April 10, 2007

Tomato and Herb SoupIn large saucepan, melt butter over medium high heat. Add onion, cook and stir until tender, but not browned. Add tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, basil, thyme, salt and pepper; stir well and bring to a boil.

 

Hot Cranberry CiderIn Dutch oven, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, simmer 30 minutes. Discard spices. Serve hot.

 

Monterey Spinach MeltsPreheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut cheese into 20 thin slices; cover and set aside. In large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, salt and garlic; mix well until well blended.

 

Savory Parmesan BiscuitsPreheat oven to 400 degrees F. Pour butter into 8 or 9 inch round cake pan; tilt pan to evenly coat bottom of pan. Sprinkle evenly with onion; oregano and basil.

 

One-Step Pound CakePreheat oven to 325 degrees F. In large mixing bowl, beat together all ingredients on low speed of electric mixer until blended. Beat at medium speed 3 minutes.

 

Roma ChickenIn large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium high heat. Add chicken; cook, turning once, until browned on both sides. Remove chicken from skillet; set aside.

 

Garlic Sour Cream Mashed PotatoesCut potatoes into 1 inch pieces. Place potatoes and garlic in 2 qt. saucepan. Cover with water; bring to a boil over high heat. Cover; reduce heat and cook 8-10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

 

Vegetarian Gourmet Walnut Sauce for PastaThis vegetarian sauce is a great alternative to red sauce to serve with spaghetti.

 

Italian Pasta Stir-FryCook pasta according to package directions; drain and keep warm. In wok or deep-sided 12 inch skillet, heat oil. Add garlic; stir-fry for 15 seconds.

 

Caesar Vegetable MedleyIn large bowl, combine mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, squash and onion. Add salad dressing; toss.

 

My Favorite Sandwich: Ditch SandwichMany, many years ago I spent a few weekends with a schoolmate who lived on a farm in Holly Hill, FL. Her mother would fix these sandwiches on large slices of homemade white bread and we would picnic beside a nearby ditch (we called it a "canal") and imagine our future.

 

My Frugal Life: Bake For Special DaysThis is how I give my dad a much anticipated gift for his birthday and also for Father's day. My dad loves to talk about the goodies that his mother used to make for her family.

 

My Hibiscus PlantThis is an indoor Hibiscus Plant. It just started blooming about 1 week ago. It has on it at least 12 buds. The important tip with this plant is; When this plant is beginning to bud and bloom, It drinks up water very fast.

 

Pick Up Free Samples At Health Food StoresWhen you go to your health food store, look around for samples. The companies with products there are eager to introduce their wares, and often have free samples to try.

 

Buy Three Chickens When On SaleWhen whole chickens are on sale, I usually buy three of them, and I am cooking just for myself. I roast two of them at the same time, seasoned differently in the same pan. Only one pan to clean, eating one during the next few days.

 

Use Pop Cans As Packing MaterialI sell on ebay and save all packaging items I can find, but I have one unique tip that anyone can use. I cushion the bottom and edges of the box with empty pop cans.

 

Quilts To Save Couch From Baby MessesTo save our new sofa and recliners in our family room when we had a new baby, I went to a discount store and purchased several quilts on sale for $10.

 

Tighten Screws In DoorknobsTake a screwdriver along and check all the doorknobs in your home. It may save you some work later. I found that every one of mine needed two or three turns of the screwdriver.

 

Save Play Money and Game PiecesWhen throwing out old board games: be sure to keep the money and playing pieces for backups in other games!

 

Beatrice, Gabriel, Alexander and Bailey (Cats)From top L to R are Beatrice (6), Gabriel (7 months), Lower couch, Alexander (7 months) and Bailey (6). Beatrice and Bailey are brother and sister. Gabe and Alex are brothers. All were giveaways.

 

Kill Pests In The GardenAnts: Use aspartame (NutraSweet) around the foundation of the house and it will kill the ants.

 

More Raves About Space BagsA few weeks ago I posted about using space bags to shrink down a giant stuffed animal for traveling from Ohio to Texas. It became an extended visit, lol, just returned home last week.

 

Link: Do You Remember Love?This is a beautiful story about Love.

 

Making a Skirt from Men's Shirts?I am looking for instructions on how to make a skirt using men's shirts.

 

"Time Warp" Centerpieces?We are having our annual women's event at our church. The theme is "Time Warp" - we are doing fashion, skits, trivia, etc. through each decade starting with the 1900's. Any ideas on what I could do for centerpieces? I will need 25 of them.

 

Yellowing T-shirts?What can I do about yellowing t-shirts?

 

Botanical WalMart HomeTrends Comforter?I purchased a bedding set last June called Botanical from the WalMart HomeTrends collection. Unfortunately, I purchased a double, and after several months "trying" to sleep on the double bed in our vacation condo -- found we need a queen.

 

Why do cats "knead"?I'm just curious: why do cats "knead" things? My cat is always "kneading" the blankets on my bed, I'm curious as to why she does this.

 

Dogs and Parvo?I foster puppies that I just found out have parvo. Will my 3 other dogs be OK and when are the puppies safe from the disease?

 

Electric Razor Pre-shave Lotion Recipe?I am looking for a substitute for electric razor pre-shave lotion.

 

Tree Nut Allergy and Cosmetics?I have recently developed a severe allergy to tree nuts. Unfortunately for me, most skin care and cosmetics are made with tree nut products. Do any of you know of a skin care and cosmetics line that is "nut free"?

 

Free Post Cards?I am a postcard collector. I keep hearing about "Free cards" and would love to get some. I would send postage. We don't have such in our small town. Can anyone help? I'd sure love to expand my 45 year collection.