I don’t know about your household, but spring doesn’t just bring singing birds, beautiful flowers and sunny days with it around here; it also brings a very hectic family schedule! Between sports, school plays, yard work, and daily duties it’s hard for me to find time to shop for groceries, no less turn those groceries into a meal!
Slow cooker to the rescue! Besides being a great way to have a hot meal ready at various times, crock pot creations are a delicious treat to take along to cookouts and parties too. So here are some fast (throw in the ingredients, stir, run out the door, return hours later to a finished product!) recipes.
Get outside, enjoy spring and let the slow cooker do the work for you…but remember…you should still take all the credit when everyone praises the meal!
Tangy Meatballs
Ingredients:
1 2-lb. bag frozen meatballs
1 jar of jelly, 12 oz. (any flavor)
1 jar chili sauce, 12 oz. (found in grocery store near ketchup)
Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. Never fails—when I take these meatballs to a party, at least three people ask for the recipe. I tell them it’s a secret. No…just kidding…I tell them the recipe and they are always surprised at how simple it is.
Pulled Pork (or beef)
Ingredients:
3-4 pound pork loin (or beef) cut up into huge chunks
1 bottle barbeque sauce, 16 oz.
Two ingredients for this recipe! The trick is to “pull” the pork/beef as it cooks. Cook on high for 3 hours, then cook on low for 3-4 hours. In the last two hours of cooking time, use two forks to pull the meat pieces apart—it’s so tender that this job is very easy. Serve on buns.
The longer this cooks, the tastier it is!
Beef Stew
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 onion, diced
1 lb. beef, cubed (more than 1 lb. if you like a lot of meat)
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups string beans, cut into pieces
1 large can V8 juice
Pour olive oil into bottom of crock pot; add garlic, onion and cubes of beef. Cook on high setting for one hour (you can cook the beef/garlic/onion on the stovetop instead if you’re running out the door for the day.) Add remaining ingredients. Cook on low setting for 6-7 hours.
The V8 is my mother’s trick—it gives the stew a nice flavor and really seeps into the ingredients. Remember to cut the potatoes into small pieces so they won’t be crunchy. Add some rolls and you’ve got a very hearty meal!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Growing Veggies from Seeds
There is something special about eating a vegetable that started out in your fingers as a tiny seed. I’ve been gardening for over 20 years, but I am always amazed to witness the growth cycle. Transplanting store-bought plants is certainly easier than growing from seed, but seeing those first green sprouts peek out from the dirt is a lot more fun!
Our last frost date in Maryland is officially May 15th, so any plants vulnerable to freezing temperatures can’t be planted outside until after this date. But because Maryland has a short growing season (about 3 months,) we can’t just plop a seed in the ground outside—it needs to be a full-grown, hardened-off plant by May 15th.
March is the month I get to go to the store, buy packets of Burpee seeds: tomato, jalapeno pepper, sweet pepper, cucumbers, zucchini squash, yellow squash, string beans, peas and corn.
So as I prepare to get my hands dirty, I thought I’d share the best way I’ve found to start these seedlings using Styrofoam cups, potting soil and a plastic tray that holds about ½ inch of water.
Directions:
Punch 4-5 drainage holes in the bottom of each Styrofoam cup. Fill about ½ way with potting soil.
Fill plastic tray with ½ inch of warm water, line your soil-filled cups up in the bin. After about an hour, the soil will have “sucked up” a lot of the water.
Put 2-3 seeds in each cup (read package directions to be sure you plant seeds at proper depth.)
Use a permanent marker on the outside of cup to label the plant.
Pour in more water if needed.
Cover with loosely with plastic wrap and place in a sunny window.
After about a week, you’ll notice seedlings popping up—take off the plastic wrap. Turn the seedlings every day or every other day so the plant doesn’t lean one way (as it reaches for the sunshine.) After about 2 weeks, pull the weaker seedlings out and discard—this keeps the strong seedlings able to get all the nourishment they need.
If you keep water in the bottom of the tray, there should be no need to water from the top (that way you won’t stress the plant.) The roots get plenty of water and send it up to the plant.
After about 6-7 weeks (depending on weather) harden-off the plants. To do this, take them outside for about an hour the first day; three hours the next day; five hours the next day, etc. until they are outside all day long. Then just bring them in at night. Then the next day, leave them out all day and all night. Now they are used to the weather elements and are ready to be transplanted into the garden.
Enjoy your fresh veggies and if you have any good ideas about keeping away deer, moles, or rabbits, let me know via a blog post or email. I’m getting a little tired of “sharing” my produce with them! Happy gardening! :)
Our last frost date in Maryland is officially May 15th, so any plants vulnerable to freezing temperatures can’t be planted outside until after this date. But because Maryland has a short growing season (about 3 months,) we can’t just plop a seed in the ground outside—it needs to be a full-grown, hardened-off plant by May 15th.
March is the month I get to go to the store, buy packets of Burpee seeds: tomato, jalapeno pepper, sweet pepper, cucumbers, zucchini squash, yellow squash, string beans, peas and corn.
So as I prepare to get my hands dirty, I thought I’d share the best way I’ve found to start these seedlings using Styrofoam cups, potting soil and a plastic tray that holds about ½ inch of water.
Directions:
Punch 4-5 drainage holes in the bottom of each Styrofoam cup. Fill about ½ way with potting soil.
Fill plastic tray with ½ inch of warm water, line your soil-filled cups up in the bin. After about an hour, the soil will have “sucked up” a lot of the water.
Put 2-3 seeds in each cup (read package directions to be sure you plant seeds at proper depth.)
Use a permanent marker on the outside of cup to label the plant.
Pour in more water if needed.
Cover with loosely with plastic wrap and place in a sunny window.
After about a week, you’ll notice seedlings popping up—take off the plastic wrap. Turn the seedlings every day or every other day so the plant doesn’t lean one way (as it reaches for the sunshine.) After about 2 weeks, pull the weaker seedlings out and discard—this keeps the strong seedlings able to get all the nourishment they need.
If you keep water in the bottom of the tray, there should be no need to water from the top (that way you won’t stress the plant.) The roots get plenty of water and send it up to the plant.
After about 6-7 weeks (depending on weather) harden-off the plants. To do this, take them outside for about an hour the first day; three hours the next day; five hours the next day, etc. until they are outside all day long. Then just bring them in at night. Then the next day, leave them out all day and all night. Now they are used to the weather elements and are ready to be transplanted into the garden.
Enjoy your fresh veggies and if you have any good ideas about keeping away deer, moles, or rabbits, let me know via a blog post or email. I’m getting a little tired of “sharing” my produce with them! Happy gardening! :)
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Taking a Guilt-free Day Off
Have you ever heard the expression “need something done, ask a busy person?”
I’m usually that busy person who gets asked.
I am happiest when I’m so busy that I run from task to task (can’t the puppy pee any faster…can’t the computer hurry up and load that program?) Sometimes I feel like my family thinks they are watching a human version of the Road Runner. Beep Beep. Lucky for me, my friends are just like I am, so we move fast together.
But…
I am the first to admit that a day off is one of the best ways to stay motivated, energized and excited about work.
My most productive days have often followed a day off for fun. And fun doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. A hike in that park that you’ve driven past a hundred times, lunch with an old friend you keep meaning to make time for, or even a whole day to read the newest bestseller.
Trust me. Just do it. If you need to take baby steps, then do something just for you, just for fun, for one hour. Notice how refreshed you feel. You’ll find yourself coming back to your tasks with a renewed energy and accomplishing more than ever because you gave into that much-needed break.
Don’t feel guilty—think of time off as homework if you want—because to keep moving forward, sometimes you need to pause.
I’m usually that busy person who gets asked.
I am happiest when I’m so busy that I run from task to task (can’t the puppy pee any faster…can’t the computer hurry up and load that program?) Sometimes I feel like my family thinks they are watching a human version of the Road Runner. Beep Beep. Lucky for me, my friends are just like I am, so we move fast together.
But…
I am the first to admit that a day off is one of the best ways to stay motivated, energized and excited about work.
My most productive days have often followed a day off for fun. And fun doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. A hike in that park that you’ve driven past a hundred times, lunch with an old friend you keep meaning to make time for, or even a whole day to read the newest bestseller.
Trust me. Just do it. If you need to take baby steps, then do something just for you, just for fun, for one hour. Notice how refreshed you feel. You’ll find yourself coming back to your tasks with a renewed energy and accomplishing more than ever because you gave into that much-needed break.
Don’t feel guilty—think of time off as homework if you want—because to keep moving forward, sometimes you need to pause.
Monday, December 1, 2008
To Do or Not To Do
I’m often told that I’m an organized person.
I’m not organized—I am hyper organized (maybe there’s a support group for others like me…if so, I’m sure they’re already so organized that I’m on the mailing list.)
But…
I have a confession to make…
I would be nowhere without my To Do list. It’s what keeps me on track, makes me run from one job to the next and helps me get everything done.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, To Do lists can keep you on track. But there is a catch. The list works only if you hold yourself accountable. Since I am my own boss, there isn’t anybody to notice if I sit and stare out the window at the beautiful view all day. But since I am my own boss, I also know there is that pesky list that begs for my attention. And if the items on that list aren’t crossed off by the end of the day, it’s not a good feeling.
So I fill up the list with lots of goals: write 2,000 words, edit short story, research what a dead body looks like after it’s been under water for a month, etc.
At the risk of making myself sound really boring, one of my favorite things to do throughout the day is check things off my list.
Chances are if you write something down, it will inspire you to do it.
Okay, now I can cross “blog” off my list for today! :)
I’m not organized—I am hyper organized (maybe there’s a support group for others like me…if so, I’m sure they’re already so organized that I’m on the mailing list.)
But…
I have a confession to make…
I would be nowhere without my To Do list. It’s what keeps me on track, makes me run from one job to the next and helps me get everything done.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, To Do lists can keep you on track. But there is a catch. The list works only if you hold yourself accountable. Since I am my own boss, there isn’t anybody to notice if I sit and stare out the window at the beautiful view all day. But since I am my own boss, I also know there is that pesky list that begs for my attention. And if the items on that list aren’t crossed off by the end of the day, it’s not a good feeling.
So I fill up the list with lots of goals: write 2,000 words, edit short story, research what a dead body looks like after it’s been under water for a month, etc.
At the risk of making myself sound really boring, one of my favorite things to do throughout the day is check things off my list.
Chances are if you write something down, it will inspire you to do it.
Okay, now I can cross “blog” off my list for today! :)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Saving money...without feeling the pinch too much
Gas prices are finally coming down, but the cost of groceries (and almost everything else) is going up. And now the holidays are coming—a time of year when we usually spend even more money.
The good news? Saving money is fun.
No, seriously!
I LOVE saving money. In fact, there’s nothing like that feeling of getting a good deal, or using a valuable coupon or doing something without hiring a professional.
So here are some of my all-time favorite hints for saving money:
1. Money saved is better than money earned. Think about it. When you work extra hours, get a second job, etc., you are taxed on the income. But if you SAVE money—for instance, cut the lawn yourself or paint your own nails—the money you save is not taxed. Free money!
2. Make meals at home as often as possible. It’s hard, but the trick is to plan ahead. Stock up on staples (meat, potatoes, canned/frozen vegetables, etc.) and make meals that fit your family’s taste. My favorite method of making meals is using the crock pot—throw stuff in the pot in the morning, it’s ready by dinner.
3. Use cash. This is hard too. And when credit card companies offer you rebates for using their card, it’s easy to think it’s a bargain to charge items. But it’s also very tempting to overspend and make impulse purchases when there isn’t an immediate subtraction from your wallet.
4. Skip the frilly luxuries, or at least scale down. You can probably be just as happy getting together with friends over a plain old cup of regular coffee with a little milk in it for $1.50 instead of a fancy latte.
5. Drink water. Instead of soda and sports drinks, have water with meals. Even bottled water is less expensive than drinks. But why not fill a pitcher with water and keep it in the fridge? It’ll be cold and it’s free.
The list could go on, but here are some suggestions for books and web sites with more money-saving tips:
‘The Complete Tightwad Gazette’ by Amy Dacyczyn. This is a great book with practical tips and tried-and-true techniques.
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/01/30-easy-ways-to-save-money-and-no-you.html Sensible ideas!
http://www.doughroller.net/2007/11/06/51-painless-money-saving-tips/ Original and straight-talking suggestions.
Feel free to post a comment and add your favorite way to save money!
The good news? Saving money is fun.
No, seriously!
I LOVE saving money. In fact, there’s nothing like that feeling of getting a good deal, or using a valuable coupon or doing something without hiring a professional.
So here are some of my all-time favorite hints for saving money:
1. Money saved is better than money earned. Think about it. When you work extra hours, get a second job, etc., you are taxed on the income. But if you SAVE money—for instance, cut the lawn yourself or paint your own nails—the money you save is not taxed. Free money!
2. Make meals at home as often as possible. It’s hard, but the trick is to plan ahead. Stock up on staples (meat, potatoes, canned/frozen vegetables, etc.) and make meals that fit your family’s taste. My favorite method of making meals is using the crock pot—throw stuff in the pot in the morning, it’s ready by dinner.
3. Use cash. This is hard too. And when credit card companies offer you rebates for using their card, it’s easy to think it’s a bargain to charge items. But it’s also very tempting to overspend and make impulse purchases when there isn’t an immediate subtraction from your wallet.
4. Skip the frilly luxuries, or at least scale down. You can probably be just as happy getting together with friends over a plain old cup of regular coffee with a little milk in it for $1.50 instead of a fancy latte.
5. Drink water. Instead of soda and sports drinks, have water with meals. Even bottled water is less expensive than drinks. But why not fill a pitcher with water and keep it in the fridge? It’ll be cold and it’s free.
The list could go on, but here are some suggestions for books and web sites with more money-saving tips:
‘The Complete Tightwad Gazette’ by Amy Dacyczyn. This is a great book with practical tips and tried-and-true techniques.
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/01/30-easy-ways-to-save-money-and-no-you.html Sensible ideas!
http://www.doughroller.net/2007/11/06/51-painless-money-saving-tips/ Original and straight-talking suggestions.
Feel free to post a comment and add your favorite way to save money!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Summer Reading
Summer beach reading season is here!
As much fun as it is to cozy up with a book in the winter, it’s just as enjoyable to lounge around with a good, long book in the summer heat (or air conditioning).
There’s something about summer that inspires me to read more than usual. When I was growing up, we only had one air conditioned spot in our house—a window unit in my parents’ room. So when it was unbearably hot, we’d all pile into that one bedroom with a big stack of books and read all day, happy to be cool and entertained.
Books haven’t lost their summer appeal. Lucky for me, my whole house is air conditioned now, and I still love to stock up on books so I can lose myself in a good romantic suspense or mystery.
Fortunately, my favorite authors have just released, or are getting ready to release new books. Here’s a list of my summer reading…here’s hoping you enjoy them too!
FEARLESS FOURTEEN by Janet Evanovich
If you haven’t read any of the Stephanie Plum books, it’s time to run out and get the first 13. Then buy this one. Hilarious, sexy without even trying, and heart-warming too. And if you’re from New Jersey and have never read this series…shame on you, get reading!
CHARLEY'S WEB by Joy Fielding
I don’t just love Joy because her name is so much like mine, I’m also anxious to see what intricate web she spins in her newest book. When I read the description of this one, I wanted to run out and buy a copy right away. Sounds scary, realistic, and emotional.
DUMA KEY by Stephen King
This book is so thick I thought it would take me a month or more to read it. Problem is, once you start reading, you can’t stop. I finished it in 6 days.
TRIBUTE by Nora Roberts
Her characters are so real, and the situations they get into are so interesting. Any book by Nora is a must-read. A nice, thick summer hardcover is a gotta read!
And don’t forget to read:
THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR by Dean Koontz
WHERE ARE YOU NOW? By Mary Higgins Clark
UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS by Linda Howard
BEST KEPT SECRETS by Sandra Brown
TAILSPIN by Catherine Coulter
As much fun as it is to cozy up with a book in the winter, it’s just as enjoyable to lounge around with a good, long book in the summer heat (or air conditioning).
There’s something about summer that inspires me to read more than usual. When I was growing up, we only had one air conditioned spot in our house—a window unit in my parents’ room. So when it was unbearably hot, we’d all pile into that one bedroom with a big stack of books and read all day, happy to be cool and entertained.
Books haven’t lost their summer appeal. Lucky for me, my whole house is air conditioned now, and I still love to stock up on books so I can lose myself in a good romantic suspense or mystery.
Fortunately, my favorite authors have just released, or are getting ready to release new books. Here’s a list of my summer reading…here’s hoping you enjoy them too!
FEARLESS FOURTEEN by Janet Evanovich
If you haven’t read any of the Stephanie Plum books, it’s time to run out and get the first 13. Then buy this one. Hilarious, sexy without even trying, and heart-warming too. And if you’re from New Jersey and have never read this series…shame on you, get reading!
CHARLEY'S WEB by Joy Fielding
I don’t just love Joy because her name is so much like mine, I’m also anxious to see what intricate web she spins in her newest book. When I read the description of this one, I wanted to run out and buy a copy right away. Sounds scary, realistic, and emotional.
DUMA KEY by Stephen King
This book is so thick I thought it would take me a month or more to read it. Problem is, once you start reading, you can’t stop. I finished it in 6 days.
TRIBUTE by Nora Roberts
Her characters are so real, and the situations they get into are so interesting. Any book by Nora is a must-read. A nice, thick summer hardcover is a gotta read!
And don’t forget to read:
THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR by Dean Koontz
WHERE ARE YOU NOW? By Mary Higgins Clark
UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS by Linda Howard
BEST KEPT SECRETS by Sandra Brown
TAILSPIN by Catherine Coulter
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Quotes That Mean Something
I love getting to know people through interviews. I’ve made life-long friends while writing articles, learned a lot about life and people. I’ve been lucky and honored to write stories about heartache and celebration, tragedy and hope.
Albert Einstein would have been a great interview. His quotes, many of them famous, beg for discussion. Or explanations. Here are some of my favorite quotes…and the thoughts that run through my head as I read them.
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. Albert Einstein
Good one Albert! If a genius can admit to mistakes—in fact encourage them—I feel confident messing up.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein
One question: does this apply to computer problems? Because I think if I press the same button, it might start working if I do it enough times.
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. Albert Einstein
Wow. He was genius!
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. Albert Einstein
As a gardener, this is one of my favorite quotes. There’s something about the way earth worms aerate the soil, and roots grow toward water, and leaves shade the fruit that makes nature so incredible.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein
I’d love to hear him say this. Because maybe he was trying to be funny. Maybe he didn’t mean it to be interpreted as a slight to human intelligence. Maybe he laughed after he said this, adding “just kidding.” But then again, maybe he was on the beltway at rush hour.
Albert Einstein would have been a great interview. His quotes, many of them famous, beg for discussion. Or explanations. Here are some of my favorite quotes…and the thoughts that run through my head as I read them.
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. Albert Einstein
Good one Albert! If a genius can admit to mistakes—in fact encourage them—I feel confident messing up.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein
One question: does this apply to computer problems? Because I think if I press the same button, it might start working if I do it enough times.
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. Albert Einstein
Wow. He was genius!
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. Albert Einstein
As a gardener, this is one of my favorite quotes. There’s something about the way earth worms aerate the soil, and roots grow toward water, and leaves shade the fruit that makes nature so incredible.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein
I’d love to hear him say this. Because maybe he was trying to be funny. Maybe he didn’t mean it to be interpreted as a slight to human intelligence. Maybe he laughed after he said this, adding “just kidding.” But then again, maybe he was on the beltway at rush hour.
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