January 27, 2009

Broccoli Ham ChowderTrim the leaves and coarse stems from the broccoli, and cut the stems and florets into bite-size pieces. Meanwhile, bring the chicken broth to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan. Add the broccoli and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is crisp tender.

 

Squash CroquetsIn a large bowl, combine mashed squash, onion, thyme, basil, eggs, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. The mixture should be quite thick; add more bread crumbs if it isn't thick enough to form balls easily.

 

Wackier Than Wacky CakeSift first 5 ingredients into greased 8 inch square pan. Make 3 depressions in dry ingredients. Pour vinegar into one; vanilla into second and oil in third. Spoon applesauce over all. Mix well until smooth.

 

Whipped FudgeTake a cube of butter and run it around the inside rim of the Dutch oven, about 1/2 way up the side. This keeps the mixture from boiling over and also incorporates all of the sugar crystals, no grainy gritty stuff when you are done cooking.

 

French Coconut PieBrush a little egg white on the unbaked pie shell and bake at 400 degrees F about 1 minute. This prevents soggy crust. Beat eggs slightly and add other ingredients. Pour into pie shell and bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes. This pie is best when served on the same day that it is prepared.

 

Maple Pecan SquaresPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the first 3 ingredients in a bowl. Mix until crumbly. Press mixture firmly into a 9x9 inch nonstick baking dish. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven.

 

Yummy Yellow SquashPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wash and boil squash in water (no salt) until tender. Drain and mash. Mix ingredients all together except margarine and dressing. Melt margarine and mix with dressing. Put half dressing in bottom pan, then squash, then remaining dressing.

 

Have a Cash Bar at Your WeddingYou don't have to spend a lot to have a nice wedding, you can have a "pay-by-the-drink" bar. That will save a lot and people are less likely to drink too much. If the booze is free, people are more likely to drink more.

 

Have a Dedicated Recipe ComputerI've been an avid cookbook collector for over 40 years with literally hundreds of cookbooks! Because there are special recipes that my family likes in each cookbook, I used to find myself on the floor with piles of cookbooks around me as I tried to find a specific recipe.

 

Protect Your Remote ControlI've noticed people mentioning grease from hands entering their remote control. No cleaning of remote controls, if you wrap remote in Saran Wrap. The wrapped remote works perfectly well. Replace the wrap when changing batteries.

 

Check To See If Your Skillet Is LevelIf you have a skillet that always sticks, check this: Put it on a level surface and see if it sets flat, or if it tilts slightly. If it's doing the tilting, that's the cause of the problem - it's not your cooking!

 

Use Baby Dresses for Toddler Tunic TopsBeing the first girl out of five grandchildren, my daughter received a lot of dresses in her first year of life. Rather than wear them once and pass them on, we are re-using them as tunic tops, now that they are too small to wear as dresses.

 

Save on SuitsWhether it's for an upcoming wedding, a job interview, or a fine dinner, everyone needs to have one good suit in the closet. While women can get away without the business style suit until it's time for a job interview, for men it carries more importance.

 

Buy Large Cans and Freeze The ExcessWe save money by buying big cans of food (peas, beans, etc.) on sale then freeze what we don't use on the day it's opened.

 

Valentine Pencil ToppersDecorate pencils with foam conversation hearts for your children to give to their friends on Valentine's Day.

 

Keep an Eye on Automatic Debit PaymentsI live on Social Security Disability and nothing else. I've signed up for automatic payment for utilities, phone, etc., but I've had some really bad experiences! Set up your accounts to be paid on-line, but do NOT sign up for the automatic debit.

 

Farewell Party Cake for an Irish PriestOur beloved priest is leaving the R.C. Catholic Church where both my husband and I regularly attend. This Godly man has a heart of gold and we really hate to see him leave.

 

Poppit (Pomeranian)Poppit is going on 10 years old. She is a Pomeranian that we got 2 years ago. She used to be a "puppy mill" dog, she got too old and the old owners were going to send her to a shelter.

 

Change Clothes in Dryer Before It StopsWhen doing laundry, remove clothing from the dryer before it stops on its own, and put the next load in.

 

Low Cost Wedding at the Chicago Cultural CenterMy fiance and I want a quiet, private ceremony. We were going to go the courthouse here in Chicago when I heard that for $10 (in addition to the $35 license fee), the judge will perform the ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center.

 

Bon Ami Polishing Paste to Remove SootMake a paste from Bon Ami polishing cleanser and water to remove the black soot from glass candle holders, marble fireplace fronts, and most anything else with black soot.

 

Saving Discount Candy for Spring HolidaysYou were looking for Valentine's tips and here is one for saving on Valentine's (and St Patrick's day or Easter) candy and other goodies. When you go shopping on Dec 26 and thereafter, check out the candy markdowns at the discount stores.

 

Looking for Old Fairy Tales Book?I had a book of fairy tales when I was a child and it finally fell apart. My mother threw it away one day and I would like to replace it. I do not know the title of it (sadly) and it has been 10 years since I have seen it. I purchased it at a yard sale. Now that I have children, I would like to read them stories from this book. There are many books out there that are good, but I want this particular book.

 

What Breed is My Dog?What breed is my dog? She is a 10 week old female. I see German Shepard but there is something else in her. I'm not sure what. Will her ears prop up?

 

Has Anyone Used DMSO?Does anyone have any experience with DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide)? I have recently bought some and have been trying a little of it. I was wondered if anyone here has ever tried it and did it help or hurt? Thanks.

 

Saving Money on Fat-Free Half-n-Half?Any ideas for saving money on fat-free half-n-half. I use fat-free half-n-half in my coffee but it's more expensive than the whole-fat variety. I also like skimmed-evaporated milk in my coffee, if I don't have my half-n-half, but it's not any cheaper.

 

Reviews of CatGenie Cat Box?Does anyone have a CatGenie? It is a self-flushing, self-washing cat box from PetNovations. Approx. retail value: $329. I just entered a sweepstakes to win one and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this product.

 

Losing Inches from Your Waist?I would like to know of a quick way to lose inches from your waist.

 

Jokes for Assisted Living Facility?I belong to a church group that go to an assisted living facility every Friday and need access to some clean jokes to help us entertain. We usually have a talk about the Bible, a little singing and then some "jokes" or stories to lift their spirits. I would love some suggestions as to where to locate this sort of item, even books or whatever. Thanks to all and God Bless us all.

 

Carpet Dirty from Heavy Traffic?I have a heavy traffic carpet area that I just can't get all the way clean. I have a Bissel Steam Cleaner. I have even sprayed it with Oxy-Clean laundry pre-treatment spray before using the steamer, but it still looks dirty compared to the surrounding area. I would appreciate any ideas.

 

What Breed is My Dog?Just wondering what breeds my dog might have in him. He is a golden retriever cross. Some people have said that he might have border collie in him or husky. Just wondering what you all think. His name is Luke and he is 6 years old. We adopted him from the SPCA. He is the best!

 

What Breed is My Dog?My gorgeous boy Pasha is the best thing that ever happened to me! He's sweet, funny and smart. When I first got him, they told me he was a pure breed, but I doubt it. Do you guys have any idea what mix he is?

 

Dirt on Cream Carpet?How do I get mud and sand out of a cream carpet?

 

Pecan Cobbler Recipe?I wold like to find a recipe for pecan cobbler. Thanks.

 

Growing a Poinsettia?I have always considered myself to be a good plant person. I own 9 very large African violets, one spider, Christmas cactus, poinsettia, pot of begonias and several medium bamboo. However very successful with the African violets, every once in a while a bamboo dies which I'm told shouldn't happen.

 

Dog Has Inconsistent Appetite?Also, he is 9 months and weighs only 50 lbs. He does not eat much, some days he eats a lot, 4 or 5 times a day and other days he just eats half a cup or 1 cup (same food always or a mix of wet and dry). His stools are always normal and he's never had upset stomach that I know of. How do I know if for example his teeth are bothering him? Any clues? Thanks!

 

Glue for Making Paper Toys?I recently discovered the wealth of paper toy patterns available online at sites such as www.thetoymaker.com But I've been having trouble finding information on the best kind of glue to use. Rubber cement is too slow to dry, and Elmer's seems to soak through the paper too much. A glue stick doesn't offer enough precision. Does anyone have recommendations?

 

Buying an Acai Berry Bush?I'm looking to buy an Acai Berry Bush. Does anyone know where I can buy one either by catalog or website?

 

Recipe for Lemon Garlic Salt?My local store stopped carrying lemon garlic salt. Does anyone know how to make it or what stores carry it? It is very good on almost any food! Thanks.

 

Replacement Plates for George Foreman #GRP90WG?We have a George Foreman Grill (GRP90WG) we love it and use it at least 4 times a week since we bought it. Two of the plates that we us the most are losing their finish and stick. Can we order and replace these plates, the Steak plate P/N22741 and the Grilling Plate P/N 22740?

 

Marks from Wear on a Leather Couch?Can you get a wear mark out of a leather couch?

 

Tool for Making Sequin Balls?I saw a tool, a long time ago, that pushes the pins, with a sequin, in to the ball. It had a wooden handle an some way to hold the pin I believe. Please help me, my hands and fingers don't do well pushing the pins in anymore. Thank you.