January 13, 2005

Western Mac CasserolePrepare dinner as directed on package. Brown meat, celery and onion. Stir in corn, tomato paste, water, salt and pepper. Add macaroni and cheese and mix well.

 

Yellow Split Pea SoupServe over rice, or alone. Stir in plain yogurt for creamy soup, or place dollop yogurt on top to serve and sprinkle with dill weed.

 

Zesty Orange Pasta SaladIn a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, orange juice, basil and ginger. Add remaining ingredients and toss lightly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours to blend flavors.

 

Veggies in a BlanketWrap each tortilla in a paper towel and microwave for 15 seconds, or warm in a cast-iron pan on low. Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese over each tortilla, add carrots and lettuce, and roll. Makes 2 sandwiches.

 

Tuna TetrazziniCook spaghetti, drain, and place in a mixing bowl. Stir in soup, milk, tuna, mushrooms, onion, cheese, and green beans. Pour into a 2 quart casserole dish.

 

Cleaning A Well Water FilterThe filter for our well water is about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. About every 2 months or so our water stops flowing and we have to change it with a clean one. They are expensive and it is hard to remove the rust and hard water sediment.

 

Keeping Christmas Wrap Rolls from UnrollingWhen putting my Christmas wrap, ribbon, bags, etc. away I noticed the rolls wouldn't stay rolled up without the aid of tape (which ruins the paper). I'd just removed a pair of knee high nylons, with a run in one of them.

 

Bev's Shell MirrorI previously replied to a request of what to do with excess shells. I explained how I decorated wooden or chipboard (MDF in Australia) mirror or picture frames with shells. I recently made one for a friend who celebrated her 40th birthday on the weekend.

 

Out of Season Clothing TableStore out of season clothing in a garbage can topped with a round table top and cloth. This can serve as a side table, night stand, etc.

 

Gift Bags Instead of Gift JarsIf you're going to be sending gift mixes, put them in a quart-size freezer bag instead of a glass jar. It will weigh less and cost less to ship.

 

Keeping Microwave Food MoistKeep leftovers moist while heating in the microwave. Take one paper towel. Wad it up and run it under the faucet. Squeeze the excess water out. Unfold and cover food.

 

Angel and Her Baby, JackThis is Angel, our Saint Bernard. She'll be three years old the 26th of January. Angel is just one big 150 pound baby and mama and daddy's little princess. She shares a home with her 2 cat sisters and 1 cat brother. Pictured here is Angel and her "baby". Jack was a stray and she just took him under her paw.

 

Using Up Eggnog - Egg Nog French ToastIt's hard to gauge how much food and drink to provide, especially for holiday feasts. After the recent holidays, my family had about a gallon of perfectly good eggnog leftover!

 

Choosing a Numeric PasswordWhen you need a numeric password, use a phone number of a family member to remember the password, post a note on or near your computer with the name of the person whose number you used.

 

Keeping Track of Reader's RequestsThere are often excellent questions posted in this e-zine, many of which I have been eager to see the posted answers to. When such a question arises, I copy the question and link to it into a blank mail, put the date in the subject line and mail it to myself.

 

Cutting Celery TipSince the ends closest to the leaves of celery aren't dirty, when needing chopped celery, just slice through the whole bunch, instead of pulling off one stalk at a time. You will be well aware when you need to start pulling the stalks off and washing them. A real Time Saver. By MCB

 

Can You Hand Wash Velvet?Can you hand wash velvet that is "dry clean only"? Has anyone ever tried? I don't have a lot to lose as this is a runner that was on sale. Let me know if you have tried with success or failure to wash your velvet fabric. Thank you! Ginny

 

Is it a Rat or a Squirrel - What do I do?I work at least 70 hours a week and winter is here and something has decided that since I am never home it will move in and has taken over.

 

Getting Top Off Pressure Cooker?Any one know how to get presser cooker top off? it's a large one that can be used for canning, It was closed after it was washed by mistake, We tried running hot & cold water over it. I sure would like you help. Thanks Sharry

 

Antique Desk Smells Like Urine?I purchased an antique desk and didn't notice the terrible odor until I brought it home. It smells like urine. I washed with a lemon scented mr. clean and other products but nothing seems to work. Anyone have any suggestions, Thank you. Sunny

 

50th Anniversary Party For The In-Laws?My in-laws are having a 50th anniversary and we are all scattered regionally. Other siblings are not able to help financially very much so I need ideas as I don't want them forgotten. This creates a lot of expense for us (read that as a lot falling on me).

 

What to give a patient in hospital and his wife?What can you give a friend whose husband is in hospital. He is now paralized from waist down. His wife has stayed by his side for the past few weeks. What kind of gift can I give her to use/enjoy while staying in hospital with him and what can I give him that he may be able to use? Erin

 

Anti Aging Moisturizers?Does anyone know what the differences is between Oil of Olay versus Mary Kay products. Both seem to be good, but I would like to get one product and stick with it instead of switching all the time. -penguin21

 

Looking For a Special Gift For A Guy?I'm within a budget and looking for the perfect gift for a 21 year old guy! It has to be something special because he is a really good freind! Thanks! Sweets