June 15, 2009

Cinnamon Oat Pancakes These are great when fresh and just as good popped out of the freezer, reheated for a quick breakfast. I add some cooked bacon or a slab of ham to the frozen pancakes (handi-vac bags - no air = no freezer burn).

 

Low-Fat French FriesI think I'd heard about this before, but last night I tried it for myself. I love french fries, but only indulge rarely. Not any more! I cut them up as usual, and sprayed them lightly with Pam Olive Oil spray.

 

Crusty Cheese HotpotA great dish for family on those cold nights. Easy to prepare and cheap. Mix the egg, mince, chopped onion, breadcrumbs and Dijon Mustard all together in a bowl.

 

Banana PunchGreat summer drink! Boil water, sugar and salt and set aside to cool. Add pineapple juice, orange juice, water, lemonade, and nectar.

 

SlawIn a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Chill thoroughly.

 

Fruit Roll-upsI love fruit roll up snacks but can't afford the price at the grocery store. This recipe is so quick and easy and no preservatives. My next experiment will be to see if one freezes well and if it does, I will make multiple batches ;-)

 

Oatmeal CookiesAn every day favorite!

 

Meatballs With Spanish SauceThese are kind of unusual, but maybe that's why I like them? Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Truffle CookiesIn a mixing bowl, cream butter,sugar and cocoa until light and fluffy, beat in sour cream and vanilla add flour, mix well stir in chocolate chips.

 

Reuse Sheet, Blanket, and Comforter BagsI always save the clear zippered bags that sheets, comforters, etc. come in to use for storing sweaters in the summer, children's puzzles, toys, heirloom baby clothes, or anything that comes to mind.

 

Recycling Items for Drainage Fill in Plant ContainersThose lightweight plastic cups that flowers are sold in - I recycle them by using them for drainage when I transplant the flowers into terra cotta pots.

 

Poo Bear (Bichon/Poodle)Poo Bear is a 1 year old Bichon/Poodle. We got when we first moved to Texas. He likes to play with his brothers, Howard and Houston (Dog and cat). Poo Bear is the party guy. He looks funny and has a funny personality!

 

Father's Day SafeFather's Day is just around the corner. Why not let the kids create a secret safe for Dad's valuables.

 

Make Ice Cubes from Coffee or TeaI freeze left-over coffee in an ice tray to use for iced coffee. when you make fresh coffee to pour over the coffee isn't diluted. It makes coffee beverages easier in your blender as well.

 

ThriftyFun Recipes - June 15, 2009.Online version of the ThriftyFun Recipes. Vol. 8, Num. 116, June 15, 2009.

 

Freeze Paintbrush For TomorrowIf you have to stop in the middle of painting before the job is done, you don't have to wash the brush. Just stick the bristles into a sandwich bag, no need to seal, and pop it into the freezer until ready to paint again.

 

My Frugal Life: Frugal From NecessityWhen I started dating my husband, I couldn't believe my eyes the first time I went inside his parent's one bedroom house. There were 6 people in the family, all of the rooms were tiny.

 

Use Credit Cards for CleaningI keep outdated credit cards or other laminated cards at my kitchen sink. Whenever I have something which sticks on the bottom of the Teflon pan and does not come off easily, I use the old laminated card.

 

Clean Refrigerator Drawers and Shelves in DishwasherI hate cleaning my refrigerator, so I'm always thinking of ways to make it easier. I have a side by side one. I take my shelves and drawers out, and wash them in the dishwasher.

 

Pay the Cell Phone Bill for a GiftFor Mother's Day, I suggested that my grown kids not send me the usual flowers and such. I asked them to go pay one month of my cell phone coverage ($35.00) so that I can continue to talk daily.

 

Mini Bell DecorationThis is a mini bell I made from a terra cotta pot, paint, and odds n ends.

 

Cut Foods Right in the CanIf you accidentally bought pineapple rings and needed chunks, you will no doubt have to cut them. Why drain them, put them on a counter cutting board or plate and create a mess?

 

Concrete Block Raised BedMy new raised bed garden has been amazingly productive. The large leaves of the squash and zucchini are providing a little shade for some of those that prefer less than total sunshine. That is a bonus in sunny central Texas.

 

Maintaining a Swimming Pool?I have a question regarding bleach in the pool. I have a 3 foot by 12 foot pool. How much bleach do I put in and how many times a week? Do I also put in baking soda at the same time or as needed?Thanks for the help.

 

Removing Tile from Formica Countertops?How can I remove ceramic tile from Formica countertops? I am hoping to salvage the original Formica until I am able to replace it. I also have the tile as a back splash under upper cabinets and behind the stove but I would like to leave that intact.

 

Getting Rid of Waterbugs?How can I get rid of waterbugs?

 

Constipated Guinea Pigs?My Guinea pig has severe constipation and bladder prolapse since one month ago. She hardly eats and is in a lot of pain. The vet has given her a few enemas, but this is temporary relief. He now suggests a purse string (a suture to the opening to prevent the prolapse).

 

Setting Tie Dye?How do you set tie dye?

 

Raspberry Sugar Cookie Mix Recipe?Does anyone have the recipe for the Raspberry Sugar Cookie mix that Home Interior has? It is so good, please let me know if anyone has a recipe for these. Thanks.

 

Cucumbers Have White Spots?These are cucumbers straight from my little garden. The plants are two months old. I know that I over soak the plot. These cucumbers are like all the rest I have harvested.

 

Paris Themed Bedspread Ideas?I am doing a Paris themed room. Does anyone have any bedspread ideas?

 

Getting Rid of Groundhogs?How do I deter a pair of groundhogs that are living under my shed? I don't want to trap and release them, nor do I want anyone to kill them. Is there anything I can throw down into their hole to make them relocate?

 

Repairing Spring Hook on Couch?My heavy husband fell onto our circa 1970's sturdy, oak couch and flattened out a hook that holds one of the S curve springs taut. We'd like to get it back together, as it's a very solid couch and we really need to have it back in order.

 

Looking for the Book "Sugar Snow"?I am conducting an accelerated test for a book called "Sugar Snow".

 

Becoming a Helpful Hints Columnist?I would like to write tips on how to save money, for a newspaper or magazine. The tips are plain and practical, but may be able to help someone. Can you suggest how to get started?

 

Honey Lime Fruit Dip Recipe?I am looking for a honey lime fruit dip recipe. With fresh fruit on the way, it would be a welcome addition to a summertime meal. I tried to make one with low-fat yogurt, honey and fresh lime juice/zest.

 

Estimating Food Quantities for a Party?How do you estimate food for a graduation party?

 

Cat is Urinating in the Bathtub?How do I stop my male cat from urinating in the bathtub?

 

Jack in the Box's Taco Salad?Does anyone have the recipe for the taco salad sold by "Jack in the Box" several years ago?

 

Planting Dahlia Bulbs?I got some Dahlia bulbs. Any tips on how to plant them?

 

Mold Spots on a Bathroom Rug?The bathroom rug that was in front of our shower stall in the basement has black mold spots in one corner. What can I use to remove the mold spots? I just washed it with some detergent and bleach and it didn't take it out. Maybe I didn't use enough bleach?

 

Looking for Biz Detergent?Where can you buy Biz detergent?

 

Finding the Model Number of a Riding Mower?I have an older MTD riding mower. My model number is rubbed off and I can't get the right size drive belt to fit it. Any suggestions on how to find a model number?

 

What Breed is My Dog?We got Sage from the shelter, and they said she was 6-10 years old. The vet says she's 4 or 5. She has white hairs on her muzzle. She's probably full-grown at 35 pounds. The shelter warned us that she liked to be dominant among other dogs and they were right.

 

Wrapping a Shoe Box?I am trying to wrap shoe boxes, top and bottom separately, for the Good Samaritan Christmas boxes for children. I have tried lots of different ways to wrap each piece separately, so they can be opened and filled with goodies.

 

Dentures Are Hurting My Gums?How long will my dentures hurt my gums? It's been 2 weeks since I had my teeth pulled and the dentures put in.

 

Graham and Brown's Paintable Wallpaper, #14020?I'm looking for Graham and Brown's super fresco paintable textured vinyl wallpaper, #14020, batch C. I only bought it a year ago, but can't find another roll anywhere. Can anyone help?

 

Printers That Are Inexpensive to Use?My family goes through ink like crazy in my printer. There has to be a more economical cartridge that lasts longer and is cheaper to refill. Can anyone recommend a good printer which uses inexpensive ink cartridges that last longer?

 

Ant Hills on Brick Patio?We have ant hills on our brick patio deck. A friend suggested pouring boiling hot water over them so the ants surface to the top. Do you know any other easy remedies? Anything that doesn't involve poison.

 

Dr. Leonard's Plastic Solar Sheets Reviews?Does anyone know how good the Dr. Leonard's/Carol Wright Plastic Solar Panel Sheet for windows works? You can see out of them but not into them from the outside. It is supposed to save on energy bills in both the summer and wintertime.

 

Restoring Laminate Floors?How do you make laminate floors look better? We have a lot of wear marks and damage from water?

 

Tiling a Bathtub?What tile do you use to bridge the gap between the tile and the tub?

 

Buying Arborio Rice?Where can I find arborio rice in Omaha, Nebraska?

 

Red Rose Turned Pink?I planted a deep red hybrid tea rose last year. Now this year it is a deep rose pink. Can anyone explain what happened?

 

Tile Floor and Countertops Don't Coordinate ?My hubby and I remodeled our kitchen and the ceramic tile floor and granite countertops don't really go together. Is there anything we can do without spending a lot of money?

 

What Breed is My Dog?We gave a young man a home until he can find another place. He has now added a dog to the home, not to my liking though. She is 8 months old. I would like to know what kind of dog she is. Her name is Persia. She is very sweet and has gentle eyes

 

Gift Ideas for 20 Year Old Son?Any ideas for a gift for my 20 year old son? I would like ideas that are $100 or less.

 

Ink on a Microfiber Vera Bradley Bag?How do you get black ink out of a microfiber Vera Bradley?

 

Recommendations for Inexpensive Digital Camera?How do I choose the best digital camera, without spending a fortune on it? I want clear pictures and also as much zoom as possible.

 

Using Vinegar to Make a Pan Non-stick?What is the method for making an ordinary pan, non-stick using vinegar?

 

Concord Grape Berries Turning Brown?Some of my concord grape berries are turning brown. What is the cause and can I stop it?

 

Recipe Ideas for a Wedding Reception?I am cooking for my sister's wedding reception and I need food ideas. There will be about 125 people.

 

Coupons for Quick Shine Floor Finish?Are there any savings coupons available for Quick Shine floor finish? I use the product often.

 

Refreezing Cooked Ham?Can I refreeze a thawed, fully cook ham?

 

Making Fabric Water Repellent?How do you make fabric water repellent? I want to make the cotton/poly fabric of an outdoor canopy I made water repellent. Scotchgard is somewhat expensive for a spray can. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Cleaning an HVAC System ?My heating and air conditioning unit, that blows the air to the house is very dirty. Can I clean it myself until I can afford to hire someone to do it?

 

Rowenta Steam Iron is Leaking Water?My Rowenta steam iron is leaking water. I really don't want to have to buy another one. Is there some way to fix this problem? I have misplaced any paperwork that I have had. I would appreciate help. Thank you.

 

Putting Fruit on a Pewter Tray?Can we put fruits on a pewter tray?

 

Hawaiian Food Recipes?I am looking for recipes for Hawaiian foods.

 

No Rider Patch Reviews?Has anyone ever tried No Rider patches? They're supposed to keep your shorts from riding up your thighs? I was wanting to know if they work or not before I buy them. Thanks.

 

Temperament of a Malamute/Spaniel Mix?What is the temperament going to be for a malamute mix with spaniel? He has chosen to follow me where ever I go and seems to butt in when someone is hugging me or playing around with me.

 

Recipe for Homemade Sugar Soap?Does anyone have a recipe for sugar soap (cleaning product)?

 

Homemade Garden Insecticide?I am looking for insecticide recipes.

 

Cleaning Strings on Blinds?How do I clean the cords on my blinds without taking the blinds down?

 

White Rose Bush Has Red Blooms?I have a rose bush that has bloomed white roses for the last four years, now it has the big white blooms starting but there are some small red blooms on it, why?