August 29, 2007

Grilled Sirloin RoastIn a small bowl, combine the flour, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, 1 tsp. salt and mustard until smooth; set aside. Sprinkle pepper and remaining salt over roast.

 

Double-Chocolate Espresso CookiesIn a small heavy saucepan, melt unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup chocolate chips and butter with coffee granules; stir until smooth. Remove from the heat; set aside to cool. In a small mixing bowl, beat sugar and eggs for 3 minutes or until thick and lemon colored.

 

Primo Pasta SaladCook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a bowl, combine the pasta, onion, celery, peppers, egg, olives, garlic powder, basil, salt and pepper.

 

Roasted Plum Tomatoes With Fresh HerbsPreheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with foil. Place the tomatoes on the sheet, cut side up. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. of the oil and season with salt and pepper.

 

Peaches and Cream TartIn a food processor, combine the crumbled cookies, pecans and butter; cover and process until blended. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 11 inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Place pan on a baking sheet.

 

Blueberry CheesecakeIn a bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, pecans and butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of a greased 10 inch springform pan. Place on a baking sheet.

 

Picnic Potato SaladPotato salad is always a favorite for a picnic.

 

Peach Pie with Sour CreamCombine 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and salt; beat in sour cream, beaten egg, and vanilla. Add sliced peaches. Pour mixture into pie shell. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and bake 30 minutes longer.

 

Credit Card Fees in Foreign CountriesIf you're fortunate enough to travel overseas, first check with your credit card company about any daily fees and what their policy is on the Monetary Exchange Rate.

 

Alaska From OverheadI took this picture last July as were landing at Anchorage, Alaska

 

Gracie's Roadtrip (Pitbull)Gracie is a 1 year old Pitbull. She was gotten from the local animal shelter. She loves to run and play and tear up her stuffed animals and other toys!

 

Summer Home SafetyEven during hot weather, make sure you lock your doors at night. Put poles in your sliding glass doors so no one can push them open. Install deadbolt locks in all major outside doors. Have motion detector lights outside.

 

Uses for Wool SocksUses for wool socks. Cut off the bottom part & use it as leg warmers or the men could wear it under their pants in the winter as an extra layer for warmth.

 

Dry Tea Leaves as DeodorizerI used to have a small bought gel-type deodorizer in my car that was "raspberry tea" scent. When it ran out, I washed out the container and kept it. A few weeks later my daughter commented that the car was stinky.

 

Ice Cream Halloween BucketWith the dog days of Summer up on us now, a cold dish of ice cream is one of the first things some people think of to cool off with. If you have children, you might already purchase the plastic 1 gallon pail containers of ice cream.

 

Make a Bathroom Vanity from an Old...Use an old dresser to make a vanity for your bathroom. I crackled this one and then also did some sanding to bring out the gold, as this was the basecoat. Then I stenciled over the top and poly coated it.

 

Miniature Pinecone Christmas TreesThese are little Christmas trees made of pine cones. I recommend this craft for kids 8 and over.

 

Not-So-Sloppy Summer SuetCombine all the ingredients; mix well. Put in an onion bag or suet feeder, or pack in pine cones or into the bark of trees. Then watch the birds enjoy this hearty feast.

 

Mail Organizers for Storing Baking SheetsI use mail organizers to store my baking sheets. They come in plastic and stainless steel. I use the stainless steel and they do give a bit if the sheet is a little too deep for it to fit.

 

Successfully Replanted Rose of SharonWe always had bad luck replanting others free give-a-ways to us. My daughter gave us this Rose of Sharon tree and we talked and watered daily and guess what? Success and a beautiful plant from her yard to mine.

 

Use Panty Liners for BandagesMy hubby recently had surgery. Instead of buying the expensive gauzes and tapes for changing bandages, use panty liners or thin maxi pads, keeping the paper on the sticky side.

 

Use Church Bulletins for Free AdsIf your church issues a monthly church bulletin to each of it's members, utilize it. A local pal put an free ad in it for 'Free Firewood' thinking she might have a couple of people show up for it.

 

Starting a Garden with Cuttings from Friends and FamilyIf you're wanting to landscape your property, but not wanting to spend a lot of money doing so, alert your family, friends, fellow church members, co-workers, etc.

 

Juicing Grapes?We put raw concord grapes through a Champion juicer. The result is thick and pulpy juice. Are there any recommendations for making the juice suitable for jelly or wine making?

 

Musty Smell on Wicker Baskets?Does anyone know how to get a musty smell out of wicker baskets? I have tried airing them and spraying Febreeze every day but that is not working.

 

Using White Kitchen Sink with Beige Cabinets?I am building a new country/cottage style kitchen. The cabinets are an off-white/linen color (more cream than white), the island is a distressed/antiqued black, and the appliances are stainless. I want to go with a white farmhouse sink, but will that work if the cabinets are more creamy than white?

 

I Found a Kitten?I just found a kitten outside, it looks like it was an outside kitten with other kittens around. I have never owned a cat before! She looks to be very young, when I brought her home I noticed a little bit of green drainage coming out of her left eye, it's two days later after bringing her home and she still has it.

 

Frugal Florida Fall Fashion Show Centerpieces?I am in charge of centerpieces for our fall Fashion Show/Luncheon. As I live in Florida, pumpkins are very expensive and do not last. These centerpieces will be given as door prizes.

 

Uses for Splenda for Baking?Splenda for Baking is made from sugar and sucralose (those are the only 2 ingredients on the package). Would it be okay to use it to make homemade lemonade (or any non-baking use for that matter)? Thanks.

 

Can You Tell How Hot a Jalapeño Is?Can you figure out how hot a jalapeno is just by its appearance?

 

Removing Tape Residue from Microfiber Upholstery?To keep my two kittens from scratching my almost-new microfiber couches, I covered certain sections with double sided sticky tape. The package said it won't damage upholstery, but as I try to remove it, it leaves a scummy layer. It seems to be taking off some of the fuzzy stuff on the microfiber.

 

Making Embossing Powder?Does anyone know how I can make my own embossing powder? It must be a simple compound. I would love to experiment and make my own!

 

Underwater Picture Scene Ideas?My Homecoming dance theme this year is Underwater and I've been elected chair person of the picture scene. We don't really focus a whole lot on the dance floor itself with decoration because its dimly lit, so the picture scene is the biggest deal.

 

Using Alcohol to Clean Car Windows?How much alcohol can be used cleaning car windows?

 

Baseball Cap Brim Lost Its Stiffness?I have a baseball cap that has a very flat brim that has lost all its stiffness. Is there any way to get it to hold shape again?

 

Need 2 Week Dinner Menu Plan?I need to plan a 2 week dinner menu for my house. I want it to be healthy.

 

Leaking Cellphone Battery?When I was taking my battery out of my cell phone, it was leaking and got on my hands, will I be okay or is it poisonous? Do I need to go to the hospital?

 

What is Stratified Paint?What is stratified paint?

 

Patterns for a Crocheted Carry All Bag?Do you have any ideas on how to crochet a bag to carry out of town with me? It needs to be able to hold yarn, hooks, and anything else I would need including my cellphone, lip gloss, money, and stuff like that.

 

Growing Watermelons?I am looking for information on how to grow watermelons.

 

Girls Softball Banquet Centerpieces?Any ideas for girls high school softball banquet centerpieces. I need enough for each of the 30 girls to take one home? Our mascot is a cougar and our colors are green, silver, and black. Thanks!

 

Ice Maker Not Working After Repairman Left?I just had my refrigerator fixed. After the technician left, the ice-maker was not working. My home owners warranty does not cover the repair for the ice-maker, the technician is telling me, that if he comes out to service it, the cost will start with $95 for the call, and then he can't say what he will have to replace. Can anyone offer advice?

 

Ridding Lawn of Ant Hills?Any ideas on how to get rid of ant hills in the lawn? This year my Mom and I both have really bumpy lawns, and we both seem to have been overrun with ants. I would like to be as natural as possible. I have tried hot water but they just seemed to come back.

 

Leaking Battery on Skin?What will happen if a leaking battery gets on your hand?

 

Water Spots on Smooth Tiles?We tiled our shower floor with 2' x 2' smooth cobalt blue tiles. We didn't clean it properly from the beginning and it's dull with water spots (or is it soap, minerals?) I've tried ordinary cleaners, white vinegar and toilet bowl cleaner but nothing works! I would love any suggestions.