May 24, 2011

Old Fashioned Pot RoastI love this because you can use the cheapest cut of beef, and it will become tender and delicious without much effort. It makes an absolutely delicious gravy, which I think is almost better than the roast!

 

Mocha Hazelnut SmoothieEspecially if you love having these often, you can save oodles of money making your own!

 

Tomato PiePlace tomatoes in boiling water. Make sure they are covered. Let set 3-4 minutes off stove. Run cool water into pan until tomatoes are cool enough to handle.

 

Cheese-Stuffed Meat LoafPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, combine ground beef, 1/3 cup pasta sauce, egg, and bread crumbs. Season, if desired, with salt and pepper.

 

Easy No Fat DessertStir pie filling into dry cake mix. Spread onto ungreased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. May drizzle with powdered sugar glaze, if desired.

 

Oven Baked CrackersThis is a very frugal and easy recipe. My Dad made these for us as kids growing up, and the variations are endless. There was never a flavor that I didn't like.

 

Italian Sausage and NoodlesGreat tasting, cheap, and everyone loves it!

 

Cleaning Badly Burnt Pots and PansDon't waste your time scrubbing a badly burned pot. All you need to do is put it outside in direct sunlight for a few days. The burnt food will crust up together, and when you turn it upside down, it will all fall out.

 

Zero (Cat)We adopted Zero after our cat Oolong ran away. Our kids were devastated, and after awhile we decided that we would look at rescuing another cat. We found Zero at the Humane Society when he was about 3 months old.

 

Ice Ring for Punch BowlA great mold to use for an ice ring to float in a punch bowl, is the plastic container that store bought angel food cake comes in.

 

Growing Figs in ContainersFig trees do best in the southern half of the country, but they can also be grown in protected locations along the Atlantic coast as far north as New York. In colder climates, or for gardeners with limited growing space, growing them in containers is a practical option.

 

Scenery: Crane Sculptures at Japanese Garden...The Portland Japanese Garden is so beautiful in the spring. I took this on a visit to the garden last weekend.

 

Washing Windows Without StreaksUse vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean.

 

Bella (Hound-Lab Mix)Bella "no no" Kirkus is our 6 month old Hound/Lab mix. We rescued her from a shelter when she was 5 weeks old. She loves the water!

 

Reusing Plastic Drink BottlesI save these wonderful little plastic bottles from teas and "ice" drinks. I also have my friends and family save these wonderful coffee containers. When moving, I found that four fit inside the other, and the brain started thinking.

 

Garden: Hardy Pink Sweet PeasSome nice seed saver on ThriftyFun sent me seeds several years ago. These sweet peas do not have a fragrance at all, but are great cut flowers in this lovely orchid pink color.

 

Penguins at Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle, WA)For my grandson Moses' first birthday we took him to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. He was so fascinated with the aquarium and the penguins, we had a hard time getting him away from the tanks.

 

Bacon Cheese FriesCook French fries according to package directions. Place fries on a broiler-proof dish or platter. Sprinkle with cheese, onions and bacon. Broil for 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted.

 

Scenery: South River Lake in Early September (Nova...A beautiful late summer day trip on our four wheelers.

 

Dryer Sheets For Garbage OdorI put a scented fabric softener sheet under every trash bag and inside of the bag, too, for the trashcans in my house. It seems to really help not only the trashcans by absorbing odors, but seems to freshen the air in the room, too!

 

Scenery: Sunset (Pretoria, South Africa)I took this photo one late afternoon from our backyard porch. We stay close to the mountains, and we always have sunsets that makes one appreciate nature at its best.

 

Craft Project: Message Pillow for Father's DayTell Dad your feelings on this pillow where it will be displayed for all to see.

 

Door Knob Cat ToyFor a door knob cat toy, take a heavy string and tie a number of odd items from around the house. I have a small section of plastic chain, a piece of ribbon tied to the string with a knot, and something shiny.

 

Add Flavor to CasserolesI use the leftovers in the refrigerator to create a one-dish casserole-type recipe. I gather the leftover veggies, meat/poultry, and pasta/rice/noodles. I usually add something wet, like broth ...

 

Correct Tire Pressure for Better Gas MileageMy grandson told me the other day, "You know Momow, I raised my gas level in my tank the other day by simply putting air in my tires. It works!"

 

Prepare for School the Night BeforeMy grandchildren live with me, and mornings were chaotic getting them ready for school. Now at night each child has to get their clothes ready for the next day, put their shoes by the door, and have their backpacks next to them.

 

Plant Your Sprouting PotatoesSpring is upon us and the potatoes under the sink or in the pantry are sprouting. If used soon, they may still be edible, but if they have gone soft or have too many sprouts, why not plant them?

 

Craft: Cute Magnet GiftsWith Father's Day coming, I wanted to share these magnets my 3 year old twin grandsons gave me for Mother's Day, with a little help from their mom and dad. They would be perfect for Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, or any other holiday!

 

Attach Store Discount Cards to Shopping BagWhen I go food shopping, I have attached my price plus discount card to my recyclable bag. I just punched a hole in the card (away from the bar code). No more misplaced card and I recycle at the same time.

 

Garden: Yellow-Pink RosesThis rose has the color of 2 plants, yellow and pink. I think that is because it is too close to my red rose plant. It is beautiful though.

 

How Safe is Downloading Antivirus Software Trial Packs?How do I download a trial pack for antivirus software? Is it useful and safe to do this?

 

Keeping an Opossum Out of My Yard?Even though we live inside the city in a fully inhabited neighborhood, we seem to have an opossum roaming at night. I have not only seen evidence of it (you know what I mean), but I have seen it on the neighbor's porch. What can I do?

 

What is This Vine?What is the name of this vine?

 

Locking Commercial Door Arms?Is there any type of lock for door arms to keep the door closed?

 

Removing Pine Sap From Clothing?What will remove pine sap from clothing?

 

Ideas for Finding Free Furniture?Where can I find a source for free furniture, carpet, ie. beds, a washing machine, fridge, freezer, wardrobe, sofa or chair, etc. Thank you.

 

Mixing Herbicide to Use With a Sprayer?What concentration of 3-way herbicide do I need for my 45L sprayer?

 

Ice Maker Frosting Over Around Dispenser?The ice maker if frosting over around the dispenser. What do I do to stop this?

 

Removing Yellow Spots from White T-shirts?Why do white t-shirts get yellow spots on them? A lot of my friends have this problem, they just appear. How do you get rid of them?

 

Refurbishing the Black Finish on a Vintage...What can be put on the black Singer machine head to bring back some color that was lost over the years?

 

Discontinued Wallpaper: Norwall Habitat #HB24109?I am looking for some discontinued Norwall wallpaper. It is from the Habitat book and the pattern # is HB24109

 

Removing Dye That Transferred in the Wash?A brown shirt faded on several pieces of laundry. I have not dried the load yet. What can I do?

 

Herbicide for Flower and Shrub Beds?How do I kill weeds in my flower and shrub beds with no harm to my plants?

 

Getting Rid of Mold in the Kitchen and Refrigerator?I was around oranges at my daughter's house with mold on them and could hardly breathe. Now I find mold in the bathroom sink and on food in my refrigerator. Where is it coming from? I feel as if I need to move out of my house. I am having difficulty breathing. Please help.

 

Lilies Are Not Blooming?I have about 15 lilies. For 2 years in a row they did not bloom. This year 1 did bloom but it was just 2 little bunches. I also have 2 small dwarf lilies that are blooming fine. Can someone tell me what can I do to correct the problem.

 

Preventing Weeds in an Asparagus Bed?It is way too late to worry about weeds in my asparagus bed for this year, but how do other people fight the weeds? Mulching early spring doesn't seem to do it. My husband thought he read salt would work. Thanks

 

Organizing Coupons?I'm starting to become an avid coupon clipper. I've joined a coupon train and just purchased 150+ coupons on eBay for less than $6.00. Now, I'd love to learn a good, effective way to store/sort them in like a binder or something. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions?

 

Agencies That Help Disabled People Get a Car?I am a disabled 55 woman who needs a car after I lost mine in an accident. Does anyone know of any sites that could help?

 

Repairing a Key Scratch on My Car?How do I cover a key scratch on a black car?

 

Brightening Up a Dark Living Room?I am looking for ideas for how to lighten the room up. We are renting for the next 3 years. The house is really nice, but the living room has dark paneling which we can not paint over.

 

Home Remedy for Doggie Odor?Is there a homemade remedy for my foul smelling dog? He is 3 years old and always smells like he has been out in the rain! Yuck. Please help.

 

Shopping for La Choy Brown Gravy?My mother used to buy La Choy brown gravy all the time and use it to make Chinese chicken wings. Then all of a sudden it was gone. I would love to be able to find it again.

 

How To Eat a Fig?How do I eat a fig? Can you eat all of it?

 

Run Away Ivy?I planted in the past an ivy vine for ground cover that has become a nuisance. It is climbing up the side of my house, choking out my plants (lily of the valley, shrubs, day lilies, ferns, and mint). We have pulled it out at one time and it came back.

 

Where Can I Get Reel Mower Blades Sharpened?I own a manual push lawn mower, but I am unable to use it because the mower blades need to be sharpened and I do not know how or where to get this done.

 

Disposing of Free Address Labels to Prevent Identity Theft?My mother gets hundreds of the sticky return address labels, we have been cutting them up and trashing them. They destroy shredders, by gumming up the blades. How can we get them to stop sending them and what is an easier way to dispose of them?

 

Lawn Mower Starter Cable Locked Up?My starter cable is locked and I am unable to pull the chord to start my lawn mower. I noticed that the oil had dried up. I decided to fill it up with oil, but I need to unlock the jammed or locked starter cable. Even the blade below is stuck. Any suggestions, please?

 

How Do I Sell on Taobao?How do I sell on Taobao?

 

Best Way to Sell Used Furniture?I want to sell a table, how do I do it?

 

Choosing Long Blooming Flowers for Hanging Baskets?I have 2 patio boxes for planting in. I am using trailing ivy, baby's breath and poppies right now, but I need to know what flowers bloom all summer so I will have blooms all summer. The hanging boxes get the morning and noon sun.

 

Experiences With Coupon Trains?I'm about to become a "rider" on a coupon train in my area. (This quickens the turn around time so people are not stuck with expired coupons). I'd love to hear from fellow riders to know how their journey is going. I'd like to know if the train is worth it?

 

Replacement Drip Tray for George Foreman Rotisserie Oven?I need a drip tray for the George Foreman rotisserie oven, model gr 80.

 

Remedy for Dog's Itchy Skin?I am hoping to find a home remedy for my dog's itching. My dog is scratching herself raw and I'm unable to take her to the vet at this time. I was hoping for a home remedy that would help.

 

Potty Training a Three Year Old?My daughter will be three June 9th and she's not potty trained yet. She has peed a couple times and then that was it. Now she says she's scared of it; now what do I do?

 

Getting Rid of Carpenter Bees?I have carpenter bees making many holes in my back porch. I can't even sit out there without being buzzed several times around my head.

 

Removing Permanent Marker from Colored Clothes?How do you get Sharpie or permanent marker off colored clothes?