October 14, 2010

Roasted Chicken Plus LeftoversGreat meal the first day and lots of tasty leftovers. Always a big hit.

 

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with LemonI usually only have Brussels sprouts a couple of times a year and this is one of my favorite ways to make them! The lemon juice is a perfect flavor compliment.

 

Upside Down PizzaBrown ground beef and onion; drain. Add dry spaghetti mix and tomato sauce. Simmer to flavor mixture. Spread meat mixture in greased 9x13 inch pan. Layer on cheese and sour cream.

 

Homemade Chili and CornbreadA delicious hearty meal on those cool evenings that gets better as it sits.

 

Meatloaf MiceA great way to get the family to eat meat loaf! A Halloween must at my house! First, cut 2 coins per mice out of the carrots for ears. Then make long thin strips out of the remaining carrots for the tails, one for each mouse.

 

Cheesy Potato BakeHeat cream cheese in saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in soup. Place frozen potatoes evenly in 9x13 glass baking dish.

 

Make Worn Towels SmallerOur hand towels always seem to wear out at either end. Why make the entire towel into a rag? Cut a 12 inch square out of the good center part, do a fine zigzag stitch around edges.

 

Place Incense In RadiatorIf you use the old-time cast iron radiators, you can use the long sticks of incense to fragrance your room. I put one or two of the sticks in the bottom ribs of the radiator. When the heat comes on, your room will be filled with the aroma of the incense.

 

Bobble-Head Lou (Mini Dachshund)BoBBle-Head Lou is a 9 year old Mini Dachshund. He was one of 8 babies my pair of Doxies had. He was so tiny he was literally the size of my thumb and I had to bottle feed him from day 1.

 

Keep Bait on Fish HookIn Alaska, we fish an awful lot during Salmon Season! Try this tip to keep your bait on the hook: cut tiny pouches from an old pair of pantyhose, place bait inside, and place securely on fishing hook. Works like a charm.

 

Clay OctopusI use a lot of different colors of polymer clay in my jewelry-making, which inevitably means that I end up after a bit of time with otherwise, inadequate scraps in every color. Don't throw out those pieces! Ball them together and make this charming octopus fellow.

 

Leash Training a PuppyTo keep you pup from pulling while on a lead, carry small treats in your hand. Let him get a sniff of them - every once in a while pop one in his mouth. Should be small enough that no real chewing is involved. Then "good boy" him.

 

Scenery: Sunset (Gulf Coast)I was down at the beach seashelling with a friend and her young son, when the sky started turning orange and red. This was so pretty I just had to take a shot, and what a shot it was.

 

Restoring Shine to Aluminum PanTo restore the shine to an aluminum pan, fill the pan with water, add a couple of tablespoons of cream of tartar or vinegar and boil for a few minutes.

 

Joke: StripteaseA good friend just sent me this. It's too cute not to pass on.

 

Use Soap Pieces For Deer ControlTo keep deer from eating on trees or bushes in the winter, hang a half bar of Zest soap in a net bag tied on a branch. Tthe deer will stay away.

 

Avoid Lumps in Foods Made with Condensed SoupBy mixing up creamy condensed soups with a fork before adding other ingredients, you will not have any lumps in it. The same thing goes for mayonnaise that's going to be used in making salad dressings

 

Turn Spring Form Pan Bottom Upside DownWhen baking cheesecake in a spring form pan, turn the pan bottom upside down, so that the lip faces downward. This makes it easier to remove the entire cake or even just a slice because the cake server can be slid under the cake without interference from the lip.

 

Using Ammonia to Clean Stains from CarpetI used to be a housekeeper for an apartment complex years ago, and when we had to get rid of any type of hard to get out food or pet stains we would make a 2/3 milk 1/3 ammonia mixture. Use right away and dispose of the rest.

 

Painting Galvanized MetalRub galvanized metal first with a rag dipped in vinegar. You'll find that paint will adhere much more tightly to the surface.

 

End of the RainbowThis rainbow showed up one evening just over the field. Notice how the right side of the sky is brighter than the side that includes the rainbow. We see rainbows often outside our back door!

 

Halloween Costume: Dog the Bounty HunterMy daughter thought this up for her daughter, who is my grand daughter.

 

Winston (Golden Retriever)Winston is a 10 month old Golden Retriever. I bought him for my son last Christmas. My son was born on that day and always wanted his own dog. He takes excellent care of him and they sleep together every night.

 

Improving Particle Board Furniture?We have cabinets with lattice work and the boards inside are particle board. They are extremely dusty. I would rather not use contact paper to cover the them because it doesn't stick very well. What could I do to make them look better?

 

Selecting the Perfect Comforter?I need your recommendations for a comforter to cover my whole king-size bed during the day and night. Both outer fabric and inner fill, please.

 

Looking for 70s Scalloped Corn Recipe?In the 70s I had a wonderful scalloped corn recipe, but it may not have been called "scalloped corn". I remember all the ingredients, but not the amount of crackers. I'm positive it had no milk, bread, or cheese in it.

 

Cat Pooping in House Plants?How do you stop cats from pooping in houseplants?

 

Mosquito Repellent Recipes?Does anyone know of a mosquito repellent that consists of beer, Listerine and Epsom salt?

 

Removing Mold on Terrylene Curtains?How do I remove mold from terrylene curtains?

 

Installing a Glass Block Window?How many glass blocks size 8x8 do I need for a 29x30 size window?

 

Replacing Side Rails With a Bed Frame?I have a beautiful antique iron bed and the side rails don't support my mattress and box spring. I have a Hollywood frame but it's too high and doesn't allow attaching a headboard and footboard. Where can I find a low frame that will let me attach a headboard and foot board?

 

60th Birthday Party Ideas?I am planning a 60th birthday party for my husband in April. We are having it in the church social hall. Any ideas are welcome to make this his special day.

 

Mopping Hardwood Floors?I clean my poly-coated wood floors with hot water and vinegar and it works very well. The only problem I am having is it does not remove footprints from the dog or people. I am sure this is from the natural oils on the foot.

 

Patterns for Patio Paver Pals?Does anyone know where I can get free patterns for patio paver pals?

 

Buying Child Size Straw Hats to Decorate?Where can I buy little girl straw hats to decorate at a girl's tea party?

 

Covering Your Walls With Fabric?Will laundry starch hurt wood paneling if you use it to put fabric over the expensive good quality of wood paneling? The spouse would die before painting it. Fabric covering over 2/3 of wall with chair rail finishing molding would be the solution for faux wainscoting.

 

Keeping Flies Away?What can you do about flies, and yes the dog poop is picked.

 

Hair Dye on a Leather Couch?How do I remove a hair dye stain from a leather couch?

 

Keeping Onions Crisp When Pickling Them?Will malt vinegar crisp up the onions I am trying to pickle or do I have to start over again? After brining them they have gone soft before putting them in vinegar.

 

Keeping a White Rock Garden Clean?I have a white rock garden in my front yard. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to protect the stones to keep them white through the fall, winter, and early spring? Aside from shoveling the rocks in a tote bin and bringing them into the house.

 

Cleaning a Suede Couch?We have a suede couch with many stains on it, dog urine, pop, juice, etc. I thought I heard to use Cascade dishwashing detergent for this type of cleaning.

 

What Breed is My Dog?I've recently rescued several dogs from the south. This one in particular is my favorite! I would like to get others opinion on her breed. I know that she is likely a Lab mix, however does anyone have an opinion on what the mix may be?

 

Cleaning Well Water Stains from Tub?Where can you buy The Works or Barkeepers Friend? I am looking for something to clean my tub; I have well water.

 

Safely Downloading Emodicons?Hi. Would anyone know how to get emoticons free on my computer? When I have clicked to receive them there is usually a charge. Many thanks.

 

What is This Plant?I do not know what the plant is that is on this question. I love it and want to take care of it properly. The nursery called it a Hula Palm and I can not find it anywhere on the web. Please help.

 

Turning Artwork Into Wrapping Paper?Is there a way to turn my niece's artwork into wrapping paper?

 

Planting a Mango Tree Near a House?I live in Las Vegas, zone 8A. I want to plant a mango tree close to my house. Will the mango tree roots spreading cause problems with the wall or the foundation?

 

Dealing With Someone With a BiPolar Disorder?We have a son who is bi-polar, but is not diagnosed. We have gone through a lot with him. He will not take any medication, he only self medicates with substances and alcohol. He always wants us to bail him out of his utility bills.

 

House Training a Pitbull?I have a 9 week Pitbull puppy and we are working on house breaking. It's going ok for her age, but the problem I'm running into is I will take her outside and she will go to the bathroom 3-5 times, but then 2 minutes after coming back in the house she is peeing on the floor.

 

Removing Rust from Metal?How do I remove rust from metal items?

 

Cleaning Burner Drip Pans?How do I clean burner pans?

 

Making an Inexpensive Cat Costume?My 9 year-old son wants to be a cat for Halloween. Any ideas on how I could cheaply make this costume? Do you think he will get teased?

 

Motor Oil Stains on Cement?How do I remove a car oil stain on a cement driveway?

 

Intentionally Shrinking Jeans?How do I shrink a few pair of really cute jeans following a 20lb weight lost?

 

Thrifty Disney World Vacation?We are going to Walt Disney World on Oct 22, 2010. Any tips on this?