July 27, 2007

Brown Sugar Pear PieMake and bake pie crust, set oven to 375 degrees F. Cut pears in thin slices and layer into crust. Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle over pears. Bake about 20 minutes.

 

Delicious BarsMix first 6 ingredients and pat into 9x13 inch pan. Save some for topping. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. Remove from oven. Then sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts over pan.

 

Classic NachosSpread refried beans over tortilla chips, about 1 tsp. on each. Place on a serving platter. Sprinkle with lettuce, cheese, tomato and olives. Top with a dollop of sour cream.

 

$10 Dinners - Basil Tomato Salad with...This $10 dinner was inspired and purchased at a local farmer's market. Seasonal vegetables tend to be much cheaper directly from the source.

 

Lamb PiePlace first 4 ingredients in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until tender. Remove lamb, reserving broth. Cut lamb into 1/2 inch cubes. Set aside. Chill broth, and remove fat.

 

Easiest Ice Cream Cake You Will Ever MakeFirst line a cake pan with ice cream sandwiches. I use the regular ones with the vanilla ice cream in the middle with the chocolate cookies. Soften a half gallon of ice cream of your choice.

 

Lavender CookiesIn a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening, butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts.combine the flour, lavender, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

 

Hand Mixer TipsWhen using your hand mixer, put the mixing bowl in the sink. It prevents splattering of the counter and backsplash. Don't use your mixer to whip mashed potatoes.

 

Tranquil PlaceOne of the most tranquil and bucolic places in Canada exists near where I live. I often bicycle down to the water in the summer to take pictures of our not-so-wild ducks.

 

Old Fashioned Soda Fountain Treats (Part 4 -...There is nothing better in the world than homemade toppings for ice cream. You can make so many more flavors than you can buy at the grocery store.

 

Learn About Your Equipment From RepairmenThe gas man just came to look at my vintage gas stove, which we had restored. Even though I have had it for years, by watching him and asking questions, I learned a lot I didn't know about my stove and its care.

 

Picture of Our New PondMy mother and I built this pond.

 

Apple Kitty CatApple Kitty Cat, as named by our 2 year old son, is approximately 3 months old. He's a little 'ol Country Kitty. About 3 months ago we received the little bundle of cuddles from someone who needed to find loving homes for a whole litter of kitties.

 

Poke a Hole in Vegetable Oil BottleWhen I buy a new bottle of vegetable oil, I take a push-pin and poke a hole in the bottle up near the spout. Keeping the cap on, this works great as a squeeze bottle to season a pan or if I need a small amount of oil for a recipe.

 

Shellin' Out for a Unique FrameEver collected shells at the beach or just admired their natural beauty? Frames decorated in shells are always distinct (no two shells are the same), stimulate personal or collective creativity, and evoke a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere for years to come.

 

Saving Money on BooksSatisfy you love of reading without breaking the bank. Below are some tips to help you save money on books.

 

Yogurt or Sour Cream for StainsAny stain by pen or marker can be removed with yogurt or sour cream. Also hairspray works well. Stains on leather vinyl and delicate fabric can be removed by this process.

 

Squirt Bottle For Road TripsI live in southern CA and it gets hot here. I drive 20 miles one way to work 5 days a week. My truck doesn't have air conditioning so I have a clear plastic bottle that I put water in. When I get too hot, I just reach for the squirt bottle and spray my face and head.

 

Painting Designs On Carpet?Can a person use textile paint to sponge a stencil design on permanent ugly carpet spots? Anyone tried it?

 

Preventing Mold In Toilet?I am getting a mold like residue in one toilet in my house. I clean and clean, but it keeps coming back. I have tried almost everything, including different tank tablets with bleach. They seem to slow it down but not eliminate it. Help!

 

Repairing Cracks in a Sink?I need help on how to remove or repair cracks in a sink that is part of a molded one piece counter. It is white with veins of gold glitter going through it. It looks like someone tried to epoxy one of the cracks. Can I sand this out?

 

New Clothes For Stuffed Animals?Where can I take an old stuffed monkey that I want to get "reclothed"? The cloth is old, and he needs to be patched up.

 

Help! Bridesmaid With Too Short Hair?OMG, I have the most horrible hair! I cut my hair to achieve an emo look but now I need to be a bridesmaid at my cousins wedding! I NEED to grow my hair out fast! Help me please

 

Solvent Odor In Washing Machine?I have a Whirlpool Duet Washer. About a month ago, I accidentally washed a cloth soaked with a gun-cleaning solvent. Since that time, after many loads of wash and attempts to get rid of the smell - it persists both in the machine itself and usually in the clothes as well.

 

Blocks for Building up a Patio?Where can I get inexpensive blocks to build up my patio?

 

Removing Texture and Wallpaper?I am trying to remove foil wallpaper that has been covered by what looks like a plastery substance so the previous owners could paint the walls. It must of been a quick fix to make the walls look good to a potential home buyer.

 

Westchester Pattern #HP70162B?Was in process of doing my bathroom. Ran out of this border. Tried different web sites, most say discontinued. Can anyone help me out? Only need about 5 feet of it.

 

Boston Pizza's Pad Thai Recipe?I'm looking for a recipe for Boston Pizza's Pad Thai, which my kids love. Boston Pizza is a Canadian chain. Here's a description of the dish from their website:

 

Vymura Bonaparte 35-029 9511-5061?I am looking for a wallpaper that I purchased at a thrift store. Like an idiot, I didn't measure before starting. Now I have completed one corner of my bathroom and I love it. I just can't find the pattern anywhere.

 

Organic Face Mask Recipes?I have about everything wrong with my skin, it is acne prone, oily,and dry! I need organic facial mask recipes because I don't use any of the store bought chemical ones. Please help me!

 

Ideas For Leftover Patches?My daughter was cleaning her closet and found a huge bag of patches she earned from soccer, swimming and girl scouts. Any craft ideas to make for a keepsake?

 

Bedroom Painting Advice For Red Carpet And Dark Furniture?I need help. I am moving into a house that has red carpet in the master bedroom. We have a dark espresso bedroom suite. The bed is a canopy with white mesh. What color would be nice to paint the walls and accent the room with?

 

Homemade Bath and Beauty Recipes?Buttermilk Bath: This gentle bath will leave your skin soft and silky. Buttermilk is high in fat and lactic acid, and both help soften and hydrate skin. Make an extra portion of this because people of all ages can benefit from this rich, relaxing natural bath.