Daphne

About me:

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Daphne's Southern And Vintage Recipes
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daphnes-Southern-And-Vintage-Recipes/322388795633

Haven't written much here lately. Hi to Sandy and my cuz Brenda! You two know what has been going on in my life, the move, etc and thank you for being there. Still playing Facebook games and concentrating on writing to keep my mind occupied. 2010 has just got to be better than 2009. Christmas is here again. Twins will have a good one! Can't wait to see daughters Amanda and Kim and my 2 grandsons Christmas Eve. Twins get out at 12:30 Friday for Christmas Vacation. They are real excited! (12-16-09)

What's New:

Friday Courtney got straight A's and Wayne straight B's on report cards! Do like Cumberland county schools, along with restaurants and shopping here. Saturday family reunion in Kenly, NC. Enjoyed day til Courtney sat on the chocolate cake we brought! LOL. She sat on what was left of it as we were leaving to come back to Fayetteville, NC. Not before reunion. (Sun 11-8-09)
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We had a nice Halloween. Twins and I watched scary movies and ate popcorn balls and candy! Little Wayne didn't watch long. Wasn't scared, just thought first one was boring, lol. Courtney loved both. Happy Fall Yall!!!!!
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Kim, Linda, and Jessica came down here and took Courtney and I out for Chinese food and went shopping. Really nice time. Seemed a little like things used to be. I miss my Kim so much. I am just so unhappy here. I keep my mind occupied by working on my ebooks , playing games on Facebook, helping twins with homework, and also trying to find work outside the house. I won't stop writing my ebooks and articles! I just want to work outside the house and of course the extra money is well needed right now! Wish me luck! (10-20-09)

Oldest daughter Amanda, son-n-law Nathan, grandsons Damian (almost 4 yrs) and Riley (2 months) (10-17-09)


Riley Drake Jackson 5lbs 2oz & 19in. long, my grandson! Born 8-19-09. Got to go in nursery and touch him!!! Home now. Need to sleep, HUGE surprise him arriving today, emotionally drained, and exhausted from packing to move.
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4th July was lots of fun! I just love holidays anyways!
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Relaxing next few weeks and working on a new recipe ebook. Release date will be late July or August if goes as scheduled. Not giving any DELICIOUS details yet ;
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Graduation and the graduation cookout went great! So proud of Kim! Thanks EVERYONE for everything you did, bringing food and drinks, the cake, chairs, more decorations, watching twins so I could attend graduation, just being here for the cookout, and for cleaning up for me after! The cookout was so much fun! Finally got to see Amber's baby! He's a cutie pie for sure! Everything was WONDERFUL! ! !
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Twins passed EOGs with high scores!
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Amanda is going to have a boy! Damian will have a new little brother, Riley Drake! Scheduled c-section September 21st at Johnston Memorial in Smithfield.
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Amanda is expecting a baby! Due September 2009! Wow! I'll be a grandmother again!

When Not Working:

I enjoy spending time with my family. Amanda (26), is married to Nathan. They have one son, Damian (3)*Grandma's heart!*. News! Amanda and Nathan are expecting their 2nd child, a boy, due September 21, 2009! They reside in Clayton, NC. Brandon (21), resides in N.D. Kimberly (18), graduated from Hunt HS Class of 2009! The twins, Courtney (11) & Wayne (11) will be in 5'th grade this 2009-10 school year. My other interests are reading, crosswords, ordering freebies online, small town festivals, antique & thrift stores, flea markets, cooking, baking, clipping coupons, holidays, eating out once in awhile (prefer my own cooking), finding deals on eBay, FreeCycle, The Dollar Tree, Japanese Hibachi food, Mexican food, Duke basketball, most sports, long hot bubble baths by candlelight, collecting old books & cookbooks (that's all I collect), warm house socks, the beach, fishing, and that's pretty much my life.

I posted this article for you last year. I first published this a few years ago but the information is TIMELESS! Enjoy!

Family Vacation Check Lists & Tips For Auto Travel
by Daphne Hittell
You know what clothes and personal items to pack, but
do you have everything else? Use our check lists below
for suggestions.

Items for your family to pack to make the trip more relaxing:
books
Crosswords
list of auto games to play
paper n pens
sun glasses for whole family (yes...kids too)
small pillows
favorite quiet toys
cameras (give the little ones a camera too, you don't
have to develop their film or even put film in, but they will
keep busy and enjoy it!)
coloring books n crayons
cheap small radios with headphones
decks of cards
trivia book or trivia cards
magnetic games

I don't let my children take video games and cd
collections on a trip. Expensive items are targets
for vehicle thefts and your child would be upset if
he left it in a hotel or lost it. Adults shouldn't be
showy either. I like to enjoy my trip, not worry
about STUFF! I only take a small pocket size zipped
pouch and only put my drivers license and cash or
cards I need in it. It is usually SAFE in my pocket as is
my cellphone. Other than that, I have nothing
else to keep up with. Pocketbooks get in the way while
being out touring. I put cosmetics, etc in a zipped
bag in my vehicle. You may not agree with me on this,
but I believe there is a higher chance of my vehicle
with showy items getting robbed while i'm on a beach,
at a festival, or in a museum than there is of my home
being robbed when we are gone.

Stuff you may want to pack to help with meals and other events.
Some items you may not have thought of packing. This kit is good
to keep in your vehicle always incase needed, but essential for travel!
We keep these items in a plastic box with lid in our van always.
Most items are $1.00 or less. Try your Dollar type store in your area or other
discount stores. These items do not need to be in a cooler!

For The Meal or clean up:
small waste basket trash bags
Wet Ones or any brand wet wipes
paper napkins
tooth picks
throw away type salt n pepper shakers
aluminum foil
sandwich bags
plastic silverware
1 quart beverage container with lid
plastic cups

Helpful travel foods:
powdered milk
coffee creamer
throw away type sugar shaker
Sweet n Low sweetener
instant coffee (most rest areas have high temperature water heaters)
packaged juice boxes
bottled water
Lance nabs (crackers) assortment
potato chips
cereal bars
zaltines
jar of peanut butter
bread
Sweet Tarts or other candy that is not bothered by heat

We also pack an emergancy items kit. Good for vacation
or if you have vehicle trouble and are stuck waiting for
help to arrive. (my teenage daughter and I were on our
way to eat out and I had Bronco problems! I called everyone
I knew from my cell. They either had cells off due to work
or would be abit in getting to us. The tow truck driver took
over a hour. Juice sure came in handy that day!!!)
Sounds silly to pack, but you never know!:

2 flashlights
2 blankets
bandaids
first aid cream
tylenol
packaged juice boxes
bottled water
Lance nabs (crackers) assortment
Last but not least, items I hope I never have to use in
an emergancy....fishing kit and matches! I love to fish,
but hope I never have to for survival.
..

MY COOKING BACKGROUND:
I learned to enjoy cooking and how to cook from my grandmother. My mother did not cook alot but when she did it was splendid. My daughters have different perspectives when it comes to cooking. Courtney enjoys helping prepare food. She especially enjoys doing so for the holiday menus. Kim does not enjoy cooking and doesn't want to assist me & learn. Amanda was the very same way as Kim until she married.

I consider myself to be a good cook. My motto is Homemade Is Always Best!! I don't feel cooking is a chore. It is a fun necessity! I cook almost every day and would not have it any other way.

Cooking/Pantry/Shopping Tips:

Me in my home kitchen.

My 3 Tips For Kitchen Pantry Stocking And Grocery Shopping:
1. Stock What You Use The Most:
The 4 must have cooking items are self-rising flour, olive oil, garlic salt, and lemon pepper. You will always find these in my kitchen. Other cooking items I keep in stock are vegetable oil, salt, pepper, fresh shredded parmesan cheese, onions, evaporated milk (makes all dishes requiring milk taste richer, use straight from can, DO NOT mix with water), paprika, chili powder, rice, spaghetti noodles, canned tomatoes, tea bags, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, cocoa, and cinnamon.

2. Plan Ahead And Save:
I plan 2 weeks of meals before I grocery shop. This saves unnecessary trips to the store. I am a true believer in trying cheaper non-namebrand food items, especially when it comes to spices. If you are not satisfied with a new product, just don't buy it again. Trial and error will eventually result in a regular savings of over $100.00 dollars per month!!! I MUST HAVE Crisco oil or Wesson oil when frying chicken, certain Kraft brand cheeses for my lassagna, and Atkinson cornmeal products. Other than that, I have replaced most namebrand cooking items. Aldi's, Big Lots, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree offer excellant spices and more. Once monthly I visit these and stock up on many items. If you don't care about saving money, visit Aldi's for taste! There are atleast 20 products I always buy there that I can not meet the taste anywhere else. As I said, several trial and error trips there will occur before you find and know their best products for you. I also order free (no S&H nor credit card info) food product samples and coupons online. I emailed Quaker with rave reviews of a sample cereal bar I tried and received a huge box of full-size products from them just recently! I am also a true believer in saying thank you! I don't take anyone or anything forgranted! I do not have the time to write down and post every freebie I order, but I will tell you where to find loads! Visit product company websites, fatwallet forum and yourdailyfreebies forum. I try to spend atleast a half hour daily online at these 2 forums.

3. Fresh Is Best:
Know what items can be made ahead and which are best left for the day of the meal. Again, trial and error plays a big part! You will find that it is completely opposite than the books say. Casseroles and Lassagna are said to be the best meals to bake ahead! WRONG! There is a huge taste difference! Fresh is best with these. I can tell a difference and would never serve guests a lassagna I made the day before! Although it would still be good, and we DO eat our leftovers, I only serve leftovers to guests by telling them that they are eating leftovers. This is a big reason why when you visit a cafeteria style restaurant or buffet that sometimes the food is excellant and other times certain items aren't as good as they were last visit. Wake up restaurants! Just one of the reasons why I prefer cooking at home.

More Kitchen Hints And Tips:
*Save cans to freeze leftovers in.
*Save plastic bags from bread for freezer use.
*Save plastic milk containers, fill with water and freeze. Use in camper iceboxes or coolers. Also these can be used to freeze colored water or juices in for later use in a punch bowl.
*Avoid tears when peeling onions, slice first, then slip the bands of skin off.
*Use an egg slicer to slice apples or mushrooms.
*Leftover pancake batter makes good fried onion rings. Separate and let soak in batter for fifteen minutes. Fry in hot oil.

Salt Is A Must In The Kitchen:
*Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
*Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
*Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
*Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
*A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
*Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
*Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
*A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
*A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.
*Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
*Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
*Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
*Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
*Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
*Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
*Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
*A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
*A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
*If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.

Recipes For You:

Daphne's Beef Roast
5 pound beef roast (sirloin)
2 envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix
10 medium potatoes (do not peel)
5 medium onions (peeled then cut in half
3 cans sliced carrots (drain juice)
I use a turkey size Nesco electric cooker for my roasts. Can also be cooked in large roaster pan in 375 stove oven. Put meat in center of pan.Arrange all vegetables around it. Add water til it almost comes to top of meat but does not cover top. Sprinkle the onion pieces from the envelopes onto the meat. Sprinkle the powder from the envelopes onto the vegetables. Cook 3 to 4 hours or until meat can be cut with just a fork! Can be eaten in cooking time of 1 and 1/2 hours but is not tender to perfection then. Timing is the key to the perfect roast.Do not rush it! Plan ahead for long cooking time. Canned carrots seem to soak up the flavors and be tastier than fresh carrots in roasts. I usually serve yeast rolls browned with real butter with roasts. Dessert is 1 small scoop of vanilla ice cream with a mint leaf on top per guest. This dessert is perfect with any meal! It's cheap, fast, elegant in a cute dish, sweet but not heavy, and the mint gives it a gourmet taste.

MAGIC PIE RECIPE
4 eggs
1/4 cup margarine
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups milk or half and half
1 cup coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla
Place all ingredients in blender at one time and blend until mixed together. Pour into a buttered 10-inch piepan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour. When done, crust will be on bottom, custard in the middle, an coconut on top - right where they belong.

7-UP CAKE RECIPE
3/4 pound butter
6 cups flour, divided
5 eggs
2 tablespoons lemon extract
3/4 cup 7Up
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine butter and 3 cups flour. Add eggs, one at a time, followed by remaining flour and lemon extract. Fold in 7Up. Pour into a well-greased bundt pan and bake for 1 hour.

BAKED ALASKA
2 quarts vanilla ice cream, softened
1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
8 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch round mixing bowl or deep 8-inch square container with foil. Spread ice cream in container, packing firmly. Cover and freeze 8 hours or until firm. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8x8 inch pan. Prepare cake mix with egg and almond extract. Pour into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven according to package instructions, until center of cake springs back when lightly touched. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar, salt and sugar until stiff peaks form. Line a baking sheet with parchment or heavy brown paper. Place cake in center. Turn molded ice cream out onto cake. Quickly and prettily spread meringue over cake and ice cream, all the way to paper to seal. Return to freezer 2 hours. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 8 Bake the Alaska on the lowest shelf, 8 to 10 minutes, or until meringue is lightly browned. Serve at once.

BAKED DOUGHNUTS
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup butter, melted
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet, or donut baking pan. In a medium bowl, mix sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and flour. Mix buttermilk, eggs, honey and butter in a separate medium bowl, and stir into the dry ingredients. Spoon the mixture onto the prepared pan in doughnut shapes. Bake 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown.

Cooking/Baking Fun:

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