May 26, 2011

Garden RibbonsA health, colorful side salad to enjoy at lunch or dinner.

 

Hobo StewCook onion and green pepper in oil in large skillet or kettle until onion is golden. Add beef and cook, stirring with fork to break up meat, until browned.

 

Illogically Easy French FriesI didn't believe until I tried it.

 

Tex-Mex Corn Chip PieAbout 40 minutes before serving: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In 10 inch skillet, prepare taco seasoning mix as label directs with ground beef for tacos.

 

Chicken Ole'Try this chili flavored chicken over tortilla chips or rice and sprinkle with cheese.

 

Honeyed Pineapple ChickenMy husband actually found this recipe, made it for us, and we both loved how it turned out. The mixture of honey, honey mustard, and pineapple was just savory and complemented the chicken perfectly.

 

Corn DogsMake sure the hot dogs are at room temperature. In a large bowl, stir together the Bisquick, cornmeal, dry mustard, paprika, and red pepper. Stir in the egg and milk until well blended.

 

Strawberry ButterBlend for 2 minutes. Keep refrigerated.

 

Olive and Garlic ButterThis is wonderful as a spread for bread, crackers, or to use as a topping for baked white fish. Simply refrigerate or freeze any extra in an airtight container.

 

Three Kinds of GreensIn deep skillet or heavy pot, brown bacon until crisp, then add greens and water. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

 

Organizing Seasonal ClothingAt this time of year, as I do laundry I begin to store 'out of season' clothing. I live on the East Coast so we need to start eliminating sweaters and long sleeved items from our closet.

 

Misty (Kitten)Misty is 3 years old and one of Callie's kittens. She loves it outdoors when the weather is just right. She likes to chase the butterflies and hummingbirds. Misty never catches them, but she keeps trying!

 

Using Salt to Clean Artificial FlowersTo clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

 

Stretch Fruit JuiceI found that our family was drinking an excessive amount of fruit juice, which is both expensive and has more calories than we really need. I now make a large batch of naturally decaffeinated herbal tea and mix in fruit juice to taste.

 

Ellie Mae (Yorkshire Terrier-Toy Poodle)Ellie Mae is a 12 year old Yorkshire Terrier and Toy Poodle mix. We got Ellie Mae when she was just a tiny bundle of fur at 7 weeks of age. We drove 5 hours to get her. On the way back home, she climbed up inside my sweater, and ended up inside my sleeve at my wrist.

 

Freezer "Bin System"I've found a way to keep my freezer organized that saves me both time and money. I have plastic bins that fit on the shelves and are labeled as to contents: chicken, beef, fish. I have 2 other bins labeled "prepared food" and "prepped ingredients".

 

Secrets to a Successful Rock GardenWhen rock gardens fail, it's usually due to poor planning. Although it sounds like a contradiction, some basic rules and principles need to be applied when trying to construct and recreate the randomness and beauty of Mother Nature.

 

Scenery: Champoeg State ParkI got to visit Champoeg State Park with my son's class yesterday. It is a really lovely park and quite large.

 

Garden: Mini Roses And FountainThis is my new mini rose garden in the back yard. DH added a mini fountain and small solar lights to the area. We have a solar lighted umbrella and rockers added to face the little rose garden, all in containers.

 

Snack Bucket from Coffee ContainerSince I hate to throw anything out in the garbage if it can be used a second time, I made a snack bucket from a Folgers Coffee Container. To cut down the cost, I covered all the labels with wallpaper instead of painting the canister.

 

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly and Black...I love relaxing and spending the day in my yard with my camera. You never know what your going to find, see, and enjoy! Today in my yard, I enjoyed beauty with wings.

 

Canisters from Coffee ContainersWhen I empty my plastic coffee containers, I paint them with paint for plastic found at your craft store or any paint store. I use these containers to store rice, beans, or any dry food product.

 

Other Uses for Bandaid Travel PackI recently bought one of these $.99 travel packs with 8 bandages in it. When it was empty, I found that it is perfect for all kinds of things. You can put in q-tips, antacids, nails and small screws, and I keep some insulin needles in mine.

 

Cleaning Love Bugs Off Your WindshieldHow to get love bugs off your windshield. Use the sheet you put in dryer, it works great!

 

Buy Ground Beef in BulkWhen I buy ground round, I buy ten pounds at a time and make twenty 1/4 pound burgers, freeze them with Press and Seal; the rest I freeze in one pound bundles with the Press and Seal and then a Ziploc bag.

 

Double Rainbow (Spokane, WA)This double rainbow occurred during a spring rain. It was so bright and lasted such a long time. I enjoyed it very much! Notice how the colors are in reverse order.

 

"Don't Text Me" App For Your SmartphoneIt's easy to make plans with text messages, but doing so while driving is unsafe, and in fact, illegal in many places. Download the free "Don't Text Me" app from Itunes. It will send an autoreply that says you can't pick up messages.

 

Removing Sour Milk Smell From Baby BottlesNew Mommies, this is for you!

 

Gardening: Insect on a Mini PetuniaI couldn't believe how well this turned out. Photography is so therapeutic.

 

Roach Problem?We have a roach problem. Is there a quick solution to get rid of them? We spray and get them under control, but we are disabled and by the time we get around to moving out the fridge and stove they have got a hold again.

 

Paint Color Advice for Kitchen With White Units, Black Worktops, and Red Accessories? I have white units with chrome handles, black worktops, with red accessories. What colour to paint my kitchen?

 

Social Security Disability Laws in Virginia?If someone is on Social Security disability in the state of Virginia, when they die does the widow have the option of getting his income as opposed to hers? I know some women get their husband's benefits, but does that apply to Social Security disability as well?

 

Pattern for Ivory Soap Bottle Mr and Mrs Claus?I have been looking for a pattern for Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus on Ivory dish soap bottles and cannot find it. Do you know where I can find this pattern? They have Styrofoam heads and plastic hands, but the bodies are the Ivory soap bottle. Help.

 

Removing Crayon from Clothing?How do I get orange crayon out of my husband's khaki shorts?

 

Female Cat Has Started Spraying?Kallie, our lovely 15 year old cat, died suddenly a few weeks ago. We got Abby as a kitten about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm sure Abby knows that Kallie is gone. Lately, I have noticed that she will not go in the litter pan anymore and seems to prefer to go outside.

 

Using a Black Light to Find Urine Stains?I read that you can use a fluorescent black light to find old urine stains. Is it just a normal fluorescent light that you can buy anywhere?

 

Theme for Husband's 60th Birthday?I'm having a party for my husband's 60th birthday. I would like to have the theme with a balance scale, but can not find a picture or any ideas. Could you please help?

 

Is It Too Late to Start My Garden?I am in the process of moving to some bigger property and wanted to start a garden this year. Is it to late for me to start planting? What I am thinking of planting are tomatoes, corn, beans: string and wax, bell peppers, hot peppers, and carrots.

 

Getting Rid of Pests on Onion Plants?How do I get rid of all the pests on my onion plants?

 

Removing Dog Urine Odor from Bedroom?My dog is now 8 or 9 months old and is a good dog. He goes potty outside, but he will go inside too and usually in the kid's room. What can I do to get rid of his scent that he smells in there, so he won't go in there anymore?

 

Keeping the Cats Out of The Flower Garden?My farm cats, seem to enjoy watching me garden. They have the run of the farm, but seem to love, doing their business in the flower beds, where I have just worked. I want to keep my flower beds off limits to the cats. Any suggestions?

 

What is Eating My Dusty Millers?I have about 6 dusty millers planted in my front flower bed, mixed with other plants, ranging from 3-6 inches apart. This morning I walked out, when it wasn't raining, and saw that all my dusty millers were down to the stems. Do you think that rabbits are eating them?

 

Getting Rid of Trumpet Vine?How does one get rid of a 30 yr. old trumpet vine gone rampant?

 

Making Jelly from Fruit Juice?I would like recipes for jellies made from storebought juices, like cranberry, blueberry, kiwi, etc.

 

Le Creuset vs @Home Enameled Cast Iron Cookware?I just saw @Home cast iron pots looking exactly like Le Creuset cast iron cookware for far less cost than Le Creuset pots. Is there any difference between the two?

 

Free Valance Pattern Ideas?I would like to get free pattern ideas for a valance which I will be attaching to the rod with Velcro. Any thoughts?

 

What is This Tiny Green Bug?I find this bug on my arms. It is a little smaller than a pin head, the color is like the light color green on army fatigues. I can't see the legs or much of anything else for that matter because it's so tiny.

 

Cleaning Sliding Door and Window Tracks?What is the easiest and fastest way to clean the tracks of sliding glass doors and windows?

 

Lemon Juice for Stretch Marks?I'm 20 years old and a mother of two and one more on the way. I've had stretch marks since my first child and I didn't really mind because they were the light ones. But now that I'm pregnant with my third, I have these dark ones showing all over, even on my legs.

 

Cutting a Crock Pot Recipe in Half?When you "half" a crock pot recipe (1 1/2 qt pot) do you "half" the cooking time?

 

Dog's Urine Smells Fishy?Why does my female dog's urine smell fishy?

 

Removing Scratches from Glasses?My cat got to my glasses since I left them out of the case (the one time) and I have only had my glasses for barely a month. I am a bit annoyed because I can actually notice the scratches and it's just bothersome.

 

Controlling Ants with 20Mule Team Borax?I have a problem with ant hills in my lawn. The ants can be found on my deck and on my front porch and now have even gotten into the house. I have heard that borax can be used to control them. What do I have to do?

 

Name Ideas for a Daycare Business?I'm looking for an appealing name for my daycare, using the initials A.B.C. Or I also have 3 sons myself and could use a name pertaining to my 3 boys.

 

Multifunction Printer on 15 Amp Circuit Dims the Lights?My brand new multifunction printer dims the lights! It does this in different rooms which are on different breakers, all at 15 amps. It's a new house, so I know the wiring isn't a problem.

 

Getting Rid of Wood Bees?How do I get rid of wood bees and protect against their return.

 

House Training a Two Year Old Dog?How do I house train a 2 year old Brittany Spaniel that hunts and is crate trained? He is a good hunter and well disciplined otherwise.