Blogging again

I plan to start my blog again.

I have been very remiss in it.

I am big on using websites to save money and I plan to start putting websites that will help people save money on their purchases.  It may take me a couple of weeks to get it going.  I have a very busy schedule for the next two weeks at the newspaper.

 

Also, I do trips and I am posting the trips on my blog.

 

I welcome any feedback.

OUR PLACE TOURS
2011 TRIPS

1. Calloway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga. – March 30, 31 & April 1 – 2 nights, 3
days – This is azalea time at Calloway Gardens.  Tour includes 2 nights lodging at Mountain Creek
Inn at Calloway Gardens, step-on guide for tour of gardens and all their attractions, 2 dinners and 2
breakfasts. Before heading home, we will go to FDR’s Little White House  in Warm Springs, Ga.
Cost per person – $370 – single; $270 – double; $225 – triple; $200 – quad.  SIGN UP AND
PAY NOW.

2.  Creation Museum, Petersburg, Ky. – May 20-22 – 2 nights, 3 days -  Tour includes
chartered bus transportation,  two nights lodging, admission and much to Creation Museum. The
Museum brings the Bible to life in a walk-through history, lunch at museum, and 2 breakfasts.
Cost per person – $475 – single; $ 395 – double; $375 – triple; $365 – quad.
SIGN UP AND PAY DEPOSIT OF $25 DEPOSIT BY APRIL 18, BALANCE MAY 1

3.  Mercedes-Benz Plant Tour – 1 day June 7 – $85 per person – includes chartered bus
transportation and lunch in Tuscaloosa, Ala. SIGN UP NOW AND PAY MAY 31

4. My Old Kentucky Home & Shaker Village – June 10-12 -  Tour includes 2 nights
lodging, breakfast and dinner at Shaker Village, Shaker Village Tour, My Old Kentucky Home
Federal Mansion , Stephen Foster Musical, My Old Kentucky Home Dinner Train.
Cost per person – $595 – single; $495 – double; $475 – triple; $450 – quad.
SIGN UP NOW, PAY $50 DEPOSIT BY MARCH 10, BALANCE JUNE 1.

5. Grand Ole Opry – Nashville – July 22-24 – 2 nights, 3 days – Tour includes admission to
Grand Ole Opry,  General Jackson Steamboat dinner cruise, 2 nights  lodging, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner.
Cost per person – $480 – single; $380 – double; $370 – triple; $350 – quad. SIGN UP NOW AND
PAY $75 DEPOSIT BY APRIL 1 TO ASSURE SEATING AT OPRY – BALANCE BY JUNE 29

6. Atlanta – Aug. 19-21 – 2 nights, 3 days – Tour includes Atlanta Cyclorama, Georgia Aquarium,
World of Coca Cola, Medieval Times (includes dinner), 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts.
Cost per person – $465 – single; $375 – double; $345 – triple; $335 – quad.
SIGN UP NOW, PAY JULY 31.

7. St. Louis – Braves/Cardinals games (2) – Sept. 9-11 -  Tour includes 2 games (one in
special section with dinner), 2 nights lodging, step-on guide for tour of St. Louis, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Cost per person -  $775 – single; $ 625 – double; $550 – triple; $525 – quad. SIGN UP NOW AND
PAY DEPOSIT OF $200 BY MARCH 20 TO RESERVE SEATING IN SPECIAL AREA FOR
THE SEPT. 9 GAME, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES FOOD THAT NIGHT) BALANCE DUE
AUG. 15.

8. Buttonwillow Dinner Theatre, Tennessee Valley Train Excursion/Chickamauga -
Oct. 14 – 15 – 1 night, 2 days -  Tour includes Buttonwillow dinner theatre, lunch on Tennessee
Valley Train to the historic town of Chickamauga, 1 night lodging at Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1
Breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner. Cost per person – $375 – single; $325 – double; $300 – triple; $275 -
Quad.  SIGN UP NOW AND PAY SEPT. 5.

9. Branson Christmas – Nov. 3-6 – 3 nights, 4 days – Tour includes 3 nights lodging, 3 full
breakfasts,  3 dinners, Miracle of Christmas,  Showboat Branson Belle Dinner &
Show, Shoji Tabuchi Show, Show, Pierce Arrow, Dinner buffet at Golden Corral w/ Allen Edwards,
The Duttons, shopping in Branson Landing. Cost Per Person – $850 – single; $700 -
Double: $660 – triple; $630 – quad.
DEPOSIT OF $100 DUE MARCH 29, BALANCE DUE AUG. 29

10. Biltmore Home – Dec. 2-4 – Christmas Candlelight & Extravaganza – 2 nights, 3 days -
Tour includes 2 nights lodging, admission to Biltmore events and tour,  2 breakfasts, 1 dinner.
Cost per person – $565 – single; $475 – double; $450 – triple; $435 – quad.  SIGN UP
NOW, PAY $50 DEPOSIT BY MARCH 31; BALANCE NOV. 1.

11. Huntsville Galaxy of Lights – Dec. 10 – 1 day – Tour includes Galaxy of Lights Drive
Through at Botanical Gardens, admission to Burkitt on the Mountain, lunch and dinner.
Cost per person – $150. SIGN UP NOW AND PAY DEC. 1.

**NOTE: 25 people required for trip to make.
***NOTE:  Sometimes shows and other events change.  We do all we can to make sure that our
schedules  stay as close as possible to the original plans.
*****************************RESERVATION COUPON****************************

Name _________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________

Phone _________________________________________________

Single_____________  Double_____________  Triple ____________  Quad _______________

Roommate _____________________________________________________________________

Please reserve your space at once  by mailing this coupon and deposit to OUR PLACE TOURS, 50421 Splunge Road, Greenwood Springs, MS 38848 – phone number is 662-640-5273 or 662-256-1122, ALICE ORTIZ.

 

New cookbook

I did a food column on a church in Monroe County, New Center Point Free Will Baptist, on April 15.

The cookbook is one of the best bargains around.  There are around 400 recipes in the spiral-bound black and white cookbook.  The cost is only $5.  They can be obtained by  calling Haley Puckett at 662-315-8154 or Linda Price at 662-257-1111.

They will make great gifts and at this price everyone on your list can receive one.

 

Cinco de Mayo

Does anyone have any Mexican recipes they would like to share?

I will be posting some new ones the last of the week.  Also, I am working on having a Cinco de Mayo food column in the April 29th paper.

 

On-hand mixes and quick meal starters

Make up batches of these three mixes when you have spare time; then on extra-busy days, you can quickly prepare main courses, breads, or cakes.

Ground Beef Mix

1/4 cup vegetable oil

4 medium onions, peeled and chopped

4 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

4 stalks celery, chopped

2 to 3 carrots, peeled and chopped

5 lbs. lean ground beef

1 Tbsp. salt

2 tsp. pepper

3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 jar (26 oz.) marinara sauce or any other type spaghetti sauce

Divide the oil between two large skillets.  Add half the onions, celery, and carrots to each skillet.  Cook over moderate hear for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Divide the meat between the two skillets.  Break up the meat with a large spoon, then stir and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Divide the salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and marinara sauce between the two skillets.  Cover and simmer about 20-25 minutes.  Spoon off all the fat.  Cool thoroughly. Spoon the mixture into seven 1-pint freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch space at t top.  Seal tightly and label containers.  Freeze.  Use within 3 months.  Makes about 7 pints.

Hamburger-Noodle Skillet

1 pkg. (10 o.) frozen mixed vegetables

1 pt. ground beef mix, thawed (above)

2 cups cooked egg noodles

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

In a 10-inch skillet, add the mixed vegetables and cook according to package directions.  Stir in the beef mix, cooked noodles, and tomato sauce.  Cover and cook over moderate heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add a few tablespoons of water if necessary to prevent the mixture from sticking.  Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top.  Do not stir. Cover and heat just long enough to melt the cheese. Serve from the skillet.  Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Chili Con Carne

1 pint ground beef, thawed (above)

2 tsp. or more chili powder

2 cans (15-1/2 oz.) chili beans

Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over moderate heat for about 10 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

Speedy Pizza

1 pint ground beef mix, thawed (above)

6 English muffins, split

1 cup grated mozzarella or sharp cheddar cheese

1 tsp. or more dried oregano

Thinly sliced pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and olives (optional)

In a small saucepan, simmer beef mix for about 5 minutes until heated through.  Toast English muffin halves. Spoon meat mixture over the muffins. Sprinkle with the cheese and oregano.  Add pepperoni and other toppings, if desired.  Broil for about 3 to 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.  Makes 12 individual pizzas.

Biscuit and Pancake Mix

6 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp. plus 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup nonfat dry milk

2 1/2 tsp. salt

IN a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, dry milk, and salt. Spoon the mixture ito a 2-quart glass or plastic container.  Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator. Mix will keep for about 1 month.  Yields:  7 cups

Baking Powder Drop Biscuits

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, stir 2 cups mix and 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (or 1 cup  heavy cream plus 1/4 cup milk) with a fork until just enough to moisten the mix.  Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto a lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.  Makes about 20 biscuits.

Variation: Stir 1 teaspoon of your favorite herb into the mix before adding the cream.

Pancakes:

In a mixing bowl, beat 1 egg lightly with a fork, then add 1 cup mix, 3/4 cup cold water, and 2 Tbsp. melted butter, margarine, or vegetable oil. Stir just enough to moisten the mix–the batter should be lumpy.  Makes about 12 pancakes.  Variations:  Just before cooking, stir in 1/2 cup blueberries or chopped apple.

 

Slush Punch

This recipe is wonderful for wedding receptions, bridal teas, anniversaries, etc.

I know the white grape juice, Fresca is popular, but nothing beats good old-timey punch.

3 cups sugar

23 cups hot water

1 pkg. – 3 oz. strawberry jello

3 cups cold water

1 large can pineapple juice

1 small can (6 oz.) frozen lemonade

1/2 oz. (1 bottle) almond extract

1 to 2 bottles ginger ale

Dissolve sugar in 2 cups hot water.  Dissolve jello in 1 cup hot water. (Hey, save time and do it all together, I do).

Combine all ingredients except ginger ale.  Freeze.  It’s good to freeze in plastic ice cream buckets or something similar because you are going to thaw to slush stage when ready to use (I use a knife, etc. to get it slushy.  Be careful and don’t punch a hole in the plastic container.)

Put in punch bowl and add ginger ale when ready to serve.

**Note:  To change color of punch use the jello flavor desired.  Strawberry makes a light shade of pink.

 

Chicken Marinade

My daughter in Georgia gave me this recipe. She said it was wonderful.  The chicken was very moist and tender.

 

3/4 cup Ranch dressing

1/2 cup Zesty Italian dressing

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Mix and marinate the chicken at least 2 hours or longer.  Grill outside or on a Foreman’s grill.

 

Sugar Free Punch Bowl Cake

1 sugar-free angel food cake

1 sugar-free pkg. strawberry jello

1 can sugar-free fruit cocktail

3 bananas

1 – 16 oz. container Lite Cool Whip

Cut angel food cake to fit into bottom of punch bowl, set the other half aside. Mix jello according to directions on package; drain fruit, pour over the cake in bowl. Slice bananas over the fruit. Take the other half of the cake and put over the bananas. Pour the liquid jello over top of cake. Punch holes in cake so jello will run through. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then top with Cool Whip

 

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!