September 28, 2010

Hamburger StroganoffThis is fairly easy and it taste so much better than Hamburger Helper!

 

Custard PieBlend together until mixed. Pour into frozen pie shell. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until center is set.

 

Spiced Pork Chops Combine salt, cumin, coriander, garlic, and 2 tablespoons oil in a small bowl and coat mixture on both sides of the chops.

 

Autumn Leaves BookmarkWith the fall leaves turning already, what better thing to make for the long winter reading list than this easy and fun bookmark!

 

Removing Mothball OdorTo remove mothball odor from an old trunk use cheap coffee. Just put it in a nylon that you tie or just sprinkle into the trunk. I did this to a 1800 trunk that even smelled up glassware. It really works.

 

Securing Kitchen Garbage BagsTired of having the trash bag pull off the rim of the can when you toss something a bit heavy in the can? Take a piece of elastic from the sewing basket and make a large "rubber band."

 

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar on CarpetGet old, dark stains out of your light-colored carpet once and for all. Pour, don't sprinkle, apple cider vinegar all over stain. Immediately after, drown puddle of vinegar with a mound of baking soda; it should be fizzing.

 

Old Cemetery Gate (Colorado)I took this photo of a cemetery gate, it's near Central City, Colorado. Some of the graves here are very old. Such a scenic and peaceful spot in the Colorado Rockies.

 

Gwen (Cat)Gwen is 4 years old. We rescued her, she was roaming in our old apt. complex. She likes to sleep of course! But, she enjoys a lovely meal. She is always crying loud when she's hungry.

 

Backpacks for StorageI found that all the old school backpacks can be put to use as storage for under the bed and in corners of bookcases and such. They look nice and they can hold a number of things in them.

 

How to Make Home Made Paper You Can PlantHow do I make homemade paper plates? I am looking to make plates out of recycled materials and add seeds to the mix so that they are plantable plates.

 

Vinegar for Removing Mildew from a TentTry using white vinegar. It is great for mold/mildew removal and for preventing in the future. For heavy mildew, use full strength vinegar, or mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts vinegar for light mildew.

 

Steam Clean Your MicrowaveSome time ago I heard that microwaving your moist dishcloth for 2 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave) will sanitize it. I have begun doing that every evening following dinner dishes, but there is an added bonus.

 

Making Quick Curtains With SheetsWhen I have a sheet that is too nice to use in dog kennels, I make it into a double sided small window curtain. If you have a smaller window in your home, garage, or office, this idea would be perfect since you don't need a large amount of material.

 

Photo: Standing OutUsing Life Savers candy, I made an abstract photo using a few red and one white lifesaver. It can be used to convey various meanings, but "standing out" or "being different" is what I was going for.

 

Protecting Skin From Metal DiscolorationIf your skin is turning greenish-black from the metal of a watch, you can protect your skin from it by painting the backside of the watch with clear nail polish or cut corn pads to fit the size of the back and stick them on.

 

Alfie (Westland Terrier)My little Westie 'Alfie' just finished his juicy bone and is licking his lips!

 

Gidget (Domestic Short Hair)Gidget is a 3 year old Domestic Short Hair cat. Gidget was an abandoned kitten that I rescued when she was only 8 weeks old. She was dumped along our road along with another kitten. They stayed together until the other kitten ventured off.

 

Free Nesting Material for BirdsProvide nesting material for songbirds - for free! Make a basket out of wire. I recommend a smaller mesh than chicken wire - half-inch "hardware cloth" works well. Include a mesh lid to keep the contents from blowing away. What are the contents?

 

Vinegar Soap Mixture For GnatsThis tip came from desperation. We had an infestation of gnats while we were off for the weekend. The house was thick with them. After the chemical sprays that didn't work forced us out of the house, I turned to Google.

 

Keep Your Social Security Number PrivateThose of us who have Medicare cards know our social security numbers are on them. I had always wondered about that, since it is not a good idea to carry your social security card with you.

 

Clean Aluminum with VinegarRemove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup hot water.

 

Why Fruit Trees Fail to ProduceMany factors can affect a tree's ability to bear fruit, some of which are completely out of your control. Weather, for example. An unexpected late frost can damage blossoms or young fruit, and cause your entire crop to fail.

 

Use Plates In Oven For Heating FoodIf you need to heat something up in the oven, but can't find a flat pan, here's what you can do. Take an ovenproof plate or saucer and put a piece of aluminum foil on the plate.

 

Convert Human Bandanna to Fit DogInstead of spending a fortune on doggie scarves, buy bandannas for humans and cut them diagonally. Either cut the diagonal with pinking shears or cut with regular scissors and hem.

 

Farmer In The CityMy dad was raised on a farm. But he has spent most of his adult life in the city. When a church friend needed someone to take care of their animal while they were away, he was the natural choice.

 

Fry (Tabby)Fry is a two year old Tabby. My son brought him home. He likes to play with his toys. He is very loving and fun to be with we love him very much

 

Italian Tortellini SoupIn a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, combine all ingredients except basil and tortellini; mix well. Cover; cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours.

 

Scenery: DawnThe sun was really bright outside so I grabbed my camera. I went outside it was about 5:30 and the sun was really bright. So I took a pic and loved how the sun shown through the tree and the colors looked.

 

Keep Food On Separate SidesWhen cooking, making sandwiches, etc, my boyfriend and I had different tastes. I always put "his" dish, sandwich, brown bag lunch, etc, on the left side of the counter, table, or fridge, and "mine" on the right.

 

Wild Horses (Unalaska, Alaska)No one knows how they got to the island; there are many stories, of course. These horses are completely wild, living free under the quilt of God's graces here in the Aleutians.

 

Haircuts at HomeSave money by cutting children's hair at home. Toddlers usually only need a trim. Remember, practice makes perfect.

 

Garden: RosesWhen I moved into my house 25 years ago, there was a wild rose bush growing by the back brick wall, I clip it back every year, and every year it delights me by blooming beautiful red roses.

 

Pressure Canning?I am canning leftover vegetable soup. I have a 6 qt. Elite platinum digital pressure cooker. It holds 4 pt. jars. I need to know how long to set it for.

 

Permanent Marker on 100% Polyester?How can I remove green marker from a soccer uniform that is 100% polyester?

 

Difficulties Getting Teen Up and Ready for School?My 14 year old son is a bear in the morning. I tell him to wake up early so he can get his stuff done and out the door for school. Instead he wakes up late everyday and argues with me about his hair (wants me to help fix it) and everything else.

 

Substituting Skim for 2% Milk in a Recipe?I have a recipe that calls for 2% milk. I only have skim milk. What do I do?

 

Growing Mimosa Trees from Seed?Is it easy or difficult to plant a mimosa tree from seeds? I collected some seed pods just outside of my city (in VA) and want to plant them, but I would like some tips. Also, how do I find out if my city or area of the country prohibits or discourages propagation of mimosa trees?

 

How can we prevent dishwasher detergent residue?How do you get rid of scum on glasses that have been washed in the dishwasher? It has been gradually building up, and now the glasses look like they've never been washed. Regular hand washing doesn't help.

 

Starting a Trumpet Vine From Seed Pods?I know that seedpods can be used to start a new trumpet creeper vine, but what if you took the new pods from a vine before they have dried? What is the best way to keep the seedpods until they are ready to be planted? Thanks!

 

Name Ideas for Cleaning Business Reflecting Military Background?I am an army veteran and the wife of a soldier. I am thinking about opening up a cleaning service, but I can't seem to come up with a name. But mostly, I would like to incorporate something military in the name. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Internet Service Worse Since Verizon Purchased Alltel?This inquiry is concerning Verizon's recent purchase of Alltel Telephone Co. I live in a rural area of central Virginia and until recently was using the service of Alltel Telephone Co. with an air card for my computer.

 

Painting Kitchen With Cherry Cabinets?My kitchen cabinets are red cherry. What color should I paint my walls?

 

Mixing Paint Colors for Model Building?I'm painting a model airplane. What colors do I need to mix to make the color "steel"? Your feedback, please!

 

Recipes Using Dried Pinto Beans?I have an abundance of dried pinto beans. Any suggestions on how to use them?

 

Keeping Wasps Away From Your Home?Is there anything I can spray my porch with to repel wasps? I have had a hard time since we built it. They treated it with linseed oil if that helps. Sometimes there is a hundred at a time. No pest control people know what to use.

 

Tub Surround Damaged by Cleaner?Is there any way at all to improve the looks of my new tub surround? I put something on it to take off some markings by cutting pieces of paper towel, squirting some Krud Kutter stuff on and then putting it over the spots.

 

Cleaning Curtains Without Taking Down?I have a question about the machine for cleaning curtains. I'm looking for a special machine which is able to clean the fabrics right on the windows. It can be either for wet cleaning or chemical cleaning?

 

Removing Soot from Photos?My MIL had a house fire quite a few years ago and she pulled out some photos recently that had some soot on them (not a lot, just a little stained). I was just wondering if anyone knows a way to get soot off?

 

Tape Alternative to Bandaids?I have a friend that's having bad reactions to Bandaids. We are trying to find something to keep ouches covered. I can't find a strong enough tape to hold just gauze on. Any suggestions?

 

Preventing Cats From Scratching Furniture?I am having new furniture delivered soon. How can I get my two cats to not scratch the furniture? They have scratching posts. They are part Siamese. Thanks!

 

Painting a Design on a Guitar?I want to paint on my guitar. How do I transfer a design onto it so that I can paint it?

 

Calculating Child Support?I wanted to know if someone can give me advice. My BF currently pays child support for his kids, but they tell us if we get married because of my income they would make him pay more child support and they would garnish my income tax return.

 

Removing Set-In Yellow Stains on Collars?How do I remove yellow collar sweat stains from a white shirt?

 

Reducing the Noise from Laundry Cart Wheels?I am the administrator/owner of a nursing home. Our laundry collects dirty linens and clothing in large barrels which are on wheels. It has long bothered me that when they make collections the noise from the wheels is horribly distracting. Is there something you can do to quiet wheels?

 

When Should the Child of a Deaf Parent Begin Learning Sign Language?My friend asked me this question: A child is born to a deaf dad and hearing mom. Which is more important? That they learn sign language before English? Or learn both at their own pace?

 

Parakeet's Beak Long and Deformed?My parakeet's beak has grown long and deformed, what could this be?