Mayonnaise on your wood

I had a table that was covered in white water stains from an unfortunate move during a rain storm. This first pic is not my table (I forgot to take a "before" shot) but the marks looked the same. The white spots covered the top and looked like a film of milk.

I threw a table cloth over until I could get to the store for some refinisher - which is expensive and on the toxic side.

But, in the meantime, I read in Woman's World a neat little trick using mayonnaise and toothpaste to rub out the water marks.

Guess what! It really works! I used one of those sponges with the smooth side and a rough side. I used the rough side to work in the mayonnaise and the spots started to disappear almost immediately. I didn't need the toothpaste, since I used the rough sponge side. Look at the results and see for yourself..... Love those home remedies!

Off The Map - great movie!

I have been watching a lot of movies lately, as I'm recovering from a full hysterectomy. I have got to recommend to you a movie that is wonderful! I saw it weeks ago, and I still find myself thinking about the scenes and characters. The scenery was breath-taking and the acting was superb! Have I used enough adjectives to convince you to go rent it yet?

Here is the synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:
Across the ancient high desert landscape of northern New Mexico, an extraordinary family embarks on a lyrical journey of self-discovery that reveals unexpected moments of grace and the...
Across the ancient high desert landscape of northern New Mexico, an extraordinary family embarks on a lyrical journey of self-discovery that reveals unexpected moments of grace and the unpredictable but enduring nature of love.

In Campbell Scott's OFF THE MAP, the poetry of a time and a place marked by simplicity comes into full bloom. It's 1974 and the harshly beautiful wilds of Taos are home to 11-year-old Bo Groden (Valentina de Angelis) and her free-thinking family.

While constantly yearning for escape from her sparse environment, Bo passes the time with flair and imagination. She's a crack shot with a rifle and a bow and arrow, an artful plunderer of wallets and briefcases, and the compelling mistress of ceremonies for a moonlit three-ring circus of her own invention. Bo's home is an entrancing, challenging place that she will one day transcend to become the woman she was destined to be.

Arlene (Joan Allen), Bo's warm, earthy, and eccentric mother, raises most of the family's food in her vegetable garden -- which she prefers to tend in the nude. Meanwhile, Bo's father, Charley (Sam Elliott), the embodiment of Old West masculinity, is losing the battle with his inner demons.

When William Gibbs (Jim True-Frost) arrives, a hapless IRS agent with demons of his own, he soon proves to be a catalyst in the lives of the family during this watershed summer.

----- I hope you will love this movie as much as I love it. Let me know what you think after you see it. -------

Solid wood hutch - another Craigslist treasure

This doesn't look like much now, but just wait until I'm done painting it. Found this on Craigslist for only $45 at just the minute that I was thinking that I could use more kitchen work stations. My kitchen is tiny, but I have a breakfast room that I will be using more for food prep and storage, and in which this will be placed.

On this piece, I will place rows of large, glass jars filled with oatmeal, sugar, tea bags, flax seed, etc. And the bottom space will hold my appliances. There's enough space for food prep, too. Hubby will fit in an electrical strip in the back.

When you have a kitchen floorspace of just 6'x6' (with 3 people trying to fix food at one time) then storage pieces have to work hard. And down the road, if I don't need this any longer, I'm sure I can get my money back. It's a winner.

Pumpkin pie decor

I just baked the first of my fall pies tonight. 2 pumpkin pies with double the spices, since I like a strong-flavored pie. This pic was found on the net, but I liked the creative topping! Cute? You betcha, and one idea I will keep - I have several little grandchildren that would be thrilled to have their hand on a pie! MMmmm, the house smells wonderful!

Update To add: What I would do is trace around the hand on paper, and then cut it out. Lay the cut-out paper hand on the dough. Then cut around the shape and put it on the pie. Don't forget the legs!

A forgotten memory..... (and I have lots of 'em!)

Do you ever have those moments when you see something and you get a jolt of sensory memory? I saw this pic today on a breast cancer news article and my heart jumped! These look exactly like a pair I had when I was a new teenager! The pink bow on the pink ballet slipper flats was my opinion (at the time) of high chic and sophistication.

I wore them with a pink, lacy dress whenever I had the chance to "dress up". I would never have brought up this memory by myself - this pic evoked it and I'm grateful for the girlish sensation I got from seeing "my" pink ribboned shoes again.

Award winning Pineapple Custard Pie

Doesn't everyone love pie?! And pies are so easy to do. I used a ready-made crust for this, but sister Jane has promised me a great crust recipe for all my future pies. For the topping, I cut up strips of crust and made a lattice type covering.



Ummmmm, I just baked an award-winning (1st place at the county fair) pineapple custard pie from a recipe on this blog:
http://bigboldbeautifulfood.blogspot.com/2009/07/award-winning-pineapple-custard-pie.html
I'll update when this pie cools and I get a taste!

I'm a lucky person.......

JOY JOY JOY!!!

I've been a little busy lately with medical tests and procedures, but now I'm back on track and recovering nicely from a full hysterectomy. I am soooo very lucky that we caught it early and I don't have to go through Chemo or radiation. It's all gone.

Thanks for the prayers and healing thoughts.

I'm feeling better each day!