Saturday, July 30, 2011

Old Sewing Booklet

Found this at a garage sale the other day for a dime and had to buy it, to go along with my mother's Singer machine from 1932!

Since it says on it that it is the #2 Booklet, I wonder how many there are?
The introduction page tells how nice it is to make your own wardrobe.

Cute little booklet! Gives good tips on collars, cuffs, edges, types of fabric, hems, plaquets, pockets, ruffles, tucking and many other things. For 48 pages, it tell lots!








Don't forget the right size needle!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Crockpot vs. Yogurt Maker

Crockpot
                                                                           VERSES
Yogurt Maker


A friend asked if I could make yogurt in a crockpot? Good question, as you know I have made yogurt different ways.
1)
http://domesticatedengineer.blogspot.com/2009/01/yogurt-making.html
2)
http://domesticatedengineer.blogspot.com/2009/11/easy-yogurt-making.html
 3)
Today I will show you yet another way, but no I didn't invent this. Sharon did. Her website is here:
 http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html
And if you want another idea go here, to Sofya's site:
http://girlsguidetobutter.com/2010/02/crock-pot-yogurt/
I really liked both of their blog sites.
 8 cups whole-milk (1/2 gallon)
1/2 cup Dannon plain yogurt (1/2 cup from a previous batch of fresh yogurt or package of starter)
 thick bath towel
 4 quart crockpot
Plug in crockpot on low.
Add milk, cover and cook on low 2 1/2 hours.
Unplug crockpot. Leave the cover on and let sit for 3 hours.
When 3 hours have passed scoop out 2 cups of the milk and put in a bowl.
Whisk in 1/2 cup of the yogurt (or stater).
Then dump the bowl contents back in the crockpot. Stir to combine.
Put the lid back on and keep it unplugged.
Wrap the towel around the crockpot for insulation.
Go to bed, or let it sit for 8 hours. In the morning, the yogurt will have thicken--- it's not as thick as store-bought yogurt.
This will last 7 to 10 days. Save out 1/2 cup to start new batch.

Can eat plain or

add some fresh fruit and sweetener of your choice. 
My verdict: I think I like the yogurt maker better as it is thicker and creamier. The crockpot will do if you can't find or afford a yogurt maker. It did taste good and there are many recipes you can use yogurt in, especially baked goods.
ENJOY!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Our 4th of July Celebration!




Our 4th of July was great! I wanted an old fashion picnic with everyone being invited and coming together, just to enjoy each other's company and have fun. I think those who came, did.
I started out with a budget, then a list of goodies and went from there. Since some had to work from the family I went ahead and invited my church friends.
Menu: Hot dogs, macaroni salad, peaches, applesauce, lemonade, and brownies. Each family brought there own food and we all shared what we had. No one went home hungry and there was leftovers.
Here is a good old recipe from the book, 1950's Cookbook for a macaroni salad:
 
Easy Macaroni Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients:
2 ½ quarts boiling water
2 cups macaroni or tiny shells
1 teaspoon oil
2 teaspoons salt
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoon pimento, chopped
2 teaspoons green onion
2 teaspoons sweet pickle, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon mustard, prepared
½ teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
Directions:
In large uncovered dutch oven cook macaroni in boiling water, cooking oil, and salt until tender but firm, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water. Drain well again. Return macaroni to pot. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Add to macaroni. Toss together well. Place in a serving bowl. Chill for one hour or more. If you want it more moist, add a bit of milk.
This is the recipe I would have used if  I had all the ingredients, so I made with what I had and it turned out pretty close to this recipe. I don't care for mayonnaise, so I used plain yogurt and went from there, also added finely chopped cucumber. Didn't have the pimento or sweet pickles, but luckily someone brought some relish, so at the last minute I stirred some in. I also added a grated carrot.
Wanted to try out a new recipe for the brownies and found one from a old friend that are made in a jelly roll pan. This recipe reminded me of  Texas sheet cake, they were good. Also found a good recipe that you melt marshmallows on top before they come out of the oven. Will put both recipes on, so you can decide for yourself. Yummy!

As you can see I chose not to add the nuts. Really liked the flavor of this one.

Brownies  
by Anne Morgan

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
1 can Hershey's chocolate syrup (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Add remaining ingredients. Bake in greased and floured jelly roll pan at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cover with frosting below.
Frosting:
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 stick butter or margarine
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound of powered sugar (about 4 cups)
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
Mix all ingredients together and frost brownies.

So sad you cannot see the brownies underneath.
Mom's Marshmallow Bars (from 1950's Cookbook)
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
16 large marshmallows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease brownie pan (11 1/2x7"). Melt chocolate and butter and set aside. Cream sugar, eggs until light and fluffy. Add flour. Beat. Add melted chocolate and butter. Beat well. Mix in vanilla and nuts. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 18 minutes. Remove from oven and cover with marshmallows. Return to oven and bake until marshmallows are lightly browned. Cool slightly and cut into bars.
This recipe I left at home for the grandkids to eat, so they wouldn't be tempted to eat the others until the next day at the picnic.
so good!
We had such a great time and it was fun for me to watch all the little ones run and run, while they fathers ran after them! Notice the tablecloth, it was one of my current bargains at a garage sale, only a buck!
Here is a picture of the cookbook,  (by Barbara Stuart Peterson):
Got this off the internet, so the picture didn't copy to well.