Daily Thrifty Tips - June 1, 2007

We have a lot of requests today. Please look them over and see if you have any advice to offer. With hot weather in full swing, we have been looking for good hot weather recipes, like cold salads. Do you have any summer recipes to share?

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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First Rose of the Season

This is my first rose blossom of the season; it is a tea rose from Bellengrath Gardens in Alabama; it has such a beautiful fragrance that no perfume could "hold a candle" to it! The rosebuds are exquisite.

By WandaJo from Tennessee

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Soap Holder Purse

I made these decorative soap holder for my daughter's shower. Kind of resembles a purse.

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Rainbow Through the Lilacs

I love this picture, taken May 19th when the sun came out between the rainy times. It lasted very briefly but I am happy I caught it! My lilacs are blooming nicely now too and I am always looking to get that unusual picture!

The gardens are so lovely at this time. The peonies will be opening soon, tulips mostly gone. Bluebells still lasting but going too. We don't have very many hummingbirds this year either. Sure wonder what happened to them? We used to have about 50 and now maybe a dozen. Times and weather is changing it seems.

It was a nice winter but the cold nights after a sunny day, did kill back many large leafed shrubs, like the lavatera. I love gardening, and it's theraputic for me too with having fibromyalgia and arthritis, you forget the pain when you're out there, deadheading or finding a weed to pull, or just enjoying the way Nature can create things so beautiful! Enjoy the summer and sunny days!

Hugs,
By Betty from Cowichan Bay, BC

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I Love "Lucy" (Bearded Collie/Terrier)

Lucy is 4 and a half years old and is a Bearded Collie/Terrier mix. Lucy was rescued in Jan. 2004. She likes to run and bark. Lucy's hair grows and grows, non shed but needs to be trimmed 2 to 3 times a year. She just came home from getting her summer trim and she looks like a different dog, much smaller without all the hair. Here she is before and after. She needed my daughter's sweater, she was not used to so little hair.

By Terry from Nova Scotia, Canada

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Decorative Mirror

This craft shows you how to change a simple mirror into a decorative one. Using different paint colors and different beads, you can make a mirror to match any decor.

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Hand Sanitizer for Glass Cleaner

If I am out of glass cleaner I use hand sanitizer. Works great.

By Janette from Parkersburg, WV

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Consider The Advantages Of Bartering

Always consider the advantages of informal "bartering". I have sung for my brunch at a local bistro, and played in exchange for use of an instrument or for a set of strings. A friend helped me paint my apartment in exchange for me acting as his unpaid research assistant. You get the idea.

On the one hand, it's just an exchange of favors among friends, and as such beneath any tax radar, and on the other, a real way of using your talents and resources to the best advantage. Physicians have been doing that for years, offering special rates among themselves to other members of the profession.

By Pamphyila from Los Angeles

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Q-Tips For Cooling Hot Glue

When working with small projects and a glue gun, I usually keep a jar of water and some Q tips on my table. When I need to cool the glue down fast, I just dab the glue with the wet Q tip. It makes it cool and harden really fast. Makes the job go faster and you don't burn your fingers while it cools.

By Barbara from Rothbury, MI

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Product Review: Arm and Hammer Shower Clean

Finally! I found the best stuff to clean the shower and glass door. I was using bleach to get rid of the mildew that built up but I had to constantly work at it to keep it under control and the toxin from the bleach I knew was not good for me to breathe. Anyway, I tried Shower Clean by Arm and Hammer and it works like magic and is so easy to use and the door is streak and water spot free now; not to mention not having to put up with the smell of bleach. All you do is spray it on the walls and door after you shower and that is it; so easy that everyone in your household can do it, even the man of the house won't mind spritzing it! It's not that expensive and it is well worth the results you will see. Much nicer to step into a shower that is clean and sparkling and healthier to boot!

By Priscilla from Inverness, Florida

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Substitute for Powdered Sugar

If you are out of powdered sugar, put regular sugar in the blender and process on high until it turns powdery. Be sure to stir up the sugar on the bottom a couple of times so it all turns out to be the same consistency. Measure out the amount needed for your recipe!

By Roberta from Deltona, FL

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Wire Coathangers For Gardening

Re-use old coathangers by twisting to desired shape to hold climbing plants, like roses, in place on lattice or wire structures. Once the cane is trained, you can remove and use elsewhere. Much less painful that tying back! Also handy to hook onto high canes to pull down and position.

By Susan Mary from Tasmania Australia

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Pinata From A Paper Bag

For my three year old's birthday party, we wanted to have a pinata. There were to be about 12 children there so we knew we would need quite a few treats. We spent about $10.00 just on the treats, only to discover that the cheapest pinata was $13.00. Rather than buy one, we went to our local H.G. Hills supermarket and picked up a brown paper grocery bag with handles, for free, of course. We then took markers and drew designs on it. (Being a square bag, it was perfect for coloring yellow and adding a large face.)

Of course, you could design anything you wanted, or nothing at all for that matter. The kids only want the candy anyway. We tied the handles together and tied our "pinata" to a tree. It was the best pinata I have ever seen! The kids loved it. It had the perfect amount of strength to it. The oldest child was about 8, and we didn't even put a blindfold on her. We let her go last so she could be the one to break it, and this was after about 10 others had hit it. Several of the parents said it was what they would do from now on. Now I can buy better treats because I no longer have to buy the expensive pinata!

By Delene from Portland, Tennessee

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Coring Lettuce

To core lettuce easily and quickly in a hurry with a capital "H", simply bang the core part firmly down on counter or table surface. The core will come right out, no mess, and it's a snap!

By Aurelia Casson

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Measuring Shortening Without the Mess

When I was a little girl, I invented a little "short-cut" in cleaning up after myself when I was done baking.

As we all know, cleaning measuring cups with leftover shortening on them can be quite a pain, so I would use plastic wrap, cover the entire length of the cup, its depth, and width, and pack the required amount of shortening, making sure to fill any bubbles or holes. When I was done with the measuring cup full of shortening, I would simply throw the plastic wrap away. This tip is valuable in saving a lot of cleanup time. I hope you try it and see how easy it is!

By Lauren-Ashley

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Insulate Your Water Heater

The water heater is the second biggest energy user in your home. Help it maintain the correct water temperature by adding extra insulation around the outside of the tank.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Symptoms After Parvo/Distemper Shot

My 4 month old chihuahua just got the Parvo/Distemper shot and is now sick, do you think she has Parvo? She isn't throwing up, but she has stopped eating and has yellow diarrhea. We are on day 3 now from the shot, day 2 of diarrhea and day 2 of no eating. I'm able to keep fluids in her and I'm forcing pedialyte down her. Should I try the bleach mixture trick I'm reading about? She isn't wanting to move now and it's scaring me. She is my baby and I love her so much. She seems so tired and depressed. I have needles and saline in case I have to start injecting her. But as long as she isn't throwing up, she is absorbing. Right?

Shannon from Orland, CA

(b)Editor's Note:(/b) Please call the vet that administered the shots.

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Bank Threatening Foreclosure

My husband and I live in the state of TN. We are having some financial troubles so therefore we have gotten behind on our mortgage through Green Tree Servicing. They are threatening to foreclose. Does anyone have any suggestions on what we can do?

Thanks so much,
Sandy from Bluff City, TN

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Repairing a Fabric Steam Press

Where can I get a fabric steam press repaired?

Monica from Charleston, SC

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Conserving Water While Maintaining My Lawn

Our well is very low this year due to a lack of rain. We are trying to keep the lawn alive. We put shower water on it and so forth in addition to once in awhile using the sprinklers. Would the lawn be healthier if I fertilize it or would that simply stress it out? I know I would need to water in the fertilizer.

Hardiness Zone: 8a

Rae Ann from California

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Rodent Repellents

I am looking for a "natural" repellent for rodents.

Brad from Pagosa Springs, CO

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Silly Putty in My Dog's Hair

My Shih Tzu puppy just got my daughter's silly putty stuck in her hair and in her paws! How can I get it out safely?

Kim from Riverton, Utah

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Wedding Locations in Laurel, MD

Does anyone know of inexpensive places and ways to have weddings in or around Laurel, MD?

Melissa from Laurel, MD

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Black Mildew in My Washer

I'm not sure if I am in the right category but our washer has accumulated this funky black junk around the top. I have read so many things about cleaning it and I'm just not sure what steps I should take to make it go away or what to avoid so it does not happen again. It smells like mildew, its stinking up the place. I tried cleaning it with an SOS pad and that got rid of the gunk but not the smell and I'm confused because there are so many things I can do to get rid of the smell as I am just trying to narrow down what I should try. Can someone help me?

Nikki from Suwanee, GA

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Air Conditioner Blowing Water

Why does my window AC after a couple hours start blowing water into the house? it drains great.

Jeff from Chesapeake, Ohio

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Brown Spots on Tomato Leaves

The leaves on my recently planted tomato plants are developing brown spots on them and some of the leaves are starting to curl inward, however there is new growth since I planted them, which I find encouraging. Have I watered too much, not enough? Used too much Miracle Gro? Should I add something to the soil? Help please, they are like my babies.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Eileen from Springfield, MA

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Bat Mystery

Please help me solve a mystery that has been driving me crazy for 45 years. One very hot afternoon, my best friend Lynnette and I were walking down the street when something fell straight down from the sky and landed at our feet. Of course, we both immediately looked up and there was nothing in the sky. There were no tall trees in our neighborhood and no trees overhanging the street. All the houses were one story and set back 20 feet from the street. The thing at our feet was the size of a large grapefruit and looked exactly like an onion. It was pulsating and squeaking noises were coming out of it. Lynnette was fixing to pick it up when it burst open and out flew what we thought were two baby bats. The thing left a dark, greasy spot on the street for a long time. I have since learned bats are strictly nocturnal (unless they are rabid).

This is not a goof, this really happened. Any ideas, anybody?

Joan from Chesapeake, VA

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Preventing Tick Bites

My husband for the last 2 years has taken my boys on a "Boys Weekend" trip with a bunch of other men and their boys. Great. The problem is my youngest got a tick bite last year in his neck. His lymph nodes were swollen huge all summer, and are still swollen even after tons of antibiotics and blood drawn to rule out Lyme disease.

Well, they are going this year again, and I guess the place they are going, in the woods in upper Michigan, is totally infested with the little buggers and I am freaked out about my son getting bit again. What can I make my husband use, to protect him from getting bit again this year. Luckily, out of about 20 people my oldest did not get a tick on him, but everyone else did. Worried mom. Boys still want to go. Any help on how to not get tick bites?

Lisa from Westland

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Top Loading Washer Reviews

Anyone buy a washing machine recently that they'd like to recommend that is not a front loader?

Thanks,
Holly from Richardson, TX

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Uses for Old Knives

Does anyone know the best way to dispose of Kitchen butcher knives. I have a lot of old knives that are no longer useful.

Frances from Charleston, WV

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What bug is eating my plants?

What can I do to keep rabbits and bugs away from watermelons, cucumbers and muskmelon? And what kind of bug is eating my plants?

Hardiness Zone: 4a

Sue from MN

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What breed is my dog?

What kind of dog do I have? I don't know what breed she is or how old she is either. Could you help me?

Tracey from Detroit, Michigan

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Musty Smelling Bed

When I walk into our bedroom I am hit almost immediately with a foul musty smell. It is coming from the bed. I change the bedding on a monthly basis. How can I get rid of the smell and where is it coming from? Should I buy new pillows, etc.? Any help will be much appreciated as I am quite ashamed of people coming to our home in case they go in our room and smell it. Its definitely the bed, nowhere else.

DONNA from UNITED KINGDOM

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Sock Pattern for Knifty Knitter

I am looking for an easy adult Sock pattern made with Knifty Knitter.

Judy

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Wood Stain on Jeans

How do I get brown wood stain out of a yellow cotton shirt?

Sherry

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Cleaning Soap Scum on Shower Doors

Does anyone have a miracle cleaner for soap scum on a shower door? I have tried everything on the market. NOTHING works on it.

Thanks,
Tena from Champaign, IL

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Problems Growing Zucchini

I have had poor success with growing zucchini plants that produce zucchini. There are ants in blossoms and many stems that do not produce zucchini. Should these stems be removed after blossom falls off? What else needs to be done?

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Carol from Stockton, CA

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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.

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Fisher-Price Rainforest Infant Swings Recalled (Entrapment Hazard)

Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, NY recalls about 112,000 Rainforest Open Top Take-Along Swings.

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Saving Money on Shampoo

Here are some tips for saving money on shampoo.

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