Recent content by The_Realistic_Optimist

Are you sure we aren't related? I suggest Fraggle Rock, Buck Rogers in the 21st Century, my daughter loved the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series at that age, and Power Rangers. The Back to the Future trilogy might be good, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, of course the original Star...

Apparently it is the flicker or something that can cause the migraines. I know whenever I stay at my aunt's house, which I do about once a month for 3 or 4 days, I get at least one migraine that I think is due to the fact that all of her lights are the new type.

Welcome! I'm also new, but in the few weeks I've been visiting this site, I've learned all kinds of useful and amazing things from some really nice people.

Thanksgiving this year is on our wedding anniversary, so for the first time DH and I have politely declined all invitations and are running away for a "coin toss road trip". Basically, we pack a bag with a couple of changes of clothes, get in the car. Drive to the interstate and flip a coin...

Doing more apple butter today. The guy that sells fruit & veggies at our local farmer's market has agreed to buy it from me. He says if it's homemade, he can sell it. Now I have to figure out appropriate pricing. Also, doing some big cooking today, so I'll be putting up jars of soup & stew...

Took the dog for a long walk this morning. While out, I talked to the guy that runs the weekend "farmer's market" in the park on weekend mornings. He is going to buy my apple butter and sell it. YAY! Did some little chores in the garden. Making queso dip to take to a football gathering this...

My advice would be to keep a VERY open mind. Don't let your preconceived stereotypes prevent you from checking out a place. Visit as many places as you can before making a decision. We went through a similar search a couple of years ago and found that the perfect place for us turned out to be...

Should have thought of it before, but a few weeks ago I read a good book called A Dog's Purpose: A novel for humans. The whole book is written from the point of view of the dog. It was really good and made me laugh a couple of times and made me cry twice. Another good recent read was The...

Finally got my new pressure canner yesterday. Been saving for it for ages. So excited! First project with it. today I'm going to cook and can some homemade chicken soup. That way, I will no longer be the only member of the family that doesn't get homemade chicken soup when I catch a cold...

I would recommend "Lucy" by Donald Johanson (it's an entertaining science archeology book about the search for human origins) Also, "Nicholas & Alexandra" about the last czar of Russia and his family. A Tale of Two Cities is my absolute favorite and has a lot to teach about the real meaning of...

Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup (or more if you like) fresh or defrosted frozen blueberries or quartered defrosted frozen strawberries In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking...

I made muffins with mine and fed them to my very happy hubbie. Then I took a bunch of them over to a friend with a houseful of family in town for a funeral. I used the recipe I use for blueberry muffins but substituted quartered frozen strawberries instead of the blueberries.

Use cash and DO NOT use a store discount or value card. I don't know if that is a thing everywhere but in the South & Midwest, most grocery chains hike their prices so they can give a "discount" to folks who sign up for their membership card. Many of those places don't bother to check your id...

It's possible to home can potatoes? I didn't know that. How do you do it? Sorry to be stupid, but I'm new at this. Is it possible to home can your own homemade soup, chili and spaghetti sauce? or maybe beef stew or gumbo?

Proud to say that my first attempt at canning was a success and it was so much easier than I thought it would be! I now have 9 quarts of homemade apple butter. This morning I enjoyed toast made from my homemade bread, topped with homemade apple butter. It tasted all that much better because I...