The shaker should be filled about half to three-quarters full, which will briefly chill the drink as it's mixed. If you don't have time to freeze the glasses, simply fill them up with ice water for a few minutes while you prepare everything else. Then dump the chilled water just before pouring the drink out. Start with the given ratio and adjust it as necessary -- roughly 5 portions of vodka, and 1 of each vermouth and olive brine. Olive brine is simply the juice that cocktail olives are stored in. Like most drinks, many bartenders have differing opinions on how long to shake a dirty martini. The longer your shake, the colder the drink will be, but coldness also dampens flavor, making this a delicate balancing act. At least five seconds is a must, and 10-15 is a good middle ground, but some bartenders shake for up to thirty seconds. Make sure you strain out the ice, as a dirty martini is never served on the rocks. This is why pre-chilling the glasses is such a big part of a successful drink. Stab 3-4 olives onto a toothpick and let them soak in the martini. They'll soak up some alcohol and provide a delicious treat when your drink is done.

Summary: Add ice to your cocktail shaker. Freeze your martini glasses to keep the drink chilled. Add the vodka, splash of vermouth, and olive juice to the cocktail shaker. Close the mixer and vigorously shake the cocktail for 5-10 seconds. Strain into the cocktail glass. Garnish with the cocktail olive.

Before you can start cleaning your brick surface, it's important to remove any items that might be in the way. For brick walls, remove pictures and nearby furniture. For mantles and fireplaces, clear away decorations and fire tools. For brick walkways, remove carpets, planters, or anything on the ground. Cover the ground with a drop cloth or tarp. Inside, tape the edges to the baseboard to protect the floor below. Outside, tape the drop cloth to the base of the wall or side of the walkway to cover the patio or grass. Cover nearby furniture or personal items with a drop cloth to keep them protected from dust and spills. Some of these cleaners aren't safe for children, pets, or plants, so it's important to cover outdoor areas as well. You may want to wear a mask and safety glasses to protect your lungs and eyes from dust, soot, and other airborne particles. You may also want to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands, depending on the cleaner you're using. If you're working with ammonia or bleach, always protect your hands with rubber or latex gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. Apply medium pressure as you scrub the dirty brick with the brush. For smaller areas, an old toothbrush will do, but you'll want a larger brush to clean bigger areas. Scrubbing will help to loosen dirt and other particles from the brick, and make the surface easier to clean. Don't use a brush with metal bristles, as these can scratch the brick. Avoid pressure washing the surface, because the pressure can damage the mortar between the bricks. Outfit the vacuum with a brush attachment to avoid scratching the brick. Place the brush directly on the brick and vacuum the entire surface you brushed. This will suck up dirt, dust, and other particles that came loose when you scrubbed.

Summary: Clear the surface. Protect the surrounding areas. Put on personal protective equipment. Scrub the brick with a dry stiff-bristled brush. Vacuum the brick.

Unless you want guests to reply by telephone or through a wedding website, it's best to include a physical card that guests can mail back in response to the invitation. To encourage people to respond by mail, make it as easy as possible by providing pre-printed envelopes so they don't even have to address the RSVP themselves. The return address should be the name and address of the hosts, and not necessarily the bride and groom. For couples who do register with a wedding website, guests can RSVP immediately online. However, it's important to mention specifically on the invitation or RSVP card that guests must visit that site for more information.

Summary: Include an RSVP card. Pre-print the response envelopes with the hosts name and address. Direct people to your wedding website.

Your stainless steel dishwasher drains into the same pipe your sink does. To keep the drain clear and effectively drain the water from the stainless steel dishwasher, run your garbage disposal before you start cleaning it. Remove the bottom rack on your stainless steel dishwasher. Examine it for clumps of debris that might cause it to drain improperly. Remove anything that might be clogging the drain. Fill a dishwasher-safe cup on the top rack of the stainless steel dishwasher with vinegar. Slide the rack back in the stainless steel dishwasher and close the door. With only the cupful of vinegar inside, turn the stainless steel dishwasher on and run it on the highest water temperature setting. The vinegar will help loosen grease and grime, and remove any odor that the dishwasher might have acquired. Use distilled white vinegar or specialized cleaning vinegar. When the first wash cycle is done, sprinkle the bottom of the stainless steel dishwasher with baking soda. Run the dishwasher on a short cycle with water at the highest temperature. Baking soda will help you remove stains from your dishwasher. Check the area around the dishwasher door for debris and grime. Some dishwashers cannot adequately clean this area, which leads to an accumulation of yucky material. If you see anything, use a damp cloth to wipe the area down. Additionally, use a damp cotton swab to clean along the ridges of the seal. The stainless steel dishwasher's filter collects prevents large debris from entering the drain. You'll probably have to use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the grate in place. Some newer stainless steel dishwashers, however, have filters that simply pop out when turned. Rinse the filter in your sink under warm water. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in warm, soapy water. Use the toothbrush to scrub the filter until clean. Replace it after cleaning. Not every stainless steel dishwasher has a filter. The utensil rack is a small container attached to the dishwasher rack. You might have just one, or one on each rack. Remove it and rinse it in the sink beneath warm water. Use a sponge dampened with warm, soapy water to clean the inside and outside of the utensil rack. If the utensil rack does not detach, just clean it inside and outside with a damp sponge or dishcloth. Stainless steel is pretty tough, but bleach can cause it to corrode. Instead, use a milder substance like dishwasher-safe detergent.
Summary: Run the garbage disposal. Check the drain. Run the wash with vinegar. Wash again with baking soda. Wipe the edges along the door. Wash the filter. Clean the utensil rack. Do not use bleach to clean your stainless steel dishwasher.