Well, it must be a REAL SLOW news day. Our local broadcast is reviewing a story about DANGEROUS WILD CHICKENS in Weirton.
Yes, you read that right.
Dangerous. Wild. CHICKENS.
Whew! It's a real fear of mine, living in such a HIGH CRIME area that now we have to worry about the CHICKENS!
Evidently, their LOUD CLUCKING is a real hazard. It is WAKING FOLKS UP at 4 AM! Can you imagine a worse crime? Those bad bad chickens!
And, to compound the problem, they are ROAMING the streets at NIGHT! Roaming. The. Streets. Those chickens are SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE!
What will be next? Dangerous wild hamsters? AAAAAAAH! Help! Save us from the hamsters! :)
Might I suggest a simple solution? Chicken Salad with Pecans
(Don't believe me? Here you go... WTOV9 News Story).
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Facts Quiz
I'm not really into these, but I found it on a site having a contest and got "tagged" before I realized what was happening!
So, here goes (try not to fall asleep!):
A.) attached or single?
Married for 19 years in November.
Feels like 40. :)
(B.) best friend? DH, of course.
(C.) cake or pie? Chocolate Sheet CAKE (OR apple pie IF it is GOOD apple pie! NO STOREBOUGHT or canned apples!).
(D.) day of choice? Friday because I feel FREE!
(E.) essential item? A book.
(F. ) favorite color? It has to be PINK!
(G. ) gummy bears or worms? Neither. But, I'll eat gummi bears if the kids want me to join them.
(H.) hometown? St. Clairsville, Ohio
(I.) favorite indulgence? A free afternoon with an excellent book.
(J. ) January or July? January because of the wonderful SNOW! I LOVE SNOW! I LOVE COLD TEMPS and snowball fights!
(K. ) kids? Three (Sarah 11, Thomas 10, Matthew 6)
(L.) life isn't complete without? Family
M.) marriage date? Nov. 4, 1989
(N.) number of brothers & sisters? One younger brother, Scott.
(O.) oranges or apples? Apples.
(P.) phobias? Jellyfish. Worms.
(Q.) quotes? Home is where one starts from. - T. S. Eliot
(R.) reasons to smile? It makes people happy.
(S.) season of choice? Fall
(T.) tag seven peeps! Sorry! But if you are reading this, I TAG YOU! :)
(U.) unknown fact about me? I'm allergic to cats but I have them anyway.
(V.) vegetable? Yes, especially spinach.
(W.) worst habits? I am a worrywart. I overdo. I procrastinate. The list goes on.
(X.) x-ray or ultrasound? Both.
(Y.) your favorite food? anything with chocolate...cookies, ice cream, etc.
(Z.) zodiac sign? Libra.
So, here goes (try not to fall asleep!):
A.) attached or single?
Married for 19 years in November.
Feels like 40. :)
(B.) best friend? DH, of course.
(C.) cake or pie? Chocolate Sheet CAKE (OR apple pie IF it is GOOD apple pie! NO STOREBOUGHT or canned apples!).
(D.) day of choice? Friday because I feel FREE!
(E.) essential item? A book.
(F. ) favorite color? It has to be PINK!
(G. ) gummy bears or worms? Neither. But, I'll eat gummi bears if the kids want me to join them.
(H.) hometown? St. Clairsville, Ohio
(I.) favorite indulgence? A free afternoon with an excellent book.
(J. ) January or July? January because of the wonderful SNOW! I LOVE SNOW! I LOVE COLD TEMPS and snowball fights!
(K. ) kids? Three (Sarah 11, Thomas 10, Matthew 6)
(L.) life isn't complete without? Family
M.) marriage date? Nov. 4, 1989
(N.) number of brothers & sisters? One younger brother, Scott.
(O.) oranges or apples? Apples.
(P.) phobias? Jellyfish. Worms.
(Q.) quotes? Home is where one starts from. - T. S. Eliot
(R.) reasons to smile? It makes people happy.
(S.) season of choice? Fall
(T.) tag seven peeps! Sorry! But if you are reading this, I TAG YOU! :)
(U.) unknown fact about me? I'm allergic to cats but I have them anyway.
(V.) vegetable? Yes, especially spinach.
(W.) worst habits? I am a worrywart. I overdo. I procrastinate. The list goes on.
(X.) x-ray or ultrasound? Both.
(Y.) your favorite food? anything with chocolate...cookies, ice cream, etc.
(Z.) zodiac sign? Libra.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Mac & Cheese Recipe
I realize there are enormous debates over the correct way to make Macaroni & Cheese. I am not going to get into that! This is just the way I make it (a la my Betty Crocker cookbook from 1986 with variations).
I take a double recipe of this to every church potluck and there is never any left to bring back home. As a matter of fact, I have actually seen people giving each other the "evil eye" over the last couple of spoonfuls! But in a good way...as it is a church function, after all! :)
Baked Macaroni & Cheese
1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
3 Tablespoons margarine
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups skim milk
8 ounces Velveeta
Cook macaroni as directed on package. Be sure that it is soft, but not mushy. If it is not done enough, it will soak up too much of the sauce and the end product will not be creamy.
Melt margarine on stovetop in large skillet (nonstick is best). Add onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Mix flour into the 2 cups of milk. Make sure flour is completely incorporated. I put it in a tall glass and whisk it with a fork. Then add it to the warm margarine mixture on the stovetop.
Cook over medium heat, STIRRING CONSTANTLY, until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Keep stirring until it boils and then stir for one minute. Remove from heat.
Stir in Velveeta until melted. It's easiest to do this over a very low heat, especially if you have had the cheese in the frig.
Once cheese is melted, add the macaroni. I find it easiest to mix everything together in the skillet and then pour it all in the pan to bake. Use a 1 1/2 quart casserole.
Bake uncovered in 375' oven for 30 minutes. I keep an eye on it and generally take it out early. We don't like it too brown on top. Plus, it is creamier if it bakes for less time. So, mine is usually a double recipe and it bakes for 25 minutes.
IF YOU DOUBLE THE RECIPE, USE A 13" X 9 " OBLONG PYREX DISH.
If reheating leftovers, be sure to add some extra milk. Otherwise, it gets too dry.
I take a double recipe of this to every church potluck and there is never any left to bring back home. As a matter of fact, I have actually seen people giving each other the "evil eye" over the last couple of spoonfuls! But in a good way...as it is a church function, after all! :)
Baked Macaroni & Cheese
1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
3 Tablespoons margarine
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups skim milk
8 ounces Velveeta
Cook macaroni as directed on package. Be sure that it is soft, but not mushy. If it is not done enough, it will soak up too much of the sauce and the end product will not be creamy.
Melt margarine on stovetop in large skillet (nonstick is best). Add onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Mix flour into the 2 cups of milk. Make sure flour is completely incorporated. I put it in a tall glass and whisk it with a fork. Then add it to the warm margarine mixture on the stovetop.
Cook over medium heat, STIRRING CONSTANTLY, until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Keep stirring until it boils and then stir for one minute. Remove from heat.
Stir in Velveeta until melted. It's easiest to do this over a very low heat, especially if you have had the cheese in the frig.
Once cheese is melted, add the macaroni. I find it easiest to mix everything together in the skillet and then pour it all in the pan to bake. Use a 1 1/2 quart casserole.
Bake uncovered in 375' oven for 30 minutes. I keep an eye on it and generally take it out early. We don't like it too brown on top. Plus, it is creamier if it bakes for less time. So, mine is usually a double recipe and it bakes for 25 minutes.
IF YOU DOUBLE THE RECIPE, USE A 13" X 9 " OBLONG PYREX DISH.
If reheating leftovers, be sure to add some extra milk. Otherwise, it gets too dry.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Hamster Hunting
We had a hamster tragedy the other night. So, today we went hamster hunting.
With GREAT relief we found the ONE hamster left at Petco (at 20% off, no less!) was the EXACT hamster we needed. Right color, right age, and we can only hope...not pregnant. Whew!
With great pleasure, my 3 munchkins welcome Chubbster to our family! :) Isn't she cute?
Best Toy Ever...Because YOU NEVER KNOW!
Yesterday I stopped at Target. I am a Target addict. I sometimes think I could live at Target! :) Well, not really, but it sure is a fun place to be!
I was doing my usual scrounging for 75% off clearance deals when I spotted 2 Totes umbrellas in cool BOY colors for only $4.48 each. I LOVE umbrellas for 75% off...and Matt and Thomas both needed a new one for walking home from school.
So, I gave the boys their new umbrellas. Matt (being 6) was ENTHRALLED. He was so cute. He couldn't get over how you could push a button and release the umbrella...then push it AGAIN and have it close back up! OH MY! Amazing! We had to test it repeatedly. Good thing we were in a stationary vehicle because we tested it out the window. :)
Fortunately, the new super cool umbrella came with a string on the end of the high quality BAMBOO handle that can be attached to a belt. :) OH THE JOY! And even better...it is made of 70% recycled materials! It just got better and better!
Now the umbrella can go on hikes with us. Because, you never know when you will be caught in the rain! So, it went on yesterday's evening hike. Matt carried it for 2 miles because (again) YOU NEVER KNOW.
Today it went to our church picnic with us....because it rained on us last year....and you never know! :)
Right now Matt is sitting on a recliner and watching TV...and holding his umbrella...because this is an old house with weak ceilings....and YOU NEVER KNOW! :)
I just love how he always makes me smile. :)
I was doing my usual scrounging for 75% off clearance deals when I spotted 2 Totes umbrellas in cool BOY colors for only $4.48 each. I LOVE umbrellas for 75% off...and Matt and Thomas both needed a new one for walking home from school.
So, I gave the boys their new umbrellas. Matt (being 6) was ENTHRALLED. He was so cute. He couldn't get over how you could push a button and release the umbrella...then push it AGAIN and have it close back up! OH MY! Amazing! We had to test it repeatedly. Good thing we were in a stationary vehicle because we tested it out the window. :)
Fortunately, the new super cool umbrella came with a string on the end of the high quality BAMBOO handle that can be attached to a belt. :) OH THE JOY! And even better...it is made of 70% recycled materials! It just got better and better!
Now the umbrella can go on hikes with us. Because, you never know when you will be caught in the rain! So, it went on yesterday's evening hike. Matt carried it for 2 miles because (again) YOU NEVER KNOW.
Today it went to our church picnic with us....because it rained on us last year....and you never know! :)
Right now Matt is sitting on a recliner and watching TV...and holding his umbrella...because this is an old house with weak ceilings....and YOU NEVER KNOW! :)
I just love how he always makes me smile. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)