Cat Puts Things in Water Dish?
This is funny! I had a kitty that would do the same thing, with everything he could find, carry, swat etc. The cat specialist vet I called laughed and said it isnt unusual at all and most likely the kitty is amusing himself getting YOUR reaction!
Repairing Electrical Cord?
How about wapping the tear w/ elec. repair tape? That way, you can apologize, explain what happened, and leave it to the descretion of the owner to decide if he/she wants to replace the plug. Offer to pay for the plug, ofcourse.
Hanging Fabric Up Instead Of Painting?
A staple gun (w/ the fabric) would be quick, easy, and a snap to remove again.
Using Fabric Softener With Vinegar?
Give it a try - you can always rewash if you dont like the outcome.
Recipe Ideas For Someone Who Hates To Cook?
Smoochies recipe sounds delicious - I think Id tweak it w/ maybe a dash or 2 of worchestershire sauce, served over noodles and w/ a side of peas or creamed corn?
Decorating Rubber Kitchen Gloves?
I made a pair of gloves similar to what youre asking. I bought a princess set of jewelry in the toy aisle of the dollar store and rubber-glued the bracelet and ring on. (I also glued on fake fingernails! Just stuff the end w/ a cottonball)
Freezing Cooked Beef?
There is no problem doing that! I do it all the time - if I have enough and I dont want to do anything more w/ it right away. Just make sure you wrap it well, as air tight as possible to avoid freezer burn.
Growing A Vegetable Garden In Pots
Great job! Would you please let us know your yield when fall rolls around?
Ideas for Surplus Herbs?
potpourri - or if youre really industrious (and craft-y), how about soap or candles?
Self-adhesive Night Lights?
Ive always gotten mine from the dollar store. they are the kind you tap to turn on or off and are really convenient for out of the way places too. usually use AA batteries.
Should I Saute Onions for Spaghetti Sauce?
My father hates anything w/ onions, peppers, celery etc. cooked in it, so my mom would drop them whole into the sauce. Once they were cooked thru, shed spoon them out and puree them smooth then stir it all back in. Even tho I prefer chunky sauce, I still remember...
Trash-Picked Potting Station
My word!! I think it is beautiful enough to use in a guest room, or maybe a home office, or even a phone station. If this is just for getting dirty- I would SO love to see what youve done w/ the rest of your home!:)
Painting Walls In A Beauty Salon?
Have you looked into wallpaper incorporating the other more prominent colors?
Removing Dried Blood From White Top?
Ive ALWAYS had the best of luck making a paste of white vinegar and baking soda, rubbing it in and letting sit for 15 - 20 mins. Even if it (the blood) has dried.
Rolling Towels for Storage
I have a friend who rolls hers (and displays them in the corner of her guest bathroom) in a pretty wicker basket. The basket is shaped like the metal hod you use to carry firewood. I love it, but I have a TINY bathroom w/ absolutely no spare room!
Removing Black Scuff Marks From Linoleum?
Back in my AF days, we learned a regular pencil eraser will take up most scuff marks. theyll roll right up.
Quick, Tasty Meals To Serve Fiance's Mother?
If there are a few dishes you already do well, stick w/ those. One of the worst things to happen, is trying something new and having it turn out wrong! Casseroles usually turn out alright, and of course, you can treat her out on the town at least once, right...
Using Rubber Gloves?
I dont use rubber gloves, but I have disposable ones around for any messy job, especially in the kitchen. I REALLY HATE getting meatloaf mix, bread dough etc. under my nails!
Fleas on Indoor Cats?
Along w/ all the other suggestions, you could also try what me and my boo do. He loves nothing better to curl up on my lap after a good brushing and letting me continue grooming him w/ tweezers, just running my fingers randomly and crunching any diehards I...
Use Fabric Scraps to Make Bedspread
It is so beautiful and inspiring! Just how long did it take to complete? Averaging how many hours a day?
Yorkie Puppy Will Only Go Potty On Paper Inside?
I bred yorkies for years and, other than one little male, had great success litter training them. I would use shredded paper in a regular litter box rather than just laying out newspapers. The little male NEVER trained to anything-he went where he wanted, when...
No Watering Required; Artificial Plant Bed
Back in the day, when I lived on an AFB in MS, I had a neighbor that was consistently winning yard of the month. Embellishing everything from climbing roses to year round petunias was her secret too!
Using Cheaper Cuts of Meat
Ditto on the crockpot; I use cream of mushroom soup & some worchestershire sauce (as little/much to your own taste) & youre good to go. Makes a great gravy!
Help Getting Batter to Stick?
Hi Larry, 1st, olive oil is NOT meant for deep frying! To get a crispy coating you need a higher temp. than what olive oil can be heated to (it is more for sauteing). Try a lite veg. oil and try to keep the temp. consistent - maybe an elec fryer or a fry daddy...
What Breed Is My Dog? (Boxer Mix?)
Just by looking at the picture, my 1st impression was shepherd/boxer w/ maybe lab somewhere in there...
Planting Morning Glory in Pots
Make sure you have a trellis of some sort tho, so you can train them where you want them to go.
Buy Small Amounts of Veggies at the Salad Bar
I do this when I need a small amt of ingredients for dishes like stir fry i.e. broccoli, peppers, onions etc. When you only need a little, its way cheaper this way; think of the wt. in stems, seeds and peelings youre throwing away when you buy whole produce...
Post Tips on ThriftyFun to Avoid Doing Housework : )
Exactly what I thought when I saw the post: spend more than your self-allotted time here!
Link: Hometown Favorites For Hard-To-Find Items
Thank you - that was a wonderful, nostalgic trip! (Ironic, considering the vehicle used to take it...:) )
My Frugal Life: A Love Affair With Used Goods
When I was young, I hated that I would wear clothes from thrifts shops, yard sales etc., because I was terrified I would (God forbid) run into the previous owner at school. However, when my own babies started coming, I learned very early that for just a fraction...
My Frugal Life: A Love Affair With Used Goods
Hi Juliet, Look for the local freecycle org. in your area. Everything is that is offered or asked for is for free. The upside is that you know what you have to offer is needed and will be used; the down side is if you see something you want/need posted, you...
Recipes From North Carolina?
While I was stationed in N. Maine, I dated a guy from NC who was desperate for pork barbeque(his Moms precisely). Being a northerner myself, I had no idea what THAT was! Fortunately we now have wonderful sites like our thrifty.com, so search Easy Barbeque Pork...
Burnt Tomato Soup?
Simmer water w/ a little squirt of dish det. added in the pot - 15-20 min (might need longer). It should loosen up enough to scrub. If not, try oven cleaner overnite (if your pot can handle it).
What Can I Do With Fermented Apple Cider?
In a pinch (depending on how fermented - taste it) you can use in place of vinegar. It will also make a good base for a meat marinade/tenderizer. Add whatever spices you like. Small qtys, I know, but if you come up w/ some combination you like, you can can...
Easy Clothing Sewing Project?
Pull-on pants or skirts w/ elastic or drawstring waists are very easy (and would go w/ the shell tops suggested by theseamstress:) ).
Easy Clothing Sewing Project?
Pull-on pants or skirts w/ elastic or drawstring waists are very easy (and would go w/ the shell tops suggested by theseamstress:) ).
Do I Need Two Apple Trees To Get Fruit?
Refering to the birds and the bees, it takes two, but remember bees will fly many, many miles in one day and will bee carrying pollen from all over. I dont think you will necessarily need to have two (or more) right smack in your yard, unless its what you want...
No Gardening Yet in Maine!
I spent almost 10 years in Presque Isle (northern ME), then moved to Miss., - MAJOR environmental AND cultural shock! (at least when its cold, you can always put more on; in the heat you can legally only take so much off! LOL)
3 Year Old With Sleeping Problems?
I, too, had the same problem - but my son shared a bedroom w/ his older brother and was put to bed a little earlier than him, so it wasnt a fear or lonely thing. If he woke, he just wanted to get up no matter what time! I would find him on the couch, in the...
Can Milk Be Frozen?
Ive been freezing milk for years and have never had a problem. I would recommend, tho, that you leave a bit of head space because it will separate and youll have to shake it up really well once it is defrosted.
Looking for Hamburger, Cheese, Egg and Toast Recipe?
Years ago, I was taught a recipe by a single male friend he called dogfood: 12 slices toast 1 lb hamburger cream of mushroom soup 2 eggs 6 slices cheese fry hamburger (w/ diced onions & peppers, if desired); stir in 1 or 2 tbs mustard. Layer 6 slices toast...
Use Magic Eraser for Streak Free Glass
Seriously, what ARE those things made of - and why didnt whoever invented them come up w/ it alot earlier!? These are the best things to use since running water! Its hard to remember what I ever used before. They work on just about EVERYTHING!
Make Iced Tea Right in a Water Bottle
Have you ever heard of sun tea? Instead of placing the bottle(s) in your fridge, set them in a sunny place in your yard for a couple of hours, then refrigerate - tastes fresh brewed - YUM!
Ideas for 6th Birthday Party?
Heres something my sister did for her little girl: She had a luau. She got the idea when she saw a mess of Hawaiian trinkets and such on a web site. You would probably have to Google it. Anyway, they had little grass skirts, and theme games like limbo, pin...
Make Iced Tea Right in a Water Bottle
Well, as a displaced southerner, I grew up on sun tea and Ive never gotten sick from it - maybe a climate difference?
Stretch Eggs With Powdered Eggs
You can also use powdered eggs in just about any recipe that calls for eggs; reconstitute them first (should come w/ directions - I think its 2 tbls egg to 1 tbls water-equals 1 egg) and continue w/ recipe. They are hard, if not impossible, to find in regular...
Mini Christmas Wreaths
What a great idea - and it opens a whole realm of possibilities! spring, easter, 4th of july, thanksgiving seating tags, ...
Cleaning Pot Bottoms?
If were still on copper bottoms, theres a product called brass cleaner. Rub it on lightly, rinse it off. Thats all you have to do! Otherwise, bar keepers friend is definitely the way to go.
Bake Meatballs Instead of Frying
To save even more time, you can pat out the mixture on a piece of wax paper on the counter into a rectangle and run thru w/ a pizza cutter. A quick roll into balls (or even leave them square, theyll kind of shrink into balls), and youve got equal sized pieces...
Making Candy Easter Eggs with Mashed Potatoes?
Thanks so much! Quick answers and I think theyre exactly what I was looking for.
Freeze Excess Veggies To Prevent Spoilage
Ive done this for years! Especially in the summer, when you can get bushels of them at farm stands etc. alot cheaper than buying 1 or 2 at a time in the dead of winter. Its a great way to save time cooking. The only draw back is, once frozen, the peppers defrost...
21st Birthday Party: Pirate Themed?
Are we talking a suspended pinata full of little GLASS bottles of rum? I would think what doesnt get broke during the whacking is probably going to bean someone on the way down! Why not fill it w/ cheap plastic (or chocolate) gold coins, and other cheap booty...
Recipes That Don't Use Tomatoes?
Go to cooks.com or recipezaar.com and type in white chili, white pizza, (you can find just about anything if you start it w/ white which normally means tomato-less. Happy Huntin!
Substitutions for Canned Tomatoes?
Tomatoe puree is better than sauce as it is the same as what you would get if you put them in the blender. Youll probably have to try a couple of practice dishes to adjust quantity and seasonings to taste. Good luck!
Looking for Meat Tenderizers?
Try marinating in equal parts apple juice and cider vinegar for about 20 - 30 minutes.
Tires for Raised Beds
This is so ironic. I tried this last year w/ 3 tires going down the side of my driveway. I had painted them and planted petunias. Even tho there were blossoms, the municipal inspector left a nasty-gram telling me to remove the garbage from my driveway, specifying...
