Cast Iron

Guess what I am doing today?? LOL just ignore the bottom of the oven there... I know I have to clean it. But the cast iron skillet on the left on top is a new one. Why waste the energy for one pan.  I decided to season all my cast iron pans. Re-season so to speak. Is that a word??

I did clean the new pan cause I work at a store and know how dusty a store can be... by habit I used salt to remove the dirt with a wet dishcloth.  Then I air dried. The old pans where already seasoned but then you should re-season them once in awhile.

I used some lard (make sure it is a rendered type of lard) to spread all over the pan. I did the handle too; cause of a spill once that had me doing a work out to get the burnt something off the handle. sigh.. Learning by mistakes.

I left them in the oven after the timer went off just cause I thought it might not be a bad idea with all those extra pans in there... then wipe off the oil on the top of the pans..

re-seasoned pans.

I love  pan seared  steaks.  Well it was a Rachael Ray hint (by the way the link doesn't take you to the Rachael Ray site but to another link I found from pinerest)

Some of the pans I got from family.  My grandmother cook many things in the cast iron skittles.  I do have a griddle that is cast iron and I used that for pancakes and grilled cheese.

Smashing Great idea

So when I was younger we had these books that we would cut and glue pictures and stuff into. We called them scrapbooks. We glue in our pictures, notes, report cards, newspaper clippings and so much more. We write in bold letters, silly sayings and sometimes not so nice words... Drawing silly things or adding pictures from magazines and stickers....  NOW the papers and they ideas that has taken off is so amazing!  It very interesting to see the different  ways people do this creative way of remembering things...... The charms that you can add to the pages.  Plus things like  scissors for beautiful edges and hole punches....

I like this video because it kinda has a catchy little tune and nicely moving little dittoes to keep you watching.

BUT it is a commercial for the product a smash book but you can make one from a old notebook.  Strangely I have a few around the house.  And I have made this type of smash book from don't hate me but a old book.... The old book didn't work to well seeing the binder couldn't take all the pressure.


 

Hey have fun with it!

Sure if you say so...

It seems like the popular thing around here is to carry a tote bag as a purse.  Not the over size things but open top bags.... Many of my co-workers are carrying them and now my young ladies....  I am getting on the bandwagon and making me one from "fake leather"  material, cause I like tons of pockets and long handles. My purse is falling apart and I need a new one.  I can't find one I like. You know it is always the time you can't find one you like. You always see ones you really like when you have no  money!!  Ok so I did see one online I liked but..... really don't have the extra $250 for a purse. Paid 6 dollars for the material. 

I made Miss Animal Rights a grocery bag from a bright red t-shirt of hers... She has been carrying a  tote bag with the Twilight logo on it... But it is black and now her uniform is all black.  She is getting a little tried of all black.  She saw this and decided to make this her purse!  So in all black with a bright red bag many people have commented on her cool purse.

This is kinda how I made her purse.



Now with all the comments she has a idea. She said I could buy a bunch of  Cleveland Browns tees. I get to make a bunch of these bags and she gets to drive all the way to Cleveland and tailgate party before the Browns games and sell these tote bags.We will split it 50/50. Of course I said huh? I get to do all the work and pay for the materials and you get to drive and sell??? She was like she pays for gas and I pay for shirts. I really don't think that is 50/50 work and expense...  She looked at me and said MOM we'll go to the goodwill stores and places like that.... We pay what a couple dollars for the shirt make a tote bag and charge $25....

Of course I want to change the tote bag a little to make it look more like a tote bag. She is not going for it wants to stay just like her bag..... Well we haven't found any Brown shirts yet.... Really have NOT been to the goodwill stores yet either... giggles.... oh well looks like we have some ideas for holiday gifts for some friends

Blast from the Past

I just got a green newsletter that said the funnest thing. I guess since I am older and remember this item from my youth is was something that didn't surprise me.... FINALLY!! A safe alternative to plastic ice cube trays! Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray!! Well I remember those aluminum trays were about the only thing you could get when I was little. Now they are green. If only we knew then what we know now.. Amazon.com has one here. But they are a higher priced item at $29 Plus tax.

Humm I wonder if one could find them at resale shops......... or if my pack rat parents saved one........ It might just be somewhere in the attic, garage  or basement.  Aluminum doesn't rust right??  My dad probably  has  his screws, nuts and bolts in one.  He is the one that taught me to reuse many items.  I also share my reuse ideas with him or the one I find online.   My late mother taught me how to cook and clean with natural items.  Felt like I had to give both of them equal kudos!! 

But the first lesson one learns from this ice cube tray is NEVER open one with wet hands...... The handle likes to stick to you.  It's like the famous holiday movie where the little boy gets his tongue stuck to the pole.  I double dog dare you!!!!