Homemade Cucumber & Sage Facial Mask

If you like treating your skin to a spa day every now and then you might want to give this mask a try. Masks draw impurities to the surface of your skin and tighten it while stimulating circulation. They nourish and cleanse, giving the face a restored, fresh appearance. After mask is removed, always wash face with warm water, followed by cool water to close the pores, then apply a thin layer of moisturizer.

Ingredients:
1/2 Cucumber (peeled & chopped)
2/3 cup Sage leaves
2 Egg Whites
1 t. Lemon Juice

Puree all ingredients in blender, pour into glass jar. With fingertips, apply mask to face (avoiding lips and eyes), leave on for 10 minutes (maximum), then rinse with warm water.

This recipe makes a 4oz. mask mixture

No Crust Broccoli Quiche

I love quick and easy recipes and this quiche is certainly that. It's wonderful for a quick lunch or dinner and if you add a small salad or some fruit, you have a nice meatless meal. You can also bake this quiche in muffin tins and pop the small quiche's out to freeze for breakfast or lunch during the week.

Ingredients:
4 eggs
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups half and half
2 cups shredded Cheddar or Swiss cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1/4 cup chopped pimiento
1 package (10 oz.) frozen broccoli spears
1 tablespoon soft butter
1 medium tomato, cut into wedges
Preparation:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, flour and seasonings; beat until well blended. Stir in half-and-half; stir in cheese, onion and pimiento. Pour into a lightly buttered 9-inch pie plate. Bake in preheated 350° oven 45 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook broccoli according to package directions; drain. Toss with butter until butter is melted. Arrange broccoli in spoke fashion on top of pie. Place tomato wedges in center. Serve immediately.

Don't Forget Kitty This Season!

If your cat loves treats as ours does, why not make something special for him/her this Christmas? It's easy and you will be loved for it.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup canned salmon
1 tablespoon corn oil
1 medium egg (beaten)
1 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat preferably)
1/4 teaspoon brewer's yeast

Crush the salmon in a medium bowl into very small pieces. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Place 1/4 teaspoon full on greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 - 8 minutes at 350. Cool and store in the refrigerator in a sealed plastic container.

Frugal Gift Ideas...

We all know money is tight this year but that's no reason not to have a special holiday season! There's nothing more appreciated than a personalized gift. Everytime it's used, you think of the person who gave it to you. It gives you a feeling of importance somehow.

Here are some ideas on how to have a more affordable holiday season and make it memorable. After all...it's not how much you spend. It's the memories you create that make for a special season.

Jar gifts...if you've been reading my blog you know I love them. Easy to make and great to have in the pantry, what you can gift in jars is endless! From bakers, to soup lovers, to people who love to sew and craft (think buttons layered with thread spools, embroidery floss, various items from the dollar bin at the craft store)etc. they are wonderful!

Making coupon books at Christmas (and birthdays)has been something I have done for years. Something as small as covering someone's chores for a day makes for a very appreciated gift! Make a coupon for friends and/or family that entitles the bearer to homemade baking once a month for an entire year. This is a gift that is especially appreciated by seniors, who will look forward to your visit as much as your baking. I know it sounds like a lot, but if you are a baker it's easy to make a few extra muffins or cookies when you are baking some for your own family. They are easy to freeze as well, so their gift can last almost until the next month comes around! Be creative and there's no end to the coupons you can give out. I always include one for free babysitting days, a day out for a manicure, a day out to a movie, etc.

Agree to exchange cards instead of gifts with friends.

Have a potluck instead of an elaborate feast that requires you do all the work (and grocery shopping).

Make do with last year's decorations without being tempted to purchase more. Just add a few homemade touches, clove studded fruit, a basket of pinecones, greenery from outside etc.

Persuade your extended family to draw names rather than have everyone buy everyone else a gift.

Agree with the other adults to give gifts only to the kids this year.

Buy giftwrap and greeting cards only if on sale, or better yet, make them yourself.

Plant an herb garden for a friend. While you're at it, make one for yourself.

Treat your partner/spouse to a homemade spa. Give him/her a coupon (there's my coupon idea again :)announcing a full one-hour body massage and facial. This gift is easily worth over $75!

Make some creative hand puppets for a child if you have mismatched socks and buttons lying around your home.

Buy movie tickets... a gift where one size fits all. When movie tickets are purchased in advance from movie theaters, you can usually get them at half price!

Offer to make dinner for your friends if you're a good cook.

Give a single friend or elderly family member freshly frozen dinners for a week.

Make a year's worth of greeting cards and personalized stationery for someone if you're a bit crafty. Make enough birthday cards, anniversary cards, and blank cards for a year's worth of holidays. The thoughtfulness will go a long way throughout the year.

Help someone else get organized. If the person you need to give a gift to is an entrepreneur or extremely disorganized, make a filing system for the upcoming tax year.

Purchase gift-with-purchase cosmetic/perfume specials and split the gifts. Usually the gift is nicely wrapped, generic, and valuable enough to give away for an upcoming gift.

Most importantly, be creative. The ways you can show people how special they are to you are endless. Now, relax, have some tea, and enjoy your holiday season...debt free!

Homemade Sugar Free/Fat Free Pumpkin Spiced Coffee

Do you love those pumpkin coffee drinks at the popular coffee and tea shops but want to save your pennies for other must have items? Make your own pumpkin spiced creamer and enjoy your homemade coffee drinks any time you'd like for much less!


Ingredients:
1 cup Fat Free half-n-half
½ cup Splenda
3 Tablespoons canned pumpkin
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves

Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat until Splenda is dissolved and spices are well combined. Stir in desired amount and enjoy in a hot cup of coffee. Store in refrigerator.

Recipe source: Mary Lea Wright

Spiced Walnut Jar Gifts...

Did you know that there is historical evidence that nuts are the oldest form of food for man, birds, and wild animals? I bet prehistoric man would have loved this recipe! Present it in a pretty jar and you have a gift that your friends and family will love. My advice is to make extra. You're going to want some for yourself!

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
5 cups water
1 pound walnut halves
4 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt or seasoned salt

Add ginger and allspice to water; bring to boil.

Drop in walnuts and boil about 3 minutes; drain well.

Spread walnuts in a shallow pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove from oven and toss with melted butter and garlic salt or seasoned salt. Store in a pretty jar.

What's On Sale In September?

Are you looking for a new home in which to hang your hat? September is a great time to get a good price, especially in the recent market, as sellers who had hoped to make a sale in spring or summer may now be extremely eager to deal before the worst winter weather arrives.



September can mean some good deals and deep discounts if you shop smart and know where the deals are. Here are just some of the items you'll find bargains on as we journey in to the month.



Shrubs and trees

Canning supplies

Patio furniture

Scooters and bikes

Deeper school-supply sales

Canned goods

Golf gear

Winter vacations

Techie gadgets

Camping equipment

Ceiling fans

Maple Oat Nut Scones

If you like the Maple Scones at a certain coffee house, you will LOVE these!! They freeze well so I always double the recipe.







Ingredients:

For The Scones

1 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 1/2 tablespoons cold butter (small pieces)

1 large egg

1/2 cup half-and-half or heavy cream

1/2-3/4 teaspoon maple extract

2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans



Maple Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon maple extract

5 teaspoons water



Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Using a food processor or blender, finely grind oats.

In a mixer, mix flour, oats, sugar, salt and baking powder.

Add maple syrup and butter and mix well.

In a small bowl, beat the egg with the cream and maple extract.

Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix well.

Add pecans and mix just to incorporate.

Place dough on a floured surface. Knead and pat dough into a 8 to 10 inch circle and cut into 8 wedges.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place wedges on top and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until light brown.

Remove scones from oven to wire rack. Let cool about 3 to 5 minutes.



Mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Adjust the amount of water to get to the desired consistency. I find it works best when the glaze is thick. Spread lots of glaze over each scone and dry about 15 minutes before serving.

Homemade Gingerale

The above quote couldn't express better how I am feeling now that the hot weather has set in. Although I look forward to summer, it's not the season for this fair skinned Celtic gal. I'm more of a cool weather lover with Fall being the season I look forward to most. The trick to surviving the heat for me is drinking alot of fluids and I love gingerale, especially in the summer. What could be better than making it for yourself and being sure the ingredients are fresh?

Ingredients
To make Ginger Water:
1 cup peeled, finely chopped ginger
2 cups water

To make Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

You will also need:
Club soda
Lime juice
Lime wedges

1) Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add ginger. Reduce heat to medium low and let ginger sit in the simmering water for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer. Discard ginger pieces.

2)In a separate saucepan, make the Simple Syrup by dissolving 1 cup granulated sugar into 1 cup of boiling water. Set aside.

3) Make individual (tall) glasses of ginger ale by mixing 1/2 cup of ginger water with 1/3 cup of Simple Syrup and 1/2 cup of club soda. Add a few drops of fresh lime juice and a lime wedge to each glass.

Makes four servings.