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Hello,
Congratulations to Robin who Harry Potter Book Drawing. Just a reminder, this was a bonus drawing, all entries will be eligible for the ongoing contest.
We will announce the winners of the Contest that ended on July 15th on next Friday. That is when we will have published all the photo contest entries that were submitted in the last contest.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photos
My husband climbed up in one of our backyard trees to hang some windchimes for me and discovered these precious baby doves. Aren't all of Gods babies beautiful!
Leanne
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Instead of Rice, Throw Flower Petals
Instead of Rice, Throw Flower Petals
This tip is from my daughter's recent wedding. She wanted something for everyone to throw that would be different than the usual. We looked into several things and found that assorted flower petals from Flowerama were cheap and beautiful. Not only did they look great as they were thrown into the air, but they filled the air with the most wonderful scent! These flower petals are the "rejects" from the flower shops but they are more than adequate for this. They were cheaper than rice bags, bird seed bags, bubbles, and bells.
By Robin
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When bulbs are finished blooming, you must keep the leaves in the ground until they turn brown, or else the bulbs will rot in the ground and you won't have any next year. So, instead of having a sloppy looking area where my bulbs were, I braided the leaves and turned them under to form large "O"s. It makes the area look nice and clean. Then, when they all turn brown, as in these pictures, they are ready to cut off. Happy Gardening!
Dee K.
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Heat Therapy Pillow
By Kim Davis
Wouldn't it feel nice and soothing to have a warm pillow on the back of your neck after a hard day at work? Or how about some heat therapy on that knee you messed up a few years ago that flares up every now and then? You can make yourself a pillow that will comfort those sore aching spots with heat. It cuddles that sore spot better than a heating pad.
Materials:
Directions:
First measure and cut one piece of fleece material 11 x 16 inches. Cut the chord into two equal lengths. Press up a seam allowance 1/4 from the edges on the 11 inch sides. (Figure 1) Fold the material in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch the long side 5/8 inch from the edge. You have now made a tube with two open ends. Turn the material right side out. Insert the ends of one of the pieces of chord into one end of the tube to form a handle. (Figure 2) Pin in place. Stitch close to the edge of the end of the tube. Now stitch again 1/4 inch from the first seam. Remove the pins. Fill the tube from the other end with the rice. Insert the other piece of chord into the second end. Pin in place and stitch closed as you did the first end with two seams.
Now, on to the heat part. Place the pillow in the microwave and heat for twenty seconds. If that doesn't feel warm enough for you try a few more seconds. Now place the pillow on your aching spot. Doesn't that feel good? You can hold it in place with the handles or tie the handles together with another chord. The rice holds the heat and surrounds the area unlike a heating pad that just touches the top surfaces. You can even safely go to bed with this. By the time the rice cools you'll be fast asleep and don't have to worry about turning off the heating pad.
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UPDATE: Lord of the Rings Lampshade Ideas
Originally Posted in May
I'm making a lamp for my daughter's 16th birthday in September. She's really into Lord of the Rings, especially Legolas. I'm using a Legolas figure on a wooden base with the lamp post coming up under Legolas's coat. My problem is how should I decorate the lampshade? A regular white lampshade would look plain, but I'm devoid of any creative ideas. Anyone have some suggestions?
Cheryl from Missouri
Update:
Here is a photo of a lamp I made for my daughter's 16th birthday this coming September. She loves Legolas from Lord of the Rings. I used a "Ken as Legolas" doll attached by velcro, wrapped the base in burlap, added "One Ring To Rule Them All" quote on both sides and back of the lampshade, and added the entire poem to the front. Using the quote on the lampshade was an idea submitted by a Thriftyfun subscriber when I asked for ideas. Thanks for all the responses.
Cheryl
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Today's Tips
Tips for reusing old t-shirts. Post your ideas.
T-Shirts for Cleaning Rags
In lieu of old diapers, as everyone uses Pampers now, cut up old stained or torn T Shirts for cleaning rags. Free, they do a great job and no lint. They can be tossed when doing a really messy job. Bonus - Short sleeves cut away from body of shirt fit perfect on base of those "Swifter" type mops!
By Sandy
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Tips and recipes for repelling mosquitos. Post your ideas.
Spray Your Foundation With Vinegar
Spray or pour white vinegar around your foundation for pests.
By Sandi G (s222)
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Start a Coupon Train With Friends
Join a coupon train! Get ten friends together and send off the coupons you don't use. The next person takes what they use and adds in the ones they don't.
By Tiffany Mcintyre
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Watering Your Plants When You Are On Vacation
Tips for watering you plants when you travel. Post your ideas!
Watering potted plants while you are away: Fill a one to two liter bottle with water; insert upside down into soil. As soil dries out it will absorb the water. Depending on the size of your pot and type of plant, one liter will last one to two weeks.
By J.Sorensen
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Keep a bottle opener on your keychain. You never know when you will need it.
By Susan Smoaks
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Don't waste all the green tomatoes left over at the end of the growing season. Wash and slice the tomatoes. Pour out some yellow cornmeal in a shallow dish. Coat the tomatoes well. Stack the slices in baggies and freeze. Next time you want Fried Green Tomatoes, just place them in your buttered pan and fry! Salt, pepper or seasonings can be added at this time.
By Mairmie
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Strategies to help people save money. Post your ideas.
Saving Money at Lunch Time
I am a terrible saver. Just the other day, at the drive through, I realized just how much lunch was costing me each day. So I made a plan - I will go to the bank each Monday and get 5 $5 bills and put them in a special envelope. Then I go to the grocery store and buy some healthy food (deli turkey, fruit etc.) I take this to work and for each day that I don't eat fast-food I reward myself with $5 (which is a good estimate of what it was costing me to eat out.) I take one of the $5 bills out of the envelope and take it home and put in my "piggy bank."
If there are days that I have to buy lunch, any change left from one of the 5's goes into my piggy bank. Imagine - this small savings adds up - as much as $1300 a year and I'm not missing it. I am also eating healthy at the same time! It's a lot of fun to watch the money add up!
By Robin McDonald
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Reviews of soap for dishwashers. Which one works best for you? Post your ideas.
Wal-mart vOut of all the dishwasher products, Wal-mart's is the best. I heard this on the Seattle news. They did a study on it. Not only is it a better product, but it's the cheapest.
By Ardis Barnes
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Get More Juice From Lemons (And Other Citrus Fruit)
To get more juice out of a lemon, microwave it for 10 or 12 seconds and then roll it on the countertop.
By Anna
To get more juice out of a lemon or lime, drop it into a bowl of warm water for a few minutes before squeezing.
By J.Sorensen
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Below are some uses for old toothbrushes. What are your ideas?
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Grooming Gift for a Young Lady
Lots of young girls are really backwards at the age where they are getting old enough to want to use makeup and experiment with styling their own hair. The summer that I noticed my daughter had begun to show interest in grooming, I was working in a local drugstore and part-time at a bakery. Many days I'd come home and she had done chores around the house which was a BIG help to me.
She was quite bashful and wasn't one to ask for things. One day I bought her a small supply of makeup and hair supplies with cologne. In the bag I added a little card thanking her for her help and letting her know that since she was becoming my LITTLE LADY I wanted her to have them for all she'd done to make my days easier. Going through some old cards I found it the other day and thought I'd pass this along to other Moms with Daughters "coming of age". She's 19 now. My how the years fly!
By Sharon,Ky
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Before painting, clean walls with white vinegar and let dry before painting. Inexpensive and easy. Also put your paint brushes in white vinegar and rinse well and dry before using.
By Sandi G (s222)
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A couple had been debating buying a vehicle for weeks. He wanted a truck. She wanted a fast little sports-like car so she could zip through traffic around town.
He would probably have settled on any beat up old truck, but everything she seemed to like was way out of their price range.
"Look!" she said. "I want something that goes from 0 to 200 in just a few seconds. Nothing else will do. My birthday is coming up so surprise me!"
He did just that. For her birthday, he bought her a brand new bathroom scale.
Nobody has seen or heard from him since.
By Terri
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Who Should Brew the Coffee Joke
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."
The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."
Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says...
"HEBREWS"
By Terri
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Pest Control the Frugal, Natural Way
By Cyndi Roberts
Whether in the garden, yard or in the house, all of us have, at one time or another, had to deal with pests.
Here are some ways to get rid of insects and other pests without spending a lot on expensive products.
1. For garden pests, make a mixture of 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup of cooking oil. Mix about 3 tablespoons of this concentrate with a quart of water in a pump bottle and spray on plants.
Another recipe for insect control: soak citrus rind (lemon, orange, grapefruit) in water for a few days. Pour the water into a pump bottle and spray on plants.
2. Sprinkle cayenne pepper around plants to keep cats away.
3. Cucumber peel on a kitchen shelf will deter ants. You can also try washing or spraying your cabinets with vinegar and water.
4. Basil is a natural insect repellent. Keep a pot in your kitchen. Take a few leaves along with you on a picnic and put them out on the table to keep the flies away.
5. Bay leaves in your pantry will keep pests away. A bay leaf in a container of flour, cornmeal, or cereal will keep weevils out.
6. Plant peppermint around your house. It will keep ants out and it repels mice also.
7. Also cinnamon sprinkled around your foundation is said to keep ants out.
8. Weeds are not really pests, but they can be really pesky! Hot water will kill most unwanted plants --just boil some water and pour it over the plant you want to kill. Some weeds may require more than one dousing!
9. Mint teabags can be used in your clothing drawers or in your closet to repel moths.
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New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 16 $25 prizes in a variety of categories.
Tip Contest!
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Photo Contest!
To enter, visit: http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Contest ends August 31, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
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New Requests
I have almost a gallon of sour milk. What can I do with it other than throw it away? Can I make something with it?
Thank you,
Sandy
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I was recently at a home decor store and found a beautiful standing wine rack (dark brown wicker with iron sides) for a great deal. I just had to get it for the price and would like to give it as a wedding gift, but I feel it needs something to go with it. Any suggestions? I thought maybe a wine opener and bottle of wine, but it doesn't sound too creative to me.
Texasteacher
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I have a swollen knee post surgery. It's been 10 months. I had shots in knee to reduce swelling, but they are not helping.
Any suggestions?
Holly
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I HAVE A PROBLEM AND NEED HELP! I have this HUGE scrapbook I've nearly finished compiling and there is too much content for the scrapbook it's in. I wondered if anyone knew where or IF I can find a cover which can be adjusted to fit as many pages as you want to use. I don't want to separate it into different books. I'd appreciate any suggestions.
By Sharon,Ky
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Trying to Locate Lipstick Lies (Bearded Iris)
I have been trying for a number of years to find a Bearded Iris called Lipstick Lies. Do you know where I could get it? I believe it came from Australia.
Thanks,
Great Granny Vi
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My son will be turning 3 in September and I'd like to do a Bob the Builder themed party. If anyone out there has any suggestions on party games or whatever else using these characters, I'd love to hear them. I'm doing a Construction cake using crushed Oreos as 'dirt' and clean Bob the Builder characters. I saw it on this month's issue of KraftFoods.com.
Thanks!
Ricki
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Our church is having a Heritage Day Celebration and I need to make cheap, fast bonnets. I have the one from Ginger but was hoping there would be an easier one which uses less material. I know, I live in a dream world.
Thanks.
Cindy
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When starting my car, the ignition switch slightly sticks when returning to it's normal position. I'm tempted to give it a shot of WD-40 or tuner cleaner. But, I don't want to cause any electrical problems. Any advice would be welcome.
Bob in Ventura, CA
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I have an above ground pool that has a terrible brownish ring/stain just above the water line. I've tried scrubbing it and using pool recommended cleaners, which haven't worked. Does anyone have other suggestions to get it clean? Also, what causes this stain?
Gina
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Oil and Grease on Kitchen Cabinets
I have some kitchen cabinets that have oil and grease built up on them. My house is a rental, so it has been abused in the past. How can I remove this old grease/oil frugally?
Thanks,
Kristy from Arkansas
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Removing Ball Point Pen Ink from Wood Furniture
What will remove ball point pen ink from wood furniture? Will peanut butter or a Magic Eraser work? Serf
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I am looking for a leather purse pattern.
Heather
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I have just started making placemats out of tye dye material (purely african) and they look so beautiful. The problem is that I lack market for them. Any ideas?
Ann from Uganda - East Africa
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How to Start a Walking Program
By Michael Brooks
Did you know that walking is the number one participation sport in the world? Walking is one of the best things you can do for overall health and wellness. When you walk you use more muscles than any other sport. In fact, walking uses almost all of the 650 muscles and 203 bones found in the human body. So what are you waiting for?
There is not much involved in starting a walking program. You can start immediately and you don't need a coach to teach you how to walk. The equipment required to start is minimal and relatively inexpensive.
Important Equipment
The most important piece of equipment you will need is a good pair of walking or running shoe. Most shoe stores and sporting goods stores should be able to supply you with a good selection. You can also check out some of the online stores, you will find some good sources at DrLeonards.com or FootSmart.com. You may also want to think about getting yourself a pedometer. Pedometers are handy little gadgets that can measure your distance and time and help you keep track of your progress.
Why am I walking?
Now that you have your equipment and are ready to go, it might be nice to know why you are starting a walking program. The health benefits of walking are many and include the following:
How should I start?
Since walking uses almost all 650 of your muscles it is a very good idea to warm up before you begin a walk. This will loosen up your body and help to avoid injury.
How long should I walk?
You should build up to walking for about one hour. Your current fitness level will determine the length and time of your first walk. Some people will only be able to walk around the block, others will able to walk the full hour. Do what you feel comfortable with and build from that point. Keep a log to measure your progress. As you become fitter, increase the pace and distance.
Personally, I like to measure my walks in distance. A pedometer will be of great assistance. Measuring your walk in distance helps to compensate for days when you might walk a little slower or faster. After your first few walks try to achieve a brisk pace where you may be puffing a little but you can still talk. Remember, there is not much difference in the amount of energy (calories) expended by walking or running a specified distance.
After you have finished your walk don't forget to cool down. Try to spend about 5 minutes walking slowly. This will allow your heart, lungs and blood flow to return to normal gradually. This decreases strain on your heart and can help to prevent muscle strain and soreness.
JUST DO IT!!!
Hey, you've seen the commercials. Now you just have to commit yourself to walking on a regular schedule. Make it part of your routine just like brushing your teeth. It's easy to do and doesn't require special training or equipment. Just do it!
Copyright 2005 Michael Brooks
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Quick and easy Lasagna recipes. Post your ideas.
Laziest Lasagna
Quick and easy Lasagna recipe.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Brown ground beef and add the spaghetti sauce, stir in cottage cheese and half of the mozzarella. Fill cottage cheese tub with water and add it to the mixture. Fold in noodles, pour into casseroles. Bake uncovered at 375F for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Yield 8 servings.
By Jacqui
Easy Lasagna
Ingredients
Directions
Brown meat and drain. Stir in tomato juice, onion, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lightly grease 9x13 inch pan. Layer 1/2 of uncooked noodles, sauce and cheese. Repeat layering. Top with parsley, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Let stand 20 minutes before cutting.
By Robin
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Ground Turkey Recipes
By Rachel Paxton
Our family has recently made the switch from ground beef to ground turkey. With ground beef more than $2 a pound, we had basically quit eating hamburger for quite some time. On a recent trip to the grocery store I noticed that ground turkey was HALF the price of ground beef, about $1 a pound. I decided to give it a try, and our family loved the ground turkey. Honestly, you can't even tell the difference in taste, and it is very low fat. There is almost no fat to remove from your pan. Here are some recipes our family adapted to our tastes:
Turkey Chili
In a large soup pan, cook onion, pepper, celery, and turkey in oil until turkey is cooked through. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes, beans, and oregano, and stir well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn and simmer for 10 more minutes. Serves 6.
Turkey Lasagna
In a large skillet, cook onion, garlic, and turkey in oil until turkey is cooked through. Add tomatoes with liquid, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook lasagna noodles according to directions on package.
Lightly grease 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Spoon 1/3 sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with 4 lasagna noodles. Spoon cottage or Ricotta cheese over noodles. Sprinkle 2 cups mozzarella cheese on top of cottage cheese. Spoon 1/3 sauce over cheese, top with remaining noodles, and then spoon remaining sauce over noodles. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Serves 8.
Turkey Burgers
Combine turkey, bread crumbs, and onion in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, stir together remaining ingredients. Using hands, work sauce into turkey mixture. Form into 6 patties and fry or grill. Serves 6.
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By (Guest Post)
07/22/2005
I have a solution to the problem of the pillow sliding down on a flexible bed (hospital bed) when the head of the bed is raised. I have invented the Pillowhold. It attaches to the pillow and bottom mattress or on a hospital bed, the mattress support. We also have a cure for sheets not staying on the mattress. We use E-Z Clips for easy attachment. You can view and order both of these items at http://www.pillowhold.com
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