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Rainbow Birthday Cake

I just had to share my latest masterpiece with all of you. I am so proud of myself. :) I like to create birthday cakes. This is the birthday cake I made for my niece's 2nd birthday.

By Paula from Portugal

Niece's Second Birthday Cake

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Surprises in the Garden

I don't like monotony, and I love surprises. So with each new season, I buy a variety of flower and vegetable seeds, mix them all in one bag and sprinkle them at random around my garden. With each new sprout, I get a kick out of each new sprout as I wait impatiently to see what kind and what color of flower or vegetable I'm going to nurse. And because I believe that you should welcome your family and your guests with prosperity, I make it a point to always plant herbs along the isle and insert the sprouted variety of flowers among my green herbs. And the aroma and the fusion of it all is therapy to the soul and the spirit and the heart.

By Mae from Washington, DC

Surprises in the Garden

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Hunter (German Shepherd)

Hunter is 3 years old and is a German Shepherd. I got him in August of 2003 from Hidden Springs German Shepherds out of Eugene Oregon

He likes to run, play, chase sticks, and have people make over him.

Hunter is the most unusually mellow German Shepherd we've ever known. Maybe it's because our children are grown and Hunter is now our "kid". I tell him he is truly a Golden Retriever in a German Shepherd suit. He literally loves everyone from the mailman to the gas station attendant, to the UPS man. Even the stranger walking by the house.

What a wonderful dog, and I understand this personality is a trade mark of the International Award winning sire that the breeder uses. We truly will never get another dog like him, ever.

By Carole from Portland, OR

Hunter (German Shepherd)

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Remember The Leftovers Instead Of The Drive Thru

When out running errands, it is so easy to think about going thru the drive thru at my favorite restaurant, on the way home or halfway through my errand trip. If I've finished my errands and am going home, I try to remember what's in my fridge as leftovers. This usually curbs my intent on going to the restaurant, as I always have leftovers I can have for a quick lunch. It might be a bit of tuna salad, some cold sauerkraut, a stick of mozzarella cheese and an applesauce cup, etc. It might not sound as appetizing as a fast food sandwich or my favorite hot pizza slice, but it's already paid for and ready to eat.

By Terri H. from NV

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One Jar for the Grandkids, One for Cooking

I was reading the tip of the day (6-25-2007) and read about cutting up olives in the bigger cans. My grandkids love green pimento stuffed olives in the jar. And they will eat them all up if they can. So I buy 2 jars, one is for them and in order to keep the other jar I take the olives out and cut them up into pieces or halves to use in my tuna salad or whatever else I need them for. And just put them back into the jar or a air tight container! They won't mess with the cut up olives. I enjoy reading the tips and have gotten some good info from them. :)

Pixie

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Childhood Candy And Toys For High School Reunion

I'm planning our 30th HS Reunion, and am in charge of decorating the hall. Knowing that many people will be shy and bring spouses who won't know anyone, I've come up with a decorating idea that encourages interaction and laughter.

Down the center of each table, I'll run streamers, in our school colors. Then, I'll lay out packages of candy and toys, from our childhood, the 60's and 70's. For example, boxes of candy cigarettes, pkgs. of pop rock candy, wax lips, gold mine bubble gum bags, etc. Also, small wooden yo yo's, glow in the dark peace-sign necklaces. In the center of each table, will be a centerpiece, including more nostalgia items to bring up conversation and memories.

I know this will be a hit! Just mentioning "pop rocks" has made some of us recall trying to eat them in civics class....not knowing they'd make loud noises! And in the middle of all of this, I am laying strips of laminated pictures, from our yearbook. I was going to laminate pages of the yearbook as placemats, but think that smaller strips, along with the candy and toys, will fit better.

By Kathy B. from Tampa Area

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Add Padding To Bargain Shoes

I got a beautiful pair of off-white summer boat shoes/moccasins but they are a tad too large. I could just wear them with socks, but it's summertime! So I put pads in them. Unfortunately the only pad I have on hand are the narrow girly ones and these shoes are broader, so I beefed up the padding for the time being by putting strips of that plastic foam pacing material under the foam pads. That and a generous dose of shoe powder made my new shoes just fine! Ingenuity wins again!

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Cut Soda With Sparkling Water

Drinking diet cola is one of my vices - but I can't drink it straight, because it's too acid for me - so I usually cut it but putting it on ice. Recently I was away for the weekend, and had run out of ice, so I cut the diet cola with sparkling water - which worked out great! It's an alternative when you find yourself at a fair, etc., and there is no ice for your drinks.

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Other Uses for Nail Polish

Nail polish purchased at garage sales, even if thickened a bit, can be thinned with nail polish remover and used to make those garage sale earrings you found very colorful. Nail polish can also be used to paint flower pots, etc. Just use a liner or flat brush and decorate away.

By Kathie

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Save Money on Air Conditioning

Electric bill high from air conditioning usage? I have two suggestions, one free and one not so free.

Turn the air off and clean the coils. When they are dry, it's OK to turn air back on. This is for a house unit (I don't know about single room window units).

Have freon level checked by a professional and increased if needed.

Let me tell you what happened here. The air was going on and staying on for a long time. Seemed to take a lot of compressor effort to cool down the house even a couple of degrees (we turn the air off when we leave the house so it warms up quite a bit). Although the air coming out of the registers felt cool, I felt something was wrong.

We received more freon, and I thought it was all fixed, but after a few days, that feeling came back again. Asked DH how long it had been since the coils were cleaned. OMG! What a difference! What an improvement. The air felt colder and somehow, seemed to run more efficiently. From now on, the calendar has a "clean the coils" reminder.

Obviously, it wasn't just a dirty coils situation. But cleaning them was certainly a step in the right direction. My electric bill will be lower, just 'cause the air doesn't have to run so long.

By Holly from Richardson, TX

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Advice About Praying

I haven't been a member of the ThriftyFun community long, but I know already what a caring and insightful group you are. You've always come through for me. Please help again for I am desperate. Ever since I was little I have prayed to God, Jesus, and the Angels. Why haven't any of my prayers been answered? I don't mean frivolous stuff. I prayed and prayed for my father to be healed but he died after long, miserable struggle with diabetes. Now the doctor thinks my beautiful mother has kidney cancer. She gets her results Wednesday. She's taking it well but I'm about to fall apart. On top of that, I'm probably going to be homeless soon. Why has God forsaken us? Is my family being punished for something I did? Is there a "right" way to pray -- am I doing it wrong? Is it wrong to pray for money? Without Divine Intervention I can't help my mother. God Bless you all.

Joan from Chesapeake, VA

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Moving to Roswell, New Mexico

I would like to see categories for each of the United States. I am in Missouri but looking to move to Roswell, New Mexico. My request is: What are some tips to living or life in Roswell New Mexico? Where are the best places to shop? What are some good community links to visit (non-thematic i.e. aliens or the ufo crash of 1947). Things that people do in the desert as opposed to things people do when living in the plains of the Midwest interest me!

I know there are tornadoes there as there are here because I saw pictures. What time do you get up in the morning to finish outdoor chores before it's too hot?
What time do you put dinner in the oven at night so you don't heat up the house worse than it might be? Do you have to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes and scorpions all the time or is that just in the movies?

Do you get a lot of water rationing? Or do they call it something else? Do you get "boil orders" like we have had around here after a lot of rain and it floods and the water is believed to be contaminated? I have a lot of questions and some of them I haven't thought of yet! Can you tell me about sand storms?

Any input is welcomed!

melody_yesterday from Sedalia, Missouri

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Repairing a Torn Vacuum Cleaner Hose

I've had a Kenmore 3.9hp canister vacuum for years, which is still in excellent condition, because I'm a bachelor and it doesn't get used much. But there is a growing 1-inch tear at the base of the plastic hose. The hose gets stressed especially at the base when I use the machine. What can I use to patch the rip?

Douglas Smith from California

Repairing a Torn Vacuum Cleaner Hose

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Pirate Theme Birthday Cake

I want to know how to make a cake that is easy for a pirate theme birthday party. It would be great if you could send a picture with it also.

Melanie from Idabel, Oklahoma

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Suggestions For an HDTV for a Kitchen

My very old kitchen 13 1/2 inch TV set is doing a going...going... almost gone. Thought I'd replace it with a small size HDTV. Suggestions?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Joints Cracking While Doing Yoga

I have just started trying to do yoga by watching Namaste Yoga on FitTV. One thing I notice is that my joints crack a lot. Will that subside the more I do it? It's a little annoying.

Thanks,
Joe

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Tips For Mattress Shopping

Any tips on mattress shopping? I have found it difficult to comparison shop.

Martin from Owensboro, KY

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Deodorizing Outdoor Cat Waste

Cats are using my front garden as a litter box with the result that, if I open my two windows in the family room, my house smells like a litter box. I have shoveled out the area and sprayed a cat repellent, but the smell is really persistent. Any ideas how to neutralize the smell of cat waste on dirt? Thanks.

Kathrine from Gaithersburg

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Removing Moss From Rock

How do I remove moss from rock?

Hardiness Zone: 11

B. Wong from Victoria, BC

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Removing Nail Polish Off a Car

My car was vandalized yesterday. Some broke into the car next to mine, found a purse and decided to pour nail polish all over my car. I want to try and use nail polish removal but I am concerned about damaging the finish. Do I have any options? My car is only 2 months old and there is a ton of the nail polish on the doors and hood.

Michael

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Recipes Using Black Raspberries

Does anybody have any good dessert recipes using black raspberries? I have a bumper crop of them this year.

Elaine from Enola, PA

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Flowers to Match My Wedding Colors

I'm having a fall outdoor wedding. Ivory and Wine are the main colors. (My dress is Ivory, Bridesmaids: Wine) We will be having two accent colors both Mothers of B and G will be in Navy and Purple. Should I go darker shade flowers to match or lighter shade? We will be using artificial flowers. Should I stick to colors that match exactly or can I mix it up with like mauve, etc? if so, what colors?

Nella from MN

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Welbilt Bread Machine Instructions

I need the instructions for a WELBILT Bread Machine ABM-100-3.

suedawg from New Bloomfield, MO

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Wedding Reception in a Church's Gym

I need ideas on how to transform a church gym to an elegant yet inexpensive wedding reception.

Heather from Murray, KY

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Sealing Grout

I have a tile bath/shower room. Are you supposed to seal the grout with something periodically to prevent water seepage? If so, what do you use? Please give me generic terms as well as brands, as I live in Japan.

Thanks,
Cantate from Tokyo, Japan

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Remove Hard Water Deposits From Faucets

Stubborn hard-water stain on my chrome faucets. Any ideas? I tried a rag soaked heavily in white vinegar for hours, no effect at all. Won't even scrape off with a plastic knife. How can I do the fizz idea given for showerheads with this faucet base? Thanks!

Kim from Moses Lake WA

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Stinky Towels

I have a problem with my water, I think. I wash a load of towels or dishrags, and they don't smell very good coming out of the dryer. Then when they get wet, they stink. I have tried everything I can think of - bleach, hot water, etc. - my clothes don't smell, it's only the towels, washcloths, and dishrags. I was raised on really fresh smelling towels, and I can't stand this! Our house is in the country and we have a septic tank, but we have city water, not well.

Robin M from Cincinnati, OH

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Removing Hairspray Build Up on Walls

Anybody have any suggestions on getting hairspray residue off the walls in the bathroom.

Richelle from Orem, Utah

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What's The Difference Between Baking Soda And Washing Soda?

I notice people placing postings for homemade cleaners and laundry detergent, could you please tell me what is "washing soda"?

Cheri

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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

Garage Sale Tips And Tricks

After taking my grandmother around to hundreds of garage sales when I was a teen, I began having sales when I was married. Here are some of my tips:

Garage Sale Tips And Tricks

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Daily Thrifty Tips - June 27, 2007

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