tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64905218776196582642024-03-13T01:15:07.990-04:00Mrs. Yeater's PlaceA little lived in
with a lot of Love...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-83888769929171242712011-01-31T21:42:00.000-05:002011-01-31T21:42:15.636-05:00Super Bowl CoolerWhether supporting the Green Bay Packers or the Pittsburgh Steelers or enjoying the thought of a gathering of friends, the soda needs a place to chill. Sure, one could dig out the coolers from the summer storage- by all means! Let us, however, not forget what many of us already have in our homes: the top-loading washing machine. Decorate, fill with ice and drinks, and have a ball. When the party is over, the drinks all gone, let the ice melt and put it on the spin cycle. If one's team wins, this is just one more victory; otherwise, at least it is one less chore to heap on one's upset.<br />
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What are some of your tricks for entertaining?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-89342245450953173082011-01-15T18:24:00.003-05:002011-03-21T15:49:00.695-04:00Homemade Rice Heating Pack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TS9DhsEMdmI/AAAAAAAAAGo/_IvygY2aPyM/s1600/085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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With a age and congenital defects come aches and pains and wounds. Mr. Yeater has had to take it easy the last couple of weeks because of these- meaning a lot of couch time. This, for anyone who has not spent a good deal of forced time doing so, can become a little painful for the back and neck. Poor, Mr. Yeater! A few days ago, he was in particular discomfort and our heating pad was nowhere to be found. It would not have done much if we had. <br />
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In a flash of brilliance, I recalled our inventory of rice. I keep a relatively large store of grains in my pantry. I ran to our linen cupboard and grabbed<br />
<a name='more'></a>an old pillowcase which could be spared. At my sewing table, I was able to measure and cut out a 4"x6" (pictured above) rectangle of cloth at the corner. Then, working wrong-side out, I closed all but one seam and flipped it right-side out. I turned one inch inward at the open end, filled the pouch with about one and a half to two cups of rice, and brought it to my sewing machine. The top pinched shut, I sealed it closed with the final seam. And, look! a rice pillow pack. I can throw it into the microwave and heat it (one to three minutes) or put it into the freezer for a hot/cold compress. <br />
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I have made two more since then and we enjoy having them for aches and pains and keep toasty without raising our energy bill in these cold temperatures.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-53493112976067507842011-01-06T22:26:00.003-05:002011-01-15T18:29:29.449-05:00Cutey Pants<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last Thursday evening, I received a note from Miss N.K. announcing a shopping trip to our local Goodwill store for the following day. And I finally<br />
<a name='more'></a>had a couple of dollars to spend. Thank you, Mother! I rarely shop with The Girls, so I was filled with anticipation and could barely sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every time I go into Goodwill, I just know that there is some magnificent prize hidden among the average and mundane. Tremulous with this ambition, we all entered our warehouse of thrift. I did not know for what I was searching- only that I would know when I had found it. We started in a group of six and quickly shifted shape like a nebulous vapor. Pairing and separating, grouping and gathering; at once separate and together. There was a method to our madness: never shop beside someone of your same size or with your style. No arguing over who gets what. Fortunately for me, no one in the group was my size, and none of my friends has my style. I searched the shoes. I ferreted through shirts, skirts, belts, and kitchen things. And then, I found it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At first, I dismissed it as too wild. Too silly. I walked away from it, but I kept returning. My mindset is still a little set in its dark and somber mode and needs an extroverted kick. After circling and circling back, I finally said to myself, "These are fun! And, frankly, I like them!" Off the rack they flew into my arms. The Girls thought I was crazy. After all, none of them would ever think of wearing bright pink, paisley capri pants. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhQ4b7pjlwcvxaqiVobLtxuXRbR_PkBP6lNQZCQ9FVmTk5J5GpEXFjrAH_SVARslppnrVJ4_E-846FFvc13VJas_B7zkP0G_1NeTlA-GLXFs9MtwGk6SLMF9kwmwGc2eEdCf6XRdv-FM/s1600/In+the+Kitchen+in+Pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhQ4b7pjlwcvxaqiVobLtxuXRbR_PkBP6lNQZCQ9FVmTk5J5GpEXFjrAH_SVARslppnrVJ4_E-846FFvc13VJas_B7zkP0G_1NeTlA-GLXFs9MtwGk6SLMF9kwmwGc2eEdCf6XRdv-FM/s320/In+the+Kitchen+in+Pink.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pants! O, for Goodness' sake, the Pants!</td></tr>
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<div>The only other thing that I bought that day was a package of cherry candies for Mr. Yeater. I was so thrilled with my purchase, that I wore them all of that evening (after washing them, of course). I even wore them while <a href="http://mrsyeater.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-many-tomatoes-does-it-take-or-home.html">roasting the tomatoes for supper.</a> Needless to say, I had fun! because these are the kinds of pants that one wears to have fun. I have always been a serious-minded individual, but I try to remember that levity is a key spice of life. These pants will go a long way in that direction.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Do you have any fun buys? What kind of finds have you gotten at thrift stores?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-51093939600282254372011-01-05T19:00:00.003-05:002011-01-07T15:30:35.038-05:00How Many Tomatoes Does It Take? or Home-Roasted TomatoesWe all have our favorite standby meal for entertaining. Mine is pasta- spaghetti, macaroni, what have you. So, when Mr. Yeater took a day trip to Petoskey, and I invited a couple of friends to bear me company, I knew what to prepare for supper. The only trouble was that I would be making <br />
<a name='more'></a>homemade tomato sauce and had no idea how many pounds to get for three people. Silly me, I did not even think to "Google" it. I bought two pounds. <br />
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</div><div>I will not say that two pounds for three people is not sufficient. It may have been if I had prepared only one serving of pasta per person. Not I! Not for my poor, skinny friends in need of carbohydrates. I made two servings per person. The tomatoes (roasted and seasoned with onions, garlic, and other herbs) were like little treasures hidden in the noodles. The girls liked it pretty well, but I maintain that it would have been better to be able to bury the noodles in tomatoes. I need at least one pound per person. I will be testing my theory with Mr. Yeater tonight. We bought about two to two and a half pounds of Roma tomatoes this week so that I could make more tomato "sauce". </div><div><br />
</div><div>To make the tomato sauce, I first like to roast my tomatoes. I will be using:<br />
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Large turkey roasting pan</div><div><br />
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<div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Medium mixing bowl (for coating tomatoes)</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Small mixing bowl (for organic waste)</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Cutting board</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> Chef's knife</div></div><br />
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Various Herbs</div><div> Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)</div><div> and... Roma Tomatoes!!! I like Romas because they are not as watery and so are less likely to overflow the pan with moisture. Plus, the flavor is delicious!<br />
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With the Chef's knife, I "behead" the tomatoes, tossing the tops into the yellow (smaller) bowl.<br />
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If I still had my garden, I would compost these, but they will be going into the garbage disposal.<br />
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Then, I halve them. Poor tomatoes!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSqmqBiK3I/AAAAAAAAAF0/OlGIqD2hoB8/s1600/047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSqmqBiK3I/AAAAAAAAAF0/OlGIqD2hoB8/s200/047.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
It may not keep the POINTs low, but I love olive oil and use it generously. Drizzle (Pour) the olive oil into the roasting pan and spread it out with a spatula- or hands, if that would be more fun.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSqnvv6pRI/AAAAAAAAAF4/afUKDMR7RxU/s1600/048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSqnvv6pRI/AAAAAAAAAF4/afUKDMR7RxU/s200/048.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><div>Then, in my green bowl (the medium mixing bowl), I pour even more olive oil, about a half to a full cup.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSqo0zv8_I/AAAAAAAAAF8/JKhsgAqmFBw/s1600/055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSqo0zv8_I/AAAAAAAAAF8/JKhsgAqmFBw/s200/055.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Put all the spices, herbs, what have you, in the bowl with the oil and mix it. After that, I put two tomato halves in the mixture and coat the top and bottom. <br />
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I generally prefer fresh herbs, but there you are...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSqqE2ir0I/AAAAAAAAAGA/dwD1yndR1z8/s1600/063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSqqE2ir0I/AAAAAAAAAGA/dwD1yndR1z8/s200/063.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>And line them up, nice and tidy. They need some room between them, but not a lot.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSkWKi6imI/AAAAAAAAAEY/7UAbEcgwgbo/s1600/064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSkWKi6imI/AAAAAAAAAEY/7UAbEcgwgbo/s200/064.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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For a quick roast, I set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer to 2:00 hours.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSkYkEW5xI/AAAAAAAAAEg/_lmn3jFynT8/s1600/069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSkYkEW5xI/AAAAAAAAAEg/_lmn3jFynT8/s320/069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSoV1y4HPI/AAAAAAAAAEo/PnP4FyWMvKU/s1600/074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSoV1y4HPI/AAAAAAAAAEo/PnP4FyWMvKU/s320/074.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm... the apartment smells wonderful!</td></tr>
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</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSoTbG9ZyI/AAAAAAAAAEk/rvYjlB1moUI/s1600/079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Y3z4MiaWQ9I/TSSoTbG9ZyI/AAAAAAAAAEk/rvYjlB1moUI/s200/079.jpg" width="200" /></a>Now, we have a choice to make: Leave the skins or remove them? They should be bubbly and crisp at the edges and can be easily, if messily, removed with a paring knife and fingers. Careful, though. The flesh and the pan are HOT!<br />
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With the paring knife, score the flesh, and remove the tomatoes. <br />
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Next step: Boil water. Measure out pasta into boiling pot. Let boil until pasta is <i>al dente</i>. Strain and pour back into pot. Stir in just a little olive oil until each noodle is lightly coated. Warm tomatoes if necessary. Serve. Enjoy.<br />
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Mr. Yeater and I settled into our respective places on the couch with our plates full of pasta and our glasses full of my new favorite beer, and we watched a funny movie. There was just enough sauce for the two of us with a little leftover for another helping. I would love to show you how mouth-watering was the meal, but I am afraid that it smelled so wonderfully, and Mr. Yeater was sniffing around the kitchen far too frequently, that I forgot to take a photograph. I will endeavor to remember on the next occasion which I make it to take a picture to share. And now I know that it takes about one pound of tomatoes per person.<br />
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Do you have a favorite standby meal?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-13331419906341342032010-12-29T22:06:00.001-05:002011-01-05T19:02:17.030-05:00Ode to PopcornO crunchy, yellow-white mouthful<br />
Of kerneled puffs bountiful,<br />
With your Graciousness my taste buds dance,<br />
Your mildness is so wonderful.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Your goodness bypasses my hips<br />
As over my gums and lips<br />
The pieces crumble and dissolve.<br />
My snack problem you resolve.<br />
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Your POINTs content is so low<br />
I can take you wherever I go-<br />
At my desk, in the car, even as I swing<br />
Under the tree to and fro.<br />
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As I sit in the gloaming,<br />
In the kitchen my appetite is roaming<br />
For my chewy, savory ambrosia-<br />
For you my mouth is foaming.<br />
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Erupting hulls in the expanse resound.<br />
Starch pops and flies, fluffy and round.<br />
This desire is not merely vernal;<br />
It abides for those tempting, tasty kernels.<br />
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by A. Yeater<br />
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Air-popped popcorn is one of my favorite snacks and after-supper munchies. It is versatile as that little black dress in the closet. With the right accessories it can be sweet, savory, or spicy. Even unadulterated, it is smashing! Without butter or other toppings, three cups of the popped kernels amounts to about a whopping 1 POINT (varies from brand to brand. Sometimes it is one POINT per 2 popped cups). It is also a wonderful snack because it is both gluten-free and okay for those on a candida cleanse. Low calorie, low carbohydrate, no fat. Curl up with a favorite book- or, if the fingers are buttery, in front of a good TV show or movie, and enjoy!<br />
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Copyright December 2010- I worked hard on this silly poem and I may cry if it is stolen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-54474510941245609662010-12-27T21:15:00.001-05:002010-12-29T22:08:24.911-05:00Ten ExcusesTen Excuses for Not Updating... or anything else<br />
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1) I was "trapped in an oil painting"<br />
2) A giant pile of laundry grew legs and trapped me in a week long battle for<br />
<a name='more'></a> supremacy<br />
3) I was lost in a chocolatey brownie<br />
4) I participated in a trial for Anti-Drowning Water<br />
5) The Anti-Drowning Water success spawned the bio-engineering of Anti-Dying Grass<br />
6) I lost the bologna for my peek-a-boo sandwich<br />
7) When Miss RH says that she is cuddly because she wears <a href="http://www.cuddlduds.com/">Cuddl Duds</a>, she does not mean "cuddle duds"<br />
8) I was kidnapped by the captain of a free-trader's ship in 1807<br />
9) My petticoats had no starch in them<br />
10) Apparently one pound of tomatoes is needed per person<br />
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I am sorry to all of you who have been kind enough to bear with my unannounced hiatus. I really do appreciate your visits and hope that you will continue. A lot has been happening around here, so I hope that you enjoy my excuses and forgive me for them. <br />
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Do you have any favorite excuses that you use? Or wish that you could?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-45919201623160727192010-12-20T22:19:00.001-05:002010-12-27T21:16:23.111-05:00UnletteredLong ago, the only means of communicating with loved ones who did not live nearby was by letter. There were no telephones, let alone cell-phones with texting capability and computers with internet access. Today, with the<br />
<a name='more'></a> advent of social networking sites like Facebook and the aforementioned technology, people rarely send more than a brief sentence. Where have the long, heartfelt missives gone?<br />
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Do not fear. I am not rising to my bully-pulpit to decry the use of technology to communicate. I love e-mail. Before e-mail, I had letters scattered about my home waiting to be sent that never made it to the mailbox. Friends and family would go months and years without receiving a written letter from me. They still do. I do not take umbrage with brief memos when the situation calls for it. I am concerned that we, as a culture, have become so impersonal in our dealings with one another; hospitality in general has become nearly extinct. The days of neighborly and familial concern have waned.<br />
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When we are small, we leap up and down with glee when we are presented with a letter from Gramma or Papa. "Oh, boy! A letter! For me!" It is a gift filled with love. Time has been spent to talk just to us. Even as one ages, the excitement is still palpable when we receive a thoughtful letter from a friend or family member. It warms our hearts. And letters can be kept whereas telephone conversations cannot. They can be squirreled away to read again when skies are grey.<br />
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Mother was used to say: "You do not get letters if you do not send them." It is a wonderful reminder to initiate kith-and-kinship. When was the last time you wrote (and sent) a letter? An e-mail that was thoughtful and not merely a brief dispatch? I, too, will endeavor to practice this.<br />
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Will you join me?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-22662179590699733582010-12-18T21:24:00.002-05:002010-12-19T07:56:52.963-05:00Hair Dye Debacle: How Vinegar Let Me DownFor those who have wondered about whatever happened with that <a href="http://mrsyeater.blogspot.com/2010/11/hair-dye-debacle.html">hair-dye stained towel</a> (thank you, Patient Ones), please accept my apologies for my Procrastination. Part of it was due to necessity. I had to re-stock hairspray. Since then, I have tried hairspray and vinegar on separate parts of the stain. I had not previously washed it, so it had been sitting for over a month in my<br />
<a name='more'></a>project pile, awaiting my attention. I decided to try each on its own and together. <br />
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The vinegar (white distilled, of course) was lightly rubbed on one half of a particularly dark mark. Slowly, it removed a little of the stain, but not before darkening the color. Apparently, the vinegar reacted with the chemical makeup of the dye and turned it from a bright hue like the locks of Pippi Longstocking to a deep russet. To be honest, I do not think it did better than water would have done. Water would not have changed the dye's color.<br />
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The hairspray surprised me. I sprayed it a couple of times on the other half and likewise lightly rubbed. Not, a chemist, I cannot tell you why, but it seemed to wipe away the stain with very little effort until it was barely visible. I was not happy with the results of the vinegar. So, I sprayed more hairspray on the vinegar-darkened stain and wiped. It came away! as though I had not previously tampered with it. <br />
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I did not treat the remaining soiling with either product. I tossed it into a normal cycle of laundry with cold water. When it had finished I did not put it into the dryer. I examined where the blemish had been and found myself grinning. It was very nearly invisible! One would only know it was there by looking for it. Next month, when I can afford more hairspray, I will treat the remaining marks on the towel and it will look as it did before ever I lent it. I am disappointed in my Vinegar, but then, a butter knife can only act like a screwdriver and is not itself a screwdriver. Onward to the Dollar Store, dear Readers, and be sure to have plenty of hairspray when one has the urge to dye the hair.<br />
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Note: The dye on my towel was from a Temporary formula designed to wash out in twenty-four shampoos (though I have never had it wash out so soon), and my towel is cotton. I do not know how hairspray will work with Permanent dyes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-37682251672439261562010-12-17T16:29:00.004-05:002010-12-19T08:31:33.993-05:00Great Grandma's ButtonsHow many of us of us have a collection of buttons housed somewhere within our homes? Why do we keep these? After Great Grandpa died some years ago, two years after Great Grandma had died, Father took over the house and I moved into it. Incidentally, I acquired some of their remaining belongings that the rest of the family had left. I got Great Grandma's sewing kit, replete with her button box. What treasures therein did I find!<br />
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</div><div>After I had set up <a href="http://mrsyeater.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-first.html">my new sewing machine</a> two weeks ago, I used the opportunity to reorganize my own sewing supplies. It was the first time that I had really looked at the buttons. Many were generic, white or translucent discs. Others were charming and clearly vintage. I found a leather and a couple of wooden buttons! I wondered about where she had gotten them and how long they had sat in the box without use. Had they been loose and fallen off of their original ensembles? Had she picked them up and collected them from some other source? Which were her favorites?</div><div><br />
</div><div>There is something special about buttons. Else why would we collect them? A box full of buttons is a box full of hope. Hope for the future, hope for the things past. We hope to refurnish those missing their buttons and to create new pieces for tomorrow. What did Great Grandma hope? Did she plan to refasten them but simply never got around to it? Did she have a project in mind? It is a poignant reminder. Let the reader decide what reminder may be relevant. For my part, I do not know where they come from in the distant Yesterday; Today I shall put to use these precious pieces of her hopes that they may be enjoyed Tomorrow.<br />
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What are your hopes? Do you have a Button Box?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-20097418538034407092010-12-14T09:24:00.002-05:002010-12-19T08:00:18.417-05:00Sleep and PressMr. Yeater and I do not "vacation" per se, but we attend about three conventions each year. Two of these weekends generally require an overnight stay. When we arrive in our hotel room, I make a thorough check<br />
<a name='more'></a>of the mattress and sheets for signs of Infestation. I have not heard reports that the spread of this particular pest has reached these northern parts, but it does not hurt to be sure. Satisfied with the findings, we set about unpacking. For Mr. Yeater, this involves hanging suits and dress shirts and placing the ties with the correct suit. At times, no matter how carefully we pack the clothes and hang the garment bags in the car, the pants and ties will invariably become a little creased. <br />
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We could, perhaps, simply iron them in the morning or while we unpack, but who wants to spend any part of the trip ironing? Lifting the mattress- with the help of Mr. Yeater, of course- I place the pants and tie to be worn the next day on the box spring. I straighten and flatten them so that the wrinkles do not set. Then, very carefully, lower the mattress. All that is left to do is to eat supper, suit up, and head to the pool! In the morning, I enlist Mr. Yeater once again to lift the mattress. I gather the pants and tie, which should no longer wear the creases of the previous day's travel, and lay them on the other bed. Now we may dress, wrinkle-free, and attend the Convention in well-arranged ensembles without fuss and bother.<br />
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How do you make more time on your vacations?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-18359683262415655652010-12-11T20:34:00.002-05:002010-12-19T08:31:49.961-05:00My FirstA young woman sits by the lamp in the warm lighting, a needle and thread in one hand and a torn pant leg in the other. She is hunched over the pant leg, stitching slowly and deliberately. Her brow is furrowed in thoughtfulness and frustration. The phone rings. She pricks herself and lets out a cry. <br />
<a name='more'></a>She picks up the receiver, talks a little, listens a little, and squeals with delight. A week later she carries in a large bag and an armful of books. She has just been to her close friends' home and is grinning from ear to ear. They have been downsizing. She has reaped the spoils.<br />
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Her husband helps her to put away the books as she unloads the large bag on the dining room table in their small apartment dwelling. She removes a small booklet, a bag of pleating pins, and a plastic container. Now, for the crowning moment. Slowly, she unsheathes the cream-colored plastic form and marvels at the knobs and metal attachments- a joyful glint in her eyes. With giddy delight she sets it up on a table in the corner of the living area, setting a chair and her sewing boxes at its side. She carefully reads the small booklet, an owner's manual, that her friend had been kind enough to include. On each page with its labelled diagrams she looks up at the marvelous machine, corresponding each piece to the picture. Dark blue thread in hand, she prepares the delicate task of threading. <br />
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Weaving and pulling, manipulating the navy strand through close spaces, the excitement rises within her bosom. Each step brings her ever closer to a new freedom. An old dream. It is a dream of flowing skirts and stiff petticoats, fitted bodices and beautiful sleeves. It all begins with this first.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">My first Sewing machine.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-51629880690155224302010-12-07T12:19:00.002-05:002010-12-19T08:02:50.289-05:00Blue Flowers cross-stitchhis is another cross-stitching project that I actually did quite diligently during the last week. I think it turned out better than the <a href="http://mrsyeater.blogspot.com/2010/11/finished-muddy-piglets.html">Piggies</a>. I get some of my patterns from the books at the Public Library and from <a href="http://www.dmc-usa.com/">DMC</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLrmDYbEr6NPjZJwHp7PvbGgMNvaNKHVIg0xqD_1sN_BoB3UqSFPLEWRpw11dw0jPFS_9AavmiHHundBrthW_ebF8W4EmTCRNq3rP-NwI_wFFrRuEGuL0K5jHVoRkaPYxg7B3xxp2TdM/s1600/Blue+Flower+cross-stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLrmDYbEr6NPjZJwHp7PvbGgMNvaNKHVIg0xqD_1sN_BoB3UqSFPLEWRpw11dw0jPFS_9AavmiHHundBrthW_ebF8W4EmTCRNq3rP-NwI_wFFrRuEGuL0K5jHVoRkaPYxg7B3xxp2TdM/s320/Blue+Flower+cross-stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I really enjoyed this pattern. It will make me think of the Mary Tyler Moore Show. I had never seen it before, and Mr. Yeater insisted that I order it from Netflix. What a wonderful way to spend an evening! Busying my hands and laughing at Ted Baxter.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-56386892623165651462010-12-06T12:54:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:04:47.457-05:00Lose That Bitter in a PinchSo, the coffee grounds have been sitting in the cupboard or fridge for about a month. Did we buy too much? Probably. Did we buy a cheap brand that used to be good, but whose quality has slowly declined since its hay-day? Most likely. We look forward to that little indulgence with growing reticence. It is still good. However, the bitter aftertaste is a bit off-putting and one must drown it with flavored creamer to make it palatable. By then, one wonders why the coffee was made at all if we are to drink creamer and sugar. I am a Coffee-Snob with a Gas station coffee budget. Eew.<br />
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I have read a few tips here and there about how to be rid of the bitter and to bring out the intrinsic flavors of the coffee bean without having to completely obliterate it with adulterations. Until recently, I have rolled my eyes and continued on my merry way without so much as a moment's genuine consideration. This morning, however, Mr. Yeater and I had had enough and we decided to try something. In a magazine that I have received from America's Test Kitchen, it suggested one-eighth of a teaspoon of salt added to the grounds for a full (eight to ten cups) pot of coffee. We use a small "four cup" pot, so we added just under a pinch to the dry grounds in the filter. We did nothing else to the coffee except to prepare it in the usual way. Would you know it? It actually worked. The coffee was still bitter the way that coffee should be without the lip-puckering and face-scrunching that typically accompanies bad coffee. Suddenly, it was bearable, and rather pleasant. <br />
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So, the next time the coffee is bitter, make a new pot with a little salt added to the grounds. Enjoy!<br />
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What is your favorite morning drink?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-24833544054201428642010-12-01T21:19:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:06:51.626-05:00Living InternationallyThis is a little off of the beaten path, but I love to look at real estate listings. I cannot afford anything, anywhere, ever, but I can dream... and laugh. I was doing just that today, and I found the perfect place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Funny-Real Estate-Photos-Weird Buzz" src="http://lovelylisting.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/hasbee-p1.jpg?w=378&h=199" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovelylisting.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/hasbee-screen1.jpg">http://lovelylisting.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/hasbee-screen1.jpg</a><br />
Found on <a href="http://lovelylisting.icanhascheezburger.com/">http://lovelylisting.icanhascheezburger.com</a></td></tr>
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I have always wanted to go to London (if only to visit), and Look! A large lounge. A balcony overlooking the living space. And a... bee? That must be quite a Bee to merit mention in the listing! I want to know: Will he pay part of the rent and utilities?<br />
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Mr. Yeater and I like to play a little game with ourselves. We pick up one of those free booklets with local and statewide real estate listings, and we pretend that we can have any one that we want. There is a lot of laughter about the million-dollar listings.<br />
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Mr. Yeater: Hey, hun. Why don't you buy us that house?<br />
Mrs. Yeater: Sure. Can I get a raise in my allowance?<br />
Mr. Yeater: Absolutely. From nuthin to nuthin and a half.<br />
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What made you laugh today?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-57008919041204676112010-11-30T16:43:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:07:25.675-05:00Finished Muddy Piglets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqdpyEgJBa5rTRBtV7TxkYeF6NJtd3_YPTzrRNr-NGkzQdhowOvOxWl1O-62A8zUrYiye9Q3XEu6HpGgVJg6msfZPOBof1joVriUhCnM9R2XeULeCt0_4U-tTLWHWf7DM8DEhrxg_QBw/s1600/Muddy+Piglets+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqdpyEgJBa5rTRBtV7TxkYeF6NJtd3_YPTzrRNr-NGkzQdhowOvOxWl1O-62A8zUrYiye9Q3XEu6HpGgVJg6msfZPOBof1joVriUhCnM9R2XeULeCt0_4U-tTLWHWf7DM8DEhrxg_QBw/s320/Muddy+Piglets+finished.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After about two months, I have finally finished this pattern of muddy, little piggies. It should not have taken me so long except that I procrastinated. Yes. I procrastinate. A lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The thread colors that I used are not those which were recommended, but they are what I had in my limited inventory. I am now working on a cross-stitch pattern from the same company. They are pretty flowers. Who does not like a flower?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you cross-stitch? Do you have a favorite pattern? How do you incorporate your hobby into your life?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-44785885345931059632010-11-28T20:22:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:08:03.416-05:00A Few of My Favorite BooksOur days are busy, hither and thither, and filled with problems that require solution. We have our studies and general reading of nutritional facts and material for the edification of self and mind. Sometimes, I need a little fluff. A little escapism. I do not mean to entirely shut off one's brain and watch the Television, but to pick up a favorite book by a favorite author and drift into another world. Is there anything more exquisite than the feel of soft, paper pages that whisper <i>thp, thp, thp? </i>The sweet aroma of each leaf? <br />
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</div><div>My favorite Escapist Reads are written by an English woman born at the turn of the last century. She wrote in abundance and is credited with being the Mother of the Regency-England Romance. Whereas Jane Austen wrote contemporaneously, this author wrote with the knowledge of extensive research. Her novels are clean, witty, intriguing and humorous. I have often found myself giggling with delight and girlish glee. She is <a href="http://www.georgetteheyer.com/">Georgette Heyer<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mrsyeaspla-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a>. Georgette Heyer wrote Historical (romantic and otherwise), Mystery, and Contemporary novels. These are all wonderfully written, but, again and again, I reach for the historical romance.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Yes, I love romance. For all of my pragmatism and objectivity, I am a whimsical romantic at heart. Of her many, many novels, these are my most favored:</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Civil-Contract-First-UK/dp/B000K2559O?ie=UTF8&tag=mrsyeaspla-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="A Civil Contract (First UK Edition)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000K2559O&tag=mrsyeaspla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mrsyeaspla-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000K2559O" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />(A Civil Contract) My all time favorite. I could read this over and over- and I have. It is not a tale of passionate infatuation, but that of a more quiet, peaceful, enduring love. The hero must marry a wealthy heiress of a merchant to save his family's land though he loves another. The heroine is the daughter of a wealthy tradesman and is not beautiful, but wants to make his life as comfortable as possible, if not happy.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fridays-Child-Georgette-Heyer/dp/1402210795?ie=UTF8&tag=mrsyeaspla-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Friday's Child" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1402210795&tag=mrsyeaspla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mrsyeaspla-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1402210795" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />(Friday's Child) Definitely the sweetest. I am thrown into fits of hilarity and giddiness by the dialogue and situations. Our young hero gets married in a fit of pique to a young woman barely out of the schoolroom, believing that his life will not be altered and he may continue as usual. Our young heroine is innocent of the ways of society and how to go on. She falls into many social scrapes, a constant source of discomfiture to her husband.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beauvallet-Unabridged-Audiobook-Audiocassette-Tapes/dp/B000O8Z35K?ie=UTF8&tag=mrsyeaspla-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Beauvallet (Unabridged Audiobook on 8 Audiocassette Tapes)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000O8Z35K&tag=mrsyeaspla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mrsyeaspla-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000O8Z35K" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/These-Old-Shades-Georgette-Heyer/dp/1402219474?ie=UTF8&tag=mrsyeaspla-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="These Old Shades" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1402219474&tag=mrsyeaspla-20" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mrsyeaspla-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1402219474" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Cub-Georgette-Heyer/dp/0373835639?ie=UTF8&tag=mrsyeaspla-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Devil's Cub" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0373835639&tag=mrsyeaspla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mrsyeaspla-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0373835639" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><div> (Beauvallet) (These Old Shades) (Devil's Cub)</div><div><br />
</div><div><i>Beauvallet</i> is filled with adventure, passion, and intrigue. Set in the 1500's, an English Privateer (legalized pirate) and a young Spanish lady fall in love. He promises to come for her, but the way in and out is fraught with peril.</div><div><br />
</div><div><i>These Old Shades</i> and <i>Devil's Cub</i> are part of a trilogy; these are set in Georgian Europe. In <i>These Old Shades</i>, one of Georgette Heyer's first characters from <i>The Black Moth</i> receives a reprisal as the "hero" who discovers a fiery-tempered young woman cross-dressing as a youth in France who resembles an enemy of his and takes her under his terrifying wing. <i>Devil's Cub</i> is the story of their son who mistakenly absconds with the wrong woman. This woman sought to save her sister's reputation by pretending to be her in meeting the intended at a midnight rendezvous.</div><div><br />
</div><div>These books carry me away to warm, fuzzy, exciting places filled with period cant, witty dialogue, hilarious situation, and believable characters. I have laughed. I have cried. I have cheered. I have jeered. I hope you will have a look at these, and perhaps you will find others of her books that you love. Many public libraries will have at least one of her novels if not more. Otherwise, inexpensive ones can be found on <a href="http://books.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=georgette+heyer&_sacat=267">EBay</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=mrsyeaspla-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=georgette%20heyer%20books" target="_blank">Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mrsyeaspla-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />.</div><div><br />
</div><div>What are your favorite recreational reads?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-54585807965748309732010-11-27T08:30:00.002-05:002010-12-19T08:09:31.050-05:00Meijer Turkey Deal (expired)Is there a Meijer in your neighborhood? Do you need more turkey? Today is the last day- until midnight tonight! Mr. Yeater and I went into our local Meijer store and picked up a twenty-three pound turkey. Its original price was $39.14; with a $16.00 discount at the checkout, its end price was $23.14. <i>There is a catch!</i> To get this discount, one must purchase an additional twenty dollar's worth of merchandise (see the sales flier for exclusions). If, however, one does not want a colossal bird in their freezer and only a large one, there is a $9.00 discount for turkey's weighing closer to ten pounds. Get it while it lasts!<br />
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</div><div>Turkey is Winter's fare. Mr. Yeater and I find turkey to be a fantastic investment. As we are only two, one bird will feed us for weeks, and sometimes months when the cooked meat is frozen- well worth the one time lump sum (which hurts a little at first). It was a life-saver for us a few years back when we only had $75-$100 for one month's groceries (and non-groceries like TP, soap, and laundry detergent). I'll be turning the turkey into chili, sandwiches, soups, etc. Mmmm... Our behemoth is defrosting in the refrigerator and should be done by Thursday. I cannot wait!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-87197035095826200362010-11-24T22:01:00.002-05:002010-12-19T08:32:28.160-05:00Gluten and AssortedLet me apologize, please, for my dwindling updates of late. Let me assure you that I am working on a couple of things at home, including a recipe (which will not happen until the middle of December) and getting that hair dye out of my towel. <br />
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I have recently concluded that I may have a gluten-sensitivity, not necessarily Celiac's disease. I will not divulge my reasons just at this time, but there are a few hints that my body has given me. It is a more common disorder than previously thought and my Candida dieting has cut a lot of foods out of my diet that I had not realized may be causing serious harm. I have noticed that the Candida diet tends to be quite low in gluten (I had avoided wheat breads because of the yeast content and I had not made anything with the wheat flours). Therefore, I am going to experiment. I am going to cut gluten out of my diet for about a month then add it back and see what happens. As a result, one might find a couple more Celiac-friendly recipes here, though, I want to help Candida-sufferers find edible recipes. No doubt there are those afflicted with both maladies who may also benefit.<br />
<br />
I realize that I am not a doctor, and therefore cannot diagnose even myself- though I do the best I can. I will admit that I am one of the many in the United States unable to afford regular doctor's visits, and it is quite out of reach for me to undergo several tests et cetera on our budget. I can, however, adjust my diet and apply scientific principles to testing for food allergies and sensitivities. I cannot and do not recommend this. I am not a trained nutritionist or physician. I am a common denizen of the planet with access to the Internet and the Library and the Will to apply my limited Knowledge. In my experience, diet has a lot to do with illness, so I try to make the inevitable trip to the grave as painless as possible.<br />
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Do you have any favorite gluten-free recipe or candida recipe?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-72808701067656334132010-11-22T18:05:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:12:59.595-05:00Hair Dye Debacle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2mgzHu90aFLn8NVS1zhGdawEgYghxf7_sRAFsRA4IWNA98tp4dLb4XnAHJQbLstQsCimAu6VBbAoFFSO9hqi9OucC5Xy2W9is4TlYmYX-xXG5Gslb-Z5riHodEcLIHCXZOOfhHv04lM/s1600/hair+dye+towel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2mgzHu90aFLn8NVS1zhGdawEgYghxf7_sRAFsRA4IWNA98tp4dLb4XnAHJQbLstQsCimAu6VBbAoFFSO9hqi9OucC5Xy2W9is4TlYmYX-xXG5Gslb-Z5riHodEcLIHCXZOOfhHv04lM/s400/hair+dye+towel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hair dye on everything! Mother decided to dye her hair and now has a mess on her hands. And I have this with which to contend. I will not be heartbroken if I find several things that do not work to remove it, but I would love to find what does work. Unfortunately, this has been sitting for a while.<br />
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My first step is to try soaking the stain in hairspray, then vinegar. I will then throw it into a warm cycle in the washing machine and see what happens. I will NOT put it into the dryer. <br />
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Do you have any ideas of how to remove hair dye stains from cotton towels? Or anything?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-57493097317531517602010-11-19T11:26:00.002-05:002010-12-19T08:32:47.625-05:00Secretly AuburnSome have a thing for blondes, some for brunettes, and the women in my family are all secretly redheads. Strange how our follicles do not always agree with our nature. My sister, Miss C, is a caramel brown (I think); Mother is a peanut brittle; I am a 70% dark chocolate brown. And yet, when we seek to make a change, spice things up by changing our hair color, we invariably turn to the reds and auburns. We could go blonde. We could go dark. But, no. These ventures, of course, lead to... interesting results. We have seen Crayola orange, Crayola red, Pippy Longstocking red, and even purple. How does it become purple?<br />
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Perhaps our natures really are reflected in our natural colors. Caramel is rich and sweet, and what seems to be a little bit stretches for miles in generous helpings. Miss C is like a caramel truffle with her smooth, cloying syrup belied by a solid, almost bitter exterior. She is generous to a fault, giving more than perhaps she can afford, stretching so thinly as to be easily torn. Mother, too, shares this quality, breaking herself into as many pieces as possible to share with everyone. She is a tough cookie, but delicate and sweet and a little nutty (I love you!). Here am I, a little dark and serious-minded- an acquired taste, but I go great with fruits and nuts. Together we are a yummy, little PAYDAY candy bar. Delicious and addictive. Why must we constantly try to add cayenne and red pepper?<br />
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I do not care! Ha! And you thought I would Prose and Philosophize through half of the day. However, let us watch out for those purples, my loves. Purple is not red. Perchance we might also invest in a pillowcase specifically for the days directly succeeding the dying of our hair? It just may save worries over ruining our good pillowcases.<br />
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Note: This article has been an introduction into a Laundry Challenge! Mother has called me a Scientist and charged me with finding a way to eradicate the Purple stain from a pillowcase. Scientist, maybe. Mad Scientist, more accurately. Hopefully, she will not be forced to ask herself in shocked realization, "What. Have I. Done?" This should be fun!<br />
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Copyright November 2010.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-47589841183377577652010-11-19T09:52:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:14:17.812-05:00$25 for $2 (expired)By now, one may be aware that Restaurant.com has some pretty great deals- and pretty often. My only desire for that site is that some day they will have a partnership with more of our local restaurants. Until that time, they are partnered with quite a few in our area and in many others. Their latest deal can turn a $25 Gift Card into a $2 or $2.50 investment.<br />
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Site: <a href="http://www.restaurant.com/">Restaurant.com</a><br />
Code: GOBBLE (entered at checkout)<br />
Expires: Thursday, 25 November, 2010<br />
The gift certificate does not expire<br />
<br />
Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-30426344279480900312010-11-16T21:03:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:16:15.942-05:00Recipe Challenge Success! Chicken Fajita ChiliLast week I posted about <a href="http://mrsyeater.blogspot.com/2010/11/recipe-challenge.html">a recipe that I was quite excited to try</a>. As promised, I did it. And it was good! I know this because, for the last two days, Mr. Yeater has been singing its praises (which he rarely does). <br />
<a name='more'></a>He has always been kind, but it is not often that he enjoys my cooking so well that he tells our friends about it. Still unsure, however, I gave some to a friend of mine that I could count on for her honesty, and she liked to the extent that she shared it with her mother. Wow! It feels great to know that my hard work of two days' preparation was worth it. <br />
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Because I did this with a view to making it relatively acceptable to those fighting the Candida invasion, I used the <a href="http://www.cookingclub.com/recipes/articletype/articleview/articleid/7958/chicken-fajita-chili">recipe from the Cooking Club as inspiration</a>. The following is MY adaptation. As with anything else, have fun with it and enjoy.<br />
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Serving size: 1 1/4 cup<br />
Yield: approx 4 servings<br />
Approximately 7 POINTS per serving (this will vary according to generosity with olive oil)<br />
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Utensils:<br />
Cake pans for roasting tomatoes<br />
1 Baking sheet for roasting peppers<br />
aluminum foil<br />
a couple small bowls<br />
a few airtight food storage containers<br />
Large resealable bag<br />
Big sauce-pot<br />
Slotted spoon<br />
Serving spoon<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or just plain Olive Oil)<br />
5 lb Roma tomatoes<br />
Fresh Sage, a few sprigs with several leaves<br />
Paprika<br />
4 bell peppers (2 red, 2 yellow)<br />
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs<br />
1/4 lime, juice<br />
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper<br />
3 Tbs olive oil (divided)<br />
1 small, sweet onion (a good sized cebolla will work well), halved and sliced lengthwise<br />
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped<br />
1 Tbs cayenne pepper<br />
1 can pinto beans<br />
1/6 c fresh cilantro (divided)<br />
Tortilla chips<br />
<br />
Let us roast those tomatoes! This may take some time. Preheat the oven to 250° Fahrenheit. Lightly grease the bottoms of the cake pans with olive oil. Pour a little olive oil into a small bowl and set aside, but keep it near. Pick about 4 or 5 leaves off of a sprig of sage per cake pan and dice. I do this by gathering the leaves together in a bunch, folded a bit when necessary, and slice across the leaf bunch. Sprinkle evenly in the greased cake pans. Halve tomatoes lengthwise and coat in olive oil in the bowl previously specified. Place halves face down in the pans, spread evenly. Place pans in the oven and let roast for about 3 or four hours, checking on them every half hour or so. When the tomatoes are ready, remove from the oven and turn the heat to 350° Fahrenheit. This would be a good time to begin thawing the chicken thighs if they are frozen.<br />
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Now for the <a href="http://mrsyeater.blogspot.com/2010/11/home-roasted-peppers.html">roasting of the peppers</a>. Grease baking pan with olive oil. Half the peppers and remove the seeds and white pith. Coat in olive oil and place face down on the baking sheet. Flatten with palms. Place in the center of the middle rack and roast for about an hour. While the peppers are in the oven, peel the skin off the backs of the tomatoes (if you like them skinned) with a paring knife and fingers. Please use care. Dice if desired or leave hole. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator until needed. Skin and likewise store the peppers when done. The oven will not be needed afterward.<br />
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Squeeze the juice of a quarter of a lime into a small bowl and mix with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Dice thawed chicken thighs and place in a large resealable bag. Pour lime juice mixture in the bag with the chicken. Seal and massage, then refrigerate for about 2 hours.<br />
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Heat remaining 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in the sauce-pot on medium high heat on the stove top until hot (flick some water into the pan; when it sizzles, then it is ready). Cook the chicken, browning it on all sides (about 10 minutes), stirring frequently. Slice the onion and chop the cloves of garlic. Remove the chicken and add the sliced onion to the pot; cook about 3 minutes or until slightly tender, stirring frequently. Add 2 teaspoons of garlic, reserve the remainder, and cook until fragrant (about a minute).<br />
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Stir in the cayenne pepper to coat the onion. Add the chicken to the pot again. Stir in the rest of the garlic, roasted tomatoes and roasted peppers, and pinto beans. Bring to a boil. Chop 1/6 cup cilantro and reserve. Reduce the heat to medium-low; let simmer, uncovered, for about a half hour to 45 minutes. Hold back a few pinches of cilantro and stir in the rest.<br />
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Spoon into bowls and garnish with reserved cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips if desired. I almost never add salt to my recipes, so you may want to do so.<br />
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Mr. Yeater and I really enjoyed this and we still have some leftover. He wants me to make a bigger batch next month! I hope that you will have a little courage and try this for yourselves. Let me know how it works for you. Drop me a note or leave a comment.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-52659426919932937732010-11-15T19:53:00.002-05:002010-12-19T08:16:53.007-05:00Vinegar SoftenerAre you sick of vinegar yet? So various are its uses that it could probably fill a book. Perhaps it does. Here is another!<br />
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While growing up, we rarely used fabric softener- though I was a strong advocate for that adorable little bear who frequently landed in piles of laundry and giggled. We were content with clean, if a little scratchy, towels. I loved new towels. They were so soft and snuggly, and I always missed that feeling. Unfortunately, it is not always cost effective to purchase fabric softener for regular use. I still want soft towels. I do not want them so softened that they no longer wick away the beads of water from my skin, only a little more indulgent of my desire for some luxury in these straightened times.<br />
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What is very cost effective nowadays? Hmmm.... Vinegar! A great big jug of distilled white vinegar can be found for about two dollars and it has so many uses. One of these is Fabric Softener. A little can be added to or substitute for commercial fabric softeners and without making the towels and clothing smell like vinegar. Why not give it a try?<br />
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Do you have any favorite uses for vinegar around the house?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-77195783001208626462010-11-13T19:21:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:18:31.834-05:00Home Roasted PeppersMy <a href="http://mrsyeater.blogspot.com/2010/11/recipe-challenge.html#more">Recipe Challenge</a> is on its way today. As I write, it is simmering on the stove top, filling the air with a delicious aroma! This little endeavor has taken me two days to complete, though, if I had had the time it could have been done in one. Why should chili take so long? Well, because I cannot eat canned tomatoes (which is where one will find fire-roasted tomatoes in the grocer's), I had to roast them myself. Subsequently, I decided to roast my peppers as well. The recipe calls for chopped, roasted red and yellow bell peppers. That can be a little pricey to buy in the store. I will admit that I have never before roasted any vegetable, so I did some research.<br />
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Needed:<br />
Red and yellow bell peppers<br />
EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil); just olive oil will do<br />
Baking sheet<br />
Wax paper or aluminum foil<br />
Spices<br />
<br />
The first time, I set my oven to two-hundred and fifty (250) degrees Fahrenheit. I foiled the baking sheet, using about one to two tablespoons of olive oil to grease the foil. I then sliced the peppers in half and removed the seeds and white pith with a paring knife. Coating the halves with olive oil (and whatever spices you like), I placed them inside-down on the baking sheet...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CllEmyXvBtBVstkFh8xbYnpRZieGJWZCA-Baj-y_0qTQyYQKujRRM335_acD586GUJoeoFlBKm3B1HAd1bVzZ4q5T-_RMWojnlloIZv_2NPWefKDvxEB8uAFbGMmFLlHXcDehydUojo/s1600/pepper+face+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CllEmyXvBtBVstkFh8xbYnpRZieGJWZCA-Baj-y_0qTQyYQKujRRM335_acD586GUJoeoFlBKm3B1HAd1bVzZ4q5T-_RMWojnlloIZv_2NPWefKDvxEB8uAFbGMmFLlHXcDehydUojo/s1600/pepper+face+down.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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...and I smashed them with my palms. It is okay if they tear.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBXvdQwwAZqwtzgcyKkNskgTLyj9I3giNHHc4839YEMgos8fSGoeAft47l_pjEHjZ0TH5IaIRT45zncK-hyFA5Os7U4YqiPDERynFcsRo-Uk7j8GObPEReNnnC-wFg0SpW0-aFmg3_oY/s1600/flatten+pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBXvdQwwAZqwtzgcyKkNskgTLyj9I3giNHHc4839YEMgos8fSGoeAft47l_pjEHjZ0TH5IaIRT45zncK-hyFA5Os7U4YqiPDERynFcsRo-Uk7j8GObPEReNnnC-wFg0SpW0-aFmg3_oY/s1600/flatten+pepper.jpg" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>When this was done, they went into the oven to slow roast for about three hours.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>They began to puff and blacken on the tops and around the sides they began to caramelize (that is what olive oil does when exposed to high heats for prolonged periods of time).</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ctWp16eFFO6wtDFssHMUBJOMklfRiGdB5HWleHAMfOgeRJyOc6dW7hS8nHeKVSmCp1sM-zO4eWK7rpM9NeFrrCRuv8-RKfINO57xvjQ8VXWIxMu1woMG9V52BA7vBLOKYtPM-_SgmYg/s1600/blackened+peppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ctWp16eFFO6wtDFssHMUBJOMklfRiGdB5HWleHAMfOgeRJyOc6dW7hS8nHeKVSmCp1sM-zO4eWK7rpM9NeFrrCRuv8-RKfINO57xvjQ8VXWIxMu1woMG9V52BA7vBLOKYtPM-_SgmYg/s1600/blackened+peppers.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The most fun, or least fun, part was skinning the finished peppers with a paring knife and my fingers. I would open the skin with the knife and pull it off with my fingers. I did burn myself a few times on the pan and flesh of the pepper because I was not paying attention.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did not like the results of the slow roast. The flesh was too soft and resembled colorful slices of overripe mango. Because I had not known how many raw peppers were needed to make a cup of diced, roasted peppers, I needed to buy a couple more and determined to try again. The only difference is that I heated the oven to three hundred and fifty (350) degrees Fahrenheit and baked the peppers for an hour. The results were much more pleasing. The flesh was tender and malleable but firm enough to slice without slipping and sliding this way and that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you had to learn any new skills or techniques in the kitchen for a particular recipe?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Copyright November 2010 (includes images; drawn by me in OpenCanvas)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6490521877619658264.post-73663390671495927432010-11-11T14:44:00.001-05:002010-12-19T08:19:15.758-05:00Shhh! It Is a Secret (expired)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw63Kv5uET2Xf1ILeKIvGeesyq91MWM4vIIFp0Nmy2hv_jcYt9TKODk_LY_hLkVVdB7Ei7v7C1Ax3Ngd-axWJk1mogKyJENUDhyRC42090O-ZNmC6Ca9dg2Rv2Z3N0w1g4ORWlL10f_s/s1600/pink+bow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsw63Kv5uET2Xf1ILeKIvGeesyq91MWM4vIIFp0Nmy2hv_jcYt9TKODk_LY_hLkVVdB7Ei7v7C1Ax3Ngd-axWJk1mogKyJENUDhyRC42090O-ZNmC6Ca9dg2Rv2Z3N0w1g4ORWlL10f_s/s200/pink+bow.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<br />
I love finding deals and the chance for "free" money.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
I was in Victoria's Secret the other day, choking on the necessity of spending that kind of money on <i>anything</i>. I tried on clothes for almost an hour. And I finally found what I needed. I brought it to the register, prepared to walk out one package heavier and several dollars lighter. While I did not have a coupon (for shame!), and I did pay full price, I was pleasantly surprised. The sales clerk handed me a little booklet with a card in it.<br />
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These cards, apparently, are worth some money. He told me to come back into the store between the first and nineteenth of December to redeem it on my next purchase. How much is on this card? I do not know! No one knows (but the shadow does) until the first of December. The minimum is ten dollars, but it could be up to five hundred (5-0-0) dollars! Do I need anymore incentive than nearly free money to shop there again? I am all anticipation. I do not even care if it is only ten dollars.<br />
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Happy shopping!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0