October 6, 2009

Mema's Pumpkin PieI am from the mountains of NC near Asheville. This is best pumpkin pie you will ever eat! My Mema actually used what she called "Candy Roaster", which is actually squash that they always grew in their garden. I don't garden so I use pumpkin and have even used canned pumpkin.

 

Jalapeno Cheese BitesAn easy and yummy baked appetizer. These refrigerate well and you can easily re-heat a couple in the microwave for about 20 seconds or so.

 

Black Halloween PunchGreat for a Halloween party. Fill gloves 3/4 full with cold water. Tie the open end in a knot as you would a balloon. Lay one flat in a baking pan.

 

Lemon PieThis recipe is a favorite of my sister. Bring water to boiling point in saucepan. Thoroughly mix cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Add to boiling water, stirring constantly to prevent lumping.

 

Savory Snack CrackersCombine oil, dressing, dill weed, garlic powder, and lemon pepper. Place crackers in large plastic bag.

 

Pork Vegetable SoupI made this soup last night, inspired by the food waste article yesterday. I cleaned out my produce bin and basically threw everything in the soup pot. I diced all the veggies into small cubes, so that more or less of one veggie would go unnoticed.

 

Barbecued Pork ChopsMix all of above ingredients and set aside. Melt 3-4 Tbsp. fat in a heavy skillet, add 1 medium onion, chopped. Trim excess fat from 6 pork chops, wipe with a damp cloth.

 

Easy Picante ChickenA quick and easy way to make a tasty chicken dish. Using foil to line the pan makes for an easy clean-up. In foil-lined 13x9 inch pan, thoroughly mix picante sauce with brown sugar, mustard, lemon juice and hot sauce/Tabasco, if using.

 

Vaseline to Weatherproof ScrewsA handy tip if you are using screws outside for any purpose. Dip the screw point in some Vaseline, or grease before you screw it into the wood, or wall, this will put a kind of weather proof coat over it.

 

Gourd DecorI enjoy raising and decorating gourds. The one here is one of my favorites. It only required tan leather dye, a skill saw with a fine blade and a drill and bit along with a little sandpaper and leather lacing.

 

Turn Off the Lights Kids (or it Will Cost You)Teach kids the value of turning off lights as they leave a room by implying to them that each time costs (for instance) $1. Explain to them that the lights cost money every month and if you have to turn the lights out for them, each time you do that, charge them $1.

 

Garden: ApplesHere is a picture of my apple tree this year. It was pretty loaded with apples but we should have thinned them at some point and probably need to do more research on getting rid of the pests.

 

Pooter (Weimaraner)Pooter is a one and a half year old Weimaraner. My husband and I were walking through the French Quarter of New Orleans, one Christmas. We saw a man with a box full of weimaraner puppies.

 

Use Kitchen Sponge to Clean MushroomsAs much as I like eating mushrooms, I dreaded having to clean them. It seemed to take ages and I tended to miss a lot.

 

Store Dry Goods in Refrigerator or FreezerStore your legumes, flour, oatmeal and nuts in the fridge or freezer. They won't get weevils or insects, and will last longer.

 

The Richest Person...For your daily thoughts: "The richest person is not the one who has the most . . . But the one who needs the least."

 

Sadie (Shepherd Mix)Sadie is about a year old. I was told at the animal shelter that she's a mix between a smooth collie/shepherd mix. I've been told she's an American Eskimo/shepherd mix. What do you think?

 

Meal PlanningMenu index cards are great for when I can't think about what to cook. They have a whole menu, one menu on one index card. Since they are sorted into the index card file, I have them sorted by what types of meat (chicken, beef, ground beef, pork,vegetarian, etc.).

 

Hunting Island State Park (South Carolina)Sunset at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina.

 

Daisy Purse CardWith left-over papers, flower, and ribbon you can create a pretty purse card. It makes perfect gift for birthdays.

 

New Gardeners Should Adopt a Guilt-Free PhilosophyGardening should be a relaxing and pleasurable pastime, not a guilt trip. If you're new to gardening, losing plants can seem especially devastating. Adopting a guilt-free gardening philosophy can help you keep some perspective.

 

Do You Really Need New Clothes?Think honestly to yourself. Most of us only use maybe 20% of the apparel in our closets and dresser drawers! Why not resist the impulse to have something new simply to have something new and we usually purchase on impulse anyway.

 

Tackle Box CakeThis is a birthday cake a friend (Denise) made for my husband, an avid fisherman. Yes, the fish were edible.

 

Cleaning Stucco Walls?We moved into a house with stucco type walls in the kitchen. There is a lot of greasy, gunky build up on the walls. How do I clean this gunk without tearing up my hands, walls, and rags? Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

Finding a Rid-ex CouponWhere can I get a coupon for Rid-ex?

 

Freezing Japanese EggplantsCan Japanese eggplants (fresh or cooked) be frozen?

 

Hanging a Baby Quilt InexpensivelyI am expecting my first child in about a month and have a comforter/quilt that came with the bedding set. I'd like to hang it on the wall as inexpensively as I can. I'm not a seamstress, so actually sewing anything is out. Putting holes in the wall is OK with me.

 

Cake Doesn't Rise in New OvenMy cake doesn't rise properly. It comes out flat with little bubbles throughout the top. Could it be aluminum pans (tried disposable foil and regular aluminum pan)? Does it make a difference gas vs. electric?

 

Double Wide Mobile Home is Separating?How do I repair a double wide manufactured home that is separating?

 

Caring for the HomelessWe live in a nice suburban area with a shopping center nearby. A homeless man has set up house under the trees across the road from our house. We know he isn't a threat to us, but what should we do? Do I give him anything? Ignore him? Any suggestions?

 

Freezing Zucchini BreadCan you freeze zucchini bread?

 

Thicker HairWhat homemade recipe can I use to make my hair appear thicker or be thicker?

 

Removing Tar from Clothing?My grandson got fresh asphalt/tar on an expensive football jersey. Any ideas on how to get it out without ruining the shirt?

 

Making Paper Halloween DecorationsHow can I make good Halloween decorations with just pens, paper and scissors?

 

Craft Projects Using Paving BlocksI am looking for craft projects using paving stones. One year we did a snowman. I am looking for other ideas for my Pioneer group which is for children grades 1st through 8th.

 

Do Grow Lights Require a Special Fixture?I have plant light bulbs, but do I need a special fixture to put them in to be safely turned on 24x7 for indoor light for the winter months? If so, how do I make this fixture. I can do amateur wiring.

 

Using Shredded Pumpkin in Pumpkin BreadDo you have a recipe using shredded pumpkin in pumpkin bread?

 

Ideas for Mother's 80th BirthdayCould you help me with a theme for my mother's 80th birthday celebration?

 

Bleach Left Yellow Stains on T-shirts?My bleach is leaving yellow spots on white T-shirts. Is this because I am buying a cheaper brand of bleach? How can I get these yellow stains out?

 

Modernizing a Tiny KitchenI want to do a makeover for my mom's tiny kitchen. It has matching paneling and half wallpaper and small white tiles on floor. I just want to renew and modernize it again.

 

Theme for Cross Country Team's Homecoming FloatMy cross-country team (girls) is doing a float for our high school's homecoming parade. We aren't sure of how to theme our float though. It would be cool to have part of homecoming in it, but also part of running in it too.

 

Removing Sharpie from Metal?How do you remove red Sharpie from a brass doorknob?

 

Computer Monitor Does Not Display Image I have a 9 to 10 year old desktop running Windows XP which I disconnected in order to move furniture. When I reconnected it, it won't work.

 

Disinfecting Hands Without Soap?What can I use to wash my hands that disinfects? I have severe skin disorder and soap is so burning to my skin.

 

Making Storage AccessibleHow do I use my living space to have storage accessible, but without clutter? I have musical instruments, PCs, and stuff.

 

Making Yarn NecklacesI want to learn how to make necklaces with fancy yarns. Does anyone have instructions for no knit or crochet necklaces, please?

 

Salmon Egg Scramble RecipeDoes anyone have a recipe for salmon egg scramble? I made one but it was very dry.

 

Fat Free Sugar Free Salad Dressing RecipeI am a vegetarian, so I eat a lot of salad. My favorite is romaine, dried cranberries, walnuts, and apples. I want to change the dressing. I am looking for a fat-free, sugar-free (or Splenda friendly) dressing. Any ideas?

 

Painting Metal Cabinets?I have kitchen cabinets made by St. Charles from the late 60's. These cabinets are metal painted with a rough finish.