Tips and Tricks for Staying at Home

In these times of the constantly shifting social experiment, my household has discovered a few things to make life a little sweeter. I can't promise this is the path to the easy button, but you'll have to read on and decide for yourself.

All this staying at home business has led me to try out a few ideas in the way of making cocktails. This is not my usual area of expertise. Using just what I knew we had on hand I came up with a new cocktail recipe that I have dubbed:

the Marcella

It goes like this:

1 1/2 oz. vodka
3/4 oz. triple sec
the juice of half a lime
3 dashes of old fashion bitters (I used Fee Brothers brand.)

Pour over ice.

I originally made it without the bitters and it was just OK, but the addition of bitters improved my perception of it as libation I actually wanted to drink.

I suppose you could substitute gin for the vodka and rename it for yourself. Why not?

Next up, a foolproof carpet stain remover technique. Years ago I consulted a book by Linda Cobb, the queen of clean. So I am here to tell you her advice really works.

You only need two ingredients: club soda and shaving cream. Who knew, right? Use as minimal an amount of the shaving cream as seems necessary for the job and don't scrimp on the clear bubbly stuff. Dab, dab, and only a slight agitation from rubbing, and with patience and many circular motions you will probably find that many stains will come out using this technique. I used it on an old white wine stain, on bone-colored carpet.

Lest you think I'm a boozer....well, what's the point of talking you out of that opinion. Never mind.

In the meantime, contemplate the awesome power of our beautiful planet as you sip your special beverage. Here is a hummingbird nest in our spruce tree. She visits us on a regular basis, and we like to think she is at peace with her choice of home and the humans with whom she shares the environs.

Take care, be well, and I'll see you as we emerge from our cocoons. ~~MVO