Daily Thrifty Tips - June 8, 2007

There are some new recalls in the More Reading section. We also have a ton of requests today. Please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer.

Have a great weekend.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Large Clematis

I just wanted to share this photo of the clematis that is growing in my yard, they are the size of small plates! They are so pretty this year. Enjoy

By Tracy from Mi

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Katie At The KOA

Katie at the KOA Cabin In Leavenworth, getting ready for bed.

By Sherry from Silverdale WA

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Slate That Looks Painted

Materials:

• 1 piece of slate any size or shape you want
• rub on transfers
• modge podge sealer

Instructions:

If you are like me, I haven't learned how to paint but love the look. Take a slate and go to craft store and find the rub on transfers that you like, I love bears thus my selection. Just follow instructions on transfers which consists of rubbing over transfer with popsicle stick. When you have added all that you would like on slate, just seal with modge podge to protect the rub-ons and make a shiny coat. This can also be done on wood although I would recommend you put a coat of paint on the wood before the rub-on transfer.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Tweeti the Cat

Tweeti is about 6 years old. She won't tell me her breed.

We had had a longtime feline put out of pain and misery and my husband was against getting another and having to grieve for it. Our granddaughter, when about 18, came bringing this cat, who 'allegedly' gave her owner allergies, complete with carrier, toys and 'dining set.' He couldn't refuse her!

Tweetie loves to investigate any box or bag; 'help' put together (or take apart) a jig saw puzzle or find, steal and unroll balls of yarn!

Though she was not a kitten when she arrived here, we trained her and she knows several tricks. She loves visitors and often perches on a stranger's knee. If you say 'Time for bed' she will wait on the stairs for my husband to go to retire. In fact, if he doesn't, she'll try to herd him upstairs!

By Janet from Conway, NH

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What's this Flower

I deadhead flowers and collect the seeds from various plants when I'm out looking at gardens around the area, then throw them out in the garden. This may be one from one of my excursions or may have been brought in by the birds. It grew last year and is bigger this year than last so it may be a perennial but because I live in a temperate climate, some annuals grow like perennials.

The leaves look "maple like" but with three major sections. The flowers stand up from the leaves. Because there is other foliage around them, it might be hard to tell but hopefully someone can identify this for me.

Susan from ThriftyFun

Flower Close-up


Leaf Close-up

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The Easter Bunny and My Veggies

I wrote in awhile back regarding rabbits eating my veggies. I received a number of responses and I actually purchased a friendly trap so that I could catch and release it in the surrounding countryside. I gave up trying to save my garden after catching sight of the culprit though. (He doesn't eat that much.) At first we thought it was a neighbor's pet, because it didn't seem to be too afraid of us. It would come close then hop away if we moved. It nibbled its way around the perimeter of the yard along the fence but I never saw it eating anything other than the stray weed.

The following day I shot the second photo from our front yard. I haven't seen him since. He comes and goes at will. I explained on my blog that he's the original Easter Bunny and the youngsters in my extended family were delighted to finally see the elusive fellow actually exists. Now, if I could just capture the real Tooth Fairy too, I'll be legendary.

I really do enjoy The Happy Garden Newsletter. Keep up the great work!

Regards,

Jean

Rabbit Taken In Our Back Yard

Taken the following day in the front yard

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Keep Body Sprays In Fridge

For a nice pick-me-up for upcoming summer weather, put your spray on body mists or sprays in the refrigerator to keep them cold! When you spritz yourself, it's a nice treat to have tingling cold and pretty smelling mist rather then room temperature!

By melody_yesterday from Sedalia, MO

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Extra Detergent For Stuck On Foods

I made lasagna and was wondering how that glass pan would ever come clean. My first reaction was to throw it out. Then common sense took over and it was put into the dishwasher with a mental promise to scrub the dickens out of it until the glass was transparent and good as new. As I reached for the dishwasher detergent tabs, I saw the boxed powdered stuff and figured I'd use up the tiny last little bit. Oh my gosh, that glass pan came out totally clean! Will have to make a practice of adding some extra powder to the dishwasher from now on with the casseroles that contained the really messy, burnt on, tomato sauced entrees.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Stretch Expensive Lotions

There's a lot of buzz about anti-aging products - and I see that most of them are $20 a jar. I had some alpha hydroxy lotion I had picked up that actually was too strong for my sensitive skin - but as the jars were running low on skin creme, I thought to mix the alpha-hydroxy with some less expensive skin creme - and use it on my neck/decolletage. There's a slight difference - but my skin doesn't seem the worse for it - and I can save the more expensive stuff for my face!

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Candlelight Night

Once a month, pick a night and call it "Candlelight Night". No electric anything. Saves money and great way to communicate with your family.

By Carol from Massachusetts

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Tackle Box For Travel Organizer

This is a travel organizer tip for in your suitcase. Go to the fishing department at (say) Wal-Mart. They have small sized tackle boxes, plastic with sections (on both sides). There is a strap on it to carry it with. I hope I am explaining this well. Anyway, I use one of these in my overnight bag to hold my earrings, rings and other jewelry. Also, if I'm only going away for a short time, I can put my vitamins in it, no large bottle to pack. I try to travel as light as possible when I can.

By Crafty Chrissy from Oshkosh, WI

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Turn Off Unused Lights

Turn off lights in rooms when you are not using them. It saves lots of energy and money!

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Recipe For A Happy Home!

One-Half cup of friendship
Add a cup of thoughtfulness.
Cream together with a pinch of tenderness.
Very lightly beat in a bowl of loyalty.
A cup of faith, one of hope and one of charity.
Be sure to add a spoonful of each,
Of gaiety that sings, and
Add the ability to laugh at little things,
Moisten with sudden tears of heartfelt sympathy.
Bake in good natured pan and serve repeatedly!

By IMAQT1962 from ILLINOIS

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Pupsicles For Dogs

I do this a lot in the summer time its for the k9's in the family. I'll put some kibbles and bits in a ice cube tray then fill with chicken broth and cover with saran wrap stick some rawhide sticks in the middle and let freeze. YOUR DOGGIES WILL love it on them hot summer days! :) enjoy

By Janice Huff

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Shoe Covers in the Garden

Plastic food storage bags make great shoe covers when you're working in the muddy garden. Slip 2 bags over each shoe and secure them with rubber bands around your ankles. Instead of dealing with muddy boots, just discard the bags when you're done outside.

By Joesgirl

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Recipes Without Corn

I just found out I have a corn allergy. Do you have an allergy site or corn-free recipes? I couldn't find on the site.

Thanks,
Kathy from Owings, MD

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Do Shih Tzu dogs shed?

Do Shih Tzu dogs shed?

Rebecca from Louisville

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Parts for Fixing an Outdoor Sofa

I need springs and supports for an old outside sofa swing for the seat part. Does anyone know were I can get parts?

Elizabeth from Newton, NJ

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Rock Salt vs. Salt

I would like to know if "rock salt" will work in the homemade weed killer recipes that call for salt. Or is table salt the best choice?

Thanks for your time!
Becky from Reno, NV

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Flowers to Match My Wedding Colors

What color and type of flowers should I choose to go with wedding colors turquoise, raspberry and ivory?

Theressa from Seattle, WA

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Birds Eating My Marigolds

Every year I plant marigolds around my vegetable garden. This year the birds have eaten the flowers off the plants just before they fully bloom. We have a fairly dry spring this year. The years before they have consumed only a few flowers, not all of them. I don't get it. Does someone have an answer please?

Len from Baltimore, MD

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French Apple Pie

Does anyone have a recipe for French Apple Pie? This is a two crust pie with a dense filling of apples and raisins. The top has a white icing. Not a soft, thick cake type icing -- it is thin and sort of brittle. This used to be a very popular pie but now you can't find it anywhere, not even on the recipes sites. It seems to be a thing of the past. Thanks to anyone who can help. By the way, this is not the same as Dutch Apple Pie.

Joan from Chesapeake, VA

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Small Leaves on a Crepe Myrtle

I have a problem with a well established Crepe Myrtle. The leaves have come out small and turn golden and bronze like in the fall. The leaves are also much smaller than they should be. The tree is 18 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Others on the property planted at the same time are doing great. This started last year. The tree has never been trimmed, I want it completely natural in shape.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Rick from Whittier, CA

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Uses for Old Phone Books

Any ideas for using old yellow pages? I know we could recycle them. We probably have 10 of them. I work in an adult daycare center. We are always looking for crafty ideas that stretch our budget.

Marian from Westminster, MD

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Uses for Cat Litter Buckets

Does anybody have any ideas on what to do with the 35 lb. buckets cat litter comes in besides the obvious storage containers. I have given a lot away but hate to throw them out.

Thanks,
Audrie12 from PA

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Primer Stains on Clothing

I let my friend borrow a sweatshirt that I had bought in R.I, she was painting with primer and was worried about getting it on her clothes, the man she was with told her that the primer would come out and she didn't need to worry. Unfortunately, the primer did not come out, and I am stuck with white splotches all over my red hoodie. It's been dry for about 2 weeks. Will anything take it out?

Taylor from Vermont

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Uses for Glass Pot Cover

I am looking for ideas of what can be done with a glass pot cover. it is about 9" in diameter and has a plastic round handle in its center. Long ago I had to get rid of the pot (the Teflon was all scratched). But the lid is perfectly good. It does not fit any other pots.

Thanks,
Brigitte from Israel

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Heartburn Remedies

My poor husband has to deal with heartburn on a daily basis. Do any of you know of any natural treatments that can help? Thanks in advance!

Joy from Utah

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Renovating Our Senior Lounge

My class is in the process of renovating our senior lounge but part of the part is taken over by mini lockers. There is no hope of taking them out and it's an eye sore. I was wondering if there was any way of either using them in a creative way or covering them.

My class is not too handy with wood so covering them with a wood box would not work. Also we are trying to stay in the rang of light colors, such as pale green, yellow, and blue. There will be about 90 people in there and we need all the space we can get. Thank you!

Julia from Baltimore, MD

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How long does it take to make ice cream in an electric ice cream maker?

How long does it take to make ice cream in an electric ice cream maker?

Wendy-Lou from Williams Lake, British Columbia

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Dirt Stain on White Pants

I am trying to remove a dirt smudge off of white pants.

Thanks,
Dee from Phila, PA

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McCormick's Monterey and Santa Fe Seasonings Recipes

Does anyone have a homemade mix recipe for both of the McCormick's Monterey and Santa Fe Seasonings? Thanks.

Mike from PA

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Using Wall Glaze on Wallpaper

I previously posted a request, for applying glazing over wallpaper, to give the paper a vintage appearance. The answers weren't what I was looking for because I still want the pattern of the wallpaper to show through the glaze. I want to "antique" the paper. The paper is in a bathroom and is vinyl.

Sharon from Southern, Illinois

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Pet Odors on Carpet

How do you get pet urine smell out of carpet? I have a pet pad on the carpet but it seems to smell still.

Desirre from Duluth, MN

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45th Birthday Ideas

My fiancee is turning 45 soon and I want to do something funny for his birthday. Maybe a good birthday joke. I am thinking about buying a cake and decorate it like a grave with black and gray icing with little small square graves on top and with a Rest In Peace sign in the middle. But I just found out he does not like cake. Do you have any funny ideas?

Onesummer

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Single Lot of 55lb Bags of Ol'Roy Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food Voluntarily Recalled in Select Stores by Doane Pet Care

Doane Pet Care is announcing today a voluntary recall on a specific single lot of 55 pound bonus bags of Ol' Roy Complete Nutrition dry dog food. This product was produced at one facility in Manassas, VA and was distributed exclusively by some Wal-Mart Stores. Please note that no other Ol' Roy products are affected, and that this recall is not related to the Menu Foods recall (and other recent recalls) of pet food due to tainted Chinese vegetable proteins.

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First Birthday Party Hats Recalled by Creative Expressions (Choking Hazard)

Creative Expressions, of Indianapolis, Ind. has recalled about 43,100 Children's Party Hats due to choking hazard.

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Thermador Ceramic Cooktops Recalled by BSH Home Appliances Corp. (Fire Hazard)

BSH Home Appliances Corp. of Huntington Beach, Calif. has recalled about 2,000 Thermador Brand Ceramic Cooktops due to fire hazard.

Model Number CIT302DS/01

Model Number CIT362DS/01

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Simplicity Recalls Cribs (Fall, Entrapment and Choking Hazards)

Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. has recalled about 40,000 Nursery-in-a-Box Cribs due to Fall, Entrapment and Choking Hazards.

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