A Night With Oscar
As we are getting up, Hollywood’s royalty is no doubt just heading to bed. Last night was the Academy Awards…the biggest celebration for Tinseltown and those who populate it….we celebrated right along with them!
Feb 25
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Feb 22
George Washington
Oh, what a kind face this gentleman has. George Washington – a household name in our world – was the first President of the United States of America and he took his job very seriously!
Feb 21
Crackers for Oscar
Oh, we all love cheese straws! Most all of us have eaten and enjoyed them, if not made them. The lovely cheesy bites pictured here are the more sophisticated cousin of the cheese straw. Read more
Feb 20
Salad Days – Classic Caesar Salad
The most popular salad in America may well be the Caesar. Everyone seems to love this iconic salad. Making it at home is a lot easier than you may have thought. Read more
Feb 19
Savvy Secrets – WD 40
Who knew there were so many uses for this simple household product? We’ll bet you have some of this absolute treasure in a cupboard or in your garage right now!
Feb 18
No Guilt Chocolate
Last Thursday we celebrated Valentine’s Day. Do you have any idea just HOW MUCH chocolate was eaten? Read more
Feb 15
Did You Know? – Why We Say That
We use some phrases commonly and most of us never stop to think about what they really mean or where it is they came from. Here are some clues as to why we say what we say. Read more
Feb 14
Feb 13
Pizza Love
Tomorrow is the day we celebrate love. All kinds of love. Love is everywhere, even in the kitchen. And everyone loves pizza! This one is so easy to make, you can have it ready as fast as you can order delivery pizza. You don’t need any special kitchen equipment to shape it like a heart and when you do, you’ve got a fun and delicious way to celebrate LOVE:) Read more
Feb 12
Honest Abe
Abraham Lincoln was one of the great demonstrators of the term “the American Dream”. Being born to illiterate farmers who lived, at the time, in a one-room log cabin, Honest Abe, as he was known, rose to be one of America’s greats, ending slavery and, against all odds, keeping the country united. Read more
Feb 11
King For A Day
Tomorrow is Mardi Gras…Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday when the season of Lent begins. If you happen to live in the south east especially in Louisiana, it is also the season for King Cake. Unless you are from this region or know someone who is, you may never have heard or known of King Cake. You will now, and you are in for a real treat! Read more
Feb 8
Comfort and Love, Joy and Abundant Living
You surely know by now that Two Chums is all about love, joy and abundant living. We’ll get to that in a minute. First let’s talk about comfort. The comfort here relates to a comfort food …potato soup. Read more
Feb 7
Hearts Full of Color
Homemade crayon hearts. Make them yourself or with your little ones and you’ll not only make some beautiful crayons, you’ll make some great fun. Every mother or grandmother needs a project like this that she can pull out of her special “bag of tricks” 🙂
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Feb 6
Salad Days – The Cobb Salad
Cobb Salad: One of the most famous dishes in American culinary history was created on the spur of the moment at the famous Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood. Read more
Feb 5
Feb 4
Leftovers 411 – Baked French Toast Casserole
Today we have what can only be called a breakfast win/win. This is a way to use up old bread that is getting stale and make a delicious breakfast at the same time. Read more
Feb 1
French Quarter Cheese – It’s Super!
Sunday is the Super Bowl. The whole country will be focused on New Orleans this Sunday. But if you ask me the football is secondary, the real celebration will be the food:) Read more
Jan 31
Through The Years – Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
What a darling little girl Elizabeth, or Lillibet as she was called by her family, was! Winston Churchill described Elizabeth when she was two as “a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant”. Little did she know, at this young age, that she would one day become Queen of England. Not only that, but she would prove to be one of the longest reigning monarchs, if not the longest, ever! Read more
Jan 30
Mississippi Mud Cake
There are many, many delicious foods that are associated with southern cooking and with Mississippi in particular. None is more iconic or tastier than Mississippi Mud Cake. Read more
Jan 29
Can’t Find It? Just Substitute!
How many times, when you are excited to make something, do you go to the larder and find that you do not have one of the main ingredients? Here is a list of a few things that you can substitute out that you might find helpful for the next time that happens.
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Jan 29
Can’t Find It? Substitute!
How many times, when you are excited to make something, do you go to the larder and find that you do not have one of the main ingredients? Here is a list of a few things that you can substitute out that you might find helpful for the next time that happens. Read more
Jan 28
Let Them Play With The Dough
There are few things that all of us share as memories of childhood but it seems that play dough is one of them. There is something so soothing about playing with that smooth, soft dough. Rolling it into long “ropes” and squishing it between our fingers, many of us could pass many happy hours just playing with our play dough. Read more
Jan 25
Amanda’s Blueberry Muffins
“And they ate blueberry muffins and lived happily ever after.” If this could be the ending to a fairy tale that you would enjoy being part of, then this is your happy day!
Jan 24
Salad Days – The Classic Chopped Salad
If you have ever been to La Scala in Beverly Hills you know just how perfect a salad can be. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to visit there yet, we have good news. We have the recipe for the best chopped salad ever made! Read more
Jan 23
Leftovers 411 – Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Ever wonder what to do with that lump of oatmeal after breakfast that no one ate? Here is one delicious and simple answer…Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Bread! Read more
Jan 22
The Pineapple
Besides being a wonderfully sweet and tastey “nosh”, the pineapple has served as a symbol of hospitality and warm welcome through the history of the Americas. Read more
Jan 21
MLK & Inauguration Day
Today we reflect on the impact that Dr. Martin Luther King had on us as a society and a nation. And we inaugurate our 44th president. Read more
Jan 18
Chicken Soup – Good For What Ails You
Chicken soup is synonymous for most people with being a homemade remedy for anything that’s got you down. In the neighborhood I grew up in, and amongst some of my Jewish friends now, it is known as Jewish penicillin. Read more
Jan 17
Did You Know – CFL Bulbs?
What you don’t know actually CAN hurt you…and especially can hurt those little people and pets you love! Read more
Jan 16
Leftovers 411 – Croutons
Let’s face it, from time to time we all find ourselves with leftovers. If there happens to be a lot left over, after a couple of meals we’re tired of whatever it was and ready to move on. If there is only a little left, we have no idea what to do with it, but we feel guilty about the idea of throwing away food. So we wrap things up and put them aside or in the refrigerator where they sit until they become a science experiment, and we don’t feel so bad about throwing them away anymore. Read more
Jan 15
Kitchenesque Savvy Secrets!
Some fabulous easy-to-follow tips for your work in the kitchen! Read more
Jan 14
Set the Alarm
Put your car keys beside your bed at night. Read more
Jan 11
Blueberry Pie Oh Me Oh My!!!!
How many little hands does it take to make a pie? As many as you can get to help you would be my answer 🙂 Read more
Jan 10
Downton Abbey or Highclere Castle?
“Downton Abbey or Highclere Castle?” you ask. “Well,” you think to yourself, “it definitely looks like Downton Abbey but what is this other Castle that is mentioned? Read more
Jan 9
Happy Birthday, Catherine!
I came across this wonderful book, A Year In The Life of a Duchess, Catherine HRH*, The Duchess of Cambridge, and how on earth could I resist?! Read more
Jan 8
The “Other” Rose Bowl
Know someone who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, a job well done or who is under the weather and could use a bit of joy? A simple and simply beautiful arrangement of roses is always a welcome gift. Read more
Jan 7
Jan 4
Gnocchi In No Time
The new year has begun and, for some of us, it’s time to get out of the rut of the meals we make week in and week out. Some repetition is good and some special meals feel like comfort food. But some dinners we make are the result of just not being able to come up with anything new. Read more
Jan 3
Jan 2
THIS one is healthy!
Your Two Cbums spent a wonderful evening at dear friends’ welcoming in the new year. It was a sweet evening – lots of grazing through wonderful appetizers and desserts!
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Jan 1
Dec 31
Ringing It In!
At the stroke of midnight tonight, in most English speaking countries, the music of “Auld Lang Syne” will be heard echoing through walls and down streets. Read more
Dec 28
Black Eyed Peas
If there is anything you should know about your Two Chums, it would be that we love a celebration and we are very fond of traditions. Read more
Dec 27
Appetizers, Hors d’oeuvres, Canapes
New Year’s Eve is coming up quickly. Whether you are hosting a large party, an intimate gathering of friends, or you are headed to a potluck at your neighbor’s home, you will no doubt be sharing food along with some fun with your friends and family. And no matter what name you assign them – appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, or canapes – bite sized savory treats are sure to please! Read more
Dec 26
What Is “Boxing Day”, Anyway?
What is “Boxing Day”, anyway?
Is it when all the boxes go back into the attic with the Christmas decorations put back safely inside? Or, is it when all the boxes containing the Christmas gifts are burned in the fireplace?
Or, there again, is it when the biggest boxing match of the season is played in certain countries? Read more
Dec 25
Joy To The World
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
Dec 24
O Holy Night
On this that holiest of night’s in the Christian faith, we remember the night that Jesus was born. The holy scriptures say God became flesh and dwelt among us. One of the many names of Christ is Immanuel which literally means “God with us”. Read more
Dec 21
Do Angels Really Exist?
We hear about angels throughout the Bible. From the very beginning, in Genesis, to the very end, in Revelation, there are numerous mentions of angels, more than two hundred times. But, are they real? Do they really exist?
Dec 20
From The Hand Of God
Every so often we hear a story that just brings tears to our eyes. This is one of those stories. It was originally printed in Readers Digest in December of 1954 and has apparently been circulating ever since. Read more
Dec 19
The Twelve Days of Christmas
We have all heard or sung this song hundreds of times throughout the holidays but did you ever stop to wonder what it is really all about? Partirdges in pear trees and maids a milking…very strange indeed unless you know the history behind this lovely carol. Now you will 🙂 Read more
Dec 18
Last Minute Gift ideas
Christmas is one week from today. Are there still people on your list that you just can’t figure out what the right gift would be…an uncle, a grandfather, a niece or nephew? We have some ideas. Is there someone who has everything and you wonder what could you give them that would be special or meaningful for them? Or maybe your budget is wearing thin and you still have teachers or neighbors, the postman or gardener or babysitter you want to remember…we have some ideas for those gifts too. Read more
Dec 17
We Are Here To Remind You, It Is A Wonderful LIfe!
Tradition plays such a huge part in the Christmas season and watching our favorite movies is one of those traditions! Having the whole family curl up on a comfy sofa with a blanket and some hot chocolate and then clicking on one of our favorite movies is the best! Read more
Dec 14
Off We Go A-Caroling, A-Caroling, A-Caroling….
Having trained to sing while I was growing up, I have never lost the love of singing! No, unfortunately, I did not pursue voice in a professional way but, nonetheless, I always have had it to enjoy! And enjoy I did and do! Read more
Dec 13
Love At First Bite
This week has been devoted to holiday traditions and memories. These are the things that connect us to our history and to each other. Food is a big part of that history and those special family memories. If you already have food traditions, nurture them and pass them on. If you don’t, now is a good time to begin creating them. And there is nothing like a special cookie that you make year to year to trigger the sweet memories of family gatherings. Read more
Dec 12
Things Memories Are Made Of
Food is so much more than what we eat to sustain ourselves physically. It has the power to nurture us in many ways. For most of us there are foods that the sight, or smell, or certainly the taste of, can transport us back in time or to another place altogether or remind us of the people we love.
Dec 11
Blintz Joy
“What is a blintz?” many of you may be asking. It is a little pocket of yumminess, that’s what it is:) On this, the 4th day of Hanukkah we want to share with all our “chums” this very delicious treat that can be eaten for breakfast, brunch, lunch, a light supper or a late night snack. Read more
Dec 10
A Wink From Nanner
My maternal grandmother’s name was Willie. My brothers, cousins and I called her ‘Nanner’, her grandmother name to us. But her nieces and nephews called her “Aunt Bill”. Read more
Dec 7
Kindle the Lights
Tomorrow night at sundown begins the Jewish Festival of Lights known as Hanukkah. Every community has its unique Hanukkah traditions, but there are some traditions that are almost universally practiced. They are: lighting the menorah, spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods. Read more
Dec 6
Dec 5
Laughter – The Very Best Medicine
Of all the things we have shared over the years, the thing that has probably bound us so close together as “Chums” is our laughter. It is why of all the thousands of photos over the last 25+ years we had to choose from , the one we chose to put on this website is a photo of the two of us laughing with each other…the one you see here in the right hand column. Read more
Dec 4
Giving – A Little Child Shall Lead Them
As we sat down to plan the posts for our site this month we knew we wanted to do something about giving to others less fortunate. We really weren’t sure what it would be or what it would look like but we were confident that by the time we needed it something would come to us. And something did! Read more
Dec 3
Getting Ready For Father Christmas
When Father Christmas arrived at our house, he always found a plate of mince tarts and a tall, cold glass of milk. Read more
Nov 30
Yeah! More Savvy Secrets!
Here we are again with more Savvy Secrets! We know that sugar is a sweetener but can it be helpful as well? Read more
Nov 29
Latkes- A Taste of Hanukkah
If you are a regular “chum” of ours you will probably remember my story about growing up in a very Orthodox Jewish neighborhood. Add to that the fact that I have a Jewish son-in-law, and two precious Jewish grandchildren, and you can see that my bond to Jewish people has only continued to grow stronger as the years go by. As a result I have a great respect and fondness for all things Jewish. Hannukah is no exception. Read more
Nov 28
The Cookie Jar – Double Chocolate Cookies
What could possibly be better than a double chocolate cookie? Why, double the ways to eat it, of course:) Read more
Nov 27
I Corinthians 13 Christmas
Most of us somewhere along the way have heard the Bible scripture from I Corinthians 13. Perhaps in church or maybe at a wedding. If you haven’t ever read it or haven’t read it recently, now would be a good time to do that. It speaks about the importance of love and that without it everything we do is really meaningless. You can click here to get a link for you to read it on line. We came across a paraphrased version of this beautiful scripture that adds a whole new perspective to all the activities that we will be engaging in during this holiday season. Read more
Nov 26
Advent Calendars? Almost Time!
It is always such fun to put up the advent calendar and count down the days to Christmas! Read more
Nov 23
Wrap, Wrap, Wrap, A-round The Clock!
The holidays are upon us and what would the holiday season be without a few beautifully wrapped presents? Read more
Nov 22
Happy Thanksgiving!
On this day of giving thanks, we want to share with you something that came our way recently that sums up how we feel about gratitude. Read more
Nov 21
The Day After -Turkey Pot Pie
On the day after Thanksgiving there is always the question of what to do with all the leftover turkey. We know this is the day BEFORE Thanksgiving but we have a suggestion that we think you and your family will really enjoy the day after….Turkey Pot Pie:) Read more
Nov 20
A Taste of Southern Thanksgiving – Pecan Pie
When most people think of a Thanksgiving pie they automatically think pumpkin. But in my family it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without Pecan Pie:) Read more
Nov 19
The Power of Gratitude
Did Pollyanna have it all wrong? We know that this was a fictional children’s book that was then made into a Hollywood movie but your Two Chums feel strongly that there is an amazing message in this work that is worth hanging onto! Read more
Nov 17
Put Them All Together
This week we have talked about chocolate, eggs, butter, and cheese. Each of these things is wonderful and tasty by itself. But put them all together and you get ……Chocolate Cheese Cake of course! It is hard to imagine a tastier result of this happy combination of yummy ingredients! Read more
Nov 15
Say “Cheese”
People have been enjoying cheese for many, many, many years. It is not known exactly how many but it is believed that cheese was discovered accidentally between 8000 and 3000 BC.
Nov 14
It’s All About the Butter!
Julia Childs is famous for having said in the unmistakeable voice of hers, “Fat tastes good!” That is so true and truer still is the undeniable fact “Butter tastes good!” Your Two Chums love our butter 🙂 Read more
Nov 13
The Incredible Egg Story
If you are old enough, you will remember an ad campaign for eggs that touted “The Incredible Edibile Egg”. And incredible they are, for many reasons! Read more
Nov 11
Ah…..Chocolate!
It is odd to think of life without a good piece of chocolate! Although the peoples of the United States were introduced to drinking chocolate in the mid-1700’s, it was not until the mid-1800’s that they were able to enjoy chocolates, as we know them today, and not until later on in the 1800’s that milk chocolate was being made.
Nov 9
The Cookie Jar – Oatmeal Scotchies
As the holidays approach, we all will either host or attend any numbers of parties and gatherings. Your Two Chums would like to offer you, over the next several weeks, some of our favorite cookie recipes to serve or give as hostess gifts. Today’s recipe offering is for Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies….aka Oatmeal Scotchies.
Nov 8
The British Love Their Crumble!
I learned to love apple crumble whilst at boarding school in England. It was one of my favorite deserts and, indeed, is served at many an English table. Read more
Nov 7
Do You Know?
Ever wonder why we commonly use certain expressions that don’t really make any sense in our current world? Here are the explanations for just a few that we thought you would find interesting…we sure did:)
Nov 6
As American As Apple Pie
Two things seem to be quintessentially American…our democracy and apple pie 🙂
Read more
Nov 5
Nov 2
Color Your Own – Yes, Your Hair!
“Oh, I could never do that!” We hear this all the time when we mention, “Why don’t you color your own hair?” Read more
Nov 1
Oct 31
Happy Pumpkin Day!
When my youngest daughter, Amanda was little she couldn’t remember the word Halloween one year, so she just kept saying to everyone she saw “Happy Pumpkin Day!” She wasn’t entirely wrong. This is the day that all across this country we most associate with pumpkins. So besides the use of pumpkins for decorating, we wanted to give you one of our favorite pumpkin recipes…Pumpkin Bread. Read more
Oct 30
Play With Your Pumpkins
There is more than one way to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween…and a lot of creative fun to be had in the process 🙂
Oct 29
Salted Caramel Pie
It is hard to resist a nice slice of pie…especially one that is this silky and sweet! Read more
Oct 26
Salad Days
Some years ago there was a wonderful restaurant spot off the beaten track, in Los Angeles, that was opened by the Lawry’s company called Lawry’s California Center. In addition to the restaurant, one could buy all the Lawry’s products there and see the history of this well known food empire. There was a lovely patio for dining and some very satisfying food that I enjoyed with my family from time to time. In particular there was a most delicious salad that was served with a cilantro dressing. Read more
Oct 25
Welcoming Autumn In
(photo from BHG.com)
Hot soups on the stove, leaves crunching under foot, trees ablaze with color – fall has arrived!
Oct 24
A Bowl of Red
“Chili concocted outside of Texas is usually a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing. One of the first things I do when I get home to Texas is to have a bowl of red. There is simply nothing better.”
Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States Read more
Oct 23
Simple Beans – A Lesson in Hospitality
In our home, as I think may be true in the homes of other Texans, pinto beans were a mainstay. I can hardly remember a day that there was not a big pot of beans simmering amongst other delights on the kitchen stove either in my grandparent’s kitchen or in my mother’s. Read more
Oct 22
Yes, More Savvy Secrets!
Oh golly, it is always so great to receive Savvy Secrets from all of you! Our dear Chum, Nancie, sent these to us so, with joy, we are sharing them with you.
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Please, if you know of any Savvy Secrets that you think other people would be able to use, let us know. We will be glad to share them. After all, what are Chums for?
Joyously,
Oct 19
A Post Script
This being corn season, we thought we would give you an extra Savvy Secret this morning…..how to husk your corn!
Enjoy and may this add to the abundance in your lives!
Oct 19
A Very Savvy Secret for Husking Corn
One of our chums, Jan, sent us a great savvy secret for husking corn…we want to share it with you, our other chums 🙂
Oct 19
Soup’s On – Corn Chowder
As the weather begins to cool down we all seem to look forward to certain signals that remind us it is Fall. Putting on our favorite sweaters, watching the leaves change color, seeing pumpkins appear on doorsteps and porches and the comfort of warming ourselves with soup.
Oct 18
First Stirrings….
The amazing age of communication in which we now live had its first stirrings in the 1870’s when Alexander Graham bell invented the telephone. Although the telephone is what the world remembers this gentleman for, his passion was actually something different. Read more
Oct 17
Shhhh! Savvy Secrets With Bounce!
Again, a dear friend, Hilary, sent us these Bounce Savvy Secrets which we are thrilled to share with all of you. Read more
Oct 16
Hummingbird Cake
No one seems to know exactly why this moist delicious cake is called Hummingbird Cake. But, there are many theories as to how it got the name. Read more
Oct 15
Where, Oh Where, Is Nova Scotia?
You might well ask! It is not often that I run into people in Southern California who know where Nova Scotia is, much less what it is!
Oct 12
A Southern Favorite – Biscuits and Gravy
No matter what restaurant you go to in the South, you are bound to find Biscuits and Gravy on the menu. It is a favorite breakfast among Southerners. Who can resist a hot flaky biscuit fresh from the oven. Now add some creamy sausage gravy and it becomes even harder to turn down! Read more
