Easy Clean For Your Microwave

This came in a newsletter from debtproofliving.







I needed a way to clean my microwave when I could not get rid of the smell and splatters from a garlic dish. I wet two large paper towels with warm water and laid them on a paper plate. I squirted Dawn dish washing liquid all over the top and put it in the microwave oven on high for two minutes. When I opened the door, the oven smelled fresh and I could easily wipe the particles from the inside. It looks like new
 
Tammy
The Happy Homemaker

Menu making made simple

Have you ever sat down to make your menu and just couldn't get it all together to finish it up. You start out ok and then before you know you have no idea what to put down to finish it up. That's how it has been for me and it's very frustrating,especially when you have a million other things to do like laundry,schooling,reading aloud to your children,believe me I have been there done that. There's nothing more frustrating to me then to sit down to a task that should take only a short amount of time to complete and it lingers on and on because I am stumped. Oh how I hate that!

One day I came up with the idea that has saved me loads of time when it comes to making my menu(s). I got out a notebook and started writing down meal ideas. But then I went more detailed,I labeled one page chicken,the other beef,then pork,and so on. I started 1. and put a complete meal idea in that slot. For example looking over at my page right now for pork in slot number one is

1. grilled seasoned pork chops,loaded bake potatoes and corn on the cob.
2.creamy pork chops,mash potatoes,green beans.

and so on and so on. When I find a new recipe my family enjoys I simply add it to the designated page.

When it comes time for me to make my menu,I take out my pages of meal ideas with me (this would fit nicely in the household notebook) and use that as a guide for ideas. I can't tell you how much time and frustration this has taken off my shoulders and I can also use this as a way to not forget a meal that my family really enjoyed but that I hadn't made in a while. Yes I'm forgetful at times! LOL By investing a little time on these pages it has saved me so much time now. They are evolving lists what works stays and what doesn't goes. I love it and I hope if you decide to try it you love it as much as I do.

The Happy Homemaker

Homemade Buttermilk

I have been making my own buttermilk for about a year now maybe a little longer. I can tell you the quality of homemade buttermilk far surpasses anything you can buy at the grocery store.


Buttermilk is very easy to make. It takes bit of time to set but it's well worth it in my honest opinion.


I purchased buttermilk starters from here: http://www.leeners.com/  are a great company to work with.


You will need:


1 qrt canning jar with lid and ring


buttermilk starter


whole milk


thermometer


making my own buttermilk....


Fill at 1 quart canning jar with whole milk,I then pour that into a saucepan and warm it to 72 degrees. Then pour the warmed milk back into my canning jar and add one packet of buttermilk starter. Seal the jar by putting a canning lid and ring on it and tighten it. Give it a good shake and then set it on your stove top for 12 to 24 hours.


I set it on my stove top to keep the milk at 72 degrees or as close as I can to that. If it doesn't the milk won't set. I can tell you that mine sets closer to 12 hours than 24.


You will notice it's done when the milk is nice and thick. I use alot of buttermilk in my baking and have found homemade buttermilk is far better than store bought.


To make more simply take 3 tablespoons of my homemade buttermilk and use that as my starter instead of the packet of starter.


The Happy Homemaker

How to properly dispose of a can and lid

To keep anyone from getting cut by the open can lid (you know how sharp those things are) .........

Place the lid inside the can first

Then squeeze the top of the can with the lid inside together so that the lid cannot fall out.

Happy Homemaking