Federal employees and active duty military have a great option for making charitable donations. The Combined Federal Campaign was sanctioned in 1961. It now raises over $200 million a year. Donors can make a donation by cash or check, or divide the gift out over the calendar year in monthly installments. Read article.
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» Things I Love to do at Christmas
There are so many great and fun things to see and do during the Christmas holiday season. See videos and pictures of Trans Siberian Orchestra, A Tuna Christmas performance, the San Antonio Riverwalk, San Antonio Pops concert, Wassailfest in New Braunfels Texas, Santa’s Ranch Christmas lights near San Marcos Texas. Go to article.
» Cheap and Easy Halloween Costumes
In college, my Occupational Therapy class hosted a Halloween Party each year for local developmentally delayed adults. Check out my ideas and personal photos for inexpensive Halloween costumes. Clown costume, mime costume, cat costume, cat burglar costume, pirate costumes, devil costume, Blues Brothers costume, Don Johnson costume. Go to article.
» Tex-Mex Weight Watchers Quick Start Recipes
One of the hardest things about following a diet plan is seemingly never feeling full. These hardy portions will make you feel full. Here are my versions of Weight Watchers Quick Start recipes. Try Weight Watchers Tex-Mex chili, chili cheese pie, or Spanish rice when you want big portions packed with flavor. Go to recipes.
» Italian Vegetarian Burger
Looking for natural alternatives for veggie burgers versus “texturized vegetable protein”? The foundation of this Italian vegetarian burger is lentils, rice and bread crumbs. It also features Parmesan cheese and Italian spices. Serve with a slice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and mayo on your favorite sandwich roll. Go to recipe.
» My Version of Turkish Green Beans
I was stationed in Turkey for over three years. During my years in Turkey, I really enjoyed the food. This is my version of Zeytinyağli Taze Fasulye, or green beans. They are made with tomatoes, onions, and garlic, with ground beef formed into a football shape. Turkish green beans are great over rice pilaf, which Read More… »
» Our Southern New Year’s Traditions
I grew up in South Carolina, with classic Southern New Year’s traditional foods. We had collard greens cooked with fatback, so we would have “greenbacks” during the year. Blackeyed peas ensured coins. Sometimes we had rice for pennies. The meal was rounded out with fried hog jowl and homemade cornbread. Read article.
» Holiday Treats from My Family Christmas Traditions
Christmas at my mom’s began with the family attending Christmas Eve Candlelight Services together. We’d come home to open gifts, but not before feasting on homemade holiday junk food. Here are the recipes for Mom’s sausage balls, cheese straws, two flavored fudge, Martha Washington candy, peanut butter balls, and cheese roll. Go to recipes.
» Christmas Cookies and Fruitcake Recipes
For many people, “fruitcake” invokes an image of horror. I’ve tasted some “store bought” fruitcake that certainly under-impressed me. Lucky for me, I grew up with a mom who had a huge sweet tooth, and who was very proficient at baking. Here are three fruitcake recipes, including my mom’s very best. Also fruitcake cookies, sometimes Read More… »
» Traditional Southern Thanksgiving Feast
Growing up, we always had a huge Thanksgiving feast with our extended family. Along with our turkey, we usually had ham and beef roast. For me the real highlight was the side dishes: baked macaroni and cheese, potato salad, noodles, and dressing. My mom’s favorites were definitely the desserts: sweet potato pies, pecan pies, and Read More… »