May 22, 2008

All American Pot RoastHeat corn oil in 5 qt. Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown chuck roast on all sides. Add next 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil, covered. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.

 

Breakfast LasagnaPlace one-third of the corn flakes in an even layer in the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch serving dish. Mix together the watermelon, blueberries and yogurt and spoon half of it over the corn flake layer evenly.

 

Vanilla Bean SugarGet a vanilla bean. Slice it lengthwise twice so you have four very skinny strips of bean. Then cut those beans in half so you now have 8 shorter vanilla beans. Add one piece of the bean to a jug or jar of sugar.

 

Honey BarsMix first four ingredients with mixer. Mix dry ingredients in bowl. Next mix dry in with the wet ingredients (gets sticky). Put dough into a greased jelly roll pan.

 

Crispy Refried Black Bean TostadasThis recipe gets it's authentic taste from the freshly cooked flour tortillas, and refried black beans. Once you taste this, you'll never want to go back to a taco drive-thru.

 

Savory LasagnaBrown ground beef and sausage in large skillet, stirring until crumbly. Pour off drippings. Add onion flakes, tomato paste and 2 tomato paste cans water, mixing well. Add seasonings and spices.

 

Cherry Pistachio SaladSprinkle pudding mix over Cool Whip in bowl, mixing well. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Chill for at least 2 hours.

 

Ice Cream Sandwich CakeLayer ice cream sandwiches in a cake pan. Top with the Cool Whip, then drizzle chocolate syrup on top, using as much as you like. Repeat if you have room in your pan. Freeze before serving.

 

Leftover Pork (or Beef) FajitasAfter we've had pork loin or a beef roast for Sunday dinner, we usually have enough left for dinner the next day. I wrap the leftover meat in foil and put in the oven to heat while I prepare the other ingredients for Fajitas.

 

Zesty Sausage SquaresMix first three ingredients together and spread in 9x13 inch casserole, well greased. Saute' sausage and onion together, drain on paper towels then spread on above mixture.

 

Vanilla for Fishy Smell in CoolerMy tip is how to get a fishy smell out of a cooler. I wash it out first with very hot soapy water and rinse well. Then I take a small lid and put about 2-3 teaspoons of vanilla in it.

 

Copper from Old TV CordsLast week someone left a nice big TV our building's garbage area with note on it saying it works great, just needs a remote. I carried it home, only to find that the power cord had been cut off. The TV had been there less than an hour. In the past year I have seen many electrical devices with the cord cut off. I always assumed that meant they didn't work.

 

Grow Potatoes For Patio GreeneryTo dress up my front porch inexpensively, I take a potato and cut out the sections where "eyes" start growing. I place these in just enough water to keep the bottom of the section wet.

 

Castor Oil and Pain ReliefCall it what you wish, Voodoo or Witchcraft - but it DID WORK for me. Having recently torn the cartilage in my left knee and also been diagnosed with Arthritis in the same, I was doing some Web searching for magical pain relief remedies. One item that kept popping up on the searches was an old time remedy of Castor Oil.

 

Frozen Fruit For SummerCut a whole, cored, pineapple into long sticks. Lay flat and put in freezer. When totally frozen, put in bag to store in freezer. When you make iced tea, take a frozen stick, and put in the iced tea.

 

Write Your Name on Customer's NapkinI am very bad at remembering what my wait person's name is at restaurants. Recently when at a restaurant, I noticed after the waiter placed my soda on the table, that he had printed his name on the paper drink napkin. What a great idea!

 

Tomato "Fence" For SupportWe used a used cattle panel down the middle of our tomato row. Plant recommended distance and vine in as they grow and tie as needed. You can grow way more tomatoes in a lot less space than cages.

 

Use Utensils in Unusual WaysI am all for using utensils in unusual ways. After you brown ground beef, you can break it up into mostly uniform pieces using a pastry blender.

 

Your Lawn: When, How Much and How Often To...Your lawn requires more water to maintain than any other part of your garden. Its overall health depends on how much water it receives. So how do you know how much to water and how often? Here are the basics to watering your lawn.

 

Water Outdoor Plants While on VacationTo water outside plants while on vacation, simply bury a piece of yarn beside of plant and run the other end of yarn into a bucket of water. Presto! The plants will absorb water as needed. Happy gardening!

 

Display Children's Artwork and Replace WeeklyEvery day when they get home they put the papers they are most proud of in a folder on my desk, at the end of the week, they select the one they like the best and want displayed in the frame for the week.

 

Craft: Creative BeadsI live in London, UK... and love the creativity of all things creative. This one is one of many - the beadx.

 

Lifelock Has Some ProblemsHave you heard the commercials for LifeLock where Todd Davis announces his Social Security number or seen the print ads? Well, his service evidently didn't catch a lot of people trying to steal his identity.

 

Calculate The Correct Withholding For Next Year's TaxesDid you get a big refund or owe a big tax bill April 15th of this year? If so, now is the time to adjust the amount of taxes withheld from your paycheck. Ideally, you want to get your tax bill or refund as close to zero as possible.

 

Make A Hidden Litter BoxI have found a great idea for a hidden kitty litter box! Go to the nearest thrift store find a decent sized two drawer night stand. Take top drawer out and cut the face of the drawer off.

 

Use Hot Glue To Save SolesSave the heels of your family's new shoes from running down by doing this tip: turn shoe upside down with bottom of heel facing you.

 

Bailey (Min-Pin/Chihuahua)Bailey is a 10 months old Min-Pin/Chihuahua. Bailey wasn't too interested in helping my daughter blow out her candles from her 18th birthday, he was going straight for the cake!

 

Looking For Crock Pot Pasta Recipes?I am looking for recipes for using pasta, lasagna noodles or spaghetti that you can do in the crock pot.

 

Making Curtains Using Towels And Clothespins?We are moving from a trailer to a house and I need help! I want to make curtains. I am very crafty, but the last time I used a sewing machine I attached 2 of my fingernails to the shirt I was sewing. I am not needle friendly. I saw a picture a while back of towels with clothespins for the curtain hooks. I love it for my laundry room. But how do I do them so they don't fall every time you brush passed them. I would really appreciate the advice. THANKS!

 

Keeping Algae from Growing in a Pond?I have a pond that measures about 30' across and is about 5' deep in the very center, and I want to keep algae from forming without having to treat the water with chemicals, or clutter the pond with plants to block out the sunlight.

 

Getting Back Into Nursing Job After a Long Absence?I am an RN in Illinois with a current license. My problem is that I have not worked in the past 9 years. I did speak with 3 nurse recruiters at local hospitals and they all recommended I take a refresher course. None of them could tell me of any so I had to research myself. I found 2 online but you have to arrange your clinical rotation yourself. The other one isn't exactly local and these cost between $1000-2000! I don't have that kind of money.

 

Buying A House With One Income?I'm 32 years old, recently divorced and have moved back in with my parents. I currently make close to $41,000 a year. I can't seem to buy a house with only one income. I'm not looking for an expensive house, $79,000. I was wondering does anyone know how I could reach my goal. I have also saved money but if you make $2000 a month, pay school loan, car loan and insurance (close to $800 a month) the house mortgage (close to $900) that leave only $240 left at the end of month. Please help me.

 

Eyeglasses Anti-Fog Liquid Left Residue?I made the mistake of using an anti fog liquid on my new eyeglasses about 6 months ago. Ever since, they are constantly streaky and filmy.

 

Kent Mango Leaves Are Browning?I have a Kent mango and the leaves are browning. Does anyone know what is causing this? Please see photos.

 

Keeping Berries From Settling At Top Of Jam?I just made a couple of batches of Strawberry Jam, and I always have a problem of the berries settling at the top of the jar. Any suggestions?

 

Pests Eating Leaves of Hybiscus?What can we do to prevent leaves of my Hybiscus from being eaten by unknown pests? I am first time user and amazed by the information I can send to resolve my problem. Right now I don't have a picture but will take one after I submit this question.

 

What Flowers and Vegetables Grow Well in Colorado?I live in zone 5b in Colorado. What flowers and vegetables grow well here?