February 26, 2007

Quick Chocolate CakePreheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except the vinegar in an 8x8 inch square baking dish or a 9 inch round cake pan.

 

Toasted Coconut, Pecan and Caramel PieMelt butter. Add coconut and pecans. Toss well. Saute until coconut is lightly browned. Set aside. Beat cream cheese until fluffy.

 

French-Style ChickenSprinkle chicken with lemon-pepper. In a large non-stick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side.

 

Creamy Pea SoupPlace split peas, water, ham bone, shallots, carrots, celery leaves, bay leaf, salt, garlic, and pepper into a large pot. Heat to almost boiling.

 

Easy Red PunchMix above ingredients together except the ginger ale or 7-Up. Add the soda just before serving.

 

Christmas Morning RollsFrozen dinner rolls can be prepped the night before for yummy sweet rolls to serve with breakfast.

 

Wild Rice Chicken CasseroleIn frying pan, place oil. Let cook on low about 2 minutes. Add rice, let cook until golden. Add broth, let cook about 20 minutes (or until no longer hard).

 

Edinborough RockPut crushed sugar into a pan and add the water. Stir and cover at a gentle heat till sugar dissolves. When nearly boiling, add a good pinch of cream of tartar and boil without stirring until it reads 250 degrees F in cold weather and 260 degrees F in hot weather.

 

Wedding PunchCombine juices and water in large punch bowl; mix well. Right before serving, add ginger ale, sparkling water and juice; stir to blend.

 

Braunschweiger SpreadMix all ingredients together in a medium sized bowl. Serve on crackers or bread.

 

Zippers on Sofa CushionsMany people make the mistake of assuming that the zipper on sofa cushion covers is so you can remove it and toss it in the washing machine. Look for a tag on the cushion for cleaning instructions.

 

Beauty Bath BarPaint a design over one side of the bar of soap, using the acrylic paints. Let dry. Meanwhile, in a double boiler over medium heat, place canning wax.

 

Josie the CatJosie is a 6 year old cat. I got Josie from a litter of kittens born to my Aunt's cat.

 

Gardening In Areas With Less Light And More MoistureTips for anyone with less light and more moisture in their wishful new garden planting area*: To each 5" round/sq. planting hole about 6-8" deep, add two teaspoonsful of crushed, new, untreated charcoal briquettes over 1 cup of gravel and 1 cup of straight compost.

 

Use Plastic Knife For Burned On FoodI used to use single edge razor blades to scrape burned food off my porcelain enamel stove, but even that scratches. So when I was trying to scrape off some dried sauce, I turned to a thin plastic knife with a serrated edge and it worked without scratching!

 

Senior Dress Code - A JokeMany of us "Old Folks" (those over 50, WAY over 50, or hovering near 50) are quite confused about how we should present ourselves. We are unsure about the kind of image we are projecting and whether or not we are correct as we try to conform to current fashions. Despite what you may have seen on the streets, the following combinations DO NOT go together and should be avoided:

 

Space Bags For TravellingJust flew from Ohio to Texas and was trying to figure out how to bring a giant 6 foot teddy bear I had purchased for my 2 year old niece.

 

Equivalent Measurements In CookingA table of measurements to help with conversions in cooking.

 

Lantanas - Beware!Beware! - The lantanas will get you if you don't watch out! Very satisfactory in our dry, WARM weather.

 

Uses For Leftover Christmas PaperIf you make your own sewing patterns or make duplicate patterns or revisions to patterns like I do, use your old Christmas wrapping paper or Christmas tissue paper, it makes great patterns!

 

The Money Will FollowThey say that if you "stick with what makes you happy, the money will follow". I don't know about that, but if you have a talent at something, and love doing it, go for it! You never know.

 

Baked Salmon In FoilThis is my favorite salmon recipe. It is very simple and always turns out moist and delicious.

 

Making Crafts From Dishcloths?Does anyone have a book or some ideas on making gift items out of new dish cloths? A friend gave me a pair of pajamas made out of three dish cloths. They are folded to look like a pair of pajamas. Attached to the pajamas is a note that says "We look like pajamas, But, really we aren't.

 

Painting Baby Furniture?I need to repaint a baby bed. What kind of paint is safe? I have started using an enamel based paint. Is this OK? It has a flat feeling to it. Could I use a gloss over it? Ideas anyone?

 

Health Insurance for the Self Employed?Does anyone know of a good carrier for self employed health insurance?

 

Neti Pot Advice?Has anyone used a neti pot? I want to know if it should feel like your brain is clogging up? I only used pure salt and not baking soda.

 

Water Marks on Silk?I need help removing water marks from silk curtains.

 

Baby Oil Stains on Microfiber?How do I get baby oil off microfiber sofas?

 

Rats In My Backyard?How do I get rid of rats in my backyard?