November 8, 2004

Send People Happy ThoughtsI collect the happy thoughts I read in magazines or hear on TV into a notebook. Once a month, I write them down on colorful paper and mail them to my nieces and nephews. It keeps us close even from miles away! By Kathy

 

Raking the Leaves Onto a TarpIt's the time of year for raking leaves! Make it easier on your back by using an old sheet, large tablecloth or discarded shower curtain as a tarp.

 

Mushroom Slicers for EggsI use a mushroom slicer to cut my boiled eggs with, when making potato salad, tuna salad, or just lettuce salads.

 

Storing Toiletries in a Small SpaceDon't have enough space to store all your toiletries in the bathroom? Hang a see-through shoe bag on the back of the door. Everything slips right in and you can see what you need.

 

Kitten Flea BathIf I am fostering a kitten and it is full of fleas, I always give it a warm bath with Dawn dishwashing soap well rubbed and bubbly into its fur.

 

An Orange Treat With Maple SugarTake 3 oranges. Peel them into slices and make sure to remove all peels and white pithy stuff. Layer them on a flat plate and sprinkle them with 4 teaspoons of maple sugar.

 

No Cheesecloth for Cheesecloth Bag When the recipe calls for tying up seasoning in cheesecloth bags and you don't have cheesecloth, use coffee filters and stitch them together or fold in a pkg. and staple shut. (Example: pickling spice in cooked chile sauce) Works great! Ann P. Emond

 

Keep Spices at Eye LevelI saved an old tin foil or a plastic wrap box and put it in the back of my spice cabinet. That way I can put some of the spices at a higher level and they don't get pushed into the back of the cabinet.

 

A Popsicle Makes the Medicine Go DownBefore you give your child a nasty tasting pill or medicine, try giving him a flavored frozen Popsicle to suck on. It'll help to anesthetize their sense of taste long enough to make the swallowing a little easier. By Kathy

 

Suitcase Tip - Protecting Your LaptopIf you are flying, NEVER put a laptop, camera or other fragile items near the top of a suitcase. Because most suitcases nowadays have little wheels on the bottom, which could help a suitcase to roll off a conveyor, they are always slammed onto the conveyor with the soft top side down, and the wheels up. By DearWebby

 

Making Inexpensive Throw PillowsTo make inexpensive throw pillows for a couch or bed, buy cloth dinner napkins and sew 2 of them right sides together leaving an opening, flip inside out and stuff as you would a pillow, then slip stitch shut.

 

Hershey's Zero Candy Bars Don't MeltFor those who don't know this, Hershey's Zero candy bars don't melt when left in a hot car, like their other candies do. Zero's are known to be the construction workers candy bar.

 

Save Energy - Turn Off The TVMany times people turn on the TV and walk away to do other things without turning it back off. Most people will say that it provides needed "background noise." Try turning on the radio instead. It uses less energy, and is actually intended for background noise. By Leann D

 

Keep a Jar for Extra Screws and NailsI keep a jar handy to place all those extra screws, nails, etc. that came with the put-it-together yourself items that you buy. When my husband has only a nail, screw, nut, washer, or wall anchor or two left in what he is doing, I take them to place in my jar.

 

Dryer Sheets In Place of Potpourri and MoreWe have a coal stove for heat and in the winter it can get quite dry. Also living in an old farm house can get a bit stagnant smelling. I found a great tip that will work on any type of stove. I absolutely love the smell of fabric softener. I usually keep the used dryer sheets and reuse them for dusting, etc.

 

Check for Internet ConnectionWhen planning a trip, check for internet connections. When your time is limited, that high speed access can make a huge difference.

 

Sourdough Coffee Cake RecipeI saw the request for the sourdough starter and it reminded me that I have a nice Sourdough Coffee Cake Recipe. I have already sent a starter recipe to feedback but wanted to share this recipe with you too.

 

Scented Hot Pad ProjectI am making the following gift package, which is a craft that is yet to be made: Scented Hot Pad I am putting it all in a plastic bag, so the recipient can do the craft herself.

 

Oregano Oil For Unruly HairWrestling with unruly hair is a top cause of tears and tantrums on school mornings. And it is at its worst in the fall because most girls' hair is extra dry from the sun, salt and chlorine of summer. The result: twice as many tangles as usual. Add several drops of oregano oil to your daughter's regular shampoo. It softens hair, which gently loosens tangles and cuts combing time dramatically. By Kathy

 

Recycle Those Plastic Shopping Bags!I don't know about you, but I can't bear to throw away those plastic bags that we get every time we go to the store.  They are so handy for lots of things!

 

Long Term Solution for Smell on Furniture?Can anyone help me? I keep buying fabreeze for my furniture but it only works short term.Is there anything I can make at home to work the same to stop buying expensive Fabreeze? Carla

 

Wedding Anniversary on a Tight Budget?We want an anniversary party with a tight budget. Our anniversary is March 8, 2005. We are still very much in love. Even more than ever. I would like at least one slow dance with Alan Jackson's song "Remember When". Is there any suggestions you could give us without this getting out of our financial range? I look forward to your reply. Marie

 

Is LeeWards Craft Store Still in Business?Does anyone know if the craft store LeeWards is still in business? They closed their store in San Diego years ago but they had the best crafts. I'm looking for small hand loom type things because I don't know how to knit or crochet but I want to make something.

 

Jewelry Cleaner for Costume Jewelry?Does anyone have any hints for cleaning costume jewelry? Anything special that needs to be used on sterling silver or gold? Laverne from NE

 

Gasoline Smell on Nylon Jogging Pants?My husband was using his chain saw to cut wood and got gasoline all over his nylon sweat pants. I have tried soaking them in Biz, washed them 3 times and they still smell like gasoline. Got any solutions?