Category Archives: Arts and Crafts

Displays arts and crafts projects that I love working on.

Motor Scooter Ride to Laguna Niguel

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Yesterday the weather was perfect for a motor scooter ride, and that’s what we did. Martin rode his Kymco Downtown 300, and I was on the Piaggio three-wheeler.

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Here you can see our sturdy mounts as we took a break for a quick snack and drink of water in Laguna Niguel. It was a ride full of curves, especially as we traveled through rustic Santiago Canyon, and then steep climbs in beautiful Laguna Niguel, where we were always rewarded with spectacular views at the top.

Martin in Laguna Niquel November 29-14 10-29-2014 2-51-26 PM

We stopped to put gas in my scooter, and at 70 miles to the gallon we don’t do that very often. The total cost was only $7.84, one reason why motor scooters are becoming ever more popular. We rode a little over 50 miles, and I felt as if I could ride forever. When we finished I was already looking forward to our next scooter adventure. These are the two ways I judge if a scooter outing has been a success. This one definitely earned two thumbs up!

Sweet Potato Casserole

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sweet potato casserole

I was given this recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole many years ago. It is one of my favorites. The recipe calls for sweet potatoes, not yams. I have tried it with both, and sweet potatoes are the best. The leftovers are delicious served cold like a dessert. I hope you will give it a try. It is very tasty, and perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.

Main Ingredients

Three good sized sweet Potatoes                      2 Eggs
1 Stick Butter                                                       ¼ Cup Milk
½ cup Sugar                                                         1 ½ tsp. Vanilla
¼ cup Brown Sugar

Topping Ingredients

1 Cup Crushed Cornflakes                                     1 Stick Butter
1 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)                                 ½ cup Chopped PecansP1010032

Cook, peel & mash potatoes. Mix with other ingredients (besides topping). Place in an ovenproof glass baking dish.

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Mix all the Topping ingredients together with the melted stick of butter. Put topping mix on top of potato mixture in a glass baking dish. Bake at 450° degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. This sweet potato casserole is delicious, and I bet it instantly becomes one of your favorites.

Ginger Cookies, Quick and Easy

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Ginger Cookies

Ginger cookies, with a glass of milk or a cup of tea, are a wonderful treat, especially as winter approaches and the days grow colder. I’ve been invited to a pre-holiday luncheon that includes a cookie exchange, so it seems like the perfect time to try another recipe I spotted in The Cruising Cook by Shirley Herd. I previously posted a recipe for cherry cobbler from this same cookbook. Please see that post if you would like a great dessert recipe:  Cherry Cobbler, Quick and Easy. As you can see, I love quick and easy recipes, especially for desserts. This one, like the cherry cobbler, calls for only three ingredients, or four if you count the water.Ginger cookie ingredients

Ingredients

  • 14 oz Gingerbread or Spice Cake mix
  • 1/2 cup chunky Peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup seedless Raisins
  • 2/3 cup water
  • Blend gingerbread mix with water and peanut butter. Mix well. The batter will thicken as you stir.
  • Add raisins.
  • Drop by teaspoons full onto greased baking sheet.
  • Bake 10-12 minutes in a 350°F oven.
  • When ready, cool and enjoy.
  • Makes approximately three dozen.

Cherry Cobbler, Easy and Delicious

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cherry cobbler

Warm cherry cobbler is the best, and if it’s easy to prepare, that’s even better. This is a recipe I found in Shirley Herd’s The Cruising Cook, a cook book designed for people preparing meals while living on board a boat. We owned a sailboat for many years, but ours didn’t come with an oven, so when I prepared this recipe I made it at home. It really is easy and delicious, with only three ingredients. Recently, while organizing our book shelves, I spotted the old cook book and was reminded of this dessert. I’m sure you will enjoy this slightly different version of the standard cherry cobbler.  100_3595

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups of cherry pie filling                                1-package loaf size yellow cake mix
1/3 cup butter melted

Spread pie filling in buttered loaf pan

Sprinkle cake mix evenly over top of the filling, then drizzle with melted butter

Bake 40 to 45 minutes in 350°F oven or until top is golden. Serve warm

Great with ice cream  Makes 9 servings

 

Election Day Walk

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Today is election day in the United States. Yesterday I posted that my doctor has encouraged me to take a half-hour walk at least five days a week, so I decided to walk to my voting location instead of driving the car, as I usually do. As I headed to our nearby high school to cast my ballot, I felt like Meg Ryan in the movie “You’ve Got Mail.” I love that movie and envy the way she and Tom Hanks go most places on foot, because they live in Manhattan and it is much easier to walk than drive. We also have just about everything we need within close walking distance. After voting, I continued on to the grocery store to do a little shopping. I had to remember that I would be carrying my purchases home, so did not want to buy too much.  By the time I arrived home, I had done something wonderful for my health, and had also saved on the cost of fuel. It was such a positive experience that I plan to leave my car at home more often. I wonder where my walk will take me tomorrow! Tonight, election results.