The Corner Spot

The In Between by Catherine Converse

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 23:27:00 +0000

Was a different type of read. I liked that it was fast paced read that offers intrigue, excitement and romance. It kept my attention the whole way throughout.

This book took a lot of time on character development so you really get to know each and every character very well and by the end you are extremely well acquainted with the important ones. Follow along with Adie, Dannika and a few others as they journey to stop a sequence of dreams from becoming reality.

There were so many twists and turns in this book that I was shocked and surprised so many times. I practically felt everything the characters felt.

I'll just say that the author did a great job of having one thing lead to another.

I was shocked at the ending. Talk about a cliffhanger. I can't wait to read the sequel, “Fade to Silver”.

Get Rid of Ants Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:51:00 +0000

This is a recipe for getting rid of those pesky ants that come every spring and summer. Mix up the solution, pack cotton balls in a ja......r cover, put the solution on and they will be gone.

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons boric acid
3 cups warm water

Directions:
1. Mix the sugar and boric acid well.
2. Add the warm water slowly, mixing all the while so it won't be too lumpy.
3. Store in a jar until ready to use.
4. When ready to use, put cotton into the top of a jar lid to fill it and then saturate the cotton to the top.
5. Place it in the location where it is needed.
6. Note: This solution will keep for a long while. A good technique is to drip a drop or two over the edge of the lid to rest on the counter so the ants will find the solution sooner. It sometimes takes a little while for them to find it, but find it they will. When they do, do not disturb them as they drink. They will hang over the edge of the lid and drink for a while and then take it back to the nest killing the colony. Almost overnight they will be gone.

FREE HORMEL DEAL at Albertson's

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:34:00 +0000

Albertson's has Hormel Compleats and Hormel Sandwich Makers on sale at 3 for $6.00. Use your Twice the Value coupons from the ad along with 3 coupons of either/and Hormel Compleats and/or Hormel Sandwich Makers at $1.00 per coupon and get ALL 3 ITEMS FOR FREE. If you do not have a coupon or exhausted your limit at coupons.com ... go to www.hormel.com and print your coupons. You can print each one twice. Hurry before your Twice the Value coupon expires on Tuesday, March 26, 2013.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:07:00 +0000

Watch out Colonel because My KFC Inspired Fried Chicken is just is good as your crispy chicken recipes. Made with my not so secret herbs and seasoning, this will leave you coming back for more and enjoying bite after bite.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds of chicken (legs, thighs, breast - whatever preferred)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 tablespoon onion salt
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon basil, oregano, thyme, each
1/2 teaspoon all spice
2 cups flour
3 eggs
1 cup or 2 cups of water
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 tablespoon paprika

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Mix all spice ingredients together with the flour and cornstarch, set aside in large bowl. Beat eggs into water in separate bowl.
Place chicken pieces in an egg mixture just long enough to get saturated (add more water if necessary). Drain, then coat each piece in the flour mixture.
Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. Finish off the chicken by baking it for about 1 hour, or until juices run clear.

An Angry Woman Suite - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:15:00 +0000

The Angry Woman Suite is a novel that was unexpected and not the type I would normally read, but it peaked my interest. Once you get through the initial reading of the three characters, it becomes a read you want to keep going. Bear in mind, it can be a difficult novel to read at time.

This is one of the most venomous families. How they tear each other down is extreme with torment and deceit.

If you are looking for a read for enjoyment; this is not the book.

I was shocked how the book ended as it left me unsure of why it all happened.

An Old Friend - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:14:00 +0000

I read this book pretty fast. Easy to read, the flow was fantastic as well as the story line. I never got lost with all the characters in the book and found it amazing how all the characters one way or the other were connected. Not disappointed at all in this book except the way it ended. It ended too suddenly but it makes me wonder if their will be a sequel to this book. It would be great if there was.

The Spice of Life - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:13:00 +0000

I totally enjoyed reading this book. There were times I wish I had more time during my break and lunch to read just one more chapter. But then again, I probably would of kept thinking that. The flow of the book is how I feel made it one of the reasons for an excellent read. The other reason is that the story line just got you so involved and that is why I did not want to put it down. Sometimes I can relate to the story line, getting all involved in my work and not finding my real self, or maybe the confidence to be myself. All I have to say is that since this was a complimentary copy that I received, I would have paid a discounted price to read it also. Not a disappointed reader here.

Cut Cable Cost (apprx. $744 per year)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:03:00 +0000

Have you ever really paid attenion to your cable bill? Have you noticed all the different charges? There's a charge for basic channels, standard channels, digital channels and HD channels. A DVR fee, an HD DVR fee, not to mention all the taxes, urcharges and miscellaneous fees. This all adds up to one hefty bill. And for what? How many shows do you really watch, I mean really watch? Not all the reruns and shows you have on in the background while you are reading or cooking dinner. I'm talking about that handful of shows you look forward to each week. If there are, let's say,seven. And at $70 a month that equals out to $10 per show. Hardly seems worth it when you think of it that way.

So cancel the cable.

If you are already a subscriber to Netflix, you probably already pay about $8 a month. It is nice to be able to stream select shows and movies, and it nice to have hundreds of movies and shows too choose from.

So cancel the cable and get a little box called Roku. It is a device you hook up to your TV that streams different channels over the internet. You will be able to have access to Netflix and also add Hulu Plus, which gives you access to current TV shows for a low monthly fee (apprx. $8 a month). So now you are able to watch your favorite shows for significantly less money! You also have access to free channels like Pandora, Funny or Die, major news networks and many others.

Here is the financial breakdown. Let's say you are spending $70 a month on cable and another $8 a month for the ability to stream Netflix. That's $78 a month total. Cancel the cable and purchase a Roku box for about $60 and keep Netflix. Add Hulu Plus subscription for $8 a month. Now your monthly "entertainment" expense has gone from $78 a month to $16, a savings of $62! You first month savings paid for the Ruku box so it is all savings from here on out. That's over $700 a year, and you still get to watch all of your favorite shows!

Now you don't have to pay for Netflix and Hulu Plus to enjoy a lot of your favorite shows. Many are available online for absolutely free! But you may be one that opted to pay for the convenience of streaming them to your TV and to have a nice selection of movies. But if you prefer you can save an additional $16 per month and just watch your shows at your computer. this would add another $192 to your yearly savings bringtin an annual savings to $1032! With an HDMI cable you can easily hook up a laptop to your TV and watch shows that way.

It is amazing how much time TV can rob from us if we aren't paying attention.

Thanks to Britni Ross from her ebook Grow It, Build IT, Save It.

Mash Potatoes - 4 ways

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 18:40:00 +0000

Cheesy chive - Fold 1 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons snipped chives into 4 cups mashed potatoes until well mixed. Serves 4 to 6.

Zingy Bacon - Fold 2 strips crumbled cooked bacon, 1-1/2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, and 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh blat-leaf parsley into 4 cups mashed potatoes until well mixed. Serves 4 to 6.

Spicy 'N' Smoky - Fold 1 cup frozen corn, thawed, 1/3 reduced-fat sour cream, and 1 tablespoon chopped chipotles in adobo into 4 cups mashed potatoes until well mixed. Serves 4 to 6.

Garlicky Herb - Fold 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basel leaves, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 clove garlic, finely chopped, into 4 cups mashed potatoes until well mixed. Serves 4 to 6.

Penne with Balsamic Broiled Vegetables

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 18:15:00 +0000

3 cups Penne Pasta (cooked)
2 small Zucchini
1 medium Red Bell Pepper
1/2 cup Ken's Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette
1/2 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
2 Tbsp. Fresh Mint (chopped)

Cut zucchini and red bell pepper into 2 x 1/2-inch strips. Toss to coat with 2 tablespoons Ken's Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette. Place vegetables on a pan and sprinkle with pepper. Broil for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just tender. etables with pasta, remaining vinaigrette, cheese and mint.

Saturday Grocery Shopping Trip - 64% Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 20:17:00 +0000

Today was a good day for shopping. So I took my coupons, reward card and dollars off if you bought so much in groceries.

Here was my grocery shopping list today:

6 DiGiorno Pizzas
2 bottles of Windex refills
1 Oscar Mayer Carving Board
1 50 oz. Tide
1 Aussie Conditioner
1 package Foster Farm ground Turkey Breast
1 package 55 count Glad kitchen Trash bags

Retail Price: $ 81.50

I paid the cashier: $ 29.43

Tell me some of your savings.

My 50% Savings Shopping Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Been awhile since I been on a grocery shopping trip and thought what the heck; end the year off and see what you can do. I know I can do better but today I saved 50%. Here is what I purchased:

2 Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables
1 6pk Johnsonville Brats
1 32 load All Detergent
1 Kraft Dressing
2 Hormel canned Chicken Breast
1 Fleishmanns Bread Mix
1 lg. Kraft Mac -n- Cheese
1 Planters Peanut Butter
2 4pk Scotch Brite Sponges
1 box New York Garlic Toast
1 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs
2 boxes of Ritz Crackers
1 box Ritz Crackerfuls
1 pk store brand French Fries
1 Soft Scrub
2 Hormel Entrees
2 Hormel Tubs
2 Oscar Mayer Bacon
2 boxes of Ziplock Sandwich Bags
1 bag Lays Potato Chips
3 pkgs. Idahoan Instant Potatoes

My bill before card, store and coupon savings was $ 139.82
I paid the cashier $ 69.70

************************************************

Share some of yours..........................
I love to hear about it.

TWO Ideas for Leftover Mash Potatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:59:00 +0000

Ham Fritters - In medium bowl, combine 2-1/2 c. potatoes; 1/2 c. chopped ham; 1 green onion, finely chopped and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Using 1/4-cup measuring cup, form mixture into 1/2-inch thick patties. Place 1/4 c. flour in dish. Coat patties with flour, tapping off excess. In 12-inch skillet, heat 1/4 c. canola oil on medium-high until hot. In 2 batches, fry patties 5 minutes or until golden brown on both sides, turning over once. Serves 4

Sausage Scramble - In 12-inch skillet, cook 8 oz. sausage on medium high 5 minutes, stirring to break up with spoon, transfer to small bowl. To skillet add 1 red paper, chopped; and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Cover; cook 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add 2 c. potatoes. Cook 5 to 7 minutes or until potatoes are hot; stirring often. Stir in sausage. Serve with poached eggs. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serves 4

Three Cheap and Cheerful Home Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 00:30:00 +0000

CHIC UP A PILLOWCASE
Give a plain pillowcase a dreamy, pretty look. Start with a 100% cotton pillow cover and fabric dye (wash the case first to help the dye set). Mix the dye, then fold the pillow cover into a square and dip the folded case halfway into the dye bath. Keep the fabric in the dye for about five minutes for the muted effect.

PAINT A STATEMENT DOOR
On a four paneled inlay door, measure and mark four rectangle panels, and outline with tape. Paint a two-inch border inside the tape with a light gray paint. When dry, paint a darker gray 1/2-inch stripe on the outside edge of the light color.

MAKE BATHROOM LIGHTS SPECIAL
This is a snappy little way to personalize an uninspiring fixture. First, decide on a color, like metallic paints such as gold and silver, or grabby hues like navy, plum, or lime. (Use acrylic paint for glass shades). Remove the light covers from the fixture. Pour a small layer of paint, "as thick as a pencil" into a bowl. Dip each cover, holding it in your hand while any excess paint drips off before placing in upside down on a piece of old newspaper to dry. Screw in, turn on, and congratulate yourself.

Signs You May Be Stressed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 00:13:00 +0000

It is obvious when you're walloped all at once by anxiety. Some symptoms of ongoing stress are so subtle, you may not even make the connection. Learn to spot these early warning signs so you can calm yourself and become more productive all the same time.

JAW PAIN
If you wake up sore from the neck up, you could be grinding your teeth in your sleep. Facial muscles tense up when stressed, which can lead to spasms while you're asleep, causing teeth to clench.

TUMMY TROUBLES
When under stress, people may swallow air, leading to abdominal discomfort. If you are stressed an X-ray will show more gas bubbles in the stomach.

A LAGGING LIBIDO
Find that you're not in the mood night after night? A low libido may be a clue that you're mentally and physically drained.

CANKER SORES
Stress may spark flare-ups of these small ulcers in or around your lip. They're irritated by spicy, salty, and acidic foods. Relax a little and you can order Mexican again.

Monterey & Ranch Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 01:37:00 +0000

Monterey & Ranch Bread

Course Type : Side Dish

Time Required : 40 minutes

Serving/Yield : 1 loaf

Ingredients :
1 French Bread loaf, cut lengthwise in half
1 Cup Monterey Jack Cheese
4 Tbs Ranch Dressing, (homemade is best)
3 green onions chopped, can use chives as well.
2 Tbsp Real butter, just enough to butter insides of brad lightly
Garlic salt to taste.

Directions :
First set oven to broil and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean up. Then, butter the french bread halves and add garlic salt. Place bread open-faced in oven and broil until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Spread the ranch on both halves and generously coat with grated monterey jack cheese. Put back into oven and broil until cheese is bubbly. Sprinkle with sliced green onion. For an extra little kick add about a TBS grated Asiago cheese to your bread! Slice and serve immediately & Enjoy!
WARNING: This bread is highly addictive!! You will want to double the recipe.

Greek Chicken Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 May 2012 00:23:00 +0000

2 lg. tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 med. cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup pitted olives
1/2 med red onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
2 cups shredded roasted chicken, skin and bones removed
1/3 cup crumbled feta
Juice from 1 lemon
1/3 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper

Place tomatoes, cucumber, olives, onion, mint, chicken and feta in a large serving bowl.

Whisk together juice and oil in a small bowl. Pour enough dressing over salad to lightly coat. Season with salt and paper and toss. Divide among 4 plates and serve, passing any remaining dressing on the side.

PREP: 20 minutes

PER SERVING: 362 Cal., 25g Fat (3g Sat), 60mg Chol., 2g Fiber, 25g Pro., 12g Carb., 925mg Sod.

Eat Well in Season

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 May 2012 00:10:00 +0000

Dried fruit is tasty and convenient in cooler weather, but now that summer is here, try apricots straight from the tree. They're sweet and juicy treat.

Choose: Look for brightly colored fruit that give a litte under gentle pressure, with no visible bruises or soft spots. If you apricot is slightly hard, place it in a paper bag for a day to speed up ripening. Store ripe fruit in the fridge.

Pit: To remove the apricot's stone, insert a small, sharp knife into the stem end and run it along the seam of the fruit. Twist the halves apart and remove the pit.

Peel: If you want to remove an apricot's skin, a serrated peeler is the simplest way. If you don't have one, slice a shallow X in the bottom of the fruit, drop it into boiling water for a minute, then plunge it into a bowl of ice water. Slip the skin off with a paring knife.

BONUS: These tips are useful for nectarines and peaches, too.

(This tip taken from AllYou magazine)

Kitchen Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:32:00 +0000

How to Keep Lettuce Fresh

After you've washed and dried your produce, wrap it in a plain white paper towel, then put it in the refrigerator. It makes lettuce leaves last twice as long as usual.

How to Keep Bananas Fresh

If you separate your bananas {at the top} when you bring them home, they won't ripen up so fast.

How to Keep Strawberries Fresh

To keep the strawberries fresh longer in the refrigerator, use 1 Part White Vinegar to 10 Parts Water. Soak the strawberries, leaves and all in the vinegar/water mixture for a few minutes. Then drain the strawberries in a colander until they are completely dry.

Then place the strawberries in an uncovered bowl in the refrigerator. The vinegar/water mixture kills any mold spores on the strawberries and keeps them fresh longer. The vinegar does not affect the taste. This also works for all kinds of berries: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.

Homemade Ranch Dressing: Dry Mix Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:23:00 +0000

Here's what you will need:

1/2 cup powdered Buttermilk

3 tablespoons dried Parsley

1 tablespoon dried Dill Weed

1 tablespoon Onion Powder

1 tablespoon Salt

1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder

3/4 teaspoons Pepper

Combine in a food processor and blend into a powdery consistency.

Store in a container of choice.

To make ranch dressing:

Combine 1 tablespoon mix with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup milk.

Mix with wire whisk. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.

Make the dressing up several hours or a day ahead, so that all the flavors have a chance to blend together. Also, if you want a thicker or thinner dressing just adjust the amount of milk that you add in. Feel free to substitute yogurt, homemade mayo, or sour cream for the mayonnaise. You can also substitute soy milk or a different milk substitute for the milk.
Also the salt. Depending on what salt you use, it will change the flavor of the mix. If you use regular table salt, it gives it a more of a dill flavor, if you use sea salt it gives you a saltier taste.

Your Summer Mindset

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:44:00 +0000

Take Joy In The Little Things
Find some simple pleasure that you don't have to feel guilty about. Snooze for an added 10 minutes a day, treat yourself to an occasional manicure, or enjoy delicious flavor without the high calories.

Play It Cool
Playing outdoors with your kids is an awesome way to burn calories. And better yet, it helps get them away from the television. Go on bike rides, walks, or play a game of football or even freeze tag. It'll keep your whole family feeling great.

Forever Young
Remind yourself that someday you'll look back on these years as "the good 'ol days." Do one thing that makes you feel young every day.

Have More Funds
For every $10.00 you earn, put $1.00 in a "fun for you" fund. Each month, spend it on something just for you. This will keep you motivated to work hard and enjoy life.

Refresh Your Stress Level
When life gets busy, take time for yourself. Go for a walk during lunch or listen to some relaxing music while you shower or bathe. A couple of small changes can make a big difference.

Buy Cheap and Freeze

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:37:00 +0000

Make use of last minute price reductions. You can buy a huge bag of reduced cost lines at the back of the produce section. Just juice them, put 1 tablespoon portions in an ice cube tray, freeze, then store in a freezer bag. Use for recipes such as guacamole.

Planting Tip

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:35:00 +0000

Keep your planters tidy by placing a coffee filter at the bottom of a pot before filling with dirt to prevent soil from leaking through the drain hole.

5 Ways to Get Bigger, Thicker Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:27:00 +0000

1. Condition correctly. If yoy've got fine hair, swap your conditioner for leave-in spray version, it's lighter than a standard smoother.

2. Multi-task with dry shampoo. Score mega volume with this pro trick: Flip your head upside down nd mist dry shampoo at the roots, the tousle with your fingers. The powder particles add heft to hair.

3. Boost your blowout. Build volume as you blow-dry: Turn your head upsude down, then brush hair and focus the dryer starting at the roots and moving down the length of a section. The heat will help set the roots so that when you flip your head back up, they'll stay lifted.

4. Skip the hairspray. Over-spritzing yor strands weighs them down. Mist only at the roots and crown or, skip the spray and use a root lifter.

5. Create lift with color If you regularly hit the bottle, create the illusion of thicker hair by coloring only along your root line, just to cover regowth and grays. When hair is one color, it looks flat. Slightly darker roots make hair look fuller.

Info Source: Good Housekeeping, March 2012

Drop 5 lbs. - One Tip

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:19:00 +0000

TAKE A NAP ... to resist the temptation.

Researchers from McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, hooked people up to functional-MRI machines and showed them pictures of high-calorie goodies (like chocolate cake). Those who'd earlier reported daytime sleepiness had lower activity in "willpower-regulating" areas of the brain than when they viewed salad or fruit photos. If your zzz's get cut short, a siesta may help strenghen your resolve, says lead author William D.S. Killgore, PH.D.