cheeky flair on how to "Cook it, Wash it, Fix it, Clean it" on her blog~ Home-ec101 . She has now published many of her hints, tips and helps in the book you see pictured here.

I have been reading an electronic version of Home-Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living, which was just released this month. (There is an ebook version available from Barnes And Noble, and a Kindle version at Amazon, as well as the more traditional paperback.


I am always looking for new ideas (Or old ideas conveyed in a "new" way) that might help me in my unending quest for even a slightly neater home. This book definitely has some gems that I will be trying out! 


The "Cheeky"comments that are interspersed are probably more often intended for an older audience than, say, my early teen. However, it does make reading about rather dull topics like laundry (Heather even addresses doing laundry at the laundromat!) a little more interesting to the mature reader. (If comments about hangovers offend you, and you can't just gloss over them, then this book probably won't be your cup of tea~ I have a pretty good "filter" in my head for things like that)


Common sense is handed out on just about every page, with very specific "How-to" instructions for things from how to properly hold a broom and sweep, to instructions for fixing a ragged button-hole. There are some very handy charts, including things like how long you can expect your major appliances to last (Uh-oh~ our washer is living an VERY borrowed time. Although I've often suspected as much, glancing at Heather's chart confirms it!)

I think that this would be a great gift for the young person just setting out on their own, or as part of a wedding shower gift~ sometimes common sense is hard to beat!


Looking forward to fixing, cleaning, washing, and cooking more efficiently and effectively. (Oh, yeah... there are a number of motivational jabs~ intended to rouse the slob disorganized from their stupor slumber... sometimes ya just need a good "kick in the pants" to get you moving in the right direction. :) 


I hope that this has been helpful~ now it's time to ponder which life skills need "brushing up"~
Blessings~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free from the One2One Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."