Bread of Life

 

The second crusty bread I made in 2020

A birthday gift - A Dutch Oven - this was the only way I found to make bread. Then, of course, I found many other recipes that do not need such a specific appliance. The Dutch oven also was a fabulous vessel for home made chicken noodle soup. A big hit with hubby, and his sister. 

Good thing I bought a couple of packets of yeast. Now that the bread is in short supply, flour and yeast are becoming scarce during this Stay at Home Executive Order. The recipe only calls for 4 cups flour, salt, warm water, and a pinch of salt. It does take about 5 hours with all of the rising and resting times. First time I've baked bread since we lived in the condo in Warren, about 20 years ago. 

Goal - to make a focaccia bread this week.

Recipes - 

 Homemade Dutch Oven Bread  This is the one I used with my Dutch Oven

Vegan Focaccia with Tomato and Rosemary one to try in the near future

The first crusty bread I made in 2020 with my Dutch Oven

2020 The World is Shut Down

A moment in time when the whole world shut down.  

For the first time in history, many countries across the world are in lock down. Not due to terrorism or war, but by a virus.  The Covid-19 Coronavirus that started in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Action was taken by the United States in March. Michigan's Governor Whitmer declared an executive order for people to stay home unless they are a critical need person. Doctors, nurses, cleaners are at the hospitals for days and days. Many do not go home for fear of infecting their families. Grocery workers and delivery services are also critical. Initially, my biggest worry was the infrastructure of our utilities. What if people running our water and electricity got sick? The voice of reason came from my dear Merry who said the Corp of Engineers would be there to keep us going. 

Now, it's been a little over a month since all of this affected my life in metro-Detroit, Michigan. From staying to ourselves at work and practicing social distancing, to working from home, to being furloughed and possibly terminated. Nothing official yet. Unemployment has seen a 6000% jump in recent weeks. Over 6.6 Million people filed for unemployment in one week! I am one of them. 45 signed a $2 trillion bill to rescue the economy and help people during this Pandemic. Instead of bailing out just the big companies, like the federal government did in 2009, this one helps the people directly by funding unemployment for workers and gig economy people as well as sending $1,200 per adult (who qualify) as a one-time help. Mortgage companies are offering a three month waive of payments and won't charge late-fees nor alert the credit agencies.  The money will still need to be paid back, but, it may not just be a lump on the fourth month.  Auto companies are also offering similar help.

Anyone reading this now, will think, yes, I know all of this. Why are you writing? I see this in the news ALL DAY LONG! Again, this is a snapshot in time. With no work, no prospects, not structure, I decided to write. Tomorrow will be another day.  Another post. Perhaps something more useful. 

Take care, dear reader,
Stay home, Stay Safe, Save Lives!
April 14, 2020

BOGO breakfast at Bob Evans -9/7/13

Thought you may enjoy some hotcakes with a loved one.  BOGO, baby!  A real BOGO - Buy one get one!





hrumph!  OK, they made the image difficult to share here!  Click on this link to get to the coupon.  The coupon is good from today 8/29/13- 9/7/13.

Olga's Deals for the 4th of July week

Great deals at Olga's this week in celebration of the USA's 237th birthday.
Click here for the link to the voucher for $2.37 food items.

Songs of Summer and the Stage 6/19/13

Hello fans of the FREE!

Wednesday, June 19th starting at 6:30 pm, Jeffrey Beyer (flute) and Sharon Sweet (piano), will perform Songs of Summer and the Stage.

More information on the OPAACC, Oak Park Art and Cultural Commission's Facebook Event page.


Also, we are still looking for a few artists in our Oak Park Art Fair (OPA! FAIR).  Deadline for applications has been extended to June 23rd.  You may apply online or send in your paper application (with $5.00 application fee).  Here is the link to the online OPA! FAIR APPLICATION.

Buddy's 67 & Celebrating with YOU!

Thanks to FB, I found a link through Buddy's Pizza status update.  For their 67th anniversary of opening, Buddy's is offering Customer Appreciation Cards on June 24-29 (although all were taken the first day last year).  

Once a month, you can use your customer appreciation card to purchase a pizza for $6.70 and extra toppings for 67¢.  So, make a plan to get to Buddy's on Monday, June 24th to get your card.  Save me a spot in line!  

http://www.freeismylife.com/2013/06/buddys-celebrates-67th-anniversary-with.html

Happy Summer - Breakfast & Lunch

Forgotten Harvest: http://www.forgottenharvest.org/page.aspx?p=1

Gleaners Community Food Bank - Need Help Now?  http://www.gcfb.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pg_needfood

Madison Heights Meet Up & Eat Up
So, I know it may not be convenient for everyone in metro-Detroit, but Madison Heights is offering FREE breakfasts and lunches to kids ages 0-18.  Adults can have a $2.00 breakfast 8:00-9:30 am and $3.00 lunch from 10:45 am-1:00pm.  Locations are Halfman Elementary School and Wilkinson Middle School.
More information on the district's website:  http://www.madisonschools.k12.mi.us/


Halfman Elementary School
25601 Couzens Ave, Madison Heights, MI 48071

Wilkinson Middle School 

26524 John R Rd, Madison Heights, Michigan 48071

Spring Fling Celebrate World Dance Day in Oak Park

FREE EVENT!
Today, Monday, April 29th is World Dance Day!
Join a variety of companies perform tonight at the Oak Park Community Center starting at 5:30 pm.
14300 Oak Park Boulevard, Oak Park, MI  48237
which is just west of Coolidge at 9 1/2 Mile =Oak Park Blvd.

Contemporary Stained Glass by OPAACC 4/11/13

TOOT TOOT - As some of you may know, I am one of the Commissioners for OPAACC - The Oak Park Arts & Cultural Commission.  We're working to get at least one free event each month in 2013.  We've had Ron Warren of Ron Warren Photography do a talk "5 Tips for Better Pix" and jewelry artist, Oneita Porter talk about small business in the D.  

Check out the latest event "Contemporary Stained Glass" 
LIKE us on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/OPAACC

Please join us as stained glass artist Brenda Supuwood of Universal Stained Glass in Oak Park presents about her passion. She will lead a discussion on the history of glass, present a short video, do a project demonstration and answer any questions you may have. Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 6:30-7:30 pm Oak Park Public Library 14200 Oak Park Blvd Oak Park, MI 48237 248-691-7480 Free event - donations welcome Sponsored by the Oak Park Arts and Cultural Commission

https://www.facebook.com/events/223345244470312/

Secrets for Business Success Seminar 4/6/13

Found on the Royal Oak Patch website.

The Michigan Effective Management Center (MEMC) is hosting a FREE seminar on Business Success! Join Mr. John Deluca as he shares some insights on how to ensure continued growth despite the economy. The FREE “The Secrets for Business Success” seminar will take place Saturday, April 6^th from 2:00-3:30pm.

For more info & to reserve your spot call 248-629-9080.

Who: You & anyone you want to bring!

What: FREE Seminar - "The Secrets for Business Success"

When: Saturday, April 6^th from 2:00-3:30pm

Where: The MEMC

3213 Rochester Road, Suite B

Royal Oak, MI 48073

Why: To give your business every chance to succeed!

http://royaloak.patch.com/events/the-secrets-for-business-success

Free Tax help S/E Detroit area

Do you know someone whose household income was less than $57,000 in 2012?  What about your children that are either in high school or college working part time jobs?  United Way of Southeastern Michigan has a free tax preparation service which allows them to file both their federal and state tax returns!  To access their system and see what is needed to participate, please go to http://myfreetaxes.com/uwsem.

 My family and friends love passing a good deal along to me to share with you!  Thanks to all those who contribute!  

Free tea at Starbucks in March 2013

Just thought I would share these free Starbucks coupons for the month of March 2013.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

BOGO at Caribou Coffee 

Denny’s: the chain is giving away a free cup of their new coffee between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Valentine’s Day.

Starbucks: Buy one of three featured drinks and get a second one free after 2 p.m. Click here for the coupon.

AMC Theaters: Buy a ticket to Les Misérables and get some free french fries to much on with your date. Click here for the coupon.

Papa John’s Pizza: the chain’s heart-shaped Valentine’ Day pizza returns and you can get a one-topping pie and cinnapie for $15.

Free Doughnuts. Head over to Krispy Kreme for a dozen doughnuts–for yourself, for your office, whatever–and you’ll get 12 free Valentine cards to give out. But get this–each valentine is good for a free doughnut. So it’s like getting a dozen donuts for free, especially if you keep those Valentine cards for yourself.

Free Drink on Southwest Airlines. 

Ben & Jerry's $3 off Valentine's Day Cake

Boston Market free individual dessert with entree

Chili's free dessert with entree

Denny's free cup of coffee

Fazoli's free pizza for a year if you get engaged in the restaurant!

Fleming's free $25 dining card for toward future rendezvous

Krispy Kreme free doughnut with purchase of one dozen Valentine's Day doughnuts

Marble Slab Creamery $2 discount on heart ice cream cake or 6-pack of heart ice cream cupcakes with eCoupon

Qdoba Mexican Grill free entree with kiss

Quiznos free cookie with sub

Starbucks one free drink with purchase of a featured drink (Vanilla Spice Latte, Caffe Mocha or Hot Chocolate)

Or, if you really need a divorce, you may be able to get one for free.  http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/02/07/local-lawyer-offers-free-valentines-day-divorce/

DDR Bottle Drive Feb 9th

The Detroit Dog Rescue (DDR) has been very supportive of our community and getting to be known throughout the country.  There are too many dogs abused, neglected, or let loose in the Detroit area.  This is a fantastic non-profit that can use your help any time of the year.  Last fall they held an event called "100 Roofs for Woofs" which included donations of lumber and talent to make and paint 100 dog houses for dogs with no shelter in Detroit.  Check out The DDR FaceBook Page.

DDR is holding a bottle and can drive February 9th from 9am-3pm at the Blarney Stone Pub.  27253 Woodward Avenue, Berkley (North of 11 Mile).

Other ways to help: volunteer, give blankets, food, connections to vets, connections to media coverage, or money.  Check out their website and tell your friends.  DDR Website

Free Italian Films in the USA

While I was at the Detroit Film Club recently to see the Oscar Nominated Short Films, I saw an advertisement for upcoming free full-length Italian Films in Metro-Detroit.  It turns out, the Italian Film Festival will be touring the US this spring.

Memphis:  March 28-April 2
Detroit:  April 3-28 (The Main in RO, WSU, Oakland U, UofM, Henry Ford Community College, and the DFT =Detroit Film Theatre at the DIA)
Cleveland:  April 16-30
Denver:  April 22-May 2
Indianapolis: TBA
St. Louis:  TBA
Columbia:  TBA
Pittsburgh:  TBA
Chicago:  TBA
Kansas City:
Milwaukee:  April 26-28

Films include:  
Escort in Love
It Was the Son
Even If It Is Love, You Don't See It
One More Day
Terraferma
The Entrepreneur
The Human Cargo
Torment

Free IHOP Pancakes - Donation please

Tuesday, February 5th from 7-10 am, IHOP is serving short stacks for free.  Help the Children's Miracle Network by leaving a donation for your free pancakes.

You can also go to the IHOP website and sign up for their club and get free pancakes for your birthday.
Happy eating!

Winter Fest in Oak Park

This Sunday, January 20th from 1-3pm is Oak Park's Winter Fest (That's Oak Park, Michigan).  FREE stuff for the family to do like ice skating, eating chili, making crafts, playing games, and other stuff too!
I'll be there with the Oak Park Arts & Cultural Commission - so, be sure to stop by and say a hearty Howdy!

From the City of Oak Park's FaceBook Page: 

If you haven't heard yet, our annual Winterfest is coming up THIS weekend on Sunday the 20th! 
You'll want to clear whatever your previous plans were from 1-3pm that day as we will be having an awesome event with some brand spanking new activities we've not had in previous years! You won't want to miss the opportunity to enjoy FREE ice skating at the OP Ice Arena(No skates? No big! You can rent those for FREE too!). If you end up cold, you can warm up by our bon fire and roast yourself a s'more outside, or head inside where you will be able to sooth the hungry beast with some chili and check out the afternoon's entertainment. Want to take home a memory of this awesome afternoon, stop by our family photo booth! Other adventures for the day include sleigh rides, the animals will be back for our popular petting zoo, balloon animals, face painting, awesome raffle prizes, and sleigh rides. There's a good chance we've managed to leave something out, but believe me, we've got something for everyone! Like if you're coming, Share if you want your friends and neighbors to come too!

$1,000 in Groceries

30 people will win $1,000 each.  Click on this link to enter.  Good for Kroger, Fry's....and other grocery stores.  One is probably in your neighborhood.  

Good Luck!

To enter this sweepstakes, you need an online account with a Shopper's Card.

Free Birthday Coffee Drink

Thanks to Caribou's Facebook update today - I now know I can get a free birthday coffee next month.  YAY!

Sign up and get yours on your birthday too!

Looking for a free drink? Sign up for emails on our website and get a free drink on your birthday!
http://www.cariboucoffee.com/page/1/home.jsp

Noodlegram for Sandy Hook Elementary

FYI...from Noodles & Company