Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas
Oh, I can hardly wait to try these; love the freezing ideas, and Ill do that, too!
DIY Nasal Breathing Insert
Hmmmm...good question. I think it must be a type of silicone, or whatever material is used, now. I found mine at a local hardware store that sold by the inch, rather than in a large quantity. Soaked longer pieces (maybe 6 inches) in boiling water for a moment...
Adding Mouthwash to Shampoo
Great! I have found a half-n-half mix (listerine/shampoo) works well for me. You might consider adding tea tree oil (20? drops per 16 ounces of mix), and it is readily available at any pharmacy. Good luck.
Adding Mouthwash to Shampoo
Good to know, though knowing how lazy I am, Ill probably continue to mix with shampoo; I usually dilute shampoo with water before use, anyway. Thanks for that info.
Adding Mouthwash to Shampoo
Id suggest making a small amount to try it; if it works well for you, great!
Making Great Tea
How lovely to see tea advice!! Im a true, though simple, tea-aholic! I make my own morning chai, grinding cinnamon bark, cloves, cardamom, black peppercorns in a grinder, then putting in cold water with chopped ginger. Bring to a boil, and simmer for a couple...
Moroccan Vegetable and Bean Soup
Ill try this, soon, and I have some dried lima beans to cook, so Ill sub those for canned. Looks yummy!
Freezing Tortillas Without Breakage
Might be worth buying a small-ish pizza, just for the sturdy box! Or, cut a larger pizza box to size, and use leftover pieces (of cardboard) for reinforcement.
Homemade Mouthwash
Really like this idea and look forward to trying it soon. Time to re-order peppermint e.o. and some aloe vera juice! Thanks for sharing.
Creative Birdbaths
Beautiful ideas, and so supportive of our winged friends. I live in a second floor apt, and the neighbor, below, doesnt appreciate it when things drip from my balcony! I cant imagine the chaos a busy birdbath might create, though Im so tempted...
Cleaning Out the Cat Litter Box
Having only one cat makes my litter-issues easy to handle. I put a layer of folder newspaper in the bottom of my litter pan. Then, I add about a soup-can size amount of litter-thats all! After a cat-poop appears, I dump the whole thing in a garbage-bag lined...
Remedy for Itchy Heel and Flaky Skin Around Toes?
I wonder whether you might have athletes foot. You can find antifungal cream (Clotrimazole Cream USP 1%, for instance), at the pharmacy, and even the dollar stores, at times. Might be worth a try.
Ideas for a Babysitting Business Name?
Franny and Friends, Frannys Friends Franny says, Lets Be Friends, Friends of Frannys :)
Older Child Afraid of the Dark?
Realize that this may well be a temporary issue. I would suggest asking her what you and she might do so that she would feel more safe. Perhaps, a small light left on? A night light or two? A hall light on with her bedroom door open? Doing something to secure...
Ending an Abusive Relationship?
Ahhh...this reminds me of my own abusive marriage. Seems we women do well at taking care of others in a relationship, although we fail to take care of ourselves. Real love means being accountable, first for ourselves and to ourselves, and it also means allowing...
15th Birthday Ideas?
Best b-day idea Ive heard about is picking an event, and making your party about volunteering at the event. After, pizza and soda would be a great way to share celebrations, congratulations, appreciations!
Freezer and Fridge are Warm?
An appliance repairman told me that it is not good to set the thermostat on the coldest setting, since the coils can overwork, and collect ice. Start at mid-level; the frig/freezer will cool without ice-buildup. You might unplug the appliance for a few hours...
Chickpea Masala
Go to the store, and stock up on coconut milk; I cant imagine anything that could substitute and still give the same rich and complex flavor.
18 Month Old Wants Bottle During Night?
Im delighted seeing so many concerned and compassionate responses to the inquiry. Life is going to be hard enough! How insightful to suggest that the little one be offered all the comfort available to help the journey be a bit less daunting. Give her the opportunity...
Tips for Downsizing to an Apartment?
Oh, my; been there! 9 years ago, I downsized from my 3-bedroom condo to what would fit in my car. So, one step at a time, though do take at least a small step each day; if a room is too much to tackle, commit to filling one box, on a particular day. I sold...
Replacements for Glass Center of Coffee Table?
Thanks to all who responded! Now, Im really feeling inspired to make this coffee table into a very expressive piece! vickib
Conserving Water During A Drought
Thanks to all for the suggestions; these are steps we all should take, in order to conserve the precious and limited clean water. I lived in the wild for some time, and I collected rainwater for my bath; bathed and washed my hair in about 2-and-a-half gallons...
DVD Suggestions?
You might look into topdocumentaryfilms.com. This is a free website with hundreds of documentary films to view. Under the tab Documentary List, near the top, youll find categories (including history), as well as the listing of all the docs in that category...
Sunset (Cottage Grove, OR)
Oh, my! I lived in and around Lorane, for two years; used to come to Cottage Grove for supplies. This makes me miss Oregon more than ever! Beautiful picture.
Na'an Bread Recipe
So looking forward to trying this recipe. I really like the garlic naan at our local Indian restaurant! The filling sounds delicious.
Cooking Dried Beans?
Try soaking overnight in a crockpot. In the morning, rinse beans and add lots of fresh (boiling) water. Cook them all day (on low); they should be just right. If youre at home while the beans are cooking, you can cook on high; I prefer to cook on low when Im...
Where Can I Get Reel Mower Blades Sharpened?
You might also ask any/several of the lawn-care folks in your neighborhood, since they must keep mowers sharp; they will know where to go!
Can I Make Leave in Conditioner from Bottled Cream Rinse?
I have a small pump bottle, with a 4 to 1 ratio (water to conditioner), in my bathroom. I pump about 1/4 t. for my short hair-rub hands together, rub into hair, as a leave-in. A bottle of conditioner lasts forever, it seems!
Burlap Bags for Door Mats
Burlap bags also make great garden containers; one friend uses them to grow potatoes!
Photo: Moses On The Move
What a beautiful and spirited indigo child...watch out, world; that smile is gonna get you!
Homemade Hair Gel
I do this! I use about 1 1/2 teaspoons plain gelatin in 1/2 cup of water; that makes a pretty strong gel. Sprinkle the gelatin on the cold water; let it sit a minute. Then, microwave (less than a minute), until it starts to boil. Watch carefully, since it will...
Finding Leaks in an Air Mattress?
To add to the conversation, I use a permanent marker to write the date on the bottom of air mattresses, along with OK...as in OK on 3-3-11, to let me know when I last checked for leaks. when a mattress can no longer be repaired (or, if I have no way to patch...
Before And After Harvest
Beautiful!! May the four-footed neighbors bless you as you have blessed them. This is what helps keep our world in some semblance of health and balance. Thank you for sharing...
Organizing Toys?
Sturdy cardboard boxes can work quite well! Liquor stores sell heavy ones. You could put pictures of the types of toys each box should hold, so the boys can match box for box. You might also ask a local laundromat to save the large detergent buckets they often...
Kleenex on Clothing?
I buy a roll of contact-type paper, found at stores like Dollar General. Its great for removing lint, and it can be cut in sheets, rather than using rolls of tape. You might also try vacuuming the clothing with the (dried) tissue pieces. Good luck with that...
Ideas for an Inexpensive Commitment Ceremony?
My brother and his wife did this at their wedding, and this was also done at a house blessing I attended. Find some pretty stones; if you can get them from a stream, fine, and smooth river rocks are great, as are polished stones. Give each guest a stone, asking...
Homemade Clip-On Earring Holder?
A mans tie might work; you could clip the earrings to the sides. I used a crocheted tank top for my pierced earrings (and hung necklaces at the top), and it might work for clips, also, as would a pretty fabric belt.
Write Directions in Large Print
If you know how to copy and paste, you can do so with the directions, putting them in a word doc. Then, you can enlarge the print to a size that is easy to read, before printing. Ill often also put breaks, extra space, between significant places in the directions...
Veggie Burger Recipe?
Ive made these, and they have had good reviews from friends, from a recent magazine, though I cant remember which one! Veggie Burgers Prep time: about 40 minutes Makes: 8 burgers 1 c. water ½ c bulgur ¾ c old-fashioned oats 1 T olive oil 1 med. Onion, finely...
How Can I Reattach the Headliner in My Car?
Reading this gave me a smile! Many years ago, my grand-dog pup, Ollie, a boxer with separation anxiety, chewed the headliner of my new car while waiting for my son! I mean chewed it to pieces!! I took an old quilt, folded it to something resembling the stripped...
Garden: Date Palms (Iraq)
Thank you, Eyad, for sharing this beauty of your home. It is encouraging and healing to be able to share some of the peaceful manifestations of nature in your home. May it bring healing for all the scars that have been inflicted upon your land.
Getting Your Affairs in Order for Your Kids?
I keep a three ring binder with copies of living will and final will. On the outside it states what it is inside. I also keep copies of insurance papers, bank statements, recurring bills (such as cell phone bills), and any other paperwork that might be pertinent...
Lemon Pie
Im thinking you must have meant 1 1/2 sticks of butter, right? 1 1/2 pounds would mean six sticks of butter in one pie! Come to think of it, 1 1/2 sticks even seems like too much. What am I missing? Editors Note: No doubt that is way too much. I have changed...
Recycling Window Curtain Packaging?
In my laundry room, I have one of these very sturdy bags clipped to a skirt hanger (the type with strong metal clips). In it I toss plastic bags that are to be recycled. When it is full, I put the junk bags into one throwaway bag,and take it to the local recycle...
Looking for a Thin Pizza Crust Recipe?
You might consider using flour tortillas; they come in varied sizes, and, this is something that Applebees restaurant uses to make one of their pizza appetizers. I use them a lot for pizzas...great!
Treating a Burn?
I keep a bottle of Aloe Vera gel in the fridge. It is very easy to buy in the summer, since it is popular for sunburn. Some gels contain an anesthetic ingredient, too, and, Ive been grateful when treating burns. Keeping it in the fridge has the added benefit...
Summer Education Tips
Loved your ideas; Im a former elementary teacher, and, this morning, my daughter (who home-schools), and I were talking about how to keep the kids interested through creativity, rather than homework, homework, homework! Ill certainly pass this on to her. I...
Shaving Cream for Emergency Carpet Cleaning
Oh, Greg, this makes me smile and miss, really miss, my long-departed Boxer granddog...my sons dog. I had custody for much of his too-short life. What an amazing creature! Ill try that shaving cream hint, too-thanks!
Improving the Flavor of Hummus?
I, too, make my own hummus, cooking the garbanzo beans in a crock pot, using prepared tahini, or, grinding my own sesame seeds. I add garlic, olive oil, good sea salt, and, fresh lemon...rave reviews from my friends. It really is quite easy. vbquotes@yahoo...
