September 2, 2009

Transitioning to a Healthier DietI am trying to very slowly change my family's eating habits. I used to work full time and my family developed some bad eating patterns in order to get the food on the table quickly.

 

Citrus and Basil Vinaigrette Tastes really yummy on a mixed green salad topped with cherry tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese.

 

Cracker PieThis was my sister's favorite pie.She had asked for this 2 weeks before she died. It tastes like apple but it's cheaper to make.

 

Creamy Chicken Crockpot StewRecipe for crockpot chicken creamy stew that kids love. Add first 7 ingredients into crock pot, stir, and cook on high for 5 hours.

 

Bubba's RibsWash ribs very well, BOTH sides. Pat dry with a quality paper towel. Cut slab(s) into 5 and 6 bone pieces. Rub some olive oil on both sides lightly (Bertolli). Sprinkle lemon pepper all over (or other type rubs*)

 

Chewy Oat CookiesCream margarine, brown sugar, and peanut butter till fluffy. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Combine dry ingredients and add to beaten mixture alternately with sour milk or buttermilk.

 

Sloppy Joe Casserole

 

Scenery: Jurassic Art (Rose Hill, KS)Taken at "Jurassic Art" in Rose Hill, KS

 

Deter Ants With Black PepperWant to keep ants away from your kitchen counter, garbage can or away from shrubs or trees or flowers or just about anything? I use black pepper from the kitchen. Just sprinkle it around anything and leave it there, it will deter ants large and small.

 

Wildlife: Starfish in AlaskaI just thought people would like to see that starfish come in different colors. I took this picture when I lived in Klawock, Alaska. We were going clamming because there was a minus 13 foot tide.

 

Practice "Stranger Danger" With Your ChildrenWhen I was visiting, I was asked to walk my granddaughter to her school bus stop one morning. As we were walking, my daughter drove by and slowed down, rolled down her window and said "Hey little girl, I sure do like those pink shoes."

 

Winslow (Lab/Pointer)Winslow a 2 year old Lab/Pointer mix. I really wanted a puppy, but didn't have the extra money. We were on our way to my in laws and saw a "free puppies" sign out at the road and decided to take a look.

 

Summer Learning FunHere are a couple of things that you could do to keep your child's mind occupied during the summer months, as well as helping them have fun learning.

 

Borrow A "Kill A Watt" Monitor From Your LibraryOur local library offers, to members, free usage of Kill A Watt monitor for three days. There is a waiting list but it is well worth the wait. Check your local library to see if they offer it. It was donated by the local power company.

 

Use T-Gel For Itching EarsI felt an annoying tickling in my right ear. My dermatologist diagnosed it as psoriasis and suggested I try T-Gel, a shampoo I had been using for itching of my scalp and dandruff in mustache and eyebrows.

 

Shop End of Season SalesRemember end of season savings! I stock up on end of season plastic tableware or pool toys to give out as gifts throughout the year. For example: I just found beautiful $10.00 pitchers for $1.50.

 

Late Summer StormWe are located in a region known as the Palouse of Eastern Washington. The picture of this frightening storm was taken just outside of my home in Rosalia, WA on August 22, 2008.

 

Recycled CD NotepadThese cute little notepads are quick, easy, and fun to make. Reduce, re-use, and recycle by putting all of your unusable compact discs and scrap paper to good use!

 

Use Vinegar and Newspaper for Cleaning WindowsUse vinegar and newspaper to clean those windows and mirrors. It does such an excellent, streak-free job!

 

Frugal Tomato SauceI recently decided to make my own spaghetti sauce. I buy an institutional size can (106 oz.) of ground and peeled tomatoes at a Sam's Club type store for approximately $2.50, and then add my Italian seasoning.

 

Garden: Florida AvocadosMy sister has a grove of Avocados in Homestead, Florida, (just south of Miami) and she brought me some beautiful Butter Avocados and just could not resist sharing this picture. These are smaller than normal if you can believe that!

 

Frozen Strawberries in Strawberry LemonadeI love strawberry lemonade so I use frozen strawberries as the "ice cubes" when I make it. It gets it cold faster and adds the strawberry flavor to it!

 

Double Bag to Prevent Freezer BurnI love using zip lock bags for freezing meats and sauces, but do not like the expense. I also double the bags when freezing to prevent freezer burn. So, I first put the sauce or meat into a recycled plastic or waxed bag, and close it with tape or twist tie.

 

Painted PotsTired of those orange clay pots? Buy some acrylic paints and give them some color. Add a plant, and you can use them in-doors or out, plus have the enjoyment of a hobby. I did not take classes, just start experimenting, its fun and creative.

 

Plastic Canvas Crochet Trinket BoxI wanted to see if I could crochet on plastic canvas without any sewing and ended up with this trinket box made on 5-mesh plastic canvas. I used a size D crochet hook so it would fit through the holes and worsted weight yarn.

 

Re-scan TV Channels When Installing New EquipmentWe recently installed a new antenna, the previous one being some 20 years old and falling apart. Well, It was installed and didn't work.

 

Nikko (Border Collie)Nikko is 2 years old and a Border Collie. He was a Christmas gift from my daughter and her fiancee.

 

Bonanza in Town Compost PileFor a penny pinching gardener, the town compost pile is it is like finding the lost city of gold with nary an Inca nor Mayan civilization destroyed in the process.

 

Cleaning Fabric Softener Build Up From Washer?How can I clean the liquid fabric softener scummy "deposit" off my washing machine agitator?

 

Court Case Reference Numbers?What does KA083181RM means for the sheriffs dept? It refers to a court case.

 

Water Stained Table Won't Take New Varnish?I used the mayo on a water spot on a black wood table. Now I can't get the treated wood to take new varnish. Any suggestions?

 

"Babies Don't Keep" Cross Stitch Pattern?Looking for the pattern kit or pattern of "Babies Don't Keep". Help.

 

Charging Roommates to Use My Washer and Dryer?How much should I charge for people to use my washer and dryer. It is a situation where roommates aren't paying for things and so I'm putting charges up.

 

Top Loading Washer is Squealing?I have an Estate top loading washer. It squeals when changing cycles. Any ideas what is wrong and how to fix it?

 

Unscrambling a Word Puzzle?Can anyone help me solve this?

 

Flavored Vodka?My husband likes the flavored Vodkas which are more expensive than just the plain ones. Is there a flavoring or extract which can be used? Thank you.

 

Growing Hydrangeas in Containers?The leaves on the hydrangea potted plant outdoors are turning yellow. Is the cause of this under watering? Will it flower next year?

 

Growing House Plants in Water?Can I grow indoor plants in water only? What do I do with indoor plants in water when the water begins to smell bad? Other than replacing all the water.

 

Cleaning Brass Fireplace Doors?I would like information on cleaning brass fireplace doors that got burned and discolored.

 

Growing a Rainier Cherry Tree?If I buy a Rainier cherry tree, do I have to buy 2 of them?

 

Cat With Laryngitis?All of a sudden my cat squeaks when he's trying to meow. He's otherwise very healthy with no sneezing, swollen glands, or runny nose. Has this ever happened to anyone else's cat? If he's not better in a day or two I'll take him to the vet.