December 22, 2014

Homemade Chicken BrothThis is a relatively inexpensive recipe. It's also very easy. I usually make this up on a day off work and freeze for later.

 

Twice Baked Potato CasseroleThis is a very frugal dish. When you make twice baked potatoes, a hungry guest might take a whole potato but only eat half. Now, this is what I do. It's twice baked potatoes, but in a casserole instead of the shell.

 

Use Clothespins on Bird CageI use spring-type clothes pins to clip treats to the bars of my bird's cage like millet sprays, snow peas, romaine lettuce and omelet. They make a sturdy, cheap holder, easy to fill and can be positioned anywhere.

 

Wrapping Paper FlowerI ran out of wrapping paper and only had a roll of brown 'kraft' paper left (similar to brown paper bags) so I had to get creative. I folded it (as shown) and cut out petals, taped them on and used magic marker. I think it looks nice and homey too! What do you think?

 

Eat Healthy and Save Money TooYes, Virginia, it is possible to eat healthy and save money. If you are looking for a good New Year's resolution next month, here's food for thought. Use more beans, legumes, grains and seeds in your diet!

 

Sweater Comb for Removing PillsI use a sweater comb to remove pills from lots of different fabrics and it works great. One drawback is that it has only a small surface for removing the pills, so I think next I will try a suede shoe brush.

 

Christmas Table DecorationWe constantly have pineapples in our home, but during Christmas nothing escapes my decorating! I thought this was a cute little decoration for the table or possibly the table of an elderly or single person. Decorative and practical.

 

No More Snow PleaseWe don't have much snow here during winter, but once Christmas and New Year have passed, we're anxious to see green again.

 

Woodland Ruffle Crochet ScarfWith only simple double crochet stitches, you can make this feminine and pretty scarf. I love simple patterns that you can sit and effortlessly enjoy while watching TV or anything else.:) This is one of them. Have fun!

 

Reusing Packing MaterialI have found that the sheets of sponge-like padding can be reused as sponge-like cleaning pads, after cutting the sheets into pieces. I will not be buying sponges for years to come.

 

Smell in Living Room?Sometimes when I walk into the house, I smell an odor and can't really tell what it is. I believe the smell is coming from the floor below the padding and carpet. Any suggestions to try and remove that order?

 

Replacement Jar Lid for Ice Tea Dispenser?I am looking for a replacement 3.5 inch round glass jar lid with gasket only for my ice tea glass jar dispenser with spigot. I measured the round inner jar top dimensions. I live in NYC or website locations would also be good.

 

What Color Curtains?I have put a very, pretty burgundy slipcover over my couch. Now I don't know what color curtains and pillows to use. The walls are white and have to stay.

 

Changing a Veggie Lasagna?Can you add meat to an already prepared veggie lasagna?

 

What Breed Is My Dog?This is Bruce! We've had him since he was 6 weeks old. His mother looked purebred Lab to me, but it is possible she was a mix. We will never know for sure who the father is, but we believe he had to have at least some German Shorthaired Pointer if not pure breed.

 

Front Load Washing Machine Stopped Spinning?At first all it wouldn't do was fast spin, but it did everything else. Now it has stopped rotating altogether; what could the problem be?

 

14th Birthday Ideas?I'm turning 14 in January and have no idea what I wanna do. I wanted to do like an indoor watermark, but it's too expensive. I am thinking I want to invite just 1-3 people and actually go someplace, as long as it is in a 3 hour or less distance.

 

Teaching a Puppy Not to Growl and Snap?I have just gotten a Collie cross with a Labrador puppy. She is very fun and gentle, but recently when she has taken on one occassion a sock and other something in the garden, when I tried to retrieve same she growled and snapped at me and even jumped at me.

 

Value of Porcelain Doll?How much is my fairytale princess porcelain doll worth, item number 12359?

 

Birthday Gift Ideas for Mother?My mom's 39th birthday is in the 2nd week of January and I don't know what to get her! I have about 400 RMB (Chinese money) (I know it's not much because I just moved to China).

 

Curtain Advice for Master Bedroom?We just painted our master bedroom partly dark grey and the other half, including ceiling a light grey. It has tall tray ceilings. Not sure if I should do black or white curtains, or whether to use silk or cotton.

 

Repairing a Brother Pacesetter XL 700...I have a Brother Pacesetter XL 700. The repairman said the vinyl pieces of the cam stack are cracked. Does anyone have a replacement? Could this be glued?

 

Value of 1911 Encyclopaedia Brittanica?I have a set of 1911 Encyclopaedia Brittanica.Are they worth anything ?

 

Watering Houseplants With Crab Water?If I water my plants with crab water (crab shells soaked in filtered water) will it make my house smell for a long time? Do I need to boil the shells in the water or just soak them at room temperature?

 

Recipe for Chocolate Balls?There used to be a recipe that made balls dipped in chocolate with most of these ingredients: powdered sugar, sugar, cream cheese, milk chocolate chips, and shortening. Does anyone recall it?

 

Removing Sap From Leather?How to get tree sap out of leather goods?

 

What Breed Is My Dog?This is Bruce! We've had him since he was 6 weeks old. His mother looked purebred Lab to me, but it is possible she was a mix. We will never know for sure who the father is, but we believe he had to have at least some German Shorthaired Pointer if not pure breed. My husband says he sees either Pit Bull or Boxer in him, but I personally don't see it. When we took him in at 7 weeks to the vet he weighed 11 pounds.

 

Green Bay Packer Doily Pattern?How do you get that pattern to make the Green Bay dolies and coasters?

 

Maytag 3000 Series Error Code F25?My Maytag 3000 series stopped draining and spinning and gave code F25. What does this mean and can I fix it myself?

 

Name Ideas for Interior Decorating Business?I am going to start my interior decorator's business with modular kitchens and cc TV cameras, etc. So please help me to choose the business name and website name as soon as possible. I will also be including cash safe locker sales.

 

Electrical Repair for Low Income Families?I am 62 and all my electrical is going out, including my overhead lights, ceiling fan, and a few plug ins. I only get Social Security ad cannot afford to pay too much. I am scared about fire. I am not sure if the landlord should fix it or me.

 

Making Homemade Lip Balm?Can you make a lip balm without using shea butter and/or beeswax? I can't find those two in my local shop in Shanghai.

 

What Breed is Paisley?This is Paisley, she is 10 months old. She has a white coat with brindle spots. Her eyes are bluish green and sometimes even grey. She weighs 2 pounds. Her ears are one of the most recognizable things. Some say she is a Chihuahua mix, but we are not sure.

 

Value of 1955 Webster's Dictionary?What is the value of a 1955 Webster's dictionary in good condition?

 

Making Frosting Fudge?Can you use sugar free frosting in the quick fudge recipes?