March 28, 2005

Iowa's Best Chocolate CakeMelt shortening in boiling water. Cool. stir in eggs. Then dry ingredients. Mix. Bake in greased 9x13 inch pan or layer cake pans at 350 degrees. Use toothpick to test for baking time. Frost when cool as desired.

 

Russian DressingMakes 3/4 Cup dressing

 

Chocolate Zucchini CakeMix well. Pour into greased 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts and 1/2 cup chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

 

Chocolate Cake BarsPlace first 4 ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil. Pour over the flour and sugar that have been measured out in a mixing bowl.

 

Keeping Bugs from Sticking on the CarIf you're going on a car trip and know you're going to be driving through an area with a lot of bugs (like the south), spray some Pam cooking spray on your windshield and radiator grill to keep the bugs from sticking. You will have a much easier time washing them off!

 

Sharpening Serrated Knives Can serrated knives ever be sharpened?

 

Leaving the Hospital JokeHospital regulations require a wheelchair for patients being discharged. However, while working as a student nurse, I found one elderly gentleman - already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet - who insisted he didn't need my help to leave the hospital.

 

Apple CanapesPlace slices of apples topped with some shredded cheddar cheese under the broiler or in toaster oven until cheese is melted. YUM!

 

Save on Cleaning, Don't Buy SuedeTo save on cleaning bills and headaches, don't buy anything in suede! It seems that every issue of Daily Thrifty Tip has a request on how to get a stain out of suede.

 

Removing Chocolate Stains on SofaDoes anyone know how to remove chocolate stains from a sofa. - Cal

 

Baby Food Jar CandlesMake homemade candles with baby food jars. Melt down old candles. Use metal washers for weights tied to toothpicks.

 

Packing Clothing For ChildrenWhen traveling with children, use a plastic zip bag to hold one outfit together, from underwear, socks to clothes. The children can dress themselves and be coordinated.

 

Dollar General Homemade Hand LotionI have very dry skin and have bought so many different brands of lotion (some pretty pricey.) This seems to work better than any of them. Enjoy!

 

Baby Wipe Make Up RemoversBest way to remove any sort of make up is good old cheap baby wipes. They are a lot cheaper than those expensive removers.

 

Cute Clay Pot Pincushion for a GiftTo make a cute pin cushion, take a small clay pot, and stuff with fiberfill very firmly, until overflowing. Tuck a scrap of fabric over it, forming a nice dome, and hot glue inside the rim of the pot.

 

Early Refund Loans are a Bad DealThinking about getting an early refund loan when you have your taxes done? Those early refund loans are a bad idea from a frugal point of view--the effective interest rate on them is sky high.

 

Family Dollar Stores'Family Dollar Stores' accept manufacturer's coupons. Shop there before shopping at the grocery or elsewhere to get the most for your money.

 

Soaps for Sensitive SkinI have very sensitive skin and certain chemicals in soaps, perfumes, etc really bother me; so I found a website susansoaps.com that has a shampoo bar (soap and shampoo and conditioner) that is chemical free as all her products. I also use her solid perfume...

 

Reviving Hot FudgeI used to work at a sundae shop. We used to "revive" the hot fudge sauce that had set up, with hot coffee.

 

Lining Pans with FoilTo easily line a baking pan with foil, turn the pan upside down and smoothe the foil on the bottom and up the sides of the pan being careful to form the corners as well.

 

Daffodils in Bloom on Vancouver IslandJust wanted to share this picture of my daffodils blooming. They are earlier this year than normal, just like the hummingbirds came at least a week earlier too. We have had a wonderfull spring, but pretty dry.

 

Don't Let Your Car Run Out Of GasDon't ever let your car run out of gasoline as it will burn up the fuel pump that's inside your gas tank. If you do, it'll cost about $300.00 to $400.00 minimum to get it fixed.

 

Hard (Cold or Frozen) Butter TipIf butter is too hard to spread, shave some with a veggie peeler.

 

Tiny WonderlandHeres a photograph I took last Saturday. The snow was melting off my roof onto the snow bank below, creating an ice menagerie.

 

Hand Towel Tip For ChildrenI bought extra large safety pins and pinned the hand towels on the towel bar. This way when younger ones dry their hands the towel doesn't end up in the floor.

 

Birthday Party Suggestions For a Boy Who Loves Trucks, Tractors and Animals?My son loves trucks, tractors, and animals. I am having trouble deciding what to do for his birthday that is at the end of June. I am willing to do either an indoor or outdoor party. I would love some suggestions.

 

Dry Bulk Yeast vs. Yeast Packets?Hi, Does anyone know how much yeast is in a packet? I have bulk yeast but forget how many teaspoons or tablespoons are in a packet. So many recipes call for packets. Thanks, Susan

 

Silver Cleaning Cloths?My daughteer and I have those treated cloths for cleaning silver. I know there is a way to retreat them after laundering. We would appreciate the recipe.

 

Paint Spilled On New Car Carpet and Seats?Pease if anyone has any ideas on how to get paint out of carpet I'm open to any and all suggestions. I had some paint cans in the back cargo area of my Jeep and blue paint spilled all over. My mom's dog stepped in it and got blue paw prints all over the back of my seats which are leather.

 

Bad Luck With Seeds? dont have good luck with seeds. but my boss gave us seeds for Easter. they alweays look soo puny when they come up and then they die.

 

Potluck Dinner Recipes?I need pot luck dinner recipes.

 

Burnt Starch off a Clothes Iron?Good afternoon. I iron and starch my clothes every day. Recently, I got burnt starch on my iron, and I cannot use it. Does anyone know how to get that burnt starch of the iron?