July 26, 2010

Peanut Butter Cup CocoaThe combination of the peanut and cocoa is perfect! It's simple and easy to make also.

 

Grilled Feta TomatoesLightly oil the grill and preheat to medium heat. Slice off the top of each tomato and use a spoon to hollow out the seeds and watery juices. Sprinkle the inside with pepper and rub olive oil on to the outside of the tomatoes, coating well.

 

Apple Almond SaladCombine oil, sugar, vinegar, salt & almond extract in jar with tight-fitting lid. Shake to mix well. Refrigerate for several hours. Combine remaining ingredients in bowl.

 

Provence DressingIt's a delicious dressing, with the most basic ingredients, yet so easy to make!

 

Red Velvet CookiesA cookie made from Red Velvet cake mix topped with cream cheese icing.

 

Creamy Mushroom DipAdd all ingredients and mix well. Serve with crackers and top with parsley, if desired.

 

French Canadian Sugar PieI was introduced to this most wonderful French Canadian dessert when I was in Massachusetts the Christmas of 1972. There was snow on the ground and very cold outside.

 

Versatile Egg RollsGreat flavor and interesting, fairly simple and can use whatever is at hand. I have several versions of this recipe - one of the neat things about it is that there are so many variations.

 

Make Envelopes From MagazinesOur library has magazines in their bookstore for a quarter each. After I read them, I make envelopes from the most colorful pages and tear out all the cologne ads that have the scent under the flap.

 

Refurbished ChestThis is a chest of drawers I painted and stenciled for my sewing room. First I washed the chest well and then I sanded lightly to remove the shine. I then primed the whole chest with a latex primer.

 

Perry (Parakeet) and Tiger (Cat)Perry is a male blue parakeet or budgie. He is three years old. We got it as an adult. We bought the right to adopt Perry at the pet store in our town. We love birds, and always try to have one.

 

Shout to Clean Microfiber FabricsOne day my baby threw up on it after drinking grape juice and I thought the couch was ruined. My husband grabbed Shout laundry stain remover and it worked great!

 

Using Coffee Grounds to Remove OdorsHere's a great way to use coffee grounds once you have made coffee. Dump your used coffee grounds into a container and keep, open, in the refrigerator. The used grounds make your fridge smell like coffee and absorbs all the unwanted odors at the same time.

 

Homemade Bird ToysMy husband and I have two parrots and I am constantly looking for ideas to make my own bird toys for them. I have come up with several ideas for those of you who have parrots and want to make your own toys. Parrot toys are expensive and end up getting destroyed anyway.

 

Make Your Own Guitar Pick EarringsMy daughter wanted some neat earrings she had seen at the mall, but they were pricey. She decided she would make her own.

 

Uses for Fan PartsI hate to throw stuff away. I always try to find a secondary use for it. Today, throwing out an electric table fan that was no longer functional, it dawned on me that the face cover was a very versatile item. Glue a flanged base to the "nose" and you have a footed bowl.

 

Make Your Own Panty LinersI stopped buying panty liners long ago. Since being laid off my job, I have been looking for extra ways to make money go farther. Instead of throwing old socks away, I have always kept them to use for other purposes like cleaning rags; I now keep them for yet another use.

 

Use Cereal Inserts for Cookie Sheet LinersI save the wax paper bags from cereal boxes. When the cereal is gone, I cut the bottom off and split the seam open making a sheet of wax paper. I then cut it to the size I need for lining cookie sheets or cake pans.

 

In Memory Of Lucas (Black Lab)Lucas was about 4 years old and a black lab. He was a stray that would not go away. He passed away in 2007. He loved to jump on my block wall and walk it like a cat, fetch balls, ride with me anywhere, sleep with me, walk with me, go everywhere with me.

 

Use Washing Machine as CoolerWhen you have a party or get together, put your washing machine to work. Fill it a quarter full with cold water. Add a bag of ice and lots of cold drinks. Do this early in the day. The drinks stay cold for hours.

 

Rent a Cabin for Summer VacationThis summer, with the price of gas so high, we are taking several mini-vacations in areas close to home. We live about 45 minutes from Blackwater Falls so we will be staying in a cabin in the state park.

 

Respecting People with DisabilitiesI am disabled. I have several things wrong in my lower back. None of them are related to weight or a bad life style. I use a rolling walker or two canes to get around.

 

Blinkin (Domestic Shorthair)Blinkin; named for the "family's loyal blind servant" from Robin Hood, Men in Tights

 

Make a Prayer BoxSend a prayer. Get a box whatever size you like, such as a large size shoe box. Take masking tape and tape the lid shut as this box must never be opened, cut a slit in the top like a piggy bank has, then decorate your box.

 

Organizing Craft PatternsI went to an office supply store and bought some cheap file folders. I sew them along the sides then cut the pattern envelope to the size of the file folder and tape or glue it on the outside.

 

America Publishing Envelope StuffingI sent $40.00 for envelope stuffing material and got back nothing but a "Secret Home Employment Guide". The offer was supposed to be money back guaranteed. Ha ha! HUGE SCAM! Don't answer newspaper ads from America Publishing, New Haven, CT.

 

Re-read The Books You HaveHow many of us see a movie a second, third, or even more times and always find something we missed? Well, it's no different when reading a book. Our brains cannot absorb all the information the first, second, or even third time around.

 

Use Lavender Oil to Repel MosquitoesI sprayed my exposed skin with lavender bed linen spray. That was last night and I tried it again this morning and I have not a one, none whatsoever, mosquito bites.

 

Use Reusable Grocery Bag as a Gift BagThis past Christmas, I decided to use re-usuable shopping bags to give my gifts in. I purchased several at a department store for 50 cents each, put some Christmas decorations on, and had crepe paper hanging over the sides.

 

Xena (Jack Russell Mix)Xena is 12 years old. She is Jack Russell/Pit Mix? A neighbor of ours knew of some puppies that needed a home and he had wanted our daughter to have one since she has been asking for one.

 

Storing a Rolled Up Rug?Can I store an 8x13 foot rug rolled up and standing like a pole?

 

Getting an Underweight Dog to Eat?We have just adopted a Maltese terrier. She is approx. 8 years old. She seems to eat very little and needs to gain weight. I have tried dry food small bites, but this is not her favorite. Does anyone in the community have a Maltese that can share some expertise on this subject? Thank you in advance.

 

Sani Flow Toilet Will Not Flush?I have a Sani Flow toilet and it will not flush. It was clogged so I disassembled it, unclogged it and then reassembled it. The toilet flushed a few times then by the fourth time the fan in the motor will not spin so the toilet will not flush.

 

Eclectus Parrot Pulling Its Feathers Out?I too have a female Elecutus parrot which has pulled her feathers out, twice this year. Her diet is good, I moved their cage from inside to outside. Could it be stress from the change?

 

Looking for a Crockpot With Removal Insert for Browning?I understand there is a crock pot that the inner liner or whatever you call it can be used to brown the meat on top of the stove before cooking. I always have to mess up another pot to brown my meat in and then move it to the crock pot.

 

Name Ideas for Renovation Business?I'm starting a renovation business and I need some help with the name. Right now my mind is blank.

 

Briggs and Stratton Push Edger Will Not Start?I have a Briggs and Stratton push edger. It is probably 3 yrs old and looks great. It has been sitting for a couple of years without ever being used. So when I got it out it would not start.

 

Ideas for Starting a Bakery Business?I am an 18 year old diabetic. I love to bake (especially cupcakes), but the only problem is they don't exactly fit into my diet. I'm sure many people feel the same.

 

Using Oil Diffusers?Do oil diffusers really make the room smell good? They are the ones with 2 or 3 sticks in a little vase with oil in it.

 

Litter Box Odor?What is the best way to get rid of the smell from the cat litter box? I clean out the box at least twice a day and put new litter in. I even added baking soda to the litter, but it doesn't help. Is there anything else I can try....

 

What Was the Original Name for Australia?What was Australia called in the olden days?

 

Sheet Protectors for Artwork?I am looking for plastic sheet protectors for 1 in. x 1 in. artwork.

 

Homemade Elizabethan Collar for Dogs?My 5 month puppy has to wear a plastic cone, e-collar, due to a procedure done. Does anyone have suggestion how to make a more comfortable one?

 

Removing Crayons from Outside Walls?Does anyone know how to get crayon off an outside wall? I have tried Jiff, bleach, sprays, soap powder and it doesn't want to come off.

 

Dog Not Eating After Having Puppies?My 4 year old Yorkie just had a litter of 6. All are well. She, on the other hand, will not eat much of anything, but drinks okay. She is nursing well and I am afraid that it is draining her without replenishing. Any suggestions?

 

Finding a Fun Less Stressful Job While Pregnant?I'm a mum of an almost 2 year old, and I'm 10 weeks pregnant. I work in childcare, but now that I'm going to be a mum of 2, I really don't want to work in childcare anymore.

 

Homemade Hand Cleaner?I would like to know how to make a hand cleaning cream or gel to remove oil and grease, suitable for a motor mechanics workshop. What ingredients and quantities of each?

 

Canning Pickles Without Boiling Water Bath?I know that all the recipes now say to process dill pickles in boiling water bath. My mother never did, but I didn't pay attention to how she did it. Any help?

 

Tobacco Odors on Paper?How do I get rid of tobacco smells on sheet music?