December 21, 2007

Flower Pot BreadThese homemade flowerpots of bread are fun and functional, and after dinner, guests can take them home. Be sure to use unpainted and unglazed lead-free flowerpots. This is a great recipe for gifts!

 

Christmas Cranberry TorteThoroughly cream sugar and shortening. Sift flour with salt, baking powder and soda. Add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Add nuts, dates, cranberries, and orange rind.

 

Vegetarian/Vegan PateThis is something I always bring at potlucks where there will be meat-eaters present. It's always a HUGE hit and I get asked for the recipe every time I bring it. For those who think vegetarians only eat "rabbit food", this is one sure way to convince them otherwise! :D

 

Carrot PieCombine milk, 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, carrot, vanilla and salt - mix and beat well. Pour into pie crust and bake like custard in a moderate oven.

 

Easy Cookie CrustThis is an easy pie crust that tastes like a cookie. It was my mom's.

 

Bread Crumb CookiesSave your breadcumbs! This recipe (adapted from The Tightwad Gazette) won my children ribbons at the county fair when they were preschoolers.

 

Kraut SproutsChop fine and then put all ingredients in a large bowl

 

Oreo Bon Bons and Butterfinger CookiesNeither of these are my own recipe but I wanted to share them with you all. I think they would be great as Christmas treats for family.

 

Recycled Cookie TinHave you ever been to a yard sale or thrift store and seen a great tin and you knew it would be just the right size to fit that special present, but the tin was decorated with advertising.

 

Stocking Cap OrnamentThis is a recycled kids craft. The little ones can really get into this craft, and make something pretty to hang on the tree. Supplies are few.

 

Easy Microwave FudgeI found this recipe on the internet. It is the best fudge I have ever had and so easy. It is made using Hershey or Nestle's chips. and a can of cake frosting.

 

Felt Christmas Treat HoldersMake Christmas treat holders out of felt. One is a mouse and the other is a stocking. Use a candy cane for both items. The hook on the candy cane makes the mouse's tail.

 

Tube Sock SnowmanTo start the snowman's body, take the sock and make sure it is actually a "tube" sock (it should be straight with no bend for the heel and foot).

 

Lady (Border Collie/Blue Heeler) and EndoLady and Endo are both about 11 years old now. Lady is border collie/blue heeler mix. Endo is of so many, I cannot list them here. Both were rescued from horrid conditions. Lady in January 1998. Endo in July 1997.

 

Thank You for Your Thoughts and PrayersIn June of this year my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She had surgery and chemotherapy. I posted on this site asking for help about prayer, angels, chemo problems, etc. You always came through with sound advice, encouragement, and prayers.

 

Happiest Times Are Spent with the Ones You LoveDuring the holidays we try to get some time to spend with my husband's nephew and family. I buy something that the 2 girls ages 9 and 10 can make while the adults chat. Their mother makes homemade cookies to give us.

 

Living Simply Year RoundI know this isn't a "Nuts and Bolts" description of frugality but this is how I feel with the holidays approaching. The older I get the more I realize that living as simply as possible is not only frugal, but good for the spirit.

 

Fabric for Gift WrappingI started this at Christmas time to reduce garbage, expensive gift wrapping costs and environmental waste. I bought inexpensive holiday material (after Christmas they will be cheap) and simply sew it up along the sides and hem the top and it resembles various size "Santa's Sacks.

 

Helpful Hints for Great GravyI agree that good gravy must start with flour that is slowly browned in the pan drippings (fat only!) before adding your liquid to thicken. Another helpful hint when making really good gravy is to use a slotted spoon.

 

Tatted SnowflakeTatting pattern booklets are available in the craft sections of stores. This snowflake is a simple one.

 

Christmas is the Season of GivingHave you ever wondered at Christmas how you could make a difference in a world where so many are afraid to give? Well, I am going to give you some ways that you could really make a difference in someone's live this year for Christmas if you are willing to try.

 

Recycled Magazine Christmas TreeUsing an old magazine and some tea bag envelopes, you can make a very unique Christmas decoration.

 

Decorated Christmas Card EnvelopeI sent in my Christmas card envelope that I painted last year, so thought you might be interested in this year's. The card had a snowman with a string of lights and he had a cap in red, white and blue so I made the envelope to match, hope you enjoy.

 

Making Curlicues from Shredded PaperTo make curlicues out of shredded paper for Christmas presents; you take regular shredded paper and wrap it around a knitting needle, or larger bamboo skewer.

 

Use Lemon Juice In GlazesIf you make a glaze, try using lemon juice instead of milk in the recipe. It is great on banana bread, pumpkin bread or just about anything you use a glaze on.

 

Place Window Candles on Tuna Can "Risers"I have found that the Christmas candles for the windows are too low with the new energysaving windowsills. I put a can of tuna fish under the candle to boost it up. You could use a taller can if you need it higher.

 

Birch Bird Feeder Or Candle HolderThis is not only a good gift idea for bird lovers (like me), but also for homebound/seniors that enjoy watching the birds.

 

Apple Slice Brown Sugar FixPut a slice of apple in the brown sugar, it will soften up within a day. Leave the apple slice in the bag to keep soft.

 

Cheese Grater Holiday DisplayTake cheese grater, the older the better. Wind the pine stem that you buy for about $2.00 at craft store and bend around handle of grater. Take the holly berries picks and wrap them around stem of pine.

 

Saving for Next ChristmasI noticed today at the grocery store we sell gift cards you can keep loading. Hey, everyone needs groceries! So I decided after Christmas I am going to get one and put $5 on it every payday.

 

Could My Dog Have Postpartum Depression?My American Pitbull has just had 7 beautiful pups. It has been one week. Since the day after her delivery, she has been aggressive towards me. She has shown teeth and has tried to nip me. My girl pal and I have always been close. However, she has not been herself. Is it possible she has postpartum depression or am I missing something? Got any ideas? She's 3 yrs. old and this is her 1st litter.

 

Removing Dog Hair from Curtains?I need help in getting white dog hair off of my full-length navy blue curtains. My dog perches himself on the low front window ledge to watch the world go by, and therefore the curtains are COVERED with his hair.

 

Keeping Tuna Salad from Being Dry?What do you put in your tuna salad? I put 2 cans of tuna, 2 eggs, mayo and a little sugar. However, I ordered a tuna sandwich from a restaurant yesterday and it was delicious. Mine is usually kind of dry. Do you know what the secret ingredient is?

 

Peanut Butter Fudge Not Hardening?How can I salvage Peanut Butter Fudge that has not hardened?

 

Suggestions for Disposing of Dog Waste?Disposing of dog waste. Any suggestions?

 

Do You Use Baking Powder With All Purpose Flour?When a recipe calls for flour, but does not say all-purpose or self-rising, do you have to add baking powder to the recipe when you're just using all-purpose flour?

 

Keeping Turkey from Drying Out When Reheating?I am making a large New Year's dinner and am making as much as I can ahead of time. I cooked the turkey today and put the breast meat unsliced in the freezer. What I would like to know is the best way to reheat it on New Year's day without it being dried out.

 

Recipes for Meat Pies?Does anyone have any really good meat pie recipes?

 

Rebate and Coupon Publications?Does anyone know of any rebate or couponing newsletters still in publication?