Leader Enterprise - April 3, 2013 - FL fun and t-shirt scarves

Trust you enjoyed a blessed Easter season. Spring really will come one of these days. How crazy to think Phil is being indicted for his wrongful prediction!

We left Ohio in mid-February to drive to Palm Harbor, Florida,to enjoy time with dear TN friends who spend their winters in an RV park there. We were elated to be able to rent a little camper in the park itself. It was such a great time and we look forward to going again next year. There were many snowbirds there from Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, even a couple from Delta.

Even though the temps were a little cooler than usual there, we were very grateful to have missed out on the last ice/snow storm in NW Ohio. We soaked in lots of sunshine, so there were no complaints from us.

One dear man loaned my disabled hubby a 3-wheeled motorized cart for the whole time we were there,so Ron really enjoyed buzzing around the park.It helped him enjoy being outside more than he otherwise would have.

If you've ever been in an RV park, you know there are many activities that go on. We enjoyed pancake breakfast, potlucks, bingo, hot dog and ice cream nights (vacations ARE about food too,right?). I thoroughly enjoyed participating in water aerobics in the park pool also. But my most favorite time was craft time. Once I showed the gals how to make scarves and tote bags from t-shirts, there was no more rest for me. These women went ca-razy!over this easy craft and I ended up being asked to teach four more times. Husbands even commented to me about them.  One man teased, "I have a bone to pick with you.My wife is cutting up all my t-shirts!" Another told me he and his wife couldn't wait to go home and show their granddaughter. I made lots of new friends and truly enjoyed all the interaction. After seeing all my photos from t-shirt times together one of my friends commented "You didn't just teach classes - you started a university". HA! It WAS.A.BLAST!

Since I'm always being asked: I learned how to make these lovely fun items from my blogging friends. If you 'google 't-shirt scarves', you're sure to find all kinds of links with varieties of ideas.I think the 'rage' over this simple craft is that it IS so simple and anyone can do it. 

I decided I would begin to share a tutorial with you that I was able to share in the January/February issue of the women's magazine - Simply Hers - distributed in Hillsdale and Lenawee counties. I've taught these fun craft ideas to ladies at my church and have been asked a few more times by local friends, so am thinking this idea is really blossoming. Go clean out the closet and grab up some t-shirts you don't wear much or even plan to get rid of.

In my next column, I'll share how to make a t-shirt fringe scarf and shoulder tote. I'm excited to also share how to make the bacon roses (yes,they're edible!) that I made for my Honey when we celebrated our recent anniversary.

You'll want to use L or XL (or even XXL) t-shirts that are 100% cotton with no side seams. Don't worry about trying to cut perfectly as this material is very forgiving. A good pair of scissors is helpful too.

INFINITY SCARF: Lay t-shirt out flat; cut off hem,then cut from under one arm across to the other.(If there are graphics,cut just below them). Stretch this 'tube' (from 6"-12" wide) of material like there's no tomorrow. It helps to have a second person to help stretch and pull. Simply wear it in a single or double loop, adding a hair clip or embellishment.

Here's a couple of recipes that will help you THINK SPRING!

This first one is a favorite from my mom. She use to keep it in the fridge all summer long. This is the recipe I shared in my first column here at the Leader almost 4 years ago! Thanks for your support over the years. I still get a big kick out of having someone in the area tell me they tried one of my recipes.

RHUBARB & MINUTE TAPIOCA

2-1/2 c.  diced rhubarb

2-1/2 c.water

1-1/2 c. white sugar (or sweetener)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 c. minute tapioca

few drops of red food coloring, optional

1 c. crushed pineapple,optional

Cook all ingredients together in large saucepan over medium heat; stir occasionally. Rhubarb breaks down while it cooks. Stir to blend in food coloring and pineapple; cool; refrigerate. This keeps well for atleast 2 weeks in the fridge.

ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

4 Tb. butter or margarine, melted

2 - 3 c. fresh cooked (el dente) asparagus or

2 (15 ozs) cans asparagus spears, drained

{Cut spears into pieces for easier serving}

1 (8 ozs) can sliced water chestnuts, optional

2 - 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

1/2 c. evaporated (or 2%) milk

1  (10.75 ozs)can cream of mushroom soup

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9"square baking dish. In small bowl, mix cracker crumbs with butter; place half in bottom of dish. Layer asparagus, water chestnuts and chopped eggs on top of crumbs. In small bowl, mix milk and soup; pour over top. Sprinkle remaining cracker crumbs on top. Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Stay tuned next time for more t-shirt lessons. You won't want to miss seeing the bacon roses!

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