Homemaking--Sort Of

Did you think I was an "expert" on homemaking? Nahhhh. I don't think so. But, you can look and see for yourself. Thanks for visiting!

Devilishly Delicious Eggs

February 24, 2010

What did an egg ever do to deserve “purgatory?” It never even had the chance to hatch into a chicken to fowl foul the barnyard! I saw a recipe called “Eggs in Purgatory” and had to investigate. I’m sure there is some kind of metaphor in the name, but I didn’t pay [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Unless You Dwell In A Cave, There Are Things You Should Know

February 10, 2010

Reflex action caused me to answer that ringing land line, although I expected it to be a solicitor. It’s a good thing I did, because there was an emergency down the street. A plumbing emergency — and if you’ve ever had one of your own you know how dire it can be!
“Shelly!” my [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Just Call Me “Scissorhands”

July 14, 2009

Or you can just call me “Eddie.”
OK. I realize that these aren’t “scissors,” they are hedge trimmers. But, I feel as if I’ve been pruning a yard the size of a football field with a pair of scissors for years. Our old hedge trimmer was a piece of junk. It couldn’t [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Mahalo for Sweet Hawaiian Mini Burgers

June 10, 2009

It should have been simple, I mean I picked the least demanding of the five recipes offered to me to cook for the Texas Beef Council as part of their Grilling Experience. Y’all know I like easy, but most of the recipes sounded a bit frou frou for this Texas gal. However, they [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Holy Cow-I Love It! Only The Good Friday.

April 24, 2009

As I’ve been attempting to “go green,” my biggest difficulty has been giving up my cleaning products. I have assembled an arsenal of chemicals for cleaning over the years that would rival the shoe collection of Imelda Marcos. All of those bottles lining my shelf are filled with toxic chemicals that are harmful [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Doubled Mint

April 21, 2009

My Mamaw had a lush bed of spearmint planted outside of her kitchen door. If company were coming to visit, she grabbed her broom and went outside to “beat” the mint. Bruising the plants caused their scent to fill the air, and it drifted into the open windows to make the entire house [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Strap It On

April 20, 2009

A trip to the Dallas International Guitar Festival was in order this weekend. The first thing that caught my eye were the colorful vintage guitar straps. Who could resist being drawn to examine beautiful patterns like the one above (offered by a Chicago company called “Souldier”?
Not me! I was fascinated [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Being Good To The Earth. Only The Good Friday.

April 17, 2009

Was it thirty eight years ago already? Yes, it was! In fact, this year makes thirty-nine. On April 22, 1970, the modern environmental movement was born as the very first “Earth Day” was celebrated. The goal was a healthy and sustainable environment; and approximately 20 million Americans became involved. [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

A Darned Good Feed Store. Only the Good Friday.

April 10, 2009

It’s really Good Friday, and not just because I say so! Easter weekend is here at last. For gardeners in Texas, that means we can finally feel comfortable about putting out our plants. Usually, there isn’t another freeze. Getting to plant means that I get to take a trip to my local [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Resurrected Rye

April 9, 2009

My name is Shelly, and I am a grateful, recovering Culinary Snob. The squirrel isn’t too happy about my recovery, though. That’s because it means that he isn’t going to get that hunk of rye bread that got “burned” in the freezer!
“Culinary snob … what in thunder?” you ask.
Well, ordinarily I [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

My Neck Of The Woods. Weston Gardens in Fort Worth, Texas

March 28, 2009

For those who love flowers, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex has delightful gardens. The Fort Worth Botanical Garden claims to be the oldest in Texas. Dallas boasts the Dallas Arboretum. Both are a delight to the senses, and both can be found in guidebooks.

There’s a little known jewel in Fort Worth … well, [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Getting Down And Dirty

March 26, 2009

I told my husband, “Whooee, baby! Let’s get down and dirty!”
He didn’t know I meant, “Let’s work in the garden.” His enthusiasm waned considerably when I handed him a rake. But, Mr. Tucker is a trooper, and he helped me clear out my flower beds.
I’m glad I had [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Jumping The Gun

February 28, 2009

I don’t know what the weather is doing in all y’allses neck of the woods, but here in Texas it’s schizophrenic! One morning, I’m wrapped up in long johns and sweaters — by that afternoon I’ve stripped down to shorts and a “wife beater” shirt.
It’s probably not politically correct to call those sleeveless shirts [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Give What You Grow. Only The Good Friday

February 20, 2009

I enjoy fresh vegetables from the garden, don’t you? Bell peppers are my favorite things to grow, but I have to admit that the smell of a ripe, red tomato fresh from the vine is almost as wonderful as the smell of bacon frying in the pan.
Those washed out tomatoes you can [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Taken To The Cleaners

February 18, 2009

The motion has been made and seconded: I have to give up sweating and dribbling.
This was put to a vote in The House after a trip to the dry cleaners. It wasn’t a trillion dollar bailout — but it felt like it! I took my favorite sweater (bought on a [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Loving Mushrooms, Despite The Origin

February 12, 2009

“Ewww!” my friend moaned, as she wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Those are a fungus! I’m not going to eat them. Lips that touch mushrooms will never touch mine! ”
“Good thing I wasn’t going to kiss you,” I answered as I continued to munch my mushrooms. “If you won’t eat them, [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Stuff It

January 29, 2009

When my Daddy cooked, you never quite knew what you were going to get at the end of his labors. I am my father’s daughter in that regard. Recipes are not to be followed, they are merely suggestions.
My Daddy was the one who cooked the “dressing,” or “stuffing,” at our house. When [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

The Easy Way To Line Kitchen Cabinets

January 5, 2009

A friend of mine bemoaned the fact that she was going to spend her weekend changing the liners in her kitchen cabinets and drawers. I just smiled. I can remember the days when I used to have to re-line the cabinets every six months or so. What an exasperating chore it was!
I [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Seven Meals From One Bird

January 5, 2009

This chicken did not die in vain.

Its delightful carcass will sustain Mr. Tucker and I through seven meals. “The heck,” you say. It’s true!
There are two tricks to stretching this into many meals:

Don’t put it all on the table, or you will just keep eating! Divide the meat immediately. And, [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

Organizing The Christmas Clutter

January 1, 2009

I haven’t been posting on this topic much lately, but that doesn’t mean that we haven’t been busy trying to get our lives simplified. Work, family, and health issues got in the way of blogging. Don’t they always? That’s real life for you.
As I start the new year fresh, I hope to [...]

Did that whet your appetite for more? →

← Previous Entries

The Authenticity Pledge