Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Thoroughly Domestic

April 303 If we were meeting for coffee this morning I’d tell you that I was thoroughly domestic yesterday. I baked artisan bread from scratch. It was seriously good. This is the second time I’ve made it and I’m already starting to veer away from the actual recipe and make it my own. The boys loved it and even Mr. Dunbar commented that it was good this time. April 087 My mom used to purchase homemade bread from a lady when I was young and it was so good. I am even using the bread hook thing-a-mabob on my mixer. The mixer that has been sitting on my counter for over seven years. The mixer that Mr. Dunbar has said time and time again is a waste of space. I just kept telling him we would “grow into it.” And alas, we have arrived! We are a family of five now you know. I’ve used that thing four times in the past seven days. It was a wedding shower gift from my parents and it has been used more in the past week than the previous three years combined. ha. April 298

Then I stayed up late (well late for us) and sewed missing buttons back onto some my husband’s shirts. Mom came over yesterday morning to take the boys to school for me and then she showed me how to do it on one of the shirts. I had asked the dry cleaners how much they charge and they wanted $5 a shirt to fix the buttons- it was one button per shirt.  I did three buttons. That’s $15 bucks I just saved or in other terms; two trips to Starbucks for the boys and I or a shirt from Target or a couple bottles of wine or, burgers from our favorite hamburger place.

Mr. Dunbar went to work on Sunday night on a sort of emergency call. There was a situation that he felt he had to be present to handle. We texted a few times back and forth after he left and one of his messages said, “Thanks for picking up my slack.” After thinking about this for a few minutes I wanted to tell him, Slack?  What slack? Slack is not being the sole provider for a family of five. Slack is not being a great department Director who is the kind of boss that doesn’t expect any of his employees to do something he wouldn’t do himself. Slack is not demonstrating for your sons a work ethic that shows when a job needs to get done, you do it. Slack is not hugging each of them and telling them you love them and that you’re proud of them before you walk out the door. Slackers don’t do those things, Hero Husbands/Dads do!~ (Love you, Mr. Dunbar.)

April 116March 512 

Well now that I’ve already had my coffee for the day and I saved my family $15 I think I’m off to Target to get myself something.

Have a great day.

~mrs. dunbar

14 comments:

Lori said...

isn't it fun when you realize that you can make things from scratch that cost less than buying it from the store... AND it's better for you? That's part of the reason I do Tasty Tuesday

Simply...Me said...

Awww so sweet! Isnt it amazing how much "slack" or as I like to think of it as "jobs" we take on when they work sooooo much. Hey we gotta do what we gotta do! And as for the cleaners, rip off everytime, 8 bucks for a hem....u gotta be kidding me.

Unknown said...

I don't think I have ever taken anything to the cleaners....luckily my hubby (who works in IT) can wear jeans and t-shirts to work every day....I saw him in a suit at our wedding, at our sweet Ireland's funeral, and at our March of Dimes dinner. He looked amazing all three times! :)

I love your blog! Just so you know!
Jess

Janna said...

I need a day to be domestic. I'm thinking of using my free time tomorrow to do just that.

Alisa said...

I was nearly domestic yesterday. I cleaned and cooked most of the day and the house actually looked semi good when my hubby came home. I didn't bake bread though....maybe I should do that tomorrow. I love fresh artisan bread :) Way to go on the buttons. I hope you found a fun way to spend that $15 at Target!

BTW~ love your header!

Anonymous said...

I'd love that bread recipe! Good job on saving $15...you deserve that trip to target, and thank God for Hero husbands who show humility by actually thinking they're slackers!

{cindy} said...

Kind of domestic...i clean the bread hook thingamabob after my hubby makes bread!!:)
Oh, but I did do laundry, vac, and clean the bathrooms today..does that count??:) I love a good domestic day...it is good for the soul and grounds us doesn't it!?
And the part about your hubby is oh so sweet, he is quite a catch!
Have a happy night

Mrs. C... said...

1.) Love the bread, and any time you want to come over and see me at work, you are MORE than welcome. I can even take the boys to the playground! :)

2.) Breadmaking for me is a stress relief. Funny I know, but it is what it is. Even if it is the Beer Bread that Dunbars love so much.

3.) Mr. Dunbar ROCKS!!! He has always had my respect for his work ethic, and balance, and he continues to have it. Please tell him so. My only complaint is our crazy lives and I haven't had the chance to tell him in person.

4.) Way to go on the buttons. My Mom made sure that was at least one thing I knew how to do and how to do it well. I used to get paid in high school for such a tallent for my Dad's shirts. :)

5.) Love you tremendously, and miss you even more. Mwah, and I promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel (okay, maybe I am giving myself a bit of a pep talk as well here). Let's chat soon!

Jade @ Tasting Grace said...

Aww, I love how much love is in that last paragraph right there! (Minus the adieu.)

Megan said...

5 bucks??!! Holy cow! I agree, that's good money! And good for you for making bread. I have always wanted to try it, but don't have a stand mixer and am convinced I am not that talented. You will have to post your recipe.

You are a sweet wife, by the way. Our guys do a lot don't they?

Nancy said...

Awesome job on the bread.. isn't it fun ? i made the pioneer woman's cinnamon bread a few weeks ago. oh my. love. xoxo

Simply...Me said...

btw I would love the recipe for the bread.

Genn said...

My Mom always made homemade bread and it is the best. I need to learn how to do it. I also need to learn how to sew a button, or a hole in my pillow, or any of those silly little things that I have always just asked my mommy to fix for me. ;)

Jensamom23 said...

The Artisan Bread taught me that I can bake, too! What a great wife to recognize those wonderful attributes in you husband! What did you get at Target!