April 17, 2007

Lucy's ChiliBrown the hamburger in oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic while browning the meat. Add the tomato paste, or sauce, water, chili powder, and cumin.

 

Strawberry-Bacon Spinach SaladIn a salad bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, bacon, onion and walnuts. In a small bowl or pitcher, combine the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar.

 

Garlic Parslied PotatoesPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, combine potatoes, oil, garlic, salt and pepper; toss until well coated. Layer half of potato mixture in greased 9x13 inch baking dish; sprinkle with 1 Tbsp. of the parsley.

 

Frosty Mocha PieIn a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and cocoa until smooth. Dissolve coffee granules in milk. Stir coffee mixture and vanilla into cream cheese mixture; fold in whipped topping.

 

Tomato Chive DressingIn a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and process on HIGH until thoroughly blended.

 

Mini Hot BrownsIn a small bowl, dissolve bouillon in water; set aside. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; stir in cream and bouillon.

 

Citrus Iced TeaPour boiling water over tea bags in 2 1/2 qt. heat-resistant pitcher. Allow tea to steep 5 minutes; remove bags.

 

Sensational Shrimp SpreadThis dip is perfect to serve with crackers, veggies, or even toasted bread pieces.

 

Zucchini-Beef CasseroleArrange zucchini in 2 qt. casserole. Add onion and green pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with crumbs. Pour undiluted soup over all. Sprinkle with cheese.

 

Featherlight RollsIn large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in 1 Tbsp. sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the milk, shortening, eggs, salt, 3 cups flour and remaining sugar. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

 

Get Discounted Plants At Lowe'sAt Lowe's, they reduce their older plants to 10 cents each when new fresher plants come in. Some of these plants were originally $2.99 and $4.99.

 

Use Terry Cloth FabricSkip ironing! Terry cloth is to be found everywhere, in all colors and patterns. Think 'outside the box' for uses for this great material, much appreciated because it requires no ironing.

 

Safety Tips For Road TripsA very dear friend was recently stranded in her car on a very cold winter night. She ran out of gas and wasn't nervous about it until she went to use her cell phone and the battery wasn't charged.

 

Tucker (Pembroke Welsh Corgi)Tucker is a 10 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. We got him from a breeder in San Jose, CA about 5 years ago. He was returned because the family that had him had a very sick little girl.

 

Homemade WindsocksI like to use homemade "windsocks" to decorate for a party. They last longer than balloons, and can be used over and over. For a July 4th party: Take any container that is a cylinder, like a coffee can, Pringle can, or a Kool-aid container.

 

Warning About Jennifer ConvertiblesThis is just a shout out for some of you who may be considering Jennifer Convertibles i.e. the ad on TV of the two recliners for cheap. We are redecorating our living room, I saw this ad and did some research online.

 

Job Hunting JournalMy husband has been searching for work, for the past few months. Each week, we search the classified ads in the local newspapers. To make things easier for him, after marking the possible job selections, I cut each out of the newspaper ad.

 

Clean Beaches Begin At HomeOver 180 million Americans visit beaches each year to escape the sweltering summer heat. As global temperatures continue to rise, that number is bound to increase. Whether you cool off in the ocean or take a dip in your local swimming hole, assuming the water is clean and safe to swim in is no longer just another day at the beach.

 

Check Door Hinges PeriodicallyI just read the hint about checking the screws in your doorknobs. While I was going around, I found that my door hinge pins were all elevated. A couple were half out.

 

Use Elmer's Glue For PuzzlesThis is for folks who do puzzles and glue them when they're done. I use regular Elmers white school glue and it does a nice job and it's a lot cheaper then the special puzzle glue you have to buy.

 

Save the Earth, One Paper Towel at a Time!You can save money and reduce waste by using hand towels and washcloths in your kitchen. I use the hand towels to dry my hands from numerous washings during meal prep and etc., when damp simply change it out with a new one.

 

My Frugal Life: Stretch Every DollarI'm an old lady now, but I guess my upbringing is what led me to always be inventive and saving. Dollar bills did not multiply without a lot of making do and doing without!

 

Recycling Old Boards for Home DecorHere is a great way to recycle old boards into great home decor. You can paint anything any theme you want. Either stand it up or you can hang it on wall. Spray paint your board and let it dry.

 

Thrift Store ComputersSometimes you can actually get computers in thrift shops. There's one in an upscale city near us where you can get a whole setup for less than $100.

 

Every Time I Take a Breath - JokeA man is reading a newspaper. He tells his wife, "Here in the newspaper it says that by the time I take a breath, more than 500 people die."

 

Spring Lilacs in the OzarksSpring Lilacs in the Ozarks.

 

Four Trees (Seasons) Cross Stitch Pattern?I'm looking for a set of four trees depicting the four seasons to cross stitch. Does anyone have patterns they'd be willing to share. I had no idea something as "every day" as trees would be so hard to find.

 

Sewing a Zipper in a Cushion?How do you sew a zipper in a cushion?

 

Eisenhart's Garden Tapestry Book - Pattern #GT12637?I need topiary wallpaper border from Eisenhart's Garden Tapestry book. It is a golden yellow border with three different topiaries in arches. The pattern # is GT12637.

 

Strong Paint Odors?How do I get rid of paint smell? I have bedroom that was painted with miller paint. It was 3 weeks ago and still has an odor and was water based. I have tried an Odor Genie with an open window and a fan - it is better but still quite noticeable.

 

Staining a Coffee Table?Just purchased a used coffee table that needs help. The stain on the wood was done poorly. Do I need to strip it to re-stain or can I stain over the old stain.

 

Is Formica the Same as Laminate?Is formica the same as laminate?

 

14 Day Induction Diet?I have started the 14 day induction diet on the Atkins diet. Have any of you tried this diet? I am not a big meat consumer so I am trying to compensate with chicken and fish. I also have a cholesterol issue that has been kept in check with medication and maintaining a low cholesterol diet.

 

Party Ideas for My Sons 16th Birthday?My son's birthday is on April 24th and he invited his three friends to go to Kings Dominion for the weekend but 2 confirmed that were going. Then, one cancelled the day before the trip and the other didn't want to be the only one to go.

 

Plants Damaged By Cold?We had the coldest weather a couple of weeks ago that hasn't been seen here in 100 years. It was below freezing after we had temps in the 80's. Everything was starting to leaf out and get buds, unfortunately the cold zapped most everything.

 

"Super Fresco" Wallpaper by Graham & Brown, Pattern #12024?Does anyone have a "super fresco" wallpaper by Graham & Brown, pattern #12024?

 

Hollywood Theme Dance Ideas?I am thinking of doing a Hollywood theme or ice colors (silver, ice blue, ice purple, etc.) Does anyone have any ideas what I could incorporate into either theme that is low cost? It's my school's a 6th-8th grade May dance.

 

Crocheted a Hanger For a Hand Towel?I am looking for a pattern to crochet a "hanger" onto a cotton hand towel which I have cut in half.