Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Misspellings and Accents




ANNOUNCEMENT

Now that I have retired from Library work, retirement will take me in new directions. I will finally once again be able to be more involved in my personal journey in genealogy as well as many other interests.

As a result, beginning May 1st, I will only be posting on the blog, once or twice a week and will no longer continue with recipes. I hope you have enjoyed the recipes we've posted and even ventured out to try a few. I have! :-)


Genealogy tip for the day: Tricks of the Trade
I attended the genealogy society Monday night and was glad to see there were some folks there I actually know. The lady that spoke talked about tricks of the trade, and surprisingly - many of the things she mentioned, I have already shared with you on my blog! So I guess I'm right on track!

We've talked about misspellings. One point that was made was that folks from different part of the country, or the world for that matter, have definite accents. As a result, names can be misspelled. Boyce may sound like Bice, or Boss, maybe even Bose.

Another tip - letters can look very similar. S and L in cursive are easily confused. b's, d's, and p's can be misinterpreted. Unconnected loops can give a false reading. I'm sure this is probably true of a lot of other letters as well.

When you're searching a particular surname, try to think about the different ways it may sound. These will give you ideas of other spellings you might try. When our speaker did that, it helped her to break down some walls.


“History is who we are; Genealogy is who I am” sg



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Today’s Recipe
April – Tomato Month


(I saw this from Pinterest - I think I'll try it, myself.)


Ingredients:
2 Tomatoes
1 1/2 oz Parmesan Cheese
1 tsp, leaves Spices,
oregano, dried
1 dash Salt
1 dash Black Pepper
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Preheat the oven to 450 F.

Directions:
Slice Tomatoes. Place them on a baking sheet. Top with shredded Parmesan, fresh oregano, salt and fresh ground pepper (season according to your taste). Drizzle with some olive oil and bake until tomatoes are tender and the cheese is melted, for about 10-15 minutes.


Apr 1st   Caprese Stacks
Apr 18th Semi Homemade Tomato Soup
Apr 30th  Parmesan Tomato Bites






ENJOY!

Now You Know!




Monday, April 28, 2014

Get Locally Involved




A N N O U N C E M E N T !!!

Now that I have retired from Library work, retirement will take me in new directions. I will finally once again be able to be more involved in my personal journey in genealogy as well as many other interests.

As a result, beginning May 1st, I will only be posting on this blog, once or twice a week and will no longer continue with recipes. I hope you have enjoyed what we've posted and even ventured out to try a few. I have! :-)





Genealogy tip for the day:  Get Locally Involved

Tonight I finally made it to the Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society's meeting. I had made the trip to our neighboring town to the northwest a week ago today, to the library there - only to find out I was given incorrect information. So I ventured out again tonight and finally connected with the right time and place.

The meeting's program was on tips in research - some of which I have already even shared with you before. But there were some new tips that I picked up that I will pass on to you.

Let me encourage you to find a local society and get involved as much as your time allows. It will help you in your own journey, put you in touch with others who can possibly help you with your 'pot holes' and show you ways to pave the road a little smother!!

"Happy Trails to you" .... as someone from another time and era used to sing.


“History is who we are; Genealogy is who I am” sg



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Today’s Recipe
April – Tomato Month



Ingredients:

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing grill
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (10-ounce) eggplant, cut crosswise into 12 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
1 (5-ounce) yellow squash, cut crosswise into 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
1 (5-ounce) zucchini, cut crosswise into 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
3/4 cup uncooked couscous
1 small red onion, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) rings
1 vine-ripened tomato, cut crosswise into 4 slices
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus additional leaves for garnish

Directions:
1. Whisk together first 6 ingredients. Reserve 1/4 of vinaigrette. Add eggplant, squash, and zucchini. Let stand 20 minutes.
2. Bring 1 cup water to a boil, and stir in couscous. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork; cover and keep warm.
3. Preheat a lightly oiled grill or grill pan over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Cook eggplant, squash, zucchini, and onion, turning, 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and tender. Cook tomatoes 30 seconds per side or until grill marks appear. Make 4 stacks, beginning with a slice of eggplant, then 1 tablespoon mozzarella. Continue stacking vegetables, ending with 1 tablespoon mozzarella. Grill stacks (or bake at 350° for 5 minutes), covered, 2 minutes or until cheese melts.
4. Stir reserved vinaigrette into couscous with chopped basil; spoon onto plates. Top with stacks. Garnish with additional basil, and serve.



Apr 1st   Caprese Stacks
Apr 18th Semi Homemade Tomato Soup
Apr 29th
Apr 30th






ENJOY!


Now You Know!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

DNA/Surname search





Genealogy tip for the day: DNA/Surname Search

I just discovered something new on my Ancestry.com DNA page. I'm sure it's been there all along. When you learn something new, it takes a while to take it all in. This is probably the case here. I am beginning to see how to navigate around all the results: new, favorites, hints/matches, etc.

Last night I was reviewing my results to see if there was anything new. In the upper right corner I found the option to search matches (by surname)! ! WOO  HOO. Yes! I can pull up only the surname matches I am interested in. So I typed in the name TRASK - the one I am most interested in, probably because that is what got me hooked on genealogy and still is unsolved beyond the 6th generation. Now I had a list of possible matches that included the name Trask. (Depending on the possible match they would include also other common surnames with each possible match.)

Click on the oval box that says 'search matches' and it will take you to a field where you can type in the surname and or location you are interested in. This greatly enhances your search through the potential list of cousins. You can zero in on just one line or surname and not have to wade through all of them. What a great time-saving feature!

If you have had your DNA done by Ancestry and don't know this little trick, look it up the next time you sign in. It saves you having to dig through all the results just to find the ones you are most interested in.


“History is who we are; Genealogy is who I am” sg



Like what you read? Let us know. We won't bother you, we just would like to know you're there. :-)





 

Today’s Recipe
April – Tomato Month





Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cored, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 10 ounce short pasta noodles such as cavatelli, penne or rigatoni
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, optional
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  •  

Preparation

1. In a bowl, toss tomatoes, olive oil, basil, oregano, garlic and salt. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 10 minutes or as package label directs. Drain pasta and place in bowl with tomatoes. Add Parmesan, if desired, and stir to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper. Serve immediately



Apr 1st   Caprese Stacks
Apr 18th Semi Homemade Tomato Soup





ENJOY!

Now You Know!




Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Gadgets





Genealogy tip for the day: Gadgets

Last Saturday I was able to attend the genealogy conference in Springdale, AR that I was telling you about. There were some very good classes to attend. One that I attended was on technology and how they are helping genealogy. The one thing that I learned about is a massive storage device called "my cloud." If you are like me I am a little leery of putting all my important, personal information and all those pictures! This is the answer to that concept. You can hide your cloud behind your couch and it won't even rain in your living room! And considering the prices of technology this one was rather reasonable, I thought. I don't want to quote a price because my memory doesn't always remember all the details, but I believe it was well under $100. Check it out!!! This may be just what you have been waiting for.


“History is who we are; Genealogy is who I am” sg

  

 


Today’s Recipe
April – Tomato Month

 Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Flatbread Pizza



Ingredients

·  1 pint grape tomatoes (2 cups)
·  1 (13 3/4-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
·  2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
·  2 naan flatbreads or lavash
·  1 tablespoon finely grated fresh Parmesan cheese
·  2 cups arugula
·  1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
·  1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
·  1/4 teaspoon salt
·  1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
 

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Toss tomatoes and artichokes with 1 teaspoon oil, and arrange in a shallow baking pan. Broil, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes or until charred and tomatoes are wilted.
3. Preheat oven to 450°. Top each flatbread with half of tomatoes and artichokes. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan; bake in bottom third of oven 10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
4. While the pizza is baking, toss the arugula with shaved Parmesan, lemon juice, remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Cut pizza into wedges, and serve with arugula alongside.
·                          Prep Time: 10 minutes
·                          Cook Time: 14 minutes
·                          Yield: Makes 4 servings (serving size: 1/2 flatbread and 1/2 cup arugula)

Nutritional Information

Calories per serving:
277
Fat per serving:
8g
Saturated fat per serving:
2g
Monounsaturated fat per serving:
2g
Polyunsaturated fat per serving:
0.0g
Protein per serving:
12g
Carbohydrates per serving:
41g
Fiber per serving:
5g
Cholesterol per serving:
6mg
Iron per serving:
3mg
Sodium per serving:
620mg
Calcium per serving:
116mg

Apr 1st   Caprese Stacks
Apr 17th Summer-Garden Gazpacho
Apr 18th Semi-Homemade Tomato Soup





ENJOY!

Now You Know!




Friday, April 18, 2014

Picaboo Books






Genealogy tip for the day: Picaboo Books

In looking at the classes for the genealogy conference tomorrow in Springdale I found something I want to share with you. Have you ever wanted to publish you family history but feel it would cost you to much?

Here is what the conference website has to say about it: "There is nothing more exciting than finding the name of that long lost relative or even digging up a photo of an ancestor whose face you have never seen. Once you have found all of this great information and compiled the inspiring stories of their lives, you will want to share it with others.
"Publishing a compilation of genealogical data or a life story can be daunting. Learning to use complicated publishing software takes valuable time and once it is done the cost of the book can be prohibitive.
"Picaboo has been helping people get their photos into printed hardbound books for decades and with the newly launched Yearbook division, it is the perfect fit for someone who wants to combine photos and stories in a simple, user friendly program. The real surprise is the cost. It's very affordable and a fraction of the cost of other On-Demand Publishers. Picaboo can print up to 200,000 books a day or just one - yours."
Their own website states you can create your own 20 page book for less than $10.00. Check it out and see what you think. I think I will...



“History is who we are; Genealogy is who I am” sg



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Today’s Recipe
April – Tomato Month
Semi-homemade Tomato Soup




Do you want to have that homemade taste without as much work? Here's an easy recipe for tomato soup that tastes homemade.

2 cans of tomato soup
2 cans full of milk
1 cup of cherry tomatoes, blended
sprinkle of basil
season to taste

Take 1 cup (more or less) of cherry tomatoes and put in your blender. Blend until they are at least cut into little pieces with a lot of juice.

Open tomato soup cans and empty into large pan; fill soup cans with milk - use milk to rinse out cans of clinging soup, empty into large pan. Put on medium eat and stir frequently. When it starts to boil turn down to low, add basil, salt and pepper to taste. 

Finish off your meal with a stack of toasted cheese sandwiches. Voila! a quick and easy supper with a touch of homemade taste.

Apr 1st   Caprese Stacks  
Apr 18th Semi-homemade Tomato Soup



ENJOY!

Now You Know!



Thursday, April 17, 2014

Gather Your Family





Genealogy tip for the day: Gather Your Family Conference

If you live in Northwest Arkansas, be sure and come to the annual "Gather Your Family" genealogy conference. It will be held April 19th, all day from 8:00 to 5:00 pm. The conference is held at the Springdale LDS church at 6731 Lynch Prairie Cove in Springdale, Arkansas.

Marilyn Collins will be the main speaker. Marilyn is a local author and expert on writing your family history. Collins is the author of, “You Can Write a Book about Your Family” and “Memoir Writing Guide: Brighten Your Leaf on the Family Tree” They are available in both e-book and print format from CHS Publishing.

For more information on the event please visit: Gather Your Family. Here you can register, get directions, see what workshops are being offered and the schedule for the day. There is no cost. You will need to provide your own lunch. This is open to anyone interested in genealogy and will not be used as a means of proselytizing. Come see what you can learn.



“History is who we are; Genealogy is who I am” sg



Like what you read? Let us know.






 

Today’s Recipe
April – Tomato Month

·                                 Perp Time: 20 minutes
·                                 Cook Time:
·                                 Total Time: 30 minutes
·                                 Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Ingredients

  • 4 cups tomato juice (such as Campbell's Organic Tomato Juice)
  • 2 cups chopped seeded tomato
  • 1 3/4 cups chopped seeded unpeeled cucumber
  • 1 cup finely chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients except basil in a large bowl; cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours before serving.
2. Ladle the gazpacho into soup bowls; top with basil.



Apr 1st   Caprese Stacks




ENJOY!

Now You Know!


  

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Blood Moon






Genealogy tip for the day: Blood Moon

Did you get to see the lunar eclipse on Monday night/Tuesday morning? What an unusual astronomical event that was!!! I hope you not only got to see it, but in someway able to document it. Your future generations would love to know what you thought of the event or if you even got to see it.

Did you ever stop to think that your ancestors also may have witnessed special events like this in their life time?  I know my father was a very young boy when Haley's comet came though - 'time before last.'  He said what he remembered about it was all the family members and friends talking about it. He was quite young and doesn't remember seeing it.

It's these types of things that can enhance your story about your ancestors that make reading about them just that much more interesting. What have some of your ancestors seen?


“History is who we are; Genealogy is who I am” sg



Like what you read? Let us know.



 

 

Today’s Recipe
April – Tomato Month
·                                 Perp Time: 5 minutes
·                                 Cook Time: 15 minutes
·                                 Total Time: 20 minutes
·                                 Yield: Makes 4 servings (1 serving: about 2 cups)  

Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound whole wheat pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 1 ounce grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (8-ounce) container grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
  •  

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot and crushed red pepper; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 1–2 minutes or until translucent. Add spinach and broth; cover and cook for 1 minute. Add half-and-half, 3⁄4 of the cheese, and the black pepper. Stir to combine; cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Add tomatoes and the cooked pasta; toss. Garnish with parsley and remaining cheese. Serve.

Apr 1st   Caprese Stacks




ENJOY!

 Now You Know!