February 19, 2009

Escalloped EggplantPare eggplant and cut in small cubes. Cook until tender. Drain well; add salt and pepper, to taste. Add egg, butter, onions and dry crumbs. Mix and place in greased baking dish. Cover with 1/2 cup buttered crumbs. Bake 30 minutes at 375 degrees F. Serves 6.

 

Creamy Crab Dip Very tasty with veggies or crackers. In a large heavy saucepan over low heat, combine the first nine ingredients. Cook and stir until cream cheese is melted and mixture is heated through. Stir in crab and 2 Tbsp. parsley; heat through.

 

Bean and Hominy SoupCombine all ingredients except cheese in a large pot and bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves, top with cheese and serve.

 

Oatmeal Apple Raisin CookiesMash bananas and beat with a fork until pureed. Add applesauce, egg whites and vanilla. Stir in soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour and oatmeal. Mix well. Add raisins and mix. Drop tablespoons of batter onto cookie sheet and flatten with a fork.

 

Spicy Refried Bean WrapsThese ingredients are usually in my kitchen so it's a quick meal or snack to throw together when in a hurry or too tired to cook. :-)

 

Mostaccioi for a CrowdBrown onions in shortening. Brown meats (separate skilets). Drain grease. Put all ingredients in large pot, except noodles. Simmer 4 hours, then add noodles. Can be made day before, except noodles. Note: May want to cut down on quantity of noodles. Serves 15.

 

Buster Bar DessertCrush regular size package of Oreo cookies. Add 1/2 cup melted margarine. Press into 9x13 inch pan. Spoon ice cream over crust. Sprinkle a layer of peanuts over the ice cream.

 

Tony's PotatoesMash all together. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

 

Goulash SoupBrown meat with onions and garlic in very hot shortening, add salt and black pepper. When brown, add 1 cup of hot water and let simmer for 15 minutes. Then add bouillon cube, paprika, tomato paste, caraway seeds and marjoram.

 

Beet Cucumber SaladPeel and slice the beets. Mix the beets with onions, cucumber and sugar. Mix the yogurt with the salt, caraway seeds and lemon juice. Gently mix the yogurt with the beet mixture.

 

Garden: Growing By the Front DoorLettuce, sunflower and basil at our front door.

 

Use Natural Paint Brushes for Applying MakeupAs a founding member of the 'Cheapa-Fillipa' club, I am always looking for ways to beat the price. My latest search started after I recovered from cancer and decided that part of the process to feel better was to look better.

 

Cashing Checks at WalMartI just wanted to share a way you can save from accumulating those excessive service charges from banks or regular check cashing services. Since I closed my checking account, I now go to Walmart to cash my Payroll check and it only costs me $3.00.

 

Replace Fitted SheetsI know this is not the thriftiest tip ever submitted but it works great for me. I had several sets of King size sheets where the bottom sheet was pilly and the elastic all stretched out and quite bothersome.

 

Bone Your Own Chicken BreastsOur family eats a lot of chicken. I was buying chicken breast only when it went on sale for 2.00 or less. Cooking it in large batches and freezing it for future 'fast food'.

 

Drying Freezer BagsI wash and reuse freezer bags, except the ones that had chicken in them. I know some people turn the bags inside out to dry. I don't do this because I always seem to tear the ends of the "zippers".

 

Two Aprons from One Jean OverallTwo unique and fun aprons from one jean overall.

 

Cold Water Can Be Too Cold to Get Clothes CleanWhile waiting in a commercial establishment, I perused an old Martha Stewart Living magazine, might have been the Sept. 08 issue. She indicated that a cold water laundry wash in the very cold winter may be too cold for the detergent to function properly.

 

Crochet Kitchen TowelCrochet several of these and put them in handy places throughout your kitchen; on the oven door and the refrigerator handle are the best places for these. My version is different from most since I don't cut the towel in half, but fold it and use the whole towel.

 

Wash Veggies in the Washing MachineWhen my harvest is in, I clean my carrots and cukes and any hard skinned veggie by rinsing out my washer and fill it with cold water and throw in my veggies.

 

Using Newspaper Under MulchI use newspaper, at least double paged around my plants, then I put mulch on top. It helps to keep plant roots moist, all but eliminates weeds, and by the time the garden is to be tilled the next season, the newspaper has decomposed, and helps to enrich the soil.

 

Humorous Birthday Meal SettingMy husband has a wry sense of humor. The table was prepared for the birthday meal he made me! Unfortunately, I can't remember what he made as it was some years ago but he is a good cook.

 

Trudy (Maine Coon)Trudy is a 4 year old Maine Coon cat. She arrived at our door one nasty cold fall day. She was very sick and starving. Her fur was so thin you could see her skin.

 

Garden: Summer House2 years ago we had to cut back a holly bush which had grown out of control. Unfortunately it just left bare branches so we decided to remove it altogether. In its place we've erected this summerhouse.

 

Check With Your Extension Service When Planting TreesIn trying to decide about planting new trees and what kind, go to your state's extension service. Google and find gardens, then trees and it will tell you what trees are the native species you should plant for your area as well as the "do not plant" versions, due to disease that can happen.

 

Say "No" to Pizza DeliveryWe all know it's hard to make the necessary cut backs when, come Friday night, you still want to order Pizza Hut. We have done a good job of talking ourselves out of it and in the end are happier for it.

 

Garden: Guard FrogThis is what I call 'My Rock Garden' and I believe it decorates my yard well. My favorite Garden in my yard. I use frogs, turtles, alligators, snakes, and snails to decorate it. Also solar lights for an added touch.

 

Make a Virtual BouquetFor Valentine's Day, I cut out a decorative arrangement from a glossy magazine (in this case of feathers and ribbon with a cupid, actually) and then mounted it with spray adhesive on some cardboard I had saved.

 

Flowering Florida MapleThis is a Florida Maple flowering. Love the vivid color it runs every year. It's great when it's full of Black Birds.

 

Frugal Freezer ShelfI had a freezer with out the shelf inside. The food, all in different sizes and shapes, would pile up and slide everywhere. I put water in four bottles, found an old soda crate, and put it inside.

 

Swedish Meatball?I need a recipe for Swedish meatballs using pork and beef or just pork.

 

Discontinued Wallpaper: Brewster's Wallpaper...I am searching for a discontinued Brewster wallpaper made for Mirage Wallcoverings. It is a floral pattern with khaki brown background and blue/gold flowers, design #74745. Thank you.

 

Recipe Ideas for Potato Crisps?I recently bought some Potato Crisps at Costco. They are individually wrapped freeze dried potatoes, a low cal alternative to potato chips. I don't like them and can't get the kids to eat them so they are just sitting there.

 

Storing Corn or Flour Tortillas?What do you store your corn tortillas in?

 

Keeping Hair Off of Towels?How can I keep hair from clinging to my towels during washing and drying? They come out of the dryer full of hair!

 

Selling Digital Photos?Can anyone give me photography advice. I am a beginning photographer and want to know how to make money with digital images. How to make them into cards, wall art, post cards, and maybe enhance them on the computer. Any advice will be very helpful.

 

The 4 Ingredient Cookbook?Does anyone know where I can find a used or new, cheap or free recipe book called The 4 Ingredient Cookbook?

 

Replacing a 15/20 Breaker?Can you replace a 15/20 breaker with a 20/20 breaker, or replace it with a 15/15 breaker. I have tried to find a 15/20 breaker but can't find them anywhere.

 

Chocolate Cake Recipe Using Cocoa?I wonder if anyone has an easy recipe for chocolate cake using cocoa instead of cooking chocolate? I would really appreciate this. I do love this site!

 

Toilet Keeps Clogging?I live in a townhouse that is approx. 6 years old. My toilets clog constantly. I use low-budget thin toilet paper because the thicker paper is even worse.

 

Ideas for 80th Birthday Favors?I am having an 80th birthday party for my mom. I need an idea for party favors that the guests could have as a remembrance of the event. I need to have around 100 and need to keep the cost reasonable. Also any decorating ideas would be appreciated.

 

Cheese Sauce for Broccoli?How do you make a creamy cheese sauce to pour over broccoli? I like it very cheesy and I make it with real hard cheddar cheese but within minutes after Im done cooking it starts to harden.

 

Greenish Spots on Black Pants?My black short pants have greenish spots after washing. Any idea how I can make them black again? I would appreciate some advice.

 

Removing Grout from Mosaic Tiles?My first mosaic has too much dried grout on the tiles. Any suggestions on how to remove?

 

Making Spirit Gifts for High School Dance Team?My daughter's high school dance team is going to Nationals and I would like to make spirit gifts for the girls (17 of them). Any ideas or thoughts?

 

Keeping Moths Off Clothes?How do I get rid of moths? They are eating up my wool sweaters. I know of moth crystals, but is there something else that doesn't smell so bad?

 

What is This Plant? (Philodendron)I received this potted plant for Valentine's day and I have no idea what the plants are or how to take care of it. If you have any idea what they are please let me know. Thanks.

 

Hiding Computer Cords?What is an inexpensive way to cover and hide all the computer cords?

 

Easy Crocheted Flowers Pattern?I am looking for a easy Crocheted Flowers pattern.

 

Paint Color Advice for a Home Office?I need help with choosing a wall paint color for a home office. I would like something cheery. The floor is light oak wood, the ceiling white and the baseboard and trim high glossy white. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

Tips for Starting an In-Home Daycare?I am starting a new in home daycare. I need program ideas and help with contracts or any other forms you need to use. Thank you.

 

Puppy is Having Stomach Spasms?We've had a dog with Parvo for 8 days now and we have done all the home remedies told to us by our vet and other sources of advice. She is eating on her own, the diarrhea is gone and she has not vomited at all.

 

Second Hand Appliance Store in Toronto, Ontario?Can anyone recommend a good 2nd hand appliance store in Toronto, Ontario? I'm looking at buying a washer and dryer for an apartment. Thanks!

 

Windows Painted Shut?We recently moved into a very old house that has it's windows painted shut. The windows are suppose to open from bottom to top, not side to side. Does anyone know of how to reopen old painted shut windows?