high school lunch on the table

While my mother has an extraordinary skill for articulating all-about-tables for dinner parties, navigation of lunch tables is my particular ability . . . and my anxiety too.

My high school lunch experience was acutely atypical. To start, we called it "The Dining Room" not the cafeteria. For the three and a half years that I attended my institution of secondary education, I had assigned seating every day. We were arranged around round tables set with real plates, cups, and silverware (well, the fork at least), and a white linen tablecloth. One member of the table was the assigned "server" who had to go get a tray of food from the kitchen to be consumed family style. I, of course, was practically always server, a sick joke by my Dean of Students who knew I was characteristically clumsy.

As much as being assigned a seat in high school was a pain (I thought I was done with that nonsense after the 6th grade), it really did prepare me for life in a lot of ways. The administration put a lot of thought into it. Mixing up class years, every table had either a senior or a teacher to get inter-generational dialogues going. My favorite assignment rotation was when the tables were broken up based on first name. At my table there were 4 Lindsays, 1 Leslie, 1 Lisa, and a Louise. While interactions could often be confusing ("Lindsay! No, the other Lindsay . . . No, the other Lindsay . . ."), it was a remarkable ice breaker.

At lunch time, no homework was allowed and social interaction was required. Skipping was a punishable offense. Even though at times I really needed to study (or sleep), in hindsight, it was a nice break from the "daily grind." (On this point my father would disagree--He called my school "The Country Club.") Even if you didn't feel like talking, which would have been awkward, students were forced to engage with their peers. Specifically, one had to participate in the debate over "nose goes" or "you kill it, you fill it," a ritual in which you decide who is responsible for refilling the food. At the end of the meal, you had to work collectively to clear everything and reset the table, cloth and all. It was often a misguided race. Try that at your next dinner party!

Where does the anxiety part come in? Well, the day of assignment rotation, we always held our breaths to make sure "that weird kid" or "that mean teacher" were not at our table (place-card switching doesn't work in this case, mother). But in the end, no matter who I ended up eating with, I always learned something new about someone new, finding common ground on a surprising number of subjects and issues. So embrace the unknown. It might taste good.

pantries past and present

topic number ten: bag the bags

Few know that it was my ongoing battle with the use of plastic bags or as some say, baggies, that inspired the organization of my kitchen pantry. Certainly everyone has an item (or two) which constantly proves annoying. But I must say, the dislike and hostility I feel for these little plastic pouches started long before "green" groups campaigned for recycling, long before the reusable grocery sack and long before some of you were on two feet. I have to ask myself where did this severe reaction to zip-lock come from? Perhaps, it was because I could never find a way to bring the bag's lack of aesthetics into my realm of every day living. Have you ever tried to keep plastic bags filled with cookies, croutons and mixed nuts neatly aligned on one shelf?

Do understand that I begrudgingly use plastic bags on occasion, but I draw the line with plastic flowers and decorative plastic fruit. Without going too far out on a tangent, these two particularly bizarre creations quickly catapult me over the edge. I put them on the "not nor ever missed" list next to mosquitoes. With this said, there are many life altering plastic inventions worthy of every one's support, i.e. heart valves. So, I do not hold plastic itself in contempt.

I do know that my aversion to the plastic bag was accelerated by the fact that no one I know, at least in my household, ever seals the bag completely. Thus, after several bouts with ants and other even less desirable insects coupled by reaching for a bag of newly opened chips gone stale, I knew something had to be done. This truly was a pivotal moment, both aesthetic form and function were at stake!

My kitchen pantry is now filled with glass containers for all that must be contained. There are no longer opened cereal boxes waiting for weevils, no longer assorted cracked crackers in baggies, and no more paper sacks of flour powdering the shelf. I purchased various sizes of canning jars equipped with great sealing abilities. Large jars can be used for cereal and quantities of chips. Medium sized jars are good for snacks of all sorts. And small jars are great for anything from packages of substitute sugars to wasabi peas. Please know that these jars are not only easy to use, but the experience of this organization will bring delight each and every time you open your kitchen pantry door. Shelves stay clean, with the contents of each jar remaining fresh and the overall quality of your kitchen experience enhanced.

I applaud my cousin Steve who took pantry organization one step further. He created a great template for the top of each pantry jar to identify its contents. Do not underestimate the importance of this deed--especially as in Steve's case, with confectioners' sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla sugar, cake flour and pastry flour all shelved side by side. This was an intervention.

Here are a couple of additional notes-for pantry ingredients which may require special preparation instructions, attach the information on the underside of the container lid. Also, my assortment of canning jars from the Container Store were originally purchased with orange rubber seals. But if you look further, you will find that the store carries packages of white replacement seals. This, of course, made my day! And I hope that these tips might make yours too.

p.s.-daughter Lindsay is away at an intercollegiate horse show, but will be back again posting shortly.

happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, all! My mom is taking this week off, so I am filling in for her. In honor of the holiday, I will be relating a Halloween story.


In the seventh grade, my mother helped throw a murder mystery sleepover for Halloween. In true Perri form, the evening was authentic down to the minutest detail. We sent out invitations to each of my friends, planned out a sensational menu, and assembled an excellent supply of spooky decor (but not too scary, of course). My mother has several great Halloween party tricks (and treats of course!) that we utilized for this particular occasion. As we were a rambunctious group, we prepared accordingly by covering the light suede couches with white sheets. It was thematic, but also perfectly practical.


Another classic Halloween trick involves the senses: blindfold your friend and stick their hands in "brains" and "eyes," better known as cold spaghetti and grapes. My mother took it a step further by involving sight. Placing olives in hollowed out martini onions, my mother creates ghoulish "eyes" you could also eat.


While the above are functional and funny suggestions, some tips are purely aesthetic, but also essential. With the purchase of a fog machine and cobwebs, our entry was transformed into a creepy portal into All Hallow's Eve. The table was covered with a Halloween table cloth and adorned with food and festive pumpkins. While large pumpkins have novelty value, small pumpkins, the size of your palm, can be surprising and heartwarming touches of the holiday when set in unexpected places.


Now all of these details may leave you wanting more. Isn't Halloween about being scared out of your mind and passing out after eating too much candy? Well, I will have you know we were picking candy out of the carpet for days. And when it came to being ridiculously scared (and scarred), that is where my father came in. As we slumbered, my father drove an electric toy rat into our bedroom. They could hear the screaming down the street.

eve of all saints, sweetened

topic number nine: pre-Halloween tricks for treats

Halloween, the eve of all saints day, is a holiday celebrated by many. The evening is often measured by festive parties, door-to-door trick or treating, costumes and home decorations which have endured and evolved through years of October 31sts. Many of us often share memories of a special costume worn, a savory candy treat or a great evening party or two. I can still envision and feel the excitement of the night, the crisp smell of the fall air, the sounds from a neighbor's haunted house, candlelit porches and the taste of pumpkin pie.

And then remember...the candy inspection.

Yes, a more recent, seldom publicized Halloween tradition of sorting out the good from the bad. It used to be disguised as trading treasures with parents upon returning home from the night's adventure with a stockpile of sweets. As kids, many of us thought our parents just liked unwrapped candy or candy with an easy open twist wrap. Little did we know that there were some "bad" treat givers out there. Those tricksters! And some of us actually believed our parents when they requested a few of our premium candy captures like Reese's peanut butter cups or Abba Zabba bars to save for "later". Where do you think they went? Regardless, there was definitely enough candy aka sugar for everyone on the inspection team and more.

Then much later in life, with a trick or treating daughter of my own, I began thinking about the excess of premium candy bars and about the ton of traditional candies immediately disposed of due to indiscriminate wrappers. I also could not stop thinking about the one treat I received as a kid that will be forever remembered. It was a single warm donut. No wrapper, no cover and we were allowed to eat it! It came from our neighbor down the street who owned a bakery. I guess this particular item stands out not only because of its extraordinary confectionery appeal, but because it was different. And I like different.

Thus comes my own custom assortment of Halloween treats with the thought of quality over quantity:

Boxes of Cracker Jacks

Individual portion packages of Pepperidge Farm Milano or Nabisco Oreo creme filled cookies

Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats

Violet Crumble bars

Boxes of Red Vine licorice

and of course,

Reese's peanut butter cups

I hope this will inspire you this coming week to think out of the box, or jack-o-lantern so to speak!

glow sticks

I think it is funny that my mother speaks of this "candy inspection." Most of MY Halloween candy ended up being eaten by my mother, my father, and occasionally our dog, (2 GIANT chocolate bars and she survived). In their defense, I don't really like candy so most of the transfer was voluntary (not for the dog).

Here is my take on my mom's Halloween treats: genius. I've never had the privilege of receiving something as excellent as a donut while trick-or-treating due to certain "poison hazards," but Cracker Jacks are a wonderful alternative. There is a certain moment in the post-October candy coma where such snacks are not only welcomed but actually needed to balance out the sticky, highly concentrated sugar of Bottle Caps and Hershey's and Snickers. Not to say that these products are any less bad for you--but they last a bit longer. In addition, something as voluminous as a six-pack of Oreo's has a lot of pull once the candy trading festivities begin.

There is the argument that the treats are all bad, especially with epidemics of diet-related diseases among the youth these days. Even though I have my weaknesses, in a perfect world, I wouldn't eat anything packaged, processed, or pre-cooked ("fake food"). For those of you who feel similarly, consider this: glow sticks. when you are an 8-year old ghost/doctor/monster/Harry Potter, the only thing better than candy is a magical stick or bracelet to light your way and enhance your dress(this also applies to 19-year-old college students). Glow sticks also make the little ones more visible to the grown ups (and the college friends who "wander" more visible to their "mothers").

oh happy day!

topic number eight: solution resolution

It started with a peaceful afternoon on our backyard deck. As my husband, cousin and I shared a bottle of wine underneath a canopy of oak trees, we were wickedly raided by yellow jackets. Fortunately, at my cousin's suggestion, Bounce came to the rescue! I was not only thrilled, but astonished by the immediate results--by just placing several sheets of this laundry cloth on our table, the yellow jackets removed themselves from the party posthaste. And happily, we were able to finish enjoying our bottle of Woodside Pinot Noir.

The next morning Bounce became the newest fixture on my outdoor entertaining checklist...and yes, I was also consumed with thoughts on the best way for outdoor Bounce presentation. But regardless, I have to say how simple the Bounce solution was--no bait traps, no sprays and all that goes with that. It made me think about other household items that we use for purposes other than how they are intended. So I hope that after sharing a few with you, you will share even more with me. But no "wives tales" please. Results matter!

Here are a few of my favorites:

When out of Restoration Hardware "vacuum bbs", laundry dryer cloths can be placed inside the vacuum bag. This is a great way to keep carpets and rugs smelling fresh.

In a pinch, when diffusers, candles or bathroom sprays are unavailable, a bar of fragrant soap will do. Put the soap in a small jar and place it behind the commode. It is a quick, temporary and inexpensive fix for unexpected situations.

When wooden furniture is scratched or chipped and there is no time to purchase furniture repair markers at the hardware store, use Sharpie markers instead. I prefer the fine point tip over the thick. Caution though-use sparingly by layering small amounts of ink at a time, Sharpies are permanent.

Toothpaste works well on water marked wood furniture. Take a small amount of toothpaste on a damp cotton cloth and buff the area in question. Then remove the excess paste, clean and re-oil or wax. Point of reference: Arm & Hammer Dental Care, Tom's of Maine Sensitive or Colgate Regular are less abrasive than most other brands.

No spackle left? For a quick wall nail hole repair-use tissue and toothpaste. Mix a very small amount of the two, fill the hole and paint.

After rotating an opened box of baking soda out of the refrigerator (I use baking soda in the freezer too-great for removing odors), empty its contents into the sink. Every little bit helps. Also, a small amount of Seventh Generation non-chlorine bleach for clothes can be used to freshen your kitchen and bathroom drains.

Now, if there was only an easy remedy for my affliction...on second thought, never mind...duct tape will need topic time of its own!

quick fixes

I love my mom's quick fixes. I wish she could fix the fact that I'm in the middle of exams. On that note, talk to you all next week!

towel off!

topic number seven: towels for the taking

I have always wondered exactly who decided on the size of bathroom towels. From guest towels and hand towels to bath towels and bath sheets, these categories seem pretty self explanatory. However, for me, they are a bit misconceived.

I don't know about you, but why buy bath towels for your body when they are only big enough to wrap around your head? Let's call bath towels what they really are! Thus, I have stopped stocking up on head towels and have bought big beautiful bath sheets instead.

Several years ago, cousin Joey introduced me to Williams-Sonoma Home's bath sheets-800 gram/100% Turkish cotton towels. These large towels are thick, highly absorbent and are very durable. I then discovered Waterworks' bath sheets during my stay with cousins Don and Steve. These towels are wonderful too, known for their excellence and luxurious feel.

Whether Turkish or Egyptian cotton, it is the percentage of content as well as the length of the cotton staple (fiber) that factor into a towel's quality. It is well worth the investment- both in time and money to find the ideal bath mate.

I also find that hand towels are too big for hands and too little for hair. So I think they should be renamed facial towels instead. And as for traditional guest towels...don't you think there is a disconnect drying one's hands on decorative embossing and fringe?

Here is a riddle: there are two guest towels in the powder room and you are 1 of 12 guests which will need to use them. Which part of which towel is yours to use? And how many different types of germs can be spread from guest 1 to guest 12? I hate riddles as I could never figure them out. Instead, I prefer washcloths or cloth-like paper towels, stocking the powder room with one to two dozen cloths at a time.

So before bringing home yet another towel "set" (aka washcloth, facial and head towel), you may want to re-examine your towel needs both in quality and size, tissue to toga.

cozy towels

In the discussion about towels, it really is a towel off between my mother and me. I don't like bath sheets. I just don't. I prefer smaller, more absorbent towels that fit just right . . . and can also be used for your hair.

I have had some towel horror stories in my day. I don't even know if I should bring up the Nail Polish Fiasco of '99. After spilling the ruby red nail polish all over the white bathroom tile, I proceed to clean up the pools of liquid with the freshly folded white hand towels on the counter. I don't know how my mom got through that one . . . or the red out of the grout.

The most recent towel disaster was last year when I ordered linens from school. Using a company that shall remain nameless, my mother and I selected some blue sheets, a blue comforter, and various sizes of blue towels. Apart from being very, very blue (see "invasion of the throw pillows, September), the towels did not absorb a drop. Not one. They just pushed the water all around.

Maybe I just don't like towels. Or maybe it's that I don't really like using towels. I may be a Pisces, but I am not at home in the water and I really dislike that in between place--not quite wet, not quite dry. Unpleasant.

Fortunately, my mother has a solution to fix all ills, especially for persuading small children (and 15 year olds) to take a bath. Put the towel in the drier for a few minutes before you get out. Nothing better than a cozy embrace from a pleasantly warm towel.

the case of the bookcase

topic number six: bookcases, in the eye of the beholder

With each move our family has made over the years, there comes a moment in time when our bookcase is ready to be set up. This is the time when my husband heads off to the office immediately and my daughter takes a trip...abroad. No, not because they do not want to help. It is because they know better. Bookcase organization in our house is a very critical period of time. My approach to this project is similar to that of an artist with a large blank canvas: passion, vision and a plan. Some artists require silence and space to work...can you guess who?

Over the years, studying and working with cases, I find that bookcase balance (aka composition) is always at issue. Larger books should be positioned on the lower shelves, smaller books above just as a landscape artist would paint wooded hillsides below blue skies, not above. If this concept makes no sense to you, honey, you may want to sit this one out.

I usually separate books by size first and then group them by theme. You will drive yourself crazy trying to alphabetize everything perfectly first. Trust me. Start with themes--gardening, travel, fiction, non-fiction, kite-flying, etc. Once you have themes grouped, you may then lightly organize alphabetically.

After groups of books are allotted to the various shelves, work one shelf at a time. A painting within a painting if you will. With each predetermined group, balance the shelf according to size and color. Here one must think out of the box and be willing to sacrifice a bright orange dust jacket or two for the overall good. But then again, that Matisse red jacket may be the needed missing link!

Restoration Hardware catalogues depicting case books covered with identical antique white jackets are so appealing. And, although many think I have a form over function kind of spirit, I too, have my limits. Especially, when it comes to my collection of art books. I like to see them and know exactly where they are.

Anyway, once each shelf is completed, step back and make a few adjustments where needed. I suggest "tweaking" a few shelves with the addition of a small group of thoughtfully selected objects. By checking visual balance from top to bottom and side to side, finding rhythms or sequences in book colors and/or top lines, placement becomes easier to determine. Think of the objects as accents, adding not distracting from what you have already created.

So, is your bookcase a bit off or uncomfortable to look at? Just let the artist within you reach out with books as palette paint and the case as canvas!

"mad props"

My mother's bookshelves are truly a work of art--museum worthy--so much so that I often feel bad amending them. Every time I get a new book, I kind of dread finding it a place on the shelf because it would be changing a Perri Original. Subsequently, books end up collecting on my bedside table along with a growing fear of what to do once the stack gets too high (three ends up being the limit at which my mother asks me to clean my room).

Currently, I am struggling to order my bookshelves at college. This year, I have copious shelving space which is unusual for a lowly sophomore. My bookshelves are vibrant and colorful, maybe a little too visually stimulating, but in my defense I have more to deal with than books. Some items include a stereo, oddly sized dishes, Oreos, an egg timer, three Frisbees, a stapler, and other various school supplies. This is a functional bookshelf, with granola bars in an arm's reach while the dictionary hangs out quietly on the top shelf.

I love it when my mother organizes my bookshelves, or anything really. I do admit sometimes we clash over functionality vs. aesthetic value. After a few days or so my tidiness tends to wane; hence, practicality is a priority when it comes to long term organization. As silly as it sounds, as I get older, I am awed by my growing appreciation for lack of clutter which once was a comfort (I kept EVERYTHING). Because of this character trait, I give my mom "Mad Props," as my generation would say, in that she always makes sense out of the messes I make.