February 16, 2010

Banana DressingThis recipe is so easy and is wonderful for drizzling, dipping or mixing for any type of fresh fruit! It's also a great way to use up bananas that are about to expire.

 

Mississippi SinGreat and easy appetizer our family really enjoys. Cut top off bread and hollow out the loaf, tearing into bite size pieces. Mix all ingredients together and pour into Hawaiian bread bowl.

 

Pepper SteakCook rice until tender; drain. Cut round steak into strips, then diagonally into bite-size pieces. Cook in a small amount of grease in an electric skillet, stirring occasionally. Add onion and green pepper.

 

South of the Border Chicken (Crockpot)An all in one dish. Use enough salsa to cover bottom of crockpot. Next add tomatoes (used my own home made). Sprinkle in the herbs, lime juice and hot sauce. Add the chicken last.

 

Pork Chop Potato CasseroleBrown pork chops in a large ovenproof skillet. Peel and thickly slice potatoes. Place on top of pork chops. Cover with liquids. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees F. for 1 hour. Serves 4-5.

 

Best Ever Caramel CornHeat oven to 200 degrees F. Divide popped corn between 2 ungreased baking pans, 9x13 inches. In saucepan; heat sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around edges.

 

Product Review: Zenni OpticalUpon a recommendation from another Thriftyfunner, I bought a pair of glasses with progressive lenses from Zenni Optical. I am very happy with my glasses and the price. I am so glad she or he recommended them and I want to put in a good word for them too.

 

Cleaning A Pet Hair Clean-Up BrushThe new Pledge pet hair pick up works fantastic, except for one small detail. Mine cost me $6.00 and you are suppose to discard it after it's full. I have 2 small dogs and mine was full in 5 minutes after using it on some furniture.

 

Cow and Calf in the SnowWe have had more snow this winter than usual, the new calves started being born in January which was really cold and snowy. When we went for a winter walk, this new born calf was on one side of the fence and his frantic mother on the other.

 

Mark Your Gift Cards and CouponsWhen using coupons or gift cards in restaurants, I've discovered that it is very easy for the server to become confused, as to the ownership of these items. Make it a point to mark them with something that catches the eye.

 

Reusing Two Liter BottlesTwo liter pop bottles are handy for transporting punch or other drinks to a party without worrying about spilling. They can be laid on their side in a refrigerator if there is not room to set them upright. I also freeze water in them for ice for our camper cooler.

 

Use Towels With Bleach to Remove Ink in a DryerTo get ink off a dryer drum soak towel in bleach and put in dryer, run dryer for 5 to 10 minutes. I tried other tips on this website but they did not work. The bleach towel trick did.

 

Delilah And Ashe (Cats)Delilah is about 2 years old and a rag doll. Ashe is about 5 years old and is a short hair tabby. Delilah was a special needs cat that we were fostering for the Humane Society of West Texas when we decided that we could just not chance her getting adopted and returned again.

 

Placemats Instead of DoiliesWoven placemats or tapestry pieces are great to use instead of doilies on the arms of stuffed chairs or sofas to keep them from being soiled.

 

Save Wear on Your ShredderKeep a pair of scissors near your paper shredder. Then you can cut the private information off of the page, and shred that. Keep the rest of that sheet for scratch paper.

 

Crocheted Red Dress PinThis Red Dress pin is to wear to remind people February is Women's Heart Health month.

 

Recycled Items For Starting SeedsI have been using ice cream tubs as window sill propagators I have larger ones but these work OK for a small number of seeds. I also use lollipop sticks to label my plants with.

 

Use Hair Conditioner for Fabric SoftenersIf you run out of hair conditioner, then use a little of your washing machine fabric conditioner. It is just the same.

 

Kool-Aid For Cleaning DishwasherTo clean a dishwasher, put 1 pack of orange Kool-Aid (unsweetened) in bottom and run through a full cycle. It will come out sparkling. Be sure it is empty of all dishes, etc.

 

Starburst Tassel EarringsMy students and I developed this design when we were making earrings for a charity event. We ran out of pins to thread beads on for drop earrings so we improvised. The idea was simple but the end result are bouncy, animated and very frugal!

 

Phoenix (Paint/Tennessee Walker)Phoenix is 7 Months old. She is a Paint/Tennessee Walker. The story of how Phoenix entered my life reminds me of the mythical bird that she is named after, a bird that rises from funeral ashes more beautiful than ever, ready to live another long life.

 

Scrapbook In A Box"A scrapbook-in-a-box is mini-scrapbook that folds into a box to house your photo memories." This is surprisingly simple to make. I made it in a couple of hours time.

 

Tenderize Meat with Lemon JuiceTo tenderize meat, add some lemon juice. Not too much because it will break the meat, just few drops.

 

Eddie (Jack Russell Terrier)Eddie is 3 years old. He is a Jack Russell Terrier. We rescued Eddie 2 years ago from a rescue center in Fremont, Michigan. He loves to play tug or war and being chased.

 

Bailey (Basset Hound Mix)Bailey is about 6mos. old. I think she is part Basset Hound. I am disabled so, I am in bed most of the time. It is really lonely. I told my daughter I want a puppy to keep me company. S he and her boyfriend went to the pound and brought her home to me.

 

Covered Cardboard Boxes for Craft StorageA great way to make storage for scrapbook paper and magazines is to reuse boxes to make storage containers. While searching the internet, I came across a blog where someone had step-by-step instructions for making a fabric covered box.

 

Garage Privacy ScreenI often work in my garage on crafts and upcycling kinds of projects. Unfortunately I don't always want my neighbors to be looking at me or seeing my mess.

 

Prevent Your Car Doors from FreezingSpraying the rubber gaskets on your car doors with PAM or similar cooking spray will keep the doors from freezing shut.Just spray and then rub in with paper towel.

 

Lion Decorated Birthday CakeMy son's 4th birthday party had an animal theme, but living overseas presents difficulties in finding cute cake pans. So, I created my own lion. It's one round cake, ears and muzzle from a second cake, and 12 cupcakes.

 

Scooter (Brittany)Scooter is around 8 years old. He is a boy around 60 pounds. He is supposed to be a Britney. We got him in 2006 through American Britney Rescue. We were fostering him. He likes to run outside and chase squirrels.

 

Starting Oleander from Cuttings?How do I start a new plant from Oleander cuttings?

 

Repairing Natural Nails?I have really nice long natural nails. I noticed a split on one of them. It broke, leaving me with 9 nice nails and one stubby nail. Naturally the rest end up following suit and breaking one after another.

 

Birthday Gift Ideas for a Little Sister?What should I get for my little sister? I want to get her something really special She is nine about to be ten. She likes soccer, cats, her laptop, Japanese erasers, DS games, Wii games, and she wants to be an actress. Please help!

 

Quinceanera with a Phantom of the Opera Theme?I'm trying to have a "Phantom of the Opera" themed quince, and I have so many questions. What colors should I do? What about music and food? I also need ideas for centerpieces. I would really appreciate any help you can give me.

 

Boiled Roly Poly Pudding Recipe?My mother who passed away nearly 30 years ago, used to make a boiled roly poly in a pudding cloth. I am hoping that someone shall be able to help me with this request. I am not looking for a baked version, it must be boiled. Many thanks in anticipation.

 

Little Dress Clothespin Bag?Is it possible to get a pattern for the old fashion dress clothes pin holder? My mother made many of these as gifts years ago, but she said I lost part of her pattern. I don't remember.

 

Crafts Made With Wallpaper?I am looking for ideas for making easy crafts using wall paper leftovers.

 

Stubborn Oven Cleaner?The Stubborn oven cleaner says to take ammonia out and add vinegar and soda. Do you add the vinegar and soda to the ammonia?

 

Cleaning Varnished Wood?Can I use "Old English" on varnish applied on a boat? Will it simply clean the varnish, or will it hurt the finish in any way?

 

Indoor Wedding Locations in Central NJ?I am looking for an indoor wedding ceremony location. It is for a winter wedding. We already have a reception site. There will be approx. 150 guests. The wedding will be in the Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean County area (Central NJ). We were thinking of an indoor garden.

 

Homemade Laundry Soap?I am looking for a recipe for homemade laundry soap.

 

Spaghetti Sauce Stain on Clothing?How do you get spaghetti sauce out of a white sweater?

 

Blue Stains Showing Up on Washed Clothing?All of my white cotton clothes have started turning an aqua shade of blue after being washed in my washing machine. I also have this same color in my tub and shower. CLR gets the tub and shower clean, but nothing I've tried gets the stains out of my clothing!

 

Asking a Guy to a Tolo Dance?I need help asking my boyfriend to tolo.

 

Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy?I need help on laws regarding Pit Bulls. Can my vet take him from me? I took my 10 week old puppy in for his first check up today and the vet said he was severely aggressive.

 

Shingles Information?I am looking for information on Shingles.

 

Incubation Time for Finch Eggs?How many days does it take for a finch's egg to hatch?

 

Joining Strips Made on a Knifty Knitter?How do you join strips done on the Knifty Knitter?

 

Vegetable Beef Soup From Scratch?Does anyone have a recipe for homemade beef vegetable soup?

 

Removing Rust From Cast Iron?We use a cast iron pot filled with water on our wood stove for humidity. Rust has formed on the pot and I am not sure how to clean it. Any suggestions? Thank you.