I read this Consumerist story recently (link appears below) and found it interesting.

This Musing talks about trademark product names that, over time, became a generalized description for similar products. This is not necessarily a "compliment" to the trademark brand.  There are many trademark names that have been generalized.  How many times have you used the terms "Kleenex" for tissue,  "Band Aid" for adhesive strip, "Xerox" for photocopy and "Popsicle" for a frozen treat? 

Here are a few links for you to look at and help you learn about "genericide" and its implications.  There are many trademark names and associated generalizations that I've never thought about!

http://consumerist.com/2014/07/19/15-product-trademarks-that-have-become-victims-of-genericization/

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27026704

http://gbtimes.com/business/genericide-when-brands-become-too-big

Today's topic is about a very popular place to shop: the "dollar store".  Many people shop at a dollar store in search of bargains.  These stores have different names, some are bigger and more well known, but they all sell similar items.  Even though they brand as "a dollar store", depending on the store, not everything sold is necessarily "a dollar".  Regardless, there are still great buys to find!  However, even though products are attractively priced at "dollar stores", there are things that you should actually consider buying elsewhere.  This musing will share suggestions of things that are good bargains and what is best to avoid.

Here are some great dollar store bargains:


Greeting Cards and gift wrap/gift bags:  Some dollar stores have a large selection of cards for all occasions as well as gift wrap, gift bags and other related items.  Your gifts will look great and there is bound to be an attractive card with just the right message, all available for a fraction of the cost you will find elsewhere.

Reading Glasses: There are all kinds of designs available for a great bargain.  They work just fine.  At that price, you can buy them to match outfits or to put in all the locations where you might need to use your "cheaters".  The best part?  If they break or you lose them, it's not a great loss.

Hair Accessories:  There's quite a selection of clips, combs, headbands and pony tail holders along with brushes and combs, all very reasonably priced compared to other stores.

Balloons, Decorations and Party Supplies:  A definite bargain here.  Many dollar stores offer a large selection of foil and latex balloons for a good price.  Decorations and party supplies for weddings, showers, birthday parties and holidays are easy on the wallet too.  Many stores have great selections.

There are things that you should consider buying elsewhere:

Batteries: (don't last as long)

Cooking utensils (poor durability)

Spices: (freshness questionable compared to stores with frequent turnover).

Electrical items: Avoid due to safety concerns. Even products with a UL label should be avoided. There has been evidence of counterfeit labeling, so these items are not reliable.

The links below discuss other good and "bad" buys you may find at dollar stores.  It is worth taking a look at them so you can shop wisely when frequenting your favorite dollar store.  As always, shop carefully, read labels and lastly don't be tempted with impulsive buying and coming home with things you really don't need! 

Do you or members of your family love sauerkraut?  My family does.  I'm the oddball though, I only like it prepared a certain way and I will share that recipe at the end of this musing.

I've prepared recipes successfully using commercially available sauerkraut.  Since our family has turned to using organic ingredients whenever possible, I thought it would be preferable to use organic sauerkraut.

I've had a 2 gallon crock sitting around for years.  I didn't use it for anything except as a container to hold a large silk plant.  Once my thoughts turned to using  "organic sauerkraut", I retrieved that crock and put it to a much more appropriate and purposeful use.  I researched the art of making fermented foods (and believe me, you can ferment all kinds of foods!).  I found a recipe that looked good for my purposes and went to work.

I bought pickling salt and organic green cabbage that was on sale since it was right around St. Patrick's Day!  I shredded my cabbage using a knife and layered it in the crock with the salt, as stated in the instructions. The first time I shredded it by hand, but the second time I made it, I used my Kitchen Aid shredder attachment.  Trust me, if you have one, use it.  It goes so much faster!  A food processor shredder attachment might also work, though I have never used one.

I used a potato masher to tightly compress the cabbage and to get it to "juice up".  I then used a clean glass dinner plate to cover the top.  I weighed down the cabbage with a very large ziploc bag filled with salt brine.  The weight of the bag helps to compress the plate and cabbage, and it also expands across the top of the crock, minimizing exposure to air.  I filled the bag with brine water so that if it should spring a leak, it simply adds more brine to the cabbage mixture and won't dilute the brine in the cabbage mix.

Once done, find a cool location to keep the crock.  (I used my basement)   I also covered the crock with a towel to keep dust out.  Then you simply wait.  The recipe said to check on the kraut daily to be sure the cabbage is submerged in the brine (personally, I've only had to check on it every few days, and it was always fine).  It should be ready in 3-4 weeks depending on the temperature at which it is stored.  The recipe I used said kraut can be left in the crock indefinitely if you keep the top surface from being exposed to air.  I keep mine submerged in the crock, but there are other ways to process and store it.  I found using a 2 gallon crock to be a perfect size for our family of 4.  I was concerned that there might be a undesirable odor from the fermenting cabbage, but my basement did not smell either time I made the sauerkraut.

I have also read articles about making smaller batches of kraut in different containers or smaller crocks.  I can't help but think that the orphan slow cooker crocks (sold without the cooker) that I see at the thrift store, would be a perfect size for smaller batches. Preparation would be the same, but on a smaller scale.

If you try making your own kraut, you will be amazed at the flavor and above all the "crunch" your kraut will have.  It's really good.  Eating sauerkraut and other fermented foods has health benefits, and if it's organic, that's even better.  I've included links that explain why adding fermented foods to your diet is beneficial. 

Below are is the link I used to make my sauerkraut.

http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/B2087.pdf

Health Benefits associated with eating sauerkraut and fermented foods.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-parenting/post/fermented-foods-bubble-with-healthful-benefits/2012/11/19/db70ea76-329b-11e2-9cfa-e41bac906cc9_blog.html

http://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/issues/10_2/current-articles/Discover-the-Digestive-Benefits-of-Fermented-Foods_1383-1.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2556298/The-unlikely-new-medicine-pickled-cabbage-New-research-reveals-help-allergies-coughs-colds-more.html

How to make Sauerkraut Casserole

I received this recipe idea from a coworker over 30 years ago.  It's a favorite of mine and I make it regularly.  Sauerkraut Casserole is a take off on the classic Green Bean Casserole that is made with cream of mushroom soup.  But this time you make it with sauerkraut instead of green beans.  I don't really use the measurements anymore.  All you need to do is combine the ingredients you want, in the amount you want, and bake it.

I've made this recipe with both commercial and homemade sauerkraut. Regardless of which type of sauerkraut you use, make sure to rinse it well and then squeeze it very dry.  Mix it with cream of mushroom soup straight from the can.  (I use organic).  Do not dilute the soup, the juice from the kraut will combine with the soup and thin the sauce a little bit. .  You can put in more or less condensed soup, depending on how "saucy" you want the casserole.  I like more sauce, my husband likes it more on the dry side. Add sliced mushrooms (fresh or canned) and diced onions if you like.  You don't have to do this, but I like to saute my onions before adding them in. Mix it up and put it in a baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 350 for about 30 minutes and check to see if it's done.  If it's not bubbly and a bit browned on top, bake an additional 10-15 min. Give it a try! Don't be afraid to experiment and change it up.  It comes out fine when made in large or small quantities.  It's a very forgiving recipe.

Basic ingredients:

sauerkraut
cream of mushroom soup
sliced fresh mushrooms (optional)
diced fresh onion (optional)
Combine and put in baking pan
Bake uncovered at 350 for about 30 min.  Bake additional 10-15 min if needed till bubbly and browned on top.

So, the title implies a "sad" topic and in some ways, it is. Fortunately, this is not going to focus on what you might think. ("death")  This is more about life, growing up, things changing and letting go of what was. 

We've lived in this house for 24 years.  I guess I am pretty fortunate to have been able to stay in one home that long. Given the lifestyles of people these days, they move quite often out of necessity or choice.  This is only my second home since getting married.  We moved here when our two children were 2 years old and 4 months old. This is the childhood home for my children, and the only home where all their memories and experiences of growing up are connected.

After we moved here, we worked on home improvements and did a major redo of the outside landscaping.  We added many shrubs, plants and trees over the years. Some did not do well and are gone, but for the most part, many have matured and grown up to be fine specimens.  One of the largest plantings is the fine old ash tree we planted in front of our house shortly after moving in.

Nothing stays the same.  That tree grew quickly, spreading its dense branches and foliage into a protective canopy.  It shaded and cooled our home in the hot summers and provided a cool place to sit for our family and our pets.  The canopy grew to be so dense, it even kept rain from falling on our little dogs when they went out to do their business.  It had to be a very hard rain before it would penetrate the leaves and fall onto the ground below.  Squirrels and birds took advantage of the protective environment to build their nests and raise their young.

Nothing stays the same.  As the ash tree grew tall, so did our children!  Our front yard and dead end street was "the" place to be for all the neighborhood kids.  They rode their bikes, played ball and street hockey and did all the things groups of little friends do. In the fall, piles of leaves were inviting to jump in.  Over time, every one of those children grew up to be young adults who have finished school, started jobs and are now finding their way in life.   Some have even married.

Nothing stays the same.  That ash tree stood tall and majestic though those years until a tiny insect called an Emerald Ash Borer made its appearance.  A glossy green insect with beauty that belied its threat, marched across the United States leaving devastation in its wake. They devoured ash trees throughout the country, leaving only skeletal remains of its victims standing in forests and cities.  Their attacks were slow and often unseen, with damage happening under the bark.  It eventually caused the trees to die a slow death.  They choked, starting at the top, and moving to the roots.  Scientists labored to find a treatment and  eventually discovered one that could stop the carnage.  But it was much too late for many of the trees. We have 3 ash trees on our property. The front yard tree the biggest one.  When the treatment became available, we immediately started treating our trees. We thought we had successfully weathered the assault on the area trees as ours continued to do well season after season when others around us died.  Over time, our 3 trees were part of only a few surviving trees in the area.  We breathed a sigh of relief and kept caring for them.

Nothing stays the same.  Last spring, we had multiple freezes that killed the tender spring growth on plants.  That majestic ash tree leafed out 3 times, determined to survive.  We worried, "can the tree handle it?"  It did. However, the demand on its resources resulted in a thinner but adequate canopy. We had another summer to enjoy the beauty and shade. 

Nothing stays the same.  Enter the winter from hell.  Terrible cold and snow, the likes we haven't seen in our lifetimes.  That winter took a terrible toll on many plants.  Come spring, the extent of the damage became clear to many homeowners as many plants died or suffered significant damage from the brutal temperatures.  Our ash tree struggled in the spring, and showed signs of problems. There were dead branches and the canopy was sparse and leaves were small.  Stressed trees don't handle invaders well, and apparently ash borers took advantage of that weakness and did their dirty work last year and into this spring.

Nothing stays the same.  A tree specialist came out to examine "our patient".  He thought "maybe" we could help it, but the tree is pretty "sick".  It was a difficult thing to hear.  Sadly, we've decided to "let go" and we have made the decision to take the tree down.  It's just a tree, I know, but it has ties to our lives and is part of our home.  We chose it, planted it, fed, pruned and nurtured it. We fought hard to keep it healthy and safe.  We briefly won the battle, but ultimately the ash borer and unusual weather circumstances will bring it to its end.  It's hard to let go of something that you have cared for so intensely and have enjoyed for so many years.

Nothing stays the same. In coming to terms with this pending loss, I couldn't help but look at the bigger picture. I see so many similarities between our children and our tree.  Our children grew tall, like the tree.  They are a significant part of our lives and tied to our memories of our home.  As our children grew, they expanded their interests and abilities, their experiences and their journeys, much like a tree grows and build its dense canopy of branches and leaves.  We worked hard to keep them healthy, to keep them safe, and to keep them strong.  We nurtured the good and pruned away the negative.  Our children grew to be healthy, strong, and sturdy young people.  Our children have matured as our tree has matured.  Yet, the time has come to "let go" of our tree and in some ways, it's time to "let go" of our children too.  Now that they have reached adulthood, it's time to let them go (from our care) so they can move on to live their own lives.  Unlike our tree though, which will be gone for good, our children will continue to be part of our lives.  They are just not necessarily going to be in our home and dependent on us for care.   They are transplanting themselves in their own yard of life.

Nothing stays the same.

Offering a recipe today!  This is a favorite with my family.  I am also "required" to bring it to pot luck gatherings.  Once people try it, they look forward to having it again. 

We like it because the potatoes are prepped into chunks vs. mashed.  The colors are amazing with the added cranberries, a perfect holiday dish.  The brown sugar pecan crunch along with the orange juice give it some added sweetness along with the crunch from the pecans.  We like it because it's not too sweet. 

It's not very hard to make.  I use as much organic ingredients as possible.  In particular, I like to buy garnet sweet potatoes which have a darker orange flesh, but using ordinary sweet potatoes is just fine.  The only change to the recipe is that I leave out the ginger (personal preference). Hope you enjoy it!

http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Salads-Sides/Roasted-Sweet-Potatoes-with-Cinnamon-Pecan-Crunch

Yesterday I wrote about the topics of hoarding, collecting and minimalist living. 

Today's thoughts are about the changes happening with different generations and their views about family heirlooms and inheritance of the personal items of ancestors.. Many people (including me) think that hanging on to cherished items, some rather old and passed down through generations will be appreciated and desired by our children.  However, that type of thinking seems to be changing with younger people. More young people now view our treasured collections and memorabilia as outdated, a burden, or not desirable to receive or keep. 

Ouch! That really hurts. What's really important to us does not necessarily transfer over to the next generation's lifestyle.  The New York Times article with link listed below states: "A meaningful legacy is one that matters both to giver and to taker."  That's definitely something to keep in mind.

I do have to admit that my thoughts about some family possessions have also "changed" a bit compared to my parents. So I kind of "get it", when it comes to feelings of detachment from family possessions.  My dad proudly wanted to pass along my mom's Persian lamb coat for me to wear.  (Uh, not something I really desired). I passed on the offering.  It ended up going to their grandson's wife.  Prior to that, my mom gave me her very expensive (when they bought it), mink stole.  (Again, not something I really desired).  I took it though, and hung on to it to make her happy and to be able to show it to her if she asked.  Ironically, mom never really loved those furs, but dad was insistent about buying them for her.  I think it was more about him than her.  Wearing furs back then was a sign of "making it" in life.  I still have it, but not for long, I hope.  The "mink coat" article links appearing below offer an interesting look at the dilemma of the "inherited mink coat".

I've noticed this "change" over time as estate sales seem to have more sentimental and personal items, some very personal,  for sale.  I am surprised to see very personal and irreplaceable items like ancestors photographs, photo albums, scrapbooks, family bibles, military medals and uniforms offered at estate sales.  There's also usable and nice looking furniture, household items, collectables, vintage or antique items, all priced, displayed and ready to sell.  I've seen the same on Craigs List.  It's not just moving sales you see listed, but children selling their parent's or grandparent's stuff because they just don't want it.  As an article in the Star Tribune stated "Scattered families, warp-speed lifestyles and changing tastes have resulted in a growing inventory of orphaned heirlooms - from fine china and formal furniture to old photos and love letters."

The article goes on to say that children and grandchildren don't place the same value on inherited and heirloom possessions.  One reason claimed is that people have changed and now value time and experiences more than objects.  A lifestyle of mobility makes inheriting "stuff" a burden.  I can't help but wonder if they will regret that thinking when they are seniors themselves, and thinking about passing on their things.  Once items from the family legacy are gone, they cannot be retrieved.

As a result, as more collections and possessions are entering the market to be sold, the supply is surpassing demand and monetary value of items are dropping.  Some things aren't even desirable when free.  Big, formal, heavy furniture is less desirable.  Older but serviceable pianos are hard to sell, and lately, I have seen them being given away and/or scrapped!  Some are very beautiful antique and vintage pianos with carvings and unusual wood grains. 

Below are links to stories about the change in lifestyle of generations and what families are facing when trying to deal with the inherited "stuff".  I know that personally, we are in the process of decluttering and minimalizing.  I'm taking a hard look at some of the family heirlooms and sentimental items and trying to make decisions. That includes some of the "stuff" from my parents that made it's way into my house after dissolving their estate.  Some pieces are special to me, but will my kids want them?   I really don't know.  Maybe I'll just let it be and let the kids can sort it out when I'm gone.  At least then I won't know about what happens!

Articles about changes in how generations view heirlooms:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-11-25/business/ct-met-stuffkeepers-20121125_1_boomers-heirlooms-generation/2

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/203862871.html

http://online.wsj.com/articles/why-the-market-for-heirloom-and-secondhand-furniture-has-disappeared-1404256129

Here's some great articles about family legacy and the "inherited mink coat".....

http://betterafter50.com/2013/12/my-moms-fur-coat/

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/booming/my-mothers-mink.html?_r=0

I recently wrote about the rise of thrift stores and the popularity of re-purposing and being "green".  It seemed like a good time to also talk about minimalism, collecting and hoarding behaviors in people.

Cable shows about hoarders are popular and offer an informative and sometimes shocking look at how serious a problem hoarding can be.  Serious hoarding disorder is a debilitating and even life threatening problem rooted in a psychological disorder. The show offers insight into the extreme end of this behavior and the difficulties it causes to the people whose life it touches.  Being a "continuum of behavior" there are also less extreme and even functional manifestations of these behaviors including collectors and at the other end of the continuum, minimalists.

I think many of us are functional "collectors".  That's the type of person that is a "saver".  They like to keep things "in case they might need or could use it later", or "it's too good to get rid of", or they feel "sentimental about things" or just like "having it".  Collecting is not necessarily a bad thing, unless it starts to get out of control and causes problems with daily life. 

Personally, I know that we are collectors, for all of the reasons I've just listed.  In addition, my parents passed away, and as part of closing out their estate, some of their "stuff" found it's way into my house. With both of us working, we just never took the time to seriously "thin" the collection.  It always fell to the bottom of the "to do" list.  We just went about our busy lives.  We've lived in the same house for 24 years.  Things just naturally "accumulated"!

Now that both of us are retired, we've been taking the time to seriously look at our "stuff" and get rid of things. I like to employ the "keep, donate, sell or trash" mantra.  My brother and I did that when dealing with our parents' estate.  Once done with that, I started going through my own closets and storage boxes.  Doing that helps you find out what you actually have, maybe locate something that was misplaced or forgotten about and also gives you an opportunity to eliminate things from your household.  It was hard to do at first, but I've kept at it and have successfully started to declutter our lives. 

One practice I've employed is this:  If I'm not sure what to do with something, I keep it to "think" about it.  I go through our "collection" annually and have slowly removed unneeded items each year.  I like to think of things needing to "earn" their right to take up space.  If it's functional, truly useful or irreplaceable/sentimental, it can stay.  If something has passed though my hands more than once or twice and has not "earned its space",  it's probably time to let go of it because we really don't need it.  It's very liberating to let go of "stuff" and simplify your life.

The last steps of decluttering your life is to stop adding things with unnecessary buying and organize what is left.  A place for everything and everything in it's place.  Having a cleaner, less cluttered and organized environment is very gratifying and helps you to maintain the hard work you have done.

One last thought.  I recently read about changes in lifestyle of the younger generation vs. older generation.  What is meaningful to the older generation (with thoughts of passing it along to the kids) is not necessarily important or desired by younger people.  Many younger people have different priorities, are more mobile and tend to value "new" things vs "old" things.  As a result, treasured or sentimental "stuff" left by the parents ends up in estate sales, trash or is donated.  What has amazed me personally, is family heirlooms (like family bibles and significant memorabilia) along with family military items and even photographs of ancestors being sold at estate sales.  Sadly, the younger generation is not necessarily interested in great grandma's wedding photos, or grandpa's military uniform or medals.  Different generation and different type of thinking.

Below are some links about hoarding and collecting you might be interested in reading.  The information might be helpful to you or for someone you know.  There are also  great tips for organizing and decluttering.

I've been a "cat" person all my life. I always had rescued kitties to love, but never a dog.  I became a dog person later in life when about 10 years ago I unexpectedly adopted/rescued two toy breed dogs.  I didn't know much about caring for dogs, so I had alot to learn, and had to learn it fast! 

One of those dogs developed a chronic illness late in her life and passed away when she was 12 years old.  We are definitely dog people now!  Nine months ago, we rescued another toy pup that has special needs.

All 3 of our dogs have exhibited some scary behavior that had me sure they could not breathe.  What was actually happening is something called a "reverse sneeze".  Usually, it's not a serious condition, though it sure looks like it.  My dogs have episodes of honking and act like they can't get air.  It doesn't last very long and sometimes I'm successful interrupting it.  It usually happens when my dogs get extremely excited.

I recently read these internet articles.  They talk about reverse sneezing. The second link has a great video that shows what it looks like. If you have dogs you might want to take a look to see what it looks like.  It is always recommended that you talk with your pet's vet regarding any unusual behaviors or concerns.  Usually reverse sneezing is not a problem, but your pet's vet will be able to determine if a more serious condition is causing it to happen.

I make homemade dog biscuits and my pets (including the cat) love them.  That recipe is listed in one of my previous articles about making homemade dog biscuits. 

I recently ran across these recipes for making cat treats.  I haven't made them myself, because my cat already loves the dog biscuits I make.  But if she didn't, I would certainly give these a try.  They are cheaper than buying commercially made treats and safer because you know exactly what is in them.  You can even make them with organic ingredients.

Take a look at the links below for recipes.  If you make them, please reply to this blog post, and let us know how they turned out!

http://www.petplace.com/article-printer-friendly.aspx?id=2919

http://www.petsadviser.com/pet-health/diy-cat-treat-recipes/

Sharing a recipe today.  This loaf tastes delicious and looks very pretty.  I've prepared it as it is written, but feel free to change up the herbs, using whatever you happen to like.  I've added onion and garlic powder.  Chopped chives would also work.  I also use organic ingredients whenever possible.  I used the dough cycle on my bread machine to make the dough.  Making a braided bread is not that hard and makes an impressive looking product.

Here's the recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/garden-herb-loaf/