Home Improvement > Decorating > ArtMarch 24, 2005

Spring Homemaking Tips

By Monica Resinger
DECORATION FOR SEA-THEMED ROOM...

Fill decorative see-through glass containers (such as a small fish bowl) about a quarter of the way full with beach sand. Add seashells, feathers, driftwood, starfish or other beach findings and you have a quick, easy decoration for a sea-themed room.

AN EASY WAY TO CLEAN MINI BLINDS...

I just did this recently and it worked really well. On a sunny day, lay the blinds in the grass and spray with a hose. Fill a bucket with soapy water and use this and a soft brush to wash the blinds clean. Rinse and do other side. Let dry right in the lawn.

LAVENDER TEA BREAD

Take advantage of your blooming lavender and make a tasty quick bread.

  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 Tbsp. dried lavender flowers, finely chopped, or 3 Tbsp. fresh
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 6 Tbsp. butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs

Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Heat milk with lavender almost to a boil, then let steep until cool. Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in bowl. Cream butter, gradually add sugar, then eggs, one at a time, beating until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture alternately with lavender milk, in 3 different batches. Mix until batter is just blended, do not over-beat. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 min., then remove to a wire rack to cool. When completely cool, ice with a powdered sugar glaze made with 3 Tbsp. milk and enough powdered sugar to make a thick but still runny paste if desired. Garnish with sprigs of fresh lavender around cake, or sprinkle additional finely chopped lavender on glaze before it hardens.

About The Author: Monica Resinger is the creator of 'Homemaker's Journal E-Publications' where you will find many fun and informative home and garden related e-books, tip sheets and how to sign up for her FREE home and garden newsletter! Click here to visit: http://homemakersjournal.com/

Feedback

No feedback yet. Click here to post feedback.

Related

Post Feedback

Your thoughts are welcomed and appreciated. Be the first to post feedback!

Feedback:

Image Upload:

Add an image to your post! Click the "Browse" button above and select an image from your hard drive. Please only select gifs or jpegs. If you have any problems, please contact us.

  

facebook like arrowLike ThriftyFun on Facebook

Browse Topics

Over 80,000 tips, recipes, questions & crafts.

Ask a Question

Submit a question to the TF community.

Subscribe to ThriftyFun Newsletters!

Email: