September 23, 2010

Chicken With ChestnutsWash the chicken, cut it into portions, add salt and pepper, strain it, brown it in the oil for 10 minutes and then add the wine. Cut the onions and pepper in small pieces and add them in the casserole.

 

Beer and Cheese Potato ChowderIn a 3 to 4-quart slow cooker, combine potatoes, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and pepper; stir gently to mix. Pour broth and beer over vegetables. Cover; cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours.

 

Southwest Egg RollsIt's important to use tongs before and during frying these so you don't puncture the wrappers and end up with the filling leaking out.

 

California Medley SoupCook until tender; turn off heat and add 2 1/2 cups milk and 1 lb. Velveeta cheese. Heat and serve.

 

Easy Caramel SauceIt is a very easy caramel sauce to make, to top gingerbread apple cakes, bread pudding and homemade rice puddings.

 

Seasoned SaltThese 2 recipes came from my husband's cousin in southwest Iowa. Thanks, Debbie!

 

Beans and Rice with CheeseVery high in fiber, low sodium, low calorie, and tastes good!

 

Cleaning Your BirdcageCleaning the parakeets cage is not fun. I try to do it every 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. I take everything out and apart and wash in hot soapy water. I love my parakeets, Sky and Bonnie.

 

Pistol Grip Spray Can Handle for Arthritis SufferersMy sister told me about this several years ago. She had severe arthritis in her hands. I now have the same problem. She went to Ace Hardware and bought a little pistol grip handle for spray paint.

 

My Frugal Life: Reuse and RecycleI save the paper left after drying hands and use it to pick up spills on counters and floors at home. I save the small bags that pet food comes in to use for coffee grounds, eggs shells, and bones, fat, or scrapes left over after dinner.

 

Scrap Fabric RosesHave your babies or kids outgrown some seriously cute clothes? Don't want to make a quilt? Make some roses and then turn those into headbands, obi belts, or any number of other craft-worthy things with this super-easy and fun embellishment!

 

Cat Cat (Domestic Short Hair)Cat Cat is 8 in human years and a Domestic Short Hair. He was part of the family I live with. He likes to explore the great outdoors. He also loves water and playing in the tub after I have taken a shower.

 

Costume: Jaguar Face PaintMy grandson is at Storyland with his face painted as a jaguar. Rrrrrrr.

 

Scenery: Weeds After The RainThese are weeds that are next to a cement step in my front yard. Right after it rained, I went outside and saw the water dripping off of the weeds. I grabbed my camera and took a pic, and it turned out very good.

 

Save Money on Ziplock BagsI wash out ziplock bags (freezer and storage) after use. I throw away any that had meat in them that thawed. When done, I fold a section of paper towel and put it in the bag, then flatten the bag.

 

Scenery: Fall In Santiam Canyon (OR)In 2007, I had a chance to spend a whole day just driving. The sun was amazing, the trees were in full October bloom, and the memory stick was empty and ready to be filled!

 

Organizing Your Medicine CabinetStore prescription bottles in a rectangle shaped basket to keep them from falling over in the cupboard. Smaller wire baskets can be stacked on a metal space saver with other baskets stored under the space saver.

 

Sprinkle Drink Mix over Applesauce and Vanilla PuddingKeep orange flavored drink mix, such as Tang in a salt shaker to sprinkle over treats like applesauce and vanilla pudding for a flavor boost. Lemon flavored drink mix for this purpose is also nice.

 

Protect Woodwork With Lemon Oil Before PaintingApply a coat of lemon oil to woodwork if you are painting around it. If any paint spatters onto the woodwork, it will wipe off without any trouble. You are also conditioning the woodwork at the same time.

 

Broken Egg Shells to Deter SnailsDon't throw out eggshells. Crush them up and throw them into your garden. They provide needed calcium to the soil as they decompose and the sharp-edged shells keep snails out of your beds.

 

Sophie (Pekingese Shih Tzu)Sophie is a 3 year old Pekingese Shih Tzu. I got her 3 years ago from a friend. Sophie likes to relax.

 

Sadie (Yorkie - Poodle)Sadie is three. She is 1/2 Yorkie and 1/2 Poodle. Sadie came into our lives after our two dogs (Mickey and Minnie) were killed in a house fire while we were at work.

 

Zoie (Shepherd/Lab Mix )Zoie is a 12 year old Shepherd/Lab Mix. I Purchased her from a grooming shop - they were a litter of unwanted puppies playing with the other dogs, we have 4. We love her very much.

 

Removing Ink From Vinyl DollsTo get ink stains off a vintage baby doll, pull back the doll's hair and remove clothing to keep them from getting bleached. Liberally apply 10% benzoyl peroxide acne treatment cream to any areas with ink.

 

Hot Sauce for RoachesI had a professional pest control service come treat my home for roaches. I told him that I had been using hot sauce and water in a spray bottle. He had me use it against his stuff and it worked almost as fast.

 

Scenery: FishingWent for a photo excursion around the water, found these two fishing, and loved the background along with it.

 

Public Domain FreebiesWith the growing popularity of genealogical research comes an onslaught of get rich quick salesmen. People often jump at the opportunity to own a digital copy of a map, a photo, or a letter that ties into their family history.

 

Slicing Onions Without TearsOnions have been a part of my cooking for 50 years, and I'm still amazed at those who cannot cut one up without getting runny eyes. Here is how I avoid that.

 

Opening a Sealed EnvelopeIf you need to re-open an envelope that you have already sealed and put a stamp on, there's no need to steam the flap open. Just cut the end off the front left side of the envelope (where your return address is, not the end with the stamp on it).

 

Use Colander To Cover PancakesPlace a colander over your cooked pancakes while waiting for everyone to sit down for breakfast or while waiting for seconds. The holes in the colander provide a vent so the pancakes don't get steamed and soggy and the cover keeps them warm.

 

Make Plastic Bag Holder From Dryer Vent TubingTake a piece of flexible aluminum dryer vent duct and make sure you put something on the edges like duct tape as it may be sharp. Cut it about 38 inches or how long you want it to be, curl it so it makes 1/2 of a circle, and stuff your store bags in it.

 

Can I Lighten Dark Hair With Lemon Juice?I have heard about dyeing (lightening) your hair with lemon juice, and I read a lot of comments saying that it works! It's awesome!, but the thing is, they are blonde/light brown haired people. My question is how would it turn out for very dark brown, almost black hair?

 

"Toy Story" Theme Halloween Parade Float Ideas?I'm doing a Halloween parade float with my Girl Scout troop, grades K-3 and need some ideas. The theme is Toy Story. Please let me know of any ideas. Thanks!

 

Raising an Abused Neglected Puppy?I rescued a 5 week old Pit/Lab mix from awful conditions. She is pooping and peeing all by herself. She is eating dry puppy food mixed with a little water. I have given her a bath and got all the fleas and ticks off of her. What I was wondering is if there is anything I can do to make sure she grows up to be okay?

 

50th Birthday Party Ideas?My mom is turning 50 this year and my sisters and I don't have a theme for her party. Any suggestions?

 

Refrigerator Not Blowing Warm Air Outside?My refrigerator is not blowing warm air outside. What could be wrong?

 

Homemade Snake Repellent?Do mothballs keep snakes away? What home remedy can I use?

 

Recipe for Hummel's Bakery Pizza Style Crumb Cake?Anyone have a recipe for pizza style crumb cake? Hummel's bakery on Long Island, NY that makes this crumb pizza and it is absolutely delicious. I can't figure out what they use for the pie dough. It is kind of moist, almost tastes like some almond paste was used.

 

Stopping Junk Mail?How do I stop receiving junk mail and catalogs?

 

Tenant Landlord Disputes?My husband and I signed a one year lease on a single-family dwelling in Sarasota, FL on 3/1/10. At the time of the lease signing, the landlord disclosed that he wanted to remain in possession of a section of the dwelling that is attached to the rear of the residence, with it's own entrance.

 

Lawnmower Cord Won't Retract?Lawn mower cord won't go in. What do I do?

 

How Often Do You Replace Acrylic Nails?Can anyone tell me how often you should have acrylic nails removed? I have had them now for about seven months and was told in July that I needed to have them taken off and a new set put on which I did.

 

Community Center Fundraising Ideas?Does anyone have any good ideas for fundraisers at a local community center, open to the public?

 

Removing Rust Stains on Driveway and Walls?How do I clean a battery rust stain off a concrete drive?

 

Removing a Steam Mark from Table?I have a white stain on my wood table from steam. How do I remove it?

 

Vacation Ideas for the Smith Mountain Lake and Shenandoah Valley Area of Virginia?I'm hoping some of you wonderful readers can provide me with some helpful information. My family is planning a trip to Virginia in October. The areas we are interested in visiting include the Shenandoah Valley and Smith Mountain Lake.

 

Krazy Glue on Eyeglasses?How do you remove Krazy glue from an eye glass lens?

 

Paint and Decor Color Advice?We want to paint our room gray and white. It has one window, little lighting (hence the color choice), an open shelf which is beach in color and a small table in the same color. I don't want to change the color of these two pieces.

 

Making Butterfly Shaped Yo Yos Without a Template?Would anyone have a pattern to make the butterfly shaped yo yos without having to buy the yo yo maker for it? Thanks.

 

Keeping Coffee Mate from Getting Hard?We use Coffee Mate in our church kitchen, but it gets hard as a rock when the air conditioner is turned off. What can we use for the creamer? I have already contacted Coffee-Mate they had no suggestions other then to keep it out of humid areas.

 

Ideas for "Drug Free" Themed Parade Float?Does anyone have ideas for building a parade float with a drug free theme?

 

Slogan for a Cleaning Business?I would like to create a cleaning company named "El Cisne" (the swan). I need a nice slogan. Can you help me?

 

Paint Color Advice for a Black, White, and Gray Kitchen?I am wondering what color to paint my kitchen. The countertop is light gray, the cabinets are white, backsplash is white and black diamonds, floor is large white ceramic tiles connected by smaller black tiles. It is an open concept to the living room. Help.

 

Ideas for Husband's Birthday Party?I want to throw a surprise birthday party for my husband. He loves social gathering and playing poker. Any ideas?

 

What Can I Use to Bathe a Dog With Itchy Skin?My dog is itching like crazy, it seems to mostly at her back end. She is Frontlined monthly and I don't see any type of rash. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can bathe her in?

 

Pruning a Pear Tree?We just bought a home that had to be refurbished, inside and outside. We have two big old pear trees. The pears are small and discolored. At the top they're bigger, but too high to get. Can the trees be topped out?

 

Removing Hair Spray from Furniture?I have hairspray build up on a nice wood sofa table. It has been there quite awhile and just today I figured out it had to be hairspray as that is the area I go to get my husband to spray my hair.

 

Smoke Odor from House Fire in Books?How do you get smoke out of books after being in a house fire? The books are really old.

 

Fall Decoration Ideas for a Church Homecoming?I am looking for ideas for fall decorations for a church homecoming.

 

Tips for Growing Lilies?What do you do with lilies when they stop flowering?

 

Freezing Hummingbird Vine Pods for Spring Planting?I read your comment about vine pods. I have a hummingbird vine. It's name is "campsis Radicans. My vine has been in the ground about 10 years and we would like to start some seeds from our