June 30, 2006

Fantasy CakePrepare cake according to package directions. Bake in 9x13 inch baking pan. Cool. Poke holes in cake with the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour condensed milk evenly over cake and into holes.

 

Confetti BarsThese sweet and colorful bars are a hit with the kids. An eye-catching bar cookie for a bake sale or potluck.

 

Healthy Apple-Walnut MuffinsIf you are looking for a healthy snack or breakfast, give these muffins a try.

 

No Bake Cookie ClustersLine cookie sheet with wax paper. In saucepan melt chips with the peanut butter over low heat stirring constantly...

 

Good Morning Orange SplashGood Morning Orange Splash recipe... Combine first 5 ingredients in blender. Process at high speed add ice cubes...

 

Crab SpaghettiCrab Spaghetti recipe. Thaw crabmeat, if frozen. Drain well. Set aside. Cook garlic in med. saucepan in hot oil & marg. for 30 seconds. Add basil and cook for 1 min...

 

Chicken Parmesan Pasta SaladChicken Parmesan Pasta Salad recipe. Cook pasta mix as directed. Rinse with cold water, drain. In large bowl mix seasoning mix (from box) mayonnaise and milk. Stir in pasta and remaining ingredients...

 

Buttermilk BiscuitsPreheat the oven to 425 degrees F. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut the shortening into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.

 

Peanut Banana SmoothiePeanut Banana Smoothie recipe. Add peanut butter, banana and honey to blender and process until smooth. Add milk and blend until frothy...

 

Restaurant Bill DiscrepanciesI am learning that restaurant-bill discrepancies are not uncommon, but they are rarely caught. Many patrons now pay with debit or credit cards. The check arrives at the table, and they give it a cursory glance at best. Provided the final amount falls somewhere in the acceptable range, they sign and go. And that could be a big mistake...

 

Cooler TipsIf you are bringing meat in a cooler that will not be cooked soon, freeze it before putting it in the cooler. Cans of concentrated juice can be brought along to help keep items cool as well, just be sure to put each can in its own ziplock bag in case it leaks.

 

Video: Amazing Juggling Finale by Chris BlissA really impressive juggling performance done to music by Chris Bliss .

 

Camping Cooking TipsTips for cooking when camping. Post your tips.

 

Frugal Camping TipsA lot of these tips are for tent camping. They are inspired by some hints from an old Boy Scout site.

 

Egg Sandwiches When CampingUse canning rings to make round egg patties for egg sandwiches. Just put a canning jar ring on your skillet, add the egg contents inside the ring and cook until the egg has solidified. Apply a little cooking oil to the ring to prevent sticking.

 

Food for the Family Camping TripNo camping trip is complete without an old, green Coleman stove. This propane-powered stove has kept generations of campers well fed in the most adverse weather conditions. Because they are so common and virtually indestructible, it should be quite easy to find a used one in a second hand shop or the classified section of your local paper.

 

Bringing Electronic Devices When CampingIf you are bringing electronic devices or flashlights, remove the batteries before packing and store them in a ziplock bag. That way if something accidentally gets flipped on, you won't run down your batteries.

 

Cooling Down the SunburnHere is a great idea for summer. Freeze aloe vera gel in an ice cube tray.

 

Camping With PetsTraveling with pets may seem like a daunting task, but it really is not if a few simple precautions are taken along the way.

 

Burgers for CampingWhen camping I always put my ground beef into a one quart ziploc bag and press flat before we go. When we're ready to cook burgers I just score the bag with the spatula, cut the bag open and I have patties all made up. Sometimes you have to push the sides in so they'll hold together, but it sure saves your hands from getting greasy.

 

Don't Let High Fuel Costs Drive You NutsWhether you drive an economy car or an SUV, there are plenty of ways to improve your gas mileage. Avoid aggressive driving and observe the speed limit. Speeding, fast acceleration, and hard braking wastes gas.

 

Washing Hands at the CampsiteHere's a tip for washing your hands at a campsite when there is no faucet. Hang a one gallon milk jug to a low sturdy limb and make a hole in the bottom and plug the hole with a golf tee or a cork. Then fill the jug with water. Wash hands by removing the plug.

 

Poll: Have you had a customer service nightmare this year? Today's poll asks: Have you had a customer service nightmare this year?

 

Making Awesome ChiliHere's the secret to awesome chili! Gather all your spices and add them in when you are browning the ground beef, steak or whatever meat you use...

 

Paris (Rat Terrier/Chihuahua)Paris is a 4 month old rat-cha. I got him 4/17/06 as an early birthday gift...

 

Dani and the Water FountainHere is a pic of my granddaughter (Dani), standing by the water fountain I got for Mother's day...

 

First KissThe first kiss is the best kiss!

 

Baby Wipe Clean Up When CampingAfter a day of camping, spraying bug spray, and using sunscreen give your self a quick bath using baby wipes before you hop into your sleeping bag. Save the baby wipes and they can be used to wipe up the tent floor before you pack it away.

 

Bring Baking Soda on Camping TripsTake a box of baking soda with you on a canoe trip/camping. You can use it to clean your hair, as under arm deodorant, to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth or as a soap in the shower. You can also sprinkle it in your shoes at night or in your damp suitcase.

 

Make a Master List for CampingThis tip is for your new recreation section. On one of our camping trips, I took the time to write down everything we had brought with us, tips about how we had packed that had worked or had not worked, and items we forgot.

 

Storing Camping CoolersBefore storing your coolers between camping trips, wash, dry completely and fill with crumpled newspapers. This will eliminate musty odors and mildew. It also works for your camper refrigerators and iceboxes.

 

Taking Foods to PicnicsWhen I take brownies or cookies to a picnic, I put several paper plates together and wrap them in foil, then I put the goodies on top. At cleanup time, I don't have to worry about transporting a dish home, and it is easy enough to take apart if someone else wants to take something messy, and needs a extra plate and some foil to cover it.

 

Breakfast Making JokeA businessman taking a seminar on work efficiency completed a case study of his wife's routine for fixing breakfast, and presented the results to the class...

 

Fresh Vac (Vacuum Food Storage) Reviews?Any opinions pro or con on Fresh Vac? I purchased a set of this storage ware at Target. It is supposed to keep food longer in the fridge because it has a seal that keeps air out. I am trying it at home now.

 

Picnic Tips?Tips for having a great picnic. Post your ideas.

 

Organizing Old Electronics?I have a pack rat spouse. How do I organize his old radios, telephones, records, tapes, etc.?

 

Seasoning a Teflon Pan?How does one season a new teflon treated pan? Do I heat it with oil, then wipe the oil out? The pan came with no instructions.

 

Storing Yeast?Tips for storing yeast. Post your ideas.

 

Grilled Steaks Taste Like Lighter Fluid?What is the mistake made when charcoal grilling steaks that makes the meat taste like the lighter fluid? What, if anything, can be done to camoflage that taste once cooked?

 

Building a House Tips?We are going to start building a house. I'm scared out of my mind! Any tips for me? Things to watch out for. Things I might not of thought of... anything!

 

Red Splotches on My Legs From a Rash?I have very red, bumpy splotches on my legs from a severe skin rash. I scratched so much they had opened and oozed. It's no longer itchy, but how can I get rid of, or fade, these ugly red splotches? I can't show my legs like this.

 

My Dog Takes Phenobarbital for Seizures?My 10 year old cocker spaniel has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy, after experiencing several seizures. My vet has put her on phenobarbital. She has become very active.

 

Mosquitos and Flies in My Apartment?With all of this damp weather I have been having a problem with mosquitos and flies in my apartment. I need to know a safe way to kill them as I have a cat. The people that built these new townhouse building forgot to put screen doors on and there's only two small windows in my apartment.

 

How long does it take for a request to be posted?I was wondering how long it takes before a question is posted? I submitted a question and it hasn't been posted yet.

 

Crocheted and Knitted Capelet Patterns? I am crafting for people in hospice/nursing homes. I find a need for crocheted and knitted capelets (that have no sleeves and can be fastened with one button). They are for terminal patients whose shoulders are always cold and who cannot be put into a sweater. I have a couple of patterns (from Internet), but would like more.

 

Removing Wallpaper in a Manufactured Home?Removing Wallpaper in a Manufactured Home. I have a manufactured home which came with pre-papered wallboard. I want to remove it and re-paper but I don't know if it is possible to do. Anybody out there who has done this I would really like to hear from you.