June 1, 2006

Chocolate Walnut BiscottiHeat oven to 325 degrees F. Beat margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in chocolate and walnuts. Shape dough into 2 slightly flattened logs.

 

Cheery Cherry Macaroon BarsHeat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 9 inch square baking pan. Stir together crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and melted butter. Press onto bottom of prepared pan.

 

Teriyaki BeefSpray large skillet with nonstick cooking spray; cook beef strips over medium-high heat 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

My Frugal Life: Advice From a Stay at Home MomI've always been pretty smart with money, but three very special little boys have taught me that simplifying all areas of our lives is one of life's sweetest lessons learned.

 

Attracting Frogs and Toads to Your PondIf you want to attract frogs and toads to your pond then make sure it has a sizeable shallow area that is not any deeper than six inches deep. Fill this area with lots of rocks for them to hide under so they feel camouflaged and safe.

 

A New Idea for Salad SpinningIf you don't have one of those expensive salad spinners, have some fun. Spin your salad greens and lettuce dry quickly without damaging them by washing them well, then put into a clean pillowcase.

 

Travel Tips for Hollywood, CAOld Hollywood is all around you in downtown Hollywood. Avoid the tours and take a walking tour down Hollywood Blvd. from Sunset and Vine to Hollywood and Highland and then take in Grauman's Chinese Theater and the footprints. There are now signs which give you a self-guided tour down the street.

 

Cooter (Toy Poodle)Cooter is our 4 year old Toy Poodle. I brought him home 4 years ago on Halloween night. I bought him from a friend.

 

Tulips Not BloomingThe leaves on my tulips under my lavender bush appear every year, but not the flowers. Can anyone tell me why and what I can do? Should I dig them up and plant new ones?

 

Plants With First Rate FoliageTry to imagine what your garden would look like if you took away all of the foliage and you really start to understand and appreciate its value. Usually, it plays the subtle, yet important role of providing a backdrop that showcases the colors of your flowers.

 

Poll: Are house prices still going up in your area? Today's poll asks: Are house prices still going up in your area?

 

Dragon (Cat)Dragon is our 5 1/2 year old domestic shorthair cat. We rescued Dragon at only 5 weeks old from a local pound in October of 2001.

 

Personal Cookbook CDSeveral years ago, I made a cookbook for my family and a few friends. Everyone loved it, and some even shared some of their favorite recipes. I was thinking of doing this again, but the cost was a little frightening for the paper and printing.

 

Jungle Birthday Party?I would like some help. I'm having a first birthday for my daughter. I was thinking of going with a jungle party. Does anyone have any cheap ideas for decorations to go with this.

 

Housekeeping and Shopping in a Wheelchair?I use a wheelchair to get around in my home and out in the public. I need ideas for housekeeping and shopping in department stores.

 

Honey Glaze on a Smooth Top Range?I had a Honey Glaze to run all over my smooth top range. How do I remove it without scratching the surface?

 

Removing a Logo From a Motorcycle Seat?What can be used to remove, say "Honda" emblem from motorcycle seats. The seats are either leather or vinyl with the logo evidently painted on the back of the seat in white letters. I want to remove the letters.

 

Keeping Pond Water Clear?I have a small fish pond in my front flower bed. It is under some tress so it gets lots of shade. In the past I tried electric pumps to filter the water but they would constantly get stopped up. I finally took the pump out and now just have the pond without any filter. Is there any product that will keep the water clear? I have cleaned the pond and put fresh water in it.

 

Ice Cream Recipe Without Eggs?I'm looking for an ice cream recipe for use with an electric machine that uses condensed milk but doesn't use eggs.

 

Fun Things to Do With an Infant?Can anyone tell me "fun" things to do with an infant? I know peekaboo but I don't know where to find the "fingerplays" or anything like that. There's also got to be more that you can do with them before they start to walk or even crawl. How young is too young to give them a piece of paper and crayon and let them have fun with that (closely suppervised of course)?

 

Cloudy Water in An Above Ground Pool?We have above ground pool, the money pit. We are having a problem with the water being cloudy. I am writing because I have an above ground pool and I put in shock, chlorine and algaecide all at the same time. I have always done this except this time I added the algaecide. Now that I have put the algaecide in with the rest of the stuff my pool is cloudy.

 

Traveling With a Newborn?I was also wondering about travel tips for newborns. I know that we will have to stop a lot more often but we want to visit with family over Christmas and give everyone a chance to see the baby. The down side is they all live 9 hrs away.

 

Cigarette Smoke Smell on a Painting?How do you remove years of accumulated cigarette smoke smell from a large, old painting?

 

Buying a Manufactured Home?We have interest in buying a mobile home, or a manufactured home, and live in a mobile home park permanently. The homes we have looked at are very nice as are the various parks. Can anyone give me their opinion on what to look for in a home or a park? What should we ask before we move in to a park? Is there a particular manufacturer of these homes that are better quality that others?

 

Spider Deterrent?I am looking for a spider deterrent for my patio area. I have pets and so do not want to use chemicals or toxic products. I do not want to kill the spiders, I would prefer a homemade solution that I could spray or apply around the "people" areas of my garden.

 

Sharpie on Tile?My children constantly love to draw and now somehow we have managed to end up with black "Sharpie" marks on one area of the white tile on my living room floor. Is there ANYTHING anyone knows of I can use to remove the marks?

 

Rooting a Gladiolus Stalk?I cut a Gladiolus from the stalk trying to dig it up. If I stick the stalk in the ground without the bulb, will it root?

 

Finding Babysitting Jobs?"I want to start babysitting, but how do I find jobs?" Advice from the ThriftyFun community for babysitters just starting out. Post your own tips here.

 

Fishing Gift Basket?I want to make my husband a Father's day gift basket with fishing stuff in it since he loves to go fishing. I have no clue on what the best fishing products are. He only does freshwater fishing. I would also like other gift basket ideas for my father and grandfather.

 

Cleaning a Straw Handbag?How can I clean a straw handbag?

 

Using Boric Acid or Borax for Pest Control and Cleaning?Does anyone have a success story about using boric acid or borax for pest control and or cleaning tips with it?

 

When Do Girls Start Shaving?What is the average age for a girl to start shaving?

 

Cigarette Odor in an Air Conditioner?Is there any simple, cheap way to get cigarette odor out of a car air conditioner system? I have already tried spraying air deodorizers into the system while it is running.

 

Shoes That Will Match a Seafoam Green Evening Gown?I have a seafoam green colored evening grown (it has a netty texture). I need matching shoes. What color and style should I get? Where can I get it for the cheapest price possible?

 

Buying Deer and Rabbit Repellents?Rabbits and deer are eating my 2005 forestry planted trees and perennials. Research online shows me repellents that use stinky odors and coyote and fox urine. What is the best value in repellents that work?