Wednesday, April 1, 2015

An April Fool's Hodgepodge


April 1st, how can that be? That means we have just ended the first quarter of 2015. Time, slow down, I'm not getting any younger. ~grin~  But, the Hodgepodge goes on in spite of the day, hope you enjoy! 
1. In honor of the date...when were you last sent on a 'fool's errand'?
Last week I was talking with our cabinet designer about where I might find some ornamental scroll work for the small island in the kitchen.  He sent me to Hobby Lobby and Michael's.  I waltzed into Hobby Lobby and they were fresh out.  Then I scurried to the other side of town to Michael's and the ones they had were too small.  I was so disappointed and felt like I had wasted an hour of my precious time.  But, I later found what I was looking for online at Home Depot. ~I should have internet shopped first ~

2. Peter Rabbit, Bugs Bunny, The Energizer Bunny, The Easter Bunny, Rabbit (Pooh's friend), White Rabbit (of Wonderland fame), or the Trix Rabbit...which of these 'famous' rabbits can you best relate to right now?

Definitely the Energizer Bunny!  For the last several months I have been balancing a full plate of house building, overseer of my Dad's care, time with my precious Grans and just the day to day "stuff" that life requires.  I am so thankful for good health and plenty of energy at this point so I can keep up with it all.

3. When did you last find yourself scrambling to get something done? Explain.

I don't exactly remember when but it was recently when the builder told us we needed to have something picked out ASAP and we were not expecting it to be quite that soon.  So, off we scrambled and "got er' done!"

4. Last time you were up at the literal crack of dawn? Why? Last time you stayed up all night? Why?

Well, I'm up M-F at 5:15-5:30 and a lot of folks think that's the crack of dawn, but it has been a while since I really was up at the crack of dawn.  I think it was last year when we left on an early morning flight.  I cannot remember the last time I was up all night but probably when my Dad was taken seriously ill almost 4 years ago.

5. Crack a book, crack a bottle, crack a joke, crack an egg...which have you done most recently?

It would have to be a book, I do that everyday and I can't remember a joke long enough to tell it again. ~pitiful~  I don't usually crack an egg unless I'm doing some baking. 

6. What's your favorite part of a typical weekend? Tell us why that's so.
I love Saturday's.  I don't usually plan anything particular and sometimes it's just a figure it out as I go day.  Lately a lot of them have been spent packing.  And, I do love church on Sunday and the sweet fellowship with dear folks.

7. What's something I'd find on a bookshelf in your home? Other than a book I mean!

Family pictures in frames with easels and decorative items.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I stirred up a lot of interest in last week's HP about boiling hamburger meat.  Several of you asked for me to give more details on the "how tos"............so here you go!
First, I want you to know that I had no need to boil hamburger meat but did this so that I could take pictures of the process for this post. And, I do enjoy having it "boiled and ready" in the freezer so my labor was not in vain.  
You can use any amount that you desire.  This was a one pound package but I have done up to 5# depending upon what I was going to do with it.  I love the frozen Seasoning Blend and used half of the package.  I use it in any and all dishes I am making but that is a personal preference.  I usually add some garlic too if I'm making spaghetti sauce or lasagne. I crumbled it in a pan and then cover it with water.  I use a medium to high heat and as soon as the water gets warm the meat will begin to crumble and I stir it to keep it from being in large clumps.  But, if you prefer "clumps to crumbles" then that's fine too. It will begin to brown immediately and this 1# of meat was browned and ready in 15 min. 17 sec.  I set my timer just so I could tell you exactly. It doesn't take long no matter how much you brown and you will know just by watching it.  And, as you can see from the above picture, the meat is brown.  The meat is a somewhat different texture than browned in a frying pan but I have never done my browning any other way, so it's what we are use to.  And, can I tell you that it is totally mess free!  I do pour it through a strainer and then add it to whatever dish I am making. And, the dishes I make (soup, chili, spaghetti, lasagne) are pretty much "grease free."  Hope this step by step explaination helped you. 
Lea @ CiCis Corner
Lea @ CiCis Corner

Hi there! My name is Lea. I've been wife to the best Hubby for 44 years....Mom to a son and daughter....CiCi to 4 precious Grans....lover of family and friends....enjoy laughter and a good time....shopper....picture taking maniac....maker of delicious fudge....organizational enthusiast....memory maker....Southern Belle...and most importantly.....a Child of the King! Welcome to my little corner!

14 comments:

  1. Well now that was interesting. Might have to try it, so thanks for the tutorial! Happy Easter to you and your family : )

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  2. Have never heard of boiling hb meat. How interesting and I will definitely keep that in mind. Happy Easter!!

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  3. Good morning! Thanks for the tutorial! I find it a very interesting way to cook it...I will DEFINITELY be trying this out. I'll be sure and let you know what we think! Enjoy your day!

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  4. Thanks for explaining the boiling meat. It is so interesting to learn different ways of doing things. I would never have thought of that. I agree about Sundays :)

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  5. I'm all for grease-free if it tastes good. Thanks for the tute. When does dawn crack ? I thought for sure you were up before daylight.

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  6. I'm all for grease-free if it tastes good. Thanks for the tute. When does dawn crack ? I thought for sure you were up before daylight.

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  7. I like that you boil the meat with the seasoning ingredients. That would help give it flavor, I think. Nice tutorial, Lea, thanks.

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  8. Thanks for the "pictorial tutorial" on how to brown ground beef with water. Although I don't eat beef anymore,my husband does and this method is a lot less messy than frying it up. Thanks so much!!

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  9. So interesting to see how you boil your ground beef. I will keep that in mind! Hope your week is going well :)

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  10. Thanks for the tutorial, I'm going to try this the next time I'm cooking with ground meat. Hope you have a lovely Easter

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  11. Getting up at 5:15-5:30 here in Illinois means being up at the crack of dawn probably 10 out of the 12 months. Because I'm up around that time, too, that means that I get to see dawn/sunrise.

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  12. Well shoot, that's quite interesting... boiling the beef. Happy Easter!

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  13. I have never boiled hamburger, but I do brown it in the microwave. I use a ceramic colander over a bowl and the grease runs through the holes into the bowl. Easy!

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  14. I just love you Southern gals - and sometimes feel like one of you - even though I have lived in California most of my adult life. But my roots are in Southern Illinois. Blessings to you at Easter!
    (P.S. I have joined your site.)

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So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed your visit. I love your comments and read each and every one of them and I always try to reply to them. Blessings to you this day!