September 15, 2010

Shell CasseroleCheesy-tomato flavor, mild enough for anyone, and kids love it. My sons ate this all the time and they still ask for it; they are 40 and 39 now!

 

Mom's Canned ChiliReady in less than 30 minutes from start to table. Add topping at table

 

Chickpea CurryExcellent to scoop up with pita bread or serve over rice and even more tasty reheated the next day.

 

Bean and Onion BakeSaute onions in butter until limp; blend in flour, salt, mustard, and pepper. Add milk; stir until mixture thickens. Blend in 1/3 cup of cheese and fold in green beans.

 

6 Minute JelloThis recipe taste like sherbet and is very, very easy and quick to make for hungry children and unexpected guest. I love the taste and texture.

 

White Chocolate PopcornI make my own popcorn and spray it with butter flavored cooking spray. Melt the almond bark according to package directions. Add the pecans or peanuts, if desired, to the popcorn.

 

Mustard DressingStir constantly while heating until thick, then let cool. Good on sliced tomatoes or salad.

 

Grilled Apple Honey ChickenIt's apple season! Mix apple juice concentrate, honey, lemon juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan.

 

Mystery SaladHeat juice and water to dissolve gelatin. Chill until it begins to thicken, then combine with Dream Whip and cheese.

 

Tiny (Purple Claw Crab)This is Tiny. I don't know how old he is, I got him from a pet store recently, and they couldn't tell me how old he is. He is a Purple Claw Crab, due to the very large purple claw that he uses for pinching.

 

Table Linen StorageWhen storing tablecloths and cloth napkins, to keep them from wrinkling or creasing, roll them around a cardboard tube. Next, fasten the ends on tube with rubber bands. Store in a drawer. No creases when you need to use them!

 

Put Liquid Hand Soap in Toilet Brush HolderI hate those toilet cleaning brushes and their containers, but they are so needed. I had a moment of inspiration - I put liquid hand soap in the brush holder.

 

Freezing Liquids In Freezer BagsIf you find that the soups and sauces you put in plastic freezer bags fall through the wire rack of your freezer, try this freezing technique for liquids. Cool your leftover soups, sauces, etc. in the refrigerator then pour them into a resealable plastic freezer bag.

 

Scenery: Trip to YosemiteOn a trip to Yosemite, I found this beautiful place to rest. When I got home, I played a game on Facebook called "Fronterville" and realized, I found the REAL "Frontierville" when visiting Yosemite.

 

Scenery: Frankie And The Big RockThis is a picture of my grandson Frankie on a recent trip to some woods near our house. I love the contrast between big and little.

 

Rectangle Crochet SweaterThis is a simple pullover sweater that is made from 4 pieces. Actually the front and back are more like squares and the sleeves are rectangles. There is no complicated shaping for shoulders, etc.

 

Telling Good Books From BadI am a librarian, so I know about many sources for books. It is always best to see the books before you purchase them, but that isn't always possible. I have found that amazon.com is the best review source.

 

Latex Gloves to Remove Pet HairI have found the best thing for removing dog hair from furniture is rubber gloves. The texture in them helps pick up the hair easily so you can vacuum it off. The dollar store has 2 pair for $1.00.

 

Use Baby Food When CookingI had leftover baby food jars of pureed vegetables. I didn't know anyone to give it to, so I decided to do the thrifty thing and find a way to use it. I made a homemade beef vegetable pot pie and put 2 or 3 jars in the potpie.

 

Saydee Louise (Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso)Saydee Louise is a 6 month old Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso. I got her from a breeder in Port Hardy over the internet when she was 8 weeks, although we spoke back and forth when my pup was only 5 weeks.

 

Save Cotton from Bottle PackagingI am now saving the cotton that is packaged in vitamin and other bottles. These small pieces found at the top of the bottle can be used as cotton balls for removing nail polish or other similar applications.

 

Homemade Sidewalk ChalkPour into an egg carton container, and let harden for 24 hours. Pop the molds out and enjoy. The shape of the sidewalk chalk is easy for smaller hands to use.

 

Use Petroleum Jelly on Spray Pump to Keep from JammingDab a tiny drop of petroleum jelly over the pinhole opening of a hairspray pump. It prevents residue from gumming up and rendering it useless. This also works for spray starch.

 

Chill Counter Before Rolling Out Cookie DoughTo cool down the counter top when rolling out pastry and cookies or when making candy, chill it with ice packs. You can make your own by filling gallon-size freezer bags halfway with water. Force out as much air as possible, seal, and place them in the freezer on a cookie sheet.

 

Use Men's T-Shirts as Children's PajamasWhen my four kids were little, they loved to sleep in Dad's t-shirt. I went to a yard sale and found 10 T-shirts with some business logo on them for 10 cents each.

 

Tips for Watering Container PlantsPlants growing in containers are much more susceptible to damage from too much or too little moisture than those growing in the ground.

 

Make Your Own Embossing InkFor embossing ink, use any color of Rit Dye, 1/4 tsp. alcohol, and 5 Tbsp. glycerin. Carefully blend dye and alcohol till it is the consistency of thin cream; starting with 1/2 tsp. of powdered dye.

 

My Frugal Life: Watch Every PennyI am a 47 years old, and now on Long Term Disability for the first time in my life. Things are very difficult when it comes to paying my bills. My first tip for saving money would be to watch every penny.

 

Use Car Window Cleaner for House WindowsI use gallon jugs of car window washer cleaner for cleaning my house windows. I just reuse an empty spray bottle or buy a cheap one and refill as needed. It works great on cleaning them.

 

Sarah (Rat Terrier)Sarah is a 6 month old Rat Terrier. I got her from my mom on Christmas. She likes to play and run. She is really cute and small.

 

Poohbear (Himalayan)Poohbear is one to two and a half years old. He is a Himalayan. I got my pet from the Greene County Animal Shelter. He likes to chase my shoe stings and plays with me when I'm in the shower.

 

Use Rose Prunings To Keep Animals Out Of Garden BedsI've tried various methods to keep pests (cats and birds) away from sown beds and young seedling beds without any success, until I tried this method. Spread rose twigs (after pruning) over the bed. Make sure pets can't creep through twigs.

 

Minimizing Germs in a Public RestroomTo avoid germs in a public washroom, pick the stall closest to the door. Studies show that it is used the least, so it should be the cleanest. Before washing your hands, release the paper towel from the dispenser that you will need.

 

Garden: DahliasI was driving my boys to school this morning and saw these gorgeous dahlias in a neighbor's yard. My wife and her sisters love dahlias so I stopped and took these photos for them.

 

Harvesting the Leaves of a Stevia Herb Plant?How do I harvest stevia plants?

 

Using Rice Filled Bags for Back Pain?Is there any way to keep rice bags heated on demand? I thought about keeping a steam pot on the stove on a low flame, so I'd have a non stop run of heated moist rice bags for my lower back. But I don't know if doing so would cook the rice or not....

 

Tiny Hard Shelled Bugs on Kitchen Countertops?I am having issues in the kitchen with a very tiny bug on my countertops. At first I thought I had spilled coffee grounds. Under a magnifying glass you can clearly see they are hard shelled with tiny legs under the bottom side.

 

Cleaning Hardwood Floors?I'm also looking for cleaning info. I have already found out not to use Murphy's Oil Soap (or any products with oil), water, soaps, sprays (like Liquid Gold), and vinegar.

 

Anniversary Party Planning?How can I display my wedding dress and veil at my 30th anniversary reception?

 

Where Can I Buy Paint for Countertops?Where can I purchase the paint for painting counter tops?

 

Choosing Reliable New Kitchen Appliances?Has anyone else had trouble with KitchenAid appliances? I bought my house brand new just a few years ago, and now I have a kitchen full of KitchenAid appliances that are all falling apart. I would like to know if there are any reliable companies left out there.

 

Removing Sharpie from Plastic Headlamp Lenses?How can you remove Sharpie permanent markers stains from plastic headlamp lenses?

 

When Can I Plant Bulbs in Zone 8?Should I plant bulbs now or wait til October? I'm in zone 8, in Tennessee.

 

Planning a Small Informal Wedding and Reception?I am getting married in three weeks and am so pressed for time and ideas.The wedding is going to be a simple one. We will be married in a hall we rented. I have absolutely no ideas how to organize it and what to put on the tables.

 

Discontinued Wallpaper: Fine Decor Wallcoverings Pattern #12256MJ?I am looking for wallpaper for my bathroom project gone wrong. I am short one roll of the following paper: Fine Decor Wallcoverings, Pattern # 12256MJ. It is a white paper with a floral pattern of a small yellow roses, with blue sprig flowers, and some green.

 

Button Jewelry?I would like to make some bracelets with vintage buttons. Does anyone have instructions or ideas?

 

Removing Silicone from Tiles?How do I remove silicone from tiles?

 

Favorite Meat Loaf?Combine all ingredients and 1 teaspoon salt; mix well. Shape mixture into loaf. Put in 12x7 inch baking dish.

 

Troubleshooting Muratec Fax Machine?I have a Muratec F-112 fax machine, when it starts to send pages out it stops at 5-8 pages and says poor line condition or communication error. This also happens when it starts to receive faxes, as well. Can you please help and tell me why?

 

Repairing a Glider Chair?I have 2 oak glider chairs. The glider mechanism is pretty much gone.Where can I get these gliders repaired?Thank you.

 

Anne Fitzgerald's "Dear God Kids" Cross Stitch Pattern Book?I would like to find Anne Fitzgerald's "Dear God Kids" cross-stitch pattern book #5086. I have some of the patterns, but not all of them. Is there anyway I can purchase this book again?

 

Advice on Lawn Fertilization?I haven't fertilized my Zoysia grass since May, is it OK to do it again now or do I need to wait until spring? Also, if yes what exactly should I buy? I do need weed control if possible. I live in Tennessee.

 

Making Hot Chocolate for a Large Group Inexpensively?I have to get hot chocolate for the whole 5th grade in October. Does anyone have any ideas? Which kind would be less expensive? Would it be packets, milk, or what? There are 80 kids in the 5th grade. Thanks.

 

Where Can I Buy Microwavable Plates?Does anyone know where I can find microwavable plates? No, not paper plates, but some sort of microwavable plastic plates I can reuse. I've looked a few places, but have not had any luck. Thanks for any help.

 

Canning and Preserving Pears - Recipes?I am looking for canning recipes for pears.