Monday, November 11, 2013

Becky's Guide to Cutting Food

Kitchen Chef's Knife
Ever wonder what they mean by cubing, slicing, or dicing?  Never knew there was a difference?  Well, this blog post will show you what each of the cooking cutting terms mean.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Easy! How to Make Homemade Yogurt

homemade yogurt recipeDo you want to make good yogurt that is as cheap as milk?  Want more control over the ingredients going into it?  Want to know the secret of Greek yogurt? In this post, I will show you how easy it is to make your own affordable great tasting yogurt using ingredients you can find at the grocery store...

Sunday, August 18, 2013

RIP Fuji



It's been a while since my last blog post.  A couple months ago, we found out that Fuji had a mass that was blocking his bile duct.  Two weeks later, on the one year anniversary of my blog, he was gone.  He was so good.  He only wanted to please.  He loved food, that was his weakness.  But he still was a good boy, he'd try and try to contain himself around food.  Sometimes resulting in drool, sometimes he'd lick the air around the food, and sometimes we'd just let him have some.  Peanut butter was his favorite.  When, in the end, he no longer wanted peanut butter or any other food, we knew it was time.  He was so happy, always a light you could look forward to.  We miss him so much.  RIP my Fuji.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Adoption Quilts for San Antonio Child Protective Services

This post is a little different.  I am involved with a group of people who make quilts for National Adoption Month (November), to give to kids being adopted in San Antonio, TX.  We are making over 100 quilts.  Each child will choose which one they want to bring to their new home.  The ages range from infant to 17 years old.  So we're making lots and lots of them.

If you're interested in joining us, we need all the help we can get at any skill level! Please contact me for more information.

Here's some of the ones I've made...

How to Make Easy Old-Fashioned Refrigerator Pickles

If you're old enough to remember drug store barrel pickles, or like me and have never eaten them, you will absolutely fall in LOVE with these easy to make, long lasting, homemade, refrigerator pickles...

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

How to Make Squash Puppies

Squash Puppies
With my garden exploding with squash on a daily basis, I have had to find inventive ways to cook them.

I had found a hush puppy recipe a while back, but it was a bit dry.  Knowing that squash is full of liquid and it makes quick bread (like zucchini bread) very moist, I decided to try it out in the hush puppies.  The result: moist, yet crispy, squash puppies!

How to Make Mouthwatering Tequila Lime Ribs


Ever wondered what the secret to good ribs is? Just in time for Memorial Day, I'll share with you how to get tender, juicy ribs that will make you unable to order them at a restaurant because you'll just be disappointed.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Hubby's Favorite Meatloaf Recipe

Hubby's Favorite Meatloaf RecipeAs part of Becky's Cooking Lessons series, here's my husband's favorite meatloaf recipe.  It also uses ingredients from my garden...

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Pallet Garden Growth

Pallet Garden I thought it would be more effective to see my pallet garden grow before your eyes.  Here's some pics from beginning to present.  I'll update this post with new pictures as the garden matures...

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Holy Pallet Garden, Batman!

Pallet Garden
Now that we had a good soaking rain last week, the pallet garden is getting into the swing of things...

Friday, April 5, 2013

Online Tour of Bob Ross Senior Services Center - San Antonio

Bob Ross Senior Services Center - San Antonio
I checked out the Bob Ross Senior Services Center and decided it was so nice that it needs its own blog post...

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Activities and Resources for Senior Citizens in San Antonio


I've got a new job!  I am going to be an elder companion for a lady here in San Antonio.  Since I already do a lot of fun schtuff that seniors do, this will be perfect for me.

My first task is to find some interesting and fun schtuff for us to do together.  I thought I'd share what I found.  Most of this is in North San Antonio, but I've got links if you want to delve into other parts of town...

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Scooby Doo Dog Themed Quilt

Dog Themed Quilt http://muttnut.blogspot.com/
Dog Themed Quilt
I've been working on some quilts for National Adoption month.  In November, a quilt will be given to each child adopted through Child Protective Services in San Antonio, TX.  This design of mine is a Scooby Doo dog quilt...

Sunday, March 31, 2013

San Antonio Edible Weeds - What's in My Backyard

Salad from all wild plants in my yard
It's weed season in San Antonio, aka wildflower season.  So which ones in my backyard are edible?...

Monday, March 18, 2013

How to Knit a Super Dog Sweater

How to Knit a Super Dog Sweater
It's a bird, it's a dog, it's...Super Spec!
Find out how to make your own Super Dog Sweater in this blog post...

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Panang Tofu Curry Recipe (Don't Fear the Tofu!)

tofu curryDon't be afraid of the tofu!  For another of Becky's Cooking Lessons, this recipe is creamy, spicy, and delicious...

Pallet Garden Update Mar 13, 2013

pallet garden
Here's another pallet garden update.  Things are going well...

Friday, March 1, 2013

How to Make a Cheap, and Easy Bird House in 15 minutes

Super cute, cheap, easy bird house in less than 15 minutes
Last year a wren built a nest on a shelf on our back porch.  In the past couple of days, with the weather warming up, we have seen a couple of wrens.  We have since moved that shelf and taken down the nest.

So, I made a simple, easy, cheap bird house...

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Advanced - How to Knit a Hairnet / Snood

Hairnet / Snood knitting patterns
So, it turns out my How to Knit a Hairnet / Snood post is one of my most popular.  I know I reposted the actual pattern from another blog, so I figured I'd enhance my own post by offering different knitting stitches to make fancier hairnets / snoods...

Pallet Garden Update

Pallet Garden
Just a quick update on my pallet garden so far.  I love it!  Here's 7 reasons why...

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Pick Your Own Farms near San Antonio, TX


For all the fruits and vegetables I can't grow on my own, I'd like to be able to pick them fresh from the plant.  They taste sooooo much better that way!  So, I'm compiling a list of places within a day trip time frame from San Antonio, TX.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

How to make Pupcakes for your Dog

Happy Birthday Dog
It seems like only yesterday that Fuji wandered into our yard.  It's already his 11th birthday!

In celebration of his big day, I made pupcakes, or more aptly, pupcrack.

I've brought these pupcakes dog treats to dog events with the Nature Hounds, and they disappear.  Dogs go crazy for them!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Fresh Eggs and Mushrooms Are Sooooo Good!

Fresh mushroom in hands
There is no comparison when using fresh ingredients to store bought.  What's even better than fresh ingredients?  Two different fresh ingredients.  Mushrooms and Eggs

Monday, January 21, 2013

Seedlings Update

You saw in my earlier post how to make a seedling incubator using milk jugs and toilet paper rolls.  Here are my beautiful little seedlings yearning to grow!

Planted Jan 10, 2013

Jan 14, 2013
cabbage sprouts
Little cabbage sprouts!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Becky's Cooking Lessons: Priceless Tips and Tricks



People will think you are a seasoned pro when you use these tips and tricks while cooking.

As I think of them, I will add more tips and tricks, so check back often.


Want to make your ground beef go farther.  Add shredded zucchini or other squash to it.  Then cook your favorite dishes as usual, like tacos, spaghetti, and even hamburgers.  You'll get lots of fiber and vitamins, and stretch your ground beef budget farther.  It tastes the same, so no one will ever know!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

How to Plants Seeds Cheaply Using Milk Jugs and Toilet Paper Rolls


An easy way to plant your seeds indoors to have seedlings to put out in your garden, is to use milk jugs and TP or paper towel rolls.

Save your TP rolls and milk jugs.

milk jug caps poker chips
You can also use your milk jug caps as poker chips!

Becky's Pallet Garden

pallet garden
I've been planning and working on my garden for over a month now getting it all ready to go for when it's a little warmer.  I decided to go with pallet gardening.  It was much easier than the rock wall I was thinking of making.  And, you can get pallets for free!  You know me, all about the cheap stuff.