Saturday, December 25, 2010

Cooking - using the oven

Saran wrap, wax paper, and paper toweling do not go in the oven. You can use aluminum foil and parchment paper. Parchment paper can burn so be very careful if you choose to use it. If all else fails please read the instructions on any food packaging product before you use it. Remember to never leave the room or house when cooking. Take time to read those cookbooks I gave you.

love mom

Your Electricity Bill

I know that you are now concerned about keeping the lights on, running the air and the heat. You didn't really pay much attention when you were in my house, but that's okay. I don't think you really need to run the air or heat when you are not home. Get thermal pj's for the winter and maybe an electric blanket might help. By no means get a space heater, too many tragic stories in the news.

love mom

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Housekeeping - The Kitchen

WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR OWN PLACE:
Please remember to clean your kitchen every night. I know you do not like bugs and believe it or not, cleaning each night helps to ensure that they do not become tenants in your home. Make sure your counters, floor, and sink are crumb free, you may have to get down on the floor with a towel to get into the corners.

Don't forget to wipe off the top of the toaster and empty the tray, crumbs accumulate there. The microwave will need some attention as well, you might want to get a microwave food cover - it will help you keep the microwave clean. The stove probably won't be dirty since you did not learn to cook, just a quick dusting now and then.

Mopping the kitchen floor twice a week will most likely be good enough, just try to wipe up those little spills as you go, you know the ones I nearly broke my back cleaning up each night.

Sweeping behind the trash can is something that should be done on a regular basis, dust, dirt, and food bits like to congregate there. While you're at it wipe down the outside of the trash can - it get's dirty when you throw food at it and miss.

Once a week wipe down the kitchen cabinets, food splatters can be tough to clean up when you let them sit longer than that.

Because you like to fix your dinner plate with the silverware drawer open bits of food tend to get mixed in with the forks, spoons, and knives, please clean the drawer as needed.

Since you open the refridgerator door on a regular basis dust and dirt can find it's way amidst the milk and cheese you like to eat. The produce crispers will be okay because you do not like to eat veggies, so they will probably be empty. Wipe down the shelves where you keep the milk, juice, and beer, because you know how you would forget to tighten the caps and close the cartons on those items.

If you are fortunate enough to have a dishwasher please rinse your dishes and remove any visible food before you run the washer. I know it was a mystery to you as to why some dishes had stuck on food after the washer completed it's cycle, and it boggled your mind when you opened the door and the dishes were still wet. Your dad thought it was a good idea to buy an energy efficient dishwasher, he didn't count on you being the "efficient" part of the equation. P.S. please make sure you don't mix the clean dishes with the dirty ones, remember the anxiety it caused when that happened?

The dish towels that you use to wipe down the counters will have to be washed and sanitized regularly. Do me a favor and do not use towels that have been lying around for a week to hand wash your dishes - that's just gross.

love mom