August 9, 2010

Grilled Asian ChickenThis recipe is from Life's Ambrosia. Decided to give it a try yesterday and, of course, I did my usual tweaking but it was just a matter of a couple of substitutions this time.

 

Cranberry Iced TeaI've made this with frozen raspberry juice concentrate too and love it. Place water in large pot and heat on high until boiling. Add sugar and stir until dissolved, add teabags and let steep until desired strength is acquired.

 

Artichoke Asiago SquaresNot altogether thrifty but one of the most appreciated appetizers you could ever serve.

 

Pasta SaladCook pasta according to package directions. Put pea pods, carrots, and broccoli in a large amount of boiling water until broccoli turns bright green. Combine pasta and all vegetables except tomatoes in bowl.

 

Banana BoatsA simple dessert to cook in coals. Cut a wedge shaped section in each banana. Pull back peel. Remove wedge shaped piece of banana. Fill cavity with milk chocolate chips and marshmallows.

 

Salade de carottes' la marocaine (Moroccan Carrot Salad)Juice the orange. Scrub the carrots clean and slice them diagonally into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Place them in a medium sized pot and pour all but 1 tablespoon of the orange juice on top.

 

Grape Juice FloatCombine grape juice, lemon juice and cider in large bowl. Add sugar. Add ginger ale just before serving. Fill 4 glasses 3/4 full.

 

Hamburger SoupSaute' ground beef and onion in saucepan, stirring until crumbly; drain. Add tomatoes; mash. Add consomme', soup and vegetable juice cocktail. Add vegetables, rice, salt and pepper.

 

Pita BreadThis is handy for last minute sandwiches. Makes 12 pitas bread rounds.

 

Keeping Ants Off Your Picnic TableTo keep ants off your camping table or picnic table, clean out four tuna or cat food cans. Next fill the cans about 1/2 full with water and put them under the table legs.

 

Pour Jam With A Pitcher When CanningIf you have a stainless steel or ceramic pitcher (anything not aluminum), you can use it to pour the jam into the jars, even small ones, without spilling! Works great and a real time-saver.

 

Scenery: USS Indianapolis Memorial ParkMy husband and son took this photo when they were visiting the USS Indianapolis Memorial here in our hometown. This is the park nearby.

 

Recycled Plastic FlowersI came up with this idea for a school recycling project. It is made out of a any tall container and filled with flowers cut out of pop bottles.

 

Travel: London Bridge (Lake Havasu City, AZ)On our way to Oregon in December, we stopped in Lake Havasu City, AZ to check out the London Bridge. Each brick was numbered and brought over and precisely reassembled.

 

My Frugal Life: Saving On GroceriesI have been a very frugal person most of my adult life. I shop at the Dollar Tree, Grocery Outlet and the 99 cent Store. I buy produce and make the best garden salads from the 99 cent store.

 

Garden: Corner Hide-awayI have created a back corner garden behind a large comma shaped perennial garden. This is a perfect place to sit and read, enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of wine and hide-a-way from a hectic day!

 

Sign Up for Consignment Shop NewslettersOver the last few years, people are being more creating in finding ways to earn money. With that, consignment shops are seeing more consignors with things to consign. Thus, they can be more particular and the quality of these shops' goods has increased.

 

Wildlife: FrogsMy granddaughter Kristin painted the gourd for her grandfather and to our surprise we found a new tenant had moved in.

 

Broil or Grill PeachesHere is an absolutely delicious way to use summer peaches - especially those ones that never seem to get absolutely soft ripe. Halve and de-stone peaches and broil them for a few minutes either side (or put them on the barbecue) until they're soft and sticky.

 

Use Ponytail Holder to Keep Bobbins from UnravelingTo keep extra bobbin threads from unraveling, place a fat fuzzy ponytail holder around the bobbin.

 

Bring Tote Bag with Children's ActivitiesI discovered that waiting times were the worst for children so I now have a tote bag filled with dollar store items and pens, paper, and pencils to keep them occupied while we "wait".

 

Reusing Frying OilYou can use fats over and over by straining them after each use. Fry slices of potato to remove fish, onion, or other strong flavored food odors.

 

Lilly (West Highland Terrier)Lilly is a 14 month old West Highland Terrier. I got her from a breeder in Connecticut when Lilly was 8 weeks old. She likes to dig, play with her toys and likes the swimming pool.

 

Dakota (Australian Shepherd)Dakota is a 4 year old Australian Shepherd. I got him as a puppy. He likes to fetch.

 

Use Dry Erase Calendars to Track ActivitiesSaw this at a friend's house and I intend to have it ready in my home before school starts: Purchase 3 dry-erase calendar boards. Fill out three months at a time; the current month, and the next two. Write in dates of all activities.

 

Homemade Baby WipesCut the paper towel in half and and remove the inner cardboard. Mix your liquid ingredients in container and place one of the paper towel halves inside, cut side down.

 

Use Vintage Knobs as Curtain FinialsTo save money on curtain finials, re-use old vintage knobs. If you can' find a curtain rod long enough for your needs, a piece of thin PVC pipe works! Just cut to size and sand the ends and attach your finials.

 

Use Hairspray For WaspsWe had a wasp flying around our house last night, it scared me, and no matter what we couldn't get close enough to swat it with the fly swatter to kill it. This morning, it got close enough to us that my husband asked for my hairspray.

 

Clothes Dried on Clothesline Trigger Allergies?I had a clothes line installed to save money on electricity. However, when I dry anything on the line; the clothes pick up all the things that I am allergic to and when I bring them back indoors (I also have COPD), I cough, sneeze, and become very uncomfortable.

 

Will Cotton Poly Sheets Make Good Cleaning Rags?I have some old sheets I'm wanting to cut into squares and use for cleaning and picking up spills. They are part cotton and part polyester. Will they soak up spills or would they need to be 100% cotton?

 

Maintaining a Friendship With an Overly Dependent Friend?How can I handle an over needy friend? We're both seniors; me more so that her. Both of us in good health. I've been single again for 20 years and have learned to take care of myself.

 

What Breed is My Dog?Does a Pit mix have lock jaws? What kind of dog do you think she is?

 

Advice for Dog With Prickly Lumps?My 13 month old Staffy has just came out over night with prickly lumps all over her body. She is eating and drinking OK. Any advise please?

 

Removing Permanent Marker from Plastic or Vinyl?How do I remove permanent marker from the plastic slip cover on a binder?

 

Recipe for Italian Cheese Stuffed Pastry with Rosemary Dough?Does anyone have a recipe or suggestion? My daughter had a delicious item when in Italy. The dough was made with rosemary, was soft, and had cheese inside. It was served for breakfast. We are trying to recreate it. The dough and cheese both were not sweet. Thank you.

 

When Should I Harvest Green Beans for Freezing?When should I pick green beans for freezing?

 

Can I Substitute Tomato Juice for Tomato Sauce in Recipes?I need a lot of tomato sauce for my OAMC (once a month cooking) sessions and I have tons of tomato juice and V8. Can I use this instead of tomato sauce (which I'd have to buy)? I know the V8 has more flavor and it's fine with me. I am thinking about the consistency.

 

Reviews of the iRenew Energy Balancing Bracelet?Has anyone ever heard of the Renew-energy Balancing bracelet? I wonder if it works, or is just something to get your money?

 

Calculating the Amount of Frozen Vegetables Needed for One Year?How many lbs of green beans should I freeze for a family of 3 for 1 year?

 

Planning a Birthday Party on a Budget: Sea Life Theme?I need easy tips on doing a 3 year old girl's birthday party with a "Sea Life" theme. I am on a tight budget; how do I create this myself? What do I serve for food and how do I entertain them?

 

How Do I Make a Wedding Card Box?I would like to make a wedding card box for my son's wedding in October. I have all the materials, but am kind of nervous about starting it. I would like to see a video if possible or find a web site to go to. Thanks.

 

Shelf Life of Ground Ginger?I have a jar of ground ginger which is "old". It has a dark spot at the very bottom of the jar.What is the shelf life of bottled ground ginger? Thanks for your help.

 

Getting Antiques Appraised Before Selling?How do I have an antique cabinet appraised before selling the item?

 

Where is the Fuse on a Poulan Lawn Tractor?I have a Poulan lawn tractor; when I turn key I get nothing. I charged the battery, still nothing. I see some people mention a fuse. Where is the fuse located?

 

Name Ideas for a Catering Business?The kind of name can I give my catering firm?

 

Should I Salt Meat Before or After Cooking?Do you salt meat before it's cooked or after? I heard salting before or while cooking made meat tougher and not as juicy?

 

Home Remedy for Constipation?Does anyone have a home remedy for constipation?

 

Training Kittens to Stay Off Kitchen Counters and Table?I have two kittens. Can anyone tell me how I can train them to keep them from climbing on the kitchen table, counters, and stove? I really need help as there are two of them and I have never had two cats at one time. I think they are "partners in crime" together.

 

Discontinued Wallpaper Border: Home Trends Palm Trees?I am looking to purchase Home Trends Wall Border, Palm Trees, SKU #3487854203. I purchased some at a local Walmart, but cannot find anymore, anywhere. If someone has 2 rolls or more to sell, or if someone knows where I can purchase this item please advise.

 

Disinfectant For Laundry Other Than Bleach?What can I use in a laundry load (besides bleach) to disinfect colored clothing after a child has been ill and has soiled underclothing and bedding?

 

Name Ideas for Home and Office Cleaning Business?I need a good name for my home/office cleaning business. I want something that sounds smart and easy to remember. I love my business and I would like to reflect that. Any suggestions?

 

Controlling Flyaway Hair Without Using Hair Gel?I have little flyaways poking up in the middle of my scalp. How do I get rid of them without using hair gels?

 

Is Alcohol a Disinfectant?Would you consider alcohol to be a disinfectant?

 

Recipe for Rex Jelly?Does anyone know how to make the old fashioned Rex Jelly? or maybe a place to buy it? I remember it from my childhood.

 

What Breed is My Dog?What breed is this? I know it's a mix, but with what?