Sherry Morris's Blog, page 48
October 15, 2010
Recipe: Crumb Top Coffee Cake
From the Kitchen of the Late Great Marion Morris, Long Island Housewife Extraordinaire Crumb Top Coffee Cake 1 stick margarine 1 1/2 cups sifted flour 1 cup firm brown sugar 1 1/2 tsps baking powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup milk
Cut margarine into mixture of flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon & salt until crumbly. Save 1/2 cup for topping.
Combine egg and milk, stir into remaining flour mixture, mix well.
Pour into a greased and floured 8" x 8" x 2" baking pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup topping.
Bake 375° for 30 to 35 minutes.
Cut margarine into mixture of flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon & salt until crumbly. Save 1/2 cup for topping.
Combine egg and milk, stir into remaining flour mixture, mix well.
Pour into a greased and floured 8" x 8" x 2" baking pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup topping.
Bake 375° for 30 to 35 minutes.
October 14, 2010
Recipe: Chocolate Cake
A retro recipe from the kitchen of Marion Morris, the late great Long Island Housewife Extraordinaire
Chocolate CakeSlowly add melted chocolate and mix about 1 1/2 minutes. Stop and scrape bowl. Beat on medium speed for one minute.
Chocolate CakeSlowly add melted chocolate and mix about 1 1/2 minutes. Stop and scrape bowl. Beat on medium speed for one minute.
October 13, 2010
Laundry Tips
Laundry Tipsby American Housewife Sherry MorrisWhen shopping for a new washing machine, consider a high energy efficient front loading model. It uses much less water and detergent. Plus it's fun to look through the window and watch the clothes swishing around in the bubbles.
A front loading washing machine does not have a center agitator like the traditional top loading models, so there isn't anything for your clothes to rub against, causing them to wear out and pill. I've noticed a huge difference in my fleece sweatshirts and sweatpants. They last much longer and do not pill at all, even the cheap stuff.
If you do buy a front loading washer, do yourself a huge favor and buy the platform that goes underneath or have a platform built to raise it up. We didn't and I struggled, sitting on the floor, wrestling to get the wet towels and jeans out. Mr. Morris finally built me a platform out of 2 x 10's and plywood. What a lifestyle change. Laundry is once again effortless.
Don't buy the detergent specially made for front loading high efficiency washing machines. Buy the regular kind, but only use half of the amount in the measuring lid. There are the same quantity of loads in each container, so you get more for your money buying regular detergent vs. high efficiency.
I just read this tip in Woman's Day magazine: Cut your dryer fabric softener sheets in half. I am happy to report it works! One half of the fabric softener sheet softens the clothes, but I need to use a whole one for the towels. I'm anxious to see if half will also eliminate static cling in the winter. I purchased a generic brand of fabric softener sheets at Costco, a package of two 200 sheet boxes, and I think by cutting them in half, this will last me over a year, for a family of four. I'm so tickled with the tip that I subscribed to Woman's Day.
I make my own stain remover. In a spray bottle, I mix equal parts water and laundry detergent. I shake it up before each use.
I've discovered that most of my laundry comes clean using the quick wash cycle. It saves time, water and electricity. I still use the regular wash cycle for heavily soiled items.I wash my hand wash only items in the machine on delicate cycle, making sure I don't put bras in with them, as they might cause snags on delicate materials. (The bras get washed in a zip lingerie bag with like colors in the regular laundry and I hang them to dry.)
The best household gadget I've ever purchased is a collapsible drying rack from QVC. It opens like an umbrella, only easier, and I just hang my dry flat items and put them in the closets the next morning. It folds up for easy storage. I also use it when putting together outfits for vacation, and it can be used to store off season clothes in the basement.
Please clean your lint traps after each use. My hunky firefighter husband says clothes dryer fires are the #2 cause of household fires. The lint builds up and ignites. The #1 cause of household fires is food left unattended on the stove. Usually someone puts a pot on then falls asleep on the couch. ©2010 Sherry Morris
A front loading washing machine does not have a center agitator like the traditional top loading models, so there isn't anything for your clothes to rub against, causing them to wear out and pill. I've noticed a huge difference in my fleece sweatshirts and sweatpants. They last much longer and do not pill at all, even the cheap stuff.
If you do buy a front loading washer, do yourself a huge favor and buy the platform that goes underneath or have a platform built to raise it up. We didn't and I struggled, sitting on the floor, wrestling to get the wet towels and jeans out. Mr. Morris finally built me a platform out of 2 x 10's and plywood. What a lifestyle change. Laundry is once again effortless.
Don't buy the detergent specially made for front loading high efficiency washing machines. Buy the regular kind, but only use half of the amount in the measuring lid. There are the same quantity of loads in each container, so you get more for your money buying regular detergent vs. high efficiency.
I just read this tip in Woman's Day magazine: Cut your dryer fabric softener sheets in half. I am happy to report it works! One half of the fabric softener sheet softens the clothes, but I need to use a whole one for the towels. I'm anxious to see if half will also eliminate static cling in the winter. I purchased a generic brand of fabric softener sheets at Costco, a package of two 200 sheet boxes, and I think by cutting them in half, this will last me over a year, for a family of four. I'm so tickled with the tip that I subscribed to Woman's Day.
I make my own stain remover. In a spray bottle, I mix equal parts water and laundry detergent. I shake it up before each use.
I've discovered that most of my laundry comes clean using the quick wash cycle. It saves time, water and electricity. I still use the regular wash cycle for heavily soiled items.I wash my hand wash only items in the machine on delicate cycle, making sure I don't put bras in with them, as they might cause snags on delicate materials. (The bras get washed in a zip lingerie bag with like colors in the regular laundry and I hang them to dry.)
The best household gadget I've ever purchased is a collapsible drying rack from QVC. It opens like an umbrella, only easier, and I just hang my dry flat items and put them in the closets the next morning. It folds up for easy storage. I also use it when putting together outfits for vacation, and it can be used to store off season clothes in the basement.
Please clean your lint traps after each use. My hunky firefighter husband says clothes dryer fires are the #2 cause of household fires. The lint builds up and ignites. The #1 cause of household fires is food left unattended on the stove. Usually someone puts a pot on then falls asleep on the couch. ©2010 Sherry Morris
Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Cake
Blueberry Crumb Cake Gradually beat in the 3/4 cup sugar. Beat in egg.
Sift together the four, baking powder and slat. Add flour to creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Mix well.
Spread 1/2 the batter in a greased baking pan 9" x 9" x 2". Cover with 3/4 blueberry filling. Spoon on remaining batter and top with remaining blueberry.
In a bowl stir the 1/2 cup each of sugar and lour together with the cinnamon and salt. With two knives or pastry blender cut in the 2 tbsp of butte until well blended. Sprinkle these crumbs over filling evenly.
Bake in 375° oven 40 minutes or until cake starts to leave the sides and is lightly browned. Test for doneness. Cool. Cut into squares.
Sift together the four, baking powder and slat. Add flour to creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Mix well.
Spread 1/2 the batter in a greased baking pan 9" x 9" x 2". Cover with 3/4 blueberry filling. Spoon on remaining batter and top with remaining blueberry.
In a bowl stir the 1/2 cup each of sugar and lour together with the cinnamon and salt. With two knives or pastry blender cut in the 2 tbsp of butte until well blended. Sprinkle these crumbs over filling evenly.
Bake in 375° oven 40 minutes or until cake starts to leave the sides and is lightly browned. Test for doneness. Cool. Cut into squares.
October 12, 2010
October 11, 2010
Utah Heart of the West Contest Win!
I am so tickled to announce my romantic suspense manuscript, INAPROPRIATE, won 1st place in the Published Author Category of the Utah Romance Writers of America Heart of the West Contest.
Thank you very much to the first round judges and the final judge, Chris Keesler of Dorchester Publishing.
Thank you very much to the first round judges and the final judge, Chris Keesler of Dorchester Publishing.
Recipe: Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
This is my husband's favorite cheesecake!
Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs 1/4 cup margarine, melted 2 8 oz. pkgs. Light Philadelphia Brand Neufchatel Cheese, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla 3 eggs 1 cup canned pumpkin 3/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg Combine crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom and sides of a 9" springform pan.Combine Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Reserve 1 cup Neufchatel cheese mixture; add pumpkin, remaining sugar and spices to remaining Neufchatel cheese mixture. Mix well. Layer half of pumpkin mixture and half of Neufchatel cheese mixture over crust; repeat layers. Cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect.
Bake at 350° for 55 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan, cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.
10 to 12 servings.
Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs 1/4 cup margarine, melted 2 8 oz. pkgs. Light Philadelphia Brand Neufchatel Cheese, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla 3 eggs 1 cup canned pumpkin 3/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg Combine crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom and sides of a 9" springform pan.Combine Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Reserve 1 cup Neufchatel cheese mixture; add pumpkin, remaining sugar and spices to remaining Neufchatel cheese mixture. Mix well. Layer half of pumpkin mixture and half of Neufchatel cheese mixture over crust; repeat layers. Cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect.
Bake at 350° for 55 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan, cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.
10 to 12 servings.
October 10, 2010
Review: Foul Play
Foul Play by Janet EvanovichMy rating: 1 of 5 stars
Great narrator! Finally one I enjoy.
Silly story. This was written in Janet's earlier days, under a pen name. I didn't like the predictable relationship. Love her Plum series though!
View all my reviews
September 10, 2010
Daily House Cleaning Schedule
Daily House Cleaning Schedule by American Housewife Sherry Morris
If you aren't familiar with the FlyLady's aka Marla Cilley's method of house cleaning, please visit her website. You aren't a lazy slob. You are just immobile because you don't have time to clean your house the right way (the way your mother did it when you were little). Every time you try, you get sidetracked. Fly Lady will help you tackle your messy mountain one baby step at a time and persuade you to vanquish the guilt and martyrdom. House work done improperly or incompletely still blesses your family and is much better than doing nothing at all.
I highly recommend these two books: Sidetracked Home Executives from Pigpen to Paradise by Pam Young and her sister, Peggy Jones & Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley, the Fly Lady.
Over 400,000 people follow the FlyLady's principals devoutly. They subscribe to her free mailing list and do all the tasks she tells them to via email. Others modify her program to fit their own individual homes, degree of cleanliness preferred, physical disabilities and lifestyles.
Think of housework this way: It blesses your family to have a clean and cheerful home, plus you get some exercise and burn calories.
Imagine having a home with perpetually clean bathrooms... If you deep clean your bathroom one time, then all you have to do is swish and swipe it in less than one minute every weekday. You'll never be embarrassed again when an unexpected visitor drops in.
Imagine transporting your home from the top of Mt. Laundry to a lovely island at sea level... All you have to do is one or two loads every weekday. And put the clean clothes away. It doesn't take long. Your family will always have something clean to wear.
Imagine never trudging to the gym again... Your workout is your housework. I've lost 30 pounds in 8 months through a low carb diet and this cleaning routine. I'm finally back at a healthy BMI, and feel ten years younger.
I set my timer for 15 minutes, perform the listed task and when the timer beeps, I stop, done or not. I'm usually done. Then I move on to the next chore of the day, set the timer for 15 minutes and clean. If I don't feel well, have a sick child, appointments or am just plain cranky, I sometimes skip a task or a whole day's tasks. No guilt. My house is clean enough and I know I will get to it again the next day. The whole idea is to free yourself from the guilt, and just do it. I will reward myself with something special if I complete all the tasks in a week. It's an incentive and blesses the whole family.
Monday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am Shower Feed Son and Get him on his way 8am Dust Downstairs Vacuum Downstairs Vacuum Basement and Stairs Mop Swish & Swipe Kids Bath Office Desk 9am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 9:30am Deep Cleaning in the Family Room
Tuesday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Master Bathroom Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am Shower Dust Upstairs Vacuum Upstairs Vacuum Downstairs Swish & Swipe Kids BathSwish & Swipe Basement Bath Car Yard Trash/Stoop/Deck 8:15am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 8:45am Deep Cleaning of the Front Porch, Deck and Patio
Wednesday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Master Bathroom Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am ShowerFeed Son and Get him on his way 8am Mirrors Vacuum Downstairs Swish & Swipe Kids Bath FilePay Bills Purse Sewing 9am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 9:30am Deep Cleaning in the Foyer
Thursday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Master Bathroom Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am Shower Dust Basement Vaccuum Basement Swish & Swipe Basement BathSwish & Swipe Kids Bath Vacuum Downstairs Coupons Grocery List 8:15am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 8:45am Deep Cleaning in the Living Room
Friday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Master Bathroom Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am ShowerFeed Son and Get him on his way 8am Bed Linens Swish & Swipe Kids Bath Dust Downstairs Vaccuum Upstairs Vaccuum Downstairs Vaccuum Basement Stairs 9am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 9:30am Deep Cleaning in the Guest Bedroom 10am Grocery Shopping
Please let go of your clutter, and clean something today. Vacuum or sweep one room. Don't move the furniture or try to get the baseboards, drapes and upholstery. Just vacuum or sweep the middle of the room. It will look so much better. You'll smile. You can have a clean home that's no more than 15 minutes from company ready if you can get organized and focus. You can do this. Honest! At least visit the Flylady's website. Start thinking about changing your approach to housework. Then shine your kitchen sink or vacuum your living room. You'll be so glad you did!
Need some support? I own a free Yahoo Group of over 100 diverse homemakers (men and women) who support each other with tips and cheers. The Fly Lady Clutter Buster Discussion Group. We'd love to have you join us.
Subscribe to FLCBD Powered by groups.yahoo.com
If you aren't familiar with the FlyLady's aka Marla Cilley's method of house cleaning, please visit her website. You aren't a lazy slob. You are just immobile because you don't have time to clean your house the right way (the way your mother did it when you were little). Every time you try, you get sidetracked. Fly Lady will help you tackle your messy mountain one baby step at a time and persuade you to vanquish the guilt and martyrdom. House work done improperly or incompletely still blesses your family and is much better than doing nothing at all.
I highly recommend these two books: Sidetracked Home Executives from Pigpen to Paradise by Pam Young and her sister, Peggy Jones & Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley, the Fly Lady.
Over 400,000 people follow the FlyLady's principals devoutly. They subscribe to her free mailing list and do all the tasks she tells them to via email. Others modify her program to fit their own individual homes, degree of cleanliness preferred, physical disabilities and lifestyles.
Think of housework this way: It blesses your family to have a clean and cheerful home, plus you get some exercise and burn calories.
Imagine having a home with perpetually clean bathrooms... If you deep clean your bathroom one time, then all you have to do is swish and swipe it in less than one minute every weekday. You'll never be embarrassed again when an unexpected visitor drops in.
Imagine transporting your home from the top of Mt. Laundry to a lovely island at sea level... All you have to do is one or two loads every weekday. And put the clean clothes away. It doesn't take long. Your family will always have something clean to wear.
Imagine never trudging to the gym again... Your workout is your housework. I've lost 30 pounds in 8 months through a low carb diet and this cleaning routine. I'm finally back at a healthy BMI, and feel ten years younger.
I set my timer for 15 minutes, perform the listed task and when the timer beeps, I stop, done or not. I'm usually done. Then I move on to the next chore of the day, set the timer for 15 minutes and clean. If I don't feel well, have a sick child, appointments or am just plain cranky, I sometimes skip a task or a whole day's tasks. No guilt. My house is clean enough and I know I will get to it again the next day. The whole idea is to free yourself from the guilt, and just do it. I will reward myself with something special if I complete all the tasks in a week. It's an incentive and blesses the whole family.
Monday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am Shower Feed Son and Get him on his way 8am Dust Downstairs Vacuum Downstairs Vacuum Basement and Stairs Mop Swish & Swipe Kids Bath Office Desk 9am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 9:30am Deep Cleaning in the Family Room
Tuesday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Master Bathroom Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am Shower Dust Upstairs Vacuum Upstairs Vacuum Downstairs Swish & Swipe Kids BathSwish & Swipe Basement Bath Car Yard Trash/Stoop/Deck 8:15am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 8:45am Deep Cleaning of the Front Porch, Deck and Patio
Wednesday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Master Bathroom Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am ShowerFeed Son and Get him on his way 8am Mirrors Vacuum Downstairs Swish & Swipe Kids Bath FilePay Bills Purse Sewing 9am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 9:30am Deep Cleaning in the Foyer
Thursday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Master Bathroom Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am Shower Dust Basement Vaccuum Basement Swish & Swipe Basement BathSwish & Swipe Kids Bath Vacuum Downstairs Coupons Grocery List 8:15am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 8:45am Deep Cleaning in the Living Room
Friday 5:45am Laundry Checkbooks Swish & Swipe Powder Room Swish & Swipe Master Bathroom Feed Husband and Daughter and get them on their way 7am ShowerFeed Son and Get him on his way 8am Bed Linens Swish & Swipe Kids Bath Dust Downstairs Vaccuum Upstairs Vaccuum Downstairs Vaccuum Basement Stairs 9am Holiday Cruise & Kelly's Mission 9:30am Deep Cleaning in the Guest Bedroom 10am Grocery Shopping
Please let go of your clutter, and clean something today. Vacuum or sweep one room. Don't move the furniture or try to get the baseboards, drapes and upholstery. Just vacuum or sweep the middle of the room. It will look so much better. You'll smile. You can have a clean home that's no more than 15 minutes from company ready if you can get organized and focus. You can do this. Honest! At least visit the Flylady's website. Start thinking about changing your approach to housework. Then shine your kitchen sink or vacuum your living room. You'll be so glad you did!
Need some support? I own a free Yahoo Group of over 100 diverse homemakers (men and women) who support each other with tips and cheers. The Fly Lady Clutter Buster Discussion Group. We'd love to have you join us.
Subscribe to FLCBD Powered by groups.yahoo.com
Sherry Morris's Blog
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