Mary Beth Voelker is a writer, a mother,
a cook, a gardener, and a crafter. Though
originally from Pittsburgh, she and her
family kept coming back to North Carolina
until God let them stay. She likes to say that
while she has often been bored at work she
has never been bored at home.
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HOME SWEET SOUTHERN HOME continued
Do You Have a Journal?
by Mary Beth Voelker
A NOTEBOOK? A DIARY? A SKETCHBOOK?
I’m a sucker for any kind of blank book, plain
or fancy, but I have my preferences. I like lined
paper on both sides, the ability to open it flat or
even fold it clear over, a not–too–big–but–not–
too–small–size, and a durable, rigid cover that
stays closed in my purse. Being able to tuck a
pen into the spine and Scripture or inspirational
quotes that don’t repeat are a nice bonus.
It’s amazing how many different kinds of
notebooks are available now anywhere from
dollar stores to specialty boutiques. Lined paper,
unlined paper, or half and half. Art journals,
music journals, and music journals with lined
paper opposite staffs on facing pages. Spiral
bound, book bound, and looseleaf with refills
and planner pages. Masculine, feminine, adult,
child, teen, quirky, or professional.
You can get multi–year garden journals,
travel journals to help plan and record your
trips, prayer journals, self–help journals, kitchen
journals—something for any area of your life.
I use my journal for everything from to–do
lists to novel plot ideas and, though my phone’s
notebook ap has largely taken over the grocery
lists, I still reach for the hardcopy for anything
that I want to think through thoroughly.
Whether I’m jotting down the dimensions of a
storage shed we’re looking at or working out a
character’s family tree there’s nothing like an
old-fashioned, hardcopy notebook for pinning
down information and ideas.
If you don’t already keep a notebook within
arm’s reach, I strongly suggest finding one that
appeals to you and adopting the habit. You’re
likely to be surprised how quickly it fills up and
how helpful it is.
GIFT EXCHANGE IDEAS
Have you ever gotten a really odd gift in
an exchange at work or in one of your social
groups? Something that made you wonder what
on earth the person was thinking? Like the time
an envelope of mixed lottery tickets ended up in
the hands of a woman whose religion forbade
gambling? Or the time my husband got an
electric toothbrush?
Here are some options that almost always go
over well no matter who draws your number:
Scarves. Almost everyone can use a scarf and,
unlike gloves or hats, they fit any size. You can
find scarves in masculine, feminine, or neutral
styles and patterns or, for a more personal
touch, you can make them up quickly knitting
or crocheting.
Tools suited to the workplace. Whether it’s
pliers or an office desk caddy, it’s hard to go
wrong with something that makes someone’s
day at work a little easier. One Christmas at the
sewing factory, a woman was so excited to find
Kobalt mini-needlenose pliers in her bag that
she almost threw out a pair of earrings she’d
overlooked.
Earbuds. Nearly everyone uses them, and
they break easily. The in-ear kind with at least
3 sizes of earpiece will suit most people. I
personally find the round wires more durable.
Coffee mugs or drink bottles. A nearuniversal
need and available to suit almost any
taste and budget. Look for features like being
easy-to-clean, dishwasher and microwave safe,
insulated, and difficult to tip over.
Journals or notebooks. Including a pen and/
or a bookmark is a nice touch.
Couch throws. Almost everyone appreciates
warmth and softness. Washability is desirable.
Holiday decorative items. Something classy
and classic that will last is almost always
suitable. Avoid excess glitter because it sheds.
Gift cards. Yes, it can seem like a cop-out,
but there is a lot to be said for the flexibility of
the recipient being able to choose something
he or she really wants. Beware being too limited
though—choose a store with a wide appeal or a
restaurant with a varied menu.
And a few things that sound good but could
result in a, “Thanks, but …,” moment:
Homemade goodies—or other foodstuffs.
Know your crowd on this one. Some people have
religious food restrictions, some people have
food allergies, and some people are on special
diets. Chocolate is not actually the universal gift.
Scented items of any kind. People with
asthma and allergies don’t appreciate those
prettily–packaged bath sets.
Music, books, DVDs, and other media items.
Tastes vary so much that it’s easy to either make
a major flub or to duplicate someone’s existing
collection.
KITCHEN TIPS
From time to time, you’ll see a lurid story
on social media about “avocado hand” where
someone attempting to tame that slippery piece
of produce has landed in the ER. Try holding the
knife still and rotating the avocado for better
control.
Additionally, don’t peel it until after you’ve
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removed the pit. You can also try steadying
avocados, tomatoes, onions, etc. by wearing
a latex glove for better grip or, if you have any
issues that impair your coordination, you can
wear a cut–resistant glove. These are readily
available online as are the plastic film gloves
you’ll want to put over them.
To keep a wrap tightly–rolled for cutting
pinwheels, spread a thin layer of spreadablestyle
cream cheese on half the wrap before
starting to fill it. Roll it starting from the plain
side, and the cream cheese will act like glue to
seal it shut.
Don’t over–fill a party-platter. Give people
room to get their tongs (or their fingers), on the
piece they want without touching the others.
Keep a container of additional items for refilling
as needed.
Bring food to potlucks and parties in
disposable trays, pans, or bowls that come
with their own lids to save the host washing up,
reduce mix–ups as to whose glass casserole is
whose, and to make it easy to give away left–
overs you don’t want to have to eat yourself.
Things to stuff into celery stalks when the
party tray looks a bit too sparse:
Cream cheese topped with green or black
olives.
Hummus.
Egg salad, chicken salad, or tuna salad
topped with chives.
Cream cheese mixed with salsa.
Any cheese spread.
Strips of left-over turkey—use mayonnaise
lightly as an adhesive and top with dried
cranberries and/or chopped pecans.
If you’re having guests for holiday meals ask
people to bring copies of the recipes for the
dishes they’re contributing. Take photos of the
food and the donors to create a unique, family
holiday memory cookbook to distribute. ☐
No. 136 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.11
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