May 25, 2010

Earl Grey Tea ChocolateThis almost isn't a recipe, it's so easy! Squares of Earl Grey Tea Chocolate would make a beautiful gift or addition to a gift basket. Best of all, you can still drink the tea after flavoring the chocolate!

 

Oven Mashed PotatoesWhip potatoes and cream cheese. Add egg, onion, pimentos, salt and pepper. Whip. May be chilled and kept 3-4 days before baking or frozen indefinitely.

 

Balsamic VinaigretteWhisk all ingredients together and serve.

 

Garden Herb BreadQuick, moist and any herbs will work, fresh or dried.

 

Cheesy Chili LogMix cream cheese, salsa and chili seasoning mix together in medium size bowl; mix well. Shape into log and top with cheese and/or nuts.

 

Raisin Oatmeal BarsMix margarine and sugars together. Add egg and vanilla and mix to combine. Add flour, baking soda and salt and mix well. Finally add Rice Krispies, raisins and oatmeal.

 

Make Ahead Pizza CasseroleMix hamburger and seasonings well and layer over spaghetti. Layer remaining layers in the above order. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Remove and let set to room temperature.

 

Chinese Cabbage SaladCrumble noodles and add sesame seed and slivered almonds. Toast in oven at 300 degrees F. Watch carefully. Cool. Fix cabbage, pepper and onion the day before, if desired.

 

Grilled Chipotle Chicken Sweet and Spicy! I like to have this with rice lightly tossed with warmed mild salsa (Ortega is my favorite) with guacamole and chips on the side.

 

Kit (Tabby)Kit is a 8 month (May 2010 - picture at 3 months) old Tabby. A kind friend of mine knew how we longed for a cat; since our Oreo ran away. So, when her cat gave birth, we got first pick. Kit.

 

My Frugal Life: Thinking TwiceOne of the difficult things about being frugal is when you see others doing what you would like to do. At the mall where I shop, there are a lot of cafes and eateries. Delicious smells in the air. People sitting, talking and eating and I realize I am HUNGRY.

 

Removing Gum From a DryerTo remove chewing gum from the inside of the dryer, take a dryer sheet and wet with water. Stick the wet dryer sheet on top of the gummy mess and leave there for 15 minutes, then wipe the gum off.

 

Purchase Birdhouses At Thrift StoresIn the wood/basket section, I often find birdhouses for 99 cents! Many of them were made for decorative purposes, but can easily be converted for use by birds.

 

Warming Lamp for CatsHere in the Pacific Northwest, we have a lot of days with no sunshine. My cat loves to find a sunny spot and sleep. He looked so bored the other day that I put a kitty bed on my desk and swung the free arm desk lamp, which has a 75 watt bulb in it over the kitty bed.

 

Picking A Potato VarietyCertain types of potatoes are best for baking. Others are best suited for boiling, making into French fries, chips, salads, or even casseroles. Ultimately, the variety you choose will have a major impact on the taste and quality of your potato dishes.

 

Scenery: Sunset (Livonia, MI)This photo was taken on the Sunday after New Year's day 2010. I was coming home from work that day and I decided to stop at Sears which is located on Seven Mile Middlebelt in Livonia, MI. I took the picture before leaving the parking lot.

 

Use Dental Plackers As Plant MarkersReuse dental plackers as name tags in seeding containers in your garden. They are easy to write on with a marker and already have a point so you can stick them in the soil in your containers. As your seedlings spring up you will know exactly what is in each container.

 

Attach Remote to TV With VelcroFor those of us who are always losing the TV remote, here's what I do. I put a strip of Velcro on the back of the TV and another strip closest to where I watch the TV, next to a table or desk. I put the other side of the velcro on the back of the remote.

 

Making Hot Cereal Without LumpsWe had always boiled the water first and stirred in the hot cereal. I've discovered you can avoid lumps if you don't boil the water first, but instead put the right amount of water in the pan then put in the right amount of cereal before turning on the heat.

 

Garden: Whiskey Mack RoseIsn't that a funny name for such a pretty rose? It is very fragrant. It changes from an orange bud to this apricot peach color to pale creamy yellow during it's bloom life cycle.

 

Brush Hair Before Washing to Avoid TanglesThis is such a simple thing, but it works so well to reduce tangles when you shampoo. Brush your hair just as you would if getting ready to go out. Then, lean over, and flip your hair over your face and brush really well all the way from the scalp to the ends of the hair.

 

Make Chicken Broth From Rotisserie ChickensWhen I purchase a rotisserie chicken, I strip the meat from the bones and use the bones and non-meaty part of the chicken wings to make chicken broth for my next batch of chicken soup, some of which I freeze in ice cube trays for a quick cup-of-soup.

 

Lovey (Shih Tzu - Yorkie)Lovey is a 5 month old Shorkie (shitzu and yorkie). My son's karate teacher was selling puppies for a friend. I went to pick up my son and was greeted with him holding this tiny puppy, I fell in love and, $50 later, she was home with us.

 

Bailey (Dachshund)Bailey is a 7 year old Dachshund. His Mom his a blue dapple Dachshund, and His dad is a black and tan Dachshund. I got him when he was a baby from one of my friends.

 

Video And Link: Depression Era Cooking With ClaraJust wanted to take a minute to recommend to everyone that they go to You Tube and look up Great Depression Cooking. There you will find Clara Cannucciari. She gives wonderful recipes and tips as well as recalling the difficult times during the Great Depression.

 

Pooky (Black Lab)My pet's name is Pooky. She is a fifteen year old black lab. I got Pooky about a year ago at a shelter in Salem, Massachusetts.

 

Homemade Air FreshenerI was always uncomfortable using the bathroom fresheners knowing that they are chemical. I take a laundry spray bottle, fill it with water and about 20 drops of essential oil which I buy in the health food store.

 

Use Candle Trays For PerfumesI looked everywhere for nice trays to display perfumes and hold other items on my counter-top in my newly remodeled bath. It finally dawned on me to look at the candle trays in the candle section of a local department store and local arts and crafts store.

 

Revitalize Old ClothesI've just changed the buttons on an old coat and it looks just like a new one. I buy buttons in thrift stores (where you can find horn, mother-of-pearl, or brass ones) or take them off other pieces of clothing. I also often dye clothes, particularly woolens, to revitalize them.

 

Watch Out for Lead Content in Crystal BeadsSwarovski (Austrian) crystals are gorgeous and shine brilliantly. But what makes them so dangerous is the very high lead in them. I refuse to use them for that very reason. Semi-precious stones, gemstones, and even glass beads can be used to make very pretty items.

 

Computer Only Operates in Safe Mode After Adding Memory?Memory was added to a Dell computer, now it only operates in the safe mode. Does anyone have this problem and how do you fix this?

 

Training Dog Not to Bark at Other Dogs?How do I stop my 3 year old lab from barking at dogs walking past outside?

 

Treating a House Lizard Bite?Last night a house lizard unfortunately fell from the ceiling and went under my bed. I was in it fast sleep, off from my office work. I didn't notice that, but in the morning I had been bitten on my right leg in 3 to 4 areas were it became a red spot like a cherry.

 

Ridding My Yard of Moles?How do I get rid of moles in my yard?

 

What Breed is My Dog?What do you think my little boy is mixed with? I believe him to be Min Pin and possibly Basenji. He has the characteristic curly cue tail. I adopted him from a shelter 3 months ago and have only heard him bark twice. He doesn't yodel, but when I return home he hums and whines.

 

Using Lava Sand for Flowers and Veggies?Is lava sand good for my flower beds and vegetable gardens?

 

Paint Color Advice for Painting Countertops ?I want to do something to my kitchen, it's small. I have light wood cabinets and medium wood floor. My countertops are light tan and I want to paint them, but I don't know what color to use.

 

Male Cat Drips a Bit of Urine?My cat just stands still and a drop comes out. It doesn't appear to smell. I took him to the vet and nothing is wrong with him. Can you help?

 

Removing Red Mud Stains on House Foundation?How do you get red mud stains off of your home's foundation?

 

Silly Putty on Microfiber?I need help removing silly putty form microfiber.

 

Keeping Deep Fry Oil From Becoming Rancid?Why does the oil stored in my electric fryer begin to smell like paint thinner and get rancid? Is there a way to stop this from happening? Thanks.

 

Buying Inexpensive Wedding Candelabras?Does anyone know where I could buy some (inexpensive) candelabras? They would be used for a wedding and I'm more interested in the arch ones and the spiral ones. So far the ones I've found are $400-$600 each. If you can share anything please let me know! Thank you.

 

What is Spirit of Salts?Does anyone know what "spirit of salts" is? Someone from New Zealand wrote in and she wanted to know if they would get rid of tree stumps. She never got an answer and I can't email her to find out.

 

What Breed is My Dog?Is my dog an OFRN (Old Family Red Nose Pit Bull)?

 

40th Birthday Gift Ideas for Women?I need gift ideas for my daughter's 40th birthday.

 

Robbyn's Friendly Freezer?What happened to Robbyn's Friendly Freezer? I need the recipes. I miss the site and can't find it anywhere!

 

Making a Cupcake Shaped Flower Arrangement?I saw a "cupcake" that is a small floral arrangement and I'd like to make one of my own. The "paper cupcake liner" looks to be a small terra cotta pot with ridges. The "cupcake frosting" is actually a mound of white carnations.

 

Is it Normal for a Cat to Have Black Ear Wax?My male cat has had black slimy secretions from the right ear, as of the last few weeks. Since both my cats are on the once monthly, behind the back of the neck medicine, I took him to the Vet.

 

Making Butterflies from CDs?I am looking for butteries or other animals, like fish, made from compact discs. Thanks.

 

Gluten Free Recipes?I was diagnosed with non-Celiac gluten intolerance, which basically means I am allergic to gluten. I'm relieved to learn this disease is treatable without medication; however, I have to remove all forms of gluten from my diet.