Yummy Pork Chop Recipe

I made my own version of Shake N Bake using limited edition caramelized onion Ritz crackers.

Wow it turned out so good! One tube of the crackers crushed in a large zipper bag, add about half tablespoon garlic salt, same amount of coarse ground black pepper & about 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese. Shake it up good then add pork chops 2 at a time to coat with crumbs. Place on cookie sheet with a piece of parchment paper to prevent sticking. 400º for 20 minutes for boneless or 45 minutes for bone-in. Measurements are all guesstimates as I just shook the spices and cheese in til I thought it was enough. I think the garlic butter or roasted vegetable Ritz would work well too, although if using the garlic butter flavor, don't use nearly as much garlic salt. This recipe is enough to coat about 8 chops. You can use chicken as well. I have also used Sociables and Vegetable Thins. The Vegetable Thins version turned out really good!

Swedish Apple-Nut Cake

2 C sifted all-purpose flour   
 4 tsp double-acting baking powder
1 tsp salt                                 
1 C white sugar
2 C light brown sugar            
 4 eggs
4 Tbls butter or margarine, melted 
 4 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 C chopped peeled apples    
1-1.5 C chopped nuts (I use slivered almonds)

Sift together flour, baking powder & salt then set aside.
Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl. Gradually beat in white & brown sugars & butter or margarine. Stir in vanilla & flour mixture. Fold in apples & nuts. Turn into a buttered 9x13 cake pan. Bake in pre-heated oven (350°) 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Top with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

Our bedroom

We just got our Amish wallpaper border put up with help from our friends who already know how to put it up. This is a panoramic of the entire room. Click on the picture to see it enlarged.

Mexican Meatloaf

2.5-3 lbs. ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
2 eggs
2 small individual packs (1 1/4 oz) or 1 big grab bag of nacho cheese or taco flavor Doritos, empty into plastic bag & crush into crumbs
about 1/3 to 1/2 C salsa
about 1/3 to 1/2 C finely shredded mexican blend cheese (or cheese of your choice, preferably in the cheddar family)
Blend all these ingredients together then put in large loaf pan & top with more salsa & cheese
Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 75 minutes.

Simple Faux Lamp

This, of course, is not a working lamp. It is simply an easy decoration. Nothing more than a bud vase with a narrow opening and a small lampshade, with bulb clip. Simply balance the bulb clip on the opening of the vase. If you use a vase with larger opening, use a candelabra bulb, secured with a putty, then clip the shade to the bulb.

Thread/Scissor Caddy/Pin Cushion

Finished product

Photographic steps to making a thread caddy. This was my first attempt, so I know that future attempts, I will eliminate the spool holder on each end, as it is hindering the way the chain hangs. the hooks get screwed into the bottom of the board after it's covered with the fabric. The chain is attached on either end with the upholstery tacks. Whenever I make a new one, I will post the steps on there as well. Hopefully it will have a better turnout.
The board is about 20 inches or so long and about the width of the thread spool, or a little wider and about 1 to 1/5 inches deep. Use large thread spools to judge how far apart you need to put them. I put 10 spools on mine. While they are all sitting in place, use a pencil and go down inside the main hole of each spool and mark the board. This is where you'll drill the holes.
You will need a dowel rod, 3/16 diameter, cut into 3-inch pieces, however many you will need, sand rough edges off.
You will need a 7/32 drill bit. Drill the holes about half the depth of the board itself. If you aren't sure about stopping in time, measure the board's depth. I used a piece of masking tape to mark the drill bit as to where to stop.
Fabric should be thick, similar to upholstery fabric, or something just as strong. You will sew a hem on all four sides, to keep from fraying, as well as to help hold up to the staples. Make sure your finished fabric is about 6 inches longer than the board length, 3 inches on each end. About 6 inches wider, again 3 inches each side.
 Place the board holes up. Place fabric over top, centering the board. Starting with the middle holes, one at a time, put a bit of hot glue in the hole, cover then pound one of the dowel pegs in. Stagger, changing sides, and work your way out toward the ends. This was my mistake, and I started at one end and went to the other, almost running out of fabric on the last end. Once the pegs are all in place, use some fiber fill, or cotton batting and tuck in along one side, stuffing some around the pegs, pull snug, then use staple gun & staple fabric to bottom of board. Make sure your filling is even across each side. Once both sides are filled and stapled, tuck in your ends, and staple as well.
Take a length of decorative, but strong chain, about 18 inches, depending on the length of your board. Use an upholstery tack to secure chain to each end of the board.
Lastly, use screw-in hooks (I only used 3) and screw into bottom of board for scissors to hang from.
Try not to put pegs as close to the ends as I did; another mistake I made. My pattern was a memory of over 40 years!