I think the real problem here is that whoever conceived of this spread in the first place is inexplicably romanticizing Antebellum (rich, white) women when there is literally no reason to— there is nothing in these clothes that even remotely hints at Antebellum fashions. It's a baffling non sequitur.

I agree with you. I think that those who educate us about these places need to do a better job of putting them in context, but that shouldn't stop us from studying them, or even appreciating their aesthetics. Reading your comment somehow reminded me of how physically sick I felt watching video of the Taliban…

I'm picturing Elaine writing for the J. Peterman catalogue.

We can, but this spread was like the opposite of this. They're romanticizing some gauzy version of the "Antebellum South", while showing absolutely no influence on the fashions they're showcasing.

My liberal, Charlestonian mom called the Civil War the "War of Northern Aggression". Um, ok, mom. She also sometimes called it the "Late Unpleasantness", which I found kind of tragically hilarious, like calling the Black Plague a public health crisis or something.

Oh my God, I loved that book so much.

For what it's worth, if my human baby had been stuck in that bowl, and acted as adorably as that, I probably would have filmed him before getting him out.

Thanks for the info. Allow me to show my appreciation by sharing this amazing tempeh "bacon" recipe: http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/2012/09/pigles…

My two favorite uses for coconut oil are popcorn and homemade Magic Shell. (Remember that stuff?) You use just the oil (a mild tasting one works best unless you want to add coconut flavor to you ice cream) and your favorite chocolate, and it is amazing.

I've just added this to my Amazon wish list! Thanks!

I use a melon baller. I never use it on melons, but it's great for digging out apple cores, especially if you want to leave the bottom intact for baked stuffed apples.

I love my Whirley Pop.

This whole post is making me so happy. I have $150 W-S gift card to use up, and I am loving some of these ideas.

My sister-in-law used to use hers almost daily, but she lived in Hawaii, so there's that.

I have a hand-held slicer which I use about 5 times a week. Also a fancy French stand one that I use a couple times a year because it is such a pain in the ass to set up.

Waffle grilled cheese is phenomenal, but only if yours is nonstick. Melted cheese is tenacious.

It also weighs a ton. I got one as a shower gift (thanks mom! Sadly, it has outlived her by 14 years), but I didn't use it often until I had a place to store it on the counter.

Ok, but can you get a bacon attachment? Because if not, no sale.

What the hell is that? It looks like what Homer was looking for when he walked into Mr. Burns' kitchen and said, "One of these must be a breakfast maker."

Agreed. I belong to a CSA, and if you really want grit-free, bug-free salad (which I do), there is no quick rinse solution. I use my two biggest bowls (the first just to get the dirt off, the second to swish off any tenacious critters), and then a quick rinse in the spinner basket. After they're nice and dry, I…