Rain, Rain, Go Away

After a rainy Sunday, we're facing a rainy Monday, but that's no reason to be dreary. Here are some ideas for what to do when it’s damp outside, courtesy of www.realsimple.com.

1. Mix one-half cup of soap, one tablespoon of sugar or honey and one egg white. Shake. Add to steamy hot water. Soak. (Check out for a variety of gels, lotions, exfoliants and perfumes).

2. Consider all the flavors that make up the best dishes you’ve ever tasted. Then, hunt down all the family recipes that make them up. Print. Cut. Paste. Decorate. (Soon Busboys and Poets will have an Art Under Pressure store where you can find some supplies for a project like this. In the mean time head to Michael’s in Laurel or Jo-Ann Fabric’s in Greenbelt for all your crafting needs).

3. Have you ever been on a long car ride, nearly unwound by the monotony of the open road? It’s usually around that time you start coming up with really ingenious games—Would you rather? What’s your favorite? How many license plates?—to get your mind off the boredom. Who says you can’t play those same games at home? (Stop by Franklin’s General Store for some travel size games to keep in the TV cabinet or in an end table drawer).

4. There’s something about being high and dry when it’s sopping outside that just goes really well with warm chocolate cookies. What better time to bake some up? (Of course, you can head to Giant or Safeway for the batter fixings, but it’s summer and if you’re hoping for a cooler treat, Cold Stone Creamery in College Park has chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches too!)

5. A rainy day is just as good as any day to practice teatime etiquette. Roll out the special tablecloth, set out your good china and boil a couple pitchers of water. Put out the spread of tea bags, sugar cubes and cream (or almond milk for a lighter drink). (Why not stop by  for some spices and teas?)