April 26, 2011

Reuse Plastic Containers for SeedlingsWhen I buy my chicken in bulk, they come in big plastic containers. The containers make perfect seedling trays for the green house and they're free. I also use all the plastic containers that tomatoes, plums, etc. come in.

 

Do What You Might Forget FirstBeing thrifty is easier when you're organized. When I have more than one thing to do, I try to do the thing I'm most likely to forget first and leave the things I'll definitely remember for later.

 

Theo (Maine Coon Mix)Theo is a 4 week old Maine Coon and domestic tabby mix. I am a foster parent, and received him through a Cat Rescue. He has been with me for one week.

 

Make Your Own Bath SaltsAll you need is 1/4 cup Epsom salts and 1/4 cup sea, kosher, or rock salt stirred together in a glass bowl for one unscented bath soak Of course, you can mix up oodles of extra to place in glass jars with tight fitting lids.

 

Bodhi (Pug Mix)Bodhi is an 8 month old Pug mix. He was a rescue. We have had him since he was 8 weeks old. He loves going to the lake, the dog park, and the beach. He likes to go everywhere with me!

 

Link: Bookcrossing.comThis is for all the people who love to read. A scrabble buddy of mine told me about it. I haven't actually done this since I have 2 daughters-in-law who share my reading tastes, so I pass my books to them.

 

Garden: Spring (Lodi, CA)Although spring has been mostly hiding in Seattle, California has had much better weather for flowers to bloom. My sister has an amazing garden at her house in Lodi, and sent me these pictures just to make me jealous.

 

My Frugal Life: Painting MargaritavilleMrs. Mural and I both received an invitation for dinner at the Tibbons'. I called and asked Mrs. Tibbons to allow me to make the dessert. Since my "new found life path" seems to have been paved with coffee cake, I had no problem deciding what I would make.

 

Use Winterizing Plastic As Craft Shrink WrapI save the leftover plastic and tape used for winterizing your windows to use as shrink wrap, rather than the expensive shrink wrap you buy at your local craft stores.

 

How Do I Get My Toddler to Take Medicine?When my two year old daughter was sick with an ear infection, her doctor prescribed oral medication that she hated the taste of and gave me a real hard time when getting her to take it.

 

Wildlife: Goose Prints (Long Island, NY)I just love the beach. I love the sights and sounds of the ocean, and even more so I love venturing on the beach and exploring the images that are left behind in the sand.

 

Product Review: Dyson DC 23 Turbine HeadI have bought the Upright Ball Animal Dyson vacuums for myself and as a gift for my daughter in the past. I love Dyson, that is until this fiasco. The Dyson DC 23 Turbine Head was on sale - it's normally $399.00 and I got it for $234.50, which is about $234.00 overpriced.

 

Keep Chocolate From MeltingI came up with this idea on Easter. To keep our children's chocolate from melting on our long drive home, I put frozen Popsicles on the bottom of a Styrofoam cooler.

 

Garden: Beautiful BloomEvery time I look at this photo, I remember the time I spent walking with my younger brother the day we saw this flower. The lilac petals and maroon center make a unique and beautiful contrast; I never tire of looking at this picture!

 

Scenery: SunsetWaning moon framed in clouds and sunset from our front yard, in the spring of 2010.

 

Choosing the Right TrellisThe concept of the trellis is simple - plants grab on and plants climb up. Whether you are using one for, the humble trellis is one of the most versatile structures that you can have in your garden.

 

Scenery: Frog Lake (Mt. Hood, Oregon)Last summer, I took this picture of Frog Lake and Mt. Hood here in Oregon. This beautiful scenery is very relaxing, and makes you calm when you see it. During winter, this mountain is fully covered with snow.

 

Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean MicrofiberIf you have a microfiber couch that has spots or water marks, but can't remove them, try hydrogen peroxide. Dampen the area with a cloth, let dry, and brush with a soft brush. It cleans and leaves no stain.

 

Tasha (Doberman) and Bear (Poodle-Shih-Tzu)The large dog is Tasha, who is an over 10 year old small breed Doberman, and the little one is Bear, a 3 year old Poodle and Shih-Tzu mix. I found Tasha behind a furniture store where the manager had fed her and given her a box to sleep in.

 

Insoles for Knitted SlipperTo make the soles of knitted/crocheted slippers last longer, pick up some shoe insoles a little bigger/wider then the slipper soles and sew on. I don't trim, if needed, until they are on the slippers.

 

How Do I Thin Nail Polish?I had some nail polish that was getting too thick to use, so instead of throwing it away, I poured nail polish remover in it. I just poured a little at a time. Shake it good and if it's still too thick, add a little more. Do this until you can put on your nails smoothly.

 

Miss CaterpillarIt won't be long until we will be seeing the critters of spring. Whether you make a boy or girl caterpillar kids will have fun making this simple craft.

 

Garden: Pink RoseA simple yet beautiful rose.

 

Planning a Graduation Party?I am giving my daughter a college graduation party and I need help. The party is June 4, so I only have 6 weeks to get it together. I have rented our local hall to have the party at and the invitations have been ordered. There will be any where between 100 to 200 guests.

 

Dryer Leaving Holes in Clothing?Why do I have tiny holes in my t-shirts after drying them?

 

Removing Dye Transfer on White Clothing?I washed a raspberry colored jacket in with other clothes. The jacket bled, but I didn't notice until after they were dried in the clothes dryer. How can I get the pink color out of my whites after they dried?

 

Make Your Own Vegetable Wash?I need an economical fruit and vegetable wash.

 

Knit or Crochet Panda Pattern?Does anyone have a pattern for a panda anything? I would like to knit or crochet a pillow for my grand daughter's bed. I can convert most anything. Thanks in advance

 

Refrigerator Doesn't Make Ice in Hot Weather?We have a Frigidaire Source Plus side by side ice on the door refrigerator. In the winter time we have tons of ice. When the weather gets warm it quits making ice. We have had the repair man out, with no success. Does anyone know what the problem could be?

 

Getting Rid of Tiny Red Worms and Black Beetles in Sofa?Tiny red worms (1/16 inch) are in my sofa and along with them equally tiny black beetles, not biting either of them. Ugh. How do I get rid of them?

 

Use Banana Peels When Transplanting Roses?I am getting ready to plant a climbing rose bush. Will banana peels help if I put them under my rose bush before I plant it?

 

Advice for Better Couponing?I have been trying to improve my couponing skills. I got a few tips from the extreme coupon shows but would like to know how people are getting items for free. My local stores only double coupons for $1.00 or less.

 

Mailing a Grocery Coupon Card?I received a $100 grocery coupon card. The back of the card reads to send back the card with a self-addressed stamped envelope size 4" x 10", but I cannot locate an envelope that size. Why does it have to be that size and how do I resolve this matter?

 

Where Can I Buy Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth?For those of you who are interested in this and wonder what the difference is, food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is safe to eat and spread around the house, etc. Pool grade or the kind in pool filters, and is not safe to be around at all and is dangerous.

 

Musty Smell in Basement?My aunt's basement has a very strong musty smell that is in the walls as well as the ceiling and beams. Is there anything that can be painted or sprayed on all the surfaces before regular painting so the smell is entirely covered?

 

Kroger is Not Accepting Online Coupons?Why has Kroger quit accepting computer generated coupons?

 

Wearing Toning Sneakers?Has anyone had any experience wearing performance sneakers? The kind that are supposed to tone your legs, etc. when you wear them. Did they work for you? I've been thinking of getting a pair, but don't know if it's just hype or not.

 

Stain Remover Left Spot on Clothing?I bought a new grey top yesterday, wore it out once and discovered when I got home that it had got a stain on it. The stain is not the problem though. The problem is that I used stain remover to try and remove it when normal laundering didn't lift it.

 

Red Hat Society Club Ideas?I am looking for suggestions on what kind of entertainment for red hatters or some kind of trips for red hatters.