Sunday, July 25, 2010

Revolutionary Chilli Dip

I like things to be easy.

Recently, my good friend Alex and I went to eat in a small North Carolina town that had a "great I-talian" place. Being unafraid of a small town dive, Alex and I braved the trip and went to eat. I ordered a salad, Chicken Piccata (which gave me confindence in the establishment since they had more than just lasagna and spaghetti). The salad arrived and then the Chicken Piccata was brought out. It looked lovely, and it was served with a side of...you guessed it, spaghetti. I began eating my chicken which was excellent save for the overly crisp artichokes which were somehow introduced to the dish. I then thought, I should try the spaghetti, after all they were nice enough to serve it. MISTAKE! I used my spoon, and twirled those noodles around my fork expecting a nice sauce. Instead I was introduced to Dollar Store spaghetti sauce infused with canned chilli. For crying ourt loud people, it does not take that much time to brown meat to add to spaghetti sauce! So, why am I talking about my trip to North Carolina for Italian while sharing a dip recipe? It turns out that canned chilli is suitable for the base of a wonderful dip.

If you are from the South and many of you are, you will know that we like a good battle. So why not use some darn good shooting dip the next time you do battle with a stack of chips! The basic idea in this dip is simple, chilli and cream cheese. Immediately, you may think, I don't keep spare chilli just hanging around the house. Well, I don't either...kinda. As I grew up in some of the finest school cafeterias South Carolina had to offer in the late seventies and eighties, one thing was always readily availible, Bunker Hill Chilli. When the FDA approved ketup as a vegatable, the brave ladies of the cafeteria fought for the right to open a can of Bunker Hill and make, as some have often told me, "Them kids some chilli for the hotdogs! We gotta keep 'em happy"

As a child, and even as an adult, I am picky about my hot dogs, I do not want one of those bright red ones like I had in school(and how did they make them so BRIGHT RED? I DO NOT want Bunker Hill Chilli on my hotdog; I want my mama's chilli (recipe to come later if she will share). Yet, Bunker Hill is good for something, this dip. Why call it Revolutionary, simple enough, Bunker Hill, before it went into the chilli canning business, was known as a famous battle site of the American Revolution. This recipe also also uses Philli Cream Cheese, yet another food based site that holds important historical importance as it was the birthplace of the United States Constitution. Who knew my recipes would now have a history lesson embedded?

So before I turn over this recipe, I must give a warning. When melting Cream Cheese in the microwave, be aware that it gets hot and will explode when removed from the microwave if you try to melt it too quickly. I know this from an ugly Christmas incident back in 2005, and still have the burn scar on the side of my nose. I will also offer some variation below the main recipe.

REVOLUTIONARY CHILLI DIP

1 8 oz block Cream Cheese (Philli is my favorite)
1 can of chilli (Bunker Hill would be my recommendation)
1 tsp garlic powder

Place cream cheese in a microwave safe container. Cook on high for 2 minutes. Remove and stir. Repeat until cream cheese is melted, normally after the third time. Place chilli and garlic powder into cream cheese. Mix well and heat on high one final time for two minutes. Serve while hot. Great with tortilla chips!

VARIATION

In the variation, you will need Velveeta Cheese as well. Once the chilli and cream cheese are well mixed, place thin slices of Velveeta over the chilli   andcream cheese mixture. Place under a hot broiler until Velveeta becomes bubblely and starts to brown.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Leave the Luggage Behind…

Planning a great get away? Gonna head to the hills? Maybe you are following the advance of that old Sheryl Crowe song and you're Leaving Las Vegas. Whatever your reason, there may be luggage and packing in your future; especially as it is summer vacation. Many people get excited over the prospect of packing a suitcase. One good friend, let's call him Swain (to protect the guilty) packs for a trip like nothing I've ever seen. In fact, the last time I took him to the airport, another friend, Gill rode with us. As we pulled up to the departure gate, I got out of the car to help with the luggage. Upon returning to the car, Gill innocently inquired, "How long is he going away? Doesn't he know all that cost money?" I had to admit, as I pulled each bag out the car I kept thinking, "fifty dollars, fifty dollars, fifty dollars….. " Swain could have traveled cheaper by renting a U-haul and driving his luggage as opposed to the fees he incurred due to his packing and need to take more items than Diana Ross takes on an 82 city concert tour- he was only traveling for six days. I digress.

The fundamental problem in this story is Swain not knowing what to take, and what to leave behind. In another instance, I traveled with Paul. Paul packs the minimum of what is needed; laptop, toiletries, a pair of pants and shirt for each day and some clean underwear. Enough said. You would think. However, Paul goes to great pain to iron his clothes before packing them, and then as he unpacks at the destination, he is appalled to find that his clothing looks like a Shar-Pei. "This will never do, people will think I have never met an iron."I don't understanding ironing to do more iron when you arrive.

Let's solve a couple of problems in what I like to call, Packing for Travel 101.

  1. You are not moving to the new destination. Repeat it with me. This is aimed at so many people I know. I am ridiculed for a laptop bag, a carry-on bag with a week's supply of clothing, and a tote bag with a few books etc. Yes, I want to have options in my clothing, but for goodness sake, who are you trying to impress on vacation?
  2. If traveling on vacation, roll your clothing or buy some space bags. You will be shocked at the amount of space you save when you pack this way. I began rolling my clothing when I was sixteen years old. I was headed to the middle of nowhere Georgia for Drum Major Camp; I rolled my undergarments and made nice balls out of my socks. This worked rather nicely, before I knew it, was rolling t-shirts, shorts, you name it. The habit even took over in my home life. I challenge you to examine the chest of drawers in my home and find something not rolled. I believe this is a key to saving space when traveling. I also believe I support this method as everything you roll begins looking a Little Debbie Swiss Cake, one of my favorites from childhood.
  3. When traveling and not flying, DO NOT PACK A SUITCASE! I am not saying roam Myrtle Beach baring all. I am simply offering an alternative. Use a plastic storage bin. My friend, Boy Scout Max, has shown me the light in this area. Max does not pack a suitcase for a week at the beach; instead he packs a plastic bin. Sounds strange, but I assure you it works. Let's dissect this idea. If you pack your clothing in bin, you have more room and you do not have to struggle with zippers catching your clothing. Second, when you arrive at the destination, you will unpack. No big deal. Here is the beauty in Max's plan. Use the bin as a laundry hamper. I hate nothing more than having to fold dirty clothes so they can be packed for the return trip only to arrive home, throw them in the washing machine, and inevitably, folding them yet again. Life is too short, sling the clothes in the bin and move on with vacation.
  4. In The South, yes it is capitalized in our part of the world; we like to take food products on vacation. For instance, all of my childhood beach memories involve getting up early in the morning, say 4:00 am, to load the car with luggage and groceries which were purchased the night before, that now need to be bagged again for the trip. Let me assure the bread was always a mess by the time we reached Horry County. Why bother with paper or those pesky white plastic bags? Take Max's advice and use a storage bin. For non-perishable items, the plastic bin works well too. It is a miracle of modern science.

I hope these tips will enlighten and make travel easier. Enjoy the summer and vacation…don't stress over the luggage!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sleepy +Poet = Bargain Fun



Do you love antiques, vintage, or just fun Junque? I do…in fact I thrive on it. You never know when you will need an additional punch bowl, a new set of Fire King Bowls, or even some new plates, silver or what have you. If you read this blog, then you already know I love linens and many other things from the past. Where do you find such great items? Well, let me personally endorse the Sleepy Poet in Charlotte, NC. The shop is located at 4450 South Blvd, opened late Friday and Saturday, for those of you who hate to stop antique shopping at 5 o’clock - (704) 529-6369 for more details. This 55,000 square foot store offers anything you could possibly need, want, or purchase. This mega mart of antiques boasts some of the most unique items you will find in the Upstate/Metrolina area.
So, what have I picked up there? Over the years numerous items for home and office have come from the “Poet.” One of my favorite finds was a steal of a deal – a bridge table with inlaid wood, a shocking $45. You just can’t find deals like that anywhere else, I know, trust me, I’ve done the leg work in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and even a few peeks into Tennessee.
So large furniture is not your thing due to limited room in the house? Well, I believe one can rearrange the house to squeeze one more thing in the rooms. Recently, I have come to the realization that I need to build-on to the house to accommodate more furniture. As I shared this with one vendor in the “Poet,” she told me she used to supply extra rooms on homes, but due to the recent swing in the economy, home construction for items was no longer a service. This is an example of what make the “Poet” a great place to shop. You see vendors in the shop all the time and get to know many of them personally as they strike up conversations with those wide-eyed shoppers.
In The Sleepy Poet, you will also find a wide variety of glassware and silver (sterling and plate). I enjoy looking at each piece, and I even have my eye locked in on a beautiful item to hold my decanters, I would love to tell you about its location, but then you might think it would look beautiful in your home too. I purchased 6 embroidered linen napkins on my last visit for $6. Vintage linens for such a price, unheard of! Now, I just have to find somewhere to store them as my linens will soon need a room of their own; maybe if I write her, Martha Stewart will take pity on me and build a linen room for my house. I also procured a tiled tray from the 1960’s, several ramekins for a future dinner party, and a Forest Green Vase.
As you can tell, the shopping at the “Poet” is addictive and easy. A special service unique to the poet is the roving staff. Yes, most antique stores have someone walking around with a sour look on their face waiting for you to drop a piece Fenton; not the staff at The Sleepy Poet, they are there for you. As you pile your treasures in your arms and begin to struggle with them as you walk around the store, a friendly face often pops up to say, “Can take this up front to start of stack for you while you finish shopping? “ What a welcomed relief, as I am extremely clumsy and have single handedly destroyed a display in the local Stein Mart while walking around. I swear I did not touch it ;my sister disputes this statement to this day… If the guys and gals of the “Poet” will walk my finds to the front of the store, who am I to complain? It is just less risk of me dropping something or being accused of such.
Did I mention the clothes? So, Vintage dressing fits you like a pair of strappy sandals fits Carrie Bradshaw? You can’t beat the “Poet.” I will admit, several winter coats in my closet were adopted at The Sleepy Poet. I would recommend shopping here for those readers who attend Retro-Fest in Spartanburg each year. You will out shine everyone.
I encourage you to walk around The Sleepy Poet soon. As you explore the store, be sure to ask for a map, yes you may get lost, but if you are as Obsessive-Compulsive as I am, then you need have a plan of attack for the shop. The map helps in this plan. As you enter listen to the music, I don’t know whose playlist this is, but it is the best music of any antique store I’ve ever entered; Vanilla Ice, to the Beatles, The Eagles to ABBA. In fact I would love to get many of the songs for myself. There are so many different items, I feel like every little treasure I find was personally put there for me; kind of like an Island of Misfit Toys for a Adults, but even better no misfits here it’s an Island of Antique Finds!



Island of Antique Finds…to the tune of Island of Misfit Toys…Just for Fun!



We're at the Sleepy Poet
Here we’re on display
We want to travel with you today
In your car far away!

A pack full of silver
Means a fun time to polish
For millions of girls
And for millions of boys
When you buy something here
The most wonderful day of the year.

A Fenton Compote waits for collectors to shout
"Wake up! Don't you know that it's time to take me out!"
When you buy something here
The most wonderful day of the year.



Finds galore, Greet you at the door
There's no room for more
And it's the cause of joyful calls.

A rocker for Jimmy
A dolly for Sue
The kind that will even say, "How do you do?"
When buy something here
The most wonderful day of the year.

--(this part is spoken)--
How would you like to find a Depression glass bowl?
Or a Vintage bowtie with polka dots and stripes?
Or a punch bowl that still has glasses?
They're all antiques!
How would you like to find a crystal vase? It’s Waterford!
Or a carnival glass flower frog?
Or a gravy boat that’s Sterling Silver?
They're all antiques.

If we're at The Sleepy Poet
We'll miss all the fun with the girls and the boys
When you decorate your house
The most wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful day of the year!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Flashback Party

As summer is getting into full swing, entertainment is flourishing. Backyard cookouts are the order of the day, but how do you make your gathering stand out? BBQ Chicken or maybe corn roasted on the grill would set your party apart. So what do you do? Here are two ideas to help make you shine in front of your guest.
Plan One- Simple enough, have a television themed party. I know what you are thinking, cook and watch television, where is the fun in that? Actually, you make it retro. Use an online movie service to rent a classic television show. You will want to theme the menu for the event around the television show. For example, you could watch Barnaby Jones, the first episode in season one, shows that the great detective loves milk and ribs. So serve up some ribs with milk and homemade cookies for dessert. You could also create a great meal based on Wonder Woman, with Paradise Island Fruit Salad (a nod to Diana Prince’s homeland)…. However you decide to do it, it is an extraordinary opportunity to flashback to the great by gone days of television, image The Facts of Life with Toottie Fruiti desert and Polniaczek Pierogies (for those fans of Jo).
Plan Two- You can have Drive-In Movie night to entertain the masses. This is a great theme idea that is sure to please. First acquire a movie projector. I found mine at a local department store for less than $75. Use the sde of the house, a fence panel, or even a whit sheet hanging from the clothesline. Decide on a movie which is family friendly, remember you are turning the backyard into a movie theatre, don’t have a movie with a lot of swearing, as the neighbors will not approve. Theme the meal to coordinate with a drive in menu, hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, even an assortment of candy bars and other candies for dessert. Don’t forget the popcorn for an appetizer.
Below are some ideas for television shows and movies… Share your ideas and menus with others when you host your flashback party.

Classic Television Ideas (In no particular order)
1. Wonder Woman
2. Barnaby Jones
3. Hawaii Five-O (which returns to television this fall)
4. I Love Lucy
5. My Three Sons
6. Mister Ed
7. Mary Tyler Moore Show
8. The Munsters
9. Gilligan’s Island
10. Charlie’s Angels
Movie Ideas (Friendly for all ages- In no particular order)
1. Watcher in the Woods
2. North Avenue Irregulars
3. The Trouble with Angles
4. The Ghost and Minster Chicken
5. The Great Muppet Caper
6. Desk Set
7. Bell, Book, and Candle
8. Seems Like Old Times
9. Arsenic and Old Lace
10. Harvey

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Weed Eaters

As I sit typing, I realize that today, just 20 minutes ago to be exact is the first day of summer. As the days once again the course of shrinking into oblivion, One may question how to proceed with the yard. We see our neighbors’ yards bright and green, appearing as if a little slice of Augusta National was placed in your area simply to make your yard look bad. You look out the front window of your house and see weeds smiling back at you. Where is the justice in this story? Why have you been stricken? What did you do to deserve this curse?
Weeds in the lawn are one thing; We can generally take care of them by simply adding some commercial granules to the turf. One friend of mine has even reported, “I just cut the grass real low, then nobody can tell weed from Bermuda.” This may be true for a day, maybe even two, but slowly the pesky purple headed catmints begin to spring up on his lawn like lost relatives on an episode of Jerry Springer. Another friend insists on burning weedy spots in the yard. I always drive by his house and wonder if he had a clover problem or if a UFO landed and scorched the grass. It is like his special form of crop circles. The point is everyone has an approach to weeding. If it works for you, great! I even toyed around with a new method of clover control this summer.
Weeds in the lawn are not the ones we need to worry about, it is the stealth weed. Are you familiar with it? I bet it is closer than you think. Imagine a beautiful lane. White picket fences, immaculately manicured lawns and 2.36 children play in each yard. You have the picture. You leave the house at 7 to drop the kids off at day camp, run some errands, even lunch with friends. You pause to admire your freshly power-washed concrete. As you return home, you feel a rift in the force…the lane is not at piece, 4 kids play in each yard, pink flamingos have perched in the neighbors trees, and suddenly you see it, you yard is the culprit. At five o’clock, you discover the terrible truth. At first you wonder, “Did the kids spill green paint on the driveway? “ No, they didn’t. Somehow in the last ten hours, four dandelions, 7 stalks of catmint, and an inestimable of crabgrass has clogged those small cracks and creases in the drive? “NOOOOOO!” you scream, but it is ultimately too late, the stealth weeds have come at you with a vengeance.
There are two easy methods to deal with this problem, I warn you they are not for the faint at heart as death and agony will occur; to the weeds not you. Both solutions involve NaCl, regular good old sodium chloride, Salt! Method One- this is the easier of the two; sprinkle salt in the cracks. This is best used before the first green blades appear. However, if the blades have appeared, you may need something stronger. I don’t know about you, but I personally like to punish my weeds, make them uncomfortable, make them pay for their crimes. So, if you are feeling like a home and garden vigilantly, this is the method for you. First bring a nice pot of water to a boil. Add salt to this rolling pot of angry steam, not a pinch or a dash, add salt; make it your own personally boiling ocean. Next take care not to burn yourself (oven mitts, close toed shoes, and long pants). Walk the boiling pot to the offending area. Release the salt--- blast it upon anything green showing in the cracks. The plants will immediately die and the salt prevents their return.
Harsh? Yes. Effective? Beyond belief. Weed free drive, walk, and patio – priceless.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Santa Fe for a Day

Easy is always a must whether you are cooking in the summer or winter, for one or twenty-one. When it's hot outside, I hate to cook a huge meal and make the kitchen hot. Who actually wants to get hot, even break a sweat, and then try to eat a meal? I am not keen on the idea, and I know you aren't either. So how does one prepare a great meal, with a minimum of effort and still not heat up the kitchen? I will say for some friends scared of cooking, they would simply say, "Well there is that quote about heat and staying out of the kitchen." I like to keep it cool in the kitchen, but who wants to eat the same thing over and over again? Spaghetti is a simple meal. I hate spaghetti. Those of you who know me are laughing at this point as I complain about spaghetti frequently. However, I have a better use of noodles….


 

Santa Fe Pasta

I package of Angel hair pasta

2 jars Alfredo sauce

8 chicken breast halved (skinless/boneless)

2 tbs. cumin

2 tsp. red pepper

2 tsp. garlic

1 can black beans

Shredded Monterrey jack cheese

Tortilla chips


 

Sauté chicken until cooked completely and liquid runs clear. While chicken is cooking, boil angel hair pasta for 8 to 10 minutes and drain. Heat Alfredo sauce and combine with cumin, red pepper, and garlic. When chicken in cooked, dice and combine with drained noodles and Alfredo sauce. Let mixture simmer over low heat. Warm black beans.

TO SERVE: Place noodle mixture on dinner plate. Top with black beans and shredded cheese. Garnish with tortilla chip.

  • Variation for this recipe include using shrimp instead of chicken.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Mushroom Pate - - - No chickens died in the making of this dish!

It's a warm summer day, a friend calls and invites you and the family over for a cookout tonight, how charming you think and accept the invitation. However, you realize you should probably take something for the meal. You hate to cook; in fact after 17 years of marriage, you still have the pots and pans you received from Aunt Gert as a wedding gift sitting in the box buried in the hallway closet. So what is a simple recipe that you can enjoy? Mushroom Pate!
Sounds Odd, yes, looks even odder, of course, but it is out of this world!
This is a recipe that a friend gave me many years ago. I have added and deleted items; yet, it always turns out incredible. So here's the plan.
Start with mushrooms, you know the ones in the produce section, little white button style. Wash them and lightly pat dry. Then slice them. As you slice, put a skillet on the stove and let it begin to warm with 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add mushrooms to the skillet as you slice them and let them sautee. Next, dice the onion, and you guessed it, add to the mushrooms. These should simmer together for 5 minutes. Open a can of black olives. Drain out 1/2 of the brine, add the rest along with the olives to the mushroom and onion mixture. Let the liquid begin to reduce and then put in 1/3 cup white wine. Add a few dashes of basil, parsley, and garlic. Cook until liquid is reduced. I know, difficult so far. Transfer medley to a blender or food processors to puree. This is the hardest part if you use a blender. Once blended you have a gray colored dip. Simply add to a mold and turn out to display elegantly or you can top with freshly shredded Smoked Swiss and place under the broiler until browned. Serve with toast points, crackers, or your favorite crunchy snack!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

School is out for the summer. The heat is unbearable....the kids yell for the pool...you've squeezed every single doctor’s appointment into a small window to work for the kids. When you arrive home, after a great day of “vacation,” you are alarmed to hear the simple statement, “I’m hungry.” You try to ignore it for five maybe ten minutes. Maybe it will be like the casserole you left in the frig from Christmas; if you ignore it then it will go away (or at least relocate to the back of the refrigerator). However, the question soon follows the statement, “what are we gonna eat tonight?” You begin to think, “hmmm, take out, no.” You run for the frig and discover that old Mother Hubbard had more stockpiled than you. You really do not want to run out and get something to cook, but you have salad dressing, some frozen chicken and some crumbs. Suddenly, the clouds part, light radiates upon you, a chorus of voice sing in unison, Ranch chicken.

Ranch Chicken
2 lbs. Boneless/skinless chicken breast strips
1 bottle ranch dressing
Bread crumbs
¼ stick butter

Clean chicken breast strips. Place ranch dressing in a bowl. In a separate bowl, place ½ container of bread crumbs. Dip the chicken in the ranch dressing until well coated. Dredge coated chicken in bread crumbs. Place in buttered baking dish. Make a single layer of chicken in the baking dish. Top chicken with remaining bread crumbs and butter and cover with aluminum foil. Place dish in a 350 degree oven and bake 45 to 50 minutes. Uncover for last 10 minutes.
• Variation for this recipe can use French dressing instead of Ranch Dressing.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Lemon Pie, Lemon Pie...A Tribute to Nanny

My grandmother, Nanny, was amazing. If she had a cup of mixed beans, two slices of bread, and a slice of ham, she could turn it into something outstanding. I love Lemon Pie, who doesn't? Yet, there is one problem, bad lemon pie is a major downer. I hate to go out to eat, you see lemon pie on the menu, you think, "Great, nice place to eat, I bet it is even homemade!" Your palate starts to quiver...you grow a bit light headed, drunken by the idea of fresh pie. You order. The waiter approaches the table, heaven and all of its splendors are only 3 steps away. Then the plate is placed in front of you; the waiter grins, proud that he has upsold you a piece of pie. You look down.....
Suddenly, you realize that you have one of two items. In some places you have a piece of frozen pie. "WHY!" The voice in your head cries out. Then you become angry, you have paid $5.99 for a slice of semi-iced pie, which you could have bought at the local grocery for $3.99, of course buy one get one free, that is a whole pie, two in fact for less than you bought one slice. The other complication in pie purchases away from home is the homemade jello pie. This is an allusive creature, but once you've stared it in the face you know...it is a killer. Take the idea of lemon jello in a graham cracker crust, exciting huh? Then pull out the food service whipped cream. I have no idea what this stuff is, but I assume it is made out of some type of high fructose corn syrup and a petroleum based product. This tops the pie; yes, an oil and corn based product, which may have been created from the gulf oil disaster is the crowning top of your over priced pie. It even leaves a slimey film in the roof of your mouth.
So why did I start out speaking of my grandmother? Nanny made the best lemon pie.I have embraced this recipe and now, I offer it to you. It is simple. Yes,you can do this with three kids, a dog, four cats, and goldfish hanging from you as you struggle through the kitchen. Nanny's birthday recently passed. I still think of her often, so try this recipe tonight in her memory. Everyone will enjoy.

Nanny’s Lemon Pie
My grandmother used to make this pie when I was little, and it is truly my favorite. She always made a homemade graham cracker crust, but a store brought will work just as well.
1/3 cup Lemon juice
1 can Eagle Brand Condensed milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
4 tablespoons sugar
1 graham cracker pie crust

Stir lemon juice, condensed milk, and vanilla extract with 2 egg yokes; blend well. Place mixture in pie crust. Make meringue from egg white and sugar mixture beating until peaks form. Spread meringue over pie filling. Place pie in a 325 degree oven and bake 15 minutes until golden brown.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Wow it's May?

So, I have been horrible at blogging, I have not updated in ages. I hope to be better beginning this week. It is my goal to have at least three post a week...I guess we will see. Look for a great new recipe on Monday; a spicy cream cheese dip.

Monday, February 8, 2010

To Market To Market...

What happened to the weekend? I went on a fantastic trip to the antique and collectible show. What did I buy? Not a lot. I know, you're wondering what could have stopped me from going on a once a month buying spree? It isn't that I did not buy, I bought plenty, however, I was very particular in my purchases. I know some people do not like the old fashioned things, but let's take a little trip and examine why people used the things they used and then see if your opinion changes.

The first purchase was a very unique glass dish. We all have these trinket dishes. Most of them were our mother's or grandmother's. They sit patiently waiting in the recesses of the kitchen cabinet, longing to see the light of day. Hoping for a moment of sunlight to illuminate the glass and release its beauty. Yet, we have no use for them...or do we?

The small glass dish can have a multitude of uses. For instance, the glass dish can be used for its original purpose, to hold candy, celery, or nuts. Have you ever lost a ring, misplaced your keys, or cracked the crystal of a watch when it dropped off the chest of drawers? Enter the dish. I keep several of these dishes around the house to hold those frequently misplaced items. The one in the kitchen island is useful for rings and my watch when I am cooking. This avoids dough in rings, water in a watch, or any number of calamities that can befall jewelry in the kitchen. Hence, no watches have been harmed by the garbage disposal since the last incident which resulted in a new garbage disposal. I keep one dish on the credenza by the front door, my keys are always in a convenient spot this way. I also keep a small dish on the bedside table. I know, your thinking, "Just put the ring in the jewelry box!" Yet, their is all to frequently the evening I get in bed and realize I am still wearing my watch or ring. On a cold winter evening, nobody wants to get out of the warm bed to negotiate such a situation, "Viola!" the dish will save the day and the watch will be safely tucked away.

There were other purchases as well this weekend. I bought a table runner and a a set of dresser scarves. Why purchase these items, what is the point, why have them. The answer is quite simple, less dusting. When you place a dresser scarf on the furniture, it is there to catch spills, dust, and most importantly, prevent the furniture from being scratched. Normally, these sets come with one longer runner and two smaller complimentary pieces. You can use the longer runner under a jewelry box, cosmetic set, or other items. In general, the smaller linens can be used under dresser lamps. As I said, it prevents nicks and scratches on the furniture, but it also eliminates surface areas that need to be dusted. The table runner has the same purpose for the dinning room table, to protect the surface of the table.When you place a centerpiece on the table, you want to use a table runner to prevent the finish of the table from being marred.

I found some great buys on these items which are not only decorative, but serve a great purpose. In a later post I will discuss care of these items.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Linens and Other Things

It’s that time of year again; time to refresh the table linens. Generally, during the cold weather I like to take the time to refresh and clean all the linens that have been hanging in the closet since their last use. I always like to hang the linens on a nice hanger to avoid wrinkles. Some people, who have the space recommend rolling the linens and using acid free paper. To be honest, I just don’t have the space for this. I like to give the linens a wash on the delicate cycle (be sure and place them in a delicates washing bag). If you don’t have a small bag for them, you can pick them up at any store that sells laundry products. I dry the linens on a delicate cycle, then my favorite part, the ironing. Press the linens and hang them on their hanger. What about those linens that have matching napkins? How do you hang them?

In the event of the matching napkin set, I have two ways I handle this situation. For the first method, I often use a gallon size plastic bag. I place the napkins in the plastic bag, and then make a small hole in the top of the bag. Slide the hole in the plastic bag over the top of the hanger and things are ready to go. If you have a linen addiction, like I know some people do, this may take up too much space. Equally, you may also find that you have cloth napkins that do not have a matching tablecloth, not to mention those small cocktail napkins from the vintage sell that you simply could not pass up. What about all of these?

For non-partnered napkins, doilies, and dresser scarves, try this method. I came to this idea recently when the linen closet was packed so tightly that I feared a scene out the Flintstones. You know the one where Fred opens the closet door and suddenly bowling balls, golf clubs, and a few spare pterodactyls rush to escape the tight quarters. I was walking in a store and saw the smaller chest of drawer which have four compartments. These models are somewhat slim and fit nicely in a small space in addition to being relatively low priced. I decided one drawer could be used for napkins with a match (still in the plastic bags), one drawer for non-matched napkins, one for cocktail napkins, and finally the fourth drawer can be used for doilies, runners, and table scarves.

At this point you may ask, why all the linens? I will be the first to admit, I find that very much like Kermit the Frog, I’ve found that it “ain’t” easy being green. Yet, there is one thing that makes green simple, cloth napkins and table clothes. Think of the amount of paper used when you set the table with paper napkins. Then when you clean up the table at night, paper towels are often invovled. With the table cloth, you catch the spills and crumbs, simply wash; the same is true for the cloth napkins.

I hope these little tips have been helpful. Just wait, soon we will talk about where to purchase some great vintage linens and how to clean them. By the way, the Charlotte Antique and Collectable show is this weekend!

Drives Me Crazy...There's A Solution

So, I really like things to be nice, neat, and under control. Which leads me to a tip. I absolutely hate making the bed in the morning. Since it has been beyond cold, I have added an extra blanket. One could simply say, toss the the blanket over the bed and make it look like the bed is already made. However, there in is the issue it isn't made; never fear a simple way to make the bed is near!

Start by taking four cloth diaper pins, these can be purchased in any baby department. Next, remove the comforter and tuck in the sheets as normal (it does not have to be hospital corners for those of you not as picky as others.) Now here is the trick, pin the comforter to the four corners of the top sheet using the cloth diaper pins. I will advise you, don’t use a regular safety pin as they will magically come unhooked. Ouch! The cloth diapers pins have a safety lactch that keeps them fastened. This keeps the pins in line with the comforter. Simply toss the comforter, and the bed is truly made. The only problem I have had with this system is the fact that my dog frequently tries to have nibble on the pins when she can get to them. I guess she is just stuck on them.

Swiss Chicken from Jan. 31, 2010

For my great friends who sometimes complain that they are in fact, Cuisine Challenged, I wanted to share this great recipe with them. Swiss Chicken Bake has been a staple around my house since I graduated from college. I have used this dish as both a comfort food and to entertain others at gatherings. I am including the recipe below and media of how to prepare and cook.





6 chicken breast

1/3 white wine

1 cup bread crumbs

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 stick of butter

6 slices of swiss cheese

6 strips of bacon.

Preheat the oven to 350. In a lightly greased glass baking dish, place the chicken in a single layer. Next, add a strip of bacon on top of each piece of chicken and top with a slice of swiss cheese. Combine the cream of chicken soup and the white wine and pour over the chicken. Add 1/2 a stick of melted butter and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Use the other 1/2 stick of butter to drizzle over the bread crumbs. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 55 minutes.

Cathedral Spice Cake from Jan. 30, 2010

The Spice Cake was out of this word! I have decided to include the recipe in case anyone is interested.

Cathedral Spice Cake

You will need:

1 stick of softened butter 1/2 Teaspoon Orange extract

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 3 cups flour

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract 3 Teaspoons baking powder

1/4 Teaspoon almond extract 1/4 Teaspoon salt

1/4 Teaspoon of Cloves 1/2 cup milk

1/4 Teaspoon of cardimon 1/2 cup water

1/4 Teaspoon of all spice 3 egg whites

1/4 Teaspoon of Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon of nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoon of ginger

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine butter and sugar until it becomes creamy. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, spices, and orange extract. Blend until smooth. Add milk and water to batter blending well. Next, add flour, salt, and baking powder while continuing to blend. As the batter stiffends, add the three egg whites to the mixture and continue to blend well. Pour batter into a “Catherdal” shaped silicon baking pan. Place in oven and bake for approximately 65 minutes (or until toothpick stuck in cake comes out clean.) Allow to cool before frosting.

FROSTING

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 teaspoons hot water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Blend the water and dry ingredient together. Pour over the cake and allow to stiffen.

Snowday from Jan. 30, 2010

What a wonderful day. It has been charming snuggled on the couch with the dog. I got up this morning and made a great breakfast which consisted of livermush, bacon, cheese eggs, and toast with damson jelly. Some of you who are reading may be questioning, "What is livermush?" You simply have to try this magically tasteful slice of Southern Heaven.
After breakfast, I started knitting a new scarf. I have created a new pattern that I hope will turn out excellently.
For dinner tonight, spaghetti with a marinara sauce including mushrooms, ground beef, and onion. I think the spaghetti will be great, but I look forward to the spice cake even more.