It's The Month For Gift Giving</h1> <article> <h1>It's The Month For Gift Giving</h1> <p>2009-12-01T10:51:31-05:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> </p> <p>It is the month for shopping and dropping and crowds and economic upturns, and Raisin Toast wants to contribute to the holiday spirit! The Christmas season of giving! The joy of surprises and kisses and hugs! Susie Q here wants to give you an opportunity to win something for yourself or someone special in your life. It is my way of saying "Thank you!" for being a Raisin Toast reader!</p> <p>Since I am so adorable, I have managed to finagle some very nice gifts from some very nice people for my very nice readers. These are all gifts that I have myself and love and want to share with you. (Not the ones I've used, but new gifts for you). You see, last year this time I didn't have to do much finagling. We still had our retirement. ha ha. This year, however, the only way I could continue the tradition of gift-giving this Christmas was to ask, politely, with whipped cream and a cherry on top for free stuff - for you. Not me. You. </p> <p>So, here's what I did. I made a list. I checked it twice. I essentially found out who was naughty and who was nice. And the nice won out. The naughty had no time for my finagling. The nice were <em>very</em> nice and let me finagle all I wanted. Well - to a limit. Just put it this way -- Every day this week (Monday - Friday) between now and December 21st, Raisin Toast is going to have a giveaway. And all you have to do is answer the question in the comments below. That's all you have to do - to finagle a free gift from me - and my very nice corporate friends. There will only be "1" winner and "1" gift. Now if only I could finagle a job for Bob out of one of these friends, we'd be all set. Oh well, Bob isn't into the business of cookware and scrapbooking supplies, and cameras, and ... you get the picture, right?</p> <p>Today is the first day of this exciting adventure on Raisin Toast. I'm going to call it the "21 days of Christmas." </p> <p>On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me ....</p> <p></p> <p>A <em><strong>Nikon CoolPix L20 Digital Camera with 3.6 optical zoom and a 3 inch LCD screen in Deep Red</strong></em>. Deep red because it's Christmas and I love Deep red, don't you?</p> <p><strong>Your gift will include:</strong></p> <p>♦ 1) Nikon Coolpix L20 Digital Camera<br /> ♦ 2) Precision Design 4 NiMH Batteries with Rapid Charger<br /> ♦ 3) Transcend 4GB HC SecureDigital Class 6 (SDHC) Card<br /> ♦ 4) Precision Design USB 2.0 High Speed SecureDigital (SD/SDHC) Card Reader<br /> ♦ 5) Image Recall Digital Image Recovery Software<br /> ♦ 6) Nikon Soft Camera Case<br /> ♦ 7) Precision Design Memory Card Storage Wallet<br /> ♦ 8) Precision Design Flexible Tabletop Mini Tripod<br /> ♦ 9) Cameta Microfiber Cleaning Cloth </p> <p>This incredible <strong>Nikon Camera</strong> features a 10 megapixel resolution, 3.6x Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, plus several imaging innovations designed to encourage carefree shooting for the otherwise photographically challenged. It incorporates motion detection that automatically controls the shutter speed and ISO settings to compensate for camera shake and subject movement thereby reducing the chances of getting image blur. I, particularly like this feature because I can't hold a camera steady to save me. </p> <p>The L20 also incorporates a High ISO of ISO 1600 for capturing images in low-light situations - like when you have your Christmas tree all lit up and all the lights are out and it's dark, but boy does it ever feel like Christmas and you want to capture it on film - or in your camera - or on your computer. </p> <p></p> <p>The Nikon Coolpix L20 also has a bright, high resolution 3.0-inch LCD monitor with an anti-reflective coating, easing the composition of photos, even in direct sunlight. You gotta love the big screen Santa baby.</p> <p>Here are the rules:</p> <p><em><strong>One comment per person please.</strong></em></p> <p>Comments will be closed Friday 10pm EST.</p> <p>The "1" winner for today's prize will be chosen on Saturday. Actually, the winner for each giveaway will be chosen the first Saturday following each contest. </p><p>There is only one prize per day and one winner per contest.</p> <p>Answer the following question in the comments below:</p> <p><span style="color: #0060bf;"><strong><em>What have you done this year for someone else that has made their life better, happier, healthier, brighter? Tell me about that "one" thing that made you feel good inside ...<br /></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #0060bf;"><strong><em>It doesn't have to have been anything extravagant. I just love to hear stories of how good people step up and do for others without being asked - those gifts from the spirit that give us our faith back in humanity. Big or small, or something as simple as a hug. It can be something that you have done for another member of your family, or a friend, or a neighbor, or a complete stranger. </em></strong></span></p><p><font color="#0060BF">P.S. In order to comply with FTC regulations and full disclosure, and to protect some of my sponsor friends who did not want me to mention them, I have purchased these gifts myself to give to you this holiday season. So the gifts are coming directly from me. Also, I had been offered a number of gifts to giveaway for the next 2 weeks, but because my Ad Network had a fit, I have to make this week's giveaways the end of the gift giving this year. Hopefully, Bob will find a job soon and next year will be better. </font></p> <p>That's it! </p> <p>Cheers!</p> <br /> <br /><p> <br /> </p><br /><br /> <br /><br /><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript" /> </center><br /><br /><br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php" name="fb_share" type="button_count">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript" /><xhtml:img xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/QZOz/~4/LY6fKiryvbs" height="1" width="1" /></div> </article> <article> <h1>Apple Sweet Potato Bake</h1> <p>2009-11-26T06:29:32-05:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> </p> <p>Here's a little something I'd like to share from our Thanksgiving table to yours. I hope everyone is having an especially blessed holiday with family and friends. Before I post this recipe, though, I'd like to say <em>"Thank you"</em> to all my readers, for making this past year so very special to me. You have added an element of joy to my life that is important to me. You have let me share my life without judgment. You have offered your friendship, compassion, prayers, advice, humor, and more. You have even opened up about your own lives and shared your life experiences with me and I have learned a great deal from your emails and your comments. </p> <p>For all that you have given to me this past year, I want to say <em>"Thank you."</em> You have all been a blessing in my life and enriched it greatly. You have made me stronger. I never imagined that when I started this blog, so that I could share pictures, stories, daily happenings, recipes, home & garden disasters and successes, pride in my children, and homeschooling tips with my family and many friends from coast-to-coast, that I would pick up so many more along the way. Thanks for taking the time to read my story, laugh a little, cry a little, snicker, shake your head, shake your finger, and pray a little too. This blog has never just been about me and I never intended it to be. I've always been about the sharing - not just my life, but things I've come across that I thought would be important to you too. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Now, on with this great recipe ...</p> <p>I am always looking for a great Sweet Potato recipe, and I like to change it up a bit every Thanksgiving. I came across this one in the healthy cooking section of <a href="http://www.webmd.com">WebMD</a>, and since our family is having to change our eating habits - Big Bear and I both could stand to eat healthier, my mother just discovered she has Diabetes, and I want to teach the children good eating habits while they are young - it's as good a time as any to start looking for healthy recipes.<strong><em><span style="color: #0060bf;"><span style="color: #0060bf;"><br></span></span></em></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0060bf;"><span style="color: #0060bf;">Apple Sweet Potato Bake! Yum<br></span></span></em></strong></p> <p>Sweet potatoes have all three of these antioxidants: vitamins A, C, and E! And they are the star ingredient in this side dish. You can make this recipe without peeling the sweet potatoes or the apples. Peel or don't peel, it's up to you.</p> <br><br><br><br><br><br> <p><strong><em><br></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Ingredients:</em></strong></p> <p>5 cups thinly sliced sweet potatoes (or yams), about 1 1/2 sweet potatoes<br>2 cups thinly sliced apples, such as pippin or Granny Smith (about 2 small)<br>1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed<br>2 tablespoons reduced-calorie pancake syrup<br>1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br>1/2 cup apple juice or orange juice<br>1/4 cup walnut pieces or chopped walnuts</p> <p><br><strong><em>Preparation:</em></strong></p> <p>1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.</p> <p>2. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes, apple slices, and brown sugar together. Spoon into a 9x9-inch or similar-sized baking dish.</p> <p>3. In a small bowl, blend syrup with cinnamon. Stir in the apple juice. Pour evenly over sweet potato mixture. Sprinkle walnuts over the top.</p> <p>4. Cover baking dish with lid or foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake about 15 minutes longer (or until apple and sweet potatoes are cooked throughout).<br><br>Makes about 6 servings.<br><br><strong><em>Nutritional Information:</em></strong></p> <p>Per serving: 128 calories, 2 g protein, 24 g carbohydrate, 3 g fat (0.2 g saturated fat, 0.7 g monounsaturated fat, 2 g polyunsaturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 2.2 g fiber, 24 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 21%.</p> <p>Enjoy! Then kick your feet up, talk, laugh, play games, and watch television with family and friends, it's a wonderful day!</p> <p>Happy Thanksgiving!</p> <p> <br> </p><br><br> <br><br><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center><br><br><br>  <a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Apple Cranberry Streusel Pie</h1> <p>2009-11-20T06:49:36-05:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> </p> <p>Just in time for Thanksgiving. Have you put your menu together yet for the holidays? Well, Beth has a great addition to your holiday desert menu - Apple Cranberry Streusel Pie, and it sure looks delicious. </p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">les ingrédients: (I think a bit of my daughter's French class is rubbing off on me)</span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients"><strong><em>STREUSEL TOPPING</em></strong></span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">1/2 cup brown sugar<br>1/2 cup flour<br>1/2 cup chopped walnuts<br>4 Tbs. cold butter<br><br><em><strong>PIE FILLING</strong></em></span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">1/3 cup white sugar<br>2 Tbs. flour<br>1 tsp. cinnamon<br>1/4 tsp. cardamom<br>2 tsp. lemon juice<br>1/3 cup dried cranberries (if you have fresh and want to use them, go right ahead!)<br>8 or 9 apples (2 1/2" small size)</span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients"> <br>1 frozen deep dish pie crust shell OR make your own!<br>1 Tbs. butter<br><br></span></span><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients"></span></span><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients"><br></span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">Prepare the streusel topping by combining the brown sugar, flour, walnuts and butter. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix the streusel into a crumbly mixture. Set aside.</span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients"> </span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">Peel and thinly slice the apples. Place in a large bowl and add the white sugar, flour, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon juice and cranberries. Stir to coat evenly. Pour this mixture into the deep dish pie crust, packing it down a bit as you go. Listen, if you want to make your own crust, knock your socks off. I just never met a frozen pie crust that I didn't love! Pile the mixture a little higher in the middle. Top evenly with the streusel, packing it down well. Dot with the Tbs. of butter. Place on a baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 50 to 55 minutes. Remove to a rack and let it cool before slicing.</span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">To Print this Recipe:</span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">Word Document:<br></span></span></p> <p><span class="asset asset-generic at-xid-6a00e55355c0d18833012875bc78db970c"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/files/apple-cranberry-streusel-pie.doc">Download Apple Cranberry Streusel Pie <br></a></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">PDF:</span></span></p> <p><span class="asset asset-generic at-xid-6a00e55355c0d18833012875bc7960970c"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/files/apple-cranberry-streusel-pie.pdf">Download Apple Cranberry Streusel Pie</a></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients"><br></span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">* * * * *</span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">Beth - this sure would taste good for breakfast, what do ya think? Thanks for the great recipe! <br></span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients">- Susan</span></span></p> <p><span class="short_text" id="result_box"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;" title="the ingredients"><br></span></span></p> <p></p> <br><br><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center><br><br><br>  <a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Snow White Lives Here</h1> <p>2009-10-15T20:20:06-04:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> </p> <p>Snow White must have lived in North Carolina. Or maybe she used to live here. We have so many interesting visitors. <em>"Hello Bambi, you're looking chipper today."</em><br> </p> <br><br><p> </p> <p><em>"Oh, look at how high you jump."</em></p> <br><br><p> </p> <p><em>"Yes, yes, I saw you leaping across the yard. Now, Bambi, why don't you scurry along and stop looking at me with those big Bambi eyes."<br></em></p> <br><br><p></p> <p>Of course, Bambi is in no hurry. He's just taking a daily stroll through the million acre wood.</p> <p> <a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a6411cf5970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br></a></p> <br><br><p> </p> <p>Of course there are a few ladies in the wood that are looking for a good meal.</p> <br><br><p> </p> <p><em>"I think the deer is a little too big to digest. I suppose I'll have to wait for a male to eat for supper."</em></p> <br><br><p> </p> <p><em>"Wait a minute, where's Bambi goin'?"</em> <em> "I don't know Manti, why don't you fly on over and ask him?"</em></p> <br><br><p> </p> <p><em>"Whoooo, whooo you lookin' at?" "I'm lookin' at you Barred owl in my back yard."</em></p> <br><br><p> </p> <p><em>"Well, if you must look, at least look at my better side." </em></p> <br><br><p> </p> <p><em>"Well, hello Charlotte. How are you today?" "I'm quite well, Susan, how are you today? "Please don't give away my whereabouts to the Mantis on the deck. I'd really like to live another day." "Charlotte, I really don't know, do Praying Mantis eat spiders?"</em></p> <br><br><p> </p> <p><em>"Hello Peepers, what are you up to this lovely day?"</em></p> <br><br><p></p> <p><em>"I'm looking in your windows, Susan. I must make sure everything is in order."</em> </p> <br><br><p></p> <p><em>"And I can tell that they are not in order one bit. Susan, you get along now and go do your laundry."</em></p> <p><em>"Aww, do I have to? I was hoping the 7 dwarfs would come out of the woods and do it for me."</em></p> <br><br><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center><br><br><br>  <a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Deb's Stuffed Pepper Soup</h1> <p>2009-10-07T17:06:05-04:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p></p> <p>By Beth Sollars<br><a href="http://singingirlcooks.blogspot.com/">Singingirl Cooks</a></p> <p>I've been waiting a while to do this post. This delicious soup recipe comes from my oldest and best friend, Debbie Finegan, who passed away on September 16th after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She would be beaming from ear to ear to know that her recipe is being published for all the world to see. Well, that previous statement is a bit of an exaggeration, but I imagine that would make Debbie laugh even harder.</p>This soup tastes just like a stuffed pepper, only better and much easier to make! I'm thinking it's right on time for the cool weather that many of you are experiencing up north. So go out and get the simple ingredients to make this soup, and even if you never met this amazing person, send a little smile her way, up that-a-way, for I'm sure that's where she is with all the other angels.<p> </p> <p>DEB’S STUFFED PEPPER SOUP</p>2 lbs. ground sirloin<br>1- 28 oz. can tomato sauce<br>1- 28 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)<br>2 cups chopped green pepper<br>2 beef bouillon cubes<br>1/4 cup brown sugar<br>2 tsp. salt<br>1 tsp. pepper<br>3 cups water (more or less depending on how thick you like it)<br>2 cups cooked rice<br><br><br>Brown the ground sirloin and drain. Add the remaining ingredients and bring everything to a boil except the rice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until peppers are tender. Add cooked rice last. Makes a big pot, plenty for the next day.<br><br> <br><br>In loving memory<br>Debbie Farr Finegan 8/19/1951 - 9/16/2009<br><br><p>* * * * * * *</p> <p>Thank you, Beth, for sharing your friend's recipe and for sharing her story of courage. To all my readers - Deb fought this battle for her life for about 12 years. A courageous and strong woman indeed. Beth told me that when you met Deb, she would say <em>"How are you" </em>with such sincerity that you knew she meant it - she really wanted to know how you were doing. I never had the privilege of knowing Debbie, but I know, through Beth, that she touched many lives in a positive and remarkable way. What a wonderful friend, indeed. Just as Beth feels blessed to have had a friendship for most of her life with Debbie, I feel blessed to have Beth as my dear friend for 25 years - that is half my life! Never take your friends for granted. I believe we should treat our family as if they were friends, and our friends as if they were family - for tomorrow is not a promise.</p> <p> <br> </p> <center><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center><br> <br><br><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center><br><br><br>  <a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> </article> <article> <h1>My Dream House</h1> <p>2009-09-25T17:58:24-04:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p class="asset asset-image"></p><p class="asset asset-image"></p><p class="asset asset-image">You know what I miss about Maryland? The rolling hills and the beautiful countryside. As for people, though, I love Charlotte. I love our home here in Charlotte, don't get me wrong, we have a beautiful home, but there was just something about where we lived in Maryland that was beautiful horse country. It was peaceful. Anyway, in Maryland, at least our home had landscaping in front. It took us 4 years to get green grass, irrigation, a new driveway and sidewalk, a new drainage system, having the entire home interior painted, new carpeting, yada, yada, yada, and I am hoping it won't take us another 4 years to complete the money pit we've invested so much of our lives to make a home. </p><p class="asset asset-image">I will say this, though - I have a thing for creamy yellow Georgian colonials with brisk white trim and black shutters. They take my breath away. Of course, we have the Georgian colonial, but it is going to take a hard sell (and a job) to convince my Big Bear to have the entire house painted. I mean the whole dang thing. Whattaya think? I turned on my computer this afternoon and found an email from Creig Northrop Realtors in Maryland (they sold our house for us when we moved to North Carolina), and I like to see what's going on up there on our home turf. That's when I saw this for sale ... Think our home would look as nice as this if we painted the exterior? ...</p> <p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a59acef5970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Feel free to click on any of these pictures for a closer look. Isn't this house GORGEOUS?!!! OMG. I want it. Look at the landscaping - the creamy yellow exterior - the white trim - the black shutters - the - the - the - the boxwoods and rich dark brown mulch. Why are these people selling this home? Are they nuts?!!!</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f19205970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Or how about this deck and flawless backyard? This backyard looks exactly like ours here in North Carolina except for a few minor details. Like, our deck is about to collapse and needs to be rebuilt - entirely. Or, we don't have grass anymore in the backyard. Or, oh, forget it. I can dream can't I?</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f19245970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Or how about this walk out basement and gorgeous green striped side yard. Beautiful I tell ya.</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f192c0970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Now this is magnificent. I want the breakfast table and chairs. I love the valances, the fixtures, the yellow walls.</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f192a2970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a59ad047970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Or how about this kitchen. It makes me want to cook, in an apron and a dress. But the breakfast area is definitely what I love. Think they'd sell me the breakfast table and chairs?</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a59ad062970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Can't you just feel the cool breezes blowing through the trees while you are lounging and reading on the deck? Doesn't it make you wonder why they are selling this house? I mean, while reading a book and sunning on the deck, did the husband suddenly say <em>"Dollface, how about we sell this dump and move somewhere else? I'm tired of the good life, the perfect exterior, the magnificent decorating, the custom drapes, the pool table, and cutting the perfect, weed-free, yard. How about we move - to - uh - Charlotte, North Carolina? We could buy that house that needs so much work in Weddington, or better yet, why don't we just trade with the Vaughn's. Seems fair to me." </em></p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f19379970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">The woman of the house must be an interior decorator. I wonder if she would come to my house and redecorate it for me? Of course, I would have to pay her, and I'd have to be able to afford new furniture, new draperies, and a demolition team to build in window seats like the one under her bay window. Or, maybe I should just buy a lotto ticket and then if I win, I'll move back to Maryland. With my family of course!</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f193bb970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Now I could get used to this. I love the colors in this Master bedroom. Didn't the decorator have exquisite taste? Why is it that I can always pick out colors that I love and recognize good taste in decorating, but when it comes to my home I shut down? I haven't got a clue where to start or even how to start to decorate. I think decorating is an extension of the uterus. Why you ask? Well, I'll tell ya. I used to have good taste and I used to have a uterus. I used to have a beautiful home interior and I used to have a uterus. I used to be able to decorate with style and class and ease, but now I'm, uh ... without style, class, and ease. Nope, can't ease into anything. Then they took out my uterus and all attachments heretofore and my home went to hell. So, I figure that the decorating mechanism is somehow a function of the uterus.</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f193e5970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Big Bear could retreat to his study. I love a home with a study. Ours does not have one. We converted one of our bedrooms into a home office instead. And these people are smart - they have a Mac. We're Mac folks here too. One of these days, when I have nothing better to write about, I'll have to post before and after pictures of our home office that I just cleaned and organized. What a nightmare. I'll wait at least a year before I post those pictures so as not to scare anyone off after seeing these pictures.</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f1942c970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Sarah would love this green. I love a room with color on the walls. This is a little girl's dream room with my favorite thing - a window seat again.</p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a59ad1f4970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">And a bar, and a pool table, and the brick, and the hardwoods ...<br> </p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f1911d970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Yep, I love a home that is tastefully done, and this one in Glenelg, Maryland will only set you back $1,125,000. Makes me "almost" want to move back to Maryland. Emphasis on "almost." We paid half the price for a lot more headaches I'll have you know, and in another 10 years, our house too will look like this - just in time for us to sell it.</p><p class="asset asset-image"></p><p class="asset asset-image"><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a5f1a45c970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p><p class="asset asset-image">Of course, that ain't nothin' a lot of creamy yellow paint won't cure, and landscaping, and hardwoods, and a new remodeled kitchen, and a new deck, and a hell of a lot more grass seed, and custom drapes, and new furniture, and, and, and .... </p><p class="asset asset-image">P.S. If anyone ends up buying this house and you found it on this blog, you had better tell Creig Northrop to pay me a finder's fee or I'm going to have to go to Maryland carrying a tennis racket - and not for playing tennis either. Maybe I should start selling real estate on the side. Naaah, I'd have to move back to Maryland for that.</p><p class="asset asset-image"></p><p class="asset asset-image"><br><br></p><p class="asset asset-image"></p><p class="asset asset-image"><br> </p> <br><br><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center><br><br><br>  <a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Cardamom and Orange Butter Cookies</h1> <p>2009-09-17T17:32:46-04:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p></p> <p>By Beth Sollars (Singingirl Cooks!)</p> <p>A couple of weeks ago when I bought that really expensive jar of cardamom for the Indian Inspired Dinner, I vowed to find ways to use it. After reading a little about this exotic spice and the ways in which it makes baked goods so delicious and curries so fabulous and coffee so spicy tasting, I started not to feel so bad that I had put my Pug's favorite treats on the back burner for this jar of cardamom. Just Kidding!!! I'll have people calling the Pug Rescue Society for saying that. Since I had made my Aunt Rose's cookie recipe in the past, I knew that with just a touch of cardamom, it would send them over the top awesome. So, on with the recipe for Cardamom and Orange Butter Cookies, and I just know Aunt Rose won't mind that I renamed them. If, however, you don't have cardamom, don't want to spring for the jar, or the cardamom pods and grind it yourself, then make these cookies without the cardamom. Aunt Rose did.</p> <p>Here is the quick recipe, but below the quick recipe is the step-by-step with pics!</p> <p><br><br></p> <p><strong>QUICK RECIPE:</strong></p>CARDAMOM AND ORANGE BUTTER COOKIES<br>A.K.A. AUNT ROSE’S ORANGE BUTTER COOKIES<br><br>1 cup butter, softened<br>1 cup sugar<br>2 eggs<br>Juice of 1 large orange (approx. 2 1/2 ounces)<br>3 cups of flour<br>3 tsp. baking powder<br>1/4 tsp. salt<br>A big 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom<br><br>Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add orange juice and mix well. <br><br>Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and cardamom. Add gradually to the butter mixture until everything is incorporated. <br><br>Refrigerate for at least an hour.<br><br>Preheat the oven to 350° and set the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Just dust the baking sheet with flour. Spoon heaping teaspoons of cookie dough onto the baking sheet, making each as much the same size as possible. Or, if you have a handy mini-scoop for cookie dough, use that, which would make them all perfectly equal in size. Don’t crowd, 9 or 10 at a time. Bake on the middle shelf for fifteen minutes or just until golden brown on the bottoms. Remove to a rack to cool. <br><br><p>When cooled completely, make a mixture of a few spoonfuls of apricot preserves thinned with a few drops of orange juice. Brush this over the cookies as a glaze. You can mix in some finely chopped walnuts also. Or make a simple chocolate glaze with confectioners sugar, cocoa and milk until drizzling consistency. These cookies can be frozen and decorated at the time you are going to serve them. They are equally delicious plain.</p> <p><strong>STEP-BY-STEP:</strong></p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Begin by preheating the oven to bake at 350° and setting your oven rack in the middle of the oven. Now, dust your cookie sheet with flour, no need to grease it or coat with cooking spray.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Spoon heaping teaspoons of cookie dough onto the baking sheet, making each as much the same size as possible. Or, if you have a handy mini-scoop for cookie dough, use that, which would make them all perfectly equal in size. Don’t crowd, 9 or 10 at a time.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Dust the bottom of a glass with flour and tap the cookies to flatten slightly. You don't have to flatten it out, just a tap. Or, you can just drop the dough from a spoon if you like.</p> <p>Bake these on the middle shelf of your oven at 350 degrees for somewhere between 13 and 15 minutes. Don't overbake.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>When the cookies are cool, decorate the tops with the apricot glaze and finely chopped nuts. Or (not shown) make a simple chocolate glaze with confectioners sugar, cocoa and milk until drizzling consistency.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>This is how the bottoms should look, nicely browned, and the tops will still be light. </p> <p><br><br></p> <p>You can decorate now and consume every last one of them, or you can freeze them undecorated and finish them at the time you serve.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Don't these just look good enough to eat??? I don't think my dear Aunt Rose would have minded at all that I added cardamom to this recipe.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>So Yummy ...</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>So good!</p> <p>Now go bake some delicious cookies for you and your family!</p> <br><br> <center><param name="movie" value="http://storefront.paypallabs.com/store/portablestore.swf?store_id=33164b2044f2012cff6f000d60d4b7b8"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="FlashVars" value="store_id=33164b2044f2012cff6f000d60d4b7b8"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></center><br><br><br> <br><br><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center><br><br><br>  <a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script>  </div> </article> <article> <h1>An Indian Inspired Dinner</h1> <p>2009-09-01T17:11:29-04:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p></p> <p>My stomach is growling and this sounds absolutely delicious. After looking at the pictures, though, I told Big Bear we've gotta whip this up this week. Thank you Beth! So, are you ready for something delicious? Howza bout Melon Curry and Kicked Up Coconut Chicken Tenders!! Here ya go ...</p> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><p><strong>MELON CURRY</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Gather your ingredients, an onion, fresh ginger, fresh lemon, a red chili pepper.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br><br></p><p style="text-align: left;">And your spices. Indian inspired spices. Ground cumin, coriander, turmeric and cardamom! Oh my goodness, let me find something else to make with cardamom! It was, shall we say, outrageously expensive!!! My suggestion is to go to a store that sells it in bulk and buy just a small amount. However, I am not worried. I will use this again! I will make a curry dish again. I will put this in my fruit breads and cookies. P.S. My friend just told me that she puts it in her coffee in the morning and it is fantastic. So, there you go.... another use for cardamom.</p></p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Start making your rice now. Brown rice takes longer, but it's worth it. Make enough for leftovers.</p> <p>1/2 of a yellow onion<br>2 thin slices of fresh ginger root<br>1/4 to 1 hot red chili pepper<br>2 Tbs. vegetable oil (not olive oil)<br> </p> <p>1/4 tsp. turmeric<br>1 tsp. ground coriander<br>1/4 tsp. ground cumin<br>1/4 tsp. ground cardamom<br>1/4 tsp. salt</p> <p>Juice of 1 lemon<br>1-2 Tbs. honey</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>3 cups of cubed melon, I used cantaloupe, but you can use what you like; cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Cut like so.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>And then magically it looks like this.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>I was shocked when I saw this. I thought I was the Florida Honey. You're going to need 2 Tbs. of this.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Here's that onion and ginger again. Use only half the onion, save the rest. Cut two nice slices of ginger, peel it, and....</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Drop it into your.... oh, hello gorgeous food processor and mince the onions, ginger and pepper. If you are faint-at-heart, go easy on the red chili pepper. </p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Awww, look at Peggy with the electric blue eyes. Even her tail is uncurled because it is storming out, and she can't go for her walk on time.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Back to this mixture, see how nicely it is minced. That's what you want, little pieces.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>And now... Specimen A, the white gloves, plastic. Get some if you work with peppers! It'll save your eyesight if you inadvertently touch your face or eyes! No gloves? Just wash your hands very well afterwards. </p> <p><br><br></p> <p>I'm not kidding....</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>That's the whole pepper, but I'm only going to use....</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>about 1/2 of it. I'm no dummy, they ain't called chili peppers for nothing.</p> <p><a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d188330120a594f828970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br><br></a></p> <p>Mince that in with your onion and ginger.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>And prepare a lemon by juicing it.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Uh-oh, it's storming out. It's dark in the kitchen. I'm using a flash. Don't hold it against me. This is just what the mixture should be looking like. Saute your onion, ginger and pepper in the oil until soft but not brown, a few minutes.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Add all the spices at once and stir for another minute.The mixture will start to look thicker as the spices heat up. No more flash pictures. I just can't do it to you. <br><br> Add the 3 cups of cantaloupe, stir and fry for another minute, and then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer another minute or so. <br><br>Add the lemon juice and honey and simmer one to two minutes longer.<br><br>Serve this with white or brown rice and the Kicked Up Chicken Fillets for a dinner that is Indian inspired and full of great international flavor. (Recipes below!)</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>See, I told you there was a storm. Peggy was so happy to get outside, and so was I to discover this gigantic rainbow!</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Beautiful. Now to finish dinner ...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>KICKED UP COCONUT CHICKEN TENDERS</strong><br></p> <p>You will need:<br> <br>1 cup flaked coconut<br>½ cup Panko bread crumbs<br>½ tsp. salt<br>¼ tsp. ground cardamom<br>¼ tsp. ground coriander<br>¼ tsp. garlic powder<br>¼ tsp. ground black pepper<br>½ cup flour<br>1 ½ lb. boneless chicken breast tenders<br>1 or 2 eggs, lightly beaten<br>1/3 cup butter, melted</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Here is about a pound of chicken tenders, about 8 pieces. I would plan on 3 or 4 pieces per serving.</p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the coconut, Panko and spices on a flat plate. </p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Place the flour on another plate, and lightly beat the eggs in a bowl. </p> <p><br><br></p> <p>Dip the chicken in the flour first, then the egg, and then coat with the coconut/Panko/spice mixture. Place the pieces on a cookie sheet that has been coated with cooking spray.Drizzle the tenders with about 1/3 cup of melted butter, less to suit your taste. </p> <p><br><br></p> <p>I'm serving mine tonight with brown rice and my melon curry along with some warm Naan, the traditional Indian bread, kind of like a flatbread, pita, etc. </p> <p><br><br><br>If warm melon curry and these particular spices don't appeal to you, make this chicken anyway omitting the cardamom and coriander and just use the salt and pepper and garlic powder! Serve with chutney (recipe below) as a dipping sauce, or make a simple sauce using preserves such as apricot or pineapple and Dijon mustard. (I don’t think they use Dijon mustard in Indian cooking, but I could be wrong….)<br> <br> </p> <p>Delicious!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>COCONUT AND SWEET RED PEPPER CHUTNEY</strong><br></p> <p><br> <br>¼ cup coconut<br>½ of a large sweet red pepper, seeded<br>¼ cup or more plain yogurt<br>½ tsp. salt<br>1/4 cup or so of very small dice melon (you’ll have leftovers from the whole one that you bought for the curry, so this is a good time to use some of it)<br> <br>Place the coconut and red pepper into your processor or blender and process to a paste. In a bowl, combine the yogurt and salt. Add the coconut/red pepper, and then fold in the diced fruit. Stir gently until combined. Chill until ready to serve. Excellent served with chicken, this adds a savory sweetness to the meal.</p> <p></p> <p>Now, was that a great meal or what?!!!</p> <p>Of course, you've gotta get Beth's wonderful cookbook! She worked her booty off for over a year putting together her favorite family recipes just for you (and me because I bugged her about it for over 20 years) and here's how to get yours ...</p> <center><param name="movie" value="http://storefront.paypallabs.com/store/portablestore.swf?store_id=33164b2044f2012cff6f000d60d4b7b8"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="FlashVars" value="store_id=33164b2044f2012cff6f000d60d4b7b8"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></center><br><br> <br><br><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center><br><br><br>  <a name="fb_share" type="button_count" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php">Share</a><script src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/connect.php/js/FB.Share" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Mini-Me Muffins For Your Sunday Morning</h1> <p>2009-08-02T12:52:22-04:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p></p> <p>It's like a little Mini-Me Muffin! Nothing better to do with my Sunday morning after working late last night than get up and start making muffins!!?? It's just for the thrill of the outcome kids. These are in the book "Singingirl Cooks" together with a 100 more of my favorite, delicious recipes. Our newest member of the Singingirl Cooks' team is Joe Scott and Joe Mal, who now own their very own book. </p> <p>I surprised Paul (He's my honey) at the golf course this morning right after they came out of the oven. What did you think I was going to do - sabotage all my weight loss efforts??!!! (I ate one mini muffin, how bad could that be, right?) The brand of yogurt I used was Archer Farms from Tar-jay....(Target), very good yogurt to use, and I actually grated my own dang lemon peel this morning. I must be crazy. Seriously, they mix up in the time it takes to preheat the oven to 400 degrees and get the coffee going. </p> <p></p> <p>In this picture I show you how I brush the tops and glaze them while the muffins are warm. And, as you can see, you can make large ones or get yourself a mini muffin pan and you won't feel the least bit guilty eating one of these delicious little babies.</p> <p>Have a great Sunday everyone!!! Peace and Love, Beth </p> <p>...and p.s., if you still don't have one of these books, ask me, i know where you can get a copy. ;)</p> <p></p> <p>Ingredients:</p> <p>2 cups flour<br>1/2 cup sugar<br>1 tsp baking powder<br>1/2 tsp baking soda<br>1/4 tsp salt<br>1 tsp lemon peel<br>4 Tbs butter, melted<br>1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided, about 1 lemon<br>2 eggs<br>1- 6 oz. or 8 oz. container of lemon yogurt<br>1-1/2 Tbs sugar</p> <p>Preheat the oven to 400º. Combine the first six ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine the melted butter, 2 Tbs of the lemon juice, the eggs, and the yogurt in a bowl. Stir well and then add to the flour mixture, stirring just until moist - about 35 strokes.</p> <p>Spoon the batter into 12 muffin tins (or more of the little suckers with the mini muffin tins) that have been coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400º for 15 to 20 minutes or just until a toothpick comes out clean. Don't overbake! </p> <p></p> <p>Combine the remaining 2 Tbs. of lemon juice and the 1-1/2 Tbs of sugar in a small pan and bring to a boil. Cook 1 or 2 minutes until just slightly thick. Brush hot muffins with this lemon glaze and then remove the muffins to a rack to cool. Sooo good! Serve with raspberry or strawberry preserves or just with butter for a heavenly breakfast.</p> <p>Individually wrap and freeze what yo udon't eat and take them out of the freezer when you want one. Muffins without all the preservatives don't seem to fare well much after 24 hours, so freeze what you don't use for another time. Of course, the possibility that you'll have any left to freeze are slim. ha ha.</p> <p></p> <p>Quote for today's recipe:</p> <p><em><strong>"Never eat more than you can lift." - miss piggy</strong></em></p> <p>Beth</p> <center><param name="movie" value="http://storefront.paypallabs.com/store/portablestore.swf?store_id=33164b2044f2012cff6f000d60d4b7b8"/><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="FlashVars" value="store_id=33164b2044f2012cff6f000d60d4b7b8"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /></object></center><br><br> <br><br><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </center><br><br><br> </div> </article> <article> <h1>An Angel Making Deviled Eggs</h1> <p>2009-07-29T05:57:08-04:00</p> <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p></p> <p>Yes, he is an Angel. Yes, he is my son. No, he is not a "Mama's boy." Yes, I dote over him like crazy. No, he doesn't say "aw, Mom" when I hug him and kiss him and pinch his cheeks and rub his ear lobes. Yes, he is definitely a cutie pie. No, he doesn't like math. Yes, he does like helping Big Dad in the kitchen. And, Yes, he is going to be a heartbreaker some day - but when he does get married, he is going to make one young lady a very lucky gal - why? Well, one reason is that he likes to cook.</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>Oh, how he and Big Dad slaved in the kitchen over the eggs while Matthew learned to carve out the centers.</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>Okay, well maybe they didn't slave all that much.</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>Big Dad (aka Big Bear) showed his boy how to slice the eggs without slicing a finger.</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>And I think he was quite proud of himself for having sharpened his knife so well.</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>Here are 11 perfectly sliced dented hard boiled eggs. It doesn't take much to make a man happy, let me tell ya. <em>(I'll bet you counted those eggs didn't ya?) </em>Fortunately for us, we didn't have to count fingers at the end of this tutorial.<em><br /></em></p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>He showed Matthew how to spoon out the yolk. Matthew paid close attention.</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>And then he tried it himself. I watched in amazement as my son held the egg with tender loving care and spooned out the yolk. (I know, I'm being a mush, but hey, that's because I can!)</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>Matthew said <em>"See Mom! Watch what I do with this little sucker." "Okay, show me my handsome prince."</em></p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>And so I watched him as he learned to do something new.</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>And I beamed at his thrill over an egg yolk.<a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d18833011571505022970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><br /></a> </p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>Matthew worked hard, concentrated on the job at hand, and had a great time with his Dad.<a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d1883301157244b0a6970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><br /></a> </p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>And after all, isn't that what life is all about? The little moments. The special times we make for each other. The love we share in the small moments.<a href="http://raisintoast.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55355c0d1883301157244b2a7970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><br /></a> </p> <p><br /><br /></p> <p>I mean, this was no big deal maybe to you and me, but to our son it was a great time. It was a memory making moment. It was time with Dad and time with Mom and a glorifying sense of achievement. I'm so glad we had deviled eggs the other night.</p> <br /><br /><center> <script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/44/4447/300nh.js" type="text/javascript" /> </center><br /><xhtml:img xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/QZOz/~4/HeT2SYlm5PM" height="1" width="1" /></div> </article> </main></body></html>