June 18, 2012

Chili ButterChili butter is great to use to season steaks and even spread on crusty bread or grilled or roasted corn on the cob. You can use lemon juice or lime juice instead of the Dijon as flavor variations.

 

7 Layer SaladGot this recipe from my step-mother. Great salad!

 

Turkey BurgersThese are exceptionally good and much healthier than using ground beef.

 

Parmesan ChickenThis recipe is great - the crushed croutons give a great flavor! Great over pasta or rice.

 

Turmeric Spiced Roasted Red OnionsTurmeric has an earthy hint of ginger and pepper flavors. When added to roasted sweet red onions and then topped with cilantro as a garnish is a nice flavor blend treat.

 

Juicy Salmon LoafVery tasty way to incorporate salmon into your diet. Great recipe!

 

Bookmarking Online TipsI find it easy to create files for areas I'm interested in under the "Bookmark" area. For example, Crocheting, Knitting, Cleaning, Stores, etc. Then when I come across a page or note I'd like to keep, I simply bookmark this page and save it under its proper file folder.

 

Free and Natural PotpourriWhen I deadhead my herbs, I put the clippings in a nice bowl on a table, the bathroom counter, or anywhere. Then every time I walk past, I just toss them a few times with my fingertips. This releases the fragrance into the room even more and helps it to dry evenly.

 

Boiling Water for Getting Rid of AntsI try to get rid of ants at the source. If you find an ant hill, pour boiling water on it. It's nontoxic to other animals and gets them before they get into the house.

 

Keeping Bacon From CurlingWhen you buy bacon uncooked, run water over it, pat it dry a little bit, and it won't curl up on you.

 

Use Hair Conditioner as Body LotionInstead of using lotion after your shower, you can use those conditioner samples you receive in the mail. Just apply at the end of the shower like lotion. It will lubricate your skin nicely and easily!

 

Used Door Knob Mini VaseI recently had to replace my front door knobs. Instead of tossing them, I use them for a mini vase. I have butterfly weed in it.

 

Making Non-Slip HangersInstead of buying expensive hangers to keep your silky shirts looking nice and from falling off of the hanger, buy plastic hangers and make a zig zag line of hot glue across the hanger. Ta-da! No slip grip!

 

Tiny Vases for FlowersThis little bear vase was $.25 at a flea market. The least expensive one was $.10. I collect small vases to share flowers from the garden with children to take home to mom or dad. I also use any containers I can find to start cuttings for anyone to take.

 

Saving Curling RibbonWhen I get balloons for my birthday or get Get Well Soon balloons, they eventually go flat. However, the ribbon attached to them is still good. I cut it off, cut a cardboard bobbin from an empty cereal box, then wrap the ribbon around it.

 

Use Address Labels on Items You Lend OutThese can be used to attach to DVD's, books or other things that you own and want a reminder to return to you.

 

Toothpicks to Fill Nail HolesIf the nail hole is big enough, use a toothpick to fill it, break it off, sand lightly, and cover with the white toothpaste. Or you can use Elmer's white glue to cover the toothpick. Toothpaste may fall out but the glue will stay. Just make sure you wipe off the excess.

 

The Confused Cat (Salem, OR)Recently, I had the opportunity to catch one of the local strays in a very big "which way did he go" moment! He was on the ground, and two squirrels caught his eyes. He watched them both for a bit, looking back and forth between the two trees.

 

Separate Bananas To Slow RipeningI recently read a tip on ThriftyFun about separating your bananas from the bunch to keep them from getting brown so quickly. As this is a common problem in our household, I tried it the next time I got bananas from Costco.

 

Extending the Life of PantyhosePantyhose are getting expensive and I work in an office and need to wear them everyday. Whenever I get one leg that has a noticeable run or hole. I cut of the one leg. Then I use it either with a pair that the other leg has been cutoff.

 

Self Watering Basil PlanterThis self watering container can be used for many different types of plants but is really great for basil. I used new buckets that I found for cheap on sale, but you could easily use recycled food grade buckets.

 

Using a Toothbrush to Clean a DrainWhen my tub drain got blocked, instead of using a caustic liquid drain opener, I stuck an old toothbrush down the opening. The bristles quickly and completely removed a disposable razor blade cover and a ton of hair!

 

Pictures in a JarThis was pretty, easy, and a cute way to display pictures.

 

Growing Peonies?My peonies stopped blooming after I moved to another house, ten years ago. They just grow, but no more blooms.

 

Reuse of Plastic Meat Trays?I've just read the hint of ways to reuse the plastic trays that raw meat come in. What is the difference between washing and reusing plastic bags that held raw meat and plastic containers that held raw meat, and why is one safe and the other not safe?

 

Uses for Scalloped Tree Ring Bricks?I am looking for uses for old red scalloped tree ring bricks. I am living in a park with no lawns (crushed rock "lawns"). What can I do with old scalloped tree ring bricks? There are approximately 30. I have matching flower bed edging and would like to use it somehow to tie together. Any ideas?

 

Snakes in the Basement?I found 4 rat snakes in my basement last week and 2 outside of the house. We caught them all and got rid of them. We sealed the hole where we think they were coming into the basement and we haven't seen anymore in 4 days now. How will I know if I got all of them out?

 

Weeds in a Veggie Garden?What is the best way to get rid of weeds in a veggie garden? Could I use hay to cover them to smother them out? I am currently picking them out, but they just seem to be resprouting. It makes my garden look messy!

 

Setting Bedtime for Children?What time should I be putting my kids to bed? I put my youngest 4 (2-6) to bed a 7:30 on school days and 7:50 on weekends and my oldest 6 (8-16) go to bed at 8:30 on school days and 9 on weekends. Is this an OK bedtime or is it too late or early?

 

Getting Rid of Ants on the Patio?I have ant hills on my brick patio. What is a safe way to get rid of them?

 

Honda Lawnmower Won't Start?My Honda HGR 536 lawnmower is not starting. I have tried all the normal things, ie. change spark plug, checked the spark, and made sure it has enough fuel and oil. I also checked that the cut of fuel tap is in the correct position.

 

Tiny Black Bugs in Bathroom?I walked into my bathroom to notice a black spot on the wall about a inch and a half wide. I got closer to realize it was a cluster of little black bugs!

 

Duck Laid an Egg?Two ducks have been hanging around my swimming pool. Last night the female laid an egg in the pool. I fished the egg out of the pool without touching it and put it in a grass insert for a flower basket. Will the ducks care for it or should I just throw the egg away?

 

Trouble Swallowing Pills?How do you swallow a pill? I am trying to swallow the smallest pill ever, but I just can't do it. I'm scared I will choke on it, because I have in the past. Any ideas?

 

Transplanting a Willow Tree?Can l move my willow tree from the ground to another place, as it has no room to spread?

 

Shopping for Inexpensive Fabric?Does anybody know were I can get fabric for $1.00 per yard or $1.50? I am looking for someplace in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island.

 

Dog is a Picky Eater?I have a 4 month old Chihuahua who is picky and only eats his dog food when he gets too hungry. It seems like he holds out longer than he should. I think he is hoping he will get some of our food, but I have always been told our food is not good for them.

 

Cooking with Coconut Oil?Does anyone have recipe uses for coconut oil?

 

Freezing Green Beans?Whats the best way to freeze green beans so they will taste fresh?