Tupperware and Other Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

While driving to Gatorland a while ago, I noticed a Tupperware building along the way.  Later I checked it out and found that it is the world headquarters for Tupperware Brands.  I also found out that it has a visitor's center and gift shop inside.  So when Brian and I were back in that area, we stopped by to check it out. 

Ever wonder where the name "Tupperware" comes from?  From the inventor Earl Tupper in the 1940's.  The gallery has lots of interesting facts and displays.  The tour is self-guided and takes about a half hour.  Of course that depends on how nostalgic you are.  Bring your dollar bills, there is a vending machine that sells Tupperware Tiny Treasures.  I got the original bowl on a keychain.

It got me thinking...how many Tupperware items do I own?  Here is my vintage, heavily used collection.

I like Tupperware, but I have other kitchen items that are my favorites.  I am known as a KITCHEN GADGET QUEEN.  I haven't found a kitchen gadget I didn't want.  My salvation is that I have no problem getting rid of clutter, so once I lose interested, I get rid of it.  I have had a soy milk maker, bread maker, Ronco Rotisserie.   I have ordered from TV infomercials, spent hours in the aisles of Bed, Bath and Beyond, looked through catalogs and regularly buy items at thrift stores.  Here are some of my FAVORITE KITCHEN GADGETS...

First thing I noticed was that several of my favorites involved EGGS.   Brian bought me this Henrietta Egg Cooker as a gift when I was eating hard boiled eggs a lot.  I thought he was crazy, but once I started using it I loved it.  No more overcooked hard boiled eggs.

Once cooked, I use my vintage egg slicer.  I couldn't be without it.

I haven't used this gadget much, but it would be fun to serve a platter of square deviled eggs.

My favorite wine corkscrew, Le Creuset, stores easily and works every time.

It's a scraper, it's a cutter...it's a kitchen multi-tasker.

These Pyrex bowls were my FIRST kitchen gadget, before I knew how to cook.  The fact that they are glass and have lasted decades tells you how much I like 'em.  I like the handles (easy pick up),  one handle is small so you can use it as a spout and they stack for easy storage.

Brian brought this gadget into the marriage, the Boerner V-Slicer.  It is an engineering marvel how all the pieces fit together.  I haven't found a vegetable or fruit this thing can't slice perfectly.
 

This is a NordiacWare microwave steamer, broccoli in less than 10 minutes.  I find these frequently at thrift stores and give them away to family and friends.  I like the Tupperware one better.  I must have given it away.

 

Drum roll please...my favorite gadget!  The Vidalia Chop Wizard.  It is another gadget that I frequently find at thrift stores.  It is fun to use!

Here is the Vidalia Chop Wizard in action.  A friend, June Caputo, brought this to a happy hour and it was a huge success. 

Hot Vidalia Onion Dip

 

1 Vidalia Onion, finely chopped

1 cup mayo

1 cup shredded cheese (I used shredded cheddar)

Ritz crackers

 

Bake dip at 375 for 30 minutes, until bubbly.  Serve with crackers.

 

 

  

This is where the Vidalia Chop Wizard comes in

 

Mix ingredients together, bake at 375 for 30 minutes until bubbly, serve warm. 

 

With all these gadgets,
you would think I spend all my time playing in the kitchen. 

lets just say that I don't cook often,
but when I do I have fun.

Recycle Reduce Reuse - The Wedding

You probably have seen this symbol before.  It is used in waste management and environmental programs.  I have my own version of these terms.

REDUCE

Three years ago when I made the BIG MOVE from Ohio to Florida.  I reduced my household inventory by  80% or more.  I have the donation slips to prove it.  These slips don't include all the furniture we sold or gave away.

I am happy to say that after 3 years, I still have not reverted to my old hoarding ways.  I think before I buy and continually get rid of things I don't need.  It is a very liberating feeling.

REUSE and RECYCLE

Oh, these are my favorite two words.  Environmentally these are two separate concepts, but sometimes I think of them as the same...recycle an item by reusing it.  I have a house full of "recycled/reused" projects.  Recycle crafts are a passion of mine. 

Another example of RECYCLE is how I have recycled items from Mallory and Mike's Wedding. 

 

(photos compliments of Studio SPC)

 



After the wedding I gathered up the paper flowers Mallory made for the boutonnieres, painted them white and added them to a table arrangement.

I couldn't let the bouquets or centerpieces go into the dumpster, so I also took them, painted them and put them on top of my hutch.

I collected the table numbers to match our address and arranged them near the front door.

By REUSING these items, I have daily reminders of a happy and fun day.

OATMEAL LACE COOKIES – SO EASY, SO GOOD

Christmas time = Christmas cookies  

Oatmeal Lace is a family favorite at Christmas.  These cookies are so good.  They are the "crack" of cookies.  Be careful, you get addicted very easily.  In fact, I don't dare make them unless I know I can share.  Otherwise, I might just stay holed up in my house, eating these cookies morning, noon and night...until they are done and I am in a sugar coma.  Okay, kinda dramatic, but closer to the truth than I want to admit.

This year, the addiction started when I was video-chatting with my daughter, Michelle, while she was making these cookies for Christmas.  Oh the sight of her dropping the cookie dough on the pan, putting the pan in the oven, licking the dough off her fingers...oh my.  Finally, I got my opportunity to make and share them on New Year's Eve.  Here is the recipe:

 

This recipe is correct with the ingredients and amounts, but I put them together a little different, and cook them less.  Here is my version:

 

OATMEAL LACE COOKIE

Ingredients:

    1 cup sugar

    1/2 cup butter

    1 egg

    1/2 teaspoon vanilla

    1 cup rolled oats

    3 tablespoons flour

    1/4 teaspoon baking powder

    1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with oil.

Cream butter, add sugar, then egg and vanilla.  In a separate bowl mix together oats, flour, baking powder and salt.  Add to the wet ingredients.  Stir until all ingredients are mixed evenly.

Drop a 1/2 teaspoon (or less) on the greased foil-lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, until the edges are brown.  Longer if you like a crisper cookies.  When the cookies are completely cooled, they should release from the foil easily.

 

Step into my kitchen and I will demonstrate

First, get the ingredients together...all pretty basic ingredients.  You can use old-fashioned oats or quick oats.  NOT instant.  Old-fashioned oats makes for bigger oatmeal pieces in the cookie.  Both taste the same, use whatever you like.

The original recipe calls for you to beat the egg and then mix everything together.  I prefer to cream the butter and sugar, then mix in the vanilla and egg.

Next I mix the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl and add them to the wet ingredients. 

At this point I use my mixer to do a quick blend, and finish the mixing by hand.

 

I think that the other bakers in my family use the original recipe method of mixing everything together at once.  And to tell you the truth, all the cookies taste great.  I am not sure why I modified/complicated the process.  Maybe I have watched too many Martha Stewart cooking shows.

Drop the cookies in small amounts, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons on the greased, foil-lined cookies sheet.  I have used Reynolds non-stick foil, but recently I started using cheap foil, sprayed with vegetable oil.  It works just as good.  When I use the cheap foil, I use a new sheet each time.

The cook time depends on how big the cookie and how crisp you want it.  I like the cookies medium done (brown on the edges), so I start the timer at 5 minutes and watch it till the edges start turning brown.  You can cook them longer for a crisper cookie.  Be careful, they bake fast...one moment--just right, the next moment--burned!  Watching a timer is not one of my strong skills.

 

Welcome to my addiction...

 



Golfing Off The Beaten Cart Path

I live in a golf community, on a golf course and am a member of the golf club.  I like to golf.  The last year or so, I have been using these golf balls.

Not because of the compression ratio, covering or any other scientific principle.  No, I like these golf balls because of the name...FUZZ.  I like these golf balls because of the slogan on them...WICKED LONG.

  

And most of all, I like these golf balls because of the BLUE EYES.

 



Sometimes the golf ball doesn't go where it should.  Just like I go "off the beaten path" when I travel, I can get "off the beaten cart path" on the golf course. Here are four pictures of golf balls on the course.  Can you pick out the one that was staged?

It was the ball in the top right picture.  

The picture of the ball in the mushrooms, got me thinking.  Maybe "Blue Eyes" would like to hangout with the mushrooms that sprang up on the course after a round of fertilizer.

A golf ball needs a ball marker.  I got these ball markers from rogerpargolf on eBay.  It is easy to pick out my ball marker.

Another of my "favorite things" is my golf club covers.  They were hand made by my friend Carole Lehmann (mine are on the left). 

I found this bumper sticker at the Renninger's Flea Market.  Sometimes I use the whole thing (as a warning when a fellow golfer agrees to ride with me).  Other times I just point to a part of it.

A good sense of humor and lots of laughs are the best thing to have on a golf course

Myrtle Beach 3.0

I am back from the 3rd Myrtle Beach golf trip (MB 3.0), check out MB 2.0 for a preview.  The participants were the same (Barb, Bonnie and Monica from TEAM OHIO...and me, TEAM FLORIDA).  We stay in Bonnie's condo at the Wyndham Westwind in North Myrtle Beach.  This year Bonnie got us a corner unit on the top floor with a great ocean view. 

The schedule was the same...wake up, breakfast, GOLF, dinner, hot tub...repeat.  This year we changed up some of the golf courses and restaurants.

FRIDAY

After we got settled into the condo, we headed out to our favorite Myrtle Beach Mexican restaurant, Mexico Lindo.  They have great food and cheap margaritas.  If you know this REAL RETIRED HOUSEWIFE OF FLORIDA, you know I love my margaritas.  In fact, I am going to pause to make some right now.  My recipe is from my Dad, who got it from my Aunt Margaret.

   1 Part Tequila (I  prefer 100% agave)
   1 part Trip Sec
   1/2 part Roses Lime Juice

    Serve over lots of ice.

SATURDAY

We started our golf trip at Cypress Bay.  The course was very wet (it rained the night before) and it was "cart path only".  There was lots of standing water on the course. 

Bonnie and I had our lowest scores on this course.  Monica was the only one to score under 100 (95), with 5 pars and 7 one-putts.  Bonnie was happy with her 5 one-putts and 1 par.  I had 6 one-putts and 3 pars (including a par on the last hole).  The last hole had water across the fairway.  Barb and Bonnie laid up before the water.  Bonnie skipped her ball on the water, hit the bank and popped it up landing in the fairway.  Barb also hit the bank and landed in the fairway.  Monica and I cleared the water.  It was a small victory that everyone made it over the water on the last hole!

Dinner was at Villa Tuscanna.  This restaurant is voted #1 (out of 700) in Myrtle Beach on Trip Advisor.  We all agreed with that rating.  Bonnie said that she would consider moving to Myrtle Beach just to be near the restaurant.  I added some humor to the evening by leaving the price tag hanging out the back of my top.  No one noticed it until we were leaving!  Such a classy place to pull a "Minnie Pearl".

SUNDAY

We golfed at Southcreek at Myrtle Beach National.  Monica and Barb had their best scores here.  Monica again scored under a 100 (93) with a total of 34 putts. Bonnie tied Monica with 4 one-putts.  I chipped in on the 12th hole for a par.  We had nice weather and the course was drier than the day before. 

Dinner was at TBonz in Barefoot Landing with a nice view of the Intracoastal Waterway.  The BBQ ribs and prime rib were great and we left full and happy.

MONDAY

Bonnie didn't feel well and skipped the golf.  We golfed at the International Club.  This was supposed to be our coldest day, but the weather surprised us and was better than forecasted.  The greens were very fast.  Monica's quote:  "It was like putting on linoleum".

Bonnie felt better when we returned from golf and we headed out to a nearby favorite, Joe's Bar and Grill.  We got a table by the back windows and were entertained by a band of raccoons that hang out on their very own play center (stand, swinging bridge and ladders).

TUESDAY

Off to Indigo Creek.  We played this course last year in a scramble.  This year we wanted to play it on our own.  Every morning we checked the weather online and on the Weather Channel.  Neither warned us about rain, but rain it did.  First it was a light mist, then worked its way into a strong mist/light rain.  Barb and I quit after nine holes.  Actually we quit long before that, just kept hitting the ball.  Monica and Bonnie continued to play.  Dinner was at California Dreaming.  The honey-butter croissants are wonderful.

WEDNESDAY

I continued to provide entertainment to our group by getting a speeding ticket on our way to the course.  I got the ticket in an area where the speed limit goes from 60 to 45 (and I stayed at 60).  The police officer was professional and polite and we went on our way, slowly, within the speed limit.  I had to pass this area 3 more times over the next couple of days and was very observant of the speed limit.  We saw another car getting a ticket the next day!

Despite the delay, we made our tee time at Aberdeen Country Club, a pretty course with more linoleum greens.  I had my lowest number of putts (35) and Barb had 4 one -putts.

There was lots of wildlife.  We saw turtles, grey fox squirrels and alligators (I felt like I was home).   Thank goodness we did not see any rattlesnakes.

THURSDAY

Our last day of golf was at Diamond Back.  The course was challenging and very wet (from rain the night before).  I noted on the score card that no one liked hole 13, but I can't remember why.  Bonnie felt that this was her best day of golf.  She had 3 pars and tied Monica for the most one-putts (5).  We had a threesome of gentlemen behind us, so we played ready-golf and moved along pretty fast.  We kept up with the 4 men in front of us.  At the turn, we stopped at the clubhouse for a hot dog and the men in from of us asked if we wanted to play ahead of them.  Turns out they switched to a scramble format to speed up their play and we still kept up with them!

Our last dinner was at Clark's Seafood and Chop House.  It was a nice upscale place and we got a table with a view of the boats docked in the harbor.  We must have been having too good of a time because a couple at the table next to us asked to be moved.

 It was a great dinner for our last night.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I didn't golf my best this year.  It didn't help that I lost at least 3 balls on each course.  In fact one day I lost 3 balls, found 3 balls and lost those!  For me the highlights of the trip were the laughs with friends, great food and fun times on the golf course.

There's an App for That

There is a party game (for bridal showers, baby showers, etc.) where you get points for what is in your purse.

Now that game could be about what APPS are on your phone.

 



Three years ago when I arrived in Florida (and became A REAL RETIRED HOUSEWIFE OF FLORIDA), I had a simple cell phone.  Within a few months, I upgraded my plan and got an Android smartphone.  My world opened up with cell phone pictures, texting and browsing the web.  Next upgrade I got an iPhone 4 and within a couple of weeks I exchanged it for an iPhone 4S.  Now I don't know what I would do without my iPhone and iPad (yep, I had to have one of those also).

Pictures, texting and browsing are great, but that just the beginning.  The collection of apps on your phone are defining.  Here are a few APPS on my iPhone that I wouldn't be without.

Panoramic Pictures

 



Just recently I found I could take panoramic pictures on my iPhone.  This is a 180 degree picture of my living room.

 

The first time I new I couldn't live without a smartphone was when I was watching TV and could look up actors to see what else they starred in.  I used to ask the question, then wait for Brian to look it up on his laptop. After he ignored me, I would eventually get up and look it up on my desktop.  When I got a smartphone, I would ask the question, then pick up my phone.  Then Brian and I would race to see who could find the answer.  See cell phones can bring people together.

 

 

I predict there will be a new generation that won't know that a flashlight can be independent of a cell phone.

 

I have been a member of EBay for over 10 years.  I sell on Ebay as a sideline to my thrift store shopping addition.  I use the APP when I am thrift store shopping to see if an item will sell on EBay.  It has saved me money and added a new dimension to my shopping.

Ted Talks (Technology, Entertainment and Design).  These talks are from around the world on "Ideas Worth Spreading".  I am addicted to these talks.  I first started listening to them on Netflix, the TED website then You Tube and now TED has an APP all of its own.

 



 A great place to store and share ideas.  Social networking for creative people.  I find recipes, inspiring ideas and organizational tips.



Don't leave home without it.  I used TripAdvisor to research where to stay, places to eat and things to do on our trips.  I used TripAdvisor to find recommendations for Key West (Frances Street Bottle Inn , Garbo's Grill and 5 Brothers Gocery and Sandwich Shop) and St. Augustine (The Back Urban 40).

You point your device into the sky and this APP will show you a picture of the sky are looking at and map the stars and constellations.  Nerd Alert:  If you are a real GEEK, (like Brian and me), you take that information to Microsoft's World Wide Telescope (WWT) web page to get a closer look at the stars, constellations and galaxies in  your sky.  This web page enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope -- bringing together imagery from the world's best ground and space-based telescopes.  You can explore on your own or take a guided tour.  A great tour to start with is Michael E. Bakich's Seven Top Galaxies.

 

What's on your phone?

Road Trip - A Summer Trip to Ohio

As much as I am loving being A REAL RETIRED HOUSEWIFE OF FLORIDA, I have to give credit to where I was born and raised...OHIO.

Brian and I left Ohio 3 years ago and have only been back in the winter.  I realize that visiting Ohio in winter is backwards, but we left in the winter and seem to feel the need to migrate back each year at the same time.  Plus, we go back for Christmas with the family.

So this trip was the first time in 3 years that I have been back in the summer.  Brian and I headed back to Ohio for our daughter Mallory's wedding.  THE WEDDING was a blast.  Mallory and Mike (my new son-in-law) did an outstanding job.  Check out THE WEDDING blog and Mallory's personal blog for more details on this talented couple's DIY projects and wedding details.

Photo by Studio SPC

Ohio is beautiful in the summer and the weather was perfect for THE WEDDING.  There is so much more to do when visiting in the summer.  Brian spent a couple days off-road motorcycle riding.  One day was at Mines and Meadows with friend, Bill, and new son-in-law Mike.

 

I got in some golf at Brookledge in Cuyahoga Falls with my Monday travelling golf group.  One difference between golfing in Ohio and Florida is the animals you encounter on the course.

I also had time to visit with friends, have lunch at Swensons (voted American's best burger by Forbes in 1999), stroll through Szalay's Farm Market (nothing like fresh roasted corn-on-the-cob dipped in butter),  the best French onion soup at the French Coffee Shop, and a drive through the old neighborhood.  Of course I got in a day of thrift store shopping at my favorite stores. 

Brian and I ended the trip with a family dinner at Fat Head's Brewery.  It was one of those "Ah Ha" parent moments...the kids are grown up and we couldn't be prouder of them.