July 26, 2011

Caring for Newborn KittensThis is a page about caring for kittens. Newborn kittens need a lot of extra care. Caring for them properly will help ensure that they grow into healthy adult cats.

 

Key Lime Pie RecipesThis page contains key lime pie recipes. Key lime pie is a classic summer treat and great way to use up surplus lime. Whether you are lucky enough to have lime tree in your backyard or have to buy them from the store, here are some recipes for you.

 

Saving Money on Poster FramingThis is a page about saving money on poster framing. Framing is a great way to protect and preserve your favorite posters. However, it can be costly to frame posters because of their size.

 

Saving Money on Roof CleaningThis is a page about saving money on roof cleaning. Preventative maintenance is important in getting the most life out of your roof. Cleaning your roof will remove moss and debris that can eventually cause leaks.

 

Saving Money on a New Roof?This is a page about saving money on a new roof. Replacing your roof is an expensive investment faced by all homeowners eventually. Quality work is important to make sure your new lasts a long time, but there are still ways to save money.

 

Uses for Old Musical InstrumentsThis is a page about uses for old instruments. As instruments wear out they can be re-purposed. From decorating to crafts, the possibilities are endless.

 

Lemon Meringue Pie RecipesLemon meringue pie is the perfect combination of tart and sweet. It's a refreshing choice for a summer treat. This page contains lemon meringue pie recipes.

 

Removing Dye Transfers from ClothingOne of the more frustrating and difficult clothing stains you can encounter is dye transfer. This is a page about removing dye transfer stains from clothing.

 

Canning ApricotsThis is a page about canning apricots. Maybe you have an apricot tree or found a great deal on a bunch of apricots. Canning apricots is easy and is the perfect way to store them for later use.

 

Preventing and Removing Moss from...Moss growing on your roof will reduce the lifetime of your roofing regardless of what material you roof your home with. This guide is about preventing and removing moss from your roof.

 

Socializing Your DogThis is a page to socializing your dog. Dogs that can be easily taken into public and get along with other dogs and humans, especially children, are much more pleasant to own as pets.

 

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta SaladThe flavor and juiciness of rotisserie chicken makes this pasta salad a hit with me. You can serve this dish immediately or refrigerate to allow the flavors to blend more and serve cold. Either way, it's yummy.

 

Crispy Sundae CrunchLove ice cream desserts and this one is no different. So yummy!

 

Strawberry DelightThis is a wonderful cake you can make as sweet as you like depending on how much of the strawberry glaze you use. This is not an overly sweetened cake, and I like to let the strawberry's own flavor speak for itself.

 

Supper PieNice, hearty, and easy to make.

 

Parmesan ChickenThe herb stuffing mix makes this so good!

 

Salmon FrittersThis recipe has been in our family for generations. It is a healthy, quick-to-make dish, using salmon as its main ingredient. It makes a delicious meal when the Salmon Fritters are served with rice and a crisp green salad.

 

Individual BBQ MeatloavesThis recipe makes 6 delicious, individual size loaves topped with a tangy sauce. Kids get a kick out of it when you tell them you are making a whole meat loaf just for them.

 

Shrimp SaladThis is really yummy!

 

Frugal Summer Fun At The BeachWe are very lucky, we live near the beach. The sad part is that almost NONE of our gorgeous beaches in New Jersey are free. So in order to get in some wonderful beach time, we have learned the tricks and tips that will get us the most " bang for our buck".

 

Pets and Service People in the HomeI have 3 large dogs that are protective of me and more so since I'm learning to walk again. When I set up any sort of visit for the phone or cable, I always leave directions for the Service People to call me first at least 5 minutes before they arrive.

 

Store Sheets Inside PillowcaseAfter folding your sheets neatly, place them inside of one of the pillow cases. They lay flat and you know where everything is by the pillowcase you use with each set.

 

GDTYL - Gotta Drive, Text Ya LaterTelling the kids to ignore the texts while they're driving doesn't cut it because the person texting just keeps it up until they get a response. Tell your kids to text "gdtyl" at the next traffic light and then wait until they can safely have their texting "conversation."

 

Travel: Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad (Romney,...This is a photo of the Potomac Eagle Scenic Train ride we took from Romney, WV. The view was just beautiful. We were lucky enough to see several bald eagles. The ride lasted about 2 hours, and we really enjoyed it. It was such a great, fun day!

 

Ammonia for Cleaning Oven RacksWhen my oven racks get dirty or covered with spill-overs, this is what I do. Get a very sturdy thirteen gallon garbage bag, pour enough sudsy ammonia in it to cover the oven rack, lay on a flat surface (preferably outside for ventilation purposes)...

 

Organizing SheetsI like to keep sets together or sheets that I created sets out of by folding them, along with one pillowcase, and putting the entire set into the other pillowcase. This way, you have a neat sheet section in your closet or drawer, and they fit together better too.

 

Selecting a Good GrapefruitWhen selecting grapefruit I look for heavy, well-rounded fruit with no soft spots or deep blemishes. Skin blemishes are OK.

 

Cheap Cat BedIf you want a cheap cat bed, use a banana box with a cushion. When they get chewed and tatty, just get another one. They are big enough even for a large Ragdoll cat and her kittens.

 

Oven Cleaner for Cleaning a Stainless Grill GrateTo clean my grill grates, I lay them on newspaper on the patio and spray them with oven cleaner. Then I leave them overnight. The next morning I wash them in the sink, using a scotchbrite or similar cleaning pads. They look good as new!

 

Wood Kabobs for Keeping Cats Out of the GardenThis may not work in every situation, but it's worth a shot. Use some of the pointed wooden skewers (think kabobs), and insert them into the ground close enough together to keep the cat from being able to dig and bury.

 

Video: Crochet Hook Gel GripA video on how to make your own crochet needle grip out of a gel pencil holder. It allows you to hold the needle more securely and comfortably.

 

Chicken Wire to Keep Cats Out Of GardenTo keep cats out of your garden, lay down some chicken wire and cover with a thin layer of dirt. Cats love to dig, and they can't do it through the wire. Your plants will still come up through the wire spaces.

 

Aluminum Foil to Clean a Stainless Steal GrateUse a piece of wadded up aluminum foil and rub away. Cooked on food comes right off.

 

Check Thrift Stores For Jewelry DealsSome of the prettiest jewelry, can be purchased at thrift stores for less than pennies on the dollar. If you discover a bracelet or necklace with a missing link or a lost clasp, a few moments can repair them like new.

 

Uses For Ripe BananasThere are several things you can do with ripe bananas. Freeze banana puree when ripe bananas are on sale. Puree them in a blender or food processor. Put a sandwich bag inside a one-cup size container and fill with the puree.

 

Handy Box from Recycled Plastic Milk ContainersRecycle plastic milk containers into handy little boxes by cutting the square sections apart then joining the two squares together. The trick in making the square sections of milk containers fit together is simply to squeeze the top and sides at the same time.

 

Making the Garage Into a Useful Storage AreaTo organize your garage to be a useful storage area, the best advice is to get rid of those cardboard boxes that conceal what is being stored. We have found clear plastic containers solve the problem of wondering what is inside.

 

Scenery: Boys and Ducks (Lake Hartwell, GA)My boys and their cousin were throwing rocks in the lake when a family of ducks decided to check them out.

 

Try Jackfruit as a Pineapple SubstituteMy daughter is allergic to pineapple, so much that she has to carry an epi-pen if she accidentally consumes it. We have found a great substitute. It tastes about the same, but has a slightly denser texture than pineapple.

 

Tea Tree Oil as Insect RepellentInstead of spending good money on expensive insect repellent, dab a few drops of tea tree oil on most of your pulse-points like your wrists, behind the ears and knees. Don't forget to dab a drop atop of your cleavage, ladies!

 

Selecting a Good CantaloupeIn selecting a good cantaloupe, look for a good orange coloring under the lace of the skin and no soft spots on the ends.

 

Using Ribbon for a Neat Linen ClosetI make my linen area look really neat by taking sheet sets and pillowcases and tying them together with inexpensive colorful ribbon. I'm sure this would work with towel sets as well.

 

Citrus Peels Keeping Kitties Out of Your Garden AreaWhen we had a garden (and there were lots of feral kitties around us in that neighborhood which was near a park), we just scattered fresh orange or lemon peels throughout the areas and that seemed to do the trick.

 

Shower Caps to Cover FoodMy husband travels frequently for work, and when he does, he will bring home the unused, new, packaged shower caps. Whenever I have to cover a large food item, like a tray of brownies, I use the new shower cap to cover the top.

 

Save Electricity By Installing Indoor Solar...Using outdoor solar spot lights indoors can easily light up any room. I've installed my lights in each room of my home, and it creates an ambiance atmosphere, reflecting off the ceiling, without needing any additional lighting.

 

Freshen Pet Bed Pillows In The DryerIf you have a dog or cat and have those large pillows, try this. Place them in your dryer weekly with a fabric freshener, if they can be unzipped. Not only will you remove loose pet hair, it gives the pillow a nice scent.

 

Baby Cat (Russian Blue)Baby Cat is 7 month old Russian Blue. Baby Cat was given to my mother as a gift from a long time friend. He was the runt of the litter and the mother had neglected him. We took him in when he was only 3 weeks old. Baby Cat loves to get his soft belly rubbed.

 

Choosing a Good CantaloupeYou should hear a hollow sound when you slap the cantaloupe with the palm of your hand.

 

Wildlife: Sickly Fox (Litchfield County, CT)I was sitting outside taking photos of all the birds we get in our yard, and this guy appeared out nowhere. At first I didn't know it was a fox, because it didn't look anything like the healthy fox that I had seen a few days before.

 

Garden: Spotted Tiger LilyIn spite of record breaking heat, to my surprise, these beautiful lilies emerged and lasted a couple of weeks. For the last couple of years they died out and did not make it to full bloom. I guess they made up for it this year.

 

Crazy Quilt Jacket From Souvenir T-ShirtsMy daughter and I have visited Hardrock Cafes all around the US and in several locations in Europe. We always bought sweatshirts from those locations and have saved them all over the years.

 

Getting Kids to Help with ChoresI know people with multiple kids. Some of them don't think chores are for kids. One says it's all women's work (hehe), and getting them to help out is a chore in itself!

 

Craft Project: Homemade Puffy PaintMake your own puffy paint with the kids, they'll love to watch their paintings magically puff up!

 

Use a Spatula For Leftover OilTo avoid clogged sinks, I usually pour leftover grease and cooking oil into an old can. I had problems with clogged sinks, because I could never get all of the grease or oil out of the pan no matter how hard I tried.

 

Porque (Red Wattle Pig)We have several Red Wattle Pigs and so enjoy raising them. When we go out to feed them in the mornings, we are greeted with much squealing and grunting. Contrary to popular belief pigs don't oink, trust me.

 

Saving Small Recyclables for Recycle DayI have this wonderful metal cart that I use for recycling. But, I also have plastic spoons and creamer cups that fall through the mesh. So I came up with this solution I wanted to share.

 

Quit Smoking by Changing Your RoutineI never thought I could do it. I've wanted to quit for a very long time, but was afraid of losing my friend the cigarette. After all, the cigarette was with me wherever I went; in the car, on the phone, and at the computer.

 

Repurposing Edging Bricks As PaversLast month I found some old edging bricks from another garden. Their new purpose: a connecting path between my dining patio and my fire pit area.

 

Scarlet Darter DragonflyAnother walk in my garden with camera in hand, looking for what will surprise me today. Look what I found perched on one of my garden stakes. He was just sitting there resting and looking around.

 

Circle Your Shopping Wagons FirstHave you noticed that all the fresh, least processed items are on the walls of the grocery store? Meats, dairy, produce, baked goods? This is where the majority of your healthy shopping is, along with the freshest seasonal items.

 

Scented Candles Have No Odor When Burned?When making candles: after the wax melts I put my dye chips in. Once that is melted I add scent. Then I pour it into the molds and I take them out the next day. They smell good, but when I burn them there's no scent.

 

Freezing Green Peppers to Stuff Later?How should I freeze green peppers to stuff later?

 

Locating the Source of a Strong Bitter Odor in Basement?We have a odor in our basement which we only noticed about one month ago. The smell is very bitter and to begin with I thought it was the herb, dill, but as there is nothing like that downstairs. It wasn't that and it seems to be getting stronger as time goes by.

 

Making Goulash With Hamburger?Does anyone have a recipe for hamburger goulash?

 

Determining the Value of a Vintage Encyclopedia Set?How do I determine what are my complete set of 1904 Encyclopedia Britannica are worth? They are in good condition.

 

POA Rights and Responsibilities When Selling Property?If my brother has a power of attorney and in the will it said our parents house has to be sold, do all siblings need to agree on selling price or can the person with the POA sell it for whatever price he wants?

 

Dealing With Toy Aggression in Dogs?I have 2 dogs. The first is an Australian Shepherd mix (female: 2 1/2 years) and the other is a Pit Bull (male: 4 months). They get along for the most part, but the older dog gets somewhat aggressive when it comes to sharing toys.

 

Planting Cherry Pits in Tanzania?I live in Zanzibar, Tanzania and have brought back some cherry pits. Can they grow in this hot humid climate?

 

Removing Creosote from Clothing?I sat on a creosote railroad tie in my yard. Then I found that the seat of my pants was coated with creosote tar. Can any one give me a solution for removing the creosote? Thanks!

 

Decorating Store Bought Cookies?Anyone have cute ideas for decorating store bought cookies? This decorating is not for the kids to do. I need to make them for a fair our church is doing in the community.

 

Homemade Herbicide Damaged Spray Bottle?I tried to reuse a glass cleaner spray bottle for my herbicide garden spray, but the sprayer quit working. Any ideas on a spray bottle that will hold up to homemade sprays?

 

Removing Stagnant Air Smell from a Room?How do you remove the smell from a closed room and keep it airy and fresh?

 

Cleaning Window Blinds Without Removing?My window blinds (semi-wood) are way too big to take down and using Endust and cleaning between each slat just isn't getting it. Any and all suggestions are welcome!Thank you.

 

Removing Cigarette Odor from a Room?I have a room attached to my garage that is sheetrocked and insulated, but is not painted or primed. My renters smoke very heavily in this room and now that room and the garage smells.

 

Identifying Tiny Almost Invisible Bugs Inside House?I have some very tiny bugs getting in my eyes every night at dark. This is inside my home. These bugs are so tiny that I have not been able to see them, but I can sure feel them in my eyes.

 

Removing Candle Wax from Carpet?How does one get old wax off a carpet?

 

Rug Backing is Sticky?I have a fairly new rubber backed throw rug that is sticky on the bottom. It is one that goes in front of the toilet. It is now sticky. How can I get rid of that so I can still use it.

 

What Fuel to Use for a String Trimmer?What fuel do I need for a Flymo 430 maxi trim Strimmer?

 

Removing White Residue on Gas Stove Burners?How can I remove the white residue on my gas burners? My father likes to leave the flame on even with no pot on the burner. The manufacturer says the white stuff will result.Is this a job for vinegar?

 

Getting Rid of Moles in the Yard?Would anyone know how to help get rid of moles in my yard? They're turning it into a sponge. I've tried all the commercial products and the spinner things to no avail.

 

Frigidaire Washer Does Not Drain?My machine is not working properly when you put clothes into washer it fills with the water and washes the clothes, but when it goes into the rinse cycle it spins as if it is going to empty out the water, but it doesn't. What might be the problem?

 

Determining the Value of a Craft Materials Donated to Charity?What is the value of yarn to be donated to a charity? I have a large box filled with yarn for donation, as well as, patterns, knitting needles, and latch and crochet hooks.

 

Cat Scratching Wound?My cat had surgery on his neck and he scratched off his stitches. I took him back to the vet and they put in staples and gave me a collar to use. Three days later he scratched out his staples by getting under the collar, and no I couldn't make it tighter.

 

Manual Portable Typewriter is Skipping Spaces?I sent my Royal 200 manual portable typewriter to the store where I bought it so that they can fix it, but I'm still curious. What causes the space skipping in my typewriter?

 

Breaker Keeps Tripping?I have an outside vapor light my husband installed on one end of our barn. The light is on a separate breaker with just the light and a plug on it. I have noticed the past few nights after it has been on about 6 hours the light goes out.