July 30, 2010

Sausage and Okra SupperEasy to make and the whole family loves it! Put all ingredients except rice in in a large stewpot. Simmer on low for about 1 hour, stirring often to prevent sticking.

 

Pasta Carbonara Cook pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet with slotted spoon, reserving 2 Tbsp. drippings in skillet.

 

Cantaloupe SorbetThis is a cool refreshing summer treat. It isn't too sweet and makes good use of cantaloupe seasonal sales! No cholesterol.

 

Honey Crunch ChickenRinse chicken; pat dry. Spread mayonnaise over both sides of chicken, using pastry brush. Place in shallow baking pan. Sprinkle cereal evenly over chicken.

 

Basil MayonnaiseGreat used as a condiment for assorted sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. Haven't tried it yet as a dipping sauce for artichokes but I'll venture to bet it would be yummy.

 

Texas SaladA delicious crunchy salad that makes for a wonderful side dish.

 

Potato Salad For a CrowdCombine salad dressing, relish, mustard and milk in bowl; mix well. Add additional milk for desired consistency. Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl; mix well.

 

Black Forest CakePreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix and bake cake mix according to package directions for 9x13 inch cake. Let cool. Combine pudding mix, milk and cream cheese in mixer bowl.

 

Keeping Your Dogs Happy in the Summer HeatHot weather can really stress your pet's health. I have three inside dogs and have found that even with air conditioning a pet can be uncomfortable.

 

Dizzy (Blue Pit Bull)Dizzy is a 4 month old Blue Pit Bull. I got Dizzy from a certified breeder. Dizzy likes to chew on my toes.

 

Link: Product Safety WebsiteThis would be a great source of info to have on hand, especially for families with small children. It is is a database that is very thorough about household products; their safety and how to properly use them.

 

Get Extra Prescription LabelsMy kids all have medication throughout the year. The pharmacist gives me a second label along with all the medications. When a small pill bottle becomes empty, I save it for those times that my kids go on sleep overs or camps.

 

Scenery: Double Recycling (FL)We saw this great old horse carrier (I think that is what it is) in Cedar Key, Florida. It's been given a new life for recycling newspaper. Each window holds a different item. Now that is what I call double recycling.

 

Hardy Fruit Trees For The Backyard OrchardMost gardeners have only limited amounts of space, so deciding what type of fruit trees to plant warrants careful consideration. You need to know which fruits grow best in your zone, how much space you will need, and what types of yields you can expect in return for your investment.

 

Scenery: Sunset on a Beach (Texas - 1940's)This photo was found in the collection of a great-aunt. It is a photograph taken by her son of her two grandsons, who died in a polio epidemic in 1948. This is probably on a Texas beach, although I am not sure of the location.

 

Check Fundraiser Product Quality Before PurchasingThrough the years, my children's schools have sponsored fund raisers which offer all the school supplies in a big bag for a set amount. I stopped participating because the supplies were usually of poor quality.

 

Put Tape Over Address on PackagesWhen sending a package in the mail, after I write the address with a felt-tip marker, I cover it with tape or melted white candle wax. It is then protected from the rain or snow.

 

Remove Rust Stains With LemonTo take rust out of white fabric, pour lemon juice over the spots and saturate. Place on a tray (non-metal) and set in the bright sun for 2 hours. Launder as usual. Repeat if necessary.

 

Use Straws for Flower ArrangementsShort-stemmed flowers or curvy stems are hard to put in a floral arrangement. What I do is cut the stem under cold water and at an angle with sharp scissors. Next, put the stem into a plastic drinking straw and put into your own custom arrangement.

 

Mix Juice and TeaThis tip is frugal, but I started doing this because it was a healthy option. I brew fresh iced tea all summer long. I also buy Juicy Juice 100 percent juice in the raspberry and apple flavor. I mix a half glass of iced tea and half glass of the juice.

 

My Frugal Life: Frugal Is FunWho knew being frugal could be so much fun? When I talk frugal, Im NOT talking about being the cheap friend who never picks up a lunch tab. I'm talking about ways to not spend money on things that do not bring us pleasure - paper towels.

 

Scrappy (Aussie/Border Collie Mix)Scrappy is a 2.5 year old Aussie/Border Collie mix. I found him on the streets, hungry and skinny. I opened my car door to start my car to cool it down because it was the first part of July and it was hot.

 

Lovey (Shorkie)Lovey is a 5 month old Shorkie (Yorkie and Shitzu). She has a stuffed toy flamingo that we named "Domingo the Flamingo" and she loves to toss him around and make him squeek.

 

Use Liquid Soap to Remove TicksApply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball and cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball. Let it stay on the repulsive insect for one minute, after which the tick will come out on it's own.

 

Polar Bears (Pittsburgh Zoo)In May, the kids, my aunt and I went to the Pittsburgh Zoo. The Polar Bear wouldn't go in the water and just kept pacing back and forth. I managed to get a good shot of him looking at us.

 

Two Ingredients S'moresSuper easy and cheap. You don't have to buy the candy bars. So good!

 

Use Oven Rack as Cooling RackUse the extra oven rack for a cooling rack for cakes, cookies, etc. For smaller items like cookies, cover the rack with foil to keep them from falling through.

 

Pull Primary Crayons for School from Large SetMy son is entering Kindergarten and on his school supply list was 4 boxes of 8 primary crayons. K-Mart was running a special on a box of 24 Crayola crayons for .25 cents. A box of 8 was .89 cents. I bought 3 boxes of crayons and had one perfect set at home.

 

Recycled Angel WindchimesA windchime made from mostly recycled stuff.

 

Wildlife: VultureI was standing at my rear door when I saw this turkey vulture swoop in, alighting himself on a branch. I grabbed my camera, attached the telephoto lens and stepped outside, taking as many as I could before he flew away.

 

Sources of Sewing Material Scraps?I am in need of sewing material scraps can anyone help me? Where might I find them?

 

Removing Stains from Polyester and Spandex Top?I bought a top a while ago from the dance department of my school and never considered wearing it until recently, which is when I discovered that there were these mysterious yellowish stains on it.

 

Cleaning and Preserving Old Moldy Currency?I would like to know how to save some currency that has mold and mildew on it and also has become brittle to the touch?

 

Recipe for VH Thai Sauce?It seems as though VH Sauces have discontinued their regular Thai Sauce.Does anyone have a recipe for it?Thanks.

 

Making Potpourri Using Gelatin and Essential Oils?Can you make your own potpourri using gelatin and essential oil? Many thanks.

 

Discouraging Barn Swallows from Nesting on the Porch?Can anyone help in the removal of barn swallow nests? For years now we have had nests built by barn swallows attached to our house on the front porch. Every year I remove them by scraping them off the brick and washing with bleach, but the very

 

1970s Weight Watchers' Daily Food Journal?Even though I have read through previous posts, I am unable to find the Weight Watchers' food diary journal from the 1970s. Could someone please post it again? Thanks so much for your efforts.