Category: Guidebook

Ever heard the expression “Jack of all trades- master of none?” Some stuff I can do with a reasonable level of success that somebody else might like to try:

Mary’s Fried Chicken

Combine in a paper bag: 1 cup plain flour, 2 teaspoons garlic salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning.

Mix in a shallow dish: 1/2 cup milk, 1 egg, lightly beaten.

Shake cut-up chicken pieces in the flour mixture.  Then dip the chicken in the milk mixture, and shake in the flour again.

Pour oil 1/2 inch deep in a skillet, heat to 365°.

Add chicken and brown on all sides.  Reduce heat and continue cooking 30 to 40 minutes, turning occasionally, until done.

Drain on paper towels.

Do not cover!

(Nuggets take only about 15 minutes to cook).

Most recent review: Jack M., age 4: “I could eat this chicken all day.”

 

 

A Garden in a Bowl

It’s fun and easy to put together an indoor garden where imagination can play. It’s more fun (but not quite as easy) to invite friends to come over and make it a party.  I made my garden at my daughter’s house as part of the entertainment at a birthday celebration.  Everybody… adults, children, males, females…liked doing it, and almost a year later, many of the gardens are still alive.

Supplies: 1. Some kind of container.  You may already have something that will work great, or pick one up at a craft or home decorating store.  (The host of a garden-in-a-bowl party would probably want to ask guests to bring their own containers and doo-dads, but provide the rest of the supplies).   2. Sand, potting soil, pea gravel or other stones, and floral filler moss, or Spanish moss.   3. Succulent plants– many home and garden stores have a selection of interesting succulents.  You won’t need many unless you are inviting a lot of people to your garden- in- a- bowl party.   4. Doo-dads to make the garden personal, fanciful and fun.

Make it: Put in a layer of sand and a layer of soil.  Plant your succulents.  Sprinkle a few stones around for decoration and top with clumps of moss or strands of Spanish moss.  Place your doo-dads.  Spray or sprinkle with a little water- not too much!

Enjoy it:  Be generous with light and stingy with water- and make sure the fairies clean up after themselves.