Around the House

Sorting The House Out

JanetLeave a comment

Sometimes we get so used to the way our homes do, or don’t, work that we need to take a step back and have a good hard look – and think – about what we need.

Many of us, myself included, live in smaller homes with limited space and not much storage. This can be frustrating but it can also be a challenge to make the space work. Sometimes we need to look at our spaces – take a good, hard look – and figure out what we can do to improve them.

Over on YouTube Mr.. Carrington has developed a playlist he calls Sorting My Home Out which focuses on his efforts to look at his home, room by room, and see what he wants to change or improve. This might be a complete revamp or it could simply be a shift of furnishings.

This can be quite a daunting proposition but, in the end, I think it is a valuable process. In his case the use of rooms shifted. In my own house, after some decluttering a shelving unit was shifted along with some kitchen items which led to more space and a more efficient use of the space. And that is just part of my process.

Sorting out the home is not something to be rushed. It takes thought and time to determine what we want to do and then figure out how to get that done. Lots of factors apply – time, budget, effort, to name but a few.

Check out Mr. Carrington’s channel and he will explain it much better than I can. Don’t forget to watch the process unfold.

Movies · One of My Favorites

A True Knotts Classic

JanetLeave a comment

Don Knotts was a huge star when I was a kid. Everyone knew him from The Andy Griffith Show. When he moved into making movies, a majority of his films became classics. One of my favorites, The Ghost & Mr. Chicken, is a Halloween Classic.

It is just scary enough to be worrysome for folks who don’t like to be terrified. Tempered with comedy and a truly good mystery, this is one to be enjoyed when the lights are on.

The following is a good recap of the film and some interesting tidbits to know.

Cooking

Something A Little Different

JanetLeave a comment

Glen & Friends recently posted a wonderful recipe for a lemon pie. One of those that lends itself to flexibility. Check it out:

Now, I remember when fresh citrus fruit was not readily available in markets and the bottled juice was used instead. I also recall making a variety of crumb crusts. In short, this recipe lends itself to a lot of customization.

And, for those who might be inclined…a touch of food coloring to <cough> enhance the color. 😀

Looking forward to trying this version.

Cooking

Unexpected Carrot Dish

JanetLeave a comment

Glen and Friends recently posted a couple of videos of recipes that never made it to the channel.

I happen to think that carrots tend to be overlooked. We mostly contemplate them as a salad with (or without) raisins. When was the last time you steamed yours and added some honey or brown sugar and cinnamon? Give them a try!

Of course you can also make soup out ’em, too.

Carrots, more than just a salad.

Musings

Taking A Breath

JanetLeave a comment

Did you notice it, too? Did you look up and realize that we are heading into the end of the year? November is right around the corner. How did that happen?

In certain circles I’ve become known as the one who is surprised by the shift of the calendar. Can’t say it is because I have been too busy but…

There is something about the winter months that signals a change in the air. I’m still thinking about apples and cookies and a good roast something in the oven.

Lately, however, I’m finding myself enjoying the quiet more. The TV and other background noise is off and I’m able to enjoy the quiet, listen to my thoughts, lose myself in whatever I’m reading. Playing a game or two.

There is a bit of joy in all that quiet. The shoulders seem to relax. I find myself pondering things. I’m not trying to half heartedly listen to what is going on in the other room.

Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is stop and take some quiet time to just be. Everything else will be where it is at the moment.

Join me, won’t you? Turn off the noise and take a breath or two in the quiet. 😀

Food

Something Else I Didn’t Think About Making Myself

JanetLeave a comment

When I was a kid my mom would occasionally make candies. Divinity was a favorite, but only when the weather was just right. Peanut brittle was a Huge Favorite, too. Have to admit there are loads of candies that I never think about making from home.

Cheryl over at What’s For Tea? recently posted about her homemade Bounty Bars.

Don’t they look amazing? She walks us through the process and when you read the comments, you’ll note that there are options for different kinds of chocolate. Myself, I would love something like a Mounds bar – dark chocolate – and maybe even a little something added to the coconut.

Since no special equipment is required, would you be inclined to give these a try?

Around the House

The Domino Effect (And I don’t mean pizza)

JanetLeave a comment

My refrigerator decided it had had enough and was quietly ceasing to work. I can’t complain, it was 25 years old. A workhorse that rarely got noticed because it was doing its job…until it wasn’t

I have what I refer to as a Postage Stamp Sized Kitchen. It is small, but then my house is small. Space is at a premium and over the years I have had to get creative about how I utilize it. It wasn’t until I had to finagle a way for the old fridge to leave and the new fridge to be installed that I faced the thought about rearranging what I could in my kitchen.

I got rid of things that I no longer used. I took a good look at what was left and made some choices about what I needed, what I wanted, and would I make use of what was left over. Oh, and that very important question: Can it live somewhere else in the house?

The space for the fridge is non negotiable. I can’t remove a cabinet or shove a wall out. There really is no other place in the room for it, either. When I started looking for the new fridge I measured the old one Very Carefully – and more than once. I have a large electric skillet that lives on top of the fridge. Granted it doesn’t get used a lot but is very handy when it does. Did I really want it to live under my bed? No. Could I move the coffee fixings? Maybe. Do I need that collection of plastic wrap and parchment that never seems to get used? Not really.

The new fridge is installed (and working beautifully!) but the house looks a bit torn up at the moment. I’m considering shifting a shelf unit to another space and really looking at what lives there. I am also contemplating some updated organization tools. I have more space inside the fridge and freezer but somehow I get the feeling that I ‘might’ need to make some adjustments.

The Domino Effect aka: One thing leads to another.

I’m curious to see what comes next…

Cartoons · Classic TV

Not Quite Gone. Never Forgotten

JanetLeave a comment

Way back in the 1960s when I was a kid, Saturday Morning was a treasure trove of great (and not so great) cartoons. We were also lucky enough to have a few play on Prime Time during the week. These shows were a step away from Disney. They often seemed to take queues from Looney Toons. More often than not, however, they were creative, colorful, and found ways to work budgetary limitations into magic.

There’s no denying that Hanna Barbera were not only kings of TV animation at the time – it is mind boggling how many shows came from their studios – but that animation was evolved to fit budget restraints that modern studio moguls wouldn’t blink at today.

The great Mel Blanc lent his talents to even more characters than Bugs & Daffy, too. Don’t overlook Gary Owens. Long before, and after, he became a household name on Laugh-In, Mr. Owen had quite a career as a voice artist.

I recently came across this YouTube video and was reminded of all my favorites.

I’ve had one hard and fast rule in my home when it came to purchasing DVDs – The material had to be something I would watch more than once. As such, over the years I have collected the sets for Wacky Racers, Flintstones, Jetsons, and a bunch more. They are great companions when the Internet decides not to cooperate (and we all know that never happens /s) *There are actually two rules to keep in mind…

I have to say, however, thanks to MeTV Toons, I have been able to enjoy my old favorites pretty much anytime I want. I get mine over FrndlyTV but there are other options if you need them.

There are several shows from the 80s and 90s that I enjoy, too. But the classics stand out because the storytelling is crisp, energetic and engaging.

*The other unofficial rule in my house is that a Saturday without Bugs Bunny & Friends is a sad day indeed. ;D

Recipe of the Month

I’ve Been Dreaming About Apples

JanetLeave a comment

Fall and apples go hand in hand, don’t they? Yes, pumpkin is everywhere but even it doesn’t seem to make it through November. Apples, however, carry through the Winter Holidays adding their particular sweetness and tartness (either or both).

In past years I made P. Allen Smith’s Apple Cake but this year I am not sure what I want to do with that bag of apples in my fridge. Bisquick’s Impossibly Easy French Apple Pie recipes is an old favorite – perfect if you are short on confidence for making a crust or time in general.

Mary Katherine’s Table has quite a few apple recipes, too. Several I’ve never tried making myself. Check out her channel to see what she’s offered.

Applesauce is another Fall treat that can be eaten anytime of year and it is easy to make, too.

Now is a good time to take advantage of Farmer’s markets and such especially if you have a lot of fruit growing in your area.

I do enjoy pumpkin but I have a suspicion that apples will be on my table a lot in the next few months.