Cleaning off the Gunk

We love lemons! We add them to our water, make fresh lemon juice, clean with them, cook with them, etc. So.... we have tons of used lemons just waiting for the compost. But, before we toss them out we try to get all the goodie out of them we can.

Our latest find - gunkie iron meets clean. Try this for the dried starch on the back of your iron. Scrub the back of your cooled iron with the cut side of the lemon sprinkled generously with salt. To add the "smooth" back to your iron simply iron a piece of parchment paper or waxed paper with the iron on a warm setting.

Yeahhhh..... a clean iron again.

Pumpkin Muffins Two Ways

Pumpkin Muffins
(original version w/sugar)

3 1/3 cups flour
2 cups cooked mashed pumpkin
1 cup oil
1/2 cup water
4 eggs
2 t. soda
1 t. salt
3 cups sugar
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. cloves

Mix oil, sugar, water, eggs and pumpkin. In a separate bowl mix flour, soda, salt and spices. Pour into muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees 20 - 30 minutes.

Pumpkin Muffins
(healthy version w/honey and whole wheat flour)

substitute 3 1/3 cups flour for 3 1/3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
substitue 3 cups sugar for 3 cups honey (you could get by with a little less)

and proceed as above.

I really like the healthy version better (when I can tell the difference :)) I can't believe how delicious and moist these are.

Formal For A Change

As a pleasant change from buffet style we decided to try our hand at a formal dinner. It was so much fun playing with the dishes trying to achieve just the "right look". Because of the number not everything matched so we mixed pewter, solid white dishes, and a botanic garden pattern. We also had to do a little on line research to learn where to place everything and for directions on fun new napkin folds.

It looked really nice and we were pleased with this change of pace style dinner. We alternated servers for each course so everyone could enjoy the meal (not to mention learn how to serve). It made for a special and yes in a way relaxing meal.

The Death of Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.

No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year- old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Pando, sun lotion or a Band Aid to a student - but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral be cause so few realized he was gone.

-author unknown

Lettuce At Hand

Why didn't I think of it sooner? Lettuce by the front door- so much easier than tromping out to the garden.

How does your garden grow?

Terrific Message

Last night as the kids were finishing up the movie White Christmas I was doing my usual several things at once while the movie was playing in the background. As one of my favorite scenes came on I dropped what I was doing to pay a little closer attention. I really like the song Count Your Blessings, but I guess I never paid that much attention to the specific words. Did I hear that corrrectly? I had to go to the internet and look up the words- here they are and what a wonderful message!- Christmas or anytime!!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS (Instead of Sheep)
(Irving Berlin)
from the 1954 movie "White Christmas"

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

How about you what has blessed you and your family this year?

Having a Snack