February 10, 2011

Chocolate Banana BreadPut bananas in mixing bowl first and mash with mixer. Dump everything else in bowl and mix well.

 

Ann's Dynamite Red Pepper SoupLow in calories, high in taste and nutrition, and creamy but low in fat.

 

Macaroni GoulashVery easy, very cheap, and kids love it! Fry the hamburger meat until it is no longer pink, season with salt and pepper while cooking.

 

Extra Quick Chocolate Coconut PieIt is the easiest and fastest pie I have ever made. This started as a recipe using Hershey's bars. Using Mounds was my own idea, because I like coconut.

 

Crock Pot Picante ChickenEasy, cheap, and yummy!

 

Hearty HodgepodgeIn large saucepan, cook beef, onion, and garlic till beef is browned and onion is tender. Stir in minestrone soup, pork and beans, 3 cups water, celery, Worcestershire sauce, and oregano.

 

Easy Potatoes Au GratinMix all above ingredients together and put in 9x13 inch pan. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F. If desired, top with buttered cracker crumbs before baking or top with crushed potato chips about 5 minutes before taking out of the oven.

 

RunzasI love these. They are very versatile. As long as you can make the dough, you can fill it with almost any thing.

 

Valentine's Sweetheart CakeThis cake is simply delicious and way over the top for decadence. Made specially for Valentine's Day and your favorite Sweetheart, you'll only do this about once a year, so go ahead and treat you both. For this one day, we will not count calories.

 

Weight Watchers Italian Stuffed Peppers (6 PointsPlus)This will become one of your favorite recipes once you've tried it! It's so easy, delicious and very healthy. A Points Plus+ recipe as well.

 

Honey Bee Wine This wine is best made in the summer months and left to mature for the following spring. Shred the heads of the flower petals and place them in a large pot. Cover them with 2 quarts of water on the boil.

 

Cherry BreadI like this bread because I use cherries in it, and they are one of my favorite fruits. I also like this recipe because it is my very own creation.

 

Nacho Layer DipSpread chili or beans over bottom of baking dish. Spread softened cream cheese on top. Layer tomatoes, jalapenos, red onion, and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly.

 

Mozzarella SticksStir the bread crumbs, 1 cup of Parmesan, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a medium bowl to blend. Dip the cheese in the eggs to coat completely and allow the excess egg to drip back into the bowl.

 

Wash Sink Liner in DishwasherIf you use the rubber sink liners like I do, once a week or so, I lay them on the top rack of the dishwasher along with the soap holder from our shower right over the dishes. They not only come out looking new, but they keep plastic containers from turning over.

 

Keep Soda Can from SprayingIf you drop a soft drink can on the floor, tap the top a few times before opening. It won't spew when opened.

 

Extreme CouponingAfter watching a program on television about extreme couponing, it got me thinking. One woman's bill was over $800, but by the time she doled out her coupons she owed less than $3.

 

Garden: RoseThis is my "first" real homegrown rose ever. I am so proud of both of these roses! I have impressed myself. I swear these are mine and they are both real!

 

Scenery: Lake Ella at Night (Tallahassee, FL)Here is a photo, taken at night at Lake Ella Park in Tallahassee. It is taken across the lake facing North Monroe Street.

 

Roxxy (Shih Tzu)Roxxy is a 3 year old Shih-Tzu that I got from my kids. She likes to play with her Elmo. She is the most loving dog anyone could have, plus she loves cartoons.

 

Hooking Your Purse to the CartWith all the purses snatched each year from grocery carts, here is a hint. You know the straps used to hold in children, use them to hold your purse in, so they have to take the buggy too instead of just your purse.

 

Do Not Mix Pine-Sol and BleachWarning: Do not mix these two, Pine-Sol and Clorox Bleach. They emit a colorless odorless fume that causes difficulty breathing and increased heart rate. It happened to me and the bottles clearly state do not mix.

 

Small Shoe Organizer for Baby EssentialsKeep a small hanging organizer near the changing area for those everyday baby essentials like diapers, wipes, pacifiers, socks, hats, brush, bows/clips, nail clippers, etc.

 

Make Your Cat's Scratching PostWhen I got a new kitten, I went to the pet supply store to get a scratching post, but was astounded by the price! So, I made one myself. I got a large cardboard bolster/tube from an upholstery store and bought some sisal rope for $6.00.

 

Garden: Tulips Beneath MagnoliaAfter waiting all winter long to enjoy my tulips that I had planted in the fall, my walkway was now completely lined with their gorgeous blooms and canopied by our stunning magnolia!

 

Make Dog Booties to Protect Paws from SnowMy dog loves the snow but unfortunately can't stay out in it for very long. Within a few minutes, the snow and ice gets packed between the pads under his paws, causing him such discomfort that he just stops and can't walk any further.

 

Baggie To Help Insert Curtain RodWhen running a curtain rod through the top of a curtain, place a plastic baggie over the tip of the rod. This prevents the rod from "catching" on the curtain and allows quick insertion and prevention of tears.

 

Softening Brown SugarIf you ever have a package of rock hard brown sugar just take it out of the box and/or plastic and wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in a preheated 300 degree oven for 5 minutes.

 

Fall LeavesA friend asked me to come over to his house about 4:00 in the afternoon. This was in the fall and the trees were in full color. The sun was on the trees and the reflection in the water was beautiful!

 

Fixing Stinky PipesThe plumber put one trap on two sinks. The piping after the sink and before the trap started to stink. My solution was to place a trap on each sink, close to the sink itself, and pipe the two traps together after the discharge of the traps.

 

Scenery: IciclesA huge ice storm moved through and coated everything in its path. This is my umbrella type clothes line. I love the way the ice sparkles like diamonds in the sunshine!

 

Ace (Himalayan)I got Ace, who is 4 years old, 4 years ago from a friend. He likes to play with pen tops. He is lazy and loves to sit on his bum!

 

Holiday: A Valentine Heart in a TreeSince Valentine's day will soon be here I thought I'd submit this picture of a couple of trees in my back yard. If you look in the middle between the two trees, upper right, you will see a heart shaped from the branches and needles.

 

Check Store Coupon PolicyMy local Rite Aid would not letting me use a buy one, get one free coupon on an item that was on sale for buy one, get one free. Rite Aid's web site listed their coupon policy and they do indeed allow customers to use BOGO coupons with BOGO sale items.

 

Scenery: Mt Duke, KosovoWelcome to Mt Duke! This beautiful mountain is located in Kosovo. My husband was stationed there with the US Army back in 2007-2008. He took this picture and had it posted on his wall to remind him that even in a third-world country, there is still beauty.

 

Cut Scrubbing Pads In HalfWhenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad in half.

 

Use Lemon for Cleaning MicrowaveFound a dried up old lemon in your crisper? Don't toss it! Cut it up, put it in a bowl of water, and heat in the microwave for a minute of so. Leave it in the microwave for several minutes to let the micro get good and steamy inside.

 

Plastic Knife to Label PlantsI have moved multiple times and added and split perennials to each flower garden. Sadly, after tending to a variety of gardens, I have had trouble keeping track of what's been planted and where.

 

Nori (Chihuahua Mix)Nori is two years old. I know she is a Chihuahua mixed with something. She looks a little like a Pug.

 

Scenery: Snowstorm 2011This photo was taken just outside my garage after this last snowstorm! My son and son-in-law piled the snow to connect the car to the garage. My grandchildren and 2 neighbor children had a great time sliding down the hill.

 

Crocheted Edge Valentine CardA special Valentine for someone special. With a pencil lightly draw a heart, circle, or oval around the picture on the card. Cut out the shape, cutting just inside the pencil marks. On the back side draw a line about 1/8 inch from the edge.

 

Muffin (Dog)Muffin came into my life after the death of my husband of 50 years. She is a wonderful companion and I thank God daily for her.

 

Storing Fishing LuresFishing season is just around the corner. Pick up CD organizers that have separate compartments to store all your fishing rigs, sinkers, small lures, etc. They keep everything tangle free and easy to find.

 

Scenery: Sunset (Pacifica)A sultry Sunday at dusk on a walk with my pup and my love. It felt like ice but looks almost like fire.

 

Insulate Outdoor Water Pipes EarlyWe had an unusually cold snap during the last few days in Houston. Many folks had pipes which burst. Others were outside in their cold weather gear wrapping pipes and covering outdoor faucets.

 

GFI Isn't Resetting Outlets?I have three outlets on one breaker. One in a master closet and two in a bathroom. The closet is the GFI that resets them, the two in the bathroom have stopped working, and resetting does not help. Any suggestions?

 

Where Can I Find Scrap Quilt Patterns?I have been looking for patterns for scrap quilts.

 

DVD of The Two Worlds of Jennie Logan?Does anyone know where I can purchase a DVD of an old film called "The Two Worlds of Jennie Logan" starring Lynsey Wagner? I had it on video and when moving home I lost it. l love that film so if anyone can help that would be great. Cheers.

 

Stinky Pipes?I've done a search on Thrify Tips for stinky drain pipes, all I can find is to use vinegar and baking soda. I've been doing that for the last 6 months and it used to work but doesn't anymore. The smell has gotten much stronger and is driving me out of my home.

 

Reviews of the Cozy Fire?Has anyone out there bought the Cozy Fire that is being advertised recently? If anybody has, I would like some feedback about it. I would like to buy it but is it too good to be true? Thanks.

 

Kitchen With Black and Silver Granite Countertops?My kitchen countertops are black with silver granite. What colors would be best for countertop accessories and walls?

 

How Can I Make a Hand Sanitizer That Doesn't Dry My Skin?How can I make a hand sanitizer that won't dry our skin out?

 

Name Ideas for a Jewelry and Gifts Business?My sister-in-law and I are wanting to start a jewelry and gifts business and we need a "catchy" business name? Can you help?

 

Finding Value of Old Needlecraft Magazines?How do I find out the value of some very old Needlecraft magazines? These are from 1922-1927-1930-1934-1937. I am not wanting to sell except locally or in Kansas City.

 

How Do I Make an After Bath Splash Using Essential Oils?Could someone tell me how to make an after bath splash with essential oils?

 

Marker Stain on Nylon Jacket?I accidentally washed and dried my nylon Columbia jacket with a permanent marker in the pocket. How do I get the blotches off my jacket?

 

Recipe for Cheryl & Co. Cookies?I am looking for an easy recipe for Cheryl & Co. cookies.

 

Burn Hole on Microfiber Couch?Someone burned a hole in my microfiber couch. Can it be repaired?

 

Cleaning Redwood Walls?How do I clean redwood walls with satin sealer on them?

 

Cleaning Nicotine (Cigarette Smoke) Off Walls?How do you clean nicotine from walls?

 

Having Guests Put Their Name on Their Cup?At a party for a large crowd, what would be a polite, cute saying to place on a place card to encourage guest to put their name on their plastic cup so it can be reused when they want another drink?

 

Cat is Peeing on Laundry?How do you stop your cats from peeing on your clean and dirty clothing?

 

Meatloaf Recipes Without Ketchup?Do you have any special recipe for meatloaf? I don't like ketchup recipes for meatloaf though.

 

Where Can I Buy Plastisol?I am in search of liquid plastic by the name of Plastisol.

 

Washer Not Draining or Spinning?I have an 11 year old GE washer that has stopped draining properly or spinning on the cycle I use the most. However, it still works on the quick wash cycle. Any ideas what might be wrong with it?