October 16, 2008

Cherry Upside-Down CakeGrease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Put 2 cans of cherry pie filling in dish. Sprinkle a little sugar on top. Mix a white cake mix according to directions on the box.

 

Deep Dish Pizza FillingBrown meat with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and 4 Tbsp. chopped onion. Sprinkle 1/2 cup Parmesan over dough. Spread tomato paste evenly. Sprinkle spices over this. Drain grease from meat. Crumble meat over spices.

 

Peach Pecan DessertBeat egg whites stiff and fold in cream of tartar, baking powder, sugar and vanilla. Fold in soda crackers and pecans. Put in buttered 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes.

 

Easy Chicken and Stuffing CasseroleI make a recipe using frozen chicken that my family loves. I use frozen, skinless chicken breasts. I place the frozen breasts in a baking dish, then I mix up a package of stovetop stuffing, (I use the store brand, much cheaper)

 

Work Night Pressure Cooker Pot RoastHow about Pot Roast in under 90 minutes starting with a FROZEN pot roast? With only about 15 minutes of prep time? So tender it falls apart.

 

Country Style Round SteakMarinate meat in your favorite combination for several hours. Coat meat with mixture of flour, salt and pepper. Brown in oil with onion and green pepper.

 

Crunchy Potato BallsYou can make these baked potato balls with stiff mashed potatoes. They make a great appetizer or fun side dish.

 

Butterscotch Peanut BarsIn a small bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add flour and salt; mix well. Press into an ungreased 15x 10x 1 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 -14 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with peanuts.

 

Super BrowniesMy family loves my brownies because they are so simple to make and the recipe can be customized depending on your individual taste.

 

Hammer (Olde English Bulldogge)Hammer is 3 years old. He is an Olde English Bulldogge. Hammer came to us from Starline Ranch in Iowa when he was 8 weeks old.

 

Pruning Your EvergreensMost evergreens need little or no pruning to grow their best, but occasionally dead or damaged branches need to be removed, growth becomes excessive, or trees grow out of their natural form. In these cases, it pays to know when and how to prune your evergreens.

 

Basil Natural Fly RepellentFlies here in south Alabama are terrible. A friend told about a natural fly repellent. I decided to try it. It's basil! It actually works. I planted seeds in two flower pots, thinned them out...

 

Backyard Birds And SceneryScenes from my backyard.

 

Painting River RocksMy daughter loves to paint. So I put her to work! I bought a bag of larger river rocks at the Dollar Tree. She painted them in different designs. After they dried I sprayed them with a clear sealer spray. I put a few in all of my potted plants as decoration.

 

Winter Your Patio Flowers IndoorsI live in a townhome and have a porch and patio to display flowers. Each fall before it freezes I bring a bunch of my plants inside, pots and hanging baskets of geraniums, especially. I place them around a window in a spare room that gets pretty good light.

 

Halloween BatsA fun and cheap idea for a Halloween Party is to cut out bat shapes out of black construction paper. Put silver or gold glitter around the edges and for eyes. After they are dry, attach with fishing line at different lengths from the ceiling. If you have a ceiling fan, they will move in the wind and appear real.

 

Photo: Kissin' CousinsKissin' Cousins! Wedding shot

 

Pumpkin TambourineA simple craft kids can make and play with. Younger crafters may need adult assistance to put on the final touches.

 

Use Your Garden Gourds For Cute Craft...Gourds from your garden can make cute crafts. I used doll hair and regular acrylic paint for my "Breast Cancer Buddy". My daughter, Eryn, came up with the film canister idea for a craft show.

 

"Rent" a Halloween Costume from eBay!Last year our daughter fell in love with the Supergirl costume from the Lillian Vernon catalog, priced at about $30. Instead, we found the same costume, worn once, on eBay for under $10. This year we expect to sell it for that price and get our money back.

 

Link: Restaurant.comI LOVE using the website, restaurant.com, where you can get discounted $10, $25,$50, and sometimes even $100 gift certificates for half off. This year when I went to Myrtle Beach, SC, for vacation, I made sure to see what they had to offer in that area and printed three certificates to bring with me.

 

Use Your Crisper for EggsIf you buy in bulk like I do, I have something to share. I love eggs, and find that I can get 5 dozen for a lot less per dozen. The challenge was where to keep them.

 

Don't Kill Caterpillars, They Are PollinatorsSeveral days ago, I found five really weird caterpillars on one of my small Meyer's lemon trees. They looked like truncated snakes with white and black stripes and patches that fell into a scale pattern and even false eyes.

 

Be Sure Your Home Computer Is Password ProtectedMost people keep password on their work computer, but few keep passwords on their home computers. However, one should keep passwords on their home computer as well...

 

The Perfect CookieI've had many friends and relatives ask me how I make my cookies so soft, when theirs all turn out rock hard. Laughing to myself, I explain to them how easy it is! All you need to do is cut (decrease) the recommended time for baking by 2-3 minutes AND set the cookie sheet(s) on cooling racks.

 

Oriental Trading Free Shipping Code?I am looking for the code for free shipping from oriental trading.

 

Repairing Branch On "Rose of Sharron" Tree?How do you repair the branch after bugs have made a home in it. The branch is still alive but it is falling, I've tied it up. Will it self mend or is there a glue out there?

 

Frugal Gifts For Neighbors?I am looking for some good ideas for frugal neighbor gifts this year. I figure if anyone can help me, the thrifyfunners can! Thanks.

 

Making A License Plate Purse?Does anyone know how to make a license plate purse or tote with two plates? My husband is a volunteer fireman and they changed the design so I have 2 plates I would love to make something with! Thanks!

 

Using Ammonia In Dish Soap?Can you use ammonia in dish washing liquid?

 

Aebleskiver Pan Keeps Sticking?I recently received an Aebleskiver pan and for the life of me I can't get them to come out. I've followed all the directions to the letter but no luck. I can't manage to turn them over with the sticks provided. And even though I've sprayed the pan as directed, they always stick.

 

Lobster Newberg Recipe?I am looking for a bisque called Lobster Neuberg. Hope you can help.

 

Gerbera Growing As A Perennial?I have a Gerbera plant that is doing well and would like to propagate it. I went to the plant nursery to buy another perennial Gerbera and was told they're annuals. Mine doesn't know it is only supposed to last one year (that's why I'd like to have more of the same). Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Cyst In Rabbits Ear?Our rabbit has a wart/cyst on his ear. It doesn't seem to bother him but I would like to know how to remove it. A hunter that we know says wild rabbits get them but they fall off in the winter. However he is a inside spoiled rabbit. Thanks.

 

Nail Polish Remover Stain On Dresser?I removed the fingernail polish off my fingernails and placed the cotton balls in an empty Kleenex box to toss in the waste basket. I sat it on my dresser, forgot about it until that evening, and now the Kleenex box is stuck to my dresser. After removing it there is now a rough spot and it also removed some of the stain. How can I repair it?

 

What Is Wintering Seeds?I am just a beginning gardener. What does wintering seeds mean? Thanks.

 

Crepe Myrtle Leaves Turning Brown?I planted a crepe myrtle about 2 years ago. It is in full sun and has been doing well. Lately I have noticed the leaves are turning brown from the tips inward. I have looked for insects, but found none. What else could be causing this?

 

What Is Catalina Dressing?Could someone please advise me what Catalina salad dressing is? Is there something equivalent in Australia?

 

Winter Birthday Party Ideas?I'm trying to get ideas for a birthday party. My baby boy is turning 2 on 2/12, and it will be very cold. Please send ideas for winter parties.

 

Making a Dessert To Be Sold at a Charity Function?I am a member of a motorcycle club that is hosting a charity benefit ride for a little boy with a softball size tumor. I would like to know what type of dessert would be the best to make for a large event?

 

Getting Rid Of Insects In Locust Trees?I have 2 locust trees around 20 years old in my yard. I have had them trimmed twice as they are quite large. I am noticing that there are a lot of dead branches now on both trees. I am assuming some insect or fungus is attacking them causing foliage to cease and limbs to dry out.

 

Adult Shih Tzu Started Peeing On The Floor?I have a Shih Tzu that is 5 yrs old. I am having trouble with her peeing in the house after we had 2 other dogs stay over for 4 days. She has never done this before and when she started this I took away her treats. She will pee right in front of me on the carpet and tile. What am I doing wrong?

 

Using Enamel Pots on a Glass Stovetop?Does anyone out there know if it is safe to use porcelain enamel pots on the stovetop (ie Rachel Ray, Kitchen Aide, etc.). I love the pots but am afraid to purchase them if they are not safe. Help!