JAM THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Last but not least the great Thumbprint cookie. I thought I would end this Christmas cookie and bar series with this old favorite.

1 1/2C unsalted butter, softened

1C granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 1/2C all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon water

7 ounces flaked coconut

Raspberry or apricot jam



Using electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until just combined; add vanilla. Sift flour and salt together. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Transfer dough to floured surface; shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly beat together the egg and water. Roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Dip each ball into egg wash; then roll it in coconut. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. With thumb, make an indentation into the top of each ball. Drop 1/4 teaspoon jam into each indentation. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, or until coconut is golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Makes about 3 dozen.

Please have a SAFE AND WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!!! The best to all of us in the NEW YEAR 2009. Be back after the holidays...................................

BUCKEYES

1 (16ounce) jar crunchy peanut butter

4C (1 pound) powdered sugar

1/2C butter, softened

2C (12 ounce package) chocolate chips

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Mix peanut butter, sugar, and butter. Roll into balls. Melt chocolate and oil. Roll balls in chocolate and place on cookie sheets lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Makes about 3 dozen. Never made these but it got great reviews. Hope you like them.

SANTA CLAUS COOKIES

3 3/4C sifted all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

2 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2C butter, softened

2C brown sugar, packed

1 egg

Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves. Cream butter; add sugar gradually and beat until fluffy. Add egg and mix. Gradually mix in sifted dry ingredients. Chill dough thoroughly.

Preheat oven to 350. On floured surface, roll dough about 1/8 inch thick, cut with floured cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire cooling racks. Decorate as desired. Makes about 6 dozen, depending on size of cookie cutters.

This is a good recipe for the kids to decorate and have fun. They can't mess them up with their decorating skills. Something to remember in many years to come. Take pictures of their finished sweets.................

ALMOND BUTTER CRUNCH

1C butter
1C granulated sugar
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon white corn syrup
1/2C slivered almonds, toasted

Melt butter in large skillet. Add sugar; stir and heat slowly until sugar is dissolved. add water and corn syrup; cook to 300 degrees F. or to the hard crack stage, stirring only enough to prevent SCORCHING. Add nuts; mix well. Pour into butter 8-8 inch pan. cool; break into pieces. Makes 1 pound. This is for those people who have a real sweet tooth, like me.

PRALINES

1 1/2C granulated sugar

1/2C whipping cream

1C maple syrup

2C small pecans or broken pecans



Mix sugar, cream, and maple syrup in a saucepan; stir and heat slowly until sugar is dissolved. Boil, uncovered, to 236 degrees F. or until the soft ball stage, stirring occasionally. Re move from heat; stir in the pecans. Drop spoonfuls on cookie sheets covered with wax paper, let stand until firm. Makes 1 1/2 pounds.

I love these and if you buy them, they are very expensive.

COTTAGE CHEESE COOKIES

1C butter, softened

1C cream-style small curd cottage cheese

2C all-purpose flour

1 (12 ounce) jar strawberry preserves



Cream together butter and cottage cheese. Blend in flour. Cover dough and refrigerate for several hours.

Preheat oven to 425. Roll dough in thin sheets, cut into 3 inch square. Place a teaspoon of preserves in center of each square. Fold into a triangle. Press edges together very FIRMLY with fingers or fork. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes, or until crust is lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Makes about 4 dozen.

This is a great recipe. It is worth the effort and the parchment paper. You can use your favorite preserve for the filling. Hope you like it........

CARAMEL SNAPPERS

About 1 cup pecan halves

36 light, soft caramels



Arrange pecans, flat side down in groups of 3 (like a 3 leaf clover shape--it should look like a turtle's head and feet) on a buttered waxed paper on microwave safe plate. Place one caramel on each cluster of pecans. For 8-10 clusters, microwave on high for 30-60 SECONDS until caramels are soft.

***Watch carefully*** various brands of caramels melt differently. With a buttered spatula, flatten caramels over pecans. Remove from waxed paper to plate. Make frosting and swirl on top of snapper. Makes about 3 dozen.



Glossy Chocolate Frosting

1 tablespoon butter

1 square (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate

1C powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

About 2 tablespoons hot milk

In a small glass bowl, melt butter and chocolate in microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on the melting, it might take less time. Mix in sugar, vanilla and enough milk to make frosting of spreading consistency.

I would buy frosting but it is up to you. Have a safe day..................

SPRITZ COOKIES

1C butter, softened

1/2C plus t tablespoon granulated sugar

1 egg

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 1/2C sifted all-purpose flour

Food coloring (optional)

Colored sugar, candies for decorating

Preheat oven to 400. Cream butter, add sugar. Blend in egg, salt, both extracts, and flour. Knead bough in hands until soft and pliable. If desired divided dough into several bowls and blend in food coloring for desired colors. Press dough through cookie press onto greased cookie sheets. Decorate as desired. Bake at 400 for about 8 minutes. Makes about 6 dozen. Have a great day........

GRANDMA'S MOLASSES COOKIES

1C butter or shortening

2C granulated sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2C molasses

4C all-purposed flour

2 teaspoons ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

Granulated sugar for dipping cookies

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and molasses. Sift flour, spices, salt, and baking soda; blend into sugar mixture. Chill dough for several hours.

Roll into 1 inch balls. Dip one side in sugar. Do not grease cookie sheets. Arrange sugar side up on cookie sheets. Do not flatten. Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Makes about 7 dozen. Weather is still warm. I need to get out and do some yard work while it is still nice. Finally got my Christmas lights working again, what a pain. Later..............

JIMMIE COOKIES

1C butter, softened

1C powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2C all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1C uncooked oats (quick)

Chocolate jimmies

Cream butter, add sugar and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and oats. Divide dough into 3 parts; shape each into a log. Roll logs in jimmies; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 325. Remove wax paper from dough logs; cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place on a greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 for about 16 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Makes about 3 dozen.
Weather here is 71 and great. In a way I hate it because you know this is not here to stay. The outdoor plants get confused too. Have a good night..............

TOFFEE BARS

1C butter, softened
1C brown sugar, packed
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2C all- purpose flour
1 (8-ounce) chocolate candy bar
1/2C chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 13-9-2 pan. Cream butter, add sugar gradually. Blend in egg yolk, vanilla, salt, and flour. Spread in pan; bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.
After removing from the oven, place chocolate on top of hot mixture that you baked. Spread the chocolate to cover the pan mixture. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. When cool, cut into squares. Makes about 5 dozen. This is always a hit and is very easy, even for me. Have a good day..........

BUTTERSCOTCH CASHEW CHEWS

*1969 Recipe*
1/2C butter, softened
1/3C brown sugar, packed
1C all-purposed flour
1C chopped cashews
2C butterscotch chips
1C raisins
Preheat oven to 375. Cream butter; add brown sugar gradually. Stir in flour and cashews. Pat mixture in a greased 13-9-2 inch pan. Bake at 375 for about 12 minutes. Cool.
Break baked cookie mixture into small pieces. Melt butterscotch chips. Combine broken cookie mixture with melted butterscotch chips. Stir in raisins. Use teaspoonfuls of mixture and shape into mounds. Chill to set. Makes about 5 dozen. Sweet, crunchy, chewy--all in one. This is what the cookie book states. I have not tried this cookie recipe but will after the holidays. Let me know if you try this one, I would like your input.
Lots of rain and I have a leak in a skylight. Happy Days...................

COCONUT COCOROONS

*1939 Recipe*
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1C sugar
2C corn flakes or other flaked cereal
1C coconut
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Preheat oven to 350. Add salt to egg whites and beat until stiff. Beat in sugar gradually. Fold in cereal and coconut carefully. Add almond extract and mix thoroughly. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. Remove IMMEDIATELY from cookie sheet. Makes about 3 dozen.
Put some outdoor lights up and make a simple project into more than it needed to be. Can't find a simple star in all those Christmas boxes. Made a big mess in the attic. Will clean it up later, maybe after the project of taking it all done in 2009. Laugh it helps.............

CRANBERRY CRUNCH BARS

*1973 Recipe*
1 3/4 C sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 C brown sugar, packed
2 C uncooked oatmeal
1 C butter, softened
1 C finely chopped walnuts
3/4 C sugar
2 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
1 C jellied cranberry sauce
1 (12 ounce jar) orange marmalade
1 egg, well beaten
1 tablespoon water
Powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 375. Sift flour, salt, cinnamon into a large mixing bowl; add brown sugar and oatmeal. Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; mix in walnuts Press half of crumb mixture into greased 13-9-2 inch pan. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes. Cool slightly. Mix sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Add cranberry sauce and marmalade. Cook and stir mixture until mixture thickens. Spread evenly over baked crust; sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture; pat down firmly. Stir water into beaten egg; brush lightly over crumb mixture. Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars. Sprinkle with powder sugar. Makes 31/2-4 dozen.
Went shopping and got over charged again. Please watch your prices because these store don't have them in their computer system right. At one store (T). I get over charged at least every other time I shop there. The sales people make nothing of it! Have a good Day..........

FRENCH NUT BARS

*1964 Recipe*
1 egg
3/4C sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2C ground almonds
1/2C ground walnuts
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 egg whites, unbeaten
Preheat oven to 350. Using a wire whisk or mixer, beat egg until light colored; add sugar gradually; beat until thick, Blend in flour, almonds, walnuts, butter, and vanilla. Beat in egg whites; one at a time. Pour into greased and floured 8+8+2 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cool and frost with Glossy Chocolate Frosting. Cut bars. Makes 3-4 dozen bars. Good mix of chocolate and nuts.
Glossy Chocolate Frosting
1 tablespoon butter
1 square unsweetened chocolate
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1C powdered sugar
2 tablespoon hot milk
Melt butter and chocolate together. Blend in vanilla, powdered sugar and enough milk to make the frosting of spreading consistency.
I would add milk slowly so the frosting won't get to thin. You can always add more powder sugar to thicken. Or go buy the frosting for the bars. It can't hurt! Smile,,,,,,,,,,,,,

CHERRY ALMOND COOKIES

*1952 Recipe*
1 3/4C all-purpose flour
6 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2C butter, softened
1/4C evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1C almonds, finely chopped
1 pound candied cherries
Powdered sugar to coat
Preheat oven to 400. Sift flour, powdered sugar, and salt together. In a separate bowl, cream butter. Add evaporated milk to butter a little at a time; mix until smooth. Add almond and vanilla extract, sifted dry ingredients and nuts. Blend well.
Flatten a level teaspoon of dough in palm of hand. Place a cherry in the center. Bring dough around cherry to form a ball. Roll between palms until smooth. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 400 about 10-12 minutes. Roll cookies in powdered sugar while hot. Makes 4-5 dozen.
Makes a small cookie. Have a good nights sleep. We all need that..................

FROSTED MAPLE COOKIES

*1954 Recipe*
1C seedless raisins
3/4C water
1teaspoon baking soda
1/2C butter, softened
1 1/2C powdered sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 2/3C sifted all-purpose flour
1/4teaspoon salt
2 1/2teaspoon maple flavoring
Preheat oven 350. Cook raisins in water about 10 minutes on medium heat or until enough liquid remains to measure 1/2 cup. Add baking soda; cool. Cream butter and powdered sugar. Add eggs one at a time; beating well after each addition. Add salt and shifted flour. Maple flavoring and cooled raisin mixture. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. When cool, frost with maple cream frosting. Makes about 6 dozen. This cookie is not to sweet and a very old Christmas cookie before all the fancy ones were created.

Maple Cream Frosting
1/4C butter, softened
1 3/4C powdered sugar
2Tablespoons whipping cream
1teaspoon maple flavoring
Cream butter; add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in cream and add flavoring. Spread on top of cooled cookies.

MERRY MINT COOKIES

*1967 Recipe*
1C butter, softened
1C powdered sugar
1 egg
1teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 C finely chopped pecans or jimmies
7 1/2 dozen thin junior size candy mint patty pieces
Cream butter. Add sugar gradually. Beat in egg and vanilla. Shift flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; blend into creamed butter mixture. Chill until firm, at least 3-4 hours.
Preheat oven to 350. Roll chilled dough 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Cut with a 1 1/4 diameter round cutter. Place on a greased cookie sheets. Sprinkle HALF of the cookies with nuts or jimmies. Bake all cookies for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately top each PLAIN cookies with 1 mint patty. Cover mint patty cookies with nut or jimmies top cookie forming a sandwich cookie. Cool and watch that the top does not slide off the mint patty bottom. Makes about 7 1/2 dozen. Mild mint flavor makes these very good!
I use junior mints, you can buy buy the box of mints in the candy department. Put those mints on the plain cookie right away, the heat helps them melt. The mint patty, plus nuts or jimmies in the middle make a sandwich cookie that is DELICIOUS
I still can't figure how to insert these scan recipes, so I typed this. Need more time I guess. Please take care and laugh, I spent time with my grandson who lives in Wisconsin and felt better laughing everyday. Love that boy...............

2008 COOKIE'S FOR CHRISTMAS

Well I got a new scanner, so I plan on learning to operate it and start giving you some oldie but goody Christmas Cookies recipes. It will help because I am a very slow typer. I should of paid more attention in typing class years ago. Do they even offer typing class in high school anymore? I will have to go through the file from last Christmas, so I do not give repeats. I plan on starting these tasty treat recipes on the 5Th of December. The 5Th is the night we used to hang our stockings up. St. Nick came and brought us goodies if we were good or coal and maybe a potato or two if not so good. Those were the days. BE SAFE!

ONE NATION UNDER GOD

Well, it is finally over and now all the hard work begins. We now have a president-elect with great idea's and have to come together and support him. I wonder how many people realize that he is both black and white, we must give his mother credit too. Americans have new hope, give TOTAL SUPPORT and together we will be ONE NATION. That is what the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE is all about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope all your days are going well. The weather will be great today, so I need to finish the cleaning of the shed. I have put it off to long.
Please be safe and have a good day..........

PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA -THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!

That is a quote from Chris, so I can't take credit for it. It is what she said to me yesterday when I talked to her. Since he is bi-racial we have a black and a white president -the best of both worlds! I didn't get a chance to get online and write yesterday because I was quite busy. I stayed up late watching the election and results and ChaCha'ing. The next morning I got up and had to go grocery shopping since I had not been shopping in over a week. Then since I had laid in bed about a week, my hair was a mess. So I had to go to the salon that afternoon. Then I watched my ex-daughter-in-law's 2 year old son (who is really like our grandson) while she attended the wake of her maternal grandmother. On top of all of that, the bothersome germ that is evidently still lurking in my body flared up yesterday evening. After she picked him up I went to bed, but, I couldn't get to sleep until after 4a.m. Now I'm back up because Bill and I are going to her grandmother's funeral this morning.

Anyhow, congratulations to President-elect Obama! I never thought the day would come during my lifetime that the U.S. would have a black president. I still remember the awful things we personally went through during the Civil Rights days. Most of it, of course, we experienced as we traveled to and from Louisiana and Texas every other summer. But, still we experienced some growing up in Pittsburgh. A lot of it because my brother and I were about the only blacks in our school and kids can be mean. We survived, though, because we had a strong father and mother who we saw survive things. A great new world is opening for the U.S. and the world and I am glad that I am here to see the beginning.

Now, I better go get ready to start the day. I hope you all have a fantastic day!!

VOTE & PRAY

I know it's been awhile since I have been on. But, like Chris, I wanted to urge everyone to get out to vote. Remember, this is our future we are voting for. In that light I say, don't vote for someone because he is black or he is white. Vote for the one that you BELIEVE will help our struggling economy, ward off our attackers, help to secure a livable future for the next generation, etc. Remember, in this equation we, also, have to put the V.P. candidate. Because, God forbid, if something were to happen to the President, the V.P. is the one to take our country's future in their hands.

While watching Good Morning America this morning I heard of a website called canivote.org & went there. I was able to bring up my voting registration information which showed where I go to vote amongst other things. Besides that there is a lot of great info on that site. From that site I found another site called votesmart.org that has a lot of good info on it. You put in your zipcode & you can check on every candidate that will be on the ballot.

I have been down the last week or so with a virus that seems to not want to leave my body. But, I will be out there voting tomorrow. Bill is doing good lately and he will be out there with me along with my sister, Marcy. I hope the lines won't be too long.

Things have been going along okay here. I had a little scare with Bill, but, everything is okay now. Now I have to get ready for our annual Thanksgiving at our home. The family starts coming the Wednesday before & stay until Sunday. Friday we just recuperate from Thursday & then Saturday a bunch of us go to Salley, SC for the annual Chitlin' Strut.

Last week I got the awful news that my friend Faye's brother had been hit by a car and killed. Later that day I got the news that my sweet Uncle Randy had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Please include them and their families in your prayers. Thank you.

I am still doing my ChaCha job & loving it. It is such a great way of making a little extra cash from the comfort of your home. In fact, one of the days that I was bedridden I did it from bed. There is another company starting the same type of service with a little different twist that I am going to check out, too. I am on their list to apply when they have their applications ready.

Have a great day!! If you have to, check those voting websites I mentioned and check on your candidates. Not just President and Vice President, but, all candidates you are voting for. Then get out and VOTE! Then pray for the elected candidate every single day because he has a long, hard job ahead of him & our future in his hands!

AMERICAN

Hi

It has been to long. I just wanted to tell every one to PLEASE VOTE on Tuesday. No matter who you feel should be president, we have to make all voters voices heard. I am not a movie star or a high profile person, I am a American who cares about this country and the people who live here. I hate when people label you as a Democrat or Republican. Left, Right, Liberal, ETC. ETC. ETC...............American is who I am. Please take care and be safe!

HEARTBURN

If you suffer from heartburn, here is a good tip that I got from a home remedy book. It's very simple: DRINK WATER WITH YOUR MEALS! Drinking water will wash the stomach acids from the surface of the esophagus and back into your stomach. The saliva that you swallow with the water will help neutralize the acid. Simple, huh? I will make sure I drink a lot of water with my meals now.

Things have been hectic lately and I haven't been on the computer much except to ChaCha and maybe check email. Bill has been having some health problems that we have been dealing with and I have been ChaCha'ing a lot. Gotta get that extra money in the pocket. Since Bill fell his arm has given him a lot of trouble. I took him to the doctor for that and after more x-rays it is believed he just has a bad sprain. He, also, has not had any energy or has felt like doing anything, but, sleeping. When he missed going to the V.A. with the Knights for his volunteer service, I knew he was really feeling bad. Because he would go no matter how much his legs and feet hurt when he got home from there. On Monday the doctor put him on a narcolepsy medicine to help him stay woke during the day. I almost passed out when I picked the medicine up from the pharmacy and found out it was over $300 for a month's supply.! Yesterday was his first day taking it and he was woke all day. He still didn't have much energy, but, he was woke. He said he thought for over $10 a pill he would be running around the house. Now we just have to see how he slept last night. He has been using his CPAP mask and hopefully slept good last night.

Jackee is moving to Florida today and starting a new job. She came over on Sunday to spend time with us before she goes. I made a big pot of gumbo and the family that lives in this town came over to say goodbye. I didn't think I would cry when she left because the drive to FL is only a little over 7 hours. Just 6 more hours to get to her than when she lived in SC because she only lived an hour away from us. But, I cried. She is such a sweet person and I am so happy for her because she is doing what she has been wanting to do for a long time. Dominique is looking forward to moving because she loves FL, too. Tyler is not so much into it. I told him his mom went through the same thing at his age because that's how old she was when we moved to the Philippines.

We have a lot of family in TX and LA that were affected by Ike. We have relatives in League City, San Antonio, Galveston and Beaumont, TX. In LA we have family in Opelousas and that is where we buried my mother in April. My cousin that lives in League City did not evacuate with her family because she said they had been through Cat 3's before and made it. Plus she has several medical problems that would hamper their leaving. When Ike started hitting Andy called me and we watched the storm on weather.com. Andy then called our cousin and started giving her reports because her power was out by then. That sweet man was on the phone with her every 15 minutes giving her reports all night long until he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. It was a blessing to my cousin she said because they had no contact with outside and had no idea what was going on. When the calm of the eye came over them it lasted for 2 hours. She said she had never been in one where the eye lasted that long. At a point she thought it was over since it was so long. Then she got the call from my brother saying that the back end of the eye would be hitting there in 30 minutes. Sure enough, it hit and was worst than the front end! Surprisingly, they did not sustain much damage. Thank God.

I am going with Chris and 2 other friends, Mary and Debbie, to see The Women this afternoon. I am looking forward to an afternoon with the girls. Marcy can't go because she is working an afternoon shift today. Friday Marcy, Chris, possibly Bill and I are going to an arts festival. The Philippines is being featured and we are looking forward to going and getting some great Filipino food. Plus there are going to be Filipino dancers Friday evening.

Well, I am going to sign off now and do a little ChaCha'ing then go do some chores. I have things I want to get done before I'm off for the movie. Have a great day!!

UNTANGLE NECKLACE KNOTS

Hello to all and good thoughts to all that are going through VERY BAD WEATHER! Been outside doing the lawn. I have 5 acres to cut and trim. I remember the days when I had a 9 year old helper named Jerry. He helped do the yard for at least 5 years. We had a lot of trees at that time. Pine cones, sticks, and straw were a weekly pick up. My helper is now in his late 20's and I miss him a lot. He was a hard worker and a great kid. Time really gets away from you, where does it go?

Use baby powder to untangle those knots. Sprinkle the chain with the powder and start unraveling the tangles. The powder lubricates the chain and loosens the knots.

Jackie and I will see that new movie out *The Women*. We hope to get a few friends and family together for the viewing. Get a group together and have a few laughs and time with friends. It is always good to laugh. Have a good day!

HEADACHES

Here's a great tip for all of us headache sufferers. Heat a few tbsp of salt in a dry frying pan until it's hot, but, not too hot to touch. Pour the salt into a thick, clean sock or a cloth bag. Then hold it to the back of your head (yes, even though you feel the throbbing pain in the front), and rub. The draw heat should draw the pain right out.

Looks like Hanna is not going to have an impact on our families in Summerville, thank God. We had thought tthere would be a mandatory evacuation. There was just the suggestion of evacuation so they all stayed. Now if Ike decides to veer in their direction looks like he is not playing and they will have to come here. We are prepared.

Today Marcy, Chris and I went to an annual crafts fair that is held outdoors downtown. Marcy's son, Tony, and his friend, Joey, went with us. Tony and Joey had come back from Summerville yesterday to help Bill with some stuff around the house. That is so sweet of them. We walked around and checked things out for awhile and then decided to go to lunch at a Cuban restaurant downtown. Our friend, Debbie, met us there and we had an enjoyable lunch outdoors. Afterwards we walked around a bit more to get Bill a funnel cake and went home. It was starting to get crowded and hot so it was time to go.

Sadly, my nephew, Slade, left to go to back to Phoenix to live. His mother is there and so is Andy so he will have family there. He will be staying with his mom until he gets on his feet. Marcy and I took him to go pick up his ticket and then brought him back to the house and we ate until it was time for him to depart. We took him back for his departure and waited until he pulled out. We both felt bad seeing him go and wish things could have worked out so he could stay. However, we think that being with his mom right now is a good thing right now. Anyhow, our prayers are with him in the move. No matter what happens amongst family, we should all remember that we are all a part of each other.

Now I am going to do some chacha=ing and then go to bed. Have a fantastic night!!!

REMOVING INK STAINS

Monday night we got the bad news that our 5 month old great-granddaughter had to go to the E.R. because she couldn't keep anything down. To make a long story short, ultra-sound showed that part of her bowel had collapsed into another part. She had laproscopic surgery and came through like a trooper and is doing great now. You can believe quite a few tears were shed on my part because I couldn't be there with her, but, I knew she was in good hands with her grandma and grandfather. Plus her parents got to Summerville from Atlanta as quick as possible. They had left Jasmine and Quentin, Jr. with Sue and Otis for a few days because Sue and Otis wanted grandparent time. All is great now and we are all happy.

This weekend Tamika, Will, Mia and Darionna came to visit. Marcy, Chris and I had plans on doing our flea market bit Saturday and Mia and Darionna are Marcy and my little helpers. We each did a little sales, but, it was as hot as Hades and we were under roofs. We were glad to pack up and go home. But, we will be back out there again because it is fun. That afternoon Aaritt and his family came and we had a full house. Which is the typical Jr. Luck style. For some of us, that is. He is such a great help to Bill and always has been such a sweet kid. If they lived closer and gas wasn't so high, I know that he would be here more often to help Bill. I wish we had more nephews or grandsons like him, I'll tell you that. They left Sunday afternoon after he finished doing yardwork with Tamika's son, Will. I went to bed and laid down for awhile and fell asleep. I woke up to great food smells. Tamika was cooking a great dinner and, boy, did we eat. Even my niece, Rikki, who goes to college here came over with her roommate to eat. Later we watched some movies and then went to bed.

Before going to bed, though, I was on the phone a lot with Ricky and Andy checking on our family in LA and TX who were being affected by Gustav. Some had to evacuate. Thank goodness all are doing okay.

My ink remover tip is if the material is still wet with the ink, saturate it with lemon juice and wash with your regular detergent.

Now I am going to do a little chacha-ing and then go to bed. Be safe if you are in Gustav's path and pray for everyone affected by him. It looks like the next one could make the way up the FL, GA & SC coast. If that happens, our Summerville family will have to evacuate possibly. So I better start to stock up for the onslaught of evacuees. Well, we have a few more days to see what the deal is. Goodnight and be safe!!!

HERBED SCONES

This one I will try tonight.
Makes 6 servings
Heat oven 450
In a bowl prepare 1 1/2 cups of pancake and baking mix according to package directions for biscuits. Stir in 1 tsp. ground cumin, 1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese, 3 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro and 1 Tbs. chopped roasted red peppers. On a floured surface form dough into 8 inch circle. Cut into 6 wedges. Transfer to baking sheet. Bake for 7 minutes or until brown.
I pick this one because it sounds good and very simple. I also think you could use other herbs or cheese for your own personal taste.

Jackie brought me some medicine and that is really appreciated. This way I didn't have to get dressed and go to the pharmacy. Thanks dear friend. We are gone tomorrow to get a spot at the flea market in Augusta. She will show me the ropes. It has been raining for days and we need it. We hope for sunny weather on Saturday.

SHARING RECIPES & HINTS

I just wanted to say that Jackie and I have always been up front about where we get our hints and recipes. This blog is a sharing site. We have shared with all of you information on hints and recipes for over a year now. Please continue to enjoy our sharing. We are very honest people and would never steal a copyright (recipe) for any reason. I have shared both recipes from old and new cookbooks, hints from books and magazines. I never thought that I was infringing on a copyright. Thank you for looking in on our lives and sharing. We hope to continue to share for many years to come. Have a great day! Chris

Here's a great hint-- Take a deep breath and smile at someone today. I am sure someone in the last thousands of years, said that to someone else. OH WELL!

NEVER MIND

I just decided to delete the recipe for the pie made in a mug because I don't want to get involved in copyright infringement and stuff. Sorry. It's not like I was trying to take credit for the recipe.

GEORGIA PEACH TEA

This past weekend we went to Summerville for the "Celebrate Elsie" birthday party that my niece, Tamika, had on Saturday for my mother who passed in April. It was not just a party. She did a fantastic job and we all had a great time. My nieces, Roxy and Darionna, led it off by singing Amazing Grace. Yes, there was a whole program set up with programs printed out. It was great. My nephew, the chef, made a huge pot of jambalaya and I made a huge pot of gumbo. These were two huge stockpots full and it was all gone by the end of the night. Tamika, also, had little gift bags made up of Mommy's favorite candies. Sunday Sue and I took Quentin, Jr., her grandson, my great-grandson, to Darionna's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. We left the baby home with Bill and Otis. We came home today and I am now resting. We had to get up early today because we had a problem with the car that we needed fixed before we got on the road. Thanks goodness I was able to get in touch with Roxy's friend who owns an auto repair shop.

GEORGIA PEACH TEA

1 peach, peeled and diced 2 green tea bags

1/2 cup green seedless grapes (garnish) 2 + cups ice

2 cups water 3 tbsp sugar

Put water in a medium pan and bring to a boil. Add tea bags and let sit off heat for 4 minutes. Meanwhile place peaches (reserve a few for garnish) and any juice collected from cutting them into a pitcher with 2 cups of ice. Once tea has steeped remove the tea bags and add sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Pour tea into pitcher, stir and serve over ice. Garnish the glasses with a skewer of grapes alternating with peaches. Makes 4 servings and is delicious!

Now I am going to ChaCha a bit and go to bed. Have a great night!!!

I'M BACK FROM THE GOLF TOURNAMENT

I was a volunteer at the Ben E. King Celebrity Golf Tournament on Monday. I went to VA on Saturday and came home yesterday. Sunday there was a great dinner concert that Gene Chandler performed at. Before he came out Maxine Brown and Beverly Crosby performed and they were great. They call themselves the Wild Women and there are supposed to be 3 of them, but, because of family one was missing. In fact, the 3 of them have suffered different family tragedies lately. Monday was the tournament and we had a ball. My friend, Faye, and I were stationed at the 17th hole to mark for the woman who had the longest drive. We had a good time talking to everyone as they played past the hole. After the tournament there was an awards banquet that was a lot of fun. Then we all spent the rest of the evening up in the hospitality suite. I was plenty tired when I finally made it home. But, I was so glad that I went. My good friend, Shirley, has tried to get me to go to the tournament for 11 years. There was always an excuse why I couldn't. This year she said that I needed a break and had to go. Plus, I hadn't seen her since we moved here in 1989 even though we've talked. I, also, got to be with Shirley's sister, Nancy, her cousin, Marlyn, her good friend, Roxanne, her mother, Rose, her brother, Jimmie, and her 3 kids, Teisha, Bryce and Randy. It was so great to be with all of them!! I have to stay in touch with them and can't let 20 years slip by like that again. Even if it's just email. Plus, I got to meet Ben E. King who is such a nice, sweet man. It was an honor to work on the tournament with all of them! Bill called me once and I gave Ben the phone to talk to him. Well, he invited him to come next year and Bill was thrilled. Marcy said that he was smiling hard when he got off of the phone.

My nephew who gave me those delicious recipes now has his own blog that you should check out. It is chefbluck.blogspot.com and is, of course, great to read.

Needless to say, I am tired and will go to bed early tonight. My weekend will be full since we are going to Summerville for the party in honor of my mother that my niece is having. I am going to make gumbo so I have to get up early Saturday to get it started so it will be done in time for the party. Now I am going to do a few chores, of course do my chacha.com job and get some sleep.
Have a great night!

CHORIZO CON QUESO

It has been a busy few days. I am getting ready for my trip to VA for the Ben E. King Celebrity Golf Tournament this weekend. Plus trying to get some things done around the house that Dominique and Tyler can help with before they go home this weekend. I got my manicure & pedicure today and will get mine & Dominique's hair done tomorrow morning. Saturday I will leave and come back on Tuesday. I am looking forward to the break. It will be fantastic to see my friend, Shirley, who I haven't seen in years. We've been in contact with each other, but, just haven't seen one another. Which is strange since we both can fly free. Anyhow, she is the one who is seeing that I am going to this and taking care of the arrangements. She said that I need the break. Boy, do I! I will be one of the volunteers at the event and can't wait. Several other people that are volunteering are friends from years ago that I haven't seen so this will be so great. Plus her mother, who is a sweetheart, is coming and I am so glad. I stayed with her for several months after Bill was transfered here and we bought our home here. I was commuting from Pittsburgh to here on my days off until I could get a transfer in my job. I don't know if I will take my laptop or not so I might not be in touch when I leave.

This recipe for Chorizo Con Queso is really easy. Just fry up some chorizo sausage and mix it with some Chile Con Queso. Serve it with some tortilla chips and you have a nice little treat. It goes good with the Michelada beer recipe and crab jalapeno pepper recipe that I gave you.

It's going to be a busy two weeks. I come back from VA on Tuesday, Thursday I go to the doctor to have cysts removed from my neck, face and underarm. Friday we go to Summerville for the party on my mother's birthday on Saturday. My nephew, the chef, from Colorado is coming and going to do some cooking for it. He called last night to tell me that he is definitely coming and I am so happy. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Well, I am going to get off now and do a little bit of ChaCha'ing to make a little money. Then I will do a little more to get ready for my trip. Have a great night!!!

CRABMEAT STUFFED JALAPENO POPPERS

Well, I'm back. I don't know what bug had me this time, but, it had me good. The last day that I lay there trying to recover my strength and good sense, I had to end up in the ER with Bill. He tried to do something by himself that would have been fine if he was several years younger and in better shape. He took a terrible fall, but, is okay. He just has to remember that he is a few months from 70 and has had several strokes, diabetes, neuropathy and gout.

This is a little recipe that I got from a magazine. It had no measurements so it is an "as you please". It all depends on how much you want to make. Mix the crabmeat with cream cheese. I bought a pound of shelled claw meat. The amount of cream cheese you use depends on how creamy you want it to be. I put some of the mixture into seeded jalapenos. You can either slice them in half lengthwise and stuff each half. Or you can slit a jalapeno down the middle, seed it and stuff. We did the halved way. I then put them under the broiler until they browned a little. You can even put them on a grill covered with aluminum foil. An extra little tip is one from Ricky. Drink milk to cool the fire in your mouth if there is any. It works. We tried it! Have a great night!!!

PESKY FRUIT FLIES GOODBYE

First-- Jackie has not been feeling good for days now. Please send good thoughts for her speedy recovery.

Fill an empty soda bottle halfway with apple cider and 2 drops of dish soap. Then place a plastic wrap over the mouth of the bottle, secure it with a rubber band and use a needle to punch several holes in the wrap. Keep the bottle in a discreet area of your kitchen. The vinegar attracts the flies while the miniscule holes in the plastic allow the pests to enter the bottle.

Hope everyone is ok, sleep well!

BABY POWDER HINT

Here is another baby powder hint. I don't have hardwood floors, so let me know if this one works.
(Squeaky Floorboards)
Using a turkey baster, apply baby powder into the crevices between the boards. The powder should fill in any gaps to keep the boards from shifting and creaking with each step.
I just talked to my dear friend Marci. She came home from work last night to find a snake between the storm door and front door. She really had a horrible night and is still shook up. Please be careful out there! This is the one thing I hate about the south, snakes.................. The neighbors heard her screaming and thank goodness they did. Her husband is hard of hearing and didn't hear her for the longest time. The neighbors took the black snake away and said it was a rat snake and harmless. Tell that to someone else. It's night and this is inches from your face, who cares what kind of snake this is. Please send good thoughts to my friend. Thanks!!

EGG TOSTADAS

I thought I would give a recipe today. I have been dealing with a kidney stone for a couple of days and if any of you have gone through this, you know it screws up your whole existence.

This recipe makes 6 servings
In a sauce pan, cook 1 can (16oz) refried beans and 1 tsp., each cumin and chili powder 2 minutes. In a bowl, combine 6 lightly beaten eggs; 1 jar (2oz) pimientos, drained, and 1/4 cup chopped scallions. In a skillet heat 2T butter; add eggs and cook 4 minutes or until set. Place 6 toasted corn tortillas on 6 plates. Divide beans, eggs, and 1/2 cup salsa and shredded Cheddar cheese among tortillas. Very easy and tastes good. Have a good day!

BUSY WEEKEND

I haven't been online because I have been busy with ChaCha.com and other things. Saturday the monthly sale at our church's thrift shop was held. Marcy and I went to and helped out. There were a lot of customers that day and the shop did good. Ricky and Annie came over that afternoon so Ricky could help me with a computer problem. They stayed for several hours and I really enjoyed it. We haven't had time to spend too much time together because they have been really busy since Mommy passed. It was so great to have them here for awhile. Later that evening I ChaCha'ed for quite awhile. Today Marcy, Dominique and I did the flea market thing at our local flea market. We didn't do so good and it was hot!!!!!!!! Plus I had marked some items down so they told me that I can now only pack and unpack. No selling. Oh, well. I have a fridge full of leftovers so we ate that and watched "Drillbit Taylor" with Bill and Tyler when we came home. Now I am doing this blog and then getting ready to ChaCha. ChaCha has become addicting and I miss doing it. So now I will say goodnight and go ChaCha. Have a great night!!

BABY POWDER TIPS

Stop ants from invading your picnic by sprinkling some baby powder around your blanket. The powder is too dense for the ants to struggle through, so they leave you alone.

You can protect your flower bulbs from pests by placing 5-6 at a time in a zip-top bag and add 3 T spoons of baby powder. Gently shake for a few seconds. The absorbent powder coating protects the bulbs from rot while the smell of the powder keeps away pests.


Keep cool at night by sprinkling your bed sheets with baby powder. The highly absorbent yet barely noticeable powder will soak up that night time perspiration. This is a good one and for those extra hot summer nights, it is great!

Keep cool and have a safe day!

GREAT RECIPE TIP

We were away for the weekend and I didn't get online too much. Plus I didn't feel too good. We went to Summerville to have our picture taken at the fundraiser that Sue & Otis's church was having. We had a good time, though, even though I didn't feel so good. When we came home Sunday evening I went to bed. Yesterday I stayed low until I went to meet Jackee halfway between the town they live in and ours. She was bringing Dominique and Tyler back to stay with us until they start back to school in a few weeks. Then today I went to a memorial service for a dear man that just about our whole town loved. I came home and fixed dinner and now I am going to give you this tip and then go work on my new job with ChaCha. Yep!!! I got accepted and I love it! It is an amazing service and I am glad to be a part of it. I am still learning and can't wait to get on a roll.

Anyhow, here comes my tip. It is really a tip from Jackee, my youngest daughter. She sent it to me in an email today and I love it. I love to cook so this is the perfect website for me. It is http://www.fooddownunder.com/ and is amazing. You can get recipes for just about any nationality for any type of dish. Like I said, I love it. Now I will say goodnight and I am going to ChaCha now. Have a great evening.

ChaCha

I still haven't found out yet whether I have been accepted for the online job at ChaCha.com. However, I thought I would share them with you. Anyone in the U.S. can text or call them from a cell phone with a question for anything. The question is routed to one of their Guides (which I hope to be) who researches and answers the question. It's a little more involved on ChaCha's end, but, that is the gist of it. I think this is a fantastic idea and I am so surprised I never heard of it. Chris said that she had seen something about it on t.v. before. The company has been around since 2006. To call them it is 800 2chacha or to text send the text to 242242. I love it and am just sorry I didn't hear about it earlier. Give it a try. Who knows, one day I might be the one answering your question!!

I didn't write here yesterday because I was accepted by one of the online companies that I had applied with. The training and testing took awhile and I loved it!! Hopefully, all will go well and I will be given the go-ahead to start working for them. It is a company that received all kinds of questions from people around the U.S. via cell phones by voice or text. The guides look up the info and text it back. It's a little more involved than that, though, and very, very interesting. Anyhow, here's another of Chef Luck's recipes that would be great for a party.

Spicy Goat Cheese Dip
Serves 12 people

Canola Oil 2 Tablespoons
Garlic Cloves 4 each
Red Onion (Finely Sliced) 1 Small
Chipotle Peppers (Pureed) 2 each
Cream Cheese 1#
Goat Cheese 6 ounces
Boursin Cheese 12 ounces
Thyme Leaves 2 sprigs
Cilantro (Finely Chopped) ¼ bunch
Kosher Salt To Taste
Cumin To Taste

Procedure: In a small sauté pan, heat the canola oil on medium high temperature. Add the garlic cloves and cook until golden brown, remove from the pan. Add the onions to the oil and cook until golden brown and caramelized, remove from heat and allow cooling. Puree the garlic, onions, and chipotle peppers in a food processor and reserve for later. In a food processor with a paddle attachment, cream all cheeses together until smooth. Add pureed pepper mixture to cheese and the herbs. Season the dip with salt and ground cumin and adjust seasoning to taste. Scrape into a medium sized saucepot and slowly heat the dip. Serve with any variety of sides to dip such as bread slices, vegetables, or deli meats.

For some reason I woke up feeling not so good. I have to drive to Summerville today so I hope I start feeling better. Plus Marcy and I are doing our flea market thing this weekend. This time we will have 2 tables. Have a great weekend and I hope I do the same!!

SUNSHINE SMOOTHIES

It has been a while since I have been on the blog. This summer, both traveling and company has put me in a funk. SORRY!
One quick recipe to start---
In a blender or food processor, puree 2 containers (6 oz. each ) nonfat lemon yogurt. 1 cup lemonade, 1 cup honey, and 2 cups ice cubes. Mix 1 minute or until smooth. Glasses should be chilled and garnished with a lemon slice for guests. This tastes great and is very easy. Have a safe day.................

COCONUT MACAROONS

Today I continued to work myself out of my "funk" and went to the beauty salon. I had my hair washed, cut and highlighted. I told my stylist I felt like a new woman. Then I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things. When I came home I put a smoked turkey leg and wing on to boil for some turnip greens. I, also, had a taste for pig's feet so I bought some and put those on to boil with some taco seasoning in it. I put a London Broil in a plastic bag with some marinade and then had to go with Bill to a checkup with his medical doctor. The report was good and the doctor said everything was fine, all the numbers are good and his mind is working great. Fantastic!! Plus now when I go to the Ben E. King Celebrity Golf Tournament next month I won't feel guilty. He doesn't have to go back until November. We then came home and I finished dinner so Bill could eat before he went to his Knights meeting. I put the greens in the pot with the smoked turkey, put the L.B. on the grill and baked potatoes in the microwave. Bill had his dinner before he left. I still have a lot of catching up to do, but, I am working on it. Our room and my dresser top is looking much better. The big chore is going to be straightening out the papers and files in the computer room. I have a bunch of mail to go through and am dreading it. The most time-consuming part is shredding, shredding and more shredding. I won't get a chance to get through all of that until next week, though. I can't start it until next week because I have laundry to do tomorrow that I want to get done before we go to visit Sue and Otis. Friday I will not be getting up too early so I can rest for my drive to their home. We are going to take part in the fundraiser for her church with the professional photographer. Yes, Aunt Irene, I will definitely send you a copy! Now I am going to include another one of my nephew Chef Luck's recipes. One of my favorite things to eat!!

Coconut Macaroons
1 ea Egg White

1 Tbl Granulated Sugar

1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/8 tsp Almond Extract

3/4 cup Sweetened Flaked Coconut
Butter and flour for preparing baking sheet and foil

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 300°F. Butter a baking sheet, then line with foil and lightly butter and flour foil, knocking off excess flour. Stir together egg white, sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and a pinch of salt until combined, then stir in coconut. Divide coconut mixture into fourths, then drop in 4 mounds (about 2 inches apart) onto baking sheet. Bake until tops are pale golden in spots, 15 to 20 minutes, then carefully lift foil with cookies from baking sheet and transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 15 minutes. Peel macaroons from foil.

I love coconut macaroons! I don't know why, but, the first time that I tasted them that I can remember was in the Philippines when we lived there. I could eat a whole batch of them all by myself. Now I am going to bed so I can get up in the morning and start my laundry. Plus Marcy and I have to run out to run some errands, too. Have a marvelous, restful, peaceful night!!!!

CHILLED CUCUMBER AVOCADO SOUP

Today I am pretty busy going through closets in our bedroom, throwing things out, rearranging and general all-over cleaning. I hate it!! But, it has to be done. I stopped to take a break and thought I would write a little and give another of my nephew's great recipes.

Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup
2 cups Cucumbers (Peeled, Seeded, Sliced)
1 cup Avocados (Peeled, Seeded, and Diced)
2 oz Jalapeno (Small Diced)
1 bunch Cilantro
2 Tbl Lemon Juice
1 cup Plain Yogurt
Pinch Salt
¼ cup Water

Place all ingredients into a large blender and puree until smooth. Season to taste and chill for 3-4 hours.

Bill's sleep lab visit last night went okay. He will learn shortly what the results were. Hopefully, he won't have to wear the sleep mask at night. Jackee called from Orlando and said they are having a great time. The place they are staying at is great and they love it there.

Well, I guess I better get back to my room cleaning chore and get dinner started. Have a great evening.

BOUNCE TIPS

Our friend, P.J., just emailed the following tips to me that I think are great so I thought I would pass them along. By the way, she just became a new grandmother to a beautiful baby girl! Congratulations, P.J.!


Bounce This Along

My mail carrier told me that the US Postal service sent out a message to
all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to
keep yellow-jackets away.

Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer. I use it when I
am working outside. It really works. The yellow jackets just veer around
you.

1. All this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer! It
will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels
mice.

2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that
are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened
too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when
outdoors during mosquito season.

5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer)
Screen.

6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your
television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors.
Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce
in a drawer or hang in the closet.

9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.

10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a Sheet
of Bounce before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside
empty luggage before storing.

12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the
front seat.

13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill
with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static
agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.

14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the
bottom of the wastebasket.

15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will
magnetically attract all the loose hairs.

16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds
with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of
Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of
Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes
or sneakers overnight.

20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees
away.
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and
storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

Now I will get back to looking for a work-at-home job. I have been checking the forum at workplacelikehome.com. I do know that you never pay anyone for the opportunity to find a work-at-home job. This website is very informative and I am enjoying the search. Have a great day!!

CHILLED PEACH SOUP

I think I mentioned before that I come from a large loving family. One of my nephews is a very busy chef at Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado. A little while ago a t.v. station did a feature on him. And I remember when my mother, my sister, Roxy, and I attended a cooking competition that he was in when he was in Culinary Arts School. Look at him now. He has several others under him, plus teaches cooking classes and still took time to send me some recipes for our blog. I never even asked him. He has always been a sweet thoughtful young man, though, so I shouldn't be surprised. I remember when his dad, my brother, was living he loved to cook. I would get calls from him telling me about a new dish he was going to make or try. This was way before my nephew was even born.

Chilled Peach Soup

2 cups Fresh Peach (Pitted and Diced)
1 cup Sour Cream
½ cup Honey
4 oz Champagne
8 oz Peach Tea
1 Tbl Lime Zest
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Place all ingredients into a large blender and puree until smooth. Season to taste and chill for 3-4 hours.

Hopefully, I will see him next month and I can give him a big hug and kiss for the great recipes that he sent. My niece, Tamika, who is also a sweetheart is organizing a party to be held on my mother's birthday next month in her honor. The menu will be Mommy's favorite foods. Or I should say some of her favorites. Anyhow it will be fun and we're looking forward to it.

The last few days I have been getting in our spa on our back deck with Marcy. It feels good on these old bones and we tried to get Bill to do it, too. But, he hasn't yet. We really feel good when we get out of the water and he should really do it. But, he's stubborn. Anyhow, try the chilled peach soup and I am sure you will love it. Have a great evening.

PICNIC TEA

Well, I am back. I have undisputedly been in a funk since my mom died and seems like I couldn't get motivated to do anything that I didn't have to do. I have over 2,000 emails that have piled up, an enormous pile of mail that has been just sitting waiting for me to get to it, phone calls that should have been made, etc. I have decided to push myself and get back on track and here I go.

PICNIC TEA

1 cup water

2 tea bags

1/4 12-oz can frozen cranberry juice concentrate

1 6-oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate

1/2 cup pear nectar

Bring water to boil in a saucepan. Add tea bags; remove from heat. Let stand, covered for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add juice concentrates and pear nectar. Stir until concentrates melt. Serve over ice. Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Last night I went to a Knights of Columbus dinner with Bill which I didn't know I was supposed to go to until 2 days before. It was an officer's installation dinner and was very nice. Some of the guys, also, got awards for certain things. Bill got one of the Patriotic awards for his volunteering that he does at the V.A. hospital with a group of other knights. He loves doing it and never expected an award for it. Yesterday, also, Dominique and Tyler was picked up by Jackee because they are making a family trip to Orlando today. I miss them already. Last Friday Marcy's oldest son, Arrit, and his family came to visit for the weekend. They stayed until Wednesday because he was helping Bill get some much needed work done around the house. He was a true blessing. Plus we enjoyed spending time with the twins who are 8 months old. Now I am going outside to hose and wash down our back deck and gazebo. Marcy and I have started using our spa in our gazebo and I need to get it a little more cleaned out. Have a great Saturday!!

WATERMELON LIMEADE

This recipe can be made with fresh orange or lemon juice. These are tangy substitutes for the lime juice.
Makes 3 cups
Chill 2 hours
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups of seedless watermelon cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
6 large strawberries, cut in half
1/2 cup lime juice
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Garnish with lime slices
#1. Combine sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool. This is that simple syrup recipe I have given to you before. It will keep in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, if made ahead.
#2. Puree watermelon, strawberry, and lime juice in food processor until smooth. Strain through a fine strainer, pressing lightly and discard solids.
#3. Combine watermelon puree with kosher salt and reserved syrup. Chill thoroughly and serve over ice in a cold glass.
Enjoy!

FROZEN FRUIT POPS

No more about my delivery saga. I will follow through with this and hopefully safety will come first.
Let's go back to the fun of this blog. Hints and Recipes...........
Makes 4 (5-ounce) pops
Freeze 2-3 hours
10 minutes prep time
***Blueberry Pops
1 cup fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 cup blueberry juice
1/4 cup honey
***Strawberry Pops
3 cups strawberries, rinsed and hulled
1/2 cup simple syrup ( recipe below )
***Pineapple Mint Pops
1/4 pound pineapple chunks
4 sprigs fresh mint, stems removed
1/4 cup simple syrup ( recipe below )

#1. Process ingredients in a blender until smooth. Divide evenly your choice of recipe among 4 ( 5-ounce ) paper or plastic cups and freeze. After 1 hour, insert stick into center of each cup. Freeze until completely frozen, 2-3 hours or overnight.
#2. Remove from freezer and let stand at room temperature for 2 minutes. Remove from cup and ENJOY!
***SIMPLE SYRUP RECIPE***
1 cup sugar
Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir constantly, about 1 minute or until sugar is dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
Talked to Dear Jackie and she helped out at church and will be doing her Flea Market sales this weekend. How she keeps going with all she does, I'll never know.
GOOD NIGHT!

DELIVERY COMPANY

Got a call from the delivery companies owner (G.E.) He wanted to hear about the delivery of my dishwasher and the actions of his delivery people. He was very surprised,in fact assured me that this is a ONE TIME happening. Kind of bla za about the concerns I had, about the safety of children and animals. In fact I repeated my concerns I had for surrounding areas of any ones driveway. I asked him about his policy--not driving on owners lawns. He felt his drivers knew that, I assured him these drivers did not. The speed limit in a private driveway is NOT 25-30 miles an hour, he said they knew that, I assured him they did not. Our driveway is very long, around 75 feet. It seems that Home Depot does not hire the delivery people but the appliance name you are purchasing, does that. I also asked about the company G.E. being involved with Iran etc. (this is the same company) and he did not want to go there.
Needless to say, I thanked him for his call but felt a robot would have been more concerned. I also told him that this time it was a basketball and next time due to ignorance, it could be a person. He again said; he would talk to the drivers. I hope he does not think his small gesture of concern, put mine to rest. IT DID NOT!
Please have a safe day...................

UPDATE

Just an update on my Home Depot saga. I have put in a report to customer service twice. I went to the store to talk again to the manager and he was not there. The girl who works in customer service said; that the delivery company that Home Depot employs, has problems and complaints all the time. Wanted to know if I wanted their number to talk to the delivery company. I told her that I did not hire them and that Home Depot should follow through with the complaint. I hope to get some type of satisfaction and that is, this will not happen to anyone else and they get it together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep your children, animals and toys off your lawn, Home Depot delivery ( known as GE on the side of the truck ) is coming and nothing in the area is safe!
On a lighter note:
Had a little get together Sunday with Jackie and family friends. Nice time and lots of laughs. Have a safe day................

Watch **WHO** You Deal With----BIG MISTAKE

We just spent a lot of money on two items at a well known store. I have just called the main office after the last straw of this unprofessional transaction and delivery broke the camels back or should I say mine. I could go into detail but all I can say is we no longer have the old saying on our side. THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! The delivery men today drove on the lawn and ran over the basket ball. This might not seen a big deal but it could of been my grandson visiting or the dog. The driver and his helper didn't give a dam who was in the way or where they were driving. Both the stores manager and the person in the corporate office really didn't see the problem with the story starting on Friday afternoon, with the purchase, to today's ignorance. Stay tune for the run around yet to follow from THE HOME DEPOT....................

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

I hope that all of the fathers, grandfathers and mothers/fathers (single moms) had a wonderful day. Bill and I had a wonderful weekend because of our two wonderful, beautiful daughters. I know it was because of Father's Day, but, I sure enjoyed it and needed it, oh, so bad. On Saturday afternoon our daughter, Sue, and our wonderful son-in-law Otis came to visit and bring Bill's gifts. A little after they arrived our beautiful eldest granddaughter arrived, too. She is always a joy to have around because she is so sweet, upbeat and loving. I was in the midst of making a pot of gumbo when they arrived so that worked out great. We had a good dinner, great talks, much laughter and love. Our nephew, Sean, and his two kids came over to join in. Plus we took care of our granddaughter, Charlotte, and "grandson", Max, that day and they spent the night. Even Sean's 2 kids spent the night. Plus our grandchildren, Tyler and Dominique, are with us for the summer. Needless to say we had a great time together yesterday. We sat on our big, old Southern front porch and laughed and talked for hours. Sue, Otis and Tamisha were not planning on staying the night, but, they did and we loved it. We had full loving house yesterday
and we loved it!! I cooked breakfast Sunday morning and a little after Sue, Otis and Tamisha left. The second good part of the weekend was that our daughter, Jackee, invited us to to cookout at a State Park in Columbia with her friends and their families. It was a site on a lake that had fishing, paddle boats and rowboats. There was, also, a playground for the kids, a basketball court and other things. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Bill and I enjoyed it a lot. He felt really great that the kids gave him such a great weekend. It made me feel so good to see him so happy. This weekend I think has brought me a little more out of the doldrums and I am happy about that. I think I am going to now work on Bill and I doing the dating thing at least once a month. Have a great night and an even greater week!!

ANOTHER BEER RECIPE

This is a very refreshing drink that I love and everything is mixed to taste. I don't measure. I use one can/bottle of beer. Preferably the beer with lime, but, any if I don't have it. I just squeeze a little lime juice in then. I then pour in clamato juice, V8 juice or Blood Mary mix to taste. I, also, put in some tabasco sauce if the spicy Bloody Mary mix is not used. I, also, put in a few cubes of ice. Yummmmmmy!! It is really delicious and refreshing.

I am getting ready for bed because we are going to a cookout for my niece's graduation tomorrow. We will be leaving by late morning and I still have to make two dishes to take. Since Bill still has sore gums, I will be making a mashed potato salad so he can eat some of our foods we are cooking. I am, also, making a pizza pasta salad. Tomorrow will be the pool party and then Sunday evening is the graduation. A good time will be had by all. Have a safe and great weekend!

GOLDEN DREAM

Here is a drink that you can have at the end of a long day sitting and looking at the stars. I mean the ones in the sky, not the ones that call themselves stars. I really have a problem with the actors etc. that really believe their own over rated worth. We are all the same other than their large paychecks that come from us. Food for thought!
1 ounce Galliano
1/2 ounce Triple Sec or Cointreau
1/2 ounce orange juice
1/2 ounce cream
Mix all ingredients. Shake or stir well over ice. Yields 1 great drink.
I know these ingredients are not cheap but make many Golden Dreams. We all need to dream.

Frozen Banana Daiquiri

Since many of us will not be going on any road trips during the summer because of HIGH gas prices. I would like to give some nice summer drink recipes, to enjoy at home.
1 6-ounce can of frozen limeade concentrate
6 ounces of light rum
1 or 2 bananas to taste
1 tray ice cubes, crushed
maraschino cherries
Place first 4 ingredients in blender. Blend until consistency of snow. Serve topped with a cherry. Serves 4.
As you can see this is an old recipe but a good one. There aren't many people that use a ice cube tray anymore. It made ice cubes and we had both the time and energy to fill them when needed. The GREAT OLD DAYS!
Last year we made plans for a family get together in Northern Wisconsin for July . The trip just for the family who lives there is a 5 hour drive one way. I am sure if we knew gas would be over $4.00 in Wisconsin and rising, we would not of made these plans. You hear the news but hope for the best. To late to rethink and life is short, plus deposits are not refundable. Hope things are going well for all of you. We all know that many people are dealing with much more important things in their lives. Have a great day!!!!

HEADACHES

Here is a quick, short tip that I just came across. It was on a paper with a bunch of other tips that I remember looking at, but, I don't remember this one. I would think this would have jumped out at me as much as my sisters, daughters and niece get headaches. I am going to make sure that I get some Gatorade in the house and have it ready for my next headache. Drink two glasses of Gatorade to relieve headache pain almost immediately - without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers".

I

COUPONS

Here goes one of the best tip in today's economy that anyone can give. USE COUPONS EVERY CHANCE YOU GET! Coupons are money. I used to use them every time that I shopped. My family hated to go shopping with me because it took a little bit longer but it was well worth it. In fact, if I went to a grocery store and didn't have my coupons and saw an item that I wanted I wouldn't buy it if I knew I had a coupon at home for it. I don't buy something just because I have a coupon for it, though. I compare prices and value of similar items. I religiously shopped with coupons before I moved to the Philippines. When it was almost time for our move back stateside I started clipping coupons again from the stateside magazines we received there. When I went shopping for groceries after we moved in I had a pile of coupons. When I saw the look on the cashier's face I apologized and told her that I was just moving back home and restocking my cupboards and refrigerator. That was a store that every day doubled your coupons. The next day the policy was changed to doubling only on a certain day of the week. The last few years I have only sporadically used coupons and that was a mistake. Using a store's shopper's card and coupons can give you a good savings on your checkout total. In fact, you can go to couponmom.com and get some great tips. I saw her on a news channel yesterday and checked it out myself. You can, also, go to a product's company's website and you might find a coupon there. Do yourself a BIG$$$$$$$ favor and check this out and start clipping your coupons. In fact, I stopped my coupon clipping to write this and I am now going to get back to it.

Have a great weekend and Happy Memorial Day. Chris and I are going to our little town's parade tomorrow. I feel such pride and get tears in my eyes when our country's brave men and women walk and ride past.

CRABMEAT STUFFED JALAPENO POPPERS

This is a recipe that I saw in my Kraft magazine that sounds awesome. All it takes is jalapeno peppers, cream cheese and crabmeat. I am going to make it as soon as Bill is able to eat better. He had several teeth pulled today and is not feeling too good right now. Anyhow, there are no measurements, you just do it to taste. Slit one side of some jalapeno peppers and take the seeds out. Leave the stem on. Mix crabmeat and cream cheese and stuff each pepper. Bake in a 375 degrees oven until the skin blisters. What could be easier.

Yesterday Chris took me to pick up an outdoor table set that I purchased from our church's resale shop. She had been telling me for ages that I needed to put chairs on my front porch, especially for Bill. She was right. I, also, put up a little gate so that our little companions can't run out the front door and down the steps when the door is opened. They are little and fast and slip out the door before you know it when someone opens it.

Tomorrow I hope to get up early and get some things done that I have been putting off. One is to look at stuff that I have stored in my attic for years that I can sell on Ebay. I have lots of stuff that I just felt I had to buy in the Philippines that have been packed away for several years. I have already sold my brass banana tree that stood as tall as me at the flea market. So I guess I better get to bed so I can rest up for this. Have a great night.

GIVE YOUR FLOWERS AND LOVE NOW

One thing I think everyone should try to remember to show your love for your friends, loved ones, acquaintances or whomever. The time comes too quickly and it is too late to do it or you missed the opportunity to do it. I think no matter what, though, you always feel like there could have been a little more shown.

I am trying to get back on track and start "blogging" again. I have been busy with "life", but, I will find time for this. I enjoy doing it and it's a stress releaser.

We were down to one dog since we had to have Lady put to sleep the week after Mommy passed. However, we now have Mommy's little Cosmo who is a precious little toy poodle that thrives on being cuddled. Bill LOVES dogs and he is loving it. We might be taking in another little one that is a miniature dachshund that my niece has and can't keep. Right away when she said she might have to give it away Bill;s eyes lit up and he said we would take it. Those two with our little shih tzu, Hershey, will be a sight to see together all cuddled up with Bill.

Now I am going to go to bed early since I have to get up early to get Bill to the dentist at 8 a.m. He is having some teeth pulled and has to have a good breakfast before he goes. So I have to get up to cook it for him or he would never make it on time. Have a great night!!

FRUIT SALAD

Belated Happy Mother's Day to all of the mom's out there. I am still recuperating and had a very quiet day. I am doing much better, though. Marcy's daughter came and picked her up on Saturday so that she could spend Mother's Day and her birthday coming up with her family. Jackee, Irwin, Dominique and Tyler arrived a little after she left and gave me an early Mother's Day visit and gifts.

Here is a nice little salad I got from one of my diabetic cookbooks.

FRUIT SALAD

1 medium plum, sliced

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 medium nectarine, sliced

1/8 honeydew

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

2 tbsp apricot nectar

In a small bowl, combine the plum, blueberries and nectarine. Stir to mix. Sprinkle the fruit mixture over the honeydew. In a small bowl, whisk the nutmeg into the nectar. Drizzle over the fruit.

I don't know if I mentioned that we had to have our second dog, Lady, put to sleep. All 3 of our dogs were old and it is to be expected, but, it is still painful. Our last dog, Hershey, has just turned 10. However, except for a yeast skin problem he seems very healthy. Marcy's daughter, Tamika, has a miniature dachshund puppy that she finds that she can't keep. Bill fell in love with it when he first saw it and he said we will take it in. Tamika is bringing her son, Will, this weekend to do some work in our yard, so I will guess our new little roomer will be coming then, too. Bill asked Jackie to bring Tyler to help and she said she would.

Since I am starting to feel better I am glad I can start working on some things I need done around the house. There's a lot I could do outside if I wasn't so afraid of those dreaded snakes!

We'll see how many will be seen this weekend. I'm sure hoping none.

Have a great evening!!!!

CAYENNE PEPPER AND HONEY

We had the misfortune to lose my mother on 4/23. She passed late that morning in Rick's arms. Rick, Annie, Marcy and I were around her when it happened. Roxy had just went back to her home the day before. Andy had just boarded a plane to come to be with her when he got the call from me that she had passed. She was born in Opelousas, LA and that is where Ricky arranged for her to return. She is about 40 feet from her father. We drove there and returned home the day after the funeral. My Uncle Oliver flew in from CA and we were thrilled. Him and my mother were always close. He is a musician and brought his trombone with him to play "When The Saints Go Marchin' In". My deceased father played trombone, too. Uncle Oliver had one of my dad's old mouthpieces to use on his trombone. It was a beautiful service and Mommy will be really missed.

Andy came back to our place so we could spend time together. His son, George, and his girlfriend couldn't make it to LA so they came to be with us the Monday after we came back. It was nice to have more family around at a time like this. I really enjoyed having them here and so did Bill and Marcy. However, I guess my immune system got run down from all of the goings on of the last couple of weeks and I have come down with a nasty cold or something. I have not left the house since going to church on Sunday. Now here comes the CAYENNE PEPPER AND HONEY part. Uncle Oliver called me a couple of days after I got home and I sounded awful because of laryngitis. He told me 3 times a day to mix 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper with 1/2 tsp of honey and swallow it. I did it and it worked real well. Plus it didn't taste bad. Now whenever I get laryngitis I will get out my cayenne pepper and honey, for sure.

This might seem a little choppy, but, my mind is still "shaken", so to speak. A lot has happened in the last few weeks. And now this cold has me down. Today my dear friend, Chris, took me to a day spa as a birthday present. We had facials, pedicures and lunch. Boy, it was nice to finally just relax and have time just for me and to be pampered. This was the best facial and pedicure I have ever had. The facial started with a session in the steam room in which I choose eucalyptus as the aromatherapy. When I came out my hair looked awful, but, I felt great!! Then I towel dried myself, put on a lucious terry robe and waited to be taken to the room for my facial. All I can say to describe it is that I was soooooooooo relaxed. She massaged my face, shoulder, neck, arms, hands, fingers and finally, my head. After an hour of this I dressed and went to the next room for my pedicure. This was no regular pedicure, for sure. I won't even begin to describe the hour, just say it was heaven. Chris and I met up in the pedicure room and then were served a light lunch. Glorious!! Thanks so much, Chris!!!

Sorry

I am sorry that I have not posted anything in weeks. This funk that has hit me, will go away soon. My dear friend Jackie and her family has suffered a great loss. Please keep them in your prayers. Miss Elsie was a large part of many lives and we all will miss her. Thank you for your understanding.

HINTS AUNT IRENE EMAILED TO ME

Our poor mom is still holding on and it is so painful to watch. Naturally, we are staying at their home now and Andy is flying in tomorrow. I talk to Chris several times a day and she has brought food over for us. Plus, like I said before, anything we need all I have to do is call her. Plus she lives the next street over. I talk to my stepmother, Marie, every day and she is doing great after her surgery and we are so happy about that. I haven't been online too much because my concentration is not there. However, here are the tips I said that I would put in that my Aunt Irene sent to me.

Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

If you accidentally oversalt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant 'fix-me-up.'

Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

I don't know when I will be back on, but, please keep my family in your prayers. Have a great week!

NOT BEEN ON FOR AWHILE

My life has been hectic and full to say the least. Because of it all I have not been online too much. Everything going on from trying to get taxes together for the 4/15 deadline, my stepmother having breast cancer surgery and now my poor mother in her final days. We have been by her bedside since Saturday knowing the time is coming anytime now. Alzheimer's has finally taken it's toll on her. Chris gave me a beautiful angel the other day that is on the tray table by her bed. Chris, also, came over to visit and to bring some food for us. She lives the next street over and is available for us to call if and when we might need something. Ricky and Annie are absolutely fantastic with our mother. Roxy came Saturday with Rikki and Jarritte. Marcy and I will go home and shower and change and come right back over.

Wednesday Marcy and I drove to be with Marie, our stepmother, for her surgery. She is amazing and came through with flying colors and is doing great. In fact, we said we are going to get her a t-shirt with a big W on it for Wonder Woman. Since she was doing so good we came back home that evening. Her cousins were, also, there with her. Plus, my granddaughter, Tamisha, came to the hospital after work and stayed until we left. Ricky surprised her and drove there to give her a hug and kiss before she went to the hospital and rushed back home to be be with our mother. Rick's son, Phil, drove her and her cousins to the hospital and he stayed until he had to pick his kids up from school. He was back the next day to take her home. As you can tell, she means a lot to us, also.

Yesterday because of mom's condition, Sue, Otis, Tamisha, Quentin, Quentin, Jr., Tamika, Darionna, Will, Jackee, Irwin, Dominique, Tyler & Phil came. Bill came back over after church. Sean, Taliyah and Davon had stayed overnight like Marcy, Roxy, Rikki, Jarritte and I.

My sweet aunt, Irene, who reads this everyday sent me some tips that I am going to put on here later today if things go okay. After I go home and come back I will get back online and put in the tips. I hope you all have a great day. Please include my family in your prayers.

SHE CRAB SOUP RECIPE

Town Tavern Restaurant--Augusta, Georgia recipe from the Master's Golf Tournament cook book.
2 T butter
2 T plain flour
1 qt. milk
2 cups white lump crabmeat
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper
4 T dry sherry
4 hard-boiled egg yolks, finely crumbled
Melt butter in top of double boiler. Blend in flour. Add milk gradually, stirring constantly. As mixture begins to thicken, add crabmeat, salt, and pepper. When soup is of preferred consistency, remove from heat. Add sherry. Garnish with egg yolks. Yields 1 quart.
You really can make this in a sauce pan, 1 1/2 to 2 quarts is good. Just start at a medium to low- medium heat. The butter and flour should be blended as a paste and the milk will slowly thicken, stirring with a wire whisk to blend all lumps out. Take your time and it will turn out great. Once you have the butter, flour, and milk combined and thicken, add the crabmeat, salt, and pepper. Add the rest of the ingredients and it will be wonderful. I like easy and this is a very easy recipe. I am not a cook and really don't like to cook, but I can make this soup. This is not a cheap recipe (ingredients), it is worth the money and time. I am off for dinner with Natalie and Ray. Now Natalie is a very good cook and I am looking forward to this meal. Ray and Natalie, also know Jackie and Bill. We were all in the Philippines together and played a lot of poker. Over the years we have all remained great friends and see each other at cook outs. Have a good night and relaxing Sunday. Watch the Masters Golf Tournament if you get a chance. The scenery is beautiful at the Augusta National. Worth a look see!

GEORGIA PEACH FUZZ BUZZ Recipe Drink

Here is another drink recipe from my Masters Tournament cook book.
1 large ripe peach, chopped
6 ounces gin or vodka
1 6-ounce can frozen pink lemonade concentrate
2 cups ice, cracked
Put all ingredients in blender, blend well. Serve in champagne glasses. Yields 5-6 drinks.
Yesterday brought on more challenges and my new out look is, I will handle it or find someone who can help me. Don't be afraid to ask for help, friends are there for you. My son and son-in-law are very knowledgeable but don't live here. Wish me luck and patience................

ICED SPICED TEA DRINK RECIPE

The Masters Golf Tournament is being played this week. I thought I would give recipes to you from the Tea Time at the Masters cookbook.
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 quart hot water
8 tea bags
2 quarts cold water
2 cups orange juice
3/4 cup lemon juice
mint sprigs--garnish
Boil sugar and 2 cups water for 5 minutes. Add hot water and tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and add remaining ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Cool and serve over ice. Garnish--yields 1 gallon. Rum would taste good in this tea. Just a suggestion. Dealing with problems yesterday was overwhelming. Once I sat down and listen to the 11:00 news, I was ashamed that I thought I had problems. Smile!

Garage Floor and Motor Oil Hint

Yes, I am back to hints and will be gardening around the snake, if possible.
Motor oil on garage floors can be covered with cat litter to absorb it. Grind it in wearing an old pair of shoes. Let it sit for a while, then sweep up. Scrub with a stiff brush and a little dish washing liquid in water.
Did a little work outdoors and worked on cleaning up the garage today. My husband hates when I organize the garage. Hope your day went well!

SNAKE

I will be returning to helpful hints and recipes for now. My gardening days have been suspended. I had a snake experience and he wasn't afraid of the water hose or me. The only yard work I will be doing, is from the riding lawn mower. Any suggestions besides the mothballs, PLEASE HELP! Hope your day was snake free. P.S. George the dog was hiding and no help.............