Daily Thrifty Tips - May 9, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 92, May 9, 2008 (Read It Online) Don't forget about Mother's Day on Sunday! Everyone at ThriftyFun would like to wish all Mother's a very Happy Mother's Day. Have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Share a Tip (You could win $25!) Share a Photo (You could win $25!) Have a Question? Submit a request... Link to ThriftyFun.com View Active Topics! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Photos: Craft Project: Paper Flower Wreath Craft: Dollar Bill Rose Sam_I_Am (Polydactyl Cat) Pretty Primroses Make Your Own Garden Paths Craft Project: Recycled Flower Pot with Coffee Filter Flowers Craft Project: Butterfly Note Cards Today's Tips: A Mother's Day Card for Kids To Make By Forever Stamps Before The Rates Go Up Toothbrush for an Eyebrow Groomer Customizing Your Luggage Missing Socks Poem Zoysia Grass Is Not Good For Gardens Buy Garden Seeds On Ebay Sugar Scrub For Mother's Day Microwave CD's For A Crackle Effect Rice Warming Plllow For Earaches And Relaxation Joke of the Day New Requests: Avocado Trees Are Flowering Computer Screen Not Refreshing Looking For Recipes Using Nopales Removing Ballpoint Pen From Old Paper Party Favor Ideas For Museum Anniversary Party Removing Burnt Mark On Bottom Of Pan Bread Machine Stopped Working Cleaning Vinyl Flooring Getting A Skunk Out Of A Shed Making An Outside Cat "Run" Kid's Knees Always Look Dirty Cleaning A Pizza Stone Looking For Quiche Recipes Removing Mildew Smell From items After Traveling Color Bled on White Clothing Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Working Starting a Bent N Dent Grocery Store Help Choosing Perennials Keeping Flies Out Of Dog's Food Bypassing Safety Switches On Riding Lawnmower Towels That Recommend "Avoid Contact With Skin Treatment Products" Cat Is Dragging Laundry Around House Problems With Finish On Hardwood Floors Baby Shower Diaper-Shaped Nut Cups Making A Purse Out Of A Dog Food Bag Using Home Grown Herbs KFC Blueberry Cake Recipe Keeping Grass Stains Off Wedding Dress Riding Lawnmower Won't Stay Running How Does Salt Effect Plants? More Reading: Consumer Conplaint: Villa Nuria Apart Hotel, San Pedro Sula, Honduras The Best Houseplants for Low Light Starting Cactus From Seeds Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Today's Photos: Craft Project: Paper Flower Wreath Make beautiful flower wreath from decorative papers. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13932317.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft: Dollar Bill Rose A single rose is an elegant gift, no matter what the occasion. I have been making these since the early '70s. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67951187.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sam_I_Am (Polydactyl Cat) Sam_I_Am is 4 years old. He is a short haired polydactyl, which means he has more toes than normal. My late husband got Sam for me when I was going through a medication change in 2004. He was the last kitten in the pet store and my hubby felt sorry for him and I was going through withdrawal on epilepsy medication so they could change me to another one, it was like withdrawing from heavy drugs. So, Sam became my best pal. Sam loves to torment Maggie, my 17 yr old mixed breed dog. He loves to lay on the floor upside down and call me to acknowledge him. He pet me on the face also. He weights 25 pounds, sleeps on my shoulder at night, loves to ride in the car and owns me as any good cat should. By Artena from Tahsis, B.C. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf69958203.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Pretty Primroses The first flowers of spring here, pretty primroses. It's been a cold wet spring and the flowers are just starting to bloom By Mythi from Silverdale WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97477886.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Make Your Own Garden Paths After my home site was cleared, I was left with a large area in the back which was filled with mud after every rain. Before I installed zoysia sod, I decided to make paths leading to several areas I plan to landscape with shrubs, flowers, and vegetables. The paths would be rather long (150 feet) and it would be very expensive to finish them with cement. I installed landscape edging making the paths about 4 feet wide. I then purchased 5 yards of crush and run ($181.00) and had it delivered. I made a tamper with a flat piece of wood and a pole. I completed 4 foot areas at a time by placing the crush and run, sprinkling it well with water, and tamping it down. The finished path looks like it was poured with concrete - only it was done at a fraction of the cost of cement. Anyone can do this - I'm a 62 year old lady and I did it myself! By Miss Daisy from Waverly Hall, GA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43473676.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft Project: Recycled Flower Pot with Coffee Filter Flowers This bright, pretty flower pot is easy enough for kids to make and perfect for holding coffee filter flowers. Or, you could plant a real flower in the pot by adding some potting soil and some seeds. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22220686.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Craft Project: Butterfly Note Cards Shaped note cards are fun and easy to create. They are great for gift-giving. View This Craft: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15848666.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Tips: A Mother's Day Card for Kids To Make Supplies One full piece of construction paper (color coordinate with the handkerchief) Crayolas, Markers, etc. A pretty handkerchief tape Instructions Bend one piece of construction paper in half. On one half draw in pencil a large triangle. Cut along the penciled lines to cut the triangle out. Draw a body around the triangle (head, arms, legs) Fold the card in half and on the side under the triangle tape the handkerchief so that it shows through the triangle. Looks like mom in a skirt. Kids can also put a poem or write their own message inside and mom gets a handkerchief. By PeggyLee from Cecil, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63820452.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print By Forever Stamps Before The Rates Go Up Must act now. Buy US Postage "Forever" stamps before 5/12/08 when postal rates go up. The "Forever" stamps are good "forever" even when rates go above 41 cents. Even though next Monday's rate hike is only 1 cent, these "forever" stamps will be good no mater how high the rates go. Just an FYI! Source: Self saving By Linda from Saratoga AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56479691.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Toothbrush for an Eyebrow Groomer Beauty Tip: Don't get rid of your old toothbrush. It makes a great eyebrow groomer! By Marie from N. Massapequa, N.Y. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82869409.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Customizing Your Luggage I have plain, black luggage, which looks like many others. To identify mine, I took acrylic craft paint, and using a stencil, painted a flower. On the larger pieces, I used the end of a dowel to put pink polka dots on them. They were easily spotted, even at a distance! By Marlene from Pittsburgh, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30026537.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Missing Socks Poem When my 4 children were young I wrote the following poem that I hope you will enjoy. I sent it to a family magazine and it was rejected (sob), but maybe it will put a smile on your face. :) I have finally solved the problem that has puzzled us mothers for years why so few of our kids socks emerge from the dryer and the others disappear The detergent is the culprit! While it cleans many a pair once it gets MY kids dirt out- There's nothing left but air! Signed, Carol Young who married at 17 became a mother at 18 and lives (and laughs) to tell about it Source: me By Carol from Landisville, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf41782060.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Zoysia Grass Is Not Good For Gardens Don't plant Zoysia grass in your yard unless you have no flowers, patios or places you do not want it to go. It is hard to stop wants it takes root. It is growing between my bricks in my sidewalk, in my patio everywhere. It is only good for fields where sports are played. By Gary from NJ Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18940658.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Buy Garden Seeds On Ebay This year for my garden I decided to save some money buying seeds. What I did was go to E-bay, find a seller that had a large supply of seeds, and who offered free shipping on every order after the first is placed. I then searched for my seeds of choice, paid using pay pal, and now I just have to wait for my order to arrive. Oh what fun. The best part of all is I have found seeds that I could not find in the stores here. I am so anxious to start my garden this year. My theme will be daisies. I have found about 8 different types of daisies ranging in sizes. They also make wonderful cut flowers too. By Karyn from Ottawa, Canada Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99864266.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sugar Scrub For Mother's Day For Mother's Day, I am making my Mom and Mother in law a homemade sugar scrub as part of their gifts. They are easy to make, economical, and much healthier than store bought scrubs. Here is the recipe: Ingredients 2/3 cup Turbinado sugar 1/2 cup grape seed oil 2-4 Tbsp. honey 12 drops essential oils of choice (I used lemon) Directions Mix ingredients and place in a clean, air tight, glass container. To use: Rub desired amount in gentle, circular motions on areas you wish to exfoliate, avoiding the face. Rinse and repeat if necessary. You can easily customize this recipe by using different sugars, oils, and essential oils. You can also use salt in place of the sugar. By Tracey from Hibbing, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf93181281.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Microwave CD's For A Crackle Effect If you like a nice effect with a CD for card making or any thing, I put the CD in the microwave (old Microwave) shiny site up, close the door turn it on and off within a second, that give you a nice crackle on the shiny part of the CD, the longer you have the microwave on the nicer it becomes, I use that for Christmas cards. I hope you have Fun By Sara from Australia Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72121696.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Rice Warming Plllow For Earaches And Relaxation If you have children with frequent earaches, here is a great tip: Get a clean sock and fill with 1/2 cup or so of regular white rice. Make a knot just above the rice leaving a bit of "wiggle room". Just put in the microwave for about 30 - 40 seconds at med-high, testing periodically for comfort. Your child can hold this on their ear or even sleep on it for a soothing treatment until oral meds take effect. I even sew 2 x's for eyes and a smile at the top and call it their ear buddy. Of course this works for adults too! Just use a larger sock fill and sew closed and you have a soothing pack for lower back pain, cramps, headaches, etc. I like to add a couple of drops of lavender oil to mine. Believe it or not these rice packs make the most soothing moist (natural) heat you will find and can be used over and over again! I have made some with fleece sewn into a rectangle and pretty fabrics to give as gifts. People love 'em! By Carol from Lancaster, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31535952.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Dear Webby's Joke of the Day Scorcher Murphy was selling his house and put the matter in an agent's hands. The agent wrote up a sales blurb for the house that made wonderful reading. After Murphy read it, he turned to the agent and asked, "Have I got all ye say there?" The agent said, "Certainly ye have. Why d'ye ask?" Replied Murphy, "Cancel the sale! 'Tis too good to part with." Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor New Requests: Avocado Trees Are Flowering My 2 Avocado trees are over 7-8 feet tall and look like they now have tiny yellow flowers and are pollinating. They are next to each other in our back yard and look great. They are 6 or 7 yrs old. Will they start to have fruit soon? How should I treat them? Any info you can give me will be helpful. Thank you. Hardiness Zone: 10a Astrid from Oakland, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60147582.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Computer Screen Not Refreshing For several months now I have been having a particular problem with my computer. The best way I know how to describe it is that my screens are not automatically refreshing. In other words, when I go to sites like eBay, Yahoo email, etc., the old screen from the day before is still there (even though I've logged off and back on - or even shutdown and restarted). If I manually refresh, sometimes it will bring up the current/correct page and sometimes not. I may have to refresh a couple of times to get the page current. We have Windows XP and have tried deleting temporary files, history/cache, cookies, etc., but nothing seems to help. This is driving me CRAZY! I'm not very knowledgeable about this type of thing and would greatly appreciate any help you can give (even if it's referring me elsewhere for more help)! Many thanks in advance! Leah Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68574907.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking For Recipes Using Nopales Any Nopales recipes that you would like to share? Nopales are a form of cactus whose outer skin and needles have been removed. High fiber. Very healthy. Supposed to be helpful for lowering glucose or the impact of a high carb meal. I've noticed that my sugar drops a bit more than usual when I've been studying hard and had scrambled eggs with Nopales strips for breakfast. However, this is not an 'instead of' diabetes medication food product. Holly from Richardson, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11733997.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Ballpoint Pen From Old Paper I have a piece of old paper, that was written on 10 years ago with a blue ballpoint pen. How can I remove this ink from the paper without removing the original quality of paper? Basically this old paper is my birth form and some Information already mentioned on it is printed. Thank you. Ajay Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72450859.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Party Favor Ideas For Museum Anniversary Party I am having a second anniversary party for a small museum I work with. Only partners and employees are invited, and I would like to give them a unique but non-expensive party favor. Our museum is train-themed. I'd like our party favor to go along with that, or a summer theme. Any suggestions? Grace from Aiken, SC Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf85581535.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Burnt Mark On Bottom Of Pan I left boiling water in a stainless steel saucepan on the stove and it burnt the bottom of the pan. We have weird tap water in Houston, TX so I could use any ideas. I tried apple cider vinegar, dishwasher soap, and Dawn. Any ideas are welcome! Thanks. Smoochie from Houston, TX Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21096533.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Bread Machine Stopped Working I have a bread machine (ABM-100-3SN 37128644). I set the machine on French bread, pushed start, it starts kneading, then stops in 10 min. then nothing. Timing Set is not on. I have tried timing but still no results. Please help. I need bread today, but my machine did not come with instructions. I have all ingredients in. What buttons do I need to push to make bread? Thanks. Mike Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79586830.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning Vinyl Flooring I just moved into an old house and the kitchen floor is white speckled vinyl. It is old and very dirty. What is the strongest and best cleaning fluid? It would also be nice if I didn't have to rinse it. dieseljayne from Plymouth Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf47294266.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Getting A Skunk Out Of A Shed Skunk has dug a hole underneath my garden shed and does not want to come out. Is there a way to get it out? Ron from Newmarket, Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf87177820.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making An Outside Cat "Run" I have two indoor cats that like to go outside in nice weather. When we let them out to roam in the fenced backyard, my husband and I supervise them. We have some large gaps in places and last time we were out, one cat jumped the fence. They haven't been out since. So, I'd like to build some sort of "kitty run" for them. I was thinking of making an enclosure out of chicken wire with the wire going over the top so they can't jump out. Has anyone done anything like that? Can anyone think of different materials to use? Thanks! Kathy from South Dakota Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf63696472.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Kid's Knees Always Look Dirty How do you get kid's knees to lighten up. No matter how hard you scrub, they still look dirty. Tina from CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67204977.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cleaning A Pizza Stone Can anyone tell me how to clean a pizza stone? There is baked on food that I can't get off. Thanks for any suggestions. Andrea from New York Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf70747383.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Looking For Quiche Recipes Wondering if anyone has a favorite quiche recipe they would like to share. I am thinking that this would be a good way to make ends meet, now that gas and everything else is so expensive. Thanks for anyone who can help! Ann from So. Maine Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf86477469.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Removing Mildew Smell From items After Traveling I just returned from Jamaica and all of my clothes, suitcases, shoes, purse, etc all smell like must/mildew. I have washed, Febrezed, and sunned. Please help with any recommendations. Sandy from Lenox, MA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55293724.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Color Bled on White Clothing My nephew is staying with us for the week. I washed his red towel with our clothes and it bled into the white parts of our colored clothes. I was wondering how I could get the pink out of the white parts without ruining the color on the rest of the clothing! Any info would be great. Thanks everyone. Angela from Brooks, AB Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf678944.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Working I have a Whirlpool Conquest side by side frig. The ice maker just quit on me. The water still dispenses from the door. What should I try doing? Paul Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf77688633.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Starting a Bent N Dent Grocery Store Looking for information on Bent and Dent stores. I have a location and want to start one. Thank you. Clark Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf563433.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Help Choosing Perennials I have a raised, bricked flower bed running a partial length of our house. It is 15' long and 1.5' wide and sits in partial to full shade. It faces the street, so I'd like to plant something eye-catching, that might provide continuous color. I'm okay with planting a few annuals to add to the look, but would really like some suggestions for perennials to anchor this area. Thanks so much for your help! Hardiness Zone: 4b KMHL from Sutton, NE Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73769929.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Keeping Flies Out Of Dog's Food My brother's dog has flies all over his dry dog food. He has to feed him outside, due to him being an outside dog. He is a Great Dane and way too big for the house. Does anyone know of any tips to keep flies away that will not harm the dog or the food that he will eat? Thanks for any suggestions. Tammy from Fort Mccoy, FL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14769448.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Bypassing Safety Switches On Riding Lawnmower How do you bypass the 3 safety switches on a riding lawnmower? jimmynjax from Orange Park, FL Editor's Note: We wouldn't recommend bypassing safety switches because they are there so you don't hurt yourself. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49846793.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Towels That Recommend "Avoid Contact With Skin Treatment Products" I purchased Martha Stewart low twist towels and much to my dismay the care label states AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN TREATMENT PRODUCTS. I have never seen this before and I don't know what products they are referring to? Needless to say the towels were returned to Macy's immediately. What is that all about? Has this happened to anyone else? Marion Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45322479.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cat Is Dragging Laundry Around House One of my cats started doing something strange this past year. Jesse is a 4yr old neutered male. He brings dirty laundry downstairs. I know he's trying to tell me something, but I can't figure out what it is. He'll grab a sock usually, but sometimes he'll bring underwear, t-shirts, pajama pants, and once he brought a blanket! While he's carrying it in his mouth he meows; but it's not a normal meow, it's more of a moan or a howl. Then he drops the laundry at the bottom of the stairs and goes about his regular business. It's truly disturbing. He does it when all of his basic needs are met (clean litter, food, etc.) I thought maybe he was bringing us 'gifts', but he doesn't bring them anywhere near us, he just drops it at the bottom of the stairs. He has never been, and has no desire to go outside, so it's not that either. He seems to do it most after supper, but sometimes he'll do it in the middle of the night, but bringing the laundry from the bottom of the stairs back up and waking me up with that crazy howl. If anyone has any ideas about what my cat is trying to tell me, please let me know. Linda from Spokane WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68082753.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Problems With Finish On Hardwood Floors Help! I am extremely frustrated with my hardwood floor. We have the Armstrong Sugar Creek Solid Plank in cherry, so it is quite dark. I have two problems. First, we had been using the Orange Glo on it, so we have the same problem many others have had, a hazy, milky residue that we can't get off. I've read so many conflicting things (Windex, Quick Shine, wax stripper) I don't what to do to get this residue off. My second problem, in an attempt to get rid of the residue we hired someone who did a "floor renewal". He did only one room so we could see what his service actually provided. He apparently used a product to get the residue off, buffed the floor and then applied a layer of very shiny polyurethane. It looked fine at first, but now I have noticed that the layer has peeled in a couple places and after sweeping this morning I could see the broom marks all over the room! This has never happened before! These marks are obviously in the coat he put on and not in the wood. Besides, I think the coating is too shiny anyways. Any suggestions? I am just beside myself! Now I have two problems instead of just one! Ploon Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75354406.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Baby Shower Diaper-Shaped Nut Cups Many years ago, I attended a baby shower with my mother and the nut cups were little baby diapers made out of a sugar confection! Does anyone else remember those and how they are made? Thanks! Sanza from Hardtner, KS Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13589234.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Making A Purse Out Of A Dog Food Bag How do you make a purse out of a dog food bag? Tammy from Crescent Springs, KY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58554503.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Using Home Grown Herbs I received a Chia herb garden kit as a gift and am growing parsley, basil, cilantro, and dill on my windowsill. The plants are doing well but I am wondering how big they have to get before I can start harvesting the herbs for cooking. I was also wondering if I can use my basic miracle grow houseplant food for the herbs or if I have to buy something special since the herbs will be used for cooking. Thanks for the help! Tracey from Hibbing, MN Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67869475.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print KFC Blueberry Cake Recipe Years ago, my Mother had a recipe that she got from Kentucky Fried Chicken that was for a Blueberry Cake. It was amazingly like a giant blueberry muffin with a crispy top. She never frosted it, just a light dusting of powdered sugar. I'd love to have that recipe again. I know that she got the recipe back in the 60's. Sarah from Berrien Springs, MI Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42905188.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Keeping Grass Stains Off Wedding Dress How do I keep grass stains off my wedding dress at our outdoor wedding? Terry from Ontario Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26533614.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Riding Lawnmower Won't Stay Running I have a John Deere STX38 that won't stay running. It sat all winter long, and when I go to start it, some times it will turn over. Other times I will turn the key, and nothing happens. Also when I did have it running, it wanted to die right away. The longest we had it running was 2 minutes tops. While that was happening, it would make this "POP" noise from engine. So it goes "vroom, vroom, POP, vroom vroom, POP". I need help please! Brittany from Iowa Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf30516059.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print How Does Salt Effect Plants? How does salt affect plants? And why? A long explanation would be very helpful. Do you know any websites concerning this problem? Thank you for your help! Johanna from Sweden Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf97447543.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml More Reading: Consumer Conplaint: Villa Nuria Apart Hotel, San Pedro Sula, Honduras When I saw Villa Nuria on the internet, It looked nice. I read the good reviews and ignored the bad ones. Wrong thing to do! - The bad reviews were right so I am filing this complaint so others can be Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf58068591.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print The Best Houseplants for Low Light By Ellen Brown If you find that you have a brown thumb when it comes to growing houseplants, existing light conditions may be the biggest factor standing in the way of you and success. Selecting plants to grow indoors is similar to selecting plants to grow outdoors. But instead of selecting the right plant for the right site, you need to choose your houseplants based on your available light. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99696553.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Starting Cactus From Seeds Question: I have recently purchased some seeds for cactus. I have seen them growing here in KS, so I know it's possible. My question is, how to start cactus? How about soil, or should I just use rock to plant them in? I love cactus, but this is my first attempt to grow some. Any help would be great! Thanks. Read More: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44217759.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Interactive Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users. Seed Swap! Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users.