March 16, 2011

Skillet Fried Brussels SproutsHeat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes.

 

Violet TeaDry petals and leaves in a 150 degree F oven until all moisture is gone. Store in an air-tight container until ready to make tea.

 

Ten Minute ChiliEasy to make, quick chili that everyone seems to want more of. If you are using meat, brown the meat first in a heavy kettle or frying pan then dump the browned meat (grease drained off) into the bean pot, crock pot, or other big pot.

 

Toffee BarsThese bars are a little time-consuming, but are so tasty. These bars do not require many ingredients, so you might already have everything handy to bake these soon.

 

Store Purses in PillowcasesUse old pillowcases to store handbags and purses in your closet. This keeps the dust off.

 

Tommie and Victor (Papillion and Shih-tzu)ave 2 pets, Victor and Tommie. Tommie is 15 month old Papillion, and Victor is 19 month old small Shih-tzu. I got Tommie as a 6 month old rescue pup from Wasatch Rescue in Salt Lake, and Victor as 9 week old from a breeder in Bellingham, WA

 

Scenery: The Pinnacles (Western Australia)Here is a photo I took of a place called "The Pinnacles" It's in Western Australia, and not far from the coast. It is very unique and beautiful, like an alien landscape. What do you think?

 

Buddy (Jack Russell Terrier)Buddy is one year old. He is a Jack Russell Terrier. We got Buddy as a puppy after we saw an ad in the paper for Jack Russell puppies. Our daughter has been wanting one since she was 2, so we called and the lady had 1 puppy left.

 

Sewing on Scout BadgesIf you have patches to sew on for your kids' Scout uniforms, school uniforms, etc., use your basic stapler to hold the patches in place while you sew them on.

 

Rose Floral Bath BombIn a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and the olive oil until it is the consistency of pastry dough. Add the fragrance oil, mix until evenly distributed.

 

Garden: Spring CrocusThe first crocus are blooming! I'm so excited to see these delicate beauties popping up in the yard. My husband picked one, and I got to use my little window vase.

 

TC (Cat)My tomcat (TC) was sleeping on the shelf under the window in the sun. I had to recharge the camera batteries, and took this as a test shot to see if the date was right.

 

Reuse Elastic From Shoe PackagingNext time you buy a pair of kids' shoes, keep the elastic string that keeps them together - don't throw it away! Just untie the knot and you've got a wonderful piece of craft string for bracelets and things.

 

Binder of Favorite Recipes for ChildrenMy three daughters were always asking me to share some of my favorite recipes, so I surprised them one Christmas by printing some of my favorites on acid-free paper, and putting them in small 3-ring binders that contained plastic sheet protectors.

 

Floral Button PinsWhat ever your mother, grandmother, or other special woman likes, one of these two corsage pins is sure to hit the mark and they are so easy to make. Just change a couple of items and you have two completely different looks. Have fun.

 

Craft: Angel Doll Air FreshenerAngel doll is an air freshener. You can use it in any room of your house. I crochet the dolls in all colors. This doll has silver trim with silver wings. She could also be made with gold wings and gold trim.

 

Ketchup For Cleaning Copper PotsWhy buy expensive copper cleaner for those beautiful copper kettles or planters? Regular Heinz Ketchup does the job just as well.

 

Wildlife: Birds in TreeI looked out the window and saw a flock of birds had landed in a small tree. I had no idea they would blend in with the leaves but I liked the effect.

 

Preventing Static Shock in My CarTo keep from getting a static shock from your car whenever you exit, put a dryer sheet in your pocket. It negates the electric shock. Just keep one in your favorite jacket pocket during the "dry air" months.

 

Use Excess Cologne as Air FreshenerI had several bottles of body splash and cologne that I didn't care for (gifts from well meaning friends). Instead of throwing them out, I use them as bathroom air freshener and stinky shoe deodorizer.

 

Scenery: Sunset (Asseteague Island State...What a beautiful ending to a lovely day at Asseteague Island State Park.

 

Use Fleece as BattingI don't quilt, but I do enjoy sewing small "cozy" projects that are quilt-like. When I need batting for these small projects, I buy fleece remnants from the remnant rack at the fabric store.

 

Wildlife: CrabWe went to Florida last week and I got a picture of a small crab. I used my zoom lens. Looks like he was dancing and smiling at me.

 

Saturday Snow DayThe winter weather might be nearing its end and parts of the country never saw snow days, but that doesn't mean that your family can't enjoy a Saturday snow day. Instead of waiting for nature to provide the perfect storm, create your own family snow day.

 

Planting CarrotsWhere is a garden should carrots be planted? Carrots, like most other roots crops, like deep, loose soil that retains moisture, but drains well.

 

Keely (Miniature Australian Shepherd)Keely will be 4 in August 2011. She is a Miniature Australian Shepherd. Keely and I met about a year after I lost both of my loving pets. I lost one to old age and one to cancer. I couldn't stand to live without having a best friend at my side.

 

Salt as Patio Weed KillerInstead of buying expensive products (for example, Weed Begone) to get rid of weeds and grass coming up in between patio blocks, carefully spread salt between the bricks and blocks. Sprinkle with water or wait for the rain to wet it down.

 

Eliminating Static from BlindsUse a dryer sheet to eliminate static electricity from venetian blinds.

 

Garden: First CrocusThe first crocus are blooming! I'm so excited to see these delicate beauties popping up in the yard. My husband picked one, and I got to use my little window vase.

 

Conserving FuelWith the price of gas soaring, here are a few simple tips for conserving fuel.

 

Stream (Appalachian Trail)A stream runs next to my house; it travels from the Appalachian Trail down the mountain to the lake in our community. After all the rain we experienced this week, the water was flowing very fiercely.

 

Removing Burnt Spray Starch on Clothing?I have spray starch burnt onto my iron. I burnt the spray starch and then ironed it onto clothes.How do you get the burnt spray starch off clothes?

 

Cleaning Mold and Mildew from the Shower?My shower stall has wet-wall similar to kitchen counter tops. The wall covering has developed a slight bloom any ideas how to clean this?

 

Treating a Dog With Urinary Incontinence?I have a Great Dane that has incontinence. Nothing has been able to help her until I obtained "Natural Pet Pharmaceuticals Urinary Incontinence" treatment from a distributor in Canada. But, effective January 1, 2011, I am no longer able to purchase this product in Canada.

 

Changing the Color of Tile Grout?The grout in my floor tiles is dirty looking; can I dye it? If so who does this type of work?

 

How Can I Stop My Dog From Chewing On Blankets?I have a Dachshund that chews holes in all the blankets he can get his teeth into! Nothing else, just blankets. Is there anything I can spray on my blankets or any other ideas to prevent his blanket chewing? All my blankets are full of little holes!Thanks!

 

Recipes for Making Household Products?Does anyone have any recipes for cheap, homemade cleaning supplies like cleansers, spray cleaners, etc.? Thanks in advance!

 

Tiny Flying Insects in the House?I have very tiny (maybe a mm big), round moth like bugs crawling on my walls and carpet. I just saw one fly the other day. They are black and white stripped with six legs and antennas. Any idea what they are? They don't bite; they're just a nuisance.

 

Kitchen Colors to Compliment Honey Gold Living Room?I have just painted my living room a honey gold color, but my kitchen has white cabinets and sage green counter tops. What color should I paint my dining room that would go with those two rooms?

 

How Do I Make Kitchen Curtains from Coffee Bean Sacks?I am attempting to make kitchen curtains from coffee bean sacks. Should I cut the back of the bags off so as to make the curtains lighter to work with or leave as is? I am also pondering how to reuse some old beads (they actually resemble coffee beans) on the sacks.

 

How Can I Organize My Reusable Plastic Bags?I save baggies that have not had meat in them. My problem is their storage. By the time I have a collection of large, medium, and small baggies, bread bags, and good cereal bags, I have an awful mess.

 

Planting Carrots?When planting your carrots, make a nice build up of soil into a ridge. Go down the ridge with a hoe making a little row all the way down in the middle, then pour some fine sand in the ridge.

 

Best Laundry Detergent for New Born Baby Clothing?What is the best laundry detergent for a newborn? I went to buy Dreft, but didn't know it was so expensive. Any suggestions?