Christmas 1879 Tip...

From the 1879 Harper's Bazaar Magazine comes this tip on Christmas gifts for the gentleman. Amazing how much times have changed. Imagine presenting a gift such as this and what their reaction might be today...

A Lady cannot give a gentleman a gift of great value because he would certainly feel bound to return one still more valuable and thus her gift would lose all it's grace and retain only a selfish commercial aspect.

What, then, shall she give? Here is the woman's advantage. She has her hands, while men must transact all their present giving in hard cash. She can hem fine handkerchiefs and in order to give them intrinsic value, if their relationship warrants such a favor, she can embroider the name or monogram with her own hair. If the hair is dark it has a very pretty, graceful effect, and the design may be shaded by mingling the different hairs of the family. Such gifts are made precious by love, time and talent.

Fast And Easy Coconut Pie...

My sister was baking this pie yesterday while we were chatting across the miles and I just had to add it to our Thanksgiving menu! Even if you are not a baker, an easier recipe for Coconut Pie could not be found! It makes it's own crust while baking and it's so fast and easy you can whip one up in minutes using the blender.

In a blender or mixer place:
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 cup melted margarine (as always I used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flaked coconut
Blend for 1 or 2 minutes.

Pour into a 10 inch pie pan and bake 1 hour at 350 or until set and light brown.
This pie makes its own crust while it bakes!

Early Resolution...

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated:
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. "

It has been raining here lately and for some reason, listening to rain makes my mind wander. I could listen to it and think for hours. One of the things I pondered as I was soothed by the tapping sounds of the rain drops was my New Year's Resolution and what it will be this year. Up to this point, my resolutions have all been the same...lose weight, eat healthy etc, very similar to everyone else's I'm sure, and we all know how long that usually lasts.

For the past 1 1/2 years, most of you that have read my blog from the beginning know that I have been recovering from a major cardiac incident. I became obsessed with recovery, as well I should have, making life changes in my quest for survival. It was actually the reason I started this blog, to fill my days when I could not do much else. One of the first things I had to change was my way of thinking. At first I worried daily and hoped I would see the next sunrise. I had to gain control of that thinking quickly because it is very easy to become paranoid and unhappy with the days that remain if one dwells on thoughts of expiring on a daily basis. The second thing I had to change was my eating habits. That was a major issue for me as I am a person who loves to cook and bake (and eat), and when what you enjoy most suddenly has to be revised for your survival, depression can quickly set in. But...onward and upwards I went! Tackling my issues and being to stubborn to give in.

So, while being hypnotized by the sound of the droplets spattering on the roof and pondering the last couple of years while thinking of my next resolution I realized, why be saddled with this thing called life expectancy? Of what relevance is such a statistic? Am I to concern myself with an allotment of days I never had and was never promised? Must I check off each day of my life as if I am subtracting from an imaginary hoard of hours? No, I will add each day of my life to my treasure of days lived. And with each day, my treasure will grow, not diminish. After all, none of us are promised tomorrow and if we don't appreciate today it will be gone and we will have wasted opportunity. One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. I know I've done it more often than not. We all dream of some magical rose garden over the horizon, even though we know no such thing exists.

So, my resolution is to Live For The Day! Seems easy enough doesn't it? No more worrying about tomorrow until it gets here (within reason of course, I am much to careful to just throw caution to the wind and become wild and carefree)I am going to learn something new this year and enjoy each day as it comes. I am going to live more "in the moment" and appreciate every minute I have left (not that I haven't but my mindset was on survival and not being joyous). I am going to project positivity and strength. I am going to live!

Have you thought of your resolution for the new year? If so, do tell!

How To Use A Hat Pin...

Have you ever wondered how 20th century women managed to pin hats to loose hanging hairstyles? Admittedly, most of us rarely wear hats these days and a shame it is. If you are one of the few who still love them, perhaps you've wondered about the use of hat pins. Hat pins became popular during the Victorian era, an age when women rarely left their homes without a head covering. Encrusted with jewels and long feathers, many hat pins were high fashion statements.

Here is how to use one:
1. Put the hat in place on your head. The bigger your hat, the longer your hatpin should be.
2. Carefully insert the hatpin through the hat, catching a small lock of hair underneath the hat.
3. Twirl the hatpin around to wrap the lock of hair around the end of the pin. This step is very tricky when dealing with delicate material, so be sure to practice on something sturdy before you try this with your straw hats.
4. Push the end of the pin through the hat to secure it.

If you love hat pins but don't wear hats you can wear them on your lapel, blouse or in your hair when you're wearing an updo. Any way you wear them, hat pins are quite a fashion statement.

Stiff Peaks...

This is the season for baking. If you are whipping up a meringue pie or meringue cookies for the holidays, and are new to forming those stiff peaks from egg whites, here's a tip to know when the whites are stiff enough. Run a knife through the middle of the bowl when you think your egg whites are the right consistency. If they stay separated they're ready!

I find it easier and quicker to prepare meringue when my beaters and bowl are chilled in the refrigerator for an hour or so. Glass or metal bowls work best.

Separate eggs while they are cold, but beat the egg whites when they are at room temperature. This takes about 30 minutes but you will have better success.

Also, add the sugar slowly. Sugar needs to be added tablespoon by tablespoon at the soft peak stage. This is laborious, but don’t be tempted to add the whole lot at once. Undissolved sugar attracts moisture, which can ruin your meringue. Superfine sugar dissolves more quickly.

Happy Baking!

To Soften Jeans And Cotton Sheets...

Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt to the detergent when washing. Don't worry...salt in the laundry is a handy, non-toxic, inexpensive fix to several common problems. Salt won't bleach color, set stains or damage fabric, so it's a safe laundry additive.

If you're away from home, use salt as a laundry pre-treatment to tackle grease stains from foods such as salad dressing. Saturate the area with table salt and work into the fabric to absorb as much of the stain as possible. When you are able to wash, just launder as usual.

Launder your new towels in salt water. Add a cup of salt to the wash the first few times to set the color and keep your colors brighter longer.

Did you know that a dash of salt in laundry starch keeps the iron from sticking and gives linen and fine cottons a glossy, like new finish?

It's believed there are more than 14,000 uses for salt, and our grandmothers were probably familiar with most of them. Many salt uses are still valid today and can be much cheaper and more environmentally friendly than more sophisticated products. Give salt a try in your laundry room and find out how well it works somewhere other than on your table.

Freshen Your Feet...

Do your feet ache at the end of a long day? If your feet are bound in shoes or boots all day and you'd like to "freshen them up a bit" when you remove your footwear, here is a great recipe. It will leave your feet feeling fresh and tingly.

In a jar place:
1 small handful of fresh mint leaves (about 1/4 cup of any kind of mint you like)
1 cup Distilled Water
1 cup Vodka
1/2 tsp. Tea Tree Oil

Gently rinse the mint leaves under running water then roughly rip the leaves into big chunks and put in the bottom of a sterilized jar.

Bring the distilled water to a boil. Pour the hot water over the leaves in the jar. Seal the jar and set in a sunny spot for 24 hours (shake vigorously once in the morning and once at night).

After 24 hours strain the water and throw out the leaves, keeping just the infused water.

Add vodka and the 1/2 tsp of Tea Tree oil to the water. Shake well then pour into spray bottle. Spray feet as needed, shaking bottle before each use.

You could also substitute the fresh mint leaves with 1/2 tsp. of your favorite mint essential oil, just add it to the vodka, water and tea tree oil and shake spray bottle before each use.

Also try tossing in some fresh lemon peel with the mint when covering with boiling water.

Frugal Elegance...

Do you love slipping between scented sheets after a long, hard day, or opening your linen closet and having a lovely aroma waft out instead of that stale scent that often pervades the linen closet? Here are a few sprays you can make that will not only have your sheets smelling wonderful, but spray it onto your towels as well. You will love stepping out of the bath or shower and draping yourself in a beautifully scented towel. Frugal elegance.

This is also a great gift idea. Tuck your homemade scented spray into a basket with calming teas, a candle, perhaps a scented soap. A wonderful and thoughtful gift for pennies.

You can purchase the spray bottles in almost any pharmacy or market. Enjoy!

Homemade Linen Sprays
Pour 2 tablespoons 100 proof vodka (you can use isopropyl alcohol if you do not have vodka) into a 32-ounce spray bottle (do not reuse a bottle that has contained cleaning or hair products) then add the following:

Jasmine Bergamot Linen Spray
1 teaspoon jasmine oil and 1/2 teaspoon bergamot oil

Lavender Sandalwood Linen Spray
1 teaspoon lavender oil and 1/2 teaspoon sandalwood oil

Vanilla Ginger Linen Spray
1 teaspoon vanilla oil and 2 drops ginger oil

Top the vodka and oils with distilled water, cap and shake to mix. Spray linens as needed, shaking bottle lightly before each use.

*If you have a favorite scented oil, substitute the above oils and add 1 1/2 - 2 tsp of your favorite oil to the alcohol and water.

Also...Be careful not to allow the mist to fall onto your skin, furniture or into open beverages. Use lightly colored essential oils, otherwise your linen spray could stain your bed linens.

Decorating Windows This Holiday Season?

If you like the looks of frosty windows for the holiday season, this is a great way to have them anywhere without purchasing some of the harder to remove products on the market. (Not to mention this is more frugal) You can also create privacy if your window faces an area you'd be happier not viewing. Use stencils to create any design you'd like!

First, make sure your window is clean.
Dissolve 1/2 pound of Epsom Salts into 1 quart of water. Paint over the inside of the window. This will give it a frosted appearance. To clean, all you have to do is wipe off with window cleaner!

Here is another recipe:
4 tbsp. Epsom salt
1 cup beer (any brand)
Food coloring (optional for an "artsy" flair)

In a mixing bowl, dissolve Epsom Salt and Food Coloring (if desired) in beer. Let stand for 30 minutes to an hour.

Paint mixture on the inside of clean window with paint brush. Go back over window with a terry cloth rag in a stippling manner. Let dry for several hours.

Reapply mixture if necessary.

Use this process any time during the year on windows where you want privacy. To clean frost from window, spray window with window cleaner and wipe clean.

Just Say No To...

Sodium! Most of us consume to much sodium and it is best to limit it as much as we can. This is a great substitute you can use when you need that extra flavor.

Homemade Salt Substitute
5 teaspoons onion powder
1 tablespoon each of garlic powder, paprika, dry mustard
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2teaspoon celery seed

Combine and store in a clean, empty spice jar in a cool, dry place.

Another recipe is:
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon each dried parsley flakes, basil, marjoram and thyme
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2teaspoon ground mace
1/2teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine and store in a clean, empty spice jar in a cool dry place.
Yield: 1/4 cup

What's Scenting The Cottage Today?

Reduced Fat Pumpkin Bread! This recipe calls for vegetable oil but I replaced it with unsweetened applesauce to make it even more low fat. My only comment on using the applesauce instead of oil would be that it makes the bread a little chewier.


Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground allspice (see my archives on how to make your own)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/3 cups brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup fat free milk
1 1/3 cup vegetable oil (I replaced the oil with unsweetened applesauce)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs or egg substitute
1 15 oz. can pumpkin
1/2 cup chopped nuts ( I use pecans)

cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift dry ingredients together. Mix in the rest of ingredients and mix well.

Coat 2 (8x4 inch) loaf pans with the cooking spray and spoon in batter. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool loaves in pans for 10 minutes on rack and then remove from pans.

Note: Use this recipe to bake muffins too. They freeze well and you just pull them out as needed and microwave for 30 seconds. Great for weekday breakfasts on the run!

Is Your...

Baking powder still fresh? The best results in baking come from fresh, quality ingredients. Baking powder tends to be one of the ingredients I use a lot of, but it still seems to take quite awhile before I use it all up. To test it's freshness, put a small amount in some hot water. If it bubbles it's still fresh. If it doesn't then it's time to purchase a new can.

If you prefer to make your own baking powder here is a recipe. The best thing about homemade baking powder is that you can make it aluminum free (plus it's great having fresh homemade items at the ready).

Homemade baking powder is not double acting like most of what you buy in the markets today, so it’s important to bake the item right away. Double acting baking powder from the market has additional chemicals in it so that you don’t have to bake your items right away. It reacts when it hits water and when it hits heat. With double acting, you can mix up your batter and wait until later to bake it. You cannot do this with single action baking powder, it starts reacting as soon as it hits moisture. There are no added chemicals to react again when it hits heat, so you have to bake your goods while it’s still reacting to the moisture.

Homemade Baking Powder
1 teaspoon baking soda (use aluminum free )
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon corn starch *optional

Mix all ingredients in a small jar. This recipe makes 1 tablespoon of baking powder.

If you are using right away, there is no need to add the corn starch, but do add it if you are planning on storing baking powder for future use. This will absorb any moisture from the air, and prevent the baking powder from reacting before you need it. Store in an air-tight container.

FYI: Most commercially produced baking powder contains aluminum sodium / aluminum sulfate. Make your own baking powder, and keep your baked goods aluminum free.

Depression Era Coca Cola Cake...

Being a genealogist, researcher and old book lover, I sometimes stumble upon vintage recipes when least expected. Being a recipe collector you can imagine my excitement as I unfold an old yellowed piece of paper, handwritten and batter splattered. I can always tell when it will be a good recipe, I can just feel the love oozing from it. Here is a recipe I came across for Depression Era Coca Cola Cake. I was surprised by all of the ingredients in it but I can't wait to give it a try! Have you ever had this cake? Do you love it?

Ingredients:
2 cups self-rising flour
2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup Coca-Cola
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon cocoa
6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
1 box confectioner's sugar, (1 pound)
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan and set aside.
In a large bowl combine flour and sugar. In a saucepan combine the cocoa, Coca-Cola, butter, and marshmallows; bring to a boil. Combine the boiled mixture with the flour and sugar mixture.

In a separate bowl mix eggs, buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla; add to the first mixture. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes, until cake tests done.

Frosting: In a saucepan, bring butter, cocoa, and Coca-Cola to a boil. Stir in the sugar and mix well. Stir in nuts. Spread over the cake while both cake and frosting are still warm.
Recipe states it will serve 16....we'll see about that! ;)

Make Your Own...

Fruity Lip Gloss! It may sound odd but solid shortening is fabulous on chapped dry skin. If you ski or just live in an area with wind and cold you may find this homemade lip gloss helpful. You can use plain shortening on your lips but why not color it to your favorite shade? This is also great to use on your children's lips before they go out to play in the snow or wind.

2 Tbsp. solid shortening
1 Tbsp. fruit-flavored powdered drink mix (kool-aid etc)
35 mm film container or other small container

Mix shortening and drink mix together in a microwave safe bowl until smooth.
Place in microwave on high for 30 seconds until mix becomes liquid.
Pour into a clean, small airtight container.

Place mix into fridge for 20-30 minutes or until firm.