It was no fun being poor during the Great Depression. I learned to "make do." That meant being a saver, but not a hoarder. There is a difference. A saver might have a need to an item in the future. A hoarder just kept an item rather than throw it away. Dented pots and pans, a wash tub with a hole in it or a broken leg on a stool, etc. That's hoarding in my book.

In food processor, pulse cauliflower in 3 to 4 batches until rice forms. The key to proper rice texture is not overcrowding processor. Transfer to medium bowl. Reserve.

Rick was a blonde curly-headed baby. No problem there, just beautiful curls. Anne did present a problem. She had beautiful curly locks as well, but she couldn't tolerate heat. Anne would turn red as a cherry when she became overheated.

Most everyone can regulate their body temperature by sweating. Not Anne. She just got redder as her temperature rose. I would sponge her off with a cool washcloth and move her to a shady location. The problem seemed unsolvable. Summer would be unbearable for her. We never found a solution.

You could use seedless strawberry preserves instead of strawberry jam, but you are more likely to have strawberry jam in your pantry. In small bowl combine crumbs and sugar. Add melted margarine. Toss until combined. Press into bottom of 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Evenly drizzle condensed milk over crumbs. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set. Lightly press in place. Spoon strawberry preserves over top. Sprinkle with coconut and nuts. Bake at 350 F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

There is a nursery in New Tazewell that sold lawn ornaments as well as regular nursery items like potted flowers and vegetable flats. I saw the cement alligator there when I bought some vegetable plants. I wanted that gater. It would be perfect to sit atop the snake pit down by the lower driveway.

This salad goes together quickly. Just chill 2 hours before serving time for the best flavor. In large bowl combine all ingredients with soy sauce and mayonnaise. Mix well. Chill 2 hours before serving. Place individual servings on shredded lettuce.

We had not been in Tennessee very long and there was so much to do. The place was in terrible shape. We walked behind the log cabin to see what had to be done there. What a shock. The ground had a steep slope down to the road. That wouldn't do. But the worse sight was the jumble stumps and stones just behind the cabin wall. That had to come out!

Line a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with foil, having long sides extend 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray with cooking spray. Sift dry cake mix, if lumpy. In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, Cool Whip and egg. Beat with mixer until well blended. Batter will be stiff. Add white chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Mix well. Spread in prepared pan. Bake at 350 F. for about 25 minutes in preheated oven or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan, use foil handles to lift brownies from pan before cutting into bars. Makes 24 bars.

Every time we went from our house over to the log cabin, we had to go down the steps to the lower driveway level and then up some more steps to the log cabin. Just doing that would wear a person out. Something had to be done. I thought long and hard about the problem.

If a bridge were built across the ravine behind our house, a walkway could be dug out of the ridge side over to the log cabin. I could see it in my mind, but could it be done? I took the twenty-five­ foot tape and measured the width of the ravine. Glory be! A twelve foot long two by twelve would fit across the opening, if I laid up a concrete block base at either end.

Grate 1/2 teaspoon zest and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice from limes. In large bowl combine tomatoes, chopped onions, cilantro, garlic, Tabasco sauce, lime zest and juice with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl. Serve with tortilla chips. Makes 4 servings.