What food could I bring to class to represent a soup kitchen.

By on January 17th, 2009

I am doing a presentation on how the recession is affecting charities, and to make it more fun, wanted to bring in some kind of food to entertain my classmates.
Soup, however, would be a little expensive (bowls, spoons, etc.) and messy. Does anyone have any other ideas.

I saw a bug in my kitchen and curious as to what it is. Looks different than any I’ve seen before . . . Help.

By on January 16th, 2009

It is a dark brown color, almost black with a grey spot behind the head. It is very small and has antenna. I thought it was a cockroach but when I looked at pictures online, I didn’t see any that looked like this. It also looks different than any I have seen before. I know it probably came in from outside because it is cold and I don’t have good seal around the door in my kitchen. Does anyone know what this could be.
Definately not a termite or a spider, but good suggestion.
Nope, not a silverfish. I had thought it might have been a cockroach that I hadn’t seen before, but I checked an online site with pictures of cockroaches found in the US and didn’t see anything that looked like what I saw. Still its possible it could be a cockroach, but I couldn’t confirm that was it. Thought someone might know of something else it may be. Maybe something that looks similar to a cockroach with the grey spot on it. I know it wasn’t a beetle either.

I’m a first time home buyer what programs are out there.

By on January 15th, 2009

I’m a first time home buyer with my fiancee. We are pretty excited. It’s a modest place 42,900 , 1029 sq ft 2 bedrooms living room, kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom remodeled. Going to have it inspected sunday, and pretty sure we are going to get it. Are there any programs that can assist us out there

Help on renting our first apartment.

By on January 14th, 2009

My fiance and I are getting married June 14, 2009.
This will be our first apartment. Both of our parents own homes/ building and have tenants.
We live and are looking for an apartment in Queens, NY.
We are 23 and 24. No (live-in) kids or pets. I am a recent grad & I work part-time. And he works full time as well as 2nd part time job.

Our dream apartment would be a fairly modern 2 bedrooms, living room, bath and eat-in kitchen. With utilities included. And at least a 1 year lease.
What is an average/ fair price for an apartment like that.

Would it be better to pay my utilities or have them included.
What can i expect or need to do in result of having our own apartment.
What is your opinion on renter’s insurance.
Just any advice you have for first time renters would be appreciated.
Thank you.
from checking craigslist and ads, apartments with what we are looking for run from $1000 (if your lucky) to $1700 a month. and only half of the higher priced apartment include utilities, and these are private, not complexes.

* Wow $400. for 2 bedrooms, We need to move to Wisconsin then.

Has anyone used silver rub-buff on metal hinges .

By on January 13th, 2009

Small darkened brass hinges on kitchen cabinets need to be updated to brushed nickle. One cabinet is a hidden in a corner under our bar and I could test it on that one first, if no one has used it with luck.
On a bright brass light fixture, I used a gray spray primer and a metallic spray paint (not Chrome shiny-bright) on it and it turned out fine. I don’t want to take the hinges off so spraying might be difficult.

What is the best brand for reasonably priced sink hardware (faucet, etc.) .

By on January 12th, 2009

We are in the proces of remodeling, have chosen sinks & vanities, and now need to pick out the hardware for kitchen & bathroom sinks. Don’t want to blow a wad, but want to have good quaility. Will be making the rounds at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Show of hands, please, for which brands are the most reliable for this - Kohler, Delta, American Standard, Price Phister, etc. etc.

Is directbuy worth it.

By on January 10th, 2009

We are looking to remodel our kitchen, from scratch.
New cabinets, counters, tiles, backsplash, paint lights and faucet.
We would like to do it ourselves.
How does directbuy work.
I would like to hear from others before we go to the open house.
I hear you make a decision there.
Are the prices alot cheaper.
What is the price of a membership.
Thanks.
I am in the Toronto area.
We were thinking of looking at the pickering store.

Do I Quit Now. Or Hang On.

By on January 8th, 2009

Hi, I’m currently 24 and I have just finished my first semester in my Culinary school. I still ahve close to 2 years before the course ends.

The thing is, I feel that I do have the talent nor creavity and not to mention, the Culinary skills to become a top chef. Other Chefs from different intakes have constantly made fun of the design plating of my dishes. The truth is I cant cook as well as other students. After being in school for at least 3 months, I still have problems with my cutting and I cant even tell if a a piece of meat is medium rare and such.I know my mentor chef think I’m talentless as well.he just doesn’t want to put me down.so he doesn’t criticise me.

I’ve failed most of my culinary base theory examination and just passed the practical examination by the skin of my teeth and from the grace of my mentor chef.

I hate the work hours of a chef as well, not to mention the oily smell kitchen. I often feel depress after coking every meal, cause I know the things I’ve conjured are horrible and I feel even more depressed when I have to take the dishes to my mentor chef for tasting and It sucks so hard to see him lie through his teeth so he doesn;t ahve to hurt my feelings.

I really want to do hairstyling but I’m afraid to tell my parents I want to quit the culinary course.they have such high hopes for me, and they are even more determined then wanting to see me suceed then myself wanting to suceed.I’m not exactly talented in hairstyling as well.but its something I rather do then culinary.I’m so afraid to disappoint my parents.not to mention the money wasted in culinary school fees.what do I do. Do i follow my heart and disappoint my parents.or do I stick with it.and try to make something out of it.

Is it possible to suceed in the hair industry without having any experience at all.

Home electricity touble: microwave not powering completely. Furnace not working. whats wrong.

By on January 7th, 2009

Suddenly, our furnace stopped working. Then I went to the kitchen and I use the blender, only to find that if I turn it on the kitchen lights will flicker. Finally, I tried to use the microwave, but it didn’t heat the food. However, the turntable was rotating, It seems I do not have enough power to run my appliances.

Any ideas.

Has anyone got a “winter project” on the go.

By on January 6th, 2009

I am thinking of either painting the kitchen walls or the cabinets, if I do the latter I will add a very thin board around the outer edge of the doors to make them more modern looking and new knobs - but so far I am just thinking. Having a hard time deciding on colours.

I actually need a whole cabinet redo - kitchen reno.

Right now my project is wading through the packed boxes in the spare bedroom and doing weather stripping around windows and doors.

I only bought my place at the end of June so haven’t had much time living here. Not enough time to go all the unpacking.

I’ve been away from August 21st to December 26th.
Cant decide between an expresso brown or cream coloured for the cabinets, the brown is more in keeping with my personal style.

I bought brushed nickle knobs at walmart for a dresser I refinished and have some left, will just get another package of them, 10 for $24 not a bad deal.

The really nice “designer” hardware is so expensive .

The whole townhouse is builders beige. I painted the bedrooms before I left, had help with that, thank God, but the colours in my bedroom aren’t dark enough. Too close to builders beige so that should be redone.
I like the colours but I dont think they are “me” even though they can be very beautiful. Saw a house on HGTV last night on the “unsellables” that was amazing . But not good for resale I guess.