June 17, 2008

Baking Powder BiscuitsSift dry ingredients together into bowl. Cut in shortening until crumbly. Add milk, stirring until just mixed. Knead lightly, on floured surface, 6-8 times. Pat out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with floured cutter, placing 1/2 inch apart on baking sheet.

 

Party BrowniesPlace these ingredients in a large bowl and beat 3 minutes. Sprinkle 1 cup nuts on top. Bake in 12x18 inch pan at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cut warm.

 

Mediterranean Mix with Pita BreadCombine all ingredients except pita bread in large bowl, mixing to coat with oil. Chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Cut pita bread into halves with scissors. Pull open to form pockets. Fill with chilled mixture.

 

Rice Cooker Sausage JambalayaWhen my old crock pot quit working I only had my rice cooker and decided to use it as my crock pot. The Jambalaya turned out every bit as delicious as when using the crock pot for my jambalaya recipe.

 

Old-Fashioned Rhubarb CakeIn a mixing bowl, cream butter and 1 cup sugar. Add egg, beat well. Combine buttermilk and vanilla, set aside. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add alternately with buttermilk and vanilla to the creamed mixture. Stir in rhubarb. Spread in a greased 13x9-inch pan.

 

Shoo Fly PieShoo Fly Pie is a favorite dessert in the Amish community, and there are many different variations. Some are more like coffee cake than a pie. The name comes from the days when pies were cooled on the windowsill, and the sweet filling would attract pesky flies, which the cook "shooed" away.

 

Rhubarb Dream BarsPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together crust ingredients until forms small crumbs (I used my food processor). Pat into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 14 minutes.

 

Quickie SaladDO NOT mix Jello to package directions. In a large bowl, stir by hand, all ingredients. This is the fastest salad I can make and can be made up in a moments notice, if need be. Can be eaten for any meal as a entree, salad, snack or dessert. Can easily be duplicated or tripled.

 

Microwave Cherry CrunchMix pie filling and pineapple in square glass microwave cake pan. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over top. Sprinkle with pecans. Drizzle butter over pecans. Microwave on high for 15 minutes, turning at least once.

 

Chow MeinStir-fry celery and onion in oil in large skillet for 3 minutes. Add next 4 ingredients. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add tomato and consomme. Stir in remaining seasonings. Thicken with cornstarch if desired.

 

Use Old Inner Tubes for Staking a TreeSave your old ruined bike inner tubes. The make great tree holders when staking a tree, and require no cutting.

 

Refill Travel Shampoo Bottles With Your Favorite BrandWe all have those pesky small shampoo bottles from hotels. I decided to use one of them as an experiment after it was empty. I filled it with my favorite shampoo. As the wearer of short hair - this worked miracles!

 

Easy Crocheted ButterfliesThese easy crocheted butterflies are easy enough for a beginner crocheter and can be used for many things. These would be wonderful for Mother's Day or a birthday.

 

Side Table for Small KidsIf your little one has a pint-sized chair he or she likes to sit in to watch his/her favorite shows, try placing a child's step stool next to the chair to use as a side table. It's just the right size for the chair and can be used for snacks, books, etc.

 

In Memory of Suma and Mamiya (Tabby Cats)Suma, left and Mamiya, right were both taught, with kindness and reward, to do an assortment of tricks. Here they are on a stool "waving to Mommy" in unison. Many people don't realize how teachable cats are.

 

Keeping Candle Wax Off Your Birthday CakeI have always inserted my candles in Styrofoam instead of the cake to burn for birthdays. Then the candles could burn longer without getting wax all over your cake. This also works good if you have a ice cream cake, less melt and mess. The lit candles are blown out the same as if it were on a real cake. The Styrofoam works well, just throw all away no mess and no wax on cake either. Works great and cake tastes good too. All works well.

 

Going Green Without Going BrokeWhile global warming and resource depletion is justifiably concerning, so is the cost of fixing it. There are so many energy efficient ideas, but the average family isn't replacing their car or changing their heating system just yet.

 

Vegetable Dishes Brighten Summer MenusNo matter what the season, you can never have too many healthy, easy-to-prepare vegetable dishes. In summer, when local gardens and farmers' markets have produce aplenty, you can establish a broad repertoire of recipes drawing from the many fruits and vegetables in season.

 

Use Baking Soda to Remove Iced Tea StainsAfter making iced tea in the summer, I am always left with a stained pitcher. NOTHING I used would take those stubborn stains off. I tried expensive soaps to elbow grease. Then one day, I tried BAKING SODA.

 

Craft: Recycle Old Jeans Into a WreathTurn your old torn jeans into a wreath. Make sure to cut the pockets out, they really can add to a wreath.

 

Time to Get Into ShapeIt's that time of year when everyone is running around panicking because soon they'll have to wear shorts or a bathing suit. Here are some tips to get yourself in shape without costing a fortune.

 

Change Drab Photos to Black and WhiteA tip for turning your colorless pictures into a work of art. Turn that boring picture into a work of art by changing it into "black and white" format in any of photo editing software. I used Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 on this picture. It was a very grey over-cast day. I got home and changed the format to black and white and wow!

 

Will Dog Be Traumatized When Husband Moves Out?My husband and I recently divorced, he is moving out Sat. I'm worried about our doxie, Junior, being traumatized with his daddy leaving. Should I stay and let the dog watch the moving out process or leave and take him with me, to come back to Daddy being gone?

 

Keeping Fruit Flies Away From Fruit?I have read that many fruits and vegetables do not need to be refrigerated and have better taste if they are not. When I leave fruits and veggies out, I notice a few (1-3, I think) small flies/gnats, especially around aromatic fruits.

 

Alternatives To Baby Oil For Dry Skin?I have dry but smooth skin. What can I use besides baby oil to keep more moisture?

 

Natural Sleep Solutions?I often have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. What can I do to help get more rest? I've tried hot baths, warm tea and flipping the mattress. Please help. I am looking for natural sleep solutions.

 

Suggestions For Cheap, Frozen Fish?What is a good, cheap, frozen type of fish to bake? I like the fish sticks, etc. with breading, but you don't get much fish with them. In Missouri, we don't get a lot of fresh fish, except catfish and I don't care for it. It is too fishy! Thanks!

 

Auto Washer Smells Like Mildew?I am starting to have a mildew smell in my auto washer. I have used baking soda and vinegar with hot water to get rid of it. I use very little liquid soap or softeners. The lid is never left closed after use. Any help will be a great. Thanks.

 

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes?Cupcakes can be messy for little ones when they are trying to remove the cake from the paper. Instead of using the paper liners, put flat bottom type ice cream cones into the muffin pan. Mix up the cake batter and pour into the cones, filling about 2/3 full and bake according to directions for the cake batter you are using.

 

Potty Training Advice?I have a 2 year old boy who does not go in his pants all night or at nap time or most days. But there are days where he goes in his pants every time that he needs to go to the bathroom.

 

July 4th Float Ideas: Pink Petals and Patriotism Theme?I am in charge of our 4th of July parade float and I need ideas. The theme is "Pink Petals and Patriotism". It is in the Crape Myrtle capital. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

Fixing a Burn Mark on Microfiber?How can I fix a small burned area in a beige microfiber sofa?

 

Water Spots on a Micro Fiber Couch?How do I get water rings out of my microfiber white chair? They are everywhere.

 

Recommendations For Hair Conditioner?I was just wondering if you have any tips on a moisturizing conditioner to use. I heard that I should only us conditioner so I have been for a handful of years. A couple months back I dyed my hair and I didn't like it so I dyed it back right away. Its been a couple months sense then but my hair isn't as soft as it used to be.

 

Making Baby Shower Table Decorations?My daughter and I are hosting a baby shower for my niece. I have mini-baby things (blocks, bottles, pins) that I purchased at a tag sale and would like some suggestions on how to make shower table decorations with them. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. The shower is June 8.

 

Keeping Dog From Going Under Trailer?Our dog got a puncture wound and a 2 in. long slit in his skin from something in the back yard. This is a fenced in back yard. We've checked the fence for protruding nails, the swing set for protruding screws and all that's left is a trailer with some brush on it. Possibly he went under the trailer and snagged himself on the metal.

 

How Do Baseball Teams Clean Their Uniforms?I am curious, does anyone know what product(s) professional baseball teams use to clean their uniforms? They are always, at beginning of a game, so spotlessly bright white, or brightly colored.

 

VCR Doesn't Work With TV Converter?This is just a comment about the new Digital TV converter boxes. They're inconvenient for recording. To record using a RCA DTA800 converter box, you have to go to the unit and with your hand, change the channel.

 

Bleach Stain on Formica Counter Top?I have white Clorox stains on my dark Formica counter top. Please help.

 

Simple Menu Options for a Baby Shower?Can anyone suggest any simple foods and appetizers for a baby shower?

 

Getting an Old Pool Ready for Use?I have an above ground pool that has not been used for at least 5 years. We just moved into that house and want to use the pool. The pool has a pool cover but it has been weighed down by algae, bugs, and lots of dirty water. I need suggestions on what to do with the pool cover and all that dirty water and how to start using the pool.

 

Can I Drink Milk on A Liquid Diet?I've been on an all liquid diet, I exercise plenty, take vitamins, and eat whatever I want on weekends (REAL food). So far its been working well. Though my parents tell me its not very healthy. They want me to actually eat and drink plenty of milk for calcium. Is there a way I can do this that will work with my diet and still keep my parents happy?

 

Removing Water Stain from Chair?I left a wet t-shirt on an old wooden chair that is very special to my parents. I woke up the next morning to find a yellow, damp stain on the chair. What is it and how do I get rid of it?

 

Melted Crayons Off a Car Seat?My son left his crayons in my car and it melted on my cloth seats. How do I get it out?