a "been-there" mom of six offers encouragement
to wives, young mothers, and those not so young,
and simple common-sense approaches to
the "ings" of life:
child-rearing (hints and helps), homemaking (all areas),
cooking (simple, cheap, and do-it-yourself)
making (toys and gifts), preparing (for the unexpected),
maintaining (sanity and peace in this increasingly crazy world) and more---
all aspects of making the most of making do on little---
and having fun in the process.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Delicious One Bowl/One Fork Coconut Cookies . . .

in a minute, using a cake mix.  It can't get much easier than this!

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1 package  coconut,  white, or  yellow cake mix                                                  
1/3 cup water 
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted  
1 large egg
1 tsp. to 1-1/2 tsp.** coconut extract                                 
1 cup large coconut flakes* or shredded coconut

Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl. 
Add water, egg and extract and stir with a fork until combined. 
Stir in cake mix.  
Stir in coconut. 

Drop walnut-sized mounds of dough, spacing about two inches apart on an ungreased or parchment-covered baking sheet.


On ungreased or parchment-covered baking sheet, drop walnut-sized mounds of dough, spacing about two inches apart.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 11-13 minutes until cookies start to turn light brown (watch closely).  Let cool on baking sheet for one to two minutes before removing to rack to cool completely.

*I buy my coconut flakes at a health food store that sells spices, etc. in bulk.  They are so light they weigh next to nothing. I like how the big flakes protrude from the cookies and get a little toasty.  

**When using  a white or yellow cake mix I increase the amount of extract.

Note: The cookies taste yummy but aren't very pretty, looking somewhat like a drop biscuit.  If you want to dress them up a little bit you could drizzle them lightly with melted chocolate chips (but that would require another bowl!)

'till we eat again,
       I am Simply, Gail





   
                                               




Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A Sad Commentary on What Has Happened to CHRISTmas

If you follow this blog you know I rarely forward things  I receive via e-mail, but for the second time this week, something came through that deserves serious consideration ----
and this time it is how increasingly, very special and sacred things to the vast majority are being successfully eliminated by a very vocal minority.  

How can we just stand by and            let this continue to happen? 

After all, Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.


The children were told by their schools not to sing

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.


Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!


Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.


And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.


So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday !


Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet

MERRY CHRISTMAS!