Dear microwave maker,

Why do you make the microwave door close so loudly?  Do you not understand that I need to make a late-night snack for my husband and myself?

When the loud beep signals the end of the warming cycle, I can’t shut it off fast enough.  I have sleeping children just down the hall!  Please look into making a quiet door and a way to turn off the loud beeping.

I really enjoy making these late night snacks.  I just don’t like thinking about having to tell my children why I’m holding a bowl of  ice cream and hot fudge at midnight.

My sincerest thanks,

Laryssa

Better Homes and Gardens

I really like having the right tool for a job…problem is sometimes that tool is no where to be seen.  So, what’s a thrifty gal to do?

Improvise!

Over the years I have learned some tips and tricks that can make cooking much easier.   And when it comes to cooking easier is always better!

Here are some the tips that have helped me:

(These first two are from my Mother. Thanks!)

1. Whenever you need to cut something sticky, like brownies, use a plastic knife.  For some reason the goo doesn’t stick to plastic like it would to a metal knife.  Go figure.

2.  Need to cut a cake into layers?  Use un-flavored dental floss.  Use about 12″, pull tight, get behind the cake and “saw” the floss toward you.  The cake will cut easily and there will be very few crumbs.

3. Do you have a pastry cutter?  Think it’s a single use tool?  Think again!  Use it to cut up eggs for egg salad and keep avocados a little chunky for guacamole.

4.  Need to cool something down in a hurry?  Fill your sink with cold water and add some ice cubes.  Set your pot down in the water and stir.  Your food will cool down quickly.

5. Coffee maker broken?  Try this rustic cup of joe.  First boil some water and put a paper towel into a small strainer.  Next put about 2 tablespoons of ground coffee into the paper towel.  Finally, hold the strainer over your mug and pour the water over the grounds.  Dump the grounds and paper towel into the trash and enjoy your coffee!

Do you have any tips that help you in the kitchen?  Please share!

For more great tips, go to Works For Me Wednesday!

I grew up eating sauerkraut from a can.  I liked it pretty well, but then I was introduced to REAL sauerkraut!  I’m talking about lacto-fermented sauerkraut, alive and health-giving.   There’s no way to describe the difference between canned sauerkraut and fresh, real sauerkraut!

(I haven’t taken any pictures of my sauerkraut, so I’ll give you a few links that explain the process.)

(It’s important to remember that these new ways of eating and cooking get so much easier with time.  So, if things feel awkward at first, don’t be concerned. )

Crystal Miller shares: How to make sauerkraut-Step by Step.

Debbie Apple shows how she makes sauerkraut.

Have you ever made sauerkraut?  Do you make other fermented veggies or have a favorite recipe to share?

Go to Food Renegade for Fight Back Friday to learn more about great food!

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is hosting a Fall Inspiration Party!  Here in Tennessee, fall is just starting to touch the leaves with color and the breezes are beginning to cool.  Thank God for an end to the humidity!

I thought I’d share my mantel decorations for fall…

The mantle clock belongs to my Grandmother, who is living with us and the waterfall painting is an oil that I painted a few years ago.  Being an artist, I’m so critical of my own work, but I’m actually very happy with how this painting turned out!

(Speaking of art…be sure to check back often, because I’m working on some new paintings for fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas!)

This wreath is proof you don’t have to start from scratch to make a pretty arrangement.  I just added what I had to a store bought wreath.

In this aged copper urn, I made an arrangement of dark tan dahlias, red mum like flowers, dried hydrangea blossoms and pheasant feathers.  I have always admired these pheasant feathers, so I’m so glad to finally have some!

Tip:  To get tall pheasant feathers without breaking the budget; get small feathers and use floral tape to add them to floral stems.  (Or just go with what you have and tape them to sticks or old silk flower stems!)

One of my favorite ways to celebrate to start of fall is to simmer cloves, cinnamon and orange slices in water on the stove.  In just a few minutes the whole house smells so cozy!

What do you add to your home to make it feel like fall?