July 23, 2010

Cherry Fudge CakeMix cake ingredients together by hand and bake in 9x13 inch greased pan at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. To make frosting: boil sugar, milk and margarine for 1 minute and take off heat.

 

August PieA custard/fruit pie that's fantastic because you can use whatever fruit is in season.

 

Chicken Salad SandwichesMy husband and I have been doing mostly no-cook lunches and dinners in order to keep the house cooler this summer. I made this up in the kitchen yesterday wanting to turn an ordinary canned chicken and mayo sandwich dinner into something with a little pizazz.

 

Grandmother's Cookies (Bisquit a' Memere)These delicious sandwich type cookies are just about everyone at our house's favorites. We were introduced to them from a delightful French Canadian lady living in MA.

 

Yumonion RingsSo tasty with burgers straight off the grill and don't forget a splash or so of hot sauce mixed in to a side of catsup for dipping to really spice them up ;-)

 

Orange Almond SaladCombine and shake all dressing ingredients, then refrigerate. Combine the almonds and sugar in skillet until coated and browned. Mix with lettuce or spinach, mandarin oranges and green onions.

 

Honey-Ancho Chile ButterDelicious on corn on cob, roasted sweet potatoes, or cornbread. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in small skillet over medium-low heat. Add chile powder and cumin; stir 10 seconds. Transfer to medium bowl; stir in honey and cool.

 

Bagel (German Shepherd)This is our new puppy, Bagel, a German Shepherd mix that we rescued from the shelter.

 

Foxy (Shiba Inus)Foxy is a 1 year old Shiba Inu.

 

Wildlife: Ground Squirrel (OR)How adorable! I took this photo at Crater Lake, Oregon.

 

Let Dough Rise In Warm SunI like to bake my own bread because I know exactly what is in it. During the summer, the dough doesn't rise as well, because my air conditioning makes it cool in my house. Yesterday, the obvious hit me! DUH - put the dough out in the sun!

 

Sweet Pea (Tabby)Sweet Pea is a 2 year old Tabby (Midget). She was born a runt in one of our litters. She likes to snuggle. She is everything her name stands for, very sweet!

 

Travel: Old Time Tractor (North Dakota)This was a picture taken by me in my home town in North Dakota at Steam Threshers Days. This tractor and several others have been a part of the show for several years.

 

Use Toothpaste as Exfoliater for Face and SkinI use a small amount of baking soda toothpaste named after the maker of baking soda to wash my face with.

 

Shop in Small Animal Section for Bird Toys and TreatsIf you have parrots, which I do, I find that the toys and treats are very expensive! What I started doing, at the suggestion of my breeder, is to look in the hamster/gerbil/rodent section at Petco/Petsmart.

 

Scenery: San Francisco Peaks (Flagstaff, AZ)I was born and raised in Flagstaff, AZ, home of the San Francisco Peaks, affectionately called "The Peaks". This is a sacred mountain for the Hopi and Navajo and is truly a special place. When I go back to visit, I always know I'm "home" when I see them.

 

Clean Crock Pot With Denture TabletsTo clean a crock pot, fill it with water. Drop two or three denture tablets in and leave overnight to soak.

 

Use Aluminum Foil as Pot ScrubberWhen camping, use aluminum foil as a pot scrubber. Simply wad it up into a ball.

 

Garden TomatoesMy grandsons (David Lane 3, Kolby 2, Rex almost 2) and I planted a small garden with tomatoes, cucumbers,and flowers. The pics are David Lane's first red tomato and Rex the Plant Whisperer.

 

Funny: Why Dinner Was LateI came home from work, planning to cook dinner and bake a nice lemon blueberry cake. After I got through laughing, taking pictures, and cleaning up the mess, there was only time for a slightly late dinner!

 

My Frugal Life: Oddball Of The FamilyI am considered the odd ball in our family as I am frugal. My family cannot believe that I do not take elaborate vacations, that I have not traded in my eight year old car, that I do not buy things from the mall.

 

How and When to Prune Your ClematisWith their gorgeous vines and showy flowers, the clematis is a favorite among many gardeners. Although these perennial vines don't typically need much maintenance, established plants do benefit from occasional pruning.

 

Use Central Air Fan to Save EnergyWhen it gets very hot in the summer and my central air conditioning doesn't seem to be able to get everything equally cool, instead of running extra fans in rooms where there are no ceiling fans, I use the fan setting on the central air.

 

Washing SuedeI have a brown suede skirt that I LOVE but when I took it to have it dry-cleaned, they wanted $50! I don't love it enough to spend a couple hundred dollars a year to clean it. I thanked the woman behind the counter but said, "No Thanks."

 

School Supply Shopping TipsWhatever happened to my FREE public education? Honestly, between "renting" the required text book; the locker, sports fees and equipment; yearbooks.

 

Household Hints from the 1960sI love looking through old books full of hints that worked beautifully well in the past. Here are several I thought you would enjoy (and laugh with me about the "typewriter" hint!):

 

Keep Wet Towel in Refrigerator to Cool OffI keep a sopping-wet micro fiber towel in a sealed Ziploc baggie in my refrigerator. I use the towel to wet myself down when heat gets to be too much. I then rinse the towel, wet it again to level of "soppiness", and cool in the refrigerator.

 

Basic Block QuiltChristmas will be here before we know it. Time to decide on handmade gifts for those you love. This is a basic simple quilt that is lightweight and very warm. You'll get lots of compliments on your handmade personal gift.

 

Reviews of Martha Stewart's Low VOC Paint?Has anyone tried the new Martha Stewart low VOC paints being sold at the Home Depot? How is the coverage? How is the consistency? How is the finish? How does it wear? Any special tips on how to use it?

 

Rust in the Microwave?Has any one ever had rust in the bottom of there microwave and what did you do about it? I have a General Electric microwave that has rust in the bottom, but is still working fine. the microwave is 1 and 1/2 years old. I have contacted GE about this, but warranty was only for 1 year.

 

Buying Alba 77?Where can I buy the Diet Drink Alba 77? I used to buy it back in the late 70s. I love that stuff and it really helped me lose weight. I really need to find it. Please help.

 

Freezer Jam Too Runny?I tried making peach freezer jam and followed the instructions to a T. It is almost finished sitting out for 24 hours and it looks like it may not be quite thick enough. It looks a bit watery. Any ideas as to why?

 

Low Cost Vet Clinic In or Near San Pablo California?Where can I get low cost vet help? I am a single father with an 11 year old daughter. We have a dog that got bitten by the neighbor's dog and he might need stitches. Can someone refer me to a vet hospital that can help me with this problem? I do have 200.00 dollars for tomorrow.

 

Recipe for Chinese Buffet Korean Chicken and Peppers?At two of our favorite Chinese buffet type restaurants, we have seen and tasted a dish called "Korean Chicken and Peppers". The chicken breast (is sliced thin, but not in strips). It is bright yellow in color and I think it is fried.

 

Training a Pit Bull?I have two Red Nose Pits. They are brothers and are about 11 weeks old. I can't seem to get them trained not to pee or poop in the house. Also, they bite on things all the time and play fight with each other a lot and they sometimes leave scars on one another.

 

How Can I Tell if I Have a Flea Problem Indoors?I was sitting down on my couch the other day when a small bug that resembled a flea jumped on me. I caught it right away and killed it. I live on a farm and there are lots of bugs, I have not found any bugs on my animals or their beddings.

 

Reviews of Aurawave Pain Reliever?Has anyone tried the AuraWave that is currently being sold on late night TV? I'd love to hear your opinions! Thanks in advance.

 

Recipe for Lunch Meat Casserole?Does anyone know a recipe for a lunch meat casserole? I have a ton of leftover lunch meat and I don't want to freeze it. I thought of a casserole because I know my hubby really likes them. I am open to ideas.

 

Can I Paint a Concrete Floor in a Bathroom?Regarding the "painting concrete floors" questions; I have a bathroom in my basement, with a toilet, sink, and shower stall. Can I paint the concrete floor in the bathroom? Or will the moisture from the shower ruin the floor?

 

Removing Odors From Garbage Can?How do I get rid of the rotten smell in the wheelie bin (garbage bin)?

 

Planning Your Own Birthday Party?My birthday was yesterday and I haven't planned a party yet. I hope to have it sometime in August. What I have thought of is inviting 13 girls and 3 guys ( two of them are my friends' boyfriends that I'm friends with and the other one is a friend with most of my friends ).

 

Recipe for Black Bottom Zucchini Bars?I tried making the black bottom zucchini bars and there must be an ingredient missing. Can someone clarify?

 

Older Kenmore Washer Does Not Agitate or Spin?My Kenmore washer (probably 15 years old) has suddenly stopped agitating and spinning. It fills with water, sits there without agitating during the wash cycle, pumps the water out, but does not spin. So, the timer is fine and the pump is fine. Any ideas?

 

Removing Smoke Odor from a Wheelchair Upholstery and Padding?I just got a wheel chair from a family who had a fire. It has the foam cloth seat and back rest and the rest is metal or rubber. Does anyone know how to get the fire odor out?

 

Replacing a Bathtub Drain?Our bathtub drain cannot open because it is corroded shut. How do we replace the drain?

 

Low Cost or Free Vet Practice Near Novi Michigan?Please help! My dog is sick and needs medical help. He is losing weight, (3 more lbs in past 2 weeks for a total weight loss of 9 lbs). His symptoms are lethargia, and about 4x's a day gagging like there's something caught in his throat.

 

What Type of Doctor to See for Muscle Spasms?What type of doctor do I see for muscle spasms?

 

Reconstituting Dried Gel Eyeliner?I bought gel eyeliner and when I opened it, it was as hard as a rock. Do you have any ideas how to melt it? I tried putting it in a glass of hot water, but had no luck.