July 1, 2009

Blueberry PuddingThis is like a cobbler with a drizzley, blueberry sauce. Cream butter and sugar. Add milk alternately with dry ingredients. Beat until smooth.

 

Red, White and Blue ParfaitsIn a bowl, combine the cream cheese, vanilla yogurt and lemon juice together. Place 1/4 cup of the cream cheese mixture in the bottom of a glass. Place 1/4 cup of strawberries on top.

 

German Skillet DinnerI guess you can call this an international meal. :) I really think the only thing that makes it German is the sauerkraut!

 

Fergosa BreadThis flatbread like bread has less fat and calories and suitable for diabetics. In medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and the pepper, stirring well. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

 

Ziploc Ice CreamThis would be a great craft at a child's birthday party. How fun would it be for kids to make their own their very own ice cream to go on their slice of cake. Since we are all kids at heart and love ice cream, grown ups can do it too.

 

Rhubarb Jello CakeA great way to use the rhubarb that so many have grown this summer. Layer rhubarb, sugar, gelatin and marshmallows in a 9x13 greased pan.

 

Transporting Large Quantities of Deviled EggsI recently had to prepare a food for a potluck dinner that was attended by at least 100 members of a Missouri stream team near Eminence, Missouri. That is a 6 hour trip from home. I decided to fix Deviled Eggs - 7 dozen of them!

 

My Frugal Life: Recession? What Recession?It is almost funny to us, to hear these people on the news talking about the recession and how they are losing their homes and can't buy the things they want anymore.

 

Independence Day Wind BlowerTo make a wind blower for Independence Day, buy several rolls of ribbon-red, white and blue of course!, and a wooden or metal embroidery hoop. Simply cut long strips of ribbon and tie onto hoop in some pattern or mix.

 

Plastic Canvas Flower PatternAfter seeing some pictures of Japanese plastic canvas, I got out my worsted weight yarn, my plastic canvas, a needle and whipped up a pattern for the flower. I hope those of you who do plastic canvas or design your own, will be able to make use of it.

 

Conserving Water in the GardenHere are some tips for conserving water in your garden: Water your garden in the late afternoon but not at night. It needs time to let the surface dry so mold and fungus aren't able to damage the plants.

 

Scenery: Castle House (PA)This picture I took is near my house. We call it the Castle house. I passed it the one day and got this weird feeling, but the sky and everything was perfect. I changed it up gave it a vintage/old/scary theme.

 

Sharing Garden FlowersI will call this a friendship tip. My aunt is home bound after being in the hospital and nursing home after several falls. No broken bones thank goodness. She loves to come to see my flowers once each spring or summer.

 

Dispense Bleach SlowlyIt's so easy to make mistakes with chlorine bleach! So I poke a little hole in the foil on top of the closing of the bottle to give me more control over the flow of the bleach. It makes you more conscious of how much you are using, too.

 

Marking the Date Purchased on FoodWhen I return from grocery shopping, I use a sharpie marker and write the date on the outside of such items as eggs, salad dressings and mayonnaise. That way as my week progresses, I know what is the oldest and what really needs to get used up.

 

Craft Project: Americana Door DecorThis craft is so simple, not only because of it's design, but because you can customize it any way you want.

 

Bumper (Himalayan)Bumper is a year old Himalayan. We took Bumper in at 8 weeks old, from a breeder. She was going to be euthanized because she was born with no eyes. The breeder felt she would not be sold, or have a quality of life.

 

Product Review: Krud KutterGet yourself some "Krud Kutter" all purpose pressure washer cleaner from Lowe's. I purchased it based on another reader's recommendation for cleaning the tub (did a great job, too!).

 

Corn Starch for Dog's Hot SpotsI took my Chow Chow to the vet and he said, she had a hot spot. $102.00 later, and some spray that stung and drove her crazy, and a naked shaved spot she had for months later. I found out I could do the exact same thing with corn starch.

 

Reuse Cookie and Cracker Package TraysDon't throw out the plastic trays from cookie and cracker bags! They work great as holders for beads or paper pieces for your crafts, but you can also use them as mini-green houses and flower pots.

 

Growing GingerStart ginger from 1 to 1 1/2 inch long rhizomes (roots) that contain at least one eye. If you're using ginger roots from the grocery store or specialty store, look for firm, smooth roots with plenty of "eyes."

 

4th Of July WindsockCut out material to go around oatmeal container, a little extra on ends to go inside. Apply w/ glue, then cut out eight strips of material the length of container about an inch thick. Space around on one end.

 

Remembering Usernames and PasswordsIt is hard to remember passwords. When possible (when you are able to select your password), choose a very short word that is easy to remember + a few numbers. For websites, put those numbers within the word.

 

Head Lice from a Swimming Pool? Can you get head lice from swimming pools?

 

Primer Bulb Replacement on Mower?How do I install a gas primer bulb on a lawn mower?

 

Sow Bugs in My Compost Pile?I have Pill bugs (Sow bugs) and Ear Wigs in my compost pile, good or bad? If I need to get rid of them, how?

 

Can't Remember the Name or Artists for this Song?I am looking for the name of the group and correct name of a song. I think it was from the 70's and I know it was by a "black" group. The line I remember best is "I said don't feel so all alone, I found someone of my own".

 

Keeping Wash Cloths Smelling Fresh?Does anyone have any advice on how to keep facecloths smelling fresh? I wash and dry them and the next day they smell musty. When I wash them it's in the hottest water with no softener.

 

Caring for a Sick Mouse?How do I take care of a half-dead baby mouse?

 

Getting Rid of Odor in Bathroom?I just recently bought a house and did some updating by painting the walls. Now, I have this stench in my bathroom that I can't get rid of. I have tried a fan, leaving the door open, and Febreze.

 

Getting Teen to Help at Home?I have a teen who won't think ahead and do things. He only does what needs to be done if I tell him what to do, or leave a list. How do I get him to do more? He has a excuse for everything. He is disrespectful as well, very bad back talking. Help.

 

Planting Ginger?How do I plant ginger to eat?

 

Ideas for a Law Enforcement Themed Birthday Party?I need some tips on planning a law enforcement themed birthday party for my husband. He is a corrections officer. Thank you ahead of time.

 

Removing Flarp Putty from Carpet?How do I get Flarp out of my new carpet?

 

Painting Laminate Countertop with Metal Strips?I have a laminate countertop I want to paint. But it has a metal strip along the front and on the inside edge. What do I do with this metal strip when I paint the countertop?

 

Getting the Best Price on a Paper Shredder?Please tell me where to shop for a paper shredder for the home. I am looking for one on sale. Where is the best place to look: Kmart, Sam's Club, Office Depot, or where? The ones online are not on sale, thanks very much.