**Being A Sexy Housewife**

Okay, so washing the dishes half naked may not be very realistic with busy schedules & children @ home. But, what husband wants to come home after a long day at work & see his wife sweaty, frazzled & dirty from cleaning house all day long. I have two suggestions for this. As you already know from previous posts, I believe in getting ready & before your husband leaves for work, so that the last image he has of you is a well put together, beautiful, loving wife. I will admit, I have got all dressed for Hubby to leave & as soon as he was out of sight, I walked back in, threw on my sweats & my old t-shirt & went to scrubbing. You cant deep clean a house in a pretty dress! Heres my suggestion though-to be sexy for yourself.  Of course you shouldnt clean in your good clothes, with all the chemicals that are in cleaning products its a good way to ruin them. So changing into your old jeans and t-shirt to clean & everything is ok. But you shouldnt be frumpy, because you're the one who has to look at you all day. Brush your hair out, make it pretty. You can put it in a low ponytail if its long so you can put it down quickly if company shows up. You should always keep your nice clothes that you saw your hubbs in folded & layed out somewhere for easy access in case someone does show up at your house. My Momma had a version of a house dress that was practically a moo-moo although she was a tiny woman. My version of a house dress is a floor length, v-neck spaghetti strap, cotton maxi dress. It is nothing too special & I got it for $12 at TJ Maxx. But, when paired with some sparkely jewlery & curl my hair, its a pretty nice outfit! Anyway, I keep it hanging up on the back of the bathroom door upstairs & slip it on in the mornings (not every morning, you gotta switch it up!) But when its convenient, I wear it & it looks really nice @ 7am when the other wives are standing in their doorways waving goodbye with their robes & nightgowns on with curlers in their hair & no make up on. It makes me feel good about myself to know that I am put together & looking nice for my husband. I know he appreciates it too.
      So here are my tips:  1.) Your makeup should be done when your hubby leaves so you should take a little time every once & a while during the day to maintain it. Even if no one is going to come by your house & you arent even going to the mailbox, you should do it for yourself.   2.) Keep your hair neat throughout the day.   3.) Make sure that your legs are shaved (as well as other parts, ladies!).  4.) Eat right & exercise to keep your body in shape.  5.) Make sure to take time & do something you enjoy. Reading, photography, taking a class, having a part time job...something that keeps you sane & makes you feel like you are a productive part of society. This will do wonders for your spirit. 

So those are my "daytime" tips. Now for the "night time tips" to be a sexy wife & keep the spark alive in the bedroom!
 1.)  Sometimes I like to curl & tease my hair all up right before bed. It is a HASSLE to get brushed out the next morning...but it is WORTH IT the night of! I wear my big sparkely jewelry & my makeup & it makes me some kind of girl out of a movie. It makes me such a more confident lover & Hubby loves it, although he tells me Im beautiful no matter what I look like bc trust me, he has seen me at my worst. So try to do something that makes you feel sexy!
2.)  Lingerie is the key to a long, happy sex life. I like to sleep naked, but it has nothing to do with being sexy, it has to do with being comfortable. Although my hubby likes me naked, I think that sometimes, leaving something to the imagination, is even sexier. So, although it is uncomfortable, I will go to bed in stockings with a garter belt & all those clips matching bra & panties, with frills and lace & all that good stuff. I will be honest, it has never stayed on.  *wink* 
3.)  Be open minded. Now, there is a line. A very definate line when it comes to certain things (at least with me). What is your husband wanted to watch a dirty movie? Would you watch it together? Would you be bold & suggest you mimick the things that they are doing? Would you think about introducing toys? Just keep an open mind & if your husband does try to make a suggestion, it's okay to tell him that you need to think about it. Give it a few days, mull it over & make a decision...but if you decide "yes," don't tell him...just do it! FUN! Things I caution against--doing anything you are truely uncomfortable with or that is dangerous & introducing another person into your sexual relationship.
4.)  Have fun, laugh, be a free spirit. Nothing is sexier than confidence & humor!

To Deter Unwanted Guests

...and I don't mean your husbands old frat brother who is in town & drinks one too many...Im talking about those pesky creepy crawlies-and do it the natural way!

Cockroach Chasers: Mix 4 tbsp of borax or boric acid, 2 tbsp of flour & 1tbsp of cocoa powder. Set out in open areas in kitchen, away from children & pets. For a simpler solution, sprinkle borax in roach paths. Cockroaches are actually very clean bugs & they preen themselves often. If hey walk through the borax, they will ingest the stuff thats sticking to them. RIP dirty roach! Also, cucumbers are a natural repellent of cockroaches, place skins of cucumber anywhere you have a problem. Also, (I heard this only works in the south, but im not sure if its true since Ive never been further than Gatlinburg, TN) but if you wet a damp dishtowel & place it on the floor, the roaches will congregate under it & you can dispose of them in the morning. My nephew told me that 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1 tbsp of powdered sugar will make the roaches explode. I have never tried this & idk if this is an overall good idea.

To Get Rid Of Ants: Make sure your kitchen is wiped clean & free of food crumbs. Wash the shelves with saltwater. Mint tea, citrus juice, salt, ground cinnamon, & boric acid are all good ant repellents. To destroy an ant hill, mix i part confectioners sugar with 1 part of laundry borax. Sprinkle this around the anthill. The sugar will attract the ants, and the borax will kill them.

For Bedbugs: Egg whits & quicksilver. Add a tablespoon of quicksilver to the egg white. Then apply to the mattress with a paintbrush upon rising.

Natural Mosquito Repellent: Dab lavender on your pulse points. Plain alcohol rubbed on your body will deter mosquitos but will also deter everyone else.

To Deter Moths: Little satchets of lavender will keep moths away from stored & bed linens  also make your clothes smell good. Hnag them in your closets & put some in your drawers & linen closets.

~~Helpful (Homemade) Household Cleaning Hints~~

Homemade Lemon Furniture Polish: Add the juice of one lemon to two cups of mineral oil. Apply with a soft cloth & buff until you can see your own reflection!

Chimney Soot Remover: Mix one cup of salt with one cup of zinc oxide powder. Mix and throw into fire.

To Prevent Mildew: Wiping down surfaces with vinegar helps prevent mildew bc it kills mildew fungus. I do this to my shower weekly.

Drain Declogger: Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain. Then follow with 1/4 cup vinegar. Close the drain & let it sit until the bubbling has stopped. Then follow with a bucket of boiling water.

Polishing Glassware: Using a thin paste of baking powder & water, rub into the glass. Rinse well & dry with a soft cloth to create a bright shine!

Washing Windows: Use your regular glass cleaner, but use newspaper to wipe (it doesnt leave as many streaks). Use vertical streaks on the inside & use horizontal streaks on the outside so if you see that youve missed a spot, ull know which side its on.

Misc. Household Tips:

• Full strength vinegar applied to glassware will remove the cloudy appearance
• Place a piece of chalk in your silver drawer or jewelry box to absorb moisture to prevent tarnishing
• Before you hand wash delicate items, place a thinck dish towel in the bottom of the sink to prevent & stand them in hot water. Expansion & Contraction from the temp diff will free them.
• Remove rust from knives & such by sticking them in an onion for a day or two. Rub it back & forth periodically to get the onion juices going
• Use a dry bar of soap on creaky doors or stuck drawers
• For a sink that drips & wont stop, tie a piece of string that hangs from the faucet to the drain. The water will flow down the length of the string, silencing the drip!
• Plain old cold tea will clean woodwork
• Rub a few drops of vanilla extract on your radiator to make your house smell yummy!
• Stuff wet shoes with newspaper to speed up the drying process
• Put sugar cubes in your suitcase to absorb odors
• Goodness knows you dont smoke, but you should always have an ashtray available for guests to discourage them throwing their ciggs in your yard. A dab of furniture polish in the bottom make them easier to clean
• Keep a safety pin near your sink. You can use this to take off your rings & pin them to your shirt when doing dishes

The Wife Of Noble Character

^{10 [b]}A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

**My Day As The Perfect 1950's Housewife**

I consider myself a wife who knows how to keep tradition alive & I try extra hard to make my husband as happy as possible. I read an article online called The Good Wifes Guide & it was published in 1950. Some of the rules are a bit ridiculous, even for someone striving to be the best wife possible. For example, one of the 'rules' is that "dont talk about your problems, they arent as important as his." Or "a good wife always knows her place." But the rules arent completely out of line & I definately don't see a problem with striving for excellence. Here are the rules that are in the article. I have used some of these for an earlier post, modified, of course.

• Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
• Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
• Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
• During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
• Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
• Be happy to see him.
• Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
• Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
• Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
• Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
• Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
• Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
• Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.
• A good wife always knows her place.

So I thought, why not give all of these a shot. Although I change shirts for dinner, I don't "dress" for dinner. I don't light a fire, because it honestly scares me to do so. LOL! I dont have a pre-dinner drink prepared for him & I def dont remove his shoes bc they aren't allowed on the carpet! But for one day, I decided to put every effort forward & see what he thought. This is the story of that day.

I started my day the same way I always do...waking up early, getting myself together, making breakfast & lunch & seeing my husband off to work. I cleaned the whole house, opened the windows to let in the fresh air & all that good stuff. So I then decided to make one of his favorite meals & went to the store to get anything else I needed to make it that I didnt already have. After cleaning & grocery shopping I spend the next two hours cooking the whole roasted chicken with roasted vegetables & homemade risotto and baking my (very famous & delicious) blueberry pie. This takes up the entire afternoon. I don't really mind, I enjoy cooking, but at this point, I am tiredddd. Hubby is due home @ 6:30 & when I finally get everything done it is 5:00. So I go upstairs & pick out a pretty cocktail dress that flairs out a bit in the skirt & is cinched @ the waist, I figure I may as well stick with the 1950's theme. at this point it is about 5:15 & I take a 15 minute rest like the rules say to do. After I am up @ 5:30, I curl my hair a bit, put on my makeup, pin my hair back & put on the dress with pretty lingerie underneathe. This outfit makes me feel so confident & pretty...the whole "getting dressed for dinner" thing is actually turning out to be kind of fun. (I doubt its something I would do so thoroughly every night, but every now & then is nice.) He will be home any moment at this time, so I go downstairs, warm everything, prepare his favorite cocktail & do a once over before I hear his keys in the door. He opens the door & takes a second look at me all done up & in my dress. He actually asks me where Im going! I tell him Im not going anywhere but the dinner table. I take his things, give him a big hug and kiss & tell him how happy I am that hes home. This is nothing new for him, I do this every day when he arrives. He takes off his own shoes @ the door (since they arent allowed on the carpet) & heads to the living room. I put his drink in front of him & he gives me a surprised smile. "Thank you!! After the day Ive had I could use this!" I want to tell him all about the things Ive done today but in the rules, you should always listen to him first. And Im kind of worried that he had a bad day so I ask what happened. He tell me about all the things that went wrong during his day while I rub his back & listen. He can literally see him relax all of his tension as I give him supportives squeezes when he tells me the worst parts & he sips his drink. When hes done, he looks at me & tells me he is happy to be home...and that something smells reallyyy good! I freshen his drink, hand him the remote & head to the kitchen. I prepare any last minute details & bring out the food. I have made a big production of dinner tonight. The fancy plates & silverware are out, all the food is on pretty serving platters & I light the candles. I tell him it's all ready & he comes to the table. He looks at the table & says it all almost looks too good to eat...as he sits down of course & starts to dig in! We eat & talk, share some extra special glances over the tables..and he tells me more than once how great everything is. I feel that like Ive just unlocked the secret to a happy marriage. He asks me about my day & he seems extra interested in listening. He is always a light hearted person, but tonight, he just seems extra happy by all my effort. When he's all done with his dinner, I serve him a slice of pie with a scoop of ice cream & we sit and share dessert. After we are all done eating, he retires to the living room where I make him one more cocktail & then I put the dishes away. He starts to dose off in front of his favorite evening show & when he go upstairs, my perfect wifely duties arent over. wink, wink! The sexy lingerie comes in handy!! Lol! 
I know that it is not plausible to make such a big production, but I am totally okay with trying to do my best everyday. And what guy wouldn't love to have a wife that showed him he was special & important, and listened & adored him? And even though I cook pretty much every night & let him know how much I love & appreciate him everyday, he noticed when I stepped it up a bit. And he was appreciative of me as well. I encourage you to try to make a little extra effort & not to get so comfy that you forget to show the other one they matter, everyday!

**My Daily Schedule**

This is my daily schedule on my days off  (which are Mon, Thurs, Fri & Sun):

• Wake up @ 6am- ready self, start a load of laundry & start the coffee which I have already fixed up the night before
• Unload the dishwasher from the load of dishes I washed the night before
• I start on my husbands breakfast (ranges from oatmeal & dried cranberries to bacon & eggs)
• while breakfast is cooking, I make Hubbys lunch.
• 6:30- Hubby gets up & I always greet him with a hot cup of coffee & his breakfast. (I like to make a real show of breakfast too, with a placemat, his meal plated and all the fixins!) I dont do this because he expects it, I do this because he appreciates it!
• When hes all done, I put the plates in the sink & he fixes his coffee mug for the day & gets his things together
• 7am- Kiss honey goodbye & wave goodbye til I cant see him anymore
• 7am- switch out the laundry into the dryer & start on the breakfast dishes & cleaning the kitchen. Scrub out the sink, wipe down the countertops, clean the stove, put dishes in dishwasher
• 7:15- Tidy the dining room. Wipe down tables, straighten up the chairs, put anything thats out of place where it goes, light the candles, windex the windows
• 7:30-Tidy the living room & downstairs bathroom, wipe down the tables, wipe down the tables & straighten it up. Put everything in its place thats out of place
• 7:45- I sweep, spot mop (I thoroughly mop once a week) & vacuum floors before heading upstairs
• 8:00- I go upstairs to the bedrooms & start with our master bedroom. I make the beds (unless its sheet day, in which case, Id strip the bed & wash the bedding) I put everything in its place & wipe down the end tables
• 8:15- I clean the master bathroom. I start @ the countertops, disinfect them & the sink bowl & then I scrub out the toilet bowl & add some kind of cleaner that smells good. Then I wipe down the shower & mop over the floor & change the waste basket when needed. I windex the mirrors & windows
• 8:30- Tidy up the office. Put papers back in their place, take note of anything that needs to be replenished, the printer paper, paper-clips, post it notes & change the paper basket if needed. I dust over things & wipe over the windows
• 8:45- I move then to the guest room which isnt used regularly so it doesnt need much. I just run the rag over the items in the room to keep the dust off & fluff the pillows on the bed.
• 9:00- I vacuum each room, febreeze all the fabrics & take one last  look over everything.
• 9:15- I stop to eat a snack while the dryer finishes drying the clothes
• 9:30- I take out the laundry, fold & hang it up
• This is where I do my chore of the week
• 10:00 ish- I take an hour to sit, rest, or take a nap if I feel.
• 11:00- When I get up, I have all my cleaning chores done. So I run my errands(if any) now (after re applying that gloss & brushing my hair out of course!)
• 12:00- I prepare ahead for dinner (thaw meats, get the crock-pot going, chops things ahead of time)
• 12:30- I bake anything that need to be baked or mend anything that needs mending.
• 1:00- Since everything is pretty much done, I take time to do the things I want. Scrapbooking, blogging, reading, taking a shower & doing my hair, getting my nails done...ect.
• I do one last clean sweep of the house & ready myself before Hubby gets home
• I start cooking dinner around 4:30 and I have it done by 6:30 when Hubby gets home.

Home Management Binders

I started using a Home Management Binder about a year ago, & I swear by it! It has made my life so much easier & well, managable! A Home Management Binder is dedicated to organize all the matters of the home. Many people choose catagories such as calendars, contacts, menu planners, ect. Here is what you'll need to start yours:
3 Ring Binder-about a inch to 2 inches depending on how busy your life is!
Dividers-to put sections in your binder
Transparent Folder Sleeves- to hold your printables or checklists (these work great for checklists bc
               instead of using a diff checklist everytime, use one, put it in a cover, use a dry erase marker
               and wipe clean when done!)

This should be enough to get you started. Also, if you google Home Management Binders you can find all kinds of printables to go inside!

Possible catagories to put inside your Binder:
Cleaning List- Now I am a cleaning fanatic. If my house isnt clean enough for people to mention by
the time they've left my home...then I didn't do a good enough job. I have my lists catagorized as
'Daily Cleaning List' (where I have included a Chore of the Day), a 'Weekly Cleaning List' where  Ive included things such as dusting, cleaning the ceiling fan, washing the grates on the stove, ect.
My 'Bi-Weekly Cleaning List' is for things that dont really need much tending-to, such as sweeping
off the screened in porch, washing the porch furniture covering, scrubbing baseboards, ect. I have 
a 'Monthly Cleaning Chart,' & a 'Seasonal Cleaning Chart.'  I am neurotic about a clean house, this may be overwhelming for you & you do not have to make yours so detailed by any means. Start with a daily cleaning sheet. Then you'll see that there are things that you dont need to do daily, but need to be done weekly, such as washing bed sheets or sweeping your porch. And from there, you'll realize things that need to be done monthly and so on.
Contacts- This is a spot that has made my life so much more simple. I put EVERYONES numbers & addresses in here. All my family (I do mean all of them), all of our friends as well as our neighbors. I have also included the numbers to my school & I keep a list of my classmates numbers which always comes in handy. I keep a list of my coworkers, as well as all the numbers for the bills we pay. I keep an emergency of emergency numbers & a list of takeout that we order often. This, of all my lists, has made my life much easier.
Menu Planner- I keep a chart of rotating menu plans for easy planning when I go to the grocery store. I have a list of about 25 meals that have won a place in my hubbys heart that I rotate so that Im not feeding him the same thing twice a week or even twice in 3 weeks. I also like to try new stuff often so I keep a pocket available for recipes I would like to try. These menu planners include side dishes as well as dessert, but I dont make dessert every night.
Calendar-I print two calendars for each month. One for social obligations, appts, birthdays, ect. The other is solely for bills.
Hospitality- I throw a lot of get togethers, & I will find any excuse to do so. I printed a list of parties by the month so whenever I get the urge to bring everyone together & cook, I will always have a good party theme! I keep a guestlist on hand here & foods with their recipes here too.
Finances-I keep a spreadsheet of the money we spend on things like groceries & gas here. I do not keep bills or receipts in this section, however. I have a 12 pocket expandable notebook that I keep all of those things in.

You can put anything you want in your home binder. If you have kids, its a place for their calendars & school lists as well. Its whatever works for you & keeps your home running smoothly.

*Getting The Most Out Of Your Day*

People always ask me, how do I find time to do it all. I hadn't put much thought into it before now, but here are my hints.

1. Make a plan for your day. Otherwise you'll find yourself making the fatal mistake of  dealing primarily with problems rather than opportunities. Start each day by making a general schedule, with emphasis on two or three major things you would like to get done. Each day you need to have a destination in mind.

2. Concentrate. I have observed that concentration is a key aspect of the effective use of time. You need uninterupted time to focus your energy on what youre doing, so that you do it good. If a task is overwhelming, spend 15 minutes of uninterupted time on that task. Set your oven timer & get going! That way, when you have to tackle it again, it wont be so immense.

3. Learn to stop & catch your breath. Working for long period of times with no breaks is not effective. Youve been working forever, running up & down stairs, scrubbing, lifting, carrying things back and forth...and when you get to the middle of your day, nothing you do is given your best effort. And anything you are doing, deserves your best effort. You should perform your biggest tasks as early as you can. That way, if you take a nap mid day, you only have small things to take care of in the afternoon.

4. Don't procrastinate. This needs no real explaination. Get done what needs to be done & don't waste time.

5. Strive for excellence, not perfection. Perfection does not exist & you will drive yourself crazy trying to get there. Excellence is attainable, gratifying& healthy. Perfection is impossible, frustrating & neurotic.

6. Never lose sight of the big picture. Some things need only 5 minutes in life, others needs 5 hours. Just remember that the people around you are more important than the things in your home & if not cleaning up for a day means you get to spend the day with them, well then that is where your effort needs to be.

The Good Guest

If you have been invited to a real southern party, anything from a kegger to a housewarming, there is more to being a good guest than just showing up on time. It starts before you even walk through the door & it ends with a sincere "thank-you." Knowing this is what always gets us invited back again & again.

Being a good guest starts from the minute you recieve the invite. Always RSVP. Responding to the invite, regardless of whether you can go or not, lets that person know that you value their invitation. Don't bring people with you unless the invite indicates. If you feel like you must bring someone else (your houseguests from out of town) call your hostess & ask. Do not just show up with them. That is very tacky. When invited to a house party of any kind, you should bring a bottle of wine or a potted plant.

When in doubt, follow your hostess' lead.

Always dress appropriatly, and never try to outshoine the hostess.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS send a thank you card. Mention something specific about the party & how you appreciate the time you got to spend together.

So the party is winding down & people are leaving, but you dont know when you should go. You shouldnt be the first to leave, unless you must. If you notice the hostess cleaning up, its time for you to go. You could always offer to help just for extra kindness.

The Good Hostess

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

-Sir Winston Churchill

She answers the door with a smile, hands you a cool drink & somehow gets you started on a conversation with the handsome man in the corner you wouldn't have had the courage to speak to otherwise. A good hostess always makes you feel comfy. The hostess is the star of the party, always ready to shine. You should always be warm & welcoming. If you don't actually enjoy having people in your home, it will be obvious. Southern girl know how to turn on the charm, & we can talk to the auto mechanic just as well as we can talk to the millionaire. Thats part of what makes us such good hostesses! The heart of hospitality is selflesness & caring. You need to remember what your guests enjoy. What went over really well @ the last party & what didnt? Was your banana pudding the star of your spread? Did that casserole only have a a few spoon marks in it? Did your neighbors frat brother get drunk & make a fool of himself? Remember what people liked & didnt like (including other people) & make note! Southern Housewives want to, above all else, make their family happy...so when we hostess, we think of our guests as family too!

You should send out invitations for everything! This day & age, we send out mass Facebook invites. Not the southern housewife. Sending out real invitations makes your guest feel special & lets them know you took the time to really invite them. You should ALWAYS write a thank you note if they bring a gift to your house.

Have foods that are easy to serve & wont encourage crowding around a table. Tacos with all the fixins sounds fun...but having someones meat get cold before they can get to the hot sauce isnt a good idea. A main dish-a casserole or mini quiches is easy to pick up and its filling. Side dishes that are simple, pigs in a blanket, bbq meatballs, cornbread muffins & fruit salad are also a good idea. Desserts that arent gooey are best. Always have a beautiful centerpiece of fresh flowers or fruit. Always have matching napkins!

Keep an eye on peoples drinks & other things they need. If a guest is lugging around a bag, offer a safe place for her belongings. If you see a guests drink is empty, offer to refill it. Keeping your guests comfortable & happy is your number one goal.

Five Ways To Share Our Famous Hospitality

1. welcome new neighbors with a home baked casserole, if theyre unpacking still, provide paper plates

    & forks too!

2. Keep a few appetizers in your freezer for when guests arrive unexpectedly. That way it looks like you

    can welcome them like you cooked all day long!

3. Stock your guest room like a fine hotel. Supply shampoos & soaps & towels so they dont have to

    rummage to find one. Provide bottled water & light snacks in their rooms!

4. On holidays, dont forget the people who make your life easier. Your mail carrier, your garbage man,

     ect. For an extra special smile, get something for the older gentleman who bags your grocery at the

     local store or the guy with the fruit stand you see once a week!

5. Always smile! Smiles are contageous and you never know who could really use one. Plus, you always

    look prettier with a smile!

Lunch Ideas For The Hubby

Athough he has never said it, I think anyone would get sick of sandwiches everyday. So I sat down & came up with new versions of sandwiches, and other yummy things that I know my hubby will love. He doesn't have access to a microwave during his day so I have to find different ways to keep food hot & make it easier to eat since he's usually driving when he's eating. Here are some of my ideas that he seems to really enjoy.

1. Sandwiches-of course. But I make lots of different kinds with different breads. He loves sourdough. He also really like meatloaf sandwhiches that I heat up & wrap in aluminum foil to keep warm. He also likes BLTs. I will make extra bacon at breakfast and use the tomatoes from our garden.

2. I also make wraps. I like to use the different colored wraps & put all kinds of veggies inside. Different colored peppers, sliced onions, spinach lunch meat, cubed chicken, chicken salad. It doesnt fall out nearly as easy if its in a wrap.

3. He loves pigs in a blankets. I make them up early in the week & use a big pack of hotdogs two packs of cresent rolls. You can put a few in his lunch everyday, or make it the main course! I heat them up really hot before he leaves for work & wrap them in aluminum foil.

4. Leftover are always a good choice. I always put an extra piece of chicken on the night before or make a little more pasta than we need so that I can put it in his lunch the next day.

5. I would recommend a thermos. Especially for cold weather. I like to make up soups & chili so that he can have something hot all day.

6. I have also just gone by Subway & picked up a sub when I had nothing else! Works just as good. One time I didnt have time to make his lunch @ all & stuck a banana & some yogurt in there with a granola bar. I put a 5 dollar bill inside that read "eat fresh!" He thought it was funny, but refused to spend my money on it!

7. If he has access to a microwave, this will be much easier for you. You can always put something from a box in his lunch. Like a Marie Calendar something or other or a Hungry Man. Dont do this all the time, because it isnt personal. But as long as you take the time to pack him something, that is the point.

There are a TON of things to put in your hubbys lunches. Be creative & put in love notes every now & then thanking him for all his hard work. Let him know he's appreciated!

Dinner Ideas

Here are a few dinner ideas to get ya'll started if you have no idea what to cook your husbands. These are very simple & I will be adding more challenging recipes later. The recipes can all be found online & you can tweak them to fit your familys tastes.

Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans & biscuits--chicken thighs are fattier than chicken breasts & they fry up better, they are also cheaper. Always use Crisco (I believe this should be the 11th Commandment). You can use pouch potatoes but try to make real ones. They are easy & much more impressive. If you can get fresh green beans, you should. However, if you do, be prepared to always make them this way because they are by far the best. Green beans in a can are fine as well. Homemade biscuits are hard to get right. If youre not so experienced or talented in the kitchen...just buy some crescent rolls.  Serve with sweet tea!

Spaghetti & Meatballs with Garlic Bread & Salad--spaghetti is very hard to mess up. Use canned/jarred sauce. Making your own meatballs is easy and so tasty! Cut up green bell peppers, onions and tomatoes & saute them in a seperate pan. Add to sauce. Put garlic powder & butter on french bread & bake as directed. Chop up a salad, pour a glass of red wine & serve!

Salmon & Asparagus with Wild Rice--salmon is quick & easy and all it needs to season is salt and pepper with a lemon twist. You can use pouch or box rice with this. Steam the asparagus or sautee it & get a botte of white wine!

Pot Roast with potatoes, carrotts & onions--this is best done in the slow cooker. The recipes are online. Just put everything in & go about your day! Easyyyy & delicious!

Sweet & Sour Chicken with Rice--there are diff recipes online for this. There are also slow cooker recipes too if you enjoy doing them & find them easier. Simple ingredients, & very tasty. Buy a bottle of Saki & serve with chopsticks for fun!

Chili with Cornbread--chili can be made less fattening if you use ground turkey meat. There are packets in the seasoning aisle to help to make it tasty. I like to chop up lots of stuff in mine, potatoes, onions, i put green bell peppers in too. I also put a spoonful of coffee grounds in mine. Sounds crazy I know, but my Daddy swore by it...and I dont question my Daddy!  :)

Desserts--my hubby and I like to bake cookies & stuff together, hes a wonderful cook & enjoys doing it. But when he isnt home, sometimes ill bake a homemade pie or something. There are so many easy versions if youre nervouse about making it yourself. The store has pre-made pie shells, filling in jars and everything! So dont worry.

These are a few that I cook when Im in a bind. They are quick, easy & always a crowd pleaser! I will be adding more soon!!  If nothing else, go to your local deli, buy a bunch of stuff that has already been cooked and put it in your own dishes. You will probably burn something or another & its okay to fib if its for a good cause.  :)   I will be adding more menu ideas at a later time. Hope this gives you some ideas!

**Rules To Being a True, Southern Housewife**

Okay Ladies! My first post. Well first let me start out by saying that I was searching online for a blog about being a young, southern housewife. I kept finding blogs that weren't catered to my age group...or they were blasting the way of life that I enjoy...or they were complaining about having to cook & raise kids. It just wasn't what I was trying to find. So I decided to create my own. I know that the "traditional housewife" way of life isn't for everyone & that's fine. It's not for everyone & not everyone can meet the expectations of such. But if you're interested, & want to learn how to become the wife that you want to be, then read on! My husband is not the kind of man that has to have dinner cooked every night, or has to have a spotless kitchen, or freshly baked bread & peach cobbler. But he likes it, and what husband wouldnt?? I feel like after every long, hard day of work he deserves to have a hot meal & clean sheets to lay down in. I am my own biggest critic, but I strive to be the very best I can be for him-because thats what he deserves! So now you say, well where do I start? Well, to be the proper housewife, you must first know what is expected out of you inside the home. I found an article circa 1950s that runs down a list of "to-dos" for housewives, its a bit dated (ive included the link), so Ive modified it to fit todays life & added some of my own! Then we will move on to being the proper hosewife outside the home. Inside the home is where the real business goes down. You can't fake this. Either you can cook, clean, keep up your (ahem) "wifely duties" & look good doing it...or you can't. But Im going to help you as much as possible! Just believe in yourself because sometimes it gets hard, and sometimes frustrating. But the appreciation your husband will give you will be well worth your trouble!

How To Be The Proper Southern Housewife: (inside the home)
Rule #1. You must know how to cook (always) delicious, (sometimes) healthy meals. If you can't do anything else, you must do this! Sometimes your hubbys fave meals aren't so healthy...therefore, its okay to serve fried chicken & buttery mashed potatoes...just not every night. You love your hubby so don't kill him! Every girl has heard "the way to a mans heart is through his stomach." I am a firm believer in this!  And mean women cant cook. jsyk. Now, not every girl is talented when it comes to cooking, and it does take practice. You should know how to cook real meals, not boxed ones. But it isnt against the rules to make something out of a box or a bag every now and then, depending on busy schedules (or worse, the monthly!) However, you should try to cook real meals as much as possible. Ive included a weeks worth of cheap, easy recipes in a seperate blog that will get you started. I suggest cooking when he isnt there, so if you burn something or mess up, he wont see & you can cover it up before he ever gets home. If you get home before your hubby, wrap your hair up in a towel or shower cap to keep the smell of whatever your cooking out of it. If he's home while youre cooking, def dont wear the shower cap, wear an apron (it makes you look more official) & cook with a smile, even if youre feeling a bit frazzled. Plate the food for him (I know hes a big boy, but you did all this work & this is the big finish!) & always serve him first!
Rule #2: You need to have the house cleaned by the time your husband gets home. My friends have said "with the kids & everything I just dont have time to get anything done!" I think its an excuse. Of course, you will have your days where you cant do everything but not everyday. Thats just being lazy. I was a nanny for 3 years while I was in nursing school & the wives would come home & say "how did you manage to do everything (laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping & craft time) & keep the kids happy? And the house is so clean!"  Its all about time management & teaching your kids to clean up after themselves. Not rocket science.
Rule #3. Prepare for his departure in the mornings. Get up before him. Give yourself enough time to get ready. Brush your hair, wash your face, put on some mascara & gloss. Make his lunch-everyday. Anyone can make a sandwich or pack a thermos. Put some snack he likes in too! My hubby works all day so I have to pack him enough for lunch & dinner. I included some lunch ideas on the recipe post. Walk him out to the car, kiss him goodbye and tell him you love him everyday. Wave until you cant see him anymore.
Rule #4. Prepare yourself for his arrival home. Take 15mins before your hubby arrives home to clean yourself up a bit. Re apply that lip gloss, smooth your hair (for goodness sake take off the shower cap!) Spritz some perfume through the air and walk through it to give yourself a light scent. Does your husband work outside with a crew? He has seen enough work weary people. He doesnt need to come home and see his wife frazzled, still in her rags! Or does your husband work in an office? You wouldnt let him come home & catch you looking like an hagard old lady if you knew what the women in his office were wearing everyday! You shouldnt let yourself go because you are married. You should look like a shiny trophy because you are PRIZED! Your home should be a haven. A quiet haven. Have the laundry done so it isnt making a ruckus, have the kids doing a quiet activity. Always greet him with a kiss & a smile. Let him know how happy you are to have him back home!
Rule#5. Do not be a nagger!  Especially as soon as he comes in the door! I can not emphasize this enough. The Bible says a nagging wife is like a dripping faucet. Its annoying! And nagging your hubby wont make him do anything but try to get away from you. There are certain things a southern housewife never does btw which are: touch the trash, do any yardwork other than recreational gardening or do any kind of repair work with your car. Unless you enjoy doing car repair work...which just as a reminder, isnt lady like. Save your requests for later after he has had time to relax.
Rule #6. You must know how to clean. No man wants to live in piggy mess! Especially if you are home all day, ther isn't an excuse for your house being a mess. Ladies, a home reflects on no one else who lives there but YOU, so get it together! This doesnt just mean to pick up whats in the floor. A true southern housewife wont just clean what she knows others can see, but her house will be truely clean & will always smell nice. Whether it is from the homemade peach bread cooking, or the apple & cinnamon spray from the dollar store-smells are important! I will include cleaning lists to get you started.
Rule #7. Don't forget how to be sexy! You should wear sexy things around the house. You could wear something sexy like a low cut dress to cook dinner in, or go all out and make it in nothing but an apron...just dont cook anything that splatters. :)  Be surprising! Be fun! Be the sexy wife he married!
Rule #8. Being a good hostess is at the bottom of this list, but it is no less important. A true southern housewife (or any southern lady for that matter) knows that the center of life is the home. The atmosphere of your home will be carried in the minds of those you invite in. You should throw parties, get togethers & girls nights, & you should do this often. A good hostess should be accomodating & charasmatic. She should be on top of her mingling as well as her cooking. Any party you host should be fun & light with a group of people who are an intersting mix but also have a common thread. I will go into more details in a later blog of how to be the perfect hostess later because it is very important.

How To Be The Proper Southern Housewife: (outside the home)
**I admit, some of these things are for show. But if a proper southern lady is what you want others to see you as, then doing them will help others see you as a respectable lady in the community**

Rule#1. Always dress appropriately. In a small town like I live in, one slip on this one can ruin you. You wear something to short to a funeral, or something too tight to church, or something too frumpy to the grocery store, and the jig is up! No one will take you seriously, invite you to the get togethers & they will talk about you behind your back. My rule of thumb is, "if you have to ask if its inappropriate, it is." This is by no means saying that you shouldn't look nice or dress to accentuate what you have. But having your hooters hang out during Sunday prayer isn't the appropriate place. Sometimes less is more ladies, & covering up what only your hubby should be seeing is good. A low cut v-neck dress with heels is fine if youre going out to dinner with your hubby-just remember to dress for the occasion!
Rule #2. Always be well put together. Your nails need to be clean & trim. Get them done if you can afford to do so! You shouldn't be pasty, so make time to get some color. Your hair is a BIG DEAL!! It should be smooth & brushed. A ponytail looks nice if you just brush it out so there isnt an excuse. And thats why God made hats...if youre just having one of those days. Your personality should be put together too. You should be calm, prestine, elegant. You should work hard to not accentuate your own flaws.
Rule #3. You should show up where you are expected to be. These places include your schools PTA if you have kids, church & sunday school & all of your friends parties.
Rule #4. You should know the rules to follow while being a guest @ a party or a houseguest. I am creating another post dedicated to this, because just like throwing parties, attending them is also important.
Rule #5. Mind your manners!  Nothing you try to do will matter if you dont have good manners. You should speak to everyone with kindness & respect. You should listen to others & always say please & thank you. You shouldn't make a fuss in public ever & always you ma'am & sir. Manners & charm will get you further in most cases than anything else will.