April 11, 2005

Artichoke DipMix and bake in glass baking dish for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with club crackers.

 

Mock Sweetened Condensed MilkPlace ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Equals 1 can of the boughten variety.

 

Mexican CaviarMexican Caviar. Mix all ingredients together. Chill, or serve at room temperature. Serve with corn chips.

 

Jalapeno Cheese DipPut all ingredients into a crock pot. When it is hot it is ready to eat. If too thick, when cheese is melted, add tomato juice or more milk. The longer it heats; the hotter (spicier) it gets. Serve with tortilla chips.

 

Grandparenting TimeMy daughter-in-law has a new 4 week old baby and a 6 year old not yet in school. I offered 2-3 hours of my day to come out and spend time with the kids so she could do something she needed to do, whether it be showering, running an errand or just getting some extra naptime. She knows now she'll get some time for those things and I get bonding time with the kids.

 

How To Paint Your Own Artwork - And Save Money.Everyone wants to save money. Don't you? Well, painting your own, color matched art can be a lot easier than you might think!

 

Shopping For GiftsWhen shopping for that perfect gift, the more time you allow yourself to shop around, the better price you'll find. Last minute shopping trips when gift giving, usually costs you more. Think ahead.

 

Muffin Tins For Sand ArtI use muffin tins for sand for sand art coloring on pictures. My class has enjoyed doing sand pictures instead of using crayons.

 

Do You Ever Run Out of Baby Wipes?And you can't get out for more? My son is 13 but has Cerebral palsy so wears "adult pull-ups." I go through A LOT of pull-ups during a winter storm where I couldn't get out.

 

Remembering to Take Clothes Out of the WasherSet your oven timer when you put a load of clothes in the washer. If left crumpled up in the washing machine, they'll develop more wrinkles, and colors will bleed more.

 

Advertising Magnets In Your Sewing BoxKeep a free advertising magnet in your sewing box to gather up any spilled pins.

 

Credit Card Use and Your FutureWhen using credit cards, it's better to not use them so much so you can pay off the monthly balance each month. If you don't have the cash to make your purchase(s) with, either wait till you do, or reconsider the purchase to begin with.

 

"Swear By" Bridal Shower ThemeMy niece is a lawyer and I gave her a "swear by" shower. On the card we told the guests to bring things they "swear by" so that we could save the bride a lot of time and energy.

 

Choose Red over Green Cabbage For Vitamin CWhen trying to add more nutrients in your diet food-wise, choose red cabbage over green cabbage. Red cabbage has more Vitamin C.

 

Haze (Great Dane)This is Haze our 8 month old Great Dane. He is a big baby and so much fun! He loves to snuggle close! He acts just like Scooby Doo!

 

Use Blue Painter's TapeAlways use blue painter's tape, not regular masking tape to mask areas when you are painting. Blue tape peels off easily, masking tape often doesn't.

 

Sanitizing Flooded Laundry EquipmentWashers and dryers should be sanitized if they have been immersed in flood water. After appliances have been reconditioned, sanitize them as follows:

 

Something Frugal and CaringWhen looking for something frugal to do or somewhere go, take into consideration that there are people that could use some company. Don't overlook the elderly or handicapped. A small gift of your time could brighten someone's day.

 

Filling CupcakesI have found it easy to fill cupcakes with a scoop 1/2 cup measuring cup. It is so easy and leaves no mess.

 

War on Dust BunniesOwning a home with no furnace, and using a wood stove for primary heat, I've encountered uncontrollable dust. The only way to help was sweeping 3 times a day and washing the floors 3 times a week. I have found a solution. I bought an air purifier and bought a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

 

Fancy Gift Wrap IdeasMy girls love fancy dress-up skirts and dresses made from tulle but by the time they outgrow them the tulle is usually too "raggy" to hand down. I glean the good pieces of the tulle as well as any sparkly accents to use on gifts.

 

"Always There" Pincushion On Your Sewing MachineUse a piece of sticky-back velcro to attach a piece of kitchen sponge to the top of your sewing machine. Makes a great, always-there pincushion to use while you are sewing.

 

J and Pippy (Cats)These are our 2 grandkitties that we keep at our house when their owner is away on vacation. The one in the back is a long hair mixed Heinz male cat name is J who is 4 yrs. old. He is cuddling his sister, Pippy who is a year old and is a short hair tabby kitty. They love to stay at our house and we enjoy playing with them.

 

Expressing That You CareDollar stores and thrift stores are great places to pick up some cheap greeting cards. Don't underestimate the power of a greeting card.

 

Bring a Snack When ShoppingSave money at the grocery store by taking along a small package of cut up veggies or fruit to curb your appetite when doing errands or shopping rather than going thru the drive thru or stopping at the local food court.

 

Free Printable Cards or E-cards?Does anyone know of sites that allow free printing of cards or E-cards? I know there must be some. I'm new at this. Also are there sites that have just friendly chat among cleancut adults NOT LOOKING for anything but good conversation?

 

Uses for Potato Masher?Ideas for using a potato masher, other than mashing potatoes. Post your ideas.

 

Theme Ideas Graduation Party at our Church?I am hosting the graduation party at our church this year again. I have had many themes and just simply ran out of ideas.. I need some help.

 

Detergent Powder and Floor Cleaning Liquid?I would be more grateful if you send me the ingredients and preparation for making detergent powder and floor cleaning liquid at home for my home consumption. Thanking you,

 

How Do I Thank My Mom?My mom is so happy about my 13th birthday and she is spending sooooo much money. She is taking 5 kids to wild adventures amusement park (www.wildadventures.net) and she is taking us to a Ryan Cabrera concert. We are renting a hotel and staying overnight. I feel really guilty.

 

Transporting a Bike From British Columbia to Ontario?Can anyone tell me what is the cheapest way to send a bicycle from B.C. to Ontario. Our daughter has been living temporarily in Vancouver and now wants to move back home to Ontario. She has purchased a bike and wants to ship it home; funds are limted.

 

Ideas For Outfits For Our "Travelling Around The World Themed" School Turn Around Dance?I am completely drawing a blank. Our theme is traveling around the world. Which is a very broad theme but I don't have a lot of time or money. If you could help, that would be awesome!

 

Keeping Birds Out Of Boston Ferns?How do I keep the birds out of my Boston ferns hanging on my porch?

 

Cowboy/Outlaw Themed Birthday Party?My son is turning 10 and he would like to have a cowboy/outlaw birthday party. I am on a very tight budget and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for games, food ect. Thanks for the help!