March 2, 2011

Ham and Potato FrittataPeel potatoes, cut in half length wise and slice thin. Heat oil in medium size nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes, cover and cook 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned.

 

Carrot BreadMix all ingredients and pour into greased bread loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 50-55 minutes.

 

Barbecue SauceSaute onion in hot oil until tender. Add remaining ingredients; simmer 15 minutes.

 

Lemon Baked ChickenPlace chicken in baking dish with lid. Sprinkle with salt, and pepper. Top with mushrooms. Mix together the bouillon cube, hot water, lemon juice, and margarine. Slowly pour over chicken.

 

Chocolate Mayonnaise CakeEasy and delicious. Just dump everything into a bowl and beat it a little. I usually use a sheet cake pan and bake at 350 degrees F. for 35 minutes.

 

Brussels SproutsPut Brussels sprouts, bouillon cubes, water, onion, and salt in saucepan and cook until tender. Drain and reserve liquid.

 

Friday Night SpecialThis recipe is for a family of four. You could always make a smaller one by just having one can of sauce and one can of crescent rolls.

 

Buffalo Wings with Spicy Bleu Cheese Sauce Cut the tips off the wings and discard. Cut remaining chicken wings in half at the joint. Deep fry wings in about 2 inches of oil in skillet until done. Drain on paper towels.

 

Cleaning Snow Off PawsHere's a tip for snowy doggie paws! My three little long haired dogs do love to romp in the snow during their potty breaks. Before I let them back in the house, I dust the loose snow off their paws with a foxtail brush.

 

Tiny Changes To Save ElectricityI was getting annoyed with myself because I was wasting so much power boiling and reboiling my electric kettle. I kept forgetting to only heat as much water as I needed and left the coffee maker heating ring on all day.

 

Cooking SpinachA great little hint for making fresh spinach. When you're making fresh spinach, use a saute pan with a little butter and wilt it down instead of boiling all the flavor out. Just when it's about done, grate some fresh nutmeg onto the spinach.

 

Vinegar and Aluminum Foil To Replace Fabric SoftenerToss 1/4 cup of vinegar in your washer. It's a natural softening agent and helps remove soap residue. Then toss clean clothes in the dryer with a large wadded up ball of aluminum foil.

 

Tulip TreeOur tulip tree has already began to bloom. The bloom comes first and then the leaves. Once the leaves have come out the tree seems to bloom all over again. Looking closely, you can see a bee doing it's job of pollinating.

 

Paper Bag Leprechaun PuppetKid's will enjoy making and playing with this cute puppet for St. Patrick's Day! You will likely have most supplies on hand.

 

Protecting Credit Cards with RFIDDid you know that someone can steal your credit/debit card information by just standing near you? They can if you have one of the new cards that work under the RFID technology. RFID - Radio Frequency Identification.

 

Cleaning a Charcoal BBQ GrillAfter my charcoal grill top has cooled from grilling, I spray it down with oven cleaner and place inside a garbage bag and tie shut. I let it sit over night. When I remove it, I give it a quick and easy scrubbing with dish detergent and water.

 

3 Ways to Use Wood Ashes in the GardenAs long as you follow a few simple precautions, wood ashes can be used to benefit the garden in three ways: as a fertilizer, as a soil amendment, or as an insect repellent.

 

Sassy (Hamster)Sassy is a 3 month old Calico Hamster, who adopted us. She came right over to us when we were looking for a hamster, climbing up the cage for me to pick her up. She likes to sit on my keyboard when I'm online.

 

Frugal Kitten ToysHere are some ideas for quick and easy cat toys that I've discovered over the years. Cat toys don't need to be expensive.

 

Be Prepared For Winter WeatherHere are some things I learned from the Missouri ice storm of 2007 and recent blizzards:

 

Goat (New Delhi, India)While traveling in Northern India this January, I took a picture of these goats in New Delhi who were dressed for the rather chilly temperatures there. People keep goats right in the city where they forage for food-mainly market scraps and garbage.

 

Diesel (Bluenose Pit Bull)Diesel is nine weeks old. He is a bluenose pit bull. We got him on Feb 12, 2011 from a breeder in Rochester, NH. We got to see both of his parents on site. He is a loving, fun, sometimes crazy, little guy.

 

Roxie (Mixed Breed)Roxie is about six year old mixed breed. My grandson found Roxie, along with her sister Lola, at a construction site.

 

Solution for Stinky FeetWhen smelly feet were brought up at a recent podiatry appointment for a man, the doctor told the wife that feet have sweat glands too. Foot odor can be helped. He advised her to use spray deodorant on them.

 

Season Nonstick Pans With OilNon-stick pans/skillets will keep their finish longer if you lightly coat them with oil. The non-stick finish is porous and will benefit from this conditioning. This really helps especially if you put any of these pans in the dishwasher.

 

Microwaving RamenTo cook ramen noodles in the microwave add 2 cups of water and noodles in a microwave safe 4 cup bowl. Cook for 5 minutes. Add season packet contents. I often add leftovers from the fridge to make a meal.

 

Fun with PhotoshopThis picture isn't really a picture, it's 3 different pictures that I used to create one. Rosie, the dog on the left and Ginger the dog on the right are my dogs.

 

Colorful Hoop ArtworkMake hoops of color hung on fish line in groups by the craft room, in the windows like stained glass windows, or in the hallway to the day room.

 

Scenery: Double RainbowWho doesn't love to see a rainbow? I took this picture in 2010 from my front yard, I love rainbows! I called my sister in Florida, and she was looking at the same rainbow, how awesome is that?

 

Wildlife: Lizard (Pixiepods Garden, Tenerife, Scotland)I love how they blend into their surroundings. I find that now some of them take on their own personalities. I have a different species that lives in my hut and a much smaller one, again a different kind again, that likes to eat bits of my gluten free chocolate chip cookies.

 

Warning: Don't Use Bleach If Iron in WaterIf you have iron in your water supply, it is best not to use bleach in your laundry. It makes the iron worse and can leave yellow stains. I have known this for years, but I think it is not as well known now as it was in my generation.

 

Going Public After Cosmetic Surgery (For...I am content doing laundry because I now have cheery walls to look at. I have to tell you, I never thought there would be a part two to my previous story, but as I wash the paint off my brushes once again, I wanted to share my adventure.

 

In Memory Of HadenHaden was 3 years old in this picture. He has since passed away, so I treasure this photo of him. He was out of a friend's litter in 2006. As you can see in the photo, he loves to sleep!

 

Old Glue Stains on Cellophane?I have very old glue stains on a piece of very old cellophane. What is the best way to remove?

 

Cleaning a Water and Ice Dispenser on Refrigerator Door?I have a refrigerator with an ice/water dispenser in the door. I have used several cleansers (Comet, bleach, etc.) and am unable to make them appear clean. Does anyone else have this problem?

 

Church Float Ideas for Summer Parades?I have several theme ideas to make a church summer float but I need ideas of what to use or how to decorate it. Here are some of my ideas:

 

Removing Mildew Spots from Convertible Top?The white top on my Mustang convertible has become really dirty from being parked outside. It has bunches of little black dirty specks. Could this be mold? How can I whiten it up again?

 

Wedding and Reception Venue in New York City for Under $3000?Where can I plan a wedding and reception for under 3,000 dollars in New York City?

 

Cleaning Laminate Floors?What's the best way to clean heavy duty laminated dark cherry flooring? I want to give it a shine with no dullness afterward? Thank you.

 

Home Remedies for Dog Worms?What can I use at home to get rid of my dog's worms? I have spent lots of money on different dewormers from the store and still he has worms. I would like to try something from home. Please help.

 

Preparing for My First Trip Out of the Country?In April I am taking my first trip out of the country. I have my passport from a couple years ago and verified it was still good for several more. I bought my tickets to and from today. I acquired traveler's insurance. Okay what am I forgetting, over looking, or should consider?

 

Using Paint To Make A Room Appear Larger?What color should I paint a parents' bedroom and 2 separate girls' bedrooms this spring? I don't want white or any dark colors. I am looking for something attractive to make the rooms look bigger; they are medium size. Thanks!

 

Removing Oil and Odors from Work Clothing?My husband works in a plant that makes sinks for kitchens. His clothes have oil and the worst odor on them. I have tried Dawn, Pine Sol, and even tried liquid Comet. None of them work at all. Can I get some suggestions? Thanks.

 

Baptism Gift Advice?Since I haven't been to a christening or baptism in several years, I was unaware that a gift should have been given. The baptism was 4 days ago. Would it be rude to send a belated, personalized gift to the new parents' home?

 

Removing Chocolate Milk Stains From Carpet?How do I get chocolate milk stains out of my carpet?

 

Hair Dye Making Hair Course?Why does hair dye make your hair coarse?

 

Cleaning Frosted Shower Doors?I have frosted glass shower doors. I use Scrubbing Bubbles on the inside which works great. When I used it on the frosted side it looks like the spray is still there. Can anyone help me get this off?

 

Keeping Cats from Peeing on Furniture?Ever since I bought the natural cat litter, my male cat has protested right on my sofa ruining it. How do I stop him from peeing on my new furniture?

 

Removing Lacquer Finish from Pans?I like Twinkle for cleaning copper. I have some pans with a lacquer finish. Can this be removed? I have lacquer thinner, but now what? Do I dip the pan in a pail of thinner?

 

When Should I Plant Early Peas?I live in Indiana and would like to know when to plant green peas.

 

Growing Stevia in a Cold Climate?I am interested in growing stevia. We are in a very cold climate, but we have a great greenhouse. Would it be better to grow it on the window sill? Where is the best place to find my seeds?

 

Making Laminate Countertops Shiny?How do you put a shine on laminate countertops? Thanks.

 

Running Corel Photohouse 3 on a Vista Computer?I tried to get my Vista OS computer to run Corel Photohouse 3. It says that there needs to be a registry entry to get it to run properly and to use Regedit for this.

 

Making Sugar Coated Easter Eggs?Does anyone make and sell the sugar coated Easter eggs?

 

30th Birthday Party Ideas?My husband is turning 30 in a few months and I would like to throw him a party. He is into guns and computers, any creative ideas?

 

Calculating Servings Based on Pan Size?How many servings of lasagna will I get from a pan 20 3/4 inches x 12 13/16 inches x 3 3/8 inches, if I want a 4 inch serving?