Once the gravy has thickened up, let it cook for another minute on medium heat. However, be sure to stir it with a whisk the entire time to ensure that it stays smooth and lump-free. At the end of the minute of cooking, it’s a good idea to give the gravy a taste and season with a little salt if necessary. When the gravy is finished, remove the pan from the stove. Pour the gravy into a gravy boat or other serving dish. If desired, you can garnish it with chopped fresh parsley. Serve it while it’s still hot.
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One-sentence summary -- Cook and stir for 1 minute. Transfer to a gravy boat. Finished.


Well-rounded, lifelong learners are awesome men and women. Inquisitive individuals are invested in understanding the world around them. As a result, they are often more aware of world cultures and current events, and more accepting of people's differences as well. In an effort to increase your knowledge, allow your natural curiosity to lead you to new knowledge and equip you with new skills. Consider asking more questions, staying abreast of current events, and learning from those around you. Everyone has a comfort zone; awesome people choose to live on or over the edge of theirs. There a several benefits to taking to road less traveled:  When you take a risk, you put yourself in the path of exciting challenges and new opportunities. Taking a risk empowers you to extend your limits. Your exercise the creative and logical areas of your brain. Exiting your comfort zone can lead to an unexpected, positive outcome. Taking a risk can put your goals and desires in perspective. When you consistently take risks, you learn to lead a life uninhibited by expectations and limits. There are several unexpected benefits of keeping an open mind that can transform you into an amazing person. When you have an open mind, you:  Allow yourself to relinquish control of your thoughts and experiences. Allow yourself to adapt and change as you learn new things. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Accept that failure can lead to new beginnings and better things. Craft your own identity. Develop a strong sense of self. Become capable of admitting that you are wrong or don't know. Nurturing your natural talents can lead to awesome opportunities and self discoveries. When you explore and develop your skills, you can make amazing contributions to the world around you. Perhaps you have the potential to inspire people with your athletic ability, move them with your music, or tantalize their taste buds with delicious food.
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One-sentence summary -- Continue to learn. Take risks. Have an open mind. Develop your talents.


Before you start your candy cane Christmas ornament, get everything together that you will need to complete the project. You will need:  A ball of red yarn and a ball of white yarn (Caron Simply Soft is a good choice). A size H (size 8) hook. A pair of scissors. A darning needle. To start your candy cane, you will need to create a chain of 40 stitches. This may seem like it will result in a large candy cane, but your final result will be small enough to hang on a Christmas tree. You will need a coil of red and a coil of white yarn, but you can create these one at a time. Start with the white or red and then do the other coil after you finish the first. After you have your 40 stitches, you will need to count back to the fourth stitch from the one that is currently on your hook. Insert your needle through this loop and then wrap your yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through both loops. Then, chain three loops and repeat the double crochet stitch on the next stich. Then, move to the next loop, and continue to chain three and double crochet down to the bottom of the chain. As you do this, the stitches will form a coil. You do not have to do anything but continue to double crochet and this coiling effect will happen. After you finish your first coil, pick up your other ball of yarn and create the second coil. To create the candy cane stripe effect, you will need to intertwine the coils you have just created. Carefully line up the ends and then swirl one coil around the other. The coils should fit together easily. The coils will form a candy cane shape when you hang them on the tree by the part of the coils that will be the curve of the candy cane. Try shaping the cane into the position that you want it to be in when you hang it on the tree. To hold the coils together and create a loop to hang them on your tree at the same time, take a 6” to 8” piece of yarn and tie the ends in a knot. Then, use the hook of your crochet needle to pull the loop through the top of the curved part of your candy cane. Pull the loop through itself to secure it. Then, hang your candy cane ornament on a Christmas tree!
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One-sentence summary -- Gather your materials. Chain 40 stitches. Double crochet beginning with the fourth loop. Continue double crochet to bottom of chain. Intertwine the coils. Secure the coils with a piece of yarn.


These are names for the same type of short term loan for smaller amounts that used to be tied to a borrower's next paycheck. They are offered to help with an immediate financial need but are small enough to pay back in a week or month's time in a single payment.  You can do an Internet search under "payday loans" or "cash advance loans" and you will have many to choose from. You will need to provide your bank's routing and account number when you accept the loan, and the amount borrowed will be deducted directly from your checking account on the due date. Average fees for these types of loans range from $15 to $40 for every $100 borrowed up to $500. Fees may be less on loans larger than $500. While expensive, it may be less than what you would pay for bouncing a check, paying a credit card bill late, or having your heat or electricity disconnected. Thanks to our recent financially-troubled times, many otherwise responsible people have fallen on hard times, and their credit has suffered as a result. To address this market, dozens—if not hundreds—of lenders have jumped in, hoping to capitalize on people in need. Not all of them are scrupulous, so here are some things to look for:  Are they direct lenders, or a third-party lender? Third-party lenders will refer you to a direct seller, but you have no control where your personal information—such as your Social Security number—is being sent. Verify that they do not resell personal information, and anything transmitted is done over secure lines. What do they offer? What are the minimum and maximum dollar amounts they offer for loans? The average provider offers online loans ranging from $100 to $1,500, though frequently they'll advertise a much higher number. What is the interest rate? This will vary, and can be a flat fee, or a sliding scale based on the duration of your loan. What is their maximum term of the loan? Some are no more than 10 days, while some can be up to 6 months. The longer the term, the more expensive the loan will be—over 600% is not uncommon. Once you have investigated the potential lenders, visit their website and fill in the required forms and provide any requested documentation. They will be looking for the following pieces of information about you:  Do you currently have a job? They will want to see proof of employment. Monthly take-home pay—after taxes Social Security number Driver's license Valid checking account Valid email address Proof that you're over 18 Credit checks may take place, though rather than using them to disqualify you, they will use them to set rates. In some cases, you may be disqualified if you have a bankruptcy on record. If you are a repeat customer with a history of paying back in a timely manner, you may be able to get a lower interest rate. Most services will offer direct deposit within 24 hours, to your bank account. This is fast and convenient, and is a secure way to proceed—after you've verified that they are a legitimate company. Do not offer your bank account information until you have checked them out, as they will be able to withdraw money as well as deposit it. You can find out if there have been problems reported on the lender from the Better Business Bureau or your state's attorney general's office.
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One-sentence summary --
Consider a payday or cash advance loan. Research lenders thoroughly. Apply online. Collect your money.