Too Many Unfinished Craft Projects?
Start with the one that you can take with you when you may have to wait (Doctors office, etc.) or meeting, when they dont mind if you do handcraft. Do the most mindless first. Or do the one most finished. You will be relieved and it will be easier to go on...
Reusable Grocery Bags vs. Trashcan Liners?
I reuse the grocery bags for inconitence disposal (otherwise Id be buying more plastic) and cat litter disposal (otherwise Id be putting it in the toilet and thats not good. I like to use them for daily garbage disposal so the can doesnt collect flies and bugs...
Use Your Oven Rack for Perfect Bread Slices
So great. My measure-knife broke after about 15 years and now my bread slice go from 1/4 to 3 in the same slice. Hurrah. Thank you.
Coffee is Making Me Sick?
Buy single blend coffee and use a drip pot. Try fewer cups. The coffee tastes better and it really will not give you that heartburn that blended coffees will. I use 8:00 coffee (5.00$#Italian roast). I went to a conference, drank more than 2 cups of the percolated...
Izzy (Box Turtle)
Back a long time ago my father walked to work across a two lane road that must have been a freeway for box turtles. If they were in the road when he was going to work, hed let them off further along, if he was coming home hed bring us a pet. We had a pen and...
Tips for Cleaning the House?
Id say, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen//divide kitchen into two parts or light and heavy and take a break between.
Give a Mending Kit With Donated Clothing
Ill do this always now. We have a free clothing center (in the 60s we called it a free/box but there are more people now. I have a lot of buttons and stuff and will make up some for those who need.
Sleeping Better Without Medications?
Louise Hay has tapes that have helped me at times, but I also find her irritating, so dont buy unless you can preview (try library or ask at your health food store. They are meditation tapes that take you back to your childhood, not my favorite place, but they...
Area Rug to Coordinate with Red and Yellow?
Look for tropical prints that will co-ordinate with your yellow and red but will tone them down with cooler or neutral colors, then maybe use one of those other colors in a solid for either the curtain or the rug.
Recipes for Cool Desserts?
Graham cracker crust. 1 small container fruit yoghurt 1 small fruit jello (same fruit is best) Mix jello with boiling and cold water or fruit juice. Put in fridge until its gloppy but not set. Put jello in bowl with mixer on high and start to mix. Add yoghurt...
Planning a Wedding on a $500.00 Budget
You have enough money left for a fruit salad, or maybe one for the kids and one for the adults. Enjoy your wedding day. Love, Susan
Homemade Wedding Cake Topper Ideas?
Etsy.com has polymer clay artists. Maybe one could do it, but be prepared to pay for an artists creation.
Weight Loss Advice for a Teen
?
Try for 2-5# loss a week. This will not be easy, but you can do it and the weight can stay off. Dont eat sugar (diet and sugar subs). Eat fruits and vegetables mainly...were talking major amounts to fill you up. Brown rice is good if you are willing to cook...
Buying Bulk Spices?
Penzeys.com sells in bulk up to 8 oz. or 1# or so and Im sure theyd sell you more if you need. I get unusual and single chile spices from there a couple times a year. Otherwise, I go to my local health food store.
Bake Bread in Juice Cans
Filling the cans 1/3 full, how many loaves will you get from a 2 loaf recipe? 4?5? more? A usual loaf gives me 10 slices. How about these? Thanks for your help and time.
Repurposing an Old Basketball Goal Post With No Backboard?
I like Buff Soldiers idea of hanging baskets. My idea was to find some long ivy tendrils (maybe from an old house) and train them up the pole, but I dont know if it would work, the baskets would...in the winter maybe fake holly or greens in baskets, mostly...
Getting Rid of Mites on Pets and Owner?
Call your county health department and see if they can help you since you dont have insurance. Or is there a teaching clinic or low-cost clinic that could provide the medicine?
Feeling Sick When Using Polident Adhesive?
Try Fixodent instead of Polident. Also, call your dentist and ask if he/she has an answer. Ive used Fixodent for a long time and havent had a problem. Maybe its just the brand and their formulation. Good luck. Ill fitting dentures can take away a lot of your...
Cereal Boxes to Organize Craft Supplies
Tide detergent boxes are good for magazine storage. All my cooking and craft magazines go there.
Wholesale Acrylic Beads?
FireMountaingems.com or 800-355-2137. Theyll send you a catalog with quarterly updates and you can get weekly or monthly e-mails with sales. The catalog prices are good and the per price decreases the more you order. Warning, its easy to spend more money than...
Set Up a Kid Friendly Guest Room
You are such a thoughtful person...I spent too many hours visiting with relatives when there was nothing except the pictures on the wall to entertain me. Shell have a wonderful time and so will the dogs, Im sure.
Removing Fabric Dye from a Doll?
Dharma Trading Co. (I dont have their website handy, Google Dharma Trading). has all sorts of dyes and dye removers. You can find a dye remover that wont ruin the doll when you use it (I hope). You can call them and explain what you want. I wish you well.
Keep Recipes in a Three Ring Binder
This is a good tip and it reminds me that I want to go through my mothers recipes with her and get her rememberences of them (shes 91 and some of the recipes are from my grandmother and great-aunt).
Powdered Substitute for Hot Sauce?
If you go to a chile site in New Mexico or one of the other southwestern states (Google chiles or chile powder) youll be able to buy powdered chiles. If you buy some hot and some mild you will be able to mix them to make your own chile blend that can be mixed...
Living With Less
Is this a mobile home? Let us know more by writing in the frugal life stories columns, please. Im really interested. I would like to do this myself. Do you live on retirement checks or work on the road or...? Enjoy. Thanks for writing.
Saving on Decorating for Your Wedding?
Ask someone who knows how (or you) mix a CD of music for the reception and another for the wedding. You can pick out the music and a friend could be responsible for changing the discs if they need to be changed during the reception. For food, Google for catering...
Make Your Own Flavored Water
Diluted tea or herbal tea also takes away the bland taste of water. I dont like water but I do drink 1/2 gallon of diluted tea a day for my health.
Using Frozen Meatballs?
I especially like the (above) shish kabob with sweet/sour sauce (maybe with rice or pasta and fruit. Also, meatballs with a yoghurt/cucumber/onion or garlic sauce on pita. Such a pity for you that they werent all eaten. One never hopes for a power outage but...
Lime Jelly and Cucumber
In the US we have a (mostly dessert) product called Jell-O that has gelatin, flavoring and sugar. You add boiling water to melt the gelatin and cold water to dilute the flavor. Im not sure what lime jelly is. What are the ingredients (at one time, years ago...
Wildlife: Goldfinches
I dont know why it never occurred to me to put bird feeders on utility poles. Thanks for the tip. Ive never seen those little yellow birds but we have lots of rice birds and robins.
In Memory Of Rosabella (Tortoiseshell)
I have a rescue cat now that I took in after a divorce situation where the husband was going to shoot all the pets. Shes a challenge (biting) because I dont think she was treated really well before, but were trying.
Low Cost Insulin for Cats?
I have had two cats that developed diabetes and found that the lowest price in this are is at Wal-Mart. Your vet can write you a prescription and you turn it in at the pharmacy counter just like for people. It needs to be refrigerated. I forget how much it...
Ingredients for Homemade Milk Paint?
This is third-hand, but Ive heard a warning that milk paint that actually has dairy in it can sour on you and create more, and more toxic, problems than you want to deal with. If no dairy is involved and thats just the name of the paint you should be OK.
Keeping a House Organized While Renovating?
Is there one room that you can use as as dressing room/ storage facility as you renovate the other room(s)? You would then have fewer things to move around as you renovate each room. Move the store room as needed. Look on google for remodeling small houses...
Buying Used Table Cloths?
Call industrial/commercial laundries and see if they have any. I used to work at a hotel and the ones that had tears or stains were sent back to the commercial laundry that rented them to us in the first place. I dont know if they sell them or if you could...
Will RIT Dye Transfer?
Dharma Trading Company (on the Web) sells dyes that are more colorfast than Rit. They may be a little more complicated, but I would trust them way more than Rit. You can order off the Web or from the catalog they can send you. Dont take chances with your clothes...
Cleaning and Organizing My House?
This feeds from the one room at a time idea...and I totally agree with the 15 minute one, especially since youre working. Clear a quarter/half or a room if you can, and start stacking boxes of things you KNOW youre going to move. You can consolidate them later...
Kittie and Buster (Cat and Dog Mixed Breeds)
Arent you so lucky. They look like the best in the world. Love. Susan
Paying for Wedding Guests' Parking Fees?
Cookie 68 has the right idea, not tacky at all and smooth as it can be.
Cats Have Become Picky Eaters?
I have a rescue cat with food issues that I call Ever hopeful. Shes there every time I head anywhere toward the kitchen. Doesnt like people food except ham (maybe 1T cut tiniest), but shes there all the time. I have owned her maybe 6 months and have found that...
Springtime Strawberry Delight
You need to add the hours of chilling time to the time the recipe takes. I think if you started early AM it might be done by suppertime. You dont want the middle layer to sog. Otherwise, I could probably eat the whole thing by myself.
Buying Old Technology - Music and Video?
Google is a good place to search. Arhoolie recording in El Cerrito, Ca, has cassettes of old time, blues, tejano and zydeco music on cassettes (per their last catalogs...I use their catalogs to get music for my car). Daedelus Books and Music; salebooks.com...
Caring for a Deaf and Blind Puppy
That truly is a challenge, but I applaud you for taking her on. Poor baby doesnt have two of the major keys that the rest of us do. Shell give you so much pleasure and love and your empathy will be at least as much as you may get from a person. I love you for...
Restoring Old Books?
Look for an appraiser before you look for a restorer. If you recover the books or do anything to books that old you may drastically reduce their value and their interest to collectors. Go to a library and ask the reference librarian to help you find addresses...
Life Lessons Graduation Gift Idea
Dont forget humor. This is a great idea, I just think that young people need to remember to not laugh at...but laugh with people they will meet as adults. It does make a difference.
Seasoning Mix for Hamburger Patties?
I use a mix of paprika, ancho chile powder, garlic powder, salt and red pepper flakes. Look in a cookbook or on Google to see what other people do. I like mine. It took a while. Id suggest start out with 1# beef, add spices (write down how much of each), fry...
Dad's Favorite Hamburger
You can mix 1/3 ground chicken with the 2/3 ground beef and with the add-ins you may either not taste the difference or not mind it. I dont like ground turkey, but ground chicken mixes well, for my diet. Good luck. Changing taste patterns is sometimes hard...
Graduation Gift Ideas?
How about a pre-paid credit card with a note congratulating him and saying that when he settles after he moves he may find something hed like to buy that would remind him of you.
Green Food Ideas?
re: food coloring You dont say what color the food is. In general, use paste color (Wal-Mart or party store), try on a small sample of the food. Dont try off-beat colors. The ideas given above would suit better than trying to change a food to green. It will...
Getting Rid of Thousand Leggers?
I dont know about these; maybe some sort of centipede or millipede but some bugs are turned away by mothballs. You could try it. I wish you luck. What a creepy feeling to come to your weekend/part=time house and find it already occupied. I wish you all the...
Wedding and Reception Locations in Bay Area, CA?
If its a small wedding the Oakland Museum has interior gardens and a restaurant setting. I used to live near there and they did have weddings. Call and see what the prices are. Oakland and Berkeley and El Cerrito have a lot of nice places for the outdoors part...
Getting Help With Past Due Rent?
Suggested before, but ask your landlord if there are any outdoor /indoor repair or outdoor yard jobs that you can do. You dont want to move, its expensive. If you can rake leaves or clean out trash it doesnt matter what you used to do or how much you used to...
Inexpensive Ways to Lose Weight?
Theres a daily column in our paper by a Dr. Gott. He has a simple diet...Ive tried it and it works. No flour, no sugar. Thats it. If it has flour or sugar in it you cant eat it. Add 30 minutes of exercise (walking) a day--or 3 10 minute sessions a day if 30...
Substituting Parchment Paper for Wax Paper?
When using parchment paper for cookie baking, you can use it over and over until you decide its had it. I worked in a professional bakery and he worked it until it started breaking apart and it still kept the cookies from sticking. I wouldnt go quite this far...
Easy Enchilada Casserole
By red sauce do you mean sauce made from dried chiles and garlic rehydrated and blended?
Contributing to Your Child's Wedding?
I wish you well. Dont be upset about what you should or shouldnt do for her big wedding. Smile, offer to do what you can that isnt financial and keep your focus on the baby. Has she said that she expects you to contribute financially? This is their or her party...
Picking a Baby's Name?
Make sure you give the boy a name, first or middle, that is recognized in the schoolroom or other social settings. It could be a family name that could be shortened for a nick name or the name of a relative you want to honor. Children can give each other unnecessary...
BBQ Sauce
It has so much liquid smoke in it and not much bulk except the cat sup...is it printed right? It does sound good, but Im hesitant about all that liquid smoke...thats a full bottle, isnt it?
Recycling Furniture Cushions to Go With Your...
My admiration (other than that they look beautiful) is that you went ahead and did one at a time and youre now almost finished. I think of something like that, think of how long it will take and end up not doing the project at all because I dont think I have...
Coffee Shop Corn Muffins
I never change the oven temp. for the mini pans. Check the time before the large ones would be done (I usually tip one out with a knife to see whether the bottom is brown) I agree that they take about the same time. Those do have a lot of sugar in them, so...
Cute Framed Art Work?
Google japanese posters and see if anything suits you. I looked down about 1/3 on p.1 and there were some nicely sized pretty cheap ones. They may be too edgy, I was hoping for kitty ones right away. There may be some but further down. The fabric idea is a...
Keep Your Feet Dry With Plastic Bags
Not only snow, but heavy rain, too. Laugh if you want, but this is the greatest tip since keeping a dry pair of socks in the car. I have bread bags, lots of bread bags. When I get inside where Im going I can just take the bags off and be SO glad I have dry...
Packaging for Homemade Body Oils?
Am I right that you will manufacture the scented oils, put them in bottles yourself, and then want labeling for the (bottles and) boxes? The most economical way would be to find a company that prints your copy (name of product or company name and info) on clear...
Homemade Kitchen Cleaner?
This is stinky, but it will work for ovens...put a dish of ammonia on the floor of the oven, close the door, leave overnight, then wipe off with a soapy rag, then a wet one. If the oven is really greasy, you may have to repeat it or use a scrubbie, but its...
Changing the Color of a Couch?
Im not sure about spray because I think itll come off on people sitting on the couch. I agree, if possible, on slipcovers. Google slipcovers or couch covers and see if anything works. If its a weird color, could you cover up a lot of the surface with pillows...
Using Stainless Steel Carafes for Milk?
Look in housewares or baby wares at a store for those long brushes that are used for spouts. They exist, I just dont know what the primary use is. I used them for cleaning the tube in a coffee pot. Good luck.
Recipes Using Potatoes?
This is a variation on other posts. I dice regular potatoes and add a little bit of olive oil, salt pepper, paprika, and rosemary (a little more paprika and rosemary than the others). Toss. Cover with foil and bake at 375o maybe 45 minutes to an hour. I usually...
Create Your Own Ribbon Holder
This is a really good tip, and so thrifty, and you do know that Im going to spend that money on ribbon, dont you? Yeah.
Stretching One Meal Into Five
I do the same with a turkey breast, roasted for company the first day, then stretched out. The only difference is that the last day (for flavor) I fry up some onion and celery to add to whatever is left, steam the carcass, remove any scraps, use the broth for...
T-ball Parade Float Ideas?
If you are going for a best of prize find names of baseball players from the Cubs previous years, poster them on sticks around the truck--decorated with red, white and blue streamers and Future Cubs large lettering. If theres no prize involved or moneys tight...
French Chicken Marengo
I cant pay your way over, but if youll bring the fresh herbs, Ill provide the meat, a place for you to stay, and a tour of East Tennessee, southwest Virginia and western North Carolina. Ill pick you up at the airport. The wine may be limited to a choice of...
Decorating with Food at a Party?
My concern is that 1-3 year olds may choke on small bits of food, so keep adult food where they cant get at it. I like a cake frosted and then decorated with miniature colored marshmallows. Children really like the tiny marshmallows. Plastic cocktail cups with...
Using Butter Instead of Whipped Butter?
Unless the recipe specifies whipped butter, you should use regular butter. If the recipe specifies whipped, use whipped ( this is for baking, where its important). If its to flavor a sauce, Id add the butter slowly up to the amount in the recipe; non-whipped...
Freeze Excess Parsley
Does this work with cilantro as well. If I plant it it all gets ripe at once. I dont use much, but like to have it....can you use it as you would fresh cilantro or only for cooking?
Ideas for Bland Stir-Fry?
Try grating fresh ginger into your marinade or onto the veggies when theyre half done. Also, as suggested above, lime or lemon juice, or rice vinegar (not much of any; taste as you go) will pop flavors out. In fact, all the suggestions are good.
How Do You Keep Hair Out of The Shower Drain?
I use a mesh strainer. Also, every month or so I take a piece of wire with a 1/4 crook in it. I use a clothes-hanger wire and I lower that into the drain and scrape the side, bringing the wire up each time. I get a lot of hair and gunk out that way. The screen...
Recycled Windows to Build a Green House?
You may have to go further down towards Oakland, but look in the yellow pages for architectural salvage. They get out the good parts when buildings are being torn down. My first stop would be freecycle though, Id bet you have a lot of chapters around you. Good...
Saving Small Amounts of Leftovers
I dont know why I never thought of this, but its the tops when it comes to those bits. Now I will save more of those bits because I know they wont fill up the freezer. Lunch is more for snacking for me than dinner is. Thanks.
Keep Your Move Organized
I hate to even mention this, but when you label boxes, dont label with alluring titles such as liquor, antiques, coin collection, etc. I dont think any one would, but some people do and a few of them dont find all their boxes at the end of the move. I should...
Unique Sayings to Monogram?
Google childrens tee shirts, kids bibs and similar categories. You should be able to find a lot of sayings. Also check out t-shirt sites that are general and not just for children. They may spark your imaginations.
Favorite Potato Recipes?
I make a recipe similar to Debbie-Jenns but instead of using onion soup mix, I cut the unpeeled potatoes, in large dice, in one layer into a baking pan with a little olive oil in the bottom. Then I sprinkle and toss with ground rosemary and thyme or garlic...
"Spring Into Friendship" Dance Theme
I surely wish you were making our school more fun when I was there many years ago. I hope that the kids appreciate your creativity. Though at a distance, I certainly do.
Recipes Using Rolled Oats?
This months Fine Cooking newsletter has a no-knead oatmeal bread recipe that looks good to me (simple, too). Google granola or muesli and youll find all kinds of cereal recipes that dont need last-minute cooking, or cooking at all. I remember making a granola...
Bruno (Rotti/Chow Mix) and Loosey (Burmese Mtn. Mix)
They are SO beautiful. If they ever need a vacation stay in the lower mountains let me know. Thanks for the picture.
Cake for the Birds
This is just my thought...but, could you mold the filling, then after its cooled, put it in an onion or other mesh bag thats been slit top to bottom maybe in 1 width. If the filling is put in carefully and then pressed, the birds might be better able to release...
Applesauce Vs. Apple Butter?
Applesauce is apples (peeled or unpeeled and then strained) cooked down until tender with a little water and sometimes cinnamon and sugar. Apple butter is applesauce cooked down with apple juice and more spices until its a spreadable loose paste. Its usually...
Gift Ideas for Mishloach Manot?
Ive never used kosher gelatin, but you would have time to try this out...strawberry marshmallows. Believe it or not, they are easy if you have a stand mixer, they are cheap (use frozen strawberries and puree) and they are unexpected by most. One batch makes...
Use Super Glue to Stop Nail Splitting
I have one nail thats been splitting for years. Thanks for the future pain youre saving me.
Organizing Your Grocery Shopping to Save Money?
I make my shopping list by the store floor plan. I know whats on each aisle and group food needs by aisle (for me right to left from the front through to the end. I also group my coupons that way. Halfway through the aisles I check the top of the list to see...
Dorm Room Necessities
I thinks its great that you were able to have fun while doing this and also that you had the foresight to start that far ahead of time. Your daughter will be two steps ahead if she has your kind of attitudes. Good luck to her in school, and to you in life. Thanks...
Blueberry Juice Recipe?
I went to the health food store to buy cranberry juice. I didnt want cran cocktail. The price really was high, until I tasted the juice straight from the bottle. That stuff needed to be diluted and sugared. I wanted it medicinally, so I took it by the tablespoon...
Indulge in a Snack Meal
This is the perfect *meal* for those times when a doctor-trip or some other in-the-car day lasts too long...not the perishables of course, but I can see keeping back the ends of some treats to put in a muffin tin when you arent going to get back home for a...
Toilet Isn't Flushing Well?
I only know mine, but I think that the ball that closes the bottom so the water can fill up the tank isnt doing its job. I have to open the tank and push down the wire on top of the ball in order to get the toilet to fill maybe one of three times. I am sorry...
Creating a Budget for Buying a House?
What can you do to drastically reduce your utility bill. Your local power company may be willing to come out at no charge to inspect your connections and heating/cooling and tell you how you might reduce some expense. Try it.
Easy Valentine Cake Decorating
My favorite quick Valentines (or other) deco. tip is to use miniature marshmallows on the sides...for Valentines use red frosting and white marshmallows (pressed into the side frosting. For birthdays, use the multi-colored marshmallows. Children love these...
Shirt Texture Changed After Being Washed?
Is it still a different texture after drying? I know rayon is really hard when wet, but softens up when dry...wrinkled, but soft. If its still not the same, check the label on the inside of the shirt for washing directions. You might also try hand-washing with...
Old Door Knob Keeps Falling Off?
Take the whole thing out (both knobs and the connecting rod). Take it to you local hardware or Lowes and ask them about replacing the rod in the middle...I would guess that time has stripped the notches on the rod and hopefully someone there can just sell you...
Fresh Start for a Badly Overdrawn Checking Account
I feel your pain...this is so difficult for you, I know. Im glad that the bank was able to work with you, though I do agree that they really should have eaten the charges....they make enough off the people that just dont mind their accounts. Im surprised they...
Brew Twice and Save
This months Consumers Reports magazine gave 8:00 coffee their Best Buy rating. I buy it at the local grocery store, though different stores have different varieties...I like strong coffee and find the Italian Roast does well for a thrifty price. Try the regular...
Making a Family Food Budget?
Look on the web for Biglots.com. There are at least 3 in Richmond. They are an overstock store. Ours doesnt have frozen foods anymore, but the canned foods and non-food items are about 1/3 of a supermarket. You want to stay away from the chips and candy unless...
Packing Food for a Family Trip?
I cant tell you about fresh potatoes, but a good brand of instant potatoes to supplement them wont harm you at all. They are light-weight, quick, not bad for either a supplement to fresh mashed or a potato soup, or are a good carbohydrate if its a long day...
Ideas for a Family Reunion?
I like the idea of a different color shirt for each branch of the family. Id also suggest a (largish) name tag with NAME,son/daughter/grandson/daughter-in-law of NAME to quickly identify on sight and cut down on the lengthy verbal identifications.
Recipe for Coffee Chews?
This an idea that I havent tried, but it would pack caffeine in a chew. Make caramel candy...sugar and cream....be very careful not to burn yourself. Add instant espresso granules...or instant coffee, but the espresso is smoother. The amount to add is the variable...
Paying Back Taxes?
You arent going to want to hear this, but your best solution is to go to the local IRS office and ask them. Take along any documentation you have. Take notes of everything they say and who you talk to (important). The government will come after you. I let it...
Updating Vinyl Accordion Doors?
Bamboo might break off with the back-and-forth of the doors. Ask at an art supply store (glue dept) what glue they suggest and what materials would work best for that application...I know you have art supply sores around Novato, but Home Depor or Lowes would...
Shower Curtain Made from Fabric Scraps?
I dont think that you need to make a quilt...just stitch the blocks, hem, then line with a plastic shower curtain...dont stitch the sides down, though. You want the plastic inside the tub and the cotton outside, so it can dry. Check occasionally to make sure...
Rustic Outdoors Themed Wedding?
Get someone with a chainsaw to cut rounds of logs (if available) to put platters of food on...do you have any old pottery mixing bowls or any old barn or country style implements that could be used just for decoration....make sure that anything that touches...
Paying for College?
If you have good grades, look around your community for scholarship grants or contests from community groups....this is at its best if you think you know what you want to do (history club, business, Chamber of Commerce). The amounts may not be large, and you...
Refrigerator Cookie Recipes?
Make your favorite recipe, off the back of the chip bag or from a book, roll into balls, squash into rounds, freeze on a cookie sheet. When theyre frozen, take out and put in a zip-lok bag with the temperature and time directions on or in the bag. Since theyre...
Selling Extra Craft Supplies?
Find someone who has a digital camera and who knows how to sell on EBay. Ask them to photo, list and sell your items. Make their fee contingent on the items selling. Some groups of items sell really well.
Wedding Cake and Flower Centerpiece
This is a cool tip. Im thinking of a July 4th party for this year, and now I know what the desserts/centerpieces are going to be. Americas next new trend in party entertaining!!
Storing Homemade Bread?
Slice and freeze in a Ziploc or a doubled produce bag. Itll be better than refrigerated. The freezing stops the bread getting stale. A slice separated (maybe on a plate) will defrost in maybe 10 or 15 minutes or it will toast even more quickly.
Pinecone Trees
Thats a great idea. I have hemlock trees around and they have Really small cones...Im going to try them with beads as the ornaments.
Ezekiel Bread Recipe?
That is a good recipe (wheatberries). Ive never heard of it but Id like to try it. Ezekiel bread used many more grains and after I looked at the ingredients list I decided that--expensive as it is--Id buy it but just not eat as much. In my area, Krogers carries...
Decorating a Shared Bedroom?
I agree with catastrofy...outdoors with a soccer field and a castle...children change their minds so often at that age and with this kind-of-neutral-for both it will be easier to add and or change things if you need to. Good luck and enjoy.
Use A Mini Binder For Organizing Recipes
I really like the idea that this is a meal organizer that goes from the kitchen to the store, back to the kitchen (for cooking the recipes that are in the organizer) and that its all there for the week. This is one I will use this year...my resolution is to...
Homemade Candy Dipping Fork
This is a super-ly great idea. I may have to make Valentine truffles just to celebrate your idea. Thank you.
Starting Coffee Cafe Business?
Small Business Administration (US Govt) and SCORE for starting a small business and financial information. Having worked in bakeries and cafes, I dont necessarily recommend them but Sysco is a large wholesaler. Sams Club is the Wal-Mart for small businesses...
Spending Freeze Tips?
For me, Jan. is empty the freezer month, but now Feb. will be freeze the wallet month. This is such a good idea. Thank you.
Give Containers for Leftovers During the Holidays
This is really good. Ive thought about the food containers, but hadnt made the connection with holiday meals. I will use this tip.
Santa Belly Ornament
Thats really beautiful, and not like so many others Ive seen. You will find me the day after Christmas at the store buying Christmas balls so that I can make your ornaments next year. Thank you.
Dyeing a Sheepskin Coat?
This is going to be tricky to get a good result. Take the coat around to dry cleaners (probably not the cheapie ones) and ask if they could do it or what theyd recommend. You might have to have the coat taken apart and the canvas treated separately.
Using Handi Wipes for Paper Towels
Auto supply store and stores like Walmart carry shop towels in a roll. They are blue and packaged like paper towels but I use them instead of Handi-wipes. They are thicker than Handi-wipes, and, like them, can be rinsed (Ive even machine washed them by mistake...
Washer Not Getting Dust Out of Clothes?
It might not be possible to find a manual for an old machine, but try the home repair section of the public library. Some of those big ones have really detailed repair guides...ask the reference librarian to help if you cant find what you need.
Making a Hollywood Hills Banner?
Call or go see a commercial printer. For such a small project it shouldnt take them much time or you much money. Good luck.
Use Thanksgiving Weekend to Sort and Donate Extra Stuff
This is such a good idea...to link Thanksgiving with donating unused good from your home to others. Next year I am going to promote this before the holiday and make sure that I get rid of more than I did this year. Thanks for the tip.
Draping Walls in a Ballroom Hall for Wedding?
Check out your fabric store, Wal-Mart if they still have fabric, and discount fabric outlet, or online for cheesecloth. Its cheap, see-through, and can be dyed with Rit or another dye.
Be a Good Sport When Buying for Yankee Swaps
This isnt my idea, but a friend of mines family had a tackiest gift exchange. It might not suit everyone...I think all would have to agree...but this was a big family, they were adults and no one really wanted another (fill in the blank). As I remember, the...
Crust on Homemade Bread is Hard?
The bread machine can form and bake the bread all the way through...it takes about 4 hours. If you are using the dough setting and then letting the bread rise, try not kneading the bread, just forming it into loaves and letting them rise, then bake. If you...
Buy Gifts At Local Craft Fairs
Abingdon VA. Coombs Recreation Center November 21-23. 9-5 Fri-Sat., 12-5 Sunday. Christmas Craft Show. This is a good show--quality crafts.
Helping Elderly Parents?
Dont make a big deal out of it, but make sure that there are ready-to-eat with little preparation foods in the fridge at all times. Mother wont cook for herself ( just nibbles ) but if I have turkey breast sliced, , salad greens and sliced tomatoes, her favorite...
Christmas Gifts That Fit in an Envelope?
I suggest a handkerchief. They arent easy to find now, but maybe a department store or antique store (check carefully that there are no holes or spots). There are linen stores that sell on-line. This might not be thrifty, but it might be...Ive seen lovely handkerchiefs...
Tips For Shaping Patties?
I roughly roll into balls, then squash and use the back of a spatula or a dough scraper to make them into circles, pushing down on the edges to hold them together. This works on ground meat, meat and rice, and salmon and bread crumbs.
Glass Dust in Wine Bottles from Drilling?
Put some dry rice in the bottle and plug both top and bottom holes with your fingers or a towel. Shake, drain, and rinse. Be sure to drain into a sieve.
Places to Live After Retirement?
I live in E TN (Bristol). I grew up here, then lived in northern CA for 30 years before coming back. Just to let you know, this IS the Bible belt and you have to be willing and adaptable if necessary to let religion (Protestant, sometimes Fundamentalist) permeate...
Graduation Party Ideas: Librarian?
For an activity, have a table where guests can make their own books...makingbooks.com is one site (simple books geared toward children, but also towards adults for a quick activity), or check your public library for accordian books, etc. You have enough time...
Campfire Roast Chicken
An instant-read thermometer has almost no weight and you can check your chicken to make sure its cooked all the way through (I dont doubt you. The chicken sounds SO good, but I am kinda manic about food safety). Food poisoning would really bum out a camping...
Saving Money on a Hard Drive
Go to your best computer repair shop. (If necessary, ask for advice for a reputable and good one). They sometimes have parts, including hard drives, that have been traded out in an upgrade. It doesnt hurt to try. Avoid the really busy times of the day, so the...
Using Magnet for Laundry Reminders
I do something similar. My washer is old and needs a second rinse, but doesnt have that on the dial. I use a magnet from a sales mailing and cut a 1 and2 out (goofed up and the 2 is backwards, but I know what it means). I put the 1 or 2 on, depending on which...
Getting Prepared To Homeschool?
Make sure that your children have the opportunities to be with other children from the time that they are toddlers. Education needs to be paired with social time with others. Library story hours or play dates with YWCA or other groups will make sure that your...
Websites That Sell Really Cheap Books?
Edward Hamilton.com...its even cheaper if you use their catalog and order by mail, only 3.50 shipping. Daedelus.com has cheap shipping These are not used, but are remaindered books. Both sites have a lot of books in all categories, some in the 1.98-4.98 price...
Using A Mouth Guard?
Try sleeping with more pillows under your shoulders and head so that you arent reclining as much. When I go to the dentist I cant take anything going on in my mouth if Im lying down (which is the way the chairs work now). Also, sleeping on your side might help...
What Is Nutella?
Its a cocoa and hazelnut spread...European, I think. I used to get it at a French coffee shop spread on crepes. I like it spread thinly rather than thickly. My jar in the fridge now will be used between nut cookies for Christmas assortments.
Celebrating The Harvest Season
This is SO totally cool. Ive never heard or anything like it and wish it would be universal.
Favorite Kitchen Gadgets?
Mine are a microplane grater/zester (with a cushioned handle about $12.00) and a bowl scraper (plastic, from a restaurant or kitchen supply store, about $1.00). After that would be my KitchenAid stand mixer, a cheapo food processor (Black & Decker, plastic...
