SAVE THE WHALES ~ The care and naming of your bathtub whale ~ and an appeal to the President from "MY BOY THURSDAY"

I am the proud mother of two delightful, exuberant, creative little girls. As the oldest child and only girl in a family of four, this was everything I ever wished for growing up. Now that our youngest is five ("graduating" preschool tomorrow as a matter of fact) my husband and I are happy to have diapers, 3 a.m. feedings, and bulky baby accessories behind us. We've decided that "we're done." Every once in a while though, especially when I hold a baby, I get that little pang of doubt. And every so often I think about the fact that my husband's family name stops here, since we have no sons. Then a friend's toddler throws the tantrum of the century in a quiet store where we're browsing, and I thank heaven the terrible twos, threes and fours are in my past! Today my 8-year old daughter's friend offered to carry my groceries into the house. Yes, I'm enjoying this older kid thing!

For the past several weeks, I've had the pleasure of having what I've jokingly called a Rent-A-son (although I haven't actually paid for the privilege). A dear friend was called out of town for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I was asked if I could help out by watching her son Willem, my daughter's good buddy and cohort in all matters of mischief and mayhem. It has been a complete and utter delight. I've reaped the benefit of having a steady play date for my daughter every Thursday, and the patter of little man feet around my house without having to worry myself about another college tuition. The little rapscallions have played an ongoing make-believe game of "mummy hunter", made homemade bread with great finesse, molded big chocolate Easter eggs that would garner compliments from the Easter Bunny himself, "got married", "broke up", and picked out matching seersucker suits for preschool graduation.

Today, Willem's parents sent me a clip from a wonderful video from Marine Mammal Conservation Through The Arts featuring, yes, you guessed it, Master Willem himself. An absolute charmer as always, Willem really sends the message home about the importance of saving the whales.

It's just over two minutes. Take a moment and enjoy...

If you're inspired to take action:

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) plans to vote to suspend the 25-year ban on Commercial Whaling.

There's still time to make a difference.

I encourage you to go to the NRDC's Petition Site to urge President Obama to keep his campaign promise of strengthening the global ban on commercial whaling.

Please spread the word!

CREAMED LIFE IN A BASKET CASE ~ OR, THE WOES OF THE MODERN MAMA

(to view a full-screen version and take in all kitchy

character of this period piece, click HERE)

ARE YOU FEELING A DRASTIC TIP IN THE SCALES IN YOUR LIFE'S BALANCING ACT?

IT SEEMS, THIS MONTH, THAT EVERYONE IS BUSIER AND MORE OVER COMMITTED THAN EVER.

And yet, while dusting off some old cookbooks in my collection this week, I came across this section of "The Modern Hostess Cook Book for this Season" from 1939, and was startled with the realization that my plight is nothing new. Our grandmothers struggled with the same trials in having to finesse more than 24 hours of work into a 16 hour day, 7 days a week! The challenge of finding new ways to be more efficient with our time is not merely a symptom of our modern cyber age!

In 1939, one way that modern women found a solution to their balancing act was to use prepared and prepackaged foods. A marvel! A boon! "Hallelujah, it's Creamed Beef in a Bread Case! Now, we find ourselves swept up (thank heavens) in a movement towards unprocessed, artisinally, organically, and humanely raised foods. With this shift in the national consciousness, I wonder, "What's the new trend? The new trick for saving time and making it all run smoothly?" What is your new "Quick and Easy" approach to help you get through each day, and is it a success? I look forward to the discussion and hearing your "recipe" for a happy family, balanced life, and happy you!

To my friends, my readers ~ as many of you have noticed (thank you!), I've been on hiatus since around mid-April. For better or worse, my life outside the cybersphere has gotten wildly busy ~ my two part-time jobs have ramped-up significantly, as have my volunteer committments, compounded by all the year-end activities and festivities at my daughters' schools. To boot, I've started the process of going back to school to earn my teaching credential.

To this, Miss Housewife 1939 says, "Cry me a river, baby. You're singing an old tune." I know, I know. But, I'm not here to whine (honestly), merely to give an update on what's been going on and to give a forecast of what's to come.
Despite my absence from Rook No. 17 I have been able to incorporate some creative endeavors and inventions into my day-to-day duties. As a result, I've been taking pictures and making notes for dozens of articles I plan to feature over the summer months. Please stay tuned for:

1) A shortcut to the cutest darn little party cakes ever!

2) A fabulous and easy "Martini" themed party that will have all your friends talking.

3) Recipes for Snickerdoodle Pancakes and homemade Cinnamon Bread that will leave your house smelling like a bakery for days.

4) Easy Entertaining with Trader Joes ~ A week-long feature of easy and original gourmet recipes that will help you go from zero to cocktail party or potluck ready in only minutes.

5) An incredible Fathers' Day giveaway for a DiaperDudes diaper bag.

6) Baby Shower mini-cakes that will steal the show

AND much, much, more...