Homemaking

Posted by Colleen     January 9, 2010

Organize Your Coat Closet

My first vlog!

I share a tip for organizing all those hat, scarves and gloves in your coat closet.

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Posted by Colleen     March 10, 2009

Grandma’s House

I can close my eyes and in a moment be transported back there.

I am seven years old.

The kitchen smells of boiled potatoes, fried pork, dogs and barn boots. But it’s not a bad smell. It’s comforting, welcoming.

The air is hot and moist from the cooking and simmering that’s gone on all day.

A green kettle sits on the gas stove ready to heat water for tea.

There is a worn old table surrounded by mismatched chairs. A cookie jar that looks like a hen sitting on her nest rests a top the table.

Behind the refrigerator, the kind with the freezer on the bottom, is a yard stick, often threatened, but never actually used, on a gaggle of rowdy grandchildren.

There’s an old metal stool at one end of the table covered in peeling green paint. The seat spins. Sometimes it’s a merry-go-round for a bored kid.

But now Grandma sits there peeling those potatoes, served at almost every meal, usually mashed.

Oh, how I loved that week every summer when we stayed at Grandma’s house. For an only child, lots of nearby cousins meant instant comrades.

For a child who lived in town, the farm meant new experiences and adventures.

I fed calves with a bottle, watched chickens meet their fate at the end of an ax, climbed the hay elevator up to the loft, collected eggs from the hen house, helped slop the pigs.

There was an old pony, a pack of friendly dogs and a gang of ferocious barn cats to provide hours of entertainment.

And Grandma was the queen of all of this. The royal matriarch of this magical, rural realm.

When you’re seven your Grandma is a Fairy Godmother.

I think of this today as news comes that the farm has at last been sold.

I can’t go back there anymore.

I’m no longer seven.

The house isn’t the same.

Grandma doesn’t live there anymore.

Grandma, who time is now catching up with, isn’t the same.

Our family, changed by time and scattered by distance, isn’t the same.

But I have all these memories, and can recall so many details about the house and the farm. I can see every room of that house just as it was 25 years ago. I remember the dusty lane and how the field looked full of growing corn. I see the cows eating at a trough in the barnyard. I hear the loud ruckus as aunts and uncles and grandchildren fill up that big old farm house.

That house is just a place in my heart now. A part of dreamy childhood reminiscences where innocence and naivety still exist. Where there isn’t a care in the world.

But to soar on the tire swing hanging from the hundred year old tree in the side yard once more!

To laugh with cousins around the kid’s table once more!

To bound up the steps on the back porch one last time  into the kitchen where Grandma is busy cooking something and the tea kettle is whistling happily away!

These are sweet, sweet memories.

Do you have fond childhood memories of a special place? Talk to me.

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Posted by Colleen     February 13, 2009

An Ode to All that is Greasy, Salty and Good in the World

I did something the other day that I vowed to myself I would NEVER, EVER do as long as I lived in my whole entire life even if the world as we know it ceased to exist.

I bought pre-cooked bacon.

Sshh! Don’t Tell anyone!

I used to pass incredulously by the pre-cooked bacon thinking how profuse and extravagant to spend $3 for 12 measly pieces of bacon when that same price gets you a whole pound of raw.  I was not so lazy and slovenly that I couldn’t take the time to cook my own bacon.

But I was tired and I only needed a few slices, I justified.

Checking that no one was looking, I quickly pulled the offending product off the shelf, threw it in the cart and buried it under a bag of chips like it was a dime bag .

At the check out I didn’t make eye contact with the cashier, sure she was judging my indolent purchase.

But you know what?

I LOVE it!

I think I’m hooked.

First I put it on chicken sandwiches with Swiss cheese. If ever God created three foods to be eaten together, it’s those three. So tasty! Who needs Arby’s?

Then I had a couple pieces for breakfast.

You know you can warm that stuff up in the microwave and it’s just as greasy, salty and full of fatty goodness as regular bacon?

Today for lunch I crumbled some and put it on my salad.

D-I-V-I-N-E!

All of that scrumptiousness and non of the greasy, splattery mess.

I have two pieces left. Then I’m gonna have to go by some more.

Oh, the shame.

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Posted by Colleen     February 12, 2009

These are not your Grandmother’s Aprons

Aprons are back in a big way! Not only are they practical when it comes to staying clean and dry in the kitchen, doing housework, even giving your kids a bath, they’re hot! I mean have you seen all the flirty aprons out there?

This is my favorite apron because it’s the only one I have.

(Hey, this picture isn’t bad when you consider my four yr. old took it.) I love my apron because it’s pink, it’s pretty and it’s made out of oil cloth. The oil cloth wipes clean, and water and splatters don’t soak through.

I wouldn’t mind having a sexy apron like this from Carolyn’s Kitchen though.

Comfort Joy Designs is giving one away. Head on over to enter and win.

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Posted by Colleen     February 10, 2009

Carolyn’s Kitchen Giveaway

I love Carolyn’s Kitchen Retro Aprons. So cute! I’ve coveted one for a long time. Want a chance to win one of your very own? Head over to Comfort Joy Designs and enter win.

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Posted by Colleen     February 3, 2009

What’s for Dinner? Crock Pot Beef Stew and Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

Here’s another good cold weather recipe. I changed it up a little bit so I could make it in the crock pot.

Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds beef chuck, cubed
1/4 large onion, finely chopped
6 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1 small bag of cut and peeled carrots
1stalk of celery, finely chopped
3 (10.5 ounce) cans beef broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cold water

In a large skillet heat oil over medium high heat. In a Ziploc bag mix together the flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add a small handful of meat at a time and shake until well coated. Brown in hot oil. Remove the browned meat and continue until all the meat is browned.

Lower heat to medium and add onion. Cook until tender. Remove onion and drain any remaining oil. Add onion and meat back into skillet. Add as much broth as you can to the skillet and bring to a boil. Then remove from stove and put all the skillet contents in a crock pot. Add any remaining broth. Stir in potatoes, carrots, and celery. Cook in crock pot on high 6 hours. Just about 30 minutes before serving pour crock pot contents into a large stock pot. Mix together the 3 tablespoons flour and water in a small bowl. Slowly stir mixture into stew. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until thickened stirring occasionally.

I made some biscuits to go with the stew last night, and I wondered, “What would happen if I added some left over cheddar cheese and some garlic?” Well, nothing except for some really good tasting biscuits! There’s just enough time to make these while the stew is thickening on the stove.

Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

2 cups flour

4 tsp. baking powder

2 Tbsp white sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

5 Tbs. Butter Flavor Crisco

1 cup milk

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

In a medium size mixing bowl add flour, baking powder, white sugar, salt and garlic powder. Stir together with a whisk. (Easier substitute for sifting.) Cut in Butter Flavor Crisco with a fork or pastry blender. (You could use plain Crisco, but the Butter Flavor really adds to the taste.) Add milk and stir until moistened. Stir in cheese. Dough is thick. You may have to knead the cheese in with your hands.

Drop by large spoonfuls on to a greased cookie sheet. Or line the sheet with parchment paper. The cheese will stick to the pan otherwise. You should end up with 8 to 10 good size biscuits.

Bake at 450 for 12 to 14 minutes.

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Posted by Colleen     January 28, 2009

Treat of the Week: M&M Blondies

I was going to make something really complicated and spectacular this week. Well, actually I did make something really complicated. It just didn’t come out too spectacular. It’s resting at the bottom of the trash bin now. So I give you plan B instead. Easy M&M Blondies. Simple, tasty and not taking up room at the local land fill.

M&M Blondie Recipe

1 cup margarine
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 (12 ounce) package M&M’s plain chocolate candies (optional)
1/2 cup crushed walnuts (optional)

From RecipeZaar

Directions

Cream butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Add in flour and soda – it makes a thick dough. Stir in M&Ms. Spread in a 13×9 pan. and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

The dough is really thick. It was easier to press it into the pan with my fingers than spread it with a spatula. I’d back down the cooking time. I only left them in for 30 minutes, and my blondies came out a little more brunette.

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