Search Results for: wonderful wednesday

Organized or Organizers

Organized or organizers…how’s that for a title? Those of us who want to be organized LOVE organizers. It is important, though, to remember that organizers do not organize you. YOU organize you!

That being said, what new organizers are you thinking of adding to your collection? I have added some air-tight BPA free rectangular food containers to keep the bugs out and freshness in. They are made by OXO GOOD and they have a pop top to seal in the food. And they make your cupboards look so good!

Oxo Good Pop Top Containers

As soon as I saw them, I knew they were my answer to keeping my food fresh and cupboards clean. They may seem to be a little pricey, I think they’re worth it in the long run. Did you ever think your cupboards could look so pretty?

Have you found a great organizer that you can share with us? Tell us what you’ve found in today’s comments!

How To Cut Brownies

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By Sinea Pies

Ever wondered how bakeries cut brownies and bar-cookies so beautifully? I always imagined that they had mysterious tools that none of us could own and we were all stuck with making bent, folded and out-of-shape brownies. They taste good but the display? Not so pretty.

Frustrated with this, I did some internet research. A pastry chef shared a technique and I decided to give it a try. For my first attempt, I think it went well. I was out of toothpicks so testing the brownies for doneness was inaccurate. They were a little under-cooked. Next time I will do better.

What I learned:
Grease your pan TWICE. His method called for butter, so that’s what I used. You grease the pan, line it with aluminum foil (it needs to be good quality but not heavy duty). Then, butter the foil. The goal is to be able to pull the aluminum foil, baked brownies inside, out of the pan before cutting.

How To Cut Brownies Beautifully
(photos below)

Butter a 13″ X 9″ baking pan.
Line it with aluminum foil.
Butter the foil.
Prepare brownies according to package instructions and pour into pan.
Bake.
Remove brownies from oven when done. (Test them to be sure.)
Allow brownies to cool completely.
Pull the foil out of the pan, baked brownies inside, and place on cutting board.
Cut them in squares, using a long knife, with a long stroke to maintain evenness of each piece.
Use a spatula or knife to loosen and remove each brownie to a plate.

Tips:

“Stickage”: If you detect that the brownies are sticking to the foil, you may want to apply heat underneath. Run hot water over a cookie sheet to heat it up. Then, move it all to the warm cookie sheet to soften the butter on the foil. Then go back to the cutting board and finish up.
Keep It Clean: Have a glass of water and clean paper towel on hand to wipe off the knife in-between cuts. Dip the dirty knife in the water, wipe clean, cut again.
Decorate: Either frost them, sprinkle with powdered sugar through a sifter as I did, or add chopped nuts to the unbaked brownies before placing them in the oven.

I tried to find a great how-to video for you. After I perfect this and I may have to make one myself. They were ridiculous! (My apologies to the film makers, but they were.) They either had those “mysterious tools” we don’t have or the instructors wanted you to measure with a measuring tape! Forget it. We don’t have time for that, do we? We just want square brownies. That’s it!

Here’s what the process looked like, step by step.

Do you make brownies or bar-cookies? Got tips? Share!

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Stop by every Wednesday for

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Linking up with Menu Plan Monday on Organizing Junkie

Monday Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and cream of tomato soup.
Tuesday Fried Chicken with biscuits.
Wednesday “Breakfast for dinner” Make Eggs in a Basket with sausage or bacon on the side.
Thursday Lite night. Mediterranean Salad with couscos as a side dish.
Friday No cooking. Get a great Pizza Hut pizza!
Saturday Little Cheddar Burgers with mashed potatoes and corn on the side. (Save the remaining ground beef for tomorrow night’s lasagna)
Sunday Baked Lasagna with spaghetti, tossed salad and Italian bread

Tidy Mom — A Place For Everything

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“Wonderful Wednesday’s” spotlight this week is on Cheryl and her ever-popular blog, Tidy Mom. Ever popular? Her Facebook Fans alone are over 14k strong! Told you she has a great website!

In her own words, Cheryl is “A self-proclaimed neat freak.”
On Tidy Mom, Cheryl chronicles her journey through

Cheryl of Tidy Mom
Photo credit: Angie Arthur

homemaking with posts on recipes,
tutorials, crafting and her love for photography.”
Her blog centers around everything that we love!

When you go there, scroll down the right sidebar on the homepage. You will find pictured many of her favorite recipes and craft projects. Check it out and click, click, click!

Her most recent post is entitled
“3 Homemade Christmas Ornaments“ (a tutorial) I love all three styles depicted there but my favorite HAS to be the one with the glitter! Glitter is so… glittery! (Yes, I did say that and I’m not taking it back! LOL)

And check out the scrumptious Peanut Butter and Banana Muffins recipe; another recent post.

Before you leave her site, be sure to subscribe to Tidy Mom, and “LIKE” the Tidy Mom Facebook Fanpage, as well. Please leave a nice comment for Cheryl and let her know that Ducks ‘n a Row sent you!

Do you love Linky Parties? We’ve got one going below! Add your family-friendly post and spread the news to your friends.

FACEBOOK FAN CHALLENGE: We have 31 days left and 2011 will be through. Our goal has been 500 fans by December 31st and we’re not backing away from it. I think we can do it! If you haven’t already, please LIKE our Ducks ‘n a Row Fanpage. We’d love to have you!

Recent Posts:
Kid Recipes–Easy Recipes That Kids Will Love
Printables–Adorn Your Gifts Beautifully For Free
Holiday Recipe Planning–Start Today
Pumpkin Bread
Weight Watchers PointsPlus

By Kittisak
FreedigitalPhotos.net

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Save Money with Grocery Shrink

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Our Wonderful Wednesday spotlight is on the very first website to which I became a subscriber: Grocery Shrink, founded by Angela Coffman. And I have a guest post on her site this week!

photo by kongsky at freedigitalphotos.com

A little background about Angela Coffman: Angela is fondly known as the “Grocery Shrink” and her ability to train others on how to trim back their spending comes from personal experience. She and her husband, Darren, were plagued by their financial condition. $89,000 in debt, they longed to be debt-free. So they got very, very serious about.

Trimming their grocery spending alone to a mere $185.00 per month (at that time a they were a family of 5) and cutting back in a multitude of other areas, they were able to steadily pay off their bills to finally achieve debt-free status within 6 months. In fact, they did more than that. They built an emergency fund and had $40,000 left over to put toward buying a house.Wow!

GroceryShrink.com

Angela’s fame has opened the door for two recent guest appearances on the 700 Club. Here are the links to those segments: clip #1 and clip #2. When you watch the second clip, you’ll learn how she creates her own, safe cleaning products for a fraction of the cost of their commercial counterparts.
For Angela’s Homemade Cleaning Products recipes, mentioned on one of the clips, along with their complete debt-conquering success story, go to her homepage (after you read my guestpost, of course 🙂 and sign up for her newsletter at Grocery Shrink.

Now, before you go…be sure to view my TWO guest posts on Grocery Shrink (links below) and my latest post on HubPages honoring our World War II veterans. I’m particularly proud of that one because it includes my son’s award winning video.

Guest Posts on Grocery Shrink:
Getting Ready for Christmas
How to Organize Your Kitchen Drawer in 10 Minutes or Less

Recent Posts:
How to Speed Clean a Room
Quick Breakfast Ideas
World War II Veterans

Let’s keep in touch. Subscribe to Ducks ‘n a Row by email and “like” our Facebook Fanpage so that we don’t lose track of each other.

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Have a Wonderful Wednesday,
…Sinea from Ducks ‘n a Row

15 Great Uses for Baking Soda

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By Sinea Pies

Baking soda is an essential and inexpensive household item that is useful in so many ways.

First and foremost, it is used for the obvious: BAKING!

Not to be confused with baking powder, baking soda is 100% sodium bicarbonate.

Baking powder has baking soda in it, along with some cream of tartar.

Baking soda and baking powder are both used to make baked goods rise by producing carbon dioxide as the batter cooks.

In addition to an essential ingredient for baking, baking soda is a great deodorizer, polisher, cleanser and even itch-remover!

Here are 15 GREAT USES for BAKING SODA!
1. Baking: As we said, baking soda is a key ingredient in most baked goods, including one of Martha Stewart’s favorite dessert: CUPCAKES (check out these 31 photos of yummy specialty cupcakes)!!! Click to buy Martha’s Cupcake Cookbook here.

2. Toothpaste: You can buy toothpaste that contains the ingredient or make your own. Just put a little baking soda in a dish with some salt. Wet your brush, dip it in caking it up on the brush, and gently brush your teeth. They’ll gleam!

3. Eliminate Refrigerator Smells: Open a box and put it in the frig. Mark the date on the box first and recycle every 30 days for freshness.

4. Carpet deodorizer: Sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet, leave for 15 minutes and then vacuum.

5. Exfoliate: Make a paste of baking soda and water, gently scrub your face and body for a natural, safe clean. Rinse off with water.

6.Cleaning Baby Toys: dilute 4 T. baking soda in 1 quart warm water. Use the solution to wash the toys, then rinse and wipe clean.

7. Drain Opener: pour some dry baking soda down a slow running drain. Add vinegar and listen to it fizz! Wait 10 minutes. Follow it with a quart of very hot water. Voila! Free flowing drain.

8. Insect Bites: apply a paste of baking soda and water to stop the itch.

9. Science Projects: remember the famous science fair project, the Erupting Volcano? Baking soda and vinegar are what makes it work!

10. Hair Clarifier: use a lot of gels, mousse and other sticky hair products? Remove that build-up once a week by adding a tiny pinch of baking soda to your shampoo. Lather up and rinse.

11. Antacid: remember the old movies where they ordered a bicarb for a sour stomach? They were asking for baking soda. It still works today! Check the directions on the package before using.

12. Fight Fires: Keep a box of baking soda near the stove in case of a grease fire. Quickly toss some baking soda on the fire and extinguish it instantly.

Mr.Coffee Coffee Maker

13. Clean Your Coffee Maker: Make a solution of 1/4 cup of baking soda and a quart of warm water to clean your coffee maker, coffee mugs and pot. Your coffee will taste great!

14. Remove Grease Stains from Clothes: make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it to the stains. Add a little baking soda to the wash load, as well.

15. Freshen Your Sponges: Sponges smelling a little raunchy? Don’t give them up just yet. Make a strong solution of baking soda and warm water and let them soak.

BONUS USE: Deodorizer Sneakers and Shoes! This works so well, I just had to add it. If you have SMELLY SNEAKERS, sprinkle baking soda into them and shake the excess out. Go head and wear them. They will be so much better. In my experience, mine no longer smelled bad at all!

Arm and Hammer is the brand name that comes to mind when we think of baking soda. Their website is full of great baking soda ideas as well as a list of their cleaning and deodorizing products. If you have pets, you’ve got to try their pet odor eliminator carpet powder. It removes the smell and helps to get up the pet hair better than ever!

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Stop by every Wednesday for

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

with specially featured blogs.

A treasure in every click.

It is Time for a Blog Party!

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Oh wow, I am so sorry that I am late getting this party out there for you. It’s been a complicated few days and, actually, I thought I did it … but I did not. Forgive me?

Late but not TOO late, that is for sure. Party’s open through much of Saturday so let’s have some FUN! Got a post to share? Please do. Everybody, take a look at these great features and then scroll through the new party below. Remember, pins help our bloggers so please pin some posts that you really like? Thanks❤️

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links! ❤️

Featured Posts

Getting a look at Penny’s Front Porch – Penny’s Passion

Crazy thing … did you know you can buy a real HOUSE on Amazon? Well, a small one but they are real houses. This one look like a nice little getaway place for brief retreat/vacation or maybe an office for uninterrupted productivity when deadlines are looming on the horizon? Looks cute and cozy to me!

Luxury Apple Pod House

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie – Cook Eat Go!

Best Pet Hair Vacuum Cleaner!

I love Shark vacuum cleaners for lots of reasons, especially cleaning up pet hair!

Why it is Important to Eat Orange Foods from Colors 4 Health

How to Grow Houseplants You Can Actually Keep Alive – My Life Abundant

Meet The Hosts

Bev – ECLECTIC RED BARN | FB | IG | PINTEREST.
.
Penny – PENNY’S PASSION | FB | IG | PINTEREST
Sinea – DUCKS ‘N A ROW | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X
Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X | YOUTUBE
Denise – THIS IS MY EVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X | YOUTUBE

.Crockpot Slow Cookers – great price!

Chefman TurboFry® Touch Air Fryer, XL 8-Qt Family Size, One-Touch Digital Control Presets, French Fries, Chicken, Meat, Fish, Nonstick Dishwasher-Safe Parts, Automatic Shutoff, Stainless Steel

One Day Blog Hop — Jump In!

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“I’m late I’m late for a very important date!”

My apologies for getting started on this party so so late in the week. Our blog hop is still open!

This party is open for entries until 7pm tonight and, THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS, party entries are loaded at the TOP! So, no matter when you arrive, you will have your time of excellent visibility. I am going over to X to tweet it out, even as we speak.

MEET THE HOSTS

Bev – ECLECTIC RED BARN | FB | IG | PINTEREST
Penny – PENNY’S PASSION | FB | IG | PINTEREST
Sinea – DUCKS ‘N A ROW | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
Tara – STILETTOS AND SHIPLAP | IG | PINTEREST
Denise – THIS IS MY EVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links♥

The EGGMAZING Egg Decorator is Fun!!! ad

Let’s not delay any further. Our features are worthy of attention, folks. Be sure to click through and, maybe, pin them, OK?

Featured Posts

This Cake Mix Cobbler is from Recipes My Mom Gave Me! Looks so delicious 🙂

Yummy No Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream from Cincy Shopper.

Fat Dad Foodie made these scrumptious Mini Cheesecake Waffle Bowls.

Editors’ Pick

Key Lime Pound Cake from Recipes Simple

Now this is fun. Get a “butterfly growing kit” and watch the wonder of caterpillar to butterfly with your kids. Watch them flutter for a few days, as they get used to their life-of-flight, and then release them, together, out in the wild for their next adventure!

It is fun and educational. So easy. I have done it year after year with my preschoolers and it was a butterfly blessing every time. ad

So let’s get this party started!

Spring cleaning???? Do a good job! Shark is the best vacuum I have ever used. ad

Happiness is Homemade Valentines Day Party!

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Valentine Sweets on Happiness Is Homemade

Valentine’s Day is Wednesday. Whether you go out for dinner or make a special dinner at home, I don’t think it is complete without something sweet. So today I give you some luscious desserts that might inspire you to make. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day

(Last weeks)

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links! ♥

Features from Last Week’s Party

Valentine pops

Marshmallow Valentine Pops

2 Ingredient Valentine’s Day Fudge

Valentine’s Day Oreos

Jovakit heart-shaped polarized sunglasses! ad

Strawberries and Cream Shake

Valentine Rice Krispies

Do you have a Paw Patrol enthusiast in your life? I can tell you as a grandma and preschool teacher, Paw Patrol figurines are HIGHLY popular with little ones and show up OFTEN for show & tell at school.

In fact, I have known children to bring the same ones for show & tell weeks in a row. They are so proud of them and NEVER get tired of them …. ever, ever, ever! LOL On week #3 their teacher did get a bit weary (LOL, me) but I kept a smile on my face and listened intently to their delight as they talked endlessly about their little pals.

Popular: Heart Shaped Sun Catcher Craft on Ducks ‘n a Row

This Valentine craft is great for adults and children alike. Easy and fun! Looks so pretty in the window.

Come to a Blog Party!

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Better late than never? Our week’s blog party is open for just one more day. It closes to new additions Friday evening. I am so sorry for the delay. Time just got away from me.

If you have not stopped by on one of our other blog sites, please join our party here, right now! Autumn is such an inspiring time of year and our guest bloggers are sharing recipes, crafts, home décor ideas galore. You are going to love them ♥