Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies

1 cup shortening- half butter and half margarine works well
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 ¼ cup flour

Cream shortening and sugars; add egg, vanilla, and combine dry ingredients. Drop by teaspoons on non-greased cookie sheets; flatten with fork. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen.

Q & A - Plant with Orange Flowers that Always Blooms

Question: I am looking for a plant that blooms almost all the time and has orange flowers.
The plant you are looking for is called the firecracker flower (Crossandra infundibuliformis) and bears loose, soft tangerine-colored flowers. It blooms all year long as long as it has at least half-days of sunlight and night-time temperatures in the 60's.

Stroganoff

Stroganoff

1 ½ cups steak (cut into cubes)
1 medium onion
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon garlic
1 cube of beef bouillon
slosh of wine
1-1 ¼ cups of sour cream

Saute the steak and onions. Combine with the rest of the ingredients and simmer 30 or longer. Before you put it on the table stir in the sour cream. Add as much as you would like. Serves 4

Q & A - Growing Herbs

Question: Can I grow herbs indoors?
Yes, you can grow herbs indoors. Your herbs will need enough sunlight and also cool temperatures. Rosemary is the easiest, but basil, mint, parsley, thyme, chives and bay will grow as well. If you have been growing your herbs outside, you can bring them in during the winter and set them back out again in the spring.

Special Upside Down Cake

Special Upside Down Cake

1 can pie filling (blueberry, apple, or cherry)
1 box white cake mix
½ cup melted butter
½ cup nuts
¼-1/2 cup sugar

In 9x13 pan spread filling, then sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly. Dribble melted butter over, then sprinkle sugar and nuts. Bake 350° for 35-40 minutes until brown. Slower baking at 325° might work better.

Ranch Life

My summer has gone well. Summer is always busy on a ranch and this year is no exception. We have to feed the baby calves, brand and then make sure the fences are not broken. The kids always enjoy riding the 4-wheelers and doing the chores. We have two baby calves we need to feed with bottles, bulls to feed and cows. I used to have to deal with the horses too, but my dad finally let them out. It was not easy to let the milk cow, because the horses wanted out. When I have a lot more time on the computer I will tell you more about the fun of doing chores and life on the ranch.

Q & A - Ferns

Question: What type of fern would work best in a shady spot in my house?
The best type of fern would be the holly fern, Cyrtomium falcatum. It gets its name because it looks like English holly. This plant can grow in deep shade and needs little water and fertilizer.

Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice

1 ½ cups uncooked rice
12 ounces tomato sauce
1 medium chopped onion
8 strips bacon
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Fry bacon until crisp. Cook the rice. Sauté onions in the bacon grease. Crumble up the bacon. Combine all the ingredients. Place in a greased pan. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake at 325° for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serves 4. Yum.

Q & A - What is a hybrid plant?

Question: Could you please explain what a hybrid plant is?
A hybrid plant is the result of mating two related species of a genus, mating two genera, like with orchids or by mating true-breeding strains. Sometimes the result is a stronger, more attractive plant.

Popsicles

Popsicles

1 package flavored gelatin
1 package powdered drink mix
1 cup sugar
2 cups hot water

Dissolve all the ingredients and add 2 cups cold water. If it is a pre-sweetened powdered drink mix you can eliminate the sugar. Pour into your containers and freeze.