Evelyn, glad you can use one of my ideas. I grew up with everyone around me using what ever they had on hand for another job or two. It cuts down on the clutter.
It is second nature to me that it kind of surprises me when I see someone struggling with their usual method and it doesn't work or maybe they forgot to bring the tool...and I say - how about doing this...and suggesting how to use something else - and they do or I show / demonstrate to them, and it works!.. They look at me like I have come from another planet. Just a bit of 'Kiwi ingenuity'
I refuse to go buy a hand tool, machine etc for one specific job, I prefer and usually see possibilities for many other jobs I can perform as well with it.
Amanda
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Amanda as I re-read your post just now, a light went off when you talked about running plain water through your coffee maker to have hot water to use in making instant coffee. You know sometimes things are so simple you wonder, why didn't I think of that. I still have a coffee maker packed away somewhere, just had not thought to get it out as I didn't use it to make coffee anymore but I will be dragging it out and using it to make the hot water for my coffee after reading your post. :) PS: I find the instant coffee much less expensive than the ground and since I make it a cup at a time it is always fresh and there is no waste. Quote:
Back in New Zealand it was very usual for people who drank coffee to have instant in their cupboard/pantry. Not many had a coffee peculator and the coffee machines with pots that are so readily available in the States are not back in NZ and the ones you can buy do not keep the coffee very hot after it filters through. Tea has always been the normal beverage so you always had an electric jug / kettle to boil the water and pour the boiling water into the teapot. As tea is not nice being kept warm for long periods of time like coffee in the pot is.. I reckon I finally understand why we have morning and afternoon tea breaks... so you can drink a fresh brew! lol
James and I have stowed away several cans of coffee when he saw it going cheaply on his travels. Two weeks ago we stopped into a overstock large store (kind of a Dollar Store that is not franchised) and saw a box of instant coffee with 99c on the label, we could hardly believe our eyes. We bought the whole box, it is very nice and I have been using the coffee pot with plain water running through and kept hot on the plate and I can have instant when ever I like too. :)
Mike, thanks for the tip to scan the vege / fruit section in Walmart / Food Lion etc here for rhubarb, I had just forgotten to keep looking after I first did not see it. I have had to just forget about many foods from back home and either adapt by compromising with what is available. Also there are several dishes I could make easily back in NZ that is so difficult here in the States and does not come out the same and so disappointing. Different elevations everywhere and I am not sure how to adjust my recipes so I have not made them after the first fiasco's.
Amanda
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Mike, I don't care for coffee made in the microwave. For some reason it just doesn't taste as good. I use an instant coffee but I heat the water for it in a stainless steel kettle. I've been drinking this particular coffee so long, I don't care for the brewed anymore. I use Nescafe Taster's Choice and I put a spoonful in my cup and then pour the hot water in. It tastes so good you'd never know it was instant. When I've served it, people can't believe it's instant. The Walgreen's Pharmacy will run it on sale quite often and I'll buy two jars when they do. If you haven't tried it, do so. A jar will last a long time and I drink coffee all day. As for rhubarb pie, in my opinion this is something you have to acquire a taste for. I can remember my paternal grandmother always grew rhubarb and made pies from it. Even though she was a wonderful cook, I never cared for the rhubarb pie. To me they had a sweet/sour taste. Snow peas are tasty but I still prefer the ones you shell. Just a matter of individual tastes, I guess. Quote:
 Okay, that's done,
I have just finished micro-waving my coffee so now I can get on with things. Actually, I believe the micro-wave was invented by a Russian Scientist, although I don't believe his intentions were to cook food. Now, people who wear pace-makers don't seem to like micro-wave ovens either.
Back to the food chain. My mother spent a lot of time baking fresh pies. She baked them all. The ones that I remember most were the Rhubarb pies. Amanda, did you have Rhubarbs in New Zealand?
 The stocks are red and the leaves are green. You need to discard the leaves as they are toxic. If you have never had a Rhubarb pie you have to have someone make one for you. Once the pie cools take a big bite and taste the sweetness. Uh, well, maybe if it's your first Rhubarb pie you might not want to take a big first bite. I forget to tell you that it might hit like a Boomerang at first. It is sweet, however there is a hint of bitterness as well. Perhaps it might be more of a shout than a hint.
There is also a vegetable that goes by two names. It is either called Snow Peas or Chinese Peas, probably because it is used extensively in Chinesse cooking. With this pea you eat everything.
 I actually believe that the pod gives it a sweet taste. I'm going to try to grow these this gardening season. Now, I think I will heat up some Lima beans.
GOD BLESS YOU
~Mike~
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