Home Ec. for Grownups

Another quick, easy, cheesy, crustless quiche!

2010-08-18T16:51:00.001-04:00

The Bob's mom and her fiance stayed with us over Labor day, and I was looking for an easy, no-fuss breakfast for Monday morning. Monday was a work and travel day for them, so I wanted to give them a good breakfast before they hit the road. This was just the ticket, because it was tasty, but filling, low carb for me, and it took all of 5 minutes to throw together while everyone was getting ready. It was also easy for everyone to "graze" and grab when they were ready to eat – equally good hot or closer to room temperature. I served it simply, with just toast and some fresh grapes. For a brunch you could go all out and serve it with some potatoes, and maybe cheesy biscuits or sweet rolls.

You'll need:
6 eggs
3 T Sour Cream
About a cup or so of diced ham – I used the pre-diced, pre-cooked stuff, but you can get fancier if you wish
A good cup or cup and a half of shredded cheese – I used about 2/3 Colby/Jack and 1/3 mozzarella, but it's not exact, just use whatever you like that melts well

Here's how you make it.

Preheat oven to 350º. Liberally spray a 9" pie plate (or the like) with non-stick spray.
Whisk the eggs and sour cream together. I found it worked best to stir the sour cream a little first, and add the eggs one at a time until it's very creamy. Pour into your pie plate.
Sprinkle the ham evenly over the egg mixture. Sprinkle the cheese over all, in an even coating.
Bake about 40 minutes, or until the center is set. I checked with a toothpick and when it comes out clean it's good. Top will be slightly browned.

That's all there is to it. Let it sit about 4-5 minutes before cutting, and it should come out in nice wedges for you. It's creamier and cheesier than the crustless quiche I have made before, and The Bob said, "we can have this again." Always a good sign.

Of course you can see that the sky's the limit on this recipe. Change the meat and cheese to your heart's content. You could try it with some sausage and some sauteed vegetables like onion and mushroom. Get creative. I intend to!

This quiche will keep refrigerated a few days and is very good heated through in the microwave for weekday breakfasts. Give it a try.

How to hard boil eggs. Foolproof method.

2009-06-26T11:04:00.006-04:00

Hard boiling eggs is one of those little things that seems to stymie many people. But take heart. No one is born knowing how to do it, but it's actually very easy. Here's my foolproof method of hard boiling eggs.

1. Place eggs in a saucepan, and cover with cold water.
2. Put on the stove and bring to the boiling point – and by boiling I mean big, rolling bubbles.
3. Cover and move off the heat, and set a timer for 12 minutes. (The American Egg Board says 15 for large eggs, so maybe my eggs are more like medium size, cause 12 minutes works for me every time.)
4. Run the eggs under cold water until they are cool to the touch, and refrigerate.

That's it! If you can run water and turn on the stove, you have the skills.

Bonus…deviled eggs recipe. I vary this a lot, and so can you, but my basic recipe calls for mayo, sweet pickle relish, a dash of Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper. Cut your eggs in half, scoop out the yellow, and mash them with a fork. Mix in the mayo - I usually go for about the same amount of mayo as I have egg yolks. Then add some Dijon and relish. I use about a 1 to 4 ratio of mustard to mayo. Salt and pepper and then taste it. Adjust as needed to your taste. Then spoon a healthy dollop of the yellow yumminess back into the whites. Sprinkle with a little paprika if you like, and be prepared to take compliments.

You will need to know how to hard boil eggs to make my EXTRA wonderful Scotch Eggs...one of the best party tray recipes ever. Look for it soon!

Time to glow - sunless tanning moisturizers compared

2009-04-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

I don't go to tanning – the truth is I have never even been in a tanning bed. I don't lay out much, and, much to The Bob's chagrin, when I do it's always after I have dipped myself in SPF 30 (his comment is, "what's the point?"). I'm a fair skinned, blue eyed person, and I don't like getting sunburned. Also I would like my face to stay in decent shape, meaning that time will naturally take its toll - I don't need to speed up the process.

BUT.

But this time of year, when arms and legs start coming out from under layers of clothes for the first time in months, I would prefer my skin not blind people. I would like just a little color to take the edge off.

BUT.

But, for the reasons stated above, I am not going to start tanning. And I am also a complete klutz when it comes to self tanners. That's why, when they came out with the gradual-tanner-slash-moisture lotion, I thought, "woo hoo this is for me." Apply like moisturizer, and a color builds gradually over time.

BUT.

But the Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer wasn't doing it for me. I was using the kind for fair skin tones, applying every day as recommended, and maybe maaaaybe saw a tiny bit of color difference. But, the biggest, hugest drawback that eventually became a deal breaker for me was the SMELL. I could not focus on the end goal because I was so self conscious about smelling like self tanner all day long! Boy, I wish perfume could last as long as that stuff did. To be fair, I went on drugstore.com just to see if any reviewers had the same complaint and sure enough, many said the smell of the lotion was just too strong and too "self tanner ish."

THEN.

Then I tried Avon's SKIN SO SOFT Satin Glow Firming Body Moisturizer. Based on my experience with the Jergens lotion I was doubtful. But since I am now an Avon rep, I want to try as many products as I can, so I can give honest reviews and comparisons. (And, yes, sell good products to people who need them.)

Without a doubt my biggest rave about the Sin So Soft product is that it does not have even the teeniest "self tanner" smell to it. It actually smells GOOD. I put it on in the morning after my shower, and my skin feels very moisturized. I have used it for about a week now and my skin is gradually getting a little darker. I also notice that after using it my skin has a more firm feel, a sensation I can't quite verbalize, but it is noticeable.

Another benefit to SKIN SO SOFT Satin Glow Firming Body Moisturizer is that it has sun protection built in – SPF 15. Perfect for me for everyday use. The Jergens lotion has no sun protection.

Price-wise, they are comparable. On drugstore.com Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer is $7.99 for a 7.5 fl. oz. tube. (They are running a special on Jergens products - buy one get one 1/2 off.)

On my Avon site, you can get 8.4 fl. oz. of SKIN SO SOFT Satin Glow Firming Body Moisturizer for $6.99. A larger size for less than the regular price of Jergens. You can read customer reviews of this lotion on my site as well.

So...

If you want a little glow, a little firming, and sun protection all in one great moisturizing lotion, ditch the smelly tanners and try SKIN SO SOFT Satin Glow Firming Body Moisturizer.

Product Review: Makeup remover I love for more than one reason.

2009-04-22T12:46:00.010-04:00

Now that I am... ahem... of a certain age, it behooves me to treat the skin around my eyes a bit more delicately than I did in the past. So, I have taken to using makeup remover to gently take off my eye shadow and mascara before washing my face.

Ideally, makeup remover will effectively remove the gunk without having to scrub, thereby defeating the purpose. Stinging and burning is not an option. And then, if I could have everything I ever wanted, it would not cost me an arm and a leg.

I have found the product that meets all those criteria. Avon Moisture Effective Eye Makeup Remover Lotion (product #475-800).

It is a lightweight, creamy consistency which at first took me off guard. I was a bit concerned that something that looked like hand lotion would sting or burn. I applied it to a cotton ball and started gently swiping, and low and behold I experienced not one tiny bit of burning in my eyes. It did a great job of removing mascara, liner, and eye makeup. I used one cotton ball, one side for one eye, the other side for the other eye. Then I washed my face as usual. Done and done!

Now for the best news. This stuff is only $4 for a 2 oz. bottle. Compare that to a similar lotion style remover from Clinique, Naturally Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, which sells for $16.50 for a 2.5 oz. container. I don't know about you, but the extra half an ounce is not worth $12.50 to me!

So there you go. Eye makeup remover with a lot to love, for a little bit of money. Give it a try.

To shop for Avon products right now, go to my site any time!

UPDATE 4/24 - this product is now on special for just $.99 a bottle. Stock up!

Why I think it's time for Avon

2009-04-11T08:39:00.004-04:00

It has been six months since I last posted, and there are many reasons for it, not the least of which is just life happens. Also, I have been seriously considering where I want to take this blog, and what it comes down to is that I believe there are many wonderful blogs covering crafts, decorating, recipes, and tips as well as, or better, than I can. In the end I have a passion for helping people get answers, and find ways to make their lives easier or more enjoyable, but I may be transitioning this blog into something new that is more encompassing of what that really means in a way that goes beyond just "home ec" topics.

So, until that plan comes together, I wanted to fill you in on what's new here.

I just became an Independent Sales Representative for Avon. And you may be wondering WHY!?

Well, besides being a woman who grew up with Avon (what woman growing up in the 70s didn't?), there are a couple of big reasons, and I thought I'd share.

I recently went to an In-Store Marketing Institute seminar (for my day job), a three day event that brings together retailers, marketing professionals, and manufacturers to share industry trends, news, and strategies to market to "shoppers" - which is all of us!! A major topic in every session I attended was the economy and how it is affecting our shopping behavior. Apparently I'm not the only one that is cutting back and returning to the basics in order to save money. While brands and marketers are out there trying to figure out how to get us to spend our precious few dollars, we are just trying to figure out how to pay the bills without having to give up anything we need.

This is one of the big reasons I decided to become an Avon rep. These are great products and great values. Don't believe me? Email me and I will send you a chart comparing Avon products with some department store brands - including some I used - that will show you exactly how much you will be saving if you switch. Here's an example. I used Clinique repairwear anti-aging makeup, with spf 15, which retails for $28.50. I'm switching to Avon's Anew Age Transforming foundation, also spf 15, that costs $12.50. That is a $16 savings!

I know most women are like me... we love to save money. And when you can save money and not really be giving up on quality, why NOT do it? If it's been a while since you have looked at what Avon has to offer (beauty products, really cool perfume, personal care stuff, kids things, jewelry, clothing, etc etc), just go visit my site at http://www.youravon.com/pollyking.

The truth is, being an Avon rep goes directly to my core desire to help people get what they need and solve some daily problems in a way that frees them up to really focus on what's important in life.

Look for more from me soon.

An easy crock pot Reuben dip for your next carry in

2008-10-05T15:39:00.004-04:00

You have the invite to a pot luck, but what to take? A bag of chips or store bought cookies might count, but it looks like you picked them up on the way to the party. (Sometimes that is definitely okay!) You want to put forth a little effort... very little... but take something people will like, and bring home an empty dish at the end of the night.

For our last carry in, I concocted a Reuben dip that elicited raves, and requests for the recipe. This was just one of those crazy ideas I had that worked. And the best part was, The Bob assembled it all, and if he can do it, you certainly can!

Dump into a crock pot or slow cooker:
1 lb. deli corned beef, shredded, then chopped
1 lb. shredded Swiss cheese
1 lb. shredded Mozarella
1 brick of cream cheese
1 regular sized can of sauerkraut (most of the liquid left in)
1 regular sized bottle thousand island dressing

Melt all together on low, stirring occasionally.

Serve this with little rye bread slices, toasted if possible.

If you like Reubens, this has all that flavor, but in a creamy dip consistency. Easy to serve at a pot luck or carry in.

Don't let the elephant watch these peanuts. Super-easy microwaved spiced nuts.

2008-07-03T17:29:00.006-04:00

The Bob loves his dry roasted peanuts. There is almost always a jar in the pantry for a quick snack whenever he is craving a little something salty. It wasn't until he opened my most recent purchase and ate a big handful that we realized I had picked up the unsalted variety by mistake. Now we are well aware that unsalted nuts are healthier, but the man likes the salted kind, what can I tell you. These were going to completely go to waste.

Until one evening I saw the jar on the shelf and had a little brainstorm. Why not spice them up? Well, this is a take on a recipe I found on All Recipes. They called them spiced nuts, but really they are more of a sweet snack as prepared by the recipe. And, the original called for pecans, but I thought any kind of nut would work. So I modified it to come up with a sweet and salty combo that Bob and I really loved.

Here's what you need.
1 16 ounce jar unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 t ground nutmeg (I used whole nutmeg and grated it on a microplane)
1 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t cayenne pepper (optional, and add more as you like...)
2 T water
Kosher salt

Here's how you do it.
In a microwaveable 4 qt. casserole, melt the butter. Stir in everything but the nuts and the salt. Microwave on high for 1 minute, remove, and stir. Add the nuts and microwave 4-5 more minutes, stirring after every minute. I went the full 5. Turn out onto waxed paper, and spread out with a spatula. Sprinkle kosher salt over all, to taste. Let them cool as long as you can stand it, and try them! I stored them in plastic containers and they kept well. But, they didn't last long! Bob took them to work to share with his coworkers and they all agreed that I should make these again. They were so easy, why not!? I think they'll be great around the holidays, and I will try this with all kinds of nuts.

I hate to see food go to waste, so this satisfied my need to use up the nuts, and satisfied Bob's love of salty (and sweet) snacks!

How to move a mountain of mulch and live to tell about it.

2008-07-03T17:28:00.006-04:00

Having moved to a pretty large piece of property with very little landscaping, The Bob and I decided to take on a couple of projects designed to improve the curb appeal of our 1970s ranch.

The previous owners were just about having a lawn. So the front yard was devoid of anything other than the 5-6 huge, towering oak trees. Beautiful, but a pain to mow around. We like "laaaandscaping" - well thought out areas with shrubs, hardscape, and perennials.

We consulted with a landscape designer who was recommended by a friend. The deal was, for a minimal fee, the designer would come out, look over the property, and give us some ideas, a layout, and a plant list. We would do the work ourselves. The Bob was dubious about this, but after it's all said and done he truly saw the benefit of getting just a little advice from a pro. We personalized it somewhat, but followed the basic plan and it worked.

The two projects we decided to do this year were a large, more formal shrub and perennial bed to frame our front porch, and a HUGE, kidney shaped "mulch bed" that encircles three of the big trees in the front yard. Better for mowing, he said.

A mountain - two pickup loads - of mulch was needed to cover these two areas, which we had delivered. The first day moved the mulch in a wheelbarrow with shovels. It was hard, backbreaking work, but I didn't think there was any alternative. My magic wand was on the fritz. The next day when I mentioned to my friend how badly my back hurt, he asked why didn't I borrow his mulch fork. MULCH FORK? Well, my friend is as particular as I am about most things, and seems to be a semi-pro at do-it-yourself. I decided to take his advice.

I purchased mine from Lowes and let me tell you, it's the best $35-ish dollars I've spent on a tool in a long time. I could not for the life of me figure out how this was going to work, though. To me it looked like eating soup with a fork. But, it worked, easily moving a large quantity of mulch and making it a cinch to spread... just shake it a little and the mulch falls where you want it.

In case you think this tool is a one-hit wonder, guess again. We have used it to move piles of leaves and weeds, and it will be useful for stirring compost piles. I am sure that's just the short list of uses we'll find for it around the King Ranch.

If you are doing any landscaping in the near future, run, don't walk, to your nearest garden center and pick up a mulch fork. Find out for yourself what it feels like to move mountains!

A recipe that elicted a WOW - easy grilled chorizo-stuffed chicken breasts.

2008-06-18T20:18:00.006-04:00

I stopped at the store on my way home one night with no ideas in mind for dinner. Probably chicken, but after that I was stumped. I wandered the meat section and ran across some Mexican chorizo, that spicy sausage you see often scrambled up with some eggs. I picked that up, along with a few other things, thinking maybe some sort of Tex-Mex kind of dish might do for the night. What I came up with elicited a WOW from The Bob. He even said "we can have this again," (a sure sign I'm onto something) and even more comments for days afterward. So, if you like chorizo, and are thinking of another spin on grilled chicken, you might want to give this one a try.

For the stuffing:
About 1/4 lb. of chorizo, crumbled and browned, then cooled completely
About a cup of shredded taco cheese, I used the three-cheese blend
1 diced green chile (about a tablespoon) - you buy them in those little cans and these are mild, not spicy
A few diced pickled jalapenos to taste (I used about a tablespoon) this gives a kick, but not too much

Mix all together in a small bowl and set aside.

For the chicken:
2 pretty large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Chili powder to season

To make them:
1. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast - take your knife and make an "incision" into the thicker side of the breast, then runthe knife in and around, until you have a decent-sized pocket
2. Stuff each one with as much filling as will fit, then just pull the pocket closed (you can use toothpicks if you want to, I didn't this time).
3. Season both sides with chili powder to taste (gives them a pretty color).
4. Grill over medium high heat until they're done. Ours took about 10-12 minutes a side.

While it was cooking I made a sauce to pour over. Take about a cup of regular store-bought ranch dressing. Stir together with a handful of cilantro chopped very fine, another chopped green chili, and some chopped pickled jalapenos to taste. This was a delish, fresh-tasting salad dressing for me, but Bob put it over his chicken and he said WOW again.

This could also be baked instead of grilled. I would just put in a baking dish sprayed with some non-stick spray, in a 350 degree oven for about 40-45 minutes or until done.

I plan to make this again, and often. It isn't every day that a weeknight meal gets WOWs. But it turned out well enough that I might bust it out on company some weekend, too.

Let me know if you try it, and what your results are!

Another reason I love L.L.Bean - the guarantee is really real.

2008-05-02T19:35:00.007-04:00

I have said many times how much I love L.L. Bean. I love love love their Boat and Tote Bags, and now have one in just about every size. I have praised their Double L Polos, for both men and women. I have been enthralled with many of their home accessories. All the stuff is downright charming. None of it is what I would consider "high fashion," and that's kinda the point.

Anyway, a while back I ordered a pair of Kathadin Khakis out of the clearance section of the site. Must have been a discontinued color, but the price was right and they looked like something The Bob would wear to run around in. He was only a little dubious at first, because they were sort of a cross between a jean, a work pant, and his old khaki standbys. The heavy duty fabric was tough, but not rough. The fit was relaxed. But, believe it or not, with the right shirt or sweater they were decent enough to wear to a casual dinner out. Superb. Home run. They became his favorite pants, seeing more action than even his comfy jeans.

But, a few months later the riveted button thingy broke. Just broke right off. I have never ever had a problem with a Bean product, so I was surprised. But there was no fixing it. I told the near-inconsolable man that I would see what I could do.

I have an account on Bean's web site, so I went online and found the record of the order, and sent a short email to the company explaining what happened, referencing the order, and asking how to go about getting a replacement pair. A few days later I received an email that "my order" had shipped.

They sent me another pair in the same size and color, no questions asked. Bob was happy. I was happy. Bean has a devoted customer for life.

Not many companies stand by their products like that. That's yet another reason I love L.L. Bean.

Lettuce be thankful for the little things.

2008-04-01T18:46:00.004-04:00

I was standing at Target recently, and wandered down the kitchen gadget aisle. And this happens from time to time - I became mesmerized by all the shiny, pretty, colorful stuff. Mostly I am traditional when it comes to gadgetry. I like my mini chopper, but most of the time I just reach for a knife. Every utensil in my drawers closely resembles the utensils used by my mom, and her mom. Nothing fancy.

But a little piece of plastic stopped me in my tracks. A LETTUCE KNIFE?

It had a clear blade and a lettuce green handle. And the card to which it was attached suggested that metal knives cause lettuce to turn brown, while plastic will produce nice, chopped greens that stay fresh looking longer. HUH? I had never heard this before, but I did think back to all the lettuce I threw away because it turned brown and ugly. I know, I know. Most chefs recommend tearing the lettuce into bite sized pieces. But I'm always in a hurry to get the stuff ready, so I chop it.

Anyway, I snagged the knife for about the same price as this one on Amazon and gave it a try.

First, I wondered if it would mash the lettuce because it's not a sharp metal blade, but it sliced through the head of iceberg like it was meant for this job (and it was!). Then I wondered if the claims of fresher-longer were true, and they are. My first try with this gave me fresh looking lettuce for about a week, and then it only had a few brownish areas. This was nothing like the 3-5 day lifespan of lettuce chopped with a metal knife. I have a head of lettuce in the fridge right now that I chopped about 5 days ago that looks like I just bought it.

Sometimes it's the little (cheap) things that make me happy, and this time it came in the form of a plastic lettuce knife. Happy chopping!

A cordless stick vac that swept me off my feet.

2008-02-03T14:36:00.001-05:00

At our house, the laundry room, pantry, half bath, and entrance from the garage are high-traffic areas that need a floor touch-up on a daily basis. The cat litter box necessitates dragging out the broom and dustpan every day, to keep from feeling like we're walking on the beach. Another problem is that I deal with two different floor coverings - some vinyl and some carpet - so a broom alone won't cut it.

Enter the Dirt Devil Quick Power cordless stick vac. This lightweight little devil has a rotating brush so it works on carpet, or you can turn the brush off for hard surface floors. On vinyl, it easily picks up scattered litter, and on carpet it does a good job of picking up pet hair. Its bagless design allows me to empty the collection thingy after every sweep. I just wipe it out with a damp paper towel after dumping and put it right back on, so it's ready the next day (or in the next few minutes, depending). I keep it plugged in so it's always ready, and have never run out of a charge. The low cost was another selling point for me. At just around $30, I felt like the risk was relatively low, and I have been very happy with its performance for that price. Before, it would take me several minutes to run the broom around the vinyl floor and sweep sweep sweep. The carpeted area would only get attention every few days at the most. Now, in a matter of minutes (literally) I've got both vinyl and carpet looking neat and clean.

I don't expect this stick vac to do the job of my big vacuum. But it is perfect for what I use it for - speedy touchups every day.

Three reasons Netflix works for me.

2008-02-03T11:31:00.001-05:00

Renting movies from a video store has always had its frustrations. I nearly always felt I needed to rent more than one movie - since I was there, why not, right? But, most of the time we only watched one, and the others went unwatched because they were all due at the same time. Even though there was no "late fee" per se, I still had to make a special trip to the store, usually after a couple of automated voice mail messages warning me that I was about to become the proud owner of the movies in question. I dealt with these frustrations for years, just resigned to the fact that "that's the way it is."

Until a friend of mine recommended Netflix. After a little investigation, I tried it, and I will never look back. Here's why it works for me.

1. It's cheap. The Bob and I are on the "One at a Time - Two a Month" plan, for $4.99 a month. Membership plans start there and go up to "Eight at a Time, Unlimited" for $47.99. Two a month is just right for us, and at $2.50 a movie, that's cheaper than the store we used to go to. And, because we get them one at a time, I'm not renting three for 12 bucks and just watching one.

2. It's easy. Making your queue of films is a cinch, and if you take a little time to rate movies you like, Netflix automatically makes recommendations based on your preferences. Changing order in your queue is simple, too, so you can bump a movie up or down in your list. You can even save movies to your queue that haven't been released on DVD yet, so they're automatically added to your queue when they are available. When you log in, you can see how many movies you have left to use for the month, and report any problems you have. (I have never received a bad disk, by the way.) You can go online to manage your account - if you want to cancel it's effective immediately (no refund for partial months), or if you need to put your membership on hold (such as if you're going on vacation), you can do that.

The utmost in ease for me? To return the movie all you do is throw it in the mailbox. It can not get any simpler than that. (Of course another bonus for me is never having to set foot in a video store again! More time at home!)

3. It's fun. Now that we have joined Netflix, we look forward to movie night. Twice a month now we set aside a night to watch the latest movie... and since there's no rush when we get the disk, we can plan ahead and make it more special. We can even invite friends over to watch, and make an occasion out of it. Netflix also allows you to build your own little community, so you can see what your friends are watching, and leave them notes and reviews about films you recommend.

My experience with Netflix has been a great one. I know it's probably not for everyone, but for us, it works. Now, I have to go watch "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" again before I pop it in the mailbox tomorrow!

Three cool tips for organizing your refrigerator to save time and money.

2008-01-25T11:18:00.001-05:00

There aren't many jobs I hate quite as much as cleaning out the refrigerator. The furry remains of some dinner a month ago hiding behind the mayo. Lettuce "soup." Five bottles of barbecue sauce with about 1 teaspoon left in each. Six containers of mustard, all open, but full.

It happens, as much as we don't want to admit it. Recently I went to our fridge and realized that I needed to take drastic measures. Not just cleaning and purging, but really organizing it so we would save money by not buying duplicates of things we already had, and so we would stop wasting money on food going to waste.

I decided to look at the fridge as no different than any other organizing project I take on. Just like my closet tips, I found there were the same three steps.

1. Purge. My first step was to remove everything from the fridge to the counter, and look at every item for an expiration date. Anything over the line was gone. Anything close to the line was evaluated - would we really use it. If not, it was gone too. I was ruthless. Leftovers more than a few days old were gone.

2. Plan. Leaving everything out on the counter, I took out all the removable shelves and door bins and wiped them down. Then I took a hard look at the position of every shelf. Moving some shelves up or down would give me a better view of the contents of that shelf. If it helped, I moved it.

Just like a closet or a dresser, it is a helpful time saver to put like things together. Salad dressings. Jams and jelly. Pickles and olives. Dairy products. Snacks. Meat. Leftovers. If they're together, they're easier to find. Designate some items for drawers, and some for bins in the door.

This is where my favorite little tip comes into play. Just like my pantry, I bought a few handy little Sterilite containers (about $1.50 - $2.50 each) and filled them with like food items. Not only does this make it infinitely easier to see what you have on hand (and know what you're out of), but it makes the refrigerator look amazingly neat and organized. I purchased two different sizes of these containers. The smaller size fit two side by side on a shelf. The larger fits one to a shelf with room on one side for odd shaped or sized items. Not everything needs to go in a container. The object is to make it easier to see what you have. If you don't want to invest in the containers, consider using something like an old cake pan or dish pan, whatever you have on hand that might fit neatly in the fridge, slide easily in and out, and allow you to see what's inside.

3. Commit. You will have such a sense of relief when you get the refrigerator looking this spotless. The trick is to keep up with it. Just like you put your undies back in the undie drawer, put the dijon back in the condiment bin. Even The Bob is finding it easier to reach in and grab what he needs - and has promised that he will put the milk back in the "milk section." If he can see where things go, chances are he will stick with the program.

It's not complicated. It took me about an hour to get the fridge looking great. I think that is a minor investment, considering how this will save me time and money in the long run.

Best supporting dish on movie night - twice baked potatoes only not really.

2008-01-19T14:18:00.002-05:00

The Bob loves twice baked potatoes, and I love making them for him. Just not when I'm pressed for time. There's the baking, then the scooping, then the mashing, the assembly... and then the baking again. The end result tastes great and makes a great presentation.

But, on our recent dinner and movie night with our friends I did not have the time. Twice bakers would have been great with the super easy baked chicken I was making... What to do?

A while back I experimented with a mashed potato recipe that simulated the yummy insides of a twice baked potato without all the fuss, and was pretty successful. I have fiddled with the recipe until I like it, and call it "twice baked potatoes only not really." You don't get the little potato boat, but for a lot of people that's just the dish the mashed potatoes come in anyway, so it just gets throw out. This is easier, and no waste!

Here's what you need:
1 24-oz package microwaveable mashed potatoes (like Bob Evans)
4 oz. sour cream
1 T (more or less as you like) horseradish sauce (I used Dietz & Watson Hot & Chunky Horseradish Sauce)
1 cup (or so) shredded mild cheddar cheese, plus more for top
1 cup herb flavored stuffing mix
1/2 stick butter, melted

Here's all you do:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine everything but the stuffing and butter. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
2. Spread the potato mixture into a 2 quart casserole, sprayed with non-stick spray. Top with a big handful of shredded cheese. Crush and sprinkle the stuffing mix on top, and drizzle with the butter.
3. Bake for about 40 minutes, until bubbling and slightly browned.

Obviously you can use your own favorite twice baked potato ingredients, like bacon or green onions... whatever floats your boat. I added the stuffing mix on top to add a little crunch and texture, and to replace the crispy potato skin. But if you don't like that idea, leave them off. The idea is to create a potato casserole that simulates the flavor of the original dish.

Our movie-watching friends wanted the recipe, so I consider that a compliment, and a success. And a time saver! Give it a try on some weeknight with meatloaf and see what your family thinks!

Starring role for a movie night dinner: super easy baked chicken.

2008-01-19T08:11:00.001-05:00

Friday night movie night with friends seemed like a good idea at the time. Tuesday night we decided to invite another couple over for dinner and a movie (3:10 to Yuma (Widescreen Edition)), and I thought I would make dinner. Simple enough, right? As the week wore on, I started thinking it was a mistake. Friday I would still have to work a full day, then I'd have to go home, tidy up the house, and make a good dinner for the four of us, keeping in mind that we'd need to eat relatively early so that we weren't starting the movie too late. Panic set in. How was I going to pull this off without getting stressed or making a ho hum meal.

I did a little research on some recipe sites (All Recipes and Food Network), and got some ideas for a menu. My strategy was to keep it simple, adding flavor and variety without adding to the labor. I settled on what The Bob called "chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans." But I called "Baked Chicken with Cheese and Creamy Sauce, The Most Delicious Green Beans Ever, and Twice Baked Potatoes Only Not Really."

Here's the recipe for the chicken... (Look for the other two recipes in future posts.)

Here's what you need:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Poultry seasoning
1/4 lb. Gruyere cheese, shredded (on the large holes of a box grater)
1 can cream of celery soup
1/4 c. water
About 2 c. herb seasoned stuffing mix
1/2 stick butter, melted

Here's all you do:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a rectangular casserole with non-stick spray. Place chicken side by side in dish (in mine they just fit the pan, touching) and sprinkle with poultry seasoning (eyeball it). Cover the chicken with the shredded cheese, evenly covering all the breasts.
2. Combine the soup and the water and pour over the chicken and cheese. Take a couple big handfuls of the stuffing mix, crush in your hands and sprinkle over all. Drizzle with the butter.
3. Bake for anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Mine took an hour and a half, because they were really large chicken breasts. Let them sit for about 7-10 minutes. Serve them up and take the compliments!

This chicken literally took me 5 minutes to throw together and put in the oven. That gave me time to get the "Twice Baked Potatoes Only Not Really" ready for the oven (I put them in the oven 30 minutes into the chicken cooking time). The Most Delicious Green Beans Ever came together on the stove top and cooked away while I freshened up.

By the time the doorbell rang, I had everything under control so we could visit with our friends and have a little appetizer (bar cheese and pita chips... store bought lovelies) while dinner finished up. It was a hit.

Notes on this recipe. You could substitute slices of Swiss cheese for the Gruyere. I intend to use this as a base recipe and mix up the ingredients, but keep the method the same. Cream of chicken, or even cream of mushroom soup would work. I'll use whatever kind of cheese I have on hand - smoked cheddar or swiss would be good. I'm thinking of a Tex-Mex take on this with Monterey Jack cheese and nacho cheese soup mixed with a little salsa. Or an Italian version with mozzarella cheese and a pasta sauce instead of the soup. In my mind the non-negotiables are the bread crumb or stuffing topping and the butter. (No, this isn't exactly diet food, folks!)

No more sweating a Friday movie night dinner with friends when I have something this easy and quick, not to mention delicious, in my arsenal! Try it and let me know if it works for you!

How I learned to stop worrying and love my hair

2007-12-04T16:16:00.001-05:00

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.

2007-10-24T13:06:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-10-23T08:24:00.001-04:00

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!

2007-10-05T15:47:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-28T10:12:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-07T09:54:00.000-04:00

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

2007-07-17T10:39:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-06-27T10:20:00.001-04:00

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

2007-06-12T11:04:00.000-04:00

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

2007-06-01T09:45:00.000-04:00

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

2007-05-11T08:33:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-05-05T08:04:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-23T14:49:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-18T07:56:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-13T09:02:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T08:15:00.000-04:00

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

2007-03-30T08:47:00.000-04:00

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

2007-03-29T08:04:00.000-04:00

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

2007-03-23T11:38:00.000-04:00

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

2007-03-12T14:25:00.000-04:00

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

2007-03-12T12:53:00.000-04:00

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)

2007-03-05T09:56:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-01T15:45:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-13T15:22:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-01T10:41:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-29T11:05:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-28T15:29:00.000-05:00

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!

2007-01-20T08:52:00.000-05:00

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)

2007-01-15T08:48:00.000-05:00

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!

2007-01-11T10:21:00.000-05:00

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)

2007-01-03T16:39:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-02T08:44:00.000-05:00

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!

Five reasons why it is okay to have routines

2006-12-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

I have been called rigid and inflexible. I have been told I am not spontaneous. I often ask about the "plan" and am not always comfortable if there isn't one. I like to have a routine. And there's nothing wrong with that.

The results of a 50-year study published by the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Family Psychology show that routines are important to the health and well-being of busy families.

"Routines involve instrumental communication conveying information that 'this is what needs to be done' and involve a momentary time commitment so that once the act is completed, there is little, if any, afterthought," says Dr. Fiese. I couldn't have said it better myself! Routines can include dinnertime, bedtime, chores and all the other nitty-gritty aspects of running a home.

For me, routines...
1. ...keep me from forgetting things. It's early, I'm sleepy and it's time to get ready for work. If I didn't have a morning routine, I would probably forget my deodorant on a regular basis.
2. ...make me more efficient. There are steps involved in each routine, which I have developed to get the job done quicker. That means I can move on to the next thing faster than if I approached the job haphazardly.
3. ...help me stay organized. The Bob may tease me about everything having a certain "home," but this is part of the routine. If my socks are all lined up by color, I don't waste 5 minutes a day looking for a pair that match.
4. ...make me feel competent. Working 40+ hours a week and trying to run a home isn't always easy. Routines at home help me feel like I'm doing as good a job with the "home ec" as I am with my paying gig.
5. ...are comforting. There is a certain comfort in routines. For example, I know that almost every day we are going to sit down to dinner together, spend time talking about our day, clean up the dinner dishes together and then settle down for the evening. It feels like nothing is spinning out of control, and that's a good thing.

Here's my disclaimer. Routines are just constructs, providing structure to our activities of daily living. If they start to take the place of people, they may have become obessions and it's probably time to rethink them.

My routines are important to me despite the occasional teasing I get. If you haven't developed your own routines, start with something simple – like your morning routine. Try thinking through the things that need done and do those things in the same way every day for a week. I think you'll find that you get a lot of satisfaction, and chances are, you won't forget your deodorant!

Christmas morning casserole – good for any weekend or holiday

2006-12-26T06:57:00.000-05:00

The Bob requested his favorite breakfast for Christmas morning, and it was so easy to throw together the night before, I couldn't refuse. This is almost a standard recipe, but I vary the meat, the cheese and even the bread depending on what I have or what Bob asks for. I have made it with ham, his mom makes it with little sausage links. This time he wanted it with fresh sausage, so I was happy to oblige. After all, it's Christmas, right?

The night before:
1. Crumble and fry 1 lb bulk pork sausage. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, a few crushed red pepper flakes and a little dried rosemary. If you have sage, that would be good, too... I was out. Cool this completely.
2. In a big bowl or pitcher break 6 eggs and whisk together with 3 cups half-and-half, salt and pepper and a grating of nutmeg if you have it.
3. Spray a 3 qt. casserole with non-stick spray. Cut about 8 slices of bread (I used wheat) into 1" cubes. Take half the bread and spread in the bottom of the dish. Layer 1/2 the meat on the bread. Top that with about 6 oz. processed cheese (I used Velveeta) cut into chunks. Then pour about 1/2 your egg mixture over, making sure to soak the bread evenly. Make another layer of bread, meat and another 6 oz. of cheese, then pour the rest of the egg mixture over all. The dish will be pretty full. Cover this with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning:
1. Preheat the oven to 350º. Melt a stick of butter.
2. For fresh breadcrumbs, take about 2 slices of bread and blitz them dry in a food processor. If you don't want to make your own, you can use unflavored, dried bread crumbs from the grocery. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the bread crumbs and drizzle the butter over all.
3. Bake for 1 hour, until the casserole is puffy and golden on top.

The Bob always wants a sweet bread to go alongside, so I make cinnamon rolls to go with this. It's very rich.

My big gift from The Bob this year was a new digital camera! So, the photo you see here is the casserole as it came out of the oven. I am excited to be able to share more real-life photos of how my recipes or crafts turn out!

Have fun with this recipe!

Silly-Simple Tuna Casserole

2006-12-22T10:17:00.000-05:00

You may have big, elaborate meals planned for this holiday weekend, but save this recipe for sometime mid-January when you are over all that and looking for something easy for a weeknight meal. The Bob, lover of all things gooey-casseroley, highly approves of this stuff.

Here's what you need:
1 box mac 'n cheese (like Kraft) (and the milk & butter it calls for)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (undiluted)
2 cans tuna, drained
A big handful of potato chips

Here's all you do:
1. Preheat your oven to 350º. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Make the mac 'n cheese
3. In that pan, add the soup and the tuna and stir to combine.
4. Plop it in the pan, smooth it out, and top with the chips all crunched up.
5. Bake until it's bubbly and the chips are a little toasty brown.

Didn't I say it was silly-simple?

Happiness. Now in flannel.

2006-12-18T12:10:00.000-05:00

The Bob and I are such homebodies this time of year. It's not at all unusual for us to go home after work, make a quick dinner and race to put on our pajamas so we can begin our "power lounging." And of course, since it's winter, we must have flannel. I have always sought out the fun, funky flannel prints for their ability to make me smile. I usually wear the top open, with a solid tank underneath.

Of course there are lots of more upscale brands, but this year I ran across a great find at Kmart. Joe Boxer flannel pajama sets in some very adorable prints, regularly $16.99 but the in-store special was buy one get one free! The store in my area is running this special through Christmas eve. To check the in-store specials for your area, go to the Kmart web site.

I think $8.50 is an excellent price for all that flannel happiness!

New Look for the New Year

2006-12-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

It's the little things in life that make me all giddy, and this is one of those little things.

I'm pleased to roll out a new look for Home Ec. for Grownups, with new easier-to-scan labels and an improved layout! I hope you like it as much as I do.

Thankfully – an easy leftover turkey casserole

2006-12-13T15:25:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a few weeks since Thanksgiving, but I made a turkey breast in the crock pot this past weekend (see my previous post here for the how to), and had some leftovers I wanted to use up. This time of year, The Bob requests big comfort foods, so I cooked up this easy pseudo-Thanksgiving-leftovers casserole for him. This is falling-off-a-log simple.

You'll need:
1 box of cornbread stuffing mix (such as Stove Top; serves 4)
1 can of corn, drained
about 2 cups cooked turkey, cut up
1 jar of turkey gravy
1 pkg instant mashed potatoes (serves 4; flavored is okay)

Here's how to do it:
1. Preheat oven to 350º. Spray a 9x9 square baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Prepare the potatoes per package instructions (I did them in the microwave), and reserve.
3. Put the stuffing mix in the bottom of the dish and pour the water/butter over, following the package for measurements. Stir to make sure all the stuffing is moistened. Press into the bottom and slightly up the sides to create a crust.
4. Over the stuffing, layer the corn, the turkey and the whole jar of gravy. Drop the potatoes on top and smooth with a spatula. I raked a fork across the top to create a lattice pattern.
5. Pop in the oven for about 30 mintues, until heated through and the top is a little browned.

You could easily use chicken in place of the turkey, and switch up the stuffing and gravy to suit. Bob likes corn, but that could be omitted.

An easy, very fast, turkey casserole that you'll be thankful for on a weeknight.

Mini-Review - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

2006-12-11T15:16:00.000-05:00

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

Synopsis: Keep all arms and hands inside the ship until it has come to a complete stop at the bottom of the ocean.

Note: Possible spoiler included.

I actually purchased this DVD because I knew this was my kind of movie. Turns out I was right – and wrong. Big waves, big monsters, and big crazy swashbuckling scenes are the order of the day in the second installment of the wildly successful Pirates of the Caribbean series. The crew of the ill fated Flying Dutchman, and especially its captain, Davey Jones, are extremely creative, and pretty darn scary, seamonsters. Jack Sparrow (Depp) Will Turner and and Elizabeth Swann (Bloom and Knightley) are all great fun, running around trying to save each other and Sparrow from an eternity of servitude under Jones. All that is right up my alley.

Spoiler alert!
What wasn't up my alley was the doggone cliffhanger ending. It's a personal quirk of mine – I like a beginning, a middle and an end! It was still a great thrill ride and I will definitely watch it again.

It's rated PG-13, for "intense sequences of adventure violence, including frightening images." Take that to heart if you have kids.

It's beginning to look (and smell) a lot like Christmas

2006-12-06T08:11:00.000-05:00

Here's a cute decoration I accidentally came up with a couple of years ago that I just love. After decorating the tree, I had a strand of plain white lights left over, so I plopped them into a big Longaberger basket I have, just to get them out of my way. For some reason I looked at it and thought to plug it in. The way the light came through the weave of the basket looked really pretty, I thought, but looking into the basket and seeing the lights wasn't so pretty. So, I grabbed a bag of cinnamon-scented pine cones I had picked up at Michael's and threw them in on top of the lights to disguise them. Plugged the whole thing back in and a few minutes later the cinnamon scent was all through the house. The lights put off just enough heat to warm the pine cones, releasing the fragrance. (I always unplug them when we're not home, just to be safe.)

This year in addition to the pine cones, I wove strands of red and natural wooden bead garland through, draping them here and there over the rim of the basket. Then I stuck in these apples and pears to add more interest. The end result is so cute, very homey, and of course smells delish.

Any basket with a somewhat-loose weave would give the same result. I also think you could use any fragranced pine cones or pot pourri – evergreen would be wonderful. If you're not into a rustic look, try spray painting a basket gold or silver, and put shiny colored Christmas ornaments on top of the lights. Then you could weave in some satin ribbon and silver or gold bead garland. If you want the fragrance, you could try some esential oils on a cloth or cotton balls, which would be hidden by the other decorations.

The Bob and I love the way the house looks, feels and smells at Christmas. Try this decoration and let me know how it works for you!

UPDATE 12/29 – Since The Bob gave me a neat-o digital camera for Christmas, I thought I'd update this post with an actual shot of my basket decoration. I hope you try this next year!

Ten very unscientific ways to deal with holiday stress

2006-12-01T13:38:00.001-05:00

I posted this over at my other site, Shopping Tips Online, but I thought it would fit in well here, too.

I am not a psychologist or a doctor of any kind. I'm not a guru, yogi or guide. If you want advice about beating holiday stress from any of those types, there are articles out the snow globe all over the Internet. Have at them. Here are three I found in a matter of seconds. Take the stress out of holiday shopping. Tips offered for holiday shopping stress. 10 tips for stress-free online holiday shopping. There you go.

That being said, I have 10 very unscientific ways to deal with holiday stress. (The standard disclaimers apply.)

1. Shorten the gift list. This is not a joke. This year, buy only for the people closest to you. Give cards and a hug to the rest. You will feel like a thousand pound weight has been lifted. Don't feel guilty.

2. Admit you're human. There are only so many days, and only so many hours. If you’re not ready to admit that, check out the dark circles under your eyes and the vein popping out on your forehead. It will be okay.

3. Play A Charlie Brown Christmas – The Vince Guaraldi Trio every chance you get. It's like a sedative.

4. Have an eggnog, hot buttered rum, hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps, or the holiday drink of your choice. A little glow from the drink and a glow from the Christmas lights and all will be right with the world. (Drink in moderation.)

5. Avoid the situations you know will make you mad. I can't drive into the parking lot at the mall after Thanksgiving without feeling like I have a severe case of Tourette's syndrome. So I don't do it. There is always somewhere else I can go to get what I need. Saving a buck isn't worth feeling like the top of my head is going to come off.

6. Manage your expectations. It’s just a day. It’s an important day for many of us, but it’s still 24 hours long. Then it’s the next day.

7. Wrap every gift alike. Go with me on this. It will look like your signature wrap, and you will not have to deal with 50 of those obnoxious rolls of gift wrap and 85 shiny bows. It streamlines the process and saves you time and money.

8. Buy what you can online. This is not original, but it’s still valid.

9. Set your own limits and stick to them. Family and friends may demand a lot of your time, but don’t let them suck you in beyond what you are willing. You will end up resenting them, and resentment does not lead to holiday cheer. Refer to #6. They need to manage their own expectations, too, and you’re not responsible for that.

10. Have fun, laugh about it and repeat #3 and 4.

How to start a holiday tradition – the hard way

2006-11-28T09:01:00.000-05:00

The first Christmas The Bob and I were together, we bought a big, beautiful Christmas tree to decorate. We were so excited – egg nog, Christmas carols on the CD player, the whole nine yards. We got the tree home, stuck it in the tree stand and it jutted out at about a 45º angle. The Bob said not to worry, and he took it out in the garage to start cutting off the crooked part. By the time he cut the trunk so that it would be straight in the stand, our 8' tree was down to 4'. What could we do? At first we were upset – our holiday tree decorating was ruined! But then we just started laughing.

The Bob went and got another tree, but we couldn't bring ourselves to get rid of the "first tree" we ever bought together. So, we turned that dinky sawed off tree into our first Chrismtas tradition – the Kitchen Tree. I had a corner I tucked the tree into and decorated it with a ton of oversized fruit ornaments and my mom's old Christmas cookie cutters, similar to the ones shown here. In keeping with the theme, I used a vintage printed tablecloth as a tree skirt.

Since then, we always have a Kitchen Tree. We took what could have been a really rotten situation, and made something cute out of it. What are your holiday traditions? How did they get started? Creating memories is one of the things the holiday season is all about.

Give your gift wrapping a signature touch

2006-11-25T08:51:00.000-05:00

Half the fun of getting a gift is the unwrapping. A carefully wrapped gift creates exitement and anticipation, and shows that the giver cares. Every year I come up with my own signature gift wrapping, but you know if you have spent any time at Home Ec. for Grownups that my method is designed to be a time saver, as well as budget conscious.

Here are some ideas for you to try that have all been successful for me, not to mention very cute!

"Special Delivery"
You'll need:
• Brown kraft paper, found on rolls at your office supply store
• Manila hang tags, also from the office supply store
• Colored markers – I use red and green for a bit of color
• Cotton twine

Wrap the box in the kraft paper as usual, then tie the twine bundle-style around the package. Use the manila hang tag as the gift tag. As a variation on this theme, I have used a stamp pad and holiday stamps to decorate the top of the package, as well as the hang tag.

"Simply Wonderful"
• White rolled kraft paper
• Red grosgrain ribbon – use whatever width you like; I use something like 1/2" or 3/4"
• Mini ornament – I find these in packages of 8 or 10 in stores such as Big Lots

Wrap your boxes in the white paper and tie with the grosgrain ribbon. Be as generous as you can with the ribbon. I never mastered the art of tying a big, fancy bow, but I think a simple bow looks best anyway. Tie a mini ornament in the center of the bow – preferably one that reflects the receipient's tastes or interests.

You can vary the ribbon color on this style. I have used cream on white for a simpler tone-on-tone look, striped green/white gives a more woodsy effect. I think a white, round grommeted tag would be a nice touch on this, but experiment and see what you like. The thing to remember is that each package uses the same white base, saving you time and money.

The beauty of either of these ideas is that when your gifts are all wrapped and under the tree, they become part of the decor. My style tends to be more "country cottage" or "cabin in the woods," but your style tends toward more formal or "glitzy" think about all your gifts in the same metallic paper, with satin ribbon.

I have not decided what my look will be for '07, but I am thinking about a Trapper's Blanket effect using cream or white paper and ribbon "stripes" in black, red, yellow and green.

Try something with your own signature touch this year, and get ready for the compliments you will get, not just for the gift, but for the wrapping!

My Thanksgiving tradition – Cornbread Salad

2006-11-23T09:43:00.000-05:00

Bob and I don't remember when I first made this recipe for Thanksgiving – I think I tried it the first year we were together, hoping to impress his family. He thinks I tried it out on him before that. In any case, it was a huge hit, and the story in the family now is that the Cornbread Salad is my "ticket" to Thanksgiving dinner. If I show up without it, I can't get in! It's a joke of course, but I dare not disappoint all my fans!

It's a layered salad with a combination of flavors that's just so crazy it works. Don't let the ingredient list throw you. Yes, it includes sweet pickles, cornbread, tomatoes, onion and green pepper. But it also includes a lot of mayonnaise and a full pound of bacon, so how can you go wrong.

You'll find the recipe on Allrecipes.com. A few tips. I use my mini-chopper to make the dicing faster, and I drain as much liquid out of the veggies as I can before layering them over the cornbread. I also dice up the bacon before frying it to save a step.

I hope yours will be a wonderful day full of great family traditions, like my Cornbread Salad. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Here's a cool tip for painting projects around the house.

2006-11-20T14:09:00.000-05:00

I really love painting projects – it's a fast, inexpensive way to change a room or change the look of a piece of furniture. I am currently painting my old kitchen cabinets, and I am really happy with the results. But, I do NOT love the cleanup, so I try to streamline it.

Here's a simple tip to remember when you're painting and your project will take more than a day to complete. If you're going to be using the same acrylic latex color (not oil based), wrap your roller or brush in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator overnight. I use a small zip-top bag for my smaller brushes, squeezing out the air when sealing. The paint stays moist, and you're ready to go the next day. If it's a project you're not going to get to the very next day, put the wrapped roller or brush in the freezer. You will just need to allow a little time for it to thaw when you're ready to pick your project up again.

I know this sounds a little crazy, but I have done it a million times, always with great results. So, stay "cool" the next time you're painting and you won't sweat the cleanup!

Holiday Decorating with Candy

2006-11-16T12:55:00.000-05:00

This is a holiday decoration that I came up with a few years back, mostly out of necessity – we didn't have a lot of money to spend on decorations, so I needed lots of bang for my buck. I used this idea a couple of years in a row, first on our mantle, then in the kitchen, and it never failed to get compliments.

Here's all you need:
• Peppermint candy
• Candy canes
• Peppermint sticks
• Clear glass containers – glasses, vases, hurricanes, whatever you have in the house will work with this idea
• Red satin or grosgrain ribbon, optional

Get enough candy to completely fill several containers. (Hint: Keep them in their wrappers and you can reuse year after year.)

Then just have fun. Hook candy canes around tall, cylinders or clear glass tumblers. Stand peppermint sticks in shorter, rocks glasses and tie with ribbon. Fill a brandy snifter or a martini glass with peppermint candies and tie the stem with a ribbon. Fill the bottom of a vase with peppermint candies and stand peppermint sticks or candy canes to resemble a bouquet in "water."

Then arrange the filled containers all together, varying the height. I suggest placing them in among some greenery or garland for the added color and pop. Little white lights look gorgeous with this, too.

This idea would make a fantastic centerpice for a holiday buffet table (I may do this myself this year!).

How to wear a cheap shirt and get away with it.

2006-11-14T15:28:00.000-05:00

This blouse is on sale on the Wal-Mart site for 7 bucks. That's less than two double shot lattes! I picked up two of them in white, so I always have one clean and ready to go. It's a cotton/poly blend, so it washes up great and only needs the lightest touchup with an iron, if that. I intentionally chose white because it goes with everything, and can be dressed up or down. Matter of fact, I'm wearing it today with a tweed suit jacket,a black pencil skirt and high boots. Saturday I wore it with my jeans, penny loafers and gray cardigan.

How can I wear a blouse this cheap and not feel self-conscious? Here's how to get away with it.

1. Layer it. The white collar and cuffs give the look I am going for under a jacket, a sweater or a vest.
2. Don't dress discount head-to-toe. I know many of the new lines at discount stores like Wal-Mart are much better than they used to be, but my general rule is to mix some of my better-quality items with the lower quality.
3. Don't tell anyone what you paid for it! Just wear it with pride, knowing you look very polished and put together!
4. When it starts looking shabby – toss it. When this white blouse starts to look dingy gray, or when/if the fabric pills, I will throw it out. If I happen to get a stain, I'll salvage it if I can by continuing to wear it under other garments. But, when it's time is up, it's gone. It was SEVEN bucks, comeon.

Enjoy the price, wear with pride!

Cinnamon Flavored Coffee – Hold the Barista

2006-11-08T14:11:00.000-05:00

I have always been a coffee purist, but The Bob recently convinced me to step a foot outside my comfort zone and try the flavored kind. I do not care for coffee flavored with syrups – for me they taste thickly-sweet and leave a bad aftertaste. So I tried several varieties of coffee with the flavor roasted in, and found a few I enjoyed. Hazelnut was surprisingly NOT one of my favorites. Like cilantro, some people just don't like it; to me it tastes like soap. Cinnamon-versions were a favorite of mine, but as you know, one of my recent money saving initiatives was to take my coffee from home (Cup of Joe for a Lot Less Dough).

So, I started experimenting, and came up with a super-easy tip for making cinnamon coffee at home. The delicious aroma of cinnamon will be in every sip.
This is so simple it's hardly a "recipe." But, here goes.

Fill your coffee maker with water, and prepare the grounds your usual way. Sprinkle the grounds with cinnamon. Brew.

This works with either freshly ground beans or already-ground coffee. I just use a French Roast or some other medium bodied blend.

The amount you use depends on how much of a cinnamon aroma you want. Be careful, though. You can go overboard with cinnamon and it may end up bitter. So, experiment with about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon for a full pot. Then adjust up or down from there.

Cinnamon coffee from home. No barista needed.

NEW! Creamy, cheesy, chicken rollups

2006-11-07T09:22:00.000-05:00

The original was pretty good, but I think this little modification made a difference, and will become my new standard. Bob and I both loved it. Basically, I replaced the flavored Philly from the original recipe with Alouette Spreadable Cheese in their Sundried Tomato and Basil flavor. I swapped a thin slice of deli ham for the prociutto. Also, instead of browning before putting the rollups in the oven, I just put them directly into a 350º oven for about 45 minutes, and they were extra tender and juicy. They weren't as brown as the original recipe, but I sprinkled the tops with salt, pepper and some poultry seasoning, which did give them some color.

So, here's the new, improved "creamy, cheesy chicken rollups" recipe!

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied and pounded thin
2 T or so Alouette Spreadable Cheese – I think any flavor would work, but I recommend the sundried tomato!
4 slices deli ham
Salt, pepper & poultry seasoning

Preheat oven to 350º. Spray a 9x12 Pyrex® dish with non-stick spray. Spread a layer of cheese on each chicken breast, then top with a slice of ham. Roll, jellyroll style, and place seam side down in baking dish. Salt, pepper & poultry season to taste. Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Check for doneness. The cheese & the juices from the chicken make a nice sauce right in the pan.

They take a little prep up front, but the result is worth it. They also look pretty enough for company. So, give these a whirl and let me know how they work for you!

Mini-Review – Monster House (2006)

2006-11-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

Monster House (2006)

Synopsis: For sale by owner – 3BR, 2BA, two-story fixer-upper; appliances and monster stay.

Finally, an animated film that's an adventure with a bit of an edge. Three teens have a run-in with the cranky neighbor and his, well, very bad house. The three main characters are likable, realistic (for being animated) and they make an interesting, offbeat team. I recommend it. It's a little spooky, a little funny, a little dramatic and quite a bit edgier than other kids movies I have seen.

Note: I thought some of the scenes might be too upsetting for little kids, so you will have to be the judge.

My FIRST Holiday Decorating Purchase – Handhooked Rug from L.L.Bean®

2006-11-03T08:15:00.000-05:00

Check out my first (of many) holiday decorating purchase. The Vacationland Hooked Rug from the Holiday Gift Shop at L.L.Bean. I first spotted these in the catalog I received in the mail, but went to the website and found they had many more designs to choose from.

These are absolutely adorable, with a very cool, nostalgic vibe. They're very thick and rich in feel, and look like they cost a lot more than their retail price of $19.50. I am very tempted to order another one (or two!) for the house for this Christmas. I chose "Mountainside," which looks great with our "cabin in the woods" holiday decor.

L.L.Bean comes through for me every time! Go check out their other deals in the Holiday Gift Shop!

Easy and cute crocheted scarf – the perfect Fall craft project

2006-10-30T16:48:00.000-05:00

In the Fall, I usually get bitten by the craft bug. I wander craft stores looking for that ONE craft that will bring me nearly instant gratification, and this year, it’s crochet. It’s been years since I picked up a hook, but I decided to do a simple project to refresh my memory, and possibly give me something cute to wear. I have been noticing cute crocheted scarves here and there, and online, so when I ran across a free pattern flyer for this Classic Wool - One-Skein Scarf I grabbed it. I made mine in a rich brown, and had a lot of fun making it. I worked on it for about an hour one evening while watching television, and finished it up in a couple of hours on a Saturday while doing laundry. It’s done in all double crochet stitches, so it’s simple. You can go here to learn learn to crochet. The site has good illustrations of stitches. Now that I have one project under my belt, I’m going for another – this time a simple cloche hat in a brown wool tweed. Looking for a quick, easy and fun project for this fall? Try something crocheted!

Quick, easy, cheap and CUTE Halloween pumpkin idea

2006-10-27T13:56:00.000-04:00

If I had time (and patience), I would definitely carve pumpkins to rival Martha Stewart. Unfortnately, I don't have a staff to help me with that, so I am on my own when it comes to holiday decorating.

Bob brought home several pumpkins to decorate our porch this year, and I did a cute fall arrangement of them with a straw bale and some fall foliage. But I wanted to do something a little special with them just for Halloween. My idea is to keep them whole, so hopefully they will last a bit into November.

So, here's the TRICK. I gave my pumpkins "costumes!" Believe me this is so cute, and fast, and cheap! And your neighbors will RUN to the store to copy you next year.

I lined up three pumpkins – two short guys on either side, and a tall "girl" in the center. On each one I put a black plastic mask, which I found at the craft store for about $1 a piece. The elastic holds the masks in place. Then on the center one, I found a black, foam witch's hat that I put on and secured in place with a couple of long nails (T-pins would work as well). The foam makes it weatherproof, too, which is a bonus!

They have adorable "personalities" now!

I'm telling you, try this. You will get lots of comments on your "trick or treaters." This would also work well for a centerpiece for your holiday party. It takes about 2 minutes and less than five bucks. That's a trick and a TREAT!

Botox for your clothes – Magic Sizing

2006-10-26T08:16:00.003-04:00

I tried embracing the intentionally-wrinkled look. You know the one I'm talking about – shirts that look like they've been slept in. No. Not for me. I wanted botox for those shirts.

So, I iron. I actually enjoy ironing, (when I'm not running late, then not so much). There's something therapeutic about it. And the end result feels so Martha.

I recently rediscovered a really old-school product that helps me get that fresh, crisp look I am going for. Magic Sizing. I use the light body formula, so it's not at all stiff, but it helps get out the big wrinkles and smooths away the tiny surface wrinkles, too.

Check out their site, which was recently updated. While you're there, download their PDF on "How to Iron." It's a one-pager on how to iron a shirt (yes, believe it or not, there really are steps to ironing a shirt).

Give your shirts the professional treatment. Botox for clothes – Magic Sizing.

Who plays you in the movie of your life? Find out here

2006-10-20T09:32:00.000-04:00

If you haven't seen this yet, it's an Internet phenomenon. It's called Face Recognition on MyHeritage and it's pretty amazing. Using some very advanced technology, faces in photos are scanned and matched to faces in a database. It is used for geneology research to identify family members, or even find relatives years later through face recognition.

For me, it was just downright fun. They have a free demo that compares your photo to their database of celebrity photos, and calculates the percentage match. I did both Bob's picture and mine, and here's how we did.

Bob was matched to:
Joey Fatone (N'Sync) (66%)
Alec Baldwin (63%)
Travis Tritt (61%)
Adam Sandler (56%)
Brad Delson (Linkin Park)(55%)
Tom Green (51%)
Barry Williams (Partridge Family)(51%)
David Hasselhoff (51%)

I (can't believe I) was matched to:
Reese Whitherspoon (78%)
Jane Curtain (75%)
Kate Hudson (74%)
Adrianne Curry (74%)
Eva Longoria (74%)
Debra Messing (73%)
Audrey Tautou (73%)
Diana Ross (73%)
Nia Long (72%)
Amanda Holden (72%)

Go, upload away and have some fun!

Pick a pair of pork chops

2006-10-19T10:52:00.000-04:00

Growing up, I was the salad and side dish kid. Subsequently I can make a killer Waldorf, but I struggle with the main course, particularly if it's meat. I could spot a boneless, skinless chicken breast, but when it came to various cuts of pork or beef I couldn't tell which chop or steak was which.

I found a nice handy pork chop identification chart that actually shows each kind of pork chop, describes what they are used for and generally what to expect in terms of tenderness. What is shown here is a boneless loin chop – these are what I threw in the oven last night. I covered them in mesquite marinade and baked them at 350º for about 45 minutes and they were tender and juicy.

Now I am the salad and side dish queen – and someday I will be an expert on cuts of meat, too. Check out the chart and let me know what you think!

Hair color and shine booster, without all the trauma

2006-10-16T09:44:00.000-04:00

I am hair handicapped. I have always struggled with hair styling products and appliances. Coloring my hair at home is entirely too traumatic for me and I would never attempt to add highlights on my own (think Bride of Frankenstein). So, I'm always on the lookout for products that are easy to use and give me a little confidence boost.

John Frieda® - Luminous Color Glaze™ may be the perfect product for someone like me. While you're still in the shower, you put it on your hair like conditioner, distributing it from roots to ends. Leave it on for three minutes, then rinse. That's it. No mixing. No gloves. No haz mat suit.

This isn't like a major transformation (which is perfect for me), it's just supposed to give your own color a little boost. The company claims that the color will build up over time, and they recommend using it at least three times a week. I have used it for two days now and my hair feels very silky and shiny and I notice today that my color is just a little richer somehow. It's a hair product with no trauma.

Let me know if you try it and how it works for you!

Easy one-skillet meal – Reuben Bake

2006-10-11T07:56:00.000-04:00

This was easy. Ridiculously easy. Perfect for a dismal, drizzly Tuesday night. I'm calling it a Reuben Bake, but it starts life in an oven proof skillet.

1 lb. package fully-cooked smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4" disks (I used Beef)
1 15 oz. can sauerkraut, drained and squeezed
1 cup (or so) thousand island dressing
8 slices Swiss cheese
1/2 t. (or so) carraway seeds (opt.)
1/2 t. (or so) paprika (opt.)

Here's all you do.

Heat your oven to 350º. In an oven proof skillet drizzled with some olive oil, brown the smoked sausage over medium heat, then pour off any excess grease. Spread the sausage evenly in the pan. Layer in the sauerkraut, the spices, the dressing and the cheese. Pop into the oven for about 1/2 an hour until it's bubbly and the cheese is lightly browned.

I toasted some dark rye bread for Bob and spooned the Reuben bake over, making open-faced sandwiches. I had it right out of the pan with a small salad. Easy to make, easy to clean up.

Ridiculously easy Reuben Bake.

Mini-Review – X-Men: The Last Stand

2006-10-09T08:13:00.000-04:00

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Synopsis: Finally. The cure for the common mutant.

It's very hard for me to be critical of comic book superhero movies (okay, except for Fantastic Four, that was easy). So realize that while I found a lot in the latest installment of the X-Men to like, it pains me to say that there was also a lot I didn't like. Likes: the special effects are impressive, Jean is back (and man, is she pissed) and Wolverine is still crush-worthy. Dislikes: characters with no discernable super powers, characters with useless super powers, super powers that suddenly don't seem very super (come on, if you can FLY, why do you have to move the bridge?), too many new characters to care about and favorite characters that disappear or die for no apparent reason. I guess all that makes me sound like a stickler, but I do appreciate a movie with a good plot, and that was what was missing for me in this film. I recommend it for its main attribute: mindless fun. Some younger kids might find the Jean Grey scenes scary (I did!), so keep in mind the PG-13 rating.

The most important thing I learned from my high school job at McDonald's

2006-10-06T08:22:00.000-04:00

Like a lot of people, my first job was working at McDonald's in the small town I grew up in. One thing I learned was humility – because we were required to wear horrible, greasy, polyester uniforms. All these years later I am almost over it.

I did learn one thing that has stuck with me and truly makes a difference in my life. Clean as you go.

In the kitchen. I simply will not start dinner if there are dishes in the sink. Letting the dishes pile up until after dinner just means that I'll still be washing dishes halfway through "Survivor." Taking the few minutes to wash those things up gives me a clean slate to start with. I also run a sink full of soapy water, drop things in as I work and, depending on the cooking time, wash them up while dinner's in the oven. Clean as you go, and you will be out of the kitchen and on the couch much sooner.
In the bedroom. I don't leave for work until the bed is made. If that brings back bad memories of your parents' rules, I apologize. Truth is, they were right. Making the bed only takes a couple of minutes. Then it's done. It makes the room look and feel cleaner. It also makes the room feel calmer. Clean sight lines are important after a long day at work. You will be surprised.
In the living room. One quick pass through a day is all that's needed to tidy up, corral magazines and toss newspapers. I suggest keeping a small trash can in the room – the fewer reasons you have to avoid straightening up the better. Remember: letting the clutter pile up makes for a much bigger chore later on.
In the bathroom. I keep a container of disinfecting wipes right on the counter day to day, and stow them below when company's coming. Keeping them on the counter makes it easy for me to swipe down the counter and sink while I'm brushing my teeth. It smells fresh, too, making the whole bathroom seem cleaner.

My parents told me getting a job at 16 would pay off someday. They may have meant something different, but they were right in one way. I learned – Clean as you go!

Mini-Review – Friday Night Lights

2006-10-04T08:32:00.000-04:00

NBC.com - Friday Night Lights

Synopsis: Football isn't the most important thing. Oh wait. Yeah, it is.

Right off the bat I have to tell you that I cried, not once but twice, during the hour-long season premiere. It's a little embarrassing because this show wasn't particularly original. You take a small Texas town, add a brand new high school football coach, a shot of team infighting, shake with one golden-boy quarterback, garnish with who-will-sleep-with-the-head-cheerleader and you've got the makings for your typical football movie.

What got to me was that it had some darn good acting (for the most part), looked like a film rather than a TV series, and was a good story (even if it was familiar), complete with a tear-jerking plot twist and a Hollywood ending. I'm not sure how they will sustain that level throughout the season, but we're willing to watch and see. I will just keep the tissues closeby.

Crikies! I have been critiqued!

2006-10-03T10:21:00.000-04:00

CRITIQUE MY BLOG!

Billy Mac, of "Critique My Blog" has posted what I consider to be a very nice review of Home Ec. for Grownups. He likens my content to a class he had in high school called "Bachelor Survival."

I make an effort to cover a wide variety of topics that appeal to men or women, so hopefully everyone finds something practical that they can try. That's what I am all about, gang!

Thanks so much for reading, and be sure to visit CRITIQUE MY BLOG!

The least sophisticated way to organize your monthly bills (that really works)

2006-10-03T08:11:00.000-04:00

If you're looking for bill organization tips from a CPA, you're at the wrong site. But if you're looking for an easy, albeit unsophsticated, way to start getting your bills under control, take a look at this. I have been using this method for years now and it works. Many of my recurring bills I have withdrawn automatically, but this is for the bills I still want to pay "the old fashioned way."

1. Open your mail. This may seem silly, but I know how easy it is to let the mail pile up. If you just open it when you get it, it won't turn into a big chore later on.
2. Make three piles. A pile for bills, a pile for trash and a pile for "other" (magazines and whatnot). Be ruthless about the trash.
3. Open the bills. Here's my method. I open each bill, tear off the payment stub, check the balance/total due, tear up the rest and put it in my trash pile. Statements are always available from the company, and for me, keeping all that turns into a storage issue. (By the way, I tear up anything that has an account number on it, just in case. A shredder would work, too.)
4. Set them up. I buy preprinted return address labels that I slap on each envelope right then to save time later on. I write the date due on the envelope, in the upper right hand corner. Then, and this is the unsophsticated part, I take my "Bills Due" clothespin and pin them together, in the date order they are due, the most recent on top. That's right. I use an old, wooden clothespin with a hang tag marked "Bills Due". It goes on my desk in a basket and it's visible, but not a messy eyesore. You could use a big binder clip from the office supply store, or something prettier if you choose. I recommend something bigger than a paper clip, so that it doesn't get lost on your desk.
5. Check the clothespin. Once a week, pull the bills that are due, write out the checks, put in the pre-addressed envelopes, toss a stamp on and mail! That's it!

If you have struggled with keeping bills organized, this could be a place to start, and then you can advance to a more "twenty-first century" method. I'll stick with my clothespin method. It works for me precisely because it isn't sophsticated.

Chicken curry my way.

2006-10-01T12:13:00.000-04:00

This is a takeoff on a chicken curry recipe I found on All Recipes. I swapped coconut milk for the water called for in the original recipe, and I added the cilantro. I think these changes improved the overall taste and texture of the dish. Bob said, “we can have this again” so I know it’s a winner.

Here’s what you’ll need:
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into about 1” cubes
1 big onion, chopped
1 t ground cinnamon
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, smashed
¼ t ground ginger
1 t paprika
3 T curry powder – I used a hot madras curry, but mild would work fine, too
½ t Splenda (or sugar)
Pinch of salt
1 T tomato paste
¼ c olive oil
1 can unsweetened coconut milk
½ t cayenne pepper (or more if you like it extra spicy)
The juice of ½ lemon
A handful of cilantro, roughly chopped

Here’s how you make it:
1. In a big, deep skillet with a lid, sauté the onion in the oil until browned. Add the cinnamon, bay leaf, ginger, paprika, curry powder, Splenda and salt. Cook the spices with the onion for a couple of minutes, stirring to combine well. The mixture will become like a paste.
2. Add the chicken and mix to coat each piece with the yummy spices. Add the tomato paste and stir. Pour the coconut milk over all and stir to combine. Cover the skillet and simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Right before serving, squeeze in the lemon juice, cayenne and about ½ the cilantro and stir to combine. Garnish with the rest of the cilantro.

I served this with a simple boxed cous cous (with about a teaspoon of curry powder added) and pitas to mop up the delicious sauce. Plain rice would also work. It was great the next day, too. It’s impressive enough to serve for company, but quick enough to make on a weeknight. Try it!

Easy one skillet meal – Teriyaki pork chops

2006-09-28T11:12:00.000-04:00

Bob loved this, and I loved the cleanup. Everything in one big skillet saves time and dishes!

You will need:
4 pork chops about 1/2” thick
1 green pepper, rough chopped
1 medium onion, rough chopped
4 pineapple rings (I used the kind with no added sugar)
Teriyaki marinade/sauce
1 package teriyaki rice (I used Knorr/Lipton brand, shown)
Red pepper flakes to taste
2 T olive oil
Soy sauce

1. Marinate the chops in teriyaki sauce for about 30 minutes. I used a plastic zip-top bag to save on cleanup. Just put enough marinade in to cover them, and turn the bag over and over to coat.
2. In a big, deep skillet, heat the olive oil until pretty hot. Place the chops in the oil, don’t crowd and don’t mess with them. When you see some juices come to the top, flip them. When you see the juices coming up on the second side, move them to a plate and loosely cover with foil.
3. In the same skillet, put the pepper, onion and red pepper flakes with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and sauté until the veggies are just tender.
4. Add the water/oil per rice instructions into the skillet and add the contents of the rice package. Stir to make sure the rice is all coated. Bring to a boil.
5. Place the chops on top of the rice/veggie mixture. Top each chop with one pineapple ring. Put a little teriyaki sauce in the center of each pineapple ring. Cover and cook until the rice is tender (about 7 minutes according to package instructions).

Add soy sauce to taste. I served this with a simple salad topped with an Asian style dressing and crunchy chow mein noodles.

You could easily substitute chicken for the pork. This technique would work for any packaged rice side dish you can find at the grocery. Just change the marinade and veggies to match the flavor of the side dish you choose. Nothing to it!

A cup of joe for a lot less dough.

2006-09-28T08:17:00.000-04:00

I have about a 20 minute commute to work in the morning. For a long time I stopped at our local drive-thru coffee shop and got a 20 oz. black coffee to go. Where I live, that cost me about $2 with tip. I was spending at least $40 a month on my morning coffee! Once the jitters wore off, I decided to find a way to reduce that cost – but going without my wakeup cup was not an option.

I tried making coffee at home and taking it in a travel mug. The drawback was, I would often forget to bring the mug home. On the days I did bring it home, I had to wash it, which made me miss the throwaway convenience of the coffee shop cups. No muss no fuss.

So I had an idea! I went to my local club store and purchased the exact same Dixie® 20 oz. cups and lids I got from the coffee shop – for an average of about 10¢ per cup. You can find the lids and cups at club stores or restaurant supply stores, or even online. So I save money and I have the convenience of a disposable cup.

I am not always the best at money saving, but this idea made very little impact for farily significant savings, without any complicated budgeting routine. And this way, I can justify that new top I need for this fall!

I'm through with mildew. Thanks to Lysol®.

2006-09-27T10:14:00.000-04:00

No one likes to admit that they have a mildew problem. But, it happens. We live in a 100 year-old house with a small, enclosed bathroom and limited air circulation – the perfect the environment for mold and mildew to grow.

I have tried a lot of different products, but
Lysol® Mildew Remover with Bleach really works. I was honestly doing the touchdown dance in the bathroom because the telltale dark stain of the mildew disappeared before my eyes. The product has other benefits, too – it disinfects and removes soap scum, and has a very pleasant scent that is clean but not too antiseptic. Even when and if I live in a newer home, this is one product that is going with me.

To get rid of the mildew and stains I sprayed it liberally around the shower stall, waited about 10 minutes and then rinsed. To keep the mildew from coming back, and to prevent the buildup of soap scum, I am now routinely spraying around the shower about 2-3 times a week.

Try it under sinks, around toilets or wherever you may have a high-humidity or moisture problem and see how it works for you.

The Bestest Blog of the Day – Who me?

2006-09-27T08:13:00.000-04:00

The Bestest Blog of All-Time

Hey, kids! I am very pleased and proud to have been named "Bestest Blog of the Day" for 9/27/06 on Bestestblog.com!

My goal with this site is not to just publish ideas from other sources, but to actually try things myself and write about what works. Some things I have been doing for years (like How to fold a fitted sheet) and some things I just invent (like my recipe for French Country Steaks), but my mission is always the same – I don't write about it unless I've tried it.

I hope you'll come back often, and be sure to visit Bestestblog.com!

Thanks so much!

The old school way to shop for vintage clothing.

2006-09-20T08:05:00.000-04:00

If you have been looking at ideas for fall fashion lately, you know that a lot of the new styles have a vintage flair. Check out Style Bakery's Fall Trend Report and you'll see what I mean. This inspired me to check out some shops in my area to try to pick up some vintage items to add a unique, personal touch to my fall outfits.

I had a couple of things in mind when I went: men's vests and anything tweed. I scored two items. The first is a long, wool, sweater vest with leather buttons and a belt with a tortoise-shell buckle, which I will wear like a belted tunic over jeans or slacks. The second was a tweed pencil skirt with awesome twin kick pleats in the back. The skirt will look great with a black turtleneck and boots, or a classic white blouse, a sweater and a pair of Mary Janes.

Here are some tips when shopping for vintage pieces.
Study the trends. Check out magazines or sites like Style Bakery to get ideas, and make a mental note of what one or two items you could add that would give new life to your outfits. Then go shoppping.
Narrow your search. If you know you don't need another tooled leather purse, skip the purses.
Scan for high quality fabrics. If it looks and feels like high quality fabric, it may be. Check to see if there is an original label still inside the garment to confirm that. I think the best investments are wool or cashmere.
Check the size. Sizing has obviously changed drastically over the years, so don't rule it out if it's not your current size. Best to try on if the shop provides a dressing room.
Think versatility. The belted sweater vest I picked up can be worn with multiple outfits, with or without the belt, and can be layered with a lot of different blouses or sweaters.
Don't buy it if it's damaged. This may be just my rule, but if I take it home with the intention of repairing it, it will probably never happen.

For good quality vintage finds, expect to pay a little more. If you feel like scavenging, sometimes you can find nice pieces at a flea market, a resale shop or even a Goodwill store. Wherever you go, have fun and get ready for the compliments on your signature style this fall.

Silicone basting brush. I will never go back.

2006-09-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

I am usually drawn to the old-world look of the old-school kitchen gadgets. Take the basting brush. I like the way the old wooden handles and natural bristles look. But, I have never been a fan of how hard they are to clean. The bristles retain a greasy feeling, and eventually, even with hand washing, a bit of rust develops around the metal part.

I happened to be in a Crate & Barrel store, and happened to have a gift card with me, so I picked up a few little gadgets, including this silicone basting brush. It was super inexpensive and came in cute colors, so I snagged a red one to try. I will never turn back. The material can withstand very high temps, and cleans up in super-hot water with lots of soap and never feel greasy. It actually holds quite a bit of sauce in it's "bristles" so it's ideal for mopping ribs or chicken on the grill. If you haven't made the leap to silicone, start here. For the price of a latté, you will have a handy little kitchen helper that does its job very well.

Creamy-cheesy chicken & prosciutto rollups.

2006-09-07T07:59:00.000-04:00

Philadelphia® Cream Cheese

I always know it's a winner when Bob takes a bite and says, "We can have this again." That's exactly what he said after tasting a new recipe I made up, which I am calling creamy-cheesy chicken & prosciutto rollups. This is similar to a recipe I saw in a back issue of "Every Day with Rachael Ray." I didn't write the recipe down at all, just remembered a few basic ingredients and a technique, and then made the rest up. It was easy.

For the rollups:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
About 2T Philly soft chive and onion flavored cream cheese per chicken breast
1 thin slice of proscuitto per chicken breast
Salt, pepper & poultry seasoning
Olive oil for the pan

For the sauce:
About 1/2 cup white wine
2-3 T Dijon mustard (I used the grainy kind)

The method:
1. Pound the breasts as thin as you can without tearing them, about 1/4" thick. To make this easier, I put the chicken inside a heavy-duty gallon zip-close bag with one side slit open (it's heavier than plastic wrap). I also "butterflied" the breasts – cutting horizontally halfway through the thickest part of so that the meat is closer to the same thickness throughout.
2. Spread each flattened breast with about 2T cream cheese, depending on the size. Be generous with this. Then put a slice or so of proscuitto on top of the cream cheese.
3. Roll each breast up, tucking in the ends, sort of "burrito style." Take a couple of toothpicks and "sew" the seam up. Salt, pepper and poultry seasoning all sides of your rolls. They may not be the neatest looking, but don't sweat it! They will be delish!
4. Run some olive oil around an oven-proof skillet. Once the oil is pretty hot (medium high), place them in the pan (don't crowd). Brown on all sides. You'll know when it's time to turn them b/c they will "let go" of the pan.
5. Put the skillet in a 400º preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the rolls are cooked through.
6. Take the skillet out and remove the rolls to a plate, loosely cover with foil. Deglaze the pan with the wine, scraping up the brown bits. Whisk in the mustard and reduce slightly. Put the rolls and their juice back into the pan, and simmer for just a few minutes, coating the rolls with the sauce.

These were tender, juicy and the flavored Philly® added a real rich and creamy texture. I may consider trying other varieties of the cream cheese, and might swap out the proscuitto for something like olives or ham. But I will be making these again!

Perfect pot roast in the perfect pot – my slow cooker.

2006-08-31T08:34:00.000-04:00

Amazon.com: West Bend 84755 5-Quart Oblong Slow Cooker

I fall more in love with my slow cooker every year. It's an older West Bend model, but similar to the one shown here. The base doubles as a non-stick griddle and has an adjustable temperature setting (1-5). The pot is metal with a non-stick interior and can be used in the oven, on the stovetop, or even on a grill, and is dishwasher safe.

The slow cooker is unlike a "crock pot" because the heat source is at the bottom. However, because of the metal construction of the pot, the heat is conducted evenly. You will be surprised how much more versatile a 1-5 temperature setting can be – as opposed to just "low, med, hi." The lowest setting is good for keeping foods warm. The highest setting will boil liquids, or is used for the griddle. For day-to-day slow cooking, and for smaller quantities of food for just the two of us, this is ideal.

Here is how I used the slow cooker yesterday for a pot roast that Bob literally gasped over.

1 4-lb. pot roast
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
3 cloves garlic, cut in half
1 can French onion soup, undiluted

On the stove over high heat, coat the bottom of the slow cooker pot with olive oil. Generously salt & pepper both sides of the roast. When the pot is pretty darn hot put the roast in and brown on both sides. Remove the pot from the stove and place on the base unit, at a heat setting of about 2 or 2-1/2. Surround the roast with the garlic clove halves, pour in the soup and put the lid on. Go to work. Come home 10-11 hours later. Shock your significant other with the news that this roast was this simple.

I love my slow cooker!

Beefy Biscuits

2006-08-30T08:47:00.000-04:00

Beefy Biscuits. That’s the name I have given these little bundles. And, bonus: they're really cute.

Bob has been craving down-home, basic, potluck dishes so I searching for a recipe that would take less than 30 minutes to prepare, and would leave him with lots of leftovers for his lunches. Bingo. These little Beefy Biscuits were perfect.

1 can refrigerated biscuits – I used Pillsbury® Grands Flaky Layers (8 count)
1 pound ground beef
Barbecue sauce – I used Emeril’s Kicked Up Barbecue Sauce
Seasonings to taste – we added a couple tablespoons of brown sugar
Shredded cheese – I used a pre-shredded Mexican cheese blend

Preheat the oven to 350º. Brown the ground beef. While the beef is cooking, press the biscuits into a muffin pan (I used a little non-stick spray to be safe). Work the biscuits up the sides to make little cups. After the beef is browned, add enough barbecue sauce to make it “gloppy” but not too “sloppy.” Fill each cup with the meat mixture, generously top with cheese and slide into the oven. Bake for about 12-15 minutes until they are puffed up, golden brown and the cheese is melted. (I started checking after 10 min. to make sure the bottom of each cup was done enough to hold its shape, but not burned.)

This is not particularly creative – similar recipes are everywhere. But, I think you could modify it to suit a picky eater, or just to mix it up. Instead of the barbecue, I will try tomato sauce or even a can of cream of mushroom. Really anything added to ground beef to make it “gloppy” will work.

Bob took two for his lunch today, and we froze a few, so I will report back as to how they work as leftovers. Give these a try. I think even the kids would be impressed.

Mini-Review – The Upside of Anger (2005)

2006-08-28T08:41:00.000-04:00

The Upside of Anger (2005)

Synopsis: “Yes it does. It heals. It just heals funny.”

Kevin Costner and Joan Allen perfectly play these two very imperfect characters. Allen is amazing as Terry Wolfmeyer, a suburban mother of four whose husband up and leaves them all without a word. She goes into self-destruct mode, and Denny Davies (Costner) shows up with a shoulder to cry on and a drink to cry in. Everything in her life is messy and complicated, but the film manages to keep from turning too sappy or too morose. The twist at the end is my case in point. You just never know what life is going to hand you and it's okay to have feelings about that. I loved it so much I watched it twice in one day. It’s rated R, so not for kids, and there’s one sort of graphic scene of comic violence.

Ancient Antiquing Secrets

2006-08-18T15:29:00.000-04:00

Antique malls can be overwhelming. So many tchotchkes, so little time. Over the years, I have developed a system that works for me so that I can breeze through a sizeable antique mall over my lunch hour and usually score something to add to my various collections. It takes a little practice, and some self-restraint, but it turns an aimless trip into a surgical strike.

Go into “scan” mode. Don’t get caught in the trap of thinking you’re going to miss something if you don’t spend an hour looking at each overcrowded shelf. Just scan. Typically vendors group like objects together, making it easier for you. Just give each area a quick once-over, and keep moving.

Don’t waste time. If you have lots of time on your hands it’s fun to look at the high-dollar items, but if it’s outside your price range and you are on a time limit, don’t bother. In the same way, if you have a cabinet overflowing with glassware, you probably don’t need another set of glasses. Skip it and keep moving.

Have a mental list, but be flexible. My list includes: metal picnic baskets, enamelware, diner mugs with logos and inexpensive metal trays. Having a mental list gives you some focus, but don’t limit yourself or you could end up frustrated and disappointed. If you see something that’s not on the list, but you love it and can immediately think of where and how you might use it, go for it!

Go with your instincts. With a few exceptions (like maybe troll dolls), if you love it, it doesn’t break the bank and it speaks to you, grab it. By looking through decorating magazines and mail order catalogs, or watching TV decorating shows you can pick up some ideas about what styles “go together.” After that, just surround yourself with things that please you and it will come together like magic.

Relax. This is supposed to be fun! Unless you’re a dealer or serious collector, antique mall shopping is a fun way to pick up some cute things for your home that have some character and history.

(Note: the little brass plaque shown is not an antique, but it's cute and it's available at D. Lawless Hardware for just $10.75. They also sell cabinet knobs and other hardware at excellent prices. I have made several purchases here over the years.)

Back to school time. Lesson one: Jeans.

2006-08-18T09:12:00.000-04:00

When I start craving theme books, wooden rulers and piles of brand new #2 pencils, I know fall is almost here. And that always makes me think of back to school shopping for jeans.

Jeans are a hot topic right now, with articles appearing everywhere about the new styles and how to wear them. See a pretty comprehensive jeans matrix at Style Bakery. I personally stick to boot cut, some straight (not skinny) styles and trouser shapes. I experimented with trendier styles and they flat out do not work with my figure. If you want some good information about what works on your body type, go to What Not to Wear, where they have a handy little quiz that gives you a list of dos and don'ts for your figure.

While I tend to agree that you get what you pay for, I simply can not bring myself to spend $150-200 on a pair of jeans. For that much money they would have to have some kind of magic powers. I am a born bargain shopper, so I scour the clearance racks and usually come up with decent jeans at a discount price. Like my recent score: Gap original boot cut jeans. I picked these up at the Gap in my town, but online they are discounted from $58 to $19.99. These fit but are not too tight, not too low and not too flared. And for TWENTY BUCKS!? I dress them up with heels and a jacket, dress them down with a polo and skimmers, and in between with a camisole and espadrilles – they go with everything.

With that little nip in the air in the mornings, I know I'll soon be wearing my bargain jeans with sweaters, too. Try some on and see if they make the grade for you.

Camping cleanup made easy. Palmolive Dishwipes.

2006-08-17T08:01:00.000-04:00

We love making big, elaborate meals while we're camping. There's just something about good food cooked outside. But, with the big meal comes the big cleanup. One thing that has worked for me and is standard issue in my camping gear are these little Palmolive Dishwipes. I went to the Palmolive website and could not find them in their product listing, so they may be discontinued (I hope not!), but I did see them available at quite a few online retailers. The beauty of these dishwipes is that you don't have to pack a bottle of dish soap and run the risk of it leaking in your storage container. They come in this cute little container, and you just wet one to produce loads of suds. One cloth has always been enough for a whole dishpan. Then you just toss it. No wet sponge or dish cloth to deal with. I don't think they are very cost effective for at-home use, but they are worth it to pack for camping cleanup. Try them.

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote®. As serious as a tote can get.

2006-08-15T15:39:00.000-04:00

What appeals to me about L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote Bag is its uncompromising sturdiness. It does not try to be “cute” or “elegant” – it’s far too busy boatin’ and totin’. And not only is it a seriously constructed bag, it’s available at a seriously good price. J.Crew introduced the same style of tote this year (theirs is called the Montauk tote). Their large is about the same size as Bean’s extra large, but it’s $41 more. Anything cheaper than the L.L. Bean bag is compromising on quality somewhere, mostly in the fabric. This canvas is like iron.

I currently own two Boat and Tote bags – one extra-large zip top (regular length handles) and one small open top (long handles). We use the big zip top bag for weekend trips, and it’s usually large enough to fit everything I need for two nights and three days. For camping, it will hold all of what Bob and I both need for an overnight trip. It’s cavernous. The small one is my most recent purchase and I love it. It makes a perfect little book/misc. tote to take on trips, or a casual everyday purse that’s big enough to throw my lunch in with my wallet and girl kit. It gives a little nautical feel to my outfit, which is one of the big trends of the summer.

I have stayed with the classic old-school colors, because for some reason they look fresher to me than anything "new." Checking the sale section can yield a bargain when they discontinue colors. That’s how I got my small one on sale, in a cranberry red, so since I was saving money, I added a monogram. I am considering a medium sized Boat and Tote, too. Although I don’t have an immediate use in mind, I will bet my deck shoes I will reach for it over and over again. Try one.

Caramelized Onions – A Recipe's Little Black Dress

2006-08-14T08:25:00.000-04:00

The little black dress – perfect for any occasion, easily dressed up or down and never goes out of style. That's how I am beginning to look at caramelized onions.

In my recipe for "French Country Steaks" I used them to take the place of a can of French onion soup. The dish took longer to bring together, but the result was a richer flavor.

Bob suggested we caramelize an onion to add flavor to a pot roast we made while camping this past weekend. When combined with some beef broth, red wine, garlic and other seasonings, the gravy it produced was spectacular.

There isn't any big, complicated secret to caramelizing an onion. Over about medium heat, I start with equal parts butter and olive oil, about 2T each. Then I thinly slice the onions and throw them in the pan with some salt and pepper. Stir them around to coat all the bits with the oil/butter mixture. The onion will start to wilt, turning translucent. Stir them every now and then and keep going. If the skillet gets dry, or if the onions start to stick, just put a little more oil in, or even water or beef broth. Not a lot, just enough to keep the onions moving. When they start to turn brown, don't panic. This is what you want. Just keep waiting and stirring until the onions are a nice deep, dark brown – that's the caramel color you're looking for. This takes me about 15-18 minutes from start to finish.

I found a pretty good how-to article with pictures at All Recipes. The photo above is from Hormel Foods website, and they have step-by-step instructions, too.

If you haven't tried the little black dress of food, I highly recommend it. It's worth the time you will invest, because your dish will have a deep, rich but sweet flavor.

A Credit Card Warning

2006-08-10T11:08:00.000-04:00

Whatever you do, do not cash a check sent to you from any credit card company, or you may be signing up for something called "Shopper's Advantage" without knowing it.

I don't usually write about things like this, but I feel the need to warn you about a pretty sneaky scam that I fell victim to. A few months ago I signed up for an Amazon.com® Visa® card, through Chase, because they were running an online special. By signing up you got $20 off your purchase on Amazon and a bunch of other benefits. I went for it, because I knew that the card would only be used for a few purchases, mainly gifts and mainly from Amazon. I ended up using the card quite a bit, and started managing my account online at Chase.com. I even took advantage of a balance transfer special that Chase was offering.

Today I was online checking to see when a payment was due, and noticed a charge of $9.99 to someplace called "TLG•Shopper." Well I know for a fact I have not used this card for any purchases of any sort since I made the balance transfer. So I looked at my whole statement and lo and behold, TLG•Shopper was getting $9.99 a month from me for the past 6 months.

I immediately called Chase to find out what this was. They transferred me to Shopper's Advantage. I was told that I activated this account when I cashed a check for $10 that was sent to me through Chase. I vaguely remember getting a check in the mail and, thinking it was part of the promotion Amazon.com was running, I went ahead and cashed it. I think of myself as a pretty smart person, so this Shopper's Advantage thing must have been buried in some fine print somewhere, because I was COMPLETELY unaware that's what I was doing. I have even received checks with similar "offers" attached to them and thrown them away. This one didn't seem to have a catch to it at all.

I explained to the person at Shopper's Advantage that I wanted to cancel my "account" immediately. I got a pretty involved sales pitch to try to get me to keep the account – to which I stated that if I didn't even know what it IS, and if I was deriving NO benefit from it, was WHY would I keep letting them take $9.99 of my money every month! I know it probably does no good, but I told the person that this was a very sneaky way to take money from people, and that I will dispute every charge made to my account until this is made right.

Don't do what I did. At the very least my advice is to read every tiny bit of small print before cashing these little checks. Even then you may not catch it. Best to just pitch them. A little $10 check may end up costing you $60 or more. And, check your credit card statement carefully to see if you have accidentally fallen victim to this scam.

Mini-Review – V for Vendetta

2006-08-06T09:41:00.000-04:00

V for Vendetta (2005)

Synopsis: Down with totalitarianism. Up with people in masks and capes. To the music of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

You can enjoy this film just at the surface (as Bob does), or dig as deep as you want (and there is a lot under there). Lots of symbolism gives you plenty to mine. Look up the Guy Fawkes historical references and some of it will make a lot more sense.

I had to hand it to Natalie Portman – playing opposite a masked man in a cape can’t be easy – but she fills the role out and makes it work. (And, she looks good bald, a plus in this role.) The Orwellian plot is familiar, but there are a few surprises, too. It's stylish, interesting and (if you go there), thought provoking. I recommend it. The R rating makes it not for kids – there are some scenes of torture, some upsetting images, and violence.

L.L.Bean Double L® Polos. I have never found a better value in a polo.

2006-07-27T14:44:00.000-04:00

Bob is a "polo and khakis" kind of guy. Always has been. But, most of his polos had seen better days. Much better. Not that he didn't have name brands hanging in the closet, he did, but in looking through them there were several things I noticed. After they had been washed a million times, most of them faded and had some pilling. Also, on many of the polos the collars developed a weird stiffness and some had permanent creasing that I couldn't beat out of them with a hammer.

I started looking for the perfect polo for Bob. Something soft, with a classic cut (none of that "athletic cut" for him), that could run through the wash and come out looking perfect every time. I of course thought I was dreaming, until I decided to try a few Double L Polos from LLBean. I got him three colors to start with, a gray, a mustard and navy.

Everything LLBean says about this polo is dead-on. Not only do they have a really soft feel, but they maintain that softness wash after wash. They did not shrink one bit, and they come out of the dryer wrinkle-free (they do have an actual wrinkle free style, but I just went for the regular ones as shown). Bob loves the way they feel, and I LOVE the price: $17.50. In my opinion they are preferable to the RL polos he had, and at less than half the price.

I'm going back for more today, and I am going to try one of the women's versions for myself. How can you go wrong with a classic from LLBean!?

Update (8/10): I finally received my LLBean Double L polo for women. Just exactly the same soft feel and nice drape as the men's version. The description says that it is slightly fitted and cut for women, but it is definitely boxier than the more contemporary women's polos out there. However, I liked it for its retro/classic feel. Because it is relaxed and comfortable, will be the perfect golf shirt with walking shorts or cropped pants, and it looks just as cute with jeans. I recommend it.

Bad hair days? Flatten them.

2006-07-27T08:44:00.000-04:00

For me, hair styling has always been a hit-or-miss proposition. I have "accidentally good" hair days, but I can't seem to string them together because I can't remember what I did right. I recently embarked on a quest for no more bad hair days, hoping to use some new technology and some new product to come up with a system that works for me.

My first step was to upgrade a couple of personal care items in my drawer. First to go was the vintage blow dryer, in favor of a new one with ionic and ceramic technology. It was not a top of the line dryer by any means (it's a Vidal Sassoon one I got at Ulta for about $13), but combined with an ionic/ceramic brush (about $9), my hair is salon-soft.

While my hair was now as soft as I wanted it to be, it still had a mind of it's own. It flipped out on one side and in on the other. So, I went on a search for a new hair straightening iron. This is the one I picked up: the Conair Ultra Slim Straightener - CS4JCS for $17.99 at Walgreens. Unlike a little travel straightener I had used before, this one heats up in literally 60 seconds or less, it has really comfy handles and it stays consistently hot. I never had to hold the plates on any section of hair, rather I just slid the plates down the strands and got the effect I was looking for – hair that still has some bounce, but is controlled. I get consistent results in 5 minutes or less.

So, how will this work into my morning routine? I typically wrap my hair in a microfiber towel while I put on my makeup (see previous post), so by the time I get around to drying it, it’s just barely damp. I apply some straightening gel (currently using Paul Mitchell), and then clip my hair into sections and dry, starting with the back and bottom layers and working up. At this point I am not worrying about getting it straight, just getting it dry. Then, I plug in the straightener and tidy up for the 60 seconds it takes to heat up. I section my hair the same way and straighten. My goal is to control it, not to make it super-extra flat, so I am not spending a lot of time on any section.

Total time spent on my hair should now be in the 10-15 minute range. Not bad. And the bonus is that the time I save can be converted into sleep time!

Cool summer eyeshadow (literally), and mineral makeup that doesn't break the bank.

2006-07-21T09:10:00.000-04:00

I am not a beauty product maven by any means, but occasionally I run across things that work pretty well for me. If you don't have an Ulta store near you, you can go to their website to find these (and lots more).

The first is called Cooling Eyeshadow. I haven't used a cream eyeshadow in years, so they must have been improved since... oh, say the 70s. It comes in three colors, Sunkist Pink, Bronze Shimmer, and Gold Glow. Pink shadow makes women my age look like we've been crying, so I chose the Gold Glow. It goes on with a slight "cooling" sensation, easily blends and all I need is a touch of liner and some mascara and it's a simple, less-than-five-minute look that I have been wearing all summer.

The second product is Ulta's own mineral makeup. I decided to try mineral makeup a while back, but I was very dubious at first. After all, they tell women of a certain age that powder tends to settle into fine lines, making us look older. Egad, anything but that. However, this type of makeup provides good coverage without any kind of heavy feeling and low and behold it's nothing like wearing powder. Bonus, the minerals are supposed to have some extra goodies like antioxidants that are actually said to improve the condition of the skin. I was a convert, but OUCH, the Bare Minerals I was using was pretty pricey, $25.

When I ran out of the Bare Minerals, I noticed that Ulta had come out with their own brand, and at $14, it was tempting. It came in fewer colors but one that matched what I was using so I grabbed it. What's the worst that could happen? I notice no real difference in the way the Ulta mineral makeup goes on, the coverage is the same and it feels as lightweight as the expensive stuff. I actually like the Ulta packaging better, because it has a transparent, domed lid, which is where I put the powder on the brush. It's not often you find something cheaper that works the way the expensive stuff does.

Both lines are available at Ulta, so you could try both yourself and see if you notice a difference. I will take the savings and go have myself a double-shot Brevé instead!