May 11, 2010

Pecan DelightLight and buttery, oh so good. Cream margarine, shortening and sugar until fluffy and sugar dissolves. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; mix slowly into creamed mixture.

 

Cajun Style Jucy Lucy BurgersI first came across a recipe for a Jucy Lucy Burger (yes, that's the proper spelling) at Allrecipes and was intrigued that they said it is a Minnesota favorite so decided to research it further.

 

Mother's Pot RoastBrown beef well on all sides in Dutch oven. Sprinkle well with Accent, salt and pepper. Add celery seed, oregano, vinegar and sliced onion. Cover tightly; simmer on low heat, turning occasionally about 3 1/12 hours.

 

Pork Chops Buried in DressingBuried beneath a layer of delicious sage dressing, you'll find tender pork chops, seasoned and browned first in a heavy skillet. Served with just a tossed salad or maybe an English Pea Salad, it is a wonderful and tasty meal.

 

Banana Oatmeal CookiesMix ingredients in order given. Drop by teaspoonful on greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.

 

Creamy Seafood Garlic PastaBring a large pot of water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook two minutes less than package directions. Add fish, asparagus, bell pepper and peas and cook until the pasta is tender and the shrimp are cooked, 2 to 4 minutes more.

 

Fresh Broccoli SaladEnjoy some fresh broccoli, beans, onion and cheese with an Italian dressing.

 

Better Than Sex Oreo PieThis is a delicious, succulent dessert. Full of sweet flavor and good for any occasion even picnics! When being served, you must get it on your plate with your regular meal because, by the time dessert time comes around, it WILL be gone.

 

Scrubbing Bubbles as a Spot Rug CleanerFor those of us that have pets, especially cats, I have found that a can of Scrubbing Bubbles is the best thing you can have in your cleaning arsenal.

 

Lil Missy (Shih Tzu)Lil Missy is 4 months in this picture (Easter). She is a Shih Tsu (sheed zoo). Lil Missy is my Birthday gift, I'm 52. I have always wanted a small doggie. Lil Missy is three 1/2 pounds. Lil Missy is like a baby doll, a baby that won't grow up to be big.

 

Garden: Dwarf ChameleonWe can go for months without seeing any chameleons in our garden. This little guy was walking across the grass when our dogs spotted him. He stood his ground and hissed at them. You can see just how small he is compared to my husband's finger.

 

Fresh Apple Cake Cream sugars and margarine, then stir in eggs. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with the milk. Add chopped apples. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 inch baking pan.

 

One-Seam Bath Towel Turban CraftWe all love to wrap a towel around our freshly washed hair before we dash to the kitchen to start breakfast or whatever, but halfway there the towel is already coming loose. Use one of your extra towels to make this simple and fast turban that will stay in place.

 

Use Back Sack as a Backpack OrganizerI recently found an ingenious use for a drawstring back sack - a backpack organizer! I use a large backpack as a diaper bag then put one diaper, changing pad, wipes, and bib into the smaller drawstring back sack. I put the back sack into the backpack.

 

Use Toothpick to Mark End of TapeNeed help finding the end of packaging/scotch tape? Place a toothpick under the end. It will be easy to remove and replace with no tape wasted.

 

Molly (Samoyed)Molly is 6 week old Samoyed. I bred her. She likes to do dog shows. She is as sweet as she is in the photo.

 

My Frugal Life: No House Or Car PaymentThree years ago my husband and I sold our home. We made enough off of the sale to buy a mobile home and 2 - 1/2 acres of land. The upside of this is, our home is paid for, no mortgage. The downside is we are on a dirt road, which turns to mud during a lot of rain.

 

Coat Utensils with Oil for Sticky IngredientsWhen making peanut butter cookies, coat your measuring cup with oil before measuring peanut butter. It will make the cleanup easier.

 

Plan a Bring and Barter EventAt my school, we are just about to start organizing our second annual Bring and Barter event. After the great success of the first one, we are hoping for even more happiness and learning from this one.

 

Scenery: Rogue RiverPretty views of the Rogue River, first thing in the morning at sunrise.

 

Photo Memory WallpaperI used leftover photos from my scrapbook projects. I made a memory wall for my son so he can look at pictures of fun times with friends and relatives everyday. The rest of the family enjoys it too.

 

Sterilize Toothbrushes in the Dish WasherDo yourself a favor and sterilize your toothbrushes in the dishwasher at least once a month.

 

PansiesThese pansies re-seed year after year in an old wooden planter just over the rail of my patio in the apartment building courtyard.

 

Scenery: Branson, MOThis was our trip to Branson, MO last year. It rained a lot while we were there.

 

Graduation Gift Basket IdeasStart with a container of any size (depending on your budget). I use a plastic dorm size garbage can, laundry basket or desk accessory and fill it with items needed upon graduation.

 

Chance (Manx?)This is Chance. We think he is about 2 or 2 1/2 years old. His previous owners (how I detest that word) said he is a Manx, but in looking around I am more apt to say he is a Japanese Short-tail.

 

Shop for Craft Supplies at Thrift StoresThis is a thrifty sewing tip and a word of caution. The second hand store is a good place to pick up sewing supplies. I bought a one gallon bag full of miscellaneous supplies. I got at least $30.00 worth of usable supplies in a bag I paid $2.00 for.

 

Keep Leftovers for Soup in Your FreezerDuring my maternity leave we had only one income and I looked for ways to cut back on food bills. I kept cut-off tops/bottoms of carrots, asparagus, potato peels, cabbage cores, and any other veggie I used and placed them in the freezer.

 

Need 40th Birthday Party Centerpiece Ideas?I'm having a 40th birthday party for my husband. I have no ideas on what to do about a centerpiece. He loves baseball, Jeeps, and electronics. Please help.

 

Getting Rid of Fire Ants?To kill fire ants, boil a pot of water and pour it on your garden bed. The water will kills them instantly and they will not return. The bigger the pot the better.

 

Removing Cooking Oil From Clothing?I had a very large area of fresh Wesson oil on a pair of dark brown cotton slacks, so I just saturated the entire pair of slacks in the oil. Should I use a cup of Dawn to neutralize it and let set 24 hours and wash in very warm water? Any suggestions?

 

Ideas for Food Donations for Teacher Luncheon?I am responsible for a teacher luncheon that will be serving 250. We ask for donations from the school's community. I use a sign up website to post the donations and to keep from getting too much of one thing. In the past I have found that people are too busy to cook...

 

Can an Odor Build Up on Clothes from Dryer Sheets?Concerning dryer sheets, can an odor build up on your clothes?

 

Turn Off Unused Lights?Does it cost more to leave lights on or to turn them off and on? I was raised that when you leave a room, you turn off the lights. My husband says to leave lights on and turn them off when you're completely finished for the day.

 

Putting New Self Stick Tiles Over Old Ones?I have put self stick tile down years ago in both bathrooms and easily removed the linoleum first. Now after 18 years I want to put a solid color self stick down. Can I put the new self stick on top of the old?

 

How Do I Remove Stains from Dried Laundry?After washing all of my son's clothes in one load, I was distracted and forgot they were in the washer. The next day when I remembered I quickly washed them again. Then put them in the dryer not paying attention.

 

Comparing Weight Loss Programs?I am looking for feedback from anyone who has used the Professional Weight Management program. How does this program work? Also, I am interested in info from anyone who has used Jenny Craig vs. Nutrisystem. Please help. I've got to lose this weight.

 

Homemade Sudsy Ammonia?Can someone please give me a recipe to make sudsy ammonia? I've been everywhere in Houston and can't find it anywhere. I don't know what it's made out of, but so many recipes are offered here that you must have sudsy ammonia among them.

 

Dye from Jeans Transferred to Shirt?How can I remove blue jean dye from an orange colored shirt?

 

Removing Nail Polish from Laminate Cabinets?How do I remove red nail polish from my laminated breakfast bar kitchen cabinets? It is where my daughter sat on a bar stool and worked on her computer. There are streaks of red polish on two of the lower doors. Please help. Thanks in advance.

 

Homemade Cat Treat Recipe?Does anyone have a recipe to make cat treats? I have 4 cats and would love to make them some homemade treats. Thank you.

 

Discontinued Wallpaper Border: Happy Days by Three Sisters Studio?I am looking for discontinued wallpaper border: Happy Days by Three Sisters Studio, record border, page 153.

 

Hardware Choice for a Kitchen With Stainless Appliances?I am considering stainless steel kitchen appliances. I have honey oak cabinets. Must the stainless changes be made to all hardware, such as pulls, hinges, overhead lighting, etc.?

 

Microwave Coffee Mug Cake Using Cake Mix?I've lost the recipe for the coffee cup cake. Please help me find it again.

 

Treadle Sewing Machines Information?I have a Singer treadle machine model, #w20841. I cannot thread it. Any ideas how I can find out?

 

Nail Polish Stain In Bathtub?How do I remove nail polish from the bath tub?

 

Preventing Weeds In a Flower Garden?How do I stop weeds in my flower beds? I pull them up, turn the soil over, and within two weeks they are back with vengeance.

 

Polishing Silver with Household Products?What is a homemade way to polish a silver dish?

 

Writing a Brief Community Service Congratulatory Speech?I need help with a short sentence congratulating a person receiving a community service award.

 

Keeping Cats from Getting Under the House?My cats keep getting under our house. They are getting in through the vents in the foundation. How can we stop them from getting in through the vents, since we can't completely stop the vents up?

 

Buying Scrapbook or Craft Paper On-line?What website do you use to purchase scrapbook or craft paper? I need craft/scrapbook paper sheets, in a large quantity and in citrus colors. Preferably it would be printed front and back.

 

Stevia Leaves Turning Brown?I am growing a potted stevia plant. On windy days I bring it inside. A few days ago, I noticed tiny little bugs flying around its base. I have checked for them every day since and haven't seen them again.

 

Color Ideas for Nook Upholstery in Burgundy and White Kitchen?My kitchen has burgundy walls and winter white cupboards. I have a kitchen nook that needs to be recovered. I must keep in mind small grandchildren. I would appreciate some colors that I could choose from.

 

Centerpiece Ideas for an 85th Birthday?Please help me with centerpiece ideas for my father in-law's 85th birthday. The colors I am using are teal, brown, ivory, and gold. I will have balloon clusters hanging from the ceiling with gold star balloons in between the clusters.

 

Sleepover Ideas?I am looking for ideas for a 9 year old sleepover.

 

Making Curtains from Comforter?I have found a second hand, king comforter the same as the one I currently have on my bed. I have 5 windows that I have not been able to treat affordably. The material of the comforters is a gold on red, good quality material.

 

Flowers for Apartment Container Garden?I live in an apartment and would like to plant some summer flowers that are easy to grow, like geraniums, in a pot and put them on the porch. I have a very small closed in porch and only have room for about 2 large pots and maybe also hang a rectangular one on the banister (handrail).