Keepin’ It Real!!

Urban Dictionary: Keeping It Real     Staying true to yourself, your faith, your life and constantly seeking the truth. You are keeping it real as long as you do not harm yourself or anyone around you physically mentally or spiritually. You try to benefit the environment and society that surrounds you and eventually serving humanity for the greater good. By keeping it real you are authentic and do not follow the geopolitical or corporate economic norm, but you strive to develop a norm that is centered on peace, truth, and unity.

Love Life, Live Life, After Life

My Garage

I am keepin’ it real here on my little acre! It’s Spring! Right? Time for Spring cleaning! Right? Two years ago I set this garage up for my flea market business (12 years) and have not really touch it since that time. My time was spent on other activites and thus, this is what you see.  Are you ready?? Sure?? OK, brace yourself!

OMG!!!!! Where Do I Begin?!

However, I am no longer in the flea market business but have decided to open up an eBay Store, so I need to sort and clean and make hard decisions about what to keep, etc. A garage sale is in the very near future, like in about two to three weeks. I helped open and operate an eBay Store a few years ago and in the process became a Ebay Education Specialist. My fibromyalgia and chronic arthritis make for good days and bad days, thus it is hard to work any full or even part time job for anyone, where someone depends on you being there to help them. Imagine that!! I can eBay in my pajamas and fit it in between taking care of Alex and all the other little things I do.

An Acre of Oklahoma Ebay Store is an extension of my philosophy on living the good life. I sell books, vintage household items, craft patterns, crochet/kniting patterns, children’s clothes, and much more.

I have alot of plans for the store, such as:

1. Small Craft Kits
2. A Series of Children’s Books
3. How-To Pamplets
4. Cookbooklets (is that a word?)

Paul Marshall Vintage Paper Mache'

http://www.stores.ebay.com/An-Acre-of-Oklahoma

A Paul Marshall Proper Lady Pincushion and the Peasant Lady Lipstick Holder will be listed on eBay soon. The early 1960’s the Japanese introduced paper mache’ products into our culture, like piggy banks in shapes of animals, clowns, etc. They took “flower power” to a whole different level. I have a whole paper mache’ zoo in a box, just waiting for me to find and list.

Wish me luck with this terrible, awful mess! Who put all this junk in my garage?? I am going to put out a bounty out on their head! The Dog will be hunting and putting a smack down on them! If you have a garage or room or basement that looks like mine, you are not alone in your junk disfunction.

Easter Fun & Homegrown Mother’s Day Out

Blue Bird Eggs

Both of my granddaughters go to a church sponsored Mother’s Day Out Program to give their mamas and nanny a break to do errands, work, clean, etc. However, both programs are in a town 20 miles away, which can be a problem, depending on who is doing what, going where and can be a day spent in town trying to find something to do until 3:00 o’clock. We have decided not to enroll the girls in the Summer Program but still give everyone a break. One girl will go to her aunt’s house to spend the day with her cousin and one day both will come to nanny’s house.

So I have made some plans for both girls on the days they are at my house and I thought I would share the plans with my friends.

Fun Things

Homemade Playdough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup salt
• few drops of food coloring

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat until a dough forms a ball. Stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat and put on wax paper and knead until smooth.
4. Will keep for a long time in a plastic container.
5. Make several different colors.

Find cookie cutters, small wooden rolling pin and other items to have fun with the playdough. I have bought both girls a themed (I let them choose the theme; their choice; no fussing, etc.) plastic placemat for rolling out the playdough. Here is another recipe for playdough which would be fun to eat (only when fresh!)

Peanut Butter Playdough

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2/3 to 1 cup non-fat dry milk
• 2 tbsp. honey

1. Mix all ingredients.
2. Add enough powdered milk to make playdough dry enough to handle.
3. Shape into balls.
4. Use chocolate chips, raisins, dry cranberries, seasonal sprinkles for decorating.
5. Easter: Stir in chow main noodles for bird’s nest and use small jelly beans for the eggs.

Floppy

 

Fun Food

Using the small refrigerated biscuits.

Mini-Pizzas

• 1 can Refrigerated Biscuits
• 1 jar Pizza Sauce
• Pepperoni Slices
• Mozzarella Cheese

1. Flatten biscuits, either by hand or a small rolling pin.
2. Spread sauce on top.
3. Put a layer of pepperoni.
4. Cover with the cheese.
5. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Pigs in a Blanket

• 1 10-count refrigerated biscuits
• 5 hot dogs
• 5 slices of cheese

1. Flatten out biscuits.
2. Cut hot dogs and cheese in half.
3. Cut a slit in the hod dog and insert a piece of cheese.
4. Place the hot dog in the middle of the biscuit and then wrap the biscuit around it.
5. Bake at 350 degrees until biscuits are browned.
6. Must haves: ketchup and honey mustard for dipping.

 Peanut Butter n’ Jelly Hot Pockets

• 1 can of large biscuits
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 8 tsp of jelly (your choice)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Flatten biscuits into a round circle.
3. On the center place 1 tbsp of peanut butter and 1 tsp jelly.
4. Fold the biscuit over and use a fork to crimp the edges.
5. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until browned.
6. Let biscuits cool slightly (8to 10 minutes) before eating, we do not want any burned tongues!

Fruit Juice Popsicles

1. Buy a set of  freezer popsicles forms; these can usually be found in the “summer” section of the discount stores or $1 shops.
2. Pour fruit juice into the forms and put in freezer until frozen. Great for a hot afternoon outside, less mess.

Bunny Salad

• 1 can of halved pears
• red hot candies
• raisins
• slivered almonds
• cottage cheese

1. On a small plate put one of the pear halves upside down.
2. Make very small slits for a red hot candy for a nose, raisins for eyes and almonds for ears.
3. Put a small dip of cottage cheese at the large end of the pear for the bunny’s tail.

Just a few of the plans for a fun and active summer for two little girls. I will keep you updated on the exciting home-grown Mother’s Day Out that will be starting in late May! I hope the weather is warmer! It is a cold and sunny April day!

Sweet Baby Bird

Plastic Bottles……hmmm!

Call it a little nutty, call it alot of crazy but every time I throw a plastic bottle in the trash, I think I need to recycle that bottle! EVERY single dang  time! So I have decided that I will either recycle every plastic bottle I can or make something useful from it. I flashback to  the Indian on the horse by the littered highway with a single tear in his eye! I can’t take it any more! Therefore,

I have researched the topic and have come up with some great ideas for 1 and 2 Liter Pop Bottles:

1. Make bird feeders next winter from 2 liter pop bottles. There is actually a metal or plastic adapter that will make this extremely easy.
2. A foot warmer: fill bottle with warm water and roll it back and forth with your feet; that would help my foot cramps also. When the water cools down water your plants.
3. Make a plastic bag holder or string dispenser from a 2-liter bottle. Cut off the bottom and the top of the bottle and then mount the bottle upside-down with screws (use a washer under the plastic so the screws will not pull through the plastic) inside your cabinet or closet door. Put the plastic bags in the top and pull out the bottom. For a string holder-do not cut off the top and save the lid. Drill a hole in the lid to pull string through the bottle.
4. Boot & Shoe Dryers: Fill an even number of 2-liter bottles half full of sand (I am a half-full kinda of gal) then put them on either a layer of newspapers or a plastic boot tray by your back door for those muddy, wet boots to dry. And no mess on the rest of your floors.
5. Shop funnels: A really easy and economic funnel for a variety of uses, such as, filling a car’s radiator or gas tanks on lawn mowers or leftover paint into a smaller glass jar.
6. Summer fun for the kids: make 3 small (1 1/2 inch) slits in one side of the bottle and attach to the hose for a cool activity on those hot summer days. Attach the bottle to the hose with duct tape or an adapter for hoses.
7. Save the tops to make a really neat finger pin cushion. The pin cushions make a little extra something for gift giving to those that sew. I will put up the tutorial up in the next several weeks. Very easy!
8. There is a vintage crochet pattern for making small purses from butter tubs. The same pattern might work for the bottoms of some types of pop bottles, which have smooth tops. I will look for the pattern and share it with those who crochet. Not me!

And please BE CAREFUL when cutting the pop bottles! A rotary cutter is the safest but still very sharp. These suggestions are not for children but adults and only those adults who do not have to have other adult supervision for such crafty work. Leaves me out.

Now how about some more suggestions from those creative and green thinking individuals out there?

I can now sleep at night and my soul can find rest, not having to suffer from guilt for adding to the plastic pop bottle stack that will not decompose in a million, trillion years.

An Acre of Oklahoma Spring Weather and Cookin’ Fest

When you live in Oklahoma, March can bring severe thunderstorm warnings  and winter weather warnings all within 24 hours! The forecast for tomorrow is anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow. SNOW!

Cold & Wet march Day

Well, that means a stew and chili cookin’ fest for this acre!

Chili & Stew Cookin' Fest

In each pot I put approximately 1 tablespoon of EVOO (Thanks, Rach!) and then chopped 1 large onion and divided it between the pots. I then chopped several big stalks of celery for the stew pot.  Cooked each pot about 5-6 minutes to brown the veggies. Next, I divided 1# of ground turkey and 1# of ground beef (95/05) in the pots and browned. I use a potatoe masher to “mash up” the meat.

Browned Meat & Potatoe Masher

I peeled the potatoes and carrots for the hamburger stew. I cut both veggies into big chunks and put the carrots in to cook first for about 30 minutes; then the potatoes. I also add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can crushed tomatoes, bouillon and a variety of spices (I just look in the spice cabinet and make a few choices, like basil).

Chunky Carrots

 The veggie peelings go into the compost heap.

Compost Heap

In the Chili Pot goes 2 cans of mexican beans, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can of chili ready tomatoes, 1 cube beef bouillon and chili seasonings. I try to have corn chips, crackers and grated sharp cheddar cheese on hand for either Corn Chip Chili Pie or good old Chili with crackers. We like the golden round crackers at our house.

Chili

This is the vintage coffee can that I keep all my bouillon cubes stored in and I buy most of my bouillon from the “Hispanic” section of the grocery store. I like the large soft cubes and the large variety in the section. 

Vintage Coffee Can

Now my family will be well fed for the snowy weekend when we snuggle down in the house until the storm blows over, which will be Sunday. Sunday forecasts 55 for the high, bye, bye snow! Thank goodness!

Saturday SNOW Piling UP!

Well, I hope the weather is warmer where you are but if not, stay warm and safe. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Fargo, ND for they have far worse weather conditions than here in Oklahoma.

A Tribute to Mrs. Young

Vintage Tablecloth

When I see vintage tablecloths it takes me back to my neighbor’s house when I was a young girl.  She lived across the street of my childhood home, she was a childless widow, probably mid-80’s, Mrs. Young.  I was taught to respect my elders so when she answered her door (always with a smile) I would say “Hi, Mrs. Young can I come in to visit?.”  I never had to ask my Mom if I could go to her house and I was always welcomed to knock at the old frosted glass-pane door.  She let me play with her doll and gave me lemonade and cookies and we would just quietly talk about whatever was on my mind. Her house had a “baked bread” smell. I never questioned why she always had lemonade and cookies, now I am sure they were just for me. I think I was the only child in the neighborhood who cared to go spend hours with a “old lady” just talking. I often wish I could just go to her house today to just talk about whatever was on my mind and she would just listen and assure me that all was right with the world. I very fortunate I was to have such a friend.

Well, back to vintage tablecloths, there was always one freshly ironed tablecloth on her kitchen table. Great memories! This one up for give-away is a luncheon size and is in relatively good condition (considering it’s age). It could be used as a tablecloth or kitchen curtains or pillows or hand towels or whatever. I hope the winner tells us her plans or better show us her handiwork!

Sweet! Sweet!

Now, how to be the lucky recipient of this tablecloth, just leave a comment about any memories or thoughts about vintage tablecloths you may have.  Contest closes at 4:00pm  March 25th, 2009. I will put your name in a basket and have my granddaughter draw out the winner!

Warm Sunshine!

Here is to all the nice old ladies that have given the little girls (or boys) in their neighborhood lemonade and cookies!  Break! I just had to dance with Alex to Pebbles’ Girlfriend!

OK! Leave those comments! The winner can privately email her address. GOOD LUCK!

A Smokey Sunset

A Red Sunset

I went to my back door late yesterday evening and saw this wonderful sunset. The sun was so red! In my part of the prairie in Oklahoma, grass fires are a part of early Spring. In fact, grass fires is actually part of the prairie ecosystem.

 

Oklahoma Prairie Ecosytem

 

God's Art

Red sunsets are sometimes caused by dust and smoke particles in the atomsphere, which is the scientific explanation for the intense red. However, I believe that God’s hand was in this artwork.

Scientific Explanation

What A Wonderful World!

What A Wonderful World

(George Weiss/Bob Thiele)

 

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

 

I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

 

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by

I see friends shakin’ hands, saying: How do you do?”

They’re really saying “I love you”

 

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow

They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

And, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Oh, yeah

The great Louis Armstrong

Don’t Have A Big Budget for Clothing?

I have always bought most my clothes (and childrens, also) at resale shops. I recently found some great items! And even if I had lots of cash, I would still never ever pay the prices in the average retail stores. I been known to buy a few “on sale” items from Wal-mart, Target and Cato. 

1. This very red cute dress and it also feels sexy and silky (word?). Bought at Goodwill for $5.99. I have a red chunky necklace/earring set that will look great with this dress. The set is plastic but looks kinda like vintage Bakelite (which was one of the “First Plastics” available).

Apt 9 Red Dress

 

2. A silky and lacy taupe camisole at Goodwill for $2.99. The picture of the camisole makes the color look greenish?

Coldwater Creek Taupe Camisole

 3. A very artistic pleated pink and blue blouse at The Bargain Box for $5.99. Looks great with my blue slacks! It hides the 50’s spread, if you will!

Danial Benjamin Artsy Top

 

4. A trendy purple jacket at Goodwill for $5.99. I looked for a sleeveless sweater or camisole to wear under the jacket but could not find one that day at Goodwill. When I drove back to my house, I found a church having a garage sale. My car wheels just automatically turn toward any garage sale sign, I have absolutely no control over my car! I spent a large sum of money there, $4.65.  I found a knit sleeveless sweater in the exact same color as the jacket for a whole .25 cents! I have several skirts that will look nice with this jacket or maybe with just a pair of jeans.

Metro Purple Jacket

DO NOT look at the wrinkles! I laid it down in my bedroom with other items, so therefore, the wrinkles.

 5. I have found two very sweet scarves (.25 cents each) at the church garage sale.

.25 cents Scarves

 6. Last but certainly not least a really great Blue/Green Swirly Silk Dress for $5.99. I am going to look for a small short-sleeve sweater to cover up my upper arms. However, I try not to buy items that need to be dry cleaned. Most of the time even those items can be washed out by hand and hung to dry.

Flfani Blue/Green Silk Dress

Locally some of the newspapers have a weekly coupon for Goodwill. The coupons vary but sometimes it is buy one, item get another 50% off. Goodwill also have monthly calendar sheets showing their special sales, etc. The clerks will put one in your sack when you buy something  or you can just pick one up. If there is not a Goodwill in your town, check the bigger cities around where you live. I know of multiple ones within 60 miles.

• Bartlesville
• Claremore
• Owasso
• Several in Tulsa

Check the locator website: www.locator.goodwill.org

Tulsa Goodwill website: www.goodwilltulsa.org

In our throw away society, at least some people give their no longer used clothes, etc. to places like Goodwill for recycling and a good service. There are other organizations that have resale shops, just check around your town. Ebay is a good place to shop for fashionable clothes, also.

If you live close to me, just call me and we will go “junking” and maybe have lunch. Have  a girls day out!

I also want to hear from you about your great fashion finds, so please leave a comment.

 Until them, my friends, may this day be a good one.

Hummingbirds, Butterflies and Toads

Here on my acre I have all three of these great creatures that either live or visit here every summer. Monarch Butterflies’ migration pattern is north from Mexico and comes through my section of northeast Oklahoma. One year I experienced one of those rare and precious events in life; I walked out my door to see a huge tree covered in Monarch Butterflies, thousands of them.

Hummingbirds

Here are some guidelines for caring for Hummingbirds in Oklahoma:

• Hang the feeders by April 1 and take the feeders down November 1.
• Make your own nectar: 1 cup boiling water and 1/4 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar; let cool before using.
• If your feeders sit empty for very long, the cute little busybodies will go elsewhere.
• A special treat for the tiny birds is a small amount of orange juice added to the mixture; just a few drops per feeder.
• DO NOT use honey or sugar substitute.
• Place feeders in the shade.
• Hummingbirds are very competitive, so hang several at different locations.
• Clean feeders with vinegar and hot water: Once a week in cool weather and once every three-four days in hot weather because a bad fungus can grow in the feeders if not cleaned.

Ants can be problem on the feeders. Here are a few tips:

• Make a duct tape barrier. Wrap loosely around the hanger with sticky side out then wad up around the hanger.
• Make a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 tablespoon cloves; put in a clean spray bottle (new spray bottles can be found at the $1 store). Spray around the trail to the feeder. This mixture would be good for ants anywhere; safe and non-toxic. Mark your spray bottles “Ant Clove Spray”.
• Save your spray paint tops with the two chambers. Punch a small hole in the inside chamber (try using a ice pick). String on feeder’s wire hanger and then fill the outer chamber with veggie oil.

Some suggest adding red food color to the feeding mixture, this is not necessary. Believe me, Hummingbirds are worth the effort! I love just sitting on my porch and watching the little birds.

Help one of the Oklahoma Wildlife’s biological surveys track Black Throated Hummingbirds in Oklahoma. Biologists are studying exactly where the Black Throated Hummingbird are raising their babies in Oklahoma. If you would like to take part in this exciting survey, go here www.wildlifedepartment.com/hummingbirdsurvey.htm

Butterflies

Summer in Oklahoma can be on the dry side and butterflies are attracted to water. Therefore, supply a source of water for these flutter-bys. Here are some ideas.

• Use those mis-matched or broken tea cups or saucers. Sink the cups or saucers into the soil in your flowerbeds or even in a large flower pot. The water needs to be shallow, so the saucers are fine “as is” but in the cups put a piece of sponge and keep it wet. The cups probably need to go in shady areas or you will keep watering that sponge three or four times in that hot Oklahoma sun!
• Use a shallow pan (any type) with water and put flat stones, inverted plant saucers or just about anything that the Butterfly can walk and flit in, very shallow.

I bought these garden flower stakes for $2.00 each at a flea market. I set the stakes around in my flower beds for hummingbirds and butterflies water supply.

Metal Flower Water Cups

Other various ideas for the flutterbys:

• Male butterflies suck nutrients and minerals out of dirt or sand; this is called “puddling”. Mix a small amount of dirt in sand to fill cups, small pans or muffin tins. You can find many really neat used items at garage sales, second hand stores, etc.
• Make a buffet of overripe fruit such as apples and melons on a platform feeder or a clay plant saucer placed on a stump. Caution: Overripe fruit will also attract bees and wasps so be careful about children playing around these buffets! However, there are beneficial predatory wasps, such as the Muddauber,that kill caterpillars that can feed on your garden plants. I have never been stung by a Muddauber but I am sure they can sting.

Another idea is a “Tea Party for the Birds”. Choose an area in your flower bed and put the mis-matched cups and saucers on a stump or a small old table  placed in a partly sunny area. Put water or old fruit in the saucers and “dirtsand”, water and bridseed in the cups.

Oklahoma’s State Butterfly is the Black  Swallowtail. Visit this site for more info on Oklahoma Butterflies:

www.wildlifedepartment.com/species/butterfly.htm

Toads

Toads are very beneficial to your gardens because they eat garden pests. I named the toad that lives by the garage, Prince, but I am not kissing him to find out! He has shown up for about 5 years now, once warm weather is here to stay.

• Home for toads have become a trendy item in the garden shops. Whether toads need homes is open to debate. You can get very creative with Mr. Toad’s houses, like clay pots painted and laid on it’s side in the garden.  This would be a great kid summer activity. Use chipped or cracked dishes, like teapots  or old bowlsfor that touch of whimsy. Place the spout side up.
• Most ideas for butterflies can work for toads, also.

I am going to make a Butterfly Garden this year. I have been putting grass clippings on the spot for about a year to admend the soil when rototilled. Some of my ideas for this garden:

• Putting different color of wine bottles(less is more) at various places in the garden upside down to collect water for the butterflys.
• A stump with a shallow saucer with pretty stones placed in it for additional water for birds, also.
• I purchased a used vintage hand driven cultvator to add a interesting piece.
• I planted a Golden Flamed Honeysuckle on a trellis (a used gate) nearby a couple years ago. Honeysuckle attracts hummingbirds.
• List of plants I am using: shrubs: Butterfly Bush (purple)/ Perennials: Indian Blanket, Purple Coneflower, Butterfly Weed/Annuals: Lantana, Verbena. I want a color combo of purple and yellow.

Oklahoma Native Indian Blanket

If you have plans for hummingbirds, butterflies and toads this summer, please let me know about them. I am sure many of you have some great ideas for these creatures on your acre, ranch, balcony or rooftop.

I hope you find great enjoyment in watching all the fluttering and hopping around this summer.

Arabian Proverb

Two Birthday Friends

I found this proverb in an old magazine and thought what truth it speaks.

A friend is one to whom one may pore out all the content of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away

                            Arabian Proverb (printed in Kitchen Klatter August 1948)

To have just a few friends like that is to be blessed  indeed. Do something nice for your friends every once and awhile and in giving you will find great happiness. 

Here are some ideas:

1. Give her a book by an author she likes with a nice bookmark.
2. If she has children, give her a break and take them out to the park for a small picnic.
3. Share a dessert you have made for your family with her family.
4. If she gardens, give her something for gardening like gloves or plant markers.

I am sure you could think of any more nice gestures to let your friends know that you appreciate them.

My two October birthday buddies are sitting on the front steps together in the picture above; both are always saying the cutest things. Last week when I picked up Alex (the brunette) from her dance class and was buckling up her car seat, she looked at me with this joyous look on her face and said “I just love everything in mylife!”  I hope she always feels so loved and happy!  Ruby (the blonde) was intently listening to her parents talking this week and asked “Are you guys talking about the Rock n’ Roll Superhighway?” Her Dad said it was almost time to pass the Rock n’ Roll torch to Ruby; both her parents love music.

Well, friends, I hope that you have friends that will with a breath of kindness blow the chafe away. 

Dollar Section at Your Local Grocery Store

In today’s economy it is important to save any where you can, whether on the food budget or home furnishings budget or clothes budget. There are many grocery stores that have a $1 section these days, usually hidden among all the more eye-appealing, marketed, expensive name brands. I have found some fantastic marinades for chicken, fish, beef and pork in the $1 section. No high price marinades/sauces for me. I don’t have to pay $3.98 for a bottle of marinade to make my taste buds leap for joy!

Savory Collection

Presenting The Savory Collection distributed by Private Food Labels, Inc. in Rochester, NY for your pleasure (and pocketbook). There are four that I have found.

1. Asian Grill/Pineapple Teriyaki
2. Southwest Grill/Jalapeno & Lime
3. Lemon Pepper
4. Steakhouse Grill/Bold & Spicy

And other great facts about these sauces are the following:

• Fat Free
• No Cholesterol
• No MSG
• No Whey or Wheat Gluten (for some individuals that is important)

My family enjoys the Asian Grill poured over salmon and baked in a 350* oven for 30 minutes, cover the last 15 minutes of baking time. To complete the menu add oriental rice, green beans and whole wheat dinner rolls.

The Asian, Southwest and Lemon Pepper Grill would be delicious over grilled veggies like small red potatoes, onion, peppers (red, yellow & green), squash (zucchini, yellow) and mushrooms. Impress your friends with a summer cookout of Steakhouse Grilled Steak, Southwest Twice baked Potatoes, Crisp Green Tossed Salad, topped off with Strawberry Shortcake.  Just imagine everyone  sitting out under the shade trees on a summer’s evening sipping Really Cold Coronas with a slice of lime and giving the host or hostess many compliments.

And NO! the Private Label Foods did not bribe me or otherwise entice me to write about their products. However, it would be nice if they felt so inclined! I just really like to find a great product that has a great price to match. Everyone can enjoy tasty meals and still watch the bottom line.

If you find some interesting and tasty items in the $1 section of your grocery store, tell us about them…how you use them….your menu…your special touch.  Share the wealth (that comes from my hippie days)!

Share The Land by Guess Who

Wish I had his hair! Were we really that intense? Did we really believe that we could all live together? Yes, we were and yes, we did.

My, my,  how easily my mind wonders some days! The part about friends sitting under shade trees sipping coronas did it!