WBIR Emily Stroud Comes for a Visit

It isn't everyday one gets to be interviewed for the local news, so it was with much excitement this morning when WBIR News 10's van came to Our Southern Home and Garden. Emily Stroud and cameraman Jim Martin were here to interview Mike for a segment on WBIR's Live at Five at Four Show. My husband creates cabins from matchsticks and has recreated most of the cabins, churches and buildings around the loop in Cades Cove. For Mike and I the anticipation was that of a child on Christmas Eve awaiting a visit from St. Nick.

Mike, who is very shy , was immediately put to ease by Emily and in no time he was telling her about his matchstick hobby and the reason for her visit , his Cades Cove Matchstick cabins.

How to Fix a Noisy Air Conditioner/ DIY Tuesday

Noisy window air conditioners can be very annoying especially if the unit is in a bedroom. Noises can easily be isolated and repaired by the home owner in most cases. There are a few problems that would require a qualified service technician, but for the most part the following are the most common problems causing a noisy window air conditioner.

Problem 1. Make sure the air conditioner is secure to hold down on unnecessary noise. The window unit should be attached to the window with screws or tape. Most window air conditioners do have places to attach them with screws, securing them to the window frame. This will hold down on vibrations from the unit. Another place the air conditioner might create noise would be the window glass. This would happen if the glass is loose. If this is the case tape or re glaze the glass to the frame to keep it from vibrating. Problem 2.Check the front cover to ensure it is snug and not loose. The front cover can be noisy if not put on correctly. If the prongs are broken and the front cover will not fit snugly one can use tape once again, to quiet it down.

Problem 3.The air filter when dirty can cause a restriction in the system which can cause the unit to freeze. This in turn can cause melting water to hit the fan and can become quite disturbing. Keep the filter changed on a regular basis to keep this from happening. This can happen too if the drain is stopped up. The solution for this is to unstop the drain or drains in the air unit with a pipe cleaner. Problem 4. Check the fan that is located inside the air unit. Simply take the cover off and turn the fan by hand. The fan should spin freely and unobstructed. Air conditioner fans attract all kinds of debris. General maintenance for the fan check and clean it once a year before starting the unit. Keep logs when cleaning and replacing any parts learning the basics on ones air conditioner will save money as well as time on unnecessary service calls. Problem 5.Noise coming from water or rain hitting the top of the unit. Home Depot among other hardware stores sell a noise reducing mat that sits ontop of the window unit to stop the sound of water dripping.

Learning the basics of air conditioners is important and can save one money on unnecessary service calls. Common sense will reign most of the time when repairing any air unit. That is how we stop noisy window air conditioners , Around Our Southern Home and Garden.

Sunday Morning Prayer

I have said this prayer every day since I was a child. Morning Prayer My God I offer you this day Everything I shall think or do or say, United with what was done, On earth by Jesus Christ thy son. Amen

Dessert Trends

Desserts. We love them. As children we were bribed to finish everything on our plates with the threat of ,' no dessert' , if we didn't. Many a pea or Brussel sprout gave its life so a child could have jello or chocolate pudding for dessert. Desserts have come a long way since then. Trends come and go. Mini desserts are becoming more and more popular. Sometimes we are counting calories, other times we just want a little taste of something sweet. Enter the mini desserts.

These little bite size wonders have become so popular that is hard to find a chain restaurant that doesn't have them on the menu. No longer do we have to choose between , cheesecake, key lime pie, hot fudge cake or strawberry shortcake. We can have bite sizes servings of all our favorites and not feel guilty. At the other end of the dessert spectrum are the giant desserts.

I was in Springfield, MO, with a group of friends. One of my friends didn't care for her entrée so she ordered the chocolate, brownie, cookie, fudge, something or other for dessert. Much to her embarrassment four waiters loudly announced her choice as they carried her Giant dessert through the dining room to our table. They attracted so much attention that the other diners came over to out table to see who had ordered the dessert monstrosity. It was too funny for the rest of us, but my poor friend couldn't eat a bite. Howevere, giant desserts are fun to share with the family or close friends.

Cupcakes. I think the cupcake trend , while still popular, may have reached its peak. Cupcakes are perfect for singles or couples or when doesn't want an entire cake but still wants that warm, fuzzy feeling we remember getting from Mom's homemade cupcakes. I love the cupcake shops that sell nothing but cupcakes in an array of flavors. Cupcakes fall into the category of Nostalgia Desserts, including warm chocolate chip cookies, homemade apple pie, bread pudding and Red Velvet Cake.

These desserts bring back memories to Mom and Granny , home and love. Often these desserts might have a new twist but more often than not they are the chef's traditional family recipe. Is there a restaurant in America that doesn't offer ice cream? From fast food chains to fancy sit-down's ice cream is the number one favorite. We love ice cream and as ethic restaurants began opening the owners soon came to the realization the easiest way to satisfy our need for a sweet ending was to offer ice cream. Now we have Mango Ice Cream in Indian Restaurants, Green Tea in Japanese and Red Bean in Chinese.

Today , Around Our Southern Home and Garden' wi we will pull out the hand crank ice cream machine to make homemade peach ice cream. Yum ! Yum !!

Six Signs of a Failing Fuel Pump Friday/ Automobile

How do you know if the fuel pump on the vehicle you are driving is going bad? What are some of the classic symptoms of a failing electric fuel pump? Here are six symptoms that will help determine if a fuel pump is failing. #1. Intermittent operation, especially when the engine is hot. If the vehicle starts fine but after a few miles of driving begins to sputter, then the fuel pump could be going bad. This may only occur when the engine is hot, so let the engine idle for at least twenty minutes before checking this particular problem.

2. A screeching sound when the engine is engaged is another symptom. This sound could vary depending on the vehicle but the sound will be annoying. The sound will just happen when the engine is first engaged and then disappear. 3. A slow or no starting vehicle is another early warning sign of a bad fuel pump. If one's vehicle starts slow or will not start at all and you know that the starter and battery

are good, then the next logical part could be the fuel pump. Starting and acceleration of one's vehicle depends heavily on the amount of fuel that is being supplied. 4. Engine misfire at highway speeds which cause the vehicle to have problems for a couple of miles. Hesitant or sluggish accelerations is one of the signs that the vehicle is either out of gas or that the fuel pump is failing. 5. Engine loses power when climbing hills or pulling a trailer. This too can be a sign of a failing fuel pump as the extra power needed comes from the gas that is supplied to the engine.

6. While someone is turning the ignition key have someone else listen to the gas tank for the pump motor to engage. This is one way to determine if the fuel pump is operational or not. The fuel pump will sound like the whirling of an electric motor if it is engaged properly. While each of these are symptoms of a failing fuel pump they can also be symptoms of any other part of the fuel system assembly. Remember the fuel system depends on the pump, filters, fuel injectors, spark plugs and so on.

Doing any job yourself is good but when in doubt always have your vehicle double checked by a certified mechanic preferably one who you know is honest. This is how we care for our car ,' Around Our Southern Home and Garden'.

Crafting Jewelry with Seashells Thursday/ Crafts

I don't know of anyone who visits the ocean that doesn't pick up at least one seashell. The problem is for many of us we bring them home, put them on a shelf or inside a drawer and forget about them. This is a shame because there are so many wonderful crafts one can make out of seashells.

I have used seashells to decorate picture frames, mirrors, boxes and candles but jewelry is my favorite thing to do with my treasures from the beach. Shells are a gift from nature and as such are beautiful simply threaded onto a cord or chain.

Many times I have found shells with tiny holes already drilled by a tiny inscet. One has only to wash the shell to make sure any tiny bugs or sea creatures are no longer living inside the shell and slip the shell onto the cord or chain. This single shell necklace works best using a medium, large or unusual shell. If a shell is found without a hole, drill a hole using a 1/16" drill bit using an electric drill. I have even made holes by hand using a very thin, sharp nail and twisting the nail until it cut a hole in the shell. Sometimes the shell won't hang the way it should. In that case hang the shell onto a hoop ring , available from the jewelry section of the craft store, and place the ring onto the necklace cord or chain. Earrings are made with findings from the jewelry department of the craft store. Slip the shell onto fish hook style findings for dangling earrings or glue the shell onto post type earring with super glue.

A good way to display tiny shells is in a cluster. Just slip the tiny shells onto a larger size ring or string small shells onto a thin cord as one would string pearls. My favorite way to display shells is on a chain formed with fishing swivels. These can be found anywhere fishing supplies are sold.

They come in colors of silver, gold and black. Link the swivels together to form a chain the desired length. Attach the shells to the chain using a jump ring ( craft store) and you will have a one of a kind necklace that is a real conversation piece and cost almost nothing to make. A trip to the ocean is just what we need this weekend ,' Around Our Southern Home and Garden'.

Planting Herb Seeds in the Fall Wenesday/ Garden

Herbs hang from the rafters on the side porch, while others are dried and stored in glass jars or in the freezer. Herbal vinegars are mellowing still jelly and herbal wreaths have to be made. As the days become shorter and the nights a little cooler, it's time to think about the fall garden. Now is the time to plant seeds of basil, chervil, coriander, dill, summer savory, sage, thyme,marjoram,chives and parsley for indoor use.

While dill and coriander /cilantro reach heights of two or more feet outdoors, indoors they grow smaller and can be successfully harvested. Outdoors there is still time to make a planting or two of chervil, coriander, dill and fennel. Fall is also the best time to plant garlic bulbs. Chervil should be planted in filtered shade and rich soil. The herb also likes a lot of water. Thin the seedlings 9 to 12 inches apart. For a good supply plant every two weeks. Chervil is most flavorful during cool weather, just before flowering. Seedlings can be transplanted just before frost and placed inside a cold frame for use throughout the winter. In the spring, remove the cover and the plant will grow to two feet and burst into bloom.

Coriander seeds, which produce cilantro or Chinese parsley, should also be sown every two weeks until frost. Harvest the young leaves when the plant reaches six inches tall. Pick only the top two to three inches to ensure new growth.

Dill and fennel should be planted directly into the ground, preferring rich, well drained soil and full sun. Thin the plants to 12 to 18 inches apart and keep the plants well watered. Harvest the young leaves the same as cilantro. If fall plantings of chervil, dill, fennel and coriander go to seed , and left alone through the winter, you may be treated to a new crop of seedlings in the spring.

Cool weather is necessary for Florence fennel ( finocchio) to form a bulb. How soon cool weather arrives will determine the size of the bulb. Very cold weather stop's the bulb's growth. Still there is time to enjoy the leaves of both sweet finocchio and sweet fennel. Plant perennial seeds in rows in the garden with identifying markers including; lady's bedstraw, salad burnet, catnip, hyssop, lovage, sweet cicely , sweet flag and sweet woodruff.

I have also planted lavender seeds in the fall, covering with a light layer of leaves or pine needles. Leave this area undisturbed until may or June, and then gently brush away the covering to find a small forest of lavender seedlings. Transplant to an area where they can continue to grow to size. Today this is what we are doing 'Around Our Southern Home and Garden. '

How to Make Fruit Leather- Tuesday / DIY

Today we live in a world where we can obtain almost any fruit from around the world in almost any season. While there is a movement underway to eat what is in season and what is grown locally even the most health conscious person will give in occasionally and sneak a strawberry or other fruit out of season.

Imagine what it was like in earlier times, without refrigeration or modern transportation. People were forced to grow what they ate. People like ants were forced to " put food away " for winter or risk starvation. My grandparents were part of the waste not want not generation. They grew up poor. Papaw's garden included everything from apple trees to zucchini and everything in-between. Memaw canned and dried everything he grew and come fall the pantry shelves were filled with jars of fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies , pickles and relishes.

By the time I came along and was old enough to notice the garden had started to shrink. Instead of canning and drying food, Memaw started to stock the freezer. Since the two of them were the only ones living at home there was no longer the need for bulging pantry shelves. Memaw however did continue to can her famous strawberry jam. Papaw wouldn't eat any other jam. " That stuff they sell in the store might be red", he would say, " but it sure 'nough don't taste like strawberries". The other thing Memaw made up unti the year she passed away was fruit leather. As far back as I can remember , every time

I would go to visit , she would wonder down the cellar steps and bring up a jar of " leather" as she called it. As kids all the grandchildren would line up to receive our fruit candy and when her grandsons went off to join the Army the first package they received from home had rolls of Memaw's leather tucked inside. As an adult I had to smile and think of her the first time I saw a commercial for Fruit Roll Ups. Memaw would have slapped her knee and let out a holler seeing her fruit leather commercialized and being sold on television. So now in memory of Memaw I make fruit leather and when the grandkids visit , I go to the pantry and pull out my jar of leather, even though to them it is Fruit Roll Ups. Here is how to preserve your summer fruit and turn it into beautiful , healthy fruit leather. Start with ripe fruit in season. My favorite is apple , but cherries, strawberries, blueberries or almost any fruit will do. Wash and finely chop the fruit. Combine 4 Cups chopped fruit with 1/2 Cup water in a heavy saucepan. Simmer on low 15 to 20 minutes. Mash the fruit and add 1/4 cup lemon juice and enough sugar to sweeten to your taste. Simmer on low, stirring until thick about 10 to 15 minutes longer. Puree fruit using a stick blender, food processor or food mill.

Line baking sheets with clear plastic wrap or with Spread a thin layer of pulp onto the lined pans. Place in a 140 degree oven or a food dehydrator.silpat sheets.

Allow the pulp to dry until it turns to leather. Allow the leather to cool completely. Roll up in wax paper and place in the freezer inside a freezer bag or store inside a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. The leather can be cut into fun shapes using a cookie cutter or sharp knife.

Fruit leather is a nod to my childhood and a healthy tradition passed on to our next generation. That is what we are doing today, ' Around Our Country Home and Garden'.

Monday- Food/ Grape Pie

It is grape harvest time 'Around Our Southern Home and Garden'. Muscadines and Scuppernongs are a Southern favorite grape used to make jelly, jam and wine. Known for their thick skin and large seeds, many people prefer to eat them without the skins. I don't mind eating the skins, perfect for adding fiber to the diet, to get to the sweet fruit. Scuppernongs' are muscadines, but many Southerner's refer to the bronze colored fruit as scuppernong and the purple or black fruit as muscadines.

While both varieties grow wild across the south I will purchase my Muscadines from a road side stand. However this week we did harvest our Concord grapes. Concord grapes take me back to my childhood, sitting under the grape arbor, eating grapes, swatting at the bees and spitting seeds at my brothers.

My first cookbook as a child came from the Welch's Grape Company.

I remember it had a picture of a purple cow and a recipe for a Purple Cow Milkshake made with Welch's Grape Juice and ice cream.

( I came out of the womb a foodie)Proper pruning in the spring, feeding last fall, a net and aluminum pie tins hanging over the vines to keep away the birds and squirrels all came together to provide a great harvest. Yesterday I made a grape tart. I wanted to make a grape pie but didn't have any Crisco so I pulled out my frozen phyllo dough and turned my pie filling into tart filling. I first came across Grape Pies while traveling from West Plains, Mo to St. Louis. During grape season St. James, MO is dotted with stands selling grapes and grape pies. I found the taste similar to blueberry pie.

Grape pie is a little more trouble than blueberry but worth the time and a nice change and surprise pie to serve your guest. Grape Pie 2 -9" pie rounds, 5 Cups Grapes ( I used Concord) , 1 1/4 Cups sugar, 1/4 Cup flour. Wash grapes. Remove skins and place pulp into a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until they come to a boil. Remove from heat and press pulp through a food mill or strainer to remove the seeds. Chop the skins. Combine pulp, chopped skins , sugar and flour together. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Top with second unbaked crust. Cut slits into top crust. Bake in 400 degree oven 30-40 minutes until the crust is light brown. Cool before serving. ( Place a cookie sheet under the pie as the filling will bubble over ) Grape Pie ( Tart) is what we will be having, ' Around Our Southern Home and Garden', today.

Thursday - Crafts / How to Make Stain from Black Walnuts

Black walnut trees are a wonderful addition to ones property. Not only do black walnut tree provide nuts for cakes and muffins , but black walnuts can be turned into a warm rich stain.

Black walnut trees can be found growing wild across the U.S. in states outlined in the map. In Missouri it is a cottage industry in the Ozark Mountains with locals harvesting the nuts to sell to companies that set up locations during Black Walnut Harvest season.

I love using black walnut stain to color reed when making baskets, on hard-shell gourds and for staining furniture. To make black walnut stain, fill a five gallon bucket with boiling water half full. Let it sit for sixty days. This will make 1 1/2 gallons of stain when finished. Next gather 40 - 50 black walnuts off of the ground. The more walnuts added to the mix the darker the stain. The amount given ( 40 - 50 nuts ) will make a light to medium stain. A good pair of gloves will protect ones hands from being stained while working with the black walnuts. Next take a hammer and open up each nut ensuring the inside is visible. This will make it easier for the water to absorb the tanning from the nuts. Use the entire nut both the outside hull and the inside nut. ( My son runs over the nuts with his truck. )Add twenty pennies to the water. This will help stabilize the stain once it is complete. Add walnuts to the water and stir with a stick. Move the bucket to a remote location in the basement or garage, somewhere will it will not freeze. Cover the bucket and check the color after sixty days with a piece of wood dipped into the stain. If the color is satisfactory , bottle in glass jars until ready to use.

If a dark color is desired allow the stain to set up checking after 7 day intervals. This stain will be natural and can add primitive beauty to any wood base project around the home. Do It Yourself projects are always the best and making ones own stain will give your project even more satisfaction. That's how we make black walnut stain, ' Around Our Southern Home and Garden'.