Not all of us have beautiful, perfect homes. And many of us don't have time to take care of them -- or even a clue as to how. That's OK. We just need a little nonjudgmental jump-start, says Kate Payne, author of "The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking" (www.hipgirlshome.com). Her mantra is summed up in the book's introduction: "Why homemaking? Because it's cool to have a cool house." We talked with the Austin, Texas, transplant about the joys of jelly-making, fresh-baked bread and successful stain removal.Q Why did you write this book?
A There are many homemaking manuals, but they're intimidating and judgmental: "You should do it this way. Otherwise it's gross." It doesn't feel reflective of many people's situation, of living in a crappy rental place you're not excited about. I'm trying to coax them gently into the idea. Maybe you'll like this more if you know more.
Q You describe yourself as a "half-assed domestic goddess." Explain.
A That I kept at it makes me a goddess. I, like everyone else, have so much going on all the time. But I enjoy cleaning my house and making it part of my routine. I don't feel I'm always excited about it, but I do what needs to be done. It's good enough.
Q Did you have a demographic in mind?
A I'm obviously speaking to people who are first-time householders, moving out on their own for the first time. But the demographic expands because so many people are not learning this stuff.
Q You write that if you ever learned any homemaking skills as a child, you blocked them out. What turned you off?
A The social stuff surrounding it. I thought, "I'm going to grow up to be a working woman." I never thought [homemaking] should be the focus. It seemed antiquated.
