50s Housewife

Organizing the Pantry

2009-11-11T09:39:00.002-06:00

I have been organizing my pantry this week and I am loving it! Mine doesn't look nearly as cute as this one, but at least I can find everything now and I'm not in danger of something falling out on my head. :)

As soon as I get more than 5 minutes to sit at the computer I'll post some pictures and details of what I did. I'm seriously thinking of looking for a door like the one in the picture for my pantry. Of course that would mean I would have to keep the pantry organized at all times! I guess that would be good motivation wouldn't it?

The Saturday Evening Blog Post

2009-11-07T11:06:00.003-06:00

Elizabeth Esther is hosting the Saturday Evening Blog Post. She says:

This is where bloggers gather on the first Saturday of each month to share their latest and greatest blog posts! This month we're featuring posts from
October 2009!

Isn't that a fun idea? Be sure to head over and read all the great posts!

This is my first time to participate and I'm going to cheat a little bit and point you toward two of my October posts. I couldn't decide between them. The first is my silly Tale of Two Coffeemakers (this is my husband's favorite)and the second is Let's Get Cozy about getting ready for Fall. Hope you enjoy them if you missed them the first time around!

For Your Thanksgiving Table

2009-11-05T16:28:00.003-06:00

The girls made these cute little candle holders in GAs for our Thanksgiving table a few years ago. They are just little terracotta pots and saucers glued together, painted and decorated. If your kids are interested in making a Thanksgiving craft, these are really easy and cute too! :)

In other news, I'm getting my pantry organized today and supper is already in the crockpot (it's a roast this time)! I've been inspired by a friend's pantry that is super organized with everything labeled. It's already looking so much better! I love it!

Crockpot Chicken with mushroom gravy

2009-11-03T09:47:00.004-06:00

*Update below*
I'm trying a new slow cooker recipe today that I got from a friend at church. This will be the first time for me to try it. It sounds so good and easy. I'll let you know how it tastes. I think I'll serve it over noodles or rice.

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth (not both)
1 can cream of chicken soup
4 oz. can of sliced mushrooms, drained

Place chicken in slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper' Combine wine and soup. Pour over chicken and top with mushrooms. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours.

*I served it over egg noodles and Mike and the kids loved it! This will definitely go into the regular rotation.

Good Morning!

2009-11-02T07:25:00.000-06:00

Good morning my sweet friends! I hope your week is already off to a great start. Sit down, grab a cup of coffee and lets have some breakfast and chat. I would love to hear what's going on at your house this week. I'm planning to try out a new crockpot recipe and bake some pumpkin bread.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.

Psalm 143:8 (New Living Translation)

Let's get Cozy

2009-10-29T21:35:00.006-05:00

Relaxing

I always feel so "nesty" in the fall. It's nice to enjoy the cool weather and change things around to match the change in seasons. Here are a few things that I do in the fall to make us feel nice and cozy.

Buy fall scented candles. I'm currently burning one called "cinnamony vanilla" that smells delicious. I also make homemade "potpourri" by simmering orange and apple peels with some cinnamon on a back burner.

Make soup. A big pot of soup is so comforting on a cold day. One of my favorites is curried split pea soup.

Drape some soft throws over your living room furniture. Be sure to take advantage of them at least occasionally by snuggling underneath one with a good book and a hot cup of vanilla caramel coffee while you listen to some old-fashioned music.

Dig out the flannel sheets, warm PJs and fuzzy slippers. At the first hint of a cold night I'm ready for my favorite pair of plaid PJs.

Keep a small tube of your favorite hand lotion on the nightstand. My hands get really dry when the weather turns cooler and I like to have some scented lotion to use right before bedtime. It's always nice to smell good when you get into your bed at night. :)

Bake bread

Polish my few pieces of heirloom silver and set them out to sparkle around the house and kitchen.

Stock the pantry with flour, sugar, yeast and spices to be ready for all the baking coming up over the next few months.

Start listening to Christmas music. Yes, I know it's ridiculously early, I just can't help myself.

Splash in the puddles, jump in the leaves, drink hot chocolate, take an afternoon nap, watch a sappy old movie, and generally enjoy the season with my family.

"The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on."
- Emily Dickinson

October

2009-10-27T08:57:00.002-05:00

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on
the feelings, as now in October."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Breezy Fall Picnic

2009-10-24T17:00:00.002-05:00

Fashion Forward

2009-10-22T16:09:00.007-05:00

I love clothes and shoes even though half the time I look like a candidate for What Not to Wear. I haven't revamped my wardrobe in years, so I recently bought a couple of cute things for fall and I'm so excited! It's so fun to put on something that I feel even halfway trendy in!

I love these boots, but they are WAY out of my price range so I settled on these cuties from Target.

I also got this really cute peacoat (again from Target). It's a perfect weight for fall and I've never had such a colorful coat. You would be surprised at how many things it goes with.

I'm now inspired to go through my closet and weed out all the 90s rejects and things that haven't fit since 2002. Who knows maybe I'll even splurge and get a show organizer!

Have you bought anything cute lately? What do you think are essential fashion staples for fall this year?

Things I Love

2009-10-20T09:22:00.004-05:00

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8

The beach and the crashing of the waves

The smell of a coffee shop (and drinking the coffee).

Paintings by Renoir.

Chocolate

An organized drawer

Vintage aprons

My kitchenaid mixer

Precious daughters with flowers in their hair.

A husband and sons who do the right thing and exhibit the best in masculinity

Sleeping late

Antique malls

So may wonderful things to enjoy in this life!

Of course the sense of connection I have with you, my dear friends and readers, is something I love as well! Thank you for being here! You make blogging so fun!

Let it go

2009-10-16T13:35:00.002-05:00

Raking Leaves

Perfectionist: Noun(a person who is displeased by anything that does not meet very high standards)

Order and cleanliness at home is wonderful but life is just not perfect and our homes will never be immaculate and magazine ready as long as we really live in them. I don't know about you, but at my house as soon as I finish all the dishes, someone deposits a dirty glass in the sink. I finish raking the leaves, and more fall. I do laundry and everyone wants to change clothes. Sometimes you have to walk away from it and make the decision to do something fun and creative. Enjoy your home and your family and focus on the pretty flowers on the table or the scented candles in the bathroom, and look over the dusty lampshade and dog hair on the sofa. Let's not make ourselves and our families miserable trying to achieve something that's impossible.

I'll step over the football cleats by the front door and won't notice the muddy footprints on the carpet at your house and you do the same when you come to mine? OK?

Dear Mr. Cyclist

2009-10-12T14:52:00.002-05:00

Cycles

Dear Mr. Cyclist,
I know I am not as in shape as you are (as you like to show us all in your tiny little skin tight shorts) and I'm sure you think I'm hogging up all the earth's resources as I drive 45 children and teenagers around in my monster SUV. However, please remember that I am bigger than you are and frankly the highways are made for me and my SUV, not for your bicycle. When you have a flat tire, it is really not a good idea for you to stop in the middle of the road to work on your bike. I am driving 65 miles an hour as I come over that rise in the road and really can't see you until I almost get in a wreck trying to avoid you. I would rather not expose my children and my neighbor's children to a cyclist flattened on the highway.

Thanks for your consideration,

A Tale of Two Coffeemakers

2009-10-09T06:52:00.000-05:00

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...oh wait, that's another story.

Ahem... Once upon a time there were two coffeemakers.

There was a big red coffee maker and he lived at Lowe's. He liked to look at the riding lawnmowers and plumbing supplies.

There was also a petite and (slightly) round, green coffeemaker. She lived at Wal-Mart and liked to hang out on end-caps with the clearance items.

The big red coffeemaker liked his coffee with no foo-foo flavors. Just plain coffee for Red, thanks...nothing that "smells weird". It was best if he got his coffee in the supersize container from the warehouse store. You can never have too much coffee! He liked to start making coffee at precisely 6:15 am which is why he had a timer and a clock.

Green liked all sorts of flavored coffees and she preferred them in small amounts so that if she grew tired of one, she could try something different. She didn't have a clock and that was fine with her. Who wanted to be on a dumb ol' coffee schedule anyway? It was all about the joy of spontaneous brewing!

One day Red and Green came to live at the same house. They were a little unsure of each other at first because they were different, but they soon came to realize that sometimes different is good! Their differences suited their new owners and each other.

The gradually fell in love and began brewing in perfect harmony each morning. They are so happy with the pitter-patter of little mugs in the house and they lived happily ever after. The end.

Yes, I'm weird! :) This story came to me as hubby and I were making coffee in our separate coffeemakers this morning and I thought it would be fun to share it with you.

Do You Splurge in the Kitchen?

2009-10-08T06:14:00.000-05:00

UK, 1949

Do you ever splurge in the kitchen? I try to keep my grocery budget in line, but I do have a few areas where I don't mind spending a little more.

One of my favorite "treats" for the kitchen is Mrs. Meyers geranium dish soap. It smells so good and anything to make doing the dishes less of a chore is worth it to me. :) I also spend more to get good, organic brown eggs. We don't eat everything organic, but I buy organic eggs and milk when I can.

Also, if you're making something like this pot roast that calls for wine, be sure and use the good stuff. If you use the cheap "cooking wine" you'll ruin it! I learned that one the hard way. No point in investing the time and energy in a meal only to ruin it with a bad ingredient.

Do you have any favorite kitchen splurges?

I Love Fall!

2009-10-05T18:33:00.002-05:00

Banana French Toast

2009-10-03T11:27:00.002-05:00

This is another re-run that I posted awhile back. It is one of Greg's favorites and he usually requests it when he's home.

This is what I made for breakfast this morning and it was SO good. I used homemade bread and bananas are cheap so even though I haven't worked out the exact cost I'm thinking it was pretty minimal.

Ingredients:
4 eggs (I only have 2 showing in the picture)
1/2 cup milk
2 bananas, cut into chunks
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 Tablespoon oil
Sliced bread

In a blender, combine all ingredients except bread. Blend until smooth and pour into a pie pan.

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat until hot. I recommend non-stick for this recipe. Soak bread in the banana mixture, turning to coat both sides.

Place bread in the skillet. Cook 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown, turning once.

Serve with additional sliced bananas, powdered sugar and maple syrup.

Through the Blog Lens

2009-09-28T06:53:00.001-05:00

When I look back and realize that I've been blogging here at 50s housewife for almost two years I can harldy believe it. Who would have thought that something I started on a whim would wind being so much fun and be something that I would learn so much from.

It's been interesting to me to look back on my posts and see my life through the lens of my blog. I am a blessed woman! I think blogging has helped me focus on that.

Here are some pictures from the past two years of my blog. When I look at them I am reminded how important it is to enjoy the everyday events of life. These little moments that mark the rhythm of passing days are life. Fill them with grace and love and beauty.

While with an eye
made quiet by the
power
Of harmony, and
the deep power
of joy
We see into the life
of things.
-William Wordsworth

That's Life

2009-09-23T09:32:00.002-05:00

I'm having one of those weeks... Life just happens that way sometimes. Everything from the electric company cutting a line (or something) and depriving our neighborhood of electricity for several hours just as we're all making supper to a sweet daughter with a fever of 102 on a day when I HAVE to be at school to extended family members coming to town for a funeral and wanting to spend time with us when we have something scheduled every night.

Sometimes things just pile up don't they? It happens and we just deal with it as best we can. If you're having on those weeks too remember you aren't alone.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
– Matthew 11:28-30

Lasagna

2009-09-18T20:12:00.002-05:00

We've been talking about our kitchen shortcuts lately so I thought I would re-run a post from last year with my crock pot lasagna recipe. I love to make use of my crock pot when I'm busy. It's nice to come home to supper when you've been out all day. Oh, and I got a new one for Christmas last year, so I no longer have to use the one with no handle. :)

Tonight's supper was lasagna that I made in the slow cooker. It was the first time for me to make this particular recipe. It was really easy and tasted good. I have to admit it's not quite as good as The Pioneer Woman's best lasagna ever, but much easier because it can simmer all day while you're busy. :)

This recipe came from one of my favorite cookbooks from Gooseberry Patch, Harvest Kitchen.

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 t. Italian seasoning
8 lasagna noodles, uncooked and broken into thirds
28 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
1/3 c. water
Optional: 4 oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained
15 oz. container ricotta cheese
8 oz. pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese

Combine ground beef and Italian seasoning. Arrange half the lasagna noodles in a greased slow cooker. Spread half the ground beef mixture over noodles. top with half each of remaining ingredients. Repeat layering process. Cover and cook for 5 hours on low setting. Serves 10 (well, in my house it serves 6).

Notice the handle (or lack thereof) on the lid of my crock pot. It's been that way for years, but since the crock pot works just fine I limp along without a handle.

Make an easy meal by adding some garlic bread and a salad.

Busy Season

2009-09-17T09:00:00.004-05:00

Fall is always such a busy season for us and even more so this year. As much as I try to keep things simple, sometimes they just aren't. Daily life seems to get complicated so easily doesn't it? The rotisserie chicken at the grocery store has become my best friend. Talk about convenience! It makes chicken spaghetti or chicken enchiladas so much easier or we can just eat it as is, open up a bag of salad, steam some veggies right quick and we are ready to sit down to a good meal. I don't even have to plan ahead which is frankly not happening much lately.

What are your favorite short cuts in the kitchen when life gets busy? I love to "ask the readers" because you ladies are the most creative and resourceful bunch I know! :)

Apple Cobbler Rerun

2009-09-10T10:53:00.002-05:00

Ladies, thank you for all your help deciding on a birthday gift for Peter! You are so helpful! I won't say what I ordered just on the off chance that he reads here (he knows about this blog but almost never reads it). I think he will really like it.

It's apple picking time again so I thought I would rerun the apple cobbler recipe that I posted last year. Doesn't it seem like crisp fall air and colorful leaves skittering across the yard are already here when something appley and cinnamony is bubbling away in the oven? (Yes, as a matter of fact, I do like to make up words).

Invite your neighbors over for a bite and maybe they won't be too mad at you the next time your dog barks his fool head off in the middle of the night. Not that I know that from experience or anything... :)

My sweet mother (she of the gigantic watermelons) went apple picking and brought me some apples. One of my favorite things to make when I get fresh fruit like this is a cobbler. I figure that at least a cobbler has less calories than a pie since there is only one crust. I'm all about saving calories. :)

First you need to prepare the apples. Peel and slice the apples until you have 6 to 8 cups of fruit. Put the apple slices into a large bowl.

Pour 1 cup of white sugar, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice over the apples. Stir gently and let sit for a few minutes while you make the crust. If the fruit is really juicy, stir in 2 heaping tablespoons of cornstarch.

Now make the crust. I use my old standby Crisco pie crust, doubled. It's just so good and flaky.

Here is the recipe for the single pie crust (remember to double it for the cobbler).
1 1/3 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup Crisco
4 Tbsp. cold water
Combine flour and salt and cut in Crisco until crumbly like coarse cornmeal. Add the water; toss with a fork and make a firm ball with your hands. Place on a floured surface; flatten dough with hand and roll to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Now pour your apples into a greased 9 x 13 pan and dot with 2 or 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine.

Place the crust on top and prick the crust with a fork or knife. Dot the top with a couple of tablespoons of butter and sprinkle 2 or 3 tablespoons of sugar all over.

Place in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 and bake for another 30 to 40 minutes.

It's fantastic served warm with ice cream.

Enjoy!

Cooking Utensils

2009-09-08T08:52:00.002-05:00

OXO, Chefs Cooking, UK, 1950

Since y'all are the best readers to be found on the internet, I know you can help me. Peter, my second son has recently become very interested in cooking (yeah!). He often calls me for recipes and he is also enjoying trying new and different recipes. He has a birthday coming up very soon and I would like to get him something special for his kitchen. Currently it is equipped in a very basic (cheap), bachelor style.

So here's where you come in... What are the tools that you can't do without in your kitchen? What do you think a budding chef would need the most that's not ridiculously expensive?

Saturday Morning

2009-09-05T13:02:00.002-05:00

Good Reading

2009-09-03T20:02:00.002-05:00

A Book with Glasses Left on the Bed

Top Recipes of 2008

Join Big Mama (and me, not that she knows me and is reading with me, but you know what I mean...) in reading the Bible in a year in chronological order. She started on September 1st so you haven't missed much if you want to jump in.

Free Vintage Clipart.

Little Things

What I want for Christmas Hint, hint. :) Or maybe these.

Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins

Homemade Brown Sugar

Life through a New Lens (gorgeous pictures)

Before and after sitting room at a beach cottage

I guess most of this is not really reading so much as looking, but that's fun too right?

Tomato, Tomahto

2009-08-29T16:54:00.002-05:00

Tomatoes
We have tomatoes coming out of our ears! :) I've made lots of tomato-basil pizza and tomato-basil pasta, homemade salsa, tomato sandwiches and anything else I can think of that includes tomatoes. Maybe I need to start canning them.

Isn't it nice to be blessed with such abundance?

Speaking of tomatoes and "tomahtoes", here's a cute video for your Saturday evening viewing pleasure.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!