Daily Thrifty Tips November 21, 2004

Hello,

It's been pretty busy at ThriftyFun. As of today we now have over 6,000 tips, articles and requests. That means that we have added over 4,000 pages of information this year. It's been a lot of work but it's also been the most fun we have had managing the site in the last 7 years.

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Today's newsletter contains:

Today's Tips:

• Consider a Pet Rescue
• Remove Labels From Cans and Jars
• White Out Removal
• Marinades
• Dips For Kid's Lunches
• Reusing Leftover Soap Pieces
• Hillbilly Cake
• Oatmeal Cookies
• How To Repair Cracks On Wall Plaster
• Spicy Beef Empanadas
• Perfume Or Cologne Fades Away When Applied To Skin?
• Shop Preview Sale Before Thanksgiving
• Disposable Spoon Rests
• Restoring An Old Hat Box
• Easy Roasted Stuffed Peppers/Chilis
• Keeping your Palm Pilot and Nintendo DS like new!
• 5 Vinegar Cleaning Tips
• Insoles for Knitted Slipper
• M&M Tubes
• Using it all? Toothpaste/Shampoo
• Winter Tip - Create a Warm Aroma In Your Home
• Choking Hazards For Babies
• Molasses Kris Kringles
• Red Velvet Cake
• Road Tar On Auto?
• Chocolate Revel Bars
• Covering a Loveseat With a Sheet

New Requests:

• Ideas for My Sad Pine Tree
• Caring For and Training a Blind Cat
• Eco-Egg Mini Washing Machine Advice and Reviews
• Paint Color is Too Dark
• Restoring An Old Hat Box
• Uses for Mini Reese's Pieces Containers
• Lip Gloss in Hair
• Cleaning Stains from Marble Table Top
• Thanksgiving Turkey Craft With Gloves
• Decorating Doors To Brighten Up a Hallway
• Can you rescue the ivy?
• Whole Wheat Rolls
• Making a Christmas Tree Skirt

More Reading:

• Rookie Moves When Baking Your First Turkey
• Re-Using Old Picture Frames

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Today's Tips

Consider a Pet Rescue

When considering pet adoption, consider your local animal shelter or a rescue association of some kind. The animals there are truly in need of a home and the adoption rates are much more reasonable than they are to buy through a breeder or pet store. Also, the adoption fee usually covers the spay/neuter fee, shots, and worming.

By Robin

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Remove Labels From Cans and Jars

Remove the labels from tuna cans and sauce jars. Manufacturers sometimes print coupons or recipes under the label. Schools collect Campbell labels for fundraisers, too.

Also, if you plan to reuse the jar and wash it in the dishwasher, the soggy label could clog your dishwasher drain. A problem easily avoided.

By Cheryl from Missouri

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White Out Removal

1. Sponge with Acetone (unless fabric contains acetate)

2. Tamp with a spoon

3. Flush with rubbing alcohol

Correction Fluid, White Out - Always read and follow the care instructions on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.

This is a real tough one, and may be permanent. It can penetrate into the fabric and when it dries coats the fibers in a harden "plaster." Unless there are instructions on the product label, you can try specific stain removal products available at the grocery or drug store, such as Carbona's Stain Devils or take the stain to your dry cleaner and tell them to treat it as a paint stain.

By ElectricChameleon

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Marinades

Meat marinades provide a great opportunity to clean out small amounts of dressings and sauces. Cocktail sauce is mainly catsup and horseradish and can be tossed in with bits of catsup or salsa, the last of a jar of mustard, some Italian dressing. I have even added cranberry sauce and whirled it in the processor to use when baking chicken.

By Lynn

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Dips For Kid's Lunches

I am always looking for ideas for my kids lunches since they don't like to eat at school. When I go to various restaurants (ie, McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys to name a few) to eat we usually have leftover "ranch" of any dipping containers. I take them home and use them to put in my kids lunches for dipping carrots and other veggies. They love it!

By Reneé

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Reusing Leftover Soap Pieces

To reuse bits of leftover soap, buy a container of glycerin soap from a craft store such as Michael's (they are the cheapest I've found). I get the kind that can be melted in the microwave. Find a soap form such as a small oblong plastic container and spray it with pam or whatever the glycerin manufacturer suggests. Pour in a thin layer of melted glycerin soap, then put the leftover bits of bar soap in another layer, add more melted soap. Alternate layers ending with melted soap until the bar is as big as you want. This kind of soap lasts forever because the soap bits are usually quite dry and don't melt during use.

By Lynn

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Hillbilly Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. oil
• 2 t. soda
• 2 t. salt
• 2 eggs 2 c. sifted flour
• 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple

Mix together and pour into a 9x13 pan. Bake 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Topping:

• 2/3 c. Carnation milk
• 1 stick margarine
• 1 c. sugar

Boil 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in:

• 1 c. chopped nuts
• 1 c. coconut

Pour over cake when cooled.

By Robin

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Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 c. shortening or margarine
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1 c. white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t. vanilla

Mix these ingredients and beat until smooth and fluffy.

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1 t. soda
• 1 t. salt
• 2 c. quick oatmeal

Mix thoroughly and add to beaten ingredients. Shape the dough in to a long roll. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate. When well chilled, cut into thin slices. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Place dough in refrigerator during baking, while waiting.

By Robin

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How To Repair Cracks On Wall Plaster

Take some baking soda, mix it with Elmer's white glue. Fill crack and let dry. It can then be painted.

By Gladys Hill

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Spicy Beef Empanadas

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef 1 small onion, finely chopped. 3 large cloves garlic, minced 1/2 t. crushed red pepper pods 1 t. olive oil 1/4 c. tomato sauce 3 T. chopped raisins 2 T. toasted chopped almonds 3/4 t. ground cumin 1 pkg. (15oz) refrigerated pie crust

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef in large frying pan, just until no longer pink, breaking up large pieces; pour off drippings. Remove beef from frying pan and reserve. Cook and stir onion, garlic and red pepper in oil in same frying pan over medium heat 2 or 3 minutes. Remove frying pan from heat; stir in reserves ground beef, tomato sauce, raisins, almonds and cumin. Roll out pastry, on sheet at a time, on a lightly floured surface to about 1/16 inch thickness. Cut into 3 inch circles. Place about 1 rounded teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle. Fold in half; press edges together with tines of fork. Repeat procedure with remaining pastry and meat mixture. Place empanadas about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes or until golden brown. 50-60 appetizers By Robin

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Perfume Or Cologne Fades Away When Applied To Skin?

Take a SMALL cotton ball, as you don't want to overwhelm, and saturate with your favorite perfume or cologne. Attach it to a safety pin, and pin it to you bra strap.

By Gladys Hill

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Shop Preview Sale Before Thanksgiving

Most department stores prepare for the big Day After Thanksgiving sale by setting up the sale a few days early. You can often get exactly the same savings if you shop on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and you don't have to battle nearly the same crowds.

fletcher

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Disposable Spoon Rests

My family goes through a lot of sliced cheese. I kept throwing away those little clear plastic wrappers from the slices and wondering what else could be done with them. I finally found something they're good for - they make excellent disposable spoon rests!

By Glynda Lomax

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Restoring An Old Hat Box

I have an old hat box. It appears to be made from cardboard. The top has been pushed down and is now detached for about half of the lid. I'd like to be able to restore it without losing any of the original feel/look of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

rkrtjbl

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Easy Roasted Stuffed Peppers/Chilis

You need 6-8 Poblano Chilis. Roast them over an open flame or in a broiler until outer skin is charred on both sides. Place in a bag for 10 min. to let skins loosen, peel off under running water. Run Knife down side and remove seeds inside.

Stuff the chilis with a mixture of:

• 1 lb. of any Cooked Meat (chicken, pork, beef)
• 1 Cup cooked Rice
• 1/4 c. Raisins
• 1/2 tsp. each Cumin, Coriander and Oregano
• Salt & Pepper to taste

They can be Refrigerated at this point.

To heat, microwave until hot. Delicious Garnished with Fresh Cream & Ground Nuts (Pistachio, Walnut, or Pecans). Serve with Beans and Tortillas on the side.

It takes about 30 minutes to make these.

By Chronicbear42

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Keeping your Palm Pilot and Nintendo DS like new!

To keep your touch screens on your Palm Pilot and Nintendo DS new and clean, use a Q-tip or cotton swab instead of the stylus! Not only is it gentler on the touch screens, but it will also clean up any oils and dust that may have already accumulated!

By Fahpoo of Kansas City

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5 Vinegar Cleaning Tips

1. Clean your dentures with Heinz white vinegar by soaking them overnight and rinsing in the morning.

2. You can make your own furniture cleaner by mixing 1 part vinegar to 3 parts lemon oil.

3. Paint brushes can be cleaned by simmering in vinegar and washed with hot soapy water.

4. Brighten your wash by adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

5. To clean your microwave, boil 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water. Leave in microwave till food is softened enough to just wipe out.

By sewingmamma

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Insoles for Knitted Slipper

One of the girls at work made knitted slippers for me. I decided to put inner soles in them, the kind you put in your shoes and they feel a lot better. They offer much more support. When I need to wash them, I just take the inner soles out of them. This would be good for the little ones too.

By Rose Lewis, Flemington, NJ

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M&M Tubes

The tubes that M&M Minis come in are the perfect size for holding quarters. They hold a little more than a roll ($10). I like to keep one in my purse for pop and snacks when we're traveling.

By Camilla

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Using it all? Toothpaste/Shampoo

Do you have any tips on how to use all of a product or get the most out of a product like toothpaste or shampoo? Post your ideas below or send them to daily@thriftyfun.com

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Winter Tip - Create a Warm Aroma In Your Home

As the cold weather season is here, and we turn on our furnace and heaters, it becomes obvious that it is not just the season that has changed. Our skin dries out, electric static is in our clothes and hair, our throats get scratchy and our noses, when they are not running, are usually dried and burning.

It is during this time of year that I like to whip out my (other) crock pot and add a little something extra to warm the toes, ease some of that itchy, flaking skin and help prevent those winter nose bleeds and sore throats, as well as make it smell like grandmas cooking up some sweet treats for us. While you may use the stove top for this, I like to use a small crock pot that is one piece (base and bowl combined-not to be confused with a simmering pot), to safely provide a little comfort. This also results in lower the heating bills because the humidity created makes us feel warmer without raising the thermostat.

Filling the unit with water, adding a few drops of cooking oil and a pinch of cinnamon, ginger or cloves, a few teaspoons of vanilla or orange flavoring, mint leaves or cloves makes the entire house feel and smell good.

For aroma, you can pretty much use anything that can be added to boiling water. That goes for the scented oils used in the simmering pots as well. Using more than one unit will increase the amount of moisture you can put back in the air, and plugged into a timer, can be auto-set to warm things up in the morning along with the coffee pot. A timer with an on and off setting can do double duty, and when placed near the coffee pot will remind you to fill and set each day.

While I have used my large crock pot to increase the effect on occasion, I prefer the small one piece unit. Obviously, you need to ensure water is added as needed and monitor as you would if you were cooking up a stew in the crock pot, but oh the possibilities! Another bonus, they are much easier to keep clean and free of the white powder/residue that builds up on warm air humidifiers, and you don't have the fuss or expense of fancy air filters and water purifiers needed in some of the cool air devices.

By pam-a-lam-a-lam-a-la

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Choking Hazards For Babies

Everything that ends up in baby's hands, ends up in baby's mouth. I was shocked one day to find my 8 month old daughter had pulled a button off the clothes she was wearing. She could have very easily choked had she swallowed it. To prevent this from happening again, I inspected her clothing to make sure all buttons were sewed on securely. I then put a small drop of super glue on the back side of the button threads (on the inside of her clothing) to permanently secure the button. This may not be a cost-saving measure, but it could very well be a life-saving one!

By Leann D

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Molasses Kris Kringles

Ingredients:

• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 3/4 c. Crisco shortening
• 1/4 c. unsulfured molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 c. all purpose flour
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 t. ginger
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 t. cloves
• 1/2 t. nutmeg
• 1/4 t. salt
• Granulated sugar

Directions:

Combine sugar and shortening in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add molasses and egg. Beat well. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed until just blended. Wrap dough with plastic wrap. Refrigerate dough at least two hours or overnight. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease baking sheet lightly with shortening. Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies. Form dough into one-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place two inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake one sheet at a time at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until bottom is set. Do not over bake. Cool two minutes. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

By Robin

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Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients:

• 2/3 c. flour
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 T. cocoa
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 c. butter milk
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 1/2 t. soda
• 1 T. vinegar
• 2 oz. red food coloring

Cream sugar, butter and eggs. Make paste of cocoa and food coloring, mix salt and milk alternately with flour. Mix soda with vinegar, fold in by hand, add vanilla.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes in two layers or in a 9 x 13 inch pan, greased and floured.

Frosting:

• 5 T. cake flour
• 1 c. milk
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. butter
• 1 t. vanilla

Cook flour and milk in double boiler, until thick. Cool to very cold. Cream butter and sugar until creamy. Add milk mixture. Stir until right texture to spread, add vanilla. Spread on cake.

By Robin

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Road Tar On Auto?

They were re-surfacing the roads in our housing development. I went to the near by local, Mom and Pop market, to get several needed supplies.

On getting out of my auto, I noticed tar on the bottom of lower panels and doors.

When I got home, I took out my WD40, went out to my auto, sprayed it on the tar. Used a soft cloth for removal, so not to scratch paint.

Using a little elbow grease. :-) it came off like magic.

By Gladys Hill

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Chocolate Revel Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 c. butter
• 2 c. brown sugar packed
• 2 eggs
• 1 t. vanilla
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 t. baking soda
• 3 c. uncooked oatmeal
• 1 package chocolate chips
• 2 T. butter
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

Combine 1 c. butter, brown sugar and eggs mix together add vanilla, baking soda, and flour. Mix well. Add uncooked oatmeal. Spread 2/3 of mixture into 2.13 pan. Combine 1 package chocolate chips, 2 T. butter, and condensed milk. Stir over low heat until chips are melted. Spread over oatmeal mixture. Dot with remaining oatmeal mixture bake 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown.

By Robin

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Covering a Loveseat With a Sheet

I bought a new loveseat and didn't want to spend a lot for a cover because my cat sleeps on the back of it all the time. So I had a queen fitted sheet and thought I will just put this on it. It's flannel and it fits perfect. It doesn't even move around because of the elastic corners on it. It looks nice too.

By Rose Lewis, Flemington, NJ

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New Requests:

Ideas for My Sad Pine Tree

Last summer I thought I "saved" a vermont pine tree that had decided to grow in a huge rock thats on my lawn. I transplanted it into a pot and it seemed to be doing well, now I've brought it in due to the severity of winter up in the northeast kingdom (5-6 ft snow) and now it seems unhappy. Are there any ideas you have for my poor sad pine?

Kate

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Caring For and Training a Blind Cat

I am needing some help badly!

About a month and a half ago my husband and some other guys at his work rescued some kittens. Their mother had been hanging around his shop and they knew she had kittens so they left her alone until they came to work one day and she had been hit and killed by a car. So they went and found the kittens and four were already dead. Four were still living. My husband brought home two and the others went to other guys from his work.

I took them to the vet and she guessed they had to be about 3 weeks old. We nurtured them and hand fed them and "hand pottied" them like their mama would have. They were just starting to drink their kitty formula from a saucer and getting curious about the litter box when tragedy struck!

I had to run to the store and left my older teens in charge. My 7 yr. old and 3 yr. old were fighting over the kittens and because they were so young we kept telling the 3 yr. old he could only hold them when we helped him. He kept getting told he couldn't hold them right now and he wouldn't put them down. So when one of the older kids started to come to him to get the kitten he threw her toward the couch. Only instead of landing on the couch, she flew over the couch.

We live in a split-level home and so she hit the foyer wall and then fell about 8 feet down onto a stone tile foyer floor. Two of the other kids was downstairs and didn't know what was going on, one of the older kids ran down to get the kitten and before they knew it the 3 yr. old was throwing a tantrum and starts throwing everything he can grab, including the other kitten! Thankfully, she did not hit the wall and was fine.

I arrived home within five minutes of this happening and rushed both kittens to the vet, which is only five mins. away. They said there wasn't much that could be done except get a sterrhoid shot to take care of any swelling in the brain, but to wait and see. I was horrified! Needless to say, our "special K" (special kitty) survived and is just that, our "Special K". The first few days she just laid around. We had to force feed her and we were back to "hand pottying" her too. Slowly she started getting up and around and would walk in circles only and now walks all over. Right after the accident she was completely blind also and slowly got her sight back as well.

So my dilemma's are this.... we have two....

1. She will not go potty in the litter box. I don't know if this will get better with time or not. She keeps sneaking under my furniture and going #1 and #2.

2. Her sister, who is on normal level wants to play with her all of the time. At first we were very protective of her but she started showing signs of being able to hold her own and defend herself. But this week the sister has been ruthless and very rough and "Special K" hasn't been able to keep up. They start out playing and then it gets rough. She has hurt her leg twice this week and limps on it pretty badly.

We keep getting asked why we didn't put her down, but she is just such a special kitty. Partly out of guilt, but partly out of care and concern, I just think she has potential to be a wondeful companion to someone, if not for us. We have tried to think of what could be done to accomodate her that wouldn't be too confining. I suggested to my husband making a sort of port a crib for her. But she surprised us this week and has been jumping up on the furniture so she may try to climb out of it.

I am just confused as to what we can do to help the potty issue and then decide if her sister will be too much for her to be around her. Any suggestions? We love her so much!

Tawnda

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Eco-Egg Mini Washing Machine Advice and Reviews

We bought a condo which is not so big, and we can not put our own washer in it, so we have one washer for 10 condos (most of them have more than one person.) So I am thinking of buying eco-egg electric mini wash machine, does anyone has experience with it?

Danieliausmama

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Paint Color is Too Dark

We just painted my sister's room purple and green, and the colors ended up too dark. How can we lighten the walls?

Elizabeth Faw

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Restoring An Old Hat Box

I have an old hat box. It appears to be made from cardboard. The top has been pushed down and is now detached for about half of the lid. I'd like to be able to restore it without losing any of the original feel/look of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

rkrtjbl

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Uses for Mini Reese's Pieces Containers

I have collected a half dozen of the orange plastic containers in which mini Reese's Pieces are sold. They are too cute to throw away! What can I do with them?

- Coreen in Idaho

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Lip Gloss in Hair

My six year old daughter and her friend put lip gloss in their hair! I can't get the greasy look out of her hair. What can I use?

Karen

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Cleaning Stains from Marble Table Top

How do I clean stains from a marble top table - cheaply & effectively? Thank you - Flodie

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Thanksgiving Turkey Craft With Gloves

At one time I had the directions to make a turkey centerpiece using two or three sets of knitted gloves. You use small gloves. I believe you stuffed the fingers to form the tails of this turkey centerpiece. Using three different colors of gloves made for a colorful turkey. Any help you could give me would be appreciated. Thanks!

Mylene Holmes

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Decorating Doors To Brighten Up a Hallway

I have a drab hallway with 4 bedroom doors. The kids have drawn on them with black marker. I'm looking for inexpensive ideas to decorate them that will cover up the marker and make the hallway look more interesting and a bit more bright. Thanks for any ideas you come up with.

Tina

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Can you rescue the ivy?

A few weeks ago, I accidently applied the "Weed and Feed" fertilizer on the ground covering ivy. Now the ivy is dying. Is there any way to rescue the ivy? Please advise.

Thank you,

Gerard

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Whole Wheat Rolls

I saw a recipe in a food magazine just recently for whole wheat rolls. you could freeze them and I thought I was going to make them but I lost the recipe. As I recall, you made the mix and made 3 little balls per roll and baked them in muffin tins and they turned out really classy. You could serve them or freeze them and reheat them again. I was wondering if anyone had the recipe.

Juniorbaker

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Making a Christmas Tree Skirt

I wanted to make a christmas tree skirt for a very special friend and family member. I was putting it down on paper but I am stuck on how to do it. I have a sewing machine and I can sew by hand. I wanted to put pictures on it, how do I do this without using other machines to do it?

Dee

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More Reading:

Rookie Moves When Baking Your First Turkey

These are all mistakes I've made over the years. After 30 some years of cooking Thanksgiving dinners, I've also heard from others similar stories.

Cooking a Turkey That is Still Frozen

It takes 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator to thaw a frozen turkey. If you don't have that much time, fill your kitchen sink with water (cold) and place it there. As the water gets colder from the frozen turkey, keep letting some out and adding more water. When it seems that the outside is unfrozen, unwrap it so the water can reach the inside of the turkey. Many a turkey is still frozen in the center when being cooked.

Not Taking Out the Neck and Giblets Package

There is a package of giblets and a neck that are stuck into the breast cavity of turkeys. Make sure you remove them. Sometimes they are put into little plastic bags which makes for a nasty mess. You don't want your beautiful turkey to taste like plastic. If you are fast thawing your turkey, make sure you take these out because they will keep the turkey frozen longer. It's near impossible to get them out until the turkey is thawed some.

Worrying About Stuffing the Turkey

I put an onion and a piece of celery inside the turkey while it is baking. It gives the turkey the flavor of stuffing without sucking up all the juices. I make my stuffing and cook it separately. You can put it in with the turkey in the last hour.

I'm sure there are more of these. Please add your own rookie moves to this post to help those that are making their first Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey Breasts

If you don't feel up to baking a whole turkey, the turkey breasts are a great option. They take much less time to thaw, give you lots of good breast meat and even have a gravy packet inside to help. If it is the day before Thanksgiving, unless you buy a fresh turkey, this may be your only option.

Susan from ThriftyFun

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Re-Using Old Picture Frames
By Rachel Paxton

It's fun taking something apart and putting it back together again in a new creative way. I work in an office where we had a lot of old promotional type posters that were very expensively matted and framed. Now that we're moving to a new office we wanted something new, but didn't want to spend a lot of money decorating. We decided to disassemble the old frames and re-use the mats to frame new prints.

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