Snowy Sunday

I just realized that I haven’t posted since November 24. It is hard to believe this much time has flown by. Thanksgiving to Christmas was a complete BLUR! How about at your house? I am sure it was the same.

The TG feast of November went very well and each of us enjoyed ourselves and ate too , too much which is all normal behavior. The only thing I would add to the festivities would be some card playing or board games. We never quite get that far but maybe next year.

The big new addition to the holiday meal was the molasses cake. It was a success. My daughter even came down to my house a couple of days later to see if I had any left. That made me happy but her not so much as there were no leftovers.

Hacks that I have put into place!

*Last year I ditched my paper calendar and started using only the calendar on my phone. I had to ask myself why I was using both (and updating both). It has worked out very well. Continuing with that thinking I searched for a grocery list app and found one that I love using. It is called “OurGroceries”. You can find it on itunes or the Google Play Store. You just create a list and when you find something you are running out of you just add the item to your list. It is very easy to use!

*Getting wild and crazy along these lines I looked for a to do list app. I am always out running errands or something and don’t have my notebook with me. At these times I remember something I want to accomplish that just keeps slipping my mind and can’t write it down. The “Tasks” app allows me to jot it down on my phone. I absolutely LOVE this app! Again, it can be found in either the itunes store or the Google Play Store.

*Did you know that the tag on bed sheets let’s you know that this corner is to be at the bottom right corner of the bed? I didn’t until recently but it sure helps with my comforter since the same applies to it.

*I recently stumbled on some hacks for slow cookers and want to share them with you.

( Courtesy of the Krazy Coupon Lady)

1. You can get rid of the white film in a slow cooker with a mixture of dish soap and baking soda.
2. If you need to have two things going at once you can create a divider with foil and then use a slow cooker liner over the divider creating two wells.

3. You can cook the main dish and sides at the same time by wrapping each item in foil.

4. The slow cooker itself can get a little yucky. To fix that problem simply put a cup of alcohol in it and place the lid on top. You don’t even have to turn it on. Let it sit overnight and presto, change-o. It is clean.

*I have struggled for years to hammer nails in and old on to them. This usually involves 2 to 4 droppings and huntings for the nail before I finally get the job done. That is super aggravating. I have found a new method online. You simply put the nail you need to hammer in the “teeth” of a bobby pin. Then you have something more substantial to hold onto as you hammer. The side benefit is you don’t hit your fingers.

(realsimple.com)

* For a very long time I have wanted to install a curtain rod under my kitchen sink to hold spray bottles and reduce the cluttered mess down there. Recently I saw an idea to put hooks on the inside of your cabinet doors. Thanks to my son, Jacob, who helped with the curtain rod placement I now have both items in play and love them!

Recipe

Five Minute Fudge

• 32 ounce bag powdered sugar about 8 cups, unsifted
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder unsifted
• 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla

Line a rather large plate or cookie sheet with parchment paper. Combine the powdered sugar and cocoa in a large bowl until they seem well blended. If it seems like there a clumps in the mixture you may sift it. Pour the milk over the mixture but do not stir. Cut the butter up into chunks and place onto and again do not mix. Microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes until butter is almost completely melted. Remove bowl from microwave and stir to combine. Work quickly as you want it still warm enough when you’re done to spread on your prepared plate or sheet. When it is all mixed add your vanilla and incorporate it. At this point if you want to add nuts, mini marshmallows or anything else you do it. Spread on prepared dish and allow to cool.

*This is a great little treat to make when you find you have someone coming over on short notice or you need a quick treat for school or a party.

That’s all for now. I promise I will be back sooner with more ideas and a recipe or two. I hope you missed me just a little.