We found some home-baked goodness with this box of Stonewall Kitchen Cornbread Mix.
We prefer to make cornbread from scratch, but sometimes a quick fix is necessary.
While on one of Fran and Jamie's Buffalo shopping trips, Fran picked up this box of cornbread mix, along with many other things.
Stonewall Kitchen Cornbread is inspired by classic New England recipes, baking up with a soft, fluffy texture and sweet corn flavor that pairs perfectly with barbecued meats, baked beans, spicy chili, or just as a snack.
A few weeks ago, Jamie made a big pot of her Award Winning Chili. Fran remembered she had bought this cornbread mix, and we gave it a try.
You will find the instructions on the box very easy, and it bakes up in about 25 minutes, making 8 to 12 servings.
The Stonewall Kitchen Cornbread mix did not disappoint; it was a perfect match with the chili. So, if you're looking for homemade goodness from a box, give this one a try.
If you like making cornbread from scratch, try my Cheddar Cheese Cornbread made in my cast iron skillet.
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.”
Growing a YouTube channel comes with a learning curve. I'm sharing what I've figured out so far in case it helps make your journey a little easier. Last week, I discussed YouTube Playlists, and the week before, I covered how the YouTube Algorithm has changed.
Today's Lesson is about Simultaneous Screen and Camera Recording
Have you ever wanted to show your YouTube channel, walk someone through a tutorial, or create a quick how-to video, with your face in the corner—all without buying expensive software?
That was me just a few days ago. I wanted to create a basic video showing how people can use my YouTube riddle compilations as a free party or family game.
I didn't want anything fancy—just a simple way to screen record my laptop while I talked and scrolled, with my camera on so I could be in the corner of the video explaining everything.
That's when I discovered Microsoft Clipchamp, and the best part is that it's free and already on many Windows computers.
Why I Chose Microsoft Clipchamp
I conducted a basic search on my laptop for "screen and camera recording" tools, and Clipchamp appeared as a result. It was already installed, and it didn't require any sign-up hoops. That was a win.
Clipchamp allowed me to record my screen while showing my face in the corner, so I could explain how viewers could use my YouTube riddle playlist and compilation video as a fun, interactive game streamed on a big screen.
I wanted to walk people through my channel, show them the layout of my playlists, and highlight the video that features 70 riddles in a row—perfect for get-togethers.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Microsoft Clipchamp for Screen and Camera Recording
Here's the super simple, no-fuss tutorial for beginners (like me!).
1. Search and Open Clipchamp
On your Windows laptop, click the Start menu or use the search bar.
Type in "Clipchamp" and click to open it.
If it's not installed, search for it on the Microsoft Store—it's free.
2. Start a New Project
Click "Create a new video."
It will open a blank video editing workspace.
3. Get Your Screen Ready FIRST
✅ Important lesson I learned the hard way: Before you start recording, make sure the webpage, app, or YouTube channel you want to show is already open in a browser window in the background.
I had to scroll through my YouTube channel to showcase my riddle compilations, and I realized after the fact that setting everything up first makes things go much smoother.
4. Click Record & Create
On the left sidebar, click "Record & Create."
Then select "Screen and camera."
You'll see options pop up. Choose your microphone and camera source.
5. Choose the Right Screen Window
After hitting "Record" (the big red round button at the bottom center), you'll be asked to choose what to share.
Important: Click "Window" instead of "Entire Screen."
“Entire Screen” didn’t work for me—nothing recorded properly when I used that option.
Select the specific window you want to show. In my case, I chose the YouTube window that was already open with my riddle playlist.
Ensure that you only have the one window open that you want to demonstrate—this keeps things clean and avoids distractions or showing stuff you didn't intend to.
6. Check Your Appearance (and Be Ready to Switch to Your Content Fast!)
🎥 Heads-up from my experience:
Once you hit record, the recording starts instantly. Your selected screen will take over and start showing. You won’t see yourself in the corner during the recording—only after it’s done.
So:
Be camera-ready: check your lighting, camera angle, and background before you hit record.
Have your content already open and ready to go in a browser window.
As soon as the recording starts, switch to your content. For me, that meant clicking over to my YouTube page immediately to start scrolling and explaining.
✅ Pro Tip: Keep all other tabs and windows closed to avoid distractions—and to protect your privacy (like open emails, bookmarks, or YouTube sidebar details).
7. Record Your Walkthrough
Start talking to your laptop like you're explaining it to a friend.
Scroll through your browser, demo what you're showing (in my case, my YouTube riddle playlist), and just keep it natural.
8. Finish & Review
When you're done, click "Stop recording."
Clipchamp will automatically insert the recording into your project timeline.
9. Basic Editing (What I Did)
You don't have to do major edits! But if you want to cut out a pause or mistake:
Use the "Split" function (scissors icon).
Click where you want to split, then trim out the part you don't need. There was a learning curve on that as well.
That's literally all I did.
10. Export Your Video
When you're ready, click the "Export" button at the top right.
Choose your video resolution (I picked 1080p).
It will save the video to your device.
Where I Used This Tool
I used this exact process to create a tutorial showing how people can stream my YouTube riddle compilations on their TV and use them for free family or party entertainment. No apps. No sign-ins. Just hit play and have fun together.
⬇️ Here's the Result of My FIRST Ever Screen and Camera Recording!
A Few Final Tips I Learned Along the Way
Clear your browser tabs at the top if you're recording a screen that shows them. It keeps things tidy (and private).
Close the sidebar on your YouTube channel if you don't want to display personal playlists, subscriptions, or navigation options.
Speak slowly and be yourself. You don't need to be perfect. Just helpful.
Want More Advanced Tools?
If Clipchamp isn't meeting your needs, there are more advanced programs available (such as OBS Studio, Camtasia, and ScreenFlow). Simply search for "advanced screen and camera recording software" to find the solution that best suits your needs.
However, if you're just starting out, Microsoft Clipchamp is more than enough for creating great, basic content.
Final Thoughts
It took me the better part of an afternoon to get my recording to a semi-decent state, and I still fumbled a bit. But I'm glad I stuck with it. Now I feel more confident using Clipchamp, and next time I'll likely be more natural and smooth on camera.
Hope this helps you get started. You've got this!
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.”
Ru lives in California with her mother. She is freakishly smart. She taught herself euclidean geometry at age seven and has a photographic memory and total recall. As the story begins, Ru is about to enter college, and she is only thirteen years old.
The college is 150 miles from Ru’s home, so her mother arranges for her to board with a family near the college campus. This family consists of a mother and her seventeen year old son, Gabriel.
Gabriel is very much an outsider like Ru. They both have trouble making friends; Ru due to her intelligence, Gabriel because he has his own way of ‘being’, which includes wearing makeup on his eyelashes and nail polish on his fingers.
Ru and Gabriel, perhaps because they recognize the ‘uniqueness’ in each other, form a deep sibling-like bond. Being able to relate to someone else in their world that they can talk to is a first for each of them.
Originally, Ru’s mother planned to come pick up Ru each weekend, but the first few weeks she comes up with excuse after excuse why she cannot come. Finally Ru gets Gabriel (who drives her to the college campus every day and picks her up in the afternoons after his own college classes) to drive her home to see her mom. She discovers her mom’s sister is there and that her mother is terminally ill. She had tried to keep this from Ru. Quite soon, Ru’s mother dies and Ru is expected to go live in Kentucky with her miserable aunt, her only remaining relative and one she has never gotten along with.
The Trip of a Lifetime
Not able to bear the thought of life with her aunt without ever really having a normal life (wanting to go from being a smart person to just being a ‘person’), Ru tells Gabriel what she would like to do. Gabriel agrees to help her fulfil her ultimate dream. They set off from California and head for Canada. Ru’s bucket list includes seeing the aurora borealis and the Atlantic puffins in the wild.
Summary
Atlantic Puffin (Source: Pixabay)
Ru & Gabriel know that they will be in trouble when caught, but their special friendship, combined with help in unexpected places, combine to help them both see what it feels like to really ‘live’ as a normal person as they take life one beautiful and spontaneous day at a time.
This is a delightful feel-good, coming of age story about two young people you will really enjoy getting to know.
For more books by and about Catherine Ryan Hyde, click here.
*Book Review of Life, Loss, and Puffins written by Wednesday Elf
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.”
German chocolate cake is a unique and delicious cake. A German chocolate cake is often easily recognized by the way it is frosted. Traditionally, the sides of a German chocolate cake are not frosted. The coconut-pecan frosting is only on the top and between layers. However, when I make this cake for our family, I elect to put the frosting between layers, on the top and sides. We like the extra frosting. If I made the cake for a party, I would opt for the more traditional, recognizable method and leave the frosting off the sides.
Baking any cake from scratch does take more time to prepare than a boxed cake mix. Plus, you need more ingredients on hand. Those ingredients often have a short expiration date and are likely to spoil before you use the full bottle, bag or can. This alone may be why so many people choose to make cakes with a cake mix instead of from scratch.
When you have the time and inclination, a homemade cake from scratch truly is a gift, as well as a special treat. My homemade German chocolate cake is the most requested cake out of all of my homemade cakes.
Because there are several parts of this recipe made in separate bowls and later combined into one large mixing bowl, I use mixing bowls with spouts for easy pouring.
I do use my stand mixer for this cake in order to free up both hands to hold bowls and/or spatulas when adding ingredients to the batter.
Microwave chocolate and water in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
Separate Eggs (Egg whites in the medium glass mixing bowl)
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl
Beat butter and sugar in large mixing bowl with mixer until light and fluffy
Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each.
Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla with the low setting on the mixer
Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until well blended after each
addition
Beat egg whites in glass bowl with a hand mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form
Add egg whites to batter by gently stirring them in with a spatula until well blended
Pour batter into prepared cake pans
Bake 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean
Immediately run small spatula around cakes in pans and cool cakes in pans 15 min.
Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
Be sure to remove the pan liner parchment paper from the bottom of the cake layers before frosting.
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.”
I love reading historical fiction and Tracy Chavalier is one of my favorite authors. This book takes place in Venice and the areas around it and since I've been to Venice it made this book extra special for me. As they were describing various places in Venice I could picture just where they were talking about. The author makes the characters come alive in this book which makes it a very compelling book to read.
Story Summary
The author takes an interesting take on the timelessness of Venice in this book. In the first paragraph of each chapter she takes on a timeline of Venice through the years starting in 1486 and ending in present day. In the rest of each chapter we follow Orsola Rosso, a woman who has grown up in a glassmaking family in Murano, just a gondolier ride away from Venice.
In Orsola's time woman were meant to be helpers in the business, but never actual glassmakers. In order to help her family in a time of need Orsola learns to make glass beads in secret.
Venice in 1486 is a very wealthy and an opulent center for trade. As time flows through the years Venice suffers through plagues and wars and eventually turns in to more of a tourist destination than a trade center.
In this book we follow the Rosso family through good times and bad. We see life through the eyes of Orsola and view her pains and triumphs as she deals with deaths, births, and changes in the glassmaking business.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Book on Amazon
The Glassmaker is available on Amazon in Hardback, Paperback, Audiobook or eBook. The Glassmaker
Reviews of Andriana Trigiani Books
If you enjoy historical fiction you may enjoy this book. Here is a book I reviewed by Adriana Trigiani.
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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