September 16, 2008

Quick Tomato RelishIn a heavy medium saucepan bring to boil all ingredients. Stirring all the while as it comes to boil. Simmer 25 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring often.

 

Oriental Super SaladCombine beans, onions, tomato, chicken, salad greens, bean sprouts and radishes. Set aside. Combine lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, salt, pepper and mayonnaise. Stir to blend. Pour over vegetables. Chill 2-3 hours. To serve, add walnuts.

 

Grannie's Peach DumplingsGrannie made the most fantastic dumplings I've ever eaten and after she passed on I got her recipes and this is one that I've revised or updated. It's my favorite too, so hope you enjoy it.

 

Easy Pineapple CakeMix ingredients well until fluffy. Put in 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Poke with tooth pick to make sure cake is done.

 

Hawaiian TeriyakiPut steak in a very large skillet and sprinkle both sides liberally with soy sauce and garlic powder. Cover and cook over medium heat, turning once, until liquid evaporates and meat is browned on both sides.

 

Chocolate Sheet CakeCombine 1 stick margarine, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1 cup water and oil in saucepan. Boil for 1 minute. Mix flour, sugar and soda together in large bowl. Pour cocoa mixture over dry ingredients, mixing well.

 

Button TreesI love buttons! I also save lots of things you might consider junk, which I re-use to make beautiful household items and jewelry, like my button and earring trees.

 

Wash Your Hands to Prevent StaphMy sister works in a hospital operating room. She said staph infections are on the rise right now. She said if anyone is having any doctor's visits, surgical procedures, visiting hospitals, dealings with the public, etc. Washing good afterward with antibacterial soap or hand gel is of the importance.

 

Watch Cell Phones in Hot WeatherI left my cell phone in my car for 2 hours with the heat index down here in the Rio Grande Valley being 110. When I picked it up, it was DEAD. No way to turn it on, or to charge it.

 

Use Seasonal Veggies as Your CenterpieceFresh vegetables from your garden can make a beautiful table decoration. I change the centerpiece on my table according to what vegetables are in at the moment.

 

Master the MouseWhen the seasons change certain unwelcome guests move into the home. They're little, they're furry, and they're cute when they're running on a wheel. They're not cute when they're running across your kitchen.

 

Golden Mashed PotatoesWhen making mashed potatoes, add a couple of handfuls of shredded carrots to the raw potatoes in the pan. This is a wonderful, nutritious addition that is tasty and colorful.

 

Scenery: Sailboat and GullsThis is simply a beautiful show of nature. I was at the beach about to snap a picture of a sailboat in the distance. Just as I snapped the button, the beautiful seagulls flew right past in between the camera and the sailboat. A beautiful contrast!

 

Gizmo (Ragdoll)This is Gizmo. He is 8 years old and a Ragdoll. I got Gizmo when he was 7 weeks old from my son's friend whose cat had kittens.

 

Use Fabric Made from BambooBamboo is a renewable resource plus it helps reduce the need for laundry. Now that clothing, towels etc. are made from bamboo fiber, we can all look forward to doing less laundry. Bamboo fiber has a natural ability to repel bacteria and odors.

 

Gift Ideas for Wash Cloths?I am looking for a cute but useful idea to use pretty wash cloths as small gifts. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Fixing a Tough Cooked RoastI made a slow cooked brisket in the oven yesterday - still came out a bit too chewy. I put it into the crockpot overnight on low with the gravy and will run it longer if required, but that's one cut of meat that won't be wasted.

 

Use Toothpaste to Remove Water Stains from WoodAny brand of plain, white toothpaste (not gel) will almost always remove a water stain (left by a glass) from your wood table. Rub enough toothpaste over the stain to cover it completely - you don't need a lot (a little more than a thin film is plenty).

 

Buy a Little Present Every Month for ChristmasWhen my 3 children were little, money was tight. So I bought a present for each child every month. Granted they were very inexpensive gifts but they still had 12 gifts to open on Christmas morning.

 

Swap Sports Supplies with Other ParentsMy son has played football for 8 years and is currently playing JV football in high school. My husband is a coach for the youth football league so I have faced the cost of spikes, etc many times. Talk to other parents, they may have used gear they can't use anymore.