Weed patrol, pillows featured on show

Sheryl Borden

Information on making pillows, weed control and cooking potatoes will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon Thursday.

Ava Green is a designer, and she will demonstrate how pillows can be made from blocks of knitting or crocheting. Her company is Terri’s Yarns and Crafts in Sevierville, Tenn.

Curt Jaynes will show different products that are available to control weeds, how to mulch flower beds and how to use rock and grass clippings as weed barriers. Jaynes is with GardenSource Nursery and Landscaping in Portales.

Patty Mastracco represents the U.S. Potato Board in Sacramento, Calif., and she’s going to share the secret to preparing super fast spuds. She’ll demonstrate a series of recipes all created using the microwave, and one is a complete casserole on the table in 20 minutes.

Information on machine embroidery and cooking salmon will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” at noon Tuesday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Using an automatic embroidery machine, June Mellinger will show how to improve the presentation of machine embroidery on piled fabrics. Mellinger is director of education with Brother Sewing Machines in Bridgewater, N.J.

Registered dietitian Pat Baird will talk about the health benefits of eating salmon and will demonstrate some delicious recipes. She represents the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute in Juneau, Alaska.

Creamy potato and vegetable casserole

• 1 medium russet, white or yellow-flesh potato or 4 small red potatoes

• 1 cup broccoli florets

• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes and chiles

• 1 can (10 3/4-ounces) cream of celery soup

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

w Cut potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Place potatoes and broccoli in microwave-safe dish. In bowl, stir together tomatoes, soup, milk and Cajun seasoning. Pour over potatoes and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover tightly with lid or plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 20 minutes (cooking time may vary depending on your microwave) or until potatoes are done. Let sit for two minutes. Use oven mitts or tongs to remove from microwave. Remove plastic wrap carefully to prevent burns from steam.