January 13, 2009

Shrimp CakesI can't afford Crab at today's prices, but I can buy frozen raw shrimp meat cheaply. I have used salmon instead of shrimp, and it is just as good.

 

Italian Pasta SaladCook the pasta according to the package directions, until done. Drain and rinse the pasta until cold water. In a large bowl, combine pasta, Italian dressing, Creamy Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, onion and peppers and mix well. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

 

Cherry Fruit SaladPut cherry pie filling in large bowl, scrape can to get all the 'sauce'. Drain the oranges and add them to bowl. Drain the tidbits, saving the juice, and add tidbits to bowl. Slice the bananas into the bowl.

 

Butterscotch PralinesCombine first 5 ingredients. Stirring gently, bring to a boil. Stir in pecans. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture reaches soft ball stage (234 degrees F). Remove from heat, beat with wooden spoon for about 2 minutes until creamy and it begins to thicken

 

Quick CasserolePlace browned hamburger in bottom of pan. Add vegetables; add soup. Top with tater tots. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F.

 

Yams and ApricotArrange apricots over yams in 2 qt. casserole dish. Use apricot juice and enough water to make 1 cup juice. Put in saucepan and combine with remaining ingredients. Stir over low heat until mixture thickens.

 

Hickory Nut CakeCream butter and sugar well; add beaten yolks, add water and sifted ingredients alternately. Add vanilla and floured nuts. Fold in beaten egg whites. Bake in 350 degrees F oven.

 

White Chocolate Raspberry ThumbprintsIn a small mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks. Combine flour and cocoa; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until easy to handle.

 

Sweet and Sour Pork TenderloinCombine the brown sugar, vinegar, honey, chili powder, cumin, garlic, and soy sauce together and pour over the pork tenderloin. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

 

Craft: Plastic Canvas BirdhouseIt is a bird house for the small tissue box made in plastic canvas. I made the patten from doing the large birdhouse. It makes a nice gift to make.

 

Pomander BallThese are great gifts and certainly lift your spirit with the clove/orange aroma. When dried, these can be hung or kept in closet/drawer for an amazing fragrance.

 

Drapery Rod for a Changeable HeadboardI used a wooden drapery rod to make a holder for fabric or a quilt or bedspread to use as a headboard. It is cheap, fast, and can be changed quickly. Just be sure to use lightweight fabrics, or put a support in the center of the pole for heavy items.

 

Sell Your Old Books OnlineHere's a website, two of my friends have used to sell books, where they pay you for the books they want.

 

No More Burned Soups and VegetablesI usually use my slow cooker to make big pots of stew, soups, sauces and vegetables because I can leave it and not worry about the bottom sticking. However, there are times when I'm cooking up a large amount that requires a larger pot for guests or so I have leftovers to freeze.

 

Scenery: Tired of the SnowTired of the snow.

 

Restore Paint Brushes With VinegarWhen you have allowed your paint brushes to harden with paint on them, you can easily soften them by placing them in hot vinegar until paint loosens and the wash them in hot soapy water.

 

Frugal Foot MassageNeed a foot rub? My feet often hurt during the day. I stumbled on the idea of buying an inexpensive rubber door mat, the kind with the raised rubber nubs on it, which cost me about 3 dollars at the Dollar Store.

 

Yo-Yo Christmas Tree TowelsYo-Yo Christmas tree applied to finger towels using the Clover small round template. I used these for Christmas gifts this past year and received many compliments.

 

Use Shampoo to Wash WoolI've been a weaver, spinner and dyer of wool for years. One of the tricks I learned, was that because wool is hair, you can use hair products to clean it. When you wash your wool hats or sweaters, wash them with shampoo.

 

Use Onion Salt With Mashed PotatoesNext time you make mashed potatoes, use onion salt in place of plain salt. Really makes a difference (a very tasty one)

 

Make Your Own Diaper Bag?I am looking for a pattern for a diaper bag. Thanks in advance. Linda from Hartley

 

Adjusting an Antique Desk Chair?I would like to know how to raise and lower an antique desk chair I have. It is a Sheild's swivel with 2 large springs for tilting and a large gear underneath. Can you tell me where I can find out how to work it? Thanks you.

 

Faux Stone Siding Using Plastic Containers?Has anyone used plastic lids or empty lean cuisine containers for faux block or stone siding?

 

Tar Stain on Carpet?My landlords installed very short and cheap tan carpeting in this house. My sister tracked tar across it. I've tried to snip it out - but the carpeting is too short to snip. Any suggestions?

 

Hydrangea Not Growing?My Hydrangea gets plenty of leaves but it hasn't grown since I planted it. It is the same size as it was since I took them out of the planting pots. And no blooms last summer! Any advice?

 

Storing Homemade Bread?Does anyone have ideas on ways to store homemade bread? I'd like to make one loaf per week for my 2 person household. Normally I keep it on the counter, covered with a towel and slice as we use it. But my partner is slightly OCD and seeing a towel-wrapped loaf of bread, on otherwise clear counters day after day, week after week, unnerves him. So, other than ziploc bags in the fridge, any ideas?

 

Excessive Sweating - Red Hands?My hands get bright red almost all the time. It's very embarrassing, especially in front of an audience. My mother has raynauds, but her hands don't get red, they turn white. I feel very healthy and my blood pressure is normal, but as I approach middle aged, I am concerned. I would welcome any feedback from people with my same symptoms.

 

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Muffins?I was at a bake sale the other day and bought Reese's cups baked into a type of cookie muffin. They were so good and I want the recipe. Does anyone know how to make these? They were crisp at the bottom. Thanks.

 

Temporary Relief for a Toothache?I need temporary relief for a toothache until I can get to the dentist. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Selling Coca Cola Bottles?I have a collection of Coca Cola bottles that my husband had collected years ago. I lost my husband five years ago and I am looking for information on how to sell them. Please help. Thank you so much.

 

Air in My Well Lines?I have a well and pressure tank. I have air in my lines all the time, hot and cold. My tank is holding the right pressure. If I run the water awhile it almost stops completely. Where do I look or what can I do? I have plenty of water, all the time.

 

Wearing a Mask While Cleaning?I'm wondering if anyone out there wears a protective mask while cleaning the toilet or bathroom? I found a clip on youtube with advice on bathroom cleaning, where the nanny presenting the clip recommends wearing a mask to protect your health while using toilet cleaning chemicals.

 

Discontinued Wallpaper Border: Home Trends Sports World?I am looking for a discontinued wallpaper border that Walmart used to sell. It is from Home Trends and is called Sports World. I need several rolls of it.

 

Important Information to Give to Family?I need a list of important names and numbers to pass on to family members (insurance, accounts, socials, etc.)