Easy Trick to Clean Baked On Food with WATER

Hi guys!  As I was cooking hamburgers tonight, it dawned on me that I haven't shared this easy trick with you all.  I'm assuming most of you are like me and you hate cleaning up a pan with lots of baked on food.  I may even have been guilty of doing the ol' "it's gonna have to soak a while" trick, hoping somehow it would just magically get cleaned and put away.  Yeah, it didn't and I had to finally face that mess...until I discovered this trick!

After you've finished cooking, do not remove the pan from the stove.  Increase the heat and add about 4 cups of tap water.

Bring the water to a boil and let it continue for about 3-4 minutes.  I use this time to finish my dinner preparations.

After it's boiled for a few minutes, take a spatula (metal or hard plastic works best) and loosen any remaining food that's still stuck to the pan.

With the tap running and the drain basket in place, pour the contents of the pan down the drain.  I don't have a disposal so I use the drain basket to catch the food.  If you have a disposal, you can skip that step.  This photo is of my pan after pouring out the contents.  I'd say that's a huge improvement!

For the final step, I give the pan a quick cleaning with my dish scrubber, rinse, dry, and it's ready to put away.

I actually got this idea after watching a Japanese chef clean up after cooking our dinner on the hibachi grill.  I hope this saves you some time in the kitchen!  :)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Brown Rice Salad - Great for New Year's Goal of Healthier Eating

Many years ago, my friend began experimenting with recipes for healthier eating.  She nailed this one!  I've made this so many times over the years.  It's so delicious and super easy to make.  There's just 6 simple ingredients.

Brown rice, sunflower seeds, purple onion, feta cheese, Craisins, 

and Newman's Best Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing

Begin with cooked brown rice that has already cooled.

Toss in the sunflower seeds, onion, feta cheese, and Craisins.

Pour in the salad dressing and combine until everything is well coated.

That's it!  Enjoy!  Brown rice salad is great for picnics or potlucks since you don't have to worry about spoilage from mayo or meats.  You can also cater it to add or take away any ingredients you like!  I'm including the printable recipe below.  I hope you give it a try!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

My DIY Workroom - UNEDITED

How's your new year going?  Are you taking this time of the year to get organzied?  I'm trying.  I've got a list of areas to work on.  One of them being my workroom.  Today I'm going to share some pictures that my sister-in-law took at Thanksgiving.  Prepare yourself...these are unedited photos of my little (10x10) workroom.  

Come on in!  That is, if you can get in.  Excuse the pile of fabric spilling out of my vintage shopping cart.  Oh, and be careful of the pile of tobacco sticks in the corner.

Good, you're in!  Maybe we should do this one at a time.  You go ahead and look around.  It is crowded but my little "fireplace" heater does keep it warm and cozy.

I found this cabinet on Craigslist for $70.  It's a 1970's stereo cabinet that I gutted and painted to use for storage.  I loved the shape and the fact that I could hide some of my supplies behind the covered doors.

This former china cabinet came from a friend that was looking to just get it out of her house.  I like when friends get in that mood.

I use lots of jars for storing little items.  Most of these are supplies for my altered art pieces.  Umm, this cabinet could really use some organizing.  (On the list)

My big jar of keys from my father-in-law.  God bless that man's kindred-hoardin' heart :)

More jars and buttons...I like buttons.

And, well, glitter is just so sparkly and blingy it needs fancy bottles to store it in.

Well, there you have it.  My messy, unedited workroom in desperate need of some organizing.  I hope to be soon with the after pictures!

Thanks for stopping by!  Who's next to go in?  ;)

God bless,
Angie


I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

My Word for 2015 and a Linky Party #oneword365

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Can you believe we're actually 15 years into the new millennium?  Why is it when you want time to go faster, it creeps by, and when you want it to slow down, it flies.  As I get older, time seems to really fly ;)

Do you have a "word" for each new year?  I didn't know I did until I began to think about it a couple of years ago.  I could look back and see different themes for prior years so, I guess, you could call that my word for the year.

My word for 2015 is ACTION.  This whole past year God has been nudging me to dream.  I don't just mean "oh that would be nice" kinda dream.  I mean d-r-e-a-m and dream BIG!  So, I did!  I began dreaming about some of my biggest goals in 2014.

That was fun!  Just thinking about what those dreams are was fun.  And exciting!  However, now that I know what those dreams are, God's encouraging me to act on those dreams.  Move toward them.  Work for them.  Knowing it may not be all fun and games, I'm going for it.

It's funny that even in our dreams, we limit ourselves and God.  We tend to dream safely, if you will.  We think if the dream doesn't work out, at least we won't be that disappointed.  I did that at first.  I was setting goals (dreams) in safe mode.  Each time that I did, God would respond, "Ok, but I'm bigger than that."  It was incredible.  He knows how to give beyond where we even know how to receive.

So, the action part.  That's what I'm moving toward this year.  Have you ever felt that you were made to do a certain thing?  That thing inside that has always been with you?  That idea of how something would be in your life because you "just knew" it would be?  Maybe it's that thing that just comes naturally to you, like making a house a home, tending to those in need, sharing a skill with others, hosting others in your home for fellowship, etc.   I have and that's what I'm acting on in 2015.

Do I think it will go smoothly?  Nope.  I'm sure there will be stumbling blocks in some areas, tasks that appear impossible, laziness and doubt on my part even.  I may even feel like giving up and want to shift into "safe mode" again.  However, my hope is to keep taking that next step, moving toward my goal.

So, who's with me?  Are you ready to act on those dreams?  Get dirty, tired, frustrated, excited, motivated, elated?  Sounds crazy doesn't it?  Have you acknowledged that b-i-g dream?  Dig deep in your heart.  Bring it to God and say, "Here it is.  You created me to be _____.  Let's do this!"  Then hang on!  Some of the ride may not look like what you had expected but I know it will be so worth it.
Stay with me this year and we'll compare notes.  Deal?

If you have a "word" for 2015 post, be sure to link up below!  If not, be sure to check out some other great blog posts for their word of the year.

Thanks for stopping by and may you be all that God has created you to be!

Angie

An InLinkz Link-up

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Best of 2014 - A Year in Review

You guys, this has been an amazing year for The Altered Past and it's all thanks to you, my readers.  I'm so thankful for your taking time out of your day to read my blog.  It's both exciting and humbling at the same time.  I really do appreciate you all.

As a recap of 2014, I'm sharing my top 6 most viewed posts.  The ones you all chose as the best projects from this past year.  Let's do this David Letterman style starting with #6 first.

The sixth most viewed post for 2014 Is the Patio Set Redo that I made for my daughter's first apartment.  She moved in this past summer and the set has been providing a cozy sitting area for her front porch.  (Click on the photo to read the full post!)

The fifth most popular post from this past year is the Gumball Machine Snow Globe.  I think it's my favorite.  I put the snow globe in my china cabinet this past week instead of storing it away with the rest of the Christmas decorations.

Coming in at fourth is the Take-Out Boxes I made for our Thanksgiving guests.  I was honored to have this post featured in a Huffington Post article.  I'm still amazed that I found the take out trays at the Dollar Tree.  I love that store :)

The third most popular post of 2014 is a project that is somewhat special to me.  It's the Old Window Repurposed into a Chalkboard.  The window came from my in-laws home.  The chalkboard hangs in our den and I change out the message with the seasons or holidays.  

Coming in at number 2 is an easy DIY project that I've done several times and will probably continue to do.  It's the Make Your Own Rubber Stamp post.  It doesn't take a lot of fancy materials.  You probably already have most of them in your home right now.  Click on the photo and check it out.  Then, get to making your own rubber stamps!

And, drum roll please, the most popular post for 2014 is the Pottery Barn Knockoff Grouted Pumpkins.  Another super easy project and the cost was less than $5!  

There you have it!  The top 6 most popular post for 2014!  This could not have happened without you.  I appreciate each of you and I hope you will like what 2015 brings for The Altered Past.  I feel God has some pretty neat things in store for us.  

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!

Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
MAKING LEMONADE BLOG