The National Day of Calendar tells me there are over 7,500 varieties of apples and over 7.5% of the world’s production comes from the USA. I have had the good fortune to live in two areas of the states that are known for apple growing; New York state and Washington state. There is nothing like driving past the orchards when the blossoms are out in the spring or when the trees are heavy with fruit. The smell is wonderful and the taste buds react instinctively. Continue reading “A Healthy Snack”
I’m lucky. I haven’t heard of any packages disappearing off anyone’s porch in my neighborhood, but I know it happens. With two days ago being cyber Monday, today is the day people start looking for their purchases. I could be wrong, but I think this is the heaviest delivery day for UPS, Fed EX and the post office. That being said, it is also the best day for thieves to spirit packages away from unsuspecting receivers. Continue reading “Keep a Look Out”
We have all become accustomed to on-line shopping, me included. But have you ever taken a moment to think about the driver of a UPS or Fed-Ex truck? My son is a UPS driver, going on 25 years with the company. His shoulders are shot from all the heavy lifting, the eighteen (or so) inch step out of and into the truck over 200 times a day has gotten to his knees and he gets to see his daughter on weekends, because at the age of five, she is usually in bed by the time he gets home at night. On an exceptionally light delivery day during the year he might get home by 7pm; between Thanksgiving and Christmas it is usually close to 10pm. I’m not trying to complain, just educate. Yes, he makes good money, but it comes with a price. Continue reading “Delivery Drivers”
I’m a home-made person and baklava falls into that category because you can adjust the amount of sugar, honey, lemon or cinnamon used. I decrease the first two ingredients and increase the last two to fit my personal taste. Plus I use a mixture of pecans and walnuts for a richer nuttier flavor. The real secret of making this treat though is how to defrost the Phyllo (or filo) sheets. Yes, I buy them! If the sheets are thawed slowly they handle much better and are easier to work with. Continue reading “Make Your Own”
A bundt cake can be any cake baked in a Bundt pan, forming it into a distinctive ring shape. The mold of the Bundt pan was originally inspired by the traditional European fruit cake known as Gugelhupf. It was in the 1950s and 1960s that Nordic Ware popularized the style for the mold design and trademarked the name Bundt. Continue reading “Designed Slices”
Guacamole is one of those things you either like or dislike. I don’t know anybody that sits on the fence when it comes to this green appetizer made from avocados. Me, I love it. When I go to lunch with my girlies they order what they want and if it comes with guacamole, they get it on the side and give it to me. Makes my day. Continue reading “Yum or Yuck”
Sue Spitulnik 