April 24, 2008

Applesauce Spice CakeCream shortening and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Add nuts and raisins. Sift dry ingredients together 3 times and add alternately with applesauce to creamed mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition.

 

Herbed Halibut in Lime ButterHalibut is a firm white fish that's very lowfat and loaded with protein. A 2-lb bag of frozen filets is $19 in Costco; enough for two meals for a family of four.

 

Bean and Pea SaladDrain well and mix the dressing. Pour over drained vegetables; let stand overnight. Serve.

 

Shrimp and Cheese CasseroleBreak bread in quarter-size pieces. Break cheese in bite-size pieces. Arrange shrimp, bread and cheese in several layers in greased 1 1/2 qt. casserole. Pour butter over this mixture. Beat eggs and add mustard and salt to eggs.

 

Banana TartFold cream/milk with 2 cups and bananas. Mix dough with 3 cups of sugar. Roll out dough. Fill dough with banana mixture. Press sides to hold together. Bake until crispy brown.

 

Pineapple Salad with Cooked ToppingDissolve gelatins in hot water. Add rest of ingredients, mix well and chill in 2 qt. casserole. Spread topping over congealed salad. Sprinkle with chopped pecans on top if desired. Chill until serving.

 

Wire Candle WrapsCandle wraps! Very easy to make and adds a touch of sophistication to your plain pillar candles. Take a very light gauge wire and wrap it around your candle so you can approximate the length you need then unwrap it and add two inches before cutting.

 

Carafes for Coffee and TeaI bought two carafes; one for coffee and one for tea. As soon as I make either, I pour it into it's designated carafe. Instead of sitting on the hotplate or having to be reheated over and over it's ready anytime and tastes better too. Saves on my electric bill.

 

Simple Beaded PendantThe pendant shown here was made from "recycled" jewelry: I will often buy used necklaces, charms, etc. at thrift stores and yard sales, take them apart, and make new creations with the beads and other parts.

 

Ginger (Cocker Spaniel Mix)Ginger is 3 months old and is a Cocker Spaniel mix. We adopted Ginger a week ago today!

 

Easy Frozen Pizza SlicesYou won't buy frozen pizza for your kids when you hear this tip. When my boys were young, I used to make my them pizza out of a loaf of bread. I would open a can of marinara sauce, spread on each slice, top with a sprinkle of mozzarella and carefully stack each prepared slice back inside the bread bag loaf, tie it and chuck it in the freezer.

 

Prepare Veggies For Use After ShoppingAfter you buy fresh produce, try to wash, peel, chop and freeze them in plastic zipper bags as soon as possible. REMEMBER to store all the peels and trimming together in another zipper bag and freeze, until enough in quantity.

 

Reusing Scented Candle LeftoversDon't throw away that burnt out scented candle. If you don't have a candle warmer, buy one. Place your spent candles on the warmer and as they melt, combine them to create a whole candle.

 

Vinca (Periwinkle) as a GroundcoverI have found Periwinkle (vinca) to be a plant that will live almost under any condition in California. I couldn't get anything to grow in a border along my shady sidewalk and I decided to try vinca. My parents bought a house in 1946 that had a bank of vinca already there.

 

Money Plant FlowersMoney plant is a wonderful perennial to share with friends and family. Beautiful purple flowers in the spring. Silver "money" seeds bear in the summer. They are great for giving or let them fall and reseed for beauty next year. Plant perennials for little effort but lots of color.

 

Keep Track of Website InformationI got tired of losing scraps of notes I made on popular websites. I bought a very small spiral tablet, labeled it Websites to Visit, and put it near my TV and radio. Now I note all the interesting stuff in one place. I can browse the sites when I have time.

 

Recycled Mesh Bird Feeders From Onion BagsAnother use for the 'mesh onion bags' is for putting peanuts in and hanging on trees or the eaves of your home. I have been doing this for years and enjoy watching the chickadees and woodpeckers as they cling to the bags and eat away at the peanuts (unsalted of course).

 

Cleaning Grill Racks With AmmoniaTo clean oven racks or grill racks, place in plastic garbage bag and add 1 bottle of ammonia. Tie up bag and leave overnight. The next day, wipe clean. Sometimes a second night works better if it is real heavy with grease, but the ammonia will cut through the grease!

 

Crayons Fix Nicks in Colored Leather Shoes and BootsWhen I was a small child, I remember my mother raiding my crayon box to color in nicks and scuff marks on her brightly colored high heels.

 

Looking For Discount Craft Supplies Websites?I am looking for websites similar to Oriental Trading that sell discount craft supplies. I am trying to find some projects for my boys to do over the summer break. Thank you.

 

What is "Zep Cleaner"?I found an antifreeze jug with a written note on it that said "Zep Cleaner". Can you tell me any thing about this stuff?

 

Pruned Maple Tree is Dripping Sap?I have a question. I have a Maple tree in my back yard, yesterday I trimmed some very small branches off the tree, when I say branches there were not much larger than twigs. Now the tree is dripping sap? Is this normal? I just hope I have not damaged the tree. Fortunately when I saw what was happening I stopped. Any help would be appreciated. I live just south of Carson City, Nevada

 

Has Anyone Tried 'Miracle Noodles'?I am contemplating purchasing some noodles called Miracle Noodles. I want to know if anyone has used these before and what do they think of them. You have to order them. They are pure fiber and calorie and cholesterol free.

 

Repainted A Refrigerator?Does anyone have some ideas on how to repaint a fridge safely. I have a fridge that has rust on it due to having it cleaned with cleaners. It is not a flat surface but sort of patterned.

 

Temporary Surface For Under Picnic Table?I'm looking for advice for an inexpensive, temporary covering for underneath our picnic table. We do not have a deck or patio and our picnic table has been on grass over the past few years.

 

Should I Reuse Gift Tissue Paper?Is it considered tacky to reuse gift tissue paper when its wrinkled? Just curious.

 

Can I Plant A Veggie Garden In A Metal Washing Tub?I would really like to have a small veggie garden but my yard is laid out in a way that there is really no place to put it. Is it possible to do one in a large metal washing tub? I appreciate any ideas!

 

Looking For "Baked Tomatoes" Recipe?My ex daughter-in-law used to fix a dish she just called baked tomatoes. I asked her for the recipe, but she said it was her secret. She did tell me it was fresh tomatoes and four kinds of cheese. That's all I know.

 

Recipe Similar To Walmart Deli's Broccoli Salad?I love the broccoli salad that I get from the Walmart deli. Does anyone know the recipe?

 

Ideas For Celebrating Earth Day?Anyone have suggestions for celebrating earth day? I found some ideas here:

 

Problems With Mexican Elder Tree?I live in Albuquerque NM and planted a Mexican Elder. We had a particularly cold winter and it appears that the tree suffered. It is now mid-April and there is no sign of new growth or leaves on the tree. There is vigorous growth at the base of the tree.

 

Looking For Reception Hall In Conway, SC?Needing help to find a cheap but elegant wedding reception hall in Conway, SC. The wedding is on June 7, 2008. Yes, I know it's soon, but we didn't even know our hall was canceled until yesterday. Actually the hall was canceled a couple of weeks ago. Imagine if we had showed up for the reception.

 

How Do You Preserve Dog Treats?I love cooking treats for my dog but have no idea how to make them last longer than a couple of days. Some will last in the refrigerator for a few days or up to a couple of weeks. Luckily others will go in the freezer.

 

Looking For An Alternative To Palm Pilot?My hand held Palm (Tungsten E2) died on me yesterday and I lost all my data. I went to purchase another one and everyone keeps saying the hand held palms are being discontinued. However, they are still $200 and I do not want to spend this much on an item that is being discontinued.

 

Looking For Ham, Cheese and Potato Casserole Recipe?About a million years ago, actually the early 70's, the cafeteria at Motorola SPD fixed a really good ham, potato and cheese casserole. If I use Betty Crocker au gratin potatoes, add a little extra cheese and some ham, it comes kinda close but just isn't quite right. I've searched several cooking websites but still don't quite have it. Any suggestions?

 

Liquid Paper Pen Stopped Working?New liquid paper comes in a pen form. I still have liquid inside but it is not working. I think the tip needs cleaning, maybe something has hardened in the tip. What can I do?

 

Removing Dried Paint From Roller Blinds?How do I get dried matte paint off roller blinds?

 

Camouflaging A Scar When Wearing A Skirt?I want to wear a knee length skirt for the first time in 17 years. I was in a car accident which left my leg badly scarred. I had to have a skin graph so what I need is a suggestion on how to kind of camouflage it but still be able to wear my leg out. If anyone can help me out I will gladly appreciate it.

 

Ideas For Saving Old Greeting Cards?I've collected all my greeting cards since the 1980's (more than 1000). What should I do with them? I want to keep them.

 

Skin Is Darker Under Breasts?I have read the many, many posts regarding a rash under heavy breasts, I have also have that problem. I am in the process of trying some of you guys suggestions, but my skin has darkened under that area. Any suggestions on how I can clear this up. I have a friend who suggested Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a good rest of your week

 

Inexpensive Ideas For Wrapping Large Present?My friend is getting married and we are giving them a new TV. I am in charge of wrapping and bows. How can I do this inexpensively. I know that wrapping paper is really a waste but it is also part of the culture.

 

Discontinued Wallpaper: Ralph Lauren Pattern LWP19883W?I'm looking for a discontinued wallpaper. I need 8 single rolls. Ralph Lauren, Weldon Floral-Black, Pattern No., LWP19883W.

 

Ideas For Restraining Goats?I don't know how many of our readers are of the rural persuasion but I need some suggestions. I need to completely restrain African pygmy and Boer goats for hoof trimming and medication applications. Any suggestions that would work for both sizes of goats and be very inexpensive? I am unable to handle them alone just by tying them up. They have too much maneuvering room! Thanks to all.

 

Styling A "Bob" Haircut?I have my hair cut into a chin length bob and have the worst time trying to style it. Anyone have ideas that don't involve cutting my hair? Also, my hair is all one length. I don't have my hair cut in bangs.

 

Looking To Buy An Iced Tea Maker?I'm looking to buy an iced tea maker. Any product reviews, including the quantity of tea that they make, would be appreciated!

 

Converting Aquarium into Terrarium?Here's a photo of my completed terrarium. The miniature violets cost about $4 to $5 each. I found the shefflera and a cute small palm at Walmart for $3 each. The small juniper was pricy, about $15.

 

Getting A Boxer Puppy To Stop Biting?I have a 7 month old boxer puppy that will not quit attacking everyone's feet and at the same time he barks and jumps up at you. It hurts very badly when he bites at your feet or legs and when he jumps on you he scratches you all up. I already tried hiring a trainer and it didn't work.

 

Pattern For Crocheted Infant Vest?Does any one know where I can find a baby girl vest pattern size 12 month to crochet? I'm trying to find a western type vest.

 

Lens CPR Ruined Glasses?Lens CPR ruined my glasses. Help.

 

What Kind Of Cake Icing Is Best In Warm Weather?What is the best icing for an outside wedding in warm weather?

 

Pattern For Knitting A Sea Shell?Does anyone have a knitting pattern for a small sea shell, shaped a bit like a fan. I can't find any on the web!