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  #1 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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I happened to mention at work yesterday that a bay leaf stuck in the
cannister of flour or cornmeal will keep the bugs out. Co-worker Steph
exclaimed, "I asked my Mom [who lives in Florida] why she had bay leaves on
the shelves in her cabinets and she said, "It keeps the bugs out."

I sort of thought this was common knowledge, but maybe it's just a Southern
U.S. thing. Bay leaves have a strong scent and those creepy-crawlies that
get into meal and flour don't like it. I have been putting a bay leaf in my
flour and corn meal in my cannisters for years over 20 years.

Another trick I learned, if you live in a humid climate, is to put a few
grains of white rice into your salt shaker. It absorbs the moisture and
keeps the salt free-pouring.

Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the pantry or
around the kitchen?

Jill


  #2 (permalink)   Report Post  
Wayne Boatwright
 
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"jmcquown" > wrote in
:

> I happened to mention at work yesterday that a bay leaf stuck in the
> cannister of flour or cornmeal will keep the bugs out. Co-worker
> Steph exclaimed, "I asked my Mom [who lives in Florida] why she had
> bay leaves on the shelves in her cabinets and she said, "It keeps the
> bugs out."
>
> I sort of thought this was common knowledge, but maybe it's just a
> Southern U.S. thing. Bay leaves have a strong scent and those
> creepy-crawlies that get into meal and flour don't like it. I have
> been putting a bay leaf in my flour and corn meal in my cannisters for
> years over 20 years.
>
> Another trick I learned, if you live in a humid climate, is to put a
> few grains of white rice into your salt shaker. It absorbs the
> moisture and keeps the salt free-pouring.
>
> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the
> pantry or around the kitchen?
>
> Jill


Not in the same category, but when I'm going to do a lot of baking (let
the flour fly!), I cover the floor with old bedsheets and the counters
with butcher paper. When the baking session is over, there's practically
no cleanup at all.

Wayne
  #3 (permalink)   Report Post  
Gar
 
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On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 03:19:37 -0600, "jmcquown"
> wrote:


>Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the pantry or
>around the kitchen?


Put a lemon rind in your baggie of reefer. Helps keep it fresh and
moist. At least this is what I'm told.

Sprinkle baby powder in the kitchen trash can before you put the liner
in. The bag comes out easy and it helps with smell.

Spray your snowblower with pam cooking spray to prevent clogging.

If you can't afford new kitchen cabinets and need to paint the old
ones use an outdoor deck paint. Colors can be computer matched and
it's almost indestructible.

Gar
  #4 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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Gar wrote:
> On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 03:19:37 -0600, "jmcquown"
> > wrote:
>
>
>> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the
>> pantry or around the kitchen?

>
> Put a lemon rind in your baggie of reefer. Helps keep it fresh and
> moist. At least this is what I'm told.
>

(snip)
> Gar


This reminds me of something funny (sorry, Gar, that it happened to a woman
at work). My supervisor was out on medical leave for a week so she hired a
couple of guys to come wash and detail her car. They did a great job for
$20. Her husband came home and was looking at the car and found a bag of
weed on the driveway next to the passenger door. Apparently it had fallen
out of one of the guys pockets. They still have the bag sitting on top of
the refrigerator, trying to figure out what to do with it. I should suggest
they add a lemon rind <G>

Jill


  #5 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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Gar wrote:
> On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 03:19:37 -0600, "jmcquown"
> > wrote:
>
>
>> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the
>> pantry or around the kitchen?

>
> Sprinkle baby powder in the kitchen trash can before you put the liner
> in. The bag comes out easy and it helps with smell.
>

Excellent idea, thanks!

> Spray your snowblower with pam cooking spray to prevent clogging.

(snip)
> Gar

(laughing) Snow blower? I'd be happy if it would just snow down here. And
I'm not talking about the piddly 1 inch we get once a year that still
manages to shut the city down. I want to see a repeat of the 1986 snow when
we got 10 inches of snow in 2 hours. Snow, not ICE That was fun! Took
me 5-1/2 hours to make a normally 20 minute drive home. But seriously, I
loved it. Reminded me of my days up further North.

I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh. What I
wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.

Jill




  #6 (permalink)   Report Post  
Siobhan Perricone
 
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On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 05:16:02 -0600, "jmcquown" >
wrote:
>I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh. What I
>wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.


C'mon up, Jill. We got over a foot here at my house yesterday. First storm
of the season. I'm just happy it waited until November, though I'm
still irked I don't have my snow tires on yet.

--
Siobhan Perricone
"Who would have thought that a bad Austrian artist who's obsessed with the human physical ideal could assemble such a rabid political following?"
- www.theonion.com
  #7 (permalink)   Report Post  
Maxine in RI
 
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On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 03:19:37 -0600, "jmcquown"
> spake:


|Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the pantry or
|around the kitchen?
|
|Jill
|
Spray ammonia into the trash bag before putting it out for the
collection. No animal will investigate and leave your trash all
over the street.

Keep a shaker filled with baking soda by the sink. Cleans
stains off formica, and also works on cleaning up spills on the
stove.

Boil a cup of water in the microwave for 5 minutes. Wipe the
oven clean with no scrubbing.

maxine in ri
  #8 (permalink)   Report Post  
Melba's Jammin'
 
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In article >, "jmcquown"
> wrote:
(snip)
> I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh.
> What I wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.
>
> Jill


An airplane ticket to Buffalo, NY should take care of that, Jillsie.
:-) Bring your snuggies along.

{ Exported from MasterCook Mac }

Spiced Cocoa Mix

Recipe By: Posted to r.f.recipes 10/24/2001
Serving Size: 1
Preparation Time: 0:00
Categories: Beverages

Amount Measure Ingredient Preparation Method
2 cups complete hot chocolate mix
1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1 vanilla bean

Combine hot chocolate mix, seasonings and vanilla bean in a
jar. Seal container tightly and let stand two weeks to blend
flavours. Remove vanilla bean and divide into containers for
gift giving.

Note: Label with serving directions: Place 1-1/2 Tbsp Spiced
Cocoa Mix in mug. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir well.

‹‹‹‹‹
Notes: Makes about 2 cups of mix


Per serving (excluding unknown items): 51 Calories; 2g Fat (29% calories
from fat); 1g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 3mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates
_____
--
-Barb (www.jamlady.eboard.com updated 10-16-03; check the PickleHats tab, too.)
  #9 (permalink)   Report Post  
The Joneses
 
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jmcquown wrote:

> Gar wrote:
> > On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 03:19:37 -0600, "jmcquown"
> > > wrote:
> >
> >
> >> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the
> >> pantry or around the kitchen?

> >
> > Sprinkle baby powder in the kitchen trash can before you put the liner
> > in. The bag comes out easy and it helps with smell.
> >

> Excellent idea, thanks!
>
> > Spray your snowblower with pam cooking spray to prevent clogging.

> (snip)
> > Gar

> (laughing) Snow blower? I'd be happy if it would just snow down here. And
> I'm not talking about the piddly 1 inch we get once a year that still
> manages to shut the city down. I want to see a repeat of the 1986 snow when
> we got 10 inches of snow in 2 hours. Snow, not ICE That was fun! Took
> me 5-1/2 hours to make a normally 20 minute drive home. But seriously, I
> loved it. Reminded me of my days up further North.
>
> I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh. What I
> wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.
>
> Jill


I remember that snowfall. They had started the siding on my house 3days before.

And the next day was my DH's 6 week post op back surgery appt. We had to
shovel the snow away from his car with that big steel bowl I have in the kitchen

(it's good for every little thing). We bought a snow shovel and it hasn't
snowed
like that since. Can't get rid of it tho, it'd break the spell.
Edrena in El Paso



  #10 (permalink)   Report Post  
Felice Friese
 
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"Wayne Boatwright" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> Not in the same category, but when I'm going to do a lot of baking (let
> the flour fly!), I cover the floor with old bedsheets and the counters
> with butcher paper. When the baking session is over, there's practically
> no cleanup at all.
>
> Wayne


Oh, splendid! My baking sessions make a much more visible mess since I
changed from a beige floor to a blue one. (Dumb move. Think of how many
things that spill are beige/neutral and how few are blue.) The old bedsheets
should do the trick.

Felice




  #11 (permalink)   Report Post  
Dave Smith
 
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jmcquown wrote:

>
> Another trick I learned, if you live in a humid climate, is to put a few
> grains of white rice into your salt shaker. It absorbs the moisture and
> keeps the salt free-pouring.
>
> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the pantry or
> around the kitchen?


A bit of rice in a salt shaker does indeed keep salt free flowing in a shaker.
My wife, in one of her blonde moments, figured that it did such a good job in
the shaker that it would be a good idea to put some in the box of salt. Every
time I measure out some salt from the box I have to pick out the rice. My tip
would be not to do this :-)


  #12 (permalink)   Report Post  
PENMART01
 
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"jmcquown" > writes:

>Gar wrote:
>> "jmcquown" wrote:
>>
>>> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the
>>> pantry or around the kitchen?

>>
>> Put a lemon rind in your baggie of reefer. Helps keep it fresh and
>> moist. At least this is what I'm told.
>>

>(snip)
>> Gar

>
>This reminds me of something funny (sorry, Gar, that it happened to a woman
>at work). My supervisor was out on medical leave for a week so she hired a
>couple of guys to come wash and detail her car. They did a great job for
>$20. Her husband came home and was looking at the car and found a bag of
>weed on the driveway next to the passenger door. Apparently it had fallen
>out of one of the guys pockets. They still have the bag sitting on top of
>the refrigerator, trying to figure out what to do with it. I should suggest
>they add a lemon rind <G>


Where I worked one guy was constantly borrowing small sums of money ($5-$10)
but seemed to have an aversion to repaying the loans. One fellow finally
became fed up with the cheap *******... one hot summer day when most folks
would leave their cars in the company lot with their windows open he tossed a
set of his own wife's soiled panty and bra behind the deadbeat's seat. Why
did the co-workers continue loaning him money you may wonder, the deadbeat
happened to be the boss... only a lowly middle management type but he did have
say and sway over raises and promotions. A couple weeks later the cheap prick
who never once screwed around on his wife found himself served with divorce
papers, a year later he left to parts unknown, single... he got his
comeuppance, and well deserved. He still owes me five bucks.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

  #13 (permalink)   Report Post  
PENMART01
 
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In article >, "jmcquown"
> writes:

>I happened to mention at work yesterday that a bay leaf stuck in the
>cannister of flour or cornmeal will keep the bugs out. Co-worker Steph
>exclaimed, "I asked my Mom [who lives in Florida] why she had bay leaves on
>the shelves in her cabinets and she said, "It keeps the bugs out."
>
>I sort of thought this was common knowledge, but maybe it's just a Southern
>U.S. thing. Bay leaves have a strong scent and those creepy-crawlies that
>get into meal and flour don't like it. I have been putting a bay leaf in my
>flour and corn meal in my cannisters for years over 20 years.


May as well be moth balls... I don't want my baked goods reeking of bay leaf...
may be okay for dredging meat or for pizza dough but not in my lemon cake.

Bugs in flour is usually indicative of folks who bake infrequently and/or buy
too much... never buy more flour than you can use within two months...
otherwise only bake seeded breads.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

  #14 (permalink)   Report Post  
Gregory Morrow
 
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Sheldon wrote:

> Where I worked one guy was constantly borrowing small sums of money

($5-$10)
> but seemed to have an aversion to repaying the loans. One fellow finally
> became fed up with the cheap *******... one hot summer day when most folks
> would leave their cars in the company lot with their windows open he

tossed a
> set of his own wife's soiled panty and bra behind the deadbeat's seat.

Why
> did the co-workers continue loaning him money you may wonder, the deadbeat
> happened to be the boss... only a lowly middle management type but he did

have
> say and sway over raises and promotions. A couple weeks later the cheap

prick
> who never once screwed around on his wife found himself served with

divorce
> papers, a year later he left to parts unknown, single... he got his
> comeuppance, and well deserved. He still owes me five bucks.
>



I've got one better than that....

Years ago a co - worker had to visit the VD clinic for a (ahem) "checkup".
When asked to name his contacts, he named our nasty, spying virago of a
boss. Being the prissy virginal type she was, she was absolutely
*humiliated* when the Cook County Department of Public Health showed up at
work looking for her to come in for testing (she also conveniently lived
with her parents, so they contacted their household, too). She had no
choice but to submit, as the VD Police at that time were *adamant* about
contact tracing (you could possibly face charges if you refused to be
tested).

It was a good laff, I'll tell ya...served the beetch right, she had a mini -
breakdown over it! And she never found out who did it, either :-)

--
Best
Greg


  #15 (permalink)   Report Post  
rrb_091903
 
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Melba's Jammin' wrote:
> In article >, "jmcquown"
> > wrote:
> (snip)
>
>>I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh.
>>What I wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.
>>
>>Jill

>
>
> An airplane ticket to Buffalo, NY should take care of that, Jillsie.
> :-) Bring your snuggies along.
>
> { Exported from MasterCook Mac }
>
> Spiced Cocoa Mix
>
> Recipe By: Posted to r.f.recipes 10/24/2001
> Serving Size: 1
> Preparation Time: 0:00
> Categories: Beverages
>
> Amount Measure Ingredient Preparation Method
> 2 cups complete hot chocolate mix
> 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
> 2 tsp nutmeg
> 1 vanilla bean
>
> Combine hot chocolate mix, seasonings and vanilla bean in a
> jar. Seal container tightly and let stand two weeks to blend
> flavours. Remove vanilla bean and divide into containers for
> gift giving.
>
> Note: Label with serving directions: Place 1-1/2 Tbsp Spiced
> Cocoa Mix in mug. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir well.
>
> ‹‹‹‹‹
> Notes: Makes about 2 cups of mix
>
>
> Per serving (excluding unknown items): 51 Calories; 2g Fat (29% calories
> from fat); 1g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 3mg Sodium
> Food Exchanges: 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates
> _____



This sounds great Thanks. I do have one question however where would you
get vanilla beans? I have never seen them anywhere - not that I was
looking for them.

rrb



  #16 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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rrb_091903 wrote:
> Melba's Jammin' wrote:
>> In article >, "jmcquown"
>> > wrote:
>> (snip)
>>
>>> I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh.
>>> What I wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.
>>>
>>> Jill

>>
>>
>> An airplane ticket to Buffalo, NY should take care of that, Jillsie.
>> :-) Bring your snuggies along.
>>
>> { Exported from MasterCook Mac }
>>
>> Spiced Cocoa Mix
>>
>> Recipe By: Posted to r.f.recipes 10/24/2001
>> Serving Size: 1
>> Preparation Time: 0:00
>> Categories: Beverages
>>
>> Amount Measure Ingredient Preparation Method
>> 2 cups complete hot chocolate mix
>> 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
>> 2 tsp nutmeg
>> 1 vanilla bean
>>
>> Combine hot chocolate mix, seasonings and vanilla bean in a
>> jar. Seal container tightly and let stand two weeks to blend
>> flavours. Remove vanilla bean and divide into containers for
>> gift giving.
>>
>> Note: Label with serving directions: Place 1-1/2 Tbsp Spiced
>> Cocoa Mix in mug. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir well.
>>
>> ‹‹‹‹‹
>> Notes: Makes about 2 cups of mix
>>
>>
>> Per serving (excluding unknown items): 51 Calories; 2g Fat (29%
>> calories from fat); 1g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol;
>> 3mg Sodium Food Exchanges: 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates
>> _____

>
>
> This sounds great Thanks. I do have one question however where would
> you get vanilla beans? I have never seen them anywhere - not that I
> was looking for them.
>
> rrb


Whole vanilla beans are expensive and they are actually the long pod with a
number of 'beans' in them; you can buy them from Penzey's.

I remember (laugh) years ago my brother and I were laughing over a recipe
that called for ONE vanilla bean. We were young and naive. Shortly
thereafter, a mutual friend gave me (for Christmas) a jar containing 2
vanilla beans. We thought it was a joke. I realized later it wasn't, but I
had no use for them since I don't bake or make desserts. When I moved about
7 years ago I threw them out. Dave will never let me forget it.

Jill


  #17 (permalink)   Report Post  
Dave Smith
 
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PENMART01 wrote:

>
> Where I worked one guy was constantly borrowing small sums of money ($5-$10)
> but seemed to have an aversion to repaying the loans. One fellow finally
> became fed up with the cheap *******... one hot summer day when most folks
> would leave their cars in the company lot with their windows open he tossed a
> set of his own wife's soiled panty and bra behind the deadbeat's seat. Why
> did the co-workers continue loaning him money you may wonder, the deadbeat
> happened to be the boss... only a lowly middle management type but he did have
> say and sway over raises and promotions.


I used to work with a guy who was notoriously cheap and never had money. We were
on the road everyday and this guy would frequently not have enough for his meal.
He met me for lunch one day in a restaurant that had an incredibly cheap luncheon
special, $3.75 for soup, toasted western fries and coffee. That wasn't good
enough for him. He ordered fish and chips with extra fish, a large soft drink and
a chocolate sundae for dessert, coming to close to $10. When the bill comes, he
doesn't have money, so I got stuck paying for it.

We were on expense accounts, and of course he put in for the meal that I had paid
for. The next week after the expense checks came in I asked for the $10. He didn't
have a chance to cash his check but said he would have it the next day. I never
got my money back.

After that I avoided him at meal times and was always too busy to go for lunch
with him. When the day came that I finally could not avoid it he tried the same
stunt again. Luckily, I had removed the bills from my wallet ahead of time. Gee,
I barely had enough for my own.

The same guy ran the office lottery pool. He often seemed too busy to provide a
photocopy of the ticket numbers until after the draw. We never won anything, but
his wife did. We all thought it odd that the cheap guy who never had any money
would go out and buy tickets on his own. That was the end of our lottery pool.


  #18 (permalink)   Report Post  
Dave Smith
 
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Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> > I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh.
> > What I wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.
> >
> > Jill

>
> An airplane ticket to Buffalo, NY should take care of that, Jillsie.
> :-) Bring your snuggies along.


LOL
It's not that cold in Buffalo, but they get more than their share of snow. I work
on the about 2 miles down the road on other side of the border from Buffalo, along
the edge f the snow belt that hits Buffalo when the west winds pick up all their
moisture from the lake. It was either last year or the one before when they had had
10 feet of snow by the end of December.

  #19 (permalink)   Report Post  
anna maria
 
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Felice Friese wrote:
> "Wayne Boatwright" > wrote in message
> . ..
>
>>Not in the same category, but when I'm going to do a lot of baking (let
>>the flour fly!), I cover the floor with old bedsheets and the counters
>>with butcher paper. When the baking session is over, there's practically
>>no cleanup at all.
>>
>>Wayne

>
>
> Oh, splendid! My baking sessions make a much more visible mess since I
> changed from a beige floor to a blue one. (Dumb move. Think of how many
> things that spill are beige/neutral and how few are blue.) The old bedsheets
> should do the trick.
>
> Felice
>
>


that i learned long time ago: no white tiles or black/blue tiles in
kitchens and bathrooms. i had white tile in the floor once and you could
see and hair from a distance.

ciao, anna maria


www.annamariavolpi.com

  #20 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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Melba's Jammin' wrote:
> In article >, "jmcquown"
> > wrote:
> (snip)
>> I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh.
>> What I wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.
>>
>> Jill

>
> An airplane ticket to Buffalo, NY should take care of that, Jillsie.
> :-) Bring your snuggies along.
>

You know I don't travel, so that's a safe invite (giggling)

Thanks for the recipe. I used to prepare bean soup in jars mixes with the
herbs/spices tucked in little cheesecloth bags on the top and the tag gave
instructions on how to prepare the mix. Nice, homestyle gifts.

Jill

> { Exported from MasterCook Mac }
>
> Spiced Cocoa Mix
>
> Recipe By: Posted to r.f.recipes 10/24/2001
> Serving Size: 1
> Preparation Time: 0:00
> Categories: Beverages
>
> Amount Measure Ingredient Preparation Method
> 2 cups complete hot chocolate mix
> 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
> 2 tsp nutmeg
> 1 vanilla bean
>
> Combine hot chocolate mix, seasonings and vanilla bean in a
> jar. Seal container tightly and let stand two weeks to blend
> flavours. Remove vanilla bean and divide into containers for
> gift giving.
>
> Note: Label with serving directions: Place 1-1/2 Tbsp Spiced
> Cocoa Mix in mug. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir well.
>
> <<<<<
> Notes: Makes about 2 cups of mix
>
>
> Per serving (excluding unknown items): 51 Calories; 2g Fat (29%
> calories from fat); 1g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol;
> 3mg Sodium Food Exchanges: 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates
> _____





  #21 (permalink)   Report Post  
K3
 
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I'm just curious (scratching my head... and now my arms, legs and back...
thinking/talking 'bout bugs)... are bay leaves used to keep bugs "out" or to
keep bugs/larvae from "growing" in the flour ???

I'm still waiting to see/record some 'ol show that I'd seen on the the
Discovery (The Learning Channel???) 'bout the number of bugs/larvae that
each (and everyone) of consumes every year... to play for my wife after she
watches Fear Factor...

It seems that even tho the flour canister is "air-tight", the worms/bugs
still grow.

Inquiring minds wanna know.

Tips? Keep 'em all outside!!!! -- Fly Traps, Ant/Roach Motels, Boiling
water poured on the ant-hills outside, Duct-Tape (or double-sided tape)
reverse-wrapped around the base of 'yer apple trees... "Milky Spore" spread
throughout 'yer lawn to prevent the next 10-years reproduction of grubs
(Japanese Beetle larvae)... Bat Houses... Frog ponds... Motels for Purple
Martins...

--
Kendall F. Stratton III
Fort Fairfield, Maine USA

http://home.maine.rr.com/k3

"Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!"

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> I happened to mention at work yesterday that a bay leaf stuck in the
> cannister of flour or cornmeal will keep the bugs out. Co-worker Steph
> exclaimed, "I asked my Mom [who lives in Florida] why she had bay leaves

on
> the shelves in her cabinets and she said, "It keeps the bugs out."
>
> I sort of thought this was common knowledge, but maybe it's just a

Southern
> U.S. thing. Bay leaves have a strong scent and those creepy-crawlies that
> get into meal and flour don't like it. I have been putting a bay leaf in

my
> flour and corn meal in my cannisters for years over 20 years.
>
> Another trick I learned, if you live in a humid climate, is to put a few
> grains of white rice into your salt shaker. It absorbs the moisture and
> keeps the salt free-pouring.
>
> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the pantry or
> around the kitchen?
>
> Jill
>
>



  #22 (permalink)   Report Post  
Default User
 
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jmcquown wrote:
>
> I happened to mention at work yesterday that a bay leaf stuck in the
> cannister of flour or cornmeal will keep the bugs out. Co-worker Steph
> exclaimed, "I asked my Mom [who lives in Florida] why she had bay leaves on
> the shelves in her cabinets and she said, "It keeps the bugs out."



Interesting. Does it flavor the substance much?

I generally don't have problem with bugs in flour, but cornmeal is a
real problem. It's worth a try.

Thanks.




Brian Rodenborn
  #23 (permalink)   Report Post  
Dave Smith
 
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anna maria wrote:

>
> that i learned long time ago: no white tiles or black/blue tiles in
> kitchens and bathrooms. i had white tile in the floor once and you could
> see and hair from a distance.


We had a patterned brown and yellow tile floor in our kitchen until a few years
ago when my wife talked me into ceramic tiles. We had selected a light brown but
it turned out that our chosen tile was no longer available I went with a bone
colour. What a mistake. We discovered that our dog left muddy footprints. We had
never noticed before. Nor we were aware how much hair he shed. Every one of them
was now clearly visible. Every speck of dirt stands out on that tile

The big argument for the ceramic tile was ease of care. She was convinced that all
we would have to do was to vacuum or seep it and then wipe with with a mop using
water and vinegar. That is true, but now we have to do it several times a day
instead of a couple times a week.


  #24 (permalink)   Report Post  
Puester
 
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jmcquown wrote:
>
>
> I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh. What I
> wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.
>
> Jill




Be careful what you wish for. With the freaky weather of the
past few years, you may get a lot more than you bargain for,
like our 40 inch end-of-March blizzard this spring.

:-(
gloria p
  #25 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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Dave Smith wrote:
> PENMART01 wrote:
>
>>
>> Where I worked one guy was constantly borrowing small sums of money
>> ($5-$10) but seemed to have an aversion to repaying the loans.

(snip)
> I used to work with a guy who was notoriously cheap and never had
> money. We were on the road everyday and this guy would frequently
> not have enough for his meal.

(snip)
Seems we've all worked with the same guy! (laughing) Okay, so there are a
lot of cheapskates. Not sure what this has to do with household tricks <G>

However, this scenario is exactly why I never agree to split a check between
8 people for lunch. I wind up paying $25 when the total check was $80 and I
know damn good and well I didn't eat $25 worth of food and I drink water!
(laughing) I barely spend $25 a week at the grocery store!

Jill




  #26 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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Puester wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>>
>>
>> I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh.
>> What I wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.
>>
>> Jill

>
>
>
> Be careful what you wish for. With the freaky weather of the
> past few years, you may get a lot more than you bargain for,
> like our 40 inch end-of-March blizzard this spring.
>
> :-(
> gloria p


Heheh... wouldn't bother me! I'm off the entire week starting with
Christmas Eve and the week after through to January 5th! I could have
plenty of soups and stews and pot roasts and sip coffee milk in front of a
nice fire

Jill


  #27 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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Default User wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>>
>> I happened to mention at work yesterday that a bay leaf stuck in the
>> cannister of flour or cornmeal will keep the bugs out. Co-worker
>> Steph exclaimed, "I asked my Mom [who lives in Florida] why she had
>> bay leaves on the shelves in her cabinets and she said, "It keeps
>> the bugs out."

>
>
> Interesting. Does it flavor the substance much?
>
> I generally don't have problem with bugs in flour, but cornmeal is a
> real problem. It's worth a try.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Brian Rodenborn


No, you cannot taste the bay leaf which has been inserted into flour or
meal. It doesn't infuse the dried product with its scent, but apparently
meal worm and weevils don't like the scent at all so they avoid the mixture.

The same can be said of planting cilantro along flower beds if you don't
want your neighbors dog to go on your flowers. Dogs don't like the scent of
cilantro for some reason. Those sprays you can buy at garden shops and pet
stores, like "DogAway" are scented with cilantro extract.

Heh, I don't like cilantro, either. You won't find me peeing on your
plants. (laughing)

Jill


  #28 (permalink)   Report Post  
Melba's Jammin'
 
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In article <vnutb.740$vJ6.706@fed1read05>, rrb_091903 >
wrote:
> >
> > { Exported from MasterCook Mac }
> >
> > Spiced Cocoa Mix

(snipped)
> This sounds great Thanks. I do have one question however where would you
> get vanilla beans? I have never seen them anywhere - not that I was
> looking for them.
>
> rrb
>


Have you ever looked for them? Not a smartass question; sometimes we
don't know about stuff that exists because we're not in the market for
it. My friends are always amazed when I tell them I buy my TaB at the
local supermarket chains -- "I've never seen it there." They've never
been looking for it, either. -)

My food co-op has vanilla beans. I think Spice Islands has one in the
spice aisle at the supermarket. Penzeys has them. <penzeys.com>. A
middle eastern grocery store might have them (they have vanilla sugar).
Shouldn't be terribly difficult to find in a big city. Small town,
IdaKnow.
--
-Barb (www.jamlady.eboard.com updated 10-16-03; check the PickleHats tab, too.)
  #29 (permalink)   Report Post  
kilikini
 
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I live in Hawaii where if you buy flour and don't use it within a month or
two, you have weevils. Same happens with a SEALED pasta bag. What we do
here, is just put it all (sugar, flour, bisquick, whatever) in the 'fridge.
Yes, it cuts down on space, but it certainly extends the shelf life!


"Default User" > wrote in message
...
> jmcquown wrote:
> >
> > I happened to mention at work yesterday that a bay leaf stuck in the
> > cannister of flour or cornmeal will keep the bugs out. Co-worker Steph
> > exclaimed, "I asked my Mom [who lives in Florida] why she had bay leaves

on
> > the shelves in her cabinets and she said, "It keeps the bugs out."

>
>
> Interesting. Does it flavor the substance much?
>
> I generally don't have problem with bugs in flour, but cornmeal is a
> real problem. It's worth a try.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
>
> Brian Rodenborn



  #30 (permalink)   Report Post  
Default User
 
Posts: n/a
Default Tricks & Tips

jmcquown wrote:

> No, you cannot taste the bay leaf which has been inserted into flour or
> meal. It doesn't infuse the dried product with its scent, but apparently
> meal worm and weevils don't like the scent at all so they avoid the mixture.



Great. I've purchased cornmeal twice in the past year, and both times
was only able to use it once. The first I'd left in the bag, the second
time I put it in a plastic container. Both developed some sort of insect
that matured into tiny moths and laced the cornmeal with webs of some
sort.

It's annoying when you can't keep cornmeal around as a staple.


BTW, the cross to aft-s is for news propagation reasons, our newsfeed
here is wonky. I should have mentioned it the first time.



Brian Rodenborn


  #31 (permalink)   Report Post  
PENMART01
 
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jmcquown wrote:
>
>I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh. What I
>wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.


Whatsanatter... Ray's um, snow machine on the fritz?


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

  #32 (permalink)   Report Post  
jmcquown
 
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Siobhan Perricone wrote:
> On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 05:16:02 -0600, "jmcquown"
> > wrote:
>> I remember ONE Christmas Eve when it snow-flurried a bit. Sheesh.
>> What I wouldn't give for a really truly white Christmas.

>
> C'mon up, Jill. We got over a foot here at my house yesterday. First
> storm of the season. I'm just happy it waited until November,
> though I'm still irked I don't have my snow tires on yet.


Siobhan, I'd love it! Seriously, the kids down in West TN have no idea what
fun snow is. They get all excited over an inch of the stuff (which does
shut everything down - laugh!! and stores sell sleds, which makes no sense).

They don't know the true joys of sledding, building snow forts, having
snowball fights or even building a snowman. Nor do they know the fun of ice
skating on a frozen lake. We didn't care that it was freezing cold; kids
don't notice such things.

I'd come in from playing in the snow and Mom would have a bowl of Lipton
Noodle soup waiting for me, with oyster crackers. Ahhh, fond memories

Jill


  #33 (permalink)   Report Post  
Wayne Boatwright
 
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Default User > wrote in
:

> jmcquown wrote:
>
>> No, you cannot taste the bay leaf which has been inserted into flour
>> or meal. It doesn't infuse the dried product with its scent, but
>> apparently meal worm and weevils don't like the scent at all so they
>> avoid the mixture.

>
>
> Great. I've purchased cornmeal twice in the past year, and both times
> was only able to use it once. The first I'd left in the bag, the
> second time I put it in a plastic container. Both developed some sort
> of insect that matured into tiny moths and laced the cornmeal with
> webs of some sort.
>
> It's annoying when you can't keep cornmeal around as a staple.
>
>
> BTW, the cross to aft-s is for news propagation reasons, our newsfeed
> here is wonky. I should have mentioned it the first time.
>
>
>
> Brian Rodenborn


I guess I've just always been lucky with dry ingredients like meal,
flour, and sugar, etc. Only once in my life did I find any critters in
anything, and I apparently brought it home from the store that way. It
happened to be a box of cereal that was filled with moths.

Except for all-purpose flour and sugars, I have begun keeping all my
flours and meals in the deep freezer, not to avoid the critters, but to
prevent rancidity. Stone ground cornmeal, grits, and whole grain flours
will definitely turn rancid otherwise. I cannot use it fast enough to
prevent it. In the freezer they last indefinitely.

Wayne
  #34 (permalink)   Report Post  
Captain Infinity
 
Posts: n/a
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Once Upon A Time Default User wrote:

>I've purchased cornmeal twice in the past year, and both times
>was only able to use it once. The first I'd left in the bag, the second
>time I put it in a plastic container. Both developed some sort of insect
>that matured into tiny moths and laced the cornmeal with webs of some
>sort.
>
>It's annoying when you can't keep cornmeal around as a staple.


You do know that the eggs those insects hatched from were already in the
cornmeal when you bought it, right? You need to eat the stuff before
they hatch. Yummy!


**
Captain Infinity
...it's 10:00 ...do you know where your pants are?
  #35 (permalink)   Report Post  
Paul M. Cook©®
 
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> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the pantry or
> around the kitchen?



I can't imagine how bay flavored flour could do much for my pancakes.

Regardless, always ripen fruit in a paper bag. It allows the air to
circulate and for the fruit to ripen without moulding. Also, ripen avocados
in a bag with an apple. Legend has it the apples give off a gas which aid
the ripening process.

Paul




  #36 (permalink)   Report Post  
Rhonda Anderson
 
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Dave Smith > wrote in
:


>
> We had a patterned brown and yellow tile floor in our kitchen until a
> few years ago when my wife talked me into ceramic tiles. We had
> selected a light brown but it turned out that our chosen tile was no
> longer available I went with a bone colour. What a mistake. We
> discovered that our dog left muddy footprints. We had never noticed
> before. Nor we were aware how much hair he shed. Every one of them was
> now clearly visible. Every speck of dirt stands out on that tile
>
> The big argument for the ceramic tile was ease of care. She was
> convinced that all we would have to do was to vacuum or seep it and
> then wipe with with a mop using water and vinegar. That is true, but
> now we have to do it several times a day instead of a couple times a
> week.


Earlier this year we did some work on the house including replacing the
cork tile in the hallway and kitchen, and the carpet in the inner hallway,
lounge and dining with a floating floor - laminate that looks like timber.
It's great, looks wonderful. No vacuuming anymore, just sweep and mop. Only
thing is every bit of dust, bit of hair etc. that wasn't really visible on
the carpet is on the laminate floor. AND you can feel it underfoot (I
rarely wear shoes inside the house - socks in winter, barefoot in warmer
weather). I've had to learn to live with a little bit of dust/fluff on the
floor (unless I'm expecting visitors) or I'd be continually sweeping!

--
Rhonda Anderson
Penrith, NSW, Australia
  #37 (permalink)   Report Post  
Default User
 
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Captain Infinity wrote:

> >It's annoying when you can't keep cornmeal around as a staple.

>
> You do know that the eggs those insects hatched from were already in the
> cornmeal when you bought it, right? You need to eat the stuff before
> they hatch. Yummy!



I understand that Cappy. I'd like to be able to decide on cornbread or
corn pancakes at relatively short notice and have the fixin's on hand.
With it turning to moths, I can't do that. [OBAFT-S] That ****es me off.
Some of the suggestions about cold storage make sense.




Brian Rodenborn
  #39 (permalink)   Report Post  
Rhonda Anderson
 
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"Paul M. Cook©®" > wrote in
:

>
>> Anyone else have any good simple tips for handling things in the
>> pantry or around the kitchen?

>
>
> I can't imagine how bay flavored flour could do much for my pancakes.
>
> Regardless, always ripen fruit in a paper bag. It allows the air to
> circulate and for the fruit to ripen without moulding. Also, ripen
> avocados in a bag with an apple. Legend has it the apples give off a
> gas which aid the ripening process.
>


Ethylene - a ripe banana would do the job also. There are a number of
fruits which produce ethylene. It's also used to artificially ripen fruit.
For example,bananas are usually picked before they're mature enough to
produce their own ethylene. They're treated with ethylene to bring them to
maturity, and then start producing their own ethylene.


--
Rhonda Anderson
Penrith, NSW, Australia
  #40 (permalink)   Report Post  
Nancy Young
 
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Dave Smith wrote:

> After that I avoided him at meal times and was always too busy to go for lunch
> with him. When the day came that I finally could not avoid it he tried the same
> stunt again. Luckily, I had removed the bills from my wallet ahead of time. Gee,
> I barely had enough for my own.


The one quality I can say I cannot stand in a person is cheapness.

> The same guy ran the office lottery pool. He often seemed too busy to provide a
> photocopy of the ticket numbers until after the draw. We never won anything, but
> his wife did. We all thought it odd that the cheap guy who never had any money
> would go out and buy tickets on his own. That was the end of our lottery pool.


I ran football pools and lottery pools, I insisted upon copies of the
tickets and football grids distributed to the participants. Never
opened myself to being accused of cheating.

And, yes, I have seen pool runners cheat. Not me.

nancy
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