June 24, 2010

Tuna SaladFlake fish. Combine with celery, pineapple an mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Serve on lettuce leaf. If desired, garnish with thin slices of twisted lime.

 

Frosty Peach SupremeA nice chilled dessert that tastes great especially in summer. Finely chop half of the peaches; place in a bowl. Stir in the yogurt. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into the crust.

 

Grandma's Hot DishBrown ground beef with salt and pepper, to taste. Add onion to ground beef towards end of browning ground beef. Mix minestrone and cream of mushroom soups and milk together thoroughly.

 

Chicken Stock SoupPlace chicken bones in kettle with 6 cups water. Add celery, onion, bay leaf, pepper corns, parsley,carrot, salt and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and simmer 1 hour. Cool a bit and strain, leaving broth.

 

Seashell SaladThis is a simple, basic recipe and you can add other things like tomatoes, cucumbers, meats, and/or cheeses to make it a complete hot-weather meal.

 

Cookies N Cream TrufflesThese are truly delicious and everyone will love them! They are the perfect for a gift or to just treat yourself.

 

Potato PinchosMix mayonnaise with capers, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper. Spread on rounds of potatoes and add your choice of toppings, such as chorizo, manchego, and olives. Skewer with toothpicks.

 

Cheese Ravioli with Tomato and Artichoke SauceI found this recipe at Allrecipes and decided to give it a try yesterday but I tweaked it by adding a wee bit of the artichoke marinade, using extra virgin olive oil instead of regular.

 

Use Sponges in Plant ContainersWhen introducing a water thirsty plant to a larger container, I go to the dollar store and buy some inexpensive sponges. I then cut them up into small pieces and introduce them all through the soil evenly down to the bottom of the pot.

 

Thrifty Ways For Small SpacesAs everybody longs for a calming haven that encourages relaxation, having a small bedroom is not a hindrance for such desire. Of course, tearing down your walls and expanding your room is not frugal in any way, so listed below are some tips that you can do without spending that much money.

 

Microwaving Baked PotatoesI was talking to my son and he told me that a number of guys were sitting around sharing single guy cooking hints. The subject came around to baked potatoes. A police officer friend said. "I just wrap mine in saran wrap and hit the potato button."

 

Crocheted Blue Jeans RugThis rug is made from about ten pairs of old, worn denim blue jeans in various shades of blue.

 

Cleaning a Wood DeckI use about 1/4 cup of dishwasher soap in a bucket of water as deck wash. I scrub with a push broom, then rinse really well. The deck comes out very clean without the cost of deck wash.

 

Collecting Dirt for Your GardenI have found this works great. Put a square of blanket, any side out in the yard. Secure it how you want, I use cinder blocks, rocks, or bricks. When you pull up weeds, throw them on the blanket and don't shake any of the dirt off of the root clot.

 

Joyful Noise Sea ChimesWindchimes made of sea things, beads, and recycled can lids seemed like a good fit for our deep sea-themed Bible School program. It will take two days.

 

Scenery: Dry Canyon, UtahI took this photo around sunset while we were hiking Dry Canyon in Utah. I love the colors. Unfortunately, as pretty as the picture turned out, it comes with a tragic story.

 

Fic the CatFic is a two month old crazy little cat. He likes to play with any kind of rope or even clothes. He enjoys to throw stuff around and hide. He also likes to hide everywhere and makes us search for him.

 

Buying Clothes You Will WearI have found that the key to getting a good clothing bargain whether at a thrift store or high-end store is to only buy if it is exactly what I like.

 

Garden: Magnolia BlossomThe Magnolia tree was magnificent! Each blossom sang out to me. Take my picture, no take my picture. Oh, which one to choose, they were all so beautiful, so settled on the silent and quiet one.

 

Make Your Own Jerky for DogsAn easy way to make treats and a great dental aid for your dog (and some cats too) is to cut strips of beef or turkey meat and dry them into jerky. Use the cheap cuts of meat, like skirt steak etc., as they are often tastier.

 

Keep Socks Together in LaundryCut a piece of 3/4 inch PVC pipe to make a ring approximately 1/8 inch thick. Sand the rough edges and you're good to go. Slip a pair of adult socks through the hole and throw in the dirty clothes basket.

 

Use Onion Powder on Individual ServingsSince I am the only person in my family that likes onions in my food, I use the dried onion powder in the spice section and sprinkle it on my food only. You could use this to save on the cost of buying onions.

 

Use Citronella Soap as Mosquito RepellentI tried the 50/50 baby oil and vinegar as a mosquito repellent and I still got bitten. I tried using citronella soap and put it all on my legs and arms and the mosquitoes did not bite me at all.

 

Garden: Pink CarnationsCarnations are one of my favorite flowers. These pink ones are growing in my garden.

 

Garden: LiliesThese are lilies in my garden.

 

Destroy Sensitive Papers by Soaking ThemHere's an idea if you have a large amount of paper that needs to be shredded and have a small shredder that can handle only so much or the motor gets hot if it runs too long.

 

Garden: Endless Summer HydrangeaThis is the most beautiful my hydrangea has ever bloomed. Two seasons we had late frost and it didn't bloom. It makes me smile!

 

Black Spots on Tomato Plant LeavesI have Roma and Grape tomato plants that have loads of fruit on them -- the vines are another story! They were all in good shape until a month ago, when leaves started turning yellow with black spots. I sprayed some insecticidal soap on them a few times, and cut off the bad foliage but they continued to deteriorate.

 

Scenery: Tornado (Zebulon, NC)This funnel cloud formed directly over the pasture right out my back door. However, I was too fascinated watching it form to run inside and get my cellphone to take a pic. This is what it looked like by the time I got my camera.

 

Websites To Get FreebiesI love freebie and get my daily clues as to where to snag them from these sites.

 

Tater (Red Eared Slider)Tater is a 1 and a half year old Red Eared Slider. Tater likes to Play in the garden. My landlord doesn't love it but Tater does. She is my baby and I look forward to having her for the rest of my life.

 

Hang Dry Your ClothesHanging clothes on the line not only helps to keep down the electric costs, but makes clothes smell so wonderful!. I have not dried my towels, which take so much time to dry, in a dryer for the past 3 years.

 

Drink Tap Water Instead of Bottled WaterOne of best tips is to buy a stainless steel jug and fill it with ice and tap water and refill the jug whenever you want. This is very economical, too. For every 1 gallon of bottled water you drink, it costs $10.00 (way more than a gallon of gas!)

 

Allie (German Short Hair)Allie is a German Short Hair who does not hunt. She sticks to me like glue. Also loves the camera, or least stays put when I take out the camera. She just turned 9 years.

 

Poppy (Toy Fox Terrier/Chihuahua Mix)Poppy is a 3 year old half Toy Fox Terrier and half Chihuahua. My brother Bobby has Poppy's Mom and Dad; their names are Lilli and T-Bone. We got Poppy when he was 8 weeks old and was as small as a pack of cigarettes. Poppy loves to tease us with his ropes and bones.

 

Sam (Labrador)Sam is a 10 week old lab that I got from my daughter for Mother's day. Sam likes to play with the kitten and has a wonderful personality.

 

Robin's NestThis nest was built in our mulberry tree by our front walkway. We took pictures from beginning to end. What an experience for my 9 year old!

 

Bag Styrofoam Packing Peanuts Upon ArrivalBe kind to the environment. Grab a bag when receiving a package with foam packing "peanuts" and place the pieces into the bag immediately; tying off the top when done. Should you have a need to use this type of packaging you have them right at hand.

 

Make Your Own Single Serving DessertsI got this idea from the single serving desserts that are on the market. I buy a cookie or cake mix and put a few tablespoons of the batter in a single serving Pyrex dish, any small microwave safe cup or bowl will do.

 

Rewiring an Older Sewing Machine?My sewing machine is so old that the wires are showing the copper threads (can see them from the motor). Is it possible that it can be rewired or else, what? I love that Goodhousekeeper machine and feel bad about throwing it away. Its serial number is JA23 LG33.

 

Raw Egg Smell in a Car?How do you get rid of raw egg smell in a car?

 

Building a Birdbath?I am looking for the easiest way to build a outside bird bath.

 

Removing Lint from Clothing?My cleaning lady washed some sheets that had some Kleenex with them. I believe it shredded and when I used the washing machine to wash a dark load, the Kleenex got all over the clothes. Two black pair of women's pants are now impossible to get clean.

 

Anyone Know the Starter for Amish Friendship Bread Recipe?I am looking for the recipe for the starter for friendship bread. The one I used to have makes like a cinnamon bread. Does anybody know what I am talking about? I would appreciate it!

 

Cleaning Indoor/Outdoor Carpet?I spilled some fresh chicken broth (quite a bit) on the indoor/outdoor carpet outside my door. I cleaned it up, but it was a very hot day and now there is a rancid smell coming from the carpet. Does anyone have any tips on odor elimination? Any household remedies?

 

Incubation Time for Duck Eggs?We have a wild duck on our boat. She laid 7 eggs. How long does it take for them to hatch? When we use the boat she takes off. She seems to come back and sit on them.

 

Drying Time for Kilz Primer Before Sanding?How long should Kilz dry before sanding?

 

Removing Hair Dye from the Bathroom Wall?Does anyone know how to get red hair dye off of a newly painted light green bathroom wall? I used hairspray, ammonia, and gentle Soft Scrub. They haven't worked. I'm afraid to use bleach as it might turn it white. Any ideas?

 

Buying Nuts and Bolts for a Sofa Bed?Please help. I bought a sofa bed. The problem I have is that it came with no nuts and bolts. Is there a way I can get that information for what I would need? I realize there are different sofa beds. But what do you recommend?

 

Making a Robe From Towels?I remember (from the 1960s), caftans my friends had made out of towels. I seem to remember one horizontally for the yoke (with a slit for your head to go through), one for the front, and one for the back. They were nice for wearing to and from the showers...

 

Puppy is Sick After Parvo Shot?Why is my puppy sick after her parvo and dewormer shots?

 

Treating Dry, Brittle Nails?My nails grow long then they always break very low near the cuticle. It is always a horizontal break and it's halfway across my nail bed. I cut it down as low as I can, but the break is still there. I was wondering if there was any nail repair that would help?

 

Getting Rid of Coyotes?I live in a country setting, with a large canyon behind my house. Recently, 5 coyote pups (about 1/2 grown) started coming on my deck, with their mother watching in the near distance. I try to chase them away with a BB gun and yelling at them, but they keep coming back.

 

Digging and Storing Tulip Bulbs?I would like to know when to dig up tulip bulbs and how to store them?

 

What Breed is My Dog?We adopted Hershey when he was 6 weeks old from a high kill shelter in West Virginia. He was there with his mom who was a Border Collie mix (couldn't figure out what the mix was). The shelter thought he could be a Border Collie/Shepherd mix.

 

Getting Worms Off Fresh Broccoli?How do you get worms off fresh broccoli?

 

Sprinkle Used Coffee Grounds Around Plants?To keep your potted flowers and vegetables growing really well, take a plastic jug or bottle and fill it with water and add a few tablespoonfuls of used coffee grounds. Let this stand a few days then use it to water your plants every other time you water.

 

Giving Plants a Soapy Water Bath for Insect Control?I have heard that "soapy water" baths are good for plants in order to avoid insects or plant plagues. Is there any truth to this? If not, what can I do when their leaves seem to have been eaten by an insect?

 

Painting Walls Different Colors in a Bedroom?I am painting my bedroom and was wondering if I use two different colors is it better to: Paint one wall one color and three walls the other color. Or: Paint two walls one color and two walls the other color.

 

Better Litterbox for Cat Who Pees Over the Side?My female cat does not squat when she pees and therefore it goes everywhere. I've tried different litter boxes and have gone to a 17 inch high tote and she still goes over the edge.

 

Black Spots on Tomato Plant Leaves?I have a tomato planted in a pot and now it has black spots all over it. What can I do? Is it a bug?

 

New Solenoid in Ice Maker Remains Open Too Long?I have a side by side Kenmore fridge, I just replaced the ice maker water solenoid because it had stuck open and burned up (flooding the kitchen). Upon installation the new one stays open way too long, as well. What would cause the solenoid to remain open too long.

 

Keeping Squirrels Out of the Garden?How do I get rid of chipmunks and squirrels in my garden, without hurting them?

 

Growing Plants Without Soil?Back in the mid 70s there was a company that offered their house plants through home parties. The plants were grown in some kind of lava looking pebbles and did not use soil at all. You watered with their plant food solution each time you watered.

 

Keeping Woodpeckers Out of Hummingbird Feeder?How do you keep woodpeckers away from a humming bird feeder? Two days ago this little black and white woodpecker showed up and he is able to get his beak in the holes and makes a big mess with the syrup and chases away the birds. Any ideas?

 

Female Cat Peeing Everywhere?I have two cats, 16 and 19 years old, both spayed. They both eat a low protein vet cat food to help with an early stage kidney problem the oldest has. They have two oversize litter boxes that are kept clean, no change in the litter brand.

 

Saving My Plants from Japanese Beetles?Does anyone know anything that will get rid of Japanese beetles? They are destroying my cherry tree, by eating all of the leaves.

 

Overcoming Boredom After Retirement?What do I do now that I am retired and bored?

 

Locating the Fuse on a Refrigerator?Where is the fuse on a Frigidaire Gallery GLRT13TEW refrigerator?

 

Homemade Squirrel Repellent?I need a recipe for squirrel repellent that does not keep the birds away too. I found one made with cayenne powder, but that will hurt the birds, won't it? These rodents eat a small fortune in birdseed!

 

Homemade Graduation Gift Ideas for Friends?I would like some suggestions on cute, fun, high school graduation gifts for my girlfriends! We all graduated the first week of June and will be going to different schools in the fall. We are all making the gifts (there are 9 of us, so I will be making something for 8 girls).

 

Yellow Spots on Lawn from Dog?My lawn has yellow spots. My back yard is common ground. How do I get rid of the numerous yellow spots from my neighbor's dog urine and prevent the dog from pooping on occasion in my yard, especially near my patio.