December 14, 2010

Hot Water Bottle for PetsWhen you know your cat or dog is ready to sleep for awhile, place a rubber hot water bottle under the bedding, but close enough so they feel the heat. I use these myself sometimes during the day and definitely at night.

 

Throw Pillows, Not MoneyI wanted to give my niece throw pillows for Christmas. Making them myself seemed to be out of my budget, even when I found the pillow forms at 50% off. Buy bed pillows when they go on sale.

 

Dealing With a Hyper DogMy dog Daisy is part Jack Russel and part Feist. She is hyper, wets the floor when she gets excited, jumps on everybody that comes in the door, has to lick everyone and would sit in everybody's lap if they would let her.

 

Use Hard Times to Remember the GoodWhen life gives you things you can not handle, just remember you have to have bad to remember the good times. So when things get hard, just let it make you stronger.

 

Community Supported Agriculture...Would you love to enjoy the benefits of a backyard vegetable garden but don't have enough time or space to grow your own food? If so, you may want to consider buying a share in a Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA).

 

Bella (Chocolate Lab - Dalmatian)Bella is 8 years old and was about 4 years old in this picture. She is a chocolate lab but has dalmatian in her as well, and that's why she has gray on her chin. She has had the gray since she was 1 years old, when she left her mommy.

 

Use Expired Sunscreen as LotionUse expired sunscreen for hand lotion or shaving cream. Make sure you mark them as expired, so you won't forget and use them and get a painful sunburn.

 

Scenery: Snow Covered TreesA early snow storm snuck up on us here on the farm. This is the view from my back porch, of the beauty of nature. Of course if you're driving to work today, you wouldn't share my views.

 

In Memory of Jack (Doberman Pinscher)This is Jack, a Doberman. He just passed away at the age of 10 and 1/2 years. We got him in July of 2000 from a neighbor after seeing what a beautiful puppy he was.

 

Romeo (Chihuahua)Romeo is a 14 month old Chihuahua. He is a gift who loves his toy and he loves me! He's not the one-eyed bandit, he is the one-eared bandit.

 

Bring Rain Barrel Indoors for the WinterWe brought our rain barrel indoors for the winter. Rather than let it sit idle, we placed it high on a sturdy table and hooked it up to receive the water that comes from our furnace.

 

Handmade Christmas Cards as GiftMy daughter-in-law is very gifted in creating beautiful scrapbooks and greeting cards, so every year for my birthday, which happens to fall in November, I receive a lovely array of handmade greeting cards including a minimum of 20 Christmas cards.

 

Uses For Hydrogen PeroxidePeroxide is cheaper than bleach, healthier for you, and kills bacteria. Check out these options: Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out to cure canker sores.

 

Ozy (Newfoundland - Black Chow)Ozy is a nearly 3 year old newfy and black chow. I got her through a lady who saves puppies, and then finds homes.

 

Engagement Photo: Holding HandsI got engaged this past August and this was a picture I took and used as part of our announcements. I feel like it's just such a special picture, it doesn't just show the ring but shows us entwined.

 

Coke Lid Christmas TreeI made a cute Christmas tree ornament out of Coke lids. You are recycling the Coke lids that you normally would throw away.

 

Tree Skirt SetThese are little tree skirt sets I made. One is for my daughter and the other for my grand-daughter.

 

Keep Spare Wiper Blade in CarWhen replacing the wiper blades on your car, always save one in case of an emergency. It will take up almost no space in your trunk and could prove invaluable in an emergency.

 

Useful Gifts for Someone Who Has "Everything"For those who are in a nursing home or already have "everything", I have found that a great gift to give is a calendar made at CVS or Walgreens of photos that are meaningful to that person.

 

Holiday Heart OrnamentsMake several in different colors and scatter on your tree. Easy for kids to do too. If you visit with older folk, like at convalescent homes, it is a craft most can do without help.

 

Keeping Parmesan Cheese from Getting Lumpy?I buy the generic Parmesan cheese and according to the label you should refrigerate after opening the container. The problem is it gets very lumpy. Is there a way to prevent this? Thanks for your wisdom!

 

Growing Sprouts in Jars?How do you grow alfalfa sprouts in jars? They could be bean sprouts or any other kind of sprouts, too.

 

Looking for Doll Similar to a Ginny Doll?I made my daughters a dollhouse for Christmas sized to fit a six or seven inch doll. I really wanted to get each of them a Ginny doll but sadly they are way to much for my frugal Christmas budget.

 

Threading Punch Needle?Can you thread a punch needle without a threader?

 

Cleaning a Piel Bucket Bag?How do I clean my Piel naked leather bucket bag? Margaret's said they would charge me between $112-132.

 

Freezing Cinnamon Pull-Apart Buns?Can you make cinnamon pull-apart buns ahead and freeze them? I want to give them as Christmas gifts.

 

Birthday Party Locations in Richmond, VA?I need location ideas for my 14 year old girl's birthday party. They want a dj, music, dance floor, and food. The budget is under $500 for everything.

 

Hanging Lights and Tulle from the Ceiling?When draping lights and tulle from the ceiling do you need to pin the lights to the fabric?

 

How Do I Get Rid of that Fried Smell after Cooking?I fried pancakes 2 days ago and can't get rid of the fried oil smell. Can anybody help?

 

Special Diet for Dog Taking Phenobarbitol?My Chihuahua has seizures and is on Phenobarbitol. Are there supplements I can give her to help her kidneys and liver from having to take this medication? What about special food? I want her to live the healthiest, happiest life she can have. Thanks.

 

Painting Varnished Floorboards?Is it possible to paint over varnished composite floor board flooring and make it look like painted floorboards?

 

What are Corn Flakes?I read a recipe that called for something and I don't know what it is. What are corn flakes?

 

Weight Watchers Japanese Flank Steak Recipe?I am looking for a Weight Watchers recipe for marinated flank steak. It was in recipe book from the late 60's or early 70's. I think it was called Japanese Flank Steak. I believe it used ginger as one of the ingredients.

 

Donating Gifts to Needy Children?Where can I find assistance in locating charities helping needy families? I would like to donate a gift to a child.

 

Can You Dry Clean Couch Cushions?Do dry-cleaners clean couch pillows? There is not one particular stain I'm trying to remove, they are just old and dirty. I just want to make them sanitary and fresh.

 

Rice Is Too Sticky?My rice always seems to come out sticky, almost like a glob. It doesn't matter what kind of rice I use, white or brown. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Getting Free Empty Shoe Boxes?Every year I send shoe box gifts to soldiers, the local shelters, and hospital patients. I try all year long to get empty shoe boxes at the local thrift shop, but that's can be iffy. Any ideas on where to get empty shoe boxes at no cost?

 

Removing Pet Urine Odor from Furniture?What do I use to get pet urine odor out of my furniture? Please help, I hate the smell.

 

Making Poinsettia Bows?I would like to learn to make a poinsettia bow using ribbon. Does anyone know of a video or website with pictures on how to do this?

 

Substituting Peanut Butter for Peanut Butter Chips?I need to substitute peanut butter for 12 ounces peanut butter chips. How can I do that?

 

Gluing a Car Handle Back On?What glue can I use to attach my rear door handle back onto the car? Both surfaces are plastic. I tried gorilla glues and epoxies, which did not work. Someone told me no glue can fix a car. It is a 2004 Scion XB.

 

Keeping Buttons from Falling Off Leather Coat?How do I sew buttons onto a leather coat so they don't get loose and fall off?

 

Removing Varnish from Flooring?We have just painted a floor after priming correctly, and it looked great. We bought a really good varnish, but it has left a brownish colour over the paint and looks awful. How can I take the varnish off?

 

Using a Larger Count Aida for Design?I am having difficulty seeing the Aida 18 count. How do I do my design using a larger count Aida? Does this change everything or can I just start as I did with the 18 count? The eyes are my problem with the smaller count.