March 18, 2009

Barbecued Beef Short RibsHeat shortening in Dutch oven. Brown ribs. Combine ingredients. Pour sauce over meat. Cover and simmer 2 hours, turning occasionally. Refrigerate covered. Next day, remove solid fat on the surface.

 

Imperial Salad FreezeMash bananas with fork. Blend in other ingredients and stir well. Pour into glass Pyrex dish (1 1/2 qts.). Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving, for ease of cutting into squares.

 

Big Mac SauceCombine all ingredients together mixing well. Store refrigerated for several hours to allow the flavors to blend.

 

Egg Drop Napa Cabbage SoupIn a wok or saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the pepper, salt, and sesame oil. Heat broth for about one more minute. Slowly and evenly pour in the eggs and gently stir the egg for another minute.

 

Vietnamese Coconut n' Corn Fried Spring Rolls (Ram Bap)These fried spring rolls are a specialty from Quang Ngai, Viet Nam. Although the combination sounds strange, they taste great. Give them a try and I hope you enjoy them.

 

Maple Sweet PotatoesSimmer syrup and butter in large skillet for 2 minutes. Add sweet potatoes. Cook over low heat, uncovered, 10 minutes. Turn potatoes frequently to glaze.

 

Chocolate Crescent RollsCut chocolate into 4 pieces about 3 inches long. Unfold the crescent rolls. Place 1 piece of chocolate at the wide end of each piece of dough and roll up. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.

 

Slow Cooker Clam ChowderPut all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serves 4. I double for 5-6 people.

 

Onion-Beef Macaroni CasseroleBrown meat. Add all ingredients, except macaroni and cheese. Simmer 5 minutes. Stir in the macaroni. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.

 

Tarragon Tuna SaladIn a small bowl, combine the tuna, celery and onion. Combine the mayonnaise, parsley, lemon juice, tarragon, mustard and pepper. Stir into tuna mixture. Serve on lettuce leaves if desired.

 

Ginger CookiesGrease a cookie sheet. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar. Add the molasses, salt, and egg and blend well. In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Blend into the creamed mixture.

 

Cute Pompom ChickHave a go at making a cute pompom chick. All you need to make your chick is some card rings, yarn, scissors, and a few craft basics. What's more, you'll soon get hooked on making pompoms and will want to make a whole brood of chicks for your friends.

 

Duchess (Golden Retriever)Duchess is a 2 and a half year old Golden Retriever, that we bought in Poulsbo, WA. She likes to roll in the snow. She is a very kind dog that we got for 350 dollars. She really likes baths. She loves kids and going swimming to the beach. After a hard day she likes to sleep.

 

One Yard ApronThis is a simple way to make an apron from 1 yard of 45 inch wide fabric. The apron tie becomes a drawstring which you pull through the top of the apron thus gathering it up. The size becomes adjustable. These aprons are fun to make and so easy.

 

Gardening: Beautiful BegoniaThis is a flower we had on our deck last summer.

 

Matchbox Traveling Sewing KitA matchbox is the perfect size for a travel sewing kit. It can hold the essentials like needles, thread, buttons and a few safety pins. You can decorate it using scrapbook paper.

 

Baby Shower Decorating IdeasInstead of the traditional "decorate the mommy to be's chair," I decided to decorate a whole table for the Mommy and Daddy to be. First, we made a balloon archway above the table.

 

Homemade Laundry TabletopMy husband and I just purchased and had delivered a new front load washer and dryer. We have 4 children with us in the house and all of us use the washer and dryer. We got to thinking how much money we spent on these, only to have things put on the top of them and getting scratched.

 

Use Small Bow Tie Pasta for Picky EatersChildren are greatly affected by "shapes" of their food. The smaller bow tie pasta is great way to encourage them to eat. Get creative and serve food in different sizes and shapes for those picky eaters!

 

Home Treatment For Tonsil Stones (Tonsillolith)Last week, I notice that I had another tonsil stone. The hole on the back part of my tonsil had filled up with debris and calcified again.

 

Make Your Own Board GameA great family bonding activity, is for each family member (or pairs) to make a board game. I taught school for over 30 years and had my students, (grades: 2, 3, 4, and 9) make their own board games, complete with cards.

 

Paint Brush Cleaner RecipeHere is the absolute best paint brush cleaner recipe known to man. I take a sherbet-sized plastic container filled 2/3 with water and I add 2-3 drops dishwashing liquid.

 

My Frugal Life: Frugality From The FarmI am the child of parents who grew up on farms. My father lived through the depression in Saskatchewan and times were very tough. Dad told us that a turnip was a treat like an apple was to us.

 

Use Lemons as an Alternative to Easter EggsMy grandchildren don't care for eggs, but they love lemonade and lemon cookies. Rather than waste eggs, I decorate lemons and hide them for an "Easter Lemon" hunt. This will work with limes and oranges also.

 

Use Q-Tips to Apply Goo GoneI absolutely love the product Goo Gone! I use it a lot! I have discovered a very economical way to use this product. First, I buy the large package of cotton swabs at the Dollar Tree for $1.00. There were 300 swabs in the package that I purchased.

 

Use Pillowcases for Dirty Clothes When TravelingCarry two pillow cases with you when you travel. Use the first to put your dirty clothes in (assuming you don't have access to a Laundromat) and place the second pillow case (if you're in a hurry) between your dirty clothes from the night before and your clean clothes.

 

Orange Oatmeal Facial ScrubFor 1 use. Mix ingredients together. Apply to face, and gently massage. Rinse thoroughly.

 

Ask Cemetery Groundskeepers To Save Gardening SuppliesThink green when starting seeds in the spring! I went to local cemeteries around Memorial Day the year prior and had the groundskeepers save the packs and trays, for me. It saved me from having to buy them!

 

Removing Gravel From Your Lawn EdgeGetting the stones and gravel out of the edge of your lawn which were dumped by highway trucks for ice and snow is a tedious job. I found that using a shop vac is much easier and faster and does a very nice job.

 

What is This Plant?I have just bought a potted outdoor plant and was told it's a Galansia or Galanzia. I live on an island in the Mediterranean where it's very hot in the summer and reasonably cold in the winter. I tried to get as close as possible with the hardiness zone equivalent in the US.

 

Thorny Shrubs in Garden?I have a problem with prickly, thorny shrubs invading my garden. I live in Massachusetts. I just looked at my garden this afternoon and found one already! Its roots are very deep. How do I get rid of these invaders?

 

Refiling for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?I filed chapter 13 but it was thrown out when I fell sick and couldn't make payments due to no job. Did I make it worse on myself or do I just do it over again?

 

Stains from Tissue Paper on Sweater?I unpacked my suitcase to learn my mousse had leaked through and got a green piece of tissue paper wet on my cream-colored sweater (70% cotton 30% nylon). Now I have green spots all over one of my favorite sweaters.

 

Red Popsicle Stain on Carpet?I have a red Popsicle stain on my white carpet. It has been there a little over a month. I have tried bleach and peroxide. Any suggestions would be great!

 

Using Colloidal Silver for Dog's Ear Infection?How do you use the Colloidal Silver for dog ear infections? Is it giving by mouth or a drop in the ear?

 

What Breed is My Dog?I was wondering if anyone might know what breed of dog this is. I got him a couple of months ago and have done lots of research to try and figure out what breed he is but no luck! He is about 12 weeks old.

 

What is This Item?I have found an unusual item but can not fathom what it is. The "serpent" is four inches long. The mouth opens up about 1/2 inch and has what looks like a hole punch but it isn't!

 

Varathane Finish is Still Tacky?I used oil based stain on an area of a coffee table that I had used water based verathane on. The stain has stayed tacky, what should I do? Thank you for any help.

 

Substitute for Consomme?I've used consomme, but I'm looking for a less expensive substitute. I've tried substituting beef broth, but it's just not the same. Consomme seems to be thicker, like maybe having gelatin in it. Has anyone successfully substituted something in place of consomme in recipes?

 

Knitting a Sweater Without a Knitting Board?I have finally found a pattern (online) for a very simple knitted boat-neck pullover sweater. The problem is that it is done on a knitting board, and I have never used one. I would prefer using the regular two needle method.

 

Heartworm Medication Recommendations?I am looking for recommendations for heartworm medication for my dogs. I would also like one that prevents ticks.

 

Norman Rockwell Dolls?Does anyone know how much Norman Rockwell dolls are worth? I have 2 that are at least 20 years old and still in the box.

 

Growing Lavender in Texas?I took a trip to Oregon and went through an area that had lavender farms. I am in love with the fragrance! I have tried to grow it in South Texas but I guess it's too warm! Is it possible to plant seeds now and expect a harvest?

 

Making a Personalized Mobile?I need to make a mobile of my child's life to date. For example, 2003 turned 1, started to walk, etc. up to age 6. Does anyone have any creative ideas on the actual mobile? I was thinking of hanging photos off colored string attached to a coat hanger.

 

Board Game Themed Table Decorations?I volunteered to decorate one of the tables for dinner at a church activity. Every idea is different and I chose board games. I will use a Twister mat for the tablecloth and different board games for placemats. I plan on covering the table with plastic so if something gets spilled it won't ruin them.

 

Baby is Constipated?My best friend has a 3 month old grandson who sometimes has trouble going to the bathroom. I remember when my kids were small we mixed Karo syrup in water and gave it to them. But I can't remember what the mixture was. Can you help?

 

Planting Marigolds for a Science Fair Project?I like marigolds and I'm planting one for my science fair project. I don't know what to do though! Can someone please give me some helpful hints?

 

Diabetic Buttermilk Rusks Recipe?I am looking for a diabetic buttermilk rusk recipe. Can anyone help? I have a friend that is a diabetic and she is desperately looking for diabetic rusks.

 

Tips for Freezing Leftovers?I live alone, but when I cook I make recipes for a family, then put portions into small 1 or 2 cup containers and put them in the freezer. Then I take them out when I want them. However, often when I do, they are freezer burnt and I have to toss them!

 

Grass in Sunny Areas Not Growing Well?I need help getting my sunny Florida grass green. The shaded area of my lawn is doing well and sunny area around the pool just does not grow well. Thanks for the help.

 

Fleece Stockings Pattern?Does anyone have a pattern to make fleece stockings? Not Christmas ones. Thank You for any and all help.

 

Inexpensive Gifts for Cheerleaders?As the assistant coach for the cheer team at the local high school, I am trying to find an inexpensive gift I can give to the seniors on the squad. We have 9 seniors this year! Last year, we found some small teddy bears at the local drug store that had cheer uniforms on in the school colors.

 

Inexpensive Finger Food Recipes?I am looking for quick inexpensive recipes for finger foods for my niece's wedding.

 

Ideas for Bland Stir-Fry?I recently made stir-fry from a recipe. It was pretty simple: tofu, onions, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and basil. I stir-fried it for about 15 minutes. The consistency was pretty good, a tiny bit on the dry side. But the taste was bland.

 

Pattern for Square Velour Bags?I have been looking for Velour bags for my daughter's best friend's baby shower favors. My girl has decided to give out China luncheon plates with 18K gold rim, as a thank you. We will write information in the middle of the plate with gold pen.