May 31, 2011

Zucchini BarsWhen I have a lot of squash (any kind) or fruit, like figs, I make this and put it up in portions so I don't have to eat it all at one time. Then I freeze and eat some later.

 

Spinach SaladArrange spinach greens in shallow bowl. Top with neatly arranged bacon bits, egg slices, beets, croutons and blue cheese. Shake dressing ingredients well. Drizzle over salad.

 

Whipped Pound CakeLet butter and eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Beat the butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium to high speed until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating 1 minute after each.

 

Orange Banana SmoothieProcess in a blender and it's ready to drink.

 

Chicken Enchilada PieOne of my mom's favorite dishes! Heat soup, chilies, and milk together. Layer, beginning with chips, in 9x13 inch pan. Alternate with chicken, soup mixture, and cheese.

 

Crab Meat SaladThis is a delicious, easy salad that is low in calories and has only 3 points per cup using the Weight Watcher's Points Plus system.

 

Pasta in Mellow Onion SauceI stumbled across this recipe when sauteing onions for a tomato-based sauce. It tasted so good, I left the tomatoes out! Long, slow cooking brings out the sweetness of the onions.

 

Attach Hair Clip to SpongeTired of soggy sponges that could be breeding bacteria in your sink? Attach an everyday hair clip to the sponge to make it stand up - keeping it upright will help keep it dry.

 

Scenery: Point Vicente Lighthouse (Rancho Palos...A well known fact about the Point Vicente Lighthouse is that it is supposedly haunted. When we were young, my friends and I surely saw the lady ghost dressed in a gown.

 

House Gift BoxDecorate a papier mache house by using fun papers and cute embellishments to create a unique gift box. Fill it with sweets, cookies, potpourri, gift tags, or note cards.

 

Keeping Milk FreshThis tip has saved me an unknown amount of money over the years and we are still using it. If you wrap your milk in an opaque plastic bag when you get it home from the store, it will not go sour for a much longer time.

 

Twizzler (Cat)Twizzler is 1 year old. Her mother had died, so the vet was bottle feeding all 4 kittens. She was 6 weeks old when we got her.

 

Freezing Candles Before UseCandles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.

 

Organizing Your Grocery ListIn between shopping trips I jot things down on a list, then the day before I go, I organize that list. When I make my grocery list, I divide it into sections the same way the store is laid out where I am going.

 

Cleaning With ToothpasteEvery time I get my teeth cleaned, my dentist gives me sample toothpaste. I also have extra tubes that no one liked the taste of. I love these tips for using toothpaste:

 

Comparing Wheelbarrows and Garden CartsWhen faced with lugging plants, soil, other materials around the yard, wheelbarrows and garden carts are indispensable tools. Here are some side by side comparisons of their basic features, as well as some shopping tips if you find yourself in the market to buy one.

 

Seven Mile Sunset (Delray Beach, FL)I walked on the seven mile bridge and waited for the sunset. It was well worth the wait. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing those brilliant orange rays coming from behind the clouds.

 

Removing Candle Wax from Carpet Using an IronPlace a thick (grocery store type) dry paper bag on the carpet and use a clothes iron

 

Cook Vegetables With KetchupI recommend you use ketchup when cooking dishes with vegetables, with or without meat, because dishes become more delicious and take on a good color of red. If you are a vegetarian or you like dishes with vegetables, you will enjoy it.

 

Donate Leftover School SuppliesDo your children come home the last day of school with overflowing backpacks from cleaning out their lockers, cubbies, desks, etc? I like to donate the extra supplies to a local shelter that helps families with children.

 

First Aid for Gravy SpillsHow many times has this happened: you're hosting a holiday party or attending one and at dinner someone spills gravy on the tablecloth? Simply grab for the artificial sweetener Splenda.

 

Cardinal in Rhododendron (PA)This bird was right outside my window, just sitting there. So I grabbed my camera and started snapping photos. I got about five or six shots before he flew away!

 

Frugal Birthday PartyFor an inexpensive birthday party, I would have it at home. I would buy cheap soda and frozen pizzas and sometimes bake my own cake instead of buying it. For entertainment: play music, watch a movie, or play a card game.

 

Reuse Ziploc Bags for Dog WasteAfter using sandwich or freezer bags, I like to turn them inside out, give them a general wipe down and store them. When taking the family dog for a walk, I'll grab one of them and use it as a glove to pick up any doggy messes.

 

Wildlife: Zebra (Groenkloof Nature Reserve)We went on a hike at Groenkloof Nature Reserve and were lucky enough to get close to this fellow in his striped PJ's.

 

Wildlife: Mallards On A Muskrat Motel (Nebraska)These two Mallard drakes must have decided this muskrat house looked like a soft place to take a nap. Along our highways here in Nebraska, there are many wildlife habitat sanctuaries. This one is a popular place for ducks.

 

Removing Highlighter on Cabinets?We are about to close on a house and during the inspection I noticed that the kitchen island had highlighter all over it (where the chairs go). Has anyone ever tried to get highlighter off? I'm worried that whatever I/they use will take off the finish as well.

 

Goody Bag Ideas for Gymnastics Birthday Party?I am having a gymnastics party for an 8 year old. I wanted some ideas for what I should put in the goody bags? I looked at shutter glasses and glow sticks. Can I know what else to put in the goody bags?

 

Crockpot Hot Dogs and Chili?I am looking for a recipe for hot dogs and chili made in a slow cooker. I had one, but lost it. Please help.

 

Suggestions for Getting Along With Relatives?How is it possible to be compatible with relatives who are impossible, unreasonable people? What's the secret?

 

Transplanting Wild Roadside Ferns?I am trying to transplant roadside wild ferns in my landscape as decorative plants. They come from the side of the road and poor soil, but close to dampness.

 

Can I Freeze Watermelon?We bought a watermelon for Memorial Day and have half left. Can we cover it and freeze it? Could we ball it and freeze it? If we do either, will the texture be the same when thawed? Thanks!

 

Best Time to Plant Lilacs?Is it best to plant lilacs after the blossoms fall off, or doesn't it matter?

 

Identifying a Snake?Does anyone know what type of snake resembles a garter, but is the color of a dull penny all over its body? It has no patterns. Thanks for all info!

 

Where Can I Buy Government Surplus Type Cheese?How do I get my hands on some "Government Cheese"? Thirty years ago, I tasted some government cheese and loved it. It was a rich, yellow cheese with more protein per ounce than most public cheese. How do I get some?

 

Purchasing a Lump of Pure Coal?I need a lump of pure coal. Where can I buy one near Phoenix, AZ?

 

Burning Bush Leaves Turning Yellow?I planted a row of burning bushes last fall. They were just twigs. This spring they leafed out fine, but now they are turning yellow and look like they are dying. We had a lot of rain this spring and I did mulch them. Do they need some mineral?

 

11th Birthday Party Ideas?Does anyone have any ideas for an 11 year old girl's party?

 

Getting Rid of Flies Outside?How do I get rid of flies outside?

 

Readers Digest Magazine Christmas Trees?As a child we used to make Christmas trees for table centerpieces using Readers Digest magazines. Does anyone remember how to do these?

 

Wick Watering Vegetables in Raised...I've read a suggestion to use a wick from a container next to the plant pot to provide automatic watering. This is the first time I've seen someone doing what I've been experimenting with so as to work out a way that those in drought-ridden places can irrigate their plants.

 

Using Olive Oil to Condition Your Hair?Is it safe to oil my hair with olive oil and go in the sun?

 

Looking for Smart Solutions Tub and Tile Cleaner?Where do I find the tub and tile cleaner by Smart Solutions?

 

Remedy for Swelling and Redness from Black Fly Bites?What can I do for swelling from black fly bites on a 4 year old? His forehead around his eyes and around his ears is red and quite warm. What should I do?

 

Companion Plants for Cucumbers?What plants do cucumbers like to be planted with and which plants do they not do well near?

 

George Foreman GR80 Rotisserie Replacement Rod?I have lost the rotisserie rod for my George Foreman GR80 rotisserie and would like to purchase a new one. Where can I buy one and how much do they cost?

 

Getting Vaseline Out of a Microfiber Couch?How do I get Vaseline out of a microfiber couch? My daughter put Vaseline on the couch. I tried scraping it off, then putting on cornstarch, leaving it for more than an hour, and then vacuuming it. That didn't help.

 

Turning Soap Slivers Into a New Bar of Soap?What can I do with leftover pieces of soap? Can they be microwaved and reformed?

 

Grilling Chicken Legs?What is the fastest way to cook chicken legs on a gas grill?