C-ING

New Crockpot

2012-03-10T14:03:00.001-06:00

The last crockpot breathed its last AFTER I'd put in the meat for turkey chili. Since it was such a clean break with no shards, I salvaged the meat and used a Dutch oven for the remainder of the recipe.

I'd been wanting another crockpot because I like the way everything can be placed inside and I can do something else while it's doing its thing. It's also great to start it in the morning before going to work and coming home, opening the door and smelling the cooking aromas. It's as if an invisible cooked has dinner prepared and waiting just for me.

I don't know if you have a Fred's Discount store in your area but there's one here. I try to throw a little business to Fred as often as possible since Wally gets so much.

I'm assuming a slow cooker is almost the same as a crockpot

It has the removable bowl which will make clean up and serving easier. With the glass lid I can leave leftovers inside and store them in the fridge.

The first meal will be...CHILI of course.

That's It ***

2012-03-09T14:44:00.000-06:00

RED HOT APPLE PIE IN A MUG

Spying the March 5th issue of Woman's World in the check out line I bought a copy. Another just- for- one recipe was inside. I did Chocolate Cake in a Mug in 2010. It turned out to be delicious.

The ingredients for the apple pie called for red hots, apple,graham crackers, cinnamon, whipped cream. The recipe is below. Click the picture to enlarge.

I gathered the crew with some exceptions as I always do. I bought honey grahams instead of cinnamon grahams, not because they're my favorites but because I didn't make an ingredient list before going to the grocer. Instead of Reddi Whip I had store brand whipped topping so I used that.

This picture taken in my mock up home made light box

I peeled and cubed the apple then put it into the cup. At first I thought I'd have to use 2 cups but as it cooked the juice caused the fruit torelease its juices. . But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I placed a sufficient amount of the cinnamon candies on top of the apples and placed it in the microwave for the instructed 2 minutes. After that time I took the mug out and stirred the contents. That's when I noticed that the apples had cooked down to about half of the original amount.

I also noticed that the juice had boiled over from the mug.

Deciding to live dangerously, I stirred in more cinnamon candies . Placing the mug back into the microwave, I allowed it to cook 2 more minutes. I had to wait a while before adding the graham crackers and whipped topping because the mug was so hot.

Here is the final product. It tasted good but losing so much of the juice made it a little dry. Next time I'll micro for 1 minute instead of the 2 minutes and I'll watch it.

BTW I've been toying with photography. I want to get a light box to make better pictures. In the picture of the crew I used my home made light box. The remaining pictures were taken outside of the light box.

THAT'S IT***

2012-02-24T19:54:00.000-06:00

FAKE ART CANVAS HANDBAG

I like many of the unique items featured at the Anthropologie site. No way will I be purchasing any of their goods because:

1. It doesn't come in my size.

and

2. It's out of my budget.

Thankfully I don't have to join their site just to look. A lot of other sites are snobby that way. Their handbags are impressive. I saw this one and admired it. It was on sale for ~$80.

They also have another tote style that runs close to $400.

I got to work trying to figure out how I could make something similar to the envelope clutch.

Print I bought at a thrift store.

Holding the rolled print in place with cans from the pantry.
White canvas fabric before staining.

The fabric and print were stained with several coats of brown acrylic paint mixed with decoupage medium. I still wasn't pleased and so I added a little strongly brewed coffee to the decoupage. The weather was pleasant and so I hung it outside on the fence to dry between coats.

I could leave it as is but I decided to put in a lining.

Before putting in the lining I attached a pocket. I know it's shabby but I wasn't that interested in making it perfect. This is a test. All of the materials used except the art print were scraps or pieces I had in the closet that were either left over from other projects or never used and part of my stash.

These pictures are a little out of sync. This should have been above. I should have put the pocket on before

sewing the lining to the top. After attaching the pocket , I attached the lining with fusible web. It worked like a charm.

This was the hardest part, sewing in the gusset. When it came to the curve of the purse, I was unable to position things so that I could sew it so I ended up gluing the curved area down from the inside.

The open purse

No, the stitches aren't straight and uniform but I'm still pleased with it.

Purse closed with stained canvas flap

THEIRS

MINE

Not perfect but I'm pleased with it. The bead at the closure was made with scrap from the print. I have been experimenting with paper bead making.

Velcro is used to close it.

There are flaws which I expected. Overall I succeeded in what I wanted to accomplish.

THAT'S IT ***

Cell Phone Pouch

2012-02-20T11:44:00.001-06:00

Since I have a lot of scrap fabric, I was trying to determine what could I do with it. I don't like throwing anything away if it looks like it even has just a little bit of hope.

You'll remember from a previous post that I'd gotten a new phone and had dropped it and cracked the screen. After that I would put it inside a sock and keep it in my purse. Well, pulling a cell from a sock can look pretty darn country. You may ask why I didn't buy a case for the phone? If you'll remember, I am ~~cheap~~ frugal.

For my first attempt I tried to get sassy and use real suede (I cut it from a jacket I bought at the Thrift store for the purpose of making a wristlet). When I got ready to sew, the machine needle wouldn't go throught it. Instead of fight with it, I tossed it.

Attempt # 2 involved scraps from a brown woolen embossed with silver and black swirly stitching. I'd bought the fabric for a jacket*. I decided that the strap was too thick as well as the fabric. I'd double layered it to give it some cushion in case I dropped the phone. Just in case you haven't noticed I'm not using a pattern so what should I expect? I'm the type of person who swings by the seat of her ~~panties~~ pants with a lot of things.

I'm not sure what kind of animal this is but it serves the purpose.

* The jacket I was working on with the scraps from attempt #2.

As you can see, I do a lot of FAILS.
If at first, second or third, you don't succeed, QUIT trying!

THAT'S IT***

2012-02-17T09:49:00.001-06:00

beat·nik/ˈbētnik/
Noun: A young person in the 1950s and early 1960s belonging to a subculture associated with the beat generation.

A play on words with beet and beat. In this case it has to do with a cake. I'd seen it first at Tiger in a Jar. Intrigued, I had to try it. There are many recipes that use veggies in an unusual way. Zucchini bread, bean pie, banana bread, carrot cake, sweet potato pie (my favorite) and the list goes on.

I used the recipe at Southern Food About.

BEETNIK CHOCOLATE CAKE
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1 1/2 teaspoons soda
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1 1/2 cups sugar
•1/2 cup cocoa powder
•3 large eggs, beaten
•1 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, Canola or corn oil
•1 1/2 cups grated cooked beets
•2 teaspoons vanilla
•powdered sugar, optional

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine flour, soda, salt, sugar and cocoa in a bowl; set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs and oil. Beat in vanilla and continue beating until well blended. Slowly beat in dry ingredients until well mixed; stir in beets. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25 to 35 minutes, or until cake bounces back when touched lightly with finger.

Cool in pan on a rack. Frost cooled cake or dust with powdered sugar.

As usual, I gathered the crew so I'd make sure I had all I needed before getting started.

In a bowl I placed the dry ingredients: sifted flour,soda,salt and cocoa powder. I put it aside.

I bought two cans of beets and needed both.

The pureed beets are such a pretty color.

After combining and mixing everything thoroughly I poured it into a 9x13 inch greased and floured pan. The batter has just a slight pinkish tinge to it.

After baking at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes I had a wonderful cake. I wish I could show you the cake before I cut it but, the aroma, anxiousness and salivating took over.

This cake was scrumptous. There was no taste of beets. This might be a good way to get in those veggies that some of us aren't that fond of.

I was so proud of myself because I'd actually made a cake from SCRATCH!

Whoopee!

I didn't eat the whole thing. I shared a couple of slices with my nephew whom I didn't tell that it contained beets until after he'd eaten it. He too said it was delicious and said he was glad I didn't tell him ahead of time that it had been made with beets.

The rest of the cake has been cut in squares, wrapped and placed in a ziplock bag in the freezer.

I understand that there is also an alternate recipe where beets take the place of carrots in the cake and some of the beet juice is used to color the cream cheese frosting.

That's It***

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? Raccoon, Bear, Porcupine. Opossum

2012-02-13T08:54:00.004-06:00

I'M GIVING YOU FAIR WARNING. If you are a vegan, vegetarian, PETA or any other animal rights person, don't read this. From my Pear Crisp post I told you about a cook book I have that gives the preparation and recipes for all kinds of foods. Among them being; buffalo,raccoon, porcupine, opossum and others.Just to prove what I said, I've scanned the cook book pages with said recipes as well as others.

Click to enlarge the page below so that you can read the preparation techniques for game meats.

I think I know now where the phrase "hungry as a bear," came from. It may have originally been, "hungry for a bear."

No doubt Granny Clampett from the 60's sit-com, The Beverly Hillbillies has a prized recipe for Opossum, affectionately called 'possum.

Opossum

The dressing for porcupine is above. After such a hearty meal maybe the quills can be used to pick the meat from your teeth.

I've never had any of these exotic meats and don't have a desire to try them. Cultures have their own foods, beliefs and traditions. Some American foods are strictly forbidden in other cultures. Some of the foods eaten in other countries, Americans turn their nose up to. By keeping an open mind people learn about each other and how to live together.

That's It ***(BTW there's a recipe for rabbit up top)

A rETuRn tO RoYaLtY

2012-02-07T20:43:00.000-06:00

CBS Sunday Morning is one of my favorite TV shows. The stories are unique, classy and informative. This past Sunday Bill Geist did a feature on the renaissance of the typewriter. He interviewed one man who is still making a living from repairing typewriters. It also seems that there has been a resurgence of interest in this machine and there are Type-Ins that are held around the U.S.

Seeing this piece reminded me of the Royal Safari manual typewriter my Grandaddy bought for me. In the beginning its purpose was to type up the specs for various jobs he would be presenting to clients. Since there wasn't a printer or copy machine in the home, carbon paper was used to make a number of copies at one time.

Carbon paper (originally carbonic paper) is paper coated on one side with a layer of a loosely bound dry ink or pigmented coating, usually bound with wax. It is used for making one or more copies simultaneous with the creation of an original document. (wikipedia)

The problem with carbon paper was that it could be messy staining the fingertips with black ink.
The way it worked was:
Carbon paper is placed between the original and a the second sheet to be copied onto. As the user writes or types on the original, the pressure from the pen or typeface deposits the ink on the blank sheet, thus creating a "carbon copy" of the original document. This technique is generally limited to four or five copies.

As the ink is transferred from the carbon paper to the underlying paper, an impression of the corresponding text is left on the "carbon" where the ink was removed. A single piece of carbon paper can be repeatedly reused until the impression grows too light. (wikipedia)

After Grandaddy retired I took the typewriter off to college with me. It would be needed to type the numerous papers assigned. I was even able to make a little money by typing papers for people. Most typists charged by the page. Though I wouldn't conform to the correct way of typing, I was pretty fast for a hunt-and-peck. It's the same as what I do now.

Royal Safari model typewriter in case
Copied from philsretro.com

This typewriter is a twin to the Safari I have.Copied from machinesoflovinggrace.com

This is my Royal Safari. Notice the red dot ? I had given it away for a church bazaar. The asking price was $5.00. So, you may be asking, why do I still have it? After the bazaar, those items that didn't sell were stored in the rectory. Summer before last, the rectory was being transformed into a Community Resource Center. All of the junk and unnecessaries would need to be removed. I was part of the clean up committee. While purging I came across my old Safari. Since it hadn't sold and had been sitting there among other non sells for about three years, I took it home. The handle came off long ago so it had to be carried in the arms like the vintage baby it is.

BTW I used Piknik's Ortonish effect for the photos below

The dented impression you see to the left came from storing it close to a gas heater where it became too warm.

You may find this hard to believe but when I got ready to open it, it was locked. Would I be able to get it open without a key? After close to 40 years where

would I find a key?
Look a little closer to the right of the ribbon cover
( I looked that up because I didn't know what it was called LOL) and you will see two keys which I found living inside the jewelry box I have had since I graduated from high school (but that's another story)

I twisted them around in the key hole and Voila! open Sesame!

The typewriter is a little banged up from when I allowed it to be checked
into the baggage department when I traveled by Greyhound one weekend
going home from college. Forgive me. I was young and knew not what I was doing.

Though the typewriter went through some rough times, it still works. I took it to school once and the 5th graders had never seen one before. They were fascinated by it. The first thing they asked was, "How do you turn it on?" I explained to them that it was a manual typewriter and what the word manual meant. Each one was allowed to type their name in either red or black since there was a choice of two colors. (Ooohs and aaahs)

Just My Type is a book about various fonts and how they came to be. I'd heard a review of the book on public radio and place my name on the reserve list at the library so that I could view it.

It tells of the most popular and least popular fonts as well as those that have become extinct. There were rivalries among printsetters and stealing of others fonts tweaking them just enough to make them their own.

Who knew type design could be so brutal?

Though there isn't much difference in the fonts for Blogger I'll tell you a little about two of the ones I've used in the sentence above.

Arial- considered a cheat. It was designed in the early 1980's as an alternative to Helvetica

Courier- said to be similar to the old fashioned typewriter fonts. Some users feel that it is too crowded making reading difficult. Also known as American Typewriter and Toxica

My personal favorite is Times Roman

That's It ***

Wacky Mac

2012-02-03T05:25:00.008-06:00

Needed some comfort food and so mac & cheese was the answer. I had these colorful spirals left from making pasta salad a while back.
I cooked the pasta according to the directions.

This recipe was in a previous post under "Loose Ends."

Maybe I should call it wheat sauce since I used whole wheat flour.

This is the good part. Two cups of cheese. Mix well to make a creamy cheese sauce.
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and gently mix.

Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray. Add the pasta cheese mix.

The other good part, adding the bread crumbs.

Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of the pasta mixture.

Bake about 30 minutes on 350 degrees.

The dots on the crust are from the pats of margarine. I should have melted and drizzled the margarine before placing it on top

It was still very good and hit the spot. BTW, I didn't eat the whole casserole. I divided it into servings, placed in Press and Seal and put it in the freezer.

Pear Crisp

2012-02-01T09:40:00.000-06:00

I got this cookbook way back when as a gift. It has a little bit of everything in it. It even has how to cook a bear. I don't remember if there was a recipe for possum.

I had a few pears in the fridge and wanted something sweet so I thumbed through this book to see what I could find.

Sidebar-You'll see the 1960's tint placed on all of the photos. Piknik is leaving Picasa in April and it has allowed use of all of its features even the Premium ones. So I thought I'd take advantage. I'll miss Picknik.

You can see by the spine that it has been around awhile.I repaired the spine with packing tape.

Published in 1972

I decided on Peach Crisp but of course with alterations.

Here is the recipe. Enlarge it to read it.

Cream the margarine and sugar. Also add the spices.Set it aside.

Add the cornflakes to the butter, sugar spice mixture to get a crumbly topping.

Bake for 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

As you can see I added more corn flakes

What I learned: I didn't need to add the water. The pears made enough juice on their own. I needed more corn flakes because of all the extra juice. After checking the progress I dumped a handful or so of corn flakes on top and let it cook a little longer. The extra corn flakes didn't alter the taste or texture.
Overall: It was delicious. The extra cornflakes made it crunchy sweet.
THAT'S IT***

PERFECT PEACE

2012-01-23T17:50:00.001-06:00

What I'm Reading

What fanatical extremes will a mother go through in order to have the perfect daughter she has always wanted?

May 1940. Gustavus Peace and his six sons wait anxiously in the sitting room as his wife Emma Jean Peace labors with the birth of their seventh child. Gus hadn’t wanted any more children and neither had Emma Jean. Gus wouldn’t have touched her but Emma Jean said she was going through “the change” and that she couldn’t have any more children. Amid Gus’ anger regarding the pregnancy, Emma Jean saw it as a sign that after six boys, this child had to be the girl that she had always dreamed of having. Thoughts of her new baby girl and the bond they would share relieved the labor pains as Miss Henrietta, the midwife gave birthing instructions.

With the last push, Miss Henrietta announced to Emma Jean that she had a perfect baby BOY. Emma Jean is silent. She hesitantly accepts the tiny bundle in the pink towel as if she is being given a bag of garbage. She wants to cry but that would do no good. Emma Jean stares into nothing. Becoming concerned Miss Henrietta calls Emma Jean’s name to snap her out of her trance.

Finally, Emma Jean begins to laugh and coo over the baby saying, “I’ll name you Perfect because that’s what you are, my perfect baby girl.”

Looking stunned Miss Henrietta tells Emma Jean that she can’t pass of a boy as a girl and that what she wants to do is wrong. She asks her to think about the future of the child. She tells her that eventually the truth will be found out.

Emma Jean will hear none of it abruptly silencing Henrietta saying that if she tells her family or anyone else that the baby is not a girl she will reveal the deep dark secret that Miss Henrietta thinks no one knows about her.

With the lie in place, so begins the life of a baby “girl” named Perfect Peace.
THAT'S IT***

RED TAILS

2012-01-20T05:42:00.041-06:00

In honor of the Tuskegee Airmen film which premieres today, I am rerunning my post on my visit to the museum display I visited in May of 2009 at the Museum of Flight here in Birmingham, Alabama.

Listening to TJMS this morning I discovered that many of the wives of these men also had the skills to fly planes but because of the era they were not allowed to do so.

Museum of Flight-Tuskegee Airmen

I have always been fascinated by the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. These daring young men were the first African American military pilots during World War II from 1941-1946.
Click on the photos to enlarge

The Tuskegee 99th Fighter Squadron began in June of 1941.Basic training took place at Moton Field. Each unit had an entire service arm along with a ground crew. After training the squadron was moved to the Tuskegee Army Air Field . There they were taught conversion training onto operational types. Captain Benjamin O. Davis was given command of the airmen. Captain Davis was an African American graduate of West Point.

****That's it******

Guilty Pleasures

2012-01-18T06:57:00.032-06:00

One of the few things that can be bought for a dollar at the convenience store are Arizona and Peace Tea. The mango is tasty and I have yet to try the watermelon flavor. Driving along and sipping my iced tea is a pleasure.

Cheetos seem to be nothing but cheesy air. This is another item that can be bought at the convenience store for the price written on the bag. Cheetos will try to help the errant snacker with the nutritional content on the back. Eating 21 Cheetos equals 160 calories. I content myself with eating the whole bag.

Someone sold a Cheeto on E-Bay for $35 because they said it looked like Jesus. It was called Cheesus

I buy Butter Crunch Blue Bell by the pint. If I buy anything larger I will eat it all in record time. Butter Crunch has vanilla ice cream with pieces of toffee candy mixed in. Think of crumbling a Butterfinger into ice cream, stirring it up and wolfing it down. Butter Crunch Day is January 20th. On that day you are to eat anything that has buttercrunch.

At Scott's Scoop an ice cream blog, he has the recipe for homemade Butter Crunch ice cream. Scott even made his own toffee candy a day or two before to mix into his Butter Crunch. He has other ice cream recipes also and they all sound delicious.

When it comes to mindless, meaningless online games, I enjoy Fishdom. If you've ever played Bejeweled it is similar except there are object you'd find in the sea. The items can be matched several ways. A time limit is set for the player to clear the board. After that you are awarded points that can be used to "shop" for fish and other items to place in your online aquarium.

In this frame you can see I've gotten to level 12. For some reason I enjoy hearing the squishy sound when moving the tiles about and the ringing sound when a match is made.

After winning my money, I can buy items from Fish, Beauty, or Comfort. All items are at different prices and it depends on how much money you have as to what you can buy. You can even trade some things for others if you so desire.

THAT'S IT***

Crockpot on Crack

2012-01-16T06:30:00.004-06:00

It started out with several loud popping sounds. The sound was similar to the sound of a rock hitting a window and breaking it. Surely, no one was trying to break in especially while I'm home.

What do you do when you've placed Andouille sausage,ground beef, onions, beans and other ingredients inside your trusty crockpot and

IT CRACKS!

There was an even crack all the way around the ceramic pot

The crack was a clean cut one so I removed the contents and finished cooking my chili. Had I been cooking this to share I might have thrown it out. Since I was the only consumer I was willing to take my chances.

The results were delicious and not one shard of broken pottery in the whole dish.

The ingredients were not frozen and I didn't start the heat out on high. I guess it was just time for the craock pot to die. I'm glad I was home when this crock pot decided to crack. I'm unsure as to whether it could have started a fire or not
THAT'S IT***

Sewing a Skirt

2012-01-12T18:28:00.001-06:00

Since I haven't done any "people" sewing in a very long time (think years), I thought I'd try my hand at it. Taking a cue from other sewing blogs I've visited, I also attempted to make a muslin pattern. I fashioned it after a paper pattern I've had a number of years that I knew was too small.

Muslin pattern for skirt

I wanted pockets so I made them freehand. I have never been able to measure patterns correctly. (I must have been absent on the day of that class) After basting the muslin together and trying it on, it seemed too small. As you can see I added another piece to the side seams. Turns out, I didn't need it and the skirt was waaaay toooo big.

This fabric is a polyester, orange and purple tweed

Placing the back zipper

Here is the finished skirt laying flat...

and hanging.

This project didn't go as well as I would have liked. As you can see I ended up putting a folded seam down the front. I'd had this fabric for at least 18 months. I was attracted to it by its tweedy look. The fabric ravels something terrible. I didn't bother to line it since this is an attempt at something I haven't done in a long while. For me sewing is not like riding a bicycle. I need to relearn this.

THAT'S IT***

S**T I Bought & Didn't Want

2012-01-09T06:54:00.066-06:00

I thought I wanted a new look for the new year. I was going to have a custom wig made while my own hair rested and obtained some thickness and growth. In order to make the wig I was to purchase a netted weave cap, and hair. There are limited places as to where these items can be purchased. Most often it is at a business I do not patronize because of their notorious "no refund" policy. Unfortunately, this was the only place to get what was needed.

My appointment was at noon. There were 3 other people ahead of me. Why make an appointment if it's not going to be honored. I won't go into the other s**t that went down with this . It too was utterly ridiculous and left me more pissed than an outdoor toilet. Needless to say the wig didn't get done and that meant I needed to return the wig paraphernalia. Since I haven't been in one of those stores since the 80's, I found out that there's still, "no refund' but you can exchange. (They didn't do that in the "80's). So I ended up getting the items below.

purple scarf and hat set

taupe crochet beret

folding fan

umbrella

heavy scarf

silk scarf

rhinestone earrings

black soap (not shown)

3 packets of free conditioner for the 2 cents owed me.

THAT'S IT***

Chameleon Assassin

2012-01-06T06:36:00.003-06:00

It's not often you get to meet a published poet. I've been following the works of Chameleon Assassin for some time. Performing in a variety of local venues has alerted the masses to the poetic stylings of this talented woman.

Known as Eternal Communicator or Yogi EC, Chameleon Assassin shoots from the hip, her rhythmical rhymes ricocheting across a variety of subjects and emotions. Chameleonic strains are deftly portrayed in this excerpt of; "witches in the pulpit"

"witches in the pulpit

which is to say

you take the Word of the Living God and pervert it!

controlling his flock through deception

what wickedness should He endure?!!

with impure hearts you have placed yourself

over sheep not given to you

and who do you think you have fooled

when God can see your wicked ways?..."

(excerpt)

Not everyone delivering the Word of God and professing to be for God… is. As with a chameleon, what appears to be is not always as it is. Further verses expound;

“you bask in the darkness of your own ignorance”

“drowning in a bath of deception…”

“relaxing in your mausoleum of money…” (excerpts)

This poem can be controversial with recent exposure of the many secrets hidden by those professing to be spiritual leaders and their reluctance to admit to wrongdoing.

Flipping the book to Eternal Communicator the poetry appears to be softer. There are love poems to relatives, friends, pets and intimates.

Female friendships thrive off of nurturing and emotional closeness. A seasoned sister comforts another whose heart has been broken in “sistah girl”

"sister girl

let me impart some knowledge

not from a book

or from college

but what I know!

i’ve seen diamonds ring

loathsome things

girlfriends cling

and men folk slang lovin’ like it grows on trees

and please

tears been my best friends"

(excerpted)

The book spans life with its bliss and torment. Peppered with photos of the poet and those of her inner circle it is personal yet unrestricted. No doubt you will vicariously identify with and appreciate the many poetic expressions made by Yogi EC.

Yogi can be contacted at: 205-266-4921 or yogiecca@yahoo.com

THAT'S IT***

MYSTERY CARPET CLEANERS

2012-01-04T06:56:00.000-06:00

One of the best things the phone company has ever come up with is Caller ID .

Before Caller ID I was inundated with telemarketer calls. I’d turn on my Radio Shack answering machine and screen my calls. If it was someone I knew or wanted to talk to, I’d call them back. Before registering at http://www.donotcall.gov/, I would have as many as 10 or more telemarketer calls per day. Even after registering I have calls only not as many. It is illegal for these companies to continue although there are exceptions to the rule. I read an article about a man who sued a company because they kept calling after he’d asked them to discontinue. He kept accurate records, pled his case and won. As yet, I have not registered my mobile number because I haven’t received unsolicited calls.

Today I got an unsolicited call from a carpet cleaning business. They’ve called before but I didn’t pick up. While in another room the phone rang and that particular phone doesn’t have caller ID so I answered. It was this same company. Since I’d been thinking of having my carpets cleaned I listened to the spiel. When I showed interest in their service, I was handed over to the manager, who was so excited to have a customer she could hardly read her sales script.

Me: “Are you bonded?”

Them: “Yes, ma’m.”

Me: “Are you registered with the BBB?”

Them: (Proudly) “Yes ma’m we are.”

Me: “Call me back in about 30 minutes after I check out your business.”

I was unable to find the business listed anywhere in Birmingham or surrounding areas. They were not registered with the BBB. After doing a reverse phone look up, the number was listed under another carpet cleaning service, I’d used about five years ago. This may explain why I am constantly getting calls from the. They have information of former customers that the previous service used.

After thirty minutes they called back. I told the person that I was unable to find out anything about them at BBB or on the web and that I didn’t feel comfortable having them clean my carpet.

She said, “Yes ma’m. That’s OK.”

I’d also read 2 of 2 reviews about the business under its previous name and both gave terrible reviews. One review was so long it could have been part of a dissertation.

Was this a scam? Who knows.

Being that the answers given to the questions I asked turned out to be untruths, I’m inclined to think so.

Mark my word, they’ll call again.

THAT'S IT***

New Year's Traditions

2012-01-02T07:13:00.002-06:00

In South America people wear red underpants if they're looking for love in the New Year and yellow underpants for luck.

Does everyone wear sagging britches to let people know?

In Spain the consumption of twelve grapes at midnight before the clock stops chiming is a tradition. Is it possible someone could choke ?

In Ecuador the locals gather together with a picture of something they don't want to follow them into the New Year and they burn it up.Hope it's not a former significant other.

In Denmark people throw old dishes on their friends doors on New Years . The person with the most dishes has the most friends. The paper plate business should be a thriving industry there.

In the Southern U.S. especially, black-eyed peas and collard greens are eaten at New Years to symbolize good luck and coins for the peas and paper money for the collard greens. The stories many differ from place to place but that's the gist of it.

Add some cornmeal dumplings and fried catfish along with pecan pie for dessert and you've got some good eating.

I don't see anything so strange about this tradition.

THAT'S IT***

2011-12-17T10:32:00.001-06:00

I'll be away for a while.

I'll be back in January.

KaLIGHTOSCOPE

2011-12-12T04:00:00.003-06:00

"Chinese artisans from Zigong, China have carefully crafted each sculpture by hand. Made of sheer, painted fabrics, each towering sculpture is enhanced by glowing light, color, and an imaginative setting. The attraction includes eleven themed areas with each display representing special Christmas scenes."
(copied from Christmas at the Galt House. )

That's IT ***

Gingerbread Houses and Victorian Houses

2011-12-09T04:01:00.004-06:00

This will be a photo post. Not much text. I promised not to place any more than 10 photos to a post.

Click photos to enlarge.
This is a life size model gingerbread house made by chef and staff at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY. The bricks are gingerbread baked by the chef. Candy circles were also made by the chef.

Among a display of over 25 gingerbread houses, I took only a few pictures. I was intrigued by the creativity diplayed by the artists.

A house and a van

VICTORIAN HOUSES in a historic areas of Louisville, KY said to be the first suburb of the city.

THAT'S IT***

12-12-2011 KaLightoscope

Sweets

2011-12-07T18:25:00.003-06:00

I may have written about Louisville, Kentucky in a previous post. This was my second time traveling to Kentucky with the Primetimers. Primetimers may give those of lesser years the idea that things are old and slow with this group. On the contrary, the people are lively, fun, congenial and a group I enjoy traveling with. The itinerary is well planned with something of interest for everyone.

The next posts will be captioned pictures of my 3 day get away last week.

SCHIMPFF'S CONFECTIONARY

Jeffersonville, Indiana

"G.A. Schimpff’s Confectionery is one of the oldest, continuously operated, family-owned candy businesses in the United States. It was opened in its present location in 1891 by Gustav Schimpff Sr. and Jr.

This unique confectionery and lunch room in Jeffersonville's downtown historic district comes complete with a 50's soda fountain and original tin ceiling. The old-fashioned candy jars, cases, and turn-of-the century equipment transport you back to the good old days of home-made candy and a real fountain drink.

Its Candy Museum and Candy Demonstration Area offer a glimpse into the world of historic candy making, packaging and advertising." (copied from Schimpff's website)

Outside window of Schimpff's

The red marks outside the windows indicate floodline during a flood in the 1800's.

Vintage candy tubs in museum

The world's largest gummi bear

Close up of saleman's sample

An antique vending machine that still works.

Vintage candy vending machines

Schimpff's 1950's soda fountain still in operation

SCHIMPFF'S IS FAMOUS FOR IT"S RED HOTS CANDY

The boilers are copper because of the even heating. The rings on the stove can be removed to accomodate various sized boilers.

The syrup is boiling over a stove specially made for fitting candy boilers

After boiling to a select temperature, the syrup is poured onto a metal table. Note that iron bars keep the syrup contained in one area.

The candy maker adds a distinct amount of cinnamon oil to the syrup and begins manipulating it so that the oil and syrup intermingle. 16 ounces of cinnamon oil is about $50 .

The syrup is beginning to solidify to form the hard candy.

This view is from a mirror atop the work station. He presses the warm candy lengthwise while it is still pliable. He will then cut it into 1 foot lengths and run it through a candy mold that will press it into individual pieces.

Notice the sheets of candy in the background. To break them apart he holds up a candy sheet and drops it onto the table where it breaks into the individual pieces you see in the foreground.

We were each given a sample of the product which was still warm. The business prides itself on making as many of it's candies by hand instead of machine. They still use many of the original tools their ancestors used. The candy store adjoins the museum and candy kitchen. There are many other candies available for purchase.

THAT'S IT***

SWEET POTATO PIE

2011-12-02T04:32:00.084-06:00

Potatoes left after using 5 for a pie

I bought sweet potatoes, bell peppers and pears the last time I went to the Bessemer Flea Market.
The potatoes were a little small so I used about 5 to make a sweet potato pie, something I'd been craving for a while.
This is the recipe from recipezaar

SWEET POTATO PIE

Note: This recipe is very similar to the one I used when I made the bean pie

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup sugar (I also added 1/4 c. brown sugar)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 c. evaporated milk (I used almond milk)

2 c. mashed sweet potatoes

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. salt

1 9" unbaked pie shell

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.

2.Add eggs. Mix well.

3. Add milk, sweet potatoes, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.

4.Pour into pie shell

5.Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes

6. Reduce heat to 350 degrees; bake 35-40 minutes longer or until pie tests done.

7. Cool. Store in refrigerator.

I used this to boil the potatoes

After the potatoes were done, I placed them in a colander with ice to cool them quicker.

These are the ingredients and tools I used.

It was time for Family Feud so I took a one hour break.

The pie shell was thawed 15 minutes, pricked, and placed in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

Sweet potato filling. The white flecks are margarine.

Rim of crust covered with foil to keep it from browning too fast.

The finished sweet potato pie fresh from the oven.

Compare this BEAN PIE and potato pie. They look a lot alike and have the same consistency.

It was delicious. Craving satisfied.
That's it***

Scrolling, Scrolling, Scrolling

2011-11-30T16:02:00.005-06:00

LTSPMedia

I know I'm preaching to the choir but I received this e-mail and decided to use it as my post to day. How many times have you received an e-mail that's been forwarded so many times that your finger goes numb on the mouse as you scroll, and scroll and scroll. Or, you know the e-mail is from someone who doesn't remove the previous sender(s) addresses so you automatically press Ctrl-End. so that you can just get to the bottom of it.

Do you really know how to Forward ---------- e-mails?

1) You MUST click the "Forward" button first or you won't be able to edit the message at all.

2) After you click Forward , DELETE all of the
other addresses that appear in the body of the message (at the top). You can do this by highlighting the names along with the e-mail address and then pressing the DELETE button. Sometimes the addresses must be deleted individually or your BACKSPACE button has to be used.

3) Whenever you send an e-mail to more than one person, do NOT use the To: or Cc: fields for adding e-mail addresses. Always use the BCC: (blind carbon copy) field for listing the e-mail addresses.

This way the people you send to will only see their own e-mail address.

To Rename the "Subject"

1) Remove any "FW:" in the subject line. You can re-name the subject if you wish or even fix spellings.

2) ALWAYS hit your Forward button from the actual e-mail you are reading.

3) By forwarding from the actual page you wish someone to view; you stop them from having to open many e-mails just to see what you sent.

Petition E-mails

Have you ever gotten an e-mail that is a petition, asking you to add your name and address and to forward it to 10 or 15 people or your entire address book. That e-mail can be forwarded on and on and can collect thousands of names and e-mail addresses.

FACT: The completed petition is actually worth money to

a professional spammer because of the wealth of valid names and e-mail addresses

contained therein. If you want to support the petition, send it as your own

personal letter to the intended recipient, legislator or organization. Your

position is likely to carry more weight as a personal letter than a laundry list

of names and e-mail address on a petition Actually, if you think about it ...

who's supposed to send the completed petition to whatever cause it supports?

If you don't know, it's probably going to a spammer.

What About This One;

"Send this e-mail to 10 people and something great will happen"

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!! This is a trick to get you to supply a list of e-mail addresses to spammers.It's the same thing for the ones that ask you to "keep this prayer going" or "show your support for our troops"

BEFORE you forward an 'Amber Alert', or

a 'Virus Alert', or some of the other warnings, stories or news items

floating around nowadays, CHECK THEM OUT.

Just go to http://www.snopes.com/ or http://www.truthorfiction.com/
That's It***

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-28T04:25:00.153-06:00

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Holiday.

I broke bread with relatives and thoroughly enjoyed it all, the food and the company.

I presented the hostess with a couple of my handmade gifts.

I'd been making t-shirt scarves which I had planned to sell on etsy.com but some things came up robbing me of my mojo and so I gave some of them away.

I'd wanted to give her a scarf I'd made for Classic weekend depicting her college colors black and gold (no photo) for Alabama State University but, I messed around and didn't get it to her.
Some of the others I've given away are pictured below

With the holiday season upon us there's quite a bit I have to choose from for this week.

Wed. Nov. 30th Noon.* Storyteller Dolores Hycock performs Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory

Wed. Nov. 30th 7pm. * Bartow Arena. The three hikers freed after being held in Iran will speak

Wed. Nov. 30th 7:30 pm. *Norton Campus Center @ B'ham Southern College. Kwanzaa Celebration

Thurs. Dec. 1st 7pm. * Alabama School of Fine Arts Holiday Music Performance

Thurs. Dec. 1st 7:30pm * Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall UAB Guitar Ensembles
Sun. Dec. 4th 2-4pm *Holiday Craft Bazaar

BLACK FRIDAY IN 5 STEPS

2011-11-25T16:25:00.000-06:00

1.Suit up

2.Prepare for battle.

3. Enter the fray
and
4. FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!!

If you survive it would be wise to do # 5, just in case.

5.Get checked out for broken bones, concussions and missing body parts.

I think we're done here***

Newspaper Rolls for Pets

2011-11-23T05:05:00.001-06:00

I try to recycle as much as possible. I came across a way to usefully recycle my home newspaper and help an animal in the process along with the people who care for them. When an animal comes into the Greater Birmingham Humane Society a cage is prepared for it using old newspapers which I'm sure makes for faster bed making and more efficient clean up. Preparation takes time. Having the necessary items ready to go is helpful.

Making Newspaper Rolls for Pets

I also have some documents I have been shredding and plan to take the shredded paper over also.

I've made sure there are no staples before shredding. That could harm the animal and my shredder.

I keep my papers that are to be recycled in a recyclable shopping bag. There's a Catholic Church about 3 miles down from where I live that has a newspaper recycling bin. The plastic covers you see on these papers will be removed before I toss the papers. I recycle whenever the bags begins to get heavy and I will be traveling the way of the recycle bin. I don't make special trips for this .

According to the video, the slick colored papers should be removed. I'm assuming that they don't absorb as well.

Open the pages of the newspaper and layer them until they are about 1/2" to 1" thick. Roll the papers from the end and tie with string or use a rubber band.

Here's one of my finished rolls tied with tee shirt string.I have plenty of this tee shirt string from making tee shirt scarves.

Finished newspaper rolls

When I finish shredding the documents I'll take the bedding along with the newspaper rolls (I'll probably have even more by that time) over to the GBHS.

Turducken

2011-11-21T15:00:00.002-06:00

Thanksgiving takes place this week. How about a turducken?

Turducken

I saw it in the grocery ads listed along with other meats.
Maybe you've heard of it but I haven't. I had to find out what it was. The name sounded like something from that Betty White's Golden Girls character, Rose would say was served in St. Olaf .

Turns out that this is a trio of turkey-duck-hen melded together roasted and sliced. The de-boned hen is placed inside the cavity of the de-boned duck which is placed inside the cavity of a de-boned turkey.The diner gets a taste of all three meats at once. I've been told that it is a delicacy and very delicious.

First of all it has got to be a LOT of work. And, how long does something like that cook?
From what I've read it is popular in Louisiana and other places. It can contain as many meats as wanted

The story is told of one gastronomist who in 1807 made one of these concoctions with 17 birds.

There are variations such as:
Gooducken=goose+duck+hem
TurBaconEpic=roasted pig+bacon+duck+chicken+cornish game hen+quail+Dr. Pepper

Carved Turducken. I'm sure Julia Child would love it.

I think I'll pass on this delicacy

BON APPÉTIT

Volunteerism

2011-11-17T17:21:00.001-06:00

picture copied from the website:parents.edina.k12.mn.us

Now that I no longer work outside of the home, I thought I'd look into volunteer work.   There is no end to the number of organizations advertising for volunteers. This call to help can be found on their websites and personal solicitations when visiting that organizations event(s). Most often these are public service organizations that depend on donations and limited to no government or federal funds. Most of their staff is underpaid and overworked. They are usually people who enjoy the work they do because the salary certainly isn't what's driving them to stay.

Like these underpaid workers, if I'm going to volunteer, I would prefer it be with something I want to do.   Otherwise why do it. ? It would be more of a chore instead of a charm.

This is the story of organizations A,B,C,D
Without being specific I will say that the following were in the areas of social work, arts, museums

A few years ago I contacted organization A . It advertised that it needed volunteers. It was something I enjoy and so I felt I'd be a good fit. Time passed and I didn't hear from organization A. I went down in person and told the person in charge that I'd applied to volunteer but had not been contacted. My name was no where in their files and I'd applied in person. The person in charge had a lackey take my name and number and said I'd be called. I never heard from them. I was dressed in business casual since I felt that this was the type of dress practical for the organization. My demeanor was never overbearing or threatening. I didn't try again.

Organization B placed on its website its need for volunteers to catalog inventory. I filled out the online application, downloaded and mailed it to them. Weeks passed and I heard nothing. Maybe my application was lost in the mail.  In my most pleasant voice I phoned , told my name and asked if they'd received my application because I hadn't heard anything. The person told me that his secretary was out to lunch but took my name and number and said he'd check with her when she returned and that they'd give me a call. That was two months ago. I guess she's still out to lunch.

Organization C had a booth at a community fair. After listening to the spiel and asking a few questions, I was asked by the representative if I'd be interested in volunteering. It was something I wanted to know more about and how better to learn than to become a volunteer. The rep was delighted when I said yes. She took my name, number, and e-mail address.   It's been about six weeks and all I hear are crickets.

You may ask, "why didn't you call them back?"
These organizations asked for VOLUNTEERS not PAID personnel. I shouldn't and will not be appealing to them to allow me to be a part of their world....for free!!!

If there is nothing available at this time, either,
a. Contact the potential volunteer and state that you appreciate their interest but nothing is available at this time and that you'll keep their application on fill for X amount of time.
or/and
b. Take down the request from your website, fliers, etc.

Have the decency to acknowlege the applicant.

Since A,B,and C, I have contacted organization D. I knew my qualifications were above and beyond what they asked for. They were prompt in contacting me, I went in for an interview as well as a background check and etc. I begin next week.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

THAT'S IT ***

High Noon Stress Buster

2011-11-15T05:06:00.001-06:00

While searching Friday's paper for something to do for the weekend I came across High Noon-STRESS BUSTER for women. It was a free event.(I like free) being held at WaterMark Place in Bessemer. This is the same place I attended the Hopewell Women in Agriculture conference which I wrote about in a previous post. The time frame was from 10:30 am-2:30pm. Though I wasn't stressed it was a great event. I didn't arrive at 10:30 am so I missed some of the program I thought it was more of a drop in type occasion and so I arrived about 11:30am.

Each lady was given a red stemmed rose upon entering as well as a goody bag. (I've got so many goodie bag trinkets) Below are the first two pages of a booklet that was inside the goodie bag. It was full of advice and suggestions on handling stress. (click to enlarge)

There was also a fountain with cascading sweet tea and long stemmed glasses to collect it in. Also on the table were cheeses, fruit and the usual edibles at events of this sort. There were playful contests such as paddle ball also known as bolo and rick rack as well as hula hoop. The person who lasted the longest received a prize. I have no idea as to what the prize was.

Paddle ball contest

Hula hoop contest

Hidden underneath a cloth up front was a packaged gift for every woman there. Revealing what was underneath the cloth produced expressions of oohs and aahs. Hostesses distributed the gifts throughout. Click the photos to find out what was inside

The back of the tag on the outside reminds me of Abileene's motto from The Help. You are beautiful, You are valued, You are appreciated, You are smart, amazing, loved, cherished, blessed

These are some of the speakers. Nikita (left) asked us what kind of shape were we mentally. The square is orderly, regimented etc. The circle is less structured, willing to let things be as they are. There were other shapes she described and their meanings. Overall it was a tip-off for us to not take everything so seriously in an effort to avoid stress.

Kristie (right) spoke to us about not allowing life's challenges to stop us from meeting our goals. She gave numerous examples from her own life. She came from a teenaged alcoholic mother, absentee father, molestation from step-father, anorexia among other things. Yet she accomplished to obtain a PHD has done private practice therapy but prefers teaching on the college level which she does now.

Four quilts on display made by Gee's Bend quilters in the Food Court @ WaterMark Place

THAT'S IT***

Straddled Between the 20th and 21st Century

2011-11-11T05:21:00.002-06:00

I'm turning into one of Them.
Them being people who are holding on to things that have become obsolete or heading down that path.
I know of someone whose grandmother didn't trust banks so she hid her life savings at home. (Maybe she had visions of Occupy Wall Street in the future)

rotary telephone

My mother enjoyed talking on the phone to her friends. When her phone finally died she didn't want a phone with push buttons she wanted a rotary phone. Bell South, South Central Bell *or whatever name they were going by no longer had those, so she had to use the push button phone. She soon got used to it and later graduated to a cordless phone.
*SIDEBAR: During this time telephones had to be purchased or rented from a Bell South store. You would turn in your old phone for a new one.

It makes no sense to have a cell phone AND a land line. I admit that. But I can't let it g-o-o-o-ooo. I'm having a problem accepting that this will someday be the norm.

My home phone

My home phone #2

My home phone #3

My home phone #4

Yet, there's just something comforting about seeing a telephone plugged into a wall. Truth be told, during stormy weather, the lights may go out but, the phone usually stays on. Still, it's extra money I'm paying out when I could be using it for other things.

Unlike many people, I don't keep a cell phone tethered to my body. I don't turn it on unless I'm expecting a call or I'm in my car, which means I don't check it for messages everyday. I abhor people who walk around in public talking on a cell just because they can. I don't need to go into this. You've heard my cell phone rants before.
I don't want to be available all the time. I don't want telemarketers and the like calling me on my cell. Using a cell as a primary phone will eventually lead to this.
I only give my home number unless it's someone I really want to hear from or I deem it as important.

I've had this phone less than a year and I was happy with it.

Generation Y has embraced this as a way of life. No sooner than I learn to use one phone another comes out.

Maybe I'm headed on the right path. I changed carriers and I have another phone that has taken me three weeks to learn to do the basics. One of my young friends was kind enough to show me how. I've become a little more relaxed with it.

As far as breaking it in, I've literally done that, dropping it on the concrete porch and getting a crack in it.

Why don't mobile phones and other transported small technology have a place where you can attach a wrist strap to it like cameras do. Is it because the carrier wants you to drop it and have to buy another one? Right now I'm keeping mine inside of a sock.

THAT'S IT***

Birthday

2011-11-09T17:22:00.000-06:00

I had a birthday a few weeks ago. This one doesn't actually count since I only celebrate every leap year in October. (Figure it out). In my mind I'm still 44 though my mirror and the government has me in a different decade.

I'd signed up a couple years ago for the FREE Ruby Tuesday's birthday burger. I downloaded my online coupon and went to my closest Ruby Tuesday's. It was Classic Weekend so the place was pretty empty.
When I went to Ruby Tuesday's two years ago, I had a burger and fries. This time was even better. I was offered my choice of burger and choice of two sides. I chose the bleu cheese burger, salad bar and baked potato. By any account that is a lot of food. On top of that the waitress forgot to ask me if I'd like to try the shrimp fondue appetizer. If she forgets, I get it free. She forgot but, I told her I didn't want the appetizer. That would be downright gluttony.

This is the time I should have made like a little old lady and pilfered some of that food in a ziplock bag and stashed it in my purse.

Here's my downloaded coupon

And here is my meal.

The burger was delicious. I didn't eat the bun. I wrapped it up and put it in my purse.
In the past I've also had a coupon to Coldstone's Creamery but I forfeited that one this year.

A friend e-mailed me a list of businesses that grant senior citizen's discounts. Some I qualify for now according to my government age and some I'll qualify for in the next few years. I'm keeping the list handy.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!

That's a lot of territory to cover but, somebody has got to do it, why not me.

THAT'S IT***

"Good Scents" sachets

2011-11-07T16:01:00.001-06:00

Maybe there are some things that shouldn't be recycled but dryer sheets? They're clean to me. I came across this craft in The Big Green book of recycled crafts.

It was titled Good Scents. Below is my craft experience.

Click on the photos to enlarge them

I tweak my crafts to fit my materials and circumstances. If I have something that will do, why go out and buy extra stuff? What's the point of recycling if you're just gonna buy more stuff?

I had an old greeting card that I used as cardstock, potpourri from the Dollar Store and used dryer sheets from my own laundry room.

I ironed the dryer dryer sheets as instructed .

I cut the cardstock/greeting card so that it would fit as a flap over the opening of the sachet. The problem here was that once it's folded over , one side will have the picture upside down. If you don't want that problem, use cardstock with a pattern that can go either way or a plain piece of cardstock.(Although, I think plain is kind of blah :(

I used OK To Wash-It glue, though I don't plan to wash it. This just happens to be the glue I had that came out in a line without me fighting with it. I like Tacky Glue but it has to be prepped and primed like a 1950's Chevy before it'll come out of the bottle. I folded the sheet on itself crimping the sides to make a pocket.

After the sides had dried I took some of the potpourri and filled the pocket half way. Don't fill it to the top or else you won't be able to close it.

The directions were to glue the cardstock to the sachet ,fold it over the top and glue the back.
Did I do that?

NOT!

Instead, I stapled the top closed, folding it over a bit so that the card stock would fit and then I stapled it again. Below you see my finished results. One for hanging and one to go into a drawer.

I placed this one inside my buffet drawer where I keep my cloth napkins and letter opener. I'll check it out tomorrow to see if it gives the drawer a pleasant fragrance.

I used a piece of knit T-shirt string that I'd been using for another craft to hang the other sachet in my closet with my winter clothes.

NOTE:

1. I would do a neater job ( no stapling) if I were giving this as a gift and I wouldn't use dryer sheets unless the person I was making it for was heavy into recycling, carbon footprinting and being green. I'd probably use a sheer fabric of some sort ie. organdy, tulle.

2. I would caution against allowing the potpourri sachet to rest against clothing or any other item you don't want to become discolored. Sometimes the oils that are used in potpourri can harm fabrics.

3. Many potpourris can be revived after time with a few drops of essential oil of the original fragrance.

* Purchased cedar chips or blocks would work in the sachet bags also. To revive a cedar chest or block of cedar, sand it lightly. (I learned that from The Furniture Guys back when I had cable TV)

The Big Green Book of Recycled Crafts has numerous projects I plan to try. The projects cater more to adults than children which I like. They are simple and useful. I'm into useful crafts not cutesy stuff.

That's It***

Carpet Freshener

2011-11-04T14:47:00.001-05:00

I can take credit for very few of the tutorials or creative ideas I show here. In most cases I try to give credit to my source.

This one comes from autonomess on YOU TUBE

I gathered the crew:

*Used McDonald's $1.00 iced tea cup

*Baking soda

*scented oil "cool waters"

*craft stick for stirring

I poured half of the box of baking soda into the cup. I added and stirred about 1/8 tsp of oil at a time until it had the desired amount of odor I wanted it to have. I stirred quickly and thoroughly to keep the soda from clumping around the fragrance oil.

The smell was delightfully clean.

Now I needed something to store it in.I went out to the garage and rummaged through my clean recyclables. I wash whatever I'm going to recycle before putting it in the bin. I don't want to invite creepy crawlers to my abode.

I came across an empty creamer container just as autonomess suggested on YOU TUBE.

I took a screw and a hammer thingy but not really a hammer so that I could put a few holes in the cap to make it a shaker. I wanted the freshener to sprinkle, not pour.

Oops! That didn't work. I only ended up with a too large hole.

Back to the recyclablesIs that an empty spice jar I see?

Why yes it is. The lemon pepper container is empty but I don't have a top for it. I remember that the top was broken after so much opening and closing. I decided to take the top off of the chopped garlic since it has a shaker top. (Yes, I washed it. I didn't want my carpet smelling like garlic)

The top from my empty container of vitamins fits nicely on the container of chopped garlic.

I tried out the freshener on my carpet and I was very pleased. I didn't put a fancy label on the bottle and cup but I'll be the only one using it so I know what it is. There was no top for the cup so I used Press&Seal.

THAT'S IT***

Loose Ends

2011-11-02T14:52:00.036-05:00

HOW DID THE POTATOES IN THE POT TURN OUT?The pot in the middle that looks as if it is a pot of dirt is actually my potato experiment. I took one of the eyes off of a potato and planted it in a pot of dirt.

The eyes are those small white clusters you sometimes see growing on your potato after you've had them for a while. I'm not sure when I planted them but it was months ago.

I was ready to see what had transpired so I dumped the dirt onto newspaper.

After sifting through the dirt I came upon these small potatoes. (no pun intended)

They weren't very large but I did get something. The smallest was the size of a dime. The largest was about the size of a golf ball. I've read of people having better success using a garbage can as the container.

And yes, I ate them.

ROLL OUT THE FLOWERS

In May I looked everywhere for the roll out flowers sometimes seen on QVC and other "As Seen On TV" shows. I found a box at Dollar General for $10. This is a terrible picture but this is what the box looks like.

The seeds are embedded in this green, lint looking , roll out palette. They can be cut to fit in flower boxes or pots and they can also be rolled out onto prepared soil in the garden. They are to be kept watered especially during the summer when they can dry out easily. I didn't plant these until July. Perhaps I should say I didn't cut and place these on top of the soil in the pot until July. Below you can see the results of the roll and water flowers. I have a lot left and will make an effort to start earlier next year.

Roll and water flower mat

Comfort Food

I had an overwhelming desire for macaroni and cheese. So I made some. What you're viewing is the vestiges of a delicious indulgement. Taking pictures during the process didn't enter my mind. Mainly because I thought I'd blogged about the mac & cheese in a previous post. A quick survey through past posts didn't reveal that I had. This recipe came from http://www.southernliving.com/ I've used it before and it's just sooooo creamy and pudding like. It slides down your throat like ice cream. If the macaroni looks a little dark, it's because I used whole wheat macaroni. Below is the recipe. I adjusted it for a smaller amount of servings. It lasted 2 days.

Click to enlarge.

THAT'S IT ***

Oak Hill Cemetery Tour

2011-10-31T09:35:00.000-05:00

Oak Hill is the oldest cemetery in Birmingham where many of its pioneers and developers are buried.
I didn't attend the parade at 8am in 39 degree weather. I opted to do the tour at 12 noon after it was warm and sunny.

Actors dressed in period costumes stood by the gravesite of the person they were representing and told that person's history.
I enjoyed the tour and it is a great experience for history buffs. Above is Hattie Hudson.

Emma Hawes tells the story of how her husband killed she and her two daughters and then had the audacity to take on a new wife.

Another character whose name I don't remember .

A character from the Jordan family

Louise Wooster well known madam of the late 1800's

James Withers Sloss

Sloss Furnace was instrumental in making Birmingham, Alabama a steel city.

Recent burial of Fred L. Shuttlesworth, Civil Rights icon

Oak Hill assistants dressed in period costumes.

John T. Milner's obelisk shaped monument

The inside on one of the mausoleums photographed through it's bars.
THAT'S IT***

CLASSIC WEEKEND

2011-10-28T05:04:00.017-05:00

There's a lot going on this weekend.
My alma mater goes against Alabama State Saturday, October 29th.
I'm not a sports person so I don't attend the game.

I do enjoy the parade. In the past years the parade time has changed from 9 am to 8 am. I've been unable to attend for the past 4 years because I was working. Now that I am no longer working, I'll have the opportunity to hear the bands and see the floats. Lisa Raye McCoy is to be the the parade's Grand Marshall.

There's to be much tailgating with some people arriving as early as last Sunday so that they could obtain a coveted spot for their trailers and mobile campers at Legion Field where the game is to be played.

Tom Joyner and his crew will also be on hand for tailgating. In the past Tom Joyner would bring a show to the BJCC and broadcast live. People would line up as early as 3am just to get in and get a good seat. My sis and I went one year. When I arrived at 3 am there was already a long line ahead of us. We made it inside and the show was everything I thought it would be and more.

There will be so much associated with the 70th Magic City Classic, I can't remember it all. Steve Harvey will be doing a show. Frankie Beverly and Maze will perform. Above is a link to all of the festivities.

On Friday, October 28^th, the City of Birmingham will sponsor and serve as a host of the first Empowerment Expo , I AM CLASSIC. There will be a job fair, spirituality, health, social media, sports, entertainment and women's issues. The expo is free. There are other portions that aren't. The website explains them.

A couple of other events I'm interested in are:

The Oak Hill Cemetery Grand Tour: October 29

This tour will feature actors impersonating some of Birmingham's famous, infamous, and ordinary early pioneers. Many of those we read about in history books are buried there. This family-friendly event is from Noon until 6:00 pm. It is free but donations are accepted. Most recently Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth was buried there. He was a notable Civil Rights icon.

Birmingham Southern College will present Organ Spooktacular , October 31st, 9pm in Hill Recital Hall.
This is how the spooktacular is described.

"If you've never attended a Halloween BSC Organ Spooktacular you don't know what you've been missing! This recital is filled with spooky organ music and lots of mischievious fun! Dr. Jim Cook and other talented organists are going to "treat" you to an unforgettable evening of frightful frolic (and maybe a few "tricks"). The Spooktacular starts promptly at 9 PM.....don't be late! This is a family event, so bring the kids......there will plenty of time to go Trick or Treating before heading over to the Hilltop."

Whenever I hear a pipe organ I think of scary movies. My all time favorite as a kid was a comedy , The Ghost and Mr. Chicken starred Don Knotts. It was a great family movie that my mother took us to. It was one of those fun family times that holds a special place in my memories.

THAT'S IT***

Corn on the cob without the silk

2011-10-22T18:30:00.002-05:00

As Seen On

by way of Smitty B

Smitty B sent me an e-mail about microwaving corn without the silk. Naturally, I had to try it. I tried out the Omelet in a ziplock bag that she sent me also.

Here's the video from YOU TUBE if you'd like to watch it first, then my results.

I purchased one ear of corn for 75 cents just for this experiment.

I placed the one ear of corn with the shucks inside the microwave and set it for 4 minutes. I didn't have an Ove Glove, so I used oven mitts to place it on my cutting board.

I cut off the bottom of the corn.

Here is the bottom of the corn. I shook the ear of corn out in one shake.

It came out perfectly. No silk at all.

I don't know if it was the corn or the microwave but the corn was delicious. It was so sweet I didn't put anything on it.

THAT'S IT***

Women In Agriculture

2011-10-20T17:24:00.003-05:00

In a previous post, "Party With A Purpose" I told you about the many community service booths that were a part of the event. One of those booths was that of the Hopewell Women In Agriculture. Their representative issued flyers regarding their annual conference. The featured subjects on the flyer got my interest so I signed up for it.

It began the Friday before the conference. There was a salsa making contest. The judges were a deli owner and a couple who teaches salsa dancing. After the salsa making contest, we were treated to salsa dance lessons with Sergio and Suzanne a salsa dancing couple. This was fun but I'm pretty sure I don't remember the steps.

The Saturday conference was held at Hopewell Community Life Center. A printed schedule of the day's events were issued to each participant along with a "goody" bag.

On schedule was/were:

1. Spoken Word by Ashley Armstrong

2. Dr. Mia Cowan on Things Women Should Know But Are Afraid To Talk About

3. Rhonda Dial owner of Go Natural Herbs for Health

4. Smart Talk Panel Discussion- Starting a small business

-USDA opportunities for farmers

- United Way 211 and help with business bookkeeping

Zumba this was led by a lady who was a recent 22 year retiree of the military service having served in Afghanistan. She recently received her certification to teach zumba classes. The zumba activity was a good vehicle for awakening the body between sessions.

Breakout Sessions included:

*Urban Medicines

*Biblical Gardens

*What Is Organic

*Setting Up a Business

*Marketing With Social Media

*Landscapes With a Purpose

*QuickBooks

*Healing the Body

I was greeted by such friendly women as if I was a part of their group. They made me feel very welcomed. It was a tremendous feeling to feel so comfortable in the company of strangers. This conference was chock full of information I could use. I'm so glad I was able to attend.

NOTE: Since I'd never met these ladies, I didn't take any photos .

Sweet Tea

2011-10-16T11:40:00.001-05:00

Located on the southside of Birmingham, Sweet Tea was spotlighted in the weekly weekend circular as one of the newer restaurants to check out. They are a new meat and three , something that isn't prevalent on the southside.

In the background over the steam table is a beautiful mural of Birmingham landmarks . It is not to scale but is colorful and eyecatching.

From what I've read this restaurant has a line during lunch time so a waiting room would probably be a good thing

This picture of Quinlan castle would be interesting to people not from Birmingham. Quinlan Castle has been much of a mystery. It was at one time an apartment building which later fell into disrepair and neglect, housing squatters . I was eventually bought by Southern Research which is on the corner next to it.

There is a monitor at the beginning of this this cafeteria styled restaurant that denotes food prices . (Click the photo to enlarge it.) The prices are not cheap. A meat and one is $7.45. That doesn't include the beverage. To get the cliched meat and three would cost close to $10.00.

Sweet Tea advertises standard daily features. Lunch is from 10:30 am-2:30 pm.

I arrived around 1:30 with my mouth set for the baked/grilled fish. They had run out. They'd also run out of the sides I wanted. I ended up getting chicken fried steak and collard greens. People who know me well, know that I am NOT a brown gravy fan. I had the server place the gravy on the side because whether I got it or not I was paying for it. The greens were fresh and not the canned or frozen type.

The sweet tea from which the restaurant gets it's name and professes to be sweetened with brown and white sugar was a disappointment. My tea was NOT sweet. I tasted no brown sugar. I didn't get a sugar high as I had expected.

The restaurant was clean. The staff was friendly, cordial and accommodating.

The food was not what I had expected. It was very disappointing. My neice and a friend went that following Sunday and she too was not impressed. Apparently we aren't the only ones. A review at the Urban Spoon site has reviews done by patrons of the restaurant. It's listed as "Southern/Soul, Greek, American"

Maybe they need to stick with one culture and do it well.

That's It***

Party with a purpose

2011-10-12T11:39:00.002-05:00

Ensley held a community festival October 1st. This festival was sponsored by Councilor Steven Hoyt who is the rep for that district. Below is a quote taken from the B'ham News website.

The four-hour event, headed by Birmingham City Councilor Steven Hoyt, is a combination job fair, educational initiative and community festival. (copied from al.com)

The article indicated that over 10,000 people attended, up 4,000 more than previous years. Originally the event was brought about in an effort to have residents more involved in their community after a number of homicides. In addition to wholesome activities, the festival allowed families to spend time together.

There was more than one group of dancers. Also, positive rappers with positive messages.

There were numerous community service tents available for the public to visit. Among them were Project Rebound, to help tornado victims with recovery. Various church and non profit agencies were also there. Hopewell Church will be sponsoring a Women's workshop next weekend which I plan to attend. The subjects that got me interested were edible landscapes and practical business skills. The seminar is free as was EVERYTHING at this festival.

McWane Center's rep in the children's area showed how to make slime or goo. In the container above is about 3 TBS of ordinary white glue that has been colored with food coloring.

To that is added a little water that has borax in it. When the two are stirred together you get the gooey slime you see above. I can see how this would be a fascinating activity for children. As the rep pointed out it was also a great, safe chemical reaction experiment.

There were also airbrushed tattoos. I stood in line to get one also. I wanted mine to be fierce.

Can't get any fiercer than this snake. I'd like to see what I'd look like with a full sleeve and the reactions I'd get?

Not sure what type of owl this is but it was also in the children's section.

If You Cook it, they will come.

Cooks prepare the tasty meal given to the festival goers.

Everyone is served by adults as well as a Boy Scout troop. I remarked to the den mother how proud I was to see young men performing community service without selfishness.
There were hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, chips or cheese curls, ice cream, soda pop. The Scouts and their mentors had everything moving smoothly.

These kids are gearing up to play Simon Says. The winner gets a bicycle.

Not to be outdone, those over age 40 were challenged in a game of Red Light, Green Light. The prize was a new vacuum cleaner.

The statue of Vulcan in Birmingham, Alabama was made of iron since iron and steel was the primary industry at one time in this state. The Vulcan statue was also a feature at the 1904 World's Fair. It is thelargest cast iron statue in the world. You can read more about Vulcan and his history as it pertains to Alabama .

Strength and stamina were tested when partakers did as many chin ups as they could within a given amount of time. Before that it was weight lifting.

The weather for this event was beautiful . Not too hot and not too cold. A perfect fall day.

THAT'S IT

French Cooking Class

2011-10-05T11:45:00.000-05:00

Cafe' de Paris
A friend told me about a French cooking class that was to be held at Cafe' de Paris. This cafe was opened almost 3 years ago by two cousins who are originally from France. You may remember from a previous post that my neice took me to this restaurant for my birthday.

After Smitty B told me about the online coupon ,I paid for and downloaded it. I decided I'd step out and do something different. When I arrived Saturday chef had something of a Continental breakfast for us at one of the tables. There was coffee, juice, crossaints with jelly and thick sliced bacon. There were two people there ahead of me partaking of the goodies. I didn't read my coupon ahead of time and so I had eaten before leaving home. Had I read it,I would have seen where breakfast would be provided.

The work stations were all prepared with what we would need. We were divided into two teams, red and blue. I was on the blue team. There were only 4 of us though chef said he had planned for 8.

We would be preparing a main dish and a dessert. The teams were to exchange dishes at the end of the class and taste each others cooking.

We began with the dessert first because it would need time to bake. La clafoutis or baked berries little pie

The mixing bowl contains egg and milk which must

be continuously whisked. The other ingredients are added as listed in the recipe. After placing our strawberries in a buttered and floured ramekin we poured the egg mixture on top. These were given to the sous chef to take to the oven. Chef Serge' told us any berry could be used in this recipe. Some of us even placed a few chocolate chips inside our mixture.

Preparation of the main dish began which was Creamy raviolis with shrimp and raisin. Though it isn't mentioned in the title a few green peas were also inside the ravioli. To save time chef had purchased prepared ravioli circles. On each circle a small amount of cooked shrimp, cooked peas and raisins were place. This mixture was covered with another ravioli circle and crimped/folded around the edges to keep the stuffing inside. It was imperative to have it closed or else it would come loose during cooking. Also, there's only a small amount that can be put inside or else the ravioli will be difficult to close.

These are my 3 raviolis before they were cooked.

The pan is heated first with the milk then the raviolis are placed inside. They were cooked on a medium heat. It's best not to turn the ravioli back and forth or else it may fall apart.To the sauce was added additional raisins, peas, parmesan, pesto. Allowing the sauce to cook down into a thickness really pulls the flavors together. Scooping some of this thickened sauce onto the ravioli adds to the flavor.

This is the blue team's dish plated and ready to devour.

Chef Serge' Pambo was comical and very talkative. He told us so much about his home country, his family, how he got started in the business and various cooking tips. A very patient, congenial man, but he does talk a lot.

The red team's presentation drizzled with pesto

The dessert smelled wonderful and was put aside to cool so that it could be removed from the ramekins in one piece. Once it was plated, we were also served ice cream on the side.

Chef brought out a bottle of Argentina Maltec wine. As we ate and drank wine chef gave us an informative lesson on wines.That is, it was informative to me. The wine was great also and served at room temp.

I was unsure as to how the ravioli would taste since the stuffing was a little odd. It was delicious. The hint of sweetness of the raisins mixed with the peas and shrimp made for a different kind of meal. We were not hurried out afterwards. I don't know if it was the wine, the beautiful day or me being in a good mood but this was the best day I've had in a very long time. I'd advise anyone to take this class. Chef Serge' gave us much more than what we'd paid for.

Here we are after the class. I'll let you guess which person I am. (I gave you hints in my post)

That's It

Cauliflower Pizza Dough, Take 2

2011-10-02T15:25:00.000-05:00

I tried a low carb, cauliflower pizza dough a few posts back. I wasn't very pleased with the results but I

felt it had potential, so I decided to try it again tweaking the recipe.

I had cauliflower left over from the first batch, so I added all of the original ingredients but this time I added a whole egg instead of one egg white.

Though you see the egg white in the picture, I didn't use it. I did use more cheese.

I also spread the dough thinner. The first time it was not firm and fell apart in my hands It was also too thick.

Here's a pic of the dough after being taken from the oven after the required 15 minutes. Though it appears to be firm, I decided to push the envelope and run it back into the oven because I like my crust thin and crispy.

I made sure I kept an eye on it so that it wouldn't overcook (burn)

This looks more like what I want.

This shows the back and front of the crust. To the right I am holding it up so that you can see I firm it is, yet pliable.

I decided to try it out as faux pita triangles. The taste was good.

Since I didn't plan to use it that particular day I rolled it in foil and refrigerated it.

I didn't put as many toppings on the Take 2 pizza as I did with the first. This time I used red and green peppers, onion and extra cheese. I dotted it with pasta sauce after putting on the cheese. I dotted it because I didn't want it soggy.

I ran it under the broiler for a few minutes, still keeping a close watch.

I enjoyed the pizza much more this time than I did the first time.
NOTE: All of this took place in the span of 3 days.
*If I try it again, I'll see how well it freezes. That way, I can make the dough ahead of time and pull it out when I need it.
*Though I cut my toppings small, precooking them would be advisable especially if there is meat involved.
* Not all fat free cheeses will melt.
THAT'S IT***

Freedom Riders 1961

2011-09-28T19:57:00.000-05:00

Since I try to go somewhere at least once a week, I decided on The History Center located downtown Birmingham inside Young and Vann Supply Company. Young and Vann is no more operable as a supply company. It is a large redone warehouse that has been updated for other purposes as so many downtowns have done to preserve what's already there.

"From May until November 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives-many endured savage beatings and imprisonment-for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South. Theirs is the powerful, harrowing and ultimately inspirational story of courageous action that changed America forever." (copied from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History flyer)

Click any of the photos to enlarge and read

To learn more about several of the exhibits you could use you cell phone to dial a number that told of the experiences many of these riders had. The stories were told by the people who experienced them.I'd left my cell in the car but the number is 617-245-3907. Enter the number (1-9) that is next to the item you want to hear about press the # key.

When I got home I used my cell to call the number above. Their stories were interesting and informative.

Click the following link to find out more about the Freedom Riders
THAT'S IT ***

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

2011-09-23T15:24:00.002-05:00

Many people try to limit the number of carbs (carbohydrates) that they have in their meals.The only problem is that you then limit all of the comfort foods such as mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pastas, potatoes, rice. More than once I've seen recipes for cauliflower mashed potatoes and cauliflower rice. Not until recently did I see a recipe for cauliflower pizza. Several reviewers stated how delicious it was and how they didn't feel guilty eating it. Being that I had cauliflower I'd gotten out of the quick sale bin at the market, I decided to try it.

I got the recipe from Piehole another blogger who apparently enjoys pies of all types and cooking. Pizza is in the category of pies. Dean Martin and others have sung about it.

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore."

Here's the recipe

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

*2C riced cauliflower

*1t garlic salt

*1/2t italian seasoning

*1 egg white

*1/2C reduced fat mozzarella cheese

*toppings of your choice, also remember if you add more cheese on top to count it! (Yeh, right)

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 425.

2. Cut cauliflower into small chunks and pulse in food processor until rice like consistency is met. It should look almost identical to rice.

3.Place in microwave safe bowl (after ricing) with plastic wrap on top and microwave for 1-2 minutes.

4. Mix cauliflower with remaining ingredients.

5. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray and form mixture into desired shape (spray it WELL, it has a tendency to stick).

6. Make sure its not too thin, somewhere around 1/4 an inch thick.

7. Bake for 15 minutes until slightly browned.

8. Remove and add your sauce and toppings.

9. Bake for another 5-10 minutes to melt cheese and cook toppings. You can also broil it at this stage if the edges of the pizza are looking too dark.

Cauliflower has a strong smell after being cooked so you may want to employ the crew below.

Odor reducers

As you can see I've placed the cauliflower in my food processor and reduced it a little at a time into the consistency of rice. Actually it looks more like coconut to me.

I ended up with far more than two cups of cauliflower. It's in a microwave safe bowl. I placed it in the microwave with its matching top for 4 minutes instead of the 2 as suggested by the recipe since I had more than two cups.

While the cauliflower was in the microwave I placed a sheet of foil on a baking sheet then sprayed the foil well with cooking spray. The directions stated that it has a tendency to stick.

After removing the cauliflower from the microwave I measured out two cups, placed it in a mixing bowl along with garlic powder (I didn't have garlic salt) ,Italian seasoning, egg white and mozzarella cheese. I used the amounts listed in the recipe above.

I did most of the mixing with gloved hands. I have shaped the "dough" into a crude square on the baking sheet

This is the "dough" after being baked for 15 minutes in a preheated 425 degree oven. It did brown a little around the edges.

I'd been to ALDI on yesterday and picked up a package of yellow, red and green peppers. The yellow and red are so sweet. My toppings included about 1/2 cup of each of these peppers, 1 slice turkey bacon, 1 1/2 oz of turkey sausage, and onions. I cooked everything a little since all ingredients probably won't cook at the same rate when I place them on the pizza dough.

what beautiful color

After placing the sauteed toppings on the crust, I put jarred spagetti sauce on top and then put it back in the oven for about 10 minutes.

plated cauliflower pizza

There are probably a couple of things you're thinking .

a. I should have put the sauce on first and then the toppings.

b. I should have used real pizza sauce.

It wouldn't have made much difference because the "dough" was not very solid. Sure it tasted fine but I tested a piece before adding the toppings and it wasn't firm even after I ran it back into the oven to cook a little longer. Therefore I put the toppings first and then the sauce so it wouldn't disintegrate completely when I got ready to serve it.

Since I still have cauliflower left over, I'll try it again. At this point I'd have to say I wasn't bowled over by this recipe. Then again I'm not a chef.

THAT'S IT***

Stuck on a Series

2011-09-21T04:51:00.003-05:00

I've been reading books by M.C. Beaton. They take place in Scotland and a few villages are named in many of the books so much so I have a visual picture of how I think they look. Not to mention I've used some of the language or know what it means. For example:
lay about- a lazy person
crofter- a Highland farmer
get a leg over- have sex with someone
There are others. I just can't think of them at the moment.

For some reason I like stories that take place in Europe and I like period novels also. In the M.C. Beaton novels there is a crime mystery and there's also humor. They are easy reading if you want something to satisfy your reading palate.

I had to take inventory of what I'd read because I'd read so many I would sometimes check out one I'd read before. The series with the village bobby Hamish Macbeth was the first one I read. Hamish enjoys life in the small village of Lochdubh. He is a very intuitive man and usually solves the crime. His superior Inspector Daviot in Strathbane usually wants to promote him but Hamish doesn't want to leave the quiet life of Lochdubh so he will often allow the credit to go to someone else or to his nemesis Detective Blair who hates Hamish with a passion. Blair will do anything to try to have Hamish thrown off of the force. His efforts usually end up with some hilarious mishap befalling him.
Of the Hamish Macbeth novels I have read:

Death of a Celebrity- A woman gets her position at a TV station by sleeping her way up. She is arrogant, self centered and thinks only of herself. She's found dead.

Death of a Poison Pen- Someone is rattling the nerves of the inhabitants in a nearby village by sending them anonymous letters about information they have on the recipient. Neighbors suspect neighbors. Everyone is suspicious of everyone else. This leads to violence and someone is killed.

Death of a Village- The people of Stoyre have become very religious. When asked questions about this sudden onslaught of theology no one will answer questions.

Death of a Glutton- This was the funniest one. Two women own a travel agency. One of them is an embarassment to the other and she wants to buy her out of the business. The offending partner will eat an entire meal meant for 4 people when they take clients out for dinner or lunch. She will make offensive and embarrassing comments to the clients. This character burps, slurps, licks her fingers and is an overall pig when it comes to eating. No wonder when she is found dead there is an apple in her mouth.

Other reads include:
Death of a Dreamer
Death of An Addict
Death of a Gentle Lady
Death of a Maid
Daeth of a Nag
Death of a Prankster
Death of a Dustman
Death of a Bore
Death of a Dentist

I only wish I'd read them in order.

Another in the M.C. Beaton series are the Agatha Raisin novels. Agatha is a woman in her fifties who doesn't want to be reminded of it. She is a romantic thinking that every man who shows her any type of kindness is possibly a candidate for matrimony. She is especially taken with her neighbor James Lacey. Agatha goes to all sorts of stunts to get his attention. These novels also involve amateur crime solving with Agatha and the various men in her life. They also emit humor with Agatha and all of her wild antics.

Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came

Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death- Agatha Raisin, new to the village of Cotswold wants to fit in and be accepted, so she enters the annual quiche contest. No one knows Agatha can't cook and gets her sustenance from TV dinners, coffee and cigarettes. Agatha buys a quiche from a baker in a town far from Cotswold. She removes the quiche from its store bought container and places it in a container of her own in hopes of passing it off as her own homemade quiche. Unfortunately, later someone dies from eating Agatha's poisoned quiche. To save herself Agatha will have to admit she did not bake the quiche. What an embarrassment.

Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryham

Agatha Raisin and theWizard of Evesham

Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley

The Perfect Paragon: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
THAT'S IT***

Things aren't always as they appear

2011-09-19T15:50:00.060-05:00

This photo was taken earlier in the summer when my container herbs began to sprout out and make good use of the sunny weather. The bush became much larger. Just a few days ago (after you read this post) I trimmed it back and took some of the stems in to dry. No use letting it go to waste.

Sorry, but I forgot to take a before picture.
I consulted a few websites on how to dry the herbs and decided to go with the oven drying method.

I rinsed the bunches of stems a couple of times and patted them dry.

Then I broke them into smaller pieces placing them on the cooky sheet with plenty of room between them.

I placed them in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes.

Directions I'd read warned that the finished product must not contain any moisture or they would mold, destroying the whole batch. A good way to test it is to twist some of the leaves between your fingers. If they crumble then they are dry.

Here is a close up of the after batch before stripping the leaves from the stems. To remove, shear the leaves through your dry hands in the opposite direction. It's very easy and the dried product comes off in no time. You can use gloves if you like. Getting one of the leaves under a nail feels like a splinter.

This is a picture of the dried leaves inside a plastic container before being jarred. I know what it looks like but: THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR.

I used a clean jar that originally contained pasta sauce to store the dried rosemary. I plan to try this same thing with the lavender and sage I have.

THAT'S IT***

Another Festival

2011-09-17T06:32:00.005-05:00

Artwalk

Yep! Another festival. I've been attending quite a few because I plan to be a participant at one that is being held in December. Since this will be my first I'm trying to get some ideas as to how to make my presentation inviting.

Last weekend's exhibit spanned several downtown blocks. It was hot but I got out early. If you consider 12 noon early. That was when things began last Saturday. It didn't take me long to maneuver because I really wasn't in the mood. I think I was there about an hour. SOme exhibits were housed inside various buildings.
The shot above is from Morris Avenue. You can't see it here but the street is cobblestone. I'm unsure regarding the original history of the street. During the week few cars have access to this street. In the 70's Morris Avenue was revitalized into something similar to the old Underground Atlanta. We called it Underground Birmingham. It was a great place to party and take out of town friends. As with anything it eventually died out. There are mostly lofts, attorneys offices and of course the Peanut Depot. They roast peanuts the old fashioned way and the smell is delicious. Getting the hot roasted peanuts can make you hurt yourself eating them.

This was a project that attendees were invited to participate in. There were three panels . On the left is a clear plastic sheet that volunteers are asked to write "You Are Beautiful" in various ways. This is something that has been going on all over . On the opaque white shower curtain in the middle the facillitator wanted a landscape. I don't remember what the theme was for the clear plastic panel on the right. I choose the landscape theme. If you enlarge the photo you'll see my impression of mountains. As other people come along they add to the drawing.

You can see that I didn't take lots of pictures as I usually do.

I went back to my car and drank the ice cold water I had waiting for me. That's it above. I reused a quart bottle that formerly held sparkling water. I filled it almost to the top with water, laid it on its side in the freezer and let it freeze. When I'm ready to go someplace I take it out, sheath it in a clean gym sock and I'm on my way. The sock keeps it cold a little longer and also absorbs the condensation as it melts so that I don't have a puddle after it unthaws. I freeze it on its side so that when I open it water doesn't spew everywhere. That's also why I leave some head space before freezing.

I'm familiar with the latest about not reusing plastic because of carcinogens. I'm going to die of something anyway and I don't like the idea of buying bottled water. But that's just my personal opinion.
THAT'S IT***

What I did with the linen from the second hand shop in Leeds

2011-09-15T08:27:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago I told you about driving to Leeds and going into a second hand shop where the owner was so kind as to give me free hand to choose twelve of the Irish linen napkins and hand towels (??? I guess that's what they were) she had for sale. When I asked to purchase one of each to see if it would work for a project, she asked me what I was going to do with them and I told her. She said that since it was for the church, I could have them FOR FREE. What a wonderful lady.

I attend a very small Episcopalian church where we dress the altar each Sunday and celebrate the Eucharist. The chalice (cup for the wine) is wiped with a cloth known as a purificator. Before the priest begins the Eucharist, he/she cleanses the hands in a lavabo bowl and dries them on a lavabo towel. I thought the napkins and towels in the secondhand shop would be perfect in this capacity. Altar linens can be pricey and as the name implies they should be linen though I know there are some made from other natural and man-made fibers.

After checking with the altar guild chairperson and the priest, I was given the go ahead to embroider crosses on them. They will be consecrated at a later date.

I have placed one of the napkins in a hoop. I measured and drew a cross in the very center with a colored pencil.

Close up of the marking

Napkins and hand towels before being embossed,
You can see that the hand towel has pretty embroidery on it at the bottom. These will be used as lavabo towels.

The napkins also had a decorative stitching around the hem. I'm not sure what this type of stitching is called. Maybe someone out there can tell me.

I think embroidery is a fine art but I've never learned how to really do it. I tried my hand at it anyway and you can see where I embroidered a cross in the middle of the napkin that is to become the purificator.

Here you see a cross at the bottom of this linen piece which is to serve as a lavabo towel. Can't remember if I did this one by hand or by sewing machine.
The finished linens are to be consecrated at a later date. Thank you again Ms. Mitchell.

That's It ***

Newspaper Waste

2011-09-13T12:54:00.046-05:00

As you know football is BIG in Alabama. If as much time was spent on real issues as is spent on football, this would be a model state.
Two weeks ago The Birmingham News did its football season issue using the Sunday paper. After removing the coupons, sales papers, comics and Parade magazine, the regularly featured sections are shown here.

Front page, Business, Lifestyle, Viewpoints, Play(local entertainment), Want Ads, Real Estate . Not much news to read. Each section averaged only about 10 pages and I'm counting front and back.

Compare that with the 116 pages dedicated to football. The whole section was entitled Football U

Granted much of this section was packed with huge ads. The fact remains that these businesses support the football craze that is viral in Alabama. I wonder how many trees died for this?

cars

2011-09-07T08:32:00.002-05:00

These are just a few photos of cars at the Butter Bean Festival. There were many more along with their proud owners.
I enjoy viewing these vintage beauties but, am not very knowledgeable about them. Click on the photo to enlarge for detail.