May 22, 2006

Mom's 5 Can CasseroleCombine ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1/2 hour. I add cashews to it just before serving. Yum!

 

Summertime Strawberry SmoothieIn blender, combine all ingredients and blend for 2 minutes adding ice cubes for a thicker consistency if desired. Divide into four serving glasses. Garnish with low-fat whipped topping and a fresh strawberry.

 

Baked StroganoffCook 1 cup raw rice as directed on package and set aside to use later. . .

 

Weight Watchers HaystacksThese haystack desserts are a perfect treat if you are on the Weight Watcher's diet.

 

Company Spaghetti SauceBrown hamburger and drain. Then combine all ingredients. I like to cook it on low heat for at least 4 hours. This makes a thick sauce. . .

 

Confetti RiceIn a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towels; drain all but 3 Tbsp. of the drippings. . .

 

Removing Spots from Cloth TableclothsTo get spots from a cloth tablecloth, dab the spots with dish liquid while the cloth is still on the table. Usually we try to do this with the tablecloth off the table, but the spots are hard to find that way. Also, dish liquid is an economical and safe treatment for food stains.

 

Make a Tomato RoseTo make a tomato rose simply pick a tomato of any size. Make sure it is a gel variety like a Roma tomato. Take a very sharp knife and start peeling it like you would an apple.

 

The Cosmetic Uses of Herbs for Beauty and HealthComfrey is an herb that used to be known as a cure all for many ailments. Commonly known as knit-bone, because in medieval times the root would be moistened and applied to broken bones to set a plaster for healing.

 

Healthy Treats For Your DogI would expect my vet to be pretty strict when it comes to treats and scraps for the dogs. But to my surprise, he said that you "should" share from the table once in a while!

 

Henry (Golden Retriever)Henry is a 6 year old Golden Retriever. I bought him from a breeder near here from a litter of 9 puppies. I picked him and he picked me.

 

Breed Information: ChartreuxThe Chartreux is medium in size and large and sturdy in build. They have a wide forehead, narrow muzzle, semi-long legs and large paws. In general, they give the appearance of being robust and solid. This breed has a beautiful medium-short coat that is blue-gray in color.

 

Making Bouquets Sturdier in a VaseTo make bouquet sturdier in a vase use marbles. They look good in a clear vase, but will work in any type of vase.

 

Travel Tips for Amsterdam, NetherlandsThe architecture is fabulous! By walking you can see the canals, flower markets, the "pleins" (squares) with the statues and street cafes. You can sit and order a drink and for a small donation, enjoy the street performers.

 

Decorations in Your Container GardenI like to put figurines in and around the pots in my container garden - to fill in bare spots and to generally liven up the garden. You can find good deals in slightly damaged figures -in proportion to your pots/plants. . .

 

Fly Strips for SpidersTo help with spiders in the house, use a fly strip that you tack to the ceiling and for some reason they are attracted to them. They stick and die.

 

Poll: How many televisions do you have in your house?Today's poll asks: How many televisions do you have in your house?

 

My Frugal Life: Country LivingI began my quest for frugality when my husband had been laid off from his job and we were in a financial bind. It isn't something that you want to do, I don't think, in the beginning. But realizing the benefits from just changing a few things can really have an impact on your life.

 

Protecting Silk Flower Arrangements for GravesitesWith Memorial Day soon approaching, I wanted to share this tip for silk flower arrangements. Spray with a couple coats of WD-40 to help repel water from rain and sprinklers, and to protect silk flowers' colors from fading due to sunlight.

 

Transplant When You Get the UrgeI dont have to wait until spring or fall to transplant, I transplant when I get the urge.

 

Pins and Rice (Baby Shower Game)This is another very old game that is a bit strange but is certain to test your guest's dexterity. Bury ten tiny safety pins in a bowl filled with rice. Make sure the safety pins are closed!

 

Feeding a Diabetic Cat?My ten year old tortoise shell cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes and needs insulin injections twice a day. I can handle that, but she needs a diet free from vegetable protein and sugars. Has anyone else had this problem? can you share your feeding plan with me?

 

Chart for Tracking Medication?Does anyone know where I can find a good medication chart? My husband just had Triple Bypass Surgery and I really need to keep up with his medications, like what he takes and like 2 or 3 times a day. Some kind of check list to go by.

 

Keeping Track of a Toddler at Disney World?We are going to Disney World in three weeks, and I am wondering if anybody has some suggestions on how to keep track of a wandering toddler. My son is 2 1/2 and is as fast as a rocket and inquisitive. (He just escaped out my front door - what a scare!). I have heard about wearing bright shirts.

 

Window Screens Don't Fit Properly?My screens in my windows do not fit properly. Our electric bills are supposed to double by the summer. I wont be able to use my air conditioner so I have to get my windows fixed. So far, I have put weather stripping in the cracks and I have also caulked them.

 

When Should I Start My Garage Sale?What are the BEST hours to start and end a garage sale? How many days should I have a sale? I was thinking if EVERYONE else starts theirs at 8 am, then I would start mine between 9 and 10 - this way, customers get a stab at fresh, not "picked-thru" inventory.

 

Dying Japanese Maple Tree?We have 2 small Japanese maple trees in our front yard. One of them is mostly dead with a small amount of leaves on the bottom. the other did very well over the winter. I'm wondering if there's a way that I can trim the one and graft it or plant it with the one that didn't do so well.

 

Is Cypress Mulch Safe for Dogs?We have six dogs and my yard has a lot of trees with half dirt and half grass. I just bought cypress mulch to go on the dirt but someone said it was harmful to the dogs. Is this true and can you give me some dog friendly suggestions for the yard?

 

Depositing Money From Paypal Into My Checking Account?I recently started selling on eBay and signed up for PayPal. My first item got sold and I am now waiting for my payment. How do I get PayPal to deposit the payment in my checking account? I was told that the payment sits in PayPal account under my name until I spend it.

 

Silk Smell on Silk Blend Sweaters?I have a lot of silk blend sweaters and my body heat makes them smell, well like silk. Any suggestions to remove the silk smell from silk?