May 9, 2011

CalzonesLet pie crusts stand at room temperature according to package directions. Meanwhile, for filling, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, chopped onion and chopped green pepper until meat is brown and vegetables are tender.

 

Spaghetti Squash SaladRemove seeds and stringy pieces from center or squash. Discard. Cook each half of squash in microwave for 8 minutes. Will be VERY hot! When cool, use a fork to rake the insides of the squash.

 

Decorated Chocolate Chip CookiesIt's delicious and good for a quick snack!

 

Garlic Green Beans with TomatoesA different twist on green beans. Drain green beans. Add stewed tomatoes, about 1 teaspoon minced garlic, seasoned salt, and pepper according to your taste.

 

Cilantro and Lime Dijon MayonnaiseGreat as a dip, spread, or topping. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and chill, covered, for one to two hours to allow the flavors to blend.

 

One-Dish Chicken FlorentinePreheat oven to 375 degrees F. Season chicken, if desired, with salt and pepper. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, combine pasta sauce, water, rice, and spinach.

 

Shrimp Pad ThaiMy favorite memories of my dear friend from Thailand, were of us laughing together over a good, authentic Pad Thai. This recipe is easy and so delicious!

 

Fruity Summer CoolerMix honey, limeade concentrate, and poppy seed in medium bowl. Carefully toss fruit with honey mixture. Sprinkle with almonds.

 

Clearance Items for ChristmasIif you do a little on-line shopping at any major stores and click on "clearance", you'll find incredible deals on sweaters, down vests, winter hats, etc. Quality items will go for 50-75% off of what you would pay in November or December.

 

Mother's Day Rocking Horse CraftIf helping a child with this project, the adult can cut the cardboard pieces and work with the hot glue while the child can decorate the horse and fill the cup with goodies!

 

Seasonal Refrigerator MagnetsWhat to do with those advertising magnets; that is the question? Let the kids make holiday decorations for the refrigerator out of them; that is the answer!

 

Keep Light Bulbs From StickingAn electrician recommended that I smear a little vaseline/petroleum jelly on the screw-in base of a new bulb when I put it in.

 

Peanut (Basset Hound)Peanut is a 6 year old Basset Hound. We got him when he was 8 weeks old. He likes to go for walks. He follows our son around everywhere.

 

Crocheted Beach Bag From Plastic Grocery BagsI keep our plastic grocery bags and re-use them, but sometimes we get way too many to keep around. I fold them flat and cut strips of plastic circle and intertwine them.

 

My Frugal Life: Shopping WiselyOnce again today, I scored at the thrift store. Last week, I did very well at Aldi. My family is considered "upper middle class" and yes, we shop at such stores.

 

Removing a Tick From a PetThe best way to remove a tick, use tweezers or a tick removal device and pull the tick off. Grab the tick as close to the head as possible. With steady, gentle pressure, pull the tick out of the skin.

 

Photo: Tough Job (Cutting Down A Tree)I watched this guy meticulously trim the branches from this tree in my neighbor's back yard, and carefully lower them to the ground by rope. Then he took the tree down a chunk at a time. Not for the faint at heart to be sure.

 

Lacing Project for PreschoolersI take care of a couple of preschoolers a few hours each week. Lately they are into "lacing". I made my own lacing boards. Store bought ones run from $2 to $12.

 

Hang Drying Small ItemsBeing short on space to hang lines for my small laundry items, I lined up three laundry baskets on the bed in the room next to the laundry room. That gives me plenty of room to hang all small items.

 

Attach Remote to TV With VelcroI keep a remote controlled television in the kitchen where I watch the news and my favorite programs while cooking or cleaning. Attached to the TV is a DVD player with it's own remote.

 

Reuse Jars for LeftoversI was washing an empty Miracle Whip plastic jar for recycling, when I decided the jar would hold a lot of left overs. I use the bowl containers from butter and cream whips, but I realized I can get more in the large Miracle Whip container.

 

Packson (Tabby)Packson is a 10 year old Tabby. I adopted him in 2005 at the Nebraska Humane Society.

 

Wildlife: Bee HiveThis bee cluster was in a very small tree in front of a residence. The bees were probably keeping the queen bee warm. The cluster of bees stayed there for approximately 2 days.

 

Keep Grocery List in Cell PhoneI keep my grocery list on the "notepad" of my cell phone, so that when I go to the store, all I have to do is check on my phone to see what I need. No more forgotten grocery list at home. I always have my cell phone with me.

 

Document Historical Events with PhotographyOne way that I document historical events in a personal way is to take a photograph of the television screen when major events are being broadcast. I started this on 9/11.

 

Scenery: Small Lake (Bancroft, Ontario)Here is a photo of our small lake outside Bancroft, Ontario, at the end of last summer. Can't wait for the weather to warm up to enjoy these scenes again!

 

Quick and Easy Crepes for KidsWhen I was a Cub Scout leader, we made these often. They were such a big hit, that most of the boys asked for the recipe so they could make them at home, and my own boys did too.

 

Asian Ladybug Trap?Is the lure in this trap a natural pheromone? or can it be man made?

 

Homemade Repellent to Keeps Cats from Scratching Carpets?Does anyone have the recipe for stopping cats from scratching my carpets? We found it once online and it worked great. I can remember it had cloves, cayenne pepper, I think rosemary and baking soda, but I can't remember the whole recipe and I can't find it anymore.

 

Growing Camellias from Cuttings?Is it possible to start a camellia from a cutting? And if so, how do I proceed? Do I use new growth? Please share your advice. It will be most appreciated.

 

Getting Dental Work Done Without Insurance?I am in need of periodontal work and have no insurance. Where is the most inexpensive place to get it done?

 

Repairing Squeaky Shoes?How can you prevent shoes from squeaking?

 

Eco-Friendly Homemade Housecleaning Products?How many and which herbs can be substituted for the traditional rather toxic store bought cleaners, i.e. rug cleaners, laundry bleach, fabric softeners, window cleaners, etc.?

 

What Temperature Water Do I Use to Remove a Chocolate Clothing Stain?All I need to know is if you wash the clothes in hot, warm, or cold water?

 

Troubleshooting an Ice Maker That is Not Making Ice?My ice maker quit making ice. I changed the filter and water came out of the water dispenser but nothing for ice making

 

Removing Metallic Taste from Stainless Steel Thermos?How do you remove a metallic taste from a stainless steel thermos?

 

Prepping Older Kitchen Cabinets for Painting?I need to paint some 60s vintage kitchen cabinets. They are "custom" oak veneer plywood. There has been some delamination on some of the doors and drawer fronts. What would be the best way to fill these damaged areas prior to priming and painting?

 

How Can I Reapply a Peeling Letter on an Athletic Shirt?We managed to get a normally very expensive football shirt a lot cheaper because it had a slight defect as one of the letters is peeling off. Does anyone have any tips for reapplying?

 

Kitchen Dilema: Paint Color Advice for Cupboards and...We just bought this place and I have no idea what to start with for colors. I like the countertop and I think that will be my jumping off point. I am planning on painting the cupboards, walls, trashing the curtains, and possibly putting blinds instead?

 

Income Ideas for a Stay at Home Mom?I am a SAHM with two kids under 2. I was getting disability checks for 1,000 dollars and they have just been turned off. That's 1,000 dollars each month that we won't have and we are barely making it as it is.

 

Best Frozen Meals for Losing Weight?I am looking for a way on how to start my own diet plan using something like Weight Watcher's frozen food packages from the store, etc. I would like some advice on what store brought frozen food I should buy to help me with my goal of losing weight.

 

Dehydrator Recipes and Other Suggestions?Do you have any recipes or suggestions on using a dehydrator?

 

User's Manual For Older Brother Sewing Machine...We bought the sewing machine when we lived in England. It is a model 730. There are several model numbers that are very similar, but not the same! Ours is a "regular" sewing machine, model 730.

 

Home Remedy for Flies?I live next to a ranch. During the summer the flies are out in insane amounts. I was wondering if there is a home remedy or natural way to get rid of them? I don't want to use chemicals and fly tape only gets rid of a few.

 

How Do I Freeze Bread Dough?Can all bread dough be frozen for future use? I like to make honey wheat bread from scratch, which has no white flour. At what point can I freeze the dough for future use? Also, can you make rolls out of your favorite bread recipe or dough?

 

Asian Ladybug Trap Pheromone?Is the lure in this trap a natural pheromone? Or can it be man made?

 

Fixing a Slow Running Drain?I have 5 year old plumbing in my kitchen and bath. Both drains are now running very slowly. Any quick, inexpensive solutions?

 

Finding a Basket Spring for an Eight Cup Percolator?I am looking for the spring that holds the basket in the percolator. I have an 8 cup percolator that I love. Please help me find the above. Thanks.

 

Alternative Uses for China Markers?What are some alternate uses for china markers? I found a box and don't know what to do with them. I can't remember why we bought them. Thanks.

 

Epsom Salt For Flowers?How much Epsom salt do I add to a gallon of water for flowers?

 

Older Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes?Our 38 yr. old Hobart Kitchenaid dishwasher is doing a poor job of drying the dishes. What part should we be looking to replace? We're having a problem finding a place with replacement parts for such an old machine. Thanks.

 

My Newly Planted Geraniums are Turning Yellow?I purchased my geraniums several weeks ago. Finally I planted them this week because the leaves were turning yellow and the buds looked awful. Will they survive or should I pull them all up and start over? I picked all the yellow leaves and drooping flowers off.

 

What I Can Spray on My Lawn to Break Down Thatch?I had my lawn thatched this spring. There's still a lot more is there. Is something I can spray on to help break down the thatch?

 

Where Can I Get Repair Parts and Owner's Manual for Pop Up Camper?I need to know how to repair the cables that make my 1976 Starcraft pop up camper go up? Also, where can I get the cables and owner's manual?