October 8, 2004

Storing Cottage CheeseIf you want cottage cheese to last for a long time, store it upside down in your fridge. Somehow this keeps bacteria that causes spoilage at bay - I have opened six week old cartons and they are still fresh.

 

Beautiful Beaded SnowflakesThese are quick and easy to make. You should be able to make quite a few while you watch TV. It is also easy enough for older kids to make them. Hang them on your Christmas tree, in your windows or tie on to packages.

 

Games for Promoting Your Child's Motor DevelopmentIf a child is having fun while moving, that child is far more likely to want to keep moving.  What he doesn't realize is that he's also practicing his movement skills!  Following are activities that help promote the development of locomotor (traveling) skills:

 

Umbrella Table Plastic Ring ReplacementThe plastic ring on our outdoor glass umbrella table broke a couple of years ago in a wind. To fill the gap between the umbrella and the table, I cut an inverted Yoplait Yogurt container and forced it down into the hole. It has lasted for over two years now. What a surprise. By springmaid5

 

Make Your Own Board and Card GamesFirst, I need to say that this can become addicting especially if you are all ready a graphics junky. So don't say I did not warn you. On the internet there are many sites that have free board games that you can print out and then glue the printouts to cardboard.

 

Frugal Housewarming GiftI needed a housewarming present for my cousin's daughters and I didn't have any money. But I do have a lot of plants, so I've started taking cuttings and rooting them in water for about two months now.

 

Stretching a Box of Noodle-RoniI stretch or "expand" a box of noodle-roni by adding a little extra water (and milk if needed) with my own "cheap" egg noodles or angel hair pasta.

 

Store Crayola Air Dry Clay in a Vacuum BagCrayola air dry clay comes in 2 sizes. The bag size is the smaller size yet still more than is needed sometimes. The extra could be sealed in a vacuum bag until needed again. It must be sealed or the clay will dry out from the exposed air. A perfect solution. By Mildred Ruckert

 

Teach Your Child Halloween Safety,Before going trick or treating, go over the rules with your children. Because it's an exciting night and emotions can affect clear thinking and "remembering," go over them several times.

 

Other Uses for Easter GrassEaster grass can be used for filling up gift bags. It also can be used to cushion fragile Christmas ornaments. Another unusual way to use this is to save your 2 liter soda bottles. Wash thoroughly and cover with stickers.

 

Chocolate Marshmallow Holiday TreatsA quick and easy snack/treat that you can customize for any time of year is MARSHMALLOWS. I just made a batch for my girls' Halloween party at school.

 

Alternative to Spring Rods for SheersI needed spring rods for my sheers at several windows, but they were more expensive than I could afford. When we go to home fairs or safety fairs, we often get yardsticks. I paint them white, cut them down and stick sponges on either end to hold up the sheers. They're not moveable, but they do stay up if you leave them alone. By springmaid5

 

Avoid Cleaning CrockpotsCrockpots can be a pain to get clean. So, here's a clever trick to help you save some time, energy, soap, and even money. Place a cooking bag in the pot, fill it with the ingredients for your recipe, close it up and slow cook and serve as usual.

 

Storing FunnelsIf you use funnels in your garage or workshop for filling oil, gas, herbicides, pesticides, etc., you waste a lot of time and money if you clean them after each use.