February 14, 2011

Cheddar Scalloped PotatoesJust that easy and cheesy! Slice the potatoes thin, sprinkle flour over the potatoes and stir then add all the other ingredients leaving the 1/4 cup cheddar cheese to top the potatoes with.

 

Whipping Cream Pound CakeEasy, beautiful, and so good! Beat butter at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add 3 cups sugar beating well. Add one egg at a time, beating after each addition.

 

Shoney's Cabbage-Beef SoupThis is our very favorite soup, and is surprisingly easy and fun to make. It doesn't require a long cooking time before being ready to eat. Very nourishing, delicious, and fresh tasting.

 

Hoover StewCook macaroni according to the instructions on the box. While it cooks, slice the hot dogs into very thin "coins." Open cans, but do not drain.

 

Two-Layer Jello SaladDissolve gelatin in water until syrupy and add next 3 ingredients. Put in flat, large Pyrex-style pan. Set until firm. For second layer, cook last ingredients and let cool.

 

Crockpot Baked ApplesCore apples and peel skin down 1 inch from top. Mix sugar, cinnamon, and raisins. Stuff apples with mixture; dot apples with butter. Pour water into removable liner, add apples.

 

Breakfast MuffinsEasy and good for you!

 

Oven Barbecued SpareribsCut spareribs in serving pieces; dredge in flour. Brown in 2 tablespoons hot fat. When browned, pour off excess fat. Blend mustard and flour to make a paste; add other ingredients and pour mixture over spareribs.

 

Pecan Mini LoavesMix in a bowl cake mix and pudding. Add sour cream, eggs, oil and water; beat until blended. Pour in greased loaf pans. Makes 4 small loaves. Combine pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon.

 

Tuna CasseroleCombine soup, milk, and onion. Heat to boiling. Sprinkle lemon juice over tuna. Alternate layers of tuna and chips, then cover with soup mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

 

Cleaning Textured WallsWhen my boys were little, I discovered a great way to spot clean my walls. Using foam bathroom cleaner and a soft cloth is gentle on the paint, yet removes dirt and grime with no rinsing required.

 

Computer Shortcuts Using the Control KeyMost average users know a few keyboard shortcuts but here are additional shortcuts that many folks under-utilize. If you spend a few moments learning them, you'll find them incredibly useful.

 

Giving Pills to CatsCan't get your pet to take their vitamins? This morning, I had a flash of genius. Take a small handful of a favorite treat and add the vitamin pill. It probably helps if you wipe the treat on the pill, but I didn't do it and it still worked.

 

Checking If Eggs Are Still FreshWe all know that eggs can be kept for quite awhile. What happens if you think you have had them too long?

 

Sell Clothing At Consignment ShopsI found a way to not only save some money on clothing and household items, but also to make a little money.

 

Scenery: Snow (Virginia)This is our new backyard. Since we live in Virginia, getting a shot with snow still on the ground is rare. Nature has loaned us this lovely land!

 

Shop Thrift Store Bag Sales for FabricI love fabric crafts, but often want many different fabric materials, patterns, and colors. I now go to the Thrift Store (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.) and look at the clearance rack for shirts, pants, or skirts made of fabric I can use in my crafts.

 

Diamond (Toy Poodle Chihuahua Mix)Diamond is six years old. She is a is a Chihuahua and Toy Poodle mix. Someone we know told us about their give away puppy. It was 2004 near Christmas. She loves to run around. Her favorites thing is to play fetch. She loves to play with her friends.

 

Scenery: Skyline Caverns, Front Royal, VAThis photo was taken by my daughter. It was taken inside the Skyline Caverns near Front Royal, VA. These caverns are famous for the anthrodite mineral formations that look like flowers.

 

Shassy (Tabby)Shassy is a 16 month old Heinz 57 cat. We got him from an ad in the paper. He terrorizes my dogs, especially my little guy. Shassy adapted perfectly into our lives. He's my "door sitter" whenever I let the dogs out.

 

Daphne (Cat)Daphne is my 2 year old cat. My older cat had kittens born on Thanksgiving two years ago, and I kept two of the kittens. She hides under the covers and scares people when the covers are lifted - lol! She follows me around like a little kid.

 

Measuring Sticky IngredientsWhen measuring lard, shortening, peanut butter, or other such ingredients, I use the displacement method for easy measuring and clean-up.

 

Bowling Alley Birthday CakeMy girlfriend made this bowling alley cake for her fiance's 45th birthday.

 

Wash Reusable Grocery BagsThis is a health tip for those who live frugally or green. Make sure you wash your cloth grocery bags on a regular basis, in warm water with detergent.

 

Buying Boys Clothes For GirlsAs a mom to a bunch of daughters, I have learned a few clothing tips. Most of my daughters are tall. I have found that I get the best buy in the men's department. The men's and boy's shirt sleeves and torsos are longer.

 

Charlie (Dog)Charlie also know as Charlie-saurus is six months old. I found Charlie through a Craigslist ad when he was only 2 months old and weighed 2.5 lbs. Charlie is a social butterfly! He loves playing fetch and running with the Great Danes at the dog park.

 

Removing Stains on LinoleumApply full strength distilled white vinegar directly to tough linoleum stains. Leave it on 10-15 minutes before wiping up. If that doesn't work, apply it again and sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar. Scrub with brush or sponge.

 

Lollipop Heart CardMake a heart-shaped card and place your lollipop in front of the card to create a fun Valentine treat for kids.

 

Reuse Ties From PackagingSometimes when buying a packaged item, especially toys, plastic cable/wire ties are used. While these can be annoying to remove, they can be reused.

 

Use Alcohol To Remove Permanent MarkerIf you get permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt blue!), you can remove it with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel.

 

Faxing With Magic Jack?Can you fax with Magic Jack using the internal modem?

 

Growing Cherry Tomatoes in Containers?How do I grow cherry tomatoes in a container? I travel by RV and I was wondering if I can grow cherry tomatoes in one of those plastic (20 gallon) containers? Do I have to fertilize often? Your input will be much appreciated.

 

Crab Pot Made from Popsicle Sticks?Does anyone have instructions on how to make a lobster pot or trap out of popsicle sticks?

 

Co-Signer of a Student Loan?My husband co-signed student loans (private) for his daughter. She is getting married soon. Will we be able to get off the co-signing once she is married?

 

Homemade Thermos?How do you make a homemade thermos?

 

What is a Food Safe Finish for Painting Laminate Countertops?What is a food safe finish to use for painting countertops?

 

Dog With Chronic Ear Infection?I have a 9 month old Golden Retriever. He has had stomach issues since we got him. He is now doing well with Authority dog food, but he has chronic ear infections. We have done every wash, drop, etc. from the vet and nothing clears it up.

 

How Do I Make a Playstand for a Cockatiel?Does anyone have a really neat idea for a homemade playstand for cockatiels?

 

Painting Kitchen with Pink Countertops?What colors would be good for a kitchen with light pinkish flake counters, medium maple cabinets and tile-like floating floor with pink and gray tones? There are white appliances.

 

Raising Cordon Bleu Finches?I have Cordon Bleu finches. The male and female mate successfully. They lay eggs, but it seems as if they do not sit on them constantly. Is this normal?

 

Why Did My Cake Sink in the Middle?What causes a cake to sink in the middle?

 

Uses For Shoe Boxes?I have about 10 empty shoe boxes. I know that organizations use them to send to our war fighters. Please help me find a good use for my boxes.

 

White Oil Paint on Cupboards Turned Pink When Dry?I have fisherman's white oil paint on my cupboards. I repainted months later with matchless white oil paint, when it dried it turned a mild pink color. What is the problem?

 

Removing Pen Ink from a Wedding Dress?I would like to know how to get ink from a pen out of a wedding dress, please help!

 

How Do I Make a Pull-tab Purse?Does anyone know where I can get patterns for poptop purses?

 

How Do I Get Permission to Use a Copyrighted Materials?How can I get a release on the poem "Beau" written by Jimmy Stewart? I am writing a book on dogs and would very much like to include that poem.

 

Repairing Sheetrock?After removing wood paneling that had been glued on over an unfinished drywall, I noticed that the drywall paper had been torn away in several spots. The exposed gypsum is smooth and intact. Can I tape over these areas or should the drywall be replaced?

 

How Do I Use Coffee Ground on Houseplants?How do I use coffee grounds on houseplants?

 

Why Does My Car Start and Then Flood?Is it my fuel injector? The car starts, but floods out on take off. Please help.

 

Homemade Electrolyte Solution?I want to make an electrolyte drink. Please tell me how to do that?

 

Getting Rid of Mildew on Plaster?We live in a house that was built in 1911. There is lots of plaster! I want to redo the bathroom, but the ceiling is mildewed and peeling. I have scrubbed it down with bleach and scraped. The mildew just comes back.