AOhelL Journal transferred here

Okay, well that seemed to go okay. It looks like everything transferred. I haven't been around to check all the way back to the beginning, but it appears to have transferred. And it wasn't even (too) painful, lol.
Now, I'm a wee bit torn. This is my old and trusty journal, but a part of the past. I like my new Fryin' Up The Bacon blog...hm. I may just keep this up and go with the new one while I decide whether or not to delete the past 3 years of journaling.
Jill Marie

Let me know...

Hey ya'll, be sure to send me an email with your new blog address.  And stop by over at my new "head quarters".  I'm (for the time being) calling it "Fryin' Up The Bacon".  Yeah, kind of lame...but I couldn't think of anything else.  Let me know if you think of a better name for my new blog.

The blog spot is okay.  Something are easier and some things are just a matter of figuring out, I think.  Loading a picture seems to take forever...or it could be just because my computer seems to be a bit slow lately.  I think it's because of all the downloading Ray is doing on his computer.  It seems to steal my speed.  There has to be a way for me to get around that.  Oh well...

Take care,
Jill Marie

Trying it out...

Well, I'm giving it a try.  Here's a new address for anyone interested:
Fryin' Up The Bacon.

AOhelL!!!!!

I am so confused and annoyed and getting more so as I try to learn more about this whole AOhelL mess. I just got this reply from Magic Smoke...

Hi,

AOL won't transfer your journal, you've got to take action yourself. You will be notified when that can be done.
All AOL Journals will be deleted by November 1st.

The journal will look different at Blogger, although you can tweak it.

I have put a few more entries on Magic Smoke which are useful.

Guido

If AOhelL is NOT going to transfer my entire journal then why did I read the following at Magic Smoke...

In case you haven't been reading my comments..

Some of my responses to users comments

To Paul, yes a copy of your journal will be made on Blogger. Your journal will still be available till Nov 1st. Also, the migration will be opened up to Journals users starting on or after Oct. 7th. We will be using this week to iron out any kinks in the process.

To Sherri - I would not worry about the migration too much. It should be fairly straightforward. Blogger will also have a helpdesk that you can send email to, if you have any issues and a live real person will respond and help out. So, all efforts have been made to minimize the pain.

To Yasmin (cayasm) and everybody else - Your journals will be copied over in its ENTIRETY (entries, comments, about me). So, anything else you hear is not true.

And no, your email account is not affected by this at all as some have been suggesting.

I understand that people are upset and that is okay. However, I request you to be patient and understanding as we work thru this process.

Vish

I am beginning to think that NO ONE at AOhelL knows what the heck is going on! Surprise...NOT.

Tags: AOL hell

GOTTA PEE

Thanks for the giggle mom.  The following is copied from an email that my mother sent me.  I just love when I get one that makes me giggle out loud.

GOTTA PEE

Two women friends had gone for a girl's night out. 
Both were very faithful and loving wives, however They had gotten over-enthusiastic on the Bacardi Breezers.  Incredibly drunk and walking home they needed to Pee, so they stopped in the cemetery.

One of them had nothing to wipe with so she thought She would take off her panties and use them.
Her friend however was wearing a rather expensive Pair of panties and did not want to ruin them.
She was lucky enough to squat down next to a grave That had a wreath with a ribbon on it, so she
Proceeded to wipe with that.

After the girls did their business they proceeded to go home.
The next day one of the woman's husband was concerned That his normally sweet and i nnocent wife was still in bed hung over, so he phoned the other husband and said:

'These girl nights have got to stop! I'm starting to suspect the worst. My wife came home with no panties!!'

'That's nothing' said the other husband, 'Mine came back with a card stuck to her ass that said...

'From all of us at the Fire Station. We'll never forget you.''

Home Remedy--Bee Stings

Good morning.  Here is are some tips to relieve Bee Stings.

Bee Stings

• Use meat tenderizer
• Mix water with cornstarch into a paste and apply. This is effective in drawing out the poisons of most insect bites
• Make a paste with crushed aspirin and water and apply liberally to the sting.
• When you get a bee sting spit in some dirt and make mud. Apply the mud for 15 minutes this helps bring the stinger quickly and helps the pain go away. Great idea to try if your away from home, camping, hiking or whatever.
• Sprinkle an alka-seltzer tablet with enough water to make it fizz and lay it directly on top of the sting. In a couple of minutes the pain should go away and the swelling should go down.
• If you have a cigarrete nearby. break it open, wet the tobacco & apply directly onto bee sting, it relieves the pain and avoids swelling.

But before doing any of that you need to remove the stinger if it is still in the skin.  I've heard that the best way to do that is to gently scrape a credit card across the site of the bee sting.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do with this journal.  If anyone knows of a good blogging site, please let me know.  Keep in mind I don't know much of anything about HTML, so it has to be one that is easy to work with.  Thanks for any places you can give me advice about.

Have a good day,
Jill Marie

Tags: home remedy, bee stings

AOhelL

Okay...this really sucks lemons!  Why in the heck would they close down AOL Journals?  This makes no sense to me at all.  I mean I could understand no making Journals available to those who have a FREE aol email address.  But we are still paying $24 for our AOL membership every freaking month. 

I am going to have to look into other E-Mail providers and see what they offer.  This really sucks...we've been members since 1999 and I really don't feel like changing all my stuff.  This would mean changing my email address with all my family and friends, copying and emailing all saved email to a new address, including all business related items.  GRRRRRRRR @ AOhelL!

Well, if you're a reader of this journal I don't really know what to tell you.  They say to go here and read this to find out how to transfer your journal, etc.  But so far all I've found are dead links, or entries repeating the fact that AOhelL is sticking it to us in the bum, but no real information.  Who in the heck are the idiots running AOhelL these days?!

Later...if I'm still able to make entries.
Jill Marie

Tags: AOL hell

For Grins & giggles

Here's a fun little thing a friend sent me...

Subject:
New Presidential Candidate... It's someone we know!

Hi,

There's an effort to elect an unknown random person as President... and it's someone we know! Watch this online video about the surprising new nominee:

Election Coverage

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=370743&altf=Kjmm&altl=Dpssbm   If the link doesn't work copy and paste this address.

Jot back a note to let me know what you think!

Hehehehehe.
Jill Marie (Corral)

Tags: New Presidential candidate

Grrrr!  Let's try this again for the third time and see if I can get it all saved before AOL closes my journal before I'm ready.

Okay, first things first.   A quick cleaning tip for clean drinking glasses.

Cloudy Drinking Glasses: Soak them for an hour or longer in slightly warm white vinegar. Then, use a nylon-net or plastic dish scrubber to remove film. Still there? The damage must be etching (tiny scratches that occur in the dishwasher) and is permanent, sorry to say. To avoid this altogether, hand-wash your best glasses.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Does anyone watch Dr. Phil?  I watched yesterdays show, extreme mom's, and was blown away by the lack of insight of mothers.  Especially the one who appeared on the show for the third time in 4 years. 

 

There was one mother who lives in NY city and gave her 9 year old son a subway map and let him find his way home from a store.  She writes a blog called Free Range Kids.   Luckily she and her husband had brought their child up to be an independent and responsible child.  I may have secretly followed just to be extra safe the first time, but I totally understand her reasoning.  Of course, it depends on the child and how they've been raised.  I know some 18 year olds who wouldn't be ready for that.

 

On the other hand, there were mothers who are what are being called "Helicopter Moms".  They're called that because they constantly hover over their children.  I'm pretty protective of Rylie Jo, but I don't think I hover.  I let her go to her friends house to play, she's stayed the night at her sister's house, etc.  She's allowed to play outside and ride her bike and I don't feel the need to be at her side constantly.  I want her to be independent but still feel like there is always that safe place in our arms. 

 

I wonder if these Helicopter Moms feel the need to keep their children reliant on them for their own selfish needs, because as long as that child depends on them, they feel needed and loved.  How sad for those children.  The one returning mother tried to turn it around and blame Dr. Phil for the fact that her daughter was now rebelling and doing things she didn't want her 17 year old doing.  DUH!  The girl is behaving exactly as Dr. Phil predicted 4 years ago the first time he talked to the woman and warned her of the consequences of being overly involved in her child's life. 

 

I remember back when we were kids.  We'd ride our bikes to the public pool and be gone for hours with no contact with Mom or Dad.  They just wanted to know where we were going and what time we would be home.  We'd play with the kids in the neighborhood and be outside all day long.  There were no cell phones or GPS devices for our folks to keep track of us.  Mom would open the door and say "get out and play".  If Dad was really annoyed with us he'd tell us to "go play in traffic", he was joking of course...I think. 

 

Me?  I truly believe in the phrase I cross-stitched about 15 years ago. 

"Give your children two things,

One is roots,

The other wings."

I can only pray that I am giving my children the right balance of security and independence.  If not, I'll feel as though I've failed as a parent.  I want them to be able to fly on their own, but always feel like they always have a a safe place to return to if need be, not matter where their life may take them.

 

(This is where I tried to put a poll in but AOL lost my entire entry by closing the page so I'll try saving before doing the poll.)

 

Actual poll is at the bottom of this entry.

 

So, if you had to label yourself as a parent, what would your label be?

 

Helicopter Parent--constantly hovering and not realizing your life and your child's are two different things.

Dunno Parent--dunno where my kid is nor do I care as long as I get to take a nap and they aren't bleeding.

Tightrope Walker--doin my best to maintain that balancing act & raise a healthy child that will grow up to be an independent adult.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Last night was a really good evening.  Steph's birthday was Sunday so we had the kids over for a Ham dinner.  I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful it feels when all our kids are getting along so well.  It took 11 years to get to this point and it's just a peaceful kind of feeling.  I love having all the kids over and having them all get along.  It's what Ray and I have always wanted and longed for.  We love all thekids and it just feels great to reach this point.  I always wondered what true contentment felt like...and I think I felt it for a few minutes last night.  Then I realized I had still had to clean up after everyone left.  LOL

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Last, but certainly not least, does anyone know what that banner up top is all about?  Does that mean all our journals are going to close down?  Or are we just going to lose all past entries?  What the heck is going on around here?! 

 

I clicked the link and all it said was that AOL Hometown is closing down.  It also included another link to read how to save all your stuff.  However, when I clicked it I got a blank page.  Thanks ever so much for the important information AOL. 

 

Have a wonderful Tuesday,

Jill Marie

Tags: cleaning tip, cloudy drinking glasses, AOL shutting down journals, helicopter parents, range free kids, parenting styles

aoljpollCreated, aoljpollCreated_1

Casserole Recipes

Good Monday morning ya'll!  I'm feeling really good this morning...like I just wanted to get up and "hug" the day.  Weird, I know...especially for me.  I'm not usually a morning person.  Oh well, here are some Casserole Recipes to look over and maybe give a try.

Tuna Noodle Casserole
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes

Ingredients
3  cups medium noodles (4 oz.)
1  cup chopped celery
1/4  cup chopped onion
1/4  cup butter
1/4  cup all-purpose flour
2  to 3 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
2-1/4  cups milk
1  12-oz. can chunk tuna, drained
1/2  cup bottled roasted red sweet peppers, chopped
  Potato chips, optional

 

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large saucepan cook noodles according to package directions. Drain; return noodles to pan.
2. For sauce, in medium saucepan cook celery and onion in hot butter until tender. Stir in flour, mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add milk all at once; cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly, whisking to remove any lumps.
3. Gently fold sauce, tuna, and peppers into noodles. Transfer to lightly greased 1-1/2-quart baking dish. Top with chips. Bake, uncovered, 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes. Serves 4.

Chicken Alfredo & Rice Casserole
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 50 minutes

 

Ingredients
1  10-oz. container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce
1/2  cup milk
2-1/2  cups cooked white rice or wild rice
2  cups cubed cooked chicken
1  cup frozen peas
1/3  cup chopped bottled roasted red sweet peppers
1/4  cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)
1  Tbsp. snipped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1  cup soft bread crumbs
1  Tbsp. butter, melted

 

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl combine pasta sauce and milk. Stir in rice, chicken, peas, sweet peppers, nuts, and basil. Transfer to 1-1/2-quart baking dish.
2. Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover and stir. Combine bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle atop. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes more or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.

Nacho Casserole
Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes

 

Ingredients
5  cups slightly crushed tortilla chips
4  cups cooked cubed or ground turkey or you can use chicken or hamburger
2  16-ounce jars salsa
1  10-ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
1/2  cup dairy sour cream
2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
1  cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers or mozzarella cheese

 

Directions
1. Lightly grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Place 3 cups of the tortilla chips in bottom of dish. In a large bowl combine turkey, salsa, corn, sour cream, and flour; spoon over tortilla chips.
2. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups tortilla chips and the cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Makes 8 servings.

Upside-Down Pizza Casserole
Prep: 20 min.
Bake: 15 min.

 

Ingredients
1-1/2  pounds lean ground beef
1  15-ounce can Italian-style tomato sauce
1-1/2  cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
1  10-ounce package refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits)

 

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large skillet cook beef until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Drain off fat. Stir in tomato sauce; heat through. Transfer mixture to a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Sprinkle mixture with cheese.
2. Flatten each biscuit with your hands; arrange the biscuits on top of the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven about 15 minutes or until biscuits are golden. Makes 5 servings.

Bean & Beef Encilada Casserole
Makes: 6 to 8 servings
Prep: 25 min.
Chill: up to 24 hours
Bake: 40 min.

 

Ingredients
1/2  pound lean ground beef
1/2  cup chopped onion
1  teaspoon chili powder
1/2  teaspoon ground cumin
1  15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1  4-ounce can diced green chili peppers
1  8-ounce carton dairy sour cream or light dairy sour cream
2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4  teaspoon garlic powder
8  6-inch corn tortillas
1  10-ounce can enchilada sauce or one 101/2-ounce can tomato puree
1  cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)

 

Directions
1. In a large skillet cook the ground beef, onion, chili powder, and cumin until onion is tender and meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir pinto beans and undrained chili peppers into meat mixture; set aside.
2. In a small mixing bowl stir together sour cream, flour, and garlic powder until combined; set aside.
3. Place half of the tortillas in the bottom of a lightly greased 2-quart rectangular baking dish, cutting to fit if necessary. Top with half of the meat mixture, half of the sour cream mixture, and half of the enchilada sauce. Repeat layers. Cover dish with plastic wrap; chill in refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
4. To serve: Preheat ovento 350F. Remove plastic wrap; cover dish with foil. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes more. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Creamy Macaroni & Cheese
Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes

 

Ingredients
4  strips bacon
1  large sweet onion, thinly sliced
6  oz. dry elbow macaroni
8  oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups)
2 to 4  oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1  cup half-and-half or light cream
1/8  tsp. pepper

 

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, turning once. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble. Reserve bacon drippings in skillet.
2. Cook onion in reserved bacon drippings for 5 to 8 minutes or until onion is tender and golden brown. Set aside.
3. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain and place in a 1-1/2-quart casserole. Add the crumbled bacon, onions, 1-1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the blue cheese, half-and half, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir gently. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes more or until top of casserole is brown and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes.

 

This morning I finally discovered the way to get Ray to do his one little bitty chore around the house.  Yep, he only has one chore that I expect him to do every week.  Take out the trash.  Usually it sits and sits until I get so frustrated that I take it out myself.  Well, this morning as he was on his way out the door, about to walk past 3 bags of trash, I just said "I'll have Rylie take out the trash today."   You should have seen his face, he said "No, no...I'll take that out for her."  And he did.  YEA!!!!  He actually took out the trash and I only had to say one little thing. 

Of course, before he left I told him I'd have to think of a few other "chores" for that baby girl to do.  Hmm, the flooring needs replaced by the shower, the tiles I bought for the bathroom, 9 months ago, are still in the box...LOL.  I now know the secret to getting him to do something, and it only took me 11 years, 11 months and 7 days to figure it out.  Yeah, I can be a slower learner sometimes.

I thought the following, from Daily OM, was an interesting little article.  During these economic times I'm sure we could all use a bit of insight to help us get through each day.

September 29, 2008
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Nothing Is Insurmountable

When our next best course of action seems unclear, any dilemmas we face can appear insurmountable. Yet there is nothing we cannot overcome with time, persistence, focused thought, help, and faith. Whatever the situation or problem, there is always a solution. And if you remember to look within, even as you search around you for the “right” course of action, you will be able to center yourself, clear your mind, and see that nothing has to be impossible.

The first step in overcoming any obstacle is to believe that it can be overcome. Doing so will give you the strength and courage to move through any crisis. The second step is to make a resolution that you can prevail over any chaos. Enlist your support network of family and friends if necessary. The more minds there are to consider a problem, the more solutions can be found. Don’t discount ideas just because they seem impractical or “unrealistic,” and don’t keep searching for the “best” alternative. Often there is no “best” choice, there is only a choice to make so we can begin moving beyond whatever is obstructing our path. At the very least, making a choice, even if isn’t the ideal one, can give you a sense of peace before you have to figure out what your next course of action will be.

If you feel overwhelmed by the scope of your troubles, you may want to think of other people who have turned adversity into triumph. We often gain a fresh perspective when we remember others who have overcome larger obstacles. It can be inspiring to hear of their victories, helping us remember that there is always light at the end of every tunnel. It is during our darkest hours that we sometimes need to remind ourselves that we don’t have to feel helpless. You have within and around you the resources to find a solution to any problem. And remember that if a solution or choice you make doesn’t work, you are always free to try another. Believe that you can get through anything, and you will always prevail.

Have a great week!
Jill Marie

Tags: casserole, recipes, daily om

Home Remedy--Bad Breath

Good Morning.  Here are a few tips if you suffer from bad breath.  Of course, you may want to read this AOL Health Article as bad breath may be a sign of something more serious.

Bad Breath

• Boil some cinnamon bark in a cup of water. Store it in a clean bottle in your bathroom. Use it as a mouthwash frequently.
• Parsley leaves are rich in chlorophyll, nature's own deodorizer. Chew some leaves regularly and your breath will remain fresh.
• You can chew some cardamom seeds to sweeten your breath.

I also found a few more Apple Recipes, from Pillsbury, that I want to share with you.

Easy Apple Foldovers with Apple Glaze
Refrigerated pie crusts make these apple foldovers easy. A pretty presentation and tempting treat!

INGREDIENTS
Filling
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 medium apples, peeled, finely chopped
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Crust
1 box (15 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
Glaze
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 to 3 teaspoons apple cider or apple juice

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix walnuts, brown sugar and butter with pastry blender or fork until crumbly. In medium bowl, stir together apples, flour and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside.
2. Unroll crusts on work surface. Cut each crust into quarters. Place about 1/4 cup apple mixture on one half of each pie crust wedge. Sprinkle with walnut mixture. Fold untopped half over filled half (foldovers will be full). Press edges with fork to seal. Prick top with fork. Place on ungreased large cookie sheet.
3. Bake 22 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over foldovers. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Cinnamon-Apple Crostata
This European-style tart is easily shaped on a cookie sheet and has an extra-cinnamony aroma while it bakes. Enjoy it warm from the oven.

INGREDIENTS
Crust
1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box
Filling
1/2 cup sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 cups thinly sliced, peeled cooking apples (4 medium)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts
Topping
Whipped cream, if desired

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 450°F. Remove pie crust from pouch; place flat on ungreased cookie sheet.
2. In medium bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch and cinnamon. Gently stir in apples. Spoon apple mixture onto center of crust, spreading to within 2 inches of edge. Fold crust edge over filling to form 2-inch border, pleating crust as necessary. Brush crust edge with water; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar.
3. Bake 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Sprinkle pecans over apple mixture. Bake 5 to 15 minutes longer or until apples are tender. Serve with whipped cream.



Slow-Cooked Praline Apple Crisp
The cinnamon-rich flavors of old-fashioned apple crisp meet the convenience of a slow cooker.

INGREDIENTS
6 medium-size crisp tart apples (Granny Smith or Braeburn), peeled if desired, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 6 cups)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup toffee bits
Ice cream, if desired

DIRECTIONS
1. Spray 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix apples and cinnamon to coat. Place in slow cooker.
2. In medium bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, flour and butter with pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Stir in pecans and toffee bits. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over apples.
3. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours. Serve apple crisp with ice cream.

I just love getting new recipes for my slow cooker!  And this one sounds really good.  I just wish I could find my other crock-pot so I could cook the apple crisp in one cooker while I'm doing a pot roast in the other.  LOL

Yesterday I began working on the linoleum tile floor in Sammi's house.  First I had to remove the existing tiles by the front door.  There were only about 20 of them down, but they were a real pain in the tush to get off the floor.  Ray finally came over to help me get started and we got about a third of the tiles down.

I have to go over today and put more adhesive on the sub-floor and then I can start putting the tiles down.  I think I'll leave the outer edge tiles for Ray...I'm just not too sure about cutting them.  I don't think I can do as well as Ray and his brother do.  We'll see.  I may try one and see how it goes from there.

I'll only have a few hours to work though.  Ray has an appointment with his new doctor today and I think he wants me to go with him.  His appointment is in the afternoon so that will give me at least 2-3 hours to get some work done. 

Well, I guess I better get my bum in gear.

Have a wonderful day,
Jill Marie

Tags: home remedy, bad breath, apple recipes

Tuesday Tip--Keeping shoes clean

Here are some tips for keeping a variety of shoes looking clean.

Sneakers: Oh, those smelly sneaks! To deodorize them, sprinkle 3 tablespoons baking soda into each shoe and leave overnight; pour out in the morning. Also helpful: spraying a foot antiperspirant/deodorant inside the sneakers before each wearing. To machine-wash non-leather sneakers, first remove laces and pretreat stains. Toss into a cold cycle. Let air-dry or put into the dryer with several towels on cool-air cycle.   (Actually, my sister-in-law says if you put bunched up newspaper into the shoes, they will dry a lot quicker.  She swears by it.)

Flip-flops and plastic sandals: These are fun to wear, but the open soles get imprinted with grime. Keep them from looking too grungy with a regular scrub in hot, soapy water. Use a toothbrush on nooks and crannies. Or for a full scouring, put thongs and slides in an empty dishwasher, secured to the top rack with a clothespin. Remove after the final rinse and let air-dry.

Hiking boots: Cleaning boots after a day's hike will make your next trek much more comfortable. If just the tops are dusty, a shoe brush will do the job. But if the boots are muddy, let them dry completely. Then, after removing the laces, go over the entire boot with a soft toothbrush, scrubbing seams and hidden spots. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Let boots air out before re-lacing, and stick a couple of used fabric softener sheets inside to help deodorize. If the boots are leather, apply an oil or cream conditioner after cleaning.

Cotton espadrilles and fabric slip-ons: Dunking these in water is a bad idea: The shoes can lose their shape, and rope-covered soles may come unglued. If the cloth gets dirty, treat it with a mild spray fabric cleaner. Allow the cleaner to dry to a powder, then brush it off.

Winter salt on Leather Shoes: Make a solution of one part water to one part white vinegar, and use it sparingly on the shoes. Dip a cloth into the solution, and dab it over the salt-streaked parts of your shoes.
May have to repeat the cleaning afew times before all the salt is removed.  Salt actually can damage leather, so it's best to clean shoes as quickly as possible. Don't let the salt stains build up.

I've got to get moving here.  Rylie has another dental appointment today.  This should be exciting...the last 2 times we've been to the dentist they had to papoose her.  This time we have an appointment with the dentist who is able to use laughing gas on children, so hopefully we won't have to wrap her up in that straight-jacket contraption.  I think it is as emotionally hard on me as it is on Rylie.

Samantha's place is almost done.  As soon as we get the flooring down she will be able to move her furniture in and begin getting her home all set up.  I've got the before pictures and will be sure to take some after pictures to share with ya'll.

Have a really awesome Tuesday.
Jill Marie

Tags: cleaning shoes, cleaning tips

Apple Recipes

Autumn is here and that means, around here anyway, lots of apples.  So here are a few recipes for all those delicious apples.

The Perfect Apple Pie  
Prep Time: 35 min   Total Time: 1 hr 25 min   Makes: 10 servings

2-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp.  salt
1 cup shortening
5 to 7 Tbsp.  ice cold water
6 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (about 4 large apples)
3/4 cup  sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp.  ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp.  lemon juice (optional)
 
PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Mix flour and salt in large bowl. Cut in shortening using a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

ADD water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, mixing lightly with fork until flour mixture is evenly moistened and clings together when pressed into a ball. Divide dough in half; shape each half into 1/2-inch-thick round. Wrap each dough round in plastic wrap; refrigerate 15 min.

MEANWHILE, toss apples with sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice in large bowl; set aside. Place 1 dough round between two large sheets of plastic wrap; roll out dough with rolling pin to flatten slightly, working from center of dough to the edge. Turn over; continue rolling until dough round is about 2 inches larger than diameter of inverted 9-inch pie plate.

PEEL off top piece of plastic wrap; invert dough into pie plate. Peel off remaining piece of plastic wrap; press dough evenly onto bottom and up side of pie plate, being careful not to stretch the dough. Trim any dough hanging over edge of pie plate with sharp knife or kitchen shears; reserve trimmings.

FILL with apple mixture; set aside. Roll out remaining dough as directed; place over filling. Trim top crust about 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold edge of top crust under edge of bottom crust; pinch edges together to form a ridge. Flute edge (see Tip). Cut several slits near center of pie to allow steam to escape.

BAKE 45 to 50 min. or until juices form bubbles that burst slowly. Cool.

Applesauce

4 Granny Smith apples
2 McIntosh or other sweet apple
Juice f 1 lemon
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of coarse salt

Peel, core and cut all apples into eighths. (I usually chop into smaller bits at this point rather than cooking big pieces of apple.)

Melt butter over medium high heat. Sprinkle sugar over; cook until sugar begins to brown.

Add apples; cook until they turn golden brown, about 8 minutes.

Stir in cinnamon and salt. Mash apples like you would potatoes, you can mash a  lot or leave it chunky, whichever you prefer.

Store refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Double-Dipped Gourmet Caramel Apples

4 or 5 medium apples
Wooden sticks
2 (14 ounce) packages caramels (96 pieces), divided

First Caramel Layer:
Wash and dry apples; insert stick into stem end of each apple.

Microwave 1 package of the caramels and 2 tablespoons of the water in a small deep micorwave safe bowl on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every minute. If caramel sauce is too thin, let stand about 2 minutes before dipping apples.

Dip apples into hot caramel sauce; turn until coated. Scrape excess sauce from bottom of apples. Place on greased wax paper. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.

Second Caramel Layer:
After refrigerating, repeat microwave and dipping directions with remaining the remaining package of caramels and 2 tablespoons water.

See decorating ideas below for warm caramel apples. Otherwise, refrigerate 1 to 2 hours. See decorating ideas below for chilled caramel apples.

Store decorated apples in refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving to allow caramel to soften. Makes 4 to 5 medium apples or 2 large (3/4 to 1 pound each).

Decorating ideas for warm caramel apples:
Roll in chopped pecans or nuts of your choice; drizzle with melted apples.

Decorate with non-pareil covered semi sweet chocolate chips; drizzle with melted white chocolate.

Roll in graham cracker pieces and miniature marshmallows; drizzle with melted chocolate.

Roll in macadamia nuts or premium mixed nuts; drizzle with melted white and semi-sweet chocolate.

Decorating ideas for chilled caramel apples:
Dip apple in melted chocolate, several times, waiting for chocolate to harden a little between each dip. Use white or semi-sweet chocolate or marbleize.

Dip bottom of apple in melted chocolate; decorate with toasted coconut and slice almonds.

Decorate with melted white or semi-sweet chocolate and sprinkles.

Any of these apples can be decorated with anything you choose, such as raisins, chopped malted milk balls, peanut butter chips, chopped potato chips or preztels.

Mmm, if you've never made homemade applesauce before, give it a try.  It's really easy and it makes the whole house smell absolutely delicious. 

Have a beautiful week!
Jill Marie

Tags: apple pie, applesauce, caramel apple, recipes

Click to give a free mammogram

If you haven't been by there lately, or if you've never heard of it, please visit the following link to help provide free mammograms for women who can't afford them.  I was lucky enough to get my first mammogram this year and I am deeply grateful for programs such as this.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com

Have a beautiful weekend!
Jill Marie

Home Remedy--Athletes Foot

Here are a few helpful tips for curing and preventing Athletes Foot.

Athletes Foot

 

• Take the skin off of the garlic cloves.  Put the garlic through the garlic press.  Spread the mixture over any affected area of the foot.  Allow the mixture to set on feet for 5 to 10 minutes.  Repeat for several days until it clears up.
• Mix one part of tea tree oil with 9 parts of another oil, Either peanut oil or olive oil. store this mixture in a bottle and apply some to the affected areas 2 times a day. In a week or so you will see that your feet look and feel a lot better. Keep up this until all of the athletes foot is dead and gone.
• Soak feet in very warm water with about one part white vinegar to four parts water, for 20 - 30 minutes, 2 times a day, until the fungus is no longer visible and irritating.
• Try using cornstarch to cure athletes foot.  (* I don't know if this will cure athletes foot, but it may help cut down on the moisture if you're wearing socks.)

The best cure is prevention.  Be sure to wear flip flops or some other sort of foot wear in public showers.  Hard surfaces like tubs and bathroom tile, that are often wet can harbor the fungus. By bleaching them twice a week you can greatly reduce your risk of re-contracting athletes foot after you cure yourself of it.

If you do catch athletes foot, remember that it needs moisture to survive, so sweaty feet grow it the most. Prevent this by wearing sandles or go barefoot when you can. If you have to wear shoes, change your socks often to keep them from getting sweaty.

I can't believe it's already Thursday.  Wow, this week is just flying by.  Other than the bathroom and the spare room, I think I may be able to finish up with the painting at Sammi's new house.  It is looking really good. 

Of course, it will look even better when we can get some floor covering down.  I took measurements of all the floors and windows yesterday and wrote them down in a little notebook.  I'll also paste samples of the paint we used in that notebook.  Then Sammi can put it in her purse and whenever she is out shopping and see's something for the house she'll know what size she needs and if it will look good with her paint.

I'm so freaking anal that sometimes it scares me.  LOL  I've even already made some folders with labels for her utilities, etc.  Yep, I probably have copies of bills from 5 years ago and the date, amount & check number that I paid them.  Yeah...I confess...I'm a wee bit anal.

Well, have a good day.  I have a load of clean clothes that have been screaming at me to come and fold them since last night. 

Jill Marie

Tags: athletes feet

Cleaner Dishes and Glasses Tip

Good morning, want cleaner dishes coming out of your dishwasher?  Then try this quick and easy tip...

Cleaner Dishes and Glasses: Pour 1 ½ cup to 2 cups white distilled vinegar in the bottom of dishwasher, along with regular dishwasher soap.  Wash full cycle. 

Here's a quote to think about...
"A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval." — Mark Twain

Well, I got Samantha's bedroom ceiling primed and ready to paint.  I also went around and covered any area that hadn't been primed and needed to be, or that didn't get a heavy enough coat of primer. 

I don't feel like painting today but I have a dentist appointment on Wednesday so I suppose I should go over and at least try to get the coat of paint on the bedroom ceiling.  Blah...I'd rather sleep.  It's just kind of a poopy morning and I don't feel like doing much.

I still have one load of laundry left to fold and I don't even feel like doing that.  Ugh--I hate autumn.  It's just so depressing.  I know lots of people who like it and all the fall colors but to me it seems like the season of death.  I LOVE spring...new growth, new life, re-birth, warming temperatures, birds singing and sun shining.  Yep, I'm definately a Spring and Summer girl.  Those seasons just don't seem to last long enough while Autumn and Winter just seem to drag by for me. 

Alrighty then...I think I've bummed myself and ya'll out enough for the day, lol.

Have a good one!
Jill Marie

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwiches

Good Morning!  This is one of my honey's favorite meals.  He loves this for dinner and he usually eats so much of it that I don't have to fix any sides, although I try to make some green beans or something so they get a veggie in.  Even Rylie ate some last week (she is such a finicky eater) and she said it was really good too.

Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwiches

Brown Gravy Mix
Fresh Roast Beef from the deli OR a can of Roast Beef
Bread
Mashed Potatoes

You can use a package of Gravy Mix or make your own gravy.  I usually make homemade gravy using beef boullion, flour, water and salt & pepper to taste.  After the gravy is made add bite size pieces of Roast Beef.  The fresh roast beef is good, but when the budget calls for it, the canned beef is just as good.  The gravy is really what matter with this meal. 

Place a slice of bread on the plate, top the bread with a scoop of mashed potates and top that with gravy.  My ol' man likes it double stacked, lol.  It's a really easy meal if you use gravy mix and fake taters.  Of course, I prefer homemade gravy and real taters.  If your just feeding 2-3 people use one package of the gravy mix.  For more people use 2 packages of gravy and add a little more beef to it.  It really depends on the appetites of the people you are feeding.

I've been busy helping Samantha paint the new place.  It is such a pain in the tush...the old man that lived there was such a heavy smoker and we have to prime everything before we can even begin painting.  The ceilings are the worst.  Even after two coats of primer and a coat of paint the nicotine stains are bleeding through.  Ugh!  So gross.  Although, even with the stains coming through, the ceilings look 10 times better than they did before we began.

I'll be going down there today to finish priming the master bedroom and maybe begin some painting.  Although I should really get started on priming the bathroom.  We'll see what I am able to get done.  If I can get all the priming done then we can just start the painting and hopefully get it all done in the next few days.

I should probably get off here and go get some of my own chores done here this morning before I go and do anything else.  I have at least 3 loads of laundry I need to attack.

Have a great day!
Jill Marie

Tags: Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwiches, recipe

Have ya'll seen the ABC show called Extreme Home Makeover?  Well, Ty Pennington and his crew have been in Toledo this week.  They are doing a home for Jackie & Aaron Frisch who are raising 11 children, 8 or whom (I believe) were adopted.  I think I heard that one of them was adopted from the Toledo area and the rest are boys who were adopted from Haiti.

The ol' man went over on Wednesday evening to work on the HVAC installation with a lot of other volunteers.  They were suppose to begin work at 4pm, however the build was behind schedule and he was told not to show up until 7pm.  I called him at 10:30pm to say good-nite and luv you's and he told me that they still hadn't been into the house yet because things were behind but they were suppose to get in any minute.  He got home around 9:30am on Thursday.

He said it was very exciting and that it was like a little city.  Lot's of food and volunteers and there were huge lights up outside and you wouldn't even know it was night time out there.  He really enjoyed volunteering and helping out with such a huge project.

This isn't his first time working as a volunteer either.  He has helped work on at least 2 Habitat For Humanity homes.  He really enjoys helping people who really need the help and that appreciate what is being done for them.  And, as he says, it's good for our karma too.

In other news, Sammi was approved by the community manager to buy the single wide for $99.  Her deposit was a little more than we had hoped for, but her father is going to help her with it, Thank God.  I'm going today to buy some paint.  She closes on Saturday at 9:30am and she will receive the keys then.  We'll go right away and get started on painting.  There is no carpet anywhere in the home, they took it all out because the guy was such a heavy smoker and they said it really, really stank.

We're thinking about just putting linoleum tiles down in the kitchen and living room and then she can use some area rugs.  Then we could get some remnant carpet to use in the 2 bedrooms.  I know she'd really like to carpet it all, but even a cheap job is about $700 to carpet 3 rooms (45 sq. yards) and that is just too far out of her budget right now.  I wish I could give her about $1000 to use as she needs, but I just can't afford to.  However, I will paint, clean and do whatever else I can to help her out.

I've picked up a few things for her at the store.  Just little things that were on sale.  Mom also called me last night and said she found some really cute little lamps on sale on Wal-Mart and wanted to know if the set of table and chairs she had at the lake cottage would be something that Sam could use in her kitchen.  It's a round table about 30" across, but sits high like a bar and has two bar stools with it.  I said it would probably be just about perfect.  She also has a small little dresser, which is just what Sammi said she needs, that she can have. 

There is a little desk built into the front bedroom where she can put her computer.  I'm gonna give her my love-seat that pulls out into a bed for the front bedroom.  That way she can use it as a sitting room/guest room. 

I think she said her Dad told her she could have his old tv when he gets his new one.  So now all she needs is a full-size mattress set and frame, coffee & end tables, window coverings, linens and pots & pans.  LOL, yep, that's all.

I've been going to some of the re-sale shops and checking out what they have.  We could get a used mattress set at one place for about $80, but then sheesh, we may be able to find her a new set for around $200.  So it's kind of silly to buy a used set, but she needs it NOW and she just can't afford it right away.

Well, I've got some things to do around here before I go and buy the paint, so take it easy and have a wonderful weekend!

Jill Marie

Sorry for the lateness of this post.  AOL was being real touchy this morning and would not let me post an entry. 

Arthritis

• A daily serving of fresh fish or fish oil capsules helps to give relief of arthritis and other joint pains.
• 3-4 walnuts eaten daily, on an empty stomach, will help.
• Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
• WD-40 ~ Spray and rub in.
• Some say they relieve the pain by rubbing castor oil on the affected joints.
• Reportedly, the consumption of fresh coconut helped relieve the pain of arthritis for some.

Have a great Friday!
Jill Marie

Sunflower harvesting?

Okay I just went outside to clean up my garden a wee bit.  I found that my tallest sunflower, which had probably grown to about 12' tall, was at the point where the petals were beginning to drop but the birds hadn't gotten to the seeds yet.  So I'm wondering does anyone know the best way to harvest the seeds?

I'd like to save several to plant next year.  I know that I need to just let them dry out.  However, I'd like to use the rest for snacking.  Do I let these dry out too?  Or should I remove them from the head then salt and bake them like pumpkin seeds?  Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Jill Marie