Cats Tip of the Day!..."Storing Tomatoes"

 Hey everyone...hope your Monday is off to a great start. Recently I was watching one of my favorite cooking shows "the Kitchen," & they we're talking about preserving the life of a tomato. Needless to say, that caught my attention. I think I've tried every method known to man except this...storing tomatoes stem side down on plate in a cool, dry area on counter. Y'all may already be doing this but I have not. I get so disgusted when produce ripens before I need it too. Produce is so expensive & thought of wasting money makes me ill these days. Yes, if it does happen....no worries...just roast them & make spaghetti sauce or salsa :-) Anyway, going to definitely try this myself & I hope this tip helps you as well. Have a great...safe week!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Tip of the Day! Removing cat hair off your quilt!

 Hey everyone...hope all is well. I had to share this post cause if you have a cat like me, you know the dreadful task of removing cat hair off your blanket or quilt. I seriously have tried all the tricks and still would have hair on the quilt. I have a blue maltase and her hair shows up like a beacon. Recently I used a wet paper towel and just wiped it over her hair on the quilt. I was so amazed of how it all came up! Seriously so much easier & better even with the vacuum attachment. Plus, I didn't need to drag out the vacuum every day! The pic below shows the actual hair that came up. You may already know this trick but if you don't, please try it! I'm thankful my cat usually lays in the same spot as most cats do but now, I'm a little less stressed when cleaning up after her! :-) My cat is named after my sweet late grandmother Lottie so how could I ever get mad :-) Hope this tip helps!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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"A Grandchild is the Secret Ingredient in any recipe"

 Hey everyone...hope y'all are having a great weekend. I've recently been working on a cookbook for my grandson & I asked him what his favorite recipes and times are together with Gege in the kitchen. I was actually thrilled with his reaction of why & what are you up to Gege. Well,,,it didn't take him long to figure it out and his exact words were..."you mean I'll have your recipes written down and I can make them too". Be still my heart.... I knew this gift would be meaningful but didn't realize the impact especially at his age being only eleven. It just made me think of how much of an impact those special memories cooking together are so special. So, I really encourage you to follow along with me creating a special cookbook or notebook for your special someone. Oh, and before I forget...let me share his sweet answers were.....pancakes, cinnamon toast, omelets, mashed potatoes, ham, deviled eggs, cookies oh and spaghetti. Be still my heart. I'm sure he'll come up with some other recipes by the time this cookbook project is over. My intentions we're for this to be a surprise but now kind of glad that he will be part of this project with me. After all, he is the secret ingredient in everything we make to make our recipes together perfect!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to yours,

Cat

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"A Cookbook full of Memories"

 Hey everyone...hope y'all are doing great. I'm slowly getting things going again...baby steps as they say. I've had to learn to do things in moderation these days and if you've read an earlier post I'm putting my "kitchen timer" to good use! Yes...I set the time for me...sounds weird but works. When you're used to doing things full force and now with time limits it makes you get a little creative. I can't sit or stand for a lengthy time so I ser the timer to keep me in check. Again, baby steps! Well, I've been talking a lot lately about leaving a legacy due to my recent dads passing. I'm doing a cookbook for my grandson 'cause one of our special memories together is cooking together or him telling me what he'd like to eat. I'll be going soon for my dad's funeral and he had already put in his "food request." I said well you're definitely going to learn some cooking skills 'cause "Gege" is a little slow at the junction these days! His reply was "cool." So there ya go...love that young man! So the first thing that I do is find a stable notebook binder...the kind the kiddos use in school is perfect. That way they can add in recipes along the way & use the notebook forever.. Plus each time he drags it our for a recipe he'll remember our fun times together in the kitchen. You can "freehand" your recipes which I think is so cool when you come across an old recipe and you see their handwriting. It's like getting a "warm hug." Oh my gosh this is making me cry and I'm still here...obviously! :-) What my grandson doesn't realize is he doesn't know about this gift but I'm going to ask him to draw a pic of me and him cooking together and that will be the artwork inside the cookbook. He's a great artist already so I can't wait to see what he comes up with. Also, we love making pancakes together so I already have a plan to "sneak" some healthy choices in the batter this go around. He's all about healthy choices these days to do all his sport activities so this will be a "win-win." Another thing that I do when creating a cookbook is to feature special pics along with the recipe. You can photoshop off your computer or get creative and make this into a "scrapbook" project. I'll be doing a little of both 'cause scrapbook pieces area bit pricey unless you catch items on sale. So I hope you join in on this journey with me and create a special cookbook for your loved one or make one into a special gift for a wedding or birthday or just because. Either way you choose...just remember to have fun & as I always say "less-stress-cooking" :-) Practice those recipes that are special and write them down as you are preparing them...holly cow do I need to "revisit" mine...I get in the habit of just cooking and not even think about how much I put in of a certain ingredient until my daughter asks...oops! Needless to say this will definitely be an interesting journey!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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"A Recipe...So simple but leaves your legacy"

 Hey everyone....hope all is going well. I'm slowly getting back on track...been a rough start this year with the passing of my dear dad and recently tearing the tendons in my hand. But with my downtown it really made me realize how special life is and not to take a day for granted. I for one get excited when I come across an old recipe from a loved one. I know when speaking with friends and family we all agree that the kitchen is the heart of the home. As a designer....I always wanted the kitchen to be the most memorable time with their family. It's where we gather for holiday's...swap stories of what happened throughout your day or watch your kiddo do homework while you're cooking your family's dinner. I love to create special moments with my grandsons when we are together in the kitchen. Creating new recipes or making our traditional ones during the Holiday's are memories that will never be forgotten. So I recently decided to make a special "Recipe Notebook" they can  reflect on those special times together that will include pictures and recipes to use later in life. I have one grandson who is almost 11 and a step-grandson 9. Both are amazing young boys and I hope and pray they marry someone that will love to continue those special moments in the kitchen. A recipe seems so simple but a special legacy to leave for your loved ones. So in the next several weeks I'll be sharing of how I put together this simple task of creating a "Recipe Notebook." I made one for my daughter as a wedding gift and 15 years later we still reflect back to the "Recipe Notebook." I call it a notebook due to leaving blank pages so you can add recipes and notes as needed. I know my special memories of my dad teaching me the correct way to "flip" an omelet and him sharing his famous "cheese ball" for the Holiday's will never be forgotten. So follow along...and lets create a special legacy together!

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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No internet for 30 days...#isurvived

 Hey everyone...hope all is well. The pic below says it all.... I've been without internet for 30 days and hate to admit how dependent I've become on technology. It's a good thing I was brought up without all the fancy stuff, so I know how to adapt. Not happy but did make do as I like to say. If you'd like to read how funny life has been you can pop over to my quilting blog for today's post. I hope to get some of my healthy recipes posted soon...I've been "stress cooking" but in a good way for once. I have learned not to take things for granted cause life can sure change in a moment's notice. Stay safe and check back soon for some healthy recipes to keep us on track for the new year. 

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Happy 2022 from Me to You!

 Hey everyone...hope your New Year is off to a great start. I unfortunately lost my sweet dad early this morning. His goal was to make it into the New Year & that's exactly what he did. Being a Military Man, he was always a goal getter and making sure everything was done exactly as it should. Although this week he told me not to stress over things you cannot change. I feel that's the best advice for me or anyone. Life is definitely too short & we need to make the most of any situation. The quote below says it perfectly..."don't be afraid to take whisks." Although that's related to cooking and baking, I do feel it's appropriate for a New Year's Resolution. Try something new this year...in the kitchen or just something that brings you Joy. I'm going to try and live by his advice & even venture out to some new things in my personal life as well. I know definitely I'll be "taking whisks" in my kitchen this year. So, I hope 2022 fills you with Joy & Happiness. Talk Soon! 

Blessed Cooking from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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