Shelf Life

Did you ever go into your cabinet or pantry and wonder "How long should I keep this item"?


Well I found this really interesting article today and thought everyone might like the information about every day products and the shelf life.

A handy keep-or-toss guide to 75 foods, beauty products, and household goods.

 75 Surprising Expiraion Dates

Brown sugar
Indefinite shelf life, stored in a moistureproof container in a cool, dry place.
Chocolate (Hershey bar)
1 year from production date
Coffee, canned ground
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 1 month refrigerated
Coffee, gourmet
Beans: 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum-seal bag (after this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume)
Ground: 1 week in sealed container
Coffee, instant
Unopened: Up to 2 years
Opened: Up to 1 month
Diet soda (and soft drinks in plastic bottles)
Unopened: 3 months from “best by” date.
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected.

I don't think I have had many of the foods or cleaners in my closet long enough to worry about the shelf life.. I don't buy in bulk or have more than two of each item around the house... I do keep one cleaner in the down bath and one in the up bath.. but what is under the kitchen sink is usually 'it'!
I'm so not one of those people that keep stuff,, if I don't use it I either give it away or toss it... I like no clutter in my closets.


Now Make up.. I'm guilty of keeping that much too long.. but I do toss it after a year if it's not used up....  Take a look at a few of the items mentioned in the article and click on the link at the end of my post to see the page...
Very interesting indeed!

Body bleaches and depilatories
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 6 months
Body lotion
3 years
Conditioner
2 to 3 years
Deodorant
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 1 to 2 years
For antiperspirants, see expiration date
Eye cream
Unopened: 3 years
Used: 1 year
Face lotion
With SPF, see expiration date. All others, at least 3 years
Foundation, oil-based
2 years
Foundation, water-based
3 years
Hair gel
2 to 3 years
Hair spray
2 to 3 years
Lip balm
Unopened: 5 years
Used: 1 to 5 years
Lipstick
2 years
Mascara
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 3 to 4 months
Mouthwash
Three years from manufacture date
Nail polish
1 year
Nail-polish remover
Lasts indefinitely
Perfume
1 to 2 years
Rubbing alcohol
At least 3 years
Shampoo
2 to 3 years
Shaving cream
2 years or more
Tooth-whitening strips

Fire extinguisher, nonrechargeable
12 years
Laundry detergent, liquid or powdered
Unopened: 9 months to 1 year
Opened: 6 months
Metal polish (silver, copper, brass)
At least 3 years
Miracle Gro, liquid
Opened: 3 to 8 years
Miracle Gro, liquid, water-soluble
Indefinite
Motor oil
Unopened: 2 to 5 years
Opened: 3 months
Mr. Clean
2 years
Paint
Unopened: Up to 10 years
Opened: 2 to 5 years
Spray paint
2 to 3 years

The article talks about the 'Fire Extinguisher'... mine has been sitting under the kitchen sink for 6 years now.. wonder if it still works? They say 12 years!

I've enclosed the link to the article if you would like to read it.  I need to look around the house for some of these products and maybe toss a few.... hmmm?

Click here to read the article

 

"Happy Tossing" 

Building the Surround

 I've been thinking of building my fireplace surround for several weeks now, and have looked at so many photos from so many sites.. I do know what I want it to look like in my mind.. so I take a bit from one photo and a bit from another.
This morning I spent the better part of an hour measuring and re-measuring each piece of wood that needs to be cut... took my measurements to my favorite Home Depot Guy and he was so good to me.  We took a  4' by 8' sheet of cabinet pine and he cut each of my measurements... 13 cuts in all.... I'm truly amazed with myself,, "It all fit"!

Wed morning update.
 Looking at my photo I've noticed I may need to take the wall base board off, to get the surround close to the wall?  One nice thing about using this 'cabinet pine' the wood is soft and the nails and screws go in so easy.
Question?..... do I need to use wood glue along with the screws?  Will ask the HD guy this morning.

This is what I have done so far.

Right now  it's all nailed together.  I have wood screws to put it together but I needed to see if the insert would fit. There are cinder blocks under the fire/heat  insert to give it height.
Funny thing, Mr. Neither almost had a stroke when he saw me cutting the carpet out of the space.. I want it standing on the sturdy concrete floor.  The new flooring will be put around it because it's going to be a built in. 

I used this photo from another blog as a pattern of sorts, but my idea will be to get more wood tomorrow and build low bookcases on either side.

The design of the fireplace surround above is nice and hopefully I will be able to replicate the look.
I want to put the TV on the wall above but for now it's standing on the mantel with the cable box just sitting on the top of the insert.  I'm debating adding a wood shelf for the cable box,  but then so far it's looking ok where it is?  I may make a different decision once it complete?

 When I get the book cases put together there will be another post showing how it's looking... this is a rather big job but it's going to cost me under $100.00 to complete the project.   This price will include the pine for the mantel and then the decorative molding to complete the look.  I already have the primer and paint from other projects.

So far I'm feeling good about how it's coming along!

To be continued!

I'm joining a few  parties this week

Whatever goes Wenesday

Penney Pinching Party 

Rainy days and Monday

I woke this morning to rain and rather loud thunder.  They say, "it's going on all day".
This is the time of year Florida gets really good, sometimes scarey thunder storms and it will go on for several months  into rainy season and I just love the thunder!

Perfect day to think about building my Fireplace.

I ordered my "Amish Heat Surge Fireplace Insert", it arrived this week.

 I have had the heater on most of this past week due to the unusual cold that has spread to our area.... and  the heat,  the heat/surge produces  is  all they said it would be!
I have not had to turn on the central heat at all... and they also say "It uses
the electric of a coffee pot"... that remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful!

The flame is as close to real fire as it can get.   I've look at several over the past
year. Then I took a chance and ordered this one from a TV add.  The electric
savings is really what got me to buy this one. I'll admit I am getting my entire downstairs heated with this unit and I'm thrilled with it so far. 
Now to wait for the electric bill to come in?

This is my empty blank canvas!

My thoughts are to make a 5ft  tall surround. One that I can hang stockings on at Christmas and it must look real.  I can picture what I want it to look like in my mind. The surround will be raised, about 16" off the floor... hmmmm?
Mr Neither wants to hang his TV on the wall above. Not the one shown but a larger one, but I question that?   They say a TV will take away from the fire... I'd rather see the fire really, since I'm not a TV watcher.  This is where my decorating instincts take over.. Picture this,,, "A really nice wood framed mirror and a few candle sticks"!

We will have to pull straws on this one.  

Lets get the surround built then we can have this conversation!  Besides, don't we have to pull the cords behind the wall.. who wants to see cords?  It is starting to get complicated and I have not even started!

I need to go back and find the blog where I borrowed this photo.. It's been days so if you see your photo here.. please send me a message and I'll give credit where due! Your fireplace surround is so perfect and I am going to use it for a pattern of sorts!  Thank you in advance for the inspiration!
I just did a search and found Terry's blog,,  "Forever Decorating"
If you want to see more, click on over and see her "Man Cave"!


  My thoughts are to also build some book cases on either side and give the room some design and storage for my many books.

I'll tell you,, the rain has the house feeling damp and chilly but this nice little fireplace is doing a great job.  Did I tell you, "It's on wheels/casters and can be rolled anywhere in the house you need a bit of extra heat!  And one nice extra touch, the heater came with a remote control.. Flame up or down,, heat hi or low.  Very cool!
I'll post more on the next project in my never ending reno of my town house.. it's been a year now and 'room by room'   it will get done!


If you all have any photos or ideas for me,, please send them via the comment box or my email.  I need all the help I can get!

Enjoy your week!

Sandy

x0x0x

Apple Strudel

If there is anything I'm not, it's a baker.
Although I was a chef in my own business for years I just can't seem to bake a good dessert.. but I don't stop trying!


It's been so cold here for the past week and the downstairs of my house is drafty. We do have central  heating but I hate what it does to my sinus. So I keep it off and only use my  heat surge fireplace in the living room and it does quite a good job of keeping the draft away... but the kitchen today is really chilly.... 
Time to bake something!

I found this recipe many years ago for Apple Strudel and it was good.. so lets give it a try again.

Strudel dough

1 1/3 cups (200 g) unbleached flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons (105 ml) water, plus more if needed
2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil, plus additional for coating the dough
1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar

1. Combine the flour and salt in a stand-mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix the water, oil and vinegar in a measuring cup. Add the water/oil mixture to the flour with the mixer on low speed. You will get a soft dough. Make sure it is not too dry, add a little more water if necessary.

Preparation time
Total: 2 hours 15 minutes – 3 hours 30 minutes
15-20 min to make dough
30-90 min to let dough rest/to prepare the filling
20-30 min to roll out and stretch dough
10 min to fill and roll dough
30 min to bake @ 400f
30 min to cool

 The recipe will keep the kitchen warm for several hours and the smell,, so much better than any scented candle or warming oil.

I think I put too many nuts in the apples, but that's just the way I like it!

Apple strudel
from “Kaffeehaus – Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest and Prague” by Rick Rodgers 2 tablespoons (30 ml) golden rum
3 tablespoons (45 ml) raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (80 g) sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter, melted, divided
1 1/2 cups (350 ml) fresh bread crumbs
strudel dough (recipe below)
1/2 cup (120 ml, about 60 g) coarsely chopped walnuts
2 pounds (900 g) tart cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into ¼ inch-thick slices (use apples that hold their shape during baking)

1. Mix the rum and raisins in a bowl. Mix the cinnamon and sugar in another bowl.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the breadcrumbs and cook whilst stirring until golden and toasted. This will take about 3 minutes. Let it cool completely.

 Is it sounding like a lot of work,, yep,,, it was!

 Put the rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with baking paper (parchment paper). Make the strudel dough as described below. Spread about 3 tablespoons of the remaining melted butter over the dough using your hands (a bristle brush could tear the dough, you could use a special feather pastry brush instead of your hands). Sprinkle the buttered dough with the bread crumbs.
My Notes: It was very hard for me to spread melted butter over the dough although I used my fingers. The dough was super thin and I was left with no option but to sort of lightly pat the butter on top. But it did'nt  hinder the taste and it came out beautifully even then 

I then mixed a little powdered sugar and milk to dribble over the top, for looks mostly.

What more can I say but Whow! 

  

Does not help with the diet but it is really good.
You may want to try this Apple Strudel on your next Sunday morning gathering.  Your family and friends will love it! 

Happy Weekend Everyone!

 

My Quilt

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Quilting has always been a love of mine although I'm not perfect with the cutting and the measuring. 
I think I have made maybe 12 over the years, not one has  graced my bed.
The quilts have been for family or just made to use scrap fabrics that may have been left over from one sewing project or another.
I remember my mom made many quilts.  This may be where I learned to enjoy the craft.

Rikki, my 15 yr old cat was really annoyed with me.. I tried to lay the quilt on the bed to see how it was coming along, she was screaming,, 'Go Away'.. 'Leave Me Alone'!!   My bed seems to be her sleeping spot during the day and I was in her way!

The fabric for this quilt may just be a first! I went to a quilt fabric store and paid good money for this fabric. 

Normally I use scraps to make quilts,,, except the ones I made my three grandsons. They needed little boy fabric,, I spoke of those on a past blog article.  You can read about Alex's blanket here.

 (please excuse the bad light from the camera shot)

Putting the quilt together is not the fun part for me.. it's the hand quilting that I enjoy.
I used a washable pencil to make the design and then I sat and did the quilting. Yes by hand.... it's so relaxing to me.

There she is again.... plops right down on anything I'm sewing or doing!

I had a few scraps left over from the quilt so I made some pillow covers.  

Nice added touch.

Now that I've finished my new quilt it has me looking around my bedroom with the thoughts of,  "I need to repaint the walls and make some new drapes, or sheers on the sliding glass windows"
Did you ever notice once you start one project,  it leads to another?

But what color for the walls?  Hmmm?  I'll have to think on this for a while.  It's much too chilly out, and I can't open the windows for painting.. so I'll just live with the white walls for a while longer.   Besides, I still have work to do in the kitchen.. oh that kitchen!   Will it ever get done?
I need to get the 'can lights' put up in the ceiling... 

By the way, for all following my story on the "Counter top paint"  Click the link to read about the paint made especially for those of us,  who just don't have the $$'s to buy a new counter top!

Kitchen Counter top.

I'm happy to say,, "It's been 4 weeks since I painted the counter,  and so far not a scratch or stain has appeared"...  It is holding up wonderful!    

Don't be afraid to paint the counters in your kitchen!  

( If you look really hard, this is me doing the happy dance)

((((   *   )))

                                                               

I'm joining these partys

  Weekend wrap up party

 Saturday Nite Special

Craftastic Party 

 

The history of Scissors

Medieval Scissors.

2nd century A.D. Trabzon,  northeastern Turkey.

Scissors for the Modern Woman

Your current scissors are probably not going to make it to a museum, I know mine won't.  But a good pair of scissors is worth its weight in gold - even double if you inherited and take good care of them.
I was reading an interesting article on the history of scissors. The link is: thenonist.com/index.php/comments/3540 but for some reason won't work. You may want to try doing a copy and paste to your browser.  The photos of the museum pieces are worth the time to check out.  The information is engaging and the whole article gives one a new respect for our grandmothers' cutting equipment.
The origin of the information was from the book Scissors by Massimiliano Mandel which is unfortunately out of print. What a great coffee table book it would be!
Here are just a few of the photos, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. I had a hard time cutting (pun intended) down the number of photos because they were all so fascinating.

Iron scissors. Eastern Mediterranean, 14th Century.

 Household Scissors. Italy, about 1550.

(I remember seeing a pair of these at my Aunts house in NJ)

Persian Tailoring Scissors. 17th Century.

Candle-Trimmers. Italy, 16th Century.

Neoclassical era Italy or France, about 1820.

 Shears / Detachable Blades. Italy, 1890.

 Decorated Steel Fretwork. England, 1875.

 "These are my scissors"

These are my moms. I found them in her sewing box after she died.

 If you all are like me, I do my best to '"Not use these scissors on anything but the task for which they were intended" but, I'll admit during my years of children home with me, my scissors were used to cut wire, toys, plastic and many other things... but now I do my best to not use them for anything other than fabric and threads!
I do have my kitchen scissors and my garden scissors, my tin snips, wire cutters and a host of other cutting implements and will not bore you with a photo of them....
Having learned to treat my scissors with great care, they all have cut with precision and have lasted through many a sewing project....

This is one of those projects that I will talk about in a future post...

"My Quilt"

Yes, after making quilts for almost everyone in the family, I'm finally  making a quilt just for me,, it's mine,, no one else can have it!

(did I mention, this one is for me! Sorry kids, it's mine)

Retired husbands....

After retiring  a mans lovely wife insisted that he accompany her on her trips  to Target. Unfortunately, like most men, he found shopping boring and  preferred to get in and get out..

Equally unfortunate, his wife is like most women   loves to  browse. Yesterday the dear wife received the following letter from  the local Target.
Dear Mrs Samuel,
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion  in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced  to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samuel, are listed below and are documented by our  video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other  people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in House Wares to go off at  5-minute intervals.

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the womens restroom.


4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, "Code 3 in Housewares", get on it right away.  This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor, that in turn resulted with a union grievance  causing Management to loose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms  on layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the  children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows  and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children  obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began  crying and screamed, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"  EMTs were called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as  a mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he  asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly  humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his "Madonna  Look" by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed  through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he  assumed a fetal position and screamed, 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES  AGAIN!'

And last, but not least:

15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited  awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in  here.' One of the clerks passed out.

      * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The moral of the story... "Leave your husband home" the next time you go
shopping at Target,,, or any store for that matter !

 

Hope this cute story brought a smile to your faces on this Saturday am.. I'm sure many of you can relate!

 

thanks to my sis for this.