September 16, 2009

Cherry Crumb PieHeat oven to 425 degrees F. Place cookie sheet in oven to preheat. Spoon cherry pie filling into frozen crust.

 

Chili EnchiladasThese are similar to what you get on the enchilada dinner at El Chico, but way better. In a skillet large enough to hold one flat tortilla, heat the 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat.

 

Snack-A-RoosEasy to make snack for party or just for the kids after school. Cheap for party, too. Adults love these as well as the kids.

 

Hearth-side CiderIn a large saucepan, combine juice or cider, water, allspice and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Remove from heat.

 

Cheese FriesAnother kid friendly recipe. On a baking sheet, prepare potatoes according to package directions. Push potatoes into a pile in center of baking sheet.

 

Orange Horseradish SauceA nice sweetened twist for horseradish sauce.

 

Set a Cleaning TimerBeing 7 months pregnant, working full-time, with a 5-year-old, a 7-year-old, and a husband overseas, energy is at a premium. I just don't have the energy to do long bursts of cleaning.

 

Warning: Don't Use Bleach To Clean Up MoldI have posted this many times when I see the request for mold or mildew clean up but I continue to see the question asked so I felt this would be a better way to get the message across.

 

Save Money With 3 Wick CandlesI love to burn candles every evening but they have been getting so expensive I needed to find a way to make them burn longer. I bought one of those 3 wick candles, that they have at the Dollar Store. I would only light one of the wicks instead of all 3.

 

Quilted PotholdersI love to make scrap potholders. These will take less than a hour to put together, but probably that long to "prep".

 

Scrape Inside of Egg ShellAfter cracking an egg, always run your finger in the shell. You'll be surprised how much egg is left in the shell.

 

My Frugal Life: One Income FamilyI have always been a penny pincher from day one. As a teenager growing up at home, I clipped coupons and took them shopping from time to time when mom went to the grocery store.

 

Garden: Pot of FlowersMy favorite flower pot in our yard, which sits at the corner of our walkway along the house. So pretty and full of bloom!

 

Mark Computer Cords for Easy Set UpI am by no means electronically gifted. And any time I have to unplug my computer, then plug it all back in again, I used to invariably have to holler for help!

 

Brady-Moss (Doxie/Beagle Mix)Brady-Moss is 2 years old and a mini long-haired Doxie/Beagle mix. I had just lost my Golden Retriever of 11 years and a friend called me on the phone to come to their house and see one of their pups.

 

Scenery: Dusk MoonDusk moon with a bird flying by.

 

Locker MagnetsMake going back to school fun for kids by creating these magnets for them to decorate their lockers.

 

Reusing Cleaner Spray BottlesDon't throw away your empty cleaning spray bottles. I usually save a couple or two for other purposes. Just clean them out really good and use again.

 

Use Twist Tie to Clean Hummingbird FeederI found a simple and thrifty way to clean the feeding holes in the hummingbird feeder. When the holes get clogged up, run a twist tie through them a couple of times and then run hot water through them. It works every time.

 

Boyfriend CorsageBoyfriend corsages or a corsage that displays a photo, are wonderful for school dances, anniversary parties or special banquets. They are an easy craft for teenagers and they make great school fundraisers.

 

Artemis the CatArtemis is three years old and a Tortie. But I think there's some T-rex in there too. She's a shelter cat, I got her when she was six weeks old and all of two pounds. She doesn't remember that though; her version is that she fell from heaven as a blessing to me.

 

Curfew Time Set to Grade LevelA good way to set a time for curfew is to let the time home be whatever grade they are in. When in 9th grade - 9:00, 10th grade - 10:00 and so on. At our house, the time changed on the first day of each school year.

 

Salad Bar Garden BedMy husband is in the construction business. One day he brought this old salad display home. It is the large kind you see at buffets. It has a sneeze guard on the top.

 

Top Baked Goods With Nuts Instead Of MixingWhenever a quick bread or muffin recipe calls for nuts (and often even when it doesn't), I put them on top of the batter in the pan instead of mixing them in.

 

Soak Sponges In Fabric SoftenerThis isn't homemade, but it stretches your softener. Get a 5 gallon bucket with a lid and add to it: 1 large bottle of fabric softener, 2 bottles (use fabric softener bottle) water, 4 all purpose sponges cut in 1/2.

 

Freezing Whole TomatoesAll we do with them is rinse them off and blot dry, Put in Ziploc bags and freeze. To use them, I drop into hot liquid, and use my Chinese spider strainer to pull out of broth, slip off skins and core or not.

 

Limit Your SugarIf you can get to a library, check out the SugarBusters! weight loss book. It helped me to better understand what we should eat and why. Oats, beans, lentils, veggies and fruit (bought on sale) can help you stay healthy and lose weight.

 

Buying Imprinted Pens?Where is the best place to order imprinted ink pens?

 

Discontinued Wallpaper Border: Wallquest's "Burnt Border" #TQ81959B?I am looking for a discontinued wallpaper border from Wallquest. The collection is Tranquility, the name is Burnt Border and the pattern number is TQ81959B. Is this something you would be able to locate?

 

Water from Air Conditioner Left Stain on Carpet?Air conditioner water spilled on my carpet. 409 carpet cleaner and a scrub brush didn't remove it. Help.

 

Making Your Own Concrete?Would anyone have the ingredients to make homemade builders mix, aka, concrete? Thanks Thrifty Fun for this fabulous site.

 

Canned Bean Sprout Recipe?Growing up, my mother used to make this meal using Chun King bean sprouts. It contained hamburger, celery, and bean sprouts. I can't remember anything else, but I remember the celery took on the flavor of the meat and I loved it.

 

Substitute for Cast Iron Skillets?What is a substitute for cast iron skillets? They are just too heavy and hard to keep seasoned for everyday use.

 

Discontinued Wall Paper Border:Vymura Curly Wurly?Where can I find old stock of: Vymura Curly Wurly design wallpaper border?

 

Halloween Costumes for Groups?I'm on the drumline in Marching Band at school. Every year the band does Halloween parades and we are instructed that each section needs to think of Halloween costumes and dress up. We need to think of a group Halloween costume.

 

Poem for Baby Shower?Is there a poem for a nursery book, wishing well for a baby shower?

 

What Breed is My Dog?What breed is my dog? We were told Alaskan Husky and German Shepherd, but she seems to be full grown at 48 lbs. We think there may also be some terrier in her. Some people ask if she is some kind of Pit Bull.

 

Using Battery Operated Lights Inside?Has anyone used battery operated lights inside?

 

Blackberry Recipes?I am looking for recipes for blackberry jam and pies or tarts.

 

Harvesting Walnuts?We have a lot of walnut trees. How do you harvest them and what is the easiest way to shell the nuts?

 

Raw Diet Versus Dry Dog Food?I have just acquired a 5 yr old Pomeranian. Her breath and teeth are terrible. I am taking her to the vet next week, but cleaning usually lasts only a few days.

 

Uses for Plastic Clothing Hangers?Does anybody have any ideas for broken plastic hangers?

 

Organizing for Frequent Moves?My husband's work requires us to move every 4 to 6 months. The entire house and my car is in storage. I am looking for ways to be more organized, so when it's time to move again, I know where things are for the nights we have to stay in hotels.

 

Finding Old Rolling Spindle Exercise-Massage Equipment?Does anyone remember an older piece of exercise equipment that had rolling spindles on it and the whole barrel also turned. You could press your back against it or straddle it to massage your inner thighs, etc. Does anyone know what this was called?

 

Using Floor Tiles on Counters?Can floor tile be used for counter top?

 

Saving Vegetable Seeds for Next Season?I planted for first time in 20 years on soil that's located on top an artesian well. I had zucchini's the size of couches. How do I dry zucchini seeds? Would be interested in swapping some green beans (bumper crop there, also) for sweet corn or other. Name your offerings.

 

How to Preserve Cattails?Does anyone know how to preserve cattails so they last longer? Thank you.

 

Freezing Grated Carrots?How do I freeze grated carrots for future use in a cake? Do I have to blanch them, etc.?

 

"Hollywood Christmas" Themed Float?My father is in the Amvets, they are wanting to make a float for the Christmas parade. The theme this year is "Hollywood Christmas" any ideas?

 

Canned Tomatoes Have a Metallic Taste?I make salsa using store-bought tomatoes in a can. The salsa has a "can" taste that I don't like. Does anyone know of a trick to cut that taste out? Thanks.

 

Asking Someone to Homecoming?Does anyone have any ideas on how to ask a guy to homecoming? We like each other, but we are not dating. I have no idea how to ask him in a cute way. Can you help?