November 16, 2004

Party Pizza CookieCombining the two time tested party snacks, pizza and cookies.

 

Divinity FudgeA candy thermometer will insure good luck with this recipe.

 

Fried Sweet CornThe corn will have a beautiful golden color. Truly delicious!

 

Vegetable Beef Soup (Freezer Meal)Using a crock pot, cook a chuck roast in your usual way, separate the meat and liquids into portions for soup starters and freeze. I freeze mine into 4 portions but it depends on how much meat you like in your soup.

 

Oat Bran and Dried Fruit MuffinsThis recipe uses dried fruit to add sweetness and a chewy texture to these moist, golden-brown muffins.

 

Rolling Out Sugar CookiesWhen rolling out sugar cookies, use powdered sugar instead of flour on your board. It will have a much better flavor, and the cookies will not get hard. By Robin

 

Picking a PuppyWe discovered that the cost of a puppy at our pound is $35. It is more expensive at the SPCA ($85), but includes the cost of neutering or spaying. I was shown a way to quickly discover if the pup has been abused.

 

Sharpen Your Dull KnifeDon't have a sharpening stone? Use a ceramic mug with a rough base. Turn mug upside down and using your opposite hand, hold the mug in place with the mug handle. Carefully run the blade at a slight angle across the bottom of the mug.

 

Treating BruisesUsing an ice pack, place on bruise for 20 minutes at a time the first 24 to 72 hours. Cold helps keep swelling down and helps relieve pain. After 72 hours, apply warm heat pack, or hot water bottle filled with warm water. (Notice, I said Warm, not Hot!!!) Apply for 20 minutes at a time, then remove for 20 minutes. Heat helps healing. By Gladys Hill

 

Inexpensive Shampoo for Color Treated HairInstead of buying expensive shampoo to protect your dyed hair, buy a 20 oz. bottle of WalMart's "Parent's Choice" baby shampoo for less than $1.35. The label states it is mild enough to use on colored or permed hair. By Katie A.

 

Removing Fat from Soups and GraviesTo eliminate fat from soups, stews, gravies, etc. drop an ice cube into the pot. Stir and fat will cling to the cubes. Discard cubes before they melt. By Robin

 

My Christmas Shopping SpreeToday, I went shopping, early in the morning, at several stores. I hit their bargain bins as soon as I entered.

 

Vaccine ExemptionsThe parents of children of which the school has not honored their rights about vaccines are entitled to money damages from the school. - Racer

 

Reorganizing the Closet by Renovating ItI have discovered that taking out the rods and shelf and any other parts of a normal closet and changing the inside will give you much more storage space. You might even be able to get rid of one dresser.

 

Cookie Baking DayWhen my kids were small, I would bake several batches of cutout type sugar cookies just after Thanksgiving. I used Christmas Theme Cookie cutters and also cut Christmas shapes from cereal box cardboard.

 

Frugal WisdomIt is important to keep in mind that frugality isn't just about collecting and using specific tips for saving money. It is a whole mindset. You should always be in the habit of thinking a little outside the box.

 

Online Advent CalendarsThere are a lot of sites on the internet that have online advent calendars and a few sites with printables to make your own. Here are some links to some of the best sites.

 

Potty Training a Dog to Go In One PlaceConvincing Your Dog to Potty in One Place. Adapted From: Dog Tricks For Dummies. Having a dog that eliminates in a designated place is a real advantage. Thank you to Racer for recommending this link.

 

Testing Baking Powder FreshnessTo test freshness of baking powder, put 1 teaspoon in half a glass of hot water. If fresh, it will actively bubble in the water. By Robin

 

Sprucing Up Your Table SawDoes the top of your table saw look bad? Brighten its appearance by spraying it with rust remover or WD-40. Then scour with #3 steel wool pads on a pad sander. Surfaces will shine like new after a few minutes work. Be sure not to saturate the sanders felt pad. By Gladys Hill

 

How do I make a head board for my bed?I do not have a head board for my bed. Does anyone have ideas on how to make one? I was thinking of getting pressboard and covering it with some foam them material? Thank you in advance! ML from Alberta

 

What is Half and Half?Many American recipes use the term "half and half". What does this mean? Christine from Sydney, Australia

 

Candle Wax On Durasuede Couch?I need HELP. I got candle wax on my sofa and need to know how to get it out! My sofa is called durasuede,it's like suede. I don't know exactly what that means but that is what they said it was called. Anyway, it is a new sofa and my little girl blew out a candle and got wax on it! Thanks, Jen

 

Instructions for Making a Rug Loom?I would like instructions on how to make a rug loom. Thanks, Darla from Montana

 

Teen Senior Lounge?My highschool is considering having a lounge just for seniors. I'm on a committee to decide what we are going to buy for the room, with a budget of $1,000. What specific items do you think we should purchase/not purchase? Do you have any good ideas for saving money, but still having a cool lounge?

 

Doughnut Recipe?Does anyone have a recipe for baked doughnuts similar to Krispy Kremes?

 

Blooming Onion Sauce?I am looking for a recipe for blooming onion sauce like they have at Outback Steak House.