A month ago, I shared with you a few suggestions for stocking up the pantry to easily provide for your family and company without having to go to the store at the last minute. These tips are also great for those times when inclement weather or lack of transportation interferes with your daily schedule.
But what about those non-food needs? A well-stocked cabinet not only covers emergency moments, but can also provide some fun family time. Pretend you’re going camping: turn off the lights, the TV, the computers and see what you can do without electronics.
Batteries for flashlights and portable radios are essential. If you don’t have a gas stove, you may want to invest in a small outdoor grill. But if the weather’s too cold, there are alternatives for indoor cooking. A fireplace can be a great gathering place for roasting S’mores (with adult supervision, of course!).
Water and personal care products are essential. One of my favorite fun moments is stocking up at the local store in the Travel-Size section. One small plastic box holds all the shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and toothpaste a person needs for two weeks. Don’t forget body wash and deodorant! Face and body wipes are also great.
Aside from the necessary items, how do you pass the time when there’s no electricity? Cards and board games are great!
Family Fun Time
Are your kids creative? When I was a child, our favorite Christmas gift that we could count on each year was our Creation Boxes. Mom and Dad would get a cardboard file box for each of us kids, and fill them to the brim with blank paper, construction paper, notebooks, paper, pens, colored pencils, crayons, glue, scissors… pretty much the ultimate scrapbook kit before there were such things. We built our own kingdoms, created our own games, and wrote our own stories.
I’ve created another PDF Checklist to start you on your way to a well-stocked emergency kit. Not to mention, some unplugged family fun!
Did I forget anything? What are your favorite items to add to the list?
Have you ever heard of House Party? It’s a social network website where companies choose applicants to showcase their product. Typically, if chosen to participate, you agree to invite at least 12 people to your shindig and promote the whazoo out of it before, during and after. Tweet, post, link, like, comment and share. Post videos. Tweet photos. Pin party ideas. Whichever product you’re chosen for, you also agree to host your party on a specific day. That’s right. It’s like a national block party with 1,000 gatherings taking place at the same time. How fun is that, right?
At least it sounds like fun. I’ve yet to be chosen to host a House Party. But I have been chosen to participate with their smaller program, Chatterbox: the selected participants need only enjoy the product then do some social sharing. No party participation required. As you can guess by this post title, I was recently chosen to be a Chatterbox for McCormick’s Grill Mates. Six products, a sampling of recipes, and some helpful hints on how to share.
Last week, this assortment was delivered to my doorstep:
My #GrillMatesPack from McCormick
Which means this week, I spent a couple evenings in the kitchen coming up with some delicious ways to spice up dinner at Bedford Manor.
As you may know, Dot started work last week. Coupled with her college schedule, and our meal schedule is more hit-or-miss than it used to be. The #GrillMatesPack couldn’t have come at a better time. I made it my goal to cook food that would nourish us while we spent our Quality Family Time at the table. I also wanted leftovers that would give us a hearty lunch the next day.
The first recipe was simple and delicious.
Caribbean Jerk Chicken
I sprinkled the Perfect Pinch Caribbean Jerk seasonings over chicken strips before cooking.
Caribbean Jerk Chicken Strips
Just look at those abundant seasonings! Served atop a green salad with a side of Thousand Island dressing, and this meal needed nothing more.
The next day I enjoyed a light chicken salad for lunch. The only problem? No more leftovers. It was that good.
The second recipe was just as flavorful.
Worcestershire Pub Burger and Smoky Montreal Steak Sauce
I added McCormick’s Worcestershire Pub Burger seasonings to the ground beef before shaping into burgers. I then dashed each side with more of the same then cooked the four patties on my indoor grill.
Worcestershire Pub Burgers
You know how spices tend to dissipate a bit after the jar is opened? Yeah. That didn’t happen here. As soon as the burgers met the grill, my kitchen filled with the salivating aroma of Worcestershire sauce and grilling meat. I would have been happy to smell it all night long. But ~ bonus! ~ when the cooking was done, we actually got to eat these amazing treats!
I’ve never been one to enjoy a steak sauce. I often find the tangy or bitter flavors overwhelm the taste of the burger. No so with the Smoky Montreal Steak Sauce. It was a delightful compliment to the burger adding, as its name suggests, a smokiness that completed the experience. But did these burgers need it? Heck, no.
Both dinners were so hearty, so delicious. In just a few minutes each night I was able to have dinner on the table when Dot walked in the door. Even Berry joined us for some Quality Family Time… although the food was too good to give her a nibble.
Sorry, Berry Sunshine. Maybe next time. But then, again…
Looking for Licks
This weekend, I’m planning to mix up a meatloaf with the Backyard Brick Oven spices. The aroma from this jar definitely leans toward a hearty Italian pizzeria flavor. I’ll toss in a bit of onion and red peppers, a few diced tomatoes, then top with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and we’ll have a meaty pizza in a pan instead of on a crust.
I’ll try to get a photo for you. Unless Berry beats me to it.
When we moved into Bedford Manor nearly four years ago, Dot’s bath was in pretty good shape. The only improvements we made at the time were to remove the left behind decor, paint the walls, and set up a Sandy Beach/Polka Dot theme that flowed well into Dot’s bedroom.
Polka Dot Beach
Dot’s Beach Bath
What we didn’t take care of was the tub itself. These blue flower stickees worked great to prevent slips and falls, and so it wasn’t really high on my To-Do List to remove them.
Blue Bath Flower Stickees
Plus, I’d tried a few times and nothing seemed to work. I’d looked online for solutions and all of them called for strong anti-adhesives that were too chemical in composition. After the second try, we couldn’t enter the bathroom for 24 hours, the odor was so strong. And as life at Bedford Manor continued, the To-Do List was readjusted to fit the immediate needs and availability of both product and money.
But lately it had become apparent that they were wearing out. It was time for a Bath Tub Makeover. In desperation, I asked Obadiah (my coworker) if he had any ideas. Indeed he did. A can of WD-40 and a straight razor. Really? I pondered suspiciously. Could it really be that simple? He assured me it was. Spray. Wait. Scrape. Yes, he insisted. So we bought the necessary ingredients.
WD-40 and a Straight Razor
Of course, when it rains it pours and recently Dot’s water knob cracked. This morning she reminded me that I had already bought the replacement, and she couldn’t wait any longer.
Broken Knob
So I figured, What the heck. Let’s make tonight a Home Improvement Night.
Since the WD-40 would need to sit for a few minutes, I sprayed the tub first. I made sure that each flower was fully coated, then went over them again for good measure. I was surprised that a little went a long way. As it began to work its magic, I worked on the knob.
A quick unscrewing of the old and the new one was soon in its place. Dot’s choice of a clear knob instead of dark really brightened up the tile around it.
Bath Tub Knob
Then it was time to scrape the tub. Scrape is really the wrong word. It was more like nudging, lifting. The razor slipped easily under stickees and separated them from the tub.
Scraping the Stickees
In just about ten minutes, I had the entire tub scraped. But there was still residue.
Blue Stickee Residue
I was worried that the tub would be permanently shadowed with these outlines. My worries were conquered. Another quick spray of the WD-40 and another passing of the razor over the area, and the tub was residue free. A quick rinse with a mixture of hot water, vinegar and dish soap eliminated the final oils and dirt.
Look at that tub shine!
Of course, I can’t have Dot slipping and falling now that the stickees are gone. Good thing we bought a bath mat!
Bath Mat
And now with a new knob and a nice mat, Dot’s tub has been made over.
Bath Tub Makeover
I can’t believe it’s the same tub! Less than $35 from start to finish. Doesn’t this look relaxing?
Bath Tub Retreat
And Dot? She loves it. In fact, she’s already in there washing her hair. I wish she’d hurry up… This Girl needs a bath. After all, it’s not easy being the Queen and Handyman of my own castle. Then, again… maybe it is.
It’s only September, but chatter has it that winter will be wearing out its welcome with voracity this year. I’ve talked with many gardeners over the past few months who tell me their baskets are less than bushels-ful. The Farmer’s Almanac has the country abuzz with their predictions of an earlier, colder, and longer winter.
Creeping Clouds
Now’s the time to start stocking up on those food items that can get you through any storm. They’re handy when there’s unexpected company. They’re reliable when you can’t get to the store. And most of the items are inexpensive, which allows you to save up now for those Big Feasts later.
Meal planning isn’t just about buying foods you need for a meal. It’s also about creatively using the foods you already have. I’m a big fan of mix-n-match foods that don’t cost a lot. Plus ~ Bonus! ~ most of these staples are multi-functional:
Malt-o-Meal and Instant Oatmeals go well in travel tumblers for a warm, on-the-go Breakfast. Mix with a spoon of syrup for more flavor
Puddings and gelatins offer a delightfully light texture for a snack or dessert
Cream soups are warm and hearty on their own yet also blend well with rice or over meats
Dried beans, once prepared, can be served in soups or with meats.
A can of drained vegetables tossed with pasta adds color and taste to your main dish
Diced canned tomatoes can be a side dish, added to a casserole, or served on toast
Breakfast Bruschetta
It’s also important to stock your freezer with foods you can easily prepare. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a must-have at Bedford Manor. They can be quickly grilled, fried, baked, slow-cooked. Added to soups. Cut into strips. Placed on rice and pasta. Mixed into your Mac ‘n Cheese. The very versatile chicken breast is definitely worth the cost.
Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese
A few pieces of meat in the slow-cooker topped with a bottle of BBQ sauce, served alongside a helping of vegetables makes a great meal. Leftovers? No problem. Toss the meat into a serving of pasta. Or mix the vegetables into a soup.
A strategically stocked pantry and freezer can help you out of many food worries: When you need a quick fix for company. When your kids and spouse are having a snow day. When the car breaks down and you don’t want to spend any more money for a week. And when you want to save your bucks for the bigger Holiday menus.
Feel free to download my PDF Checklist before your next shopping trip. Really. I made it with you in mind. This list is by no means exhaustive, and can easily be changed to suit your household’s dietary needs and taste buds. You’ll also want to include items you typically keep in your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets: milk, butter, eggs, sugar, flour.
Are there other items that are staples in your pantry and freezer? How do you mix up your quick-fix meals?
In my job as an insurance agent, I talk to a lot of clients about their homes and yards. As you know, I’m always on the lookout for how to beautify my desert dirt lot. I have great tips on how (and what) to garden. I love hearing and seeing the different creatures Mother Nature nurtures.
Lately I’ve seen more butterflies. Who can forget this beautiful Hummingbird Moth I discovered at Lowe’s?
Hummingbird Moth
Or cute, tiny Fred?
A Lizard in the Hand
Two days ago I drove over to Mom’s for our morning coffee together. There was a rock in the driveway so I avoided it and any potential damage it might cause to my tires. As I exited Ursula (as I’ve affectionately named my car), Mom called me over with a twinge of excitement. “I want to show you something.”
She was watering her flowers and I thought perhaps a new butterfly or petals. Instead, she pointed to the rock and it was then I discovered it was no rock at all, but a stunning green and yellow Scarab beetle!
Scarab Beetle
Scarab in the Shade
Over an inch in length and content to be my model for the next five minutes, it reflected the peeking sun and dulled with the clouds. It’s a sight we’ve not seen in the desert. As I do with all things, I quickly named it. “Lucky”. For he (she? it?) is a wondrous shade of green highlighted with yellow undertones. It was impossible for me to not fall in love with this unique and magnificent creature.
The Scarab is an ancient Egyptian symbol of luck and wealth. It’s not lost on me that this Scarab should also be the color of money. And emeralds. And jade. All of which are considered lucky. All of which, coincidentally, are some of my favorite things in life.
Going beyond myth and legend, I have always been attracted to shades of green. I find them refreshing, soothing, invigorating, and energizing. My Narnia-inspired media room (or, Spar Oom, as it’s also known) is painted a peaceful Mountain Sage color.
The photos above don’t do it justice.
Shiny Scarab (the best photo!)
Look at the intricate detail of his glorious hard wings, large eyes, and all those legs and tendrils! Had I not needed my coffee and then to scoot off to work, I would have stayed for hours watching him. Just watching him as he watched me.
He must have known I had other things to soon steal my attentions, for he began to wander away. But not before I captured a short video of his journey.
Here’s the original video I captured:
But he must really be lucky. Because I decided to try my hand at video editing and after just a few hours, have something Lucky would be proud of. It’s rough, I’ll admit. I’m not a professional. And I don’t fully know what I’m doing yet. But I’m getting there. And Lucky? Well, he’s getting there, too… wherever “there” is for a green and yellow Scarab beetle.
