February 21, 2006

Supreme Pork ChopsThis is the first meal I prepared, as a new bride in 1970. Brown chops on both sides. Season with pepper and garlic powder...

 

Cranberry Fruit SaladCombine ground berries and sugar; mix well and refrigerate overnight. Add grapes, pineapple, and marshmallows to berry mixture; mix well...

 

Potato Sausage CasseroleBrown and drain sausage. Mix soup, milk, onion, salt and pepper. In a casserole layer potatoes, soup mixture and sausage. Repeat layers again, ending with sausage.

 

Zucchini and CarrotsCut the carrots and zucchini into julienne strips. Steam carrots, covered, over boiling water for about 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Transfer the carrots to a bowl.

 

Corn Bread MuffinsBeat together the egg, butter, oil, and milk. Stir together remaining ingredients and add the egg mixture. Mix until just combined...

 

Sweet Potatoes with ApplesCombine raisins and water. Set aside for 20 minutes. Steam sweet potatoes over simmering water for 20 minutes or until tender. Saute' apples in about 4 Tbsp. butter for about 3 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and orange juice and cook, covered, for 5 minutes...

 

Sweaty Soles and Smelly ShoesTry this tip with each pair of shoes to get rid of athlete's foot fungus. Place the shoes inside a freezer bag and put the bag in the freezer for 24 hours...

 

Olive Oil for PastaI use olive oil to keep my pasta from sticking together if I have leftovers. Learned this secret trick from my Italian in-laws years ago...

 

Working During CommercialsI detest sitting through commercials on television so I use that time to accomplish (or at least start) some household task that needs doing.

 

Growing: Canterbury Bells (Bellflowers)Canterbury bells do best if you treat them like biennials. To do this, sow seeds outdoors in bed or pots in early summer. The leaves will grow but they will not flower the first year...

 

Buying Formerly Leased CarsWhen looking for a used car, look into "leased" cars. We bought one that was 1 year old, with only 2,300 miles! It went from "covered" home to "covered" work! We're in the desert so covered is important.

 

Growing ColeusWhen grown outdoors, Coleus plants will survive and grow in the sun, but foliage color is much more intense when grown in light shade or when grown under ultraviolet light indoors...

 

Keeping the Sidewalks Safe in the SnowFor those of us who live in wintery, snowy states, always remember to keep salt around for icy walks. If someone comes on your property and falls, you will be held liable...

 

Poll: Do you currently rent an apartment?Today's poll asks if you currently rent an apartment.

 

A Dog Coat for HoneyI was determined to have a coat for my 18-month-old dog Honey. We walk in all weather and she does not have a whole lot of fur on her underside.

 

Using Baker's Rack for Computer EquipmentWhen I moved into a really small apartment, I didn't have room for my large computer desk. But, I did have a baker's rack that I was not going to use for kitchen use. I decided to use it for my computer and printer.

 

Boogie (Golden Retriever)Boogie is a 4 month old Golden Retriever. I got her from an ad on the net, nearby Rostock in Northern Germany.

 

Snowflake JokeWhat is white and goes up?...

 

Checking Store Website Before ShoppingBefore going shopping, go online first and check out that store's website. If you You might find some printable discount coupons to take with you to save you some money.

 

How To Cure A New PotAlways cure a new terra cotta pot before planting in it. Otherwise, the pot's sides will draw moisture out of the potting soil and possibly even the plant's root ball. Dry clay wicks water away from the soil and can dry out plant roots.

 

Initial Clothing for Easy SortingWhen doing laundry for my 5 boys, sorting is easy: each boy's clothing item is marked on the "collar" area with the first initial of their name, in permanent marker.

 

Growing: Clarkiasow seeds in early spring as soon as soil can be worked. Clarkia doesn't transplant well and should be sown in the location where you want it to grow. Clarkia will adapt to poor soil conditions...

 

Growing Clock Vine (Thunbergia)Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost or transplant seedlings 6 inches apart after night temperatures have reached at least 50º. Seedlings grow slowly, reaching 5 to 6 feet high with good supports...

 

Growing: CandytuftSow seed directly in ground in late spring and cover seeds with 1/8" of soil, or start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. If starting indoors, use peat pots to minimize transplanting shock and space seedlings 8" to 10" apart...

 

Growing Cleome (Spider Flower)Start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost or sow seeds directly in the ground after the danger of the last frost has passed. When planting, just press seeds lightly into the soil, as they need light to germinate...

 

Deodorant Makes My Underarms Itchy?I seem to have a reaction to antiperspirant deodorants. My underarms gets so itchy. What is a person to do? Is there something that won't cause this reaction?

 

Exchange Student Programs for France?I am a highschool student in Sydney and was hoping to go to France on exchange at the end of the year, for no more than 1 and a half months. If it is possible I would like to do homestay but not have to have a french student back afterwards. Does anyone know any programs that i could look into?

 

Hair Coloring Advice?I want to color my hair at home and i noticed on the box it says in BOLD print to apply on dry, unwashed hair.

 

Buying Christmas Light Bulbs Offseason?Does anyone know where i could purchase some christmas bulbs? I missed out on buying extras after the holidays. I need both clear and colored ones for replacement bulb for my outdoor gazebo.

 

Home Organizing Tips?I personally have a really hard time keeping anything in my home organized. My husband and I got married and moved from KY/IN area to Northeast GA 6 months ago and still have boxes everywhere. Now we are talking about starting a home business as well.

 

Our Bird House is Too Popular?This winter we decided that it would be nice to feed the birds. We purchased/made three nice birdhouses and have them placed throughout our yard. The smallest bird feeder holds 5 pounds of birdseed. The largest holds 10 pounds.

 

Candle Wax on Polyester?How does one remove melted candle wax from a polyester tablecloth?

 

Acid Reflux Remedies?I am looking for some acid reflux remedies and advice. Any advice would be helpful including diet suggestions, exersizes that might help, foods to avoid as well as drugs that have worked for you. I know it's a common problem so I figured I would start a thread about it. My doctor prescribed Nexium.

 

Milk Spilled on Sofa?I dropped a glass of regualar hot milk on the sofa which has been applied with Scotchgard. There in no stain or smell. But it is starchy and stiff. How do I take the stiffiness out?

 

"Lily of the Valley" Embroidery Design?I am an avid sewer and embroider. I was wondering if anyone has some designs they would like to share. I only hand embroidery - no machine. I do lots of pillowcases and childrens clothes. Right now I am in need of a hand embroidery design of the "Lily of the Valley" flowers.

 

Training a Dog to be Friendly?I have a mini pincher/chihuahua mix who is just 8 weeks old, my question is how to we teach him to be friendly and not atack everyone in sight, people, ect. He isn't doing any of this YET, but his daddy does.