Moving Day

I have a Yahoo group - Linda's Little Village. Since I can now archive my messages there I have set it up so only I can post and it is open to everyone. From now on I will post all my crafts, recipes, inspirational & Christian items, jokes and other silliness there and dropping most of my blogs.

Check it out at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LindaLV/

I will leave this up for awhile until I get everything moved to the group.

Thanks for looking,
Linda B:)

Recyling Leftover Wrapping Paper

If pretty wrapping paper is in good shape, you can reuse it to wrap other gifts or use it to line dresser drawers and shelves. Every time you open a closet or cupboard, you will be reminded of a party or happy event. --Heloise's Hints

Fried Oreos

Shared by Peggy...........

Ingredients

1 cup buttermilk pancake mix
3/4 cup ice water
1 quart vegetable oil
1 sleeve of Oreo cookies (14 each)
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

Hardware

3-quart saucepan or electric deep fryer
Whisk
Medium bowl
Metal tongs
Paper towels
Sheet pan

Step 1: Freeze cookies for 3 hours.

Step 2: In a 3-quart saucepot or deep fryer, heat oil to 350 degrees F (medium heat on stove top).

Step 3: While oil is heating, set up a sheet pan with paper towels for draining.

Step 4: In a medium bowl, stir water into buttermilk pancake mix with a whisk until thoroughly combined. Batter should be consistency of pancake mix, if not, add more water or mix accordingly.

Step 5: With metal tongs, dip each cookie one at a time into batter, making a thin coat completely around the cookie.

Step 6: Place coated cookie carefully into hot oil. Repeat for each cookie. Fry on both sides, turning over once until golden brown.

Step 7: Remove fried cookie from hot oil with metal tongs and drain on paper towels.

Note: The cookies inside should be soft throughout, if they are cold and hard reduce oil temperature.

Step 8: Dust with confectioners sugar.

Step 9: Let cool slightly (about 2 minutes) before serving Makes 14 cookies

Easter Bunny Cupcakes

From FamilyFun.com Recipes

Easter Bunny Cupcakes


You don't have to grow a garden like Mr. McGregor's to have a family of rabbits show up at your house on Easter -- or any other time.

A cupcake (baked from your favorite recipe) White icing Shredded coconut Pink decorators' sugar Jelly bean nose Chewable Sweet Tart eyes Large marshmallow Mini marshmallows

Step 1
Frost a cupcake (baked from your favorite recipe) with white icing and sprinkle on shredded coconut fur.

Step 2
Cut a large marshmallow in half widthwise. Squeeze each half slightly to give it an oval shape, then decorate the sticky side of each one with pink decorators' sugar and set them in place for ears.

Step 3
Add a jelly bean nose and either jelly bean or snipped Sweet Tart eyes, and mini marshmallows for cheeks. For a finishing touch, draw on decorators' gel pupils or whiskers if you like.

Crock Pot Pasta Meat Sauce

1 lb. lean ground beef or pork, browned

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

1 zucchini, cut into quarters lengthwise, then slice

2 cloves garlic, diced

2 cans (15 oz. ea.) tomato sauce

1 can (15 ox.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

Cooked pasta

Sauté ground beef in a skillet until browned thoroughly. Drain off liquid.

Place ground beef in a crock pot/slow cooker. Add vegetables and herbs,

and stir.

Cover and cook on LOW heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH heat setting

for 3 to 4 hours.

Serve over cooked pasta. Top with shredded cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Per serving = 180 calories, 20 g carbs, 5 g dietary fiber, 19 g protein,

3 g fat (1 g saturated), 40 mg cholesterol, 900 mg sodium.

No Bake Power Energy Bites

No Bake Power Energy Bites


1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup figs, stemmed
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup wheat germ
5 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

In food processor, combine first five ingredients. Process until dough forms a ball. In small bowl, mix the crumbs and lemon juice. Roll dough into 1" balls and coat with crumbs. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Name Change - Maybe

I wanted this blog to be about general household tips and a bit of recipes. The Village Pantry seems to indicate only recipes which is not my forte. I am great on telling you how to save money, make your own cleaning supplies, find shortcuts to save on repairs etc.

Anyway, contemplating a new name. In keeping with my "Village" theme (which ties in with my crafting business - The Village Craftsmith) and my nickname (The Village Idiot) I might go with The Village Chief Cook and Bottle Washer but I am still searching.

Whatever I decide on I will start posting some of my household hints except gardening hints. Those can be found on my container gardening blog.

Thanks for stopping by,
Linda B:)