April 12, 2011

Baked Potato FansPreheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cut potatoes into thin slices, cutting to but not through bottom. Place in baking pans. Sprinkle with salt; drizzle with margarine.

 

Raspberry Jello MoldCombine gelatin with hot water. Add raspberries and applesauce. Chill. Serves 6.

 

Cabbage SaladGrate cabbage. Mix together all other ingredients and pour over the grated cabbage. Refrigerate. Serves 8.

 

Applesauce Loaf Cream together shortening and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Sift together dry ingredients and gradually add to mixture. Stir until well mixed and add applesauce and nuts.

 

Roasted Parmesan Brussels SproutsPreheat oven to 475 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil. Whisk together the olive oil, Dijon, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; add sprouts and toss until thoroughly coated ...

 

Ginger and Orange RhubarbRhubarb is now in season and at its best. I think it's best cooked really simply and it is delicious with ginger. I have had it cooked this way ever since I was a child.

 

Pork Chop CasseroleBrown chops; mix all other ingredients and pour into casserole with chops on top. Cover; bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F.

 

Crockpot LasagnaI made it up out of desperation for my mom to eat healthier. It's low-fat but you would never think it.

 

Crack Camper Windows For Smoother RideI learned this tip from friends who not only camped, but owned a campground. It works wonderfully! When traveling with a travel trailer, always crack open a front window on the left side of the camper, and a right window on the back side of the camper.

 

Power Washer for Spring Yard CleanupMake spring clean up a breeze! Rent a 2800 psi power washer for 1/2 a day. Use it to blow leaves and debris out of flower beds without damage or raking! Blow it into the yard and then mulch it up with your mower.

 

My Frugal Life: Frugality RocksWhen the worst things occur at the worst times in the worst way, Frugality Rocks!

 

Hoku (Cat)This is my beautiful, special friend, Hoku. Hoku means 'star' in Hawaiian. He gives wonderful hugs and will sit in my arms with his paws wrapped around my neck and purr into my ear. We have been friends for almost ten years now, since he was a little kitten.

 

Use Half Of Dryer SheetsWhen using fabric softener sheets, cut them in half. They work just exactly the same as a whole sheet does.

 

Scenery: Storm CloudsI love sky watching, this picture I took today of our storm moving out from our area. I think sky pictures are awesome.

 

Finding Your Garden Design StyleJust like each gardener has his or her own personal design style, so does every garden. Some are prim and proper, while others are carefree and bohemian. When designing your garden, understanding your personal style can help you figure out what kind of garden will feel best to you.

 

Washing Plastic Food CoversPurchase the shower cap looking plastic covers for containers at the dollar store, to save on plastic wrap. When they are dirty I put them in a washing bag made for delicates and throw it in with my laundry.

 

Frugal ToysWhen my three children were younger and money was tight, we would find ways to add to their toys without purchasing items. One of the things the girls loved was a silver tray and tumblers just the right size for Barbie. The silver tray was the top of a Nestle's Quik box.

 

Cardboard Tube BunniesThese whimsical bunnies are inexpensive and fun to create. Add your own bows, buttons, or other embellishments to make each one unique.

 

Explaining Medical Procedures to ChildrenI am a great-grandmother. My oldest is almost 50 and the youngest just turned 34, so I learned these tips many years ago. These concern going to the dentist, having the tonsils out, or any hospital procedure.

 

Renovate Old ClothesRe-use clothing parts to renovate clothes in trouble. For instance, if sleeves on a shirt are too short, cut them off just above the cuff and sew on some cut-off sweatshirt sleeves from a too-small or stained garment.

 

Start Heater Before Car is WarmThis is especially for people who live in pretty cold climates, but it's probably a very good idea anywhere. When it is cold and you get in your vehicle to drive, turn your heater up all the way as soon as you start the engine.

 

Scenery: Cole Harbour (Nova Scotia) I do a lot of hiking near my home in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, and although the climb up the hills is quite a workout, the views are definitely worth it. It is early spring here, and the leaves are not out yet.

 

Ten Best Ways to SaveI am always looking for ways to save money and have compiled a list of the 10 best ways to save.

 

Switch Watch To Other Wrist As ReminderI always wear my jewelry (watch and bracelets) on my left arm. To help me remember something, I just remove all the jewelry and put it on my right arm. One glance is a constant reminder.

 

Dental Floss When Gathering FabricIf, when gathering fabric or other material, your thread always breaks right at the most crucial time, I have found that using plain dental floss is wonderful. I use a zigzag stitch on my sewing machine.

 

Link: Shop With iGive To Donate To CharitiesI found a site called iGive.com. It gives a percentage of my online purchase amounts to this charity when I shop stores through their site. These are online stores that I shop from anyway.

 

Freeze Lemons For JuiceWhen my refrigerator got too cold and froze some produce, I learned that this is not necessarily a loss. I chopped the celery while still frozen and it cooked in stuffing perfectly well.

 

Wildlife: Butterfly KissesWhile visiting a butterfly garden last summer with my granddaughter, I stressed the importance of not touching the butterflies. I guess I didn't say anything about giving them a kiss though.

 

Craft: Shell Jewelry SetI had fun creating this necklace set made with shell beads and tiny glass accent beads.

 

Scenery: Yellowstone Lake (Wyoming)A beautiful lake when winter does not want to leave, and spring is trying to break through.

 

Wire Hanger Cookbook HolderTo hold your cookbook open and slightly upward to read it easier, you'll need a wire coat hanger. Bend the two arms of the hanger toward each other until they form at least at a 90 degree angle from each other.

 

Keeping Grilled Meats MoistDo you like moisture in your meat after grilling? When grilling meat, salt it after cooking. If you salt meat or poultry before grilling, the salt will draw out the moisture and make it dry.

 

Snickers (Japanese Silkie Chicken)Snickers is a 3 year old Japanese Silkie Chicken. I used to raise them until 2 years ago, when I had to move to the city. He loves to cuddle on my lap especially while I am crocheting.

 

Invigorating Ginger BathHere's a really nice mild, yet invigorating, mixture enough for one soak in the bathtub that serves as a wonderful circulation stimulant. Oh, and the baking soda as an ingredient aids in detox of the body too!

 

Cleaning Cast Iron PansSometimes a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet needs more than just a simple scraping/wiping to get it ready for the next job. In those cases, I used to soak mine in hot water in the sink.

 

Crown of Thorns and Bromeliad (Nassau, Bahamas)This beautiful crown of thorns sits on my driveway in Nassau Bahamas with potted bromeliad. This picture was taken at about 6.30 A.M., just as the sun rose and the dew had not yet dried.

 

Using Panty Hose with a Run in One LegWith being a waitress for 23 years, I went through a lot of pantyhose, and 9 times out of 10, only 1 leg got snagged resulting in a run. When this happens, tie a knot in the bad leg before washing and save that pair.

 

Cats Using Vegetable Beds for Litter Box?What can I plant in my garden to put off cats from using my vegetable patch for a litter tray?

 

What Is This Flower? (Bluebell)This spring flower came up in my flower bed, but I don't know what it is. It comes up on a stalk and has small purple bell shaped flowers.

 

Legal Considerations Regarding Ingredients in Selling Homemade Detergent?Is it illegal to use store bought soap in the homemade detergent that I plan to sell at craft shows?

 

Will My Child Receive SSI?My ex passed away March 14th. We have 2 children together. My question is are they eligible to receive SSI benefits? One of the children is his biologically, but the other one was fathered by someone else.

 

Kids Not Wearing Underwear?I have a daughter; she is 10 years old. When it's summertime and hot weather outside I give her jeans/denim shorts to wear without underwear. Is that wrong or okay? Maybe not so good or maybe okay?

 

Starter For Friendship Bread?I need the Amish Friendship bread starter made without yeast.

 

Substitute For Powdered Milk?I am baking soft rolls. The recipe calls for milk solids is there a substitute?

 

How Can I Get Coupons for Meat?There is a new show that is called Extreme Couponing. Personally I think they should combine the show with the show Hoarders since all of the people have a problem.

 

Removing Dog Urine Stains and Odor from Carpet?I have a dog that has marked his territory on the bedpost in my spare bedroom. The carpet is an off white and I will lose my deposit if I can't get this out. It is dried and terrible.

 

Removing Wax from the Wall?How do I get wax off of my wall?

 

Displaying Seashells?What is a beautiful and tidy way to display and handle a whole bag of seashells?

 

Painting Over Varnish?What is the least intensive way to paint over varnish?

 

Handmade High School Graduation Gift Ideas for Granddaughter?My first grandchild graduates high school this year. She is going on to school. I am going to give her some money for her senior trip, but I want to design or make her something really special that she can keep as a keepsake. Anybody have any good ideas?

 

Homemade Space Bags?Please, can someone give me some advice? I tried using black bin bags and the vacuum cleaner to suck the air out instead of the more expensive space bags. I don't know what to tie them off with so the air doesn't escape from them. Any suggestions?

 

Costume Jewelry Christmas Wall Hanging?Is this a Christmas tree kit? I got it at a sale a long time ago. No one seems to know what I have, but I just came across your site! Maybe you have the answer. Thanks!

 

Paint Color Ideas for Blue and Black Kitchen?I am trying to figure out what color to paint kitchen walls. I have oak cabinets with dark blue and black/gray counter tops, beadboard paneling on lower half of walls, and black and stainless appliances. Any ideas?

 

Turbo Cooker Recipes?I am looking for recipes I can cook in a turbo bench top oven. Any would be great as I have none at all. Many thanks.

 

Changing a Refrigerator Door From White to Stainless Steel?Can I change the door of my side by side fridge from white to stainless steel?