MONDAY MORNINGS

All over the city of Manchester, NH we have these beautiful vines growing on the sides of buildings!

Today I am sharing a recipe of a different sort. ENJOY! Not edible!!!!

Cherry Bubble Bath

Supplies:
1/2 cup unscented mild shampoo
3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. salt (regular table salt is fine)
15 drops cherry fragrance oil for bodies (you can substitute with different fragrances)
decorative jar/bottle

Pour shampoo into a bowl and add water. Stir gently until well mixed. Add salt and stir until mixture thickens. Add cherry fragrance oil and place in decorative bottle. This can also be used as a body wash. Makes a nice gift too!
Wow that is a very expensive tub!!!!!!! Any tub will do. : )


Today's focus word is connect. Connect meaning put one object with another. Connect the dots....I am connected at least I like to beleive I am. My connections include art and gardening two of my favorites. My connections are growing. I nurture my connections. In turn I feel positive!

0 (number)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zero, written 0, is both a number and the numerical digit used to represent that number in numerals. It plays a central role in mathematics as the additive identity of the integers, real numbers, and many other algebraic structures. As a digit, 0 is used as a placeholder in place value systems. In the English language, 0 may be called zero, oh, null, nil, "o", zilch, zip or nought, depending on dialect.

So if I have zero sales lately it still has meaning! It means I need to makes changes and that is a good thing.

It is another HOT day to be almost 90 first thing this morning. Thank goodness we have AC. I was up early watering all the plants. I don't think we got any rain last night. I need to go downtown today to the PO. Not with sales unfortunately but with goodies for my swap partners. If you are looking for a fun way to meet people all over the world check out http://www.swap-bot.com/ you decide which swaps you want to join, some are USA only which costs less than international shipping. So far it has been fun and fair! I am collecting postcards and sending PC's to others. Some of the swaps are email only! The idea is to be creative and share. There is a rating system with hearts that you can give your partner if they send you a really nice package, great email or a good postcard/letter handwritten.

I was the recepient of a $1.00 bag from a yard sale this past Saturday. In the bag was a beautiful variegated purple (my fave color) handmade afghan doesn't smell looks almost new (great for the harsh winters up here in NH), a hardback book 1997 The Ghost Danielle Steel (I have not read it....yet), a lovely Nove Made in Italy ceramic green leaf plate which is numbered and has value, a 1986 NE Patriots mug, collectible (my older son has already claimed it), and a NY Jets NFL mug nobody wants ....YET! So there I will be this next Winter.....wrapped up in my new afghan blanket, my fine Italian made plate holding sweets by my side, sipping something warm from my NY Jets mug... reading The Ghost as snow gently falls past my window. Stay cool this summer and keep on the sunny side!

STILL WEDNESDAY TIPS AND RECIPE

Have you ever been caught cooking and come up short or missing something well here is the best list you could ever have!

FOOD EMERGENCY SUBSTITUTIONS:


For: 1 Tbsp fresh herb
Use: 1/3 to 1/2 tsp dried herb (of the same kind)

For: 1 clove garlic
Use: 1/8 tsp garlic powder

For: 1 egg in baking
Use: 1 tsp cornstarch plus 1/4 cup water

For: 1 whole egg
Use: 2 egg yolks plus 1 Tbsp water

For: 1 cup whole fresh milk
Use: 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water, or 1/3 cup dry milk plus 1 cup water

For: 1 cup buttermilk
Use: 1 cup plain yogurt, or 1 cup sour milk (4 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice plus milk to make 1 cup -- let sit for five minutes before using)

For: 1 cup sour cream (in baking)
Use: 7/8 cup buttermilk or sour milk plus 3 Tbsp butter

For: 1 cup sour cream (in salad dressings, casseroles)
Use: 1 cup plain yogurt or 3/4 cup sour milk plus 1/3 cup butter

For: 1 cup cream
Use: 1/3 cup butter plus 3/4 cup milk

For: 1 cup corn syrup
Use: 2/3 cup granulated sugar plus 1/3 cup water

For: 1 cup brown sugar
Use: 1 cup granulated sugar plus 2 Tbsp molasses

For: 1 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
Use: 1 cup granulated sugar, packed

For: 1 cup margarine or butter (in baking or cooking)
Use: 1 cup hard shortening or 7/8 cup vegetable oil

For: 1 square unsweetened chocolate
Use: 3 Tbsp cocoa plus 1 Tbsp oil

For: 1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate
Use: 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate plus 4 tsp sugar

For: 3/4 cup cracker crumbs
Use: 1 cup bread crumbs

For: 1 cup cake flour, sifted
Use: 7/8 cup all purpose flour, sifted (1 cup minus 2 Tbsp)

For: 1 tsp baking powder
Use: 1/3 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tarter, or 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/3 cup sour milk

For: 1 Tbsp cornstarch for thickening
Use: 2 Tbsp flour

For: 1 Tbsp flour for thickening
Use: 1 1/2 tsp corn flour, arrowroot, potato flour, or rice flour; or 2 tsp tapioca

For: 2 Tbsp tapioca for thickening
Use: 3 Tbsp flour


Great Hamburger Stroganoff

1 lb hamburger
1 (4oz.) can sliced mushrooms or
1 sm. onion, finely chopped 1 cup sliced fresh
1 clove garlic
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 10 3/4 oz. Cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk

Brown meat -onion - garlic then drain grease then add butter - flour - salt - pepper
stir until smooth then add soup - milk - mushrooms simmer for 10 minutes. Add sour cream just before serving. Makes 4 - 6 servings Put over noodles or rice. ENJOY!

Relax and  Enjoy the End of Your Day!