Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The verdict is in...........Rich thought the liquid soap I made was awesome. He couldn't believe the price of making it myself.

Next.......Liquid Laundry Soap!!!!!!!!!!! I have to use liquid laundry soap because our water doesn't dissolve the powder kind.....it leaves clumps of soap! I've even tried adding water to powder before and it just doesn't dissolve.

Liquid Hand Soap

I've been trying to find ways to cut more cost from my household purchases. One thing we really like is liquid hand soap. We have it in both the kitchen and the bathroom. Even finding it on sale and using a coupon (when available) it can cost any where from 79 - 99 cents for a 8.5 ounce bottle.

I did some research on the internet and found several recipes. Most called for 1 bar hand soap, distilled water, glycerin and honey. I finally found a site where all they used was 1 bar soap and distilled water.

I sat and shredded my bar of Dial Soap that I had bought on sale. I paid $1.99 for 8 bars........equals out to 25 cents per bar. Then I brought 4 cups of distilled water ( you can use water that you just let stand in open container overnight) to a boil. I slowly blended in my shredded soap; stirring each addition until it melted. After it was melted I took off the stove and let set for about 15 minutes. I added 3 more cups of water and I took my hand mixer and whipped it until it looked like whipped cream. Then I let it cool for about an hour. Then I poured into a 5-quart plastic ice cream bucket. I whipped it up again. I let it sit overnight covered with lid. When I checked it this morning it was a little stiff on top. I took my hand held whip and blended it. It was the consistency of beaten eggs.

I poured it into 6 empty liquid soap containers that I had saved. They were 8.5 ounce containers.

So adding up costs........25 cents for bar of soap and $1.00 for electricity and water. Each container of liquid soap cost a little over 20 cents each.

Now........the test!!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder what Rich is going to say about the liquid soap.

UFO Progress not good so far!

So far this month I have been unable to continue any work on my UFO's. On the 5th and 6th I had to go in for a chemical stress test. I got the results back and everything was normal.

Then the 8th was one of my two shopping trips to town for the month. Other than those 3 days I have been at home. I have been working on organizing my kitchen and pantry. It is so hard for me to get anything done when I have to sit and rest after about 10-15 minutes of organizing. Yes, my fibromyalgia has been acting up lately. Some days I don't even want to get out of bed and try and do anything. I know that is not the answer but it is what I feel like doing.

Happy Anniversary........Gina and Mike

Happy Anniversary to my dear friend, Gina and her hubby Mike.

New Year's Resolutions

I don't usually make resolutions because by day 2 I've already thrown them aside. It has came to light that I have a lot of UFO's in my craft area! For those none crafters........UFO's are Unfinished Objects.......such as wallhangings, quilts, clothes, Christmas ornaments........well you get the picture.

So, I'm going out on a limb and making a resolution not to start anymore projects until I finish some of my UFO's.

I belong to Quilter's Forum and they are starting a Dear Jane Quilt that will last until March 2011....the above photo is the original Dear Jane quilt made by Jane Stickle in the 1860's. I thought about it long and hard......and I decided that it really wasn't something that I needed to do right now. I have so many other projects that need to be finished before I commit myself to a huge project like the Dear Jane Quilt. Those blocks are 4-inches when sewn into the quilt......so you can imagine how time consuming they will be.

So, starting tomorrow or maybe the next day I WILL start tackling all my UFO's!

Maybe you could say a prayer for me.....I'll sure need several to keep this resolution!

Happy New Year's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year's to all my family and friends!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my family and friends!

Memories

Today I have a very heavy heart.........5 years ago today was the last time we visited with our best friend, Danny before he died of complications of ALS. I will always remember that day for as long as I live. As Rich and I was leaving...he smiled at us the best he could and then he waved Goodbye to us! I knew in my heart that it would be the last time I would see Danny here on this earth.......you see he never waved Goodbye because he said he always knew he would see us again. So........his waving to us was he way of letting us know that his time on this earth was coming to an end.

Time's Slipping Away Quickly

Wow! It's hard to believe that it is already the 15th of December.....where has this month flown?

Sunday I made a batch of Fudge and Coconut Balls. Yesterday I finally got everything prepared to make Tea Breads and Cookies today. I'll have to put that on hold until tomorrow as I need to do several errands today instead of baking.

Believe me, I'd rather be baking than running errands. Going into town is crazy.....rude people that are only focused on themselves and getting what they want.....people talking on their cell phones not only while driving but walking and not paying attention to who they run into with their shopping carts......disgruntled people because they can't find that little rodent that is so popular this season......the list goes on and on.

In my opinion.....it is time that people got back to the basics and remembered what the Christmas season is about.....it's not about who can buy the most expensive gift...it's not about who can have the most decorated house........it's not about having the latest gadgets.........it's about Jesus, family and friends!

Finally......an end to the Thanksgiving Turkey.....NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm beginning to think that I will go back to being a vegetarian after dealing with the turkey I bought for Thanksgiving. It seems like I have been thawing, cutting, cooking the turkey for a month. I know I've been eating it for at least 2 weeks. Today I finally got all the meat cut off the breast section and into the freezer. I have 3 nice packages of sliced breast meat, 2 packages of mixed light and dark pieces and 8 more pints of Turkey broth to add to the packages of meat and broth already in the freezer.

I swear I got 40 pounds of meat off that 23 pound turkey.....it went on forever and ever.

Will I buy a 23 pound turkey for Christmas?????????????? You bettcha ya! Only this time I'll get out the pressure cooker and can that Turkey.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while. I've been taking it easy since Thanksgiving. I overdid it!!! I was so exhausted by the time I got Thanksgiving on the table I couldn't hardly function. We had dinner at 1pm and after Dad and Mae left around 3pm.......I crashed! I went to bed and sleep for 13 hours straight.

Rich told me that I wasn't going to prepare any more dinner feasts. From now on we would either order a dinner or go out and eat.

Hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Now let's get on to decorating and shopping for Christmas!

Vanilla Cream Pie and variations

Vanilla Cream Pie and variations

Baked 8-inch pie shell
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons flour
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 Tablespoon margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt in top of double boiler. Mix with wooden spoon. Blend in milk gradually, then add egg yolks. Add margarine. Place over rapidly boiling water so pan is touching water. Cook until thick and smooth, about 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Scrape down sides of pan frequently. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Stir until smooth and blended, scrapping sides of pan. Pour hot filling into pie shell. Quantities may be doubled and filling cooked for two 8-inch pies at the same time.

Chocolate Cream Pie: Melt 1 1/2 squares unsweetened chocolate in milk in top of double boiler. Set aside to cool. Then proceed as directed for Vanilla Cream Pie filling, using the chocolate-milk mixture and increasing sugar from 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup.

Coconut Cream Pie: Stir in 1 cup flaked coconut before pouring into pie shell. Can decorate with toasted coconut.

Creamy Lime Jello Salad

Creamy Lime Jello Salad

1 - 4 serving size Lime Jello (or any flavor you would like)
8 ounce carton Cool-Whip
16 ounce can crushed pineapple
1 pint cottage cheese
2-3 cups mini marshmallows

Put Cool-Whip in a bowl. Sprinkle dry jello over the top. Stir gently until all the Jello is dissolved. Drain pineapple and stir into the Jello mixture. Stir in cottage cheese and marshmallows. Chill in refrigerator for several hous or overnight.

Graham Cracker Crumb Crust and Variations

Graham Cracker Crumb Crust

1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soft margarine
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or cinnamon, optional

In medium mixing bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, margarine and nutmeg; blend until crumbly. Save out 1/3 cup crumbs to sprinkle on top of pie, if desired. Press remaining crumbs evenly on bottom and sides of 9-inch pie pan, making a small rim. Bake in 375 degree oven, 8 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on wire rack and fill as pie recipe directs.

Unbaked Graham Cracker Crumb Crust: Use the same ingredients as for the baked crust; do not make rim on pi shell. Chill about 1 hour, or until set before filling.

Walnut Graham Cracker Crumb Crust: Reduce crumbs to 1 cup and add 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts. Follow directions for Baked Graham Cracker Crumb Crust. You can use finely chopped pecans, almonds or Brazil nuts instead of the walnuts.

Chocolate Graham Cracker Crumb Crust: Reduce crumbs to 1 cup and add 2 squares unsweetened chocolate; grated. Follow recipe for Baked Graham Cracker Crumb Crust.

23 Pound Turkey!

Yep.....they had them turkeys on sale when I bought $50 worth of groceries. I only had to pay 23 cents per pound. Great Bargain!!!!!!!!

Today I cut up the turkey. I saved the whole breast, 1 leg and 1 thigh for our T-day dinner. I'm not sure if Dad and Mae are coming for dinner or not! I tossed the rest of the turkey into my huge stockpot and simmered it with salt, pepper and an onion. The whole house smells like turkey!

Now I have over 2 gallons of turkey stock and a huge bowl of turkey meat that I picked off the bones. Since my freezer is almost full I will can the broth and turkey tomorrow. I can use it later for casseroles, turkey and dumplings or turkey soup.

Maybe next time I should pick a smaller turkey! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Magic Fruit Cobbler

Magic Fruit Cobbler

2/3 flour
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup margarine
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 cups fresh fruit, lightly sweetened

Melt margarine in 9-11-inch pan. In separate bowl mix all dry ingredients and milk. Pour mixture on top of melted margarine. Dump cut-up fruit on top of dough mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

The cobbler flips itself over and makes a buttery topping. You may also want to sprinkle a bit of sugar on top of the fruit before baking.

Layered Cranberry Cheddar Spread

This is a great appetizer to serve for fall or winter potluck dinners. Serve in a clear 1 1/2-quart bowl to show off the pretty layers.

Layered Cranberry Cheddar Spread

2 cups cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tablespoon grated orange rind
8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons dry sherry
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

In 2-quart saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice and rind; bring to a boil. Boil 10 minutes; stirring occasionally. Chill. Combine cream cheese and sherry; mixing until well blended. Fold in whipped cream. Layer cranberry mixture, Cheddar cheese and cream cheese mixture in 1 1/2-quart serving container. Cover with plastic wrap; chill. Serve with crackers or pear and apple slices.

Vegetarian Enchiladas

This simple recipe is creamy and rich. It uses meatless protein crumbles, corn tortillas, and enchilada sauce. You can use cooked ground beef instead of the crumbles.

Vegetarian Enchiladas

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups frozen ground beef substitute crumbles
10 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
4 ounce can chopped green chilies, undrained
10 ounce can enchilada sauce
8 ounce can tomato sauce
10 (6-inch) corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Cojack cheese

In large skillet, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add beef crumbles, soup, milk, and chilies. Simmer, stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes.

Spray 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. In medium bowl, combine enchilada sauce and tomato sauce. Pour 1 cup of this sauce into bottom of prepared pan. Soften corn tortillas by wrapping them in foil and placing in a 350 degree oven for 5-8 minutes.

Fill corn tortillas with crumbles mixture and roll up. Place on top of sauce in pan. Pour remaining sauce over filled enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Cover with foil and bak at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 5-10 minutes longer, until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly. Serves 6.

Enchilada Sauce

Enchilada Sauce

3 teaspoons oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons flour
1 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt or less

Combine sauce ingredients. Bring to boil; simmer 5 minutes.

I usually double the recipe for an extra saucy 9x13-inch pan of enchiladas.

M & M's Cookies

M & M's Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon water
1 egg
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup M & M's plain chocolate candies***
Nuts and raisins, optional

Blend in shortening and sugar; beat in vanilla, water and egg. Sift remaining dry ingredients together; add to sugar and egg mixture, mixing well. Stir in candies and if desired nuts or raisins. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet; bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes. For additional color, press extra candies into cookies before baking. Some candies will crack.

***I recently found mini M & M's in the bulk food section at my local grocery store.