fire in the hole - REburn!

This is re-post... but REALLY!!! Fires happen... (sometimes a LOT at the single-wide...) and the whole "fire safety" thing is VERY important to me. YOU are important to me. Personal experience talks:

Fire Extinguisher dust resting on your nose (good freckle cover if I do say so myself...),
Siren bells ringin' from the big red truck,
And folks dressed up like yellow eskimos...with a smoke mask...and long water hoses...

Have you done your fire safety check lately?  With the holidays upon us there's extra flamage on the stove - scented candles burning - toaster ovens to blow up - pretty sparkly twinkly lights on the trees, over the windows, hanging from the ceiling - ovens to implode - propane heaters - space heaters and fireplaces (Stop, Drop and Roll Santy Claus!) - microwaves that spit sparks - crazy red.neck neighbors that like to build very large bonfires (s'mores anyone?) - circuits to short out - and so on...

What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person’s suggestion – “Keep the tree watered.”

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant. Tips from: (http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm)

The following safe cooking tips can help to make your holiday dinner safe and enjoyable:

• Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove. (example: don't go flyin' out to the labooooooratory 'cause the salad dressing made you think of a new pocketbook that was needing to be made...)
  
• Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, towels or curtains (cats) - away from your stove top.
• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. This only counts if your kid doesn't cook better than you...
  
• Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire (so can pocketbooks...).
• Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.
• Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you're cooking (and a fire extinguisher or two). If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (not a phone book or home decorating magazine). Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool.
• If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again. Tips from: (http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm) and a couple from your fav.o.rite red.neck
  
• Always remove the cardboard from the bottom of the frozen pizza and check all toaster ovens for potential fire hazards...fire happens...I'm just sayin'. Tips From: (http://www.redneckchic.com)

Maintain your Lighting...
Inspect each strand of lights each year for frayed wires (mouses like to eat at 'em here in my neck 'o the woods), bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.  Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory. Try not to link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch. And - really try not to leave those lights on unattended! Tips from: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm

Candles...
(Flame-less Candles!  With a timer!  Great for the red.neck not allowed to burn candles!!!)
Avoid using lit candles.  If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked over (or things thrown on them...that happens.).  Never leave the house with candles burning...or, if you're me...don't leave the room. Never put lit candles on a tree.  Hey, in my defense, I have never done that!!!  Whoo Hoo!!!  But, it is all part of the whole pyro safety thing. Tips from: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm

And you know the drill...the fire drill that is, right?  Escape route and meeting place for your family, cats, dogs and various critters.  Be sure and check the batteries in your smoke alarms!!! I have some extra if you need some - but I'm not sharing my fire extinguisher(s) -  those things are SO handy to have layin' round!!! But, I betcha' Santa will bring you a few with very little cattle-proddin'!!! They are very shiny red and pretty!

Now that I have left you with this Public Service Announcement - don't you feel wiser and more "fire proof"? Don't burn anything down.... I've got that covered. Or is it smothered? *shrug*

comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide (where I have a fake tree - I wonder what happens if I water it?)...hee-hee

Fire In The Hole - RE-burn!

This is re-post of last year... but REALLY!!! Fires happen... (sometimes a LOT at the single-wide...)

Fire Extinguisher dust resting on your nose (good freckle cover if I do say so myself...),
Siren bells ringin' from the big red truck,
And folks dressed up like yellow eskimos...with a smoke mask...and long water hoses...

I have pyromaniac tendencies.  It's not intentional... I don't intend to burn things.  But........ fire happens.   To me. Quiet often. Most often in the kitchen, but I don't limit myself to burning things down in one location.  I believe in spreading my glowing light.  Not intentionally - but it happens. Occasionally.

With all of that being said - have you done your fire safety check lately?  With the holidays upon us there's extra flamage on the stove - scented candles burning - toaster ovens to blow up - pretty sparkly twinkly lights on the trees - ovens to implode - propane heaters - space heaters and fireplaces (Stop, Drop and Roll Santy Claus!) - microwaves that spit sparks - crazy red.neck neighbors that like to build very large bonfires (smores anyone?) - circuits to short out - and so on...

What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person’s suggestion – “Keep the tree watered.”

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant. Tips from: (http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm)

The following safe cooking tips can help to make your holiday dinner safe and enjoyable:

• Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove. (i.e. don't go flyin' out to the labooooooratory 'cause the salad dressing made you think of a new purse...)
  
• Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, towels or curtains (cats) - away from your stove top.
• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. This only counts if your kid doesn't cook better than you...
  
• Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire (so can purses...).
• Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.
• Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you're cooking (and a fire extinguisher). If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (not a phone book mindy's sister). Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool.
• If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again. Tips from: (http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm) and a couple from your fav.o.rite red.neck
  
• Always remove the cardboard from the bottom of the frozen pizza and check all toaster ovens for potential fire hazards...fire happens...I'm just sayin'. Tips From: (http://www.redneckchic.com)

Maintain your Lighting...
Inspect each strand of lights each year for frayed wires (mouses like to eat at 'em here in my neck 'o the woods), bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.  Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory. Try not to link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch. And - really try not to leave those lights on unattended! Tips from: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm

Candles...
(Flame-less Candles!  With a timer!  Great for the red.neck not allowed to burn candles!!!)
Avoid using lit candles.  If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked over (or things thrown on them...that happens.).  Never leave the house with candles burning...or, if you're me...don't leave the room. Never put lit candles on a tree.  Hey, in my defense, I have never done that!!!  Whoo Hoo!!!  But, it is all part of the whole pyro safety thing. Tips from: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm

And you know the drill...the fire drill that is, right?  Escape route and meeting place for your family, cats, dogs and various critters.  Be sure and check the batteries in your smoke alarms!!! I have some extra if you need some - but I'm not sharing my fire extinguisher(s) -  those things are SO handy to have layin' round!!! But, I betcha' Santa will bring you a few with very little cattle-proddin'!!! They are very shiny red and pretty!

Now that I have left you with this Public Service Announcement - I'm takin' a slight break!  No... not 'cause I burned the single-wide down (not yet anyway... but fire DOES happen alot sometimes) but 'cause DANG if life doesn't keep happenin'!  I've got Christmas decorations to sprinkle around, the resident teen to drive me around (good grief - I'm getting gray hairs...) and I have YOU to catch up with!  I feel like I haven't been to visit you in AGES!!! So. I know you'll miss me, but I'll be back!!!  In the meantime... don't burn anything.  I've got that covered. Or is it smothered? *shrug*

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide (where I have a fake tree - I wonder what happens if I water it?)...hee-hee

I like.

I like Ice Cream.

I like Cupcakes!

Look at THIS!

It's the best of both worlds!!!

Since I'm not allowed in the kitchen I'm thinkin'... buy some cupcakes, buy some ice cream cones - and then I can just go CRAZY with the frosting and sparkles!!!  If I "make" some - wanna share with me? I understand if you don't trust my "cooking" - so here you go:

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1 (16 ounce) package vanilla frosting
• 1 ounce colored candy sprinkles (do they come in duct tape color?)

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare cake mix batter according to directions, or make any standard cake recipe batter (i.e. white, chocolate, etc.).
2. Place flat-bottomed ice cream cones in the cups of a regular muffin pan. Pour enough batter into each cone to fill from 1/2 to 2/3 full.
3. Bake at time and temperature as recommended for cupcakes. After they have cooled, frost with your favorite canned or home-prepared frosting recipe. Decorate with sprinkles or other decorations of your choice.

And... since fire extinguisher dust isn't listed as a main ingredient (I just don't get that at all) and "100 ways to put out a cupcake fire" isn't in the cooking instructions... I guess I'll leave the baking to you!

Enjoy!!!

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide... where I can have my cupcake and ice cream too!!!... hee-hee
;-)  robelyn

puddin'

I've discovered the art of cooking instant pudding. Uh huh - I said, "cooking instant pudding".  Because cooking in MY book means that I own a whisk and know how to use it. And there is no need for the fire department to come share dinner with me. I need a pink chef's hat. And I'd also like to know how a whisk got in my kitchen...

2 cups of cold milk
a whisk (I really just like saying "whisk")
a box of magical pudding powder stuff.
I'm chefboyarredneck!

One time I had two boxes of pudding...

turns out - you cooked one and you did the whole 2 cups of cold milk magic/instant thing with the other.
Well........ I cooked the 2 cups of cold milk one and added 2 cups of cold milk to the cookonthestove one...
then stood in front of the refrigerator staring at the bowls while in tears 'cause neither one of them were setting like the boxes said they would.
Very traumatic event... verrrrrrrrry traumatic. I went on pudding strike for years.





Where was I going with this?

Oh yeah - I'm the queen chefette with my boxes of instant pudding!  I'm going to try this Saturday:

1 package (3.9 oz) Jell-O Instant Pudding, any flavor
1 cup cold half and half
1 cup cold milk
1 graham cracker crust
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 pkg. (4 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Popsicle mold, or 5 or 6 oz paper cups

Beat the pudding mix, milk, and half and half with a wire whisk for 2 minutes by hand. Break graham cracker crust into small chunks (I only used about half the crust), and stir pieces into the pudding.

Beat cream cheese and sugar in a medium sized bowl with a mixer until well blended. Fold in Cool Whip.

Fill mold/paper cup with pudding about 1/3 of the way. Add a layer of the Cool Whip filling, and top with more pudding. Insert a Popsicle stick and place cups in the freezer.

Freeze for 5 hours or until firm. Peel off paper cup before serving. Makes about 6 popsicles. (recipe here)

I can't decide if I like pudding because it is so DELICIOUS or if I like it because I feel like I belong behind the counter of a 5 star restaurant... specializing in 2 cups of cold milk, a whisk and a box of magical pudding powder stuff. Can you imagine how "chef-like" i'm going to feel while eating a pudding pop? I think I have a mixer thingy somewhere... and if you ever come to dinner don't be surprised if the entree' is instant pudding. 

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where I'm wondering what flavor of instant pudding is your favorite? I'm partial to the sugar-free white chocolate - but the lemon is running a close second - oh and then there is the chocolate... and the pistachio... and the tapioca... hee-hee

waffles

I ADORE waffles!  Plain, powdered sugar, covered in butter, served up with extra syrup (in each and every square!)...

fruit - peanut butter... chocolate chips (little rainbow sprinkly things...) I don't care.  Just l'eggo my eggo. Well... eggos are what I usually have...

But!!!  Now I've had waffles made just for me!!!  Isn't it funny how the little things that one person does cook up in to such special big things for another person? Waffles.

Did you know that there is such a thing as a waffle maker out there?  AND!  They come in shapes?!  I was asked if I wanted "round or square waffles"!  Who knew?!?!

Oh - I guess you probl'y did... but this was new info for the red.neck girl who burns her house down with the toaster can't cook!!! I was so EXCITED to know this!!!

Here you go:

The word "waffle" comes from the Celtic phrase "Wiff tille" which, loosely translated, means "Alas! The mountain goat has my sandwich!"*
Now you know.* You're welcome...

And... here's a recipe for you:

Ingredients:
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
3 eggs
1¾ cups whole milk
½ cup vegetable oil
½ tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation:
Pre-heat your waffle iron to its hottest setting. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
Beat eggs thoroughly. Whisk in sugar, milk and oil.
Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix gently until combined. Don't over-mix (is that anything like over-cookin'?)!

Spray both surfaces of your waffle iron with cooking spray.
Ladle 4 to 6 oz (½ to ¾ cup) batter on the iron and close it. It's not unusual for a bit of batter to seep out of the edges of the iron. If there's excessive leakage, use less batter for the next waffle.
Cook until the waffle iron's indicator light shows that cooking is complete, or until no more steam comes out. The finished waffle should be golden brown and crispy.

I personally am not going to try this recipe... I don't have a waffle maker.  In any shape or size... plus - even though it's flooding in the hood I'm fairly certain there is a burn ban on the single-wide. National Waffle Week is celebrated the second week in September.... I started my waffle celebration this past week-end thanks to an awesome waffle chef...

... have you been celebratin' National Waffle Week?  If not - you still have time!!! Would you like some syrup for each of those cool little cubbies?

Comin' to you LIVE from...

... hee-hee

* You really don't know... I just found that somewhere and was amused by it... kinda red.neckish... always take things I say with a granule of sugar... oh heck - go make some waffles!  I'm on my way!!!

cooking a moose.

It's a well known fact (almost world-wide) that I can't cook. At all. But... I have a deep admiration for those of you who CAN cook. And cookbooks... cookbooks seem to find me. Some of my favorites are the Church cookbooks.

casseroles... i like casseroles... all kinds of food in one pot.

I gravitate towards the church cookbooks because of the stories I think they tell... I like to imagine that somebody's Grandmother, or Great-Grandmother came up with the recipes (some for fun - some out of necessity) and started sharing. I like to think that they spent happy hours in their cozy kitchen with their sons and daughters - grand-sons and grand-daughters - passing on their love through time and food. Then the recipes got handed down, and handed down some more...

I'm a mustard girl but I might have to draw the line here...

just think - when a lot of these cookbooks were typed out and published - blowing things up in the microwave wasn't even a thought!

These cookbooks hold recipes for cakes and pies and salads and cookies and casseroles and fish stuff and meat stuff and sauces and dips and jams and jellies and bread and...

someone must have had a farm. With a moose on it.

*big cheesy grin*

Look:

there's even a section for the cooking impaired.

comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where I'm thinking that these goodies are heading to my space (aka: the "Taj Mahal") inside of the Hillsboro Antique Mall this week-end so someone that knows how to work their stove can enjoy them. Oh, and if you make some Beets with Mustard Butter will you let me know? I'll taste-test it for you.

Let's Talk Money!

Here you go!  A post out of the blue - non home-decor, fashion or (good gravy) cooking!

Have you ever pulled away from the drive-thru at your bank with a smile on your face thinking how much you ADORE your bank?  Even though they just took all of your money?  Happens to me all the time. I don't get how they make me love them as I hand over my paycheck for my car payment.  Geesh.

I think it's 'cause I leave my pennies at a Credit Union versus one of the big banks.  Why do I do that?  I just fell into it (literally.... grace is no-where in my vocabulary).  A few years ago I bit the bullet and decided the "if I don't have cash for it, I don't need it" philosophy wasn't such a good one when you didn't have good credit or bad credit... just NO credit!  I needed a car and decided to go semi-new... that required financing.  And - I landed at a Credit Union... with the coolest group of people that took me on with no credit history what-so-ever!  Had I ever thought about a Credit Union vs a traditional bank?  No - have you?  Wanna know the difference?

Is A Credit Union Better Than A Traditional Bank?

If you’re not already a credit union member, you may be wondering what the difference is between your local credit union and your local bank -- or perhaps you’re not really wondering at all and you assume they’re pretty much the same. You may be surprised to find out that there are indeed some very substantial differences between credit unions and banks including the way they operate and who they work for.

The Owners

First and foremost, when you’re looking at which institution to bank at, you should take a look at who owns the establishment. When you bank at your local bank, the institution is owned by investors and the bank works to make those investors money. When you bank at your local credit union, the institution is owned by the members of the credit union and if you’re a member the institution is owned, in part, by you. Therefore, the credit card is, in essence, working for you.

Where Do The Profits Go?

Another big difference between credit unions and banks is where the profits go. When you’re doing business with a bank, the investors of that bank are reaping the profits of the institution. However, credit unions are non-profit entities. When you’re doing business with a credit union the profits of that credit union are being returned to the members of the credit union in the form of lower loan interest rates and higher dividends.

FDIC Insured

Many people are leery of putting their funds in the hands of a credit union because they believe the credit union isn’t FDIC insured. This isn’t necessarily the case. All federal credit unions must be FDIC insured. If you’re interested in banking at your local credit union, simply call them to verify that they are indeed FDIC insured.

Personalized Service

While this isn’t the instance in all cases, I have often heard that people who are members of credit unions receive more personalized service than those who are members of large banks. Because credit unions tend to be smaller and cater to a select group of people, there is more personalization between the staff and the members.

I robbed this bank'n site for all of the above info...... sssshhhhhhhhh.... I'm still sportin' my mask!  When I had to update to my duct tape mobile - I refused to talk finance with the dealership - I made it clear that I would only finance through my Credit Union.  Business and personal accounts, any financing - I moved it all over.  I love my Credit Union - and when I grin they grin back at me!  Even better than that?  They know my name!!!

The next time you're shoppin' the banking market I think you should definitely look into your local Credit Union.  I'm just a normal girl who makes signs by day - purses and various other stuff by night... my name is Robelyn, and I'm a proud member of a Credit Union! Did I mention that they know my name?

And they love me even when I don't have two pennies to rub together but a full roll of duct tape!  Uh huh! Sew... do you have a preference - bank or credit union?

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide (that does NOT go through the drive-thru - just the duct tape mobile makes that trip)... hee-hee

;-D  robelyn


P.S. You KNEW I wasn't going to be able to post without fashion, home decor and/or cooking, right? ha!

howdy partner...

How ARE you today?!?!

There are two things I grew up with... bluegrass music and square dancin'!

Do you ever listen to the Lewis Family?  How about Earl Scruggs? Uhmmm... dueling banjo's? Ah.... bluegrass music...

"The Daddy red.neck" has been overheard SEVERAL times in my OneHundredandSeventyThreeyears sayin', "just call me Lil' Roy Lewis"...  as he sat in trees playin' his Banjo... running up and down the couch playin' his Banjo... just-a-pickin'-and-a-grinnin'!

Oh c'mon - you KNEW I got it from SOMEWHERE!!!  I come by it all so naturally - I've even been known to bust out singin' "Rocky Top, you'll always be - Home Sweet Home to meeeeeee" at the TOP of my lungs at ANY time - driving, working, sewing, walking, breathing... doesn't matter when...

And Square Dancing!  The across-the-street-neighbors when I was growin' up used to Square Dance and "the Mama" always took me to see them dance... and I would be razzled and dazzled by the RUFFLES and the BLING and the SMILES and the CLICKING sounds the clogs made and the CLAPPING and the WHIRLING ruffles and lace and bling and colors and more ruffles and movement.... oh SO MUCH FUN!!!

"Choose your partners, one and all..."

Anywho - this is what happens when you get inspired.... then you think about climbing a tree with a banjo... and then dancin' around in the tree while pickin' at the banjo... and perhaps cooking some pinto beans. Uhmmm... meet "Bon.nie and Earl":

Now I want to learn how to Square Dance (I can't believe that I haven't learnt myself already!)... do you know how?  Wanna go with me? C'mon - I choose you as my pardner...

Comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide (that's do-se-do'n ALL over the place!!!)...hee-hee