burrda2000's Profile

I agree with Fred B. Darker is the way to go. I have a slightly darker gray roof with my dark brown house and white trim. I'm in the north though so dark is fine here. I didn't check the google location of your home but from the landscape you look like south or west and hot and drier then we are here. I'd maybe go with a portobello mushroom color that leans toward the gray and keep the trim white to go with your fence.

Fred's idea of letting the yard handle the greens is solid... also think of what color flowers you have in the beds and pick a color that will show them off. I have lots of pinks and purples and they look fab against the dark brown.

Great little home... a few touches here and there and you could have it looking Craftsman instead of tract.

550... on a preheated stone bottom rack. I make very thin crust pizzas and they're done in just about 5 minutes.

I second the World Peace Cookies... originally a Dorie Greenspan creation... actually a chocolate sable.

I've been on a mission to spread my dad's easy, easy, easy recipe for sherried mushrooms. They're perfect for spooning on a grilled steak or even fancy tenderloin for guests. Maybe especially when guests are coming over since it is such an easy side dish... we'd even have some on Thanksgiving with the turkey.

In a 2-3 qt. pot put:
1 - 2 lbs. fresh mushrooms
2 T. butter
2 T. soy sauce
2 T. dry sherry

The pot can sit like this for hours. When you're ready just turn the heat on med-high and steam. They're ready in about 10 min. Slightly softened mushrooms with a lovely sauce. Yum.

I don't know leepert... 10 seconds is "time"... wouldn't it be "less time"??? ...just sayin'.

I washed mine in soap after a particularly bad first experience. (I now form my pizza on parchment... transfer to the stone... bake for 3 min... slightly lift the partially done pizza and remove the parchment. Then finish baking the pizza... another 3 min. All at 550 in my electric oven. Works like a charm.)

The crusties will eventually burn away and the discoloration is like the patina on antiques... does no harm and actually enhances the "look". As far as the soap... yeah, now we know soap is bad... but what to do? Before you throw it out, I would soak it again in plain water, dry it out and repeat a few times. Then do a trial pizza... just the crust and if you want a little sauce and cheese. Taste it... maybe the soap will be gone. Mine was and I've been using it ever since... over 10 years. It's worth a try. Good luck!

Final result... every cookie went! ... despite their looks. One of the other guests called them "scary addicting". I may not make them for every occasion but since they're so fast and easy to prepare this recipe is a keeper.

Well Faith, you haven't steered me wrong yet! I made a batch this morning and just tasted my first! They're exactly as you said, first cinnamon/sweet and then nutty/salty. No... they are not lovely but as it's said...beauty is more than skin deep.

And if you're thinking of leaving out the glaze... don't... it's what helps give this cookie it's complex taste.

I'm taking these to a potluck house concert tonight. I'm going to label the ingredients and I'll see how they go over. Report to follow.

Try my favorite go-to appetizer: Greek Salad Skewers. Layer a bite-sized wedge of english cucumber, small cube of feta, 1/2 of a cherry tomato and top with half of a kalamata olive... stick a toothpick through them all and stand them on a platter. You can make as many as you like earlier in the day. Drizzle a Greek or Italian salad dressing over all just before serving. I'm actually fond of Wish-bone Italian but make your own if you have a good recipe. Just a bowl for the discarded toothpicks and you're set. Have a great time! Oh... and let us know what you served. I know I'm always looking for good ideas.

Not a food prank, but it is a kitchen prank. My husband makes the coffee every morning so before going to bed I carefully aimed the sink sprayer to where he stands every day... a small rubberband around it and whoosh! He turned the water on and instead of filling the pot he got it right in the belly! I probably thought it was funnier than he did but at least he was still wearing his robe.