Dining

The greatest pleasure for us at The (real) Stepford Wives Association is the joy we derive from preparing a healthful meal for our husbands and children. Each evening is a presentation of our devotion. Is every meal perfect? No, sometimes we fail to deliver a glorious meal. Sometimes the recipe just isn't very good and doesn't meet with our husband's approval. If he's not delighted, no one is.

We dog-ear that recipe and file it away. Most of our weekday concoctions are quite simple, utilizing a few ingredients. Some meals are quite simple, and we'll admit lack elegance. But we serve it to our husbands with an apology, and love. It doesn't happen too often. We add touches to simple meals, like a pleasant aioli to spoon over the vegetables.

Olive oil with infused herbs, to dip bread (fresh baked of course) or mixed with balsamic vinegar as a dressing for field greens. We do try to incorporate a bit of fresh fruit whenever possible. Like pears, blue cheese and arugula as a fun salad course.

Regardless of the meal, we always serve our husbands first, then our children, saving ourselves for last.

 

Together

We at The (real) Stepford Wives Association would like send many kind and happy returns to one of our founding members. She's hosting tonight her first important business dinner. We know she'll shine in true Stepford style that she exemplifies.

This member has had more than her share of interlopers trying to undermine her happy home, but with some deep perseverance and downright Stepford tenacity she won.

Kudos to you, kudos!

 

 

A (sample) Cleaning Routine

We at The (real) Stepford Wives Association always appreciate a good cleaning routine. A special thanks to our dear friend for witing this up.

These tasks are broken up into sections so lets jump in to what should be done daily.

Daily Tasks

Daily cleaning products

Daily, after the house is empty the routine begins, the swish/wipe/dust. Swish the blue stuff into the toilet (just a few drops are needed instead of covering the whole inside of the bowl, because it's done daily). Using only one wipe per bathroom, clean the sinks, the counter tops, ending with the toilet--down to the floor...Yes, just one Lysol wipe cleans two sinks, counter tops and toilet...but only if you do it everyday. Dry dusting the floors daily too. Also, another tip is instead of cleaning the whole shower daily, get a spray bottle with a little bleach mixed with water and spray the shower after it's used. Not only will that help cull mold growth but it also keeps soap scum under control. Or look for a leave on or rinse free shower spray (Method brand, available at most stores in the US) works great too. The inside of the toilet gets a few drops of toilet bowl cleaner (seriously just a few drops) a quick swish of the brush and it's done. Keep a toilet brush and holder in each bathroom of the house. We have three and half bathrooms. The whole process including dusting the floors and swishing/wiping sinks, counter tops and toilets takes two minutes per bathroom.

Dusting too, just dry dust those areas that tend to get super dusty, everything else weekly. What a concept!? One load of laundry per-day, at the very least, will help to keep the chaos away.

Dust the hardwood floors daily (no sweeping or vacuuming unless there's a spill) Wash the floors at least weekly (or more often during wetter months).

Other daily tasks include, making the beds and emptying the dishwasher...

Vacuuming bedrooms and high-traffic areas

Weekly Cleaning

Weekly cleaning products

Weekly tasks include cleaning the showers (plus the swish, wipe and dust), bathtubs, vacuuming and changing sheets. Replacing towels and dusting those areas that are only touched weekly. Even the weekly tasks do not take vary long. You could choose to do them all in a single day or you could break it up across the week.

All Day Everyday!

In the kitchen...that is a clean-as-you-go room, you make something and clean it up afterward. If you own a dishwasher, use it. If you don't, ask yourself this, is it easier to wash a few dishes (like 2) or a whole sink-full? If your answer is the first, then wash as you use them. Take and extra minute to wash that plate or bowl, fork or spoon, cup whatever you use; dry it and put it back where it belongs, this is opposed to leaving the plate in the sink all day and allowing them to pile up.

Set the table so that it's ready for the next meal.

If you believe it doesn't matter, then try washing those few dishes up after each time you dirty them.

If you do own that dishwasher, stick them inside the machine. The kitchen cleaning is not added to the daily or weekly lists because like it most houses it's a big hot spot that is cleaned/tidied up multiple times a day.

Wipe down the counter tops, close the cabinets and drawers and you might be surprised how much cleaner it feels.