September 1, 2010

Easy Fruit Puff PastriesI've been experimenting with frozen puff pastry off and on for the past few months, and came upon these tasty sweet treats that only need three simple ingredients to make.

 

Pork Stuffed Bell Peppers In a large skillet, saute pork and onions for 5 minutes or until pork is browned, then season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, rice, and water.

 

Lemon Thyme-Tinged Corn Saute Remove as much silk as possible from corn. Then, using a sharp chef's knife, cut kernels off the cob. You want to end up with 3 to 3-1/2 cups corn. If ears are large, you may not need corn from all cobs.

 

Grape SaladThis is a really great tasting recipe that is super easy to make and always a hit. It's more nutritious than most deserts and can be made fast without spending a lot of money on ingredients.

 

Sausage Goulash

 

Scenery (Monterey Bay, CA)This picture was taken when we went for a visit to my son, who is in the Air Force and graduating with a degree in Chinese. We were out scoping the gorgeous countryside of Monterey Bay, California.

 

Use Plastic Paper Clips to Hold Bias Tape on...I have a rather unorthodox way of attaching bias tape to some items. I just insert the fabric into the fold and stitch it down. Since the place mats are oval shaped, I was having trouble holding them flat and in place.

 

Maya (Great Dane), Bonni and Ginger (Dapple...Maya is a Great Dane puppy - coloring: reverse brindle, black with subtle cream stripes. Ginger is a miniature, long-haired, chocolate dapple dachshund.

 

Warning: Unplug Cords When Not in UseI look around the house or other peoples houses I go to and see phone charger cords, iPod cords, CD cords, xBox cords, and the such. Looks innocent enough right? Wrong! Most times people just unplug their appliances and go.

 

Creative Plant RepurposingGenerations ago, our grandparents threw away nothing. Only the very worn and useless items found their ways into the trash. They repurposed everything. Yet, today our things have become disposable.

 

Craft Project: Wish BraceletThis intricate (but easy) wish bracelet is a great Valentine's Day gift. Take three pieces of hemp long enough too fit around you wrist and tie around 10 inches.

 

Product Review: Activia YogurtRecently my Doctor changed my medication, and it caused me to be constipated. I have never had that problem before, and after a week I had to try something. The Activia commercial was on all day, it seemed like. I sent my dear hubby to get me some.

 

Keep $20 in Your Glove Compartment for EmergenciesI was in Girl Scouts and the Leader for two troops that my daughters were in. I was taught first and foremost to be prepared. I have for many years now been keeping a twenty dollar bill in my glove compartment for minor emergencies.

 

Annie (Australian Shepherd)Annie is a 6 year old Australian Shepherd that I received Annie for Mother's Day 6 years ago. She was a gift from my younger Son. Annie is the 'daughter' of my Son's dog, Raider. Annie loves to play Hide and Seek.

 

Garden: Raindrops On RosesWhile visiting my daughter I was able to take this pic right after a rain storm so beautiful with the rain drops still on.

 

Mona Lisa REMIXMy 8 and 10 year old students were given a color Xerox of the Mona Lisa. They had to use mixed media and whatever recycled elements they could find to give her a new look. All the embellishments came out of the recycled art bin! What do you think Leonardo would say?

 

Reverse Menu PlanningI will first start in the pantry. I try to arrange all of my canned/dry goods in categories. I put all tomato based products together, canned veggies, soups, beans, etc.

 

Vintage Potholder PillowI have a lot of vintage potholders hanging around my kitchen, but this one was my favorite and I wanted to do something different with it. So, I crocheted a simple square pillow..

 

Pooh Bear (Border Collie Mix)Pooh Bear is a 2 1/2 year old Border Collie Mix. A family was giving away their pups in front of a retail store and we stopped. She was the last one. Pooh Bear was about 5 weeks old when we brought her home.

 

Book Discount at TargetI have found that Target carries many new books at a considerable savings. If you have a store card, Target will begin giving 5% off in September to all card members. This is a good source for a book that is not yet at the library.

 

Alternate Directions When Cleaning WindowsWhen cleaning windows, clean one side horizontally and the other side vertically. This way you can see which side has the streaks on it.

 

Wildlife: BeetleThe other day I ignored this bug, but my husband retrieved it. My oldest son loves bugs. He decided to pet the bug and hold it for a little while and I had to get several pictures of him with it.

 

Scruffie (Jack Russell Mix)Scruffie is almost 4 years old and a Jack Russell mix. I got him from some friends that were divorcing and was gonna dump him at the pound.

 

Recycled Purse DecorationI took a $.50 purse, some flowers, and embellishments and made an "old time" decoration for my bathroom. When I put it all together, I thought you might enjoy making something similar.

 

Use Tuna Water to Tempt Senior Cat to Eat Dry FoodAs he gets older, my 15 year old kitty Taz (named after the Tasmanian Devil because that's what we thought he was when he was little. Boy was he wild!), is becoming very finicky with his dry cat food and he doesn't like the senior food at all.

 

Make Your Own Moon SandFor "moon sand", mix 9 cups play sand (really fine sand you can find at Wal-Mart). Add 3 cups cornstarch and 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups water. Start with 2 1/4 cup and continue adding water until you have the desired consistency. Mix well. Cover and store in an airtight container.

 

Wildlife: BeetleThis bug was hiding under a container on my front porch. I have no idea what it is, but it was pretty neat looking.

 

Shnookums (Maine Coon Cat)Shnookums just turned 13, he is a Maine Coon cat I picked him out from a litter of kittens my aunt's cat had back when I was 7. He likes sun tanning, stretching, making muffins (kneading with his paws), reading over my shoulder, and doing tricks to get treats.

 

Alternate Uses for Dental FlossFor the past few weeks I've been writing down ideas to share for reusing dental floss instead of simply throwing it away after using. Here is what I've come up with which also gave me more ideas for uses beyond reusing after flossing.

 

Tips for Avoiding Office IllnessesWith cold and flu season almost here, one of the thriftiest and best tips is to avoid getting sick. You save money on doctor visits and medications and, most importantly, you stay healthy and productive.

 

Recipes Using Boiled Barley Seeds?My family always throws away the boiled barley seeds after making barley drinks and I think it's just a waste. So are there any recipes that will make use of boiled barley seeds?

 

Dogs Abandoned at Boarding Kennel?I run a boarding kennel and I had a client drop their dogs off to board. They are now a month over their departure date and I can't get hold of the owners.

 

Using Hat Boxes for a Woman's Birthday Party?I am looking for ideas on using gift boxes or hat boxes for a woman's 50th birthday party?

 

Artist Searching for 50 Used Empty Gallon Size Paint Cans?I'm a visual artist and I'm searching for 50 used empty 1 gallon paint cans. The residual paint must be dried. Any suggestions where I could find such a quantity?

 

Harvesting Potatoes?I grew potatoes in my garden, the vines are dying and the potatoes are done. The problem is it is still too hot to store them, can I leave them in the ground until cooler weather?

 

Removing Mildew Smell From Carpet?What cleaning products can I use with my steam cleaner for my mildew carpet smell problem?

 

Pork Chop Recipe from Lifesaver Cookbook: Favorite Recipes of Home Economics Teachers 1976?Does anyone have the Lifesaver Cookbook: Favorite Recipes of Home Economics Teachers, 1976? I am looking for a pork chop recipe with rice, onions, and stewed tomatoes.

 

Can I Wash a Coach Purse in the Washer?Can I wash my Coach bag in the washer?

 

SpongeBob Squarepants Origami Pattern?I want to make an easy SpongeBob Squarepants origami for my friend and I would like to know where I can find the pattern. Thanks :)

 

Homemade Columns for a Wedding Reception?How do I make cheap columns? Has anyone ever made them out of PVC piping?

 

When Do Puppies Need Shots?How old do puppies have to be to get their shots ?

 

Making Your Own Cushion Covers for Outdoor Furniture?I was given a set of outdoor couches by my brother when he moved away. The fabric is ripped and falling apart. Is there any easy way to make replacement covers for the cushions (for someone who is intimidated by the sewing machine)?

 

Getting Rid of Bad Breath?How do you get rid of garlic breath?

 

Windshield Wipers Don't Work?I have a 1994 Nissan 200SX. My wipers aren't working. If I try to turn them on, I can hear like a "whoosh, whoosh" sound, but the wipers don't move. Is there a cable from the motor to the wipers themselves that might have broken? Thank you.

 

Repairing a Recliner?My Lane recliner was purchased in 1994. The handle on my recliner just came out of the hole. There is a plastic round piece then the handle goes into the hole. Does anyone know of any way I can fix this? Thanks.

 

Removing Human Urine Odor from Subflooring?I have just repossessed a flat that I own and as a parting gesture, the tenant has urinated on the carpet, which I have disposed of. Unfortunately we did not notice this at first and it has soaked through to the wooden floor boards.

 

Low-Cost Veterinary Care?I have a cat who needs to see a vet. I can't afford one for her to see, but fear that if she doesn't see one soon, she can meet her demise.

 

Cleaning Football Pants?How do I get white football pants white again?

 

When Do Grasshoppers Chirp?Do grasshoppers chirp in the day or night?

 

Will Limestone Around House Foundation Keep Mice Away?I heard that packing limestone around the base of your house will keep mice away (apparently they don't like the limestone). Is that true?

 

Seizures in Dogs?My mini-Dachshund has had seizures for 8 years. The vet gave her 5mg. Valium and 16.2 phenobarbital. They say this happens mostly to full-bred dogs. I give her 1mg. Klonopin of my own and the phenobarbital only as she has the seizures. Is this OK for my dog?

 

Squeaking Sandals?My new sandals squeak when I walk. This happens even when everything is dry. What can I do to get rid of the squeak?

 

Free Dog Clothing Patterns?Where can I find patterns to make clothes for my tea cup Chihuahua?

 

Is Ortho-Klor Insecticide Safe Around Children?I have black widows in the play area in my yard. Someone from this site suggested Klor by Ortho. Is it safe around children and does it really work? Can I get it from Lowe's or Home Depot?

 

Paint Color Advice for a Blue and White Bathroom?I have a small, interior bathroom that has no windows. The countertop is a medium blue. The trim, medicine cabinet, and doors (it has two doors) are white. What color to you recommend for the walls?

 

Storing an Ironing Board in a Small Apartment?When you have limited space where can you store the ironing board? I have a small apartment and we have to iron everyday. Now we leave the ironing board in the narrow hallway which is in the way of traffic. Do you have any suggestions?

 

Treating a Dog With Watery Eyes?Please can anyone help me? I have a 10yr old terrier mix and just lately her eyes have been watering quite frequently. She doesn't have any crust, nor are her eyes red. Should I be worried and call the vet?