September 30, 2010

Cranberry KetchupThis ketchup goes with anything from cream cheese on crackers to a turkey sandwich to pork chops. You can also use homemade cranberry sauce as I do. It works just fine.

 

Hamburger Cheese DipFor years I have made a dip similar to this one, but this is quicker and very good

 

New Orleans PralinesThere are several different recipes for pralines from several different regions of our country. I think originally, pralines came from New Orleans though, and if there is a recipe anywhere that can beat this one, I sure would like to find it.

 

Broccoli SupremeCook veggies according to package directions. Drain. Place in buttered casserole. Heat soup and cheese together, stirring until blended and smooth. Pour soup mixture over veggies.

 

Skillet Chicken ParmesanStir 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese into pasta sauce. Spray skillet with vegetable cooking spray and heat 1 minute. Add chicken and cook until browned. Drain. Pour pasta sauce over chicken; turn breast pieces over to coat both sides with sauce.

 

Easy Chicken Pot PieThis recipe is so simple and comforting. It's a filling meal all by itself, no need for anything else.

 

Mushrooms Casserole with ChestnutsEasy and different. Clean the mushrooms and wash them well. Put the oil in a frying pan; when it starts to sizzle, add the mushrooms, leave them for 2-3 minutes. Add onions, salt, and pepper.

 

Pepper and Onion SandwichI have a new favorite sandwich that is more economical than my favorites of the past. Our garden is winding down as the weather cools, and we are bringing in tons of veggies. When the freezer was full, I wondered what to do with all those peppers and onions.

 

Patch (Pointer Hound Mix)Patch is a 2 year old Pointer Hound Mix. My husband came home with him one day after visiting the SPCA rescue center. He was abused and now requires much needed attention. He likes to chase squirrels and tries very hard to catch birds.

 

Jeter (Boston Terrier Mix)Jeter is a 2 1/2 year old Maltese and Boston Terrier. I got him two years ago. He was 6 weeks old when I brought him home. I got him from one of my clients that had a litter she didn't want.

 

Scenery: Red Cross Building (Ronneby, Sweden)I passed along Red Cross building in Ronneby, Sweden. It caught my eyes how they planted different shades of flowers, plants in a certain design with a taste of art.

 

Scenery: Field of SunflowersA field of sunflowers planted by farmers adjoining our house. They were planted for dove hunting, but I enjoyed the view.

 

Buff Stains from Wood FurnitureVery fine steel wool or sand paper (1000 grit) can be used in many ways. If you have real wood furniture and experience a water stain or a burn, etc. First sand the surface with the sand paper (very little pressure is needed) until the stain is no longer visible.

 

In Memory of BelladonnaBelladonna was just so beautiful. She lived for about four years before she was killed by a fast driver. She was one of those cats that was always there when you needed a cuddle. I'll miss her.

 

Removing Rust From ToolsRemove rust from garden tools with steel wool dipped in kerosene or turpentine. Then oil the tools lightly to prevent the rust from forming again.

 

Holly (Maine Coon)Holly is a 2 year old Maine Coon. I rescued her from the shelter. She likes to play with bags. She just had surgery 2 days ago.

 

Check Craigslist for Used Fitness EquipmentWant the fitness benefits of gym membership but not the cost? Check Craigslist for a second hand version of the equipment you want. Sooner or later it will likely show up.

 

Keep Extra Bags in Bottom of GarbageI keep a roll of trash can liners in the bottom of the can. When I take the full one out to throw it away, the roll in the bottom of the can is right there. No searching or looking elsewhere for the roll.

 

Give Child's Artwork as a GiftThis year for Christmas, I am planning to send my mother several pieces of artwork my children have created during the school year. First off, I have too many to count, and secondly, my mother will cherish and keep them safe!

 

Marinate New Veggies In Leftover Pickle JuiceI recently got a huge jar of pickles for under a dollar due to overstocking. My aunt always did this with her pickle juice, and I plan to do the same: Once all of the pickles have been eaten from your jar, save the pickle juice.

 

Muffin Tin to Hold Taco ShellsTaco Night? Turn your muffin tin upside down and place the shells in between the cups. They will stand erect and let your guests fill them up! I have gone to the Dollar store and purchased small muffin tins, once for each member of the family.

 

Change Shoe Color with Cream PolishI needed a pair of comfortable black shoes to work in. I already had a pair in my closet that were suitable, but they were the wrong color and had a couple of stains on them I just couldn't get out. I decided to try some black cream shoe polish.

 

Ask Stores for Packaging MaterialsWhen I decided to start doing some internet business, I was appalled at the cost of shipping materials and packaging. One day I was shopping my favorite Dollar Store and they were unpacking newly arrived goods. The boxes were small, manageable, and were filled with peanuts and bubble wrap.

 

Crocheted Denim PurseThis is a denim purse with jute handles and a button closure. I crocheted a rectangle for a sample, since I wasn't sure the heavy weight denim would work for this project. Instead of starting over, I chose to make a purse with it.

 

Joke: LeftoversIt's a little too little to save, and a little too much to dump . . .

 

Old Fashioned Dish ScrubberI love the idea of having a dish scrubber patterned after the old ones the women made in frontier days; just laying it around for decoration would be great in and of itself.

 

Scenery: IrelandI was driving in the mountains one day and found this delightful place. It has now become one of my favourite places in Ireland. It's in the middle of nowhere. I've really realized how lovely my country is and makes me proud to be Irish.

 

Air Dry Jeans To Prevent ShrinkingTo keep tight jeans from getting tighter by keeping them out of the dryer, spread them out to dry flat or stretch between two coated hangers.

 

Craft Projects Using Tassimo Coffee Disks?Any Tassimo lovers here? I really adore this machine, but I also feel bad, throwing away 4-5 discs daily (for both me and my husband).

 

Record Album Crafts?Does anyone know of any crafts that you can make from record albums, besides a bowl? Thanks.

 

Frugal Baby Shower?I am giving a baby shower for my son and his girl friend, but I have very little money to do this and don't even know how to put a shower on. Please help!

 

Buying Food for Wedding Reception?My daughter is getting married. I need to buy nuts and mints for a reception for 250 people. How much should I buy?

 

Can You Recall a Sent Email Before It Is Read?Is there a way to retrieve a sent email right after it has been sent? I sent one and realized I wanted to change a word, but didn't know how to retrieve it before it was read.

 

How Long Does Nicotine Remain in the Bloodstream?How long does nicotine stay in my blood?

 

Buying Yardley Cover Stick Concealer?Yardley had a cover stick that was awesome. Do they still make it?

 

Cooking With a Very Large Zucchini?I have a large zucchini (approximately 1 1/2 ft). Can I shred it and use it in recipes calling for shredded zucchini? and is it worth freezing?

 

Tuna Pea Wiggle Recipe?I'm looking for a recipe for "tuna pea wiggle".

 

Cracks in Chocolate Covering on Caramel Apples?I make a lot of caramel apples dipped in chocolate. My problem is that the chocolate will crack and sometimes the cracks are quite large. After I put the caramel on, I put in the frig to harden, then dip in chocolate. Then I put back in the frig to set the chocolate.

 

Paint Color Advice for Kitchen With Light Oak Cabinets?I want to paint my kitchen walls, but don't know what color to paint them. I have light oak cabinets. My countertops have dark brown and light brown colors and the backsplash is the same color.

 

Remedy for Spider Veins?Is there something you can use to remove spider veins?

 

Killing Weeds with Steam?Can I use steam to kill weeds?

 

Making Dish Soap from Octagon Bar Soap?Where do I find Octagon soap for "homemade hand dishwashing soap recipe"? Is it in the bath soap section or the laundry soap section at Wal-Mart?TIA

 

Financial Assistance for Prescription Strength Vitamins?My doctor recently diagnosed me as vitamin D deficient. She prescribed 50,000 (USP units) vitamin D capsules, with instructions to take two per week. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid will pay the $14-$15 cost. I've taken one capsule a week trying to make the Rx last.

 

Hydrosil Heating Question?Does anyone have any advice about buying HydroSil heaters? I'm looking for a way to lower my propane heating costs at my fishing cabin in Missouri. Thanks.

 

Growing Bittersweet?For bittersweet vines they say you have to have female and male vines in order to grow them. Is this true? Also I would like to know how long does it take a bittersweet vine to produce flowers?

 

Chili is Too Hot?I received a package of pre-made chili and the seasoning is too hot. How can I make it a milder chili?

 

Heat Marks on Painted Furniture?I have a very beautifully painted black chest of drawers. It has white marks on it from a steam iron. The paint is matte. How can I remove the white mark?

 

Easy, Inexpensive and Quick Recipes?What is the cheapest meal you have and how is it prepared? I need the required ingredients and a description of the taste. I am a Nigerian in Michigan, U.S.A. I arrived 5 weeks ago. Thanks for your urgent response.

 

Remedy for Premenopausal Perspiration?I am 53, and using both hormones and Prozak since becoming premenopausal. I sweat like nobody ever did, mostly on my head, face, and neck. It pours, of course it's more in summer, but throughout the year I sweat.

 

Making a Fleece Baby Blanket?I need to make my baby a fleece blanket, but I only have a yard of fleece and then a yard of sheet like material. Will I still be able to make it?