Optical Illusions

If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.

Most of us would see the dancer turning counter-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images

present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

Relationship Chart find out how you are related to other relatives (first cousin/second cousin once removed/etc)

Recipes
Creamsicle Liqueur Recipe

1 t. unflavored gelatin
1/4 c. cold water
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 c. heavy cream
1 1/4 c. 80 proof vodka
1 T vanilla extract
2T orange extract

1. In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over water and let soften
for several minutes.
Place over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until gelatin dissolves,
1 to 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine condensed milk and cream.
Heat until quite warm (about 110 degress F) 2 to 3 minutes
Stir in gelatin mixture.
Remove from heat and stir vodka, vanilla, and orange extract.

3. Pour into a sterilized bottle and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days before using.
Shake well before serving in liqueur or cordial glasses.
This mixture will keep in the refrigerator for 1 month or longer.
For gift giving wrap in fabric.

AUNT WANDA'S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

  Sweet Potato Base:

• 3 c. sweet potatoes, baked and mashed
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 c. milk
• 1/2 c. butter or margarine

  Mix all ingredients together and place in 13 x 9 oven safe dish.
  Add topping. Bake 350 for approximately 30 minutes.

   Topping:

• 1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/3 c. flour
• 1/3 c. butter or margarine, melted
• 1 c. pecans, finely chopped

  Mix all ingredients together and sprinkle evenly over top of mashed sweet potato mixture.

Jim's Shrimp

Buy white or black shrimp not pink ones.
Buy medium to small shrimp.

• 1/4 c. Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tblsp. red pepper
• 1 1/2 c. water (shrimp should be covered)
• 1 lb. shrimp
• 1 tblsp. peppercorn
• 6-7 bay leaves

Mix all ingredients except shrimp and bring to boil.
Add shrimp and boil for approx. 5 min. until pink.
Shrimp should curl slightly but tail should not touch head.

FROM ED & IRIS

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1-½ cups (6 oz bag) chopped pecans
1 cup (2 sticks) of butter or margarine
½ cup confectioners powdered sugar
1-teaspoon vanilla

Topping:
Confectioners powdered sugar (1 lb. box is more than plenty)


Soften (slightly melt) 2 sticks of butter or margarine and place in large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup confectioners’ powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Blend. Gradually add 2 cups of flour mixing it in a portion at a time. Add the chopped pecans last. Mix the pecans in with a spoon. Shape into round shapes and/or crescent moons. Makes approximately 6-dozen cookies. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 - 15 minutes. Bottom of cookies will be lightly browned. Cool. Cover cookies with confectioners powdered sugar. (I put confectioners powdered sugar into a medium sized mixing bowl and place about 7 - 10 cookies at a time into the bowl. Roll each cookie in the sugar and place in serving dish or storage container.)

There is a variation of this recipe that uses lard instead of butter in case you want to make the cookies days before you plan to use them. The recipe tastes very similar but uses orange juice and almond extract. I have this variation of the recipe for 6 cups of flour (a lot of cookies)! If you want this recipe as well let me know.



My Mom’s Stuffing (Mrs. Maceda’s Tex-Mex Stuffing)

1 Jimmy Dean Sausage (mild for the weak, hot for the bold … I used hot for the Ryan Thanksgiving. I use mild for children.)
1 bag (1 lb. size) Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Stuffing
2 cups finely chopped bell pepper
2 cups finely chopped celery
2 cups finely chopped onion
½ cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1 - 3 pieces of toast (optional)

Cook Jimmy Dean Sausage in 6-quart pot or Dutch oven. Do not drain. Add stick of margarine or butter. Add chopped vegetables. Simmer until vegetables are cooked and tender. Add package of Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Stuffing. Mix. Add toast if desired or if there is too much liquid. Remove from heat. Mix thoroughly. Stuffing is meant to taste moist but you can adjust according to your taste. For moist stuffing do not add the toast or, if you do, add a half a stick or a whole stick of margarine or butter. Sometimes if the liquid evaporates or the stuffing is too dry add water (very little - about ¼ cup) as needed and/or add more margarine or butter. (I prefer to make the stuffing with only one stick of margarine and either none or sometimes one piece of toast. My mother and sister prefer to make theirs with 2 or 3 sticks of butter and 3 - 5 pieces of toast. This yields more stuffing. )

Irish Soda Bread Recipe (I wanted an Irish classic recipe but I have not made this yet.)

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1-cup whole-wheat flour
1-teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup currants
1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups buttermilk
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
½ teaspoon salt

Combine flours, baking soda and salt in large mixing bowl. Stir in currants. Add 1 ¼ cups buttermilk. Stir just till dry ingredients are moistened. (Add more buttermilk, if needed, to make a soft dough). Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently 1 minute. Shape into ball. Place on greased baking sheet. Pat into 8-inch circle. With sharp knife cut ½ inch deep “V” in top of dough.

Bake in preheated 375 degrees oven until golden, 30 - 35 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and brush with melted butter. Serve hot or at room temperature. Makes 1 loaf.