Back Again After a Short Break

Dear Family, Friends, Subscribers, and Visitors,

I’ve been remiss in not posting very much since Thanksgiving of 2011, and I know you have wondered where the “Hot Flashes in the Pan” videos have been.  You will be glad to know that I will be focused more on bringing all types of new information, articles, videos, photos, and a whole new array of projects in 2012.  I took  a short hiatus to work over at my Church, tend to our business of forensic work, went through the holidays, preparing the taxes for the IRS submission, etc.

Featured on my blog will be some of the projects I worked on at the Church which can be applied to all other situations & locations, including your home.  My husband and I also put together a website for the church which I think is pretty phenomenal, if I do say so myself.  It’s a tiny little church, about 80 members, but you just can’t imagine all the things that this little congregation does and gets accomplished.  If you would like, please go to the site:  www.sanmateopresbyterianchurch.com and see all the events, activities, projects, and everything that this church does.  The previous church that we were members of has over 1,200 members, and they don’t do or accomplish anywhere near what our little San Mateo church accomplishes.  Hope you enjoy seeing our “little” church.

I thank you for your patience and understanding while I was away, and really appreciate you keeping up with my blog.  So get ready for a New Year, 2012 will be an fun, exciting, & beautiful time for us all!

Yours very truly,

Agnes

Thanksgiving Day 2011

Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life… a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year – and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.  Authors:  Ray Stannard Baker – David Grayson

Creative Pumpkins – Part 2 – HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I had planned to send a few new photos each day, but my computer internet router crashed over the weekend, so I have to catch up now.  Since tonight is Halloween Night, I am sending the rest of the photos now to get you “in the mood”.  A friend of ours sent me photos of a lot of different, very creative, pumpkin carvings via email.  I don’t know who did the carvings, or where they came from.  Also there is a market showing a lot of carved pumpkins, but I don’t know the name or location of the market.  ENJOY!

Cooking Tip of the Day: Use Rubber Gloves

Whenever you are cooking with raw meet, particularly chicken, I find it easy and sanitary to use a pair of disposable gloves when handling the raw meat.  When you are finished with the raw meat, then you can take the gloves off, throw them in the trash, and continue cooking with your vegetables or whatever other ingredients are in your dish.  This will alleviate the cross-contamination of the meat, fish, or poultry juices with any of the rest of your ingredients.

I find that you can usually get the best price on these gloves at one of those big box stores.  They usually come in a double box pak, so they will last you a pretty long time.  I also use them when I’m cutting up onions, peppers, or any other type of food that I don’t want to smell up my hands, or get raw meat, poultry, or fish juices on.

You know, I have been doing this for years, and just the other day Nate Berkus has one of those “celebrity chefs” on his show doing a cooking lesson and she talked about this very same thing.  I thought GEEEZ, I’ve been doing that for years!  Maybe somehow she telepathically got my message (you never know!).

Cooking Tip of the Day: Adding Beans

If you want to increase the portion of a ground meat base that you are making, whether it’s beef, turkey, pork, etc. and do it economically and healthy, try adding some beans to the mixture.  You can use dry beans that you cooked, even left over cooked beans will work.  The easiest method for me is to add beans that are in the can already prepared.  You can used pinto, black bean, kidney beans, white beans, or whichever are your favorites.  If you don’t want to make your meat mixture more on the dry side, then be sure and drain the liquid from the can beans.  If you want to have a little “gravy” in your meat mixture, then leave the liquid and pour in the whole can.

By adding beans, you not only expand the dish to feed more people, which is great if you have a large family or are cooking for a family gathering or party, but you also add the healthy benefits of fiber and antioxidants from the beans.  It also add texture to your meat base.  Then you can use the meat base mixture for spaghetti sauce, tacos, enchiladas, meat pies, etc.

MIGHTY TASTY!

Cooking Tip of the Day: Be Creative with Herbs

Sweet Basil Blooming

Whether you have an herb garden, or if you buy herbs at the store, don’t be afraid to be creative with your herbs.  On my patio I have growing Sweet Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Mint, and Sage.  Even though a recipe may call for one particular type of herb, let’s say you don’t have that type of herb, then use another type.  What I like to do is clip a sprig of each type of herb I have, wash it thoroughly, take off the leaves, and chop all the different types of herbs together.  You would be surprised the melody of flavors that come from preparing a meal that way.

One dish that I prepare uses the cod fish fillets that I get frozen at the big box store such as Costco.  After defrosting, I put the fillets in a small skillet (1 fillet per person usually) with a little bit of olive oil (about a teaspoon or so) and then I chop up a mixture of all my herbs and sprinkle the chopped herbs on top of the fish fillets and cover so the fish will steam cook for about 15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flaky when you use a fork.

Another great idea for the “herb mixture” is to make a salad using whatever type of garden greens you like.  I usually use a mixture of Romaine and Red Leaf lettuce, maybe some cucumber, carrots, celery, tomatoes, etc.  Then I add the “herb mixture” and toss it thoroughly.  Then try not using any salad dressing, maybe just a squirt of lemon or lime, maybe a small dash of olive oil.  You will be amazed at how flavorful your salad is.  You can taste all the individual herbs, your taste buds will thank you for such an aromatic explosion of flavors.  And you will save a lot of calories by not using a heavy, creamy salad dressing!  Try it once and you will change the way you have salads.

MIGHTY TASTY!

Ice Blue Wedding Tabletop

Ice Blue Wedding

Another beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event.  This design was from either a department store or an interior design group, I don’t remember which.  The vase of branches had votive candles hanging from soft ice blue sheer ribbons.

LaDiDa Ladies Back with New Features!

Orange Supreme Heart Cake

Hello Friends,

It’s been a while since I posted any new information.  I’ve been on hiatus from the blog, but I am back with what I hope will be some new and exciting features for you.

The most exciting of which is a series of videos on cooking, I’m calling it “Hot Flashes in the Pan”.  Now I don’t profess to be an expert chef or anything close to it.  But my friends tell me I am a pretty good cook, and that I do try to make dishes that are simple, easy and budget friendly.  I don’t use any exotic ingredients that you have to shop at specialty stores for.  And I try to incorporate lots of shortcuts so that healthy and great tasting meals can be put together quickly and easily, especially after a hard day of work.  “Mighty Tasty”!

I have the first video posted now and look for many more to follow.  These videos will also be posted on YouTube.

So get ready for an exciting, fun and informational time on LaDiDaLadies.com

See you back here real soon!

Wedding Sentiments Tabletop Design

“Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue” is the theme of this beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event.  Each of the 4 settings relates to each of the four good luck sayings that brides have, and a different china and flatware setting was used for each saying.  There is a massive centerpiece made like a wedding gift, with a floral arrangement of hydrangeas coming out of the top.  Of course, for practical reasons, the centerpiece is not functional for a real life seating of guests, as they would not be able to see across the table at each other for conversation.  In real world, the box and flowers would have to be adjusted in height, and/or adjusted as well as set up on a narrow pillar, as not to block the guests view.

A ribbon with each of the sayings painted on is streaming out of the gift box towards each place setting.  Each china, flatware, and crystal pattern is different, denoting the “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”.  Additional adornments include an framed wedding photo from the bride’s mother from the 50′s.  An alternative would be to place a photo of each of the bride and groom’s parents and grand- parents at the different alternating place settings.

"Something Old"

"Something New"

"Something Borrowed"

"Something Blue"

Valentine Hearts Table Design

With Valentine’s Day coming soon, this is a perfect way to say “I Love You”.  The theme of this beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event is Valentine Love.

This table design was put together by a local florist, but I do not have their name.  As you can see, it is set for a romantic Valentine’s day dinner or brunch, perhaps one to “pop the question” at.  The centerpiece is a multi-dimensional heart, styrofoam I suppose, covered in red fabric or ribbon.  A floral arrangement of white orchids and red roses sits atop the heart’s center.  This arrangement is open and high enough that it won’t block the guest’s view when seated.

All of the dishes are of heart and floral shapes and different sizes and textures, in shades of white, red, and pink.  The red napkins are held together in a fan shape by white ribbon and a white orchid.  Fresh strawberries, little candies, crystal hearts scatted about, extra long taper red candles in crystal candlesticks, heart shaped beaded place mats and coasters, votive candles, and deep pink carnation nosegays anchoring the heart centerpiece, all add to the whimsy and romance of this heartwarming table setting.

Around the World in 80 Days Tabletop Design

Another beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event.  This particular tabletop was designed and put together by myself and another lady from our Garden Club, using our personal items we had in our home and our private collections.

The inspiration for the table setting “Around the World in 80 Days” came from the 1956 adventure film based on the classic novel of the same name by Jules Verne.  Set in Victorian times around 1872, an English gentleman Phileas Fogg claims he can circumnavigate the world in 80 days.  He makes a wager with his fellow members of his London gentleman’s club to return by the 80^th day at precisely 8:45 pm, and with his resourceful valet Passepartout, the journey begins. … Continue Reading

Blue & Gold Elegance Tabletop

Ice Blue Wedding Tabletop

Independence Hall Tabletop

Independence Hall

Another beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event.  I;m not sure who put this one together, perhaps a local bakery or garden club.  It is a massive gingerbread house, I believe of Independence Hall, with a tremendous amount of detail.  This must have taken hundreds of hours to complete!  Around it are the place settings, each of a different color and type of stoneware, I believe it is called transferware, but not sure.  This gingerbread house is competition worthy, and would be a magnificent centerpiece for that special holiday party, or maybe even a formal dinner for the 4th of July!

Swans of Love Wedding Tabletop

Swans of Love Wedding

Another beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event.  This tabletop design was created by a local department store, I don’t remember

which one.  It focused on an ice blue and swan theme, perhaps for a winter wedding, bridal shower, or wedding anniversary.    Everything is in pale ice blue, white, and silver with sprayed dried tree branches forming the back drop for the 2 feathered swans as the centerpiece.  The table linens consist of a white satin under cloth with an ice blue transparent table topper, with scattered white glittered snowflakes.  The place settings are simple yet elegant, with the white napkins with blue trim tied with light blue ribbon held together with a snowflake.  A very peaceful and serene table setting for the winter months.

Love Swans Tableware

Moss Green Tabletop

Valley Forge Lodge

Valley Forge Lodge

Another beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event.  This was put together by one of the local garden clubs, I believe.  It feature a stoneware that featured a hunt lodge detail.  A “Carnival Glass” bowl with live gold fish was the centerpiece.  To tie in with the fish them, the napkins were folded in a “fish” pattern, with a pearl for the eye (you could probably use a pearl stud earring).  The table covering was a rich jewel-toned paisley fabric, with a separate terra-cotta colored quilted coverlet top.  It was  a combination masculine feel with the hunt lodge, with a bit of whimsy with the seaside accessories, and the fabrics and orchid floral arrangement brought in the feminine touch.

Fish Fold Lodge Napkin

Carnival Fish Bowl Centerpiece

Shades of Purple Tabletop

Shades of Purple

Another beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event.  This table was designed by a local florist/decorator, done in sumptuous shades from the softest of lavenders to the deepest of purples.  It sort of has the feeling of Mardi Gras.  The abundant floral arrangement is set high with a clear crystal vase in order for attendees at the table to see each other.  The chairs are wrapped two-toned with the accent color of purple to match the tablecloth.  This tablescape makes for an elegant late night dinner for four or more, or could be re-arranged for a romantic dinner for just two.  Silver chargers add to the elegance of the table setting, along with classic stemware and flatware.  Small votive candles cast just enough of ambient light, while fan shaped napkins hold a sweet surprise of a chocolate treat.

Shades of Purple Closeup

Norwegian Nostalgia

Norwegian Nostalgia

Another beautiful tabletop designed for the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild Art of Dining event.  This lady designed a tabletop to honor her Norwegian ancestry, and in particular, her mother.  The table linens match the dinnerware with the same colorful design.  An antique silver service belonging to her mother for the tea is used.  For place cards, she chose old black and white photos of the person from back in the 1940′s and 1950′s, a really charming touch.  Finishing the dining experience off with select Norwegian delicacies and pastries, the table is set for a charming tea party.

Norwegian Tableware

Flights Around the World

Flights Around the World

The Symphony Guild in Daytona Beach, FL has an annual fundraiser called the Art of Dining showcasing innovative, creative, and original tabletops prepared by area clubs, decorators, florists, and individuals.  This is one table I and 2 friends from the Garden Club of Spruce Creek Fly-In Community put together using our personal china, crystal, and accessories.  The theme was “Flights Around the World”, in honor of our fly-in community’s involvement in flight of all types.  Note the golden space shuttle atop the globe, made of lapis and other stones and gems for each country.

Flight World Closeup