August 4, 2006

Orange Coconut MuffinsGrease 12 muffin cups or line with paper bake cups; set aside. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

 

Pecan Pie CakeMix above ingredients and press into 9x13 inch baking dish. Cook 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.

 

Hawaiian Delight CakeRecipe for Hawaiian Delight Cake. Bake in a 13x9 inch cake pan at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes or until done. . .

 

Walnut Pumpkin PieRecipe for Walnut Pumpkin Pie. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, egg, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt; mix well. . .

 

Melting MomentsCream margarine and sugar together. Add flour. Mix well. Shape into small balls and place on cookie sheet. . .

 

Chocolate Caramel Walnut FudgeRecipe for Chocolate Caramel Walnut Fudge. In saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate pieces with sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in walnuts, caramel topping and vanilla. . .

 

Quick Fudge BarsPut all ingredients in mixing bowl, give a quick mix as too much mixing will make them heavy. Spread evenly in a 10x13 inch jellyroll pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (preheated) for 25-30 minutes.

 

Poinsettia "Tree"Poinsettia "Tree" Photo. This tree is actually a poinsetta plant; it was a Christmas gift from my family a few years ago and I trained it as a tree form. It has full green lush leaves on it and it is a conversation piece on my back deck that it sets on. . .

 

Choosing WatermelonsChoosing Watermelons. When choosing a whole watermelon, I always thump the melon with my fingers. The one that I choose has to sound "hollow". . .

 

Make Your Own Exhaust Fan FiltersBeing MORE than a conscientious recycler, I am always compulsively thinking about how to use every single item that crosses my path, if at all possible, because I HATE AMERICA'S WASTE.

 

Bypassing Automated Phone SystemsThis is a timesaver tip. Many of you are probably like me; you're tired of of having to continually punch in numbers on the telephone to reach a customer service human.

 

Wedding Camera AdviceWhen you put disposable cameras in the center of tables at a wedding put a small "request" note on each table asking that the first few photos taken be of all the guests at that table.

 

Shake Clothing Before DryingHere's a tip for saving time and money when drying clothes. When taking a load out of the washer . . .

 

Gracie Signing Twinkle Twinkle Little StarGracie Signing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" Photo. My daughter Gracie looking up at the sky signing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". . .

 

99 Cent Shower CurtainsI bought a 99 cent shower curtain, mostly because the pattern/color was so right - and 10 months later it's still going and we are thinking of packing up. So a word to students and other transients - maybe the cheap colorful version will do you just fine for as long as you need it.

 

Tomato JokeTomato Joke. How do you fix a broken tomato. . .

 

Tips for Restless PetsHere's a tip for your restless pet. If it's nap or night time, and your pet won't sleep or rest quietly...

 

Quick Delicious Corn on the CobPeel cobs and wrap loosely in a paper towel. Microwave on high 3 minutes for one cob. It is best to cook them one at a time. Be careful, the steam is very hot! Add salt, pepper, and butter to taste. You will love microwaved corn on the cob.

 

Leather Carving - Storing Your In-Process ProjectLeather Carving - Storing Your In-Process Project. When you have to stop carving or tooling on a leather project you are working on, put your project in a zip lock or other seal-able plastic bag and put it in your refrigerator.

 

Keeping Track of SalesMaintain a notepad with sale items you need so it's handy when you go shopping.

 

Using All Parts of VeggiesUsing All Parts of Veggies. Broccoli stems can be sliced and used in coleslaw, a stir fry, or even in a salad. . .

 

Poll: How do you like to research large purchases? Today's poll asks: How do you like to research large purchases?

 

Mac Mini Intel Core Duo Reviews?Reviews of the Mac Mini Intel Core Duo.

 

Adding Beef Broth to Spaghetti Sauce?Has anyone ever added a can of beef broth as one of the ingredients when making homemade italian spaghetti sauce? I saw a couple recipes that included beef broth as part of the recipe.

 

How Much Should I Charge for Cooking, Cleaning and Shopping?I recently accepted a job which I'll be starting in about a month working 8 hours a week cooking meals, doing the grocery shopping, laundry, and very light cleaning (the family has a separate weekly housecleaner).

 

Cheap Belt Buckles?I am looking for cheap belt buckles.

 

Bottled vs Canned Spaghetti Sauce?Bottled vs Canned Spaghetti Sauce. Bottled spaghetti sauce is a little more expensive than canned, but I love the convenience of having a recloseable lid. . .

 

Buying Blinds at Eddie Z's?I'm looking to buy faux wood blinds and am wondering if anyone has bought them from Eddie Z's (www.eddiezs.com). The website doesn't list prices so I'm also curious as to how expensive they are. Right now there is a sale of buy one at 60% off, get one free.

 

Uses for Chipped China Platters?Does anyone have an idea of how to use old chipped china platters? I have some plain ones and some beautiful ones that I don't dare serve on due to chips and discoloration.

 

Blanching Squash?I looking for information about blanching squash.