Thanksgiving comes once a year. Too bad there is always such a mess that's created during the furious preparation for that quintessential "eating" holiday. All that cooking and baking takes plenty of measuring cups, bowls, the Cuisinart and other items. The good news is all the deliciousness that comes out of that mess.
Truth is cooking always means cleaning. Good cooks clean as much as possible as they move from one step of preparing a meal to the next. The results are the cooking area is less cluttered, prep goes quicker, and the final cleanup is less grueling. Or if you are lucky to live in a multi-person household, perhaps "kitchen rules" work in your favor? If you cook, you don't have to clean. I love that one. Unfortunately, it doesn't always hold up.

Dr. Carol Christ is the president of Smith College. Smith College, located in Northampton, Massachusetts, is a liberal arts college and one of the Seven Sisters colleges.
Dr. Christ has her B.A. from Douglas College and her Ph.D from Yale University. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_T._Christ
Living in a plastic world
with a plastic dream
Where nothing is as it seems
~ Plastic, Diana Upton-Hill
If you live in Southeast Iowa, you're a fan of musical theatre, and you've been to a few shows in the past couple years, chances are you're already familiar with the talents of Diana Upton-Hill. Her newest album, Sparkle, is a chance to introduce the world to another of her skills - songwriting.
Like a multi-faceted gem, Sparkle showcases several sides of a dynamic and passionate performer. Flowing from high-energy pop to moody, gothic rock, the album evokes powerhouse voices such as Evanescence, Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne by turn. Read more at Lyrical Venus.