February 1, 2006

Broccoli and Potato CasseroleMicrowave together cheese, margarine, soup, and sour cream for 2 min. (Stir after 1 min.) Then microwave 1 min. at 50% power, stir...

 

Warm Winter Lemon CakeYou can enhance a lemon cake mix with pudding for a delightful, yummy dessert.

 

Warm Peach Berry CobblerPreheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix water and flour with wire whisk in large saucepan.. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full boil...

 

Quick-Glazed Pork BurgersCombine ground pork, water chestnuts, green onion tops, salt, and pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Divide mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about 1/2 inch thick. Place patties in heavy frying pan...

 

Sunshine Ham BallsIn a saucepan heat all ingredients until mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Pour over ham balls and return them to oven for 15 more minutes...

 

Tasty Breakfast BurritosPlace on warm flour tortillas roll up tight burrito style; fold short ends first then fold long ends. I place them in large freezer baggie and heat as needed in microwave...

 

Pickled OnionsMany years ago I was invited to share a meal with a couple who belonged to a volunteer group where I served. The wife was from a well-to-do family in Mexico...

 

Skating Party Bearded IrisCongratulations on this first issue of the gardening newsletter Susan. I hope it will be as successful as your others. (I'm sure it will). Here is a picture of some flowers in my gardens.

 

Growing AlternantheraAlternanthera make excellent fillers for container displays due to their compact growth. Space four inches apart for a carpet effect and pinch back occasionally to keep plants bushy. Pot plants and bring indoors as a house plant for winter.

 

Growing AmaranthGlobe Amaranth is native to Panama and Guatemala in Central America. It was once a favorite of English gardens and also attracts butterflies.

 

Light Bulb Joke TellersHow many light bulb joke tellers does it take to change a light bulb?

 

Opening Jars with Arthritic HandsI have arthritis in my hands and it is hard to open some jar lids. So I cut a square of rubber shelf lining to use on the lid.

 

Tea Bags for Infected SoresIf there is an opening or scab on the infected area this will work. The tea bag must have contact with the opening or scab. Use a regular black tea, tea bag to make tea as you wish...

 

Drying HerbsI have lots of herbs growing. When is the best time to harvest them for drying and storage?

 

A Better CheeseburgerWhen cooking hamburgers from scratch, put a thin slice of cheese, onion, etc. in the middle of the burger instead of putting it on top and watch it cook. I think this is the best way to eat a cheeseburger.

 

Two Newspapers for Extra CouponsBuy two Sunday Newspapers, so that you receive doubles of the same coupons. When there are sales for "Buy One Get One Free" items. Most of the time, you can use two coupons.

 

Growing AmaryllisAmaryllis couldn't be easier to grow. Most garden and home centers offer them for sale during the winter season when they are commonly grown to bloom for the holidays.

 

Growing Cherries (Cherry Trees)Cherry trees grow well in most zones. Although if you want to get more technical, tart cherries thrive best in zones 4-9, and sweet cherries grow best in zones 5-9. Bush cherries (somewhat sweet) are hardy enough for zone 3.

 

Growing FennelA beautiful addition to any perennial herb garden, fennel has thick, 5 to 6 foot tall stems, feathery green or bronze foliage and impressive rays of tiny, umbel-shaped yellow flowers.

 

Snails Hate CaffeineTo prevent snails from eating a new seedling you've just planted outdoors, put a ring of new, unused coffee grounds down around the plant.

 

Acetone as a Gasoline Additive2 ozs. of Acetone to 10 gallons or more of gasoline or diesel gives you better fuel mileage and more horsepower. Acetone can be found in the paint department of most stores...

 

Growing Anemone (Greek Wind Flower,...Plant Greek Wind Flower bulbs in zones 4-8 in the spring. They grow to a height of 4" to 6" and prefer rich, well-drained soil and sun to partial shade. Plant Poppy Anemone bulbs in zones 8-11 in the spring. They grow to heights of 12" to 18" and prefer light sandy soil and full sun.

 

Buying a Marble Countertop?Does anyone has a marble counter top in their bathroom? Is it easy to keep up or do you get water spots? Does it have to be resealed yearly? I want to replace our old tile top and I am looking at marble. Is there any other product that works well in a bathroom?

 

Drying Hydrangeas?I am interested in drying hydrangeas from my tree and bush, but don't know the proper procedure to preserve the blooms, but still get rid of the bugs and spiders inside the flower. I have tried dipping them in water, but the spiders seem to be able to outlast the dip.

 

Tire Rubber Smell on Clothing?My husband builds tires for a living and getting the sweat and rubber smell out of his clothes is a nightmare. I have used tide, borax, washing soda, vinegar, and baking soda. The only thing I have found to help a little, is an entire cup of Arm & Hammer detergent washed on the hottest setting.

 

Lawn Mosquito Spray?I have lost my Jerry Baker recipe for a spray to get rid of mosquitos. I used it last year and it was great! It used lemon dish detergent, dog flea detergent, and ammonia. Help me!

 

Chili is Too Sweet?I put too much sugar in a batch of Chili and was wondering what to do.

 

Piñata Instructions?I want to make a princess piñata for my little sister and was wonder if anyone has any instructions how to make it?

 

Installing a Painted Wood Floor?I want to install a wood floor over a concrete floor and I want to paint it white. Does anyone know how to proceed? What type of flooring do I purchase?

 

Composting Indoors?I can't remember where it was at, but I have seen a place telling how to use a 2-liter bottle for making compost. Are there any other things that can be used indoors to make compost?

 

Humming Sound Coming From Wall Socket?I'm hoping someone will know how to fix the problem I'm having. When I plugged a lamp into a wall socket last night, I heard a deep humming sound - and quickly unplugged it. I then tried the light in other sockets I know were okay, and there was no problem. Could the problem be a short in the socket?

 

Wine Stains on a Wedding Gown?My wedding gown has some very stubborn wine stains. I took it to a very reputable cleaner that specializes in gowns but they could not help. This is a gorgeous Vera Wang and I would love for my daughter to have the option of wearing it some day.

 

Sympathy Gift Ideas?A close friend (she's 40) just lost her father to cancer. She is receiving condolences of plants, flowers and food. I want to do something for her or give her something unique. Does anyone have any ideas as to what to do for her, or what to give her?