June 18, 2005

Banana SlushIn a large saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil; boil 5 minutes. Cool. In a large non-metal container, combine bananas, juices and sugar mixture; mix well.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter SmoothieIn a blender, combine soy milk, banana and peanut butter. Blend until smooth and creamy. With blender running, add ice if using and blend until almost smooth. Serve immediately.

 

Mulligatawny (Crockpot)Combine all ingredients in crock-pot. Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. Remove cloves before serving. Makes 6 servings.

 

Strawberry-Cranberry PunchPuree' strawberries in blender (if fresh, add sugar). Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Stir in lemonade until dissolved. Add strawberries, cranberry juice and water. Pour over ice. Add ginger ale and serve.

 

Lemon-Lime PunchPour drink mix into a punch bowl. Stir in pineapple juice. spoon sherbet into bowl; add ginger ale and stir gently. Serve immediately. Yield: about 3 1/2 quarts

 

Strawberry Breakfast SalsaIn medium bowl whisk jam, water and cinnamon; add strawberries. Toss gently to combine. Serve salsa over pancakes, waffles, french toast or hot cereal, or mix into plain yogurt. Makes 4 servings.

 

Fruit GoodyIn bowl combine pudding and pineapple juice. Stir until thickened. Fold in pineapple, oranges and bananas. Refrigerate until serving. Top with cool whip.

 

Lawn TonicMix all these together, in the proper amounts, poured it into a 10-gallon hose-end sprayer, and apply it to a lawn while you water.

 

Keep Razor Blades in MatchbooksEmpty matchbooks can be used to store razor blades. Just insert the razor blade into the bottom part of the matchbook. The strike plate can even be used to sharpen the blade in a pinch. Mark the matchbook so you know what's in it.

 

Buying Stove Burner CoversAlways buy two sets, because inevitably you or someone in the house will burn one of your covers! Keep the burned one on the stove as a reminder, when company comes over put a new one on!

 

Keeping Moles Out of Raised BedsPut a galvanized hardware cloth in the bottom before adding dirt. This will keep voles/moles from eating your plants. Without it the critters think it's their buffet! Also, putting plants in wire cages helps too! We have so many of these critters.

 

Work Bench Yard StickNail or glue a yard stick to the front of your workbench for quick measurements. It comes in handy when you need to make a lot of small measurements.

 

Cantaloupe with Cottage Cheese or JelloWhen the dog days of summer are here and it's too hot to use the stove, or to prepare a complicated recipe for dinner, try cutting a small cantaloupe in half, scoop out the seeds and fill with cottage cheese, mixed with grapes, and topped with cinnamon.

 

Quick CurtainsBuy 8-10 plastic stick-on holders for hanging dish towels. Buy the same amount of dish towels. Put stick-ons above the window where you would like the curtain. Put the dish towels on the holders. Stick-ons stick immediately!

 

Loudy the CatThis is me and my cat, Loudy. I have never been a cat person. Loudy showed up one night and sat on my porched and meowed all night. She was pregnant. She had her kittens and after they were older I had animal control pick them up to see if a home could be found for them. The animal shelter is located over 10 miles from my house. The next evening I heard a cat meowing on my porch. I walked out and there was Loudy. I guess she walked all the way back from the shelter. This convinced me that she belonged at my house and she has been with me ever since.

 

Soap As a LubricantA normal bar of soap can work well as a lubricant when applied to metal. Use soap on screws before you screw them into hardwood. You can also use soap to speed up a stubborn zipper.

 

The Gift of a Special WeekendFor our parents' wedding anniversary one year (when my siblings and I were still at home, in school and 2 of us had jobs). We wanted to do something really special for them, other than the usual gifts we gave.

 

Donating Items to Senior Citizen CentersDonate extra produce, magazines or other useful items that can be used. Seniors on limited incomes really appreciate it. Usually they have lunch programs during the week that they attend each day so items will quickly be taken so the center doesn't have to store things.

 

Keeping Grills CleanKeep the barbeque grill cleaner by rubbing it with cooking oil before using it. You will have less stuck on food!

 

Refurbishing a Dull Black Plastic Mail BoxThe Dollar Store has a bottle of New Gloss Tire Dressing. Clean the mail box and let it dry, then wipe this on the mail box and it looks like new again!

 

Keep Shrubs and Trees Away from the HouseKeep trees, shrubs or other vegetation trimmed so they don't rub against your home. They may be moved to another location, if foliage persistantly contacts the siding on your home, windows or utility penetrations such as dryer vents, etc.

 

Keeping the Bathroom Clean?Tips to help keep the bathroom clean. Post your ideas.

 

Remove Sharpie Permanent Marker From Stone?I have red Sharpie permanent marker on my River Rock Stone Fireplace. My son wrote on one of the stones and no matter what I have used it will not come off. I even tried bleach.

 

Uses for Concentrated Juice Lids?Uses for the metal lids that come off concentrated juice containers. Post your ideas.

 

Spaghetti Sauce - Tips and Recipes?Tips and recipes for making spaghetti sauce. Post your ideas.

 

Dog with Skunk Breath?My dog got skunked last night and I used the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and liquid soap method that worked very well on his coat. The problem now is that when the dog got sprayed by the skunk, he was barking and apparently got a mouthful of the spray also. He still has that awful smell coming from his mouth and nose. Any other helpful hints would be appreciated.

 

Lost or Stolen Purse or Wallet?Tips for dealing with losing your wallet or purse. Post your ideas.

 

Orange Soap Stain on Countertop?How do remove an orange soap stain off my formica countertop?

 

Tracking Responses From Requests?Is it possible to set up tracking of responses from other people's info requests? Sometimes an info request is made and I'd like to see all of the answers as they come in.

 

Nail Polish on Plastic?I got some nail polish on my daughter's American Girl doll. How do I get the dried nail polish off?

 

White Footed Ants?Does anyone know how to get rid of white footed ants? Sarasota is covered with them.

 

Dusting Silk Trees?Does anyone have any good tips on dusting silk trees? I have a silk fica tree and I'm dusting one leaf at a time.

 

Comfortable, Warm and Cheerful Painting Advice?My husband and I just bought our first house. We want to paint the walls but are unsure as to what color to paint them. The couches have dark green, red and with a little blue in them. I think they might have a little tan in them as well.

 

Cleaning Eucalyptus Branches?I have a vase full of eucalyptus branches that have mildew. It's a large amount and would be very expensive to replace. Does anyone have any ideas on how to clean this, if it is possible? Any suggestions would be appreciated.