We were sitting around cooing over this adorable outfit. We already own too many as it were, but the photo was so expertly taken, and the expression on the model so radiant and in keeping with our attitude in what we do, we just had to share it. The dress is handmade and for sale on Etsy, a good place to find prim dresses and blouses for the homemaker.

We dearly missed the days when women were dressed pretty and modestly, and stayed at home to raise a family. Fortunately, paintings from the past allow us to hark back to those wistful days when women were truly women: quiet, modest, genteel, and happily acquiescent to men.

You can look at more of his paintings here at the ArtMagick Website

Clicking on the picture above will take you to the Doris’s website announcing the new album.

Among us Stepford girls, the box sets reissues of Doris Day recordings by Germany’s Bear Family are on constant rotation in our kitchens. We recommend these recordings if you want to hear superb remasters of the original. The Bear Family are noted for their meticulous attention to maintaining fidelity to the original versions.

So you can imagine how delighted we were when we found out America’s sweetheart announces she is releasing a new album. It is suppose to be available on December 7, 2011 in the U.S. You can pre-order it today. It has already been released in the UK to great success. The recordings include previously unreleased tracks, and songs that were later mastered by a famed British recording producer. You can listen AND purchase the tracks or cd here at this Amazon link. Proceeds of sales will go to the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

Many of you may not realize this, but between the original 1975 Stepford Wives movie and the 2004 remake with Nicole Kidman, there was three other Stepford movies. Though they were made-for-tv movies, this means there is a total of five Stepford films.

My sister Carolyn has been trying to sit down and jot down some observations, alongside summaries of each. We added some of our thoughts and she wrote the introduction to our collection. Therefore, without further ado, we proudly present you with The Stepford Wives Organization’s Complete Guide to the Stepford Movies. So grab a big hot cup of coffee and sit down for a five part review!

Click on the picture above, or here The Complete Guide to the Stepford Movies

Georgina, my sister Carolyn and I love this scene from one of the most memorable love stories: Claude Lelouch’s Un Homme et Une Femme (A Man and A Woman). The girl is Anouk Aimee, the sweetheart of 60s European films. And Jean-Louis Trintignant is the driver in the opening b/w scene. Pierre Barouh plays her husband in these adorable scenes of domesticity. I (Irene) consider it my favorite movie scene(s) . Just the music, the voice-overs (captioned), and the description of the ideal Husband.

The music is Brazilian Bossa Nova great Baden Powell and his Orchestra. The vocals is actually sung by the actor who plays the husband (Barouh). Enjoy!

Here in the Northeast, neighborhoods (and states all along the Eastern seaboard) are preparing to meet up with one of the largest hurricanes in 100 years. Hurricane Irene (unfortunately sharing the same namesake as myself) is due North up from the Bahamas. If you are among the parties concerned, you will have already seen the hysteria mounting at all the supermarkets. Every Stepford Wife should have a fairly well stocked pantry (not on hoarding levels, of course), so we feel it is unnecessary and unladylike to jostle with the ruffians in the supermarket for basic necessities.

The first and most important item to get sold out is always bottled water. The biggest mistake people make is to assume we only need water to hydrate. So if you bought a few cases of spring water, you would end up using it for washing your hands, face, and other emergency purposes. That thins down the supply mighty quickly. We opt for an alternative. Since I am no expert on these matters, I will let my husband take over at this point: his quotes are indented in the blockquote:

Hi Ladies! I hope everyone is prepared for the oncoming inclement weather. Along with my lovely wife Irene, I noticed a mad dash to hoard bottled water. It reminds me of the problems residents faced down in New Orleans during the Hurrican Katrina incident. Of course, the water surrounding the stranded people, at that point was tainted with nearby chemical factories, sewage, and above-ground burial remains seeping into the mix. Still, had they known basic steps to purifying water, it could have saved some lives. In most of our locations however, worst case scenario – hydration wise- is that a water main breaks, and we are without water.

It always strikes me as a bit irrational to haul all that water back from the supermarket. What happens if the storm doglegs its way out to sea? We are left with gallons of water that is not only heavy and takes up space, we are looking at months of consumption ahead.

Instead, I suggested to Irene that we get one of those simple 18 – 30 gallon plastic storage containers (with lids) that can be found at Target, Walmart, Kohl’s or any ordinary department store. Rinse out the container with mild detergent and flush with clean water. Dry.

The following are CDC recommendations for cleaning:

1. Wash the storage container with dishwashing soap and water and rinse completely with clean water.
2. Sanitize the container by adding a solution made by mixing 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach in one quart of water.
3. Cover the container and shake it well so that the sanitizing bleach solution touches all inside surfaces of the container.
4. Wait at least 30 seconds and then pour the sanitizing solution out of the container.
5. Let the empty sanitized container air-dry before use OR rinse the empty container with clean, safe water that already is available.

Then purchase a supply of water purification tablets from your local sporting / camping goods store. They range from Chlorine dioxide to iodine crystals and iodine dioxide. We use Katadyn MicroPur Purification Tablets (chlorine dioxide), but also keep an unopened fresh bottle of original liquid chlorox bleach (unscented) around for emergency purposes (see below)

Here is a typical J Terence Thomas 30 gallon container at Lowes.com

On the day before the Hurricane hits, fill the cleaned container with tap water, then cover the lid, seal with duct tape if need be, and leave it in the kitchen. Do not use a container with a dual flap opening lid. Go with one that clicks shut.

When disaster strikes and you need to drink potable water, simply draw from your supply from within the container. Drop in your water purification tablets per instructions.

The beauty of this setup is that IF the storm or hurricane passes by without incident, you simply pour out the water (use for watering plants or washing outdoor furniture, equipment, car) and set it aside for future emergency water use (do not use it to contain anything other than dry foodstuffs). Now you are not stuck with gallons upon gallons of bottled water in your garage.

Here is a link for purifying household water with household bleach. Good information to print out and tape to the side of your unopened bottle of bleach: Purifying Household Water

We were just admiring the darling photo of Terry Rakolta and her family in the opening sequence of the clip above.

We then had a conversation about this Michigan housewife who launched a letter writing campaign against the tv show “Married…with Children” in the late eighties. She appeared in a few talk shows and news programs. She also founded Americans for Responsible Television. Her family is tied in with the Romneys, as in Mitt. The UK equivalent of Americans for Responsible Television is Media Watch UK.

For moms who are concerned about television violence, contact information for Americans for Responsible Television can be found on this site Dove Organization

And here is a bird’s eye view of her place: check out this very Stepford locale!

Question: What is Your Favorite TV show?

-Jill, Durham N.C.

Answer: My husband likes to watch those survival shows. He was (past tense) enthusiastic about Man Vs. Wild until word broke that Bear Grylls & Co. set up many of the scenarios, including renting a horse to guest star as a wild creature in the wilderness, which Mr. Grylls then tried to rein in. Not to mention to hotel stays while purports to "suffers" in front of the camera inside a tent. Then there is the dangerous volcanic lava…with a tourist parking lot nearby. Oh those cunning Brits! Swindling us with their war stories and vacuum cleaners while hiding behind an accent! I know my husband still loves to watch Les Stroud in Survival Man and the beautifully-shot Beyond Survival. He also loves Dual Survival with those two chummy guys. I watched all these with Charles, that’s why I know them by heart! We both thought Discovery Channel’s Man, Woman, Wild was silly, although I admit I misjudged Mykel Hawke in the trailers. He, (the Man) turned out to be quite sweet, protective, and nurturing to his wife Ruth England (take his last name for heaven’s sakes!) If you ever need proof that we are better suited to be back in our homes, catch reruns of Man, Woman, Wild. We also watched Ed Wardle in NatGeo’s Alone In the Wild.

Oh you are asking about me? I adore Travel Channel’s Man Vs. Food. Adam Richman is hilarious and absolutely lovable. You get to see so much of America, its people, and all the great local cooking. Just last night, in the appetizer to Man Vs. Food Nation, Richman narrates that his show not only features the great local people of American cities and towns, it gives exposure to local joints who use local ingredients, produce from local farms and suppliers, and caters to local people. In my opinion, this is a beautiful and authentic portrait of main streets across USA. I always find myself looking at the surrounding and watching the people around Adam as he goes to battle against some monster sandwich. And do I need to say anything about culinary excess? That’s what America is all about!

I also think Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods is adorable. I call him and Adam my two Jewish boys, because they are like kids. You just want to squeeze their cheeks and give them PBJ’s….admittedly one the size of a dump truck, and the other with cockroaches as sides. Plus their shows are children-friendly.

Now, that other guy on Travel Channel, he doesn’t impress me all that much. Seems a bit smug, and trying too hard to be one of those New York intellectuals. I saw him meet up with Andrew on one episode, and he was so reluctant and unenthusiastic – frowning as if he had to dumb down to suffer in the company of unhip people – that it confirmed my suspicions and turned me off once and for all. After all, some of the greatest intellectuals in our culture have always shunned their moniker. The same goes with being hip, you don’t have to act cool, you just are. And while we’re at it, guess who of the three are not dyed-in-the-wool New Yorkers?

Other shows I watch? On my own, I like reruns of Jacques Pepin and Sara Moulton’s cooking shows, as well as vintage Julia Child. (they all knew each other), and Lidia’s Italy. All the pre-Food-Network personality-over-actual-instruction shows. I have tried watching Good Eats, but find I need Charles nearby to explain the ever-shrinking Alton Brown science mumbo jumbo to me. I also catch the Martha Stewart Show when I can. Other than that, whatever he’s watching for the night, is what I’m watching!

Thanks for the question Jill!

Sorry we have been remiss in answering emails and updating the website.  We have been concerned with the welfare of the folks over in Japan.

This is a copy of CNN’s Impact portal for the Japanese Tsunami Situation and how we can help.  Although none of us have any personal friends or relatives over there, we have corresponded with wives and interested readers of our organization. Please have a look and do whatever you can to make a donation. Times are tough, we know.  But not as tough over there, where heat, shelter, food, and water have become humanitarian emergencies at this point.

For more information, please read CNNMoney’s story explaining how donors should watch the crisis unfold before sending contributions. The article also provides tips on what to give, where to give and how to avoid scams.

We saw Japan’s Ambassador to the U.S. Ichiro Fujisaki mention Red Cross as a good choice for Americans to offer their help and support, so if you don’t see your favorite charity foundation below, or are not familiar with any of them, the American Red Cross is a good starting point.  Gail McGovern, President and CEO of the American Red Cross was just on CNN (Piers Morgan) and stated that 91 cents out of every dollar collected will react the victoms of the tragedy.

The American Red Cross sent a disaster expert from Washington to Japan on Monday and the Japanese Red Cross has dispatched dozens of response teams. If you’d like to donate to the Red Cross efforts, text "redcross" to 90999, and you can make a $10 donation to the organization.

Save the Children is sending an emergency team to assist its staff in Japan. Donations to the group’s Children’s Emergency Fund will help preserve the welfare of young ones, who "are always the most vulnerable in a disaster," Eiichi Sadamatsu in central Tokyo said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department is urging U.S. citizens to contact friends and family as soon as possible. They can also e-mail the State Department at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Those seeking information on security in or travel to Japan can call 1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444.

The Salvation Army, which has had a presence in Japan since 1895, sent a team to Sendai to assess damages and hopes to provide food, water and other necessities. In Tokyo, the Salvation Army opened its main building to house and feed commuters who were unable to reach their homes.

The aid organization is issuing updates via its blog, and Facebook page. It also is accepting donations via text message. Those interested in contributing $10 to the group can text "japan" or "quake" to 80888.

Globalgiving.com, another aid organization that allows donors to select the causes they want to support – including climate change, economic development, human rights and disaster relief – has established a Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. GlobalGiving will disburse funds to organizations providing aid and relief to victims.

Among those organizations are Save the Children and the International Medical Corps. The Corps, which focuses on "health care training and relief and development programs," is coordinating with local authorities and partners to determine the most pressing needs. It also is providing technical expertise and assisting with logistics.

To contribute to the Corps’ efforts, visit its website or text "med" to 80888 to send the group a $10 donation.

And don’t forget the "other" victims of the temblor and tsunami. The American Humane Association, which has been rescuing animals in disasters since 1916, has set up a relief fund for rescuing animals. Donations help provide shelter and care.

You can keep up with American Humane Association developments on Facebook.

(review by Carolyn S.)

This nifty 51 minute dvd is a great introduction to pro-family, conservative, and biblical-based views on ideas that range from stay-at-home mothers, day care centers, planned parenthood, feminism, biblical submission of women to men, to modesty in dress.

The Monstrous Regiment is star-studded with conservative voices such as Phyllis Schlafly (Feminist Fantasies), F. Carolyn Graglia (“Domestic Tranquility: A Brief Against Feminism”), Stacy McDonald (“Raising Maidens of Virtue: A Study of Feminine Loveliness for Mothers and Daughters”) and historian Rosalind K. Marshall.

The program begins with an explanation of 16th century reformer John Knox’s tract (from which this film was named after) The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women. This piece of work was written at the time Knox railed against the matriarchal rule of Mary I of England, Mary of Guise, and Mary Queen of Scots. You can read it here.

Then we are off to a feminist book store event, where Gretchen Ritter’s definition of a feminist is utilized to show how the concept of egalitarianism (equality for all) is the polar opposite of Christianity (authority based on hierarchy). This is one of the most succinct explanations I have come across on the divide between the two groups.

Our heroine (the bane of feminists worldwide) Phyllis Schlafly is introduced next. If you don’t have the time to read her half dozen or so books, here is a perfect encapsulation of her lifelong work. (Feminism as victimization culture, devaluation of the homemaker, devaluation of marriage). F. Carolyn Graglia comes on board next to explain how the push for day care centers, and subsidization of anti-family policies have wrangled power from the head of the household, and redistribute the resources from traditional families to “modern” configurations.

A section focuses on women in the Army, and the “gender norming” that is needed to adjust women’s physical abilities against those of men’s. This is another step that works to mobilize women away from scriptural-ordained feminine roles, and feminine behavior. The topic of ab*rtion is next, with a harrowing look at Planned Parenthood’s ulterior motives of profit. Carol Everett, former clinic owner and founder of the Heidi Group speaks explains. Light is also shed on pro-eugenics, racist background of Planned Parenthood’s founder Margaret Sanger.

When the gestation period of a fetus is discussed, the controversial part of this film arrives. Footage is shown of one, possibly two ab*rted babies. Viewers with a weak stomach should not watch. Homemaker Dana Feliciano provides a particularly moving and emotional personal account.

Modesty in dressing and the precocious socialization of young girls closes out the program, before a plea is made to women to give up thoughts return to their homes, raise their children, and submit/support their husbands. A poignant call to ignore the negative misandric representations of men as buffoons. The film concludes with a venerations of women as mothers and wives. All sensible ideas in the Stepford mindset.

We found this dvd to be of the perfect length and none too self-indulgent in its pace. It’s a great starter companion to whet your appetite in learning about some of the great names, and to know that you’re not alone as a homemaker. All too often, we feel the media is inundated with the constant romanticizing of the ambitious, masculine modern woman; there’s next to no representation of the traditional wife and homemaker. Even if there were, those portrayals are often tainted with ironic readings with dark twisted sides to the characters. So let the light in, and try this film on for a refreshing change!

The DVD also features a 24 minute of extended, uncut monologues from which the film culls from. Highlights include F. Carolyn Graglia’s views on the evolution of the National Organization of Women (NOW) and one of the most under-appreciated voice of reason, Phyllis Schlafly.