Friday Foto - Razorbacks

2012 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Schedule
Date		Opponent	Time/TV
Saturday 09/01/12		Jacksonville State Gamecocks D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	Time TBA PPV
Saturday 09/08/12		ULM Warhawks War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR	6:00 p.m. CT ESPNU
Saturday 09/15/12		Alabama Crimson Tide D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	2:30 p.m. CT CBS
Saturday 09/22/12		Rutgers Scarlet Knights D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	TBA
Saturday 09/29/12		at Texas A&M Aggies Kyle Field, College Station, TX	TBA
Saturday 10/06/12		at Auburn Tigers Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL	TBA
Saturday 10/13/12		Kentucky Wildcats D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	TBA
Saturday 10/20/12	---	Open Date	---	---
Saturday 10/27/12		Ole Miss Rebels War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR	TBA
Saturday 11/03/12		Tulsa Golden Hurricane (HC) D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	TBA
Saturday 11/10/12		at South Carolina Gamecocks Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC	TBA
Saturday 11/17/12		at Mississippi State Bulldogs Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS	TBA
Friday 11/23/12		LSU Tigers D.W.R. Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR	1:30 p.m. CT CBS
Saturday 12/01/12		SEC Championship Game Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA	3:00 p.m. CT CBS

Voting With Grandchildren

Voting with Grandchildren

We had the mayor's election and a school bond issue on the ballot Tuesday.

We were proud to get to go vote with our Granddaughter Shelby (right) and

her friend Shelbi (middle) who also calls us Pop and Granny.

 

It is a proud feeling when you can go vote with your grandchildren.

It is a proud feeling to see young people take an interest in their rights.

It is a proud feeling to know that you have instilled the importance of voting in them.

 

We always went and voted with our daughters when they were at home,

and now it is the third generation of voters!

 

(You still have time to register to vote before the November elections.)

 

 

Snakes

Our niece stepped off the walk in her back yard and stepped on a Copperhead. It bite her and she had to be taken to the hospital. I thought OMG...I already HATE snakes and this really scared me. I found some easy ideas to help rid yards of snakes.

Copperhead

Do not keep piles of wood or rocks close to your home. Snakes tend to flock to wood piles. They are a great place to hide and always provide shade for these cold blooded creatures. This will also keep frogs and rodents away which is a major source of food for snakes. Eliminate the food, eliminate the snake.

Keeping bushes and shrubs near your home trimmed and the debris and leaves around them raked and picked up will eliminate a place for snakes to hide and hang out near your house.

Keeping your lawn moved and using your weed eater regularly will keep snakes from slithering through your property. They eat the bugs that like to hang out in tall grass and weeds. If you let your grass get high and out of control you may be asking for snakes.

Keeping your lawn moved and using your weed eater regularly will keep snakes from slithering through your property. They eat the bugs that like to hang out in tall grass and weeds. If you let your grass get high and out of control you may be asking for snakes.

If you have dogs, give them free roam of your yard. The scent of dogs and the presence of a larger animal will keep snakes from creating a habitat in a place they feel is already inhabited. Cats also get rid of mice and other rodents that snakes eat, so getting a couple cats would be a good idea.

There are snake repellents on the market that can be applied to your grass. Some are safe for kids and animals so you would not have to worry about it harming an outdoor pet. They will also stay away from granulated sulfur which can also be sprinkled on your yard. Be careful while applying it, as it is a dust and shouldn't be inhaled. Moth balls will also repel snakes because of the strong smell. Marigolds also have a strong scent and will keep a snake from coming near.

Grandson LOVES Popcorn

My daughter told me that if I saw Orville Redenbacher's Pop Up Bowl popcorn on sale to let her know. It seems that my Grandson eats some every evening and this is his favorite kind. Of course, it is a tad bit more expensive that some of the other brands. I looked on line and did not find any coupons or deals! At least he has good taste, it was the Product of the Year!

This is my Grandson at his 8th Birthday party a few weeks ago.

Product of the Year

Pop Up Bowl™ has been named Product of the Year thanks to a very important group of people: consumers like you! In a survey of 50,180 people by TNS, Orville Redenbacher's Pop Up Bowl was named Product of the Year in the Snacks category by the Consumer Survey of Product Innovation. We think Pop Up Bowl is the most exciting thing to happen to microwave popcorn in years. We're glad you agree!

BBQ Chicken Pizza Bread

BBQ Chicken Pizza Bread

(this is my daughter's recipe and photos)

Chicken Breast cooked in skillet with butter and seasonings

(daughter's standard seasonings are)

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Accent

Lemon Pepper

Seasoning Salt

Minced Onions

Minced Garlic

Add BBQ Sauce and more seasonings

approximately a1/4 cup of Brown Sugar

simmer until sauce is thick

Chop Chicken Breast into pieces



Cut a loaf of French Bread in half.

Butter and sprinkle with Garlic Powder

and Toast in the Oven 

Spread a little BBQ Sauce on top of toasted French Bread

Put Chicken Breast mixture on top of bread

Add Pineapple Chunks and chopped Onions

Top with shredded cheese

Bake in the oven until the cheese melts

She keeps telling me how good this is, but has never made it for me:(

The Love Scarf Project

I do not knit or crochet, but I know there are lots of people out there who enjoy these wonderful creative talents. I heard about this Love Scarf Project and wanted to share the details with those who might want to participate. This is a neat project!

About The Love Scarf Project

The Love Scarf Project collects handmade scarves and caps to be distributed to men and women living with cancer at New York Presbyterian Hospital, City of Hope, and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

"When my friend Robbie Seidman was being treated for leukemia at the City of Hope, he had visitors 24/7. But no one else in the ward did. Some patients almost never had visitors. So, it was particularly sad around the holidays. Many of the patients had come from very far away, and their families simply couldn't afford to come the long distance to visit them. When dealing with bone marrow transplants, particularly, and cancer treatments in general, the patients' body temperatures fluctuate a lot, and sometimes they get very, very cold. Can you imagine being almost inconsolably cold and lonely too? The Love Scarf Project was designed so that everyone would have something to make them feel warm and loved no matter what.”

-Bridget Fonger (Founder of the Love Scarf Project)

So, if you knit or crochet-- or you know someone that knits or crochets who would like to honor someone they have lost to cancer -- please have them raise their good needles (or hook) and joyously knit (or crochet)!

 

Guidelines for Scarves

1) Soft yarns are advisable: cotton, baby yarn, microfiber, silk and cashmere are good
choices.
2) If yarn used has any wool content, please attach a note.
3) Use your own crochet/knit pattern, your own creativity or browse the free pattern links on the sidebar
4) Adult sizes needed.

*Note from Carrie: After participating in The Love Scarf Project for 4 years, I was finally able to help deliver scarves to City of Hope last year. What I learned from the experience is that this project makes a difference because of the quality of scarves and caps, not necessarily the quantity. When it comes to deciding what scarf or cap to make, if you make something you would love to receive as a gift and wear all the time, that is the kind of scarf or cap that will bring tears to the patient's eyes.

 

Guidelines for Caps

1) Use soft yarns: cotton, baby yarn, microfiber, silk and cashmere are good choices.
2) Thinner, seamless (crochet or knit in the round), non-lumpy caps make for better sleeping and increased
comfort on the recipients heads.
3) If yarn used has any wool content, please attach a note.
4) Most patients will prefer solid caps and hats as opposed to a shell stitch or a V-stitch or a granny-square with more open holes.
5) Use your own crochet/knit pattern or browse the free pattern links on the sidebar
6) Adult sizes needed.

 

How to Start Your Own Love Scarf Project

lovescarfproject (at) gmail (dot) com

 

1. Choose a Hospital. Find a hospital that has cancer patients who could use some love and warmth, i.e., any hospital!

2. Get Donations. Spread the word (email works great!) among your community that you are looking for soft scarves (or chemo caps, socks, etc. – see patterns on this site) to be delivered to cancer patients around Christmas. Tell them cancer patients particularly need help staying warm as their body temperatures fluctuate with their treatments. And, most cancer patients don’t have 24/7 visitors, so they can always use the reminder that they are loved.

3. Set Up Delivery. Call the hospital to set up a delivery date and time. Some hospitals allow you to deliver directly to the patients, which is particularly great for patients who don't have any holiday visitors. Others, in order to protect the patients’ compromised immune systems, will take the donations and have the nurses distribute the scarves. For this reason, it’s good to string or pin a card to the scarf to tell them it was made with love especially for them.

4. Delivery of Love! Spread the love and remind all the patients that even when their friends and family aren't with them, they are loved, loved, loved!



If you decide to start your own Love Scarf Project, please send us all the info and we will add it to this site for easy reference!

lovescarfproject (at) gmail (dot) com

 

Vinegar

I am forever telling someone to use apple cider vinegar to apply to a rash or liven up veggies by soaking them in cold water and vinegar. Make a meat tenderizer with 1/2 cup vinegar and a cup of liquid bouillon or add vinegar to the cooking water of boiling cabbage to prevent the cabbage odor from taking over the house, etc., etc.  I even faintly remember being on some diet back in my late 20's, that included putting apple cider vinegar on every veggie that was on the diet food list.

 

I knew Hippocrates used it thousands of years ago as a medicine. Now there is a study in the works using vinegar to benefit people with type two diabetes. According to Carol Johnston, Ph.D. from Web MD, both the blood glucose and insulin were better managed after a meal when it included vinegar. The vinegar works like the Metformin I take for type two diabetes. The vinegar also helped people to lose weight. The tart taste of vinegar turns people off and they are working on trying to put it in a pill form. I guess until they get the pill out I need to start using more vinegar on my food.

 

How do you use vinegar?

 

 

Friday Foto

Bill will be 80 years old on Tuesday! Happy Birthday!

Clear Vanilla...who knew.

I was watching Trisha Yearwood's cooking show on the Food Network and she was using Clear Vanilla Extract in her butter cream icing. She said you needed to use Clear Vanilla Extract in white icing, because regular vanilla extract would tint the icing slightly and make it off white. Never knew that. I don't do a lot of baking anymore, but I was interested to learn about Clear Vanilla Extract. I was looking around and found this awesome little site that I want to share with those of you who do bake...looks like they have everything you might ever need and at very reasonable prices.

The Baker's Kitchen find was totally accidental they don't know me from one extract to another.

Twice Baked Potatoes

TWICE BAKED POTATOES

Wash the outside of the potato

Poke holes in the potato

Bake 45 minutes at 400 degrees

After baking cut potato in half

Scoop out the inside of the potato

Mix the potato with accent, pepper,

sour cream and onion dip, and shredded cheese

Put the mixture back in the pototo halves

Top with more shredded cheese

Place back in the oven until the cheese melts.

(this is my daughter's recipe and photo)

She loves cheese!

TODAY IS MY "BABY" GIRL'S 35 BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

SHE SENDS ME PHOTOS SHE HAS FIXED

WITH A APPLICATION ON HER PHONE...

SHE KNOWS HOW I LOVE PHOTOS!

Gnocchi

My husband loves to watch this tv show called America's Test Kitchen. The show reviews all kinds of cooking tools and demonstrates how to make dishes that are awesome looking. One morning I walked through the room and he was watching the program, they were making Gnocchi. I watch lots of competition cooking shows and someone is always making Gnocchi, but they only show the finished product. I had to stop what I was doing and watch this show with him. I never knew what Gnocchi really was until I saw it on America's Test Kitchen. I recommend you check out and sign up on America's Test Kitchen not only for the awesome recipes, but also for the reviews. Check out an example of the step-by-step process the America's Test Kitchen will teach you on their show or at the website.

 americastestkitchen.com

Serves 2 to 3 as a main dish, or 4 to 6 as an appetizer

For the most accurate measurements, weigh the potatoes and flour. After processing, you may have slightly more than the 3 cups (16 ounces) of potatoes required for this recipe. Discard any extra or set aside for another use. Besides the browned butter sauce, try our Gorgonzola Cream Sauce, Parmesan Sauce with Pancetta and Walnuts, and Porcini Mushroom Broth (related).

Ingredients

Gnocchi

• 2 pounds russet potatoes
• 1 large egg , lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (4 ounces) all-purpose flour , plus extra for the counter
• 1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon salt

Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh sage
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• 1. FOR THE GNOCCHI: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Poke each potato 8 times with paring knife over entire surface. Microwave potatoes until slightly softened at ends, about 10 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through cooking. Transfer potatoes directly to oven rack and bake until skewer glides easily through flesh and potatoes yield to gentle pressure, 18 to 20 minutes.
• 2. Holding each potato with potholder or kitchen towel, peel with paring knife. Process potatoes through ricer or food mill onto rimmed baking sheet. Gently spread potatoes into even layer and let cool for 5 minutes.
• 3. Transfer 3 cups (16 ounces) warm potatoes to bowl. Using fork, gently stir in egg until just combined. Sprinkle flour and 1 teaspoon salt over potato mixture. Using fork, gently combine until no pockets of dry flour remain. Press mixture into rough ball, transfer to lightly floured counter, and gently knead until smooth but slightly sticky, about 1 minute, lightly dusting counter with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
• 4. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and dust liberally with flour. Cut dough into 8 pieces. Lightly dust counter with flour. Gently roll piece of dough into ½-inch-thick rope, dusting with flour to prevent sticking. Cut rope into ¾-inch lengths. Holding fork with tines facing down in 1 hand, press each dough piece cut side down against tines with thumb of other hand to create indentation. Roll dough down tines to form ridges on sides. If dough sticks, dust thumb or fork with flour. Transfer formed gnocchi to sheets and repeat with remaining dough.
• 5. FOR THE SAUCE: Melt butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, swirling occasionally, until butter is browned and releases nutty aroma, about 11/2 minutes. Off heat, add shallot and sage, stirring until shallot is fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and salt; cover to keep warm.
• 6. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add remaining 1 tablespoon salt. Using parchment paper as sling, gently lower gnocchi from 1 sheet into water and cook until firm and just cooked through, about 90 seconds (gnocchi should float to surface after about 1 minute). Using slotted spoon, transfer cooked gnocchi to skillet with sauce. Repeat with remaining gnocchi. Gently toss gnocchi with sauce and serve.

Technique

• Keys to Airy, Earthy-Tasting Potato Gnocchi

  BAKE, DON’T BOIL Boiled potatoes taste dull. Instead, jump start cooking in the microwave and then finish them in the oven.
• PEEL ’EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT Peel hot potatoes to release steam. This ensures drier spuds that hold together with less flour.
• SPREAD OUT Press the cooked potatoes through a ricer, then allow more steam to escape by spreading the potatoes on a sheet pan.
• BE PRECISE Start with an exact amount of cooked potato and flour so you knead only once.
• ADD AN EGG Egg helps dough hold its shape with less flour, for lighter results.
• KNEAD BRIEFLY Knead dough until it just holds together to avoid overdeveloping gluten.

Technique

• Make the Right Impression

  Ridges and indentations help gnocchi hold on to sauce. To create them, hold fork with tines facing down. Press each dough piece (cut side down) against tines with thumb to make indentation. Roll dumpling down tines to create ridges on sides.

Thrift Store Tips

The most eco-friendly, and usually most frugal way to shop for "new" clothes is to go thrifting. It can be a fun experience and you can get the kids ready for school and get yourself a few things too, if you are ready for some serious shopping. There are lots of like new name brand items in thrift stores, just waiting for you! Here are some tips to help you get the biggest bang for your buck!

This is an example...Seven jeans are approximately $79 retail...on a good sale day you can get them for around $40...BUT at the thrift store I purchased a pair for $5....think about the savings!!!
Get Prepared
Find all the stores in your area because you'll likely have to hit a few to find what you want. Check out The Thrift Shopper to see where stores are located near you. I never knew there was a thrift store directory. I entered my daughter's zip and state and came up with three pages! Map out your route so you use as little gas as possible.
Set a budget before you go so that you won't spend more than you meant to.
Bring cash because a lot of thrift stores don't take credit cards.
Bring friends who can help you keep perspective on what's a good find. Plus, they can help you hold stuff while you shop!
Bring a reuseable bag because many thrift stores still hand out plastic bags at the counter.
Leave the kids at home because thrifting can be a long process and kiddos get bored. Plus, they annoy other people when they get restless. It is not fair to them to be in a situation like that.
Carry a tape measure in your pocket. Make sure you have the kids sizes written down or measurements.
Wear shorts or leggings and a t-shirt so that you can try on clothes even if there isn't a dressing room available.

The Shopping
Be patient because shopping can wear the nerves thin, especially in an often disorganized and packed space like a thrift store. My daughter and sister are the best shoppers in the world. I tend to get a little frayed around the edges when I am in stores where things are too close together.
Be willing to look, for a long time, through a lot of stuff. Thrift stores have great finds, but great finds mean diligent hunting. (I find awesome crafting supplies at thrift stores.)
Try it on or at least do a rough measurement. It's better to get something too big that can be tailored than something too small that can only be sewn into something else or given away.
Think creatively because everything can be altered, layered, or turned into and entirely different piece of fabulous clothing.
Keep personal style in mind since it's easy to forget what you'll actually wear and get excited about something that seems cool on the rack, but isn't when you get it home. Also, know the dress codes for your children's schools and what they are allowed to wear.
Look for brand names as these are items that are usually high quality and made to last.
Examine the item carefully for stains, rips, holes and other defects. I don't usually buy anything that might need fixing.
Don't forget accessories. Thrift stores are also great for belts, bags and jewelry.
Haggle or at least try. Be open to haggling or bartering for a better deal. The worst they can say is no.
Don't buy bike helmets, boots or shoes that have already been worn, backpacks that aren't in excellent condition, socks or underwear. For safety, physical comfort, and health reasons, these are typically no-nos unless you find them brand new.

Post-Shopping
Wash everything before you wear it. Usually thrift stores do this with donations before putting them on the rack, but you don't know who tried on what just before you bought it. My daughter and I saw a lady at a Goodwill one time go in and buy an outfit to wear out on a date that night...we both just looked at each other a little stunned.
Get it tailored if it doesn't fit just right. Tailoring can be very inexpensive in some places for basic fitting, and you'll still be spending a fraction of what you would on a new name brand item of clothing that may still have to get tailored.
Try out your sewing skills by doing your own hemming, shaping, or repairs.
Get some, give some. Keep your wardrobe from overflowing by practicing "one item in, one item out." Donate what no longer fits in your closet and the kids closets to the store you just purchased from!

Plastic Canvas Cat

My Mom gave me this adorable PLASTIC CANVAS CAT. Wow who ever made this really put some work into it. It is filled with something heavy, so I think it is suppose to be a doorstop. I have it sitting on a shelf in my living room, because I just love it. I have tried to get a photo of each side for those of you who might have the talent to create your own cat.

Back to School Ideas

The following information is just a sample of the information you can get when you sign up to receive newsletters from ALLYOU. You can also subscribe to several amazing magazines on the ALLYOU site. These back to school savings tips are good for anyone with a child going back to school. My "baby" starts back to school on Monday! It will be hard working full time, as a high school Special Education teacher, and going to school too. She will be 35 on Wednesday and is starting her Master's Degree program!

Go to http://www.allyou.com/ and sign up today.

http://www.allyou.com/

Although sales on school supplies abound, it’s easy to wind up spending too much. Use the following simple pointers to navigate bargains, cut costs and lock in savings for years to come.

1. Start at home. You might be surprised by how many supplies are already in your house. Send the kids on a scavenger hunt; whoever finds the most items on the teacher’s list gets a prize.
2. Shop tax-free. More than a dozen states enjoy a holiday from sales tax during a few days in August. Visit taxadmin.org to find out if yours has such a break. Then plan to shop at stores with markdowns for extra savings.
3. Get classics for free. Many of the world’s great works of literature and philosophy can be downloaded for no cost and printed in a variety of formats at gutenberg.org.
4. Make one trip to shop at a store that price-matches. Staples, Office Depot and Office Max all have price-match policies, meaning if you see an advertised price on a certain item, any of the three businesses will honor that figure (including instant rebates). So pore over the circulars, then save gas money by heading to the nearest retailer.
5. Swap before you shop. In addition to holding a clothing exchange with other parents—or through a website such as zwaggle.com—consider selling old sports equipment and instruments and using the credit or cash to buy the next size at usedsports.com.
6. Compare prices in the store. If you have a smartphone, use the ShopSavvy app to scan any product’s bar code and ensure you’re getting the best deal.
7. Go green. According to the Sierra Club, American families spend, on average, $85 per year on disposable plastic baggies. Show your children the value of a waste-free lunch—and save money—by investing in reusable snack and sandwich bags from sites such as reuseit.com.
8. Calculate the cost. Think ahead to when your children will need pricey upgrades, like a graphing calculator. If your kids are responsible with their supplies, consider skipping the cheaper model and purchasing one they can use for several years.
9. Reuse basics. Why buy new every year? Opt for plastic folders, dividers and binders instead of flimsy cardboard ones. If last year’s spiral notebooks aren’t used up, tear out the old pages and decorate a new cover.
10. Work the warranty. If you’re in the market for a new backpack or jacket, buy one that comes with a lifetime warranty. L.L.Bean, Lands’ End and REI are among the companies that will fix or replace worn merchandise for the entire life of a product. So if a backpack gives out in a year, or even 10 years from now, you can pick out a replacement for free.

http://www.allyou.com/