Leaves 'n Leaves 'n More!

So - autumn is upon us and here in the northeast, that means leaves. Lot & lots of leaves.

A daunting task to say the least.

So here are my

IDEAS TO MAKE LEAF RAKING BEARABLE

3 bags in 15 minutes....not too shabby!

• set a timer for 15 minutes. Work for that 15 minutes, then if you have it in you, set it for another 15 minutes. Works two ways - 15 minutes seems short, and it's amazing what you can get done in 15 minutes! 

Easy Peasy Pie Crust - and Healthier too!

Here in the USA, Thanksgiving Day is next week. And it seems sooner then ever before. What with Halloween being postponed until Nov. 4th courtesy of a surprise northeaster storm, no one is ready.

Which brings me to the need to blog about this amazing pie crust recipe I've been using for years. It will streamline your Thanksgiving and make you a convert!

just waiting to become a pie.....

It's quick to throw together.

It uses staples you have on hand.

You don't need to soften anything.

You don't need a mixer.

It's from a free recipe handout booklet published in 1980.

Ready to rock your pie making world? Here it is.....

Anyone know what this is?

Been out doing one of my favorite hobbies - browsing garage sales! I bought this - no idea what it is. The edges are sharp, it opens & closes - and it seems to be for cutting something. The only thing I can think of is to remove the middle of a cupcake before filling!

Any ideas?

be organized....evelyn

How a Few Minutes Can Make a Memory.....

I'm always astounded how spending just a few minutes can add up to a wonderful experience for all. My example:

Today was my husband's 50th birthday. And we wanted to do something memorable. Here's how it played out.

Few minutes #1. Last February we went to Crystal Cabin Fever - a really cool ice carving exhibit/slide/museum in PA.  Get it? Cool - ha, ha! Anyway, while we were there we picked up an interesting brochure at the exit.

Few minutes #2 - When we got home, I filed the brochure in my file called Day Trips. This is just a file folder of interesting articles, brochures etc. that I've come across in life.

Few minutes #3. I needed something interesting and unique to do for above mentioned birthday. I went to my day trip folder and pulled out the brochure that we picked up last February. It was for The Museum at Bethel Hills.  Where Woodstock took place. Memorable - yes, interesting - yes. Unique - yes. Even though my husband was only 7 when Woodstock took place, his brothers are 10 years older then him, so he's a honorary hippie.

Few minutes #4. Son #1 was coming home from college to celebrate the birthday. I realized that on our way home from Bethel we would pass right by his college and we could drop him off. Saving a round trip of almost 2 hours. However, this meant he would not be present for birthday cake & blowing out of the candles, since that would be done once we returned home. Unacceptable. So, I needed to make "cake to go". I revamped original b'day cake idea (checkerboard cake) and make a sheet cake instead. In a pan with a locking top. I packed the cake, plates, forks, candles, lighter and water for cake "on the road".

Few minutes #5. After we viewed the museum, we had lunch backwards and had the b'day cake first - on a perfectly placed picnic table on a perfect fall day with a perfect blue sky ON THE FIELD WHERE WOODSTOCK TOOK PLACE! I couldn't ask for a more unique or memorable place to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Picture this with 400,000 more people!

And all because of a few minutes spent here and there.

Moral of the story - a bit of planning can make a wonderful memory.

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 be organized.....evelyn

Clips & hooks & nails & screws.....

It's the little things that drive you crazy after the big things wear you down.

This week here in NJ we've had a crazy snowstorm - trees down everywhere, school closed, power & heat out for days and Halloween postponed.

It's enough to drive any sane person crazy.

Then, just when you think it's over - the smallest thing becomes the straw that breaks the camel's back.