January 6, 2005

Why Buy Baby Food?You need never (or at least rarely buy baby food) if you just plan ahead.

 

Wearing Evening Attire To WorkGoing straight from the office to an evening affair? If you're a woman, wear a simple dress or ensemble to work and bring accessories-earrings, bracelets, necklace, a pair of dressy shoes, and an evening wrap, such as a brightly colored shawl or silk blouse to wear as a jacket.

 

After Holiday "Marked Down" TurkeyBuy a fresh turkey that has been "marked down" after the holiday and cut it up like you would a chicken. Vacuum seal in Food Saver bags in separate meals and freeze. Cook later in the slow cooker. By Syd

 

Swimming Belly-up Goldfish RemedyRecently a friend gave me two large gold fish they didn't want anymore. The one kept swimming belly-up (upside down). I was told it was a sign she was going to die soon. I couldn't take it watching her struggle!

 

Store Wrapping Paper Inside the RollAfter Christmas, if you take your leftover Christmas wrap off the roll, roll it back up, and place it inside the cardboard holder it will keep better for next year. By Sharon

 

Sweeten Oatmeal With JamInstead of buying flavored oatmeal, cook regular oatmeal and sweeten with jam. By Lynn

 

Uses For SkateboardsTips and ideas for using skateboards, other than as a mode of transporation or sport. Post your ideas!

 

Making Turkey GravyNo last minute fixing the gravy if you are cooking a whole turkey. Make stock from turkey necks and giblets, then use the Tone's Turkey Gravy Mix, restaurant size container purchased at Sam's Club, use the turkey stock instead of water.

 

Can't Find a Shoehorn? Shoehorn Replacement IdeasNo shoehorn? Use a tablespoon, a soupspoon, or a rubber spatula. Or use the narrow end of a silk tie to ease your heel into the shoe. By joesgirl

 

Preventing and Treating Shiny Worsted Wool GarmentsIf the knees or elbows on worsted wool garments become shiny from wear, try steaming them; hang them in the bathroom while running hot water in the shower.

 

Make Cornbread In A Sandwich MakerJiffy Muffin mix will make two batches in a sandwich maker and doesn't crumble like the baked in the muffin tins. By Syd

 

Make Hard Cookies Soft and FreshPlace a slice of bread or the heel slice of bread on the bottom of your cookie jar to turn crunchy homemade cookies into soft fresh cookies.

 

Spruce Up Your Linen ClosetSimply fold towels together. While folding, fold one of the bath towels around the rest of the set, making it a size and shape that stacks nicely in your storage closet.

 

Saving Juice from Canned or Frozen FruitWhenever we eat canned fruit or frozen fruit, I save the juice and put it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, I put them in the baggies and put them in the freezer. We then use them for milkshakes by taking a few ice cubes and milk or plain yogurt and mixing them in the blender. My kids love them and it is sweeter than any store bought yogurt. By Tina

 

Food Saver Tip - After Holiday FoodVacuum sealing individual meals of leftover turkey and gravy, ham or roast beef and freeze, it stays fresher when vacuum sealed. They can be heated in the bags in boiling water. By Syd

 

Fresh-Scent In Your DishwasherTo remove gross stale smells from your dishwasher add 1/4 cup lemon juice to the compartment designated for the soap. Then let it run while empty for one cycle. The acetic properties of the lemon juice naturally get rid of the strongest odors. I did this and it worked pretty good. Stephanie

 

New Year's Resolutions - You're Likely To Keep!Start the New Year off by making a list of things you want to accomplish in your home this year: declutter, donate, paint, organize, shampoo carpets, clean drapes, etc.

 

Re-Evaluate Your Food Needs From Time To TimeHaving recently gone through our pantry (and throwing stuff out! egad!), we decided that we needed to do some rethinking about what we buy. It does not save money to buy things that you don't eat, no matter how much they are on sale.

 

Extra Storage With Tote BagsI use colorful cloth or plastic tote bags as storage for many things: reusable plastic bags, bits of fabrics and trims, travel items, scarves and shawls, gloves and mittens. I hang the bags from cute racks or pegs so they look nice. Most of the bags are purchased from thrift stores or from department stores. By Ann

 

Predicting Weather Based On Cloud PatternsPuffy white clouds sailing across a blue sky indicate continuing fair weather. But if they mass together to form tall, anvil-shaped clouds, be prepared for a lightning-filled thunderstorm, even if the sun in shining.

 

Reusing Biodegradable Foam For SnowDon't toss away all the biodegradable foam that come in packages. Instead use them as artificial snow on and beneath your Christmas tree.

 

Uses for Frisbees?Tips and ideas for using frisbees, other than throwing them. Post your ideas.

 

Uses for Old Boots?Tips and ideas for using old boots, other than wearing on your feet. Post your ideas.

 

Solution For Stale Poppyseed?Can I take the staleness out of poppyseed? If not, will birds eat it? Holly, Prince George BC

 

Mystic Chai Tea Mix Recipe?I am looking for a mystic chai tea mix recipe. I had a real close recipe to make this mix but I can't find it, it uses unsweetened tea, powdered milk, vanilla flavored coffee creamer, but I can't remember the quantities or other ingredients, anyone have this recipe?

 

Temporary Solution For Ugly Kitchen Cabinets?I was checking online and found this site I was hoping someone could help me. I live in an apartment and the kitchen cabinets are ugly. I can't do anything permanent on them so I was wondering does contact paper come off? Or is there something else out there I can use? - Nani

 

Removing Advertising Logos From Coffee Cup?Does anyone know of a way to remove the advertizer's logo imprint on a coffee cup? I have 2 cups, and love the base colors, but would like to get rid of the company logos on them. Would naval petroleum jelly work? I've tried a scratch pad, and citrus stain remover but no luck. Thanks for any ideas to try. Sandi

 

Need Sports Makeover For Son's Room?I am wanting to change my son's room. He is 11 yrs old. His whole room needs a makeover from top to bottom. I am a single parent so money is tight. Any good suggestions? He loves sports. Gina from Missouri