August 19, 2009

Chocolate ThrillerCombine crushed chocolate wafers and melted margarine. Press into bottom of spring form pan and bake at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes. Combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla, mixing until well blended.

 

Waldorf PopoversA nice little salad in a pastry, easy to make, everyone loves them. Cook the pastry cups according to package directions. Let cool completely. Lift up the tops on the pastry cups leaving the inside empty. Spoon in the waldorf salad filling each pastry cup.

 

Company Tuna BakeCook macaroni using package directions. Beat cream cheese and soup in bowl until smooth. Add next 5 ingredients and macaroni, mixing well. Pour into 1 1/2 qt. casserole.

 

Grilled Chicken and Vegetables Packets I like this recipe because I live alone and can make up several packets at a time to freeze when there's a bulk sale of chicken to take advantage of at a low price and, other than tossing a salad, each packet is a full meal for me :-)

 

Cheese BallMix ingredients thoroughly (by hand). Shape into 1 or 2 balls. Cover with chopped pecans.

 

Easy Lemon Iced TeaVery easy and low calorie. Put the 2 bags of tea in a pitcher and fill to the top with cold water. Let sit in fridge for at least 1/2 hour (I have left it overnight and still good)

 

House Cleaning ScheduleI have developed the following housecleaning schedule after years of trying to do it all every day and winding up with not much getting done any day! I've been using this schedule now for a couple of years and it works great.

 

Make Your Own FunnelNeed a funnel in a pinch? Cut off the bottom of a 2 liter or 1/2 liter bottle. You can make it as tall or short as you want.

 

Use Square Basin to Store Plastic LidsUse a large square basin to put plastic storage container lids into in your kitchen. You can then stack your containers inside each other. When you need a lid, you go right to your bin and find what you need.

 

Recycled Can Supply OrganizerIf you have some clean cans and some strong bulldog clips, you can have a catch all to keep handy. Just put the clip everywhere the tins meet, and fill evenly with things like I did. I put in office, tool, and craft supplies.

 

Measure Fruit Before FreezingIt's the season for fresh fruit. This is just a quick tip for freezing fruit. When I put the fruit in baggies for the freezer I put 2 cups of fruit in each bag.

 

Crochet Squares In Waiting RoomsWhenever I know I'm going someplace (like the doctor's appt I have today!) I always take a small carry-all with me that has a small amount of yarn and a crochet hook. If I need a pattern, I copy it on my scanner and print it out to take with me.

 

Consumer Awareness When Choosing DoctorBe a good consumer when looking for a doctor. We did not realize that, since the surgeon we selected for my husband's surgery is affiliated with a hospital, each visit was charged to us as an emergency room visit because the hospital does the billing.

 

Garden: Portugal RosesThis is a rose from my mother's garden!

 

Can Lid OrnamentsI bought a Pampered Chef can opener and my husband and I had a time figuring out how to use it! When we did, I found a new source of craft materials - can lids! With this can opener, the edges are smooth. You could also use lids from frozen fruit juice concentrate.

 

Make Chocolate Bowls For Serving DessertIf you love chocolate and any sweet treats, this will make your friends say "Wow, how unique"! You can make your own chocolate "bowl" for your treat so easily.

 

Store Party Drinks in Your WasherIf you need to keep a large amount of canned beverages cold for a party, use your top load washing machine. Fill the top load washer with ice and your canned beverages. Keep the lid closed.

 

Clean Lint Trap To Improve Dryer EfficiencyHere's a tip I got from my repairman when he came to do the yearly maintenance on my clothes dryer. He said to take the lint screen out of the dryer and get all the lint off of it.

 

Attach Coupons to Products as a ReminderI do not use many coupons. However, the ones I do keep, I kept forgetting when I went to the store. I found a way to help me. I simply tape the coupon on the item in the cupboard.

 

Create a Personalized Recipe Card TemplateOne of the things I always loved about collecting recipes was the pretty recipe sharing cards you wrote your recipe on. They gave your shared recipe that "personal touch"!

 

Homemade Kitten FormulaHere is a kitten formula that is better than any you can buy! I found a new recipe for kitten formula for newborn and very young kittens that don't have a mother. It is from Best Friends magazine the May/June 2009 edition.

 

Naya (Chocolate Lab)Naya is a 10 week old chocolate Lab. We had the pick of the litter and we chose her. We visited her weekly, she was the runt of the litter. When the other puppies eyes opened, hers did not.

 

Make Your Own Glue Brush ApplicatorInstead of buying expensive paper mache glue (or any with a brush applicator), create your own! Just take an empty vitamin bottle and glue in (or your own attachment method) a paint brush of your size choice.

 

Homemade Cat CarrierMy kitten, Zephy, jumped in this empty soda box the other day. I need to take her to the vet to get shots soon and thought, "Wow, an instant PET TAXI! Now I won't have to go buy one!

 

Wildlife: Baby EaglesMore delightful photos from my sister. There were two baby eagles in the nest, and as they grew, both seemed quite healthy. One day my sister went to check on them and there was only one. They were nearing, but not near ready to fly.

 

Homemade Clorox CleanupShe ran out of Clorox Cleanup so she put 1/4 cup of Clorox in a spray bottle with 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent, she then filled the bottle with water.

 

Store Pantry Supplies In Plastic ContainersFirst of all, I empty all cardboard containers into plastic containers. Then I label them: pastas, rice, chips, crackers, spices, sugar, flour, etc. I do not use a canister set.

 

My Frugal Life: What Works For MeWhat works for me? I buy groceries and run errands in town two days a week when I go to my exercise classes to save on gas. I grow my own vegetables and eat them fresh or freeze them when we get too much, to eat during the winter.

 

Economy Garden Border Stones From ConcreteWe have had several neighbors that have demolished concrete patios and courts in their yards. I found if you ask them to jack-hammer the concrete chunks into manageable sizes, they will happily accommodate your request.

 

Stinky Towels?Why do my towels still smell after washing and drying immediately?

 

Transfer Paper for Dark Fabric?I am looking for transfer paper that will work on dark denim fabric. I have currently tried 2 different brands without success.

 

Getting Rid of a Double Chin?Can a double chin be caused by weight gain; specifically in the face and neck? If I lose weight is it possible to lose, at least some, of my double chin?

 

Vibration Exercise Machines?I'm wondering if anyone has used the vibrating machines for health and weight benefits. I understand there is a difference between ones that just shake (no good) and ones that vibrate (more expensive).

 

Shoe Polish Stain on Upholstered Chair?I want to know how to remove black shoe polish from a chair with cloth upholstery.

 

Towels Bunch at Hemline?What causes towels to "bunch" along the decorative stitching near the hemlines. Can this be fixed? I have many towels in good condition except for the "bunching".

 

Controlling Odor from Fresh Fish in Refrigerator?How do you keep "fresh" fish from stinking up your fridge/freezer? My daughter in college has an Asian roommate that keeps tons of fish in the fridge. The smell doesn't bother her. It clearly smells fishy, not fresh.

 

Old Fashioned Recipes?I collect recipes and I was wondering if anyone had any they would be willing to share with me. I am really interested in old fashion recipes and homemade recipes.

 

Pattern for Franklin the Turtle Stuffie?My 2 year old granddaughter loves "Franklin". Does anyone have a pattern to make the stuffed turtle? I can't find the stuffed animal or a pattern anywhere. Her dad and I would be forever grateful. Thank you.

 

Recipe for These Ingredients?I am looking for a recipe for casserole using the following: yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, bread crumbs, and seasoning.

 

Soil Seems to Be Falling Out of Potted Plant?Here is a mystery. I put a wire plant stand on my kitchen table and it reaches nearly to the ceiling. It is in front of a window and the plants are thriving.

 

Water Stains on Vinyl Film Patio Windows?How can I clean plastic film patio windows? They are thick vinyl (I think) film, a cheaper alternative to glass and fine for Florida. They are spotted and cloudy due to water residue from our lawn irrigation system.

 

Riding Mower Dies When It Accelerates?I have a 2008 Toro Z5000 riding lawnmower. All of a sudden it won't keep running. It starts no problem with the choke open, but as soon as you pull back on the throttle it stalls out. Any ideas? The air cleaner looks fine, also fuel filter. Gas seemed OK.

 

Small Wildlife Under a House?What's the best and most humane way to get rid of raccoons and possums under our mobile home?

 

Low-Fat Vanilla Ice Cream?Please, can anyone help? My son has egg allergies plus he cannot tolerate too much fat in his food, but he loves vanilla ice cream. Does anyone have a recipe for vanilla ice cream without eggs and preferably made with evaporated or condensed milk instead of cream?

 

Vinegar To Remove Paint Odors?I am allergic to paint odour, my bedroom was recently painted. How am I to use this method (vinegar to remove paint odors) to get rid of the smell? Does anyone have any other methods? Please let me know. Thanks.

 

Removing Set-in Grease Stains?How do I remove set in grease stains?

 

Vanilla Bean Recipes?I'm looking for recipes using vanilla beans; any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Removing WD40 from Walls?I moved into a home where the previous owner used WD 40 on the door hinges to keep them from squeaking. Now I have oil residue on the walls behind the doors. How can I get oil off of painted walls?

 

Recipes for Cancer Patient?I am driving an Old Order Amish lady to chemotherapy for breast cancer. What can I make her for a little treat? I would like to also fix her some broccoli or asparagus soup because those are just chocked full of antioxidants.