Cookbook versus Online Recipes......fave?

Good morning friends, come on in and sit with me a bit, I want to chat with you about cookbooks and recipes and all that yummy stuff.

One of the questions I am most asked, is about menu planning and the recipes I cook.  Though I've written a few blog posts about this very subject in the past, I am still asked to this day about it, and I don't mind one single bit because I do love everything to do with cooking.

If you want to read up on my menu planning and how I go about doing that, you can check out these posts:

I want to Menu Plan, but I don't know how
Today flew by and Menu Planning
Recipes and Grocery Lists

I have always mentioned menu planning and cookbooks throughout my blog, in some post or another, but those are the 3 that I can think off the top of my head, that are specifically related to this very subject.

If you've known me for a while then you know that I collect cookbooks and have this great affinity for them.  Matter of fact, I've had friends and blog readers mail me cookbooks over the years because they were getting rid of them and knew that they would be in good hands.  I do thank you for that, they are safely stashed in my huge collection of cookbooks.

So here comes the question.

 Cookbooks versus Online Recipes, which is my favorite?

I guess I'm an old fashioned kind of girl because no matter how technologically advanced we may be in this day and age, and I do have my very own food blog online too, nothing beats the feel of an actual cookbook in my hand.

I'm in no way dissing online recipes because I do use them too, but 99% of my food is either cooked from memory of meals prepared growing up, or they come from my trusty cookbooks.

I don't have all of them out, still have a few bags and boxes in the garage, because I just don't have the room for all of them.  My dream would be to one day own my own house, and have a huge library in the kitchen for all the cookbooks I have collected or been gifted over the years.  Now that would be something I would absolutely love.

So why do I prefer cookbooks?

Here are a couple reasons that personally make me prefer actual books to online.

1 - I don't always like having my laptop around when I'm cooking. Let me start by telling you that I'm not a messy cook, I clean up as I go and try very hard not to mess everywhere, especially with my laptop and camera nearby, but there are still times that accidents happen, and I don't much care for that.

2 - Old cookbooks have a tremendous meaning to me, I like to think that I'm connecting with these women from eras gone by, through the pages of the book. Not to say that I don't like new books, but the old ones are much more special to me. Flipping though the old and tattered pages, learning about the ways they used to cook, the ingredients they had at hand and what they made with them, is a history lesson in and of itself.

3 - I love collecting cookbooks from garage sales and thrift stores, they often come with scribbles in the corner, or highlighted recipes.

4 - There is nothing I love more than to menu plan, with a cup of coffee or tea and a stack of cookbooks next to me. It's exciting to read through these and try to find something that my family would enjoy.

5 - I love step by steps and books that show me the simple act of deboning and cleaning a chicken, or fish, or how to roll out pie dough. Yes I know that many online sources can do the same with photos, but I still will always pick an old cookbook over a picture on the internet.

6 - I like to read cookbooks like I would read a fiction book. Curling up on the couch with one in my hand is much more comfortable than dragging my laptop around, just saying.

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike online sources, as I stated above, I myself have a food blog. But when looking for recipes, I still prefer to browse the books on my shelf than go to Google.

One of the things that make a cookbook for me, are the introductions and the stories that often come with the recipes. It's not just a recipe book, it's filled with information and teachings and pictures, it's almost like I'm going to school and learning a new subject through it's pages.

Then there's the smell of the pages. I've often said that even when it comes to an actual book and an ebook read on my Kindle, I still prefer the book, maybe it's because I have this habit of opening it up for the first time and sniffing the pages. Crazy? Maybe, but I love doing that.

There is also the fact that I love original recipes, and by original I mean that I like the recipe to be as close to the original as possible, and when I do try out a new one, I don't change anything unless I am really out of an ingredient and have to substitute. But for that reason alone, I make sure to buy everything I need for that specific recipe before I make it.

Online recipes are great, I have found some amazing ones out there, but one thing that has always bugged me is that they get linked from one site to another and another, and every time they get posted something has been changed. Whoever is posting the recipe has decided to adapt it to their liking, or changed up ingredients here and there, which to me no longer represents the actual recipe.

I once found a recipe I wanted to try, and as I often do, I track it back to it's original blog or website, just because I do know that it's often been changed.  This particular recipe, I kept tracking back and back as the links provided and it went from blog to blog to blog, and by the time I made it to the original site, the recipe was NOTHING like I had seen it posted.  So much had been changed and omitted and substituted that it ended up almost being a completely different meal.  

But anyway, this is just my personal opinion, obviously, and this in no way means that I don't myself experiment with changing something here or there, but I don't make a habit of it, I prefer to try it in it's original form.

Lastly, one of the reasons I prefer books to online is because in my own journey to simplify my life and to try and break away from everything that is so technical and cyber, I prefer to hold on to the simple things even if those things are in the form of a handed down cookbook.

Everything else in my life is ran by the internet, we depend so much on being online and the web and googling and texting and all that stuff, that I fear that we are losing our sense of individuality and personality.  It's almost like a big collective run by one mind named Internet.

If you've ever watched Star Trek, you know exactly who the Borg were, right?  If not, look it up and you'll understand what I'm saying.  LOL

So I'm curious to know what your thoughts are on this subject, do you prefer cookbooks or online recipes?

Arm Knitting Scarf Giveaway!!!

Hi everyone, well I am finally getting this post up.  I know it's been a long time coming and I kept putting it off as I tried to figure it all out, but I decided it was time to just get it going as I know a lot of you are eager to try the Arm Knitting and also for a chance to win a scarf.

I decided to do a video explaining everything about the arm knitting tutorial and the giveaway, so be sure to check it out below and then right below the video I will have all the links and rules and such.  :)

I ended up having to record it using my laptop camera, which means cruddy quality but for this purpose I think it will do.


Basics of Arm Knittin
Arm Knitting for the Clueless
The Fast & Easy Way to Knit a Scarf

So those are the 3 that I watched and re-watched to get the whole Arm Knitting thing down.  I was so confused at first and my first scarf is quite hilarious, it has huge holes and hanging threads and whatnot, but after that one, it just comes naturally and then you'll be surprised at just how easy it is.

Like I said in my video, if you have any questions or are stuck on anything, just ask me and I'll try really really hard to explain and help you out.

Now for the giveaway....

Up for grabs are 4 arm knitted scarves. 

The first one is this gorgeous chunky super soft scarf.  The other 3, as I said in the video, will be a pink one, a purple and blue one and I am not sure about the 4th yet.  But definitely 4 scarves up for grabs.

You can keep them for yourself, give them to a family member or friend, it's totally up to you.

I'm not going to make you jump through hoops and like and subscribe to a gazillion pages just for a giveaway, it's a huge turn off for me when I want to join a giveaway, so I imagine it is the same for a lot of you.

All I need is a comment below, be sure to include a way that I can get in touch with you (email), and that is all.

The contest is open to US residents only, and it will run from today until the 11th of November, 2014.

Winners will be drawn using Random.org.

Good luck everyone, and Happy Knitting!!!!

Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/03/2014

Good Monday morning everyone, how was your weekend?

Here we are, the 3rd of November, NOVEMBER???  My word!   I can't believe how close we are to Thanksgiving and to Christmas.....and to a new year.  Wow!

The beginning of a new week, let's see what is ahead.....

The weather outside is::::

Cold and very frosty.  The mountains around us are white with snow, I can't even believe it.  We've had to turn the heat on a few times as it's chilly downstairs especially in the mornings and evening.  We are now in the 50's High and looks like that is what we'll be at the rest of this week.  C

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

Right now, a cup of coffee with Gingerbread Latte creamer, and I'm not sure that I like it.  Hubby is not too sure either whether he likes it.  I did buy some yummy Pumpkin Spice Latte mix and may start putting a teaspoon of that in instead. 

As I look outside my window:::

The sky is blue, not a cloud in sight, but it is so chilly, just 30 degrees at the moment.  I do love how the sun reflects off the sun and makes everything look sparkly. 

Right now I am::::

Writing up this post, still sitting in my jammies and chatting with Curt and Nic.  I'm also thinking about what all is on my to do list for today. 

As I look around the house::::

The living room needs some cleaning.  Curt removed my rug yesterday and put it in the garage for me because I need to give it a good cleaning.  I still have some Halloween decorations up but want to get those down today too. 

On today's to do list::::

Laundry....Have 3 loads in the basket needing to be sorted into folding, ironing, and putting away. Still have a load of towels and some sheets to wash, as well as some of Bella's blankets.
Cleaning....In the kitchen, I have dishes in the sink, have to unload the dishwasher and reload it.  Update the chalkboard menu for this week, sweep and mop.
In the living room....want to sweep and mop all the wooden floors, dust and tidy up.
In the bedrooms....make the beds, pick up and tidy up, open curtains and blinds and windows to let in some fresh air.
In the bathrooms....clean the toilets and sinks.  Sweep and mop.
Homeschooling....prepare the lessons.
Crocheting....really need to just get in there and finish my niece's blanket, keep putting it off for other things.  Ugh!  Work on my newest project.
Cooking.....for lunch I think I'll make some Cheese Quesadillas.  For dinner we are having Ajo Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots.

Currently reading::::

Still reading my Diana Gabaldon Outlander series.
Also have a new book for review called Glimpsing Heaven.

On the TV today::::

Yesterday's Downton Abbey.
Some YouTube Vlogs.

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Ajo Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots
Tuesday - Tacoritos, Salad
Wednesday - Gonzalez Meatloaf, Garlic Potatoes, Green Beans
Thursday - Lasagna Roll Ups
Friday - Chicken a la king, Rice
Saturday - Beef Curry

What I am creating at the moment::::

I plan on getting the tutorial for the arm knitting up today, as well as the giveaway for you all.
Creating Christmas Lists with what I am hoping to buy/make for everyone.

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

Didn't try anything new last week, but if you're looking for some yummy ones to try yourself, you can check out the recipes on my food blog, I updated it a few days ago with the Victoria Sponge, Pull Apart Pepperoni Garlic Knots and Wendy's Copykat Chili.

Favorite photo from the camera::::

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

I want to thank you all so much for the prayers for Bella. It seems that she was sick, we don't quite know what was wrong, but she was drinking a lot of water, peeing everywhere and was really miserable, very lethargic etc. The past two days she is back to her normal self, running around, has stopped drinking so much water, is not peeing everywhere and is taking treats again and being her adorable self. Thank you so much for the prayers :)

PLEASE, don't add links to this list that are not part of the Happy Homemaker Monday. I've asked numerous times, and I'm frankly quite tired of having to remove links to other posts that shouldn't be in this list. Please be respectful of my request!

God the Transformer?!?!?!

Good afternoon friends, hope you're all having a good Sunday.

I am just now sitting down for the first time today, it's been a busy one for me since yesterday we were gone all day.  I've spent the morning doing laundry and cleaning the house, then had to go get groceries this afternoon.

On top of that, I have two kids not feeling too well.  Jasmine woke up with a cold and is just plain miserable and Nicholas is sniffling around and coughing here and there, I'm thinking that shopping in the rain may have had a hand in all this.

This is what I am sitting down to do at the moment, just relaxing a bit with a cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte and some Jammie Dodgers.  I'm tired folks, I am looking forward to bedtime already.

So you're probably wondering where the title of this post came from?

Well yesterday on the way to Boise the conversation in the car turned to religion and my children both expressed their feelings, thoughts and views on being Christian and how to be respectful to others who may not share our way of thinking and life.

From that the conversation switched to my husband asking the kids if they knew who God was, what His name was, and if they knew what the Trinity was.

They both knew quite a bit but when it came to the Trinity, I explained to them that it was God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

At that, Nicholas who is 11 years old, chimed in from the back seat...."that is SO cool, God is like a Transformer then".  LOL

My husband and I thought that was the funniest thing ever, but sweet too.  The way kids choose to remember certain facts, relating it to things they understand and know well, has always amazed me.

I never would have thought of God as a Transformer, but when I see it from an 11 year old's perspective it makes a lot of sense doesn't it?

Well friends, I am going to make this one short, it's time to sit down with the family and watch yesterday's Doctor Who. 

Have a great rest of night and I'll meet you back here in the morning for Happy Homemaker Monday.

A Happy Halloween it was!

Hello friends, how was your Halloween?

We spent a very good one, had dinner together as a family then took the kids trick or treating, and ended the night with us 4 adults going for a drink at a local bar that always hosts a Halloween party.

It was so much fun, a live band, almost everyone wearing costumes and lots of laughs and dancing, surely a good way to end the night.

Here are some photos from yesterday....

They had way too much fun.  We had a bunny, a cat, a winter soldier and a clown.  The creepiest was that clown mask, it really freaked me out.  LOL

Today we spent the day in Boise, we have Tiffany's birthday coming up on the 19th of this month and had to go do some shopping.

It was a nice day, but it poured rain and poured and poured.  I don't think I've seen it rain this hard in a long time and I love it, but running around from store to store in that mess, is well....a mess.

But, we still enjoyed it, managed to have a lot of fun and are happy to be home now where it's nice a warm.  By the way, the rain is still coming down hard outside.

I've had my shower, I've got my warm jammies on and I'm now sitting on my bed catching up on vlogs and working on my menu plan and grocery list for tomorrow.

I can't believe that tomorrow is already Sunday, what the heck?

Well, I'm going to get on with my planning, it's getting late and I want to get this finished so I can get to bed.  Is there anything better than sleeping while hearing the rain falling outside?

Have a wonderful Saturday night and a continuation of a good weekend.

Blessings to you all,
Sandra