They have some huge ones at our local hardware store, up to 17 inches across!
Posted on 03/23/2008 11:36:40 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick
Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.
At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."
Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.
A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."
[snipped]
She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.
"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
They have some huge ones at our local hardware store, up to 17 inches across!
This modern, ethnic-looking coffee table, with its ochre stripes that conjures up visions of Marrakech, was made from a wooden pallet discarded in a shopping area.
The painstaking task of removing nails and sawing wood was avoided by fitting the pallet with a hardboard bottom and filling the cracks with mortar. And presto, we have a table top.
If you like contemporary design, you can also fill the cracks with concrete, and then smooth and add a wax finish.
To start, choose a pallet in good condition. The one pictured is a
75 x 75 cm (2½ x 2½ ft) square. Roughly sand the wood using low-grade sandpaper. Under the boards, attach two pieces of thin hardboard or a similar material. The hardboard should be cut to completely cover the cracks between the boards, but underneath the edge boards, they should be slightly shorter, so they won't be seen. The grainy side of the hardboard should face upwards. Glue and nail down each piece of hardboard. Then nail some cheap wood (such as wood from a wooden crate) along the ends of the pallet boards, to create a makeshift formwork.
To help fill in the cracks, nail down a few pieces of scrap wood. These strips of wood will disappear in the mortar. Make a thickish mortar and smooth it on with a knife.
You may need to apply a second layer.
Once the mortar is dry, remove the formwork and carefully sand the table top. Cut out some new pieces of hardboard to support the drawers. You can also add drawer stops. Measure the space and make drawers of the right size or buy them. For this coffee table, Fira drawers from Ikea were used. The drawers were simply turned around and a knob added on the side. The drawers are both practical and decorative.
You can either paint the mortar or leave it as is. This table was decorated with natural ochre-colored potato paint. The finish is two coats of standard linseed oil.
To make "legs" for the coffee table, attach two thick boards, such as formwork planks, to the sides of the pallet, using 80 mm (3 in) screws. To make the table even sturdier, fasten corner brackets, such as those used to brace chairs, to the palette and the inside of the "legs".
Clove Studded Oranges:
You will need:
Oranges
Whole Cloves
Arrowroot
Decorate the oranges with cloves either in patterns or all over. You
can do a spiral or spell names.. anything.
Place 1 small container of Arrowroot in gallon ziplock bag and place
oranges for one week. Take out and dust off. They will be preserved
forever!
and there is some place with a man’s name, yes,<<<
I couldn’t remember ‘craig’s list’, but could recall the cops busting some of the ladies that were making appointments there.
I have read several times that the small time Handcrafter can do better buying supplies and selling crafts on craig’s list, than at e-bay.
Granny do you have recommendations for laundry soap with a septic system? <<<
When I had a washer, it went out and watered Bamboo.
The Fels Naptha should be fine, or as good as most others.
I don’t understand pumping septics, this one is over 30 years old and has never been pumped.
I put yeast in mine, or sourdough starter....You need to keep them working.
One of the big name products is nothing but yeast.
Don’t ask how much, I just do it, what ever is left in the jar [2 or 3 tablespoons..] that I want to dump and replace, or a cup of starter when I had it, and didn’t want to cook that day, a good way to use it if you can’t bake.
Yeast has been used, since septics were invented, I think.
Thank you, I will let my husband know. We were aware that bacteria were needed and I’m not surprised that yeast is also needed.
I’ll look back through the thread too. Thanks.
http://www.aboutchristmascrafts.com/chocolate_pretzels_easy_to_make_christmas_gifts.html#more
Chocolate Pretzels: Easy to Make Christmas Gifts!
Looking for easy to make Christmas gifts? Try these yummy chocolate pretzels and make your friends say WOW!
Not only are these easy to make Christmas gifts simple to whip up in an afternoon, they’re pretty and have a personal touch. Homemade gifts show you care, and easy to make Christmas gifts like these are just as easy to give as expensive store-bought presents.
-Pretzels (the curly kind – small ones work best)
-6 squares of white chocolate
-1/4 cup candy sprinkles
-cellophane Christmas bags or small Christmas themed tins (readily available at discount and dollar stores)
-Pretty ribbon
-Gift tags (or make your own!)
The first step in these easy to make Christmas gifts is to get cooking! This recipe is quick and easy and will only take a little while to make, so you might want to think about doubling or even tripling it while you’re in the kitchen anyway.
Lay a piece of wax paper over a cooking pan. Slowly melt the white chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave over low heat, stirring frequently. Once the chocolate has melted, dip each pretzel halfway into the chocolate, turning to coat it completely. Lay the coated pretzels on the cooking sheet and sprinkle them with candy before the chocolate dries. To speed up the drying process, you can put them in the refrigerator for ten minutes.
Once the pretzels are dry, store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to give them out (I like to keep them in the fridge just to be safe).
Make It!
To finish these easy to make Christmas gifts, gather the tins or cellophane bags you’re planning to stuff. Evenly distribute the pretzels among them. If you’re using tins, you’ll probably need more pretzels than if you stick with bags, but it’ll look nicer. Tie the bags shut with ribbon or, if you’re using tins, craft a pretty bow to stick on top. Personalize the gift tags and attach them to each package. There you have it: easy to make Christmas gifts that look (and taste!) great!
Other Ideas
If you’re the adventurous sort, feel free to play with this recipe. There are all sorts of fun things you can add to the mix: nuts, raisins, cereal, or anything else you think might taste good smothered in chocolate. These easy to make Christmas gifts are fun for the whole family! For even more chocolate recipes, please see ExtremeChocolate.com.
These sparkling gift tags, with a front flap for holding gift-certificate cards, are as functional as they are pretty. Tie them to presents, or hang them on the tree.
1. Cut a 4 1/2-by-3 1/2-inch rectangle from card stock, rounding the corners. Cut a 3 1/2-inch square in a coordinating color, rounding bottom corners only. Trim top edge with scallop scissors if desired.
2. Place strips of double-sided tape where glitter will appear, using different widths to vary the size of the stripes; sprinkle with glitter. (If using multiple shades of glitter, lay tape strips down 1 at a time so you can sprinkle individually, left.)
3. Attach square to rectangle with double-sided tape, leaving opening at top. Write greeting on front. Punch a hole in the top, and thread with cord or string, knotting to secure.
From:
Tools and Materials
Plastic liner from crafts or floral-supply stores
Pot of forced paperwhites
Round basket
Sheet moss
Sprigs of princess pine
Basket How-To
Purchase a pot of paperwhites that fits inside a round basket. Trim plastic liner (available at crafts store) to fit basket, place it inside, and add the pot. With sheet moss, fill in gaps between pot and basket, and cover top of soil. Tuck sprigs of princess pine around base of basket to create a decorative ring. Blooms will thrive in a cool room with indirect light.
First Published: December 2005
http://christmas.tipnut.com/laura-ingalls-wilder-gingerbread-recipe/
Laura Ingalls Wilder Gingerbread Recipe
Yes this is a recipe from THAT Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie series). What a treasure!
1 cup brown sugar blended with
1/2 cup lard or other shortening.
1 cup molasses mixed well with this.
2 teaspoons baking soda in 1 cup boiling water
(Be sure cup is full of water after foam is run off into cake mixture).
Mix all well.
To 3 cups of flour have added one teaspoon each of the following spices: ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves; and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sift all into cake mixture and mix well. Add lastly 2 well-beaten eggs.
The mixture should be quite thin.
Bake in a moderate oven for thirty minutes.
Raisins and, or, candied fruit may be added and a chocolate frosting adds to the goodness.
Source: hbook.com [http://www.hbook.com/history/letters/wilder_1953_letter.asp]
Introducing Miss Broccoli In The Wise Words of Whit...
Cupcake Candle Tutorial
March 8th, 2007 @ 3:01 pm by Mrs. Plum
Step 1: Gather all of your supplies
-double boiler and/or a pot with water
-container to hold melted wax (i bought one with a pour spout for convenience)
-wax
-silicone mold (I bought mine off ebay from seller sculpturesinsoap)
They also had this really cute heart cupcake mold
-fragrance (I used birthday cake fragrance from AAA Candle Supply)
-coloring wax
Step 2: Put a chunk of wax into the melting pot with the desired amount of color until melted into a liquid form. Add fragrance as needed (1 oz per 1lb)…
Step 3: Wick the mold
-poke hole into center of bottom of mold
-place waxed wick through the hole so it sticks through
-use a “wick centering device” or make a ghetto one with 2 sticks and a rubber band (as shown in picture) to hold it up straight
Step 4: Pour the melted wax into the mold to the desired level - I poured one color until it reached the end of the muffin top
Step 5: Put in freezer to chill if you want it done quick, otherwise just set it on the counter to harden.
Step 6: Pour the next color in to the top of the mold
Step 7: Put in freezer again or set aside to harden
Step 8: Once hardened, you can just “pop” the cupcake out of the hole. Grab the bottom (open side) of the mold and gently peel back the mold - the cupcake should just pop out like you’re birthing it (haha)
Step 9: Trim wick to desired length.
Step 10: Step back and revel in your DIY-awesomeness.
Et Voila! A delicious cupcake! (not to be consumed! )
Hot Cranberry Cider
Prep Time:5 min
Cook Time:7 min
3 1/2 quarts, about 18 servings
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 cinnamon sticks, plus additional sticks to use at stirrers
1 tablespoon whole cloves
8 cups cranberry juice
6 cups apple juice
Put the sugar, cinnamon sticks and cloves in the basket of a large coffee percolator. Put the juices in the bottom of the percolator. Let the mixture perk as if making coffee. Serve with cinnamon stick stirrers, if desired.
Icy Holiday Punch
From Taste of Home
It's easy and convenient to prepare the base of this slushy punch ahead. Its rosy color makes it so pretty for Christmas. I've also make it with apricot gelatin for a bridal shower. This fun beverage makes any occasion a bit more special.
SERVINGS 32-36
CATEGORY Beverages
METHOD Freezer
PREP 10 min.
TOTAL 10 min.
1 package (6 ounces) cherry gelatin
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups boiling water
1 can (46 ounces) pineapple juice
6 cups cold water
2 liters ginger ale, chilled
In a 4-qt. freezer-proof container, dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water. Stir in pineapple juice and cold water. Cover and freeze overnight.
Remove from the freezer 2 hours before serving. Place in a punch bowl; stir in ginger ale just before serving. Yield: 32-36 servings (5-3/4 quarts).
Printed from tasteofhome.com Dec 22, 2008
Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008
They all look like fun and some will taste good.
Thanks for posting them.
{{{hugs}}} Granny
[This is a must know link, you will be surprised at what the different drugs will do, when mixed with other drugs and simple foods....granny]
Don’t miss out on our NaturalNews DrugWatch database: It reveals the side effects and herbal interactions of more than 540 popular brand name drugs. Click the photo below to visit it right now, or click:
http://www.naturalnews.com/DrugWatch_Home.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/DrugWatch_Acetaminophen.html
Acetaminophen
side effects, nutrient depletions, herbal interactions and health notes:
Data provided by Applied Health
• N-acetyl cysteine has been shown to improve liver damage caused by acetaminophen overdose.1
• Use of over three grams of vitamin C has been associated with decreased acetaminophen clearance time.2
• Foods high in carbohydrates, pectin and vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, etc. can interfere with acetaminophen absorption.3
• Acetaminophen consumption is especially risky for individuals who regularly consume excess amounts of alcohol as they can develop liver toxicity at lower levels of acetaminophen intake.4
• Individuals taking acetaminophen should refrain from fasting, Being in a fasting state greatly increases the chance of liver damage5
• In a study involving five healthy adult volunteers Houston and Levy found that oral administration of 3 g of ascorbic acid 1.5 hours after an oral dose of 1 g of acetaminophen caused a rapid and pronounced decrease in the excretion rate of acetaminophen sulfate. Later research by Mitra et al using rodents supported the conclusion that ascorbyl stearate provided protection against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by reducing the reactive intermediate back to the parent compound. They also note that the combination enhanced therapeutic efficacy against fever.These initial studies indicate that individuals with conditions commonly treated by acetaminophen might be able to use lower doses of the drug, achieve equal or superior clinical results, and reduce side effects from the drug by combining it with some form of vitamin C. In fact, a survey of current clinical reality might reveal that such a combination is often the unsupervised practice of many patients. Nevertheless, individuals taking acetaminophen should consult with their physician and/or pharmacist before reducing doses of the drug based on simultaneous use of vitamin C.6
• Many studies have looked into the efficacy and appropriateness of using NAC to treat patients suffering from acute toxic effects of acetaminophen. Such treatment of acetaminophen intoxication with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), both oral and intravenous, is standard hospital protocol in many countries. NAC is generally considered safe with relatively few side effects. However, individuals suffering from acetaminophen intoxication require emergency care and use of NAC in this capacity is only appropriate in such a setting7
• Acetaminophen is generally well tolerated with few short-term side effects. However, the drug is inherently toxic to the liver, and to some degree the kidneys also, and an overdose of acetaminophen can result in liver toxicity, liver failure, and even death. The signs and symptoms of liver toxicity may not become apparent for 2-3 days after a toxic overdose. Patients with liver and kidney disease should exercise special caution in taking acetaminophen to avoid toxicity.8
• Overdosage of acetaminophen causes fatal hepatic failure and acute renal failure.9
Continues and gives info that you never guessed......
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