December 19, 2005

Golden Vegetable SoupThis is an easy soup to make and you can make it to your own preferences. I happen to love sweet potatoes, so I use more than the recipe calls for. Also, I add my turmeric a little at a time. You can also use more chicken broth.

 

Apricot Butter BallsCombine sugar, melted butter and orange juice. Mix together. Add ground apricots. Roll in 1 inch balls. Roll balls in either coconut or nuts, for garnish...

 

Chocolate CandyCombine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan and cook for 2 minutes or till soft ball stage. Beat immediately and drop by teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper...

 

Fudge-Nut Oatmeal BarsIn a microwave-safe bowl, heat milk, chips, butter and salt until melted. Stir well. Stir in vanilla and walnuts until combined. Spread over oat mixture in pan. Drop remaining oat mixture by Tablespoonfuls over chocolate. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes...

 

Bake-a-Cookie JarThis is a visually stimulating gift that may make the receiver either run to the kitchen to start baking or put your masterpiece on display.

 

Cakes Cooked in the Microwave Using Fluted Stoneware PanI am totally sold on a purchase I made from the Pampered Chef company. They have a fluted stoneware pan that I bought recently and I just LOVE it! Below I have given some cheap and easy cake recipes...

 

Party Punch - (Excellent for Weddings)Mix first 5 ingredients together. chill. Just before serving, add ginger ale. We used this recipe for my daughter's wedding last June. It was a very LARGE wedding. Close to 500 people in attendance...

 

Cinnamon-Orange French Toast FingersDip bread into egg mixture. Arrange in rectangular baking dish; 9x13, overlapping edges slightly. Drizzle any remaining egg mixture over bread...

 

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup FudgeFor topping, melt a 1 lb Hershey bar and spread on chilled peanut butter mix. Return fudge to refrigerator until the chocolate has set...

 

Gift Idea for QuilterMy children's babysitter used scraps of material to make quilts and craft items. For Christmas, I purchased several packs of remnants, and several yards of various material appropriate for the crafts she made...

 

Preparing Christmas Eve Meal Ahead of TimeI like to prepare my Christmas Eve meal ahead of time so that I can enjoy the time with my family. I make a double batch of a pasta dish---like lasagna, stuffed shells, baked ziti or even homemade macaroni and cheese a day ahead or even earlier and freeze it...

 

Hero (Labradoodle)This is Hero, our 18 month old Labradoodle. He came to us at 12 months and integrated into our family with no trouble... especially once he learned the "never bother the kitties when they're eating" rule.

 

Cookie Cutter Poem and GiftBuy several cookie cutters and attach the following poem to them: I made a plate of cookies; And ate just 1 or 2;..

 

Using Old Children's Book PagesColorful pages of worn-out children's books make great gift wrap for smaller gifts, such as jewelry, books, etc. Add a piece of old ribbon or lace and you'll have a beautiful package. Even the most worn out children's books can usually be salvaged and put to good use...

 

Puffy-Felt Christmas Tree SkirtThis Christmas tree skirt gives your tree that country-home feel. It is simple to make and can be embellished in any number of ways. Since it is all done with felt, the sewing can even be done by the novice or use a dull needle to let a child sew on the pieces.

 

Abby Under the TreeAbby likes to lay under the Christmas tree looking adorable so we'll get her more gifts.

 

Decorated Glass OrnamentsThese ornaments are a simple, but elegant way to dress up your tree. They also make great keepsake gifts for friends and family. You can make the ornaments with your family, too.

 

Candy Cane ReindeerHere's a wonderfully easy craft idea for kids and adults alike. You can use it for your tree, a gift to give, or anything you want! All you need are some candy canes, googly eyes, small pom poms, and brown pipe cleaner. One candy cane makes one reindeer.

 

Sheet Beeswax CandlesThese quick and simple candles can be put together in 5 to 10 minutes and they make a great gift.

 

Magic Reindeer DustGreat to package for kids to sprinkle on the lawn on Christmas Eve. Print the following on Christmas stationery:...

 

Make Your Own Christmas CrackersIn 1847 Crackers were invented by Tom Smith who happened upon them by accident. Crackers are an integral part of British celebration and tradition that dates back to Victorian times.

 

Christmas Picture FrameJust cut a hole out of the middle with an exacto knife and paint the lid green. I hot glued on some red sequins for the holly berries and used fabric paint for the 2005. I made the bow out of red velvet. I used a twistie tie for the hanger on the back.

 

Essentials for Stocking StuffersThings get expensive during the holiday season, and the kids get over run with toys and candy. Instead of stuffing our stockings with traditional toys and candy, Santa Clause stocks up on the essentials...

 

Picture Frame CardsIf you spend hours staring at Christmas cards at the store thinking about how impersonal it is to send pre-printed cards, then there is no better way for you to send out your own greetings than through these picture frame cards.

 

Gifts for Friends Who Don't Eat SweetsAt this gift giving time, one of our friends, who does homemade baking to use as holiday gifts, for those on her gift list, who don't eat sweets, are going to receive small inexpensive bowls of nuts and dried fruits, wrapped in holiday attire...

 

Jello Recipe with Cherry Pie Filling?I used to have a great recipe for the holidays that I seem to have misplaced. It was a Jello recipe that actually uses cherry pie filling in it. Does anyone happen to have it or to know where I can find it again? It was a favorite of ours and it's just disappeared.

 

White Spot on Antique Table from a Hot Cup Coffee?I have an antique coffee table and have a big white spot on it from a cup of hot coffee. I tried rubbing it with mayonnaise but it's still there.

 

Stubborn Creases in Slacks?From sitting so much I seem to have permanent creases in my slacks. I need a way to get rid of the creases. They are where the body meets the legs.

 

Stains on Leather or Suede?How do I get stains out of a suede leather jacket?

 

Cookie Exchange Recipes?I need to make 8 dozen Christmas cookies for a cookie exchange at school. I want something different from chocolate chip cookies but VERY quick and easy.

 

Mothball Christmas Display?I have seen mothballs that move up and down in water. I would like to make this for a Christmas display. Does anyone know how to do this?

 

Fraudulent Home Foreclosure Site?My niece paid for a subscription to a home foreclosure site. The homes listed were already sold, some as long as 12 months a go. The site gives you the address of the foreclosure and the name of the realtor handling it. We drove past the addresses and they were all occupied.

 

Pet Door Advice?Is there any way to turn an ordinary pet door into one that allows only your animal to enter and keeps all others out.

 

Calming a Dog for Grooming?My old dog has a difficult time going to the vet and groomer. She needs to be muzzled and even then has bit herself during grooming in distress. Besides getting tranquilizers from the vet, how else can I calm her down?