Month: December 2025

TV

The Perfect Line

JanetLeave a comment

A game show that crosses generations.

The Game Show Network recently debuted Deborah Norville’s new show, The Perfect Line and I have to say, I am enjoying this new twist on trivia.

I’ve been watching game shows for decades. Sixty of them. I enjoy games that engage the brain, make use of everyday knowledge and encourage stretching the envelope, as it were.

The Perfect Line takes advantage of those tidbits of information we gather, knowingly or not, from everyday life. In most cases, the topics are more modern but every once in a while (more often than some might like) the timeframe includes things from earlier decades…or centuries. 🙂

For those of us who were quite comfortable with the original What’s My Line but found later iterations frustrating, The Perfect Line provides room for everyone.

The contestants are interesting (and there is Very Little of the ubiquitous request to learn more about them) players of a variety of ages. Ms Norville is just the right touch of engaged and interested.

The topics cover quite a range, too. Surprisingly so.

Interested? Click on THIS link to learn more.

Cartoons · Movies

Classic Animation

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Most of us know Hanna-Barbera as the home of TV cartoon shows but they also made movies. In a slight departure from their generally factory made TV shows, the movies leaned into beautiful color work, creative story lines and some amazing voice casting.

Recently Turner Classic Movies posted the following on their YouTube channel. It brought back quite a few memories for me, did it do that for you, too?

And, yes, when I heard Charlotte I had to check to see if it was Debbie Reynolds’ voice I was hearing. 😀

I would recommend you look for these classics and perhaps add them to your collection for those times when you want a touch of nostalgia…and a good film to watch.

Enjoy!

Cooking

Sometimes Convenience Foods Really Are Convenient

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There are some convenience foods that I don’t use as much as I might because, honestly, I make a better product from scratch. I’m referring to using the product for what it was designed: biscuits, cake mixes, cookie mixes, and similar.

That being said, because of the way boxed mixes are constructed, they can be used instead of having a long list of ingredients always on hand all the time.

I am a HUGE fan of Bisquick because it makes a lot of different things quick and easy. Owning 8+ cookbooks dedicated to the product gives me a lot more versatility than just biscuits, pancakes, waffles and such.

Cake mixes, refrigerated biscuits and crescent rolls, pie crusts, and such are a great beginning for both new and experienced cooks. The newbies are pretty much guaranteed to get a good result while the more experienced cooks will see potential in trying something a little out of the ordinary – which is pretty much where all those recipes in the cookbooks came from. 😀

I am enjoying Nichole over at AllRecipes.com on YouTube stretch the envelope using these convenience items. Check out the YouTube channel by clicking HERE.

She has come up with a variety of uses for mixes in addition to creating new dips and appetizers along with some rather amazing holiday menus.

The videos are not only entertaining but thought provoking, too. And if you want the recipe, the link is in the description box below the video.

She recently tackled cake mixes and my mind was blown. I don’t know about your area but in my local stores the mixes usually start at $1.50 and go up. Since you don’t need an expensive mix to create these delights, they are a budget friendly way to play with your food. (And we like that around here!)

Now, for the slightly other side of the convenience coin. Mixes have their place and some are quite good while others…need help. America’s Test Kitchen has done some rather interesting, not to mention extensive, testing on a variety of convenience foods, including cake mixes. Click on the link to their YouTube Channel HERE. The results are interesting and a bit thought provoking.

Remember when I said that I could make some things better than a mix? To me a scratch cake is a true delight and not difficult. I’ve been making them for decades. If you follow the guidelines (room temp ingredients, preheated oven, pretreated pan…) you should get good results, too.

The difference could be that the items on the grocer’s shelves are new/fresher than what might be in your pantry. Baking powder and baking soda not working? How old are the containers? Spices not tasting quite right? Again, how old are those containers?

At the end of the day, the quality of anything coming out of your kitchen is based on the quality of the ingredients you use.

Check out the links, prepare to get your mind blown a bit, too. Then, grab those recipes and see what magic comes out of your kitchen!

Happy baking!

Dining

Not In The Mood For A Big Meal? Try A Nosher’s Run

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After far too many checks of the pantry and freezer, perusals of meal plans and browsing for ideas for the Holiday Meal(s), I decided I really did not want to cook.

When the pork roast you love isn’t enticing. The ham or turkey just isn’t inspiring. The favorite casserole just isn’t interesting. Time for a shift. Time for a Nosher’s Run!

What is a Nosher’s Run?

I’m not exactly sure where the name came from but what we have in our home has been referred to as a nosher’s run for decades. It could be an odd version of a tailgate party or a picnic. Basically, a nosher’s run is a collection of mostly finger foods that you nosh on over time. Think an old fashioned hors d’oeuvres party.

What’s on the Menu?

The menu is wide open. You can collect the things you are interested in. They might be home made or from the local deli or specialty counter not to mention the freezer section of your favorite store. It is up to you.

I started gathering things a while back with some vague idea of what I had in mind. Here are some of the things I’m considering.

  • Sliced turkey, chicken &/or ham
    • These can be made into sandwiches or added to crackers
    • Add some tuna or salmon in some form or other
    • Deviled Eggs might be nice
  • Variety of crackers
    • I love table water crackers but I also have a variety of crackers on hand.
  • Variety of cheeses
    • While I love a spreadable cheese, I also include slices of my favorites
  • Dessert items
    • Stollen is on the list this year. Aldi has a nice variety that are quite tasty
    • Pie or cake in small slices.
    • Feeling adventurous? A trifle would be grand but so would a simple pudding.
  • Drinks
    • Sparkling cider
    • Coffee or tea

The sky might be the limit. Or, more likely, what you are inclined to make yourself along with finding in your local shops.

The best thing about a menu like this is that it changes, in some way or other, every time you do it.

So if you really are not in the mood for a huge holiday meal, why not try a nosher’s run instead?

Musings

The Real Kris Kringle?

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Real Vintage Dolls House recently posted a lovely video that I think is a great reminder of what each of us can do in the season or out of it.

A smile costs nothing and is priceless. Time is a gift. Kindness is precious.

Remember: Sometimes the greatest magic isn’t in the presents, but in the hearts we touch

It is easy to get busy and forget about the simply joys of gathering with friends and family. Spending time with the community and sharing simple pleasures are those memories that cost little but are priceless.

Enjoy Hannah & Chris as they chat. I’ll bet you find a grin on your face, too.

😀

Musings

Priceless Treasure in Old Cookbooks

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Old cookbooks can be treasure troves of good food, memories, experiences, history. You name it. Recently Glen & Friends brought out a wonderful cookie/cake/? recipe from a vintage cookbook. Check it out:

Personally, I love finding a cookbook where the previous owner took the time to make notes (good or bad) and wasn’t afraid to actually use the book. Those stains and notes indicate a cook who was interested in trying new things, experimenting, finding the new item on the menu rotation.

The recipe Glen tried provides opportunities for a lot of customization, but it is also good as it is. Using pantry staples, or in this case the last of some staples, Glen created this bar/cake/? that would go well with a cup of tea or coffee and be a nice little something.

The true treasure in the book is the notes. What worked. What didn’t. How to adjust it. What to do with it. Priceless!

The next time you happen to find some old cookbooks, check to see if they are looking as if actually used or just stuck on a shelf. You might find treasure of your own!

Food

Alternative to Turkey? Try Mock Turkey

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Wartime rationing required a lot of ingenuity to create meals on limited pantry items. Housewives of the time developed meals that might not be ‘gourmet’ but were tasty and filling and fit within the rationing.

Real Vintage Dolls House posted a 1940s Christmas Dinner video several months ago that turned out better than Hannah or many of her viewers thought it would.

I have to say I am curious. As one who is not a huge turkey eater, not to mention I love stuffing, this alternative has all the ingredients to make a nice change of pace. And did we mention how budget friendly it is?

If you are looking for a recipe, I found THIS one over on Celebrations In Wartime. It sounds like the one Hannah made.

As for the carrot fudge… I’ll pass. But those roasted spuds I will have to try.

What do you think? Are you curious enough to give it a try?

TV

A Nostalgic Look Back to the 80s

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Because, why not?

For many of us, the shows noted in the video below bring back all kinds of memories. I watched the majority of the list at one time or other and listened to one via a TV Radio that sat next to my desk. (It played TV sound signals in addition to AM/FM bands…)

Twelve Best TV Shows…

Some shows everyone had heard about but not all watched initially…but came around eventually. Other shows had regular viewers – the night just didn’t ‘feel right’ without them.

How many of these classics have you watched? What are your favorites?

Cooking · Musings

Pizza!

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If there is one food in particular that most folks seem to love, it is pizza. In pretty much every shape and style, with a variety of toppings added or left off, pizza brings out the enthusiastic youngster in all of its fans.

Some folks find their favorite and stick with it. Others find one or two varieties for those times when a little change feels just right. There are those who love to make theirs from scratch and those who cringe at the very thought of attempting it.

Me? I’ve found a few frozen varieties I enjoy. There are a couple of local pizza houses in the area that make the most amazing pies ever. And I’ve been known to make my own crust, collect my favorite bits and bobs to put on top and enjoy.

AllRecipes.com recently posted how 4 chefs handled frozen pizza pies. I have to admit I am curious. Check it out by clicking HERE.

When I bought my stove about 10 years ago there was more than a few chuckles at the little ‘extras’. In addition to a special button for chicken nuggets, there was 2 – yes 2 – settings for pizza. One for frozen and the other for fresh. They all worked but it still felt a bit silly. <shrug>

If you love a good pizza, this article might improve your at home experience.

Enjoy!