January 6, 2011

Sugar ApricotsThis recipe can be multiplied. Peel and stone the apricots, leaving them as whole as possible. Put them in a large pan or preserving pan, and to every pound of apricots add a half a pound of dry sugar.

 

Cream of Zucchini SoupSaute onion in margarine until soft and golden. Add broth, zucchini, and flavorings and simmer until zucchini is soft, about 10 minutes. Puree in blender.

 

LentilsMy girls Stella (10) and Rosa (4) love this meal We cook it all the time.

 

Bride's BrunchLine a quiche dish with 1 pie shell. Arrange 1/2 of bacon or ham in bottom of shell. Break 7 eggs into the dish. Pierce the egg yolks with a fork, but do not mix the egg yolks with the egg whites.

 

Grilled Shrimp in Saffron and Seville Orange In case Seville oranges are not available, substitute a mixture of equal parts fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon juice, 1/4 cup.

 

Gourmet Baked ChickenPound boned chicken breasts til thin. Place a slice of Swiss cheese and a slice of ham on chicken breast and roll jelly roll fashion. Secure with toothpicks and place in a non-stick spray coated pan.

 

Maple Corn BreadThis corn bread is perfect with bean soups. It is amazingly fragrant, and soooo delicious! It is a northern bread, so it's tender and slightly sweet.

 

Easy Four Cheese DipThis is an easy recipe for the New Year parties and any get together, anytime of the year.

 

Pineapple Chicken SaladDrain the fruits well and refrigerate overnight. In medium size bowl stir together salad dressing and mustard. Stir in chicken, celery, onion, mushrooms, pepper and olives.

 

Jax (Shepherd - Boxer Mix)This is Jax's first birthday photo. A friend gave him to me. He likes to chew up everything that is not his. He particularly loves to play fetch and swim in the pool. He loves to chase lizards or anything else.

 

Store Extra Paper Towels in Glove BoxSince I am in and out of the car often and have a messy toddler, I have made it a habit to grab some paper towels out of the window wash station at the gas station and store them in my glove box while my gas is pumping. I have thanked myself later when I needed to use them!

 

Preventing Ice Dams On Your RoofIf you have trouble with ice dams in the winter, try putting "ice melt" salt into nylon stockings and laying them in the valleys of your roof. It keeps the salt from running off and melts the snow and ice slowly! It really works.

 

My Frugal Life: Resolutions for 2011Aside from all the obvious resolutions I have just made for 2011 - to lose weight, eat more healthily, take more exercise etc., there is one other really important money and stress saving thing I have made up my mind to do.

 

Garden: Bedford (TX)This picture was taken in my yard in Bedford, Texas. The foliage is so eye capturing. Banana trees that get 12 to fifteen foot tall, cannas and so much more. It's like a island paradise.

 

Using Lemon Juice For White Fluffy RiceWhile cooking rice, add two drops of lemon juice. The rice will remain fluffy and not stick together.

 

Make Funnel From Envelope CornerA corner cut from an envelope and pierced at the point makes a good funnel for filling salt and pepper shakers.

 

Nail Polish to Identify Charger AdapterA friend recently gave my son a hand held game, but we needed to buy a charger for it. The charger recommended at local store is one that has five different adapter options.

 

Rubber Band to Save SoapTo make liquid soap and hand sanitizer go further, I tightly wrap a rubber band around the neck of the pump so the pump doesn't go all the way down. This helps control the amount being used per pump.

 

New Year's Resolution: Be A Better PersonMy New Years resolution is to practice daily (365), even on a bad day, to work harder to do the best humanly possible to think and act kindly and thoughtfully in every single little aspect of life towards all others in every single situation.

 

Wildlife: OspreyThis Osprey just didn't like how windy it was so decided to wait out the wind, by sitting on my condo railing. He could care less if I came out to see him or not. When I tried to make him fly off. All he did was turn from facing the building to looking away!

 

Barbie Doll and Clothes "Trunk"I made these decorated "Barbie Doll Clothes Trunks" for my great-granddaughter who loved her Barbie dolls and wanted to take them everywhere she went along with every shoe, purse, and dress those dolls owned.

 

Ivy (German Shorthair Pointer)Ivy is 4 years old. She was born on my sister's birthday. She is a German Shorthair Pointer. Ivy likes to chase birds and squirrels. Even though Ivy is a water-sports dog, she doesn't like to get her feet wet. She likes snow, but not rain.

 

Scenery: Summer RemnantsI love to photograph and draw botanicals. Now when we are snowed in, I did not expect to find much on my crunchy/squeaky walk to the spring. Wrong! There was a summer once and she left forms against the snow in the exquisite remnants of wildflower bracts and seed pods.

 

Add Coffee Grounds When PlantingWhen planting vegetables, such as radishes, carrots, onions etc., try sprinkling some coffee grounds in the soil first and then plant your seeds. This should keep the pests away and is also a good fertilizer.

 

Rubber Band to Save SoapTo make liquid soap and hand sanitizer go further, I tightly wrap a rubber band around the neck of the pump so the pump doesn't go all the way down. This helps control the amount being used per pump.

 

Rose Petal (Cat)This is Rose Petal, she was outside of our house. She was just a stray cat, thin and hungry. She passes the time sleeping, eating catnip, and cat treats. She has pretty eyes and is a heavy cat.

 

Avoid Getting Distracted by Interesting WebsitesI have found what I think is a simple solution to being distracted by "click on". You know, you're looking at a really good site when you see something interesting - you click on the link and before you know where you are, you have wandered off into the great unknown.

 

Axle (Staffordshire Bull Terrier)Axle is 12 weeks old. He is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that I bought from my neighbor. He chews up anything and everything. He is the sweetest dog ever.

 

Make Your Own Instant OatmealInstant oatmeal is pretty quick and easy to make yourself to have at the ready. No need for all those little baggies! This recipe is especially nice for those of us who have kids or otherwise demanding lifestyle ...

 

Golden PunchReconstitute the orange and lemonade juices according to can directions. Add ginger ale just before serving. Serves 60.

 

Wildlife: Hungry BirdsWe just could not stand by, and let the birds go with out their daily bird food. So my husband put on a hat, jacket and boots, and got the snow shovel, and made a path to the bird feeder.

 

Soft Homemade BreadWhen making home made bread, my mom always noticed it would be a little dry once it came out of the oven. She decided to try a few things to help it out. She would put 1 1/2 cups of milk into the batter when mixing and, low and behold, it works!

 

Paper Plate as Dust PanIf you can't find the dustpan in a hurry, grab a cheap paper plate and cut it in half. Use it to scoop up food spills, broken glass, etc. It will do the job initially, then sweep or wipe the area clean ASAP.

 

Reuse Dryer Sheets In Different WaysThe new Purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets work great, after you finish with them in the dryer, they can be used to dust with, put in bottom of trash can or dresser drawer for odor control, or cut out and use to felt the bottom of what-nots sitting around.

 

Elk (Estes Park, CO)This may be a common sight to some, but we were ecstatic to see this guy up close on a September trip to Estes Park, Colorado. He was huge, beautiful, and made my heart skip a beat. It was, for me, a summation of the glory of nature.

 

Scenery: Winter SunsetThese are pictures that I took of a winter sunset two years ago, I love the brilliant orange glow through the trees! This is what I call a perfect sunset. It's just too pretty not to share!

 

Use Microplane Grater Upside DownIf you use a microplane grater upside down, it contains the zest or cheese, making it easier to judge the amount . This cuts down on the mess too.

 

Transplanting a Large Fig Tree?I have two 12ft high/wide fig trees in the back yard. They're quite large and sitting in the middle of the yard. Is it difficult to transfer them to another location or should I drop the idea and instead consider a severe pruning (1/3)?

 

Replacing Belt on Maytag Washer?How do you replace the belt and pulley on a Maytag washer Mod#SAV05DAWW?

 

Western Themed Cub Scout Banquet Ideas?I have 6 year old Cub Scouts and I have been tasked with finding a song that they can sing while riding toy horses. The banquet also has a western theme. Does anyone have some ideas for cheap decorations? Thanks.

 

Electrical Outlets Stopped Working?Two of my electrical outlets quit working. It didn't even throw breaker switch, but I did hear a click in the breaker panel.

 

Removing Stains from a Vintage Hockey Jersey?I have a vintage hockey jersey with some spattered old stains on it. I'm not sure what the stain is, it might be food. I really want them out, any suggestions?

 

Dieting Using South Beach Java Diet Coffee?How do I use South Beach Java diet coffee? I want use this for weight loss.

 

Homemade Puppy Food Recipes?I have an 10 month old Alaskan Malamute. I am looking for recipes I can make him.

 

Removing Buildup on Marble Shower?There are stains are on the marble floor tiles in the shower. These are the really tiny ones. It is not protected, and I think it is soap, limescale, and grease.

 

Why Do My Clothes Pill Up in the Wash?I sort my wash very carefully, but it still comes out pilly! I use a good detergent, Tide powder and liquid, but it still gets pilly. Why?

 

Burnt Oil on a Stainless Steel Pan?How do I clean burnt oil from a stainless steel pan?

 

Vicks Vaporub Stains on Clothing?How do you remove Vicks Vaporub stains from clothing? In particular from flannel? Thanks.

 

Removing Paint From a Down Filled Jacket?I have dried paint on a down-filled white jacket. How can I remove it?

 

Berries on a Bradford Pear Tree?I have a Bradford Pear tree that's 13 years old. I cannot believe the thousands of berries falling off this tree since November until January, and still falling.

 

Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder?I am looking for ideas for squirrel proof bird feeders.

 

Removing Dust and Lint from Velvet?How do I clean the dust and lint from the back of a frame that is covered with velvet?

 

Free Version of WordPerfect?Does anyone know of a free program for WordPerfect and labels? I googled free WordPerfect but most of the sites are not really free. Thank you.

 

Shopping for Tension Wire for Hanging Curtains?Please advise where can I buy the tension wire to hang curtains?

 

Unique 50th Birthday Ideas?I will be celebrating my 50th birthday in June. I need birthday ideas for what to do? I want something different, not the usual theme parties, etc.

 

Make Your Own Toothpaste?Does anyone have a recipe for toothpaste?

 

Paint Color Advise for a Kitchen With Light Oak Cabinets and Black Countertops?We have kitchen cabinets in a light oak colour. The oven, hob, splash backs, and granite work tops are in black. I am in a dilemma as to which paint colours to choose for the walls. I have been thinking of a deep red on one wall and a mocha/taupe colour on the other 3.

 

Composting Dog Waste?How do I compost cat and dog waste, in a small garden? Can I put it by my roses or by my raspberry bush?

 

Any Good Decorating Ideas For Metal Fold Up Chairs?I need some ideas for decorating 200 fold up chairs. I need the suggestions by October 15 2011.

 

Recipe for Fabric Softener?I have seen many people post about the Dugger's fabric softener and say they love it. Can someone post the recipe please? I would love to try it.

 

Is Project Payday a Scam?Has anyone been successful in working for Project Payday? I would like to know if this is a valid money making job, or is it a scam?

 

Removing Tree Sap from Suede?How can I remove a spot of sap from a suede coat?

 

Growing Concord Grapes from Cuttings?I want to take some cuttings from a very healthy, old Concord grape vine. I have a lot of room in the back yard (1/2 acre facing southeast) with direct sun and partial shade areas in the open or next to a brick wall. Any suggestions on the best location?

 

Tire Marks on Linoleum Floor?How do I remove black car tire marks from linoleum floor in my caravan. I left the spare tire in the caravan for a few weeks and when I removed it, it left the black rubber imprint on the lino floor. I have tried a few things but it has not changed.

 

Cleaning "Dry Clean Only" Clothing at Home?I have some dresses that require dry cleaning. I would like to know how to do that work in home conditions?