I've been trying to wend my way to the sewing machine for a week now but life, cleaning, and appointments have constantly veered me off track! Today, I'm hoping to get enough creativity going to get something done. I'm still sewing and crocheting to make a bit of extra cash to take care of my own, small needs as termites and leaky roofs have eaten into the budget! I just got some beautiful panel prints of Our Lady of Guadeloupe and should be able to think of something to do with that. I sold most of my tote bags over Christmas so might think about replenishing my stash today!
I've been watching a Food Network show called America's Worst Cook which has been frustrating but interesting. The frustrating part is these contestants can't seem to follow the most simple of directions. It seems to me that if I could absolutely not cook to save my life, I'd pay more attention to the cooking projects at hand. I love this one guy who tries to improvise away from the stated recipe when he doesn't know how to cook in the first place! However, the recipes proposed for the challenges are great and I was happy to discover they are being posted on the Food Network site. Hey, I know how to cook AND I can follow directions!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Twisted world?
Practically the moment the Arizona shooting happened, the media and liberal factions pointed fingers at conservatives claiming their 'narrow-minded verbage' ignited the hatred in the mind and heart of the shooter. Turns out, the bad guy had no political leanings and didn't listen to the 'awful' conservative talk show radio programs. He was just mentally unbalance all on his own.
Once that was determined, the liberal press graciously offered an apology to each and every conservative they blasted . . . NOT! While bemoaning the horror of the shootings and the lives lost, there are ongoing death threats and nasty postings about Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, etc. Now, who is igniting hatred in the hearts of people? It is like the lefties of the world glady took advantage of a tragedy to further their own twisted agenda.
I'm hoping that with the election of more conservative minds into our government, good and clear thoughts will start to take hold in how we are governed.
Once that was determined, the liberal press graciously offered an apology to each and every conservative they blasted . . . NOT! While bemoaning the horror of the shootings and the lives lost, there are ongoing death threats and nasty postings about Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, etc. Now, who is igniting hatred in the hearts of people? It is like the lefties of the world glady took advantage of a tragedy to further their own twisted agenda.
I'm hoping that with the election of more conservative minds into our government, good and clear thoughts will start to take hold in how we are governed.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Easy to figure out why . . .
After hearing the results of these movie/actor award shows, it is easy to see that moral values are pretty low. I wonder, however, how many people figure out that the movie industry might be encourged to up their idea of real moral value if we let them know at the box office. I mean, popularity comes from people supporting the productions and the only way is from purchasing a ticket or buying a DVD. Next time, you hear someone bemoan the downward slide of our culture, ask them what movies they've seen lately.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Yeah, let's worry!
Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate; now what's going to happen to us with both a Senate and a House?
Will Rogers
Will Rogers
Long-term Biscuits!
Can't recall posting this but there are always people popping in for a look who might find this handy!
Freeze 'n' Bake Biscuits
6 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry milk powder
1/4 cup baking powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups shortening
1 1/2 cups water
In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients together until well combined. Cut shortening into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Using fork, stir in water until mixture is just moistened.
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Turn dough onto well-floured surface. Lightly flour your hands and knead dough 8 to 10 times until smooth. Pat out dough about 3/4-inch thick. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares or cut with biscuit cutter, without twisting biscuit cutter. Place about 1/2-inch apart on baking sheet and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.
Makes about 5 dozen.
To freeze, prepare but do not bake. Freeze, then place in plastic bags. Remove biscuits as needed and bake frozen for 30 to 35 minutes. Ingredients may be mixed, stored in container, water added and baked as needed.
Freeze 'n' Bake Biscuits
6 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry milk powder
1/4 cup baking powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups shortening
1 1/2 cups water
In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients together until well combined. Cut shortening into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Using fork, stir in water until mixture is just moistened.
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Turn dough onto well-floured surface. Lightly flour your hands and knead dough 8 to 10 times until smooth. Pat out dough about 3/4-inch thick. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares or cut with biscuit cutter, without twisting biscuit cutter. Place about 1/2-inch apart on baking sheet and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.
Makes about 5 dozen.
To freeze, prepare but do not bake. Freeze, then place in plastic bags. Remove biscuits as needed and bake frozen for 30 to 35 minutes. Ingredients may be mixed, stored in container, water added and baked as needed.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Termites are so much fun . . .
If you believe the subject line, I might have some swamp land property to offer, too! We first got notice of the unwelcome critters when we discovered they had actually eaten a noticeable chunk out of the baseboard in my daughter's room. Fortunately, they were able to treat just the wall and, for the sake of prevention, sprayed our attic and the perimeter of the house. We were offered a yearly 'membership' for $250 which would give us an annual check up and treatment as needed. We weren't sure but decided to go for it. Best decision of our life.
Given the extensive treatment of last year, we were pretty sure the $250 payment would remain just a fee without a benefit. Wrong! The termites came in through a drain line that was outside the house BUT up against the wall of an inside closet. Uh, this is my craft/junk closet so you can imagine how much I enjoyed my husband the the termite guy pulling out the piles and piles of stuff. Sigh . . . Guess what, that closet is near perfection today. Do you think the termite guy was sent by my guardian angel to finally bring organization to that portion of my life?
Given the extensive treatment of last year, we were pretty sure the $250 payment would remain just a fee without a benefit. Wrong! The termites came in through a drain line that was outside the house BUT up against the wall of an inside closet. Uh, this is my craft/junk closet so you can imagine how much I enjoyed my husband the the termite guy pulling out the piles and piles of stuff. Sigh . . . Guess what, that closet is near perfection today. Do you think the termite guy was sent by my guardian angel to finally bring organization to that portion of my life?
Hard to figure . . .
When I was about two weeks away from delivering my fourth child, I got an unexpected visit from an unpopular relative. She had actually brought a gift for the unborn baby and addressed it in the name of the baby we had named and lost the year before. It was like she figured we'd recycle the name until we had a live birth of a male child. It was not a calming influence on an already nervous mother to be. I had a bad fall the next day and went into labor two days after Christmas and had an uneventful birth and a healthy baby.
The odd part followed. Every year, we go to the trouble of calling each and every sibling and parent and wish them a Merry Christmas. Giving the pre-Christmas trials and tribulations and the pending delivery, we never got around to it. We found it a bit disheartening that not one of the relatives called us either. We have stopped calling and they don't seem to notice. Guess we get extra blessings for having made the effort?
I've run into that with casual friendships over the years, too. It must be a frequent quirk among more people than just family. It is really kind of sad that in this turbulant world of ours, people can so easily let go of relationships. This actually happened to us this year but we must have 'grown up' a bit because we just shook our heads and went on with life.
We had one of those Christmas holidays which was preceded by the onslaught of a leaky roof, an unexpected dental bill, and a termite invasion. We missed out on connecting with a lot of people with all this going on. A few of them didn't notice so I guess we were subtly informed that the friendship wasn't really there. It's a strange world which is probably what hones our sense of humor! :-)
Have still been busy with sewing, crocheting, and trying to sell my items on-line. I feel a great need to pad our emergency fund!
The odd part followed. Every year, we go to the trouble of calling each and every sibling and parent and wish them a Merry Christmas. Giving the pre-Christmas trials and tribulations and the pending delivery, we never got around to it. We found it a bit disheartening that not one of the relatives called us either. We have stopped calling and they don't seem to notice. Guess we get extra blessings for having made the effort?
I've run into that with casual friendships over the years, too. It must be a frequent quirk among more people than just family. It is really kind of sad that in this turbulant world of ours, people can so easily let go of relationships. This actually happened to us this year but we must have 'grown up' a bit because we just shook our heads and went on with life.
We had one of those Christmas holidays which was preceded by the onslaught of a leaky roof, an unexpected dental bill, and a termite invasion. We missed out on connecting with a lot of people with all this going on. A few of them didn't notice so I guess we were subtly informed that the friendship wasn't really there. It's a strange world which is probably what hones our sense of humor! :-)
Have still been busy with sewing, crocheting, and trying to sell my items on-line. I feel a great need to pad our emergency fund!
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