Horseradish Sauce

HORSERADISH SAUCE


Description:

This is so special with ham, also good with cold roast beef

sandwiches. You'll want to keep a jar of this at all times.

Ingredients:

1 cup mayonaise (Miracle Whip)

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup horseradish

2 Tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon paprika

dash of Cayenne pepper

dash of hot red pepper sauce (optional)


Directions:

Just mix together and keep in fridge.

Crocheted Butterfly Fridgies Pattern

Butterfly Fridgies: Instead of yarn I used #10 crochet thread and a size 10 steel hook. This makes daintier and smaller butterflies.
This is not my pattern; I don't remember where I found it, but, if anyone recognizes it, please let me know so I can enter a link to that person's site so they get the credit.


MATERIALS:

Worsted Weight Yarn

Crochet Hook Size H


Ch 6, join with SL St to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as beg dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, * 3 dc in ring, ch 2,

rep from * 6 times more. (total of 8 3dc,ch 2 SP ). Join with SL St in

top of beg ch.


Rnd 2: SL St to next ch 2 SP, ch 3 (counts as beg dc) 2 dc in same SP, ch 2,

3 dc in same SP, ch 1,* 3 dc in next ch 2 SP, ch 2, 3 dc in same SP, ch 1,

rep from * around, Join with SL St to top of beg ch 3.


Rnd 3: SL St to next ch 2 SP, ch 3 (counts as beg dc) 7 dc in same SP, 1 SC

in next ch 1 SP, * 8 dc in next ch 2 SP, 1 SC in next ch 1 SP, rep from *

around, join, fasten off.  Fold in half.


BODY OF BUTTERFLY:

With black, ch 20, fasten off.

Tie the black ch around middle of butterfly wings leaving short strings for

antenna.

Attach magnet on back of butterfly with hot glue.

Crochet World

I have crocheted forever, it seems. When I started crocheting, the thing to do was doilies, doilies, doilies. And, in those days, everything had ruffles. You worked forever on each one, then had to sugar-starch them and wad up paper balls to hold the ruffles up for days while they dried. They were beautiful at the time, but way too much work. And you always ended up getting tired of the starching procedure and would ineviteably stash them away in a drawer eventually.


Then, for me, came the afghans. I must have made a hundred or so. Much more fun to do, faster than the doilies and far more practical. I gave some away, mostly to my family and sold some and still have a few lurking around the house. But they got tiring to do and it was time to move on.

I quit crocheting for a while, but now find myself going back to it in the last year or so. It's an easy craft to do, you can put it down and go back to it whenever you feel like it and pick up where you left off with no problem. It's a great carry-along craft and good for keeping your hands busy in front of the T.V.

As the last few years I've been involved with dolls, I have been working mostly on doll and baby clothes. Mostly sweater, bonnet and bootie sets, dresses and headbands. I like the fact that each is a fast, small project, and they always turn out so pretty.
 
I just finished this set and it is already sold; so I'll be starting another one; wouldn't it be pretty done in pink?
 

Special French Dressing

SPECIAL FRENCH DRESSING
Very nice and light on fresh leaf lettuce from the garden. Quick and easy, this is one of my favorites.

Ingredients:

1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. onion salt

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 c. salad oil

1 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 c. vinegar

3/4 tsp. celery seed

Directions:

Combine in glass jar and shake well. Serve chilled.

Footnote: This recipe was given to me many years ago by a very special woman who is no longer with us.  I had the pleasure of visiting in her home for only a few days, but felt an instant closeness with her. I think of her often.

What a Glorious Spring Day!

This was the bestest day so far this Spring and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I started raking leaves about 10:30 and stayed with it until about 3:00. I have a good back, but it was starting to tell, so, as I'd like to keep it that way, I finally gave up and called it quits.


I cleaned up 2 more flower beds and some of the lawn. And found all sorts of goodies....my big ceramic toad, my garden fairy, a little worm pokey that hides under whatever plant I think he might like, a huge ceramic snail, 2 squirrels and 3 bird houses that are supposed to be on their uneven sticks in the middle of one of the beds (my attempt at 'artsy', lol). A plant pot waiting for some pretty flowers sits in the little wooden chair at the corner of the garage and Snow White is in her usual corner. I'm debating again this year for the umpteenth time about the 2 pink flamingos, but they always win out and wander from here to there all summer long; they seem to keep moving, especially when the lawn needs cutting, lol.

And the perennials are popping up everywhere. The hops vines I scoffed from my sister a few years ago are showing signs of life in behind the tulips. The little violas aren't up yet, but when they start they're blooming in no time. The Delphiniums, windflowers, chives and shasta daisys are all pushing up. And of course the irises and lilies are everywhere.

I seem to have a thing for lilies and have lots of different colors and kinds. I even brought home a pot of little Stella D'oros last fall from a Manitoba nursery. I got one for my daughter and had to have one for myself. I think they are my favorite because of their size and I love my pink ones the most.

I have been making myself wait to start my Angel Trumpets, but maybe tomorrow will be the day. I'm really anxious to see what they do. They're so huge and I've never seen any grown here. And Castor Beans are on my list, but I've been a little reluctant about them. I would like some, but, being that they're so toxic, makes me think twice. Or six.

Good grief, this sounds like a gardening column, lol. Can you tell I enjoyed my yard today?

Enough about thinking of an apartment for a year or so. I do enjoy my space, so I think I'll stay where I am for a little longer.

Footnote: 5 years later than this posting and I'm still here, still just thinking about apartment living.  And I've added lots of new perennials, of course.  While most people would rip out the eccess of overgrown and spreading perennials, I think of making the beds bigger...something wrong with that...isn't there?

Butterflies

I've noticed in the last 20 years or so that I seem to attract butterflies. Maybe it's just that I've become more aware of them, but they always seem to be where I am.


When I was a little girl, a hundred years ago, it seems, my sister and I would make at least one trip a day to the ash pile with our brooms to 'whomp' them. They loved the ash pile and there was always hundreds of them. How cruel and uncaring and foolish we were. Ignorant little children!

Maybe that's why they're all around me now, to make me feel more guilty than I already do.

My ex. gave me a full set of Franklin Mint porcelain butterflies and since then I've acquired a few more here and there, even the stained glass mobiles that are quite common. Not that I look for them or hunt them down, they just seem to arrive.

They've been known to land on me when I've been outside and this spring, when a beautiful bouquet arrived from my daughter for my birthday, what should the little pokey be, but a butterfly! Of all the little add-ons, why a butterfly?

When I get e-mails or cards, they quite often have a butterfly attached. Really makes you wonder!

I guess I'll give in to it. I'm not a collector, but maybe I'll just have to begin collecting butterflies.

59 And Pregnant?????

A woman went to the doctor's office. Where she was seen by a young, new doctor. After about 4 minutes in the examination room, the doctor told her she was pregnant. She burst out screaming as she ran down the hall.


An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story. After listening, he had her sit down and relax in another room.

The doctor marched down the hallway to the back where the first doctor was and demanded, "What's the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 59 years old, she has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?"

The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and, without looking up, said, "Does she still have the hiccups?"

Why Older Chicks Rule by Andy Rooney from CBS "60 Minutes"

This for all you girls 40 years and over....and for those who are turning 40, and for those who are scared of moving into their 50's...AND 60's..and for guys who are scared of girls over 40!!!!
Andy Rooney says:

As I grow in age, I value women who are over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.

A woman over 40 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 40 give a hoot what you might think about her or what she's doing.

Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

A woman over 40 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women. Women over 40 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. They always know.

A woman over 40 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Hamburger Soup

This is a great soup, try it with the previous recipe for Biscuits. I sometimes cut back a little on the barley and add a handful of shell or elbow macaroni.



Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. hamburger

1 medium onion, chopped fine

1 28 oz. can tomatoes

2 c. water

3 cans consomme or beef broth

1 can tomato soup

4 carrots, chopped fine

1 bay leaf, optional

3 sticks celery, chopped fine

1/2 t. thyme

pepper to taste

8 T. pot barley


Directions:

Brown meat and onions, drain well. Combine all ingredients in large pot. Simmer covered at least 2 hrs. or all day. Serves 10.

Footnote:  A real winter comfort dish, you can make it as thick with vegetables as you like. Mine sometimes is more like a stew than a soup.

Cheese and Bacon Biscuits

BISCUITS:

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/3 cup margerine

1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

6 slices bacon or bacon bits ( I use onion chopped very fine )

1 cup plain yogurt



Directions:

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda in a mixing bowl.

Cut in margerine until it resembles a course meal.

Stir in cheese & bacon or (chopped onion ).

Add yogurt, stirring just to moisten.

Turn out on slightly floured surface and knead 10-15 times to form a smooth dough.

Roll out into a 8" square and cut into rectangles.

Place onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 450F for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Number Of Servings:  Depends on how big or small you cut them.

Footnote: These are so good with a hearty homemade soup; real comfort food, especially in the cold Winter months. I cut them in the traditional rounds, rather than in rectangles. I don't always have bacon in the house so quite often I use the chopped onion, as I always have a basket of them sitting on the counter.

Spring Cleaning...Again

I'm lagging behind again. I had great visions of having all my spring housecleaning done before it was nice enough to go outside to do the yard clean-up for the year. But once again I have missed the mark and now will have to jump from one job to another and feel like everything is half-done.

One accomplishment was cleaning out the old, unused, out-of-date prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, health food supplements and the like. How they build up over the year.

Why do we try to keep these things forever? They have an expiration date, but it must be some 'hourding syndrome' that just doesn't allow us to toss those last remnants of bottles away.

I found 2 bottles of aspirin that had been lurking in the back of the medicine cabinet forever. They left.

I also have hung onto half-empty bottles of Vitamin E, Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine Sulfate and Bee Pollen, of all things, for years.

I think the Vitamin E was probably supposed to help dry hair and skin, and the next two were probably supposed to help arthritis. I can't even remember what the Bee Pollen was for.

I am not good at taking pills, hence, half taken, they just sit taking up space.

They have now departed.

I also finally decided I was never going to use those last few drops of hand lotion in four large bottles. They'd only been moved from spot to spot for about 5 years, maybe that was long enough. They, also, are now in lotion heaven.

And let us not forget those old sticky bandaids. I always think that I should have bandaids in the house, just in case....but after a short time the adhesive is so gummy they are useless. I have decided that I will just have to do without bandaids forevermore. I have thrown out the last box I'm ever going to buy.

But my best find was an old roll-on deodorant that I didn't like but couldn't bear to throw away. I cringe to say how long that's been pushed around and moved from spot to spot. But it left this year.

I can't believe how much room there is now.....but I'm sure by next year I'll be back to another cleanout.

Russian Chicken

This is a quick chicken dish, nice with rice and a fresh vegetable, such as broccoli. Add a little salad and this will be a favorite dinner.


I don't know the name so I made one up.


Chicken pieces, as many as needed servings (breasts, thighs, legs)

Remove all skin and fat. Place in casserole dish.

Mix together 1 small bottle of Russian dressing

1 c. peach or apricot jam

1 pkg. onion soup mix

Pour over chicken and coat all chicken pieces.

Cover and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours till chicken is done.

Footnote: I find that this is a lot of sauce and usually cut the sauce part in half. The full amount would be alright for a large amount of chicken. Enjoy!

A Beautiful Early Spring Day...

Saskatchewan winters can be very cold, drab, stormy and downright dirty. This year we were very fortunate to have a "warm" winter; our coldest day (which there was only one of these) was -24 degrees C. We made it down to -13 degrees a few times, but other than that we stayed just under the zero mark. Unheard of in this country!!!!


We really didn't get much snow either, just a few inches, until March and then we ended up with about a foot or so. But with the warm temperatures the last few days it is quickly disappearing. And I'm not sorry to see it go.

With Spring in the air, thoughts turn to gardens, flowers and planting: old stand-bys, trying something new and wondering if the perenials survived.

Container planting always adds so much to a yard, patio, steps and balconies. If you have a bit of room, try planting in an old wagon, barrel halves, old dishpans. If using a half-barrel put a birdbath inside and plant around it. The birds will love it!

Watering cans make great containers and how about an old pair of boots for a "grouch garden". Leave the laces in, and set them on the step....there'll be lots of comments with these.

Footnote: This was written in 2006, but much of it still applies...what does that tell you? Tells me that I possibly live a very mundane life!

Cherry Cha-Cha...Company Dessert

This is an easily made, deliscious dessert that will be a favorite.

Cherry Cha-Cha:

24 graham wafers, crushed
1/2 c.  marg. or butter
5 Tbls. icing sugar

Mix these 3 ingredients together, and keeping about 1/2 c. aside, press the remaining in 13" x 9" pan. Bake for 5 - 7 min. at 350 degrees and cool.

Beat 2 pkg. Dream Whip. Add 5 c. miniature marshmallows and spread 1/2 of this mixture over the baked, cooled base. Top with 1 can cherry pie filling, then the rest of the cream mixture. Sprinkle top with the saved crumbs and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Cut in squares.

So yummy and pretty.