Gammy's House Blog

My Christmas Carol to You...

2010-12-24T10:46:00.000-06:00

Just go to this site and type in a Christmas carol you'd like to hear... don't forget to type in "Jingle Bell Rock" and "12 Days of Christmas"..

... Merry Christmas to you all!

http://www.sundog.net/carolofthechins/flash/card.swf

Thanks for this link Cheryl...love ya.

Amazing Artist- Living Art

2010-12-20T09:58:00.000-06:00

I have no idea who the artist is, but it's some of the coolest drawings I've ever seen!

If you know who the artist is, please leave a comment and let me know....or just share your thoughts.

click to enlarge

Garden Goodies- Homemade Deer Repellent

2010-12-16T09:14:00.009-06:00

These little guys are adorable, but they can cause quite a bit of damage in your yard and garden.

Don't remember where I found this one, I think from Fine Gardening. I shared this recipe with a friend and they swear they have never used an expensive brand deer repellent that worked any better.

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper

1 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup peeled garlic

1 cup clear ammonia

1 cup Murphy’s oil soap

1 bar Ivory hand soap (optional)

Directions:

Boil the cayenne in the vinegar for one minute, then strain it through a coffee filter. In a blender, purée the garlic in two cups of water, then strain that mixture through another filter. Combine the two filtered liquids with the ammonia and oil soap in a 3-gallon garden sprayer. Fill the sprayer to the maximum level with water, and spray this concoction around all of the areas you want to protect. For extra stickiness, float a bar of Ivory or Irish Spring soap in the sprayer and let it slowly dissolve over several fillings. For maximum effectiveness, reapply weekly, as well as immediately after every rainstorm. More frequent spraying may be warranted if deer browsing is intense.

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Check out other great garden recipes, garden projects with complete instructions, and helpful garden information at Gammy's Garden

YulesVille- Have a Cool Yule, Man

2010-12-12T10:18:00.003-06:00

I learned this poem as a little girl. Mom was never short on silly songs and poems. I still remember it to this day.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the pad
Not a hip cat was swinging, and that's nowhere Dad
The stove was hung up on that stocking routine,
In hopes that the fat man would soon make the scene.

The kids had all had it, so they hit their sacks,
And me and the bride had begun to relax,
When there started a rumble that came on real frantic
So I opened the window to figure the panic.

I saw a square short that was making fat tracks,
Being pulled by eight dogs who was wearing hat racks,
And a funny old geezer who was flipping his lid,
He told em to make it and, man, like they did.

I couldn't help digging the scene on the roof
As I stood there just waiting for chubby to goof.
They stood by the chimney in bunches and clusters,
'Til tubby slid down, coming on like gangbusters.

His threads were the squarest and I had to chuckle,
In front, not in back, was his ivy league buckle.
The mop on his chin hid his button-down collar
And with that red nose, man, he looked like a baller.

Like he was the squarest, the most absolute,
But face it, who cares when he left all that loot.
He laid the jazz on me and fled from the gig.
Wailing, "Have a cool yule man, and later, like dig."

Sharing Recipes- Gammy's Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

2010-11-26T09:13:00.003-06:00

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes. They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Sharing In The Kitchen- The Art of Eating Healthy??

2010-11-26T09:04:00.000-06:00

Wow, what will they come up with next??!!

VegeUSA states on their website that they are a "gourmet meat alternative" company that "combine premier-quality ingredients, essential nutrients and deliciously satisfying flavors in a convenient frozen packaged product"

Their latest and (popular) offer is a Lifelike Vegetarian Turkey, but don't eat it if your allergic to soy.

http://www.vegeusa.com/VegeUSA/recipes/rec_vegan_turkey.html

Another popular fare is their vegan shrimp. Check out the ingredients list here loaded with preservatives.

VegeUSA's tagline "THE ART OF EATING HEALTHY". I'm not allergic to soy (that I know of), but I wouldn't touch the stuff! Decide for yourself...

According to Hsieh Ting-hung, deputy director of the DOH Bureau of Food Safety, said "Curdlan Gum - the generic name for a Beta-(1,3)-D-glucan produced by agrobacterium biobar, a non-pathogenic bacteria and approved as a food additive in 1996 — is tasteless and produces retortable, freezable elastic gels in food."

WOULD YOU EAT IT??

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes. They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Gammy's Garden Goodies- Easy Seed Sowing

2010-11-23T22:12:00.007-06:00

If planting seeds across a large area that needs good contact with the soil such as Indian paintbrush, bluebonnets, pink evening primrose and black-eyed Susan (wildflowers), mix a little cornmeal or sand with the seeds to help broadcast them more evenly.

Indian Paintbrush

Bluebonnet

Pink Evening Primrose

Black eyed Susan

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Check out other great garden recipes, garden projects with complete instructions, and helpful garden information at Gammy's Garden

Craftiness- Homework Game

2010-11-20T15:22:00.002-06:00

THE HOMEWORK GAME

When school is out for the afternoon, do your kids come through the door hungry, tired and grouchy? This is the grumpiest, bumpiest time of the day, the “homework hour”. Try this great idea to turn the dreaded “homework hour” into quality, family fun time. Your kids will be happy to complete their homework and will be passing their tests with flying colors!!

I don’t remember where this idea came from, but I plan to make one for my grandkids for Christmas this year.

get the directions here.

Sharing in the Kitchen- Sourdough Starter

2010-11-17T06:51:00.030-06:00

Are you a "starter" at learning how to bake SOURDOUGH bread and other sourdough goodies? Well, if you're like me, you'll be excited over this Fabulous Free Find! Teresa, at Northwest Sourdough, has just released her free e-book. It's in 3 Parts with over 400 pages long! I've downloaded mine! The link is here... You're welcome :}

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes. They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Just Makes Ya Feel Good- Hallelujah (Best version EVER!)

2010-11-15T14:43:00.005-06:00

Just Makes Ya Feel Good!!!

The last guy singing was the winner of World Idol. I see why.
Official Kurt Nielsen Website
Official Espen Lind Website

Official Askil Holm Website (translated site)

Official Alejandro Fuentes Website (translated site)

Cooking Tip- How to Sterilize Canning Jars

2010-11-12T10:15:00.001-06:00

Sterilizing Canning Jars

Canning vegetables and homemade goodies for your family is much easier today than back in the day of our grandmothers. We live in a new age that makes this once tedious chore a breeze. Try one of the following easy methods.

Jars:

Run the jars through a short cycle on your dishwasher. (My favorite method)

Place them in a large pot (12 quart) of water on top of a steaming rack (so they don't touch the bottom of the pan), and bring the water to a boil for 10 minutes.

Amazing Artist- Akiane

2010-11-10T09:54:00.000-06:00

Akiane is one truly AMAZING artist...a prodigy in fact. Just scroll through the pictures and you'll see what I mean. I've included the age that the individual pieces were painted.

Age 5

Age 6

Age 7

Age 9

and Age 15. See what I mean?!

Watch her story- Drawing Heaven

Check out Akaine's web site- Child Prodigy- Akiane

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Homemade Recipe- Baking Powder

2010-11-09T09:57:00.000-06:00

Make your own mixes...it's super simple.

How to:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cream of tarter + 2 tablespoons baking soda. (that's it!)

Directions:

Sift all of the ingredients together 3 times, and transfer to a clean, tight sealing jar. Store at room temperature, away from sunlight, for up to 6 weeks. Use the same amount of this recipe in place of store bought baking powder.

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes.

They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Gammy's Garden Goodies- Storing Summer Flower Bulbs

2010-11-04T21:21:00.004-05:00

Cardboard egg cartons make handy containers. Use them to overwinter glads and other summer flower bulbs.

Storing tender bulbs like gladiolus and freesias has always been a challenge. The different varieties have a tendency to mix together, and sometimes the labels get lost. An excellent storage container that eliminates these problems is an egg carton.

Simply fill it with a dozen cleaned bulbs and write the variety name with a permanent marker in the corresponding spot on the cover, the way candies are labeled in a box. The holes in the carton provide essential ventilation, and the individual cells keep mold and other diseases from spreading. The carton takes up just a little bit of space on a basement shelf and adds organization to gardening.

Print PDF

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Check out other great garden recipes, garden projects with complete instructions, and helpful garden information at Gammy's Garden

Craftiness- Knitting, Graph Illustrations and Step by Step Directions

2010-11-01T10:01:00.000-05:00

Ever get stumped on one of the knitting graph symbols.

Try these...
Increase Stitches
Decrease Stitches
Cross Stitches
Other Stitches

Now try it out on this beautiful heart.

Send me a picture or tell me how it came out at Gammy's House.

Gammy's Garden Goodies- Dividing Bulbs

2010-10-31T21:39:00.003-05:00

Divide crowded daylilies, irises and other spring-flowering bulbs.
Plants will stop blooming if you allow the beds to become too crowded.
When transplanting, water 24 hours before moving to loosen soil.
Be sure to plant at the same depth you removed them from.
Remember, always transplant plants during the coolest part of the day. Early morning or in the evening to reduce stress on plants.
Don't forget to water and mulch.

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Check out other great garden recipes, garden projects with complete instructions, and helpful garden information at Gammy's Garden

Gammy's Favorite Website- Hauntworld Website

2010-10-30T09:14:00.002-05:00

Find a Haunted House in your area on Hauntworld.com

My Favorite New Website of the Month!

Hauntworld

Sidewalk Art

2010-10-22T14:03:00.000-05:00

I love Art!

Art in all shapes and forms...

Architecture

Culinary Art

Photography

Holly Gordon

Robert M. Palmer

Unknown

Driftwood

Heather Jansch

Dance

Canvas
Akaine

Even Sidewalk Art- This still has to be one of my favorites!!!

Unknown Artist

Share some of your favorites.

Just Makes Ya Feel Good- Dancing At The Movies

2010-10-21T23:39:00.011-05:00

Whoever edited this video...is a genius!!! Doesn't skip a beat...

Thanks so much for sharing Leslie!

Craftiness- Crocheted Mary Jane Slippers

2010-10-20T08:39:00.001-05:00

Found this great pattern on one of my favorite Craft sites, Ralvery.com.

I made mine just a few months ago and wear them so often, I need to make another pair. Planning on making a pair for my Mom for a Christmas present. Enjoy!!!

Download the .pdf instructions from my site HERE.

Just Plain Fun

2010-10-19T00:09:00.004-05:00

Click on the link to see if you can switch the frogs on the other side in less than 2 minutes.

http://funstufftosee.com/frogleaptest.html

Amazing Artists- The Voca People

2010-10-18T01:37:00.010-05:00

Thanks Cheryl for sharing this video. One of my favorites!

The Voca People Official Website

Special Dark Picnic Cake

2010-10-17T02:21:00.005-05:00

My good friend Missy shared this fantastic chocolate cake recipe from Hershey. Thanks so much Missy!! I'll send you a piece in the mail. [smile] xoxo

Special Dark Picnic Cake- Hershey

12 to 15 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine

1-1/3 cups boiling water

2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup dairy sour cream

2 eggs

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

SPECIAL DARK FROSTING (recipe follows)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

2. Combine chocolate chips, butter and water in large mixer bowl; stir with spoon until chocolate is melted and mixture is blended. Gradually add flour, sugar, sour cream, eggs, baking soda, salt and vanilla; beat on low speed of electric mixer until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Frost with SPECIAL DARK FROSTING.

SPECIAL DARK FROSTING

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine

1 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips

1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place butter and chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, milk and vanilla, beating until smooth. If necessary, refrigerate 5 to 10 minutes or until of desired spreading consistency. About 1-2/3 cups frosting.

VARIATION: For a stronger chocolate flavored cake, decrease flour to 2 cups and add 1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa.

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Print PDF

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes.

They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Kids 101- Miracles Do Happen

2010-10-15T10:49:00.001-05:00

I've been cooking from scratch for many years now. I couldn’t boil water when I got married in 1977 (my ex-husband bought me a timer so I’d stop burning pots!) Really!!

Reading a cookbook, for me, was like trying to read a foreign language. I was sooo lost!
I eventually navigated my way through cookbook after cookbook until I finally understood what all those “terms” meant, but not without the help of my mother. Our phone bill was astronomical due to the fact that I was daily calling from (freeze your butt off country), ND to California to ask my mom questions like,

“Mom, do I sift before or after I measure the flour?”

“Mom, how in the world to you fold chocolate?”

“Mom, what’s a stiff, glossy peak look like?”

“uuumm, Whisk?”

(You never stop being a mom…smile)

Somewhere along the way, it all started making sense.

In my 30’s I even dabbled a little into “gourmet” cooking. By this time though, I was a single parent and faced with the challenge of trying to get my children to eat “potpourri” food, which is what a friend calls gourmet food, without the frustrating conversations that accompanied my experimental dinners.

The Challenge

Dinner table conversations went something like this

BEFORE DINNER EVEN STARTS- the battle begins…

The Stinker- Ewww, I don’t like that.

Mom- (that’s me) How do you know you don’t like it until you’ve tried it?

The Stinker- I have tried it and I DON’T LIKE THAT!

The Stinker- Well, you haven’t tried it at home, I’ve never made it before.

ARGUMENTATIVE STAGE- what was I thinking?

Mom- (that’s me) Hurry up and clean your plate.

The Stinker- I DON’T LIKE THAT SssTUFF!

Mom- (that’s me) How do you know don’t like it? You haven’t touched it. You’re not leaving the dinner table until you eat!

The Stinker- (whining) You’re just trying to make me sick. You don’t want me to throw up in my plate, do you?

BRIBING STAGE- let the negotiations begin…

Mom- (that’s me) Please eat your dinner.

The Stinker- I don’t want it. I don’t like it, I told you!

Mom- (that’s me) Just take a couple of bites and I’ll let you have a roll-up when you’re done.

(Sometimes this stage worked. Most of the time, it didn’t)

RELENTING STAGE- this would be the Mom- (that’s me) giving in…

The Stinker- Can I get up now?

Mom- (that’s me) Have you finished your dinner yet?

The Stinker- Yes, I’m done.

Mom- (that’s me) FINE….but no dessert. (because I knew, he knew that I knew...he fed it to Miss Prissy, our 4 legged vacuum. Well, at least SHE liked it.)

30 MINUTES LATER

The Stinker- Mommy, I’m hungry. Can I have a fudgesicle?

Mom- (that’s me) AAAAAHHHHHHhhhhhh!

The Stinker

Sound familiar?

Then, one day…I had an idea. The kids just might be more willing to “try” new foods, if I don’t MAKE them eat it. What a novel idea. You need to understand something here, being raised in a military family, "we kids" did as we were told, no questions asked, or we got our butts blistered. This isn’t how I wanted to raise my kids.

My idea… I won’t make them eat anything they don’t want to eat. But… I’m too tired at the end of my day to go into the kitchen and make just one kid something else to eat for dinner. Besides, I wasn’t so sure that this was a good practice to get in to… for my kid’s sake. And…how do I get The Stinker to at least TRY the new food?

THE SOLUTION

My solution went something like this

BEFORE DINNER EVEN STARTS

The Stinker- Ewww, I don’t like that.

Mom- (that’s me) listen up everybody, I have an announcement to make. From now on, when I make something for dinner... you have to try one bite. Doesn't matter if you've "had it before", try one bite. If you don’t like it... you don’t have to eat it.

OMG! You’d thought that the kids had just won a lifetime pass to Disneyland! Although, The Stinker was skeptical and things did not change overnight. It took a couple of tries to get him to participate.

THE TRANSITION- slowly but surely…

The Stinker- I have tried it and I DON’T LIKE THAT YUCKY SssTUFF!

Mom- (that’s me) Oh, ok. As long as you had one bite, then don’t eat it.

Be patient, I told myself. This WILL work…

I have to admit that the sisters’ bravery, willingness and compliments helped to get The Stinker to break down and start trying my new dishes. Thanks so much girls! (Love you bunches) After The Stinker realized that he really didn't have to eat anything he didn’t like, he was willing to taste everything placed before him. He even took an interest in preparing the food.

Miracles do happen…

The Stinker (all grown up)

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Share your stories with me... I love reading about your families and adventures.

Butter vs Margarine

2010-10-14T12:55:00.001-05:00

Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back.

It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow coloring and sold it to people to use in place of butter. How do you like it? They have come out with some clever new flavorings…

DO YOU KNOW.. The difference between margarine and butter?

Read on to the end…gets very interesting!

•Both have the same amount of calories.
•Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams; compared to 5 grams for margarine.
•Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.
•Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods.
•Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and
•only because they are added!
•Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of other foods.
•Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years .
And now, for Margarine..

•Very High in Trans fatty acids.
•Triples risk of coronary heart disease .
•Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)
•Increases the risk of cancers up to five times..
•Lowers quality of breast milk.
•Decreases immune response.
•Decreases insulin response.
•And here's the most disturbing fact…. HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!
•Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC… and shares 27 ingredients with PAINT

These facts alone were enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structure of the substance).

You can try this yourself:

Purchase a tub of margarine and leave it open in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you will notice a couple of things:

•no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something)
•it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value ;
•nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not a find a home to grow. Why? Because it is nearly plastic . Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?

Share This With Your Friends…..(If you want to butter them up')!

(received this in an email the other day.) Check it out on Snopes.

You might jump over to Pierce Whole Nutrition to get a nutritionist's view and then Make The Switch you can even Make Your Own!

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes.

They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Leftover Halloween Candy Recipes

2010-10-14T02:54:00.013-05:00

My kids are all grown up with children of their own now, but back in the day when my children combed the neighborhood for their trick-or-treat goodies, they brought buckets of candy home. After a month or so of eating what they could, or should I say...what I let them eat, we were faced with what to do with all of the left over candy. We usually just threw it out, and I hate throwing away...[smile], so I decided to come up with ways to use as much as possible. The following recipes are a collection of great dishes I've collected over the years to use up all that leftover candy.

Use your extra candy to brew up some fantastic goodies for your family this Halloween. Enjoy!

Leftover Candy Recipe

Candy Bar Cookies

Caramel Apple Salad

Snicker Bar Pie

Toffee Angel Food Dessert

Chocolate Candy Bar Pie

Mini Reese's Cheesecakes

Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

Haunting Party Recipes

Freshly Dug Worms & Moldy Cheese Sauce

Pumpkin Cake With Orange Glaze

Still have leftover? Try these ideas...

1. Make a "Sonic Blizzard" at home by chopping up your favorite candy and blend with your favorite ice cream.

2. Substitute chopped up candy bars in your favorite recipes that require chocolate chips.

3. Melt chocolate bars and a few shavings of baking wax. Dip half of your favorite cookie, strawberries, or candy. Try

Buckeye Candy.

4. Melt leftover chocolate candy and pour over your favorite ice cream or drizzle over pancakes for a special treat.

5. Remember Rice Krispie Treats? Stir mini M&M into your mix before molding into those yummy treats.

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes.

They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Just Makes Ya Feel Good- American Honey

2010-10-13T23:38:00.000-05:00

This video really takes me back. Just Makes Ya Feel Good. Enjoy!

"It's never too late to be right where you always wanted to be"

Be Happy

2010-10-10T12:31:00.002-05:00

Ooooh, I Feel it. It's gonna be...

Another Lovin' Life Day!!!

Dream Interpretation by Example- Wayde Gilchrist

2010-10-09T12:36:00.007-05:00

I'm almost positive that most of us wonder from time to time about the meaning behind our dreams. Wayde reveals who the people are in our dreams, why we dream about certain locations, what colors mean, the meaning of animals, how dreams about driving tell us about where our life is heading and how our dream symbols relate to one another to create a complete dream message. I absolutely LOVE my signed copy and refer to it over and over.

Buy from Amazon | About Wayde Gilchrist | Wayde on Twitter

Drop by Wayde's site to submit your dreams...for FREE interpretations by "the dream expert" at:

www.AskTheDreamExpert.com

Molecular Cooking (molecular gastronomy)

2010-10-06T12:55:00.033-05:00

While watching my favorite foodie TV show one day, I became intrigued with some of the newest cooking techniques and wondered... How did they do that?

I set out to learn about molecular cooking techniques, derived from the studies of French physical chemist, Hervé This, who coined the phrase "Molecular Gastronomy" not to be confused with "Molecular Cooking", applied practices and techniques of scientific Molecular Gastronomy to the culinary arts.

Ferran Adrià, head chef of the world renowned Spanish restaurant, El Bulli (which will be closing), who refers to his cooking style as deconstructivist, is a leader in the movement of Molecular Cooking. For a few years now these new techniques have been revolutionizing the way modern day chefs create their culinary masterpieces.

I first became interested in creating fruit "caviar", but being a food "naturalist" and concerned with laboratory additives and chemicals added to our "store bought" food already... I quickly lost interest after discovering that it involved combing manufactured chemicals with fruit juice.

Fruit Caviar- created with chemicals

Grapefruit Caviar- created with chemicals

My conclusion? I'll just stick to my favorite fruit "pearls" for garnishes!

Lime Caviar- Natural

Pomegranate Seeds- Natural

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes.

They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Just Makes Ya Feel Good- Free Hugs!

2010-09-29T11:40:00.003-05:00

I love these Free Hug videos... and I'm sure you will too!

Here's the latest from Sondrio, Italy. It JUST MAKES YA FEEL GOOD!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=hN8CKwdosjE&vq=medium

Wanna feel better, watch the original on one of my previous posts ... here

Love You Mom!

2010-09-29T11:32:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday!

Ya Gotta Love It!- Halloween Fireworks At Disneyland

2010-09-20T18:28:00.021-05:00

Oh my! After watching this great video that some nice person shared with us all on YouTube.....

...I WANNA GO!

I love fireworks, and this is the most extreme fireworks show I've seen.

(click on the picture to watch the FANTASTIC display)

Get's me in the mood for Halloween. Enjoy!

Good People Doing Good Things- Operation Smile

2010-09-16T12:39:00.001-05:00

Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Together, they create smiles, change lives and heal humanity.

http://www.operationsmile.org/

Gammy's New Favorite- Website, Hello Canvas!

2010-09-10T21:56:00.038-05:00

I don't know about you, but I've always loved prints on canvas. Found this great website that prints your art or pictures on canvas frames. I've seen it done, hunted for but couldn't find a reasonably priced shop...until recently.

Hello Canvas is one of the largest canvas suppliers in the world and therefore can offer their products at rock bottom prices. Yipee! I love a good bargain. Just send them your digital print and . . .

Hello Canvas

Publish Post

Hello Canvas, my Favorite New Site of the Month!

Craftiness- Ya Gotta Love It!, Bling Out Your Heels

2010-09-08T09:12:00.002-05:00

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times...I LOVE GIRLY THINGS, and while I love all the glittery, feathery girly things, I've never felt the need to pay the high prices for designer ANYTHING. I've always been a DIY kinda gal.

So, I'm surfing the net the other day, as I always do hunting for ideas for clients, and ran across the hottest trends for fall shoes. Bling is still in. Horray!

A sneak peek at Christian Louboutin Fall 2010 Collection

Don't fret, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get this fantastic look either. Here's a fantastic video, courtesy of Danielle Comstock at D as in Diva. She shows us how to make the popular Swarovski Crystal Heel Shoes without spending an arm and a leg.

Swarovski Crystal Shoes from Danielle Comstock

Don't forget to check it out the rest of Danielle's blog for other fantastic DIY projects! I'm her newest fan!

Thanks Danielle!

Just Makes Ya Feel Good!- For Labor Day

2010-09-06T12:11:00.002-05:00

In honor of a true worker... Mr McBurney

This wonderful sweet man passed away last year.

Make it a wonderful weekend... and as Mr. McBurney would say.... ummm, err, uhh,

oh, well! HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Favorite Quotes

2010-09-06T06:05:00.004-05:00

Much Needed Break

2010-09-04T13:59:00.006-05:00

This is what I'm doing right now.....

...and I don't have plans to change it anytime soon, except
to discover why it's raining acorns 3 feet from me.

Ah HA!

Hold Still ya little bugger! He paused long enough to see what I was doing and kept

hiding his face behind the leaves when I would move to get a better shot.

Too CUTE!

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lovin' this!!!

Gammy's Garden Goodies- Rabbit and Deer Repellent

2010-09-02T08:18:00.011-05:00

Rabbit and Deer Repellent

According to research, it works! It can be sprayed on any plants and doesn't hurt the growth. Don't worry...it's organic and safe. Tobasco is made from peppers, vinegar and garlic. Apply 1 oz of Tobasco to one gallon of water. Fill sprayer and have at the garden.

Find more organic garden recipes with the Dirt Dr.

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Check out other great garden recipes, garden projects with complete instructions, and helpful garden information at Gammy's Garden

Craftiness- The Young Days

2010-09-01T15:01:00.007-05:00

So I'm surfing the web for ideas to build a clients website and I ran across this picture of a bookshelf built out of wine crates.

Oh my Gosh...I totally made this when I was first married at 18 years old. We had no furniture and had to be creative to come up with furniture for our home. (Luckily, my husband was an artist and a very creative individual also). I believe we used food crates, but the end result was the same.

Other furniture pieces Dan (my ex) and I made when we were young:

Once again, not actually mine, but sooo close. I made the macramé table hanger and Dan had a beautiful slice of a tree trunk that he had sanded and varnished.

Here's a picture (one of the few digital pictures I found recently) of my eldest daughter at 2 1/2 learning how to "wink". You can see part of my macramé table hanger in the background (before we used Dan's oak slice for the table).

I was hanging out with friends a few weeks ago and while standing in line for a show, watched a teenage boy macramé ankle bracelets. My, my... trends DO make the rounds!

Dan used an old door as the table top and I covered the whole thing with a table cloth I had made. We used "directors" chairs until we finally bought a dining set about a year after we were married.

(It's times like these that I really miss all my belongings. I'd love to have my pictures.)

Dedication to Tim Stewart

2010-08-31T13:30:00.006-05:00

It's been 21 years this month. We still miss and love you so much Tim.

Decorative Pie Crusts

2010-08-31T11:05:00.004-05:00

I'm always looking for decorative pie crust ideas. found this one the other day, and thought I'd share.

Decorative Pie Crusts

To make this pretty flower pie:

Using a paring knife, cut pie dough into strips of various size. A 2 or 3 inch round cookie cutter will make the center of the flower.

Lay the strips on top of the pie, sporadically overlapping the strips. Top with round center in the middle.

Adhere strips together by dabbing with water, or brush egg wash over the finished pie.

Sprinkle with coarse sugar and bake.

How-to Videos

Video: How to Make a Decorative Pie Crust

Adding decorative crust edges to your pies makes them look extra-special.

Video: How to Make a Lattice-Topped Pie Crust

Your mother or grandmother may have made lattice-topped fruit pies. You can serve this old-fashioned treat, too.

Video: Protect Your Pie Crust

Do the edges of your pie brown too quickly? Prevent over-browning with this quick tip.

Courtesy of-TasteOfHome.com

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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes.

They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Amazing Artists- Dalton Ghetti

2010-08-30T12:31:00.000-05:00

Dalton Ghetti is a Brazilian artist that carves sculptures from pencils. Truly amazing!

"I'm known as the pencil guy," laughed Ghetti, 49. "I don't mind that at all."

Dalton only uses simple tools like razor blades and needles to create his delicate art. Ghetti doesn't sell his creations, and those masterpieces that breaks in the process and saved and pinned into a Styrofoam "graveyard."

See more of his story and amazing art here

Ya Gotta Love It!- Babysitter Meets Ghost

2010-08-28T16:20:00.004-05:00

Hey guys….this is so totally hilarious. Be prepared to laugh so hard you’ll cry….or pee your pants...or both!!!
Some guy pulled a prank on his buddy and sent it into Scare Tatics. Tooooo Funny!!! This is the untimate prank!

Enjoy!!!

Babysitter Meets Ghost
click on link to watch video

A Surprise Gift

2010-08-28T01:53:00.003-05:00

This evening while sitting alone on the front porch, a lone lightening bug landed on my shoulder.

A thrill ran through me as I closed my eyes and relived a fond memory... running, laughing, playing as Tim and I anxiously awaited the beginning of the enchanted hour.

That time... when the light of our carefree, childhood day faded into orange and slowly sank just beyond the hilltop where my grandma and grandpa lived. When the space around us would fill with live twinkling lights. Lightening bugs.

My chest is heavy and I want to cry as more memories of my childhood with my brother flood my thoughts.

I see his face so clearly...standing on the beach of Cape Cod, feeling the hot gritty sand under my bare feet and the crisp morning ocean breeze on my face that carries the scent of salt and a promise of another day of fun in the waves... with Tim.

I can't hold back my sobs any longer.

You've been gone 21 years this month... and you still let me know...that you're there... watching over me.

I love you Tim....

Flaky Pie Crust Secrets

2010-08-24T14:51:00.009-05:00

Many people have asked me over the years...how i get my pie crust so flaky. The secret really isn't a secret at all. I learned from my grandmother years ago.

1. Handle the pie crust as little as possible

2. Chill your supplies if possible prior to making your crust

3. Use curdled milk or buttermilk instead of water. (curdled milk is regular milk to which vinegar has been added to cause it to curdle).

Flaky Pie Crust

That's it really... give it a try.

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I've made many pie crusts with different recipes over the years, but this is my favorite.

Old Fashioned Flaky Pie Crust Recipe

Makes 2 10 inch crusts, or 3 8-9 inch crusts.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 cup butter (use the real thing, it isn’t the same without real butter)

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 Tbsp white vinegar

1/2 cup milk

Directions:

· Mix the vinegar into the milk and set aside.

· Mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

· Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until it resembles small, course peas.

· Slowly add the curdled milk until the correct consistency is reached–just moist enough to work the crust into a ball.

· Try to work the crust as little as possible. Just until flour comes together. Don’t worry about small crumbs.

· Roll out with rolling pin.

· Crimp or pinch edges of pie crust as seen in illustrations.

· Bake according to pie directions.

(If using for a pot pie or other un-sweet recipe, reduce the sugar to 2 tsp)

Crimping Pie Edges:

And there ya have it! You're welcome. [smile]

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Print PDF
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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes.
They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.
Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Gammy's Garden Goodies- Organic Pesticide

2010-08-23T10:53:00.001-05:00

Citrus Oil and/or Cayenne Pepper Mix

This is another great organic pesticide that works well on ants. Simply, mix 10 drops of citrus essential oil with one teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 cup of warm water. Shake well and spray in the affected areas.

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Remember…pesticides are poisons, even organic pesticides, and should be used as a last resort. Before using pesticides, weigh the benefits and detriments of using pesticides.

Non pesticide solutions:

1. Utilize plants that discourage unwanted pests and guard your plot borders with them.

2. Allow Mother Nature to "do her thing". Release predator bugs to rid your garden of unwanted insects and preserve beneficial insects.

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Check out other great garden recipes, garden projects with complete instructions, and helpful garden information at Gammy's Garden

Favorite Quotes

2010-08-22T17:21:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite quotes...

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world; the master calls a butterfly."

Bigger and better things await. The master knows.

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Check out Fantastic Butterfly information in Gammy's Garden on GammysHouse.com

Lovin' Life Day- Laugh Often

2010-08-20T15:51:00.002-05:00

ooooh I Feel It...It's gonna be...

...another Lovin' Life Day!!!

I accomplished much at work today, had lunch with a loved one and planning a fun "weekend slumber party" with wonderful friends. Although some things in my life still seem like a uphill battle, I have so very much to be thankful for.

"To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children'

To earn the respect of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child, a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition
to know everyone has breathed easier

because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

make it a GREAT day!

Ya Gotta Love It!!

2010-08-20T10:33:00.002-05:00

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO
Smellin' Coffee <----- This is a fantastic upbeat song. Listen to it!

Its Raining Here Again...

2010-08-19T21:27:00.006-05:00

from a previous post...

I love the rain.

It reminds me of sitting on my grandmother's porch swing as a little girl with my mother... as the thunder crashed overhead. My mother would be sitting beside me gently swaying the swing to and fro. Her arm gently but firmly wrapped around my little shoulders to reassure me ..."there's nothing to worry about". She giggled as the sky lit up and started slowly counted the seconds while I held my breath in anticipation of the rolling thunder that would follow the light display.

My mom taught me not to fear thunderstorms. Instead, in moments like this, she taught me to appreciate nature's beautiful live artwork as streaks of lightening painted the black West Virginia night sky.

I guess that's where I get my love of nature. Whether mom was pointing out wild onions growing just beyond the creek bed, a fawn and her mother feeding on the morning's sweet dewy clover, giggle with me as we paused to pop touch-me-nots along the roadside on our way to visit neighbors or run in the house to call to me to "come see" the little birds nestled inside their nest in the clothes line pole ... mom was always excited to share her excitement of "the little things" in life.

"These are the things that make life worth living" she would say. Thank you so much mom. I miss you.

touch me nots

(a flower in the impatients family that burst spewing it's seeds when gently squeezed)

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO:

Mandolin Rain- Bruce Hornsby and the Range

Sharing in the Kitchen- Paneer Cheese

2010-08-19T17:37:00.012-05:00

Paneer (Soft Asian Un-aged Cheese) by- Katie Irani

Ingredients:
1 quart whole milk (softer and tastier than skimmed)
*2-1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice, seeds removed

Directions:
Bring milk to boil, stirring to prevent skin from forming. As soon as it begins to bubble, add lemon juice. Stir once and remove from heat. Let stand for 15 minutes.

Strain the curds through 3 layers of cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much whey as you easily can. Tie up the curds in the cheesecloth and place in a rectangular dish. Place a heavy weight on the curds for a couple of hours. (Pressing for a shorter time (approximately 20 minutes), results in a softer, fluffier cheese.)

After it's pressed, it should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. Dip in chilled water for 2-3 hours to give it a good texture and appearance. Cut into cubes.

And that's it! It's really pretty easy.

**White vinegar may be substituted, but lemon juice is preferred method. Additionally, 1 cup yogurt may be used if no lemon juice or vinegar is available.

History:
Paneer is a fresh cheese common in South Asian cuisine It is an unaged, acid-set, non-melting farmer cheese made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice or other food acid.
Unlike most cheeses in the world, the making of Paneer does not involve rennet as the coagulation agent, thus making it completely lacto-vegetarian and providing a source of protein for vegetarians.

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Print PDF
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Don't forget to check out my recipe box in the Kitchen at Gammy's House for all Gammy's great recipes.
They are continually updated.

You can also check out the latest recipe uploads.

Another Gammy's House blog where I post all the latest recipes served "Hot Off The Stove".

Ya Gotta Love It!- Sophie Madeleine

2010-08-18T18:37:00.010-05:00

ran across this video on the internet today... It spoke to me.

I create art that way too.

...not to mention...

what a sweet voice...

Sophie Madeleine- listen to more of her music at sophiemadeleine.com

Dedicated to T.L.

Gammy's New Favorite

2010-08-17T10:06:00.000-05:00

Kitchen Tip

Easy Measuring

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill the cup with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Cheryl and her Bling!

2010-08-15T14:58:00.001-05:00

I love "girly bling"! No one could love it more than me, except my friend Cheryl. She bought a new pair of "bling" sandles today and sent me a picture. I totally love them!!!!

I need to find out where she bought them, since I'm having to replace all my belongings.