December 6, 2004

Chocolate Covered Cherry CookiesIn a large bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg to vanilla; beat well...

 

Oatmeal CarmelitasCombine flour and oatmeal, brown sugar, soda, salt and butter. Press 1/2 of the crumbs into a 9x13 inch pan...

 

Bronco BrowniesHeat caramels with 1/3 cup milk to melt. Set aside. Combine cake mix, butter, and remaining 1/3 cup milk...

 

Cake Mix - Chocolate Chip CookiesChocolate chip cookie recipe using cake mix.

 

The New HomemakerThis is a GREAT site - I wanted to share it ! - melody_yesterday

 

Curling EyelashesIf you curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, try heating the curler in hot water or with a warm blow dryer before curling, it will work like a curling iron for your lashes. By Anna

 

Pastry BrushA small, clean, never-used paintbrush from the dollar store makes a great pastry-type brush for brushing foods with melted butter or oil.

 

Painting Cookies with ChildrenMake a basic cookie. Then take white frosting and place in microwave a few seconds to thin it. Divide into several bowls. Then add a drop or two of food coloring to make several colors of "paint". Give the children small paint brushes and let their imaginations run wild. By Anna

 

Making Paper and Felt OrnamentsIt isn't too late to still make quick paper or felt ornaments for gifts to stick into a card. One of my daughters is using brown felt and cutting out gingerbread men that she then puts faces and details on with a paint pen, a red gingham ribbon attaches it to the tree.

 

Roasted GarlicWrap each head of garlic separately in foil that has been lightly sprayed with non stick cooking spray. Bake at 400F. for approximately 30 min. or until they feel soft when squeezed.

 

Homemade ScrunchiesEasy and quick pattern. Cut fabric 20-22 inches long and 4 inches wide. Sew the fabric together, right sides together using 1/4-inch seam allowance, making a tube.

 

Screensavers and Computer Screen WallpaperBe careful about downloading screensavers and wallpaper, many include spyware. http://www.Webshots.com is one that doesn't and you can download most pictures for free (up to five a day). They have many wonderful pictures on just about any subject one could imagine. By Anna

 

Bath Cookies (Non-Edible)24 cookies, enough for 12 baths.

 

Painting Tip - Keeping Wet Ones HandyWhen doing painting, staining, or polyurethane projects; I keep Wet Ones pop-up wipes handy to clean my hands, wipe off paint brush handles, or wipe up small accidents.

 

Check Out Thrift Stores For ToysMake sure to check out thrift stores for Christmas presents. I recently bought a set that had a barn, silo, cows, fences, etc. for $2, I plan to buy a tractor (new or thrift) and have this set up underneath the Christmas tree. My 3 year old will never know it wasn't new in a box. By Melanie

 

Cleaning Ornate ItemsUse a soft dry paintbrush to dust off detailed items with lots of crevices, like ornate picture frames. By mdipert

 

Bacon Bites - Dog TreatsIs Fido your best friend? Here's a recipe that will make him happy this holiday season.

 

Selling Our Home - What Should I Renovate?I am curious about what would be worthwhile to fix up in terms cost vs. reward when selling the home. Nothing in the house is horrible but we have old windows, ugly appliances, 15 year old carpet, probably could use some paint, kitchen and bathroom floor leave much to be desired.

 

Mashed Potato Recipes?I am looking for some really tasty mashed potato recipes. Maybe something a little adventurous? I make them standard recipe every year but would like to do something different for our feast this Christmas. Thanks, Sandy

 

Jars Needed for Gifts-In-A-Jar?I would like to make a bunch of gifts-in-a-jar (cookie mixes, cake mixes, soup mixes, etc.) for Christmas this year. I now need to know where to get quart or liter-sized jars. Suggestions, anyone? I've seen nice ones at kitchen and houseware stores, but they often cost upward of $10 each, and I can't afford that. Sources for inexpensive sealable bottles would also be appreciated. Thanks! Lynne

 

Creating Livable Space In The Garage In The Winter?I'm trying to decide what types of heaters to use during the winter season. Also what can I use for a divider for half of use of the garage. We also have very cold cement floor. Any help would be appreciated. -Jose Zapata

 

Looking for Paper Mache Instructions?I want to know how to make a paper mache cat, turtle, dog, puppies, Christmas tree, santa claus, ornaments and kittens. Lamine