December 16, 2005

Jambalaya Pasta TossToss chicken with 1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning and salt. In nonstick skillet heat oil over medium high heat. Add sausage; cook until heated, 1-2 minutes...

 

Cheeseburger PizzaCrumble in browned hamburger or ground turkey. Cook, stirring often, until browned, 2-3 minutes. Stir in pizza sauce. Spread over crust; top with cheese...

 

Delicious Oven French FriesOven baking makes these french fries lower in fat and still crispy.

 

Garden Potato SaladLow-fat cottage cheese is the secret to the dressing in this delicious low fat and saturated fat, low cholesterol, low sodium mixture of vegetables and herbs.

 

Gourmet Gift Cookie MixIn a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Layer ingredients in order given in a quart size canning jar. Mix oatmeal in a blender.

 

Chocolate-Hazelnut Yule LogSprinkle kitchen towel with confectioners' sugar; invert hot cake onto towel. Start with short side. Roll up cake in towel. Cool completely. When cool, unroll cake; spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Re-roll without towel...

 

Snowman Soup (Sugar and Fat Free)This is my Christmas tip. I have a friend who is diabetic, and cannot have anything with sugar, but also cannot use Nutrasweet as it gives him headaches. So I devised a sugar free (also fat free) hot chocolate mix using Splenda.

 

Caterpillar Sandwiches RecipeThese squiggly little sandwiches are almost too cute to eat, but budding entomologists gobble them up with enthusiasm! This is a great recipe for kids of all ages to help prepare. They take about 20 minutes to assemble and minutes to devour.

 

Tapered Beeswax CandlesTall, simple and elegant - these beeswax candles are lovely as a centerpiece for a Christmas tea or as a gift that is sure to be treasured.

 

Jesus' Birthday BoxEvery year at Christmas we have a wrapped shoe box with a slot in the top that we display on the dining room table. This is to remind us that it is Jesus' birthday. Whenever someone does something for Jesus, they write it down and put it in the box...

 

Stain Remover and Comet to Remove InkI recently had ink all over my dryer. I used laundry stain remover and Comet, made into a paste. Just rinse and let dry. It came off so easily.

 

Chakita (Akita/Chow Mix)Chakita is 10 weeks old and is an Akita/Chow mix. I got her for my birthday. She likes to play ball and do tricks for cookies. She is very smart.

 

Poinsettia MagnetsSeasonal magnets made from paper and reminiscent of that favorite Christmas houseplant!

 

Last Minute Gift IdeasInexpensive ideas for last minute gifts. Post your ideas.

 

Removing Sour Milk Smell from Baby BottlesBaking soda will take the nasty, sour milk smell out of baby bottles. Just fill them with some warm water and a spoonful of baking soda. Shake it up well and then rinse it out. Then you can wash them as usual.

 

The Wonders of ToothpicksStock up on toothpicks! Purchase the round ones, not the flat ones, you can buy them really inexpensively at the dollar store. No longer will they just be used to clean your teeth or for h'ordeurves.

 

Buying Items They Normally Would Need to BuyI wanted to purchase my husband some smaller gifts for his stocking on our first Christmas together, but quickly didn't see the point of useless little gadgets/knick knacks that would ultimately end up sitting in storage somewhere...

 

Chocolate Spoons GiftThese are good for coffee or cocoa gifts. Buy a package of sturdy plastic spoons, preferably in festive colors. Dip them in chocolate (melted chocolate chips work well) and shake off the excess. Place them on wax paper and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy.

 

Toilet Paper Roll Santa ClausToilet paper rolls usually make their way into the garbage, but they can be useful in making great craft items. One item is the annual favorite - Santa Claus. This simple craft has the ability to be a Christmas tree topper (for a very small tree), an ornament, or a stand alone decoration.

 

Training an Older Collie?I've known my fiance for four years, he has a 8 year old large Collie (he's had since he was a young pup). Before "Champ", all I ever knew about collies was Lassie. I've looked up sites and information, Champ is hardly anything like them, his personality is horrific, he is a glutton no matter how much you feed him. Collies are normally friendly with children (even babies), he will bare his fangs at Ariana (nine months old).

 

Sugared English Walnuts?I am looking for a recipe for sugared English Walnuts or Pecans. I do believe you boil the ingredients together and pour over the nut meats and it hardens and makes them crunchy.

 

Wedding Vendors in San Antonio, Texas?I'm a wedding planner just moved to San Antonio. I need to hear from BRIDES in this area. Who have you used? Photographers, locations, hair, makeup, catering, music? Please let me know about your good experiences with suppliers in this area.

 

Ink on a Shearling Lamb Coat?I have an ink mark on my brand new shearling lamb coat. It almost looks like it is from a felt tip pen. Any help on how to remove the mark would be greatly appreciated.

 

Mildew Smell in Ice and Water from Refrigerator?The water and ice coming from my side by side refrigerator is mildewy.