Grannymar

It is enough to make me hungry!

A priest, a minister and a guru sat discussing the best positions for
prayer, while a telephone repairman worked nearby.

“Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray,” the priest said.

“No,” said the minister. “I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven.”

“You’re both wrong,” the guru said. “The most effective prayer
position is lying down on the floor.”

The repairman could contain himself no longer. “Hey, fellas,” he interrupted. “The best prayin’ I ever did was when I was hangin’ upside down from a telephone pole.”

Last week I had a good response to the tips I gave. I was pleased to see some put into action. So today I bring you some more.

With the dark colder evenings, the thought of a warm fire gladdens the heart. Pine cones are a simple form of kindling to start a real fire. They heat up quickly and burn for a long time.

To clean a microwave oven, add four tablespoons of lemon juice to one cup water in a microwave-safe, four-cup bowl. Boil for five minutes in the microwave, allowing the steam to condense on the inside walls of the oven. Then wipe them with a soft cloth.

To get more juice from lemons, halve them, heat on high in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, then squeeze.

Use lemon juice to bleach and soften grubby elbows: place a few drops of baby oil into two lemon halves. Stick elbows in the lemon, tape in place and leave on for 30 minutes.

To clean a stainless steel sink, put the stopper in the sink with 2 denture cleaning tablets and half fill with water, leave for several hours or overnight and the next day it should be sparkling. Then use the water to clean the draining board too. Obviously it doesn’t harm sink (as tested for teeth!) Also, it’s not an irritant like bleach.

I use the last method to clean teapots with a build-up of tannin. One tablet is sufficient and I fill the pot with boiling water and leave overnight.

I wrote a few weeks ago about my experiences while out shopping, I described a fellow shopper who was trying on a beautiful coat. She did as we all do on such occasions, button up the coat and stand in front of a mirror, twisting this way and that to try and see the back before walking up and down the floor to get the ‘feel’ of the garment. In a high class store there are normally several mirrors strategically placed to allow us a proper back view of any garment. Alas the shop where I was that day had only the one mirror and it was on the shop floor and not in the fitting room. The assistant was pushing hard to sell the coat by telling the woman how much it suited her; perhaps it was the first hope of a badly needed sale that day, required to fill a target.

The coat would have looked well on me but I had no interest in, or intention of, buying it. I was at least eight inches taller, a slimmer build and thanks to my mother’s bony pointed finger poked in my back on a regular basis to remind me to stand up straight, could carry off the style. The little lady now sporting it was a victim of middle age spread; she was not fat but very well insulated from the cold and any thought of a waistline just a memory. The coat almost touched her ankles and fit where it hit! Alas around her waist area it sat at the back like a concertina and she was unable to see this. A size larger might have helped but it was the only one available in that style. The friend she had with her was not much help either; she seemed totally bored with the whole thing! Her only suggestion was “You could move the buttons”. Moving buttons is not as simple as it sounds; it can change the whole line of a garment and if not done professionally it can ruin an outfit!

I wanted to scream! This type of selling is a major FAIL both for the customer and the establishment! When the customer got home she would realise the coat was ill fitting and it would be relegated to keeping the wardrobe warm! She would blame the sales lady for the bad advice and never darken the door of the shop again. I hovered for a few minutes and realised that the woman wanted it to fit; indeed she willed it to fit, I knew that my intrusion would not be welcome so I bit my tongue and went on my way.

I have in the past spoken up and it was appreciated. Once I watched a woman, again much shorter than I am, try on a picture hat. From the gaggle of girls around her I realised she was a ‘Mother of the Bride’! One of the girls had a dress & coat ensemble draped over her arm. The hat was identical in colour and it had a very large brim and MOB was wearing it plonked on top of her head like an upturned flower pot! Perched like that the hat was all wrong, it made her look like a mushroom! It would hide her face and ruin the photographs. Not being able to resist I spoke up. I verified that she was ‘Mother of the Bride, and reminded her that she would be the second most important woman on the day of the wedding. As the hostess for the day the guests would want to hug and kiss her as she greeted them. Frequent collisions with the headgear would cause it to take flight and half the day would be spent trying to retrieve it.

I suggested wearing it at an angle to leave one side of the face free and visible for the photographs. Willingly she tried that but it was still not right. Hats nowadays are made in standard sizes and this was far too big for the woman’s small head. I suggested a different style with a half brim, something she had not thought of. Worn at an angle it looked well, showed off her soft face and good hair and the girls were all delighted. I also told her to take the hat to her hairdresser well in advance of the wedding so that they could discuss how best to cut and style the hair for the big day. It is not always a case of cutting the hair; there are times when it needs time to grow to the best shape.

I have one friend that I dislike shopping with. Once she enters a shop she must purchase something, usually clothing. It does not seem to matter to her whether the item suits or even fits her. Walking out of the shop with a carrier bag seems to give her a buzz. Several years ago she asked me to help her pick an outfit for a formal winter wedding. I agreed only if I was allowed to speak my mind and not just tell her something was nice, when it clearly didn’t suit her. I should have gone with my gut instinct…

My friend was at least 10 years further along the road of life than I was, about my height and heavy set. She did have some nice outfits in her wardrobe along with some very BIG mistakes. Perhaps she had come across the sales lady above!

We set out early one morning she knew where she wanted to go; I was driving so distance for her was no object, short journeys always happened when she used her car. We duly arrived in her chosen town and the search began. We looked, she tried and I gave my opinion. “It looks fine at the back, but it pulls under here” or “I like the line of the top but the skirt is way too long” and “That colour drains and ages your face, what about that turquoise?” - are some of the suggestions I made. At lunchtime we were not much further on, so we headed for refreshment.

An hour later refuelled and ready for the fray we began once more. We did see several outfits suitable and flattering for my friends shape and colouring, but alas she would not put them on. By mid afternoon I had stopped giving advice since my friend didn’t really want to hear it. Two outfits were purchased before we were finished, a navy velour pants set, suitable for lounging about the house and a flirty little cocktail dress more suitable for a summer’s evening. Neither of these outfits was suitable for the forth-coming wedding and I have never seen them since.

She suggested heading out another day but thankfully I was not available. An outfit was purchased and she showed it to me about a week later. It was a heavy machine knitted two-piece in a rather washed out colour blue, with a v-necked tunic top and long straight skirt, very suitable for daywear. The only decoration was a six inch band of a Fair Isle pattern around the tunic top at waist level. A couple of weeks later she bought a picture hat to wear with the suit in Sinamay, that fine straw that you cannot get wet…. for a winter wedding in Ireland!!!!

So what would you do?

Mediterranean Chicken

Today I share Food Monday with another of my blogging friends. Steph is always cheerful despite her complicated medical story, all documented at The Biopsy Report. I love to share meals with friends and when I am here at home alone having a friend’s recipe to prepare, cook and eat brings them a little closer. Over to Steph:

$$$$$$

This all-in-one meal is easy to prepare and serve. It’s a handy dish to leave ready to cook on a timer, on those occasions when you want to head to the pub with friends and have something ready to eat on your return.

(Serves 4)

4 chicken breasts (on the bone)

4 oz (115g) soft cheese with garlic & herbs

1lb (450g) courgettes

2 red peppers, chopped & seeded

1lb (450g) plum tomatoes (I use a 400g tin of organic whole peeled tomatoes)

4 celery sticks

10oz (275g) onions, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, crushed

8 sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped

a few black olives (optional)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon paprika

salt and pepper

To serve: Olive ciabatta or crusty bread

Pre-heat oven to 190 C (375 F).

Loosen the skin of each chicken portion, without removing it, to make a pocket. Divide the cheese into four and push one quarter underneath the skin of each chicken portion in an even layer.

If cheese is not an option, you could place sliced garlic or chopped fresh herbs under the skin of the chicken, to add to the flavour. (Our Steph knows her Grannymar! )

Cut the courgettes and peppers into similarly sized chunky pieces. Quarter the tomatoes and slice the celery sticks. Heat the oil in a large, shallow, flameproof casserole. Cook the onions and garlic for 4 minutes until they are soft and golden, stirring frequently.

Add the courgettes, peppers and celery and cook for a further 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, oregano and balsamic vinegar. Season well.

Place the chicken on top, drizzle over a little more olive oil and season with salt and paprika. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Serve with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the tasty juice. Enjoy!

p.s. Don’t forget to set the timer before you leave for the pub!

PPS (from me) Remember to leave the pub before the house burns down!

This image is from an article called ‘The rescuing Hug’ written back in 1996.

The article details the first week of life of a set of twins. Apparently, each was in their respective incubators, and one was not expected to live. A hospital nurse fought against the hospital rules and placed the babies in one incubator.

When they were placed together, the healthier of the two threw an arm over her sister in an endearing embrace. The smaller baby’s heart rate stabilized and her temperature rose to normal.

Life Magazine - June 1996 - Page 18

Premature babies who survive are tiny miracles of modern medicine. Kyrie (red dot) and Brielle Jackson are also examples of a far more primitive science, that of the loving touch. Born 12 weeks early, the twins were whisked into separate incubators.

Kyrie, the larger at two pounds three ounces, slept peacefully. But Brielle had breathing and heart-rate problems, didn’t gain weight and fussed when anyone tried to comfort her. Finally, a nurse tried a technique called “double bedding” and put the sisters together fro the first time since they shared a womb.

“Brielle snuggled up to Kyrie,” reports mom Heidi Jackson, “and she calmed right down.”

With her sister near, Brielle began to thrive. Sooner then expected, the girls went home - where they now share a single crib.

Photographed in Worcester, Mass.
by Chris Christo/Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Give someone a hug; it might be a life saver!

So you think there’s no getting out of it this time!

But there is!

This is the start of a full-scale
Hug O’ War!
So hug everyone you know!

It can mean so many things at the same time.
It can be a sign of love, support,
caring, comfort or friendship.

Try it and brighten someone’s day.
I mean, we all need a hug once in a while.

LIKE A SMILE, IT IS NO GOOD UNTIL YOU GIVE IT AWAY!

I love this little gift that I received recently. The directions on the box are worth sharing:

1). Put the kettle on to boil.

2) Warm your favourite teapot

3) Add two tablespoons of tea, one for you and one for me.

4) Pour in boiling water, and while it brews, we’ll talk: We’ll talk about everything. We’ll talk about nothing. Whatever you want to say, I’ll listen. Show me your secrets, your troubles, your joys, your profound thoughts and silliest imagenings. Tell me a piece of juicy gossip. Or your theories on how to make the world a better place. Share a new recipe or an old memory. A brilliant idea or a stupid one. Anything. I’ll be sad if you’re sad, happy if you’re happy. I’ll giggle with you or cry with you. Burden me. Enlighten me. I hope we can continue our conversation for the rest of our lives.

5) Stir and pour.

6) Share.

I knew you would like it!

Samantha arrived home, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house.

She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs,’Peter, pack your bags. I won the lottery!’

Running down the stairs Peter asked ‘Oh my God! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?’

‘Doesn’t matter,’ she said. ‘Just get out.’

Here I am one week down the road from my big moment on TV. As a result of the programme I have received several queries about stain removal and other household hints. It has given me the idea to devote one day a week to these little tips. From now to the end of the year I hope to include uses for the following items that most of us have in our homes.

Lemon juice

Vinegar

Tooth paste – non gel

Dental Floss

Denture cleaning tablets

Shaving Foam

Baby wipes

White sewing cotton

Now I begin with a personal mishap with hot port at the weekend. My houseguests witnessed how I dealt with it. This is the carpet with an all-over pattern.

And here is the particular area where the port was spilled. The shot was taken after I cleaned it up.

I soaked up the excess liquid with an old towel and then rubbed gently with a baby wipe. We used two wipes in total and as you can see the stain has completely gone. I think I prefer this method to pouring the white wine on the stain. The wipes are supermarket own brand – fragrance free.

Now to answer the questions I received in the last week:

Q. Judy from Imagine asked; does vinegar work on feet as well as hands?

A I don’t see why not! When you put your hands or feet in the bowl or basin of vinegar it will feel like iced water.

Another tried and tested treat for feet is to add a capful of liquid fabric softener to a basin of hot – to warm water. Add feet and steep for 15 minutes! This makes nail cutting very easy

Q. Emma wanted to know about a silver ring she was wearing at the sink while using bleach and now the silver has faded.

A. If the ring is pure silver try soaking it in 110mls of white distilled vinegar & 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda for two to three hours. Rinse well under cold running water; put the stopper in the plughole so you don’t lose the ring! Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Q. S Byrne enquires about cleaning non-slip floor tiles in a bathroom.

A. If the tiles are ceramic some cleaners will leave a residue like a smeary coating. Try 2 tablespoons of ammonia and 1 tablespoon of borax in 1 gallon of water and use a rag or chamois-type mop. Rinse the mop frequently and change the water as it becomes dirty.

Q. How to remove milky tea from a white carpet

A. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of warm water. Use a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution and blot until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth.

If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with the ammonia solution and blot until the liquid is absorbed. Finally sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Q. Siobhan asked how to remove ball point marks from a white leather handbag

A. Dab full strength distilled white vinegar on the pen mark using a cloth or a sponge. Repeat until the marks are gone.