How I learned to stop worrying and love my hair

I start out liking a hairstyle. We date for a while and then I fall in love with it. Eventually the honeymoon is over – it's not doing a thing for me, but I'm stuck with it. Finally, I fall out of love with it and want a divorce. Then I move on to the next hairstyle.

I recently divorced a hairstyle, and moved on to the next one, which got me thinking about how to stop worrying and love my hair. This isn't very scientific, but I thought I would share my strategies for dealing with it.

1. Hair grows in a spiral. Keeping that in mind helps me realize that no matter how hard I try to create a perfectly symmetrical style, I'm fighting nature. Just let it go.

2. Use your texture to its best advantage. I just tried the sleek, short bob like Katie Holmes sports, and if I took the time to style it I liked it. When I didn't, I thought it looked horrible and I felt self-conscious. The reason is that my hair has a bit of natural wave to it, so it wants to do its own thing – not Katie's thing. I talked to my stylist about it and we came up with a style that uses my wave to my advantage.

3. No one EVER thinks your hair looks as bad as you do. Even if I think I'm having a bad hair day, other people don't think that much about it. They're busy worrying about their own hair.

4. Don't let your "The Bob" have a vote. A lot of women will probably have problems with this part. If I let Bob have a vote, my hair would be to my waist in the back. At my height, this would just look silly. In my experience, guys like a women who a.) is confident that she looks good and b.) doesn't spend a lot of time complaining about her hair.

I am not saying that I am not eventually going to leave this hairstyle for another one, but I do know that as the years go by I am learning to stop worrying and love my hair.

See, I have fashion questions, too! Check out my Q&A at StyleBakery.

I use StyleBakery as a great resource for fashion trends, wardrobe ideas, shopping links, and a bit of celebrity gossip. The editors seem to have it together in terms of their recommendations, and they solicit questions on style.

Just so happens I recently purchased this little swing jacket and wanted advice about what to wear with it... taking into consideration two factors: my height and my age!

Check out my question & Alison's great answer here.

I encourage you to submit a question when you have one, and check out the site for ideas for this fall and winter! Have fun!

Recipe for comfort - beer cheese-cheese-cheese soup.

A big pot of soup is the perfect cure for a rainy, blah night, but who has time for something that tastes like it's been cooked all day? Not this girl. I need something quick and easy to put together, but something that can simmer on low until The Bob is ready for dinner. This is my take on beer-cheese soup – I took the basic idea from several recipes to come up with my own, and it was delish if I do say so myself.

Here's what you need:
3 slices bacon, diced
1 clove (or so) garlic, minced fine (I used the preminced jarred kind to save time)
1T butter
2T flour
1t dry mustard
1 small can chicken broth
1 cup (or so) half and half
1 12 oz. bottle of beer (I used a Bud, but anything works - the alcohol cooks out)
16 oz. (or so) Velveeta, cut into chunks
1 jar (5 oz.) Kraft Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread with Bacon
1 jar (5 oz.) Kraft Old English Sharp Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread
Salt & pepper to taste

Here's all you do:
1. Cook the bacon in the bottom of a large saucepan until crisp. Remove to a plate to drain and reserve for garnish.
2. Add the butter and the garlic and sauté until the garlic is transparent and flavorful, just a minute or so.
3. Turn the heat down a smidge, and add the flour and dry mustard to the pot. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes until the mixture forms a pretty thick paste.
4. Whisk in the broth, then the half and half, until incorporated. Add the beer and stir. Let this come up to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add the jarred cheeses, one at a time, stirring until melted. Add the Velveeta in chunks, stirring until melted.
6. Taste for seasonings, and then simmer on low, stirring pretty often, until you just can't stand it any more! I let mine simmer for about 20 minutes.
7. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the reserved bacon bits, and/or anything you like. Bob topped his with bacon AND croutons.

I thought pumpernickel bread sounded good to dunk into this soup. I cut slices of the bread into strips, brushed with butter and toasted in a 450º oven until they were crispy.

While this soup was delicious on its own, we immediately thought of about 3-4 different things you could do with this as a base. This would be awesome with crab meat and/or shrimp. It would be great as kind of a chowder with a couple of potatoes and some drained corn. Tonight I plan to take some fully cooked chorizo flavored smoked sausage, slice it into disks and add it to the soup.

Experiment with what you like. But, try it this the first time. You will sink down into that bowl of cheesy goodness and it just won't matter what the weather's doing outside.

We never get tired of a good old casserole – especially with tater tots & cheese!

You already know that The Bob is a casserole junkie. I swear if you layered nails and glass in a dish and covered it in cheese and topped it with crushed potato chips, he would lick his plate clean. I think he might eventually catch on to nail & glass casserole, so I guess I will keep looking for easy, cheesy casseroles to make the man.

I came up with this one as a substitute for my Reuben Bake, and it went over pretty well.

Here's what you need:
1 lb. fully cooked, skinless smoked sausage
1 can green beans, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. Velveeta, cubed
Tater tots (YES, tater tots!)

Here's what you do:
1. Preheat oven to 350º. Spray an 8" square baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Cut the sausage into 3/4 inch disks and put in the bottom of the pan. Top with the green beans. Spread the soup over top. Top this evenly with the Velveeta. Then (and this is my favorite part!), put tots all over the top. Really pack them in!
3. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tots are nice and golden brown.

Modify to your heart's content, but for goodness sake, keep the tot! This actually reheated pretty well the next day, so it won't go to waste.

10 Random Tips that Save Time, Energy, and Frustration

After a very busy and eventful summer, I am happy to be back and healthy and ready to start bringing you more ideas, hints, tips, recipes, and rantings.

Here are a quick 10 super-easy tips that you can incorporate to save yourself time, energy, and frustration. They aren't complicated, and they work for me.

1. Say it, don't spray it. To keep non-stick spray from getting your counters sticky, place your dish on the open door of your dishwasher and then spray away. The overspray will just go on the back of the door, which will be clean next time you run the dishwasher.

2. Pick a pepper. Next time you have an extra red, yellow, or green pepper languishing in the produce drawer in your fridge, don't let it go to waste, roast it. When we have the grill going and have an extra pepper, we throw it on, even if we don't plan to use it that day. Put it over the hot part of the grill and turn it every now and then until the skin is mostly black. Put the pepper in a plastic container and refrigerate until you're ready to use it. Then just slip the skin off, take out the seeds and membranes, and slice or chop to use in your recipe. The pepper will keep in the fridge for a few days.

3. In the fold. This may sound like your mom, and if so, I apologize. Fold your underwear. No, I'm not joking. Years ago I just shoved my panties in a drawer willy nilly. I had to paw through the pile to find the color I wanted, and it took more time. Besides that, it was unpleasant aesthetically. I promise you, it only takes 2 seconds to fold a pair of panties (and coincidentally, it takes 2 seconds to fold a pair of The Bob's boxers), and I promise, when you open that tidy drawer you will feel good, and you'll find what you're looking for more quickly.

4. Lost and found. I read cookbooks for fun (I don't think that makes me strange at all!), and, of course, to get ideas. When I sit down with a cookbook I always have a pack of those little tape flags next to me so that when I see something interesting, I can just mark it. That way, instead of getting frustrated wondering, "Now where did I see that recipe," I can just quickly flip to the marked pages.

5. Fill 'er up. Always fill the tank in your car. Now, I know there are people who will play the "gas price lottery" and try and wait until the price is lower to fill up. They just put a few dollars in at a time until they see a price they like. If you're one of those people, more power to you. The way I look at it, if I go back to the station several times a week to put a few more dollars worth in the tank, then it's costing me in time, which is worth something to me.

6. Iron it out. This is one of those tips that is almost so unconscious for me I don't know that I consider it a "tip." But I guess it is. I keep a water bottle next to the iron and ironing board, so I can fill up the iron when it needs it without having to traipse to the sink every time. One 20 oz. water bottle fills my iron up several times. One trip to the sink instead of 5? I guess that is a tip!

7. That's neat. Storage under the sink can be scary. It's deep, it's dark, and there are all those pipes and fixtures and stuff. It is necessary to store things under there, but typically what I did was open the door, grab something quick, and slam it without looking. I hated that! So, a while back I came up with a way to keep it neat and organized without spending a bunch of money. Plastic dish pans, which you can pick up at your local dollar store, make neat under-sink bins and cost a fraction of what the under-sink organizers do. They slide in and out out easily, and keep your stuff from falling over and making a mess. For about two bucks, you can have a neat and tidy under-sink area.

8. Sign here. I have a jacket that I love. THE jacket. It's a shaped, denim blazer-type jacket that fits me to a tee, knows where my elbows go, and never needs ironing. I realized about a year ago, that this jacket was getting more action than any other single item in my closet. And for good reason. It looks good, fits great, and goes with everything. I wondered if there was a problem with the fact that I was wearing this jacket 2-3 times a week with various outfits – one day with a black skirt, white shirt, tights and boots - another day with cords, a long sleeve tee and flats. The answer is NO, there's nothing wrong with having a signature piece, something that makes you feel happy and wonderful every time you put it on. Do my coworkers notice that I wear this jacket a bunch? YES, but it is ME, it reflects my personality and because I mix it up, it always looks new. Get yourself a signature piece, whether it's a jacket, a bag, a piece of jewelry, or a pair of boots. The bonus is, when you're in doubt, you'll reach for that item, and save yourself time and preserve your sanity.

9. Take five. When I get home from work, no matter how I feel, I take five minutes and... do more work! Fooled you, didn't I!? This is no joke. The problem is, at least for me, if I go home and start to relax, I get tired and lose my motivation to do anything. If I take just five minutes to tidy up, put the coffee cups in the dishwasher (or wash them), clear off the table, and swipe down the bathroom sink, I sail into the evening feeling like things are much more in control. After that, I treat myself to a break before making dinner. Since I have done a little work, I'm that much further ahead. This works, give it a try.

10. You're on your way. I've said it before, I'll say it again. One of my top tips of all time is "Clean as you go." Make it a habit and you will always save yourself time in the long run. While making dinner, take the few seconds to wipe down the counter. While doing laundry, take a second to dust the washer and dryer. After you're finished in the shower, spritz it with daily spray. Little jobs can become major jobs if you wait until it's out of control. (I learned this thanks to my high school job at McDonald's. I guess it wasn't a waste of time after all!)

I hope you'll find some of these helpful, and try one or two out to see if they work for you.

Organized closets don't have to cost you

I love to watch decorating shows on TV (almost as much as I love to watch cooking shows). I get ideas and tips, and keep up on what's new and trendy. I don't always love everything I see, but it's a way to keep my decorating senses keen. One show I like to catch now and then is Clean House. It's like watching a train wreck – they take a super-cluttered house, clear it out, convince the owners to sell some of their stuff, and then put it back together, decorating and organizing it.

Now, on this show, closets are usually a major issue. Clothes are usually on the floor, on the bed, under the bed, and yes, in the closet but without a shoe horn they aren't getting one more thing in there. The "organization host" is given a budget, and cleans and organizes the closet with brand new closet systems. Of course this makes for good TV, because in the reveal the difference is drastic.

However, not all of us can be on "Clean House" and not all of us have the cash to spend on new closet organization systems.

So, here are my ideas and tips for organizing any closet. The idea here is to be able to see what you've got, regardless of the size of the space.

1. Purge. If you haven't done this in a while, or ever, it's a very cleansing process. Anything (and I mean anything) you haven't worn in a year or more, put in a pile. Then, take a look at each item, and try on if necessary. If it doesn't fit you now, don't keep it thinking it will eventually fit. Be realistic – if it's making you feel guilty, throw it out or put it in a donate pile. If it's stained, worn, or needs repair, throw it out or put in a donate pile. (Note: I'm not a total fascist about this – if it has some deep sentimental value, store it away with like things in a container.) The main thing is to stay focused. You're trying to improve your life by making it quick and easy to find something to wear, and by making the space to store what you really need.

2. Plan. I don't care particularly HOW you plan to organize your closet, but pick a system and be religious about it. It truly will make your life so much easier if you have a system to things. In my case, I have all my shirts, tops and jackets arranged by color, then by sleeve length, with jackets last. So when I want a white blouse, I know exactly where they are. My pants and skirts are organized by color, pants first then skirts. If it's a multi-colored item, I classify it by the most prominent color. It's very subjective, and that's okay. What matters is that you're able to find what you want quickly and easily.

3. Commit. This is your closet; no one is going to police it for you. So commit to keeping it this way, or even better, from here on out. Don't let yourself slip. The time you'll save every day will more than make up for the time it took you to get it organized.


This article deals with hanging clothes, but similar systems can be developed for your drawers and shelves. You have to take control of them. Be willing to let go of things that don't fit, aren't in style, or are damaged or stained. Try this technique with even one closet and you'll feel like you've been the star of an episode of "Clean House."

Simple Beefy Grilled Onions

This seems too simple to be good. But then again, I am a big fan of simple. To me, some foods just taste better when you allow their real flavors to shine through, not hidden by unnecessary ingredients. At a recent cookout, I had a request for these. They take only minutes to put together, and are nearly foolproof. Another bonus is that they're cheap - it's just onion, beef bullion cubes and butter. Just be ready for your guests to turn greedy and start guarding the platter..

Start with large yellow or Vidalia onions – each one serves about 2 people.

For each onion:
1. Remove outer layer of papery skin, and slice off top and bottom of onion.
2. With a paring knife and a spoon (or a melon baller if you have one), hollow out the center of the onion, about twice as large as a beef bullion cube. Don’t go all the way through the bottom of the onion.
3. Drop a beef bullion cube into the center, and pack with about a tablespoon of butter. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Wrap each onion individually in heavy-duty foil.
5. Grill until soft to the touch. Move to the side of the grill or take off the grate and keep warm until time to serve. They take about 30 minutes depending on the grill’s heat and the size of the onion. Note: you may also bake on a cookie sheet in a 350º oven. Check for doneness after about 30 – 45 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the onion.

These are delicious with just about anything. We had them with brats and burgers, but I could just as easily see them on a plate with a nice steak, or even a pork loin.

One thing to note is that they really taste best the day you cook them. I tried one leftover and found it to be too mushy after reheating. So, plan to make ‘em and eat ‘em – not that you’ll have much leftover if it’s anything like our cookout!

Give the gift that keeps on giving (great parties) – a stainless beverage tub.

When it comes to wedding gifts, The Bob and I typically shop "on the list." We go straight for the bridal registry and choose something the happy couple has selected for themselves. I highly recommend this approach for most couples, and I have appreciated knowing that I'm getting them something they really need or want.

While shopping on the list has its advantages, what it lacks in most cases is the personal touch. I can give the newlyweds their 5th flatware place setting, but will they remember me every time they eat chicken cordon bleu? Probably not.

I was faced with this dilemma when some great friends of ours recently got married. I will admit it. I was at a loss. I was at such a loss that I didn't have a gift selected by their wedding day!

(NOTE: I fell on strict wedding gift protocol on this one – feel free to use it yourself – you have up to ONE YEAR to gift the couple. That saved my bacon on this one!)

I had several criteria for the "perfect gift" for our friends. First, I wanted to find something that was useful, but not "utilitarian." Second, I was leaning toward something monogrammed – to me, it feels old fashioned in a good way. And finally, and to me most importantly, I wanted the gift to be something that, whether they reached for it once a month or once a year, they would think of The Bob and me.

After an exhaustive search, several ideas that were abandoned (including a personalized bocce ball set), and many...ahem...discussions...between Bob and I (he said shop on the list), I ran across this sweet stainless steel beverage tub from Personalization Mall.

This fit all my criteria. And, by my way of thinking, they can use it for any number of occasions, it will look great on a buffet table full of ice and bevvies. But, they might decide to use it for something completely different. They could use it as a planter, a magazine bin or even to hold diapers someday, should the mood strike them.

When the tub arrived, I opened the box to check it out (and to make sure their name wasn't misspelled!). I was impressed with the heft of the thing, and the hammered texture and other details gave it an upscale look compared to some tubs I have seen. I recommend this, not only because it's worth the money, but I was also impressed with the ordering and shipping process – I had a good experience.

So if you're looking for the ideal wedding gift, try this one out. It's a great value, looks fantastic, and it keeps on giving – great parties - for the bride and groom for years to come.

How to control runaway plastic container lids in one easy zip

This is a trick I have been using for years to reign in the clutter of miscellaneous plastic container lids. Zip-seal bags.

I got tired of the endless searching for the right shape and size lid, and the annoying slidy-aroundy thing they did right before they fell out of the cabinet onto my head. So, out of frustration I grabbed a gallon-size zip-seal bag and threw in all the round lids. I did the same thing with the square or rectangular lids. The bag seals and goes vertically along the side of the cabinet next to the stacked containers (by shape and size, of course).

The odd thing about this little technique is that it has been very effective for me for YEARS, and it's one that The Bob has learned and sticks with. His cleanup job after dinner is to put leftovers in containers for the fridge, and it's quick and easy for him to find what he needs because they are separated and in clear bags. He even puts them away in the correct bag!

I know there are lots of newfangled container-and-lid combos out there that are supposed to help you stay organized. But unless I throw all mine out and start over, I will always have the odd-ball container to deal with. So, I will stick with my zip-seal bag trick, and encourage you to try it, too!

How to please a dozen hungry campers – extra beefy, extra easy beef stew

Our first big camping trip is over, and despite some interesting things happening (one ER trip, one tick, a case of strep throat, and one tornado warning), we ate well as we always do.

Traditionally one day of our trip everyone is coming and going, and we have guests coming and going, so it's always nice to plan one evening meal that can just cook on low all day and be ready whenever anyone's ready. This year I decided to try beef stew, and it was a hit. I of course use all the help I can get from the store, especially when camping, so I'm not slaving over a hot camp stove all day.

Everyone who tasted the stew loved it. It was beefy, filling and very flavorful.

Here's what you need for a huge pot:
5 lb. boneless beef chuck roast, cut into about 1" cubes
3 big baking potatoes, cut into about 1" cubes
A big handful of baby carrots, or you could use big ones cut into 1" cubes
1 big onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large can beef broth
About 2/3 that can full of water
1 can French onion soup
1 packet beefy onion soup mix
About 1/4 cup flour
Olive oil

Here's how you do it:
1. In a big zip-lock bag, flour the meat, coating it pretty well.
2. Over medium high heat, coat the bottom of your stock pot with olive oil. When it's hot, add your meat in batches, turning frequently to brown. Take the batches out to a plate and loosely cover w/foil until you have all the meat browned. There will be lots of yummy brown bits in the bottom of the pan.
3. Lower the heat a little, add a tad more olive oil and sauté your onion and garlic. Stir to coat and cook until they are translucent.
4. Pour in the French onion soup and deglaze the pan – scraping the bottom to get the brown bits up. Then add the meat back in and stir to coat everything evenly.
5. Add the potatoes and carrots, the can of beef broth, the water, and the beefy onion soup mix. Stir thoroughly to combine.
6. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Cook on low, uncovered until the meat is tender and the potatoes are falling apart. I kept it on very low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 4 hours.

Really I should say I knew it was done when no one could resist the aroma any more! I fed 8 people with this one night, and had leftovers for about four people the next night. We served it with buttered bread for dipping up the really beefy gravy.

You could easily make this in your stock pot on the stove inside, but there's something wonderful about making it over a camp stove outside.

Finally, a really wearable lip gloss

I am not a lipstick girl. It's not that I don't like the way it looks, I just don't like the maintenance involved. Refreshing my lipstick is a process that requires a mirror so I do not color outside the lines. I tried the long-wearing "paint" type lipstick and that just dried out my lips horribly and in the end it looked like I was suffering from some kind of lip funk. Ug.

However, I am prone to dry lips, so I always have lip balm with me. I apply that about a hundred times a day – no mirror needed. But I get no polished look from Chap Stick. Lip gloss seems like the obvious choice for a girl like me, right? Easier to refresh, no long-term commitment, no lip funk. I have tried tons of the stuff, and nothing really worked for me until I tried CoverGirl Wetslicks.

I actually read about the stuff at Style Bakery in their Spring Beauty Trend Report and thought I would give it a try. It was cheaper than the other products they recommended to get the pale lip look, so why not.

My first color choice was Honey Talks – it's a light, fleshy color with a little glint to it. The color is fresh and trendy, and gives me that finished look I wanted. I liked it so much I went back and got Sugar Maple, which is darker than it looks on the CoverGirl site. It's like a sugared raisin color. I am now eyeing something with a little more pink in it, which is another color trend for Spring.

Wetslicks really does feel like lip balm, which makes it perfect for me, being a Chap Stick addict. It isn't high-maintenance, and you aren't making a 24 hour commitment to the color. Slick some on and see what you think.

I have taken to wearing men's jeans. Again.

Years ago, I wore men's jeans from the Gap. A friend of mine gave me the idea to try men's jeans because I could get the exact length I needed. Made sense to me. They sat a little lower, and had a little closer fit through the hips, but with a straight leg. The bonus was that they were very comfortable.

As the years went by, I tried all kinds of jeans, with varying degrees of success. See my previous article about buying jeans. I ended up committing fairly squarely to the boot cut, because they make my short legs look longer and help balance out my proportions (read into that whatever you will). They are more fitted through the hip and thigh and flare out gently at the hem.

While I still like my sleek boot cuts, I recently started craving something a bit slouchy. I noticed that several retailers have introduced something they called "boyfriend" cut, like these from L.L.Bean ($49.50), or these "boy" jeans from J.Crew ($98). You know me, I am not willing to part with anything close to that for a pair of jeans. So, I went right to Wal-Mart and found a pair of men's boot cut jeans on sale for $13. And I get compliments on them every time I wear them. I went back and picked up another pair a couple of inches longer to wear with heels.

I have a few suggestions if you want to give this a try.

• The only way to know how they fit is to try them on. Don't be afraid to take them to the women's dressing room! Try a variety of sizes to get the right fit.
• Stick with either boot cut or straight legs, never, ever tapered. The idea is for them to fall straight from the hips.
• No extra pockets, zippers, loops or other bells and whistles. Keep them simple.
• Start with a cheap pair like these Wrangler boot cuts from Wal-Mart – they're only $16.82. You don't have to invest a lot of money to get this look.
• Don't go slouchy head to toe. Keep the look balanced by choosing a more fitted top. You don't want to look like you actually raided your boyfriend's closet.

What goes around comes back around – I have taken to wearing men's jeans again and I'm loving it.

Easy and cheesy – my simplified recipe for cheesy potatoes

We spent a lot of this past weekend grillin' and chillin' at home with friends, and while we want to eat well, we don't especially want to make too big of a production out of it. We would rather be sitting around the grill talking and having fun. So when it comes to sides, I always want to do something fast and no-hassle.

Everyone loves cheesy potatoes – they go as well with burgers and dogs as they do with a steak, and this recipe takes all of 5 minutes of prep, so you will still have plenty of time to relax. Check it out.

Here's what you'll need:

1 30-oz package of Ore-Ida® Country Style Hash Browns – the shredded kind (NOTE: I used about 3/4 of the bag – it fit better in my casserole, and I found it kept the dish pretty creamy)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 cup sour cream
Salt & pepper to taste
A couple of handfuls of French fried onions, crushed up
2 T butter


Here's how you do it:

Preheat your oven to 350º. Spray a 2 quart casserole with non-stick spray. Take the bag of hash browns and give it a few whacks to break it up. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the frozen hash browns, the soups, the sour cream and the salt & pepper. Turn this into your prepared casserole. Top with the French fried onions and dot with butter. Bake for about 45 minutes until bubbly and golden on the top.

I am sold on using the cream of chicken for added flavor, but I know other people who use cream of celery and it works just as well. The onion topping gives nice crunch, but also imparts a subtle onion flavor without a single minute of chopping. But, you could try substituting potato chips or crackers.

Give this recipe a try and let me know what your friends and family think!

A comforting meal that is so simple to make – hamburger stroganoff

I know there are times when The Bob and I feel the need to hunker down, and we have had that feeling after the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Watching the non-stop coverage is painful, and we feel for the families and friends of the students and university personnel who are the innocent victims of this horrible crime.

I have a feeling we are not the only ones who need a bit of comforting right now and one way we can comfort each other is through food. It may not be totally logical, but for some reason it works. Last night I put together a super-easy hamburger stroganoff – a yummy, creamy, mushroom-y, meaty feast for the two of us. There are "upgrades" you can make to this meal if you have the time and energy, but I took the easy way last night.

Here's what you'll need:
1 lb. hamburger
Dash of garlic powder
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup half and half (folks, this is not diet food!)
1 can sliced mushrooms, drained
2 teaspoons paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Here's how you do it:
Crumble the ground beef in a deep skillet and sprinkle with as much garlic powder as you like (I used about 1/2 teaspoon, not too much). Brown and drain. Add to the skillet the remaining ingredients and stir until it's all incorporated. Bring up to a bubble and stir occasionally until it's thick and creamy. That's all there is to it.

You can let the stroganoff simmer gently over very low heat while you prepare egg noodles and then ladle a big generous serving over top. It would probably be delicious over mashed potatoes or rice, too. (I did the low carb thing and had mine over mashed cauliflower and it was wonderful.)

The upgrades, you probably figured out, would be to mince a clove of garlic to replace the garlic powder, and of course you can use fresh mushrooms instead of canned if you feel like slicing.

The thing about a dish like this is that, while it has flavor, it's not overpowering. It's bland in a good way – the way Nigella Lawson describes bland – more as a texture that is soothing. Which was the whole point last night.

I hope you try this the next time you're feeling the need to sink down into a bowl of pure comfort.

Tips for an easy, good-looking home pedicure

After a long winter of neglect, my feet needed a little attention. Clomping around in winter boots and shoes made my heels hard and cracked, and my toenails, well, they were just scary. So, last weekend I took the time to give myself a pedicure.

Pedicures are one of life's little pleasures. Nothing makes you feel more pampered and pretty than smooth feet and polished tootsies. Back in the day, I loved to go with my girlfriend and have the pros take care of my feet, but these days I do it myself and save the money. I consider myself all thumbs when it comes to these things, but if I can do it, you can do it.

Here's how I do it.

1. The tools. Lay out your toenail clippers (the big kind that cut straight across), an orange wood stick, a large emery board, nail block, a pumice stone and a towel. You will also need polish remover, cotton balls, base/top coat, and your polish. Get it all assembled now to save time. I also consider a fashion magazine part of the routine – for me, it completes the pampering, spa-like experience.

2. The soak. If you have polish on your nails, remove it first. I start by soaking my feet in nice, warm water with some great-smelling bubble bath or shower gel. If you have one of those cool foot massage thingys, I am jealous. I just sit on the bathroom counter and soak my feet in the sink. While you're soaking one foot, pumice the other (heels, toes and the soles of your feet), then switch. Next, while soaking one foot, clean under nails and push your cuticles back on the other, then switch. After that, sometimes I use a scrubbing cleanser to get my feet super-soft. Take as much time with the soak as you like. Rinse and dry your feet, then apply lotion.


3. The shape. This can be the trickiest part, it was for me, but if you try this a few times, you will get it down pat. Find a comfortable way to sit so that you can easily reach your toes. I sit on a dining chair with my feet on the floor and just bend over at the waist. This position makes it easy for me to spread my toes out, so I don't need any cotton between them.

To start to shape the nails, trim them straight across – I like mine fairly short. Then take the emery board and shape your nails. The rule of thumb is to shape the nail to mirror the shape of your cuticle. Take your time on this part, because the final appearance depends a lot on the shape of the nail. Take your orange wood stick or cuticle pusher and just go around each nail to make sure that the cuticle is pushed back and the nails are immaculate.

Once you get the shape like you like, take your nail block and buff. This helps the base coat and polish adhere, and it also takes off any ridges so you get a nice, smooth look. Using a cotton ball and some polish remover, clean off the nails and let them dry.

4. The polish. Here's my top tip for making a home pedicure look professional – use lighter colors. With the darker shades, mistakes are more obvious. I use a pretty gold/apricot polish from Ulta that is not too light but not too dark.

Believe it or not, I put on a pair of thong sandals to complete this step. That way I can still (carefully) walk around while it dries and not worry about it. Start with one base coat, then read an article in your magazine while it dries. Apply one coat of color and let it dry while you read another article. Apply a second coat and let dry. I ALWAYS apply two coats of color, even with the lighter shades. I believe it makes for a longer-lasting pedi. Finally, apply a top coat.

Here are a few more tips I have learned from experience. With basically four coats on your nails, it takes time for them to cure and harden. Plan to do your pedicure early in the day so you are not going to bed right after – you may end up with sheet marks! The same applies with socks and shoes.

5. The final result. That's it! With just a little effort and some patience, you can give yourself a good-looking home pedicure that rivals a professional job. And with the money you saved you can get yourself that cute pair of sandals to show off your tootsies!

Four simple grilling tips that save time and dishes

Despite the fact that it doesn't feel much like spring yet, we have begun grilling season at the King house. The Bob is a charcoal junkie, and we both prefer the flavor over gas grilling. I suspect real reason Bob likes the charcoal grill is the Big Fire, and the fact that he can have a couple of beers while he waits for the coals to be ready. Regardless, grilling is a relaxing, fun and no-fuss way of making a delicious dinner, whether it's just a couple of burgers or shrimp and chicken kebabs.

Over the years I have sometimes been surprised at the pile of dishes that winds up in the sink after grilling out. Washing a huge pile of platters and tongs is not my idea of a relaxing evening. So, along the way I have developed a few time- and and dish-saving strategies.

1. Season your meat right on the butcher paper or Styrofoam tray it came in. This works when it's a dry rub, dry seasoning blend, or even just salt and pepper. Then put the package on a clean platter or tray to take out to the grill. When you've got the meat on the grill, toss the packaging and you've got a clean platter ready for the cooked meat. If you can't use the packaging the meat came in, lay down a length of aluminum foil or waxed paper – it will work the same way. This saves you a dish in clean-up, and also helps you avoid any cross contamination.

2. Zipper-seal bags work the same way for marinades. Throw your meat or veggies in a large zipper-seal bag and let them marinate. When they're ready, don't transfer them out onto a clean dish – instead carry the bag and a clean platter out to the grill. Take the food out of the bag and then toss it (and the marinade) and you have a nice clean platter to put the cooked food on.

3. Foil-wrap veggies for a simple side dish or garnish. Instead of pulling out a pan to cook your veggies, lay out a healthy length of aluminum foil and pile them in the center (use a double layer if your foil isn't the heavy-duty kind). We use this technique for asparagus, onions and peppers, corn, whatever we have. Season right on the foil – butter or olive oil and whatever seasonings you like – then wrap them like a package. Toss them on the grill with your main dish and just check them every now and then. We often take the foil pack inside and just pull the veggies out with tongs rather than dirtying another dish. You could also pile the cooked vegetables alongside the cooked meat on your platter.

4. To save on clean up and reduce the risk of cross contamination, keep a few things handy by the grill. A container of disinfectant wipes are great for not only hands, but sticky tongs and spatula grips. A roll of paper towels is better for the occasional drip than a wet cloth or sponge that would hold bacteria. We keep a trash can right by the grill, too, to save steps and keep the area tidy.

So, relax and enjoy grilling out with these ideas that save on cleanup. You just might find that there's enough time for one more beer while dinner's on the barbecue.

Spring decorating ideas on the cheap

When sun is coming up a little earlier every day and I can hear the birds singing, it’s time for me to take a look at my “nest” and give it a quick Spring makeover.

Get organized. I set aside a day when I won't have many interruptions and start by folding up the winter throws and blankets, putting away the dark accessories and taking down the heavy fall/winter curtains. I'm basically emptying the room out to start fresh. Just by doing this I feel the energy coming into the room along with the sunlight, and everything seems larger and more airy. After a quick cleaning and dusting, I take stock of the room, evaluating furniture placement. If moving a couple of things around makes me look at things in a new light, I go for it!

Get inspired. My goal this year for my front two rooms was to replace anything dark with something light and give it a summer cottage feel. I decided to use vintage textiles as my main inspiration – starting with a light pastel wedding ring quilt as a foundation item. The first place I always go "shopping" is my linen closet. I take stock of what I have in the way of blankets or quilts, tablecloths, curtains or panels and pillow covers. Over the years I have gathered quite a collection of "this and that" that can be changed out when I get the urge. Then I wander around the house and look at art, accessories and lamps with my goal in mind. If it's light and "cottage-y" it was a candidate for the Spring makeover.

Get started. My sofa is a deep, rich color which tends to make the room feel darker. By putting the wedding ring quilt with its cream background on the back of the sofa, I instantly brightened the room. From there I went to the window treatments. In place of my faux suede drapes in the front room I hung off-white embroidered sheers I had stored away, and suddenly the window looked like it was wearing a pretty petticoat. I brightened the room even more by using some of my vintage embroidered tablecloths on a couple of dark wood tables. On another dark wood piece I placed a light, floral-patterned vintage tray.

Get creative. Now you can have some fun with the accents. To enhance the comfy cottage feel, I literally piled the sofa with various pillows, in similar textiles – embroidered, white, floral and even ticking stripes. Loads of pillows make the sofa look lighter and more inviting. A couple of little white lamps were brought out of the guest room, and a small white storage bin was put into service as home to an ivy. I brought in an old painting in a lighter frame to replace a darker wood framed piece, then a light cotton throw was tossed onto the armchair. This is the time to experiment – place things then take a step back. Try a couple of different locations until it feels just right. Things start to really come together at this point. (By the way, so far I haven't spent a dime!)

Get the total picture. If two of your rooms flow together, like mine do, it's a good idea to consider both in your makeover. In the study adjacent to my front room, I replaced dark, heavily patterned drapes with chambray sheets – yes sheets – gathered onto the rod. Because they're a solid color, and chambray, they don't look like I stripped a bed to cover a window. They actually give me the feeling of a cute farmer in his chambray work shirt. I have a pile of vintage ladies hankies, which I used as tiebacks, to give the window treatments just a little whimsy. I tossed another old quilt over one of the chairs, and with just those two changes this room now coordinates nicely with the front room.

Get a few new things. Of course part of the fun of a mini home makeover is a few new items to add to the mix. I spent an hour or so in my local Kmart and snagged just a few little things that were nice touches, and didn't break the bank. I picked up two plaid "rag" rugs in light pastels that would pick up the tones in the quilt and still blend well with the color of the sofa. I also grabbed a couple of cute "travel pillows" that were covered in a ticking stripe. I did absolutely nothing to them, they were cute just like they were. I put one in among the pile of pillows on the sofa, and one on the armchair across the room, to tie them together visually. All told, I spent $20.98.

Get happy! When I was finished I stood back and just smiled. My rooms had a fresh, new look with a cottage feel just like I was going for.

If you haven't given your room the Spring treatment, try some of these ideas. It's just like the first time you pull out your favorite flip flops when the weather gets nice. You can suddenly see your toes and it just has to make you smile!

Another simple pan sauce, and some thoughts on pantry items

Spring is that time of year when The Bob has many after-work commitments, including baseball practice for a team of 13 and 14 year olds in the Sandy Koufax league. So when he comes home after running the team through its paces, he's usually pretty hungry. Which was the case last night. But, since it's hard to predict his exact arrival time, it is tough to start dinner – or I have to make something that can keep warm indefinitely.

So last night when he hit the door, I didn't really have a plan. I had some thin cut, boneless pork chops that came 6 to the package. The thin cut makes them perfect for a super-fast meal. But what to do with them? I came up with a quick pan sauce with what I had in the fridge, which led me to think about some items to recommend keeping on hand for just such an occasion.

Here's what I did. This is the same technique as for any meat you're going to do a pan sauce with.

Put a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a big, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Salt and pepper the chops on both sides and when the oil is hot, put them in. Don't move them around. My chops were thin enough that I could basically see when they were ready to turn, which was only about 3 minutes. Flip them and cook another 3 minutes on the other side. Remove them to a plate loosely covered with foil (loose is key - you don't want them to keep cooking or they'll turn tough).

Then, from my fridge I pulled out:

Leftover chicken broth, about 3/4 cup
Butter – about 2T
A jar of capers
Dijon mustard – there was about 1T left in the jar.
Half and half
Parmesan cheese, pre-shredded from the deli
A half a lemon I had leftover from making vodka tonics

With the heat still pretty high, pour in the chicken broth. Scrape up the brown bits with a whisk and let it come up to a boil. Add the butter and stir until it's melted. Then dump in the Dijon and whisk to incorporate. Put in about 1 T of capers, or more if you like them, and stir around. Pour in about 3/4 to 1 c of the half and half. Bring back up to a boil and let it go for 2 or 3 minutes, until it starts to thicken up. Add a pretty big handful of Parmesan and stir until it melts and combines. Add a squirt or two of lemon juice and stir.

Put the pork chops back into the skillet, with the juices from the plate, reduce the heat and let them enjoy the cheesy, creamy loveliness of the sauce for about 5 to 7 more minutes, (or until they are done – depends on the thickness of the chops) turning to coat.

That's it! It was ready and on the table with a salad in about 20 minutes. And it was delish! This same exact technique and sauce would work for thinly pounded chicken breasts, too.

This meal reminded me of how great it is to be able to whip something up from staple items on hand in the fridge or the pantry. So here are a few things from this meal, as well as some other ideas, that I intend to keep around for these occasions.

• Half and half - what sauce doesn't benefit from it? A small container keeps for quite a while.
• Chicken broth – if I am down to three cans, it's an emergency. I get mine in cases of 12 from Sam's Club.
• Capers – this one may come as a surprise, but nothing "classes up" a simple sauce like a tablespoon or so of these little, salty treasures.
• Dijon – grainy, smooth, whatever, it all works.
• Parmesan – it's great for toppings, breading and sauces. I even put it in my meat loaf. The tub of pre-shredded Parm is just fine.
• Lemon – this one is harder for me to remember to keep on hand, but it added a wonderful brightness to the sauce, even with just a tablespoon or so. I never, ever use that container of plastic lemon juice – it tastes plastic, too. Better to just leave it out.
• White wine – I didn't use any in the sauce this time, but it is a nice addition. I usually have some Chardonnay around for drinking, and throw it in my sauces from time to time. You could use about 1/2 chicken broth and 1/2 white wine for a little different flavor.
• Sour cream – if I had been out of half and half, I probably would have replaced it with sour cream. To me, it's a good substitute because it adds a creamy consistency. It adds a little tartness to the sauce, giving it a slightly different flavor.

Using this technique, you can whip up a sauce that will taste like it took you much longer than 10 minutes to pull together. And with a few items always at the ready, you'll feel like a celebrity chef!

Measure like Mario

Those of us who are Food Network junkies often watch the celebrity chefs toss ingredients into a pan without so much as a measuring spoon making an appearance. Rachael Ray uses the palm of her hand, assuming a palmful is about a tablespoon. While I am becoming more adept at the "eyeball" method, sometimes I like to be a tad more precise. Just a tad, mind you. That's where these cute little Mario Batali measuring and prep bowls have really come in handy.

I was fortunate enough to receive this set as a gift, and I have appreciated them ever since. They measure from 1/8 cup to 2 cups, with half measurements on all 5 bowls. For instance, the smallest bowl measures 1/8 cup at the halfway mark and 1/4 cup when it's full, and the largest measures 1 and 2 cups. I use them to measure things like rice and other dry ingredients, and to stage ingredients to have at the ready when I'm cooking. I also use the larger sized bowls for stirring up dressing or vinagrette, and for whisking up an egg or two for breakfast.

These bowls come in several colors including Espresso shown here. Mine are a pretty Pesto color, and they also come in a nice Persimmon (orange). They are heavy-duty melamine, dishwasher safe and they nest, which I find not only convenient, but somehow comforting. No hunting for the right size. The set runs $9.99 on Amazon.

Measuring like celebrity chef Mario Batali – makes me feel Molto Bueno!

Mini-Review – Stranger Than Fiction

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)



Synopsis: Paging Harold Crick. Paging Harold Crick. Your life is calling.

Harold is an IRS agent who lives in a beige world full of numbers and calculations and minutes and seconds and filing and organization. Until he wakes up one morning to the sound of his life being narrarated. And doesn't sound good. He's a character in a novel and he's going to die, but how and when? He is then in a race to find the author of the book, and in the meantime he finds a different kind of life that suddenly seems a lot more worth saving than the safe, almond colored world he was living in.

Crick is played by Will Ferrell. Normally I am not a Ferrell fan, but in this film he's less typically "Ferrell-ish" than ever, and it works. Emma Thompson plays Kay Eiffel, the narrarator/author, and she's just bizarre and funny and tragic and human. Dustin Hoffman is great as the literary theorist who wants to help Crick find out if he's living in a comedy or a tragedy. And Maggie Gyllenhaal rounds out the story as a lovely, socialist baker who Harold is auditing.

I have to say, I LOVED this film. It was thought provoking, intelligent, funny, and...well, sweet. But it never crosses the line into sappy or slapstick, which I appreciated. This is a movie with an adult theme, so I doubt kids would really be interested, but it's rated PG-13, for "some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity," just so you know.

This movie really touched me. The question it poses is a good one to ponder: is the life you cling to the one you really want to save? I highly recommend "Stranger than Fiction."

Super easy weeknight supper – Pizza Bake

You know I love the easy weeknight meals. And you know The Bob loves his ooey-gooey cheesy casseroley type meals. This is a great combination of both. I took inspiration from my Reuben Bake to come up with a simple Pizza Bake – a layered casserole using all our favorite pizza ingredients. I make it like a crustless deep dish pizza and then serve Bob's over toasted Italian bread.

Here's my basic recipe. Vary it with whatever pizza toppings you like!

1 lb. Italian seasoned sausage, crumbled and fried
Pepperoni
Black olives
Sliced mushrooms
1 c. sauce – I used 1/2 jar of roasted garlic pasta sauce
2 c. Shredded mozzarella cheese
2-3 T Parmesan

Heat the oven to 350º. Spray a 9x9 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place in layers the sausage, pepperoni and veggies, then top with the sauce. Evenly sprinkle with the cheeses. Bake about 30 minutes until the cheese is as browned as you like it.

Throw some slices of Italian bread or sub buns in the broiler to toast, then spoon the Pizza Bake over top. Pair it with a simple salad and Italian dressing for a full, super-quick meal.

How simple is that!?

Mini-Review – The Prestige (2006)

Synopsis: My illusion can beat up your illusion.

Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale, yum), are wannabe illusionists who work together, but develop very different philosophies and styles. Angier is the penultimate performer, Borden is the rebellious risk-taker. After a tragic accident during a performance, they split up. Their careers develop separately, with Angier becoming a success right out of the box, while Borden struggles to make ends meet. But, when Borden develops the ultimate trick, Angier becomes obsessed with duplicating it – and besting it by whatever means possible.

Yes, this is "the other" magician movie that came out at right around the same time as "The Illusionist." I found "The Prestige" to be much darker, but more intriguing and complicated. Just when you think you have it figured out, it takes another left turn. There were a few things in this film that didn't totally cut it for me, but not many (the main one being Scarlett Johansson's fake British accent, ug). It's rated PG-13, for violence and disturbing images (including a bullet-catching trick that goes very wrong and a couple of upsetting things that happen to little birds), so be forewarned.

I recommend it.

My first spring wardrobe purchase

The weather here is miserable. Gray skies. Frequent, persistent preciptation (today rain, tomorrow snow). Uncomfortable temps. These days I am struggling to really care what I put on my body, so I tend to reach for the same three or four sweaters and jeans as my standard "I'm sick of winter" uniform.

So, to fight the end of winter blues, I have been looking for a few things to add to my wardrobe for spring. My best source for seasonal trend information has always been Style Bakery, where they recently posted the top ten trends for Spring. This year, like last year, there is a nautical trend emerging.

I love this whole yacht club look, with nautical stripes on everything. So, although it was a bit of a splurge for me (on sale with an extra 20% off it was $23), I clicked up this little boatneck sweater from J.Crew. It is a cotton and cashmere blend, and it comes in three colors: red/white, navy/white and black/white. As opposed to the typical navy/white stripe, I went with the black/white, shown here. I also ordered it a size larger than normal, because I want that little bit of slouch that seems like you borrowed the sweater from your boyfriend who's in the French navy.

I will probably wear this sweater with jeans while the weather is still cool-ish, and then with white jeans later on. It would also look cute with a little flippy white skirt. To avoid looking too costume-y, I would avoid doing all nautical head to toe.

Check out Style Bakery's recommendations, then do a little clicking yourself. It will be Spring before we know it!

My dinner with t-bone

When The Bob goes out of town and I'm on my own, I try to plan a nice dinner for one (and of course a "cry movie") so that I feel I'm spoiling myself. That situation presented itself recently, and I was in the mood for a Big Steak, spinach souffle and a nice glass of red wine. I encourage you to try this. Cooking for one is no big deal, seriously. You don't have to settle for a TV dinner or a depressing bag of microwave popcorn.

I decided to center my meal around a Big T-Bone. My steak was 1.4 lbs and about 1.5 inches thick! According to the Meatman, the t-bone has a smaller piece of tenderloin than the porterhouse. The cuts from the short loin, including the t-bone, porterhouse, club steak and tenderloin really should not be cooked for long periods of time, but are best either grilled or pan fried, and can also be broiled or sautéed. The trick is to have the heat pretty high, sealing in the delicious juices. I have a great cast iron grill pan, which is almost seasoned to perfection (a few more steaks on it and it will be ideal), so that was my pan of choice.

I have learned this technique from a lot of cookbook reading, as well as watching Food Network, but my mother was actually the first person who told me about it. (See my previous article on this subject here. )

Here is my step-by-step on the biggest t-bone of my life!

1. Drizzle a little olive oil over both sides of your steak and massage it in. Season it on both sides with some grill seasoning and salt and pepper. I used a premade mesquite seasoning, but use whatever you like, or none at all, salt and pepper alone would be fine. Leave the steak out of the fridge, but covered, to take the chill off it. Open your bottle of red wine (I had a decent Zinfandel), and YOU chill for about 15 or 20 minutes. The steak will be delicious.

2. Heat the grill pan over pretty high heat. When you hold your hand over the bottom of the pan for a couple of seconds it should feel HOT. Take another sip of wine and go to the next step.

3. Throw the steak into the pan unceremoniously. Then leave it alone. Watch the previews on your DVD rental, but whatever you do, do not touch this steak.

4. When you see some moisture (blood) coming up on the uncooked side, it should be ready to turn. You should have no trouble with the steak sticking at all; if it resists you, let it go another couple of minutes. Flip the steak and leave it alone. (Check out the sweet grill marks I got on this Big Steak!)

5a. Lower the heat just a tad, to medium. Don't move the steak around, it is fine. When you see some moisture coming to the top of the steak, it should be about medium rare. Leave it just a little longer for medium.

5b. This is optional, but not if you're from my family. Put a pat of butter (not margerine, butter) on the steak toward the end of the cooking time. There's something absolutely decadent about the flavor of the steak with a bit of butter.

6. Refill the wine glass and serve.

This steak was so huge that I got two meals out of it (I made fajitas with the leftovers). And, it did feel like I was totally pampering myself.

A meal for one can be fun and satisfying. Hopefully your movie will be as good!

Neat trick for organizing your spices

I know may people find it convenient to have their spices out near the stove for easy access, but for me, it becomes a clutter issue. I have never been a fan of spice racks because, call me lazy, I don't want to take the time to decant them into pretty little jars. Putting them willy nilly on a cabinet shelf is a problem because then I waste time rooting around to find the cumin. So, ideally, I would store all the spices in a cabinet close to the counter and stove, and access them very easily.

But I'm cheap – I want an organization method that is very inexpensive if not free. And I found just the thing. Empty silverware drawer organizers. These were leftover from a previous house, but for some reason I kept them and I am so glad I did. Because they're going into a cabinet, they don't really need to be pretty, although I am sure if you wanted to invest some money you could find wooden or colorful plastic organizers that would work. These happen to have nice, straight sections, which is necessary to accommodate all the shapes and sizes of spice containers.


I organized them by type and use – one organizer is for pure spices, the other is for all our spice blends and mixes. Find the method that works best for you. When we need the spices, the organizers quickly pull out, you can see what you need quickly, and they stow right back away.



It's a neat trick that keeps your spices under control and your cabinets manageable.

Mini-Review – The Guardian

Synopsis: What do you get when you put An Officer and a Gentleman, The Perfect Storm and Top Gun in a blender? The Guardian.

Don't get me wrong: I loved all those movies, so I am not totally panning this one. Despite it's formulaic nature, I was on the edge of my seat during the action sequences, which are pretty dramatic. Kevin Costner plays Ben Randall, a legendary rescue swimmer who becomes an instructor at the U.S. Coast Guard’s "A" school. Ashton Kutcher plays a former high school swim team champ, who wants to make it big, but has a lot to learn. It’s rated PG-13 – some of the action scenes could be pretty upsetting to kids. I recommend this film for what it is. Not overly original, but well made, exciting and entertaining.

Quick and easy crochet craft – cozy neck warmer

I have become unusually preocccupied with scarves. I can't seem to get enough of them. They're just that little finishing touch that makes the "outside outfit" work. Combine that with my mid-winter need to be crafty, and this is what happens.

This is actually the second neck warmer I have made. A friend liked the first one I made so much I gave it to her, and made myself another one. This time I used Lion brand Homespun yarn. I love the cushy, bouclé texture of this yarn, and the very subtle gradient color. If you need to brush up on stitches, here's a site that will help you.

This project took about 1/2 of the 6 oz. ball. Any yarn you like would work, it just may take more or less to get the size you need.

Here's how I made mine. With a size K hook, I chained 22. I then made one single crochet in each chain, skipping the first chain from the hook, 21 stitches. Chain 2 and turn. Double crochet in each single crochet across. Chain 1 and turn. Continue alternating single and double crochet rows until you get the total length you need. Mine measured about 23 inches long. Fold the rectangle in half, lining up the short ends. Then insert the hook through both layers and single crochet across to join. That's it!

I think you could experiment with any stitches you like, and just alternate rows to create a pleasing pattern. When you pop it on with your coat or jacket, it creates a very neat cowl effect, and it's very cozy and warm. Give this one a try!

I did it! I made Hollandaise!

The Bob isn't a huge vegetable fan (with the exception of mashed potatoes), but he will eat his veggies if they are smothered in a luscious sauce. One night he suggested asparagus with Hollandaise sauce and I shuddered.

Hollandaise. The Holy Grail of sauces. Eggs. Butter. Whisking. Double boilers. The danger of separation. Very scary.

So, I will start by describing my first attempt at "egg sauce," which was a disaster. I had read a recipe in The Joy of Cooking for "blender Hollandaise." Well, blenders don't scare me, so I thought I would try that. You were to put two egg yolks in the blender (I used my mini-chopper), with salt, a pinch of cayenne and a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice. Then you were supposed to stream in 1/2 cup of melted butter. My chopper lid is designed to stream in liquids, so I thought this would totally work. And it may have. The problem was I let the butter cool too much and it didn't incorporate. I was devastated.

But Hollandaise is versatile. The ingredients are on hand and cheap. And The Bob requested it. So, I thought I would give it another try.

This morning I had the cookbook at the ready, a pot of coffee made, and the house to myself so that no one would be a witness if it failed again. This time I decided to give the old-fashioned technique a try. The recipe came from "The American Woman's Cookbook," published in 1949.

Here's what you'll need:
2 egg yolks (separating eggs is easy, don't sweat it)
1/2 cup butter – 1 stick
1/4 t salt
Pinch of cayenne (red) pepper

Here's how you do it:
I don't own a double boiler and I don't know many people who do. Put hot water in a saucepan and set a heat-proof bowl over it, making sure the water does't touch the bottom of the pan. Turned on the flame very low. The idea is to have the water hot, but not boiling. Just lift up the bowl every now and then to make sure it's not boiling, and adjust the flame/heat if you need to. Now take your two egg yolks and a couple of tablespoons of the butter and put them in the bowl. Whisk, whisk, whisk. The butter will melt slowly. Keep whisking. When the first bit of butter melts, plop in the next two-tablespoon hunk. Do this with all four bits of butter. When all the butter is in, it should be pretty thick. Now add the salt and cayenne and whisk them in.

I left the bowl over the pan, with the flame turned down VERY low to keep the sauce warm while I made my breakfast. I just gave it a whisk every now and then to make sure it didn't separate. It was a wonderful, lemony yellow color, and the taste was rich, but bright from the lemon juice.

I did it. I made Hollandaise. It wasn't overly difficult, you just neet time, some patience and a careful eye on the heat. The Bob will get a treat the next time I serve asparagus!

Mini-Review – The Illusionist (2006)

Synopsis: Ho, ho, ho, it's magic, you know. Never believe it's not so.


Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this film runs the gamut from love story to mystery to suspense and back again. Edward Norton plays Eisenheim, a boy who meets and loses a girl who is way out of his league. Years later he returns to Vienna as Eisenheim the successful, master Illusionist. He is reunited with his true love Sophie (Jessica Biel) during one of his performances, when her fiance the villanous Crown Prince Leopold volunteers her for an illusion. Soon enough Eisenheim is under suspicion, and Leopold assigns Inspector Uhl, played by Paul Giamatti, to investigate him. The effects in this film are spectacular, creating the perfect atmosphere to surrender all disbelief. It's a terrific looking film, very rich. The Bob loved this film, so don't worry guys, it's not strictly a "chick flick." It's rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence, so probably not for kids.

Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

I love shoes. Some people might call it an obsession. Heels, flats, boots, thongs, mary janes, tennis shoes, hiking boots, ballerinas, mules, pumps, my awesome Chuck Taylor® Converse All Stars – you name them, I love them. I have quite a selection.

But here's the thing:

I keep all my shoes in their original boxes.

Despite the ribbing I have taken about this over the years, I consider this one of my best time-, space- and money-saving tips.

• It saves time. Years ago, like a lot of people, I threw my shoes on the floor of my closet, and lost precious time every morning trying to locate two shoes that matched.
• It saves space. Boxes stack easily on a closet shelf or the floor if need be. You can also stack by style, color and season.
• It saves money. That may seem like a stretch, but think about it. Taking care of your shoes keeps them newer looking longer. They keep from getting scuffed because they are safe in their boxes. Stuffing the toes with tissue helps absorb any oils that can eventually cause the insoles to deteriorate.

If for some reason a box breaks down and I'm forced to throw it away, I replace it with a clear plastic shoe box with a lid. Although I usually remember what shoes came in what box, I try to stack the boxes with the label side out, which frequently has an illustration of the shoes, so that makes it easy for me to scan for the pair I want. I personally like the box system better than hanging shoe bags. I have tried them and find that they take up too much hanging space in my closet, and my shoes tended to get scuffed or squashed too easily.

I have a passion for my shoes, and I want to keep them looking good as long as I can. I encourage you to try this and see if it doesn't help you save time, space and money in the long run!

Mini-Review – Over the Hedge (2006)

Synopsis: Some days you eat the bear's food. Some days the bear tries to eat you.


RJ is a very naughty raccoon. But he's also pretty clever. He enlists the help of some gullible animals to help him repay his sizeable food debt to Vincent, the bear he stole from. Where do they go to get all this food but over the hedge in a perfect suburban neighborhood. It's good shopping because, as RJ points out to his friends, human's lives revolve around food.

There are some laugh-out-loud hilarious moments with Hammy (voice of Steve Carrell) the squirrel. And William Shatner lends his voice to Ozzie, an over-acting oppossum. Typecasting? I wonder.

There was one scene when the exterminator is demonstrating the killing apparatus that got me a bit squirmy, but I honestly think it would go right by a kid. It's PG for some "rude humor" and comic action.

The Bob and I recommend this film – kids will like it, parents will get all the jokes.

Change a light bulb, change the planet

Happy New Year! I posted this on Shopping Tips Online, but I thought it bore repeating here, since this is definitely something I do, and believe in!

I'm not the greenest person around. I'm more of a shade of green, really. But there is one way I am doing my part to save the world – I use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The bonus? It saves me money, too.

This morning I heard that Wal-Mart, in an effort to help out, is on a mission to sell 100 million CFLs. The official news release, dated November 29th, quoted Wal-Mart Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Sustainability Andy Ruben as saying, “We have a fundamental belief that all families should have access to affordable, sustainable goods, and compact fluorescent lightbulbs are a great way for our customers to save money."

The retail giant has developed a multi-faceted approach to encourage more people to switch to CFLS, including interactive and educational displays that will help you choose the right bulb, and an online savings calculator here on the Sam's Club site. I tried the calculator myself, and found that if I replace just 5 incandescent bulbs with GE Compact Fluorescent 13 Watt bulbs, I save about $35 a year on my electric bill (at 10¢ per Kilowatt hour, the national average). The 8-pack of bulbs on Sam's Club's site sells for $10.88. So, the savings more than pays for the bulbs themselves in just one year.

You save money, but what are the benefits to the planet? According to ENERGY STAR, a government-backed program dedicated to helping us save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices, every CFL used keeps 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere over its lifetime. "If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars."

But, if all that doesn't seem like enough incentive, consider this. These bulbs last ten times longer than an incandescent bulb. So, even though they cost a little more to begin with, you won't be replacing them more than once every five years or so!

It's the simplest and cheapest way to save money, and save the planet. Just change a light bulb!