Recently a friend and I were talking about how we really can’t survive anymore in a world of all these germs. Mostly because it is pointed out to us every day how unclean our surroundings are and everyone I know uses hand sanitizer like it will save the world. That brought us to list some of the things we really have to watch out for now. I don’t know how we lived this long without knowing this. There’s the all-important bottom of the woman’s purse. It sets everywhere, on the floor, then to the table or chair where it spreads…
Author: Melanie Behrens
Holiday baking continues. Turtle fudge 1 14-oz. bag Kraft caramels (about 50) 2 TBS milk 1-1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips 1-1/2 C milk chocolate chips 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk pinch of salt 1-1/2 C roughly chopped pecans 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper with ends of parchment paper extending over sides of the pan. Spray parchment paper lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. Microwave caramels and milk in a microwavable bowl on high for two minutes or until caramel is completely melted, stirring every 30 seconds until well blended. In a heavy…
While tipping is a way of life in the United States, in Europe, there is none. The price of a meal is the price. They love it when Americans come in to dine because they feel they should tip. Europeans are having none of it. They hold their ground with no tipping. I believe I can start to understand them. I think I’m a good tipper – always 20 percent as long as everything goes well. With all this said, here’s my story about the tip. I was planning to have a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant with three…
Holiday baking time has begun! No-bake holly cookies 1/3 C butter or margarine 30 large marshmallows 1 tsp. green food coloring (about 30-40 drops) 3 C corn flakes 2 TBS small red cinnamon candies Measure out 3 cups of corn flakes. Set aside. Set a large saucepan on the stove top and place butter and marshmallows in it. Turn heat on low. Cook butter and marshmallows together, stirring continually, until melted and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in food coloring. Or place butter and marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high at 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until…
Our world is full of innovations, not only in technology, but also in all areas. A product arrives on the market, it’s very expensive and we buy it because we think we need the latest thing. Then two years later, the product is reduced to half the size to make it more useful and half the price, but performs the same function. Oh if we had just waited a little, wow, we could have saved money! So because of innovation, there are things you just have no use for anymore and as a result, some old jobs have been eliminated.…
The day after Thanksgiving we often ask, what can we do with these leftovers that might be a little different? Here are some suggestions. Turkey casserole 1/2 lb. turkey, shredded or torn into pieces 1 tsp. salt 1 C shredded cheese 1/8 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 C Bisquick 1/4 C chopped parsley 4 eggs beaten 1 TBS butter Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Dot a 9-inch square baking pan with butter. Spread mixture and bake for 25 minutes or until set at 350 degrees. ___ Sheppard’s pie 1 lb. turkey cut or shredded 2 C mashed potatoes 4 oz.…
This is a continuation from last week’s story about Bill and Ruth McCarthy and the downtown drugstore they were part of for so many years. They began working there in the late 1940s while still in high school and were paid 40 cents an hour, which was a good wage then. They saw the drugstore move twice and finally settle in the current location of the paint store on S. Main St. Downtown was vibrant in the 1940s and there were even two movie theaters which were busy on Saturday nights when everyone came to town. Our story continues: In 1949, coffee…
Here’s a great crock pot recipe and two super apple desserts. Easy crock pot dinner 2 lbs. stew meat 1 can cream of mushroom 1 packet brown gravy mix 1 packet Lipton dry onion soup mix 1 small can mushrooms 1 C water Mix all ingredients and pour over meat. Set to low for the day. Serve over potatoes, noodles or rice or the roasted potatoes below. Great roasted potatoes 3 lbs. small red or white potatoes 1/4 C olive oil 1-1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 TBS minced garlic (6 cloves) 2 TBS minced…
Ruth and Bill McCarthy were part of the Marysville High School class of 1949, but they first met when they both worked at Wolgamot and Orahood Drug Store, located on the southwest corner of Fifth and Main Streets. A driving school is located there today. Ruth actually helped Bill get his high school job there and thus he decided to be a pharmacist. Ruth had been working in the evenings at Butler’s Restaurant and met Mariah and Bill (Doc) Wolgamot there. She didn’t like working at night because she had to walk home. Usually she ran all the way to…
The perfect meal for a cool fall day is here. Roasted tomato and basil soup (This roasted tomato and basil soup is the ultimate in comfort food. Roasting the tomatoes gives the soup a deep, rich flavor.) 9 Roma tomatoes, sliced lengthwise 3 TBS extra virgin olive oil 2 TBS unsalted butter 1 yellow onion, diced 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 TBS fresh thyme, minced 1 28-oz. can of tomatoes (pulsed several times in food processor) 2 C fresh basil leaves, chopped 2 TBS dried basil 1 TBS sugar 2 C chicken stock 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. ground…
Most people use them. They are a way of life in the modern world and I must be the only person I know who isn’t a regular at an ATM (automatic teller machine). I had a bad experience when all I wanted was to take out some money for a trip. I have an SUV and it’s up a little higher than the machine, so it’s difficult to reach down and in retrospect I should’ve gotten out of the car for this procedure. This might be where my problems began. I pulled up to the machine owned by my bank,…
The slow cooker or crock pot is so convenient to have a meal ready when you are gone all day. Try these varied recipes. Slow cooker beef stroganoff 2 lb. beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes 10 oz. fresh mushrooms, halved 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 C beef broth 2 tsp. paprika 1 C sour cream 2 TBS flour 1 TBS Dijon mustard 1 pkg. (16 oz.) egg noodles, uncooked 2 TBS chopped fresh parsley Place meat, mushrooms, onions and garlic in slow cooker. Add broth and paprika. Cover with lid. Cook on low 7 to…
Halloween is tomorrow and is the second highest grossing holiday in the U.S. after Christmas. The average family will each spend about $66 ($5.8 billion countrywide) on costumes and treats to be given out at the door. (Due to sugar rationing from April 1942 to June 1947 in connection with World War II, candy in large quantity was hard to find for this holiday.) Witches and ghosts are still some of the most popular costumes, since kids enjoy being scared. I was surprised to learn the word witch comes from the old English wicce meaning wise woman. I just thought…
This week we continue our quest for trivia education. You never know when this stuff will come in handy. Read on to understand past habits and expressions. You may have wondered why men’s clothes have buttons on the right while women’s clothes have buttons on the left. It seems when buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid’s right! And that’s where women’s…
Mac & cheese is the all-American food. Everyone likes it and here are three really different recipes for this wonderful comfort food. Mac con queso 2 C (8 oz.) elbow macaroni 2 C milk 1 egg 6 tsp. McCormick Perfect Pinch Mexican Seasoning, divided 12 oz. process cheese product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 C (8 oz.) shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided 2 C grape tomatoes, quartered substitutions 2 cans (4-1/2 oz. each) chopped green chilies 2 TBS chopped green onion, green part only Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package for al…