October 20, 2010

Spicy Mexican Rice (Electric Skillet)This is a combination of Spanish Rice and Stuffed Peppers. My kids ate everything, but my spousal unit was a picky eater. He didn't like bell peppers and the rest of us loved them. He would eat the filling from the stuffed pepper and leave the 'shell'.

 

Western StewMarinate beef in dressing overnight. Drain, reserving marinade. Brown beef in saucepan. Add 2 cups water and marinade. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours.

 

Vegetable SaladMix all the veggies together. The mix the dressing ingredients and pour over the vegetables.

 

Cracker CandyIt is something different and always a hit at parties when I take it. Using crackers to make candy seems a little out of the box but give it a try first.

 

Oven Fried FishPat fish dry. Dip in melted butter and then in crushed cracker crumbs with salt and pepper. Place on rack on cookie sheet. Bake in 400 degree F oven until golden.

 

Apple MuffinsCelebrate the season with Apples. I have just the recipe to satisfy your hunger. This muffin can be eaten anytime of day. It is delicious and nutritious.

 

Jack O' Lantern Cheese BallBeat cheeses, pumpkin, preserves, and spices in medium bowl. Or combine in food processor until smooth. Cover; refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or until cheese is firm enough to shape.

 

Hot Buttered Cinnamon Cider Perfect for adult Halloween party! In slow cooker, combine apple juice, apricot nectar, brown sugar and allspice.

 

Bumble Bee On FlowerA close up pic of a bumble bee on my bee balm flowers. He was so busy collecting pollen he didn't notice me, I didn't get stung anyway!

 

Put Gravel Under Outdoor FaucetYou can keep an outdoor faucet or pump from turning the surrounding area to mud, if you dig out a hole beneath the water spout and replace the soil with rocks or gravel.

 

Oatmeal Bags for Itchy SkinWhen your kids have itchy insect bites, give them little bags made from pieces of pantyhose stuffed with handfuls of dry oatmeal. These soothing "scratchy bags" relieve the itch without the risk of broken skin or infection. They are great for adults too.

 

Fixing Loose Screws in WoodIf a screw keeps turning in something that is wooden, simply remove the screw, put a toothpick in the hole, break it off at the top of the hole, insert the toothpick part and replace the screw.

 

Pencil and Lunch Boxes for Kids CraftsPencil boxes and lunch boxes can be turned into "craft boxes" for kids, holding paints, crayons, and other arts and crafts supplies. They are also handy when used to organize sewing notions.

 

Jewel (Teacup Poodle)Jewel is a 7 year old Teacup Poodle. We got her for our 20th anniversary. She likes to play with squeak toys and take long walks. When she gets very excited and barks at an animal outside she will end each bark with saying "mama."

 

"Stained Glass" Recycled WindowsA new use for old windows. Paint the window frames and let dry. Be creative and paint the glass with stained glass paint. Once dry, glue the marbles to the glass then let the glue dry.

 

Reuse Room DeodorizersI have decided to put a couple of those stick-up room deodorizers on the walls where our puppy lives, and my mother just told me a great way to reuse them instead of buying replacements when they dry out.

 

Scenery: Hay HarvestHay Harvest

 

Garden WitchHere is a witch made mostly from materials found in my back yard, twine, and twigs.

 

Hoarding: The Food WarsIn my last installment, as promised, I will talk about food. And again, I want to emphasize that I am not picking on anyone, so if you see yourself or someone you know in these articles, it is purely coincidental.

 

Don't Refrigerate ChocolateDon't put chocolate in the refrigerator, unless it's already been cooked, because it ruins the taste and quality of the chocolate!

 

Hire Someone to Care for Pets While you WorkIf you don't have enough time for a pet, don't let that stop you. Hire someone you know and trust to come to your house and take care of some of the pet basics while you're at work.

 

Text Yourself RemindersEver think of something when you are out, then forget it by the time you get home. I have solved that problem for me. When I think of something like what I need to do later, who I should call later, or something I need from the store, etc., I text myself a message.

 

Sunset (Virginia Beach)This photo was taken in Virginia Beach on our family vacation. It was taken in one of the bays just as the sun was going down. Once it was developed it looked so much like a postcard and it really caught the moment.

 

Dishwasher Utensil Basket for Scrapbook StorageA couple of years ago, I came across an old dishwasher basket. Since then, I have probably added a half dozen to my scrapbook area for all types of supplies.

 

Samantha (Boxer)Samantha is 18 months old and a Boxer. I found her for sale in the Walmart parking lot. She likes to jump, and chase birds. She has been the best thing ever for my sons

 

Searching for the Perfect PumpkinI took my children to the pumpkin patch this weekend so they could hunt for their perfect pumpkin. Snapping pictures, avoiding mud puddles, all while still trying to find my own perfect pumpkin was quite the task. But, it all worked out in the end!

 

Grease Spots on CementTo clean old grease from concrete, saturate first with paint thinner or engine degreaser, then use the kitty litter or corn starch treatment. Sprinkle corn starch or kitty litter over the area and sweep up after the oil is absorbed.

 

Solar Powered Battery ChargerA few years ago I bought a half dozen of these 'patio' lights that charge up during the day and then shine for a few hours after sundown. A few weeks ago I noticed one had cracked.

 

Make Your Own Bread Machine MixesMake your own homemade bread machine mixes. I like to use my favorite recipe and prepare a dozen or so at a time. Prepare 12 quart Ziploc bags by labeling them (I like freezer bags to use over and over).

 

Panda (Bluetick Hound/Border Collie)Panda is a 3 year old part Bluetick Hound and part Border Collie. He was the runt of one of our litters, my husband had two Redbone Hounds that were about a year old and they had him outside tossing him in the air, he was terrified.

 

Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner for Rust StainsI had really bad vertical rust stains in my bathroom sink from the top opening. I searched for answers online and came across one on this website and was about to try it when when a friend suggested I use Lysol in the 'bottle neck' blue/white toilet bowl cleaner.

 

Restoring Old PhotosI haven't seen any photo restoration on here yet, and since it is one of my favorite pastimes, I decided to post a before and after photo of my work.

 

Are Crape Myrtles Deciduous?Do the leaves fall off the crepe myrtle in the fall?

 

How Do I Clean the Filter in My Dishwasher?How do you clean the filter in the dishwasher?

 

Support Hose Donning Device?My doctor just increased the tightness of my support hose due to a venous insufficiency problem in my legs. The darn things are so much tighter than the ones I had been wearing that I don't use them daily like I'm supposed to.

 

Substitutions for Evaporated Milk in Recipes?Can you substitute 2% or any kind of milk for evaporated milk in recipes such as pumpkin pies? If so, how much?

 

Fleas on My Cat and Her Kittens?My cat had kittens 4 days ago. She had fleas before she was pregnant, while she was pregnant, and now after she had her 3 kittens. Her kittens now have fleas and I don't know how to take care of it.

 

Bicycle Themed 4th Birthday Party Ideas?My daughter is turning 4 and wants a bicycle themed birthday party. I am getting her a bike as her gift and we are making bicycle cupcakes. Other than that I have no idea what to do for her party! Any ideas on how to make this a bicycle party for her?

 

Buying Used Wedding Dresses in Bulk?Where can I buy used wedding dresses in large quantities?

 

Bee Creative Studio's Angel of the Month Quilting Pattern?I am looking for an angel of the month quilting pattern, appliqued. It was produced by Bee Creative, but it is out of print now. Anyone have anything? Thanks.

 

Snakes of Florida?I am terrified of snakes and my brother moved to Dania, Florida on the interior coast. What can I expect to see?

 

Where Can I Get Information on Homeschooling Requirements?I'm wanting to homeschool my kids, but some of the laws are a bit confusing. For example, do you have to teach them 6 hrs/day or just make sure you get in the required number of hours for the year? Where is the best place for me to find these answers?

 

Easy Ladies' Knit Sock Pattern?My daughter, who is going to Concordia University in Montreal, has challenged me to one of her favorite things, homemade woolen socks. Does anyone have a pattern for a ladies size 9? I need an easy pattern for me to win the bet! Thank you.

 

Plants Dying After Soil Treated With Unknown Poison/Herbicide?I've just started gardening, and the soil was poisoned (with an unknown, but strong product) a couple of years ago. I planted a lot of plants and a week to ten days later they are all dying, do I have to replace soil or is there anything I can treat it with?

 

Cake Mix Cookie Recipes?I am looking for cake mix cookie recipes.

 

How Do I Locate the Choke on My Riding Mower?Where is the choke on a Craftsman riding mower model LT 2000?

 

Dog Names?Does anyone have some ideas for dog names?

 

Best Furniture Upholstery For Pet Owners?What is the best type of furniture fabric for dogs and cats?