Magpie

Cookie? You need any help hiding the ovaltine? Just drop it my way.... I'll make sure it stays NICE and safe. (And here I thought I was the only one who still drank the stuff!)

Hmmm, only one not mentioned is one several of my friends have done (and one I hope to get around to) use it to make a duct tape sewing dummy to your exact measurements. The girls that have these swear by them and I'm pretty much sold. 'Course, they do look a bit creepy standing in the corner of the room. Any other uses? Well.... don't tell mom but I once duct taped my big brother to the bottom of a table for an hour and a half. (He had thrown away half of my books and told everyone I was still sleeping with my blankie. To this day I still feel rather justified!)

One thing I want to be sure gets mentioned (so, hey... here I am mentioning it) is a real saftey precaution. While our pioneer foremothers might have strode the plains in long skirts and dresses, with layers of pettycoats swishing at their feet... this doesn't mean YOU should. That pretty little Laura Ingalls dress was one of the reasons that thru history one of the leading causes of injury AND death was burns caused from leaning over a fire to cook the daily meal. So. Take a few seconds to pull back any long hair into a pony tail or bun, or even tie it up in a nifty bandana. Make sure you aren't wearing anything too loose and flowey that could catch fire (or even just hold smoke that could make it hard to see and breathe. Trust me, as a person who does the whole living history thing... streaming eyes and hacking coughs lead to burns, dropped pans, and gasping breaths. Leave the heavy & heaving breaths for after the meal... you know, when all that wonderful cooking is done, a few well placed gasps could get someone ELSE washing the dishes!) While cooking in a dress is possible - heck, several times a year I'm in a corset or stays, along with several layers of cotton or wool while cooking for a few dozen hearty eaters - take time to make sure things are all gathered and away from the fire. Keep a clean wet towel nearby to wipe your face if you get smoke in your eyes. If you MUST cook in skirts, make sure you have a tightly fitting apron that reaches at least to your knees to keep everything gathered and in place. Just be careful... okay? I don't mean to make cooking over a fire seem like a death riddled proceedure, it is in fact my favorite way to cook. But it IS a skill that takes a little time to master and you don't want to devote all your attention to the food in the pan and neglect to notice the embers smoldering in your lap, on your foot, or settling gracefully in your hair. (Trust me on this. All that happens with the latter is some well meaning and paniced love one dumps several gallons worth of icky stream water over you... ruining your hair, clothes, and the dinner you have been laboring so lovingly over. And... the smell of burning hair has never been an appetite whetter!)