September 4, 2008

Wasabi Mashed PotatoesNo more boring taters! Try this Japanese spice to "spice up those spuds a notch". These taters are a great companion for steak but also nice with fish and poultry.

 

Coconut Crusted Chocolate PieIn mixing bowl, combine coconut and melted butter. Turn the coconut mixture into a 9 inch pie plate. Spread the mixture evenly in the pie plate. Press onto bottom and sides to form a firm, even crust.

 

Healthy Ice Cream Cone SnacksYou know when your kids come home from school they are starved, as if they had not had any food all day. This never ceases to amaze me.

 

Creamed ChickenMelt the margarine and add the flour. Stir in chicken broth gradually. Add the milk, salt and pepper. Then add diced chicken in amount desired.

 

CrescentsCream margarine and sugar well. Gradually work in flour (hands are the quickest method) until dough is similar to pie dough. Work in nuts. Break off chunks and roll into 1 inch balls, flatten slightly with a fork.

 

Gelatin Carrot SaladDrain pineapple and save juice. Dissolve gelatin, sugar and salt in hot water. Add the pineapple juice; chill until partially congealed. Beat until light and frothy; fold in Cool Whip. Add rest of ingredients. Chill in a 9x13 inch pan. Serves 12.

 

Sock-It-To-Me CakeMix sugar, cake mix, sour cream, oil and eggs. Pour 1/2 of mixture in a greased tube or Bundt pan. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts.

 

Simple Mac and Cheese DinnerIn skillet, brown sausage, onion and celery together. Drain off grease, add garlic and set aside. Cook macaroni according to box. Add meat mixture and slices of cheese, serve hot.

 

Chicken TarragonHeat large pan over medium heat. Add butter to pan. Dredge chicken parts in seasoned flour. Quickly brown chicken on one side, 5-8 minutes. You are not cooking the chicken now, just getting a golden crust for flavor.

 

Chicken Enchilada, Northern StyleHeat the tortilla shells. Spread a spoon of sauce onto shell then lay about a small handful of chicken towards one side edge then about 2 tsp. onion. Sprinkle on cheddar cheese, roll into a log. Place in buttered cake pan or roaster.

 

Label Child's Belongings for SchoolWith school back in full swing, for your younger children who might have trouble remembering their coats, jackets, or other items, at school or on the school buses, please put their names on the clothing tags inside, so they can be returned your family.

 

Marshmallow PieMelt 25 marshmallows and 1 cup milk in a pot on low heat. Remove from heat.

 

Get Wedding Flowers LocallyThe florist bill can add up very quickly. Rather than spending a huge amount of your wedding budget on centerpieces check out the local farmers markets and neighborhood gardeners!

 

Chop and Wait Before Cooking With GarlicThere is new scientific evidence that in order to be most effective, the garlic needs to be chopped up and sauteed or cooked for a short while. The beneficial ingredient will develop over time so be sure to chop up the garlic and let it sit for about 10 minutes before using.

 

Use Paint Swatches As BookmarksPaint Swatches make great bookmarks. When I'm at the hardware store I pickup a stack of paint swatches, so I know I will never be without my bookmark again!

 

The Queen of Fall Flowers - the...Chrysanthemums are the quintessential flowers of fall. From blazing golden yellows to rich shades of mahogany, when it comes to intense color, nothing in the fall garden can match their showy display.

 

My Frugal Life: 106 Ways To Save In The Kitchen - Part 1I don't buy paper products such as napkin, paper plates, paper cups or paper towels. I use "real" products and wash them. I plant the largest garden I can manage and harvest a much food from it a possible. This includes several types of beans, corn, tomatoes, watermelon, squashes, okra.

 

Coffee Container Bird Feeder and Clothes Pin...Here are two tips for the less handy among us, a bird feeder and clothes pin holder made from coffee containers.

 

Product Review: Bellawood Floor CleanerOur building contractors cleaning person used a mop (probably dirty) on our new floor and it was dull and streaked. We have always used the best hardwood floor cleaner in our old house, Bellawood floor cleaner.

 

Try S'mores at Your Next EventA "S'mores Bar" is a fun and inexpensive way to spruce up a backyard wedding reception. A table filled with different sized glass jars containing the s'mores ingredients look great and welcome fun.

 

How To Turn Your Job Into A TelecommuteWorking from home makes sense for more workers as the cost of gas continues to rise. Telecommuting, whether for a few days a week or a month or even full time, is an option for many office jobs that your firm may consider if it's presented in the right light.

 

Use Magnets To Keep Recipes Out Of The WayThis isn't a recipe, but it's a great idea for when you use one. I find that hauling out my cook books, which are all loose leaf and in binders, isn't practical in a small kitchen.

 

Keeping Fire Ants Out of Potted PlantsWhat is the best way to keep fire ants from setting up shop in outdoor potted plants? After recently transplanting two ornamentals, I noticed ants in the newly placed potting soil. I utilized Sevin Dust water hose treatment, but this was without success.

 

Sturdy Book CoversUse your left-over wallpaper to cover your kid's books this school year. Wallpaper is sturdy, lasts, and it's also a way to make use of what you have.

 

Warning About Morning GloriesMorning Glories are gorgeous. But boy, are they pesky and weedy! 3 years ago, I planted two varieties along a fence and to cover a trellis. They were simply stunning that year.

 

Budgeting For Car PaymentsWe needed to purchase a new car for my husband who uses it for business. He puts on an average of 45,000 miles annually. We did not have enough saved to pay cash for the car so I needed to FIND an additional $150 a month for the increased car payment.

 

Use Eyebrow Pencil to Cover Wood ScratchesA couple days ago I was given a lovely old dresser, oak I think. Unfortunately it got scratched in a couple tiny spots in the move. I didn't have any kind of scratch cover on hand.

 

Dakota (Husky/Shepherd)Dakota is 14 months old and a Husky/Shepherd mix. I got him from a swap shop radio 14 months ago.

 

Old Window Themed ArtOur master bathroom had no windows and I wanted something in there that made me feel as though it did and looked pretty to match my floral theme. I like to free hand paint so I bought an old wooden 2 pane glass window which I bought at our local salvage place that recycles, it cost $2.

 

Radio City Spectacular GardenI call this my Radio City Spectacular Garden. My office on our second floor, looks down onto my garden. I once was a dancer on the Great Stage, but, now with an entire hip replacement I'm unable to dance any longer.

 

Get Dishes That Fit Your MicrowaveI bought my nephew a microwave to take to college with him. At the store I gathered up some plates, cups and bowls of varying sizes to be sure they fit in the microwave. No need to return the microwave for a different size.

 

Purple Flower on a Sage Plant?I planted a Sage plant last year in the ground. I cut it back and mulched it last year before freezing. Now this year when it came back -- it is doing great, but now it has a purple flower on top. Why is that I never seen this before? It is pretty.

 

Streaks on Glass Shower Door?I have used a lot of cleaning products on my glass shower walls and doors. After all the soap scum comes off, I still get streaks and a haze on them. Any ideas to make them not streak?

 

Flowers That Go With Hydrangeas?What kind of flowers can I plant in front of my Blue Endless Summer Hydrangea?

 

Canning Cherry Tomatoes?Hubby and I always can cherry or Roma tomatoes. Wash all tomatoes to make sure they are dirt free. Boil a med/large pot of water. Fill one part of sink with cold water.

 

Using Saved Greeting Cards?Does anyone have any ideas about what to do with old birthday cards, mother's day cards, etc.?

 

Bringing Houseplants Back Inside?What should I spray on my houseplants before bringing them back inside?

 

Using A 5x20 Golf Scope?I do surveys. I have an opportunity to get a 5x20 golf scope. I am not a golfer but I am often out and wish I had a magnifier to look at a bird or something in the sky. This thing would fit in my purse unlike real binoculars. How much better could I see something than with the naked eye? Thanks.