This years' favorite gadget purchase is a tie! It was a close race between a few contenders, but the Kebtek Cordless Pruning Shear lands in the top two gadgets purchased this year.
Which begs the question as to what product did the Electric Pruning Shear tie with ? The Cordless Leaf Blower which is another household favorite with the split vote of which product wins best purchase of the year.
Power
I found the shears very powerful. Powerful enough to cut through medium size tree branches with ease. The small size of the shears hide the amount of power generated.
Operation
One safety feature is the shears do not cut continuously without pushing the button to engage. So if a branch needs four cuts that would be four times the button must be pushed; mentioning for those with tender hands.
Charging
One of the best features of the Kebtek Pruning Shear is the inclusion of two batteries and the very smartly designed charging unit. The convenience of having two batteries charged and ready to go really makes this unit a stand out. Competitors charge additional for a second battery. The batteries are 2ah rechargeable lithium.
Storage Case
A hard sided plastic storage case comes with shears for easy storage. The case has a handle for carrying and is slim so can quickly be stored in narrow spaces.
Gift Idea
This is definitely on the list for the gift a homeowner didn't know they needed! But will love the gift and appreciate your kindness to make their gardening and DIY lawn maintenance so much easier and maybe more enjoyable too!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Lately, I've been tripping over Carl Jung videos—or more accurately, the algorithms on my social media seem determined to hand them to me.
At first, I would scroll past quickly, recognizing the name but not feeling any real connection to it. Then one day, something made me pause. I watched one short, then another, and before I knew it, I was engulfed in the powerful narrative-style video presentations. Snippets of his writings, reflections, and interpretations—layered with voiceovers that somehow went straight to the center of me.
It felt less like stumbling onto something new and more like something familiar tapping me softly on the shoulder. Something I was meant to hear now, at this time in my life.
Who Was Carl Jung?
I'll be honest: I had to go look up his credentials. We all know the name, but I didn't know the years he lived or the full weight of who he was.
Carl Jung (1875–1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology. His work reached far beyond traditional psychology, exploring dreams, symbols, mythology, spirituality, and the unconscious.
He gave us concepts like archetypes, the shadow self, synchronicity, and one of his most profound ideas: the journey of individuation. Once I started reading more about him, everything I'd been watching began to connect in a way that felt eerily personal.
Individuation: The Message That Stopped Me Cold
Of all the Jung videos I've watched, the one that stopped me cold was about individuation.
Jung described it as the lifelong process of becoming your true self—the self you were meant to be before life, expectations, obligations, or other people guided you off course.
The video explained individuation as a kind of "going home," not to any physical place, but returning to the inner self you were originally designed to grow into. And that struck me deeply.
At 65, I can feel myself moving in that direction—not in a dramatic way, but in a quiet, profound way. I wish I could remember every word from the video, because the message landed with such force. What stays with me is the recognition that I am finally circling back to who I was meant to be all along. It's a combination of bravery, but not really bravery, and anger.
I found this eBook on Amazon about Carl Jung's "Individuation." - Note, I haven't read it; I included it for anyone interested.
The Pull Away, and the Pull Back
What unsettled me most was how clearly Jung's message mirrored my own life.
From childhood onward, it was so easy to be pulled off course—into other people's ideas of who I was, what I should do, who I should become.
I remember being seen as delicate, even though I knew I was anything but. I wasn't upset by the misunderstanding; I was puzzled by it. I knew that wasn't me, even if I didn't yet know how to show who I truly was. Flash forward to today, my best friend often reminds me how strong I am. She sees me.
And Jung's explanation—that our original direction can be interrupted or reshaped by the world—made me see how far I had drifted without even realizing it.
Yet here I am, decades later, feeling a powerful pull back toward the girl I was at five—the girl who instinctively knew who she was!
I'm Trying Not to Be Angry - This is Personal, But I Have to Say I'm Dealing With That Feeling Right Now
I'm trying not to be angry, because I'm not an angry person. I don't believe in living in an angry space.
Truly, I don't carry anger or fear around with me. I feel it when it happens, and let it go, as I will with this anger. Psalm 23 repeats in my mind constantly, and it saves me.
But these Jung videos stirred something that surprised me. Not anger toward anyone—not my parents, not the world—but something closer to grief mixed with frustration.
Anger at myself. And yet, how can I be angry at a five-year-old child who simply loved, and wanted, and felt the need to play the piano?
At five years old, the piano felt natural to me. My teacher made sure to let my mother know that I had a gift. But when we moved away to another province, my parents were focused on building a life.
When my mother said we couldn't afford a piano—and I couldn't take lessons without one—I felt THEIR stress immediately. We had previously lived with my mother's parents, who had a piano.
So even though the piano awakened my soul, I didn't insist. I didn't plead. It wasn't in my nature to burden anyone. And so the piano-playing version of me slipped quietly out of existence.
But the writing version of me never left.
From eight years old onward, the poems, lyrics, and lines that arrived in the middle of chores, or in quiet moments, just kept coming. From humor to world events to parents to made-up lyrics, it was all penned to paper.
They're collected in my book We Will Have Morning Smiles—fifty years of my world in words. And now, as I put those words to music—finally allowing them to breathe in the way I now know they were meant to—I can't help but think that if piano had stayed in my life, I might have been doing this decades sooner.
Here's how I'm dealing with lost time: I've created a Time-Traveling version of me (lol, that creative side just won't leave) - You can check out the two "Back to the Future" shorts I've created so far. They're on this playlist from YouTube:
******************
The next curveball came after high school.
In high school, I was accepted into three universities for psychology, a field I had long wanted to pursue. But again, I was talked out of it. Steered elsewhere. Redirected. It only lasted a year before life pulled me into yet another path that wasn't mine.
So yes, I do feel angry at myself for letting others steer me: friends, family, men, expectations, interpretations. I'm legitmately p*ssed.
And yet, through Jung's lens, I now understand that this reckoning is part of the return journey. Part of going home to myself.
I don't want to leave this earth, when it's finally my time, without becoming my truest, most whole self. That self is the one who writes. The one whose words are her spirit and her soul.
The one who puts those words to music, spoken voice, or anything else that lets them live. I want to leave that behind. Every last piece of who I really am.
I need to return home, to me. And most of all, forgive everything, everyone, especially myself.
If you'd like to listen to my words, put to music, here's a playlist of what I've completed so far of the hundreds of lyrics and poems I've written over nearly 57 years. Every song includes information about when the words were written and the story behind them. "Measures" is my most recent, written at 64. I'm sharing work from 1968 (I was 8 then) til today, and tomorrow's words that are yet to come.
In closing, I'm reminding myself that it is THIS life that I lived, not the one I thought I should have, that inspired these poems and lyrics. And, my children are the best reason I took this path.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Your young child would love going to this zoo! It was yet another quality children's toy playset made by Mattel and Fisher-Price, designed to encourage lots of imaginative play and learning.
With this set, your little one learned to recognize animals through sight and sound. He or she also learned to recognize the animal habitats, which included grasslands, north and south poles, jungle and water.
HOW DID IT WORK?
The set is electronic and recognized wild animals when your child placed a toy animal figure on a peg and pressed it down. It then named the animal and, with a second press, provided the associated animal noise. The set came with a lion, gorilla, polar bear and a zookeeper named Jack. Of course, the set would not have been complete without Fisher-Price's usual assortment of fun music and phrases.
ADDITIONAL PIECES
Additional pieces that could be collected for this set included animals that were sold individually, like an alligator, hippopotamus, camel, leopard, elephant, ostrich, seal, dolphin or gorilla. Additionally, three of the animals came with a book and finally, there were two vehicles. The first, a safari truck or jeep, which came with a zookeeper named Eddy (who had a frog on his shoulder) as well as a lion cub, a giraffe and a food or animal feed bin. The second, a train with a Ferris-wheel car, came with a a zookeeper named Michael, a white tiger and a koala bear. These additional animals greatly enriched the set and the vehicular toys added an entirely new level of play value.
TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE ZOO:
Recommended for Children Aged 1 1/2 to 5 years old
Bilingual English and French
Requires 3 AA Batteries
Original Box Measured 25" (W) x 16" (H) x 5" (D)
Release Date 2011
Retired 2014
Model W1710
UPC Code 746775033514
BUY YOUR ZOO TALKERS PLAYSET & REPLACEMENT PIECES:
As mentioned above, this set was released in 2011 and discontinued in 2014. This means that it is difficult to find a complete set. However, you can still find it on eBay where resellers do the work to find the discontinued items that you are looking for. Sometimes you might find a new and therefore complete set; other times, you can find a gently used and nearly complete set. You will also find some of the additional animals and the vehicles. Once again, you will find them in new and in used condition. Click here to see which of the Fisher-Price Zoo Talkers itemsare available on eBay today.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I recently discovered Milk-Bone Holiday Treats for puppies! I was so
excited to find these adorable treats for our new puppy. He deserves
something special for the holidays, just like everyone else.
The Milk-Bone holiday treats come in a collectible, reusable tin. The
treats themselves are shaped like stockings, Christmas trees and dog bones
with "engraved" hearts. They are also colored in green, red and the
bones are the traditional brown. Perfect for a special gift for a
special dog or puppy.
Our puppy is 15 weeks old and he received his Christmas Milk-Bone treats in
the specialty tin, the day after Thanksgiving. He loves them and we
love the size. They are small enough for even a puppy to
enjoy.
I'm not sure if I will save the tin just for Christmas use, or if I will
refill it with regular puppy Milk-Bones when it is empty. I do know I
will reuse the decorative tin for doggy treats.
The tin is available for a limited time only. I hope that means the
Milk-Bone brand will continue to have an annual tin. What fun they
would be to give each year for Christmas to all of our puppy friends.
The Milk-Bone Holiday Treats
The shaped Milk-Bones in this tin are suitable for all ages,
from puppy to senior. I wasn't sure if the shapes would matter to the
pups or simply entertainment for us, but I have noticed that our baby dog
seeks out the red stockings. Will that continue? I don't know,
but it makes for a fun doggy game to see which one of the 3 shapes he will
choose first.
Puppy is a Bit of a Blur as He Zooms in for the Red Stocking Treat
24 ounce Reusable Tin filled with Milk-Bone Treats
Stockings Shaped Treats in red, green & brown
Shaped Christmas Tree in green, red & brown
Brown Doggy Bones with "Engraved" Hearts
Available for Limited Time
Helps Clean Teeth
Freshens Breath
12 Vitamins and Minerals
Another fun game for the humans in a puppies life would be to guess the count
of treats in the holiday tin. We did count ours just for fun and
discovered there are/were 148 treats in our puppy's 24 ounce tin.
You Might Not Want to Turn Your Back on a Puppy with an Open Tin of Milk-Bone Treats!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Welcome to Thank you Stickers, Variety. Here you will find options for Thank you stickers for a variety of occasions. You can choose from floral, holiday themed, plain and simple designs, and more.
Thank you stickers are a great way to show extra appreciation for a gift, a job well done, for attendance at a wedding, performance, etc., and or for making a purchase from one's shoppe, and so much more.
I know that I like receiving appreciation and giving it as well. How about you?
Without further ado, here is a sample of one of the designs.
This two ferns design features two wispy ferns serving as the border, for the Thank you message. The text can be personalized if you like, as they can on many of these Thank you stickers.
The stickers come in a choice of two sizes; 1-1/2 inch and 3 inch. You can buy them by the sheet and or by the roll. You can choose from glossy white and or the matte finish on both sheets and roll options. If purchasing by the sheet, you can also select from various shapes: star, oval, heart, rectangle, and triangle.
If purchasing by the roll, you can also choose from various finishes, including satin white and silver gloss. The ones with the extra finishes options are also tear resistant and may be water resistant. You can read more about these options here: Stickers-on-roll-review.
Any of the sticker designs can be ordered by the sheet and or roll options. I have found that when I clicked on a shape option other than square or circle, that the only way to purchase those stickers were by sheet only. Again, the sheet option only comes in the glossy or matte paper finish.
Here is a link to the collection of the various sticker designs. The Thank you is already there, and should be easily customized if you choose. Some can be used for a variety of occasions, such as birthday, wedding, for teachers, and more.
If you don't find a design that you're looking for, come back to this page and share your design request in a comment below. If I am around to do it, I will respond to your comment within 24 hours. I can do general colors, but no color matching. Do allow a couple of weeks for the design to be made, and also allow for the shipping time from Zazzle; so it will be best to have three to four weeks from the date of your request and when you need it.
Thank you.
Cheryl Paton
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
We could all use a moment of relaxation with a cup of spice tea, especially
during the busiest time of the year.
The holidays are often hectic and tiring, but in the end they are always
filled with wonderful memories. Each year my family gathers together for the
festivities. Since my siblings and their families live in different states
of the US, there is a lot of travel involved, a lot of planning and a lot of
cooking. My mother leads the pack and tries very hard to coordinate everyone
and everything. Sometimes just finding a bed for everyone can be
challenging. I am the only one of my parents' children who still lives in
our hometown so I am frequently honored with guests.
With so many people around and so much going on for days, my sister and I
seek out moments to slip away from the crowd and sip tea, giggle and share
the latest gossip. A pillow fight is definitely not out of the question.
Occasionally our mother, my daughter or a sister-in-law will join us, but
this little meeting always begins with me, my sister and a cup of
tea.
It is with this cherished time together in mind, that I wish to share our
Spice Tea Recipe with you. I hope you find a few moments to slip away with a
loved one and share a cup of tea.
Award Winning Spice Tea Recipe
Prep Time
Ready In
Yields
10 min
10 min
Approx. 50 ~ Depends on tea strength per cup
Ingredients
2 - 27 oz. Jars of Orange Drink (like Tang)
12 oz. Lemonade dry mix (like Countrytime)
1 cup Instant Tea
2 cups Sugar
1 teaspoon Cloves
2 teaspoon Cinnamon
Instructions
Simply mix everything together. Add 2 teaspoons of tea mix to 1 cup of hot water for one lovely cup of hot tea.
Just remember, if you are using a mug, it will require approx. 3 teaspoons of tea to make a tantalizing cup of tea.
Store in an air-tight container
An Easy Gift
Simply fill a canning jar, an empty jelly jar or any small container with Spice Tea. If you are using a canning jar, cut a square of material with pinking shears and cover the top of the jar.
You may also want to include a recipe card with the recipe for the recipient. I know I always appreciate a new recipe.
Select a pretty jar for your Spice Tea gift.
I actually really like this Bormioli Rocco Fido Latch Canning Jar, not only because it is attractive, but because it has a tight seal to seal in freshness so the spice tea will last longer.
After several days of company, we are all usually exhausted and in need of a long winters nap. I always like to send treats home with my guests and packing some of the remaining tea is just the right thing. When they get back home and have that moment to unwind, then they can fix a cup of Spice Tea and allow the fragrance of the tea to return them to the memory of our time together.
The jar pictured on the right, is the container that held the original gift of Spice Tea given to me by my sister 35+ years ago. The tea is long since gone, but the refillable container and the memory remains.
Each year I refill this little jar and hide it as my personal reserve!
Contest Award
I entered this recipe in the Squidoo Website Thanksgiving Cookoff (for Charity).
It was one of the contest winners, therefore the charity I support, National Wildlife Federation's Alaska Regional Center, received $1000.
I hope you enjoy -- and if you do, don't be shy, spread the word!
Acknowledgement Letter from $1000 recipient, National Wildlife Federation Alaska
Sylvestermouse, many, many thanks from the small staff of the National Wildlife Federation Alaska office for earning us a $1,000 Squidoo donation. This is amazing! You have helped support our work in youth leadership cultivation, sustainable tourism, climate change policy, getting families outdoors, and protecting wildlife and habitat in the great State of Alaska! Also, BIG THANKS to Squidoo for making it all possible ... Signed,
Heather McGee, on behalf of our staff of 5 plus 1 AmeriCo
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Zazzle has now expanded their offering of stickers. You can now order stickers on a roll.
Along with that option is the addition of four more options for the material that the stickers are made of. I will highlight the main features of the new materials that are offered. The new materials are only offered when the stickers are purchased on a roll. The original sheet stickers only come in the two options of glossy white or matte white paper. However, any of the designs currently offered on sheet stickers, can be ordered on a roll to be able to choose from the new options.
The stickers on a roll also come in the original offerings of the glossy white and matte white paper. The new offerings for stickers on a roll include: clear synthetic paper, white gloss synthetic paper, white satin synthetic paper, and silver gloss synthetic paper.
The Clear Synthetic Paper is transparent and tear resistant. It is glossy polyethylene and is water resistant. It is also heat resistant. It also has UV-light resistance.
The White Gloss Synthetic Paper is designed for high resolution with vivid colors. It is made from polypropylene (BOPP) and is also tear resistant.
The White Satin Synthetic Paper is made from polypropylene and is also tear resistant. It has a white satin finish. It is resistant to moisture and solvent exposure, and is recommended for when durability and long term adhesion is required.
The Silver Gloss Synthetic Paper is made from polypropylene and is coated for dye based inkjet inks. This sticker is also tear resistant and has a silver metallic finish. This sticker is approved for incidental food contact, however it says that a functional barrier is required. This isn't just any barrier, the barrier needs to provide a specific function, i.e. keeps air and water out.
Like the sheet stickers, the sizes offered are 1-1/2 or 3 inches for the stickers on a roll. The sheet stickers come in a choice of various shapes, including star, heart, oval, rectangle, and triangle. Both stickers on a roll and sheet stickers come in a choice of circle and square shapes.
Some of the benefits of using stickers on a roll, besides the various material offerings, are the ease of compact storage, and streamlined application of applying the stickers - especially when using a dispenser. The stickers are wound on a three inch core to be compatible with dispensers. A dispenser is not included.
I have ordered stickers multiple times from Zazzle, and have always been satisfied with my purchase. I personally haven't purchased any of the new options, but I do like that they give good recommendations on the new materials.
View the various sticker designs in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle.
Cheryl Paton
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
The best gift ideas come from the recommendations of people who spontaneously tell you about an item they use and love. This happened a couple of weeks ago when my friend told me about his Pentel GraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil. My friend is artistic and he is also familiar with which tools folks that work in engineering and drafting depend on. While showing me his GraphGear 1000, he also produced an old Pentel mechanical pencil that his Grandfather used. That they have used these pencils over generations are a glowing review alone.
the Pentel Arts Premium GraphGear 1000 set on Amazon
Pentel Arts GraphGear 1000 Premium Mechanical Pencil
Online information about the Pentel GraphGear 1000 Premium Mechanical Pencil:
superior drafting pencil; tip length is for use with rulers and templates
dual-action retractor to advance and retract lead; avoiding lead breakage
soft, latex inlaid metallic, chiseled grip
Pentel's Super Hi-Polymer lead sizes: 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm size lead available
4 Mechanical pencils, in 4 different colored barrels
4 lead refill tubes (1 tube of each size)
4 eraser refills
(Currently on Amazon with a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating resulting from over 2,200 reviews!)
If you are hesitant about buying this boxed, gift set there are many options for purchasing just one Pentel Mechanical Pencil at a time. Which is what I am going to do for myself. I am constantly looking for a pencil. when I do find it, the lead needs sharpened. Now that I realize mechanical pencils can be used across decades, I have decided that I need one in my life. I am partial to the one with the light, bright blue grip.
My Personal Thoughts
Some of the students I work with, prefer to use mechanical pencils for their personal reasons. I have tended to think of mechanical pencils as inexpensive and semi-disposable. What quickly caught my eye about my friend's GraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil with the beautiful chiseled markings on the metallic pencil grip. It was clearly not a disposable pencil.
My friend showed me the difference in appearance between the lead sizes; thin to thick. He also talked to be about the differences in lead softness/hardness (H, HB, and B) and how that appears in drawings. The gift set I am reviewing comes in the HB level of hardness. There are other lead refills and pencils that can be purchased in the H and B levels. (note: there are other levels of hardness, but we did not go that in-depth in our discussion).
While writing this review, my friend and I looked up information on his Grandfather's mechanical pencil. The pocket clip carries a stamp "SKILCRAFT". By doing a quick search, we learned that Pentel mechanical pencils began in the 1960s, and the SKILCRAFT version was produced during that time. His Grandfather's pencil is also stamped "U.S Government" and was likely obtained during his work at Bethlehem Steel all of those decades before. The history of this Pentel pencil shows to me that these pencils can be passed down through the generations.
A little piece of history
Find the Boxed Set of Four Pentel GraphGear1000 Premium Mechanical Pencils on Amazon here.
The Pentel Store of America on Amazon carries a huge selection of pencils, markers, art supplies.... pages, and pages of craft, art, and gift ideas.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Healthy Fitness Gift Idea: Why I Keep Recommending the Cubii Under-Desk Elliptical
I've Written About This Before…
I might sound like I'm rinsing and repeating. Still, I've written multiple articles about the Cubii Under-Desk Elliptical — my first review was in 2021, then another in 2023, and most recently in April 2025 — and I still stand by it.
With the holidays coming up, I wanted to share this as a healthy fitness gift idea that is worth every penny.
A Gift That Became a Daily Habit
My mom gave me the Cubii back in 2021, and it's been part of my daily routine ever since. I honestly can't imagine working without it. Even as I type this, my feet are pedaling away. It's small, simple, and makes moving while sitting feel entirely natural.
Quiet, Smooth, and No Maintenance
One of the things I love most is how perfectly it's built. No squeaks, no grinding, nothing to oil or fix — it's just ready to go every time. You can pedal while working, reading, or watching something without anyone noticing. It's like having a little workout tucked under your desk, quietly getting the job done.
Gentle on Joints, Big on Benefits
Standing for extended periods isn't easy for me because of arthritis, and regular exercise bikes can be uncomfortable. The Cubii is low-impact and easy on the joints, so I can pedal for hours if I want, or just take it easy on tougher days. It keeps me moving without the pain, which is priceless.
More Than Just Exercise
Since my mom passed, using it is a little reminder of her thoughtfulness. It's a practical, useful gift that also carries sentimental value. Every time I pedal, I think of her, and it adds an extra layer of meaning to something that's already incredibly helpful in my daily life.
A Gift Anyone Will Appreciate
For anyone spending hours at a desk — writers, remote workers, students, or someone who just likes sneaking in extra movement — the Cubii is a winner. It makes staying active effortless, reduces the guilt of sitting too long, and is a gift that keeps giving long after the unwrapping.
The Bottom Line
After years of daily use, I can say with complete confidence: the Cubii Under-Desk Elliptical is one of the best gifts I've ever received. It's reliable, quiet, and makes healthy movement easy.
If you're looking for a thoughtful, practical, and truly useful gift this holiday season, this is it.
And yes — I'm pedaling as I write this!
You can find the Cubii here on Amazon, where available. This is a quality product.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
My Mom's cornbread recipe is still our family's traditional cornbread
recipe. It is very easy to mix together, yet consistently makes a
delicious cornbread whether sliced or broken up for our holiday
dressing.
Boxed cornbread mix, like cake mixes, has become popular because they are
so convenient. I would make the argument that once you add the oil,
milk and egg into the box mix contents, you are already most of the way
through the recipe to making a homemade cornbread. We can definitely
taste the difference. Most boxed cornbread mixes have sugar in
them. We do not add sugar to our cornbread.
I am sharing my Mom's cornbread recipe below. You can see for
yourself that it really is just as easy to mix together as a box mix and a
lot less expensive than many of the cornbread mixes on the market.
One note, Mom uses Pearl Milling brand and I use Martha White brand, but
they taste the same to us. If you want a sweeter
taste, you can add a pinch of sugar to Mom's recipe.
Mom's Cornbread Recipe Made in a 10.25" Cast Iron Skillet or 9" x 9" Baking Pan
Preheat the oven on 400°
2 Cups of Martha White or Pearl Milling White Corn Meal Mix -
neither of these basic cornmeals have sugar added
2 Tablespoons Self-rising Flour
1 Egg
1 Cup of Milk
Stir all together to a cake batter consistency
Cover the bottom of the skillet with vegetable oil and heat it in the oven
for about 3 minutes. The oil will be very hot, so be
careful
Pour the oil into the mixture (it may sizzle a bit as it touches the
cold batter)
Stir the oil into the mixture, then pour the mixture into the hot
skillet
Bake on 400° for 20 minutes
Make sure the cornbread is cooked completely by inserting a toothpick in
the center. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done. If
not, cook for a few more minutes.
I am sharing the Martha White Corn Meal Mix below for you to see, but it will be much cheaper in the grocery store than it is on Amazon. I do use my grandmother-in-law's cast iron skillet, but I purchased a Lodge cast iron dutch oven that is totally awesome. Therefore, I am comfortable recommending the Lodge cast iron skillet below if needed.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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