December 10, 2010

Evening CloudsAs evening comes and the weight of the day's pressure subside, we always search our minds for some small moment that makes it all worth it. On the days where there isn't much to find, somehow nature takes over and shows us.

 

Panettone Christmas BreadIn a shallow dish, soak the raisins, apricots, and candied fruit in the liqueur, covering the dish but stirring through occasionally, at least 30 minutes or overnight.

 

Reuse Glass Microwave TrayBefore throwing away that broken microwave, save the glass dish that is inside. It has many uses. At the moment I am using one under one of my large houseplants to protect my floor from any water overflow. My daughter uses one as a food platter when having parties.

 

Wildlife: Red Cardinals in the SnowRed cardinals are so pretty to look at in the snow in the winter. They decorate many calendars and Christmas cards, which is understandable. I hang my feeder close to the kitchen window, which gives me a meal time view of them.

 

Boo-Gie (American Staffordshire Terrier)Boo-Gie is a 5 year old American Staffordshire Terrier. I found her at Animal Control. She was a stray and had 2 days left until she would be euthanized. I brought her home that very day, 4 years ago.

 

Henry (Lab/Husky Mix)This is Henry, he is a 6 year old Lab/Husky mix. We bought our pet for our son when he was four years old from someone in the neighborhood who advertised that they were selling puppies. He quickly became our son's best friend and part of our family.

 

Warm Wishes Cocoa GiftTreat your neighbor to some candy cane cocoa and present it with a matching Christmas card, all in a fun felt basket.

 

Ragdoll Frankie (Cat) and Pinto Bean (Dog)They are great friends and have a lot of fun.

 

Storing a Toilet BrushI hang the toilet brush on the back of the tank using a piece of string and a paper clip. To do this, get a piece of string and make a loop for the toilet brush handle. Mine had a hole through the end, which made it easy.

 

Mnemonic For PasswordI remember sentences to create passwords for my computer. For example, I may think, "I Love My dog so much" so my password would be "ILMDSM"

 

Tomato to Restore Shine to PotsDo the insides of your pots look dull after washing them in the dishwasher? Want the shine back? Cover the bottom of the pot with tomato sauce, ketchup, or tomato soup, let stand overnight, and wash by hand the next day - the shine will be back.

 

Conserve Water With A Snow FenceIf you live in an area with harsh winters, strong winds and steady snowfall can create a lot of drifting snow. Believe it or not, this presents you with a great opportunity to conserve water.

 

My Frugal Life: Fun Ways To Save MoneyI have always been a thrifty person and actually find it fun to think of ways to recycle things and save money. I'm sure these may not be new ideas to some, but these are a few things that come to mind that will help you save money:

 

Use Plastic Bag For Greasing PansWhen greasing a pan, grab a sandwich bag and put your hand in it to reach in and get some shortening or butter for your pan. When finished greasing the pan, just throw the bag away.

 

Tablecloths for FabricI buy old linen tablecloths at thrift stores and garages sales. Even if they have stains in them, most of the cloths are in good shape. I use them to make dresser scarves and sometime crochet edging on them.

 

Garden: Guarding The BirdhousesI had put some bluebird boxes my dad had built on the picnic table. It was funny to see my cat Stacey, had laid down in between both of them, as if she did not want any birds to visit.

 

Use Clear Plastic Totes For Holiday StorageI decorate for so many things, that I've found using the clear totes to be very useful. I store them in different areas of the attic.

 

Use Dog Food as TreatMy friend heard from her vet that if you feed your dog Kibbles 'n Bits as a treat, they will really like them and also get food that is good for them. I tried this and my dog Jack just loves his treat.

 

Make a Cat BalconyOutside one of my windows, I made a cat balcony. I attached brackets to the wall, put up a shelf, surrounded it with lattice, and put down foam cushions covered with pillowcases and sweaters.

 

Fruitcake Recipe Using Bourbon?I am looking for a fruitcake recipe that uses bourbon or wine. A grandparent had a recipe many years ago but has passed on and no one has her recipe. I would appreciate someone sharing their recipe if possible.

 

Shopping for a Functioning Nutcracker?I am looking for an authentic, fully functioning nutcracker that will really crack nuts. If anyone knows a site or a store that might carry them, please let me know. Thanks!

 

Painting the Ball on the Stair Post?How do I repaint a wooden ball that is on the top of a stair post? This is a honey-do that would make a great Xmas gift. Please help!

 

Discontinued Wallpaper Border: Waverly Garden Images?I need to find 2 rolls of discontinued Waverly Parchment Garden Images wallpaper border. Any ideas?

 

Christmas Star Poem for Anonymous Gift?I am looking for a poem/letter/story about a Christmas star/present. You leave this "letter" along with a gift on the doorstep of a friend or neighbor anonymously. Hope someone can help. Thanks!

 

Inexpensive Wedding and Reception Site Near Chicago?I'm looking for a very inexpensive wedding ceremony and reception site in the western suburbs of Chicago. There will be around 130 guests and need to keep it at $30 and under per person.

 

Making Safety Pin Pendants?Can you make safety pin pendants without opening the coil on the big pin?

 

Treating an Infant With a Stuffy Nose?I need homemade cold remedies for a 3 month old baby.

 

Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix?I tasted a homemade party snack mix a while back. It was sweet and spicy and just plain wonderful. It may have had chili powder or taco seasoning and brown sugar. It had pretzels and Bugles in it. Might anyone have the recipe for this? Thank you.

 

Removing a Stain from Vintage Crochet Tablecloth?I had an old stain on an antique crocheted tablecloth that was caused from plant water leaking. I put Spray and Wash on it and left it for a few days. Then I washed it in Tide and colorsafe bleach. The stain turned into black spots that look similar to mold spots.

 

Making Coleslaw?How do I make coleslaw?

 

Teaching Children How to Treat Pets?Our 2 year old YorkiePoo has gotten so when we get ready to put her to bed she starts growling and baring her teeth. Also she has snapped at our grandkids, sometimes breaking the skin. We have 1 grandson that teases her.

 

Packing For Your First Year in College?My daughter will be starting her first year of college next month. Should she pack her things like bed linens, shower caddy, clothes, etc. in a bag or suitcase? We live in New York and she will be going to school in Oklahoma.

 

White, Crusty Film in Refrigerator?I clean my refrigerator and in about a weeks time a white, crusty film forms on the glass shelves (like old spilled milk). I have cleaned it with bleach, other cleaning solutions, and steam cleaned it.

 

Previously Housetrained Dog Peed Near Christmas Tree?My dog is housetrained, about 4 yrs old, and peed for the first time in ages in the house recently. He went over to the area carpet below the table where the newly bought and decorated Christmas tree is, and peed on the rug.

 

Repairing Wood Arm Framework on an Upholstered Sofa?My wife and I own a sleeper-sofa. The arms are made of wood. One of the arms is cracked right through. The cracked arm did not go through the upholstery.

 

Fa Ellen White Chocolate Caramel Cappuccino?Does any one know how to make a white chocolate caramel cappuccino like the Fa Ellen that is served in EZ Mart convenience stores in Oklahoma?

 

Getting Urine Off Memory Foam Mattress?How do I get the urine smell and stain out of a memory foam mattress?

 

Pans Safe to Use in Euro-pro Convection Toaster Oven?We just bought a Euro-pro convection toaster oven. I was wondering if anyone else has this type of oven? If so, what are the types of pans you can use for it?

 

Reshaping Artificial Flowers?How do I reshape artificial flowers and leaves that have been stored for a while?

 

Gift Ideas for Boyfriend Who Likes Hunting?I have been with my boyfriend for a little over 7 months now, and I don't know what to get him. I'm 16 and he's 19. He's kind of a hick boy. He likes to hunt and he's into diesels. He likes tools, knives, and guns.

 

Making Knifty Knitter Christmas Stocking?How do you make a Knifty Knitter stocking?