Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for January 10, 2012

Chores… what a bore! Val’s getting smarter, though; taking a leaf from work and delegating!

Pay less as they will eat you out of house and home.

Val is using Evie’s exit as a chance to schedule herself some free time. I’m guessing we’ll see more of Phil soon.

My take on it: Val asked Holly who refused—so Alix “lucked out” with the task.

remidns me of the blues brothers movie. In the fancy restaurant Jim Belushi says, “how much for ze children?”

Alix you should learn how to do laundry. That would really impress your mom. My hubby does dishes by hand and dishwasher. I feel double the work.

@GatoCat, we still do that at my Mom’s at holidays. I like to wash because her eyesight isn’t all that great, we get her to put away as she knows where everything goes. It’s fun, lots of chatter. Even the guys help if browbeat enough. : ) My spouse is really good about wiping even though he thinks letting the dishes air dry is more hygienic.

When kids are given chores around the house, it means they’re growing up.

@SomebodyShort: you must have a lousy dishwasher. I don’t even rinse the dishes, and everything comes out sparkling and gorgeous, clean and sanitized.

…ahem… this is embarrassing, but… I burned something (can’t even remember what it was by now) in a pot, and now there is a black coating on the bottom of the pot. So I can’t use the pot until I get that black stuff off. I have tried dish detergent and Old Dutch. Should I try bleach? I really don’t want to have to throw out the pot. It’s the exact right size.

This is a very late reply to Rina Farina bu if a pot has food stuck or burnt on it pour some white spirit vinegar over the surface about quarter to half and inch and leave to stand for about two or three minutes then sprinkle about half to one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the vinegar. it will fizz up, then cover with the lid of the pot. Leave to stand for a couple of hours or overnight if it is really bad. Most of the sediment will dissolve and a few stubborn bits will come of with some steel wool or a brass pot scourer. Wash the pot in hot soapy water and Abracadabra! the pot is clean and shiny. :) This an old remedy from my grandmother and I am 80 now but it works like magic.