Monday, April 30, 2007

Work At Home -- As An Online Juror

Well, this one looks intersting - "time commitment for each case will vary from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on the details of the case, but you always have the option to choose which cases you want to review...." and "After you complete a case you will be paid for your time. Payment amounts vary depending on the complexity and length of the case you review, but payments start at $20 per case and can go up to $60 per case." The webpage goes on to note that the amount of work available is dependent on the number of attorneys in your area that are utilizing their services.

This could be worth checking out. The link is below.

UPDATED: SEE UPDATED ARTICLE AT Live Thoughtfully: Work From Home Giving Your Mock Trial Verdict Opinions As Online Juror

http://www.onlineverdict.com/jurorshowitworks.php

Steamer Sandwiches! Except That It’s You That Gets “Steamed”

WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS if your personal tastes tend toward mild foods.

This is for hot sausage sandwich lovers only. Your favorite icy cold beer goes well with this sandwich. It’s very hot peppery – but you personally control just how hot peppery it gets so you can enjoy what you are eating.

Start out with enough crisp heavy bread rolls for a sandwich serving for each person – Italian is good. French bread baguette will work if you can’t find other rolls you like, but a heavy crispy bread seems to work best.

About 1/3 pound medium, hot or extra hot, loose sausage per sandwich. Shape the sausage to fit the shape of the bun but bigger than the bun as it will shrink. Fry until well-done.

Cut enough sweet onion (thin slices) and ½ inch strips of green bell pepper to make a hearty serving for each sandwich. Fry these in olive oil and butter until well done and soft.

Lightly toast buns in the toaster oven and get ready to assemble the sandwiches.

For an especially hot, hot sausage sandwich, drizzle the sausage, onion and green pepper with a tasty red hot sauce—but carefully and only after you’ve determined you would still like more hot pepper taste. A slice of hot pepper cheese (or not) is another option to add to the sandwich.

My dear Aunt Violet (a great Italian woman who just loved to cook – even made her own spaghetti noodles from scratch) passed away many years ago, but I am certain she would have chosen the extra hot sausage with the addition of red hot sauce right along with me.

Serve a nice cold potato salad on the side and of course, pass out that super icy cold beer and enjoy.

More Coupons And Special Offers to Lighten Up Your Day

Things we all need: http://www.scottbrand.com/us/ (click on Special Offers tab, too, for more)

New moms, this one's for you: http://us.pampers.com/en_US/promotions.do;jsessionid=OBD3NAD0SEQO3QFIAJ0X0NQ

Into health and fitness, weight management? Kraft has a meal planner that is personalized to you. http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/HealthyLiving/MealPlanner/MealPlanner.htm

Can’t figure out what’s for dinner? Dozens of casseroles and many other recipes. Try this one: http://www.campbellkitchen.com/

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Do You Suffer From Nostalgia And Like To Write? You Might Get Paid For It!

The link below takes you to a web page looking for content writers who can create interesting articles on the 50’s and 60’s and explains how you can get paid for it. Looks interesting! Check out the articles on the main website http://www.loti.com/ so you can see what might be acceptable.

http://www.loti.com/writers_wanted.htm

If You Are Still Sleepy When You Leave Home, Could It Happen To You?

It was obvious that the man walking down the street last week was either in a big hurry when he left home in the morning or really wasn’t awake enough to leave home. He was well dressed for a business day at an office except that he was wearing two different colored shoes, a sharp enough contrast to be easily noticeable. He just looked like a well dressed doofus. Hopefully, if he’s married, his wife will insist on checking his attire or insist on a full length mirror so he can see what he looks like before he leaves. The silliness put a smile on my face on my way in to work.

McCormick & Company Are Looking For Consumer Testers

If you live near Hunt Valley, Maryland, you might be able to participate in a study to taste and evaluate products. You are paid for your opinion. This doesn’t seem to be a work at home job, but they do also offer internet surveys. The website indicates that internet survey participants are entered into random drawings for cash prizes. See the link below for information and a telephone number.

http://www.mccormick.com/content.cfm?id=12337

Monday, April 23, 2007

Who Would Have Thought Work at Home Hand Addressing Mail Was Still An Option?

Most all we use today are computers and high speed printers and sticky labels, who needs someone to handwrite envelopes for them? What a surprise to see this on the internet: (These items noted on internet on 4/23/07.)

WriteOn Results is currently looking for individuals who are able to drive to their office in Frederick, MD to pick up and drop off materials. (Address listed on internet is: 10 North Wisner Street, Suite A, Frederick, MD 21701, Phone: 301-624-1705) http://www.writeonresults.com/?page_id=9

Aria Communications also is asking for local workers and notes that after completing 20 hours of training on-site and meeting standards you will move to work at home. See their information at http://www.ariacallsandcards.com/positions/writejob2.htm (Address listed on the internet is Human Resources, Aria, 717 West St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN 56301, (320) 258-2700)

There may be other direct mail providers or printing companies (including ones that specialize in invitations) – search the net using these key words and handwritten, handwriting, and use your own keywords to search. Search your local yellow pages for possibilities as well.

Please remember you need to verify the legitimacy of any work at home job noted on this blog.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Work at Home - Medical Transcriptionists

Take a look at the links below and launch them if you are interested. Before you do anything further, look at the rest of the website. You can always get to the main website by typing in the www. insert name of company .com, org. net, or other simple ending. If you think any of these look promising, you will then need to do enough research to ensure that any company you would like to work with is solid and legitimate – and pays.

There are a lot of companies that specialize in medical transcription. Using Google [also try your own variety of word combinations] on the advanced search ‑‑ use “work at home” on the first line and “medical transcription” on the second line, then search. Scroll and read the links that appear that you might want to see. I ignore the advertisements to the right when searching for information.

I also tried monster.com and typed in [on the front page] “medical transcription” without filling in any location or other criteria. Try your local yellow pages to locate companies close to you that might hire work at home MT’s.

Note that you might have to really search the website to find information about medical transcription work. It might be at the top or bottom of the page, in a sidebar or might be in a dropdown menu. You might see the words “career” or “employment” somewhere or not at all. Even if you don’t see this, it doesn’t mean they don’t use remote transcriptionists.

It might be evident from a perusal of the website they probably use remote help (i.e., work at home employees or independent contractors) from hints you see on the site. They might have a system where any medical professional from practically anywhere can reach them and you see the word “digital” in connection with the discussion on equipment needed or they will help with a system for them, stay interested. There’s a lot of other signs, many of which are meant not to be obvious.

If you just cannot locate any information at all – then contact the company and ask. Many professional companies that advertise on the intranet for clients who need medical transcription (and whatever other services they offer) are only all about just that. This is done for a variety of reasons – avoiding competitors, avoiding the client reading about their internal work policies, keeping the site strictly professional, all about how promptly and accurately the client’s needs can be fulfilled.

Most companies want well‑experienced and often, in addition, specialty-experienced medical transcriptionists. Find the right company that is legitimate and your skills could earn you not only good money at home, but some have benefits as well. It’s worthwhile to scrutinize what is available.

It is also worthwhile to carefully scrutinize the requirements of various companies – they aren’t all the same, and weigh the circumstances carefully if they seem onerous. And, most importantly, don’t quit your day job until you have found a legitimate company, worked with them, and decided it’s for you. Give it a long enough trial before you decide to make a career location change. MT is hard work and not an easy job.

Companies that are hiring often want resumes, and will test for knowledge and typing skills.

Legitimate companies don’t require a fee to hire you.

As with any work at home link on this site, none of these have been researched before placing them on this blog, but they looked like [maybe] possibilities.

http://www.spectramedi.com/jobopening.htm
http://www.oracleti.com/employment.htm
http://medifax.net/employment/thecareer.html [looking for MT’s. but seems you have to contact them]
http://www.transhealth.com/employment.htm
http://www.mxsecure.com/about/careers.htm#med_trans

More “Potty Humor” You’re Not Embarrassed To Read

There are some appliances I would like to have, but I can’t afford to spend the money or stretch far enough to finance them. However, limited finances do have an advantage. Life is simpler because there are less things to break down or need replaced. There are things in life you just don’t have to worry about because you don’t have them! See the link below and you can probably count yourself among the lucky people who don’t own one of these either.

Another toilet-maker in the hotseat Oddly Enough Reuters.com

Monday, April 16, 2007

Search And Find Work At Home Jobs

Do you really want to trust infomercial-type websites declaring that you, too, can earn $500 to $5,000 a month or more from home, and create a lavish lifestyle free from money worries if you just get the information they provide?

After you are told how easy it is or appealing to exactly the lifestyle you’d like to have, and a long fancy spiel tempting you with illustrations and earning projections, you are then informed you have to pay for the information. Quite often, you are urged to hurry because there are only so many of these packages left or the price is going up tomorrow—double the price of today. Some sites prices are anywhere from $9.95 up to $99 and I certainly have not looked at all of them.

Are they worth the payment? Sometimes a name is posted, but not always. Oftentimes, there aren’t any bricks and mortar addresses with actual company names or telephone numbers to call for further information before you send your money. While the infomercial website seems to be just jampacked with all kinds of information that answers every question in a manner you want to see, think about the information that isn’t presented. You should be asking, why isn’t it there?

If you decide to go ahead and order, you will have to decide if what was provided will actually be of any help and worth the payment.

A good rule to keep in mind is anything that looks too good to be true, well, chances are it isn’t. Even if the hype is kept low-key, is it still just so enticing you’d like to do it? That’s another red flag.

Can you Google these sites and find any information on them? Yes and no. You might find glowing reports posted at many places on the net (as well as the glowing testimonials you see on some of the websites).

The information might or might not have come from persons in the general public who have actually purchased and used the information. The information might be posted by someone affiliated with the site who earns a cut of the profits if you purchase it.

Personally, I think there are better ways to search and find information – and it won’t involve paying fees. It really isn’t necessary to pay for information so that you can work at home.

Your search begins with yourself, and ultimately, it’s all about you. What would be a good fit with you, personally? Your talent, your interests, what resources do you have available to you so that you can work at home, and will it fit the time you want to work? Will it pay enough? Do you really want to work at home? Full‑time or part‑time?

If you are currently employed, your first choice might be to approach your own employer. Think about that and what is it about your job that could be done at home, usually remotely. What time do you need or want to spend at home and how would you do it?

Draft out a plan to present. You need to set forth all the advantages to your employer. Is your office space cramped or too noisy and distracting to permit you to do as good a job as you could do more efficiently at home in your own workspace and quiet? Could you save your employer money by getting the same work done at home? Part-time or full-time?

Are there disadvantages to you and/or your employer with this plan? Can these problems be successfully resolved? How?

Refine and rewrite your plan to answer all questions you would anticipate. If you believe it is advantageous to both you and your employer, you might want to make the request. Many companies permit telecommuting, and it looks like those numbers will grow in the future as employers adjust to new ways and needs to handle their workloads, and retain their trusted and capable employees.

If your plan is not acceptable, you might find there will be reconsideration in the future as business needs change.

If you have experience working in an office as a secretary, administrative assistant, practice assistant, billing, coding, medical or legal, or as paralegal, stenographer or marketing (and of course, many other specialties), check your local yellow pages directory (put out by your telephone company) under an appropriate heading. (For secretarial services, try checking under secretarial services, transcription or typing headings, etc.) The hard copy of the one I checked did not list “virtual assistant”. Oftentimes, these types of businesses hire freelancers who just work remotely.

Create search criteria for yourself regarding businesses in your local area that might have a need to use your freelance services. Again, using the general category, secretary, there are local businesses that might have need to use freelance services – such as printing companies, small legal offices, insurance offices, etc. Also call or stop by temporary employment agencies to see if they would have any opportunities particularly suited to you (and if a working agreement with your particular situation could be arranged.)

You can expand a work search nationally because many jobs can be done totally remotely, if you have the right equipment.

Don’t forget to let all your friends and relatives know your desire to work so they can help you network when opportunities arise. Get a business card printed and pass them out to appropriate people. Join appropriate associations that can help you network and learn further about all the bases you need to cover when you are freelancing.

Another part of the search is on the web. Check your keywords here (virtual assistant, accounting, secretarial services, typing, freelance, etc .words that describes your specialty) and in many cases you can refine your searches by city and state. You could also look for websites of the professional associations of your specialty that might have valuable information for you. (Try some of these sites to search ‑‑ Google - Lycos Search -Yellow Pages and Business Directory - Yellow Pages, White Pages, Maps, and more - Switchboard.com or your favorite search engine.

It is also time to do research on the pay rates in your area, so that you can price your services competitively. It would be prudent if possible, to price your services below that charged to businesses by agencies that send out temporary employees. It is not always necessary to lower your rates to match a salary rate that an employer pays regular employees.

Your business equipment, telephone, insurance, benefits you pay for, all taxes due, including social security taxes, need factored into the prices you set. Don’t forget you will be paying the entire social security tax on your earnings when you are freelancing.

When looking for free-lance professional office work, create a descriptive information sheet of your available services that describe your specialties, competent knowledge and the value to the company that might use them. Make sure that you place this marketing piece together with your business card in a presentation folder if it is sent out by mail or handed to someone. If you send it out, include a proper cover letter. Follow up on your leads and don’t forget to send a thank you letter where appropriate.

Now that you have read this far, let’s take a look at websites that use freelance workers working remotely.

SpeakWrite - Typist Personal Page and Information Area – advertises on their website that they are currently hiring (i.e., contract with them) (noted on webpage on 4/16/07) legal and general typists. This page provides a sidebar with links to information you need to read before signing up. You will need to test for this job, and purchase a special piece of equipment for about $75.00 (a special foot pedal). The computer requirements and other items needed are explained on the website. If you already have it, and can pass their testing procedure, you could be approved and working in a short period of time.

While you certainly won’t get rich here, pay rate is ½ cent per word transcribed (the word “bonus” is also mentioned). To earn $15 per hour, that would be a consistent 50 words per minute for 60 minutes (any bonus is not explained). It does, however, look like it could be a legitimate opportunity that would be very appealing to a capable person needing to work from home on a consistent basis. Six hours per day at the $15 per hour rate x 5 days per week is $450 a week and you can schedule your hours. There’s a bricks and mortar address, and telephone number.

Legal Typist - http://www.legaltypist.com - is another site I visited that looks interesting, except that right now it is noted that they are not in need of additional workers at this time. (Noted on website on 4/15/07). However, as with any business, needs can change very rapidly. Their sign‑up page is still available and if you have special skills, it could still be worthwhile to send your information. http://www.legaltypist.com/DASignUp.htm. .

The two sites mentioned above, SpeakWrite and LegalTypist at least on the surface; look to possibly be what they say they are, professional businesses. It is always the best course of action to do your own due diligence in checking any business before you contract to work with them for your own protection.

For medical transcription work - http://www.mxsecure.com/about/careers.htm
MXSecure notes that they are hiring. Read the medical transcription position description and send a resume. Next, you will need to fill out the application, but the link first requires you to test before you can do so. (Noted on this website on 04/15/07.) This does not call itself a work at home position, but you are told what kind of equipment you need.

Posted at http://forum.mtstars.com/seeker/1/3658,Hospital_transcription.html by Diskriter, Inc., is a request for people who want to do medical transcription. It seems to be a full-time job with full benefits and equipment provided . Again, it does not say that it is a work at home job, but the allusion that it is. (Noted on link above on 4/15/07.)

I decided to Googled the Diskriter, Inc. -- http://www.diskriter.com/main.html - and according to the website, they use home‑based people for transcription positions. A bricks and mortar site is copied directly from their website reads: “Interested? Please send your resume attention to MT Recruiter at 3257 West Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, or fax: 412-344-4834, or to mtrecruiter1@diskriter.com. Need more information? Contact Us or call 1-800-242-1622.

Carefully read and surf the online sites you find. Critically evaluate the site – are any of them overstating claims about the value of their services to potential clients? Are requirements for homeworkers not reasonable (i.e., you have to spend and maintain too much on your own for low wages) or not done in a professional manner? Is there other advertising on the site that just doesn’t fit with what a professional website should be? Would you really want to contract with that business?

Sometimes you can find information on companies that are online at www.BBB.org. It’s also a good idea to search their name on the web – searching many links can help give you a more balanced view of what is really required or what you want to avoid.

I’d like to also mention that there are other sites on the net that are popular (not naming or linking to them) that in my personal opinion really do not meet the needs of those who want to work from home due to the process they have set up. In a nutshell, these are sites that post jobs and require freelancers to go through a bidding process. It seems highly likely that a competent low bidder probably wins. It’s best to avoid a bidding war where you end up offering to work for less than what can legitimately be earned elsewhere just to snag the job.

There will be more articles coming looking at many other work at (or from) home jobs. Please do not post any “home biz” opportunities in the comments box. Comments are welcome, but moderated; and not all comments will be able to be posted.

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Please note that all articles which I post on this blog are my personal experience or opinion. Expert status is not claimed, and in any event where you need professional advice, you should contact an appropriate professional for expert advice.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Are You Dreaming Of Working At Home?

Tired and weary of the daily grind? Long commute? Is working outside your home costing you so much that you are just certain you could save money if you could only find a way to work from home? Years ago I did just that, and made excellent money freelancing. That was the upside.

I still had to make some commutes to pick up and deliver work, but not every day. I didn’t have to pay for lunches at a restaurant and there were no more dry cleaning bills for office clothing. There were no sky-high daycare fees (because I had no children at the time). It was easy enough to start dinner and throw in a load of wash when I took a break. This was before everyone needed a computer and the internet.

Over all, it was a very good experience. It gave me a lot of confidence in my own abilities and myself on many different facets.

There were plenty of downsides to this as well. First was the initial financial outlay. Putting the plan together required a professional desk and equipment, as well as the more mundane things such as a telephone, adding machine and office furniture.

The equipment was also insured in case of breakdown so I could get prompt in‑home service and get back to work. Add to that a window air conditioner and new carpeting, and the price tag to start was about $2,500. All this had to be ready before even marketing my service. After a while, work came in just by word of mouth and I had no need to market the service again. That was the only task that went away.

As a one-person business, all the work was done by me. Everything from taxes (and the social security contribution was double what a regular employee had to pay) to preparing the work for the client. Sometimes a client would need the work personally delivered to their business to meet a project deadline. At this time, I learned the beauty of multi-tasking – make a single trip out to grocery shop and deliver work.

While it was good to be very busy (and that meant making good money), the only people I was able to be around or talk to was my family (when they were home) or those who used my service. Work often consumed many evening hours as well when time ran short on project deadlines. It always seemed that the larger the job, the shorter the deadline. Wise use of time became a priority so that I could have both a business and a life.

My business lasted about another two years longer after my first child was born, but on a very restricted level. When I became pregnant, I went back to work as an employee full-time to the same job I left so that I could freelance full‑time. My former office had kept in touch and even given me work. The door was open in case I wanted to come back.

Why did I go back? It made perfect sense in my life at that time. The pregnancy had a few complications and work with structured hours was more reasonable. It turned out to continue to be the right choice. My son would have needed a babysitter whether I worked at home or whether I worked as an employee. This child always resisted naps or would nap for 15 minutes to a half hour and then be awake for another two or three hours. He just wouldn’t go to sleep until late in the evening and it was a long time before he would sleep through an entire night. Sleep had become a big priority. It just wasn’t possible to work my own business even on a restricted level and care for a very lively child in the evenings.

Thinking that you can manage a full‑time job at home and care for infants or young children just does not work for everyone. Sometimes the wiser choice is to work full-time if you need the income and pay the babysitter. If possible, work part-time and begin something a few part-time hours at home until you are certain of your options and your ability to handle all of it and still have a life.

A high-maintenance, intense business with absolute deadlines should be avoided. That was one of the main problems with the freelance business that I had. All my work was deadline driven, and the deadlines were usually short. It was not appropriate for a tired mother with a child who didn’t think sleep was important.

Mothers have many more choices now. Many businesses will permit job sharing or part-time work and include pro‑rata benefits; they are more family friendly. If you want to explore additional part‑time possibilities at home, the opportunities are out there.

Some of the coming posts here will also explore and name some of these possibilities. In the meantime, if you find some exciting opportunities on the internet, remember there are a lot of offers that require you to pay for things you can find yourself for free. Keep in mind that you wouldn’t go on a regular job interview and expect to have to pay when you apply for a job.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

More Nice Freebees On The Net

Surfing the net has its perks. Although I’d like to find a free flat monitor without strings attached, so far, no luck. I am sure I could write the manufacturer and tell them how much I like it.

Today’s catch is CALGON Home - Spa, Bath & Body Products - Get a Free Sample except that the program listed under “free sample” isn’t currently available. However, I am going to sign up under the newsletter on the website that says free coupons, special offers and more. (Noted on the website on 4/7/07.)

Aquafresh has a nice offer of a free sample of extreme clean toothpaste, coupons for toothpaste, brushes. (Noted on the website on 4/7/07.)

Dove Body Wash, Energy Glow Beauty Body Lotion – there are other choices of free samples at Dove.com Exclusive Offers. (Noted on the website on 4/7/07.)

Just a couple more thoughts. You might want to create a new e‑mail address to use exclusively with offers for which you have to register. Keep your personal e‑mail and other e‑mail separate.

Call the store where you want to shop first to check on their store policy. One large chain I called said store policy does not permit coupons printed from the internet, but that most cashiers will still try to scan them. If they scan, you can use them. The second large chain I called said they had changed their policy to permit people to use them.

If you decide that you are not receiving e-mail with offers that you can use, actual company websites usually have an easy way to opt‑out of their e‑mail list.

Friday, April 6, 2007

Spring Cleaning Is A Great Reason For A Clothing Swap Party

Great friends, great food and nice clothes. Where else could you have so much fun partying with friends and return home with new-to-you clothing without paying? Spring is a wonderful time to clean out your closets and plan a party.

Simply set a date at least a month in advance, contact your relatives, friends and neighbors and invite them to participate. Ask them to tell their friends and invite them as well. You need to be certain you will have enough people so that all sizes ranges will be represented. Your event will be even more interesting and rewarding if everyone brings items from their entire family to swap.

Ask your guests to bring a covered dish (keep track so your menu is varied or you need to make a suggestion if a particular food has not yet been volunteered), and their unwanted clothing. Tally up the guest list, provide the plates, cups, liquid refreshments and anything else appropriate.

Beg or borrow clothing racks to easily display the clothing and set up the refreshments. If the day you pick does not rain – run a clothesline outside and hang the items there. You won’t need to have the swap at your own home if you can find a park or a covered picnic grove where your private party would be permitted.

Any leftover clothing should either be retrieved by the owner or taken to a charity.

Enjoy your new clothes!

Free Sample and Coupon for Oil of Olay

I've always liked Oil of Olay and found their website on the net. If you go through the website and sign up, there is an offer for a $3.00 off coupon for Regenerist Thermal Contour and Lift and a free sample of Olay Definity Intense Hydrating Cream. There's also an option to receive the Club Olay newsletter. This offer was noted on the website on 4/6/07.

Olay.com – Samples & Offers

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Summertime Means Fresh Broiled/Baked Tomato Sandwiches Heaven

These are just so perfect with summer fresh tomatoes (super fresh, picked out of the garden or fresh from a farmer’s market). Get a quality hearth baked-type heavy Italian loaf sliced thick (try out ¾ inch size) (if you prefer, you can use French bread and slice it in half lengthwise – use a baguette type).

Bread (as describe above) – at least two thick slices per person

Butter

2 slices of well-done, crispy bacon per slice of bread

Onion – your favorite sweet – sliced very, very thin, enough for a serving on each slice of bread

You could also thin slice some fresh mushrooms and sauté those lightly in butter and put them on as your first layer under the bacon if you like.

Fresh red, firm and ripe tomatoes. Cored and peeled. (You can immense them in water that just stopped boiling for a minute or two, then switch them to cold water immediately. The skins should be easy to take off. Just don’t cook the tomato.) Get enough tomatoes sliced thick to cover each piece of bread base. Cutting some of the slices of tomato into four pieces makes it easier to position the tomato over the entire slice of bread.

Fresh ground black pepper

Parmesan cheese

Shredded Mozzarella cheese for topping.

Lightly toast the slices and lightly butter the top. Wrap each piece of bread on the bottom and just up the sides with aluminum foil (non-stick kind works well) so it doesn’t become burned. When adding your toppings, none of them should be hanging over the edge of the bread. Layer the bacon first or mushrooms first if you are using them, then the bacon, breaking it to size to fit the bread, add the thin slices of onion, then position the tomato to cover the top. Sprinkle on some black pepper (fresh ground is great), then sprinkle on some parmesan.

Place all on a baking sheet in oven (or baking sheet in your toaster oven) and heat at around 350 (the temperature you use will depend on how your oven actually heats – or burns things) until you see the tomato beginning to get hot. Then pull the tray from the oven and carefully add the shredded Mozzarella cheese to top each slice, just don’t use too much as it will melt over the side. Return all to the oven until the cheese melts and just begins to brown/puff a little. At this point you can turn off the oven and let it sit for about another minute if it isn’t too well done on top. Take care that the tops do not become dried out or burned.

These open faced sandwiches are really a treat for tomato lovers. I could eat them all summer long or as long as there are fresh tomatoes available.