March 14, 2011

Hot Crab DipCombine all of the ingredients in a casserole and gently stir until thoroughly mixed. Bake for 40 minutes. Serve hot with crackers or toast points.

 

Carrot SaladMix gelatin and boiling water; add marshmallows and stir until both are dissolved. Allow to cool. Add pineapple and carrots. When mixture begins to set, add Dream Whip or whipped cream and mayonnaise. Let set and cut in squares.

 

Hazelnut Tea BreadPlace hazelnuts on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, stirring once. Turn nuts out onto a towel. Roll up towel, and rub off skins. Chop nuts; set aside.

 

St Patrick's Day Glazed Lime BarsWhen St Paddy's Day is over you can, of course, still make the lime bars or you can easily switch out the limes for lemons and have lemon bars instead. ;-)

 

Yogurt Pound CakeCream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. A

 

Hamburger PieBrown 1 lb. hamburger; add chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Cook to tender. Add tomato soup, and green beans, drained. Pour into greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.

 

Coffee Cup ScrambleQuick and easy. Coat a 12 oz. microwave safe coffee mug with cooking spray. Add milk and eggs; beat until blended.

 

Add Mouthwash to LaundryA new tip for freshening your smelliest laundry problems is to add a couple "capfuls" of regular mouthwash to your load of laundry! Brands such as Scope or dollar store brands work best - not Listerine which is too harsh.

 

Use Cookie Cutters on Cheese SlicesWhile preparing dinner last night, I decided on something different in the presentation of the meal. I took slices of Kraft cheese and using a frog cookie cutter, I cut the cheese and placed one frog on each plate.

 

Warning: Never Give Small Child KeysThis is in response to things to do with old keys - never give a small child keys to play with! When our second daughter was about 15 months old, I let her play with my keys and she proceeded to stick one in the plug outlet.

 

Practice Drills Before A DisasterI teach in an international school in Tokyo. At 2:45 p.m. on Mar. 10, 2011, we had an earthquake and evacuation drill. At 2:46 p.m. on Mar. 11, we had the 8.9 earthquake. Because we had just "rehearsed" the same thing the day before, everyone knew exactly what to do.

 

Links: Word Of the DayI 'subscribe' to two dictionary sites, Dictionary.com and M-W.com (Merriam-Webster) for a word of the day to be sent to me. Sometimes they are familiar, sometimes funny, sometimes impossible for me to say, etc. I occasionally pass them on for various reasons.

 

Baby Wipes Containers to Store Craft ItemsCrafting can be a wonderful hobby, but you need so many different things to use. In order to try to keep some of my smaller items organized, my husband put up shelves and I used my collection of baby wipe boxes for holding different items.

 

Trinity (Malinois) and Niobe (Rott - Sharpei...Trinity and Niobe are both about 5 years old, and coincidentally born within a week of each other. Trinity is a black and tan Belgian Shepherd (Malinois), and Niobe is a red and black Rottweiler/Sharpei mix.

 

Dye Lace with Food ColoringHave the wrong color lace for your project? No problem if you have food coloring. I often use different colors of lace in my projects. If I don't have the color I need, I just put it in a disposable cup with water and several drops of food coloring.

 

Save Mixed Beans and Grains for SoupWhen you buy macaroni, dried beans, peas, rice, etc., take out about a quarter of a cup and put in a separate jar. When you are ready to make soups or stews, you can use this mixture.

 

Cleaning a Cast Iron TubDo you dread cleaning your cast iron tub? An easier way is to spray the tub with your Oven Cleaner, follow instructions and let it sit. Wipe gently and your have a brand new looking, sparkling clean tub without breaking your back.

 

Save Seeds in FreezerDo you save your seeds? Ever year label them and put them in your freezer. It will be fresh and damp. Just thaw and you are ready to plant. They will come up sooner.

 

Nina Maria (Bunny)Nina Maria is less than 1 year old. I got her on December 4 of 2010. It was a gift. My pet loves to run around and go crazy when I let her have her fun out and run.

 

Ledge When Replacing Cabinet HingesWe have just completed an extensive remodel on our condo. We want to make it old people friendly while we can still walk around. DH (aka Joe) is changing out the hinges on the kitchen cupboards. The old ones have 30 years of paint and gunk on them.

 

Moose (Yellowstone National Park, WY)This was a time when I was really scared, and had nowhere to run. This was taken outside the east gate of Yellowstone National Park. I had decided to go for a short walk, and encountered a moose coming out of the brush.

 

My Frugal Life: First Time On My OwnBeing a young woman who is not from the most well off family, I have and hold frugality close to my heart. From the patchwork duct tape tent to the tea pot water jug I've grown up with, the beggars can't be choosers mind set has gotten me through some weeks with only $20 in my pocket!

 

Product Review: Black and Decker MX217 PowerPro MixerI bought a Black and Decker MX217 PowerPro 250-Watt 6-Speed Handheld Mixer at a flea market for my daughter. After bringing it home and checking it out, I decided I would give her my old mixer and keep this one.

 

Bud (Coon Hound)Bud is a 7 week old Coon Hound. We got him last Saturday night at the St. Lucie County fair. Bud loves to play with his sister, Roxy.

 

Millie (Cat)Millie is 1 year and 2 months old. I'm not sure what kind of cat she is, but she's just crazy. She was given to my fiance and I in April 2010 by one of my mom's co-workers. She found her on her property, skinny and starving, when she was about two months old.

 

Hang Clothing Backward In ClosetAll the hooks of my hangers start out the same way; however, when I've worn something once and it is good enough for a second wear before washing, I put it back on the hanger but the hook faces the opposite way.

 

Scenery: Whale Watching (San Ignacio Lagoon,...I just got back from a whale watching trip to San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California. We were surrounded by whales. Here is one of the photos I took. Great trip.

 

Patchouli Body SprayPlace ingredients into a sealable glass jar. Shake the jar vigorously until all ingredients are well combined. Decant into a glass bottle with a fine mist sprayer attached.

 

Uses for Coffee CansRe-use metal coffee cans and lids. My grandfather used coffee cans to store nails, bolts, small screw drivers, and other tools. The cans kept the moisture out and kept things organized. They can also be used to store small containers of oil, etc. and sandpaper.

 

Best Time To Purchase Airline TicketsWhether you're purchasing your tickets ahead of time or at the last minute it turns out that the best time of each week to purchase those plane tickets for the lowest prices is on Tuesday's after 3:00 pm EST and on Wednesdays.

 

Saving Money on CoffeeMy daughter taught me this tip about saving money on coffee costs. She worked in a fancy coffee shop and they taught her tons about coffee, even though she is not a coffee drinker. Grind your coffee very fine (espresso grind) and it will go much further.

 

Inexpensive Relaxing BathSummer is coming, and, in most areas, hot, humid weather. To make your bath water feel silky and, somehow, cooler, add a small handful of baking soda as you run the water. You will feel cooler and more refreshed for hours, and your skin will feel silky soft.

 

Removing Stains from Laminate FloorsConfused about how to clean a stain on laminate wood floors without damaging the floor? Acetone Nail Polish remover removes dark ring-like stains. You may need to work it in a few times. DO NOT use on Wood floors!

 

Easter Bunny With Photo EggsThis is a cute project to make with your children. It would also be a great gift for the Easter Bunny to deliver to grandparents! Inexpensive and fun to make!

 

Scenery: Church Archway (Woodstock, Ontario)This is the remains of a church that was being torn down in Woodstock, Ontario. I got the idea for the shot by thinking of what you see when you look to the sky. Looking through a church door to heaven from the outside is something you can not do everyday.

 

Use Silicone Basting Brush for SheddingGo to your local Dollar Store and pick up a silicone basting brush. This brush is excellent. I have 2 dogs, a Shepherd Lab and Jack Russel, that both shed quite a bit of hair. I have found that the silicone brush works the best. I even keep one in the car.

 

Homemade Yoo-Hoo Chocolate DrinkThis recipe is for people who like the drink Yoo Hoo. It is a homemade version and a little healthier than commercial Yoo Hoo.

 

Harvesting Green OnionsGardening season will soon be upon us. If you like the green part of green onions, harvest them when they are still fairly small and thin, about 6 inches tall. They will be very tender and delicious. In addition, don't pull them up by the roots.

 

Starting New Spool of ThreadGrabbing the thread on a new spool so you can use it is easy when you use a pair of tweezers. Grab the thread between the tweezers (I use old pair of scissors tweezers) and just pull. The thread comes off and it is so easy.

 

Use Dryer Sheets to Keep Pests AwayKeep a Bounce dryer sheet in your pocket to keep yellow jackets away and to repel mosquitoes.

 

Removing Wallpaper Border?How do you remove wallpaper border?

 

Using Coffee Grounds in the Garden?What plants do I put my used coffee grounds on? Is it best to turn it into the soil or just put around the base?

 

Using Cocoa Butter on Sensitive Skin for Scars?Is cocoa butter safe to use on sensitive skin for acne scars and normal scars?

 

Removing Black Mold from Window Sills?I have a lot of condensation on my windows and where water collects in the sills, there is black mold. How should I clean this? I can't afford new windows.

 

Vonage Phone Service Reviews?I would like to know how good is Vonage. Thank you.

 

Why Are Some Seeds Only Planted When Weather Warms Up?Why do I have to wait until the weather is warmer to sow seeds? I know I can plant some in the fall before it is too cold, but why can't I start to plant them now? The seeds I plant in the late summer or fall are just as cold as can be lying in the ground now.

 

How Do You Remove Sticky Labels?What is the best way to get sticky labels off?

 

Making a Chicken Casserole in a Romertopf Clay Dish?How do I make a chicken casserole in a romertopf dish?

 

Tomato Relish is Too Salty?I made a batch of tomato relish. This is my second time, but it is way too salty. How can I fix it?

 

How Do I Keep Squirrels Out of an RV?What is a good way to keep squirrels and other pests out of our motorhome that is parked?

 

What is the Scientific Name for the Black Mold on My Cotton Fabric?I want to know the scientific name of the black mold on my cotton fabrics.

 

Preventing Lizards from Getting in House?I've lizards in my home and I don't understand how to remove them.

 

Repairing a Sofa Seam?The seam on my sofa, on the seat has come undone. It needs stitching from the inside, but I am not sure how to get in without causing more damage. I need to stitch it back up through the existing stitch holes. If anyone has any ideas, I would be happy to try them. Thank you.

 

What Else Can I Do to Improve the Quality of Life for My Ill Cat?I have an 11 year old male cat who has some health problems. First of all his back legs do not support him very well and secondly and more importantly he has a cancerous growth in his ear. We have been to the vet for these ailments and he is being treated, however, I am concerned about his overall quality of life.

 

Organizing a Tack Room?I am cleaning up my messy tack room and was looking for some help on how to do so! It's not very big, but then again not very small. The place gets dusty often and is completely shut up aside from the door that's left open.

 

Dishwasher Continues to Run After Cycle is Complete?I just bought a dishwasher and when it is done washing, it still runs. What can I do?

 

Can I Faux Finish PVC Pipe?I'm am wondering if faux finish will stick to PVC pipe?

 

Planning a Vacation In London and Ireland?We are planning a trip to London in May. We'll be in London 4-5 nights then on to Ireland. We want to fly into Shannon and see places like castles, pubs, and the rest. We'd like to drive to Limerick. Any suggestions at all will be helpful and greatly appreciated.