NO TIME FOR COOKIN'!!

Busy, busy, busy! I have only cooked one night this week...last night...and that was a pre-cooked chicken, steamed a veggie and micro-waved yams! There are not any organization skills going on in this house, or in my life for that matter!! I must admit I am enjoying all the flurry of recent activity and know that it will culminate in success and enjoyment! So, until just after October 1, there probably won't be anything new posted, but then, one never knows!

TURNED OUT GREAT!

The Noodles Bowls recipe from a Rachael Ray cookbook turned out great! Pictured above with the beautiful dishes from my friend Linn, along with placemats and accessories I bought in China. You'll notice we have glass over our table. Also an extra piece to fit on the end when we insert the leaf. Had glass cut for the coffee table and end tables as well. No worries about "rings" from drinking glasses! The other picture is of two nectarine pies my hubby baked last night. The nectarines on our trees are pretty much on their "last legs", so after dinner, he cut those up, added sugar, lemon, etc. and baked them. Delicious! In fact, I'll have another piece shortly! Need to make out my weekly menu tonight as well! Will omit Wed and Thurs nights as we're invited out! More later...Gertie

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

My little grandson, born with a cleft palate, recently had surgery. For 2 1/2 weeks, he could only drink a liquid diet! At a wedding reception during that period of time, his daddy mashed up watermelon in a glass of punch! One picture worth a thousand words! This boy wanted food!

CAKE FOR A CROWD

This cake, made in a punch bowl, is pretty to look at and absolutely yummy! Have made it several times for potlucks, or when I'm serving a large crowd. Easy to do:
In a glass punch bowl, tear half an angel food cake into chunks. Over this, layer 1 can of pie cherry filling. Next, layer over 2 o 3 sliced bananas. Mix a small package of pistachio pudding, following box directions. Immediately pour over the bananas. It will set just fine. Spread 1 small can of drained, crushed pineapple over the pudding, then top with nearly 1/2 large container of cool whip. Repeat each layer, except use vanilla pudding. Garnish with maraschino cherries if desired. I have found that using any kind of cake other than angel food, produces a very soggy dessert.

JUST BITS & PIECES

As planned, I did find a great spot for my beautiful new dishes! Thanks, Linn! She also gave me a great idea that I implemented this morning. I removed all spices from a cabinet, and arranged them alphabetically in the door rack of my pantry! So easy to see and reach! That inspired me to make one of our favorite snacks, pictured above. Pour 14 ozs of oyster crackers into a jar with lid. In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of olive oil and 1 tsp each of dill weed, lemon pepper and garlic salt. Pour over the crackers and turn the jar every direction you can think of! Then, for the next couple of days, turn several times a day! Delicious! This recipe from my lifelong friend and "sister", Linda. Thanks, girlfriends, for your great ideas! If you have any helpful suggestions, recipes or organization ideas, please post a comment. I'll look them over and post unique and unusual ideas and tasty sounding recipes. My hubby works VERY early several times a month. I purchased a second coffe maker at a discount store and program it to come on at o' dark thirty! He loves having a fresh cup of coffee to get him started! Can you tell red is my favorite color? :-) Then, my KitchenAid is so heavy, it would "chatter" when I tried to slide it out to use. This set off our dog Murphy with great "warning, danger, unusual noise" barking! So, I folded a small towel (red) under it and now it easily slides out for use. Ruined Murphy's protective instincts! And in closing!...had a large wicker serving tray that I couldn't find a spot for, so just hung it on the wall! Hope you try the snack recipe...let me know how you like it! Am trying out a Rachael Ray recipe for dinner tonight...called Noodle Bowls. Sounds similar to what I tried and enjoyed while in China this past spring. Will let you know! Gertie

Veggie Trays

Certainly not difficult, but fun to do and try a little creativity. Arranged these for the wedding reception of a friend's daughter. It was great fun, and used the pictures to guide a couple of my granddaughters in arranging veggie trays for their uncle's rehearsal picnic! They had a great time.

Rearranging My Kitchen!

My kitchen is not large. We downsized a few years ago and I find that I'm still coming up with new ways to be more organized! These pictures show a few ideas, but tomorrow I've got a couple of new ideas, so will post those later! A friend gave me a set of dishes, so now I need to rearrange further, and am happy to do so! Recently purchased a KitchenAid mixer and have had great success with pie crust and meat loaf! October will see the start of a less busy time in my life, so until then, not much will be going on here. Check back, though, and send me some of your ideas! A few months ago, I took most of the food out of my pantry. Found things toward the back that were, well, outdated :) Tossed those, and put the good stuff in cupboards. Then, I put dishes, some glassware, bowls, baking items and small appliances that I often use, into the pantry. Items I seldom use, I placed in bottom cabinets. Have enjoyed just stepping into the pantry where I can easily access those things I use most days. Like I said, have a new idea to implement tomorrow!