teagal

I just bought some cake bands that you wet and place around your pans, they hook together with Velcro and are supposed to make cakes bake more evenly and flat. Haven't used them yet, but was told about them at a Taste of Home cooking demo by the chef.

I gave those silicone covers as Christmas presents this year. Naturally I had to get one for myself. I love how they come in so many colors and styles.

Do you treat your dining room table as a decoration? Some homes I'm in nowadays treat the dining room table as a decoration- with placemats, centerpieces, sometimes even silverware on it all the time. Then when its time to eat, all of this is removed, even the placemats, and everyone eats around a bare table. I always thought it was the other way around, and a cleared table was the norm. What do you do? Myself, I think its odd.

Great thread topic.

Thanks Glorified Rice for your detailed instructions. Made them for dinner tonite and I am a believer. My husband not so much! The texture is great, and as a noodle lover I was quite happy. Definitely messy, but worth it.

pickled okra and dry red wine!

Years ago, on some thread on egullet, I remember reading about someone making all the ingredients for a banana pudding from scratch-homemade vanilla wafers, pastry cream for the pudding,etc. and realizing it didn't make a bit of difference, the regular store bought vanilla wafers and pudding made it a better dish!

For a long time we had to go to CiCi's a LOT with my mother. Both my husband and I to this day comment how thankful we are we never have to go there again!

Do you have a feed store in the town you are? Or a health food store? Not only do these places usually have bulletin boards, but would probably know the people you need to talk to. Also agree about the extension office.

Tostitos has a new Cantina style tortilla chip and they are great!!

Do you like breakfast foods for dinner? Someone already mentioned eggs, but an omelet, french toast and pancakes are all easy to make a single portion. I usually make pasta or couscous for myself if eating alone. The addins can be whatever is handy.

Oh man, I threw away so much bacon fat this morning!! What a good idea for the pb cookies. Guess I know what I'll be cooking for next Sunday's breakfast...more bacon!

I really like the Amy's brand. Tried a Lean Pocket the other day and was really dissapointed. They have a bunch of relatively new flavors and they sounded good. The rice and bean Smart Ones are pretty good. Once every few weeks I'll have something frozen for lunch when I forget to bring lunch to work and it makes me remember to bring it for a couple weeks! It is handy to have a Bertolli's or some other meal for 2 in the freezer for a quick dinner when the husband has to have a meal with meat in it!

Looks good. So far I've only made some rum balls. Went to a cookie walk yesterday with the intention that buying one or two of each of my favorite types would satisfy my cravings, save me a lot of work making batches of cookies, and save me tons of calories too, but I think it backfired! Now I'm hungry for more! Thinking of doing some shortbread, pralines and world peace cookies.

Ditto the rice pudding, guess growing up eating rice all the time as a side dish makes me shudder to try and eat it as a milky sweet thing. Canned spinach also.

My MIL just gave me a ball of pie crust that can go in the freezer. A recipe makes 18 of them, and all I know is it uses a bag of flour and a jar of Crisco, and a few other things. Tried one the other day and it was so easy to roll out and very flaky. Guess you could google it if the other crusts don't work out. Good luck!

I agree with the others when they say just start and make it a tradition. I grew up having Christmas brunch, so as I started hosting Christmas with mostly my husband's family, I did brunch also to keep something from my family. A number of years I made dishes to reflect my ethnicity too-baklava to remind me of my father and brie for my mother. Years later I wanted to be more creative and don't incorporate them anymore. So, as with life, traditions can evolve and change. I so agree with the post to do one large bash each year and pretty soon you'll be known for that. I do a pumpkin carving party with lots of homemade soup and fall desserts and have it down to a science. Over the years you realize what works and what doesn't. I'm always surprised at the people who look forward to it every year.

The garden we helped with at a friends home had 1 row of great corn, just because it was reaching the water that they had hooked up to a sprinkler. The rest didn't do much at all. Saw different fields,(fields, not gardens) in different areas around here a couple weeks ago that were definitely ruined...so sad to see that much gone. Feel so sorry for the farmers.

I am not a big Taco Bell fan-its great for a change of pace from a burger place, but that's about it. However, I've been intrigued seeing the commercials for the Cantina Bowls and am happy to hear they are good. Now I'll have to give it a try.

Peanut Butter and Co.'s 'White Chocolate Wonderful'. I almost cry when I run out and have to use regular pb. I've even given it as presents so people will find out how wonderful it is!

Glad also your blog is longer. Enjoying it. I was so excited to get the Milkbar cookbook and enjoyed it as a read, but the few things I've made I probably won't make again. Nothing has wowed me and I really was expecting it to. Used the Liquid Cheesecake in a trifle for Mother's day and everyone loved it, but they aren't used to 'from scratch' baking. To me it was a little salty.

59. When grinding your own beef for burgers, grind in some bacon. I am so trying this tip this weekend!

Very interesting!

Went to Applebee's yesterday and as soon as we sat down our server asked us why we chose to eat there. We didn't know what to say, too stunned by the question. Not a good question to ask your customer!

I watched it this past Friday and I liked it. The recipes were ones I'd make or like to try. I was wondering about Daphne Oz, hadn't a clue who she was, and thought she was the least vocal. The others exuded a confidence I don't think she has yet. Liked the joking and upbeatness of the hosts, they seemed to be having a good time. Always loved Clinton Kelly and was surprised he can cook.