Thursday, May 16, 2013

What's for Dinner - Balsamic Pork Chops


Balsamic Pork Chops


Ingredients: 

1 (6.2-ounce) package fast-cooking long-grain and wild rice mix
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 (3/4-inch-thick) boneless pork chops
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chicken broth
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar


Directions:

Cook rice according to package directions; keep warm.
Combine flour, 1 teaspoon rosemary, salt, and pepper. Dredge pork chops in flour mixture.
Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Add pork chops, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove pork chops.
Add broth and vinegar, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet. Cook 6 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half. Add pork chops, and cook 5 minutes or until done. Serve over rice. Garnish, if desired.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Heart of the Ozarks Farmers Market - West Plains


Heart of the Ozarks Farmers Market
1755 S. US Hwy 63, West Plains, MO.

417-293-8306/417-293-7904


The market is open Wed from 11am - 4pm. There will be tomato, pepper and other garden plants. There will be plenty of fresh eggs, laundry soap & fabric softener, and yummy baked goods. Don't forget there is also fresh asparagus.

What's for Dinner - Chicken Bombs



Chicken Bombs



Ingredients:

5 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
5 jalapeno peppers
20 strips of bacon
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated colby jack or cheddar
cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup BBQ sauce

Directions:

1.) Slice chicken breasts in half WIDTH
wise (Each half will make 1 Chicken
Bomb). Place between two pieces of
wax paper and pound to 1/4 inch
thickness. *A rolling pin also does the
trick. Season each with salt a pepper.
2.) Slice jalapenos in half LENGTH wise
and remove seeds, ribs, and the end
with the stem.
3.) In a small bowl, mix your softened
cream cheese with your grated colby
jack.

4.) Fill each jalapeno half with about 1
Tbs cheese mixture. (Sometimes I use
more)
5.) Place 1 jalapeno half at the end of
each pounded breast piece. Roll over
and together. *It doesn't always close
the way you think it should. No worries!
The bacon will pull it all together.
6.) Wrap each breast piece with 2 slices
of bacon. I do 1 at a time (obviously),
and just sort of wrap tightly and tuck the
ends of the bacon under the strips. It all
comes together in the cooking process.
I promise you do not need toothpicks!
7.) Preheat your grill to 350 degrees.
Cook over indirect heat for 20-25
minutes; turning every 4-5 minutes.
Baste chicken with BBQ sauce each time
you turn it. Giving it one final basting
right before it's done. Chicken is ready
when it reaches an internal temp of 165
degrees. If you don't have a meat
thermometer, pierce chicken with a
fork. If juices run clear, it's done!

*Makes 10 Chicken Bombs

To Bake: Bake, uncovered, at 375
degrees for 30 minutes. Basting with
BBQ sauce a few times during cooking.
Baste once again when finished, and
place under broil setting for a few
minutes so bacon can crisp completely.

Great Uses for Dryer Sheet

Great Uses for Dryer Sheets




1. Use in your bathroom. Cut your cleaning time in half. Makes bathroom mirrors and fixtures sparkle. Cuts right through bathtub scum.

2. Use to get sticky dust right off furniture, blinds and baseboards.

3. Cleans up stove tops and greasy cabinets quickly.

4. Soak paint brushes with warm water and a dryer sheet. Watch the paint come right off.

5. Clean dead bugs off your car.

6. Wipes pet hair off furniture and clothing.

7. Run a dryer sheet over thread before sewing to keep tangles away

8. Keeps mosquitoes away.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

DIY - Lunchbox Icepacks

Make your own lunchbox ice packs from dollar store sponges soaked in water and put in ziplock bag. When they thaw, the sponge absorbs the water.



Monday, May 13, 2013

DIY - Homemade Sprinkler

Cool the kids off with this homemade sprinkler. Take a 2 liter bottle, and poke holes in it. Hook your hose up to it, toss over a tree branch and turn on the water! 



Friday, May 10, 2013

Local Event - Gun Show Bentonville, Arkansas

May 18-19 

Bentonville Benton County Fairgrounds 7640 SW Regional Airport Rd., 200

Show Hours Sat 9-5, Sun 9-4 Jeff Bowles

Twin Patriot Productions 479-225-0896

Local Event - RK Gun Show Springfield, Missouri


May 16-17, Aug 10-11
Oct 19-20, Dec 7-8
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex
3001 North Grant Street
(Exit 77 Off I-44)
1000 Tables 
Phone Number: 563-927-8176 * 563-927-8310 * 5563-927-2233 Fax Number 563-927-8207

Local Event - Cabool Farm Fest and Outdoors in the Ozarks Expo


The Cabool Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 30th annual Farm Fest and Outdoors in the Ozarks Expo on May 10-11.

Events scheduled for Farm Fest include a 3D pop-up archery competition, chainsaw drag races, seminars, a carnival and more.

Admission and parking for the event is free.

For more information, visit www.caboolmo.org or call the Chamber of Commerce at 417-962-3002.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

45 Uses for Vinegar



Unleash the power of white vinegar―an all-purpose cleaner, brightener, herbicide and more. Just a bit of this multi-tasker, straight up or mixed with water, can replace many pricier products huddled under your sink. Try these tips to see how vinegar can make your life cheaper and easier.




1. Freshen up the fridge. Clean the shelves and walls with a solution of half water and half vinegar.

2. Brighten coffee cups and teacups. Gently scrub stains with equal parts vinegar and salt (or baking soda).

3. Eliminate odors. Swab plastic containers with a cloth dampened with vinegar.

4. Kill bathroom germs. Spray full-strength vinegar around the sink and tub. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

5. Save a garment. To remove light scorch marks on fabrics, rub gently with vinegar. Wipe with a clean cloth. This technique also works on antiperspirant stains.

6. Tidy up a toilet. Pour a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar into the bowl. Let sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.

7. Lose the carpet stain. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and ¼ cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the stain and let dry. Vacuum the residue the next day. (Always test an out-of-sight part of the carpet first.)

8. Renew paint brushes. To remove old paint, place brushes in a pot with vinegar. Soak for an hour, then turn on the stove and bring the vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

9. Wipe off a dirty faucet. To get rid of lime buildup, make a paste of 1 teaspoon vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt. Apply to sink fixtures and rub with a cloth.

10. Stop static cling. Add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to your wash cycle. The acid reduces static and keeps dryer lint from sticking to your clothes.

11. Make old socks look new. Get the stains out of old socks and sweaty gym clothes by soaking them in a vinegar solution. Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring to a boil and drop in the stained clothes. Let them soak overnight, and in the morning stained clothes are fresh and bright.

12. Restore handbags and shoes. Wipe white distilled vinegar on scuffed leather bags and shoes. It will restore their shine and help hide the marks.

13. Banish weeds. Pour white distilled vinegar on the weeds growing in the cracks of your walkway and driveway. Saturate the plant so the vinegar reaches the roots.

14. Liven droopy flowers. Don’t throw out cut flowers once they start to wilt. Instead, add two tablespoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to a quart of water. Pour the solution into your vase, and the flowers will perk up.

15. Put an end to itching. Dab a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar on mosquito bites and insect stings. It will stop them from itching and help disinfect the area so they heal faster.

16. Whiten your teeth. Brush your teeth once a week with white distilled vinegar. Dip your toothbrush into the vinegar and brush thoroughly. It will help prevent bad breath, too.

17. Make nail polish last longer. Before you apply your favorite polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in white distilled vinegar. The clean surface will help your manicure last.

18. Keep car windows frost-free. Prevent windows from frosting over in a storm by coating them with a solution of three parts white distilled vinegar to one part water. The acidity hinders ice, so you won’t have to wake up early to scrape off your car.

19. Let your dog shine. Spray your dog with one cup white distilled vinegar mixed with one quart water. The solution is a cheap alternative to expensive pet-care products, plus the vinegar will help repel pests like fleas and ticks.

20. Battle litter-box odor. Cat litter can leave behind an unwelcome smell. Eliminate it by pouring a half-inch of white distilled vinegar into the empty litter box. Let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

21. Kill bacteria in meat. Marinating in vinegar knocks out bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Create a marinade by adding ¼ cup balsamic vinegar for every 2 pounds of meat to your own blend of herbs and spices. Let the meat sit anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours, depending on how strong you want the flavor, then cook it in the morning without rinsing.

22. Prevent cracked eggs. Prevent eggs from cracking as they hard-boil by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to the water. The eggs will stay intact, and the shells will peel off more easily when you’re ready to eat them.

23. Steam away a microwave mess. Fill a small bowl with equal parts hot water and vinegar, and place it in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. As the steam fills the microwave, it loosens the mess, making clean up a breeze.

24. Repair DVDs. If you have a worn DVD that skips or freezes, wipe it down with white distilled vinegar applied to a soft cloth. Make sure the DVD is completely dry before reinserting it into the player.

25. Get those last drops. If you can’t get that final bit of mayonnaise or salad dressing out of the jar, dribble in a few drops of vinegar. Put the cap on tightly and shake. The remaining condiments will slide out.

26. Rinse fruits and vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to one pint water. Use the mixture to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. The solution kills more pesticide residue than does pure water.

27. Brighter Easter eggs. Before your kids dye Easter eggs, mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar with ½ cup of hot water, then add food coloring. The vinegar keeps the dye bright and prevents the color from streaking.

28. Loosen a rusted screw. Pour vinegar onto the screw, and it will easily unstick.

29. Remove gum. To remove gum from fabric or hair, heat a small bowl of vinegar in the microwave. Pour the warm vinegar over the gum, saturating the area. The gum will dissolve.

30. Keep cheese from molding. Wrap cheese in a vinegar-soaked cloth, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate.

31. Renew a loofah. Soak your loofah in equal parts vinegar and water for 24 hours to dissolve soap residue, then rinse in cold water.

32. Remove wax. If you get melted candle wax on your wood furniture or floors, gently wipe it away with a cloth soaked in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

33. Take a relaxing bath. Add ½ cup of vinegar to warm bath water for a cheap spa session at home. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving you feeling soft and smooth.

34. Brighten your hair. Remove hair product buildup by rinsing a tablespoon of vinegar through your hair once a month.

35. Freshen fabrics. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz your home to neutralize odors in fabrics, carpets, shoes or any sprayable surface.

36. Erase crayon. If your kids get crayon marks on the walls or floor, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and gently scrub. The vinegar breaks down the wax, making for an inexpensive, nontoxic way to clean up after children.

37. Sticky stickers. Don’t scratch at the residue left by stickers or price tags. Instead, apply vinegar to the gunk, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the glue away.

38. Clean the dishwasher and coffee pot. Reduce soap buildup and food residue by pouring a cup of vinegar into your empty dishwasher or coffee pot once a month and letting it run a full cycle.

39. Sanitize pet accidents. You can remove the stain―and smell―of your pet’s accident by mixing ¼ cup vinegar with a quart of water and blotting the mixture onto the mess with a washcloth. Continue dabbing until the spot is gone.

40. Prep for summer grilling. To remove charcoal buildup from your grill, spray white distilled vinegar on balled up aluminum foil and scrub the grate thoroughly.

41. Restore shower head pressure. If your shower head gets clogged with mineral deposits, soak it for 15 minutes in a mixture of ½ cup vinegar and 1 quart water.

42. Clean your scissors. When your scissor blades get sticky, wipe them down with a cloth dipped in full-strength white vinegar. Unlike soap and water, vinegar won’t ruin the blades or rust the metal.

43. Unclog drains. For a natural, nontoxic way to clean clogged pipes, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar, down the drain. Let the products bubble and foam, then flush the pipes with a pot of boiling water.

44. Eliminate dandruff. If your scalp is feeling dry or flaky, vinegar can be a simple at-home remedy. Once a week, pour one cup of apple cider vinegar over your scalp, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

45. Soften your feet. Summer sandals leaving you with cracked heals and calluses? Soak your feet for 20 minutes a day in one part vinegar to two parts warm water. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving your feet soft and smooth.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Many Uses of WD-40





WD-40 Uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floor that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps the flies off of Cows, Horses, and other Farm Critters, as well. (Ya gotta love this one!!!)
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic / terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on both home and vehicles doors.
18. It removes that nasty tar and scuff marks from the kitchen flooring.
It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off.
Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Remove those nasty Bug guts that will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gearshift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers...
22. Rids kids rocking chair and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes grease splatters from stove-tops.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, it protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.
Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. It is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray it on the marks and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you spray it inside a wet distributor cap, it will displace the moisture, allowing the engine to start.

Difference in Eggs





The color of the yolk is an indication of the presence of nutrients. The pastured egg on the left is a dark orange color. The organic store egg in the center is slightly less orange. The supermarket egg on the right is paler and might even be white were orange foods and dyes not given to the chickens. By the way, chickens producing organic eggs are mostly raised in barns, not on pasture. Conditions are certainly better than those for the typical battery egg. However, the USDA has determined that the chicken is a vegetarian, and they can be given no animal foods. Chickens are in fact, omnivores, and their eggs will be much healthier if they are getting animal foods. The pastured egg and the organic egg both have two parts to the white, a viscous part around the yolk and then a thinner part around the edges. This is a sign of freshness.

What's for Dinner - Baked Chicken

 

Baked Chicken



INGREDIENTS

CHICKEN
PACKET DRY ITALIAN SEASONING
1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR


DIRECTIONS

MIX THE ITALIAN SEASONING PACKET AND THE BROWN SUGAR
COAT CHICKEN ON ALL SIDES
LINE PAN IN FOIL BECAUSE THE DRESSING/SUGAR WILL CARAMELIZE
BAKE AT 350 DEGREES UNTIL IT'S GOLDEN BROWN.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

DIY - REVIVE your old paintbrushes



REVIVE your old paintbrushes and STOP WASTING MONEY!!! Before you buy new paintbrushes this year, check this out. Soak old paintbrushes in VINEGAR for 30 minutes. GOOD AS NEW! Soak them in water with fabric softener and paint won’t dry on the brushes.

DIY: Keep insects out of your drinks while entertaining outside


Great way to keep insects out of your drinks

What's for Dinner - Salmon Patties


Salmon Patties







INGREDIENTS 

1  15 oz. can salmon (I prefer the pink salmon)
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup crushed cracker crumbs
2 Tbs cornmeal
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
dash of pepper
oil for frying (Canola or vegetable oil)


DIRECTIONS

Open the can of salmon and drain the liquid off of it.  Pour the salmon in a bowl and pick through it and remove the skin and any bones you see.  Some people just mix all of the skin and the little soft bones into the patties, but I prefer not to do that.

Mix the crushed cracker crumbs, eggs, corn meal, and seasonings into the salmon.

Shape into uniform size patties about 1/2 inch thick.  The mixture should stick together well.  Pour enough oil in a pan to cover the bottom and heat to medium.  Place the salmon in the pan. Fry on each side until golden brown.  Remove to a paper towel lined plate.

Monday, May 6, 2013

What's for Dinner - Spanish Tortilla with Bell Pepper



Spanish Tortilla with Bell Pepper




INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for serving
1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced inch thick
1 red bell pepper (ribs and seeds removed), thinly sliced
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 large eggs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce


DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium ovenproof nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium. Add potatoes, bell pepper, and onion; season with salt and pepper (skillet will be very full). Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are crisp-tender, 14 to 16 minutes. Uncover, and cook off excess liquid, 1 to 2 minutes.
STEP 2
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, parsley, hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper. Pour egg mixture over vegetables in skillet, and stir to distribute evenly. With the back of a spatula, press down on vegetables so they lay flat and are submerged.
STEP 3
Bake until tortilla is set, 12 to 16 minutes. To unmold, run a rubber spatula around edge of skillet to release tortilla; invert onto a serving plate. Drizzle tortilla with oil; garnish with parsley.

DIY: Easy Fire Starter




Here is an easy DIY fire starter you can make with stuff you normally throw away. Wad up your old dryer lint and stick it inside a toilet paper tube. Easy starter for the fire pit! 

Friday, May 3, 2013

What's for Dinner - All you can eat catfish at Hillbilly Junction


FRIDAY is "All you can eat catfish" at Hillbilly Junction



Hillbilly Junction Restaurant
2364 County Road 1270, Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-4296
Open now till 9 pm |  Hours

DIY TIP: Shower Head Cleaner





1 Plastic bag
1/3 Cup baking soda
1 Cup white vinegar 
1 Large bag twisty tie. 


Let sit several hours or overnight