CAST IRON SKILLET

Through the years I have used many different pots and pans to do my cooking.  I've had cheap skillets, aluminum based pots, T-Fal

(a  really good one) and some old "Guardian Service" picked up from yard sales.  Somehow I always find myself going back to my ole' cast iron skillets. 

Cast iron really heats everything evenly, and for frying, it just can't be beat!  I don't even know if it's possible to fry potatoes in anything else, at least to my liking.

Cast iron has one problem;  you aren't supposed to wash it and when you do it can rust.  I don't know about you, but wiping out a skillet I've cooked in just doesn't feel clean.  The solution:  I wash in a mild soap and water and dry immediatly.  After drying I coat my skillets with a spray on oil like "Pam".  I never have rust spots and best of all, my skillets are always ready for their next use.

TAKE TIME TO PLAY

Sunsets from Southport NC

I remember years ago I stayed so busy that there was no time to play.  Even grown ups need time to play as long as it stays in good balance. 

I remember wanting to make all those adorable crafts I would see and thinking, "Maybe God will give me a little craft corner in heaven so I can play with the crafts."  Well, my time has come and I am having so much fun.


Coasters For Outdoor Lovers



I can't post pics of all the different crafts I play with, but my latest endeavor is coasters.  They are so simple and pretty too. 

All you need is a ceramic tile, modge podge, pictures of your choice,  some felt and a sealer of some sort.  I have used personal photos and pictures from magazines.  Everything I have tried has worked.

I start with a clean blank tile.   Cut a picture the size you want it (I use 4X4 inches).  This size will leave a very small border on the edges.   Place your picture in a small bowl of water to soak for a minute.  Spread the modge podge on the tile.   Take the picture out of the water and remove as much water as possible.  Lay the picture on the tile and press down  until smooth.  I use a brayer to roll out the air bubbles (I learned the hard way).  Let this dry.

When this is dry you can apply a layer of modge podge.  At first I had trouble with brush strokes but did some research online and found if you wet your sponge brush before applying the modge podge the brush marks almost disappear.   When the modge podge has dried I seal it again with a polyurathane.  Some say this step isn't necessary but I feel like it really protects agains scratches and such.

Poinsettas taken from the front of Christmas Cards

Take some time to play today!  It's good for you.

Blessings,

GrandmaB

IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG

Wow!  It's been a long time since I've posted on this blog.  My computer crashed in November that caused me a lot of pain!  Ugh!  Don't ever go without anti-virus protection for even a day.  I learned the hard way!

I couldn't figure out why my satalite internet wasn't working in November.  When I would call the company they just said they were having technical difficulties.  Finally I called the man who installed my dish and he told me he had just found out that Sky-way went out of business.   NOW WHAT?

I had to wait until just a few weeks ago to get another satalite privider, Hughes Net.  It seems to be working very good and it's pretty fast, so finally, I can post again.

Christmas is over and I hope to see you on this site often.

Blessings!
GrandmaB

SWEET LIL' PUMPKIN

One of parents made this sweet sweet pumpkin for our kids at our childcare center and I thought you might enjoy seeing it.  Perhaps you might want to make one for your kids!

This is a medium size pumpkin and the mom said she put 160 suckers on it.  Trust me there are several rows of the sweet stuff on it!

If you decide to make one please post pictures so we can all see how yours turned out!

Blessings!

Grandma B

STOP THAT ITCH!

I hate chiggers!!!  I have avoided those little devils all summer until a week ago.  Apparently a few hitch-hiked on my socks and made their way to my ankles.  I used everything  I could think of to stop the itch and then I saw this idea somewhere (can't remember, that's happening a lot lately) and thought why not try it!

And what was this new anti-itch miracle?   TOOTHPASTE!  You read this right;  Toothpaste!   I rubbed a little dot of my toothpaste on the itch and it stopped immediately.   After a few hours it would wear off but when I reapplied it, the itch stopped.   This was amazing!  

I haven't tried it for mosquito bites or other itches, but it worked on those flesh eating critters called chiggers!
What are some of your best remedies for itch?

Blessings,
Grandma B

BEDROOM FURNITURE MAKEOVER

While shopping at Home Depot the other day I saw a paint made for doors and trim by Glidden.  It claimed to leave no drips or brush marks.  The sample they had painted was amazing.  Since I had an old chest of drawers that was ready for the trash, I decided to try my hand at painting it.  Here are my before and after pics.

The wood is scratched and hardware is missing.

My first step was to clean the chest and then prime it before painting.  I used spray primer!

Here is the finished chest.  The finish is really beautiful.  I have since used this paint for the bookcase and bed.

Here is the finished bookcase and chest. 
This door and trim paint comes in quart size only but it really goes a long way.  The cost $17.99 for three items of furniture.
I can't wait to start painting my doors and trim!