September 17, 2009

Olive Oil and Lemon Mashed PotatoesUse olive oil as a butter alternative and the lemon zest for added flavor. I've substituted orange zest and that is also yummo.

 

Strawberry Pretzel SaladSweet. Crunchy. Guaranteed to be a hit. Mix pretzels, butter, sugar, and pat into 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 8 minutes; cool.

 

Spiced OlivesDifferent and easy to make. Drain olives. Put olives and next 4 ingredients back into jar. Fill jar with tomato or vegetable juice.

 

Spicy Beef Tomato Cabbage SoupThis soup is really beefy tomato. The healthy green cabbage flavor is mild. I really love this recipe because it is very hearty and healthy. It's easy to put together, and uses garden veggies.

 

Old Time Chocolate GravyGood and easy! Reminds me of my Mama's cooking. Stir together the flour, cocoa, and sugar in a small cooking pot.

 

Molly (Guinea Pig)Molly is 1 year, and 1 month old She is a mix of a American Smooth haired and Coronet guinea pigs. I got Molly at a great pet store that was experienced and knew a lot about each animal.

 

Pre-Cook Onions in the MicrowaveI figured this out one day when I was heating up a can of my husband's favorite brand name baked beans. If I just add a diced onion to the beans, the beans are heated through before the onion is cooked.

 

Use Plastic Bin for Kids Gift WrapMy daughter in law has been going through the granddaughter's toys and arranging them by type, like Barbie's, etc. She purchased some plastic bins of different sizes for this task.

 

Soda Can Plant LabelsOne of my favorite garden crafts is making homemade plant labels from aluminum cans and wire clothes hangers. Not only are they inexpensive and durable, but these labels are actually attractive and fun to make.

 

Panty Hose on Vacuum Wand When DustingTo dust knick knacks, jewelry stands, books, and other precious items, I stretch a leg of an old pair of pantyhose over the end of the vacuum cleaner wand, then clean away.

 

Spice Up Your Coffee With Cinnamon StickGive yourself a no-calorie treat by adding a drop of quality real vanilla to your coffee. A sprinkle of cinnamon powder or pumpkin pie spice can also be added for those wanting a spicier fare.

 

Canning Jars for BlendingIf your blender cap, gasket, and blades will fit onto a standard canning jar, you have your very own Magic Bullet, coffee grinder, and baby food grinder in one.

 

Protecting Window Sills from Pet ScratchesGo to a hardware store and purchase plastic stair protectors. Turn the protectors upside down with the little plastic tips are sticking up, and place on window sill.

 

Expand Your Vocabulary With Dictionary SitesIn newsletter I just read, a reader told about her word of the day project for her kids. But, why stop with the kids, I have for several years gotten newsletters from two sites that provide a word-of-the-day, with pronunciation, definition and example of its use.

 

Organize Band Aids by SizeI would find that when I needed a band aid, it would take me going through several boxes to find the size I need. If I could not find it, I would end up buying another box of band aids and the collection would grow.

 

Photograph Your Belongings for Insurance PurposesWhen contemplating your homeowners or renters insurance, consider this idea to speed things along. Use your digital camera and take pictures of all four walls in each room, close ups of opened drawers and closets, bathroom cabinets, garage contents opened tool boxes, etc.

 

Shake Your Clothes Out Before DryingSimple tip to save energy and money when washing / drying clothes. After you wash your clothes shake your clothes out prior to putting them in the dryer. This will save energy and $ getting your clothes more dry.

 

Oil Cleansing Method For Facial CleanserInstead of spending money on high priced facial cleansers, I now use the Oil Cleansing Method. Take a clean bottle and fill it with 1/3 Castor oil and the remainder olive oil. Shake well to combine.

 

Lucky (Bichon Frise)Lucky is 3.5 years old and a Bichon Frise. Our neighbors gave him to us when our cat died, he was a great comfort to our son.

 

Stretching Chicken SaladI happened on this when I had some chicken salad left, but not enough to serve 3 people since my son's return home to finish his degree at a local university.

 

Scenery: Sunset on Lake Missaukee (Michigan)Sunset on Lake Missaukee (9/10/09)

 

Keep a Family Piggy BankKeep a piggy bank, and add change to it whenever you have extra. Make it a game with the kids to add "found" change. Save the money for a special outing, maybe a supper at a fancy restaurant or a camping trip.

 

Scrapbook Pocket TagThis is a homemade tag to add to your scrapbook. I cut a blue piece of paper at about 3x4 inches, then tore around the edges.

 

Baking in a Can?Any one know about baking cakes in a coffee or other can?

 

Dog Anxious About Motorcycles?My dog seems to have an anxiety about motorcycles? Is the way dogs hear different than humans and maybe more sensitive to sounds?

 

Cooking Spray Residue on Skillet?Anyone out there know how to get rid of the sticky film on frying pans after using an oil spray? Thanks. This is after you have already washed the pans.

 

Ideas for Raising Money?I am in a club for school called Interact club. We are going to try to raise $9,000.00 by December for a woman who has level 4 leukemia. Her family is going through a rough time, because her sister is also in the army. So I want to know some good ways to raise money.

 

"New in Town" Movie Question ?Does anyone know what shoes Renee Zellwelger wore in the movie "New in Town"?

 

Insects Causing Lawn to Turn Brown?What do I do about bugs in the lawn? They are making the lawn look brown.

 

Kitchen Flooring Ideas?Can I use maple floor and oak cabinets?

 

Ideas for Diaper Gifts?I would like to know how to make a diaper basket?

 

Cleaning a Pillow Top Mattress?How do you clean a pillow top mattress? I am not concerned so much about stains, but just a typical cleaning?

 

Hornet Homecoming Float Ideas?I'm in charge of building a homecoming float for school and I need something extravagant to beat the seniors. Last year's float was awful.

 

Pet Safe Mosquito Repellent?What is a good mosquito repellent for pets, especially goats?

 

Organizing Childrens Clothing?How do you organize your kids clothes when they have too many? I have wheedled my oldest daughter's clothes down some, but still not enough it seems.

 

Rainbow 50th Theme Tablecloth?I have a query, can you offer me some ideas on decorating a table cloth? I am having it as a Rainbow 50th theme. Thanks.

 

Over the Range Microwave Venting?I am installing a new over the range microwave which says to use only 6 inch vent. The vent from the old range hood in the ceiling is smaller. Do I have to use 6 inch or can I use 6 inch out of microwave and convert to smaller to fit in ceiling opening?

 

Discouraging Cats from Using Neighbor's Yards for Cat Box?I recently found out that my indoor/outdoor cats are using several flower beds, gardens, and bushes in our neighborhood for their litter box.

 

Deodorant Build-up?Does anyone know how to remove the built up hard yellow stuff in the armpits of shirts?

 

Making a Welcome Sign?Are there any web sites or can you give me ideas on how to make a "Welcome Friends" sign. Thanks.

 

Storing Potatoes for Planting in Spring?I have an unusual purple potato that I would like to plant in next year's garden. How do I prepare and store the potato until next spring?

 

Backing Up Your Data in Windows XP?I have an HP computer that uses Windows XP. How can I backup my files?

 

Swiffer for Laminate Floors?Can the Swiffer Wet Jet be used on laminate floors?

 

Using a Brinkman Electric Smoker?I was given a used electric Brinkman smoker and would like instructions on smoking fresh pork.

 

Water Level Control on Washer Not Working?My washer will only fill a little. I have to hold the water level button over to fill it up. How do I fix it?

 

New Towels Don't Absorb Water?How do you get towels to absorb, that do not absorb? I do not use fabric sheets.

 

Pierogie Recipes?Anyone have a favorite recipe of Pierogies? Or maybe a unique filling? Or even a favorite way of using the frozen ones? I just discovered these little things in the frozen foods section and we love them.

 

Small Business Production of Frozen Potato Chips?What is the step by step method of producing frozen potato chips in a small enterprise that does things manually? Please include a flow diagram.

 

Cooking Instructions for Smoked Ham?Does anyone know how to cook a smoked ham roast? I need to know the amount of cooking time per pound and what temperature? Do I cover it with aluminum foil or does it need to be in a roasting pan? Thanks.