amenity's Profile

I strive to be as organized as @scraps, and when I come close it pays off. After grocery shopping on Sunday, I ty to spend a few hours in the kitchen making yogurt (in small jars) and a few salads that will last for lunches all week. Raw kale and cabbage hold up well, so something including those and whatever is left over from the week before — bell pepper, quinoa, feta. If I know we'll be making pizza or soup, I'll make sauce or stock. Or I might cook a pot of beans or make hummus. Tomato sauce, stock, beans, and legumes are always made in big quantities so I can stash part in the freezer.
It's a pretty catastrophic mess while it's happening, but then I sweep, wipe down the kitchen, take out the compost, etc. etc. These Sunday afternoons end up saving a ton of both prep and cleaning time on weeknights, and allow me to help my husband since he's usually the one who gets dinner on the table during the week. Pour a glass of wine, put on a podcast or a good record, and it ends up being fun.

Maybe CCP MBD is referring to is this brand. I used to be devoted to it, because I like the label and it's so cheap...But after I realized it was made with vanillin, I switched to Penzey's. Pricey — but tastes so much better.

Are those the Miami Dolphins colors? Erk! I think you should go with white (or black and white since the appliances are black), and focus on the back splash, and, if possible, the counter. The wood handles could have a nice MCM look if they weren't in the NFL color-scheme.

I normally jut wipe out with a paper towel if it's oil or butter. I used to do salt on anything grodier, but it's a bit abrasive on your fingertips/gloves. I recently started using this guy and love it: http://www.goodbyedetergent.com/index_product1.html

I, for one, love the change: It's bright, fresh, and intuitive to navigate. Yes, if you're a long-time AT visitor, it takes some getting used to. But that's an inherent problem with any redesign. The web can't simply stagnate to prevent everyone from being temporarily disconcerted. In my mind, the new site is much less chaotic, more fluid, and simply makes the same great content more fun to see. It is a bit slow — but maybe that's just a matter of optimizing things as they get set up.

Doesn't Soda Stream soda still affect your bones, though?

I have been waiting for this round-up! Thanks.

Great article. We're wondering about blowing into the walls of our old house — apparently you drill holes in the top of the exterior walls for this.

And yes, Austin is so humid that even 80 feels too hot. We've settled on 78.

Really really beautiful. What is that picture of an LCD display and a button supposed to show?

Ever since I first saw these, I've been thinking they would be great on a dresser or desk in the bedroom. Here's another place to buy a very pretty version: http://www.spinneybeck.com/shop/LeatherPull.aspx?ProductType=LPSSLNG