January 23, 2008

Crock Pot Spaghetti SauceI've tried so many other recipes for this spaghetti sauce and always return to this old recipe I've used for years.

 

Burrito CasseroleBrown (1 lb.) ground beef, drain off excess grease. Add taco seasonings to ground beef mixture and simmer a few minutes. Pour a layer of mild salsa into baking dish.

 

Hot Bean SaladDrain all except baked beans. Fry 8 strips of bacon. Remove bacon, leave fat in pan, and add sauce ingredients. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add beans and crumble bacon over top. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F, uncovered.

 

Pork And Veggie Fried RiceSet wok or pan you normally use for stir frying, over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons cooking oil, swirling to coat sides. Add eggs and scramble. Remove and set aside.

 

Zucchini Beef BakeCook zucchini 5 minutes; brown beef; add onions and spices. Melt margarine; blend in flour, salt and mix. Cook until it thickens and bubbles. Add cheese, stirring until blended.

 

Grandmother's Peach PieLine pie tin with unbaked pie crust. Lay peeled peach halves as closely as possible in pan. Mix 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup flour and cover peaches. Pour 1/2-1 cups heavy cream over and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Lower temperature to 350 degrees F until entire pie bubbles (30-40 minutes).

 

Orange Jello Sherbet Dissolve Jello in hot water. Add sherbet, stir until melted. Place in refrigerator until almost set up. Add oranges.

 

Chocolate Chip BarsSift together flour, baking powder, salt and soda. Cream margarine, add sugar gradually and cream until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well

 

Aurique (Golden Lab)Aurique is 9 years old and a Golden Lab (designer breed). He was dropped on my doorstep by a friend who thought we would make a good pair. Aurique's owner was going to shoot him, when he was two months old because he chased people who walked on the road.

 

Plastic Bag HolderOh, how I enjoy shopping for bargains. During the warmer months, DH and I love to go to all kinds of garage sales. At one of the sales, I saw something hanging on a nail which was stuffed full of plastic shopping bags.

 

Keep Carpet Scraps for Traction in Snowy ConditionsIn rural Ohio, getting stuck in the snow on occasion is expected so I keep several medium sized carpet scraps in my trunk. When placed under wheels, they make getting traction--and out--easy!

 

Organizing Tax PapersI organize my tax papers in a binder using clear page protector covers and with labelled dividers to keep the categories separate and organized. Each time something for tax comes in it is placed in the binder in the correct division.

 

"Uh Oh! I Need To Get My Wife A Gift" - Personalized Gift GuidesLast year for Valentine's Day, I made hubby a little Valentine-book called "LAURA'S GIFT GUIDE." I used an inexpensive plastic photo album (so I could make modifications when I wanted to or needed to) .

 

Growing Three SistersTesting three sisters mound with sunflowers and pole beans.

 

Store Electronic Chargers In Ziplock BagsI have 5 chargers for my electronics. I keep from getting them mixed up and tangled up by sticking them in their very own ziplock. The quart size is perfect. I put on the front in marker what device the charger is for and they get stored nice and neat in my desk.

 

Four Simple Ways To Defog Your MirrorSpray a thin coat of shaving cream onto a dry mirror, rub with a lint-free cloth until the cream disappears...

 

100% Juice Is A Good Way To Add NutrientsServing juice to your family can be an easy way to help picky eaters get the nutrients they need. Use your calculator to find the best price per ounce.

 

You CAN Save $5,000 This Year! - Tips From Woman's DayThese tips are from the Woman's Day website. They were too good not to share:

 

Ten Easy Ways to Eat HealthfullyDiet is a four letter word! Restrictions lead to a feeling of deprivation and that leads - you guessed it - right to the kitchen cupboard, in search of a reward.

 

Use Caution Mailing Junk Mail EnvelopesOften people reuse envelopes which they received with junk mail. However, you need to exercise care in using these. Any envelopes that have a bar code on them, should only be used to send mail to their intended destination.

 

Hanging Ball Made With Old CardsTake 20 used Christmas card (or any other card) fronts and cut out 4 inch circles. Using a triangle template, fold the edges of the circles up to form flaps. Glue the flaps together, add a hanging ribbon and you have an 8" decorative ball.

 

Make A Pillow Out Of A Beloved ShirtBecause I have six kids, we tend to pass down a lot of clothes to the next sibling. My oldest son had a special shirt he simply did NOT want to let go of. Rather than pass it down to his brother, I agreed to let him keep it.

 

Use a Black Light to Find Missed StitchesJust when you think your stitched picture is perfect, take a black light and you will find the missing stitch(es). The white background will glow through where there was supposed to be a thread. This couldn't be any easier!

 

Illinois CloudsThis was taken by Arcola, Illinois last fall as we sat waiting for a train. The clouds went on forever

 

Getting Refrigerated Pizza Dough to Lie Flat?I like the Pillsbury refrigerated pizza dough but I can never get it to lie flat. It curls up no matter what I do. Does anybody have a solution for this? I'd really appreciate it.

 

What is this plant? (Maranta leuconeura)Can somebody help me identify this houseplant? It was in an arrangement that had about 5 plants grouped together in one large decorative basket. I'm not sure what kind of plant this is. Thanks for any thoughts!

 

Golden Birthday for 4 Year Old?Golden birthday ideas needed for a 4yrs old girls party?

 

Speeding Up a Knitting Project?I have just bought baby yarn and needles and I am going to make a pair of socks with a high gauge. Any way to make the project go faster?

 

Looking for a Good Place to Find a Computer?I am looking for a computer. I am a disabled lady and would love to have one to use as a way of keeping up with the world. Where would be a good place to look for one?

 

Removing Smoke from Wood Doors and Windows?How do I clean smoke off of wood doors and windows?

 

Keeping Cats Off of Cars?I am in need of information on how to keep cats off of cars.

 

All Inclusive Hotel in Cancun, Mexico?What is a good all inclusive hotel in Cancun, Mexico?

 

Accessories to Put on the Coffee Table?I need some suggestions for what ornaments to put on my coffee table. I live in an old, small cottage which has old fashioned furniture. I'm not into flowery fabrics. I prefer the simple styles. My living area is just off the kitchen which has very light oak units. The walls in kitchen and living area are cream, sofa is beige.

 

Uses for Left Over Beer?After a party, there are a lot of half empty bottles and cans of beer laying around. I recycle the bottles and cans, but I was wondering what is the best use for that old beer?

 

Making a Kids Knitting Loom and Knitting Rake?I would like to have instructions on how to make a knitting loom and knitting rake for my kids.

 

What Makes the Beds So Comfortable at Nice Hotels?Why is it that some finer hotel beds feel so comfortable? Someone told me that they put a thin blanket or something under the sheet. I don't know if its the mattress cover. We love a firm bed, but there is something totally cozy about the finer hotel beds. Hopefully you can solve the mystery.

 

Recipe for Cooksmith?Does anyone have the directions for a dish called Cooksmith, made mainly with mashed potatoes?

 

Crayon Stain Recipe Using Spray N Wash?Can you use the crayon stain recipe with Spray N Wash instead?

 

What is this plant? (Neanthe bella)Here is one more plant I need identified. Does anybody know what kind this is? It feels very dry and paper like. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be like that or not.

 

Recipes for Kenmore Elite Slow Cook Setting?I have a Kenmore Elite oven that has both convection and a slow cook options. I have been unable to locate any recipes for the slow cook feature. It has two settings, high which is 4-5 hours and Low which is 8 to 9 hours. Any ideas as to where to find recipes? The manual comes with a very limited number of recipes.

 

Uses for Faux Fur Coats?My mother passed away last year and left me 7 faux fur coats and jackets. They are very nice and are from Fabulous Furs and all different types of furs. Most are new with the tags and a couple were $500.00. I tried selling them for about $100.00 on Ebay and Craigslist. I hate to throw them out, but they are taking a whole closet full of space. Any ideas of what else I could use them for? They are all plus sizes.