November 15, 2010

Spiced TeaTie the tea bags together . Set aside. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the spices and sugar. Boil for 5 minutes. Add the tea bags. Remove from heat; cover and let brew 5 minutes more.

 

Scottish TabletTablet is the "Scottish" version of our fudge. It's a VERY sweet, crumbly, candy type bar.

 

Pollo a la DiabloIf you want a little less heat, use more sour cream in the sauce. If you want a little more heat, use more pepper sauce. Serve chicken and sauce over rice, your favorite pasta, salad greens or in a sandwich or tortilla wrap.

 

Easy Fruit CakeOnly 3-4 ingredients and 1 bowl. Great taste

 

Cucumber and Onion SaucePeel and slice cucumbers. Soak in salt water and drain. Add sliced onions. combine other ingredients and pour over cucumbers and onions. Extra good on coleslaw.

 

Captain's SoupSaute onion in oil in saucepan until transparent. Add soups and juice. Bring to a boil. Add frozen vegetables. Simmer until veggies are tender. Add salt and pepper.

 

Spicy Sweet KielbasaCombine the 3 sauces together into a crock pot. Add kielbasa and mix. Cook on high for 90 minutes.

 

Using Leftover Soap PiecesWhen bars of hand soap are almost finished, getting the small remnants to stick together properly can be a pain, and they certainly do not look quite right for use in the guest bathroom.

 

Soldering Iron HolderFor a really quick and inexpensive soldering iron holder, drive two spike nails into a scrap block of wood to form an "x" and rest the tool's hot end in the cross.

 

Wash Dog When Emptying Hot TubWhen emptying our hot tub, I use the water to bathe our fairly large dog. The water is not only warm for him, but I feel like I am recycling, seeing how the water is not close to any greenery.

 

Remembering to Rotate Your MattressEveryone knows that rotating your mattress will keep it in better form. I usually try to do this every year when the time changes. That way I know it is done at least every 6 months. I always have a hard time remembering if I need to spin it or flip it over.

 

Store Leftover Chips in the FreezerWe often have left-over potato chips and I hate to throw them out, but they eventually get stale and end up in the garbage. That was, until my friend told me about putting them into your freezer. Yep, just clip the bag shut, and throw it in there.

 

Cardboard Fabric Liners For StorageUse the inner cardboard liners from bolts of fabrics to store your fabric. Stores will give them to you if you ask. Cut them in half and use them to wrap individual yardages around and store, upright, in those legal-sized cardboard boxes you get from office supply stores.

 

Toothpick Christmas TreeToothpicks and Styrofoam balls come together to make an amazingly elegant table top Christmas tree.

 

Scenery: Summer CloudsHere is a thunderstorm that didn't get bad and these are fair weather clouds. I love taking cloud pictures.

 

Whiten Nails with Baking SodaIf dark nail polish has left your nails yellowed or if you want to just brighten up your natural nails, scrub your nails gently with nailbrush topped with your favorite hand soap sprinkled moderately with baking soda.

 

Makeshift WrenchThe next time you need a wrench in a hurry and you don't have one handy, try this: screw two nuts-flat sides together-onto a good sized bolt. Space the nuts apart so that the head of the one you want to remove fits snugly between the "jaws" of your makeshift arrangement.

 

Wildlife: Backyard Birds (Cardinal and Woodpecker)I was already taking pictures of this lovely female cardinal when the downy woodpecker came in. He nipped her tail a little, hence the indignant attitude!

 

Take Advantage of 0% Interest Store OffersA lot of people on this site suggest buying things only if you can pay for them using cash. Basically I agree with that; but sometimes that's just not possible. Most stores now have "12 month no interest" plans. Even if you have the money you can use that method.

 

Wildlife: Crab SpiderWhat the well-dressed crab spider is wearing this season in Amy's Garden. This striking black and white pokadot ensemble can be dressed up or dressed down depending on your Holiday event.

 

Quick Leftover LunchI had a few leftovers in the fridge and was not sure what I could have for a quick lunch. I took the bologna and placed it on a plate, then topped with the mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables that I heated in microwave and the fried up an egg for each.

 

Make "Treats" from Clay to Decorate FrameWhen making a pet photo frame, instead of using "real" dog or cat treats, try making them out of polymer clay. Pets then will not attempt to eat the frames

 

Methods For Protecting Roses In WinterIf you garden in a colder zone, you need to offer your roses at least some degree of protection in the winter. Most winter damage to roses is caused by frost heave or is the result of sun scald and drying winter winds.

 

Squirrels On BirdfeedersI built my sunflower feeder support mast from 1 1/2 inch Schedule 40 plastic pipe. I figured the plastic finish would be too slick and hard for squirrel claws to grab.

 

Boil Clothesline in Salt WaterIf you use a cotton clothes line, try boiling the next replacement rope in salt water for a half hour before you put it up. This will take out all the tangles and prevent wet articles of wash from freezing to the line in cold weather.

 

Alka Seltzer to Clean ThermosTo clean a thermos easily, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets and let soak 1 hour or more, then rinse.

 

Cleaning Piano Keys?I just got an old piano and there is some gunk, like old stickers on some of the keys. How do I clean this off? I can't use Goo Gone because of the ivory keys, correct?

 

Reviews of GPS Units That Would Have International Capability?We're planning a trip to the United Kingdom next summer and with Black Friday sales coming up the day after Thanksgiving, I thought I'd be on the lookout for a great price on a GPS unit, something of which I know absolutely nothing about.

 

Raising Baby Finches?I have Zebra finches and they just hatched an egg. What kind of food,etc. should I feed them to ensure a healthy offspring?

 

Chihuahua Puppy Poops In Crate?I have a miniature Chihuahua that was found abandoned in a neighbor's apartment. When I first got her, I got her a large dog carrier for her to use as her "house". At night I would lock her in it so that she would not mess on my floors or furniture.

 

How to Starch a Doily with Huge Ruffles?Remember the stiff crochet doilies our grandmothers used to make? The ones that they starched and formed the fluffy and decorative edges.

 

Removing Nail Glue from Clothing?I got nail glue on a dress. Any tips on how to remove this stain?

 

Buying Rich's Roll Dough?I have been looking for Rich's Roll dough for some time. For years I used Rich's, purchased from local supermarkets. Now I am unable to find them. Please help! Thank you.

 

How Do I Deal with a Relative Who Visits Unannounced and Often?My sister in law visits our home at least 5 times a week. She never calls to ask if it is a good time to visit. She always stops by unannounced and uninvited.

 

Welbilt Bread Machine ABM-100-3 Manual?I am looking for instruction manual for a Welbilt Breadmaking machine Model ABM-100-3.

 

Substitute for Cardamom?Is there a substitute for cardamom?

 

Black Dress Fades to Purple Under the Arms?I purchased a black dress to wear for a wedding. After the ceremony, I returned to my hotel room only to realize that my armpits had turned dark purple! My stunning dress was fading on me.

 

Removing an Iron-On?How do you remove adhesive patches from jeans?

 

Making Large Bows from Plastic Tablecloths?How do I make large bows using plastic table cloths?

 

Making Penny Rugs?I am thinking of trying my hand at making vintage style penny rugs. I went shopping for wool felt and had difficulty finding any that was 100% wool. There were bolts that were a wool and rayon blend.

 

12 Days of Christmas Float Ideas?I need new ideas for a Christmas float depicting the 12 Days of Christmas.

 

Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing?When my wife washes my t-shirts they come out with stains on them. The stain looks like a light kind of round oil stain. We can't figure out where these stains are coming from.

 

Shopping for a Horseradish Grater?I'm interested in an attachment for grinding horseradish. I've found a rasp grater and a ceramic ginger grater both on Williams Sonoma and was wondering if you knew if these items would work or could you suggest anything else? Thanks.

 

Getting Rid of a Dog's Bad Breath?I have a 11 year old miniature Dachshund and I have noticed that she has really bad breath that actually smells like her poop. I have also noticed that she sometime does eat her own poop.

 

Other Uses for Key Rings?What can I use key rings for, besides holding keys, of course? I've got loads of them in every size and I can't come up with anything to do with them. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

 

Will Puppy's Ears Stand Up?I have a 41/2month old male German Shepherd/Husky mix. Is there any way of knowing if his ears are going to go up his father's are up? One of his brothers has one up, but his are still floppy. When he's laying down they point strait out. Is this any indication just wondering?

 

Freezing Fresh Vegetables?How do you freeze raw cauliflower and broccoli? Is it possible to freeze raw zucchini squash?

 

Craft Ideas for Decorating Bottles?I would like to know how to decorate a variety of decorative bottles. Maybe how to put items in the bottles like flowers, etc.?

 

Are the White Spots on My Corn Tortillas Mold?There are white spots on the corn tortillas, is this mold?

 

Can Diluted Flea and Tick Shampoo Be Used as a Spray-on Treatment?Can I use diluted Hartz flea and tick shampoo and spray it on my dog? Where I give her a bath is too cold and I'm afraid she will catch a cold.

 

Finding Temporary Financial Assistance and Housing?I am married with 2 boys. My husband just fell off a 30 foot roof working and broke his right foot and left knee. He will be in a wheelchair till January sometime.

 

Freezing Asparagus?Can I freeze fresh asparagus? It is so delicate of a vegetable. Must I blanch first?