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