Thursday Ramblings ...

Just a few short ramblings ... I should be getting ready for my photoshop class tonight.

Isn't April Fool's Day over?? Tell that to the lughead that tied the kitchen sink sprayer so that it'd soak the next fool that used the sink. Yup, just today and that fool was me - I got soaked!! Payback War is on!! And since no one will fess up to the prank all three of my darling children are targets for paybacks!!

I have no motivation today. Grrrrrrr.

Instead I've been browsing recipes. The family recipe book, gross grub and diabetic recipes mostly. All I know is I'm hungry now! LOL!!

Lisa's Sauerkraut Delux

Description:
One of my favorites!

Ingredients:
1 lb. sauerkraut, drained
5 slices bacon, diced
1 1/2 c. water
1 Tbsp flour
1/2 c. sour cream (optional)

Directions:
Rinse sauerkraut if mild flavor is desired, do not rinse if stronger flavor is desired. Drain well. Fry bacon in skillet until golden. Drain off 1 tablespoon bacon fat, set aside. Add sauerkraut to skillet. Fry 3 minutes, stirring often. Add water. Cover and cook 45 minutes, over medium heat. Blend flour into reserved bacon fat. Stir into sauerkraut. Cook and stir over high heat 2 minutes. Stir in sour cream, if desired. Remove from heat.

Dad's Quickie Hot German Potato Salad

Description:
My dad's favorite potato salad recipe!!

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. bacon
3 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp instant onion (dehydrated onion)
1 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. vinegar
2 cans (1 lb. each) potatoes

Directions:
Cut up bacon. Fry until crisp. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of drippings. Blend in sugar, onion, flour and seasonings. Gradually add vinegar and water, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Add potatoes and cook slowly for 5 minutes. This recipe can be made ahead of time, as it improves flavor.

Uncle Art's Sauerkraut

Description:
Always a favorite at family reunions! This recipe is in my uncle's words ...

Ingredients:
Cabbage (firm heads), freshly picked
Kosher style salt
Hot water
Jars and lids

Directions:
Cut up cabbage as if for slaw. If not fine enough, chop to suit. Pack cabbage tightly in sterilized jars. Add 1 tablespoon salt per quart jar. Fill the jar with boiling water. Cover lightly by doubling waxed paper and secure with outer jar ring. Let cabbage work for 3 weeks in a cool, dark place (50 - 70 degrees). After 3 weeks add 1 teaspoon salt. Fill with hot water. Seal with canning lids. Process in hot water bath for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and store. If properly sealed will keep indefinitely.

Recipes ...

Now that I finally figured out how to add recipes to my site I've got a bunch I'll be adding in the days to come. Consider yourselves warned!!

The first dozen or so recipes I'll be posting come from a family cookbook that was published many years ago. They are my personal favorites, like the *Nibble Bait* recipe I've already posted. A few of the recipes I haven't made in years. Some, like Uncle Art's Sauerkraut (coming soon!) I've never made but did enjoy when we could get our grubbies on a mason jar or two of it. Ahhhh, now that's sauerkraut!!

Maybe I'll even re-incarnate the "Gross Grub" recipes from my blogging days over at 360 if ya'll are game for some really GROSS looking but delish dishes. Great recipes for making with the kidliens, too.

I'm sure I'll be adding diabetic *friendly* recipes, for obvious reasons, LOL.

I also found some great kids play recipes - things like homemade playdough. I'll be adding them, too. Fun with the kiddies and grandkids on those rainy days!!

Nibble Bait

Description:
This recipe is said to be the original Chex Party Mix recipe from Anheuser Busch.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. butter
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. celery salt
1 tsp. onion salt
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. Accent flavor enhancer

1 qt. popped popcorn
3/4 lb. unsalted nuts
1 qt. Cherrios
3 c. Rice Chex
3 c. Wheat Chex
1 (5 1/2 oz) pkg. pretzels

Directions:
Melt butter. Add next 5 ingredients. Mix well. Place remaining ingredients in large roaster. Pour butter mixture over all. Mix thoroughly. Bake slow (250 degrees) for 2 hours, stirring frequently. Cool before serving. Store in tightly covered containers.

Ten Thoughts Tuesday

Wow!! It's Tuesday already??

1) I've been looking around for a new theme for my page. Haven't found anything I'd want to look at for too long. I love this Star Trek theme, but I'm thinking it's time for a change!

2) We had a short Business class tonight, lol. Short? More like get your grade and leave. If you have a grade of 89% or higher you're done with the class for the semester. Lower than 89% come next week to take the final exam and bring your grade up further. My grade as it stands right now is an 82.5% so I'll be taking the final exam. Even having to take the final exam, class will end two weeks early. Yippee!!

3) Another reason to want to move away from this neighborhood ... last night at around midnight we hear gunshot - sounded like a shotgun according to Single Son. Nice having a cop living under my roof. He went into "cop" mode - investigating the noise, making sure no one was injured and accessing if he could find out where the shot originated from. Unable to do so, there was really no need for him to call the local PD, they don't investigate unless there's property damage or blood. This wasn't the first time we've heard shots being fired. Something tells me it won't be the last either.

4) I got April Fooled today. Early. Just after the gunshot incident Single Son came into my room after he got back from investigating to tell me things were fine. Then he goes on to say that he's been offered, and is taking, a job overseas and will be leaving in two weeks for his new job. Said he would be gone about a year before being able to come back to visit. He wondered if I'd be okay "alone" (just me and Alien), I said something about then I'm sure Married Son, DIL and Grandson will want to move back in with me since it's not working out where they're living now anyway ... he says "no, they're moving to Kentucky at the end of the month". Seeing that I'd talked to Married Son yesterday and knew that to not be the case, I started to question Single Son. Dummy me fell for the line "they don't want to hurt you by letting you know they're leaving Michigan ASAP, Mom". Damn kid ... he's got such a good poker face - I fall for his pranks only all the time!! Grrrrrr ...

5) Yesterday was such a beautiful day, if you didn't mind the rain!! It was in the 50s, a welcome sign that Spring may finally be on it's way to Michigan. It was so warm, in fact, I opened the windows to air out the house. Kept my bedroom window open all night long, too. The wind was really blowing, to the point it actually woke me up. I closed the window only when fears of the wind blowing down the old tree in the backyard kept me from falling back to sleep. I had to close it to block out the sounds of the wind howling through the trees! And no, the tree didn't get blown down. That'll probably happen when I least expect it.

6) Married Son, DIL and Grandson stopped by last night for a visit. They weren't here five minutes and Grandson took over Grandma's computer. He sat happily for hours (literally) drawing on Paint and looking at all of Grandma's pictures. He'll be three in May. He's a little computer geek already!! The intensity on his face while he "painted" was too precious!!!

7) I got word today when my next "surgery" is. The mole on my face will be removed Thursday, next week. Since it's cryoscopy I won't need anyone to drive me, and I'll be able to attend my photoshop class that evening. I called my mom to tell her when the cryoscopy is and didn't realize the message I left on her machine was "they remove my face on April 10". She called my back in absolute hysterical laughter ... I had no idea what I'd said until she told me!

8) I have to get my car to the shop. Again. LOL. Nothing mechanical this time. The harsh winter cracked my windshield in two!!! I really need to find time to get it replaced before I get ticketed for it!!

9) Well damn!!! I just realized I didn't get the trash to the curb this morning!! Figures, I remember the Ten Thoughts Tuesday - but forget Trash Tuesday! Grrrrrrr ...

10) The more I play with Photoshop the more addicted I am to it!! LOL! I'm saving my pennies now for a few books on it. I'd love to be able to afford the version we are using in class - CS3, but it's a professional release, so you know it'll cost a fortune!! Yeah, I've found it on sale for $600!!! ON SALE! OUCH!!

BONUS THOUGHT! Photoshop Express is now available online FREE!! Yes, FREE!!! Here's an article about it. The article provides links should you wish to check it out further!! Although it looks to me like it's another photo storage site, it still looks like something I'll be checking out as time permits.