Today we’re going to make carrot cake! I like this recipe because it uses a cake mix, genuine carrots and chopped nuts!
Carrot Cake
1 package yellow cake mix (I like Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe)
4 eggs
1/2 cup crisco oil
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup finely chopped walnuts (pecans also work in this recipe)
2 tsp ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350*. Grease and flour 2 8-inch cake pans. Combine cake mix, eggs, oil, carrots, nuts and cinnamon in a large bowl. Beat at low speed until moistened, then for 2 minutes beat on medium speed. Pour into pans. Bake at 350* for 35-40 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wax paper lined plates. When completely cooled, frost. I have included a recipe for cream cheese frosting which I do not use because I don’t like cream cheese frosting…LOL
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups confectioners sugar
Place cream cheese, butter and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat at low speed until smooth and creamy. Add confectioners sugar gradually, beating until smooth. (If the frosting needs to be thickened, add more confectoners sugar. If it needs to be thinned, add a little milk. ) Fill and frost the cooled cake. Garnish with additional chopped nuts if desired. Enjoy!
In today’s ever depressing world, finding a reason to smile might seem futile, but smiling provides a lot of great benefits for the body and soul!
Smiling Helps You Live Longer
Perhaps the most compelling reason to smile is that it may lengthen your overall lifespan. One 2010 study found that genuine, intense smiling is associated with longer life. Overall, happy people seem to enjoy better health and longevity, though more research is needed to understand why that is. Research does suggest that happiness could increase lifespan by years—suggesting maintaining a happy, positive mood may be an important part of living a healthy lifestyle.
Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can permeate our entire being, and it can really show up in our faces. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed but it can actually help decrease stress. Believe it or not, smiling can reduce stress even if you don’t feel like smiling or even if you fake it with a smile that isn’t genuine. When you are stressed, take the time to put on a smile. You and those around you will reap the benefits.
Smiling Elevates Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will change for the better. The physical act of smiling actually activates pathways in your brain that influence your emotional state—meaning that by adopting a happy facial expression, you can “trick” your mind into entering a state of happiness. This holds true whether or not your smile is real. A simple smile can trigger the release of neuropeptides that improve your neural communication, as well as neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can boost your mood. Think of smiling like a natural antidepressant.
Smiling Is Contagious
How many times have you heard that a smile has the power to light up the room? While it is certainly a beautiful sentiment, it carries a hint of truth. Smiling not only has the ability to elevate your mood, but it can also change the moods of others for the better. Your brain automatically notices and interprets other people’s facial expressions—and sometimes, you may even mimic them. That means that you might spot someone else’s smile and unconsciously smile yourself. Yes, it is scientifically proven that smiles are contagious.
Smiling Boosts the Immune System
Smiling can also boost your overall health by helping your immune system to function more effectively. It is thought that when you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed (thanks to the release of certain neurotransmitters). Whether you’re trying to maintain your overall health or strengthen your immune system ahead of cold and flu season, smiling may help.
Smiling May Lower Blood Pressure
Smiling could have a beneficial impact on your blood pressure. Laughter specifically seems to lower blood pressure, after causing an initial increase in heart rate and breathing. While smiling has been shown to lower your heart rate in the face of stress, more research is needed to determine exactly how it reduces blood pressure. You can try testing this idea for yourself if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes and take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
Smiling Reduces Pain
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, other natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe. Not only do they elevate your mood, but they also relax your body and reduce physical pain. Smiling is a natural drug.
Smiling Makes You Attractive
We are naturally drawn to people who smile. While more severe or negative facial expressions like frowns, scowls, and grimaces work in the opposite manner, effectively pushing people away, smiling is seen as more attractive—and people may even assume you have more positive personality traits if you’re smiling. Not only can smiling make you more attractive, but it can also make you look more youthful. The muscles we use to smile also lift the face, making a person appear younger. So instead of opting for a facelift, just try smiling your way through the day—you’ll look younger and feel better.
Smiling Suggests Success
Research has shown that people who smile regularly appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and are more likely to be approached. Try putting on a smile at meetings and business appointments. You might find that people react to you differently.
Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard, isn’t it? Smiling can influence your feelings of positivity, even if it feels unnatural or forced. Regardless of whether or not your smile is genuine, it still sends the message that “Life is good!” to your brain and, ultimately, the rest of your body.
Some parting pictures to help you along with your smile today…
Source: verywellmind.com: 10 Big Benefits of Smiling
These days we are being bombarded on all sides with terrible news. Gas prices are out of control…
food prices are on the rise…
unexplained deaths by healthy, young people are climbing…
our military is woke and laughable…
and our climate is “changing”.
These are all issues exacerbated by democrat policies. The left is implementing countrywide changes to destroy America from within. They are fomenting division among her people, creating lopsided mandates and regulations that they themselves are not ruled by and increasing the gap between the working class (us) and the ruling class (them)—a redistribution of our wealth to their greed.
To this end, they have authorized the leaks of Hunter Biden’s devices, Ashley’s diary, Joe’s stupidity, and Jill’s insensitivities. These are all DISTRACTIONS…carefully released and choreographed to draw attention from the “works” of a democrat majority Congress and a shadow presidency.
Joe and his family are simply toss-aways. They had their usefulness—scapegoats or puppets if you wish—but their demise has been carefully scripted and planned. To think that Hunter’s laptop or phone, or Ahsley’s diary “happened” to fall into hands of the “good guys” is laughable. Similarly, Joe’s dementia has also been “handled”—from the basement to AF1’s stairs—with gaffes and slips coming more frequently as we near the midterms. And as for Jill, what First Lady doesn’t have stylists, advisors, and speech writers to help her project a dignified image to the world?
Do not look away. Do not be distracted. Do not lose focus. Watch what happens in the background when the fools appear.
My husband and I had only been dating a couple of weeks when THE POSTCARD came. I was sitting on the sofa when he brought it in with the mail. A dark look crossed over his face and I was curious. “Anything wrong?” I asked.
“It’s the family reunion,” he replied.
“Oh,” I said. “That’s…nice?”
He sighed loudly and sat beside me. “You wouldn’t want to come, would you?”
I couldn’t read the emotions playing out on his face, so I just smiled. “Sounds like…fun?”
I was wrong.
His family reunion was held every year, the first weekend in August on a quaint family farm. We drove past cornfields and silos and a huge red barn. At the end of the drive was a charming farmhouse. The entire setting was picturesque and perfect and I was completely puzzled about his initial reaction.
To the right of the farmhouse was a large yard with a huge tent set up, covering several long tables of food. Guests were seated around the tables, eating and chatting and having what seemed to be a grand time! As we got out of the truck, we saw that several people were starting to clear their plates and cover the remaining food and my future husband (FH) directed our little group (the two of us and our two children) to chairs that were set up on the opposite side of the driveway.
FH ushered us to the very back row and soon his parents and his brother and his family joined us. As the rows filled in, an adorable young girl passed out…programs? (huh?) I turned to my FH and started to ask about them, when a little boy carrying the American Flag caught my eye. He stepped to the front of the gathered family and everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. (Okay…?)
The boy moved off to the side as an older man came to the front of the group and led the family in the Lord’s Prayer. As we sat back down, I noticed plates being passed among the rows and I turned to FH. He whispered, “you’ll see,” as he dropped a $20 in the plate and passed it.
The same man welcomed everyone to the Family reunion and asked that the Secretary rise and read the minutes of the last reunion. (excuse me?) Yup, a sweet looking, older woman rose and read the minutes, which were then approved and she sat back down. The speaker asked for the Treasurer to rise and give her report. Another woman rose, and reported how much money had just been collected. Then she announced the expenses the reunion had incurred over the year: a tent repair, printing of THE POSTCARDS, prizes and items for the games, and, she said, of course the ice cream! Excited murmurs went through the crowd and many of the children clapped at the prospect of the ice cream!
But alas, the meeting was not over. We sat through old business and new business and then came the children’s presentations. Child after child came to the front of the group and sang songs, recited poems or played instruments. Finally, the “business” portion of the reunion was over and the older man announced the games were being set up and the ice cream would be served! (The ice cream was hand churned and you had a choice of A scoop of chocolate OR A scoop of cherry vanilla—there were no seconds.)
But before any of that happened, we were all asked to line up for the group family photo. Apparently this reunion has reunion scrapbooks dating back to the very first one (don’t ask me what year, by now I was numb and wondering what I was dating into). We dutifully lined up, adults in the back, children in the front and smiled for the camera.
While we ate our ice cream, FH told us that the games were broken down by age group, starting with the youngest and working their way up. Since we had some time, we walked around, examining the family tree (written down on a window shade—and tracing the family back to the Mayflower—I kid you not), petting the animals and watching the older man from the meeting (the reunion president?) back a tractor out of the barn. There was going to be a hayride (not having grown up on a farm, I was NOT looking forward to that—would this day never end?)
On the long ride home, FH was quiet and from the corner of my eye, I could see him stealing glances at me. Finally he found the courage to ask what I thought…was it just too weird to be a part of? I laughed, told him it was charming in its ways, and reassured him we would be fine. After all, I said, you’re coming to my family reunion NEXT month…LOL
If you’re like me, you hate to waste anything…translation: I might be able to use THIS some day! Well, today’s the day! You can easily and fairly quickly make braided rugs for your home using fabric scraps, old clothing, sheets, even rope, jute or sisal.
You can make either a continuous braided rug—generally round or oval shape
or you can make a square or rectangular one.
Let’s start with the continuous braided rug first. Begin by cutting your fabrics into 2-inch wide strips. Depending on the pattern or look you want, sew the ends together to form long, long strips which you then roll into balls—like yarn. You’ll need 3 balls.
To start the braid, sew the ends of the 3 balls together (this can all be done by hand—no sewing machine required) in a “T” shape.
Fold the ends over to begin braiding. At this point, I use a binder clip (a clothespin will do) to attach the braid to a clip board or table if you like. Continue braiding the 3 balls until you reach the end of the fabric balls. At this point you can attach more fabric to each ball end or you can sew the three ends together and begin a new braid using different colors.
When you think you have enough braid or braids to make your rug, you can begin forming it. For a round rug, form a circle with the end of the braid and stitch in place by hand. (This can be sewed on a sewing machine, but I find that method more cumbersome when the rug gets a little larger.) Continue coiling the braid around the center and stitching in place. When you come to the end of the braid, if your rug is the size you want, tuck the ends of the braid under the rug and stitch in place. If it’s not large enough yet, simply sew another braid to the end of the first one and continue coiling and sewing.
If you’d like an oval rug, you’ll start with a straight length of braid as the center and coil the remaining braid around that.
For a square or rectangular rug, make a bunch of braids which are similar in length. Lay the braids side-by-side, pin them together and sew them to keep them in place. To make a tasseled look, leave a uniform length of each fabric free as you start the make the braids. Hand stitch those pieces together at that point and begin to make the braids. Do not braid the entire length of fabrics–stop braiding leaving the exact same length as you did at the beginning.
Braided rugs are very versatile, and different looks can be achieved using different materials. This rug utilizes fabric and rope, and uses glue instead of sewing the coils together.
If you find this is a craft you enjoy, you can also buy braiding helpers which fold the fabric as you braid to ensure there are no frayed edges or threads showing on your braids.
I am an ostrich. I am the fastest runner of any bird and most other two-legged animals and I can sprint at over 43 mph! Well, okay, I am no match for a cheetah…
Of course, these long, gorgeous legs are a factor, but having just two toes on each foot (most birds have four), with the large nail on the larger, really helps!
Males of our species have black feathers with white feathers on their tails and pink or blue necks. Females have gray-brown feathers that allows them to blend in while they are sitting on their nests. Males and females share the nest sitting duties—the females do it doing the day, while the males sit at night. (Their black feathers providing wonderful camouflage.) We can reach 7-9 feet in height and weights between 250-350 pounds! And our eye is the largest of any land animal—2 inches across! And talk about formidable! When I feel threatened, not only can I run fast, but my powerful, long legs can be formidable weapons, capable of killing a human or a potential predator like a lion with a forward kick.
As an omnivore, I feed on plants, roots, seeds, flowers, berries, small rodents, leaves, lizards, and invertebrate insects. I will graze on trees and shrubs on the African savannahs and I can survive without water for days, utilizing moisture in the plants to source the water. I will graze with as many as 50 other ostriches, being mostly active in the early part of the day and later in the evening.
After mating, I will lay up to 12 eggs in a shallow pit dug by my mate. The giant eggs are about 6 inches long and can weigh as much as 2 dozen chicken eggs! Both my mate and I will incubate the eggs and they will hatch in 35-45 days.
My kind are farmed all around the world, particularly for my gorgeous feathers; my skin is used as leathers, and well, apparently we’re quite tasty. In some places we’re even saddled and raced.
So, let’s get to the point of this conversation. I do NOT bury my head in the sand for any reason. I am not looking for anything, I am not avoiding anything…I just don’t do it. If I want to hide, I press my neck along the ground to be less noticeable …but I do not bury my head in the ground. So this bullshit is NOT because of us! This is just democrats being democrats.
Summertime is the best time for NO BAKE (!) recipes and today I’ve got 3 delicious and super easy ideas using a store bought Oreo cookie crust. Easy Peasy!!
Ice Cream Oreo® Cookie Pie
Ingredients:
16-ounce package chocolate sandwich cookies
1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
1 8-ounce container of Cool Whip, thawed
I Oreo Cookie Crust
Reserve 8 cookies–place the remaining cookies in a plastic Ziploc bag and using a rolling pin, crush the cookies. Stir the crushed cookies into the softened ice cream and mix well. Spoon the ice cream mixture into the Oreo crust. Place into the freezer until firm, about an hour. Remove from the freezer and spoon the Cool Whip over the ice cream layer and top with the Oreos. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Pie
Ingredients:
Oreo cookie crust
1 8-ounce cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup creamy peanut butter
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 8-ounce Cool Whip, thawed
Reese’s peanut butter cups (chopped—for topping)
With an electric mixer, beat the peanut butter and the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and mix. Add the Cool Whip. Spoon into the Oreo cookie crust and top with the chopped peanut butter cups. Chill in the freezer for at least 3 hours (or 5 hours in the refrigerator). Enjoy!
Oreo Candy Crunch Pie
Ingredients:
3.9-ounce instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups milk
1 8-ounce Cool Whip, thawed
1 cup Heath toffee bits
2 Tbsp Hershey’s syrup
6 Oreos, crushed
1 Oreo cookie crust
Make pudding as directed. Add half the Cool Whip and ¾ cup of the Heath bits. Stir in the crushed Oreos. Pour into crust. Drizzle the Hershey’s syrup over pudding mixture. Top with the remaining Cool Whip and toffee bits. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours before serving. Enjoy!
Many years ago, when all of our families were younger and we lived much closer to one another, we had wonderful picnics and parties. We would rotate who hosted, who brought the meats, who was in charge of games for the kids and so on. No one family was stuck doing it all, all the time.
not us, but could be
There were traditions, of course, my mom made the potato salad and I was always in charge of games. My mother-in-law always made either the beans or occasionally mac & cheese. Her beans, though, were the STANDARD for baked beans! They were homemade, soaked overnight, honest to goodness baked beans! And the flavor? Perfection! So much so that my sister-in-law and I repeatedly asked for her recipe.
She always promised to give us the recipe, but event after event would pass, and still we were recipe-less. One day, while we were planning the next picnic, my sister-in-law and I decided we would tag team her to get the recipe. (After all, she never said it was her own secret, never-to-be-revealed recipe. That we would have respected.) When we invited her and my father-in-law (it was at my sister-in-law’s house this time), I told her I would come over the morning of the picnic and help with the beans. That way, I told her, I could write the recipe down as we made the beans and she wouldn’t have to worry about it.
Imagine my surprise when she told me she already had it written down for us! And true to her word, she brought us each a recipe card! I tucked the card into my purse, and didn’t give it another thought. A few weeks later, I was planning hamburgers for supper and pulled out the recipe to make a pot of beans. Hmmmmm…there was no need to soak beans overnight? Her recipe was just throwing ingredients into a casserole, baking for half an hour, stirring and repeating that process 2 more times. Puzzled, I called her and asked. Sure enough, she said she no longer soaked the beans, just used northern beans and assured me this was her recipe.
At dinner that night, the beans were good, but not my mother-in-law good, so the next day I called my sister-in-law. I wondered if she made the beans and how they turned out. She said she tried the recipe—and while they were good—they weren’t quite like our mother-in-law’s. We puzzled over it for a bit, and then she asked, do you think it’s the Worcestershire Sauce? I asked what Worcestershire Sauce? Hmmmmmmm…as we compared the recipes, each of our recipes contained ingredients the other did not. Sigh…
When we confronted my mother-in-law about the discrepancies, she denied knowing that she did that. She explained that she was always “tweaking” the recipe and we both got possible versions. Neither of us bought the excuse, but filed it under “keeping the family peace” and moved on.
Several years later, my mother-in-law passed away suddenly and since my sister-in-law was no longer a part of the family, my daughter and I were tasked with cleaning out her kitchen. We came upon the recipe box and sat down to thumb through the recipes. My daughter was anxious to “inherit” the mac & cheese and nut tassie recipes and I was curious about the beans. None of those was in the box. We were stumped. Perhaps she had her recipes memorized and never wrote them down?
We moved on to other cabinets and eventually found the casserole dish she always brought the mac and cheese in. My daughter gleefully claimed the dish. If she couldn’t have the recipe, she could at least have the dish! Then she opened the freezer. There on the shelf were a half dozen Stouffer Mac & Cheese dinners…the size that would fit perfectly into the casserole dish she was holding.
Our eyes locked over the casserole dish and we burst out laughing. To this day, I will always believe I am making the best baked beans there is. Here is my adopted recipe:
Sew Colorful 