BakerAunt
Thu. Sep 10th, 2026
This winter, the deer raided the bird feeder. We initially blamed a squirrel, when one feeder had crashed to the ground last year, and this year we found the feeder hanging from only one wire. Tracks in the snow are one hint, but we have two deer that come by the front of the house and were quite surprised to find that we had moved the feeder to the side, in part to give the birds a more sheltered spot, as the neighbor has some large shrubs on that side, and there are eagles and merlens around. To deter the deer, my husband puts most of the feed out during the birds' favorite feeding times. However, with the snow coming in yesterday, he put it out in the evening, and the feeder did booming business.
My educated guess was correct, no doubt inspired by having known a lady who raised them.
I knew this. I'm a dedicated coffee drinker in the morning.
I can’t make my wonderful Valentine’s sugar cookies, since the amount of butter is prohibitive when I don’t have other people around who can help eat them. I pulled out a Nordic Ware heart Bundtlette pan. I was delighted to find the recipe from the original packaging was “Hazelnut Heart Cakelets with Vanilla Glaze,” and that it uses oil and not butter. I substituted 1/3 barley flour for that much AP, added 1 Tbs. Bob’s Red Mill milk powder, and replaced 1/3 of the canola oil with that much buttermilk. (That means ½ cup oil and ¼ cup buttermilk.) I made a half recipe of the glaze, as the amount seemed too much, and the half recipe was perfect. I put the glaze in the center and let a bit drip down the sides. These are lovely and delicious.
Dinner on Tuesday night was “Tomato and Gigante Bean Bake/Pizza Beans,” a recipe from Smitten Kitchen Every Day, which is also on the Smitten Kitchen website. It’s a favorite of ours. My only changes are to add browned ground turkey and to halve the mozzarella. I make it in a 13x9 inch lasagna pan.
I look forward to hearing more about this experiment.
Indiana has not.
When Michigan did, there were articles in the South Bend Tribune reminding people not to bring it back. The state border is very close up in South Bend and Mishawaka, with some people commuting daily.
BakerAunt.
Skeptic--I was curious about how the bread browns in a slow cooker, as there is no heat on top.
I've wondered if the issues that I have with cooking roasts is that I prefer the way the oven browns them.
When my rice cooker decides to bite the dust, I may explore multi-cookers and see if they do rice and grains well. That way, I would know that I have at least one use for it, without multiplying appliances.
Oh, those tacos sound so good, Len.
I have a memory of my mother making Italian Green beans, although I think she served them plain. I know that my family ate them occasionally when I was growing up.
I missed it. I rarely buy ground beef now. It's more expensive here than when we lived in Texas. When I do buy ground beef, I buy what has the least saturated fat.
It's good to have the math formula for figuring this out, so I'll keep it in mind in case I'm cooking for a larger group without my dietary restrictions.
On Monday, I made another batch of yogurt. I have my system worked out now. I may see if I can find an additional set of jars for the yogurt maker, so that I can always have yogurt ready. Kenwood does not make it any more, but I think that similar ones are made by other companies.
I also rarely use my Montgomery Ward 3 1/2 quart slow cooker. (Yes, it's an oldie but goodie, and the only one I own.) I have tried it with beef roasts and pork roasts in the past, but was disappointed in how the food cooked. That may be due to the old model. I also didn't like having to brown the meat in another pan, or saute vegetables in another pan, and then add them to the ceramic crock, as that meant more dishes to wash.
I have used it to keep spiced cider warm, but since I'm the only one at home and even among our guests who likes it, there seemed little point.
It is easy for me to put food in a Le Creuset or Staub pot and let it cook over low heat or in the oven, while I go about my tasks.
I've thought about the Instant Pot, but I'm not sure that I'd use it that much. I can see how it would be great for busy people or people who are not home most of the day. It also might have possibilities for me for when we go on vacation. However, I've yet to hear first hand testimony from someone I know.
I guessed incorrectly. Like Italiancook, I've never eaten one. I appreciate the additional information. There hasn't been widespread information about enzyme deficiencies to the general public.
Leftovers rule.
Rottiedogs: I tried this link, but I get a warning that the site is not secure and a recommendation not to proceed.
