Wednesday's words: The profit of a lifetime

"My mother always said, 'children are an investment and grandchildren are the profit.'" --A retail sales clerk

In the kitchen on Thursday: For the 3rd grade cook book

BROWNIES

2 Squares unsweetened chocolate

¼ C. Unsalted butter

1 C. Sugar

2 eggs, beaten

A pinch of salt

1 C. flour

½ tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

½ C. chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°. Melt the chocolate and the butter in the top of a double boiler. Stir in the sugar and the eggs. Put the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Stir in the flour mixture, a little at a time. Place in a greased 8” square pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares. Makes 16 brownies.

(Original recipe from the James Beard Cook Book, ©1970)

Wednesday's words: wise words on aging

"Aging is not for sissies." —an 86-year old bishop

How to teach financial responsibility?

My daughter has been great about saving her allowance (and not spending it), but then expects that for the holidays she will get everything she wants and gifts and I am wondering how to draw a connection to saving, responsible spending and "Grandma won't be buying everything you asked her for because it is too much money" (for which I need to convince Grandma).

In the kitchen on Thursday: Branzino (not just for restaurants)

Pan-Roasted Whole Branzino

1 Whole Branzino (cleaned and filleted)
2. Tbsp. Sunflower oil
1/2 Lemon cut into round slices
4 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. dried Parsley
1 tsp. dried Thyme

If the fish still has the head and tail, cut them off. Wash and pat dry the Branzino. Heat the oil in a skillet. Place the lemon slices inside the fish. Pan fry the Branzino for 4 minutes a side. Remove from pan. Melt butter with herbs and deglaze the pan. Spoon the sauce over the fish. Makes 2 servings.

(Branzino hot out of the skillet)

(P.S. My husband gave this a thumbs up. I used the head an tail to make some fish broth that I froze for a later use.)

Wednesday's words from Agatha Christie

"Oh dear, I never realized what a terrible lot of explaining one has to do in a murder." —Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie Biogrpahy

Tuesday's tip: Plan ahead mornings

This morning we woke up late, so I was glad I had packed my bag the night before and prepped lunches; this made getting out of the house on time for school more likely (and that I bought a cup of coffee rather than make one).

Wednesday's words: Power switch

Local power company ad.....

Tuesday's Tip: Tying your shoes

My daughter explained to me that it was best to untie sneaker before putting them on to help the shoes last longer and I knew she was eight and I also knew that there was a lesson in this tip—doing things the right way first pays off in the long run (unfortunately I got the tip on the late side and my sneakers need to be replaced, but I will take better care of the new pair).

In the kitchen on Thursday: Meal Planning

Every week I plan out what's for dinner by a single main ingredient on each cooking night and rotating certain recipes (you can see this weeks dinners above), so I can tell you what we are eating on Friday October 18th and I love doing this because it simplifies my life and my cooking.

(In the next issue of my newsletter, the lead article is on meal planning and goes in depth on the main ingredient and rotation methods and how to combine them as I do. Subscribe on my website. Website link, click subscribe button on lower left)

Wednesday's words: Bill Cosby on Destiny

"Decide that you want it [destiny] more than you are afraid of it." —Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby Biography

In the parenting tool kit....

I recently discovered writing as an affective tool-- my daughter and write out why she is upset, what can be done about it, them read them to each other and have a discussion which stops her incessant whining and my losing my temper in response (Thanks, mom for the idea).

Tuesday's tip: An organized desk

From AK Organizing

AK Organizing website