How to cut up a Pineapple

We go Bananas for #Pineapple!

Did you know .....
      * A Pineapple can take up to 2 years to fully grow, reaching as much as 20 pounds (9kg)
 a piece. Because we pick them much sooner the fruits are much smaller.

   *Pineapples were kept on ships and used to ward off Scurvy in Sailors.This is how  Pineapples and Tomatoes came to be found in every corner of the globe.

    *Did you know you can plant a Pineapple Plant. Simply twist the greens off the top of the
Pineapple, let it sit in a dry dark place for 7 days until the end hardens and plant it
 Check out WWW.dole-plantation.com/growing for details

* Pineapples are packed with cough and cold remedy. Vitamin C and Bromelaid.
 Bromelaid (an Enzyme) is an excellent aide for digestion and is a wonderful cough suppressant and mucus loosener.

* Bromelaid is an Enzyme that helps to break down protein, making Pineapple juice perfect for marinating meat.

*Pineapple was given its English name because of its resemblance to the Pine Cone.

*Both the fruit and the root of the Plant can be eaten or applied as a topical anti-inflammatory

*A Pineapple never ripens more ripe than it was at harvest.

 * Fresh Pineapple will keep for several days at room temperature. Refrigeration may extend the life of the fruit up to a week.

   *Indulge yourself. Enjoy a Pineapple today!

How to Cut Up a Pineapple 
 to maximize the fruits of your labor!

How to Cut Up a Pineapple

Stand the Pineapple up on it's end (greens up) on a cutting Board.

Grab hold of the Pineapple greens in one hand and with a sharp variegated knife  in the other,starting at the top, cut in a downward motion slicing off about 1/4 thickness of peel. Turn the Pineapple around to finish removing all peels. 
 Lay the Pineapple onto its side and slice off the bottom round (usually about a 1/2-3/4  inch)
 Slice off the Pineapple tops at the other end.

While still on its side slice the Pineapple in half lengthwise. 
 
 To remove the Pineapple hearts, make 2 angel slices into the Pineapple half, deep enough to remove the heart but not deep enough to cut the Pineapple in half (just yet). 

Remove the hearts.
 Finish cutting the Pineapple piece in half and turn pieces over. 
Slice the Pineapple meat into slices.

                                      And Enjoy

Happy Mother's Day

Reflections

The rising Sun appears on the horizon across the field from where I sit on my deck with my morning coffee.
  I revel in this morning me time.
  I smile out loud as I say to myself Happy Mothers Day.
  I watch as a flock of Canada Geese honk their way overhead and through the air space of the hawks that soar above the field, gliding and diving in search of their morning meal.
 I see a Crow fly through a flock of Swallows all shooting upward in the wind drafts and darting downward in daring dives.The Crow cawing loudly by, sounding as though his mouth is full of marbles.
 I don't hear the coyotes this morning that I heard last night. They're all  tucked in and sleeping tight. They run on teenage hours, I won't hear from them again until tonight.
 I hear the hum of the distant highway until the sound of an approaching train becomes the only thing I hear.
 The romantic sound of history reminds me of my past. My Mother's Father came from Yugoslavia around 1929 to work for CP Rail. He labored with pick in hand, moonshine in flask and hanky in pocket, along side the many other who devoted their lives to progression and to CP Rail.
 My Mother is the Daughter of a Man who lived on the land. 

 Home was a homemade sod roof shack in the hills of the Okanagan Valley where Cougars were the only visitor of the day. I'm told my Grandmother stood watch over the land where her children play, with Grandpas rifle and a killer aim. Not speaking English or reading the same she bravely trusted in self and had had faith in each day.
 Unable to contain my emotions I yell out HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.
 The cat jumped up out of my lap where he'd been quietly enjoying the comforts of me
 for the last half an hour. In his scramble to jump he used my thigh as a launching pad, leaving behind a spot of blood where his claw stuck in.. now an itching memory.
 As I wipe away the spot of blood and the tear on my cheek, I smile reminiscently
  I am grateful that my Mother is not far away. In fact I will talk to her later today when I tell
her I Love her and how grateful I am that she's the parent of the child I am. We will laugh and converse, listen and discover, as we search for ourselves in the midst of one another.

 "Happy Mothers Day, Mom. I love you" I heard my Son says as he approached and then hugged me before leaving for the day. I am grateful and happy to say that all my kids are
still great huggers by the way and lately it's occurred to me that the luckiest Mother of Mothers, has got to be me!
 Although not quite as sentimental as I tend to be the boys will often look "at it" just to amuse me.Today my Son's girlfriend wandered over to look when I told her I had glued the boys belly buttons into their baby books.
 "Ew, she announced, "That's kind of gross"
 I smiled lovingly and hugged her as I explained that there may even come a day when she'd be putting her own belly buttons away. Some time in the distance of course, far, far away!
She smiled back and wished me a Happy Mothers Day.
A second Son arose and arrived in the kitchen to say I love you Mom, Happy Mothers Day.
He passed me a card that he made himself. I kiss and thank him on the cheek, thankful to be me.
 On the heels of his brother arose another with words of Love and affection for me. He too told me how much I mean and thanked me for all that I do. Flashing his great smile he hugged and wished me a Happy Mothers Day.

  Interrupted by the ringing of the phone,  I know it will be my oldest Son is calling to say
I love you Mom. Have a great Mothers Day. He lives in the city just far enough away that I only feed him now about every seven days!


  How could the day get any better today?... hey wait, hold on guys did you hear me say
there's a Mothers Day Bucket at K.F.C. today, just down the road from Extra Foods where they've got perennials on Sale there too.
 Hello? HEY? Anybody here?
  Ain't nobody home but my memories and they don't need to eat so I head back to the kitchen to get another coffee for me! I grab the Bon Bons that are kept nearby (not) and pick up the telephone on my way by.
  I smiled to myself as I opened the door and stepped out into the Sun. I know that I am
truly the lucky one. 21 years a Mother to my awesome Sons and 53 years a daughter to my wonderful Mom!
  "Is that you?" My Mom answers the phone, the way she always does.
 "That's me. Is that you?" I reply as I always do.
  And then I started to cry.
  "Hi Mom, Happy Mothers Day, I love you". I sobbed. "Thank You for being my Mom.
 You are a wonderful Woman and what a job you've done...
 If I do say so myself. I add humorously.
"Happy Mothers Honey" she said to me. "Do something nice for yourself.
Go plant your Garden and Decorate your Soul and to hell with everyone else. Let them bring supper home!"
  I hear her my Grand Ma speaking to me but know it's my Mom on the line with me..
 I am no longer 13 nor is my Grandmother 63. In fact she's already 20 years deceased.
  Tis indeed already 2013. My Mom is 78 this year and I'll be 53!
  We laugh and converse, listen and discover as we search for ourselves in the memory of each other.
 Happy Mothers Day!  Thank You ALL for bravely leading the way.
As my kitchen begins to fill at the end of the day one of the boys asks "Where's the K.F.C.?"
 "Right beside the Extra Foods where their Perennials are on sale, if my memory serves me."
I smile cheekily.
 "Oh yeah, Happy Mothers Day. We didn't hear what you said, earlier today."
  "Got Pogos here" I heard one of them say. "That's OK your not cooking today, Mom.
 I'll eat Pogos, Love you. Gotta run."
 Dad walked in the door at the end of another working day to say he didn't get my text for K.F.C. until he was only a half a mile away!.. Strangely I had sent it four hours earlier that day.
 "Oh yeah, Happy Mothers Day" he says." What's for supper today?"
 "K.D and Hot Dogs" I announced. "On the way"  I smiled as I walked away.
 Happy Mothers Day I say to myself as I head towards the kitchen. How lucky I am  to be their Mom I continue as I open the box of KD. 
  What will I ever do with myself when they all move away?
 I contemplated the complicated answer to that and smiled. I am a Happy Mother today be it KD or KFC! 
 

Window Splashings and other Colorful things

Let the Sun shine in!

Art is the window to the Soul of a community

Window Splashes

Let It Snow !

Hand Painted Snow Flakes

Lillian-the domesticengineer.blogspot.ca

and snow..

and snow!
I have enjoyed painting Snowflakes this season
wherever anyone would let me.
These snowflakes were relatively easy to do.
Using a white Paint Marker and a ruler
I begin by drawing the center circle and the star
around it.
The straight lines out from the star are then
put on using the ruler and the little ditties on each line
are drawn in freehand. They can be made as big or as small as you like.

 I did do a window of snowflakes with colored paint markers
it was absolutely gorgeous when the sun shone in and on the snowflakes

Spring Splashing

Window Splash

  I bloom in every season and think that
a little Goofy is great!

 

GOOFY Window Splash

   
even though it can be darn hard work!

BOOKS are a blessing !

Books are a blessing!

        

E- How Window Splashes    Go for it!

Window splashing adds a new dimension to your Seasonal decorating.(any season)

With acrylic paints from the dollar store and an assortment of brushes

you too will be splashing soon!

Because the paint is so relatively easy to remove, Window Splashing is Perfect for kids too. 
Due ensure that you employ the use of a Drop Cloth. This is an old sheet, blanket or piece of plastic that is placed on the floor around the area where the painting will occur.

Because the paint is water soluble, it wipes off of walls when it is wet. It can stain fabrics however so get out your crafting aprons before you start.

 I am a great copyist and look for things to copy from everywhere. I have a great collection of children's picture books that are a great source of inspiration...

 

                       Piglet was perfect!

These Grads were fun and fairly easy to do.

I painted the Grad Silhouettes and the banners on the inside

and then painted the writing on the outside of the windows.

The wording was outlined with black dots of paint applied with a small paintbrush after the blue had dried.

Our second Son Graduated that year.

He and his Escort both wore pink so in their Honor

I painted Pink Pumps and a bracelet on her

and put Pink Wheels on the skateboard for him.

Window Splash Grads 2011

      by Special Request

Hare Harley Window Splash

Cycle Santa window painting

       

Just for the love of Splashing..

Scenic window splash

 

                                   Wherever I can!

                                 CHALK PAINT!

Chalk Wall Art

This was created on a chalk wall.

                                     Wonderful fun!

Run to your local Hardware Store to purchase a couple quarts of Chalk Board paint.

Chalkboard paint can be used to fun up furniture, paint on doors and walls and even cleverly be put to use on crafts.

Simply supply the chalk and watch the Art grow.

To aide in attaining a streak free, fairly black surface to re-art on each time, I lightly spray the board with Windex or Fantastic before wiping with a wet cloth.
Rinsing the cloth a couple of times in clean water, before the final wipe.

Marvelous Martha makes good use of Chalk Paint

Mint Flower Pot

Aren't they delightful!
What a wonderful gift idea. 

   Ain't it PERDI, PONGO!

Perdi and Pongo

                                     SHUT the front door!

Sir John Window Splash

TD Summer Reading Program. Check your local Library.

  Summer Splashing
     When Butterflies flutter by

A Splash of Pink on the Seniors Center 

  

When Butterflies flutter by

                                                                             

In Support of  WILD PINK YONDER
Raising money for Breast Cancer Research     


     TD Summer Reading Fun at your local Library
 
Check out your local Library for a list of FREE Summer Fun, adventures and activities for children of all ages. 
 The Program runs in Libraries across Canada all summer long. 
Adventures in Summer reading await. Sign up at your local Library today.

This years (2013) theme is "GO" TD Summer Reading Program
GO. GOO.. GOOG...GOOGL....GOOGLE IT!

  The Alberta Library Card. Don't leave home without it.
   Visit The Alberta Library Website to discover ALL that this card (generally FREE) can do for you and your Family. You will be amazed!

Come on In!

Make your own Sidewalk Chalk!

             1 +1/2 cups Corn Starch
         1 +1/2 cups of Water
         Mix together until smooth. Pour into Muffin Tins.
         Add a couple of drops of Food Coloring to each cup.
        Create a rainbow of colors.
         Let harden overnight.
                More fun with Cornstarch and Water!
 

Fun with Fundraising

 It's only a matter of Time until there is no more.
Our children are only young once. Don't close the door.
Volunteer if you dare.
 You'll never regret having been there.

Public Education is not what it used to be. 
 
 Classroom equipment and text books too,
 sports jerseys and even basketball hoops,
video libraries and swimming lessons indeed 
 are all "extra curricular" activities in dire need of volunteers.

 Master the fun in fundraising
 by donating your time generously.

One, four hour shift annually
working alongside 13 other willing volunteers
at a Bingo Hall in your community
nets $800.00/per  for student opportunities.

Typically the PTA will be slotted to work up to 14 Bingo's in a school year. 
That's 14 Bingo's and 14 bodies per, only 196 bodies required to raise over 14,000.00 annually,
 one four hour shift at a time.

Apparently it's time we don't prioritize for. Too often the volunteer ends up being a no show.
Some have the decency to call last minute to say that something else has come there way.
Others don't call they just walk away. Either way it's not a nice way to play.

The window of opportunities shrink as our children grow.
 From elementary to adolescence and onto graduation
we expect that our children are getting a good education.

Time is of the essence, no more time for assuming. Our children need us now.
We need an annual, paid Volunteer Day off so parent(s) and guardians everywhere
 can give their time to the efforts so required of and by public education institutions.
Volunteerism is an instrumental and integral part of the Good in a good education.

 This day off will be no holiday but you should plan to have fun with  it.


Fun with Fundraising
B I N G O
 
Because  Individuals  Need  Growing Opportunities
Being Involved  Never  Gets   Old
Believe  In  Netting  Great  Outcomes            
Become  Invested  Now... G O     

 Volunteer to Help today!


 A-Z of Fundraising
 Fundraising is a duty that must be done!

Please  do not send money, it does not buy lost opportunity.
Come in person if you please your time is much more valuable to me.

   Volunteer to Help today, Call your local School.




   Looking for a new Fundraiser. Try a Cookbook
      Check out what's cooking..Click Here and scroll way down page

Bake Brownies Today

 Lillian the Domestic Engineer

SUPER SPUD BROWNIES

A super use for mashed potatoes.

Instead of throwing away the last dollop of mashed potatoes

now you use them up creatively!

Moist and cakey Brownies

This is a copy of a recipe I received from some one? Somewhere? Sometime?

It had been originally published in a magazine? And submitted by Marlene Gerer

who got the recipe for Moist and Cakey Brownies from her Mom's old Cookbook.

3/4 Cup Mashed Potatoes

1/2 Sugar

1/2 Cup packed brown sugar

1/2 Canola oil

(I substitute 1/4 cup apple sauce for 1/4 of the oil)

2 Eggs, lightly beaten

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

1/2 Cup All purpose

1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder

1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder

1/8 Tsp. Salt

1/2 Cup chopped Pecans (Optional)

Confectioners Sugar

In one large bowl,

Combine the mashed potatoes, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla.

In another bowl

Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt ;

Gradually add to potato mixture.

Fold in Pecans.

Transfer to a greased 9 inch square baking pan.

Bake at 350 degree for 23-27 minutes.

(or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.)

Cool on wire rack.

Dust with Confectioners Sugar or Cocoa Powder

Or

Finely Grated Chocolate..... 

Serve warm with a dollop of plain yogurt or whip cream on the top. 


 

Bundt Cake abound! Check out...yup Betty Crocker @
 http://www.bettycrocker.com/search/searchresults?st=1&term=bundt%20cake&src=SH

You Melt my Heart

After Easter stock up on assorted solid chocolate bunnies 'n things.

At half the regular price they are cheaper than buying bags of chocolate chips.

Use a hammer to break up chunks ( in a fairly heavy plastic bag) for cookies

and keep bigger chunks for grating in and on cakes.

Chocolate freeze  well..

Frozen or aging chocolate will turn a little spotty white

but it does not destroy the taste or the quality of the chocolate.

You can shave the chocolate with a sharp knife to remove the white if you like.