Recipes Using Eggnog?
I replace milk or water in my pancake batter with egg nog. Add some rum soaked raisins and voila... special seasonal breakfast!
Use Pine Needles for Mulch
I read somewhere that they make your strawberries taste more like wild strawberries. Yay for pine needles!
Over Watering Tomatoes?
Save your money honey, and use egg shells! Also, blossom end rot is from not watering consistently. Overwatering results in the fruit splitting, tomatoes are heavy feeders and need water daily. Dont let the soil dry out completely. Ever since I put my tomatoes...
Growing Potted Plants on Balcony in Cairo?
It may also depend on the pots themselves getting too hot and boiling the roots. Try putting the pots in larger pots to shade them a bit. Water deeply in the morning and check them when you get home to see if they are still a bit damp or not. Ask where you...
Pound Cake Came Out Dry?
To save it rather then chucking it. Make trifle with it or serve it with berries and whipped cream (like strawberry shortcake). Turn your dry cake into a delicious dessert! Depending on how dry and dense the pound cake is, you could dip slices in egg/milk and...
Getting Rid of Lilac Suckers?
Suckers come thru the weed barrier, they are very persistant. In some pruning books they suggest trimming suckers to ground level, removing the dead flowers and eliminating 1/3 of the oldest (read: biggest) branches per year. This will promote more new growth...
What is This Plant? (Gazania)
If it closes up at nighttime, it is a Gazania, especially if it has long narrow leaves. It is really pretty! And loves the sun!
Killing Mosquito Larvae in Rain Barrel?
To keep them from going back in, make sure to cover with screening, the water can get in but momma mosquito can not. We change the water in our birdbath daily to prevent mosquito colonies. Churning the water sounds like it would work because mosquitos only...
Food Ideas for Kids?
I have a 9 year old that I find challenging to feed. Here are some cost effective and healthy solutions. All kids like spaghetti, so use Smart pasta (made with pea flour) or whole wheat for a healthier option. A can of over the counter tomato sauce added to...
Making a Screen for Reclaiming Landscape Stone?
Ill have to get the handyman hubby to take a look. Thanks!
Getting Rid of Pine Needles in Lawn?
Another use for pine needles is to put them in your strawberry bed. I have a companion planting book that suggests this as a way to make the strawberries taste more like wild strawberries. The needles are both poky and damaging to the lawn. Pine trees generally...
Use Styrofoam Peanuts in Bottom of Hanging Baskets
Using the styrofoam that comes with almost everything in a box is great to be broken in to large chunks and put in the bottom of large planters too. Our local garden centre actually supplies some during April Basket Planting Days, where members go in, the garden...
Inexpensive Patio Decorating Ideas?
Container garden! This year I discovered recipes for planters; from a Spaghetti planter with tomato plant and herbs; to colourful combinations and varying heights. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you could always trek down to the library to find books on building...
Alberta Spruce Shedding Foliage?
It could be winterkill, which means it was not watered deeply enough before the dry winter season. It could also be a disease. Either way, it most likely wont grow back so prune until you get to live wood. All evergreen trees require nutrients, just like our...
Planting a Tomato Plant?
There is starter fertilizer that you can use to ensure the tomato will have a good start and reduce transplant shock. I use it whenever I take something from the greenhouse and transplant into the garden. Keep the tomatoes on the vine and enjoy them when they...
Peonies Not Flowering?
Water can also be an issue if they are in an overly elevated area that is fairly dry. Also, allow ants in the garden. They eat the naturally occurring sugars on the bud which allow it to open!
Decorating the Deck for My Wedding?
Are you in the city or in the country? A friend of mine went and pruned some trees and attached the branches complete with leaves to the inside of the garage. It was like a reception in the woods with the twinkle lights and tulle, and was really pretty. Maybe...
Changing a Wedding Reception Location?
Are you doing wedding bulletins? You could publish the new location there, with a map if needed, and ask your officiant to let everyone know after the ceremony, just after introducing you as Mr & Mrs and before you sashay down the isle. The bulletin can also...
Creative Ways to Serve Fruit
Did you know that you can hull strawberries with a firm plastic straw? It is cleaner and neater than hulling them by hand. Melt some chocolate chips in the microwave for a minute or so; dip the strawberries in and set on waxed paper. Everyone loves chocolate...
Celtic Themed Wedding?
Weddingstar has Celtic Accessories. Here is the link. http://www.weddingstar.com/us/Celtic+Charm+Collection Up here in Canada, the Scottish Shops often will rent the tartans, and other traditional garb for a few hundred dollars. Maybe check with a costume shop...
Contributing to Your Child's Wedding?
Im sure your step daughter in law is well aware of your husbands health and your financial situation and has no expectations financially from you. My inlaws were retired and on a fixed income when I married my sweetie 14 years ago. My parents paid for my dress...
Birds Messing Up Newspaper Under Mulch?
If you watch the robins, they cock their heads before starting to dig. There are worms squirming around under there and they are trying to get at lunch! You may want to lay some chicken wire just above the area to deter the robins from landing there, this works...
Sending Wedding Invititations?
I am a wedding stationery consultant and asking for money is very common, but there are fun ways to do it. If you google money gift poems or similar, you can get some really fun and unique ways to ask without asking. A honeymoon registry or even hardware stores...
Aromatherapy for Dogs?
I have mixed Young Livings Purification blend with vegetable oil and put it on my pups to keep the mosquitoes off (and they smell lemon fresh too!) Also, if your pet is arthritic or has an injury, diluted PanAway works great on their paws too. In most cases...
Egg Shell Slug Deterrent
Egg shells are also great plant food for roses (I knew a guy that when he planted new roses in his garden would put a couple of Tums in the planting hole!) and they prevent blossom end rot in your tomatoes. I just put my shells in the garden and my goofy pug...
