In The Kitchen Saturday

Fast Fish Tacos

1  10.6-ounce package Gorton's Extra Crunchy Fish Tenders

• 6  8-inch flour tortillas

• 1  small red onion, thinly sliced

• 1  10-ounce jar tartar sauce

• 1 1/2  cups  shredded Romaine lettuce

1. Bake the fish according to the package directions. Wrap the stack of tortillas in foil and place in the oven during the last 5 minutes of baking.

2. Transfer the warm tortillas to plates.

3. On each tortilla, place 2 tenders, a few slices of the onion, and a dollop of the tartar sauce; top with ¼ cup of the lettuce. Fold over and serve.

Option(s): Add your favorite type of pre-shredded cheese and/or finely diced tomato.

Cocoa-Coconut No-Bake Cookie
1/3 cup butter (or margarine)
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 cup coconut
4 teaspoons cocoa
3 cups oatmeal1 1/2 cup sugar (can substitute part brown sugar; I usually do)

1.  First, you add both the oatmeal and coconut together in a large mixing bowl, and set aside.

2.  Next, bring out a pot,  add evaporated milk, butter (or margarine), and your sugar. I usually use 1/2  cup brown sugar & 1 cup white sugar.

3.  Add your cocoa, then put on stove, on low heat (DO NOT BOIL). Whisk or stir until the mixture becomes smooth so all the sugar and cocoa has dissolved.


4.  Add your pot of dissolved ingredients to your large mixing bowl of dry ingredients of oatmeal and coconut. Mix, mush, and fold until it's thoroughly mixed.


5.  Lastly, you will want to spoon your mixture into bite-sized cookies. I used 2 teaspoons cupped together to form the style and shape of cookie I wanted. Then place them on a cookie sheet with wax paper on it so they won't stick to the pan (everyone hates doing dishes). Now you let them set. I like to put them in the fridge overnight for best results.

Super Picnic Lemonade

2 cans (12 oz each) frozen lemonade concentrate
1 can (12 oz) frozen white grape juice concentrate
17 1/2 cups cold water


In large nonmetal container, mix all ingredients.
Refrigerate until serving time. Serve over ice.


Makes 22 servings (1 cup each)
That's over a gallon (1 gallon & 1-1/2 quarts), so use a huge container!

Playtime Thursday

Ok, I'm late... so here's entry an entry short and sweet. A link to a page on my new website featuring the most realistic computer pinball game. It's set to free play, so just open your page using [F11] to full screen mode and have fun.


Chuck's Pinball Fever

Electronics Workbench Wednesday: CB Radio Tweety Bird

A lot of us old-timers still miss the 1970's the peak era of CB (Citizen's Band) Radio... though it is still used today. Here's a fun project from back then.



Component / Hookup List

---

IC1 --------- CA3086 / ECG912

---

PB1 -------- Any kind of momentary push button type switch.


1 ------- Positive 9 VDC, battery ( may be able to use the constant 12v supply in radio )
2 ------- Any color wire from push button to Tweety.
3 ------- Negative side of battery (or the shield in mic line).
4 ------- To audio wire in radio (+ side of microphone element).

Build circuit on a small piece of breadboard and wire inside microphone housing.

The Crafty One's Tuesday: Geometric Tape Painting

Geometric Tape Painting

Here is how to do it:

1. buy a big blank canvas and sprayed it metalic gold (2 layers)
2. add a pattern using washi / masking tape
3. paint the shapes using different colors acrylic paint
4. gently remove the tape 
5. attach a hanger to the back, place on wall to enjoy. 

Around the House Monday: Office Storage Ideas

From Kitchen to Office

Convert a bread box into a charging station for small electronic devices. Just drill a hole in the back, insert a rubber grommet, and thread the power-strip cord through. Cut small slits in 1/4-inch medium-density fiberboard (MDF) to create a divider that conceals the power strip and chargers behind it.

Mail Center

Use unexpected containers, such as these simple mailboxes, for desk-side storage. They're perfect for organizing mail, takeout menus, and bills. Plus, they'll keep your desktop paper-free. Dress them with pretty motifs from wallpaper remnants or decorative paper adhered with decoupage medium.

Keep In Touch
Need a better way to keep track of your business cards? Rather than throwing cards into a drawer, contain them in a leftover mintbox. It's the perfect size for keeping all of your contacts in one place. Don't know what to do with your own cards? Organize them in a separate container.

Around the House Monday: Garden Markers

Take small smooth stones and use non-toxic acrylic to paint the rocks to look like each vegetable.


Using a set of alphabet stamps, print in a contrasting color like white the name of the veggie on it. Such alphabet stamps can often be found as a set in the bargain bins of stores like target.

After drying thoroughly, coat them with 2-4 layers of spray-on Clear Coat Acrylic to protect them from fading over time... use them to mark freshly planted seeds or just as a decorative accent.

Around the House Monday: Project Garden Fountain

DIY Garden Fountain

Looking for a soothing addition to your outdoor retreat? Spring into action with this lovely fountain. (from Lowe's Creative Ideas blog)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Place the pot face down. Clean rough edges of the drainage holes with a file to receive the rubber plugs. Apply sealant to the sides of each plug, place the smaller end into the hole and push firmly, leaving about 1/4" extending from the hole. Apply sealant around the exposed area of the plug. Plug two additional holes in the same manner.

Step 2: Place the bucket face down. Using a drill and a 3/8" bit, make several holes in the bottom. With a utility knife, cut an additional opening along the rim of the bucket large enough to accept the power cord. Place the bucket face down inside the pot, then center the pump on top of the bucket. Thread the plug and cord through the opening in the side of the bucket. Measure the length of the cord required inside the pot for the pump once the plug and cord are threaded through the remaining hole.

Step 3: Remove the bucket and turn the pot on its side. Thread the plug and cord through the remaining hole in the pot bottom leaving the required length inside. Using a pencil, mark the cord at the desired length. Carefully place the pot face down again with the pump remaining inside and the plug and cord exposed.

Step 4: Drill a 3/8" hole (top to bottom) through the middle of the remaining rubber plug. Make a slit (top to bottom) in one side of the drilled plug with a utility knife. Slide the cord through the slit into the middle of the plug. The previously measured mark on the cord should be even with the surface on the bottom (small end) of the plug. Apply sealant into the slit and onto the sides of the plug and place it firmly into the remaining hole (A). Apply sealant to the exposed edges of the plug and cord opening. Wait 24 hours, then turn the pot right side up and apply sealant around the surface and edges of the rubber plugs on the inside of the pot. Allow the sealant to dry according to directions.

Step 5: Place the pot in the planting area. Use a trowel to dig a channel in the soil underneath the pot for the cord. You may want to set the pot on two rectangular paving stones for extra support. Make sure to leave a space between the pavers for the cord. Place the plastic bucket face down in the pot with the pump cord coming through the pre-cut hole in the rim, then place the pump on top (B).

 

Step 6: Drill several holes in the bottom and sides of a second plastic bucket. Fill the bucket with river rock and rinse with a hose to remove dust and debris. Now pour the clean gravel into the pot (C). Repeat until the surface of the gravel is approximately 2"–3" below the rim. Adjust the spout to the correct height and attach the desired nozzle

Step 7: Using a garden hose, fill the pot with water to about 1" below the rim. Plug in the fountain and enjoy. (Note: For greater longevity, empty the fountain and store in a garage in winter.)

 

Just a personal additional idea? You might want to put a few large rocks, shells, or something else around the fountainhead to disguise it and/or diffuse the spray....

ENJOY!