Every fall for the last 14 years we host our annual “wiener roast”.  It is a great activity that takes very little preparation and very little money.  We did it this last weekend and had a blast.  It was colder that usual, about 30 degrees!  Perfect is about 45 degrees.  We even had a little spitting snow for ambiance.

We have a stump of a big old tree that we build the fire in.  It is about burned out, so we are thinking of making a permanent fire pit.  We build a big fire and put chairs and straw bales around it.  We just have everyone bring their own chairs and blankets.  We also have everybody bring their own hot dogs, or whatever they want to eat.  A couple of ladies make a pot of chili and this year one made potato soup.  We usually provide the tableware, condiments, coffee and hot chocolate.  One couple always brings the makings for Hot Buttered Rum.  So, you see we have a great time!  Sometimes it is hard to keep everything warm enough.  We built a shelter house back in 1993 so we do have electricity out there.  We plug in the crock pots and coffeepots, but when the air is so cold, it’s hard to keep things piping hot.  So, it’s best to pick a night that isn’t quite so cold.  That’s not always the easiest thing to do though!

One family always brings bread dough that we cook over the fire.  They bring long sticks about an inch in diameter.  You could do this, too! Just make your favorite dough recipe.  Take a handful of the dough and make into a long tube.  Then, starting at the end of the stick, spiral the dough downward, flattening some as you go.  Then just cook it over the fire.  It’s lots of fun as you sit around the fire and visit.  There is an art to getting it done on the inside and not burnt on the outside.  We have had many great conversations on these evenings.  It is a great way to get closer to your friends.  And of course there are always s’mores!

Hot Buttered Rum

1 lb powdered sugar

l  lb brown sugar

1  lb butter

1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream

Melt butter in large pan.  Add sugars.  Heat and stir until boiling.  Remove from the heat and add the ice cream and stir till melted.  It’s best to cut the ice cream in chunks so it will melt better.  Chill the mixture.  Then when time to serve, put a scoop of the batter, some really hot water and some rum in an insulated cup. Stir and enjoy!

You can see this recipe isn’t exactly healthy, but when you only do it once a year, it’s just fine.  Talk about a lot of sugar!!!

A couple of years ago, we built a tee-pee.  My husband cut long skinny trees and we lashed them together.  Then we stapled some old painter’s drop cloths around the supports and made the tee-pee.  We built a small fire inside and the kids stayed in there all evening.  This year, we didn’t have time to build one, but I think it would have been a great year to do so.  It is so much warmer inside the tee-pee.

Why not try one of these evenings?  We have been doing it for quite a while and they seem to get bigger each year.  If you don’t have the space to build a big fire in the yard, a firepit on the back deck would work just as well.  Then everything would be close to the house for electricity.  Have a few friends over or even do it for just your own family.  The kids will love it and the adults will too.

Jan

Posted: November 18th, 2008 under family, family fun, food, food preparation, friendships, meal preparation, outdoor projects, the good life on a budget, weather.
Comments: none

Trivia time!!!

Okay, so I love pointless information. I’m a trivia nut!

Seriously, it’s a good way to keep your mind active, right? Good family fun, too. Share what you learn here with your kids, spouse, family, and friends. You’ll brighten their day (or put them to sleep). And it will make you an excellent Jeopardy contestant!

Would you believe that there are more things to observe in November than Election Day, Veteran’s Day, and Thanksgiving? For a sample, let’s just look at this week!

(The first one listed (in red) is for this year. The others have the year noted.)

November 16 —— UN International Day for Tolerance, the touch tone telephone was introduced in 1963, & the anniversary of Al Capone’s release from Alcatraz in 1939.

November 17 —–  Homemade Bread Day, the Green Bay Packers became the first NFL team to travel by plane in 1940, & Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy became overnight radio sensations in 1936.

November 18 —– Married to a Scorpio Support Day,  Johnny Bench won the National League’s MVP in 1970, & Mickey Mouse’s Birthday in 1928 (Steamboat Willie)

November 19 — “Have a Bad Day” Day, the Edsel was canceled by Ford in 1959,  & Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863.

November 20 —– Great American Smokeout, Mickey Mantle won the American League MVP in 1962, & New Jersey was the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights in 1789.

November 21——-  UN World Television Day,  Tweetie Bird debuted in “A Tale of Two Kitties” in 1942, & the Mayflower Compact was signed in 1620.

November 22 —–  Family Volunteer Day, the Beatles release the “The White Album” in 1968, & “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” is first heard on Eddie Cantor’s show in 1934.

Want more?

Go to Brainy History at http://www.brainyhistory.com/

or do an Internet search for “this week in history” or “November holidays”. You’ll find lots of neat stuff. And, you just never know when you’ll need to know these random things. Hey, maybe knowing what happened on July 14, 1837, will win you a million dollars!!

Sherry

Posted: November 17th, 2008 under current events, family fun, holidays.
Comments: none

With the present state of our economy, going out to a nice restaurant for date night with your soul mate may not always be in the budget. However, with a little imagination and a lot of fun, you can enjoy date night together right at home by cooking a meal together.  

Plan your menu ahead of time by surfing the Internet together for recipes. One of my favorite sites where I find wonderful recipes is http://www.emerils.com/. Choose something elegant that you would only think to order out at a restaurant. Print out the recipe.

Take a quick trip to the grocery store together to shop for the ingredients you’ll need to prepare the meal. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up the ingredients for simple appetizers, such as fresh shrimp for shrimp cocktail. Then, visit the bakery section, where you can often find a fancy dessert for two.

While you’re out shopping for the meal ingredients, pick up an inexpensive bottle of wine that will go well with your dinner menu. When choosing a wine, choose white if you are eating something light with a subtle taste. Red wine is best when eating a heartier meal; the food will be complimented by a strong wine with a flavor of its own. Typically, meats such as fish and chicken should be served with white wine. Red meats and sauces go better with red wine. If you’re not sure what to buy, you can always ask the store clerk to suggest something.

Once you’re home, even if you partner doesn’t cook, have him help out by chopping vegetables, stirring pots and adding the spices. Cooking is a fun way to spend quality time together.

Set a pretty table using your best china, silverware, crystal and table linens. Light a couple of candles on the table and have some soft music playing on the stereo. For a fraction of the cost, you’ll feel like you are dining out at a fine restaurant.

Jane

Posted: November 14th, 2008 under budget, cooking, family, family fun, living well on a budget, relationships.
Comments: none

Children are affected by harmful secondhand smoke more than anyone because their bodies are developing.  Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke poisons.  Scientists link secondhand smoke to heart disease, asthma, other respiratory diseases, and cancer among non-smokers as well as smokers.  Secondhand smoke contains at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic, including more than 50 cancer causing chemicals.

There is no such thing as a safe level of secondhand smoke exposure.  Eliminating smoking indoors is the only way to fully protect children.  The primary source of secondhand smoke exposure to children is in their own home or vehicles they ride in.  Smoke lingers long after the cigarette has been put out; therefore, smoking in a certain room, or at certain times when children are not home, or by a window or fan is not a safe practice.  The only way to remove secondhand smoke from the child’s home or vehicle they ride in is to not smoke in those places at all.  If you must have a smoke, please take it outside for your child’s sake.  Your child’s health will definitely improve if you go outside to smoke.

As you can certainly understand, children are powerless when it comes to breathing this secondhand smoke and all its dangers.  Breathing secondhand smoke causes all kinds of health problems for children and adults.  Some of these health risks are sudden infant death syndrome, impairment of a child’s ability to learn, severe asthma attacks, and lots of other problems.

Keep all smokers away from your child and make sure all day cares, schools, restaurants, and the homes of family and friends that you visit are all smoke-free before you expose your child to those environments.  You won’t regret protecting your child from the dangers of secondhand smoke.  The benefits of this protection will carry through your child’s entire life.  He (or she) will be less likely to actually become a smoker. He will have fewer breathing problems, a lower risk of heart disease , and will enjoy many other great benefits.  Your child is certainly worth the effort of keeping them safe from any harm, even from the invisible harm of chemicals from secondhand smoke.

Mae

Posted: November 13th, 2008 under fitness, health, helping others, people.
Comments: none

One of my favorite dishes to make is pot stickers.  They are flavorful and fun to eat.  Recently we made this dish with some friends and it came out great.  I had three men lined up assembling the pot stickers.  It was interesting to see such varied shapes.  Try eating them with chopsticks when you are done; that is fun to watch!

Wonton Filling

Ingredients: Makes enough to fill about 30 wontons

• 1/2 cup finely chopped Napa or Savoy cabbage
• Coarse Kosher salt
• 6 ounces ground pork, not all lean
• 3 ounces ground beef, lean
• 3 scallions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped, peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Directions

In a medium bowl, toss cabbage with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let stand 10 minutes. Wrap cabbage in multiple layers of paper towels; firmly squeeze out excess liquid. Return cabbage to bowl; add pork, scallions, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well by hand or with a fork. Refrigerate leftover filling up to 2 days.

Assembling Wontons

Instructions

You can assemble 3 wrappers at a time, and keep the rest covered with a damp towel. Spoon one rounded teaspoon of filling in center (don’t overstuff them or they won’t seal properly).

With dampened fingers, wet the four edges. To make a triangle, fold wrapper in half over filling, making sure the ends meet and filling is centered; press edges down firmly to seal.

Moisten one tip on long side of triangle. Then bring together both tips on long side, overlapping them slightly; press tips together to seal.

Fold remaining top corner back. Transfer to an oiled plate; cover with a damp towel to keep moist. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.


Pot Stickers

Ingredients: Serves 4

• 24 rectangular (about 3“ by 3”) or square wonton wrappers
• 1 Wonton Filling (see recipe for “Wonton Filling”)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 scallions, finely chopped (optional)
• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, for serving

Directions

After making the wontons, place them to an oiled plate, and cover with a damp towel to keep moist.

In a large nonstick skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add half the wontons and cook, turning once, until lightly browned, about 1 minute per side. Carefully add 1/2 cup water (oil may sputter, use the cover as a shield), cover, and steam until translucent and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining tablespoon oil and wontons. Sprinkle pot stickers with scallions, if using, and serve with soy sauce. (Optional Cooking Method: Heating the uncooked wontons by placing them into a bamboo steamer is another option.  Cooking time is about 4-5 minutes once the water is boiling and steam is rising.  Be sure to use a potholder for the lid removal because the steam is hot and seeps through the weaving)

Dipping Sauce

Ingredients: Serves 1

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 scallions, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, for serving

Directions

Combine and mix, make enough for four by quadrupling the recipe.

Serve in individual dishes.

Enjoy!

Fran

Posted: November 12th, 2008 under Uncategorized, cooking, family fun, food, food preparation, meal preparation, recipe.
Comments: none

Today is Veterans’ Day.  It’s also my granddaughter’s birthday, but that’s not what I want to talk about.  I think we should all take some time and think about the sacrifice that all of our soldiers have given.  Whether it is those currently serving our country or those who have served in the past, they deserve our utmost respect.  My dad served in WWII.  He didn’t talk much about it when we were growing up but has since written a journal about some of his experiences.  When I was younger, it didn’t seem as important or as interesting as it does now.   He was sent into battle at a very young age and faced experiences that would forever change him.  He was wounded in France and given a Purple Heart.  I am going to put a couple of excerpts from his journal here.  This one is when he was wounded.

Our CO gave the order to fall back.  As we started, Nestor was ahead of me.  After he passed an opening in the hedgerows, and while I was crossing it, Nestor turned and screamed at me, “Olie, machine gun!  Hit the ground!”  I had just started to dive to the ground when a German mortar shell hit somewhere behind me.  Unlike artillery shells, in-coming mortar shells make no noise, or at least it is not audible, since it is coming almost straight down.  The concussion of the exploding shell tossed me about four or five feet.  A piece of shrapnel from the mortar struck me on the back of my left shoulder.  Another piece of shrapnel apparently ricocheted off the mortar tube that I was carrying on a sling on my right shoulder.  The tube swung forward as I was on my way to the ground, and the shrapnel entered the front of my left thigh.  I recall feeling as if I had had a hole blown threw me.  It felt like someone had hit me across the back with a baseball bat.  I took a deep breath and realized that it was only the concussion that made me feel that way.  Luckily, the shrapnel that struck me in back of my shoulder was a glancing blow, which made a hole about three or four inches across and half an inch deep.

I literally owe my life to my best buddy, Nestor, for warning me of the machine gun on July 13th.  The fact that I was in the act of going to the ground saved me from what could have been a hit on my spine and may even have proved fatal. Thank God Nestor made it all the way through without being wounded or killed.

When I read that and think of what could have been it is very sobering.  You hate to think of those you love having to go through things such as these.  And just think, I might not even be here! He tells of many different experiences in his journal, like being stationed in Paris for a time.  He also talks about some of the interesting people he met while there.  Of course, there are many descriptions of battle and some of the horrible sights he saw.  They make for interesting reading.  But I thought that I would include his closing remarks.  He is writing of his discharge:

…and he handed me my discharge papers. Along with about 12,000,000 others I had finally realized the moment that we wondered would ever come.

Like most returning servicemen, I told Junie that I would just as soon not discuss my service. She honored this by never bringing it up, only to say occasionally, “I’m glad I didn’t know you then.”

The reason I have put a few of my recollections on paper is that my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids might find interesting some of the things about “Poops” in WWII.

If there is a fault to find or maybe just an opportunity to get something off my chest, it is this: No one ever described combat as honestly as the famous journalist, Ernie Pyle. He was subjected to every danger that faced the infantry soldier, and yet all he tried to do was tell the folks at home how it really was.

All too many have tried to portray combat as glamorous, romantic, and gung-ho. In reality it is one of the most unromantic, depressing and futile experiences that a person can have. You’re playing with the highest stakes you can possibly have – your life and those of your buddies, against someone you don’t know and who surely finds it as negative as you do. There is a huge difference between what Ernie Pyle described and the way war is most often portrayed in the movies. The roles played by John Wayne and others were as phony as counterfeit money, but then reality doesn’t always sell at the box office. The only accurate war movies I ever saw were Battleground and Saving Private Ryan. Their honesty and realism were the closest to capturing the truth, but then again maybe only those who lived the experiences recognize that.

It is impossible to recall every experience. Over the years some are pushed to the back of one’s mind and forgotten, purposely or otherwise. Others you can remember in detail, like how pretty the nurse was, or how the breakfast of fish and navy beans tasted on the British ship that took us across the channel to France the second time.

I took pride in being a good soldier. There was only one way to do things, the Army way. A few never learned that. I would hate to relive those years, but no amount of money could buy them from me.  Any man who served in combat, especially infantry combat, has my truest respect, whether he served for only a day or for years.

I think we should all feel the same way.  The generation of men who served in WWII are just about gone.  They will be sorely missed.  They displayed courage and valor in horrifying situations.  Tom Brokaw wrote a book called The Greatest Generation.  It is a good read.  I don’t mean to take anything away from the men who served before or since.  I know that our soldiers serving now are showing that same courage.  I just think we need to show our respect for those who have served on our behalf.  Hug a veteran today!  I intend to!

Jan

Posted: November 11th, 2008 under budget shopping, current events, family, holidays, people, relationships.
Comments: none

It’s creeping up on that time of year again–flu season. And a miserable time it can be, if you aren’t prepared. If you catch the flu, you will most likely end up missing work, you can’t spend time with your family and friends, and you just feel horrible!

There are ways to lessen your chances of getting the flu, or, if you do catch it, there are things you can do that may make your case less severe. Follow these tips to protect yourself and others.

* Get annual flu and pneumonia shots.  These are super beneficial to almost every adult, but they are particularly important if you are over 65. Flu and pneumonia are leading causes of death in that age group. The best time to get vaccinated is in October and November. Check with your doctor for more information.

* Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including eating lots of fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. And don’t forget that exercise!

* Avoid contact with people who have the flu.

*Remember that public places are great places to catch just about anything, so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching door handles/knobs, shopping cart handles, or just about anything else that other people touch. And keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth until you’ve washed them well. Some people also like to use hand sanitizing cleansers.

* And, if you have it, don’t spread it around! Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and be sure to wash your hands afterward.

*If you do start exhibiting signs of the flu, see your doctor immediately.

* Get lots of rest, and continue eating well.

* Drink plenty of liquids.

* Avoid aspirin.

* Avoid alcohol and tobacco.

* Remember that over-the-counter medications will only treat the symptoms, not the virus. Treating the actual virus requires prescription antiviral medications.

Common flu symptoms are:

• Fever (usually high)
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Chills
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough
• Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults

You may or may not experience all of these symptoms, and they may also vary in severity. But keep in mind that the degree of severity can change quickly, so keep an eye on your body temperature and your symptoms.

Sherry

(This information is condensed from Vim & Vigor Magazine, a publication from King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky. The list of symptoms came from FluFacts.com, where you can find a wealth of current information about the flu.)

Posted: November 10th, 2008 under health, safety.
Comments: none

Buying whole chicken on sale is a great way to stretch your grocery budget!  I can actually get three meals out of one large chicken.  To do this, first I make the roast chicken recipe below.  After finishing the meal, I remove the leftover white meat from the bones and place it in a Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for making chicken pot pie.  I then place the bones with the remaining chicken in a Ziplock freezer bag in the freezer so I can make chicken soup with it on another day.  Here are the recipes for three meals I recently made using one whole chicken.

Roast Chicken and Stuffing

Ingredients:

• 4-6 lb. whole roasting chicken
• 1/4 cup Promise Lite margarine
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• prepared stuffing mix
• water (according to stuffing mix package)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

1. Melt margarine and sauté onion and celery until tender.  Stir in stuffing mix and water;  set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Rinse roasting chicken inside and out.  Sprinkle salt and pepper in cavities.  Brush the outside with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and sage, then rub with crushed garlic.
3. Place chicken on rack in a large roasting pan. Just before roasting, spoon stuffing into the cavity and secure with a small metal skewer.
4. Add about a cup of water to the bottom of the roasting pan. Roast at 350°F, until the built-in thermometer pops up, about 1½ hours or so.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• sm. bag peeled baby carrots
• leftover cooked chicken (white meat)
• 1 pkg. refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (dough type)
• 1 envelope chicken gravy mix
• 1 cup water
• nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Spray a casserole dish or pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Arrange cooked chicken in the bottom of dish.
2. Precook baby carrots in microwave for 5 minutes and add to casserole dish.
3. Mix turkey gravy mix with 1 cup water and pour over chicken and carrots.
4. Arrange buttermilk biscuits on top and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until biscuit topping is golden brown.

Chicken Soup 

Ingredients:

• leftover chicken on bones
• 4 carrots
• 4 stalks celery
• 1 large onion, cut in quarters
• 2 tbsp. chicken bouillon flakes
• 6 cups water
• 1 tsp. sage
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 1 bag whole wheat noodles

Directions:

1. In a large pot, add leftover chicken on bones, water, bouillon flakes and seasonings. 
2. Peel and slice carrots; chop celery and onion. Add all vegetables to pot; cover and cook on high for 1 hour or so, until chicken falls off of bones.
3. Remove all bones from pot.
4. Add noodles and cook for another 10 minutes.
5. Serve with warm homemade bread or biscuits.

These are just three recipes you can use to stretch your grocery dollars using whole chicken, but the possibilities are endless.   Also, when I find whole chicken on sale, I stock up, storing them in the freezer in the basement.

Jane

Posted: November 7th, 2008 under budget, budget shopping, cooking, food, food preparation, getting the most for your money, meal preparation, recipe, saving money, thrifty living.
Comments: none

 There is a good chance most kids in your town are juggling several activities such as music lessons, sports practices, dance rehearsals, or some other extracurricular activities.  These are designed to put them on a fast track to a better future and a successful career. 

Resist the pressure to adopt this attitude about children having to grow up so fast and be adults before they have a chance to just be a kid. Today’s on-the-go society encourages parents to shuttle their children from activity to activity, leaving too little free time to just be a family and enjoy spending time together. A lot of times families have little time to just sit down and eat a meal with our kids, because someone has to be somewhere else and overscheduling is the problem.

Not only does this fast paced, always on the go attitude leave the entire family irritable, but recent research shows that an overscheduled, pressure-filled childhood is associated with stress and substance abuse.

The biggest problem with overscheduling is that it interferes with a child’s creativity, since they don’t have the time to really involve themselves thoroughly with one activity. In a family that is always on the go,  overscheduled kids never learn the importance of relaxation and what it means to have some down time. They also never learn they can say no to impossible demands that may overwhelm them.

Overscheduling also interferes with important rituals like family celebrations, weekend plans, and vacations. These activities are very important in helping families stay connected and helping kids feel loved and supported.

Parents should try to set aside regularly scheduled evenings to eat together with their children, play games, take a walk, or just simply sit and talk. After all the homework, lessons, sports outings, and other extracurricular activities, a child needs to have some relaxation and time to just feel part of a family and know that he or she is very loved. The most important thing you can instill in your child is the love of family and know there is always someone they can rely on.

 Mae

Posted: November 6th, 2008 under family, family fun, fitness, friendships, health, helping others, organizing, people, personalities, relationships.
Comments: 2

There are absolute joys in baking together.  You won’t have a happier child than one you take time out to bake with. And, in the end, after the clean-up, you get to eat the goods!

Making Chocolate Cupcakes can be fun to do with children.  I made chocolate cupcakes with my grandson…ooooh, he loved it. He wore a big apron and mixed the cake batter.  I put a scoop of batter into the muffin pan and baked.  Anthony happily licked the bowl!

The best way to not stress when it comes to baking with a child is to do the following:

• ASSEMBLE Get all ingredients out and pre-measure ingredients like oil
• PREPARE Have a separate bowl for egg cracking (I like to use a dish so I can remove egg shells)
• CLOTHES Wear an apron, you and the child
• CLEAN Wash hands; they will be in the batter
• FACT Know there will be a mess. Contain it the best you can. Relax! It’s ok.
• SAFETY Have safety equipment nearby (fire extinguisher, pot holders, clean dish towel, etc.)
• DISCUSS Talk while you prepare the batter (sometimes we adults are so focused on the task, we forget why we are baking–to spend time with someone you love)
• REPEAT Make it a habit (Do it more often. Routine and cooking safety and family recipes can be passed on when it is repeated often)

Hopefully these suggestions will encourage you to stop, slow down, and spend time with those you love.  Let them eat (chocolate) cake, and the batter, too.  Happy Baking!

Fran

LifeandStyleforLess

Posted: November 5th, 2008 under family, family fun, food, meal preparation.
Comments: 1