Walker Bag and Organizer - Gift for the Mobility Impaired

Looking for a handmade gift for a friend or beloved senior? If you've used a walker you know how hard it is to carry things around.

This gift makes it easy to carry lightweight items like pens, nail clippers, cough drops, tissues, photos, eyeglasses, or the TV remote.

This project will take a few hours depending on your experience with sewing. Most of the stitches are straight lines and there aren't too many pattern pieces to cut out.

Start by asking your loved one their preferences for flowers, plaids, stripes, solids or animal prints. The fabric store is a good place to get ideas.

What You'll Need:

• Simplicity Pattern 2300 - Try to catch a sale at the fabric store. Mine was 99 cents.
• A good pair of sewing scissors for cutting through the thicknesses of this polyester-filled broadcloth.
• A flat surface and good lighting. Try to set up a dedicated area for sewing that doesn't require everything to be put away after use.
• Practically any sewing machine will do. No zig-zag stitching is required.
• A good fabric marking pencil helps for marking the spots to be matched up. Or, a number two pencil or eyebrow pencil will work.
• A measuring tape helps keep the pattern even on the fabric
• Straight pins are essential.
• Notions needed are thread, double-fold bias tape, and sew-on Velcro for the straps.

The pattern will tell you how much fabric you'll need. This pattern calls for double-sided, quilted fabric. Be sure to buy enough to match designs if you choose a fabric with stripes or a  pattern.

Remember thread, Velcro tape, and double-fold bias tape in a color that matches your fabric. If you find the fabric and pattern on sale you'll save a bundle.

Begin by ironing the pattern pieces flat using a warm setting on the iron to get out the creases and folds in the paper. It really makes things easier.

Determine the pattern pieces that you'll need and put the extras in the envelope. Cut apart pieces that are printed on the same sheet. That helps in laying the pattern on the fabric.

Turning the straps after stitching takes a little patience and a keen eye. There are optional devices to speed this task along like a heavy-duty needle or a strap turner.

For Mom's walker, an extra strap was needed on either side of the center support Instead of just one strap in the center.

After the straps are turned right side out, Velcro is added and the straps are attached to the main body of the bag. Pictured above are the top straps and the side strap that holds the organizer to the leg of the walker.

Notice how the pattern of the fabric is matched to the pattern on the bag bodice.

The most trouble I had was the lack of directions for the side straps. It took a little improvising to cover the raw edges on the strap for the leg of the walker.

Notice along the side seam where the strap extends outward from the main body. The instructions say to encase the raw edges with the bias tape. That was hard since the strap is in the way.

I cut an extra strip of double fold bias tape about two inches long to affix to the unfinished edge left after attaching the strap to the main body of the organizer.

Attaching a short piece of bias tape along the edge of the pocket insert will cover the unfinished edge.

This organizer gets a lot of interest from the residents at the nursing home and I've been asked if I would make one for them.

The cost to make the entire project is around forty dollars depending on the fabric chosen, the notions, and the cost of the pattern. It's a worthy project to bring happiness to the receiver and the giver.

Secrets of Making Boiled Eggs

Boiling an egg may seem like a simple task but in reality, it takes some basic knowledge for them to come out perfectly every time.

Making a perfectly cooked boiled egg is simple if you follow a few guidelines. The most important thing to remember is to not boil the eggs for too long. They turn tough and rubbery and get a green tinge around the yolk.

Mrs. Smith, my home economics teacher said "Hard-boiled eggs should really be called soft-cooked eggs, because there's no reason to boil them."

The water needs to boil, but once it reaches a boiling point, it's important to remove the pan from the heat. Set the pan aside, cover it with a lid, and set a timer for 10 minutes. That's about it.

Eggs are among the most versatile foods. They're in cakes, pies, salads, sauces, meatloaves, baked goods, pancakes, and sandwiches, as a main dish or a side. One favorite ways to serve them is hard-boiled.

How to:

1. Start by adding two to three inches of water to a saucepan.
2. Add the desired number of eggs to the tepid water allowing enough water to cover the eggs completely.
3. Bring the water to a boil using medium heat. Raising the temperature too quickly will cause the eggs to bounce and crack.
4. Once the water begins to boil, turn off the heat.
5. Cover the pan with a lid and set a timer for 10 minutes.
6. After 10 minutes, run cool water over the eggs and using a slotted spoon, place them in a bowl with cold water. Add ice to speed the cooling process.
7. To peel the eggs, tap the large end on a hard surface like the countertop or the sink.
8. Continue tapping the egg until the shell is cracked all around and on both ends.
9. Roll the cracked shell between your palms gently and remove the shell, starting with the large end.

To cool the eggs quickly, place the hot eggs into a small bowl and add some water and a few ice cubes. Immediately submerging the eggs in cold water helps separate the membrane from the shell to make peeling them easier.

Lightly tap the cooled egg on a firm surface like the inside edge of the kitchen sink. Once you've cracked the shell all the way around, roll the egg gently between your palms. Begin peeling the egg at the large end.

A warm, soft-cooked egg right out of the shell is delicious with a little salt and pepper. Or leave them in the ice water to get nice and cold, then serve them any way you like.

Easy Deviled Eggs

1. Start by cutting the boiled eggs in half.
2. Bend the eggs slightly away from the yolk and pop the cooked center out into a small bowl.
3. Blend the yolks by mashing them with a fork.
4. Add salt, pepper, mayonnaise, a dab of mustard, and a tablespoon of pickle relish.
5. Combine the ingredients well.
6. Refill the egg cups using two small spoons, one to scoop up a small amount of the mixture and the other one to scoot it off the spoon into the egg white.
7. Sprinkle with a dash of paprika, if desired.

Blend the ingredients together and refill the shells using two small spoons.

Sprinkle with a dash of paprika and you're ready to serve them on your beautiful vintage deviled egg plate!

Easy Egg Salad

Keep a few boiled eggs in the refrigerator to make into egg salad sandwiches. Just peel them, cut them into small pieces, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add a small amount of mayonnaise and a bit of sweet pickle relish.

Sandwiches made with egg salad on toasted whole wheat or rye make a quick lunch meal. They used to be on the menu at the lunch counter in the dime stores. Paired with a vanilla or chocolate milkshake, it will fill you up.