Daily Thrifty Tips - June 27, 2006

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Frankie is a 2 year old Husky. 2 years ago our Frankie arrived by plane from Iowa to his new home in New York state. He likes to do anything and everything! ALL DAY LONG! Play, Play and Play! (with his best friend Mary.) This 120 pound puppy is sure to turn a bad day into something very special just by watching him. He loves EVERY one!

By Debbie Destino from Lewiston New York

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Picture of the Rogue River Gorge in Oregon.

By Trish from Lubbock, TX

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Mitchell (meaning "Big") is 3 years old. He's actually cute and fat. He's a mix breed of some sort. My friend gave him to me when he was still a tiny kitten.

He loves to climb up the sofa and watch TV with me. He loves playing with his blue and red ball. And, of course, enjoys rolling and sleeping under our backyard tree.

One time, I made him a nice tiny skirt. At first, he liked it because it's colorful but eventually he got annoyed with this thing hanging around his waist. I saw him ripping it off with his sharp teeth. Later, I found the unrecognizable skirt in our backyard.

By Janice from Boise, ID

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When cooking, I often end up with onion or garlic smell on my hands. Soap just doesn't do the trick. You can buy expensive stainless steel bars to wash your hands with to remove the odor. But who wants to spend a ton of money when you probably have a drawer full of stainless steel utensils already? I use my stainless steel serving spoon and rub my hands on it under cold running water. The smell is instantly gone.

By blueheeler1998 from Lakeville, OH

Editor's Note: Your stainless steel kitchen sink works well too!

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The cardboard holder or bottom from cases of soda and water make a great holder for a 9x13 inch pan when you have to transport a casserole. Reuse it over and over and the price is free at the Warehouse stores!

By Sheri Darling from Bowie, MD

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First, cut small squares out of wax paper to set you hamburger patties on. Then form patties, no more than one inch thick and set them on a piece of wax paper and place them on a cookie sheet. Next, put the cookie sheet in the freezer for about an hour or until the patties have set. Then stack up the patties, making there is a piece of wax paper between each one, and store in an air tight container or freezer bag.

By Fisher

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Mix one tablespoon molasses with one cup of plain white sugar. If you want a darker brown sugar, add more molasses. I don't buy brown sugar anymore as I prefer this to the commercial brown sugar.

By Sandy from Saint Paul, MN

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Store bought prewash sprays never seem to be good enough for my family. Also my fingers get tired of squirting the stuff all over our clothes. What I've come up with has worked on everything I've thrown at it including old dried blood, chocolate, grease, etc.

I purchase "Super Clean" cleaner-degreaser in the 1 gallon container out of the automotive dept. at Wal-Mart. I mix it with water at a rate of 1 part cleaner to 10 parts water for most prewashing jobs. Most of the time I don't even have to rub the spot, but if it looks stubborn, I just give it a rub. If the stain is really tough (like dried blood), I use it at full strength.

Be careful at full strength as it tends to make your hands extremely dry and flaky. I mix it in a 48 oz. pump up sprayer out of the garden dept., so that I don't have to keep squeezing a trigger. Just pump it up and spray.

By Lorie from Stanton, TX

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Yesterday, my dear daughter was in tears to her husband because it was pointed out to her SEVERAL times that she was quite large and only in her eighth month of pregnancy!!

When commenting on a pregnancy, PLEASE make sure the comments you give are positive, maybe on the beautiful complexion or how well she looks!!

I told her to smile sweetly and say "Thank you very much for pointing that out, I hadn't noticed how big I am till you mentioned it." These kids have had such a hard time carrying a baby to term. PLEASE consider just how your comment might sound before you say it!

I am going over to their house this weekend to help clean the things she can't reach. I don't think I mentioned the beautiful grandson we already have, thanks to them. Maybe an offer of a little help instead of a comment on how huge the pregnant lady is?

By Margie Minard from Mt. Vernon. OH

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Frugal For Life

A great blog with posts about frugal living.

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Does anyone have instructions for making a GIANT wreath for Christmas? The one I want is large enough to step through. I saw one mounted on a porch at the front just above the steps and was 6 or 7 feet tall. I think it was made of plywood. It had greenery attached (probably stapled) to it and a large bow on top. White lights were put inside the greenery and it was very attractive. Hope someone can help.

Many thanks!

LaVerne from Midland, GA

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Can wine corks be used for outdoor projects? Could you make an outdoor bar with wine corks? Will mold be an issue? Basically, are wine corks weatherproof and usable in outdoor settings.

Cork Fanatic from New Jersey

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I am looking for a homemade cleaner for the toilet and the shower, basically a bathroom cleaner.

Jamish from Ransom, KS

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I have planted zucchini and the plants are beautiful and flowering like mad but now that the zucchini is coming on it is starting to die from some kind of worm coming up through the root and it is killing the plants. What can I do to rid my garden of these destructive worms?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

bshale from Leon, Iowa

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I need a solution for a slippery carport. Being in central LA we have lots of humidity and it leaves my carport slab extremely slippery. Any solutions? Can we put down sand and a thin coat of paint or some type of sealer to secure it? Does
anyone have a recommendation?

Please help asap.

Thanks, Nelwyn

Nelwyn from Bunkie, LA

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I have an indoor bamboo plant. I've had it for two years and it has grown very very little. The leaves are green but several bamboo sticks have had to be removed from the shallow bowl because of mildew (turning very black or yellow and those leaves were dying). I pulled the plant out of the bowl today and the roots are really packed and very orange. Should I have been fertilizing the plant? The plant sits in my kitchen with indirect sunlight. I bought it with many sticks in one bowl. The rocks have turned black!

I hope I have given you enough information. Do you want me to send a pictures?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Marianne from Richmond, VA

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I'm wondering if any of you have tried the "Debt into Wealth" course that is offered online by Greg Moore. He claims that he can have you debt free in 5-7 years, including your mortgage.

LaVon from Denver, CO

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Does anyone have any opinions on what the best staple gun is? Particularly for use by a woman doing crafting and home upholstering?

Thank You,
A.Papaya from Satellite Beach, FL

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I have a lot of hard cover books and a few soft covered books in good condition but extremely dusty. They have been in a bookcase (exposed) for years. I want to donate them to a local library. What is the best (and cheapest) way to clean them?

Thank you,
Janet C from New York City

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My mom used to make "mush" for us when we were kids, and I need to get the recipe. She is deceased now so I cannot get the recipe from her. I have found recipes on the internet, but they use cornmeal, and it is yellow, what she made us was white. Would anyone happen to know how to make this? Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions!

jmz2005 from Illinois

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Please help me if you can to rise above depression. I have been feeling depressed so much recently and seem to want to cry a lot. In the past I have always been able to pull my self up by the boot straps but recently it hasn't been that easy. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Gina from Texas

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My husband is a stone mason and gets concrete mix and dust on his skin, mainly arms and legs. How do you get that off? We have heard of using vinegar-rubbing on skin before showering. Does anyone know if it really works?

Amy from Harleysville, PA

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Pasta Pronta reviews. Does it cook asparagus and other veggies so well that it's worth purchasing?

Cookwie from Richardson, TX

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I am having problems this season with several plants, one a hanging Verbenia and one of several Cone flowers... they bud and then prior to blooming the bud dries up and dies. In the case of the Cone flower it turns black and dies. Can anyone tell me what is going on?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Thank you!
Fauxpaslover from Martinsburg

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How to clean a leather chair? It is about 10 years old; I don't want to use shoe polish on it for obvious reasons but it needs some loving care. Ideas?

Thanks!

Miriamne from Southbury, CT

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I'm looking for ideas for my niece's 1st birthday party, there will be older kids and mostly adults. Themes? Games for the smaller children? I'm planning mini finger foods, appetizers, etc.

Windella from Pasadena, CA

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I have a half mastiff, half great dane and I can't keep the ticks off her. Any home remedies out there any where?

Thanks!
Mellomom from Tennessee

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The leaves on my hibiscus plants are turning yellow. Some of the leaves looks limp like they need water. I have beautiful blooms. Can anyone tell me what to do? I do not want to lose my beautiful plants.

TUEY From FORT COLLINS, CO

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What would be the best kind of bedding for an outside dog kennel? I heard somewhere not to use pine straw. Are wood chips or hay good to use?

Tag27612 from Raleigh, NC

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Free Photo Organizer From Google

"Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized."

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Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups frozen, mixed vegetables
• 1 cup cooked and diced chicken
• 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup bisquick mix
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg

Directions

Heat oven to 400.

Mix vegetables,chicken and soup together pour into ungreased pie pan.

Stir together remaining ingredients with fork until blended. Pour into pie pan over the chicken and vegetables mixture.

Bake about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Couldn't ask for an easier and better tasting pot pie.

By imaqt1962

Chicken Pot Pie I

Over the years I have tried to make homemade chicken pot pies and have never liked how any of them turned out. Recently I was given several boxes of the pre-made pie crusts and I created my own recipe that turned out so good the kids ate every drop!

• Four pre-made pie crusts (in the refrigerated section of the grocery store)
• Two sticks of butter or margarine
• 1 c. flour
• 1 1/2 - 2 c. milk
• About 2 c. pre-cooked chicken, ham, turkey or whatever your choice of meat
• 1 c. frozen diced carrots
• 1 c. frozen peas
• 1 c. frozen corn
• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. pepper
• 2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 13x9x2" baking dish with non-stick spray.

Lay three of the pie crusts in your dish the best you can to cover the bottom, sides and enough to leave a 1/4"-1/2" lip on the edge of the dish. Press seems together to make one large crust.

Place one cup of the meat into the dish, spreading around the bottom. Salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle some garlic powder over chicken, reserving some for top layer. Add vegetables spreading them over the chicken.

Add other cup of chicken to top of vegetables and season with remaining salt, pepper and garlic powder. On the stove, melt two sticks of butter or margarine and let cook until it starts to turn golden.

Add the flour and using a wire whisk, stir quickly to remove any lumps. Add 1 1/2-2 c. of milk until it is the consistancy you like. Remember, oven cooking time will thicken it some.

Take remaining pie crust and fold into fourths and cutting on the folds. Place one on each end on top of the chicken and place the other two in the center. You will have gaps, but this is perfect for ventilation. Fold the bottom crust edges over the top, forming the edge.

Place in preheated oven for 45-60 mins. or until crust is golden.

By Tawnda

Chicken Pot Pie II

Ingredients

Filling:

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup onion (chopped)
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 cup cooked chicken (cut up)
• 1 pkg. frozen peas and carrots

Pastry:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. celery seed
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup + 2 Tbsp. shortening
• 4-5 Tbsp. ice water

Directions

In saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Blend in flour, onion and seasonings; cook, stirring until mixture is bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in chicken broth and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Gently stir in chicken and frozen veggies; set aside.

Prepare pastry: Put flour, seed, and salt in mixing bowl. Cut in shortening. Sprinkle in water, mixing. Roll 2/3 into a 13 inch square. Ease into 9x9 inch square pan. Pour in filling. Roll rest; place on top. Bake at 425 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Chicken Pot Pie IV

Ingredients

Pastry:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup chilled butter, cut in small pieces
• 1 large egg
• 2-3 Tbsp. ice water

Filling:

• 4 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

Glaze:

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions

To prepare pastry, in a medium bowl, mix together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut butter into flour until coarse crumbs form. In a small bowl, beat together egg and water. Add to the flour mixture; mix lightly until a soft dough forms. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

To prepare filling, place chicken in a 2 qt. casserole. In a large skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add mushrooms; increase the heat to medium high; and saute' until browned and the liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Add the water; cook until almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add mushroom mixture to chicken; stir to combine.

In a medium saucepan, whisk together cream, flour, paprika, salt, and pepper, over low heat; cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in broth. Pour sauce over chicken mixture. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the pastry to fit the top of the casserole. Place on top of pie; trim and seal the edges. Roll out trimmings. Cut out leaves and flowers. Brush pastry with glaze; add the decorations; brush again with glaze.

Bake until filling is bubbly and crust is browned, 25-30 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Preparing for Freezing: Select recipes that can be prepared in advance. When preparing meals, plan for extra servings that can be packaged and frozen as individual meals.

Best Freezing Method (s): Cooked casseroles can be stored in the refrigerator until cool and then transferred directly into the freezer.

Suitable Packaging: Casseroles should be frozen in moisture and vapor resistant containers that are not be prone to cracking or breaking at low temperatures. Containers should provide protection against absorbing flavors or odors and should be easy to label. Suitable packaging for freezing casserole will depend on the method of reheating: oven-ready dishes with an airtight cover, freezer-grade plastic bags, rigid plastic containers or glass containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Microwave casseroles should be frozen in ceramic, glass or microwave-safe plastic container. To keep food fresh to the longest time, it's important to match the size of your casserole to the dish, allowing for 1/2 inch of headspace.

Maximum Storage Time: from 3 to 4 months at 0ºF.

Thawing: Casseroles should be thawed in the refrigerator, or in a microwave oven on a defrost setting.

Tips & Shortcuts: Line a baking dish with heavy-duty aluminum foil, fill with food and freeze it until firm. Remove the foil package, now in the shape of your baking dish, to free up your dish for other purposes until you're ready to reheat your casserole. Reheating will be faster if you freeze individual portions. Foods that are fried or have a crisp outer coating may need to be reheated for 2 to 3 minutes in a hot oven to retain crispness.

Refrigerating Casseroles: Store meat based casseroles in airtight containers for 3 to 4 days.

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