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.............

I'LL LEAVE THE MAJOR GARDENING TIPS TO CHRIS

Before I learned there was a snake presence around our "space" I used to have a nice little vegetable garden and planted some flowers around the house. I bought gardening books and was all into it. Now the thought of snakes kills any gardening thoughts I might have. I just plant my herbs in pots outside and I have a small little garden by my driveway. Last year I had hanging fern plants on my front porch and birds kept making nests and laying eggs in them. A couple of years ago Annie had given my granddaughter, Dominique, a strawberry pot because she loves strawberries. Dominique and Tyler spend their summers here. I sat it on our front porch and as soon as a strawberry grew it was gone. There was a squirrel that was coming on the porch and eating it. It was funny when I moved it and he came to look for it and couldn't find it. Anyhow, I will leave the major gardening tips to Chris and I will put it whatever tip, recipe or stroke of genius that comes to my mind.

Yesterday and today I was busy with our church's resale shop. We were open from 8a.m. to 12p.m. and we did really good in sales. We were busy both days. Great donations are given to us by the community and we sell it at very, very low prices. And the stuff we sell is not junk. Yesterday we sold all clothes (including coats and jackets), shoes and purses for 50 cents each. If it was a suit it was still 50 cents. Today we sold all at 25 cents each. Some of the stuff still had their original price tags on them. We called it our rain sale since it was pouring outside and we had tornado watches. The money taken in goes to help the needy in the parish. Plus if anyone need something they can just contact the people in charge of the shop and come to the shop and pick out whatever they need. It's fun helping out there and mentally rewarding.

I went to see my mother yesterday and she wasn't very responsive. I felt that she could tell it was me when she looked at me, though. Ricky got a toy poodle for her quite awhile ago which she adores. A doctor had suggested it and that was a fantastic idea. Cosmo could always cheer her up. It is an older dog that he got from an animal rescue place. I swear Cosmo was made for our mother. He has always listened so well. And he instinctively knew that he was her dog. Ricky even bought the doggie steps so that he could go to bed with her because she wanted him with her all of the time. Now Cosmo goes up those steps walks up and looks in her face for a second and then just goes and lies down by her. It is the most touching sight. Sometimes when she is a little bit more responsive it brings a smile to her face. She can't pet him or anything now because she can't move her arms to do so. I know even though her eyes might not be open she knows he's there and that makes her feel a bit better.

Well, now I am going to get some things done and get ready for church in the morning. I hope you have a peaceful, restful night!

Hint for RABBITS IN THE GARDEN

Rabbits in the garden can cause a lot of damage to your plants. They are very cute and we don't want to hurt them. Here are some tips that may help us all...
#1. Fill a 1 gallon glass jug with water and place it next to the rabbits favorite snack. The jars reflect the light and scares the animals. This is a new one for me. I would think it would be a problem finding a glass gallon jar.
#2. Put plastic milk jugs with their bottoms cut out over seedlings in the spring. As always remove them during the hottest part of the day. I have done this and the rabbits come around at night when the jugs are in place. Right now my husband has plastic around the tomato cages for warmth on those cold nights.
#3. Set an old pair of shoes or sneakers among the rows and beds to give the garden a human smell.
Most animals are doing what is natural to them. I have a squirrel problem at my bird feeders. They are taking over and I took down 2 feeders already. It's war because they can cause other damage in the yard. They chewed all the cushions of my friends garden furniture. They still have to put them away at night. George our dog does keep them at bay, sometimes. I found the squirrels coming up on my front porch and I put a fake cat on the bench. So far they have not returned. D.J. the 16 year old cat, sleeps on the front porch. The porch is a large southern porch that is covered, so he is very happy in his house at night. The squirrels don't want to come face to face with D.J. Wish me luck!

OLD TIME HINT FOR ROSE CUTTINGS

My Grandfather was a very successful gardener. In spring he would take a glass jar and put it on top of a rose cutting.
#1. Take the cutting of NEW growth and push it a few inches, directly into good soil in your present garden.
#2. Cover it with an up side down glass jar. The jar is like a small greenhouse.
#3. By placing in your garden, you will keep a good eye on it progress. Water along with your other garden plants.
#4. The other plants will soon help shade the small greenhouse. Once it gets a good root system, you can move it to a permanent place. In some areas you need to watch your small greenhouse, days are getting warmer and the jar might need to be removed during the day light hours.
This system can be helped with a root powder you can find where plants are sold. Just use your good garden sense and you will be successful like my grandfather. Good luck and I will let you know, if I have good luck with this old time procedure.

PLANTING SEEDLING TOMATO PLANTS

To aid your seedling to turn into a strong mature plant you should pinch off the bottom set or two of leaves. Then plant it deep enough that this part is below the soil level. This helps to root it better and make a strong base for the plant.

My brother, Andy, is going to come around the end of the month. It is not a happy occasion that he is coming for, but, I will be glad to see him. The last few times I visited our mom she hasn't been conscious. He is feeling better and I hope he continues that way.

I am not going to stay online long because Bill wants to get on and TurboTax our taxes. He has been keeping himself a bit busier than usual and I am glad. I think it makes him feel good, too.
Anyhow, have a great relaxing evening. I plan on watching Barbara Walters special tonight on "Live to be 150.....can you do it?"

Garden Tools

WD-40, keeps all your garden tools rust free. We have tools from over 25 years ago because of taking care of them. I know that handles on the shovels and rakes go first for our household. We have 5 acres to keep cut, raked and weeded. After Dennis retired 3 years ago, he was in charge of the yard and vegetable garden, I did the flowers. Dennis went on a consulting job, so I will be back on the lawn mower for a couple of months. I did it for 15 plus years, so it will be like riding a bike. The bad thing is I am a lot of years older. Today I did a lot of errants. I try to do them all in one trip. It really helps on the gas being used in my Jeep. Have a good night!

Roses

Roses are very hardy. I myself, like the tea roses and plan on adding a picture to the blog, as soon as they show off with flowers. Today a well known garden expert said; " do not fertilize roses until they show their leaves ". Also do not water the leaves if possible, water at the base. Roses in my opinion need 1-2 inches of water per plant, a week. If you keep the leaves somewhat dry, black spots will stay away and keep the plant healthy. I am not a plant expert but these tips have been working for me. I also like to prune the rose bush a couple times a year and remove all woody ( dried out ) branches.
Being outside and enjoying the growth of what you planted is very rewarding to me. Have fun and experiment. We all learn from our mistakes. Well sometimes.............

PESKY MOSQUITOES

One of our best repellents we have found is to rub on Avon Skin-So-Soft. Bill even puts some in a spray bottle with a little water and spritzes it on for protection when he is outside working. It's really good when we go to the drive-in theater and are sitting outside. It has a good smell, too.

Chris was right about Marcy. She is going to walk the Cancer Relay for Life with her problem foot. Cancer has been such an awful culprit to our family that she feels she has to. My siblings and I are even in an ongoing study that the NHI is doing for multiple myeloma. I give Marcy a lot of credit. If you would like to donate to her effort, you can use the link http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeSouthAtlanticDivision?px=5203353&pg=personal&fr_id=8625. If you would just like to donate to the American Cancer Society, please don't hesitate to go to their website and do so. We lost our grandmother, our dad and one of our brothers to MM. One of our aunts died from possibly MM when I was a young teenager. We lost one of our sisters to colon cancer. One of our brothers has had esophageal cancer and is still plagued with the side effects of that. Like Chris said her family has been set upon by this awful disease. A very good friend of ours has battled with breast cancer. Another very good friend died from lymphoma. I could go on and on but I wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of you reading this that have had this ugly monster raise it's head somewhere in your life. You know what I mean when I say we have to find something or some way to combat this. Every little bit helps and is appreciated!

Yesterday Marcy, her 2 grandchildren and I went to a local flea market to check it out to see if we would like to do business there sometime. We found that we would and are looking forward to it. After we left there, I stopped at a supermarket to get the fixings for a surprise meal for Bill. He worked longer and harder Friday than he has worked since he had his strokes. I wanted to let him know that I noticed and really appreciated it. He loves steak with blue cheese on top so I fixed that for him. He is not supposed to eat red meat because of gout possibly flaring up, but, we took a chance. I, also, boiled some shrimp in beer with great seasoning and made a delicious cocktail sauce. Add a great baked potato with all the fixings (including real bacon bits) and corn and he was loving it. He has had chicken, fish and turkey for so long he was in heaven eating a steak!! Everyone else sure enjoyed the meal, too.

Today we went to church and then to visit with our mother for awhile. She did not respond to us today, but, at least we saw her. Later we went home and Tamika picked up Darionna and Will to go back home. Now we are all just resting. It's cold and dreary out so it's a good day to just rest. Have a great day in your little part of the wold wherever that might be!!

Wrought Iron Garden Furniture

I plan on freshening up my garden furniture as soon as the yellow pollen is gone. You need to prepare the pieces by wiping off all the dust and dirt. With a wire brush you need to scour all the rust spots. I will paint with a couple of coats of spray paint. Don't rush the job by spraying the paint on to heavy. Take your time and spray on a couple of coats, leaving time to dry between applications. Do it outside on a calm day. Use an old sheet, piece of cardboard, or tarp to keep paint off bottom of surface, your furniture is sitting on to be painted. Paint is a great thing to give your garden furniture a new look. Add some containers filled with flowers, greens, or even herbs. What a happy place to sit and think great thoughts...............
I have the fireplace on. It is very cold today. Normal high is 72 for this time of year. Jackie and her family were at church services. Marcy, Jackie's sister will be walking in support of cancer research. Please, if you have a chance to donated to this great cause, do it. Marcy's foot is not completely healed from a previous surgery, yet she feels motivated to walk for this great cause. People like her need our help and with more funds and prayers, hopefully a cure is found soon! Every little bit helps, even a small donation goes to a good cause. Both Jackie's and my family have been stricken by cancer. I don't know many people who have not dealt with this disease in some way. Take care!

BUYING SEEDLINGS

This is something that I saw in a gardening wisdom book that I have. When buying seedlings keeps these thoughts in mind. Purchase very short plants with little or no flowers. Never purchase tall lanky, flowered plants because you'll only have to cut them back. Finally, if at all possible plant your seedlings as soon as you bring them home.

It has been a beautiful day here today and we worked outside just about all day. Bill really did a lot today and I know is going to be hurting and tired tonight and tomorrow. Marcy and I were thinking of going to Summerville to do our flea market thing this weekend, but, Bill needs to be at home after today. So we will just stay home and get some things done here. I plan to go visit with my mother some tomorrow. Now I am going to drink my little gin and olives on the rocks and go to bed. Have a great weekend!!

ROSEBUSH HINT

This is a good one. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of Epsom salts around each rosebush every spring. The magnesium in the salts enhances cell walls and plant absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur which rosebushes need.
Just can't get it together. My mind is very foggy and I need to snap out of it. I plan on getting outdoors on Saturday for some serious planting. Wish me luck and ambition. Sleep well!

DEVILED EGGS

Here's a recipe that was in our local paper and has a little twist on the ingredients.

BLUE DEVILS

6 boiled eggs, peeled and cut in half

2 tbsp plus 2 tsp mayonnaise

1 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp crumbled blue cheese

salt and pepper to taste

3 tbsp bacon bits for garnish

Place egg yolks in a bowl and thoroughly mash. Mix with the mayonnaise and mustard. Add the blue cheese and mash well into the mixture with a spoon. Taste, then season with salt and pepper. Fill the whites evenly with the mixture and garnish each egg half with bacon bits.

Yesterday was pretty busy. Marcy and I went to get our hair done and then I was planning on going grocery shopping. However, Bill took our other car to drop off to get repaired so I had to go pick him up. Then Marcy and I went shopping. But, Bill called in the middle of it and needed to go to Home Depot because he was in the middle of a repair and needed something. I took the car to him and since I was feeling pretty worn out then, I laid down and took a quick nap until he came back. Then Marcy, Darionna and I went back to our grocery shopping. When we finally got home (worn out) Marcy made the fixings for chicken taco while I laid down again. Bill went to a Knight's meeting and we ate and watched a movie while he was gone. When he came home he fixed him a plate and watched another movie with us.

Today I have been doing chores here and there. One thing I did was to put a new hose vent on my drier. Now I am going to fix dinner and get back to doing chores here and there. Have a great day.

SNAKES---YARD---GARDEN

Like Jackie and many other people, we don't like snakes. I read a little about them this morning and thought I would pass this on to you. The article says that snakes won't bother you unless you disturb them. I have to believe this because I never heard of a snake running after anyone. Snakes play an important part in nature, by eating mice and rats. Two creatures I don't want around. I guess I don't know who I would want in my yard or garden (snakes or rodents ) NEITHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is something I plan on trying, you buy at your pharmacy call Mercaptans--this has a synthetic skunk odor. Skunks eat snakes, rats, and mice, so this smell keeps the snakes and rodents away. Unfortunately, it also keeps you far away. I think you have to decide weather to smell like skunk or have snakes and rodents around.
Plan B is to have all garbage and trash away from your garden and house if possible. If there is nothing to eat, it will discourage rodents and snakes will have to go elsewhere for their next meal. Just a thought. Smile!

BOY, DID I REST YESTERDAY!

I never got out of my pajamas and practically stayed in bed all day! I was really tired. Today I am all rested and ready to get back to my normal routine. The weather is a bit chilly out right now so I won't be going out to plant the herbs and pepper plants that I bought yet. One good thing is that this is not good weather for snakes. Yayyyyyy! Marcy's 2 grandkids, Darionna and Will, came back today and can help us get some of the yardwork done that needs to be done. When they were here last week Will worked hard and cleared a lot of pine straw out of the back yard. He, also, got up a lot of the branches and pine cones that were strewn about by the storms.

I'm missing Andy not being here. Every once it crosses my mind that he would be here now if he could and I get a little sad. However, I know it is best for him to be at home now.

I will be back later with a recipe or tip. Have a great day!!