Reading material like magazines and books can be kept in a new wastepaper basket. The corralled publications can be easily pulled up on the bed to be retrieved or put away. 

Instead of a tray, use muffin tins for serving meals in bed. The cups are perfect for holding the various courses of the meal and things won't slide around or spill. 

If the flavor the medicine is less than appealing an ice cube on the tongue will numb the taste buds and make medicating less unpleasant. 

Standard sized newspapers can be a bit much to handle when stuck in bed. Split them down the middle to make them easier to deal with. 

One of the least pleasant aspects to being incapacitated is the difficulty of bathing, and forget about washing your hair. This can be accomplished more easily by putting your subject in a plastic rain poncho. Place it on them backwards so the hood can be used as a pocket for the shampoo and conditioner. Then attach a sprayer to your kitchen or bathroom spigot and you're all set.  

As you saw in the show I let my self get a little carried away these tips to the expense of Mary Ellen's sanity. I would advise you to keep your head about you, even though the circumstances of taking care of a cranky sick person can be a bit trying at times... 

Don't forget about the the Brini Maxwell auctions and all our wonderful items at Felix Populi!

This week we're featuring a first season encore that's all about fires and fireplaces:

It's lovely to cuddle up next to a nice warm fire during the brisk winter months. This week's episode was taped at a lovely home on Fire Island with a real fireplace. If you don't have the luxury of a genuine hearth you can create a facsimile with a product called sunjel. The little cans of jel will give off a flame that looks like wood flame but doesn't give off smoke so there's no need for a flue. You can also get log and grate sets that have boxes to hold the cans of jel that create the effect of a traditional fireplace.

What's better than a hot cup of cocoa in front of the fire? Here's my recipe for hot cocoa. Here it is:

You'll need:

1/4 cup Cocoa powder

1/2 cup Sugar

Dash Salt

1/3  cup hot water

4 cups milk

1/8 cup Coconut, vanilla or orange rum

Combine the cocoa, sugar, salt and water in a sauce pan and heat until boiling, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes. Add the milk and stir until heated, but do not boil. Remove from the heat and beat with a mixer until foamy. Add the rum and serve.

This should make about 6 servings. If you're a tee totaler you can eliminate the rum and flavor the cocoa with extract instead.

Don't forget the Brini Maxwell auctions this week and come by Felix Populi for some fun Valentines Day products!