At Home In The Ozarks

Another Saturday Night - Cat Stevens

2010-10-30T16:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday J-Bug!

2010-10-17T13:39:00.009-05:00

My baby boy turned 9 today!
10/17/01

Why Do We Celebrate Columbus Day?

2010-10-11T17:47:00.000-05:00

Columbus Day is a national holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October. The holiday is celebrated with an annual parade in New York City. In addition to being celebrated in the United States, Puerto Rico, Italy and Spain also celebrate Columbus Day. The purpose of the day is to celebrate Christopher Columbus discovering America in 1492.

Christopher Columbus is responsible for the introduction of European culture into the Americas. When he discovered the Americas in 1492, he spread the word of a new land and thus began the migration of Europeans into the Americas. Italian-Americans, especially, are proud that an Italian discovered the new land. Columbus’ discovery also begins the first recorded history of America.

An annual parade is held in New York City the second Monday in October. The parade is broadcast on WNBC and also internationally in Italy. The parade depicts many Italian-Americans in different set-ups, all of which are aimed at celebrating the Italian-American relationship. Another annual parade is held in Denver, Colorado.

Image via WikipediaMany Americans, especially Italian-Americans, celebrate Columbus Day with a barbeque. It is typically the last barbeque held in the year, depending upon the weather. Others cook a typical seamen’s dinner in honor of the meal that Christopher Columbus must have eaten on the sail to the Americas. The meal can consist of fish, potatoes, beef, cheese and variety of other foods such as rice, dried fruits and legumes.

Columbus Day was made a national holiday in 1971. Beforehand it was recognized as an annual holiday since 1920. Not everyone, however, is quick to celebrate Columbus Day, stating that Columbus did not actually discover the Americas, as there were inhabitants on the land already. The parade in Denver, Colorado has been known to draw protestors each year.

The holiday is celebrated with feasts, parades and other activities as most people are off from work and school. The holiday was made an official federal holiday in 1971 but has been celebrated as an annual holiday on October 12 since 1920. While it is a nationally recognized holiday, not everyone is quick to participate in the festivities. Many people are insisting that it is not fair to celebrate a “discovery” that already had inhabitants – the Native Americans and therefore some states celebrate the holiday by a different name.

Whichever version of the holiday you celebrate, you can be sure that there is an attraction nearby your house.

Happy Birthday!

2010-09-11T13:49:00.000-05:00

Today my baby girls turns 11...where did the years go?

It's Canning Season...Are You Ready?

2010-08-25T22:23:00.001-05:00

Home canning can be a lot of fun and a great way to store your hard work from the garden for a later time.
It is always a good idea to use recipes to make the process easier and to take some of the guesswork out of how to can your goodness safely and with a lot of flavor. If you are just starting out or wanting to try something new, start with a recipe on the first go-round because the last thing you would want is a spoiled jar of hard work.

Why are Canning Recipes needed?
When canning items, it is important to keep them safely stored. This could mean adding citric acid to some jars while adding simple syrup to others. The best way to know which is which, is to have a recipe for the item you want to can. Just like you might look to a recipe for how to make the best Chicken Parmesan in the world, a recipe for canning does the same thing.

When do you need to use a Canning Recipe?
The short answer is always. You will be able to tinker with recipes once you get comfortable with time and temperature as well as what ingredients are strictly needed, but if you are just starting, be sure to stick with a tested recipe. Also, if you are trying to can something for the first time, it is suggested that you use a recipe in order to make sure the ingredients reach the proper temperature and pressure to be safe in the can.

How do you use a Canning Recipe?
Using a recipe is as easy as reading a book. Just like baking is a matter of exact measurements, canning is also an exact science of food making. It is important to make sure canned foods are safe, and the only way to do that with some types of food are to follow the directions for the recipe exactly. Keeping the foods in the canner at the right temperature and time ensure the lack of bacteria and the less chance for the food spoiling.

And now that you have that great harvest from your garden, you will need some Canning Recipes to get you started on your home canning journey. Take a look at this cookbook with 30 Canning Recipes included for fruits, vegetables and even meats.

Listed here are just a few of the canning recipes:

Canned Corn off the Cob

Four Color Canned Bell Peppers

Canned Summer Tomatoes

Sweet Canned Apples

Tasty Home Canned Peaches

Canned Lean Ground Beef

Fall off the Bone Canned Chicken

All Year Long Strawberry Jam

Sinful Apple Pie Filling

Sweet Pickle and Bell Pepper Relish

Sassy Tomato Salsa

and more...

And as a bonus, with the purchase of the cookbook above you get "Canning 101" FREE!

Canning 101 Content:

The Evolution of Canning

Canning – The Next Best Thing

How Canning Works

Canning Supplies 101

Tips for Canning

Can You Can That?

The Importance of Canning Recipes

Canning for the Winter

How to Can Fruits and Vegetables

Canning Meats

Click here to get your copy of both the "Canning Recipes" and "Canning 101" !

Go start your own home canning journey now!

First Day at School Checklist

2010-08-17T15:01:00.001-05:00

Your child’s first day at school can be a nerve-racking experience for both parents and children. You can help to ensure your child gets off to a great start by making sure they are prepared. In order to keep your child organized and make the experience a little less unnerving, it is a good idea to prepare your child with a first day of school checklist. This checklist covers the basic information as well as instructions if your child should get lost.
* Make sure your child knows his or her teacher’s name.
This will help ease the fears of not knowing where to go. If your child gets lost, another teacher can easily guide your child to the right place. If your child happens to forget their teacher’s name, they can still get help from another teacher who will likely guide them to the main office.

* Most schools send home a checklist of items that children will need to bring on their first day of school.
Review the checklist and pack your child’s backpack a few days before school begins. You can double-check the backpack the night before to ensure your child has not removed any of the items.
* Sit down with your child and explain in simple terms what the first day of school is going to be like.
While you may not be able to remember as far back as your first day of kindergarten, as a parent your child relies on you to ease any fears they may have. Allow your children to ask questions about their first day at school and answer them as best as you can.

* If possible, take your child to school on that first day of kindergarten.
Your child may feel more at ease if he or she has you to direct them to the proper location. If you cannot take your child to school on that first day, make sure they know their teacher’s name and where they will be going. Be aware that your child may panic when you have to leave and the experience may be hard on you as well.
* Make sure your child has an emergency contact card to present to the teachers.
This card is important because it will have all of the necessary information for your child’s school to contact you should they need to. Also ensure that your child knows or has your home phone number written down. This way they can contact you if the need arises. Fill out all emergency contact information and make sure the information reaches your child’s teacher. Also be sure that your children know their home phone number so they can contact you if the need arises.
It is very easy to get caught up in your child’s first day of school which can be a nerve-racking experience for both parents and children. You can help to ensure your child gets off to a great start by making sure they are prepared. Be sure to congratulate your child on a job well done after they arrive home.

Wordless Wednesday...Sunset in the Ozarks

2010-08-04T09:29:00.004-05:00

Beautiful cloud formation during a sunset in the Ozarks

You can find more Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom

There are now 2 ways your can add your linky here: Thumbnail Linky

Or by url Linky

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Wordless Wednesday...26 Years Ago Today...

2010-07-28T21:44:00.003-05:00

Then...


and now!

“Stop the world, I want to get off!”

2010-07-05T16:25:00.000-05:00

5 Ways to Sit Back and Let the World Go By...

At some point in your hectic life, you may feel like screaming “Stop the world, I want to get off!” Life can come at you in a blur at times. It’s at those moments you want to sit back and let the world go by.

Taking time to refresh yourself is extremely important in today's hurried pace. Rather than trying to ‘keep up with the Joneses,’ why not make a change to your life for the better. Learn to step back on a regular basis and enjoy a day of peace and quiet.

1. Do you like to read but never find time to do it?

How long has it been since you’ve simply lost yourself in a book? Set aside time each week to do just that. Give yourself permission to spend a couple of hours delving into the newest novel by your favorite author. Or go back and re-read one of your favorite books. Curl up with a cup of coffee or hot tea and allow yourself to get lost in the pages. You’ll feel refreshed and more ready to face your busy schedule once you’ve taken a break.

2. When was the last time your family took a vacation?

How about a long weekend where you could get away from your normal schedule? If you live close to the beach, setting aside time to enjoy the sunshine and the sound of the waves may be just what your family needs to get rejuvenated.

3. Take a walk during your lunch hour instead of hurrying to eat and get back to work.

Take your full allotted time so you can relax a little bit before rejoining the rat race. Spend some time sitting on a bench watching the people passing by. Enjoy the warmth of the sun and the fresh air. You’ll be amazed at how awake you are when you return to work.

4. Head to the gym when you feel the pressure and stress of a busy schedule getting the best of you.

Not only will exercise strengthen your muscles, it will also help reduce the effects of stress you may be feeling. Does this mean you have to spend hours at the gym to get these benefits? Of course not. However, a minimum of 30 minutes three days a week is recommended to get the most benefit.

5. Take the time to do some research on the internet to see if there are meditation retreats in your area.

What’s a meditation retreat? They are short trips to facilities which are known for being quiet. This could be a convent or monastery but could also be a campground in the mountains. The point is to take the time away from your stress-filled days to reconnect with your own hopes and dreams by spending time in meditation.

When your world is going crazy and there doesn’t seem to be enough time to breathe, getting away to sit back and let the world go by can be what you need most. Give it a try! Use one of the above ideas to help you step back from your hurried life and bring back a sense of peace and sanity.

Link Love for my Entrecard Top Droppers for May!

2010-06-01T19:14:00.000-05:00

The Third Uncle - Fun, fashion, adventure .. and a little magic in 19th century Europe, as a young girl learns the truth about herself in Napoleon's Empire.

The Ad Master - Tons of Tips and Tricks to help you advertise online. From lists of free traffic resources to advice on keyword placement and linkbuilding.

Slightly Sarcastic - Sarcasm, stories and lots of BS

Michelle's Menagerie - Everything about me, my life and especially my pets.

Lainy's Musings - A blog showcasing my mutterings, random rants, raves and whinings on life's daily maneuvers.

How to Make Money - This is my internet marketing blog. I try to drop back on all websites that drop their card on my blog, so consider dropping by. 1000 ECs to top dropper on 7th June

Online Social Networking - Thought provoking articles on a wide range of social media, web marketing and PR strategies.

Teen Suicide Talk - Teen Suicide and depression is such a huge problem in our society today. I'm trying to raise awareness and make resources available to anyone facing this huge dilemma.

The Sewing Mom - Personal blog showcasing my fabric creations. I also talk about family, friends, hobbies, cooking and daily life.

Comatised - Dreaming in digital

Memorial Day Tribute

2010-05-30T21:25:00.000-05:00

Mother’s Day Planning Checklist

2010-05-05T17:59:00.007-05:00

Too often Mother’s Day sneaks up on us and instead of gifting your mother with a well planned day we hastily throw something together, grab the last card on the shelf and give her toast with peanut butter and coffee to her for breakfast.

You an avoid that this Mother’s Day with a little advanced planning.

• Buy or Make your Mother’s Day card

• Write your mother a poem. Don’t wait until the last minute for this. You want it to sound well thought out and sincere. Not thrown together at the last minute.

• Get the signature of everyone that needs to sign the card

• If you’ll be giving her flowers make sure you have picked them out or have ordered them to be delivered.

• Choose an appropriate gift and then purchase it. If you are ordering online, make sure that you allow enough time for shipping and delivery.

• Choose a wrapping paper or pretty gift box and get your package ready for giving.

• If you are cooking a meal, make sure you get the ingredients from the grocery store so you aren’t caught without a key ingredient.

• If you are making a coupon book for mom to redeem throughout the year make sure to get it done and printed early.

• Taking mom to a movie, play or concert? Make sure you buy the tickets in advance.

• Make sure anyone you have invited to share this Mother’s Day with you has been notified of your plans and is able to attend.

• Get your camera ready and have extra batteries ready – just in case.

• Pampering mom at the salon or spa? Don’t forget to make the appointments.

• Need a babysitter for evening plans? So do your neighbors. Don’t wait until the last minute or you might just be out of luck.

• Make any reservations that need to be made. Here are a few reminders:

o Restaurant – if you will be eating out
o Airplane – if you will be traveling
o Hotel – if you need one while traveling
o Car – again, if it is needed.

The important thing to remember is to plan, plan, plan ahead. Put reminders on your calendar, your cell phone or anything that will trigger your mind to remember that you have some important planning to do. Make this Mother’s Day the best planned, least stressful one every and be sure to do it again next year.

3 Mother Daughter Tea Themes Perfect for Mother’s Day

2010-04-30T14:21:00.003-05:00

With Mother’s Day fast approaching now is the time to start planning your special activities for the day. If you’ve never considered holding a Mother Daughter Tea for family, friends or even the ladies in your church group, here are a few ideas to consider you started.

Usually, simple is better, easier and more elegant. After deciding on your theme just add tea bags, hot water, lemonade and a few finger foods and you are ready to host a well planned tea party. If you don’t have a full tea set sitting around, you can find some very nice cups, saucers and tea pots in places like Goodwill or other thrift stores for very little money. You could also borrow them from your friends or, should you decide to make this an annual tradition, everyone could bring their own special cup just for the occasion.

Here are three tea themes perfect for moms and daughters of all ages. Choose one of these or create one of your own to make this Mother’s Day even more special.

• Mother/Daughter – This can be a special time for moms with grown up daughters. Simple decorations with a simple flower arrangement to grace the table alongside tea cups and saucers can be pleasing to the eye as well the heart. Finger sandwiches, cookies and scones finish the menu. For a special treat, have the mothers and daughters write a note or letter to each other sharing how much they are appreciated.

• Mommy & Me – For moms of younger girls this theme would be really cute if the moms came elegantly dressed and the girls were able to rummage through a trunk with donated dresses, shoes, gloves and jewelry so they could look just like mom. Include cookies or simple finger foods along with lemonade, punch or hot chocolate for those that prefer it over tea. Have the invitations ask the children to bring a stuffed animal guest to share the table. Think about the tea parties you hosted as a child and let your imagination run wild.

• Beach Time Tea – With Mother’s Day being celebrated in May, just prior to the official summer season, why not take the opportunity to serve flavored iced tea instead? Use iced tea glasses instead of tea cups and serve typical summer appetizers. Have everyone dress in straw hats, sunglasses and flip-flops or sandals in anticipation of the warmer weather.

What would a tea party be without perfect tea?

Instructions for Brewing a “Proper” Pot of Tea

• Fill a tea pot with tap water to warm it up prior to adding tea leaves and boiling water.
• Fill tea kettle with fresh, cold, non-distilled water.
• Place kettle on stove and bring to boil.
• Just before kettle begins to boil, pour water from tea pot and add one teaspoon tea leaves per cup to pot, plus an additional teaspoon for the pot.
• Remove kettle from heat right after it comes to a boil and pour 6 ounces per cup into tea pot.
• Let tea steep 3 - 7 minutes depending on desired strength.
• While tea steeps, ask a friend to "do the honors" by serving the tea to your other guests.
• Add cold, whole milk, or lemon to tea cups depending on preference of guests.
• Pour tea into cups using a strainer to catch loose leaves.

Tea Brewing Tips:

• Use a ceramic tea pot rather than metal. Metal can affect the taste of the tea and will cool the water more quickly.
• Keep boiling water available for second cups and to dilute tea that becomes strong while sitting in tea pot. Rinse out the tea kettle and start with fresh, cold tap water. Never boil anything but water in your tea kettle.
• Bring the water to its first rolling boil. Never over boil. Over boiling takes the oxygen out of the water, which in turn creates a flat beverage.
• Take the teapot to the tea kettle and rinse out the pot with the boiling water from the kettle. Never take the kettle to the teapot, as you lose one degree of heat per second. Water for tea should be 212 degrees.
• Use one teabag or teaspoon of loose tea per cup. Leaves enter the warm teapot and the infusion begins when the leaf opens.
• Allow the tea to brew for three to five minutes, according to the blend of tea and how strong you like it.

By purchasing tea sampler boxes everyone will be able to choose their favorite. If you’ll be serving iced tea additions like peach, raspberry, cranberry or lemon can be a refreshing change from plain old sweet tea.

If you’re looking for a change of pace or want to start a new tradition this Mother’s Day consider a tea party.

“Grow” Your Mom a Bit of Sunshine for Mother's Day

2010-04-28T19:00:00.004-05:00

Moms love to receive flowers for Mother’s Day, so you may want to think about how you can ‘grow’ mom a bit of sunshine this year instead of hoping that the day is sunny. This is a craft idea that even young children can do to honor mom and brighten up her special day.

First they’ll need to find a planter if the weather isn’t such that the flowers can be planted directly into the ground. Of course, the seeds will take a while to grow very large, but you may want to consider how large the plant will get if you plan on leaving it the planter.

Look for a beautiful planter to grow sunflowers in. They may want to find something that’s as bright as a sunflower. Make sure the planter is large enough and heavy enough to hold a large flower unless you plan on transplanting it later.

Buy a large terra cotta planter and let your children paint it with any design they like. They can create a design of their own, find a design they like and use that, or they can paint the planter a solid color and then paint a message on it.

Go to your local garden center or department store to find sunflower seeds. They’re not expensive and you can find a number of varieties in different colors.

If you’re planning on letting the children start the seeds in smaller pots and then transplanting them, you may want to pick up the other needed items while you’re there. You’ll need a peat pot or another container that allows for drainage, potting soil, or seed starter mix.

If you don’t want the children to get terribly dirty, you may want to provide an apron or over-shirt for each child while you’re getting the sunflower seeds planted. Then let the children fill each container with the potting soil or starter mix. Have them gently push one or two sunflower seeds down into the center of the soil. Next they’ll lightly water or mist the soil and then set the planters into a warm, sunny window.

As the seeds begin to grow, don’t forget to check the planters each day. You want to keep the soil moist but not wet. The seeds don’t take that long to be visible above ground; usually they germinate in 7-10 days. Once that happens, be sure that the plants get plenty of sun each day.

The day before Mother’s Day, tie a pretty ribbon around the planter and attach a card or poem. Mom will love the thought of being given a piece of sunshine that her child helped grow especially for her. Of course, the best part is that mother and child can enjoy watching the sunflower grow all summer and remember the reason why the plant was given.

Beautiful Sunday

2010-04-25T18:14:00.002-05:00

Happy Earth Day...Welcome to Planet Earth

2010-04-22T00:45:00.000-05:00

Six Easy Relaxation Tips for Busy Moms

2010-03-09T10:31:00.002-06:00

It seems like there is no rest of the weary. And, the weary person is usually mom. Moms take care of hearth and home, but who takes care of her? If you are a busy mom, learn to value yourself as a person and schedule personal time.

Personal time is a right of being a person. Each of us has the capacity to nurture others but that type of care takes its toll.

A car is filled with gas to make it run. Eventually the gas runs out and your car won’t move unless the car is replenished with fuel. The same goes for you. Emotional issues can develop when you don’t take the time to take care of your emotional well-being, not to mention the physical results of emotional neglect.

Mom time refuels the tank so that you can give to your family as well as yourself in equal measure. Don’t be ashamed to sit for fifteen minutes doing nothing. In the springtime, relaxing in a hammock under a tree is the perfect getaway from the pressures of the day. Reading a book for 30 minutes can also seem like heaven to many moms.

Here are a few tips to help you fit in much needed “mom” time:

1. Get up early if you have to. When you have kids, the day begins at a hurried pace. Once you hit the ground running, there is no stopping you. Waking 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time means quiet solitude to drink your coffee, read a book, meditate or listen to music.

2. Turn ordinary experiences into major events. When you take a bath, add candles, bubble bath, quiet music and/or an inflatable bath pillow. Your regular bath has now become a spa level experience. If you watch a movie, turn out the lights, pop a bag of microwave popcorn and curl up on the couch.

3. Ask your significant other for help. Kids love their mothers but time spent with dad is important too. Let them bond with dad while you go shopping for a new outfit or root around in the garden. Since the time is yours, do whatever you like.

4. Use the Boy Scout motto. Always be prepared and you can spend more time in a relaxed mode. Fix lunches the night before. Iron clothes for the next day and place backpacks by the front door so kids can grab them on their way out. The fewer things you have to do throughout the day, the calmer you will be with your family and not experience burnout.

5. Take exercise breaks. When you get a few minutes the last thing you want to do is exercise but getting a little physical activity in your day has far-reaching implications. Exercise helps you to think clearly and stretches the muscles. Also, stress will drain away as powerful endorphins are released into your system. Do jumping jacks during a television commercial or jog to the bus stop to pick up the kids.

6. Laugh at regular intervals. Keep a funny calendar cube on your desk or subscribe to a daily joke site. Laughing releases stress and can lift your spirits significantly. It also keeps the abs tight.

Moms, take care of you. Your family would miss you if you were not around to love and care for them. You owe it to yourself and you deserve a break from the daily hustle and bustle.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - It Wasn't Me!

2010-02-17T20:47:00.011-06:00

I am Innocent!

I swear it wasn't me...it was the cat...
yeah...that's it...the cat did it!

Valentine’s Day Desserts for Kids

2010-02-12T08:55:00.002-06:00

Kids love to cook. They especially love to cook sweet treats that they can gobble down later. Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day desserts kids will enjoy making and eating.

Everybody loves chocolate or at least they should. Recent research shows that eating a little chocolate is good for you. Don’t tell your kids though, or they’ll never let you forget it.

Valentine’s Day was made for chocolate. Let the kids make some chocolate cupcakes. For most cake and cupcake recipes, it is easy to throw in a bit of melted chocolate for an extra sweet tasting dessert. Top them with icing fit for the occasion—red or pink.

Jell-O has been a kid favorite since it was introduced to the world. Turn the popular treat into a Valentine’s Day treat with some cookie cutters. Cookie cutters shaped like hearts, kissing lips, cupid, or letters create holiday cut-outs for the kids. Let the kids cut the shapes after the gelatin has set.

Kids love to decorate with icing and sprinkles and candy. If you make cupcakes, brownies, or cake for them this Valentine’s Day, let them decide how the finished confections will look. Put the icing in a bag designed for that purpose so the kids can pipe the icing through to create words or pictures on the dessert. A plastic storage bag with a small hole cut into the corner works just as well as a cake decorating bag.

Cookies go well with any holiday. For Valentine’s Day, use sugar cookies. With sugar cookies, they can be topped with icing, sugar, and sprinkles. Try to get sprinkles shaped like hearts. Our tried and true cookie cutters can be used again to cut the chilled dough into the same shapes as the gelatin treats.

How about a dessert pizza? Using cookie dough, roll it out to the shape and diameter of a large pizza. Follow package instructions for baking the cookie. Once it’s done and cooled, top with icing. White or vanilla icing can be tinted pink or darker with some red food coloring. Then, let the kids top the dessert pizza with their favorite candies. Plain M&M’s, candy sprinkles, and other chewy sweets can top the pizza.

Try a new twist on some dessert favorites. Add large candy hearts to the top of cupcakes. Create a cake shaped like cupid. Use heart-shaped foil cups to bake brownies. All of these ideas are easy enough for your kids to help you create them.

Feed that sweet tooth with some great treat ideas this year. Your kids might have a few ideas of their own to add to the pot for more Valentine’s Day fun.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: "What Is This Stuff?"

2010-01-27T09:12:00.001-06:00

(Toby discovers snow for the first time. Being part Terrier he thinks it is fun to burrow through the snow...LOL!)

(Shell-bug and Toby getting warm by the fire after playing in the snow.)

5 Winter-Warming Recipes for the Whole Family

2010-01-19T10:57:00.001-06:00

There’s nothing more comforting than eating one of these 5 winter-warming recipes for the whole family. The weather outside may be downright cold, but you’ll be warm on the inside. You may want to try one of these recipes tonight.

* Indian Chai Tea

Rather than grabbing a steaming cup of Joe, why not try something different this winter? This Indian Chai tea will warm you right up.

3 cups water
3 whole cloves
3 tea bags (black tea)
1 tbsp. whole cinnamon (pieces broken)
2 cups milk
Sugar or honey to taste

In a medium pot, place the water, cloves, and cinnamon on medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Let it boil for at least five minutes or until the water is fragrant and medium caramel colored. Add the tea bags and return to boil an additional minute. Add the milk and let it come back to a boil. Remove it from the heat and take the tea bags out. Pour up a mug of tea and season it with sugar or honey to taste. You’ll be warm and toasty in no time!

* Cruncy Buckwheat Cereal

You may be used to eating store bought cold cereal, but now that the mercury has dropped, you may want to try Crunchy Buckwheat Cereal for breakfast:

2 cups raw whole buckwheat groats
2 tbsp. maple syrup, brown rice syrup, honey, or agave nectar
1/4 cup nut or seed butter (almond butter is good)

In an oven preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, place a baking sheet with the buckwheat spread on it. Bake this for 20 minutes and then stir it around. Let it cook an additional 15 to 20 minutes until its golden brown. Remove the buckwheat to a bowl and immediately add the sweetener and nut or seed butter. This can be stored in a covered jar in the refrigerator, if it lasts that long. Serve 1/2 cup of the cereal in a bowl with milk.

* Hearty Irish Stew

Traditional hearty Irish Stew is a favorite in winter months.

3 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley leaves
1 tbsp. crumbled dried thyme
6 cups chicken broth
3 pounds boiling potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 large finely chopped onion
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
6 stalks celery, trimmed and ribs cut into 1/2-inch pieces
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Find a large kettle, 7 to 8 quart is good, and simmer the lamb, parsley, and thyme in 4 cups of broth. Leave the kettle covered and allow it to cook 1 1/2 hours. After that time has passed, add the vegetables and the remaining broth. Let this simmer covered on low heat for an additional hour.

Whisk together the flour and oil until smooth and then add that, incorporating well, to the stew. Simmer it an additional five minutes until the stew has thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste and then enjoy.

* Turkey Chili

Chili is normally a winter favorite but you may be looking for something different. Try this Turkey Chili and you may not want to use ground beef or pork again.

1 lb. ground turkey
1 chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
1 minced clove garlic
15 oz. kidney beans, with juice
15 oz. tomato sauce
14 1/2 oz tomatoes, chopped with juice
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté the first four ingredients in a large, non-stick skillet or Dutch oven until the meat is brown and the vegetables are beginning to get tender. Remove from heat and drain the fat. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the chili stand uncovered for about 30 minutes. Taste the chili and adjust the seasonings to taste.

* Italian Garlic Bread

If you’re going to have soup or chili, you may want bread to go with it. Try this Italian Garlic Bread recipe.

1 large loaf Italian bread
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. parsley
2 tsp. thyme
3/4 tsp. marjoram
1/2 tsp. paprika

In a small bowl, add olive oil to minced garlic and mix it well. In another bowl, add the Parmesan cheese and seasonings, mixing well. On a baking sheet, place a loaf of Italian bread which has been sliced open. Brush the bread with the oil mixture and sprinkle the seasoning on top. Wrap the bread in aluminum foil if you prefer softer bread, or leave it unwrapped for crispy bread. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

If you’re looking for recipes to warm you, look no further than these 5 winter-warming recipes for the whole family. Then be prepared to soak in the praise for the great food.

December's Top 10 Entrecard Droppers

2010-01-01T22:31:00.004-06:00

A big Thank You goes out to my Top 10 Entrecard Droppers for December!

Online Social Networking - Thought provoking articles on a wide range of social media, web marketing and PR strategies.

All Stace, All the Time - My insane life and times filled with teen drama, marital comedy and realizing that 600 miles away from my insane family still isn't far enough!

Man Over Board - A blog for interaction between men for men. Including:fashion, health, trends, investing, relationship building, the opposite sex, news, sports ,arts, advice, self improvement and humor.

PennyRaine - Family friendly, Jesus lovin, farm livin, and truth seeking!

Blogs With Wings - Help for bloggers who want to create a successful blog. Blog writing tips, blog promotion ideas, blog design, blogging software, blogging tools, strategies for blog success. Teach your blog to fly!

The Rooster Crows at 4am! - Quitting the rat race and retired to "The Compound" and living like a king in the Philippines is this 57 yr old guy from Illinois. Check out his daily humorous adventures at The Rooster Crows at 4am!

Upscale Gent - Upscale fashion for the gentleman with discriminating taste. Enjoying the good things in life.

The Way I See It - My thoughts, opinions and personal observations on a wide variety of subjects, sometimes mixed with humor and including travel, retirement, opinion, politics, child sponsorship with Children International and life experiences. News and views from my perspective.

Easy - Blog for leisure and pleasure and also for business art of living and money

I am Harriet - I am inspired by people who make a difference in the world or in the lives of others because it is the right thing to do.

Christmas Craft: You Can Make a Blanket Without Knowing How to Sew

2009-12-15T10:24:00.000-06:00

Quilts and blankets make great gifts for Christmas, especially when they're made by hand. Quilters often start on their holiday gifts months in advance, making unique and useful gifts for those on their lists. But for those of us who do not know how to sew, giving such a gift is not an option.

Or is it?

While it would be difficult to make a quilt without sewing, you can make a nice, warm blanket without picking up a needle and thread. Fleece is one of the warmest materials that one can buy, and you don't have to worry about it fraying. It's easy to make an attractive fleece blanket without having to sew.

Here are the instructions.

Supplies

* 1 1/2 yards of patterned fleece
* 1 1/2 yards of fleece in a coordinating solid color
* Sturdy scissors
* Measuring tape
* Disappearing ink pen
* Lots of large, straight pins

Instructions

Lay both pieces of fleece flat on a large surface, with the patterned piece on top of the solid one. Smooth the fleece out until there are no wrinkles and no bunching, making sure the edges are even with each other.

Pin the pieces of fleece together using the straight pins, placing them a few inches from the edges. It's okay if one piece is a little larger than the other. You can trim it down after you're done pinning.

Trim the selvage edges off, and even the pieces up to the same size if necessary. Smooth the fabric out once again.

Measure and mark a 4- to 5-inch square at each corner of the blanket. Cut these squares out.

Cut slits in the fabric at the same length as the squares, spacing them about 3/4 to 1 inch apart. Do this all the way around the blanket.

Starting at a corner, tie each strip from the patterned fabric to the strip of plain fabric behind it. Tie them in a double knot, but not too tight. Tie some fringes in each corner before doing the rest of them to help keep the fabric straight.

Tie the rest of the fringes together in the same manner.

Remove all straight pins. Your blanket is finished!

You can make this blanket in any size you like. You could do a smaller one to give as a baby gift, or adjust the size to fit a bed. And with all of the fleece patterns available, you can find something for anyone.

Don't let your inability to sew stop you from giving a warm, cuddly handmade blanket as a Christmas gift. With this technique, anyone can whip up a blanket in no time.

Affiliate Disclosure

2009-11-30T20:38:00.000-06:00

This policy is valid from 01 Dec 2009

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact ejcooksey@ejcooksey.com.

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You should always perform due diligence before buying products or services from anyone via the Internet or offline.

Thanksgiving Flipped Butter Turkey

2009-11-25T10:20:00.006-06:00

This recipe is one of the simplest ways to roast a Thanksgiving turkey. The butter makes the turkey very moist and enhances the flavor. More water can be added 1/4 C at time during roasting if necessary.

Ingredients:

1 (13 lb.) whole turkey, thawed

1/2 C butter
1 C water

Directions:

Preheat the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Remove the giblets and neck from inside the turkey cavity. Clean the turkey well with cold water and pat dry inside and out. Place the turkey breast down in a large roasting pan. Insert 1/4 C of the butter into the cavity of the turkey. Place the remaining 1/4 C of butter around the turkey in the roasting pan. Carefully pour the water into the pan so you don't splash the turkey. Cover the turkey tightly with a piece of aluminum foil.

Roast 3 hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180 degrees and juice runs clear.

Serves 12