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Tuesday, October 10, 2023

How to Clean and Season a Cast Iron Skillet

I love cooking with my cast iron skillets. Lodge cast iron skillets are the only brand I buy. I have three cast iron skillets, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch. When you buy a Lodge cast iron skillet, it is already seasoned and ready to use. But over time and use, you must re-season your cast iron skillet.

Last week I was making some hash brown potatoes in my 10-inch skillet, and they stuck to the bottom of the skillet. I knew it was time to re-season my skillet.

How to Clean and Season a Cast Iron Skillet

My 8, and 10-inch skillets are seasoned and ready to cook again

You can search YouTube, and you will find many videos on how to season a cast iron skillet. Today, I'm reviewing the method that I use and that has worked well for me over the years.

The first thing that I do is clean my skillets. I use mild dish soap, warm water, and this copper scrub pad.

I want to make sure that I get any food particles left behind.

Next, I dry them with a soft towel. Then, I put them in the oven at 200 degrees for about 10 minutes.

This ensures my skillets are completely dry.

Now that my pans are dried, I added a thin layer of olive oil. Then, I pre-heated my oven to 400 degrees.

Olive oil has a smoke point of about 350 degrees, so you want to be at least 20 degrees higher than the smoke point.

When the oil hits the smoke point and above a chemical reaction occurs called polymerization.

This chemical reaction bonds the oil to the pan, creating a layer of natural seasoning.

Cooking with cast iron frequently using oils also helps build up a layer of seasoning in your pan.

I set the pans in the 400-degree oven upside down and baked them for 1 hour. You can add a cookie sheet or tin foil under the pans to catch any oil that may drip. Then, I turned the oven off and let them cool while still in the oven. After 1 hour if you need to use your oven remove the pans with an oven mitt and set them on a cooling rack.

You can repeat this process as many times as needed to develop a layer of natural seasoning. With proper care, your cast iron skillets will give you years of cooking delicious food.

These are three Lodge cast iron skillets I own and use:

Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle. 12 inches and 10.25 inches with 8 inch Set of 3 Cast Iron Frying Pans

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Monday, October 9, 2023

Original Gorilla Grip Can Opener Review

The hunt to replace the tried and true can opener continues as the top contenders are evaluated. This week I tried the Original Gorilla Grip Can Opener along with its' twin the OXO Good Grips Can Opener.

The Gorilla was easy to use and delivered as promised. This is not a safe top can opener so the lid is jagged old school which was its' main con. Newer safe top can openers can eliminated the jagged edge lid and create a smooth lid; however, the Gorilla excels at what it is designed for which is a safe, easy to use can opener that is friendly on your joints.

Comfort

The Gorilla promises as delivers. The can opener is very easy to grasp with a padded handle feel. The crank also has a padded feel and is easy to operate.

Function

The Gorilla again promises as delivers. The turning operation is smooth with little effort. The larger handle helps propel for easy opening and less stress on the hand and arm.

Style

Do can openers have a style? They definitely have a design, but for style the Gorilla is made in eight colors to mix,match or coordinate with a kitchens' style.

Recommendation

I previously reviewed the Pakitner Safe Cut Can Opener which I could not recommend due to the

stress on the hand and wrist; however, the can opener itself I did very much like and loved the smooth lid edge as a safety feature.

I was familiar with the OXO Good Grips can opener as it was on loan for evaluation.

The Gorilla Grip and the OXO Good Grips are very similar - so similar as if they were twins. From their features to design to comfort to cost, either would be an excellent choice as a can opener replacement or a second can opener.

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Sunday, October 8, 2023

Did You Know Your Home Has Wealth Corners? Let's Review This

Hey there, fellow seekers of good vibes and positive energy! Today, once again, we're diving headfirst into the fascinating world of Feng Shui.

For the past two Feng Shui articles, we discussed whether your bed was in the "coffin position" and whether you should have a mirror in the bedroom. Today, we'll cover the "Wealth Corner" of your home.

The Quest for Wealth Energy in Your Home

Let's start with the basics: Did you know that your home and each room have their own little money magnets called wealth corners? Yep, you heard me right. Money corners!

The Two Ways to Find Your Wealth Corner

So, how do you locate these elusive pockets of wealth energy? There are two schools of thought here: Classical Feng Shui and Western Feng Shui. Today, we're keeping things laid-back and going Western.

The Western Bagua Map:

Point 1: Locate Your Wealth Corner

Here's what you need to know about the Bagua Map (if you're so inclined - there's more detail at that link).
You can print out a copy of the Bagua Map here or use the one above as a mental guide as you find the wealth corner in a room.
Stand at the room's door or the front door of the whole house, and hold the map physically flat with the title at the top of the page as a guide to the direction.
Your wealth corner for the home is the top left area of the house, as it is for each room.

By the way, each map section represents quadrant directions for those vibes. As an example, the love and relationship corner of your home (or a room) is in the top right area.

Point 2: Embrace the Element of Wealth

Now, here's where things get colorful – literally. According to the Feng Shui Bagua Map, the element that brings the big bucks is wood, and the color choices are as vibrant as a rainbow: purple, green, gold, red, and blue.

Ready to Decorate Your Wealth Corner? Here's What You Can Do:

Wood Frames: Picture this - a wooden-framed photo featuring a wealth-related scene, like a tropical beach holiday or a luxurious cruise ship. Just make sure that the water feature is squeaky clean. If you're jazzing up your bedroom's wealth corner, hang that photo above a dresser and add a tabletop waterfall. Some say you shouldn't have water in the bedroom, but hey, it's your call!
Plants and Mirrors: For some leafy green charm, consider Bamboo, a Money Tree, or a Fern. Or, throw a mirror into the mix, just not in your bedroom. Still, some folks swear it's no biggie, so do what feels right for you.
Shapes and Crystals: Go rectangular with a wooden accessory housing Citrine or Pyrite Crystals. If those crystals are large and in charge, let them shine as the star of your wealth corner show.
Bowl of Oranges: Oranges are a symbol of good luck and wealth, so create a lovely presentation for your wealth corner that happens to be in the kitchen.
Position a Tortoise or a Money Frog in your Wealth Corner: Choose ones made of glass, resins, mud, metals, wood, and crystals
An Added Overall Tip: Paint your front door red; yep, you heard correctly. Red. Red is considered good luck and is said to bring opportunity and good luck to a home. Darn! My door is blue!.

Declutter, Declutter, Declutter!

Whether you're a Feng Shui enthusiast or just tidying up, remember to keep your space clean and clutter-free. That way, positive energy can flow like a champ throughout the room. Bright lighting, groovy tunes, pleasant scents, and a touch of candle magic can also work wonders.

Hold Up! What NOT to Include in Your Money Corner:

Piles of clothes, boxes, or general chaos.
Plants that have seen better days.
A stack of unpaid bills (nobody wants that energy).
That noisy paper shredder - let's banish it elsewhere.
Leave your tools out of this.
Garbage cans or recycling bins? Nope, keep them hidden.
Sad or gloomy images - we're all about the good vibes.
Say no to painful memories and negative vibes.
Old, unattractive furniture - it's time for an upgrade.
And remember, while a touch of fire or metal is okay, don't overdo it in your wealth corner.

There you have it, folks – the secret to unlocking wealth energy in your home. Go forth, decorate those wealth corners, and let the money vibes flow!

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Saturday, October 7, 2023

Cards Against Humanity Family Edition – Game Review

Toy Review of the Game, Cards Against Humanity.

Image of the family game 'Cards Against Humanity'

The Game

My son and family recently purchased a new family game called “Cards Against Humanity”. The name seemed a bit strange to me, but the game itself is more fun than a barrel of monkeys! I had never heard of it before, but I discovered later that it is well known by others in my family and a ball to play.

My son bought the family edition, which states that it is for ages 8 and up. After playing this game one time, I agree with the age range, as my 9-year-old grandson had no trouble reading the questions and following the rules just as well as his 14-year-old brother, mom, dad and grandma!

Simple Rules

Cards Against Humanity question & answers examples

The game comes with 600 cards – a batch of black cards with questions, and a box full of white cards with answers. Both the questions and the answers are simple, sometimes silly, all the way to absurd … and all end up hilarious depending on the answer chosen for the question.

Each player is dealt out 10 white 'answer' cards. Taking turns, one player reads a question from a black card and the other players choose one answer they consider the funniest from the 10 white cards in their hand.

An example of answers to a question in our family game of 'Cards Against Humanity'

Personal examples of chosen answers
to questions in our family game

The question reader reads all the answers out loud, and then chooses their choice of the funniest answer. The owner of the chosen card gets a point. At the end of the game, the player with the most points is the winner.

Each round, a replacement white card is dealt out, so that each player continues to hold 10 answer cards, and the next person becomes the question-reader.

Really quite a simple game, and very funny.

Summary

Similar to other games of this genre, Cards Against Humanity has a variety of expansion packs that can be purchased separately. They range in subject matter from Nostalgia (different decades) to Nerd to Dumb Jokes to Holidays and many more, up to a Nasty Bundle with words NOT appropriate for children, but funny as an adults-only party game. :) In other words, there is a subject for just about anyone!

This Family Edition of Cards Against Humanity is a fun, and funny, addition to our family's game cupboard. Kids get to engage in absurd wordplay with adults, and adults get to laugh at the silly answers.

Quick Links:

For more toys and games reviews, check out
ReviewThisToys.com

*Family game reviewed by Wednesday Elf

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Friday, October 6, 2023

His Disinclined Bride by Jennie Goutet Reviewed

"His Disinclined Bride" is the 7th book in the Seasons of Change historical romance series.

I have really enjoyed reading this series. I have read books in the past written by several of the contributing authors to this collection. A few of the authors are on my "favorite authors" list and I know when I see their names, that I can look forward to an excellent read before I even start the book.

Over the last year, Jennie Goutet has quickly become one of those trusted authors. Her books are always exceptional and unique. "His Disinclined Bride" is no exception and I admit, I really wanted to read it sooner, but I waited so I could read the books in the series in order.

It is absolutely not necessary to read this series in order, or to even read all of them. Therefore, I recommend that, if you enjoy a historical romance novel, you will want to grab this one immediately.

I have always thought how uncertain and scary it would be to have parents arrange a marriage to a complete stranger based on social status. I have always been grateful that I was not born in an era where women were treated as possessions and "given" to a groom they did not choose or even want.

Jennie Goutet opened another door in this social paradigm for me in "His Disinclined Bride" when the marriage arrangement fell to the oldest brother because their father was deceased. I have read lots of books and seen many movies when the brother was the head of the family and had to give permission to court, but I don't ever remember a plot where the brother made a marriage arrangement for his sister without her knowledge and to a complete stranger. As I read though the book, I couldn't help but consider how a young woman would feel when thrown into this situation without any input or choice. Where she was simply told that she would be getting married within a month and that she should be grateful.

His Disinclined Bride

Katherine "Kitty" Stokes was quite content living in her brother's home with him, his wife, their children and her younger brother. She was quite close to her youngest brother and doted on her niece and nephews. However, her serenity was shattered the day her brother informed her that she would be marrying Lord Hayworth in a month and would move to his estate several hours away.

His Disinclined BrideCheck PriceLord Phineas Hayworth was tired of living under his father's thumb, helping to manage his estates. When it came to choosing a wife, he did not want his parents dictating the choice. Because his maternal grandmother had left him her estate, he wanted to marry, move to that estate, and take control of his own life. He would continue to help his father with the other property, but he needed the distance from his parents that the Giddenhall estate offered. He didn't know anyone he wished to marry so he told his man of business to investigate potential brides and make a business arrangement for him. Phineas needed money to restore and maintain the Giddenhall estate in Castle Combe. A bride's dowry would be the perfect way to obtain a large amount of money quickly.

Erasmus Stokes was thrilled with the opportunity to buy an alliance with a future Earl. He was willing to pay a high price for such an arrangement. He knew his association with a high standing member of the peerage would advance his business. His shipping company was already extremely successful and he was admired by other businessmen, but he wanted to be able to claim family ties with Lord Hayworth.

Stokes and Hayworth entered into an agreement before Kitty even knew there was any consideration of such an arrangement that would dictate the rest of her life. When she objected, her brother made it perfectly clear that she would do as he said, and that she should be grateful for such an arrangement. After all, he could have chosen to send her out to be a governess or a companion. As far as he was concerned, this arrangement served all three of them well.

Kitty was considered an inadequate, perhaps unrefined, bride choice by Lord Hayworth's parents and the peerage. Even the servants of Giddenhall did not treat her with the respect due to Lady Hayworth (her new title by marriage). Plus, the stable manager considered himself her equal and pursued her for a romantic relationship.

How would she ever find happiness again? You will have to read the book to find out!