Light Refreshments Served

I am just as worried about this recession as you are, but I like to look on the bright side so I am really looking forward to getting better service. Now that everyone is trying so hard to stay in business I think clerks and salespeople will probably have to be really nice to me. This is what I hope, at least. I realize now that so much of what I remember about growing up in the 70s had a lot to do with the fact that we were in a recession then. Back then we wrapped our presents with grocery sacks and yarn AND WE LIKED IT! Real Simple recently suggested yarn as an adornment for gifts. Remember yarn? I wonder what it is about hard times that makes yarn seem so feasible. It is inexpensive and, I suppose, in frugal homespun times one might have more of it on hand than frivolous wrapping ribbon. Seriously, I don’t remember having ribbon around our house until the late 80s. At the time I might have thought it was a matter of taste. Now I realize it probably had more to do with Ronald Reagan.

I am also predicting that food storage goes back to being cheap and ugly (like it was in the 70s). In the past few years food storage has become so glamorous and commercial with products like Shelf Reliance and big cans of dried taco meat that look like they were designed by Target. My mom once taught the women in our ward to make fudge from beans. That’s right–fudge from beans. It’s not pretty. She not only dehydrated food, she made her own dehydrator from screen material, vinyl, and a hanger. Food storage was kept in bottles and unlabeled cans in dark pantries on particle board and two-by-fours. And so it shall be again.

My kids beg to break into the stored Power Ade and emergency hard candy. But my sisters and I dreaded the day we would have to drink powdered milk or rinse the dregs of bottled grape juice out of a jar–which we would use for a cup because, you know–it’s an emergency. I grew up with a healthy fear of food storage and I believe I am much more fiscally responsible for it.

I believe that as the economy goes down the ugliness of Enrichment projects will go up exponentially. Just you wait–there will be no painted wooden “Bs” plaque this year. You’ll be making rocking chairs out of PVC pipe–and you’ll love it!

One thing I can’t figure out about the 70s is how we never, ever turned our heat down. Now I am always conscious of the thermostat and always colder than I would like. I used to crank it to 80 when I got home from school and no one ever said anything. We also had a wood-burning stove to mitigate the natural gas–but you can’t lay on a wood-burning stove like you can lay on a vent.

And finally, have you been paying attention to the businesses that are thriving in this depressed market? Walmart! I guess we’ll all have to head back there with our reusable grocery bags between our legs. I also heard that The Dollar Store is doing well. I’m not sure I like what that says about us as a people, but I’m happy for The Dollar Store. And have you seen that K-Mart now sells cashmere sweaters? K-Mart is telling us that if we want a cashmere sweater, we have to swallow our pride and buy it at K-Mart. It’s about time, don’t you think? Candy companies are also projected to do well in spite of a bad economy. This explains my nostalgic revering and hoarding of candy as a kid. I guess when money is tight and no one can afford the mani/pedis, we still like to treat ourselves to some candy. And believe me, it IS a treat. To candy!

My best friend in high school was a Beckie. But now that she’s all grown up she goes by Rebecca. She won’t change back. It’s very difficult for me.

We also have many friends and readers here at LRS named Rebecca. Or Bek. Or Beckie. So I’ve been wondering… If your name was or IS Rebecca (or Rebekah), what would you go by? As always, leave a comment if you’re a bigger thinker (or speller) than this small poll can contain, so others can enjoy your creativity.

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I think we can all agree that the cauliflower bait and switch is annoying. But what kind of cheese do you like in your salad? You can choose more than one if you must.

A great chance for all you hard-core foodies to tell the world about delicious but obscure cheese in the comments. Click “Other” and tell me what to experiment with for lunch.

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Kristy, Kacy: you bring up an interesting question. I’m curious how many of our READERS consider themselves Readers with a capital R. And how many of you are just readers. Be honest. No one from your book club is going to know if you don’t really read the book and just go for the delicious spinach dip.

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I’m going out on a limb and guessing that we don’t have any illiterate guests here at Light Refreshments. If you are, leave a note in the comments and we’ll get you the help you need.

Kristy’s post has me thinking about food storage. It’s another topic which stirs up a lot of feelings and opinions. What is yours? Choose one and please leave a comment if your food storage style hasn’t been covered.

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(The one on the top right is Fantomah, by the way)

Kacy’s post got me thinking about a favorite childhood pastime: choosing a superheroine for make believe purposes. So I went over to Wikipedia (an unimpeachable source, wink, wink) to peruse a list of some kind. I think that was a mistake: I’m still a little bit dizzy, and mulling unresolved feminist and post-feminist issues.  Just for fun, gut response, vote for the superheroine you would be if your current lifestyle were only a secret identity. Don’t worry about what you’d tell your next door neighbor or what you’d say in a job interview, vote so the 10-year-old inside of you will be thrilled!

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I only listed women who were solo at some point (sorry, Invisible Girl from Fantastic Four) and have uniforms that aren’t utterly pornographic.  And, look, I’m not a comic book aficionado, so please, don’t hold me responsible for the serious details, alright?

I’ve been reading through the comments on our Free Stuff giveaway, and I’m getting quite concerned about the state of our anniversary celebrations. Lots of comments mention NEVER going on vacations or dates (or honeymoons!) with their spouse and lots of our friends have anniversaries coming up but NO plans to celebrate. My anniversary celebrations, admittedly, are usually on the meager side. But we are vigilant about dates: at least three times a month. I digress…

I want to quantify this phenomenon! Click the description below that best describes you. Choose up to two, if you must.

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And then, if you have any good anniversary celebration ideas (low cost and low time commitment are best, I think), please share in a comment below. Apparently we all need them!

My mom talks to everyone. I think it has something to do with Utah County: she lives there and it is sort of required. I do not. I like to be anonymous, if possible. I avoid the bank teller (ATM, please), I love the self check-out line, and I prefer to find out if the store closes at 6 by checking their website instead of talking to an actual person. What kind of person are you?

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I was, frankly, surprised at the Oreo-bashing that took place during our cookie groupthink, because Oreo’s have always been a sentimental favorite at my house. So, I need to know more about your Oreo preferences: please vote on the poll below. Up to two answers.

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I love (and relate to) Emily’s scouting post. Scouting tends to bring out strong opinions. Tell us what you think. Really.

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Rachel Says: Per Christian’s concern and for clarification for all: you can choose up to three answers on this poll. Because there’s a lot of ambiguity out there and I want you to be able to express yourself every possible way on our poll.