An Olive and a Pickle

recipe collection

29cherryblossoms — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:51:49 +0000

I have been taking a break from this blog for too long, so hopefully I will be able to make a definite comeback and not take a long break like I just did. I want to make this, as well as my other blog,29 Cherry Blossoms – by melanie, work for me. I want to be able to have them part of my cooking and baking life, as well as my sewing and craftiness. I miss blogging about recipes and craft stuff. I have blogged about both on another site for several years, but have neglected these two so far this year.

I plan on blogging my favorite family recipes, as well as sharing a super “top-secret” family recipe that I was able to acquire from someone. The reason it is “top-secret”? Because of ONE ingredient!

So there it is…I am finally coming back to my blog that I have missed so much this year!

Can I have a clean house please? Kthx!

anoliveandapickle — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:09:09 +0000

My boys are notorious for making astronomical sized messes. Once they are done and I ask for them to start picking up, the oldest clams up and explains that he doesn’t know how, then runs off to hide. The younger one just looks up at me with a half puzzled look, half devilish grin, puts his hands up a little and shrugs – as if to say, “I don’t know?!”

The oldest is almost 5 and in preschool. He KNOWS how to pick up after himself, but chooses not to because what fun is that?

The younger one is 2 and does know how to pick up after himself, but won’t when his brother is around. When his brother isn’t here, he will be right by my side helping me pick up toys.

Now I may have found a way for the younger one to help clean up. He loves the vacuum. He wants to vacuum. But I won’t let him unless the toys have been picked up. I really don’t want to be picking dusty, dirty toys out of the canister, ok?

Two nights in a row now, he has picked up toys so he can use the hose attachment for the vacuum. Do you know how awesome this is for me?

Now to work on the older one…

Improved Tuna Sandwich

anoliveandapickle — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:17:56 +0000

About a month ago my aunt held a get together at her house. There were the usual goodies spread out: cheese and crackers, chips and salsa, etc. But there was a new one this time. I had never seen it before, but it sure tasted good! It turned out to be a tuna dip/spread that my grandma had made. I spread some on a cracker and tried to figure out the different things in this delicious dip. Right off the bat I could tell there were cranberries, and there was a hint of onion. It was kinda nutty too.

So this is what was in the dip/spread: tuna, dried cranberries, finely diced white onion, finely diced celery, finely chopped up walnuts, and the usual mayo.

Today I finally got the courage up to try and recreate this concoction. This is what I used:

1 can tuna in water, drained well
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1/4 white onion, finely diced (I cut the onion in half, then quartered one half)
about 1/4 c. walnuts, finely chopped
about 1/4 c. dried cranberries
mayo (to your liking)

Mix it up really good, making sure all the bigger pieces of tuna have been broken apart, add more mayo if needed.

The amount that I mixed up today made three sandwiches, and enough for us to snack on for a little bit. Next time I will remember to take pictures, step by step, and post them. This was completely gone by the time I even thought of taking pictures.

I like a good, moist, whole wheat bread for my tunafish sandwiches, or a handful of crackers, such as Ritz.

ENJOY!

Welcome!

anoliveandapickle — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:28:58 +0000

Welcome to my new blog:

An Olive and a Pickle.

This blog will cover many areas of daily life: recipes, cleaning hints and tips, organization techniques, gardening, etc. And also the occasional freakout over raising two boys.

I have many family recipes that I want to share with you, as well as others that I have found online, or from a friend or family member that are worth passing on.

Our house is small, so organization is a high priority. I will be honest with you and admit that it has taken me far too long to get this house organized, but I will tell you why in the coming days, weeks, and months.

We have a large backyard full of grass and fruit trees. It is a dream for a gardener. We have had our setbacks that have made living here unpleasant, but a few grand later, we are hopefully on the right track to getting our yard where we want it.

And my two boys…I love them so much, but they sure do know how to make one little pile of toys into a whole house worth of mess! They’re cute and they tortured me for nine months each, so I will keep them.

So let’s get this blog on the road!