January 5, 2011

Poppy Seed Salad DressingIn large mixer bowl, combine sugar, mustard, salt, and vinegar. Slowly add oil and beat until thick. Beat 5 minutes more. Add poppy seeds and blend well. Makes 1 quart.

 

Ham and Vegetable CasseroleLayer rice, ham, onion, and broccoli in greased 1 1/2 quart casserole. Combine soup, cheese, and milk; spread over broccoli. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes.

 

Sweet and Sour MeatballsIn mixing bowl, combine dry onion soup mix and 1/2 cup water. Beat in eggs with fork. Add ground beef and mix well. Shape mixture into 40 meatballs.

 

Chafing Cream as Makeup PrimerWomen, you all know how expensive the primers that you put on prior to makeup application to help makeup "stick" better are. The upscale primers can be bought for about $60. I've found that you can use Monistat chafing relief - yes, Monistat!

 

Crochet Hook to Devein ShrimpAfter shelling shrimp, use a medium size crochet hook to remove the vein. Not only does it slide easily into the space, but the hook end can be use to pull the vein out so you never have to touch it.

 

The Multiple Uses of a DresserWhether scouring tag sales or the attic, the find of a large wooden dresser is akin to finding buried treasure. It is an amazingly versatile piece of furniture, and it's a shame to see one unappreciated at the curbside.

 

Scenery: First SnowThis is the first big snow of the year for us and unusually early. We ended up with over a foot. It made some beautiful black and white pictures though.

 

Pixie (Lab Mix)Pixie is about 2 1/2 to 3 months old, I'm pretty sure. I think she is a Lab and Pit bull mix. My boss gave her to me, because she couldn't keep her and knew I would give her a great home. She enjoys playing with my Rat Terrier and chews on every toy and bone she can get.

 

Cleaning a Narrow Necked Glass DecanterIf a bottle brush can't fit into the opening of a narrow-necked vase, try this: Put several broken eggshells into the vase and then add a bit of water. Place your hand over the opening and shake the vase until you can see that the dust and film has come off.

 

Wolfie and Poohbear (Keeshounds)Wolfie (age 6) and Poohbear (age 11) are Keeshounds. They like to play with a newspaper roll in dirt and chase voles. They are my spoiled rotten furballs.

 

Planting Garlic Along With PlantsPlace a clove of garlic in plant soil to eliminate bugs. The garlic keeps the nasty bugs away and will also grow along with your plants.

 

T-Shirt PillowsMy friend wanted me to make her son dorm pillows out of his college tee-shirts.

 

Fiametta (Balinese)This is Fiametta, she is a 3 year old Balinese. I got her from a friend. She loves to play with small fabric balls.

 

My Frugal Life: Zany Ways To SaveEvery year I try to do a few more things to live more frugal and eco-friendly. In 2010, when we moved, we did not get a dryer. We use the lines in the backyard or hang inside. We have not used any paper napkins or paper towels and do not drink soda pop.

 

Kitty Boy (Tuxedo Cat)This is Kitty Boy our 8 year old black and white tuxedo cat He came to us as a stray on a cold winter day, probably dropped off. I think he was left by an angel as he is our sweet kitty companion.

 

Stamp DispenserIt was time to organize the rolls of postage stamps I use daily! I had 3 rolls to pick from: one for personal, one for our business, and one for a non-profit I work with.

 

Coring Iceberg LettuceAfter trying many ways to keep it fresh, I have found that if you remove the core, completely wrap the head of lettuce in aluminum foil, and keep in the crisper section of the refrigerator, it will last for weeks.

 

Diabetic Dog TreatsPreheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper. Place the liver into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.

 

Cherry Cheese PieIn large mixer bowl, beat cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Pour into crust. Chill 3 hours or until set.

 

Scenery: Ontelaunee Lake (Leesport, PA)These are a few pictures of Ontelaunee Lake in Leesport, Berks County Pennsylvania. It's a man made lake that was part of a system of lakes created to stop the severe flooding that our county went through during the very devastating 1972 Hurricane Agnes.

 

Easy Light Bulb RemovalTo prevent outdoor light bulbs from sticking in the socket, rub a thin coat of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly on the threads before inserting the bulbs. They will unscrew very easily.

 

Sculptures from Packing PeanutsRecyclable packing peanuts made from peanut starch make a great sculpting medium for an activity for kids. Wet the ends and press them together to build fantastic sculptures.

 

Garden: Wilted Roses In The SnowThese are wilted roses. I think they are beautiful!

 

Garden: Stargazer LilyThis photo is just a flower in my backyard that I really like. My other flowers got ruined by a dog, and this, along with about four others survived. I added an overlay to boost the colors which I feel make it much more vibrant and beautiful.

 

Wildlife: Monkeys (Thailand)While I was in Thailand, I happened to stumble into a group of monkeys. Here is a cute picture of one of them.

 

Tips For Successful BakingBaking is an exact science, and it is important to be well prepared. Here's how:

 

Insulating a Chicken Coop?I live in North Dakota and in the spring will be building a chicken coop. I'm wondering if I can use cardboard or newspaper as insulation?

 

Repairing a Jacket With a Broken Zipper?The zipper broke on my winter jacket. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for how to fix it without replacing the zipper. it's reversible with quilted nylon on both sides. Would a toggle work? Thanks.

 

Cat Has Discharge Coming from Eye?My family and I are currently taking care of some stray cats. However one cat who is about a year old has some discharge from her eye and she can't open it. She is also not eating.

 

Removing Wood Stain from Vinyl Flooring?I recently got new molding in my kitchen. However, peeking out from this molding is a darker wood stain. I stained the previous molding and this new molding does not cover the stain that seeped onto the vinyl floor.

 

Removing Paint from Nylon?What would you suggest for getting interior wall paint off a nylon jacket?

 

Ideas for Organizing Storage on Closet Shelves?What are some cheap storage ideas I can use for my closet? As you can see in the picture, I have 2 large shelves (they measure 48in long by 19in high by 14in deep).

 

Plant Dying After Repotting?I think I'm killing my repotted plant. I believe I have put too much water in the new soil and now my "baby" is dying. She's my first one and I've managed to keep her alive for a year. What can I do to make it more healthy. Please help. Also, what kind of plant is this?

 

What to Wear to a Dance if Your Date is Short?I am going to a dance with my best guy friend and it's a woman pays all. I want to look good, but the thing is that he is sort of short. I really just want to know what to wear. Thanks!

 

Shopping for Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations Kit?I have been wanting to redo my countertops for over a year. I have looked everywhere and cannot find the Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations kit. Where can I purchase this product?

 

Prepping and Painting Plaster Walls With a Chronic Mold Problem?I have a multi-part question, especially for anyone with experience renovating older homes (with emphasis on TLC projects, I would assume.)

 

Are There Weight Restrictions for Joining Weight Watchers?Has Weight Watchers ever had a restriction on one's weight before you could join the program? If so what was it?

 

Keeping Dogs from Peeing on Hardwood Floor?After I use SCOE 10X on my hardwood floors, what will keep my dogs from going back to the same spots to urinate (or poop too)?

 

Removing Pet Stains from Carpet?How do you remove dog vomit and urine stains from carpets?

 

Finding Home Repair Help for People on Fixed Low Incomes?My mom and dad live on a very strict social security budget. Their floors in their small home are falling down, the pipes are old and run. They can't afford much and I can help work, but not much money to pay out for someone to repair their home. Is there any help available for them?

 

2nd Birthday Party Activity Ideas?We are having our 2 year old's birthday party at our town's Country Club this year because we are in the process of moving and can't have it at our house.

 

Uses for Clothing Rags?When clothing isn't good enough to give to a store, I tend to keep them for rags, but have more than I need. I've called animal shelters and homeless shelters, but they either have enough or only accept towels.

 

What to Do When the Toilet Doesn't Fill Back Up?My toilet cistern which is fitted with an Armitage Shanks 8.5 inch inlet fill valve won't fill up.

 

Choosing a Computer Operating System?Which is the best OS?

 

Saving Browned Flour for Gravy?If I have made too much browned flour for gravy can I save the flour for use later? If so, how do I save it?

 

Something is Peeling the Lemons on My Tree?We have a lemon tree and this last week we have discovered over 26 ripe fruit on the tree destroyed partially or completely by some sort of pest. Most of the fruit is partially peeled with no apparent damage to the fruit, a few others have been peeled and eaten.

 

Recipe for Frog Pond Stew?I am looking for a recipe for Frog Pond Stew. Thank you.

 

Repairing a Leaking Sun Roof?The sun roof in my Pontiac Grand Prix is leaking. How do I fix that? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Getting Free Craft Supplies for Charity Crafts?My mom and I crochet and knit hats, scarves, and headbands for local church groups. We crochet toys for the local school and library reading programs, wash clothes for the abuse shelter, and also pet mats and toys for the Humane Society.

 

Making a Knit Hat With Ball Cap Type Brim?I'm looking for a knitting pattern for a men's winter hat, but one with the ball cap type brim. Does anyone one out there have a knitting pattern for this hat or know where I can find one?