G is for Granola Bars

Posted on by April 8, 2013

I love granola bars. They’re such a quick and tasty snack, filling enough to keep me going until mealtime, but small enough to pop into my pocket. I’ve even started making my own. These aren’t as healthy as some, and aren’t really fat-free, but at least they have no chemicals and preservatives. They’re versatile so they aren’t the same every time unless I want them to be. And the best part – they don’t need any baking. A few minutes to set, and they’re ready.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins (or chocolate chips, craisins, almonds etc. – or a mixture which adds up to 1/2 cup)
1/4 to 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar (I use about 1/4 cup – I find 1/2 cup too sweet)
1/2 cup light corn syrup (I usually use honey – but only because I rarely have corn syrup in the house)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine cereal, rolled oats and raisins in a large bowl.

2. Combine brown sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.

3. Add peanut butter and vanilla. Stir until smooth.

4. Pour over cereal. Mix well.

5. Press into an ungreased 13×9″ pan.

6. Cool. Cut into bars. Wrap individually. Enjoy.

Makes 24 bars.

Hints:
1. Press hard into the pan, otherwise they might not hold together.
2. You might want to spray Pam or butter your hands so the mixture doesn’t stick.

F is for Fool’s Gold

Posted on by April 6, 2013

Fool's Gold
No, not iron pyrites, but the 2008 movie starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. The critics panned it, but in my experience, if the critics don’t like a movie, I usually will. Fool’s Gold is no exception, and from the very informal poll I took among my friends, I’m not alone.

The story is a cheesy and corny romance/comedy/adventure, which fits my criteria for light, fun entertainment. “Finn” Finegan (McConaughey) and his partner are searching for sunken treasure in the Bahamas and because of his obsession, his wife, Tess, (Hudson) has divorced him. Somehow, he convinces her and millionaire Nigel Honeycutt (played by Donald Sutherland) to help him find it. Along the way, they have to deal with local gangsters who are also trying to find the treasure.

Of course, the ending is predictable. Finn and Tess reunite. They find the treasure. Everyone lives happily ever after. But isn’t that how a romantic comedy is supposed to end?

Yes, the critics overwhelmingly dissed the movie, but looking at the box office returns and DVD sales, the fans disagree. Fool’s Gold is right up there on my list with Romancing the Stone and The Thomas Crown Affair.

Have you seen Fool’s Gold? What do you think?

E is for Elvis (The King)

Posted on by April 5, 2013

Back in the 50’s, Elvis Presley was the biggest name in music. Parents were sure his gyrations on stage were going to corrupt minors while the teenagers discovered rock and roll and his records and movies raked in the money.

From his childhood in Tupelo, Mississipi to wealth and fame few of us can imagine (and to be honest, I wouldn’t want), he racked up almost 40 top ten hits and starred in 33 movies. He died far too young. But his music lives on.

So today I thought I’d have a little contest. Below are five Elvis songs. Fill in the blanks, post your answers and I’ll choose one winner from the correct entries to receive a digital copy of another “E”I thought about talking about today – my historical romance, Emma’s Wish.

1. In the ____________

2. ____________ Heart

3. I Can’t Help _________ in ___________

4. _____________ Rock

5. Blue _________________

For a bonus entry, tell me your favorite Elvis song and why.

Thanks for visiting.

D is for Dominoes

Posted on by April 1, 2013

SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA

Dominoes. For some reason it always seemed like an old man’s game to me, even though I do remember playing with my sister and my parents when I was really small, probably because it was such an easy game for little ones to learn. Just match the number of dots to the domino already there. The first person to get rid of all the their dominoes wins.

The people we were visiting with taught me to play Mexican Train. Sure. No problem. I’m a reasonably intelligent person. How difficult can it be? Let’s just say it was a lot more complicated than than I expected. This was not my parents’ domino game.

In Mexican Train, each person has their own “train” to match with, but there are rules about playing doubles, adding to other people’s trains, even another “Mexican train” that anyone can add to. So with a group of people, there are potentially more than a dozen places to add tiles.

When I’m playing a game, I don’t want to have to strategize. So, it’s back to cards for me – Fish, Snap, War. Yep, I can handle those. 🙂

What about you? Have you ever played? Do you prefer card games? Board games? No games at all?

C is for Camera

Posted on by April 1, 2013

camera

See my Easter present? Okay, so it’s from me to me, but it still counts, right? I’ve ordered it already and can’t wait for it to arrive. I was going to wait to show you until it got here, but then –I can’t really take a picture of the camera with the same camera.

It’s pretty fancy-schmancy for someone like me but nowhere near what a professional photographer would use. That’s okay. I’m not planning to be a professional, but I do want to try something a little more advanced than my little point-and-shoot, so this one is perfect. A few bells and whistles, but still easy enough to use.

Now all I have to do is learn a little something about photography 🙂

Do you have an eye for photography? Prefer a basic point-and-shoot? Or do you let other people take all the pictures?

B is for Bobbin Lace

Posted on by April 1, 2013
Isn't this pretty?

Isn’t this pretty?

I was at a heritage fair a few years ago and came across a girl twisting and knotting thread into a delicately designed strip of lace. When I questioned her, she told me it was called bobbin lace.

I am a craft junkie, but I’d never heard of bobbin lace, and I was intrigued that I’d found a new skill to learn.

It’s a lot harder than it looks, and I’ve yet to manage anything I wouldn’t be embarrassed to show anyone.
To me, bobbin lace seems to be the ancestor of the macrame fad in the 70’s, except with fine thread instead of string. As far back as the 16th century, artisans created strips of bobbin lace from cotton and silk threads, and even gold and silver-wrapped threads. The bobbins, which held the thread to prevent it from tangling, were often made from bone or ivory.

The process requires patience, finger dexterity and oh, did I mention patience? It takes a long time to make an inch of lace when you’re working with fine thread. But after watching the girl work to produce a beautiful strip of lace, the end result is definitely worth the time.

Now if only I could get my fingers to work:???:

If you’re interested in seeing how bobbin lace is actually made, here are a few links to tutorial videos. I’d show one here if I could figure out how 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiTqdr38tTU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdLTFOSEp3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPrEGniUsQ8

Want to give it a try?

A is for Apron

Posted on by March 31, 2013

Welcome to the April A-Z Blog Challenge. I hadn’t decided what to write for today’s post until yesterday, when a neighbor and I were talking about oven mitts, potholders and dish towels as protection for taking something out of the oven. It reminded of of my mother, who always used the bottom of her apron instead. Lightbulb moment!! 💡

No one wears aprons these days. I don’t even know if they’re available in the stores now, other than novelty aprons with the funny sayings like “The smoke alarm is my timer” and “Many have eaten in this kitchen – few have died.”

I remember my mother wearing an apron every time she cooked when I was small. It was a full apron and had a small flower print, a pocket and the edges were trimmed with bias binding.

I found this poem on the web. I don’t know who the author is, so I can’t give credit. I do give thanks, though, for bringing back wonderful memories.

Grandma’s Apron
(author unknown)

When I used to visit Grandma. I was very much impressed,
by her all-purpose apron, and the power it possessed.
For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.
The strings were tied and freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.
She used it for a basket, when she gathered up the eggs,
and flapped it as a weapon, when hens pecked her feet and legs.
She used it to carry kindling when she stoked the kitchen fire.
And to hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
She used it for a hot pad, to remove a steaming pan,
and when her brow was heated, she used it for a fan.
It dried our childish tears, when we’d scrape a knee and cry,
and made a hiding place when the little ones were shy.
Farm produce took in season, in the summer, spring and fall,
found its way into the kitchen from Grandma’s carry all.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I’m sure the apron she chose that day, was her Sunday best.

Do you remember your mother, grandmother or great-grandmother wearing an apron?