Aron and I have debated putting a robotic vacuum-like gadget on a wish-list pretty much every holiday since we moved in together nearly 10 years ago and joined our mutual dislike for household chores. So when iRobot offered to let us try the new iRobot Braava floor mopping system? Yes, please. Sign us up!
At first I was a little wary. The iRobot is a wet/dry sweeper, not a vacuum. Aron set it up while we watched an old Tom Cruise movie (you know, that one where he runs everywhere) and the jokes began. Me: “Oh, can you remember to do X and Y?” Him: “Sure—and I’ll clean the floors at the same time!” Pager goes off. Aron comes back from phone call to hospital. “I’m on call AND I’m cleaning the floors!”
There are two cleaning modes: damp and dry cleaning (you can use disposable cleaning cloths, including Swiffer brand, or Braava’s microfiber cloths). We ran it dry first. And because it was nighttime, we couldn’t immediately see the difference between the clean and dirty floors the way you can when the sunlight hits at those afternoon angles—and I worried it wasn’t working. But then it was so satisfying (and kind of gross!) when we picked it up and looked at dirty microfiber cloth. Sort of that icky satisfaction you get when you use one of those pore strips on your face, if you know what I mean. Kind of awesome!
They’re already playing Christmas music on the radio, but we’re still considering dishes for Thanksgiving dinner over here. Here are a few favorite cooking resources, in case you’re doing the same!
On Troubleshooting:
I listened to much of the America’s Test Kitchen Thanksgiving Special on NPR the other day, “Turkey Q & A and The Real Story of The First Thanksgiving,” and loved hearing them answer the top ten Thanksgiving day questions they get.
On Basics: New York TimesEssential Thanksgiving (Their paired-down take on the wisdom gleaned from years of reporting on the subject.)
On Menu inspiration
Many families have their sides set in stone, but if you have some flexibility and are looking for inspiration, Gourmet came up with some sample menus (back in the day) that would no doubt please; and Saveur has created a fun menu-generator this year, or you could just look at their 12 sample menus.
On Timeline suggestions: When to do what, if you’re trying to get ahead, from one of my most trusted resources.
On Table decor:
Pinterest! Search “Thanksgiving Table” (or, I’ve been making a dedicated Thanksgiving board)
On What’s Trending:
Aron told me about this NPR podpast where they discussed how, last year, the trend in cooking magazines and among chefs was to stray far from tradition—whereas this year is all about the classics.
For Hudson’s first Christmas, we made him a beautiful family album (that he still loves looking at), but we also printed out some 4x6s and put them in a flip book for his stroller. Last month, he started taking those printed photos out and and flipping them upside down; he’d try and remember which photo was where and then put them back in, in order.
So when I saw that Pinhole Press now offers a personalized Memory Game for kids, I knew Hudson would love it! My initial plan was to wait for Christmas, but I was too excited when it arrived. We used family photos but also included lots of his best friends. All the images look so pretty on the extra-thick card stock! Keep Reading >
