January 12, 2011

No Fail Homemade Pizza CrustThis was given to me by a friend 30 years ago and is still my favorite. No waiting for the yeast to rise.

 

'Tis the Season Bacon RoundsTry this delicious appetizer for the holidays made with refrigerated crescent rolls.

 

Company Chicken (or Turkey) and DressingCombine chicken or turkey, macaroni and cheese, mushrooms, water chestnuts (drained and sliced), almonds, 1 cup shredded cheese, and soups. Mix well. Spoon into 9x13 inch pan.

 

Breakfast CasseroleCombine eggs and milk with whisk or electric mixer. Soft scramble them on top of stove in butter. Fry bacon until crisp; crumble. Mix together green peppers, green onions, mushrooms, soup and water.

 

Chicken And Rice Baby FoodI never believed in baby food that was made somewhere and not fresh, so I made my own. Then, I made them for the Grand-kids. I think I am done!

 

Weight Watchers 5 Can Soup (PointsPlus+)It's simple to make and it's a Weight Watchers PointsPlus+ Recipe (6 points)!

 

Stabilized Whipped CreamI can't remember where I originally came upon this recipe but someone in Ireland was asking about Cool Whip in a recent newsletter and this recipe came to mind.

 

German Chocolate PieHeat chocolate and 2 Tablespoons of the milk in saucepan over low heat, stirring until chocolate is melted. Beat sugar into cream cheese; add remaining milk and chocolate mixture and beat until smooth.

 

Keeping Records of Paid BillsI start my checkbook register at the middle of the register. I have found that I can usually write a month's worth of checks on one page of the register using the front (and back if necessary).

 

Cooking or Baking With Tart FruitsWhen cooking tart fruits such as rhubarb, apricots, grapes, or red raspberries, add a generous amount of cinnamon. For grapes, add vanilla too, for a different flavor.

 

Using Toothpaste for Polishing SilverUse toothpaste (not the gel) to clean and polish silver. Put some on a clean rag and cover the area you want to polish with toothpaste. When dry, buff with soft, clean rag.

 

Sun Tea Jar for Separating StockWhen making a batch of turkey stock the other day, I needed a large glass container to put it in to allow it to cool. The only one I could find was my old sun-tea jar - a very happy accident!

 

Food for Tomato PlantsKeep chopped banana skins your refrigerator or freezer until there is enough to fill a blender 2/3 of the way. Add a cup of water and blend to a slurry. Place slurry into a normal sized bucket (9 litre) and fill half-way with water.

 

Use Metal Faucet To Remove Onion OdorWhen you cut an onion and you can't get the smell off, put some dish detergent on your hands and rub your faucet up and down on it for about 1 or 2 minutes then rinse. The smell should be gone.

 

Wildlife: Deer At Bird FeedersAlmost every evening these little ladies come to our bird feeders. That's right, deer eating bird seed! In fact, we had to put the feeders up pretty high in the tree, or the deer knock all the seed out. Now they just come and eat what the birds throw on the ground.

 

Scenery: Winter Splendor in the ParkThe following photos were taken in the park across from where I live in Redford, MI. It rained on New Year's day. The day after, the park froze over and it was beautiful

 

Lady Bug (Basset Hound - Beagle)Lady Bug is a 10 month old Basset Hound and Beagle mix. My husband and I got the dog from my sister-in-law when she was just a puppy. She loves to chase anything that can be thrown.

 

Recycle Fabric into StripsEver run across an "ugly" piece of fabric? Cannot imagine any use for it? Cut into 1/2 to 1 inch strips and either crochet or knit it into a rug! Great for those entry points to you house to keep the "crud" out or for pets to use as a bed!

 

Storing SugarPour sugar into a clean used plastic orange juice jug. It makes it easier to pour into a measuring cup and by shaking the jug it removes the lumps.

 

Use Address Labels to Label LeftoversBecause I get so many return address labels, I use them to stick on refrigerated and frozen items. I write the name of the food with a magic marker on the label, covering up the address.

 

Black Widow SpiderI work for a city utility company, and this spider was in a water meter can.

 

Scenery: Sunrise (West Virginia)This photo was taken about 7 a.m at sunrise on a chilly, but sunlit day. It is a lovely country scene showing the beauty of simple things. I like to find beauty all around me and this is an example of that. It was taken near Rippon, WV.

 

Cold Season Bubble BathThis bubble bath will help you breathe easier, with eucalyptus oil to ease the cold congestion. This is perfect for the cold season.

 

Use Scented Votives in Drawers and BoxesI often buy the little fragrant votive candles while on sale and keep plenty on hand. They just smell so good. I put one in the corner of drawers or boxes that hold clothes or storage items, in the "junk drawer" and file cabinet, etc.

 

Frugal All Purpose CleanerFor a good all purpose cleaner, you need water and Ivory liquid dish soap. Fill a 32 ounce spray bottle nearly full with water. Add a squirt or two of Ivory Liquid Dish soap. Put the sprayer back on and gently shake the bottle until the soap has been evenly distributed.

 

Cleaning Products You Already HaveCleaning products account for a substantial portion of each household's grocery budget. With laundry detergent topping the list as high as $15 per bottle, it isn't hard to see why. One could easily fill a cabinet or two with the bevy of cleaning products advertised on television.

 

Scrappy (Yorkshire Terrier)Scrappy is one year old. He is a Yorkshire Terrier, that we got from a relative eight months ago. He can cause mischief! Scrappy is the best dog ever!

 

Panda (Pit Bull)Panda is a 2 year old pit bull. We got her through a neighbor, who was giving away puppies. She loves to swim when it's warm, and play with the kids. She is the sweetest dog, and she tries to say I love you, when we say it to her.

 

Zelda (Tabby)Zelda is an American shorthair tabby with gray, black and white strips. I adopted her from a rescue shelter (King Street Cats) six years ago, and she has has been through a lot with me.

 

Recycled Jean QuiltOld jeans recycled to make a quilt with a flannel backing.

 

Craft: Landscape Painting of New ZealandThis a painting that I did of Mt. Cook, South Island, New Zealand. It is a beautiful tourist destination.

 

Uses for Parmesan Cheese ContainersDon't throw away your plastic Parmesan cheese containers. They are perfect for storing baking soda, flour, and powdered sugar. The two sides of the container make it convenient for using a spoon or just shaking it onto a surface.

 

Store Toiletries in Small ToteEach of our 3 children has a small plastic tote stored in our hall linen closet to take into the bathroom. They keep all of their toiletries in these totes.

 

Removing Stains on a Couch?My neighbor gave me a sofa he no longer needed and I found it has a stain on the seat. It looks like it might be vomit. How do I remove the stain?

 

Making a Blouse Fit Better?I am struggling to get my blouse sleeves fitting properly. When I lift my arms, it is too tight under the arms and pulls across my back. Please help! Thanks.

 

Dental Work Done Without Insurance?I am in need of dental work, wisdom teeth removal. I am 52 yrs old, I do not qualify for medicaid, and can not afford dental insurance. Does anyone have any suggestions for finding affordable dental work?

 

What Breed is My Dog?What breed is my dog? He is about 7 months old.

 

Crafts Using International Coffee Tins?I have 15-20 International Coffee tins with the red lids. Does anyone have suggestions for a craft?

 

Centerpiece Ideas for a Kids Birthday Party?I am planning my son's first birthday party. The theme is jungle/barnyard. I am looking for help on ideas for centerpiece since I am not very creative. Thanks.

 

Removing Denture Adhesive from My Mouth?How do I remove Fixadent from my gums?

 

Which Lip Gloss Stays on Longer?Which lip gloss lasts longer, Victoria's Secret Punchy or N.Y.C Lip Glider lip gloss?

 

Prairie Bonnet Pattern?I am looking for a prairie bonnet pattern. Does anyone know of a free pattern?

 

Buying Tea Light Candles in Bulk?Where's the best place to buy cheap tea light candles in bulk?

 

Removing Wallpaper Glue from Wallpaper?My son has drywall with wall paper on it and whoever put it up got glue on it and it has dried and won't come off. How do we get the glue off the wallpaper? Thanks.

 

Primer Stains on Clothing?How can I remove Kilz paint primer from my cotton Dickie pants?

 

Romantic and Inexpensive Gift Ideas?What is a romantic yet inexpensive idea for a boyfriend of 6 months? We both agreed not to spend a lot of money but I want to do something really special for him that lets him know how important he is to me. Thank you!

 

Making Sour Milk From Raw Milk?Why doesn't raw milk turn sour?

 

Wall and Refrigerator Colors for a 50s Vintage Look Kitchen?I am looking for color advice for a kitchen. I have ivory cabinets and black soapstone countertops. Also, I have lots of 50's red and some yellow kitchen accessories.

 

Organizing the Pantry?I have a big pantry, but obviously it's not big enough. It has open shelving and since I have major OCD it drives me insane!

 

Tastefully Simple's Onion Onion Seasoning?I would like a copycat recipe for Tastefully Simple Onion Onion seasoning blend. Thank you in advance.