1950'S ETIQUETTE: PART 2

GOING OUT WITH MARRIED MEN
Although traditionally a single woman would never date a married man, this convention too has broken down somewhat in modern society. It is still a good rule, however, for nothing is misunderstood more quickly than going out repeatedly with the same married man.

OVERNIGHT TRIPS
Unchaperoned overnight trips by unmarried couples are not permissible even today. Although groups can acceptably go on a skiing weekend, or other such excursions, particularly if one couple is married and supplies an implicit chaperonage, a couple should never take an overnight trip together unless they are married or unless it's a business trip.

ENDING THE DATE
When your escort has shown you to your door, be sure to thank him for the evening. About asking him in-that depends on you. It used to be that asking a young man in was permissible only if someone else was awake in the house. Now perhaps it's more realistic to say that you should decide whether or not to ask him in after taking into consideration the hour, how well you know him, and how well you know yourself. If it's late, and you're unsure of either his motives or you control of the situation, it's better to say good night at the door. Bear in mind that being asked in when there's no one else around is quite a come-on, whether that is what you intended or not.

MARRIED MANNERS
A well-mannered husband or wife does not argue in front of the children or servants any more than in front of friends.

Bringing home unannounced company for meals: In a word, don't do it. The husband who arrives home with an unannounced dinner guest runs the risk of having to carve two chops into three portions, as well as the much more serious risk of dealing later with an understandably infuriated wife.

When a married person is introducing his wife, or speaking of her, to a friend, he refers to her as "Mary," or whatever her first name is. When he is introducing her, or speaking of her, to an acquaintance, he calls her "my wife." "Mr." or "Mrs." is never used in introducing or referring to your spouse socially. Needless to say, such phrases as "the wife," "the missus," "my better half," or "the war department" are strictly for the comic strips.

...the everyday courtesies of men toward women should certainly be observed toward your wife in public. She is going to feel somewhat like an old shoe if you jump up at a restaurant table, hold doors, and otherwise act solicitously for every woman but herself. This old-shoe feeling is, to be sure, one of the nice things about marriage, but it is an at-home intimacy. In public, at least, give our wife the same attention you would give other women.

I love how dating the SAME married man is improper! Not a married man, but the same married man, regularly! And the old-shoe feeling one of the nice things about marriage? What? My favorite part is "how well you know yourself", on whether or not to let a man in after a date. Oh, and I'm glad Chad has never referred to me as "the war department". Ha!

Sip These Soups To Slim! :)

I love this soup. It makes a lot, so I usually spend the rest of the week eating it whenever I am hungry. It helps me avoid eating bad things and makes me feel good because it is so healthy. My kids love it too! It's my secret way to shed a few pounds!

Hearty Lentil Soup

8 cups vegetable stock
3 large carrots
1 28oz. can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups dried lentils, rinsed & sorted
1 cup brown rice
1 onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. dried basil, oregano
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 T balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Bring broth to a boil. Add carrot & next 10 ingredients. Stir well. Bring to boil and cover, reduce heat, simmer 45 minutes. Stir in parsely and next 3 ingredients. Discard bay leaves.

* I like to use fresh basil instead of the dried. You can also use chicken or beef stock. It may even taste better that way but it probably will not be as healthy and low-fat.


I decided while I'm sharing, this one is a must! This is another favorite soup of mine that is healthy, low-fat and delicious! I love food that I can eat as much of as I want, without feeling guilty. I need that because I have a little problem with portion control, and I am ALWAYS hungry. This chili recipe is full of flavor. Don't let the tofu scare you. It is so good for you and has no taste. Cut it up small or put in half the amount and you'll hardly notice it's there. I got this recipe from a friend.

Vegetarian Chili Recipe

1 medium zucchini, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
1/2 cup chopped red peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 T olive oil
1 pkg. extra firm tofu
1 28 oz. can Italian stewed tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & chopped
1/8 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/8 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 1/2 T chili powder
1 T sugar ( or 1 carrot)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne

1) In lg. pot saute zucchini, onion, peppers, carrot, garlic, in oil until tender.

2) Add tofu
3) Stir in all remaining ingredients.
4) Bring to boil.
5) Reduce heat, cover & simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.


For both of these recipes, I use only the Muir Glen brand Italian tomatoes. They are the best and make it a lot better. Or any high quality tomatoes. I buy the bell peppers at Costco for this recipe. They are SO good and I love to use the yellow and orange peppers too.

My Idol

David Archuletta is SO adorable and what a voice!
Colton is SO hilarious! I love his theatrics!
But there is only ONE who captured my heart! :)
Jason Castro is golden!

Must See Musical

I first heard of this movie on a friend's blog so I decided to pass this hidden treasure along to my friends also. Once, an independent movie which screened at Sundance Film Festival in 2007, is a modern musical set in Dublin and has some really beautiful music! So anyone with a passion for music especially, you have to rent this film. You'll be reaching for your guitar before it ends! I just loved it! However, I must leave one small warning: it is about love, but not a traditional love story. And really, it's about the music.

Dot's Rules of Etiquette

Etiquette: The Complete Modern Guide For Day-to-Day Living The Correct Way

My Grandmother and I shared a love of books and crossword puzzles. Unfortunately, I used to think, I did not inherit her seemingly flawless ability to discern what is appropriate in any situation. Always well-mannered as she was, I felt the very opposite. I was clumsy and unpolished, letting words escape my mouth carelessly and unfiltered. I appreciate that she never criticized me directly, although I did feel her disapproval at times. When I found this book in her closet after she passed away, it was like discovering a side of her I never knew. The side that wasn't a grandmother. I imagined her reading this many years ago, a young mother like myself, being comforted by the words that would hopefully save her from any embarrassing future mishaps of social conduct, anxiety diminishing as she learned the correct way to behave. Finding this little gem of a book suggests to me that maybe a sense of etiquette isn't inherent.

There is not a book or movie that has given me a better glimpse of life in the 1950's than this one. Long gone are the days of gentlemen callers and the white-gloved ladies for whom they tipped their hats: when manners were not easily mastered and everything seemed so very lovely. What a pleasure it is, however, to take a backwards glance at this era in American life that is so hilariously different from our own "modern" times. Join me for a weekly tutorial on Etiquette, and maybe we will learn the skills to make our grandmothers proud!

For my smart, sassy, classy Grandma Dot.

"It's easy enough to say that a woman should act like a lady, but it's a little harder to define just what the expression means. Mostly, acting like a lady is a matter of attitude. It's having respect for yourself along with respect for other people. Here are some of the ways in which we express this respect:

MORALITY
There is no point in discoursing on morals in a book on etiquette, because your morals are your own private business. However, a public observance of the proprieties-which means the established standards of behavior and manners- keeps you from being conspicuous and misunderstood. For that reason, a lady isn't fervently affectionate in a public place, nor does a single girl exhibit proudly an intimate gift she has accepted from a beau. Your public behavior should be decent, quiet and friendly: and your most personal relationships should be conducted with dignity and privacy.

MODESTY
Specific rules about modesty change with the styles. Our Victorian ancestors, for instance, would judge us utterly depraved for wearing the modern bathing suit. Real modesty however is a constant and desirable quality. It is based not on fashion but on appropriateness. A woman boarding a subway in shorts at the rush hour is immodest not because the shorts are in themselves indecent, but because they are worn it the wrong place at th wrong time. A well-mannered and self-respecting woman avoids clothes or behavior that are inappropriate or conspicuous.

DIGNITY
Dignity is sometimes confused with haughtiness or stuffiness. Actually , it's quite another thing. Dignity is the principle of self-respect applied to all one's actions. The reason it's bad manners to apologize or make excuses for what you don't have-whether it's matching dinner plates, or a better job- is that this excuse only embarrasses your listener and shows that you lack personal dignity and self-respect."

Isn't it refreshing to hear words like: dignity, beau, quite, and utterly and lady? I love these words.

Afterthought:
One thing I miss the most about my very poised grandmother: she always, always, always ,loved, loved, loved a good fart! (Never her own of course) Oh, the hissing and tears that would follow the same words every time "oh that's terrible, you're terrible!" I will never forget how it made her laugh more than anything else in the world.

Super Tuesday: Barack Obama Video

My Nana's Tortilla Chips

So here is the picture folks. Now go getcha some!
Yum Yum!