Beijing Olympics diary

20 August 2008, 18:06 No comments

China’s leaders have sprung to the defence of Liu Xiang, under fire from former fans after pulling out due to injury yesterday.
“Everyone will understand why Liu Xiang had to abandon competition,” said vice-president, Xi Jinping, in a message carried prominently in the state media.
Xi, widely regarded as Hu Jintao’s heir apparent as president, added: “We [...]

.Parenting: Easing the change to middle school

20 August 2008, 18:06 No comments

Halfway through the month of August, thoughts turn away from summer fun toward school preparation, and for parents of kids making the transition to middle school, there is typically a bit more angst and preparation required. The kids are contemplating their new territory, social scene, higher academic demands, and of course, the de rigueur new [...]

Butter Crisps

20 August 2008, 18:06 No comments

Ingredients:
3/4 c Unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 c Granulated sugar
3 Egg yolks
1 1/2 t lemon rind, grated
1 1/2 t Lemon juice
1 1/2 t Cherry liqueur, (Kirsch)
1/8 t Salt
2 c All-purpose flour colored sugar crystals or plain pearl sugar crystals
Method:
1. Beat butter, sugar, egg yolks, lemon rind, lemon juice, cherry liqueur and salt in large mixer [...]

Almond Thumbprint Cookies

20 August 2008, 18:06 No comments

Ingredients:
Cookies:

2 c all-purpose flour,Sifted
1/2 c Sugar
1/4 t Salt
1 c Butter
3/4 c unblanched almonds, grated
2 t Vanilla

Frosting:

6 T Butter
1/3 c Half-and-half
2/3 c brown sugar, packed
2 c Confectioners’ sugar
1/2 t Vanilla
pistachio nuts, chopped for garnish

Method:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. For cookies, sift flour, sugar and salt into bowl. Cut in 1 cup butter with pastry blender [...]

Praline Cookies

20 August 2008, 18:06 No comments

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar,Packed
1 egg
1 1/2 c
1 t vanilla
1 cup pecans,Chopped
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Baking time: 10 to 12 minutes
Yield: 36 servings
Method:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar and egg. Stir in flour,
vanilla and pecans. Mix well by hand. Shape into balls about the size
of walnuts, place on cookie sheets and [...]

Coffee Cake

20 August 2008, 18:06 No comments

Ingredients:
1 c water, warm
2 T yeast,or 2 packages
1/2 c sugar
1/8 t mace
1 c scalded milk
1 c lard, melted
1 T salt
3 eggs, beaten
7 c flour, about
butter, softened
cinnamon & sugar, mixed together
blueberries & cherries for decorations
Powdered Sugar Icing:
1 t vanilla
1 lb powdered sugar
5 T [...]

Thyme’ For Biscuits

20 August 2008, 18:06 No comments

Ingredients
2 1/4 c Red Band all purpose flour
1 T sugar
3 t baking powder
3/8 t garlic salt
1/2 t basil,crushed
1 t thyme,crushed
1/2 c butter
1/3 c Parmesan cheese,Shredded
4 T dried tomatoes,drained and snipped
1/4 c sour cream
1/2 c milk
Method
Pour 3/4 cup boiling water over 10 pieces of dried [...]

How to Craft Rosettes

14 August 2008, 22:10 No comments

How to design doll dress rosettes
To get started making a rosette, you will need to run a suture, sewing it so that it stitches to crisscross the length of the ribbon. Pull up until it starts to meets. After you bind the ends so that it materializes into a sphere, stitch the two ends [...]

How to Craft Leaves for Bridal Pillows

14 August 2008, 22:10 No comments

Now that you have started to create your bridal pillows, you will need to add leaves to join, assemble, and finish. To help you finish we have written the following directions.
How to create leaves:
Chain fourteen stitches into the single crochet at the third chain and away from your hook, single again working it into [...]

How to Craft Chimes

14 August 2008, 22:10 No comments

Did you know that you could take old reddish-brown clay made of unglazed ceramics to make chimes? (Terra Cotta Pots)
The pots will make up a nice batch of chimes. To get started you will need up to ten ceramic pots. The diameter should be around 1 ¼ inch and up to 1 ¾ inches. [...]