February 28, 2011

Homemade Vanilla ExtractAdd the two split vanilla beans to the brandy. Cork it/put lid back on. Let sit for 2 months before using.

 

Apple and Peanut TatinApples and leftover peanut butter. It is easy. No measuring; no mess.

 

Orange-Pecan-Raisin CakeThis was one of my favorite cakes when I was a child. We lived with orange trees all around us. My father planted one tree they called a "June bloom", which meant that we almost always had our own fresh homegrown oranges for anything we wanted.

 

Poor Man's PuddingWash rice; place in 2 quart dish. Add sugar, butter, salt and cinnamon. Bake in a very slow oven (275-300 degrees F.) for 3 hours, stirring 3 times during first hour to prevent rice from settling.

 

Super Special Salmon PattiesThis recipe tastes like a little bite of heaven! It's also very healthy - the fish is full of omega-3s, and the canola oil is heart-healthy. I believe substituting Ritz crackers for the usual saltines is what gives the dish its extra-special flavor.

 

Chinese Noodle SaladMix broccoli and onions. Break up noodles (discard seasonings). Put noodles in pan with butter, seeds, and almonds. Brown, stirring constantly until light brown.

 

Pizza BunsFry hamburger until brown. Add tomato sauce, salt, garlic salt, olives, and shredded cheese. Prepare buns as follows: cut in half and scoop out some of the soft bread to form a hollow.

 

Keep Channels on Back of RemoteWhile I am watching cable/satellite TV, I can never remember which channel is which (AMC, TBS, MTV, etc). Now I cut and tape the channels (from provider's website) on the back of every remote. No more guessing.

 

Placing Order at Deli CounterWhen I go to a big grocery store, it is such a time waster standing in line at the deli counter. Now, before I leave home, I write the order on the back of a business card. When I get to the deli, I just tell them I'll be back in 20 minutes.

 

Organizing Checkbook RegisterI have found whether I have time at the check out counter, or if I record a purchase later in the car or at home, my check book transaction register is still a great tool for bookkeeping.

 

Squished Paint ArtworkUsing acrylic paint and 2 old frames (with glass), you can create 2 fun, unique pieces of wall art. No art skill necessary!

 

Reuse Plastic Bottles For SeedlingsI reuse plastic water bottles in Pixiepods Garden here in Tenerife as cloches for new plants. It can be windy here from time to time and it just helps them to settle in. The photo is of some herbs that I planted out in January.

 

Use Phone Book Pages for Paper PiecingUse pages from your old phone books for paper-piecing when making quilts. You can trim them down to whatever size you need. The paper is thin enough to tear away fairly easily from your stitching, and the torn pieces can then go into the paper recycling bin.

 

Buy Large Containers of YogurtI used to regularly buy the small 6-8 oz. yogurts for my lunch. I would spend quite a bit on yogurt over a month's time. I have begun buying a large 40 oz. container, then spooning a serving's worth into a small yogurt container.

 

Aspirin and Lemon for AcneI wanted to share a tip I found out about for skin care and blackheads. I have a terrible problem with blackheads on my nose and chin, even though I exfoliate. It seems no matter what I use, I have trouble in this area.

 

Scenery: Granny's House in WinterThis is my granny's old house. So many fun times were spent here as a child, and so much was learned. It makes me smile every time I look at this picture. I hope you do, too.

 

Plastic Pie Liners Under PlantsThe plastic pie liners that come on top if graham cracker pie crusts are wonderful to put under your potted plants as drip pans. They are sturdy enough to keep the drips from getting on the table or wherever the potted plant is.

 

Polymer Clay RecipeMake your own "polymer clay' that is self-hardening over night. Take 1 tablespoon of white glue, add a few drops of acrylic paint or India ink for color, if desired. Mix in a tablespoon of corn starch and 3-5 drops of vegetable or mineral oil.

 

Household Uses for VodkaFor fresher linens, try this recipe: vodka, 20 oz. distilled water, and 1 tsp. lavender essential oil. Find a large container with a lid. Mix the vodka and water, then add the essential oil.

 

Pickle Juice to Control Blood SugarI read in a magazine that taking 2 oz. of apple cider vinegar before meals helps control your blood sugar. Tried it - YUCK! But I did try sugar free (made with Splenda) pickle juice from Vlasic. This has worked like a charm.

 

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your BirdfeederMany gardeners erect birdfeeders with the hopes of attracting and enjoying backyard birds. Before long, neighborhood squirrels discover them too, and move in to steal the seed.

 

Make Your Own Toilet Seat ProtectorsRecently, I took a trip to New York City. One of my main concerns was public bathrooms and their cleanliness. Besides a small bottle of hand sanitizer, I carried my own toilet seat covers.

 

Garden: FreesiaFeb.24 and we have our first Freesia in bloom. The Clivia is right behind and we have a few Iris blooming also. The Lady Banksia is a shower of pale yellow over the Path Garden Arch

 

In Memory Of Tulip (Shih-tzu)Tulip was 6 when she passed away. We both knew she was dying. Her cancer was far too aggressive, incurable. I estimated her to pass by December 5th. She died December 30th. She was a shih-tzu. We found each other at a pet store.

 

Rebel (Min Pin and Dachshund Mix)Rebel is 4 months old. He is a cross between Coco, my Min Pin, and a Dachshund. My baby girl Coco got out of the back yard. I gave all the puppies away, but Rebel. I looked into his eyes and it was love at first sight.

 

Add Juice Concentrate to KefirI add juice concentrate to our Kefir. It makes it as good as a Danactive yogurt we used to buy in the stores. Even my kids like it. It is also much better for you than Danactive. I have learned not to use the pulpy juices.

 

Beach VisitThis is my sister at the beach enjoying herself. She loved it! It was really sunny!

 

Trees In AutumnI took this fall foliage reflecting in a pond during our family trip to a place of worship.

 

Scenery: Snowy BirdfeederI had to go out and knock the snow off of the wooden birdfeeder in my yard. It looked like a little ski chalet with the snow accumulated on the roof and sides, but I didn't want an avalanche to fall on any small birds still eating the suet in it.

 

Use Diaper Disposal Bags For Dog CleanupI purchase small bags at the dollar store for picking up doggie duty. Now I buy the small bags marked diaper disposal, because you get 75 for the same price as 50 doggie bags. The only difference is the color.

 

Tips For Unclogging DrainsI have read many ways to unclog a drain. I have also tried many ways. However, the one way that has always worked for me is "Rapidly Boiling Water." I just boil several pots of water and pour them down the drain.

 

Scenery: Crocus In Snow (Oregon)We had a late snowstorm last week. We didn't get a ton of snow but it was enough to cancel school for the kids. My husband took some photos in the morning. I thought this one turned out particularly well.

 

Wildlife: Monkey (Taj Mahal, India)I took this photo of a monkey who was on the grounds of an historical site in India, the Taj Mahal. We've all seen pictures of the Taj, but in its surroundings live quite a number of these monkeys, who seem quite at home among the visitors.

 

Lucia (Maltese)Lucia is a 12 year old Maltese that I got her on Valentines Day. She was a Valentine's Day present. She likes to get dressed up. She is a Diva Doggie!

 

Tabitha (Tabby Mix)This is Tabitha, a very sweet kitty. I do not have any idea how old she is. Her eyes are clear and bright, and she is very active, so I assume she is a younger cat. Tabitha is a feral tabby mix as far as I can tell. Tabitha showed up in my yard a few years ago.

 

Converter Shut Off When I Plugged in the Vacuum?My converter shut off when I plugged the vacuum in. How do I get it back on?

 

Slow Cooker Roast Beef Recipes?I am looking for a recipe for slow cooker roast beef. Thank you.

 

Stuffed Green Pepper Soup?Can make it as thick or thin as you like. Very hearty and tasty. In a Dutch oven, cook beef and sausage with onions and garlic until no longer pink; drain.

 

How Can I Get Into Quilting Inexpensively?I'm trying to get into quilting, but I'm finding it expensive. Are there cheap resources out there? If you can help me find some cheap resources, please let me know. I would really like some patterns.

 

Wallpaper Removal?How much water to how much softener do I use for wall paper removal?

 

Cleaning the Outside of an Old Stone Fountain?How can you clean the outside of an old foundation made from rock?

 

Discontinued Wallpaper: White Brick and Ivy?I am looking for a particular wallpaper. It is white brick and ivy bathroom/kitchen wallpaper. I finally got round to doing the bathroom, only to run out with just one piece under the window short. Any ideas, or does anyone have a roll going spare? Here's hoping!

 

Which Knifty Knitter Loom Should I Buy for Scarves and Blankets?I am looking to purchase a Knifty Knitter loom and I was wondering if they are easy to use. Should I get the round looms or the long looms? I would want to use it to make mostly scarves and blankets. I would appreciate any advice you give to me thanks.

 

Can I Use Ammonia in My Dishwasher to Wash Dishes?Please can anyone tell me if I can use ammonia in my dishwater to wash my dishes and if so how much do I use?

 

Can I Paint a Fiberglass Tub Surround?Can you paint shower surround walls? I want to do a major bathroom redo in a few years, but just want to get the tub reglazed for now. I need to do something about the walls, the finish is coming off the fiberglass and they just look gross. Can you help?

 

Decorating an Ice Arena Ceiling for a Wedding?My daughter is getting married in August, and we are having the reception at an ice rink/ice arena. We are renting white pipe and drape to section off about a 80 feet on each side to about 80 feet across.

 

Banks With No Minimum Balance?Can anyone recommend a bank with no minimum balance?

 

What Color Refrigerator Will Coordinate With Bisque Appliances?I have bisque appliances and my side by side is on the brink. I would like to know what color I can match with the bisque color. I'm looking at the French door model for more space. My other appliances are only three years old so there's no need to replace all.

 

Removing Pet Urine Odor from Wood Laminate Flooring?I have wood laminate floors through out my living room. When I had a rug down, one of my cats started peeing on the corner of it. When I realized, she had done it so much, that it seeped through the rug to the floor. I picked up the rug and cleaned the floor.

 

Cleaning a Sport Coat Collar?My son needs to clean the collar of a corduroy sport coat. Any home cleaning ideas?

 

Homemade Hamburger Helper?I am looking for recipes for homemade Hamburger Helper.

 

Weight Watchers Daily and Weekly Point Totals?Is this correct? On the old Weight Watchers program you were allowed between 18 and 25 points a day plus an extra 30 per week?

 

Removing Rust from an Old Metal Kitchen Table?I have an old metal (steel?) table, like the ones found in many a kitchen back in the 50s and 60s. I would love to bring it back to life, however it is rusty in a number of spots. What would be the best product to use to remove the rust? Along with some elbow grease?

 

Who Makes Exact Brand Adult Diapers?Who makes Exact brand of adult diapers? These are a store brand from the Loblaws group of companies.

 

Tips For Lighter Healthy Eating?When trying to trim down, eat more soup than usual. It fills you up without causing you to overeat. Soup is also great for finishing off leftovers such as chicken, and it's an easy way to fit an extra serving of vegetables into your day.

 

Trouble House Training My Chihuahua?We have a one year old Chihuahua that is driving us crazy with house training. Chico continues to use our home as a bathroom. We take him and our other dog (a 7 year old chocolate Lab) outside on a regular basis and have favorable results.

 

How Can I Make a Quilt From Old Sweaters?I have several old sweaters that my family and I love and would like to recycle or re-use. I want to put large squares from the sweaters together to make a king-sized quilt.

 

Painting Wood Paneling?Is there any way to fill in the grooves in wall paneling before you paint?