My Daughter Is Graduating College!

Yes my daughter is in her last year of college. She is doing really great with her classes. We are very proud of her and we do let her know that.

She is really busy these days with her job, her internship and all her classes. I really don't know how she does it. Sometimes she just has enough time to go home get a couple hours of sleep and start the next day.

She does call me when she has a few minutes in between what ever she is doing. That is when I find out what she has been doing. She has talked to Drew on the phone a couple of times. You should her them two when I put the speaker on the phone for them to talk. This one time I do remember it was last month she was in  a car accident not real bad. There was snow on the ground and a car slid into her car and I was trying to explain it to Drew and I said forget it and put the speaker on the phone so my daughter could explain it to him. 

My daughter just barely graduated high school. Her grades are a lot better in college now. With what she has been through with her dad leaving her, barely graduating high school, working and going to college I think my daughter deserves this graduation from college. I am a very proud mother right now and I know that Drew is just as proud of her. She has been working her butt off for the last four years for this.

Right now all I know is her graduation will be sometime in May. Yes I am taking time off work to go and see my daughter graduate. This is one thing I would never miss for her. I will tell you this is the one parent that is always there for my kids no matter what. I will always be there for my kids too.

She called me last night to tell me about the graduation. She asked me if she should tell her dad about it and I told her that it is up to her. I can not be the one to decide this one for her. He always told the kids he would be there when they graduated high school and never showed up for them. So I do not see him showing up for her college graduation. But that is up to her to tell him not me.

I will keep you up dated on the graduation. All I know that day the waterfalls will be going for my daughter and not only me I know Drew's will be going too. Just like when my youngest daughter and his daughter both graduated high school. From the very proud mom!♥

Time to test the soil

 Every garden book I have ever read starts out by saying the soil it the most important thing about gardening. They say if the soil it right, you will have a better garden. That is why it is time to do a soil test, now, while there there are not a dozen garden chores you need to do. It also is a good time because the testing facilities won't be so busy since most people procrastinate.

A soil test is easy to do and it doesn't take very much time. You dig up dirt from a number of areas in your garden (or lawn) and put it all in a bucket. Stir is up and put the amount required for the test in a bag or a plastic bag, fill out the information and send the soil in to the testing lab.

You have two options, one is to send the sample into the the state testing lab and the other is to send it to a private lab.

Over the year we have done both. The cost of a simple test in Georgia where we live is $8. Last year we had a more comprehensive test done and the cost was $25. Though the $8 cost was very appealing, and it does let you know what kind of basic soil amendments we needed, the $25 test gave us information on how our soil micro nutrients that were very helpful.

It's easy to get the information, just check with your local extension agency. In Georgia, the web address is http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/soiltest123/Georgia.htm. You will get all the information plus a nice video explaining the process, and where to take your sample by giving your zip code.

For other states it is easy, too. I did a search for soil testing, then the state. For instance, when I did this for Alabama, the web address is, http://www.aces.edu/anr/soillab, for Colorado -- http://www.soiltestinglab.colostate.edu and for Vermont -- http://pss.uvm.edu/ag_testing/?Page=soils.html.

When we did the test by a private lab, we took ours to Country Garden Farms. I think this is helping because our soil gets better every year.

Community Supported Agriculture

There are folks out there that get great organic home-grown vegetables without having a garden, and fresh, free-range eggs and meat straight from the farm without making a trek to Whole Foods or Fresh Market.

These folks are "buying into" a new concept called Community Supported Agriculture or CSA farms. Each farm's operations are supported by the consumers who "buy" a share in the farm and for that share they receive fresh products, straight from the field or barn, on an ongoing, weekly basis, as long as the shares last. Incidentally, most CSAs have spring sign ups and they have only a set number of shares.

Serenbe was the first local farm I know of that started this program and it is still up and running and doing well, by all accounts. Serenbe is not in our county, but just over our northern border in Fulton county. We have two local farms that are CSAs. One, Country Gardens Farms and the other, 180 Degree Farms. Both of these farms are within a short distance of each other in the eastern part of the county.

I can't say I know too much about 180 Degrees other than I have looked at their website and know a couple of the people on their board. They have an interesting story and I would love to visit their farm to see their practices.

Country Gardens Farms is a multi-generational, family-owned business that used to be a garden center but they have turned their growing expertise into a CSA venture because they think it is the wave of the future -- locally-grown, organic vegetables, meat, milk, eggs and farm products.

I must admit that I was inspired last spring when I toured their gardens. I was there for an organic farming class taught by owner, Mike Cunningham and at that point they had started their CSA but were just shutting down the gardening center. I must say their operations are very impressive. They have beautiful fields with great-looking vegetables and I have changed the way I look at organic gardening because of that visit and the class I took.

Each week I receive a newsletter from Country Gardens Farms letting me know what fresh farm products they have for sale, and though I don't have a share, I look with great curiosity at their products. If you own a CSA share, you get the cream of the crop, then they fill online orders and whatever is leftover is trucked to local farmer's markets in the Atlanta metro area.

That is about it. I think it is a growing business and if you like organic and free-range foods but don't want to get your hands dirty, you may want to look into a CSA. It is expensive, but so are organic foods in the grocery store.

If you don't live in our area, but are interested in buying a share of a CSA farm, look online. They are located in every state and it may just be the wave of the future.

I won't provide links, but you can google the names and find the local farms. You may also want to look on Facebook for a CSA. I plan to grow my own vegetables, but if I didn't, I would think a share of a farm could be a great way to get local, seasonal products without getting your hands dirty.

American Idol in Houston Texas!

Yes American Idol was in Houston, Texas last night. It was a really interesting show.

They handed out 54 tickets last night. 

At the beginning of the show it was a lot of cowboys that could not sing worth anything. 

Then there was a girl from Mississippi and she was really good. She had the right stuff and she made it to Hollywood.

After she sang it looked like everything was turning around for the judges.

Then a 28 yr old lady that is going through a divorce came out. She was really good. Her and her husband at the time had a band. But then she was pregnant and she had to put her dreams on hold until last night because she is going to Hollywood. Her dreams are coming true now.

Then after lunch a battle between the judges started. Because the guys started to pick people that really could not sing and Jennifer was really getting frustrated.

On the second day there was a guy that was born with no ears. When he was younger he had to go through a lot of surgeries to get ear drums and ears. I will tell you one thing he can really sing and also he made it to Hollywood.

Then there was a guy who was singing and Randy tried to stop him but Jennifer stopped Randy. This guy really could sing good. He made it to Hollywood also.

Then there was a girl this was her second audition her first one was at age 16. She did make it to Hollywood her first time but not after first cut. This time she did make it to Hollywood again and I hope she makes if further because she is really good.

Next week Wednesday they will be in Portland, Oregon. I would really like to hear what you have to say.

American Idol in Aspen, Colorado!

Yes Wednesday night American Idol was in Aspen, Colorado.

31 tickets where given out last night in Aspen. 

There was a lot of people from all over at this one. I just could not believe that one came all the was from Virginia to audition.

The one that I do remember the most is the girl with bipolar. From what her mom and her said on t.v. about how she was it just brought tears to my eyes. I was just happy that she is on her medicine and was able to audition. I just hope she really makes it far because she is really good.

Then there was a Lady Gaga wannabe that I didn't really like. I thought she just needed a little more time to get her voice right.

There was a guy who wrote his own song and sang that for his audition. His friends and family said he would not make it with singing his own song. He made it to Hollywood.

The last audition was a guy  that called himself cyclops. He was dressed like a hippie and he was from Davenport. Iowa. He was really strange and he did not make it. Randy was leaving the room while he was still singing.

Like all the time there are good and bad singers at the auditions.

Thursday they will be in Houston, Texas. I can't wait to see how this one will go.

I am leaving you with a couple of beautiful pictures of  Aspen that I found. This would be one place I would really love to go and see.

I would really like to hear what you have to say!♥

The Allergy Self-Help Cookbook

My daughter purchased a new book, The Allergy Self-Help Cookbook by Marjorie Hurt Jones, R.N. and I think it is really going to help her provide better meals for her six-year-old. It has been quite a struggle for her lately, because after having him tested for allergies, she had to stop giving him yeast, sugar, egg yolks, tomatoes, oatmeal and most of the things a normal six-year-old eats on any given day.

The recipes she has tried so far from this book have been very good. There are quite a number of crepe-type quick breads, a very good waffle recipe, a pancake recipe he really loves. There are a number of sauce recipes that look very promising, like a plum sauce to replace ketchup, a spaghetti sauce without tomatoes and several sugar-free recipes. There are also several fish dishes like salmon croquettes and a tuna salad that looks promising. We have a lot of recipes to try!

It has been awhile since she has found a cookbook with exciting recipes that can also be adjusted for allergies and taste really good. Before this cookbook, everything she tried fell short. Now there are plenty of things we can try. That's why I really am recommending this book for anyone who feels like they can't have anything good anymore. With these recipes, things just may get a little better.

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Shoppping the Oriental Market for Chinese New Year

According to my calendar, Monday was Chinese New Year. That is the reason my six-year-old grandson and I made a trip to our local Oriental Market. I was shopping primarily for chopsticks so that the children in his class at school could eat Chinese food at their Friday afternoon celebration with the proper utensils. I bought 48 pairs for under two bucks. Quite a bargain, if you ask me.

Though I have been there on numerous occasions because of their great assortment of rice noodles, shallots, bean sprouts and many items that make staying on a rotary diet possible for a six-year-old with allergies.

Today, in addition to the chopsticks, we bought rice noodles, shallots, hibiscus tea, rice flour and something called shrimp chips, a shrimp and tapioca snack to prepare. I found out, too that their fresh vegetables come in on Wednesday, so I will go back, since in addition to being fresh, they are reasonably priced. They also have fresh Chinese sandwiches and of course all the traditional Chinese foods and all the ingredients to make them authentic.

The amazing thing is that this market is even in our small town at all, but it is here and located on the east side of Newnan on Bullsboro Drive, just past Shenandoah Boulevard on the right, in a small shopping center.

For those on gluten-free diets, it is certainly worth the trip and it was enjoyable to go with a sweet boy who was ready to go as soon as he found his chopsticks.

Two Sisters Gardening

Today I have an announcement to make. I would like to introduce you to a new blog called Two Sisters Gardening.

My sister, Wilma Smith, who has been my gardening partner for the past several years and I will be posting exclusively about gardening. My sis, who loves everything nature has to offer is naturally gifted with a green thumb. She loves the great outdoors, animals and loves to plant, tend and decorate with flowers, raise vegetables and tend to her outdoor landscape.

I will still be posting on Everyday Finesse, but I will post about gardening topics on both blogs.

Our new blog will include recipes, endless tips, advice from experts, tours of gardens of all types, guest bloggers and reviews of garden products and techniques. In other words -- all things gardening. We will be answering gardening questions, visiting local gardens and looking at how to garden from every angle.

We will also be starting a new local and online garden club called the Crossroads Garden Club. This club will be affiliated with the National Garden Club and the Georgia Garden Club and will be in the Redbud District, just as any other local club would be. Our first year will focus on education and we already have a couple of guest speakers lined up. There will be regular meetings beginning on February 28, but the club will also be open online for those who can't attend meetings. There will be some differences between the online and local memberships but everyone will be able to take advantage of the gardening knowledge of experts who will speak to us each month.

As I wrote on the first Two Sisters Blog entry, it is time to get started because spring will be here before you know it! Get your garden tools, fertilizers and garden seeds ready and tune up the tiller, because we are ready to break new ground!

Winter Forming On The Lake!

I will start with Friday night. I was having a bad night trying to sleep. I had a real bad sinus headache and only got a couple hours of sleep. I was suppose to work on Saturday but my with sinus headache it never went away and with the very little sleep I had gotten I didn't want to take the chance driving the car with both things. So Saturday I stayed home and tried to get rid of the headache. It finally went away in the evening. Believe me I tried taking any medicine I could to get rid of the headache.

Then on Sunday I had a short day at work. So Drew had an idea to go out and do something since I was feeling better. I gave him the idea to go and drive around and go to the thrift stores. Yes we did do both things.

The first place we went was by Lake Michigan. The picture you see here is a few blocks away from our place. You can see how the ice is starting to form by the shores. You can also see how the waves are coming in from the winds yesterday.

Then we went downtown by the lake to see if we could see any ducks out there. We did see some Seagulls just laying on the ice. That is in the picture to the right.

I just couldn't believe how the ice was forming downtown already. There was ice up on all the rocks along the lake. Yesterday with the winds the waves came up on the rocks.

We also seen some Seagulls trying to fly into the wind. But they couldn't get anywhere. We tried to get a picture of that but when we would go to snap the picture they went down below the rocks.

Yes we did make it to the thrift stores and he found some more to add to his music collection. I found some books for my daughter and work pants for him and I. 

It was just nice getting out of the house even with it being windy and cold outside. I do enjoy just going out for a drive and looking around. I don't like the cold but as long as it is nice and warm in the car I will go. I hope everyone enjoyed there weekend I did at least on Sunday.

American Idol in San Diego!

Yes American Idol was in San Diego last night. The auditions took place on the U.S.S. Midway fleet. Yes right on an aircraft carrier. I thought that was really neat.

One guy got the gold ticket and went out to tell his family while they were so happy the guy hit is head on one of the pipes.

The first person that had there audition was a girl and let me tell you skanky is the right word. The shorts was like Daisy Duke shorts and a strapless bikini top. Yes I am sure all the guys there really liked the show. I am sorry I would never let my girls dress like that especially for on t.v..

Then there was a girl named Jane Carrey. She was really good but then to come and find out she is Jim Carrey's daughter. Some people are going to think that she made it because she told the judges who her father is. I just hope that was not the case because I would like to see her make it all on her own not because of who her father is.

Then there is Steven Tyler goofing off. When I seen this on the commercials during the football game I was laughing so hard. When I did see this during the show I was laughing just as hard. He knows how to have a good time.

Yes there was a lot of people that didn't make it last night but then there was the good ones that made it.

The show didn't start until really late last because the football game went into overtime.

This Wednesday they are going to be in Aspen, Colorado. I can't wait to see how this one is going to go. I would really like to hear what you are thinking about the show!

My best pecan pie recipe

For years I have wanted to make my husband a great pecan pie, his favorite dessert. I have tried so many "promising" recipes but I have never found the one that is perfect. Perfect means a pie that is not loaded with pecans but with plenty of creamy filling.

I had given up on finding that really good recipe but over the recent holidays I decided to try one more time to find out why my pies were just not very good. As I read recipes, hints and tips about making the perfect pecan pie, I noticed how beautiful some of the them were in magazines. I wondered how they got them to look so perfect. The pecans were arranged beautifully with all the pecans perfectly placed.

My old recipes had some major differences that I noticed. Mine said to mix the pecans with the filling, then pour the mixture into an unbaked pie shell. Some recipes I found said to "carefully" arrange the pecans in the bottom of an unbaked pie shell in a circular pattern, then mix the filling and pour it over the pecans in the shell. Here was my answer for a pretty pie.

 Other things I found: For a thick filling use a 9-1/2 inch pan. Other hints were to make sure the crust had no breaks in it so that the filling would not seep underneath the crust and I had to adjust my ingredients but in the end I came up with a pie my husband really loved.

So this is how I found my husband's perfect dessert. I know I don't use as many pecans as I used to in a smaller pie but that is OK. The pie is creamy and delicious for my husband and looks really pretty for me.

I do need to carefully pour the mixed filling over the pecans that are arranged in the shell and I have to lightly place the pecans in the shell because if I press on them, they won't float when the filling is poured in. Putting the filling on top coats the pecans and though they aren't underneath the filling, the coating on the pecans forms a nice and tasty crust on top. The filling is about a half inch thick and it is oh so creamy, yet firm.

Here is my lovely and great tasting pie recipe:

Deep Dish Pecan Pie

1 unbaked pie shell (I purchased mine in the dairy case at the grocery store.

Filling:

1-1/2 cups pecan halves (I don't use all of the pecans but I pick out the prettiest one from the package and save the rest for other recipes. It usually takes more pecans to find perfect pecan halves, since some are broken.)
4 large eggs
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 tablespoon butter, melted
1-1/2 cups light corn syrup

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Line a 9-1/2 inch glass pie pan with a crust, making sure there are no breaks in the crust for the filling to seep through. Flute the edges and be sure that the crust comes to the top of the glass pan to hole the filling.

Carefully (and lightly) arrange pecan halves in the bottom of the pie crust. Make a circular pattern from the center to the outside edges. This should take three rows of pecans for the outside of the pie and three to five pecans in the center.

Mix all of the filling ingredients in a bowl and stir until well mixed with a wire whisk.

Pour the filling slowly and carefully over the pecans in the shell until they float to the top. Rearrange pecans if necessary if they float out of the pattern. Make sure all pecans are coated with filling.

Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees.

Lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees and bake about 1 hour or until crust is golden and filling is puffy and begins to crack around the edges. It will still be little jiggly in the center.

Allow to cool completely before serving.

American Idol in Pittsburgh!

Yes American Idol was in Pittsburgh last night. This was the first time that they ever went there.

Last night there was a guy from Wisconsin his name is Reed Grim. He sang a different style of " Family Matters" and it was really good. He has been in the family band since he was two years old. He did make it to Hollywood.

There was a fifteen year old boy that looked like Justin Bieber. He said he gets that all the time because of his hair cut. He did make it also.

There was a waitress from Baltimore. She is really good and I know she will make it really far this season.

There was a guy that on his way to the auditions he wrote his own song. He sang that song last night and he made it. The judges asked him to sing another song and he sang a Justin Timberlake song. He is really good.

Last night there was just so many people that were good. The show was only and hour long. They handed out thirty or more tickets to Hollywood.

Steven came in on the second day with a sound toy. It was so funny watching him with it. I was laughing so hard.

They are going to have a special day on Sunday night after the football game. They will be in San Diego. I would really like to hear what you have to say about the show!♥

Leftover Soup

Last night we made leftover soup. There is nothing better for a night that is chilly and busy. This is something I do that makes me feel virtuous. That part of me that learned in my informative years that, "a penny saved is a penny earned" makes this the best meal of the week. It is one of those soups that really depends on what you have in the refrigerator.

If you don't have leftovers, forget it. If you are like me and have a little of this and a little of that, this is easy. Just take a little meat -- in my case, leftover chicken, a bit of rice, some beans -- lentils and garbanzo beans, broth, celery, green onions, parsley and onion flakes and cook until flavors are blended. Add salt an pepper to taste and you have potluck, leftover soup. For me, the chicken wouldn't be necessary but I was not cooking only for myself.

We also cooked up some garbanzo bean flat bread, also called farinata.

Garbanzo Bean Flat bread

1 cup chick pea/garbanzo bean flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat a skillet on the stove and spray with olive oil. Test with a drop of batter until it sizzles in the pan. Pour half of the mixture in the skillet and cook like a pancake, turning once.
Repeat with the second half of the batter. Cut into wedges and serve hot.

This is a great gluten-free recipe.

Season 11 Of American Idol Has Started!

Yes American Idol is back on t.v.. I couldn't believe that all the judges came back. I didn't know if Jennifer and Steven would come back this season.

 I watched the show and they where in Savannah Ga. last night. They had a really big turn out for auditions down there. I was really amazed.

But then the ones that went in front of the judges I just couldn't believe that they even made it that far. They should have been turned away from day one. Yes I know I should not be like that but if you did watch the show you will know what I am talking about.

The way I know the different steps of this show is because my youngest daughter tried out for the show when they came to Milwaukee Wi. and she didn't even make it from the first set of tryouts. The first thing you do is sing in front of the producers then you sing in front of the judges another day. After you sing in front of the judges tells you if you make it to Hollywood.

I am not saying that there was no good singers because there was a lot of good singers. The singers came from all over to try out in Savannah. There was some from North Carolina, New York and one came from Africa.

The guy from Africa sang a Rascal Flatts song. But what Randy said to him I think was wrong. Randy told him if he could come back with people said that he could sing then he would get a ticket to Hollywood. The guy came back with people that said he could sing and Randy still told him no. Ryan even went with the guy to find the people. This was really wrong to do to the guy.

There are a few of the singers that I think will really make it far in the competition. Especially the last one that sang his name is Phillip Phillips. He is really good and he also plays the guitar. He can sing with the the guitar and with out it. He is really good.

There are also a couple of girls that are really good from last night and I forgot to write the names down.

Some of the singers that had gotten turned away started swearing and yelling at the camera people. I have seen this happen before on the show. If they don't make it they can tryout again next year. One of the girls said she would see them again in Texas.

This on girl said she would be Steven's ex wife. I started to laugh and I am sorry she really could not sing at all. You should have seen the looks on the judges faces. It was funny and that is what really made me laugh so hard.

Tonight they are going to be in Pittsburgh. I would like to hear what you have to say about the show if you are watching it!

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Almanacs

My sister gave me this beautiful calendar the other day and I just love it. It is one of those things that reminds me of the Almanacs my grandparents and my parents used to help plan their gardens and forecast the weather. They also checked the almanac for home remedies and recipes. This was the tool used by farmers everywhere for farming success. It told readers when to plant their crops and gave them a steady stream of hints and tips for farming, homemaking and life skills.

In my grandmother's house, the almanac had a special hook in the kitchen. The book was always hanging there by its specially drilled hole, ready to use as a reference guide. The Old Farmer's Almanac still comes with a hole drilled in the upper left hand corner. Many things have changed over the years but not the weather forecasts or the hole.

I intend to use this calendar to remind me that I can now go to their website at Almanac.com and get tons of farming advice. I have noticed that they even have a Kindle edition. Talk about the old meeting the new!

I know that I will really enjoy my calendar which incidentally has some mighty fine recipes, like Hawaiian Chicken Salad, Green Tomato Pie, Corn and Chicken Chowder and beautiful photography of garden produce that will hopefully make me aim high in my garden this year. As I consider my garden plans for 2012, I may just put on a pot of that chowder and get busy planning.

My Revue on Bad Company Straight Shooter Album!

Today I decided to do a revue on Bad Company.

Since I have been with my boyfriend I have been listening to their music. Yes it is different from what I usually listen to but I really like their music. I just enjoy listening to it and when we go up north and get the cd's packed in the bag I tell him to make sure he has Bad Company in there.

I just can't put my finger on it for the reason why I like this group so much. Maybe because they really don't scream when they sing. The music is so awesome.


Here is what I think of the songs on the album-

Good Lovin' Gone Bad- This is a really good song and the music is awesome.

Feel Like Makin' Love- This song is awesome. Yes this is one of my favorites on the album. Yes this is a ballad but a really good one.

Weep No More- The beginning of the song is great with the instrumentals. This song is good.

Shooting Star- This another of my favorites. This one tells you how it is to become a musician and the music with it is awesome.

Deal With The Preacher- This is a good song I like this one.

Wild Fire Woman- This song is alright. The music is great and the lyrics.

Anna- This is a ballad and it is a really great one too. I really like this song a lot.

Call On Me- This a really good song. Not that bad I will listen to this song.

Like I said I really like this band. If they came around for a concert I would really like to go and see them. I hope to hear what you have to say about this album. Like I always do I am leaving you with a video!♥

Healthier chocolate chips

My daughter came up with this recipe because her son had to go on a low-sugar diet and she had to come up with something he could have at Christmas while everyone was enjoying their treats and sweets. He also must avoid soy, milk and many of the normal ingredients we take advantage of everyday. This recipe helped him to have chocolate treats so he didn't feel so much like he was left out. He didn't complain because he really likes the chocolate chips.

Here is her recipe and her comments:

The main ingredient is coconut oil, and if you've done some research on coconut oil. It is one of the few non-animal sources of rich saturated fat, and the research is showing that the saturated fat in coconut oil has almost the opposite effect on the body that animal saturated fat has -- possibly even promoting weight loss! You also get antioxidants in the cocoa powder and the agave nectar doesn't have a high glycemic index like cane sugar. It also helps those who have a problem with yeast because agave nectar doesn't promote yeast growth like cane sugar.

These chocolate chips are extremely rich with a taste that is very slightly sweet. Even though I use Agave nectar instead of cane sugar, they have a rich flavor that is hard to resist. Here's the recipe:

Chocolate (or carob) Chips
(dairy-free, soy-free, no hydrogenated oils, low sugar)

1 cup coconut oil
1 cup Hershey's cocoa or carob powder
3 Tbsp sweetener -- I used agave nectar. (The recipe says you can substitute 3 scoops stevia extract or to taste)
2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring

Melt coconut over very low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in carob, sweetener, and vanilla. Pour mixture into pan (8x8 works well -- I used some parchment paper underneath the mixture for an easy clean-up). Place in refrigerator or freezer until solid. Remove from pan and cut into chunks of desired size. Store in a cool place until ready to use (I think storing in the fridge works best).

I used these in a couple batches of gluten free cookies for my son and still have some left over!

I used a square, plastic container to pour my "liquid chips" into. The parchment paper allows you to pull it out easily and cut the chips without worrying about the sides of the container.


Unfortunately I used most of my chips before taking a picture of them (it made about three cups), but here are a few of them.

And I know these aren't the prettiest cookies ever (they do taste great, and my six-year-old loves them), but it gives you a view of the chips baked in gluten-free cookies.

Little House on the Prairie Series Based on The Caroline Years Little House in Brookfield!

I couldn't believe that I found this book at a thrift store. It is with the Little House on the Prairie books. The only difference about this book is it's about Laura's mom growing up. Yes this is about the Caroline years. This book is really good and I am going to tell you a little about it.

Caroline was born in Brookfield  Wisconsin on December 12, 1839. Her parents Charlotte and Henry Quiner. Her brothers and sisters Joseph, Henry, Martha, Eiza and Thomas. Caroline is the fourth child.

When Caroline was five years old her father went to work on a boat on Lake Michigan and never returned home. There was an accident on the lake and her father died. This happened on Caroline's fifth birthday. The way that the family found out was her aunt, uncle and Grandma Quiner came to the house and told them. From that day Grandma stayed to help her mom raise the children.

Caroline loved to help her mother with anything she could. Because she knew that always made her mother happy. One morning her mother was making hotcakes and Caroline just loved her mother's hotcake and syrup.

The girls would only go to school in the summer time and the boys would go to school in the winter time. That was because there was not enough room in the little schoolhouse for all of the kids and also the bigger boys where to busy helping on the farms in the summer time.

During the time the kids did not go to school there mother would make sure that the kids did school work at home. Caroline had a sampler that she would sew the letters of the alphabet on. That was the way she learned her letters. She had to sew one letter each day and read from a book.

All the children had chores to do the boys would split wood every morning and the girls had to make the beds and sweep the floors of the bedrooms. Caroline also had to feed the chickens and bring in the eggs. But on wash day the girls would bring in water for their mother. When their hands would get tired then the boys would bring in the water and the girls would bring in the split wood to keep the fire going for mother.

One Christmas her mother ran out of flour so mother, Joseph, Henry and Caroline went to town to get some flour. Mother needed it for her special Christmas bread. But the store ran out of flour. So mother went to the mill the man had two barrels of flour but one was sold and he did not want to open the other. He said it would sell for the full barrel instead of it opened. He would have more flour in two days he told mother. There was this tall strange man at the mill. That night there was a knock on the door and mother opened the door and the tall strange man was there he had a bad of flour for mother. She wanted to repay the man and he said no he was on his way out of town.

During the winter there was a real bad snow fall that came. The next morning Joseph went to check his traps but he could not find them. He told mother he could not even find the lake it had snowed so bad. Then he went to help Henry finish the wood and all of a sudden the door opened and there was an Indian behind Joseph. The Indians name was Crooked Bone he knew the childrens father. Joseph knew that his father talked to him. Crooked Bone seen Joseph out checking his traps he brought the family a deer. The boys and Crooked Bone went to the barn with the deer to cut it up.

This is some of what is  in the book I am not going to write everything that is in the book. If you like Little House on the Prairie like I do this is a book to get. There are so many books that I did not know about until I found this one. In the back of this book is a list of more books. Here are more books for you to check out.

The Caroline Years-  Written by Maria D. Wilkes
Little House in Brookfield
Little Town at he Crossroads
Little Clearing in the Woods
On Top of Concord Hill
Across the Rolling Rivier
Little City by the Lake
Little House of their Own

The Rose Years- Written by Roger Lea MacBride
Little House on Rocky Ridge
Little Farm in the Ozarks
In the Land of the Big Red Apple
On the Otherside of the Hill
Little Town in the Ozarks
New Dawn on the Rocky Ridge
On the Banks of the Bayou
Bachelor Girl

Then three more from Laura-
On The Way Home
West From Home
A Little House Traveler

I hope you enjoy these books just as much as I will. I plan on reading them and writing about them all. I would really like to hear what you have to say about the books also.

Crock Pot Soups

January brings some chillier days and it can be really depressing -- unless -- you dust off the old crock pot and pour in ingredients for a tummy-warming-soup. It will be ready when you get home and if someone asks you what's for dinner, your answer will make them think warm and cozy thoughts.

Almost any soup recipe does well in a crock pot. The flavors blend well together and you get richer flavors. The smells that greet your family when they come in the door are scrumptious.

Today, is MLK Day and you might want to have something fancier like a chicken and white been soup or a baked potato soup, especially if you care coming in after a parade. There are some great vegetable soups using black eyed peas and collards if you want warm southern flavors. Just google the ingredients plus soup and you will see what I mean.

I always like the good ole' vegetable soups like my mother used to make. Here is an easy crock pot variation of her soup. For this, I use my largest crock pot.

Very Veggie Soup
2 jars spaghetti sauce, any kind
2 large bags frozen vegetable soup mix
1 bag frozen gumbo mix
(I love okra in my soup but if you don't like it, use mixed vegetables)
2 cans crushed tomatoes
4 to 5 cups water or vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional ingredients: Brown ground beef or ground turkey with a clove of garlic and put it in the crock pot first. Use this as an opportunity to clean out the fridge. Use any leftover vegetables, rice, beef or chicken, chopped, or any canned beans or vegetables of your choice.

Just dump all ingredients into the crock pot and set on low. It will take 6 to 8 hours for this to be perfect, depending on your crock pot. I have one that cooks fast and one that cooks slow and I have to make adjustments according to how each one cooks.

My favorite bread to serve with soup is cornbread. I usually use half cornmeal and half corn flour to make a gluten-free bread. I also like to use millet. It has a great flavor and texture.

Stay warm and have a nice bowl of soup by the fire, if you have one. Today is just that kind of day.

A few projects for the new year

The New Year is usually a time when I am just full of plans and I realize I have gotten a late start but I would like to share a few ideas that I am working on. First, something I want to get started on is updating my spice "cabinet." I don't really have a spice cabinet but I do keep spices in my pantry shelf and inside my pantry door. I have quite a few spices. The only problem is that I don't clear them out and buy new ones as often as I should. This year I intend doing that. Old spices don't liven up a stew or dish like fresh ones. When I saw this idea from MarthaStewart.com I said, "Yes. I must do this." They have a very nice pdf to download so you can take it to the store and check off the spices you need.

You can get some good spice deals from time to time. I love to go places where I can buy them in bulk because you can get plenty of the spices you need and small amounts of the spices you almost never use. I also like to dry some of my own spices and those I keep in the freezer.

January is a time to add to my Moleskine Journals. My favorite is the Recipe Journal I keep for new dishes. I have also started to include my old favorites. It is a beautiful book and I just love it. I keep them on my computer, too but there is just something nice about adding recipes to my very on journal. I will continue to add to this one until it is full.

 I like to have a monthly journal, too. This is my second Moleskine monthly calendar journal and I love it. I like to jot down notes when I do things and comments about events because I often need to go back and revisit them. For a person like me who lives on a deadline it is a must.

I have a sketch journal that I like to use, too. I haven't used it as much as I like to or should have but I really love having one I can sketch in as I go places. There are ideas everywhere and if you don't sketch them, how will you remember?

I can also sketch things like garden plans, layout ideas and projects. The truth is a lovely journal makes taking notes and keeping up with things a pleasure and not such a chore.

My Revue on Boston Album is Boston!

I know I have not done an album revue in a long time. So I decided to do this album today.

This is there debut album it was released in July of 1976 on Epic records. This album went to number three on the billboards. It also went 17 times platinum by the recording industry association of America.

I remember when the album came out I was listening to it on the radio and I wanted the album so bad. So what I did was I asked my mom and dad for the album for my birthday and they said we will see. Then when my birthday came I didn't get the album so I took my birthday money and went and bought myself the album. I was so determined to get the album.

Yes I am going to write about each song today. So here I go-

More Than A Feeling- The music on this song is so awesome and the lyrics are just great. Yes I really like this song.

Peace Of Mind- This is another awesome song for them. The music and the lyrics are just so great.

Foreplay/ Long Time- I just love the music on here it is so awesome. This is an great song I really do like this one.

Rock and Roll Band- This is a good song. Don't get me wrong I do like this one.

Smokin'- I do like this song. The music is great on here and the lyrics.

Hitch a Ride- This is more of a mellow song for them. I really like this song.

Something About You- This is a good song. The music is awesome.

Let Me Take You Home Tonight- This song is a ballad song. It is really good and I do like this song.

This album is so awesome and a great debut album for a band. To me the whole album is awesome and it is really hard to pick one song from this album that is my favorite. This is a must have album if you are a Boston fan.

Like I always do I am leaving you with a video of one of the songs. Just remember I like the whole album so this is a really hard choice for me. But this time it is not going to be one that has be played on the radio all the time.  

New Blog Header

Thank you for all of your support for the past couple of years. Today I am changing my blog header. Many of you might say, "It is about time." But I did like the old one, yet I know my blog does need an updated look. I don't know how long this header will last but you are in the right place, this is Everyday Finesse!

I will continue with the recipes, tips and hints about gardening, decorating and homemaking -- and about anything I can think of, but I will also be contributing to a new blog that will be about all things gardening. Sometimes I will post the information on both blogs and at other times just here.

Today the new header and I hope my posts will be new and fresh, too.

Hope you like it. If you do, let me know. If not, let me know, too. I look forward to comments.

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This post was obtained from www.thefrugalgirls.com. 
For similar posts, visit cjrlbooksandmore.blogspot.com. 

Skip Through YouTube Videos with Number Keys

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Love those Brussels sprouts!

We were so excited to have Brussels sprouts from our garden this weekend. We picked them on Saturday morning and then got ready for our busy day that included two birthday celebrations. I felt very good about serving such a wholesome vegetable on the day we also had PLENTY of cake and goodies.

Before we did the picking, we checked out the Internet to see how Brussels sprouts should be picked. We had never done it before. We saw two methods. One, pick the larger sprouts at the base of the stems and pull them off individually by pulling up and twisting them off, carefully leaving the stem intact. The second method was to pull up, or cut the whole plant and then pluck the sprouts later, just before cooking.

The second method didn't work at all for me because I think we will have some more of the little sprouts to grow as the season progresses. At least I hope these plants are just beginning to produce. We decided to pluck them off, leaving the stems that we will fertilize, encouraging new growth for more sprouts from now until spring. It sounds like a good plan and I hope it works!

The sprouts were beautiful, at top, in my largest colander and I washed them and pulled off any of the little outside leaves that had brown edges. I then washed them and added a little olive oil to my large iron skillet. Scallions were first sauteed in the oil and I then added the sprouts, cooking them on medium high. I finally turned them down and covered them until they were just slightly browned, stirring every few minutes and -- they were great! We already knew we liked Brussels sprouts but the fresh ones do have a bit of extra flavor -- especially when you cook them the same day they are picked. I hope we have more sprouts during the winter season, but it was so nice to have our first harvest which made a generous serving for ten.

I can't help but believe that they were better than the cake.