June 30, 2005

Stir-Fried Shrimp and VegetablesServe this over noodles or steamed rice. If you omit the shrimp, these vegetables can be a delicious, colourful base for grilled chicken or fish.

 

Grilled Lemon Dijonnaise ChickenMarinating with Hellmann's Dijonnaise adds a creamy Dijon flavour and keeps meat moist and tender during grilling.

 

Mock Twix BarsButter a 9x13 inch pan. Place a layer of Club crackers whole in pan. Boil next 5 ingredients for 5 minutes. Pour over crackers; place another layer of crackers on top.

 

Cherry Pineapple DessertMix well; refrigerate. (Can be frozen)

 

O'Henry BarsMix first 4 ingredients. Pat into jelly roll pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Do not overbake.

 

Getting the Most Out of GarlicTo get the full flavor of garlic without wasting the oils, when chopped or crushed, is to put the peeled, whole clove, into your sauces, and let simmer until soft (about 1/2 hour).

 

Bride in the CarIt's me, a bride:) on the most important day of my life.

 

Pixie - Russian Blue XMy son Char's cat, Pixie, doing one of the things she does best: resting on a basket of clothes. She is 9 years old, but a small mixed Russian blue that we got from the local animal shelter. One of her favorite things to do is chase shadows on the wall!

 

Sprouting SeedsStarting your own seedlings is an easy and economical way to get a jump on the growing season. It gives you the opportunity to experiment with hundreds of different plant varieties and gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your garden will be organic right from the very start.

 

Keeping Table Top Water Fountains CleanI have a table top water fountain which I love. To keep it clean, and the water fresh, I add some vinegar every time I add more water to it. My cats also love to drink from this, so it also benefits the cats, since vinegar helps to cut down on the flea problem as well!

 

Recycling Wrapping Paper and Greeting CardsIf you're like me, you hate to throw out pretty wrapping paper. I use it as many times as I can to wrap gifts. I also save the fronts from old greeting cards. Here's a few ideas to re-use them.

 

Frisbee as a Mulch SpreaderOn a fluke, I picked up a Frisbee in the yard and used it to distribute mulch from the bag and haven't used anything since. It gives enough leverage to spread the right amount around each plant and sure beats trying to pick the bag up and control the amount you pour out.

 

NasturtiumsTo make your garden green and flowery with colours of deep red or maroon or cream. Buy seeds of all varieties of nasturtium and plant them in combination in a 30" basket.

 

Day Vacations - Have Fun and Save MoneyMini vacations are fun and can save you money. This means you plan a special day which brings you back to your home at night to save on the hotel rate.

 

Mouse Traps for the GardenWe use mousetraps to keep squirrels, rabbits, and cats from ruining our garden. The noise scares them without hurting them so that they don't return.

 

Keep Gloves Handy in the GardenI often pass by my garden, and have found that I consistently pull little weeds out from the soil. Then I have to spend a few minutes trying to get the dirt out from under my fingernails. Now I leave an extra old pair of gardening gloves outside, right by the garden.

 

Removing Tape From a Woven Fabric Seat?I want to remove old tape of a 60's baby blue floral, shiny and dull, woven fabric seat of a chair.

 

Pollen Rubbed Into a Rug?I had orange pollen rubbed into my rug by my 2 year old son. I don't know how to remove it. I have used some carpet spray cleaners but it has not come out.

 

Birthday Present Ideas For My Mom?My mom's B-day is very soon and I have no idea what to get her. Also, I don't really have any money. I already have a card, but I really want to get something more. I wish I could make something that's doesn't take much time, money and is easy to make.

 

Kids Using Glue?Tips to help kids use glue when crafting. Post your ideas.

 

Cleaning Linen Shoes?I have a pair of off-white linen shoes that I have worn for several seasons without them needing cleaned. Now they need to be cleaned and I don't have any idea what to use at home.

 

Learning About Gardening?If you're new to gardening and don't know how to start, the best idea is to visit someone else's garden and ask how they do it. Most will be delighted to share in how to prepare your own masterpiece!

 

Installing Flooring on Particle Board?I moved into a house which I am buying. I am living alone except for my critters and recently it has been a challenge. A section of square, pre-glued linoleum came loose from the dining room floor. Then several more loosened and came up. Underneath the flooring appears to be particle board?

 

Beaded Flowers?I am looking for patterns for making beaded boquets or flower stems.

 

Protecting a Signature?I got my cell phone signed with a black sharpie and now the signature is starting to fade. Do you know of anything I can put over it so it wont fade or scratch off? I was thinking clear nail polish, but I am not sure.

 

Looking For Home Makeover for a Teacher?I'm looking for a home makeover for a Brentwood teacher that lives on her family's property since birth on the land. Here is also the home of her ancestors which has become a historical landmark in our small area. Merry is going to have to sell the property because of her constant love for other people who are less fortunate than she is and has caused a great bit of damage to her home she resides in. It's a beautiful ranch that has been lost in time. If she had this makeover we could prevent her from losing her home of 54 yrs.

 

Carpet Cleaner for a Car?Can anyone suggest the very, very best carpet cleaner for a van (that has been destroyed by children) for six years, other than having a commercial detail cleaning?

 

Game Ideas For a Quilting Group Party?I am having a party for my quilting group at Church. It is in my home and I have the menu planned but need help in a game or some sort of entertaining idea that would be enjoyed by all. Thanks so much for your ideas.