THINKING THURSDAY - What are those thingies anyhow?

Ever wonder if you are supposed to load glasses in the dishwasher beside the thingies that stickup or on top of them? No? Well, I didn’t either until I was reading Martha Stewart’s Housekeeping handbook and found out exactly the correct proper her way to load a dishwasher.

According to Martha:

Glasses should go on the top ring between the tines (the proper name for those things that stickup) and not over them so that they don’t rattle.

Plates get the cleanest when they face the center rather than all in one direction.

Bowls go on the top rack, facing the center.
Butter knives, blade down please.
Spoons and Forks – Alternate up and down to keep them from nesting (or spooning, hehe)
Interested in HOW your dishwasher works? I was. From Real Simple.com:
When you turn the dishwasher, the bottom basin fills up with water. Heating elements heat the water. The detergent dispenser opens and mixes the soap with the water. A pump sends the water through the spray arm, making it spin. The soapy water sloshes around for awhile hopefully getting all the taco sauce off the plates. The pump then drains the water through the pipes under the sink. Fresh water fills the basin and the pump sprays the dishes to rinse. Heating element then dries the dishes. Done.

Martha's book really is full of great info - it's also a great gift a any bride-to-be.

Yummyday Tuesday - Fruit Tray and Homemade French Cream

Fruit Tray
Serves 35-50pp

2 whole Pineapples
2 large Clusters of Grapes
1 Cantaloupe
1 Honeydew
2 dz. Strawberries






Homemade French Cream Dip

8oz. Cream cheese, softened
1 C. Powdered Sugar
1 C. Whipping Cream
1/4 C. Reg. Sugar
1 Lemon, zest and juice
Pineapple Juice, to taste

Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar. Add cream and sugar and whip until it forms peaks. Combine remaining ingredients, adding pineapple juice to desired consistency.

For more great receipes visit http://www.thekendalcompanies.com/Recipes---DIY-Projects.html

THINKING THURSDAY - Okay, I cheated

This Thinking Thursday tip is actually from Real Simple Magazine. I ran across an article from last year that I had planned on posting but never did. So I am cheating and posting it now - hey, it's still good info, just not mine!  Shhhhhhh....


New Uses for an Old CD Case:


1. Use as a candle holder - keep it under the candle to collect wax. Pretty cool idea!
2. Cookbook Dividers - Cover with pretty contact paper, label the outer edges with section (apps, deserts) and use them to section off the cookbooks.
3. Ice Scrapper - Use the jewel case to scrape your windshield when it's iced over
4. Invitation - Use a sharpie to write out the details and mail off!
5. Drink Coaster - Line the bottom with felt first.

THINKING THURSDAY - How to Hang A Flag

Another totally random thought but - have you ever gone to hang your flag for Fourth of July or Veteran’s Day and not been really sure if you are doing it correctly? Well, I do - every single time! So I decided to do a little research for us and here is what I found:

According to Better Homes and Garden July 2009 Issue "The flag should be displayed with the stars at the upper left whether hung horizontally or vertically."

The flag should only fly between sunrise and sunset, if flown at night, it should be illuminated.

It should be raised briskly, but lowered slowly and directly into someone's hand, never touching the ground.

There you have it now go show your patriotism and hang that flag!



I am off for the Annual Memorial Weekend at the Lake – see you next week.

Yummyday Tuesday - Homemade Bleu Cheese Dressing

Homemade Bleu Cheese Dressing



1 C. Mayo
1/2 C. Crumbled Blue Cheese (about 3 ounces)
1/2 C. half and half
2 Tbsp Sour Cream
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. worcestershire
1/2 tsp. Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper

Wisk together and chill.

For more great receipes visit http://www.thekendalcompanies.com/Recipes---DIY-Projects.html

THINKING THURSDAY - How to Hang a Picture Correctly

Thursdays are for "thinking" around here and today I am thinkin' about hanging some new framed pictures. One of my life's little irritants is when I bang the nail in the wall and well, it's wrong and I end up with 5 holes.
So I hit the research wagon once again and found out how to properly figure out where to put the hole in the wall - and only have to do it once! Been there have ya? Read on:

First off, if you need help deciding where to place your frames on the wall, trace the frames on kraft paper and cut them out. Then use removable painters tape to tape the shapes onto the wall, moving them around and spacing them as you like. (You can also practice arrangeing the frames on the floor before taping the kraft paper to the wall.) Remove each individual kraft sheet and hang the actual frame using the directions below.

1. Hold your frame at the level you want to hang it. Mark the top of the frame on the wall by aligning a post-it-note across the top of the frame itself.QUICK TIP: Most people hang their art or photos too high. You should hang the piece where the average person can see it at eye level. It may seem too low when you are hanging it, but it will dramatically change the way the art is viewed once hung.

2. Hold the wire up tight and use a tape measure to measure the distance between the wire to the top of the frame.
 3. Take the measurement and measure down from the bottom of the sticky note. Mark the spot - this is where you will pound in the nail.

4. Hang your frame and wha-la! No problems!

Yummyday Tuesday - Orange Mint Toss

Orange Mint Toss Salad

4 Cans of Mandarin Oranges, not drained

Wisk together:
2 Cups Honey
2 Mini Bottles of Grand Marnier
2 Springs Fresh Mint, chopped

Mix together and chill overnight.

Wonderfully refreshing!


For more great receipes visit http://www.thekendalcompanies.com/Recipes---DIY-Projects.html

THINKING THURSDAY - Poor Homeless Items Evicted

Thinking Thursday is here and boy it's a sad one. Today, all those homeless items in my kitchen junk drawer are being evicted. They either get where they belong or they go in the trash!


But let's face the bigger problem at hand here: the reason most of these items party together in the junk drawer is because they don't really have a HOME. All those twisty ties. Pennies. Safety pins. Box Tops for Education. Some things in that drawer DO have homes. I am just too lazy to return them and it's easier to stuff them in "the drawer."
First step is to return those items to their rightful places, then decide what to do with the rest. Finding homes should be easy. Put them where they are used the most. Twisty ties? How about in a small Tupperware container mounted to the wall where the trash can is located? Pennies - ummmm, piggy bank anyone? Safety pins? In the sewing kit? It doesn't take genius, just a little time.


I think it's time you served your junk drawer an eviction notice too.

Yummyday Tuesday - Apple, Smoked Ham and Bleu Cheese Skewers

Apple, Smoked Ham and Bleu Cheese Skewers

1/2 lbs. Smoked Ham, cubed
5 oz. Blue Cheese Wedge (Do not get smoked)
1 Large Apple
60 Skewers or large toothpicks

Slice apple into wedges then cut wedge into thirds. Sprinkle pieces with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Add to each skewer a cube of ham, then apple, then blue cheese. You may have to "mold" the cheese onto the skewer to prevent it crumbling.

May sound gross but watch how fast they disappear!

For more great receipes visit http://www.thekendalcompanies.com/Recipes---DIY-Projects.html




 

 

THINKING THURSDAY - The Transfer Basket Saved My Life

Such a simple idea that has really made a difference in my daily life-struggle of picking up the dreaded "odds and ends" our house multiplies. My facebook friend, Laura, says she keeps a "transfer basket" at the top of her stairs by the front door. Everything that needs to go out the door the next day goes in the basket....DVD rentals, library books, letters to be mailed.....all in one spot!

Thinking Thursdays are a weekly posting of great ideas my friends have shared with me. Have a great idea? Post it here!

Yummyday Tuesday - Pineapple Souffle

Blue Willow Inn's Pineapple Souffle
Makes 2 casseroles, serves 16-20

1 Can Crushed Pineapple, not drained
1 1/4 C. Sugar
2 1/2 Cups Ritz Crackers, crushed
1 Stick of Melted Butter
2 C. Shredded Cheddar, plus 1/4 cup for topping


Combine the pineapple and sugar in a saucepan and heat on low until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. In a casserole dish, layer the pineapple, crumbs, butter and cheese. Repeat layers. Top with extra cheddar. bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees until bubbly.

Average price per recipe (2 casseroles) $9.38

For more great receipes visit http://www.thekendalcompanies.com/Recipes---DIY-Projects.html