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Never-Fail DivinityBoil sugar, syrup, water and salt until mixture spins a 4" thread (260 degrees F or hard ball stage). Then add to the egg whites that are beaten foamy. Beat the mixture until stiff; add vanilla and nuts if desired. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Mulled Apple CiderCombine in large heavy pan. Cover and bring to a boil; then simmer 15 minutes; strain. Garnish with orange slices. Makes 1 gallon. Serve hot.
White Chocolate Candy Cane PopcornI just whipped up several batches of delicious white chocolate candy cane popcorn to give for gifts this Christmas, and it was so easy and inexpensive.
Stuffed Baked TomatoesCut the tops off of each tomato and scoop out the pulp and discard. Saute' the onion in olive oil and add the bread crumbs, marjoram, fresh parsley, salt and pepper (to taste). Stir the mixture together and heat for a couple of minutes.
Eggnog LogsPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream softened butter with the flavorings. Beat in the sugar, then mix in the egg.
Jello SaladCombine the dry Jello and Cool Whip together. Blend by hand until the Jello looks dissolved and well mixed. Add the cottage cheese, fruit cocktail and pineapple. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
Lemon Pepper SteakCombine the lemon pepper, olive oil, mustard, vinegar and bail together. Brush the steaks with 1/2 of the sauce. Grill or broil one side. Turn the steaks over and brush them with the other 1/2 of the sauce. Continue to cook the steaks until they are done to your liking.
CaramelsGreat for making at Christmas! In heavy duty 3 or 4 qt. pan, combine all ingredients except vanilla. Mix and stir constantly until 248 degrees F (Use candy thermometer). Once it boils, turn heat down a little, but keep it boiling.
Eggnog Rice PuddingPreheat oven to 250 degrees F. combine rice and eggnog in 2-quart baking dish; mix well. Sprinkle with spices. Bake for 2 1/2 hours or until bubbly. Serve warm or chill until serving time.
Mushrooms FlorentineSqueeze out the excess water from the spinach. Combine the spinach, egg, stuffing mix, butter, Parmesan cheese, thyme, salt and pepper and mix well.
Boysenberry DessertFinely crush the graham crackers. Add 1/4 cup melted butter to graham crackers. Mix. Save 1/4 of this mixture for topping, put rest of cracker mixture in bottom of an 8x8 inch square cake pan.
Shoofly PiePreheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out the pie crust and place in a 9 inch pie pan. In a food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar, butter and salt. Remove 1/2 cup of the mixture and set aside.
Honey Chicken WingsPreheat oven at 350 degrees F. Season chicken with pepper. Place wings in a baking dish. In a bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce, oil, ketchup, and garlic until blended.
"Ice Box" Fruit CakeUse a rolling pin to crush graham crackers into fine crumbs. Put the crumbs in a large mixing bowl, with cut up candied cherries, raisins, cut up dates, and chopped walnuts. Mix well.
Holiday Wassail
Combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Strain.
Salvage Damaged Christmas CardsRecycle Christmas cards! Not only will she be able to use these otherwise useless cards, she will also save money on the postage because here in the states a post card still costs less to mail than a letter!
Avoid Holiday Spending With EnvelopesTo avoid using credit cards and over spending during the holidays, I use the envelope system. I write each person or event on an envelope and every pay day I put in $5 or $10, just depends. I put the envelopes in order of importance and a certain amount.
Christmas Card Photo Featuring a Pregnant BellyI wanted a cute way to incorporate my big pregnant belly in our Christmas card. So I painted my belly like the face of a snowman and built the rest with some large balls.
Pocket The Savings From Lower Gas PricesWith gas prices decreasing, I have been putting the difference from what I was paying for gas (with the high prices) to what I am currently paying in savings. Wow, this is really starting to add up nicely!
Make Hot Chocolate With MilkAdd milk to hot chocolate or cocoa! I worry about Hubby and Son getting enough calcium, so I often add some cold milk to their hot cocoa or chocolate. It cools the drink down enough for Son, and adds a nice flavor to inexpensive powdered mixes.
Gather Pine Boughs from Christmas Tree LotsHave a yen for an Xmas tree but don't have the $ or space? Then gather pine boughs (branches) to you from the local xmas tree stands and garden centers!
Make Sure Your Propane Tank Is Empty Before RefillingDid you know the cost to fill you propane bottle is the same regardless how much propane it takes to fill it? Sometimes it is hard to tell if a bottle is full, half full, or empty.
Casserole Dish CoversYou can make nice casserole dish covers from two placemats. These make nice Christmas gifts for friends or family. All you need is two matching fabric placemats, quilted, or unquilted. First you match up the placemats , then sew around three sides leaving one small side unsewn.
Product Review: Soot Eater Chimney RodI wanted to clean my chimney before I started using the fireplace. I went to my local Ace Hardware Store and purchased the 'Soot Eater Chimney Rod' for $82. This contraption looks like a weedeater and basically works like one!
Santa Hat PurseThis is so easy to make and inexpensive. You take the Santa hat and lay flat. Take your pom pom and bring it up to the bottom of the white fur rim. Cut across, put this aside.
Invasive Plants and How You Can...Each year millions of dollars are spent, and tons of herbicides are applied, in what is sometimes a futile attempt to combat the spread of invasive plants. Here is what you need to know about the invasive plant problem and what you can do to help.
Lola (Australian Shepard)Lola is about 10 and an Australian Shepherd. She's a rescue, she was found injured beside a highway. We suspect she was thrown or jumped from the bed of a pick-up truck.
Banana CandyGreat Holiday Recipe! Mash 4-5 bananas and 1 whole box of powdered sugar together. Knead with your hands and form into a dough. Next roll out onto was paper and spread a thin layer of peanut butter onto your dough and roll into a log and cut out little pieces!
Secure Donated Electronic Parts TogetherThis tip goes out to all you frugal living people who remember to give back! Donations can often be nothing more than someone looking for the use of a free dumpster, and gently used is the key.
Scenery: Crescent Lake, WAI took this at Crescent Lake WA which is about a 2 hour drive from where we live. It was a beautiful autumn day and the trees were brilliant with color.
Inexpensive Holiday Decorating: Candy CanesIn last minute budget/economy Christmas decorating - don't forget candy canes!
Add Bows for a Christmas TouchA nice holiday tip I ran across while surfing the net was to add holiday touches to items already around the house, like putting bows on figurines, etc.
Preserving Autumn LeavesI preserved autumn leaves for a Thanksgiving centerpiece by spraying them several times with heavy duty hairspray.
Scanned Christmas Card Wrapping PaperWe receive so many wonderful Christmas cards, that I thought it would be fun for those who are a tiny bit computer savvy to make their own custom Christmas wrapping paper from them for your special gifts.
Use Vinegar for Cleaning PurposesMany hospitals are now using white vinegar to clean and disinfect everything. With cut backs, it has become more economical. With germs (all over the world), that have become immune to cleaning solutions and antibiotics, vinegar has become the number one choice.
Lovely Home ScentsI love all types of air fresheners, candles, plug-ins, etc. I will buy one nice votive, burn it until it can no longer burn, then add it to a small dish that fits on top of my "heated candle plate" for additional use!
Tie Door WreathThis is a masculine take on a Christmas door wreath. My father-in-law is in Assisted Living. All the ladies have holiday decorations on their doors. I thought this would be cute for the gentleman's look.
Crape Paper Wrapping for TeenagersLast year I struggled on how to make my 3 nephews, who are teenagers something just for them. I bought crepe paper (streamer type) and started wrapping. I layered candy, gift cards, cards, fishing lures, etc...
Family: Pickin' A PosieMy son, Christian, was a sunflower in the Mother's Day performance at church. This is what he did on stage. We named it "Pickin' a Posie"
Swap Craft Items You Don't WantAlert all your crafter friends and family about a years end "craft de-stash" to clean out odds-n-end items or things you bought on sale and have no real need for. Swap the items by the bag or boxful by weight or item-for-item.
Mix CDs for inexpensive GiftsMake someone special a CD of music. You can even customize the CD labels and cases for occasions and holidays. Music is a great way to express how you feel and is very personal yet inexpensive.
Getting Rid of Scuffs on Leather Shoes?How can I get rid of scuffs on leather parts of my shoes from my skateboard?
Toxic Odors After Cleaning Carpets?My girlfriend and I decided to clean her carpet so we took a hose and used a lot of water pressure on the carpet. After cleaning it by using a shop vac to suck up the water, the carpet was still wet 2 days later. Now there is a toxic odor causing her to get dizzy and sick.
Last Year's White Almond Bark?How long does white almond bark last? I have a package from last Christmas. It still looks and smells good, but I don't want to use it if it could go bad.
Makeup That Adds Shine to Your Face?Years ago I had makeup that left a nice shine, or glow on my face after it was applied. I really don't remember what brand it was. Does anyone have any suggestions for a brand that does this? It was such a fresh-looking sheen on my face. I'd love to find something that does that again!
Easy Pajama Pants Pattern?Does anyone have an easy lounge or pajama pants pattern they would share?
Recipes Using Oranges?I have an abundance of oranges. I bought two cases of oranges which were being sold as a fundraiser. The oranges are okay but not terrific, so my family is not eating them up. Besides juicing and making marmalade, I can't think of anything else I can do with the oranges to use them up.
Making Ornaments from Costume Jewelry?I am looking to make ornaments from costume jewelry and want to use deco wire for some glam effect. What gauge will bend easily and still retain shape? I don't want to buy a bunch of wire I won't use because it won't hold up in storage, and it will need to be thin enough to sandwich between the jewelry pieces.
Campbell's Lemon Chicken With Herb Rice Recipe?The Lemon Chicken with Herb Rice by Campbell's Supper Bakes boxed mix is delicious. Any idea how to make it from scratch? I'd like to make it less salty and healthier, if possible.
Selecting Exercise Equipment?What is the best exercise equipment to buy when trying to lose weight in the stomach area? I am looking for something inexpensive.
