Get it together

 

 Get it together!

 Getting organized. I thought this such a clever idea that I had to share this easy way of organizing the Collector Cards that seem to amass in our wallets.

 With a hole punch put a hole through each of the Collector Cars. Take care to punch in an area away from the bar code on the back of each card.

Thread each card face up onto a key ring and file the cards back into your wallet.

The next time you need to find a particular card, you've got it together!

Oh Zuchinni

This is the vegetable we love to hate.
Zucchini. 
The name itself doesn't exactly conjure up visions of sugar plums.
 In fact Zucchini sounds rather like an unappetizing slaw of some sort
 that must surely be served in a bowl and probably cold.
 Just seeing one of the green beasts laying around the counter in my kitchen
 has long been known to instantly incite a stampede of panicked diners out of my kitchen.
.
 

Zucchini. The Vege we love to hate.

 "Don't even think of it!  Not gonna eat it."
Starts the exodus and the doubt in their minds.

There is no doubt in my mind that unbeknownst to them, I have been putting Zucchini in almost everything they have eaten for many years.
The mistake I continue to make is letting them see the green beast before they eat.
Out of sight, out of mind.





This fall I'm keeping them on the deck outside until I manage to grate, chop, stuff, slice and cook with
 this years supply.
I learned the first year I planted Zucchini many moons ago that as few as 2 plants would provide all the Zucchini  one household could desire!
Needless to say I only made that mistake once. 
I had ambitiously planted 7  plants the first year I grew Zucchini!!
Although my neighbors were all friendly folk  there did come a time when they each and all finally
 refused to accept any more Zucchini please and thank you.
That fall I canned at least 100 pints of Zucchini Bread and Butter Pickles.
 I followed a recipe for cucumbers and put Zucchini in the cukes place. They were delicious. (for several years)
They were in addition to the loaves, the muffins, the meatballs, the freezer bags of grated Zucchini and the  fresh stir fryers that I picked (or received) small and kept aside.

Over the last few Falls I have been the lucky recipient of the results of an over planted Zucchini bed.
Because I have not had a garden of my own for several years now
 I was willing and able to use the Zucchini that came my way.
There did come a time however when I finally had to say
 No more Zucchini coming my way!"

                                    Chocolate Zucchini Loaf
                                         in Muffin Tins for everybody!
This is a delicious, moist, mix that can be baked in a loaf pan or as I prefer in Muffin Tins.
The 2 cups of Zucchini hidden within is absolutely certain to fool even the most seasoned of pick eaters.
 In fact, last night I served these warm Chocolate Zucchini Muffins to my youngest Son, 
who hasn't knowingly put a vegetable past his lips in almost 19 years! 
 After watching the other 4 diners gobble down the chocolate muffins, he finally indulged himself.
I asked him how he enjoyed it and he confessed that it wasn't bad and then
he had a second. 
The Zucchini inclusion is just wisely and respectfully not discussed. 

Here is the RECIPE

9 Tbsp. Margerine
2 Cups Sugar                                      combine and beat till smooth
3 Eggs
1/2 Cup Milk

3 Tbsp. Oil                                            Add to above and Stir
2 Tsp. Vanilla

2 3/4 Cup Flour
9 Tbsp. Cocoa
2 1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder                      Sift together and add to above
1 1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda                           alternating with grated Zucchini
1/4 Tsp. Salt
 

2 Cups Grated Zucchini                           Stir only until mixed well.


   Bake in Muffin Tins at 350 for approx. 18-20 min  Makes about 15 medium size Muffins.
    Bake in Grease Loaf Pan at 350 for approx. 50-55 min.  Makes 2 small loaves.


              Meatballs and Zucchini
             If the timing be right I find the process of making meatballs to be very therapeutic!?
              Have I lost my marbles?

             These meatballs are readily consumed and enjoyed by everyone who eats them.
             Happily that includes the 19 year old who continues to think ner' a Vege has passed his lips.

                                           Grated Zucchini in MEATBALLS or MEATLOAF
                                             is a great way to add moisture to a lean ground beef.                                            Simply ad a cup of grated Zucchini to your favorite recipe.

                      After an evening spent preparing, baking and finally freezer bags of Meatballs
                      I fancy the following as an easy, quick, crock pot comfort food. 
                      Served on a bed of Basmati rice or slopped inside of Sub buns and topped with  
                      grated cheese these Meatballs have proven to be a crowd pleaser..
                     
                      As easy as 1-2-3
                Combine equal parts of KETCHUP and GRAPE JELLY in a saucepan.
                        Bring gently to a boil while stirring continuously.
                         Let boil for 30 seconds and remove from heat. 
                Put fresh or frozen meatballs into pot,  pour hot sauce over meatballs.
                       Cover and cook on medium heat or in Crock Pot for about 1 hour. 
                Stir occasionally and add water or lemon juice or Orange Juice if sauce gets too thick. 

                       No mistakes in the recipe. Nope it is that easy. 
                       You can add pizza sauce, chili sauce and lemon juice to taste. 

                 

Weather you like it or not

Isn't it funny
how much time we spend contemplating, discussing and complaining about the weather when we do know 
just how little control we have over the outcome.


 If we were to indulge half as much time
into the study and understanding
 of one another then perhaps 
the discoveries divulged
may themselves lead us all to sunny skies.



 The WEATHER is free just to be                                                                                         whether you like it or not!


Enjoy the weather wherever you are, whatever it may be
chances are it won't be what it is five minutes from now.
I know in my part of the country it is a well spoken quote
"If you don't like the weather just wait five minutes."

We are now counting the days left before the snow flies as opposed to the days of summer yet to come
 and the hours of light to enjoy on a summers night.

Some things will remain forever as they are
 and I guess that's OK with me!
 

At the edge of a vision

                              at the edge of a vision

 

                                               

my creative energy beckons me to originality. 
I go out for a look and see... 

  
   I think  I'll go right
-to the heart of the matter.

Down memory lane with my camera recorder
to capture the moments
at the heart of my matter.


Up-Cycled neck tie to the rescue

Of course I never leave home without my I phone Case!
These fashionably clever, functionally handy cases
are created with up cycled Neck Ties.
The leather strap looks as good as it wears. 

UpCycled I Phone Case

 100% Handmade.
Leather strap. 
Velcro enclosure for added safety.
Know where your phone is.
Fashionable, hands free carrying case.

I love mine.
Check them out. HERE

16.00 Canadian + Shipping
Inquiries to 
Handations@Hotmail.com

Is Home where the Heart is?

Lillian the Domestic Engineer
My DAZE
Read more HERE



Homemakers
labor round the clock at mustering the making of miracles.
In the name of Love they undertake to partake
in the free rearing of a humanity for its own sake.

Traditionally a Mom she has been
whether or not her heart was in it.
Assumptions and inequality
attempting to feed
 the needs of reality starved communities.

Thankfully with the potential for equality
 in our conversations traveling at internet speed
and the boomers desire to liberate humanity
domestication is finally being viewed in a new way.

Just being female no longer makes it true
that domestication is meant for you.

I'm alright with that. I believe in equality.
I hope that my Sons will each have the opportunity
to experience Fatherhood, guiltlessly.
From within the confines of a domesticity
 that is valued in a society
as a worthy and rewarding career.

The world is at work
changing the way we view the Homemaker and domesticity
and so it darn well should be.
The business of being at home is becoming less of a gender issue
and more a reality to the needs of family in community.


So be it.
Tis the differences between us that make the world interesting
-Lest we forget that.

Blessed be our children by the Love that abounds
in households being liberated the world round.

Home is where the heart is and where our children should be!

Homemaker have earned a priceless place in humanity.
Building the houses of our communities
into homes of safe growth and moral integrity. 

By investing in the value of raising humanity
we ensure the future of our own sanity.  


Perhaps the time has finally come
for the world to rally behind our "Moms"
be that a he or a she
to liberate the finances for domesticity
to help make family all that it can be.





The Society of Domestic Engineers

 Homemakers.
Domain domesticates.
A silent majority
Working universally
Laboring endlessly.
Multitasking tirelessly.
Cheering relentlessly.

 

The long and winding road
that leads to your door
should never disappear....

we've seen that road before my dear
it always leads to here...


do we really value
our Domestic Engineers?



How do we value the Homemaker in the 21st Century?
 At $97,000.00 a year "Experts" say.

At what cost do we work to keep the Homemaker from obscurity?
 At any cost, I say!


Isn't it an occupation that we must finally undertake to pay
knowing that the absence of
results in the cost being higher than we can afford to
 and much more than we should be willing to pay.

Cream Puff Crazed

 There are a few tidbits that I render so darn good that they should be considered dangerous and
only offered for consumption in and from your own kitchen, but once annually.

Fresh Cream Puff with Bananas

 I consider Homemade CREAM PUFFS to be a few of those things..
Very few people know that I lack the ability to spend the evening alone, in a house with a container of Mini M&M Cream Puffs in the freezer
without succumbing to the temptation to eat the entire lot of them myself.

Oh I am well aware of the self induced, nauseated feeling that accompanies the consumption of countless Cream Puffs but have none the less participated in preserving this particularly putrid behavior on more than one occasion.

I honed a taste for the sweeter side of life when I was quite young.

My Mom has always been a master Dessert maker. Layer upon layer of visually stunning squares, homemade cinnamon buns and deep fried doughnuts served to sweeten my tooth and the memories of my childhood. Nothing beat arriving home to the sweet smell of Mom and the aroma of one of her specialties wafting from the kitchen, except to have arrived just in time for a fresh serving of the same.

 Although her products are all purchased lo-cally and manufactured right in her home there are no misconceptions over the lacking low- cal count in her finished products. No holds barred. No product banned.
These are homemade goodies born from the love of a Mother and begun in a bowl full of the love of baking. Blended from a mix of sugar,  flour, eggs and butter with a dollop of cream cheese and/or of course whip cream the concoctions were then baked into the many comfort foods of my childhood.


  I do love to bake myself but I am also certain that there are many years yet to come before the day arrives that I am finally asked to bring the dessert for dinner! My Moms desserts continue to reign supreme, garnering the natterings of many a family get together.  I couldn't be fuller, happier or more thrilled about it all. I really do savor the memory of every tasty moment.

Fresh Cream Puff with Raspberry Sauce

  I want one now! A fresh Cream Puff stuffed with real whip cream and dusted with powdered sugar  served with warmed Raspberries and a piping hot, fresh cup of coffee to which just the right amount of Creemo has been added...OMG

Hmmm I pondered but for a moment.
That's what I'll make to take. I had a dinner date that evening with friends to which I had been invited to bring the dessert!
 Funny how the minds world works..Blog and ye shall find?!!

(Cream Puffs do travel well and set up swiftly.)

Cream Puffs to go

I bake my Cream Puffs and set to cool before slicing open the tops. I like to leave a bit of the lid attached to the cream puff itself allowing  the lid to stand open once I have stuffed the center.
Others prefer to slice the lid right of the top and then gently set it back down on the top of a stuffed Puff.
Once cooled I remove any excess dough from inside and finally place the little puffs in a foil lined container to go. Pack in single layers. Cover and refrigerate for later use.
That's it , the hardest part is done.

I then beat or blend together the Cream Puff stuffing (real whipped cream)to be used in the shells. Once cooled it can be spooned into small or medium freezer bags or a pastry bag and stored in the fridge. The bag is easily and safely carted about and the corner can be snipped off to squeeze the content directly and evenly into the Cream Puff Cups when the time come and the need arises.

  I keep Icing Sugar in an old shakable spice bottle with lid that also travels well.
 A bag of Bananas, A Pineapple, fresh or frozen Berries, nuts, coconut or dessert sauce in a squeeze bottle all travel well and are instant, economical and effective ways to add the Wow to your Cream Puffs.
These really are best eaten not long after being prepared but once stuffed, the Cream Puffs can be individually fresh frozen and then stored in freezer bags in the freezer.
Now that you are aware of my relationship with this particular frozen food you will understand why I no longer partake in the freezing of Cream Puffs in my home!
See recipe below

I love the dessert design-ability of these little Puff cups but the value they have as appealing Appetizers should not be overlooked. These little cups are also just fabulous stuffed with a Crab Dip!
                 Wow the ones you love at your next gathering 
           with your own homemade  Cream Puffs!

Cream Puff Recipe

1/4  Cup Butter      Combine water and Butter and on medium heat, bring to a full rolling boil.
1  Cup Water         Remove from heat


1 Cup Flour           Beat in flour and salt until mixture begins to leaves the sides   
1/4 Tsp. Salt           and form a ball.  

4 Eggs                    Beat in eggs one at a time.

Drop by teaspoon onto baking tray and bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes or until tops are a golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on rack before slicing open tops.

 The cakes do puff a bit when they bake but they do not spread out on the tray an awful lot so they can be baked a bit closer together than a cookie which tends to spread out more.
 That's it. That's how simply this fussing is done.                 
 

Raw Cream Puffs

Baked Cream Puffs

 This may be a good time to spread a little love across your apron and your chin by way of a little strategically placed icing sugar.  People who have not made Cream Puffs seem to have the impression that making cream puffs are a lot of work. In the name of honoring this myth I indulge in the tradition of sprinkling icing sugar on self before serving!

Filling

1-2 tsp.  Instant Pudding. 
Vanilla is typical but any flavor of your fancy will works. Mmm try Chocolate or Butterscotch.
2 Cups Heavy Cream  
Combine pudding and cream and beat with electric beater for 2 min. Refrigerate for several hours. Scoop into Pastry Bag or plastic baggy for storage and later use. Squeeze content out of corner of cut bag,
evenly into the Cream Puffs.

Fresh Cream Puffs and Bananas

Serve up your Cream Puffs on a pretty plate stuffed with Vanilla Cream and serve with half a sliced Banana and a shake of powdered sugar.
  Mmmmm, doesn't it look delightful?

Fresh Cream Puffs with Raspberries

 





Serve them with warmed Raspberries
and Coffee after breakfast in the Sun

The Cream Puffs and the great company was enjoyed by everyone.

   Indulge yourself and enjoy today!

Make your own Instant Pudding Mix Click Here