October 9, 2008

Oven Chipped PotatoesIn large, shallow baking dish, arrange potato slices in layers. In small saucepan, melt butter. Add grated onion, salt and pepper. Brush potato slices with butter mixture. Bake in 425 degree F oven for 1 hour or until potatoes are crisp and brown.

 

Buttermilk Custard PiePosition rack in center of oven and preheat at 425 degrees F. Combine flour and butter in a medium bowl and mix well. Whisk in yolks, 1 1/2 cups sugar, buttermilk and extract and beat until smooth.

 

Baked CauliflowerClean and remove leaves from cauliflower, leaving it whole. Cook until nearly tender. Combine Miracle Whip and mustard. Spread over cauliflower.

 

Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip MuffinsPumpkin and semi-sweet chocolate combine in these delicious muffins, which are perfect fare for a cool autumn day. Good for breakfast or dessert!

 

Cherry PhosphateCherry phosphates are as American as apple pie - and this diner staple can be made at home, too. Try making a phosphate to spice up a burger and fries dinner.

 

Food of the GodsMix ingredients in order given. Add eggs separately after beating. Bake in slow oven (325 degrees F) until done.

 

Cheesy Shepherds PieA twist to the Shepherds Pie. I needed a twist and this is so yummy that I think the regular one is no more. Simple, easy and good.

 

Quick Salmon Rice CasseroleFlake salmon into buttered 1 1/2 qt. casserole. Mix in rice, lemon juice, soup, dill, cheese and milk. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes.

 

Frugal Crossword Puzzle Gift IdeaThis is a frugal holiday or birthday gift idea for people who like crossword puzzles. If you get the daily newspaper, or have a neighbor who does (and doesn't do the crosswords), do this:

 

Celebrate Halloween All Month LongWe love Halloween and start celebrating October 1. We do at least one different Halloween activity every day leading up to October 31, and most don't require spending money. We start with unpacking our decorations on the 1st.

 

Ollie (Maine Coon)Ollie is 2 years and 8 months old. He is a Maine Coon. My family gave him to me for my Mothers Day present in 2006

 

Slim Set No Longer Available

Alert! To all those who plan to make sugar free jelly from my recipe submitted recently, I have information.

 

When Your Medicine Cabinet Attacks!If you have a small cabinet like mine, you often open it to having things fall out on you! Today, I got sick of it.

 

Make a Greenhouse for Late TomatoesIt looked like it would soon be raining; I couldn't stand the thought of having so many soon-to-be ripe tomatoes rotting on the vines, so I decided to do something about it. I created a make-shift greenhouse.

 

Using Your Dried LavenderNow is the time to harvest some of the stems on your lavender plant to dry out.

 

Celebrating The Harvest SeasonAt our church we do not celebrate Halloween, we celebrate Harvest Season. At the party we use the theme of God's creations. The kids as well as the adults have the option to dress up as any of God's creations of the first 6 days of creation.

 

Using Velcro on Outside SurfacesI saw the tips on using Velcro. I put my house address numbers up on the aluminum pillars on my front porch with Velcro about 6 yrs ago. Still up and holding. I used it also to attach my door bell button to the front of my house on the vinyl siding. It works great.

 

CelosiaI used to grow very tall celosia but in recent years I could not find any seed. Someone online was gracious enough to send me some seed.

 

Selecting and Carving Pumpkins for HalloweenBefore you select your pumpkins, decide on your carving design and your Halloween decorating goals. Do you need several pumpkins of a uniform size to line your walkway or a trio of pumpkins to create a display on your porch? Make a list of your needs before you go shopping so you can select pumpkins in the sizes and shapes that best fit with your decorating plan.

 

Spooky LuminariesConstruction paper and modge podge are all it takes to transform ordinary glass jars into a spooky Halloween setting.

 

Start Stocking Your Pantry For The HolidaysAlthough it may seem too early to think about the Holidays, they are just around the corner. There are always special recipes and favorite foods that are only prepared for these holidays.

 

Use Your Microwave to Sterilize Your Garden Pots and SoilI am repotting a few plants and starting some new cuttings to give as holiday gifts. To make sure I am not bringing any insects or fungus into the new soil (new but stored in the garage), I fill the pots and microwave them for a few minutes until very hot.

 

Using Straw Bales For GardeningThis idea is very old, my grandmother used to have straw bale gardens. It was great for her not to have to stoop over to pick and weed her garden.

 

Bringing Houseplants Back Indoors For The WinterThe end of a summer vacation can come as a shock to some, especially to the tropical houseplants we put out on the deck and patio to reinvigorate over the summer.

 

Removing Stains On Silverware?How do you remove stains on silverware?

 

Baking In A Canning Jar?Does anyone know how to bake bread or cake in a canning jar? When do you put the lid on, before or after baking?

 

Making Sail Boat Out Of Drink Cans?I saw at a craft fair that someone had these model airplanes and models boats and cars made out of soda cans and beer cans. I've been searching all over for how to make a sailboat out of beer cans. Can anyone help me?

 

What Breed Is My Dog?Is my dog a pitbull?

 

Harvesting Herbs For Cooking?How do I harvest these herbs: mint, basil, parsley, rosemary, dill and chives? I do not know if I should just tear off leaves or cut off the stalks/stems. I want the basil etc for cooking but I want the plant to keep producing. They are on my patio in pots.

 

Ideas For Boyfriend's 46th Birthday?My boyfriend is turning 46 this month. I'm looking for ideas for a great party for him. He does so much for me, I want to give him something he will enjoy. It needs to be family oriented, and not cost a bunch. I'm sure his family will help me out, but I want to try and keep it as inexpensive as possible.

 

Hibernating Turtles Indoors?I have an unusual problem. I have 3 small turtles I would like to hibernate indoors this winter. I don't want to use dirt from outdoors because of bugs and I can't seem to find soil from nurseries without fertilizers (bad for turtle shells). Is there anyone who shares this interest in pet turtles? Thanks.

 

Dog Will Not Come Inside?We have adopted a 2 year old dog that will not come into the house. Every morning she cowers and curls up into a ball and must be carried in. As the day goes on she gets better and will come in and the next morning the same problem. Any solutions to her being so scared?

 

Using Pre-Made Pie Crust For Dumplings?Has anyone ever used Pillsbury Pie Crust that you get in the refrigerator section for apple dumplings or turnovers?

 

Making Cushions For Wicker Furniture?I need to make chair cushions for my wicker furniture, just the bottom. Does anyone have a pattern along with a list of material they used?

 

Tips For Purchasing A Down Comforter?Can anyone educate me as to purchasing a down comforter? I have been to a hotel with the most comfortable comforter and sheet set. I was told it has something to do with count of feathers? We live in Florida, so I need a lightweight one, possibly for year round? Thanks.

 

Making Your Own Countertops?I need kitchen countertops! I've read all the great ideas on how to update kitchen countertops frugally and I'm so impressed by the ingenuity! But, I have no countertops at all!

 

Hair Came Out the Wrong Color?I just dyed my hair and it came out black. I wanted dark brown. What can I do?

 

Reusing Cabinet From Cabinet TV?I have one of the old cabinet-style TVs that no longer works. The cabinet is in good condition, I hate to toss it. Anyone have ideas for something else the cabinet could be used for?

 

Pink Themed Games For Party?Looking for games with a Pink theme that we can play at an adult party (dinner). Clean ideas only, please! I have thought of "pin the pink ribbon on the piggy".

 

Creative Ways To Live Green?I need creative ways on how to live green.

 

Gasket For Lidded Cookie Jar?I bought a glass cookie jar that sits on it's side with a wooden lid. The lid has no gasket to fit tight to the jar. Does anyone know where I could get one? I have tried Google and haven't found what I'm looking for yet. Would silicone work on the lid to make a tight fit? I'm hoping someone can help me, I really like the jar. Thanks so much.

 

House Training Cavalier Spaniel?I have an 18 month old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He's still urinating on the carpet several times a month. We crate trained him, helped him mark his spots outside, offered food rewards early on and remained gentle throughout.

 

Clothing Causing Pimples?I have a few questions. I get these pimples, or something where the waistband of my jeans are. They are usually just in the front, on my stomach. I have tried to get rid of them by using acne lotions, but it doesn't work that well. I don't know for sure what they are, but I assumed that they were some type of acne. How can I get rid of them?

 

Church Harvest Tea?We are planning a harvest tea for our church. What type of food would you suggest we serve?

 

Can I Invest Social Security?I'm on SSDI and want to invest in a 401K, is that possible?

 

Baby Proofing Home For Triplets?I am trying to baby proof for 15 month old triplets without going broke. What are some ideas for cabinet locks, toilet locks, stairs, etc.?

 

Looking For A Buckeye Tree?Where can I find a buckeye tree around here?

 

Restoring Finish On Pyrex?I collect old Pyrex bowls and bakeware, the kind that are colored on the outside. Some are faded from being put in the dishwasher. Can anyone tell me how to restore the shine?

 

Making a Privacy Barrier?I have been looking for an easy inexpensive way to make a privacy barrier. We live on a corner block and finally are able to afford a side fence but this still leaves a space where people can see through to the back of the house.

 

Soundproofing a Room?Any tips on cheaply sound proofing or sound deadening a room?

 

Honey Cake Recipe?Does anybody have a recipe for honey cake that is made in a loaf pan? I remember my mother adding coffee and I think whiskey to it and we girls got to do the walnuts (chop them and also put halves on the top). Thanks!

 

Fleas In The Walls?We rent our house under a lease. We were unaware of the problems cause by raccoons getting into the walls. The raccoon problem has finally been taken care of but we are now battling the problem of 'fleas'.

 

Applying Polycrylic To Painted Countertop?I just finished spraying my bathroom counter with the Rustoleum Accents yesterday and let it dry overnight and all day. Then I put polycrylic on and used a sponge brush. The paint started to smear and half of the counter has light black streaking. Should I continue with poly or resand and repaint. I guess I am not sure how to apply the poly. Help please!

 

Paint Stains On Car?My car was really shiny so to get rid of the scratches stupid me has put a gloss black paint onto my car and it has turned a kind of matte finish. How can I get it back to the nice glossy finish it was? Thanks.

 

Jeans Bled Onto Suede Jacket?I wore dark blue (indigo) jeans with a tan suede jacket. The jeans bled onto the hem of the jacket. How can I clean it?

 

Painting Glass Lamps?I have two beautiful crackled glass lamps that I bought back in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, I bought them in a lovely shade of pink to match my blue and mauve decor (very "in" back then!) I would like to update them if possible. Is there a type of translucent paint that would work on glass? Any suggestions would be welcome!