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Hello,
This week's TF News contains Holiday Family Traditions sent in by our readers. You can view it here:
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If plan on having Poinsettias this year, be sure to check out Ellen Brown's Selecting and Caring for Poinsettias article. You can find a link to it the More Reading section.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's Photos
Warming Up Bumpis (Bloodhound)
This is Bumpis. He is just a year old. Bump is a Bloodhound that has the personality of a human. He HATES being cold. We love him tons.
By Tracey from Michigan
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Bobble Head Costume
By Stella Rivet
This was my Halloween costume this year. One of my best friends and I create a children's TV show together and thought it would be great to make bobble heads of our TV personalities that we would later use on our show. You can see what we actually look like (as super heroes) at http://www.supersquadtv.com.
I used yoga balls as a mold for the paper mache heads. Once I put many layers of paper mache I then painted on the base skin color with spray paint and did the rest with poster paint. Then I sprayed it with a varnish to keep the paint from bleeding. For my hair, I used two small brooms that made my pig tails. For his hair, I made many yarn tassels and taped them in place.
I did not have quite enough time to put enough layers of paper mache on so it would be sturdy on its own so I had to keep the ball inside (instead of deflating it and making eye holes through the mouth). I added a ring of card board around the the bottom which created a longer neck and cut a rectangle hole into the cardboard to use as an eye hole.
On our first night out wearing these we went to a Halloween skating party where we won a prize for our outrageous costumes. The next night we went out trick or treating and got many compliments, such as "Those are the best costumes I have seen tonight." They were well worth the work and will come in handy in our kids show.
I encourage anyone who has the time to make a bobble head for their costume next year, it was a lot of fun and it is always nice to see someone who worked hard on their costume.
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Festive Envelopes
By Christine Webber
Why let the card have all the glory? Using stamps and embossing powder to create elegant winter images, this craft makes the envelope enchanting too!
Materials and Equipment:
Instructions:
1. Before you start, clear the table and cover it with newspaper or a large garbage bag to avoid getting ink on the table.
2. Place one of the plain envelopes and your collection of stamps in front of you. Design (in your mind) an attractive pattern in which to stamp the envelope. (I have snowflake stamps and like to stamp them randomly on the front of the envelope.) Be sure to leave a place to write the address!
3. Stamp the images (following your pattern) on the envelope using the gold or silver ink.
4. Quickly, before the ink dries, pour embossing powder over the images one at a time. Shake the envelope over the standard-size paper. The powder that is not stuck to the image should fall from the envelope onto the paper. If there is still some stuck to the envelope, tap the envelope gently to remove it. Only the images should now be covered in powder.
5. Set the heat of your blow dryer or heating element to low/medium. If you are using a blow dryer, blow warm air over the embossing powder until it is melted. If the powder is not melting, turn up the heat on your blow dryer. If using a heating element, wait until it has heated up. Then hold the envelope above it, stamped side up, and continue to hold it until the embossing powder has melted onto the image. When it has completely melted (the powder will no longer look granular, but will look smooth), remove the envelope from the heat. Be careful not to scorch the envelope. Do not let small children do this craft if you are using a heating element!
6. Repeat steps two through five for each envelope. You can reuse the leftover embossing powder each time. Make as many envelopes as you want this way.
7. Turn the heat off on your heating element!
8. Address your cards and send them off to lucky family and friends!
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Removing White Flies from Hibiscus
To wipe out White Flies on Hibiscus use 1 gal warm water that has 1 cup sour milk and 1 Tbsp. flour added and mixed. Spray on the liquid on both sides of leaves. (I used an old fashion hand held fly sprayer for this.)
By Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA
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My neighbor grows sunflower seeds. I took this picture of my daughter Mackenzie while they were in bloom. Mac is 9.
By Tracey from Michigan
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Wedding plans take a lot of time, dedication, patience and commitment. Sort of like marriage. In the end it is all worth it. The memories will be permanently embedded in your minds.
Finding your soul mate gives you all the security you will ever need in life. To spend your life with your best friend is the best gift of all.
(These lovely pictures were taken by a family member)
By Mrs. Anna Rodriguez
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Today's Tips
To peel a tomato very easy, using the back of your knife, rub it all over with a gentle pressure like you would if you were actually cutting the skin off. Then when you cut into the skin you can just pull it off.
By Eletha
Put tomatoes in a bowl or pan and then pour boiling water over them. Then wait 4 to 5 minutes and the tomatoes should peel easily.
By ThriftyFun
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When putting foods up after a meal or after preparing, be sure to label in plain view what's in the dish, the date prepared, whether you're putting in the refrigerator or the freezer. By doing so, in the refrigerator, you'll be able to see the labels upon opening the door to look in at what all you have available to eat immediately.
These days everyone's in a hurry. So if the kids or hubby are searching for something to eat, it's right there in plain sight. Also, it'll help about when it's time to clean out the refrigerator. By labeling your frozen food when you first put it in the freezer, any labels or marking pens will write on the bags or boxes. Usually after a bag or package is frozen, you're not going to get a sticker to stick on a cold bag. If you don't, label the food item, chances are later, after it's frozen, you're not going to know what it is, as it changes shapes and colors sometimes after it's frozen and you'll not know what the food item is until you defrost it.
By Terri from NV
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The Spirit of Giving - Donating Gifts
If you stockpile toys and small gifts throughout the year for birthday parties or other gift-giving occasions, go through your stash and donate what you can to a charity. Not only toys are needed, but many organizations such as women's and homeless shelters, and nursing homes, would welcome gifts for their residents. THAT is the spirit of Christmas!
By Linda from Vista, CA
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Use an old golf bag as a tote to help lug your garden tools out to your garden.
By ThriftyFun
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I do a lot of sewing and quilting. I realized one day that my long barbecue tongs wasn't getting used for cooking, so I brought it into my sewing room, attached a glue on magnet strip to one side and it is perfect for picking up scraps, retrieving things that slip behind my sewing machine cabinet, grabbing something that is out of my reach, and the magnet helps to pick up pins, etc. I don't know how I ever lived without it!!
By Marlene from Larimore, ND
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Use your calendar as a diary. When things come to mind that you are proud of about your family, jot it on the calendar. There's also extra space on the bottom of most calendars to write notes. Then in November, go over your calendar, and create a wonderful newsletter to send to family with everyones' accomplishments in it.
By Ardis Barnes
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For an inexpensive Rope Toy for my Lab Retrievers I went to the Hardware Store and bought heavy rope and tied three knots in it. This cost under a dollar for a 4 foot piece of rope.
By Tori from CA
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You can often recover wilten lettuce by soaking it in ice cold water with a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar. Place it in the fridge for about an hour and it should be much more crisp.
By ThriftyFun
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Car Buying Tip 5 - Write Down Everything
Write down everything you lean about the car, from the internet, magazines, and especially from the salesman. Why? Doing this keeps everybody honest, and literally "on the same page" - YOUR page! Your salesman will see that you are writing down everything he says, and he will be less inclined to lie, or to try to change information on you later on. This tip is all about staying in control.
By Robin Segal
http://www.thecarbuyersbible.com
Previons Tip: The Dealer's Math
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Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your rice as it starts to boil. It will help prevent it from sticking together.
By ThriftyFun
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Cute Peanut Butter Snowman Treats
This is so simple but so good. My family expects it every year. Spread peanut butter between two buttery round crackers (I use Ritz) and dip into melted white chocolate or white candy coating. Place on wax paper until set. I put several peanut butter and crackers together first, then start dipping. When finished you can decorate the top to look like a snowman face, using icing for the eyes, nose and mouth. Even better, before the white chocolate starts to set, place chocolate chips for eyes, mini chocolate chips for mouth and a piece of candy corn or M&M for the nose. They are almost too cute to eat!
By Melanie
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Contest ends December 31, 2005
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
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New Requests
How Do You Shorten Men's Shirt Sleeves?
How can you shorten men's long sleeve shirts to short sleeves? After cutting off the sleeves my hems end up not being big enough around so they leave little pleats at the seam line. I often take out a small length of the underarm seam where I turn up the hem but that doesn't work to well. I have received about 25 long sleeve shirts and want to shorten the sleeves. Big savings.
Seamtress from Illinois
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Does anyone remember throwing those cool "tinsel balls" on the Christmas tree as part of its decoration? I used to love those and you can't get those anymore. I was wondering if anyone knew how to make them because I'd love to have them again. They're just round balls, and the tinsel sticks out all over them - I guess they look like koosh balls but made with tinsel. They are kind of hard to explain but if anyone knows what I'm talking about and how to make them, I'd love to know.
Thanks in advance!
Stacey from Orem, UT
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Making Rice in a Stainless Steel Rice Ball
Does anyone know the recipe for making rice in the stainless steel rice maker ball? I bought one from a catalog and promptly lost the recipe.
Izocute from Cincinnati, Ohio
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House Breaking A Pitbull Puppy
I have a pitbull puppy I've only had her for a lil over a week. I have newspapers layed down close to wear she sleeps. She has no problem with going pee pee on the paper but every once in a while if she's too far away from it she'll go somewhere else.
When it comes to pooping sometimes she'll go on the paper and most of the time she'll go poop under one of my tables in the living room. I don't hit her or anything, I just put her infront of her poo or pee and tell her bad girl. If she does it on the papers I go and pet her and tell her good girl a couple of times.
Does anybody on here have any suggestions to help me potty train my pitbull puppy. If so, please help me....
Steff
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I was wondering if anyone knows of an additive, bought or around the house/shop, that I can put into paint to make it so that after I have painted it can hold magnets to the surface?
Thanks so much,
KIT from Alberta, Canada
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My Girl Scout troop is going to be in the christmas parade on saturday and the theme is old christmas. I really need some quick ideas.
Ryan from Forest, WV
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Washing Transmission Going Bad In Stacked Washer/Dryer Unit
I just had a repair man come out to my house and he said that my washing machine "transmission" is going out. He said not to do anything yet as it is an "expensive" item. The problem is this is a "stack" unit and I was just wondering in order to prepare for the worst, should I consider replacing the transmission and keeping the unit (It is 8 years old) or should I look into getting a new set all together?
I guess I could also consider buying a used washer and setting it next to the "stack unit until the dryer goes out! But that would sure take up a lot of room. Hmmm, then I could use the "old" washer tub to hold dirty clothes... Anyway I would appreciate your collective help!
TIA
Cookiepom from Wwensboro, KY
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Tips for Using a Candle Warmer
Can you give me some tips about using a candle warmer. Can you use the same candle a few times? What candles are best to use? Do they have to be expensive candles in order to have a long lasting scent? Also, have you ever used a tart burner?
Thanks,
P.J. from Delaware
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We rescued a dog yesterday from being put down. The dog is a pure breed german shepard 5 mo female. She was trained to be a K9 dog, but the trainer gave her up because she was not aggressive enough. The dog is very skiddish of everyone. She has only let my husband and son pet her. But as of today, she will not let anyone pet her.
We purchased her a dog house and bed late last night because she would not come inside. It is freezing outside. She has not used the house or the bed yet. She is however eating. Not a great deal but enough. She is not drinking well though. We were hoping to take her to the vet Saturday. But I do not think we'll make it. She will not come near us. I think the trainer must have been really cruel to her or she doesn't trust anyone. Please help!
Belk Family from Charlotte, NC
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More Reading:
Easy Does It Christmas Food
By Monica Resinger
Since both my husband and I have family to see at Christmas time, we spend time with his family at our house on Christmas Eve and my family at their house on Christmas day. Since my mom always makes a big beautiful dinner and we have so much going on at the time, I usually make a snack buffet table for the Christmas Eve celebration at our house.
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Selecting and Caring for Poinsettias
By Ellen Brown
Since the 1920's, the poinsettia has become synonymous with the holiday season. Here are a few tips for selecting and caring for this year's poinsettia, as well as some advice for getting it to bloom again next year.
Read More: Click Here
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