December 5, 2011

Making Yogurt Without MilkThis is a page about making yogurt without milk. For lactose intolerant people, finding a dairy-free yogurt alternative can be helpful. While it possible to make dairy free yogurt, the process is a little different.

 

Investing StrategiesThis is a page about investing strategies. Whether you are just dabbling in stock market or aggressively trying to build your nest egg, using the right investment strategies will help you along the way.

 

Repelling Hornets, Bumble Bees, and...This is a page about repelling hornets, bumble bees, and wasps. Many people prefer to keep hornets, bumble bees, and wasps away from where their homes.

 

Calves' LiverEven some people who don't like liver, like it made this way. Calves liver is not as strong as beef liver and is more tender. This is the way my mother, Vicy, made it. It makes wonderful gravy too.

 

Creamy Salmon Broccoli SoupDifferent, but very good soup! If you like salmon, you'll like this soup.

 

Crock Pot Magic DinnerThis is extra good. Love this especially in cold weather.

 

Breakfast CasseroleKind of different, but very good!

 

Apple Crisp SurpriseWhat I love about this recipe is the burst of orange in an otherwise delicious apple desert. The cardamom marries well with the cinnamon. Feel free to play with the ingredients. I did and was pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

 

Mock Margarita PunchGreat punch recipe!

 

Beef Fajitas (Crock Pot)This easy to prepare dish is sure to become a favorite in your home. Assemble all the ingredients in the morning, and by evening you will have a delicious fajita meal that everyone will love.

 

Winter Horse Care TipsWe have had horses for many years and have tried many things to keep them comfortable in the winter months. Here are a few that have worked for us. It is important to have a heater in the water tank to assure your horses have water available even on the coldest days.

 

The 24/7 Rule For Impulse ShoppingOne instant budget breaker is impulse buying. Stores create displays that are so enticing it's hard to resist wandering over to them and buying something that is most definitely not on the shopping list. Spontaneous shopping is seldom a good choice.

 

Whole Grain Cooking SubstitutionsHalf of the white flour can be substituted with whole grain flour in cookies, muffins, quick breads, and pancakes.

 

Photo: The Invisible CarI shot this picture of my brother-in-law jumping in the pool. He took a long running start on the lawn and struck this pose, as if he was driving an invisible car. Poor guy had to jump in a dozen times before I got it right!

 

Digby (Pig)This is Digby and Raysa my granddaughter. I had just taught Digby how to give kisses, and he couldn't wait to show off his love for Raysa. They play together and share popcorn while watching TV.

 

Lilac Rose BouquetThese were a gift for my birthday. My favorite of all of the roses. They are just so beautiful and I love them.

 

Spaghetti Sauce Spice Mix As Frugal GiftWhen I make spaghetti, I use a mix of spices that I add to my sauce, such as garlic powder, oregano, basil, crushed chilies, and sugar. I poured about one tablespoon full of each into a baggie and zip-locked it closed.

 

Solution For Broken 'Zero' Key On MicrowaveThe 'zero' button on our microwave went out but our budget didn't want us to buy a new microwave. It may seem obvious, but we finally thought - punch in 2:59 instead of 3:00 minutes.

 

Honeycomb TreeA few weeks ago my grandson came over for a visit with a long packing box in tow and an idea for a project. This is his interpretation of a bee hive on a tree. It is a partial recycled craft using a long narrow packing box and other crafting supplies we had around the house.

 

Thrifty Hot Pot HoldersI buy heavy men's black socks at the Dollar Store, and cut above and below the heel leaving a "pocket" which easily slips onto a hot pot or skillet handle. Then, I use the cuff as pot holders to remove hot dishes from the microwave.

 

My Frugal Life: What My Mother and Grandmother Taught MeBeing frugal has a long history for me and I owe it all to my Mother and Grandmother for setting the ground work. My Mother became a single mother of three young children when my father left and never paid support.

 

Bella (Yorkie)Bella (AKA Baby) is a 4 year old Yorkie. My daughter was moving this past summer and she couldn't have a dog in her new place. I became the new momma to Bella. My daughter worked, so Bella was often alone.

 

Wildlife: Spider FeastI found this spider wrapping up a rather large, recently captured beetle. I think it will be eating well for a while.

 

Cranberry Left Over SauceThere's always left overs after Thanksgiving. What I just started doing is using the cranberry sauce on my bagels. Cream cheese and topped with a little cranberry sauce! Yummy, better than jam!

 

Saving Money on CraftingI keep a running list of things I am almost out of and things I need for crafting. After every holiday I go by the different stores and pick up bits and pieces of things on my list. I put it all in one area and mark it general crafts.

 

Mockingbird Visits our GardenThe Mockingbird was enjoying our new fence in the garden. We have many of them in our area. And one can hear them too! They love to sound their presence as they fly and glide about the garden.

 

Scenery: Mt. Rainer at Sunrise (Manchester...I took these pictures on Thanksgiving morning from an out cropping of rock at the far end of Manchester State Park in WA. It was really special to watch the Puget Sound come alive with wildlife as the sun rose.

 

Flannel Shirt Upcycled to Juggling SquaresStart with a nice pre-washed fabric that your child likes. Juggling takes time and practice to learn, and that is a lot more fun to do with sacks that they like looking at.

 

Pouring Large Cup of LiquidI often go to the local convenience store for a "no ice" fountain drink. When I come home, I transfer it to a smaller container with a lid that seals better. Once the lid is off the drink container, it can be clumsy to pour.

 

Natural Remedy for Dog's Itchy Skin?We have a rescue Chiwennie that we love dearly. Our problem with her is she licks and chews her feet and pads until they are infected and smell horrible. I know she itches, the vet gives her steroid shots, however, they wear off before she can have another shot to relieve her distress.

 

What Can I Make With These Ingredients?What can I make with pork chops, carrots, onion, sweet potato, and can of french onion soup?

 

Storing Twist Ties?I like to save twist ties from produce bags, bread bags, etc., but haven't found a good way to store them for later use. They always get all tangled up and are hard to take back out and use.

 

Cats with Unbecoming Dominance Behavior?We have 6 cats, including a 2 year old mother and 5 siblings that are 1.25 years old, 1 brother and 4 sisters. We are all living in 1 house, with 4 litter boxes (1-2 cats use them). They are inside to sleep, eat, and at night and outside in the day. There is tons of space outside.

 

Formica Counter Tops Faded?My counter tops are hunter green and the color is fading. How can I color them or bring them back to life? They are in good condition just faded.

 

Donating Used Trophies?Who can I give them to?

 

Making Sure Cleaning Business Name is Available?How do I know the name that I have chosen for my house cleaning business is not taken?

 

Finding a Clothing Drop Off Location?Where is a St Vincent DePaul clothing drop off location in the Edison, New Jersey area?

 

Getting Antique Musical Instruments Appraised?I have some old fiddles left to me by my dad. One I know is over 100 years old. How do I get it appraised?

 

No Sew Fleece Scarves?Does anyone know where I can get a print out for some of these projects? I would love a picture also, so that I know what I am doing. There are a few different kinds I would like the plans for.

 

Backing for Homemade Broaches and Pins?What type of backing would I use to make homemade broaches and pins?

 

Grainy Peanut Butter Fudge?I forgot to add butter when cooking peanut butter fudge. It is cooled now and grainy. Can I recook the fudge and add the butter?

 

Making a Neck Tie Chair?I'm not sure how to get the ties started. Do you staple them on, tie them on, or what do you do?

 

"I Hope My Children Look Back On Today" Cross Stitch Pattern?Does anyone know who the designer of a stamped cross stitch pattern kit called, " I Hope My Children Look Back on Today" was? I have been trying to find this out for awhile with no luck.

 

Gritty Fudge?When I make my fudge it always comes out gritty. The recipe I use does not tell me how long to boil the sugar, milk, and salt, or what temperature to bring it to.

 

Matching Sweater Pattern for American Girl Doll and Child?I'm looking for a quick and easy sweater pattern for an American girl doll and its 7 year old owner, my niece. Any thoughts on where to find a good one? I was thinking something knit with bulky yarn would be great, but I'm having no luck finding a pattern.

 

Dachshund Pooping in the House After Back Surgery?Do you have a dachshund that's had back surgery and was previously housebroken but now poops in the house? I never had any problems with my four year old pooping in the house until he had back surgery October 1st.

 

Finding a Missing Relative?When I was 3 months old my father left my mother to fend for herself and the new born, me. He told my mother he was going back to the state he was born in to go help my great grandmother with my great grandfather because he had fallen ill.

 

Shipping Cookies to Afghanistan?I would like to ship home baked cookies to Afghanistan from Pennsylvania, USA. Are there certain cookies that ship better than others? What is a good packing method so the cookies arrive without becoming broken?

 

Going Rate for House Cleaning?How do I know how much to charge to clean a house?

 

Giving Magazine Subscriptions as Gifts?How do I order a subscription to Food and Family for someone else, so that I can pay for it and not have a bill sent to them?

 

Snowflake Costume Ideas for Women?Some friends and I are looking to make our own snowflake costumes for a pub crawl event this month. We do live in Michigan, so they would need to be somewhat warm.