Sunday, December 29, 2013

Easy Shrimp Dish - can't wait to try it

1) Melt a stick of #butter in the pan. 
2) Slice one lemon and layer it on top of the butter. 
3) Put down 1 pound or more of fresh (uncooked) shrimp
4) Sprinkle one pack of dried Italian seasoning.
5)  Put in the oven and bake at 350 for 15 min. Best Shrimp you will EVER taste :)

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Breakfast Idea that looks so elegant

Breakfast is one of those meals that can so easily become BORING ... so here is a way to change it up.  I will have house guests on Sunday night and think this will make a great Monday morning breakfast ... easy and elegant.

 Mini-Breakfast Pancake Cups





1 cup milk
6 eggs
1 cup flour

1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. orange zest (optional)
1/4 cup butter, melted 

Powdered Sugar







1) Heat oven to 400 degrees F.  
2)Blend first six ingredients (milk thru orange zest) in a blender. Be careful to see that any flour clumps get well-blended.
3) Blend in butter a little at a time in order to temper the eggs.
4) Grease muffin tins well and distribute batter evenly between 24 tins 

5) Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top.  
6) Dust with powdered sugar then fill the cups with your topping of choice.


OR skip the sweet ingredients and fill with ham, egg, cheese scramble...??

Thanks to Liv Sporinsky for sharing a post she found on Facebook ... can't wait to try this out.


 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Think Before You Give

I want to use what God has given me wisely.  When I give to help others I want my donations to be truly helpful .... but are they??  I received this information in an email message from my sister-in-love ... I hope it helps you see clearly where to donate and perhaps where NOT to donate.   ~  Happy Thanksgiving  ~



A good reminder with the holiday , giving season ahead.
THINK BEFORE YOU DONATE
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS:
As you open your pockets to do a good thing and make yourself feel good, please keep the following facts in mind: ----------------------------
The American Red Cross
President and CEO Marsha J. Evans'
salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses
MARCH OF DIMES
It is called the March of Dimes because
only a dime for every 1 dollar is given to the needy.
The United Way
President Brian Gallagher
receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.
UNICEF
CEO Caryl M. Stern receives
$1,200,000 per year (100k permonth) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE.
Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.
GOODWILL CEO and owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year.
Goodwill is a very catchy name for his business.
You donate to his business and then he sells the items for PROFIT. 
He pays nothing for his products and pays his workers minimum wage! Nice Guy. 
$0.00 goes to help anyone! 
Stop giving to this man.
Instead, give it to ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
GO "GREEN" AND PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE IT WILL DO SOME GOOD:
The Salvation Army
Commissioner, Todd Bassett receives a small salary of only
$13,000 per year(plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.
96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.
The American Legion
National Commander receives a$0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!
The Veterans of Foreign Wars
National Commander receives a$0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!
The Disabled American Veterans
National Commander receives a$0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!
The Military Order of Purple Hearts
National Commander receives a$0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!
The Vietnam Veterans Association
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!
Make a Wish:For children's last wishes.
100% goes to funding trips or special wishes for a dying child.
St. Jude Research Hospital
100% goes towards funding and helping Children with Cancer who have no insurance and can
not afford to pay
.
Ronald McDonald Houses
All monies go to running the houses for parents who have critical Children in the hospital.
100% goes to housing, and feeding the families.
Lions Club International
100% OF DONATIONS GO TO HELP THE BLIND,BUY HEARING AIDES, SUPPORT MEDICAL MISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD. THEIR LATEST UNDERTAKING
IS MEASLES VACCINATIONS (ONLY $1.00 PER SHOT).

 

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Christmas is Coming the Goose is getting FAT

I love this time of year.  The days are getting cooler and my mind turns toward the holidays.  Today I found a special gift from my friend Jennifer Sands ... she posted Grinch Santas on Facebook ...  I went to the web-site she posted from and found an amazing place for holiday ideas.  I hope you will check it out.   Merry Little Christmas on Facebook.

So here is a picture of the Grinch Santas ... 
 Photo: Layer mini marshmallow, strawberry, banana slice, and a grape on a small stick and you get Grinch Kabobs!
AND
Here is a picture of a glorious Light Fixture ... I'm hoping we can improve our design at home
Photo: Gorgeous way to decorate a light.  <3
So until next time ... Use the Gifts that God gives you starting with your imagination.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Finding Serendipity ...

Just when you don't expect it ... something truly serendipitous happens ... such as the absolutely adorable Christmas candy mice I found on my Facebook page this evening... I just have to share them....



Directions: 
  1. Open face up Oreo cookie 
  2. Dip a marischino cherry in melted chocolate bark ... the stem is the tail of the mouse
  3.  Hersey's kiss for the head 
  4. Almond slices for the ears.
  5.  Pinch of marischino cherry for the nose
  6. Purchased candy eyes (or a dot of white icing topped with a tinier dot of black/brown frosting)
  7. Green icing piped on using leaf tip
  8. Cinnamon red hot candies for holly berries
Thanks to friends who shared this post from Judy Key

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Something Different for Breakfast

I am so spoiled by the richness of the American lifestyle.  Instead of being truly grateful for what God has provided in terms of foods to break my fast I want something different.   Well, I found it in the Cook's Country Magazine.  A part of America's Test Kitchen and led by Christopher Kimball, Cook's Country is a great cooking aid even for folks who have been in the kitchen since they were knee-high to a grasshopper!  At the back of this month's issue is a recipe for Breakfast Cookies ...AWESOMELY GOOD!

Here is the recipe.  Try it out and if you like it you might want to mosey on over to CooksCountry.com and consider a subscription to the magazine.  It isn't expensive and it is worth every penny!!

8 slices of bacon, fried crisp
1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, softened
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup GrapeNuts cereal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup granulated sugar.

  1. Cook bacon in skillet over medium heat until crispy (be careful to not get it over done)
  2. Put rack in middle of oven and heat oven to 325 degrees.
  3. Using stand mixer or electric mixer, beat butter and sugars on medium high speed until pale and fluffy.
  4. Add egg, orange juice concentrate, and orange zest. Mix again until well combined.
  5. In three increments add the dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
  6. Add the bacon and mix until well incorporated.
  7. Place remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a bowl.
  8. Taking a scant 2 tablespoons of dough (it will be sticky) roll it into a ball and then roll it in the sugar.
  9. Place sugared ball on one of two parchment paper lined baking sheets.  Each sheet should have no more than 8 cookies on the sheet placed well apart.  These cookies s-p-r-e-a-d out.
  10. Using bottom of a drinking glass dipped in remaining sugar flatted the balls to 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
  11. Bake cookies - 1 sheet at a time - for 15 to 19 minutes - (if unsure go for the longer baking time it effects the outcome)  Remove from oven and transfer parchment paper and all to a wire cooling rack. 
  12. Let cool completely.  Enjoy.  Makes 16 LARGE cookies.
Himself the DH says these are very similar to scones...just flat.  

Friday, September 20, 2013

A Spooky Little Treat

It is getting to be that time of year when the stores are filled with scary items and our minds turn to the glories of autumn.  For me that also means thinking about making Halloween extra special for my grandchildren.  Jennifer gave me the idea AND bought the Tic-Tacs ... so all I had to do was create the label for this super simple and super fun treat...  Thank the Lord I have a Silhouette Cameo and the sketch pens ... this was done in literally minutes.

Monday, September 9, 2013

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake - an appealing presentation

A cousin of mine posted this on her Facebook wall.  I really do love cheesecake but sometimes cutting a slice off of one seems a little "too much" if you know what I mean.  With the presentation of the dessert in an individual dish/bowl/cup my eyes don't seem to find themselves on overload.  Haven't made this recipe yet but wanted to find a way to pin it (yeah, Pinterest) to share with others.  If you try it, please leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from you.  


For the crust
  • 1 sleeve graham crackers (about 9 crackers)
  • ½ stick (4 tablespoons) butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

For the filling
  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
  • 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
    • OR 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 1-ounce package cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix
  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 12-ounce container frozen whipped topping, plus extra for garnish if desired

Instructions

  1. Place the graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor and pulse the crackers into fine crumbs.
  1. Add the melted butter, sugar and brown sugar and pulse until combined.
  1. Spoon the crumbs into individual 9-ounce plastic cups (or other individual sized cups for serving). Place in the refrigerator to set while you are preparing the filling.
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until light and creamy.
  1. Add the pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and pudding mix and beat until completely mixed, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure that all ingredients are well combined.
  1. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix again until well combined.
  1. Change your stand mixture attachment to the wire whisk. On slow speed, fold in the tub of Cool Whip until well combined.  OR (see note below) at this point put the filling mixture into another bowl.  Wash the stand mixer bowl thoroughly making sure there is no greasy residue left behind.  Put the heavy cream, cream of tartar and sugar into the clean bowl.  Using the wire whisk, whip until stiff peaks form.  Reserve some of the whipped cream for garnishing then fold the cheesecake mixture into the remaining whipped cream.
  1. Allow the mixture to sit in the refrigerator for about an hour to firm up.

  1. Using a large pastry bag with a large tip, or a spoon, top the graham cracker crust in each cup with the pumpkin mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  1. Garnish with additional whipped topping  or whipped cream if desired

Personal Note: In an effort to reduce the amount of chemicals and un-natural things my family consumes I would change the recipe to eliminate the frozen whipped topping.  I would replace the whipped topping with the following
  • 1 pint of heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 cup sugar



Sunday, April 28, 2013

I found this on Facebook and wanted to pin and share.

What a great idea for a back-door Herb Garden.   Put things like thyme (that tends to lay low and trail) on the bottom tier along with Basil (that can get leggy and tall if you don't harvest often enough).  Some oregano and other low growing herbs for the middle tier and rosemary for the top ....


The DH suggests running a pvc pipe or rebar through the holes in the pots to keep them from shifting around.  I think the pvc with holes drilled in it would make a great watering device as well as a stabilizer.  My idea has each pot with it's own bright (think 60's florescent) color ... In Texas and in full sun the black will hold the sun's heat and possibly make it too hot for the plants.  But in semi-shade it would work well.  Most herbs, however, need full sun for an extended period of time.

During the winter months - it would make a great spinach and leaf lettuce garden - that is IF you are using annual type herbs.  In my backyard herb garden I plant spinach and lettuce in the area that later on will be full of basil - basil self-seeds which is so nice.

Last but not least, please note, there is no drainage dish under the large pot.  This is not a good idea for 2 reasons.  1) the water can and will flow straight through the pots and make a mess on the porch beneath it 2) the soil in the pot stack will dry out very quickly and won't have that extra moisture to wick up into itself.

Using God's gifts - great ideas from friends on Facebook .... and making our meals delicious with herbs.  What could beat that??

Thursday, April 11, 2013

♪ Raindrops keep falling on my head ♪

The gray and rainy skies of yesterday have given way to bright sunshine today.  Both things Gifts from God that we can make use of especially in providing food for the family and relaxation while working the God-given land.  (*Even if that "land" is composed of pots behind a window or on a city balcony).

The DH came in for lunch and took a look at the new Lemon Balm plants on the kitchen window sill.  "I guess I did something right." says he.  "What's that?" says me.  "I used rain water on the new plants."  Sure enough, the new plants are doing beautifully.  Earlier this season, we lost some broccoli plants to ... you guessed it - regular tap water.  Just one dose was enough to kill them.



We have a couple of 50 gallon "rain barrels" (just old plastic barrels that DH has cleaned out).  These are set up under the rain spouts on the house and with just a drizzle we will have FULL barrels in no time.  Living in Texas we want to take every advantage of harvesting the rain to water our gardens.

It isn't hard to harvest rain water.  You only need a few things -

  1. Containers for the water. 
  2.  Lids to cover the containers on non-rainy days (or nights) 
  3.  A water can that will be easy to fill from your "cistern" or something to transfer the water to a watering can.  

Believe it or not, even a heavy dew will produce some water for plants.  What could be better?  Water that you do NOT have to pay for, is better for your plants, and makes them better for feeding your body.
Like everything today - we need to conserve what God has given us in terms of the earth and our health.

Happy Water Harvesting!!


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Dinner is almost DONE!

It certainly has been a red-letter day today when it comes to having my friends (God's gifts) share good things on Facebook!  Here is another recipe for something that sounds like it will melt in your mouth and then some.  Add the Apple Pie Enchiladas to the menu and all I need is a reason to celebrate ... wait a minute...I have that reason. The Lord spared my life on March 3rd (the gallbladder thing was way serious) and that is plenty of reason to celebrate.  So here goes that recipe.



Hot Ham Sammys


Makes 2 dozen 

You will need
  • 2 -12 count packages of sweet hawaiian rolls (the small dinner roll looking ones) 
  • 1 1/2 lbs of virginia ham (NOT honey ham) 
  • 12 slices swiss cheese 
  • 1 stick of real butter
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Directions:
  1. Using two 9 x 13 pans, place the bottoms of 12 rolls in each pan.
  1.  Place ham (about 2 shaved slices or so) on the rolls.
  1. Cut the cheese slices into 4 parts and place 2 small pieces on each sandwich.
  1. Put the dinner roll tops on.
  2. In a sauce pan, mix butter, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder and poppy seeds. Wait until all butter is melted and then brush the melted mixture over the ham sandwiches. 
  1. Cover with foil and let sit in fridge for 1 hour or over night. (If you want to bake them right away, you can also.)
  1. Preheat oven to 375 and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve. They are great hot and even at room temperature Enjoy!
2
*I have made these with turkey also and they are good. Not as great as the ham, but they are good.
Comments from others that sound great too....
  •  
  • We have been making similar sandwiches for years, but with mustard in the "special sauce" like Adam states -- and, the sauce goes on the inside instead of on top of the buns. That gets a bit messy and greasy. We also individually wrap them in foil before baking -- keeping them hot longer.

This recipe comes from about.southernfood.com

Another FB find - Apple Pie Enchiladas

Today is my day for finding great ideas on Facebook.  This one came through a dear friend whom I am sure got it from a friend of hers.  I am definitely going to try this one ... maybe even this weekend when family and friends have a Tex-Mex Pig Out.  The DH suggests adding some chopped pecans to the filling.  Pecans are like bacon ...everything tastes better with pecans.




Apple Pie Enchiladas

  • 1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
  • 6 (8 inch) flour tortillas
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup water


  1. Spoon about one heaping quarter cup of pie filling evenly down the center of each tortilla.
  2. Sprinkle with cinnamon; roll up, tucking in edges; and place seam side down in prepared dish.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes.
  4. Pour sauce over enchiladas and let stand 45 minutes.
  5. Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes, or until golden.
Serve with vanilla ice cream
 

A Gift in a Can ~ WD-40

I find the neatest gifts from God on Facebook of all places!!  Today, it came from You Know You're A Texan When ...  supposedly known to all is that Texans always have 2 things in their tool kits ... Duct Tape and WD-40!  LOL!  My DH has several T-shirts with various cute Duct Tape sayings like "Real Men Use Duct Tape" and "I can fix anything...where's the duct tape?"  But WD-40 who knew?

"Water Displacement #40".
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.
WD-40 was created in 1953, by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company.
Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'Water Displacement' Compound.
They were finally successful for a formulation, with their fortieth attempt, thus WD-40.
The 'Convair Company' bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
When you read the 'shower door' part, try it.
It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door.
If yours is plastic, it works just as well as on glass.
It's a miracle!
Then try it on your stovetop.
It's now shinier than it's ever been.
You'll be amazed.

DISCLAIMER: here is a link to the company web-site product page ... no guarantees are made by me or anyone else that these ideas actually work ... but if you are from Texas (or just the south) you can say "Hey, ya'll watch this" and see what happens (or not) ..

http://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf 

WD-40 Uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floor that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps the flies off of Cows, Horses, and other Farm Critters, as well. (Ya gotta love this one!!!)
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic / terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on both home and vehicles doors.
18. It removes that nasty tar and scuff marks from the kitchen flooring.
It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off.
Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Remove those nasty Bug guts that will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gearshift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers...
22. Rids kids rocking chair and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes grease splatters from stovetops.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, it protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.
Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. It is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray it on the marks and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you spray it inside a wet distributor cap, it will displace the moisture, allowing the engine to start.

P.S.
As for that Basic, Main Ingredient.......
Well.... it's FISH OIL....

Next stop for me is the store to buy my own can of WD-40.  I'm thinking of also buying a roll of PINK Duct Tape to cover the can with so the DH knows it is MY can of WD-40.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

God given ways to FIGHT Mosquitoes

Well, it has been over a month since I posted here.  Life sure got hectic in a hurry.  My dear son and his precious family moved back to Texas from Virginia.  How glad we are to have them nearby again.  Then on March 3rd, I needed emergency surgery for gall-bladder removal ... the rest of the time has been dedicated to a long term recovery.  Praise the Lord, I am back!

Just this morning I found this post on Facebook and wanted to share it with you.  We had many cases of West Nile Virus in our area last summer and I want to be prepared for the Great Mosquito Fight.  I don't know if this will work or not - but hey, it is worth a try isn't it??  Better than getting bitten by mosquitoes.

HEALTH - LEARN TO MAKE A SIMPLE MOSQUITO TRAP       


Items needed:

1 Cup Water
1/4 Cup of Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Yeast
2-liter plastic bottle (top cut off and inverted inside)

How to:
One. Cut the plastic bottle (PET type) in half. Storing the neck portion:
2nd. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle.
3rd. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide.
4th. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle.
5th. Wrap the bottle with something black, minus the top, and put in some corner of your house.

In two weeks you will see the amount of mosquitoes who died inside the bottle.

In addition to cleaning their homes, breeding sites of mosquitoes, we can use this very useful method in: Schools, Nurseries, Hospitals, homes, ranches, farms, ranches, nurseries. etc.

Recalculated to measurements used in the USA

from http://www.facebook.com/mon.reyes.12
Original Post: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201051898006597&set=a.2372074708262.2142409.1442346600&type=1&theater



Let me know if you make one (or several) of these and how they work.  I am going to make some for sure and will give an update with my results.

Another thing you may want to consider - especially if you are a gardener - is to plant mosquito UN-friendly plants around your patio, yard, doorways etc.    Here is a list of 26 possibilities that I have pinned on pinterest.  I hope you can find something to help keep you and your family bite free (or almost free) this summer.

http://pinterest.com/pin/447263806713432559/

Monday, February 11, 2013

Making Your Own Stencils ... and update on the rocket stove

The Rocket Stove I talked about earlier works great.  Looks horrible here ... all rusty and junky.  Not that I am fastidious but I just am trying to get rid of the junky look of our little homestead.  you know how it is...when Mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy.  So the DH went to work and made a rocket stove I can be truly proud of.  Using some stencils our son had made by hand to customize a car about 5 years ago, the DH made a great improvement in the looks ... below is the BEFORE picture.... yuck!

Before 

After


Trial run for a Pizza Oven .. it worked but the bottom was scorched

With the door closed

A closer look at the Pizza Oven set up - the top is made of hardipanel

Now we are back to trying to get the Pizza Oven perfected.  The pizza baked okay but the bottom was scorched because of being right over the flames.  Practice makes perfect and I am glad my family really does love pizza!

Now that you've seen the stove, here is a quick (sorry no pictures) tutorial on making stencils the free way.
1. Use old cereal boxes for your cardboard
2. Draw out or trace onto the inner cardboard what you'd like to make a stencil of.  In our case it was flames.  You can download lots of clipart for things like this.  Google Images is the place to go.
3. Using a sharp knife, craft knife, or scissors cut out the stencil.  If there will be overlaying parts, cut them out on a separate piece of cardboard.
4. Using painter's tape, tape the stencil down to the item you will be painting.  If you are using spray paint - go very lightly so you won't get runs.
5. Remove stencil to the next place you want to paint and go back to step 4.

The next posting will be about making plastic items for mobiles or sun-catchers.