Cake Mix Cookies
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Fruit Flavored Cereal
Instead of buying fruit-flavored cereal, you make your own healthier version. Buy a bag of frozen berries or peaches in the grocery store frozen food section. Add a little water to a serving of frozen berries or peaches and microwave 45 seconds. Add the fruit to a bowl of whole grain cereal. The fruit is ready by the time you finish pouring the cereal.
By Carolyn
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Make An Inexpensive Dry Erase Board With White Contact Paper
White dry erase boards are costly, especially large ones. Instead, I stick white contact paper to the front of my refrigerator. Dry erase markers work well on it and can be wiped with a damp cloth or special dry erase spray. I keep track of school events and meals and never have to search for my calendar. When it gets dingy (once or twice a year) I just peel it off and apply a new sheet.
By Amy Bird
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Make Sturdy Sewing Patterns With Leftover Holiday Wrap
I use leftover holiday wrapping paper all year long in my sewing room. I hate working with flimsy tissue paper patterns so I lay them out on the white back of the wrapping paper and transfer them with a sharpie (it bleeds through the tissue). The new paper patterns are easier to fold and store and last through many more foldings than tissue. And I don't have to pay for special pattern tracing paper!
By Amy Bird
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Zachary's Creme Drops Fudge
Recently there was a recipe to make peanut fudge using Zacharys Creme Drops. I had a very difficult time locating them but finally found a Family Dollar store that carried them for $1 for a 12 oz bag. The recipe is absolutely wonderful and I gave it as gifts to friends. Yesterday I was in Walmarts & all of the holiday candy was marked down 50%. I found several bags of Zacharys Creme Drops for $ .47 each for the 12 oz. bag. The only thing that made them holiday candy was that the bag was decorated with a holiday motif. I purchased 6 bags and stuck them in my freezer. What an inexpensive batch of fudge and so easy to make & so good to eat.
By Joesgirl
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Walnut Sauce
A superb topping for ice cream.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup maple or maple-flavored syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
Place the corn syrup, maple syrup, water and sugar in a small heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over moderately high heat, stirring constantly. Add the walnuts, turn the heat to low, and simmer, partially covered, 30 minutes. Do not stir. Let cool, then pour into a clean 1-pint jar. Will keep 4 months tightly covered & refrigerated (if it lasts that long). Yield: 1 pint
By Joesgirl
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Uses for Decorative Banks
Creative ideas for using "piggy" banks, other than just filling them with money. Post your ideas.
Uses For Small Decorative Banks
Paperweight - fill with pennies and place atop papers to keep them from flying away.
Doorstop - a coin-filled bank in front of a door will prevent it from blowing shut.
String dispenser - place a small ball of string inside the bank and slip its tail through the slot.
By Joesgirl
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Make Frozen Sandwiches for Lunches
To save time in the mornings, make sandwiches and freeze them on the weekend. The sandwich turns out best if you start with frozen bread. Make the sandwich on the frozen bread, then pop it back into the freezer again. It's a good idea to label the outside of the containers, so you don't have to guess. Make a variety! I've frozen PB & J (make sure you spread the peanut butter on both sides of the bread before applying Jelly, or the jelly will make it soggy), Tuna with Miracle Whip, turkey, ham, bologna, cheeses, with either Miracle Whip, mustard, ketchup, salad dressing, or jelly. Usually by lunch time it's ready to go. This has helped my busy mornings! Try it for yourself.
By Robin Garrison
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Pick Up Messes With Bags
Save bread bags and other dry plastic bags. When there is a mess to clean up, put the bag over your hand, pick up the mess, and pull the bag inside-out around the mess. Tie up and throw away.
By Barbara J. Leonard
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Tips for Shipping Packages
Tips and advice for shipping packages. Post your ideas.
Shipping UPS
I always send packages to friends and family by way of UPS. I have never had anything damaged or lost by sending it through that company, but I have had plenty of items damaged, ruined, and lost through the postal service. Costs a little more, but worth it to know your items are safe!
By Robin
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The Best Tired Muscle Relief
For sore, tired muscles I have found that one of the best ways to get relief is to simply sit in a bathtub full of water that is as hot as I can stand. I sometimes will add a little bubble bath or bath salts to add some extra relaxation.
By Robin
What do you do for tired muscles?
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Dog Urine Stains on Carpet
If you have a dog urine stain on your carpet all you need to do is take a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water and spray it on the spot and then rub.
By Robin
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Use for Used Dryer Sheets
Run used dryer sheets over television screens and PC screens to help repel dust and smoke! If you are like me and prefer not to buy these, there are always some around at your local laundromat!
By Diane Pollock
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Removing Fruit Stains From Countertops
To remove a stain such as food color or fruit stains from a light-colored cabinet top, try putting some dishwasher soap, preferably gel, on a wet cloth and lay it on the stain. The stain should disappear within a few minutes.
By Peanut Patty
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Removing Skunk Smell From A Dog
Tips for removing the skunk odor from a dog that has been sprayed by a skunk. Post your ideas.
Skunk Odor
I have two 80 lbs dogs. Both were sprayed with skunks, twice one summer. I was threatened with decapitation if I ever told who gave me this tip. Normal remedies did not work ie: tomato juice, ketchup, vinegar, baking soda. I was told to use douche. It doesn't matter what kind or what scent. It not only took out the second spraying smell but took care of the first one too.
Imagine the looks when I went to the grocery and bought 8 boxes of douche, nothing else. The look from the clerk, well, all I said was, "don't ask". She didn't. The embarrassment was worth it. I stood both dogs in the tub, poured 4 bottles on each, let them stand for 15 min. and bathed with scented dog shampoo. It was wonderful, no stinky dogs. Had I known that the first spraying, they would not have had stand-off-ish family because of their odor for a month till the second spraying. Now everyone is happy. This really works.!
By Holly H
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Cure For The "Gimme" Mentality At Christmas
Something to keep in mind for next Christmas: if you are dismayed at the "gimme" mentality displayed by so many kids at Christmastime, instead of asking them "what are you getting for Christmas this year?" ask them instead, "what are you GIVING for Christmas this year?". Ask what they are giving Mom, little brother, etc. This helps take the emphasis off receiving and puts it back on thinking of others.
By Becki in Indiana
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Corn Bread, Iowa Style
Ingredients:
- 2 c. buttermilk baking mix
- 1/2 t. soda
- 1 c. cornmeal
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 c. buttermilk
- 1 c. butter or margarine (melted)
- 1 can cream style corn
- 2 eggs (slightly beaten)
Directions:
Combine first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add the buttermilk, melted butter, corn and eggs. Stir by hand with a fork until mixed well. The batter will be lumpy. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool slightly before cutting. 12-14 servings.
By Robin
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Wash The Car In Flip Flops
I wash my car frequently in the summer months at the small car wash in my town. Sometimes when I am in town running errands and need to wash the car, I don't always want to because I may be wearing the wrong shoes. (I hate to get splatter on nice shoes). I keep a pair of old flip flops in the trunk, slip them on and wash away!
Alica
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Mild Laxative
One glass should ease minor constipation in just a few hours. It's nutritious too.
- 2 cups tomato or vegetable juice
- 1 cup sauerkraut juice
- 1/2 cup carrot juice
Combine all the ingredients in a small pitcher. Drink half of the mixture; store the remainder in the refrigerator for another time. Yield: 28 ounces.
By Joesgirl
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Joke - 104 Year Old
A 104 year old lady was being interviewed for a newspaper article.
The reporter asked, "What is the best thing about being 104?"
The lady replied, "No peer pressure."
By Belinda
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New Requests:
Creating A Greenhouse In The Basement
We would like to start our own garden seeds at home, but the only space we have is in our basement. Does anyone have any ideas on starting this and what we'll need.
Jenny
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Spiegel Deferred Billing Code
Does anyone have the new deferred billing code for speigel?
Jacqueline
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Dog Drool Stains On New Lilac Suede Boots
My brother bought me these adorable lilac suede boots for Christmas... I went to put them on this morning only to realize that my dog had drooled on them- Ick! I hate to gross you out with the details, but the stain has dried on them and I'm too freaked out to try anything... I've even considered the local shoe repair shop... Is doggy drool removal a no-brainer? Or is it going to take a certain amount of delicacy and experimentation? (If so, I'll leave it to the experts.)
pthaloblue
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How Do You Test The Acid Level In Paper For Scrapbooking?
What is the best way to test the acid level in paper that you plan to use for scrapbooking?
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Why Can't Scrapbooking Paper Be Acidic?
What is the reason that the paper can't be acidic? I am asking this because i am new to scrapbooking and i have used magazing cutouts and such. I guess i seem a little ignorant but like I said i am new to this.
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Homemade Recipe For Hair Gel Or Root Booster?
Does anyone know how to make spray gel? I tried mixing some with water in a spray bottle but it didn't come out right. Or even a recipe for hair gel or root booster. This stuff gets very expensive to buy at the salon.
Thanks
Kathie, Portland, ME
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Removing Contact Paper From Metal Cabinets
I would like to know of a non toxic means of getting contact paper off of metal cabinets.
Jan from Lagrange Ohio
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Rust on Stainless Steel Pot
One of my stainless steel pots has little rust stains from a leak I had in one of my cabinets. Does anyone know how to safely get them out?
Sara in Florida
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How do You remove a red wax stain from carpet?
I spilled red candle wax on my cream carpet. I got up as much as I could but the red stain is still there. I am afraid to try the iron & bag method to remove it because I have heard heat sets the stain. Does anyone know how to remove it? Please help!
Dianna
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In Need of an Inexpensive Prom Dress
I really am in dire need of ways to acquire a cheap prom dress. My family doesnt have much money, but this is my senior year, and I would really like to attend the prom. If any one has any advice or even a dress, I would appreciate it very much.
Ebony From VA
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Getting Urine Off Memory Foam Mattress?
My son is still a bed-wetter and he and his brother sleep in bunkbeds with the "memory foam" type mattresses. About 3 times a week he wakes up in the morning to a wet bed. I've tried putting several towels under his sheets, a waterproof mattress cover, a sleeping bag...but no matter what I do....his urine soaks ALL the way through to his mattress. (and I don't let him drink ANY liquids whatsoever after 6 pm and I make him use the bathroom at least 3 times before bed.) He's just a pee-pee factory! Anyhow... I don't know exactly how to get the damp urine stains out of his mattress (it's no ordinary mattress... it's absorbent).
Does ANYONE have any helpful ideas at all?
HELP ME PLEASE!!!! ARRRRRGH!
josmith
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Hummingbird Feeder Instructions
I'm looking for ideas on how to transform jars or wine bottles into hummingbird feeders. Any ideas on how to decorate the glass would be great and ideas on where to get the feeder tubes and how to secure them to the jar lid would be great too. Thanks!
Tammy
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Cheap Way To Lubricate Squeaky Hinges
What can I use to lubricate squeaky hinges with? Most things I have used cost quit a bit. I want something other than oil, thicker and longer lasting.
James Jackson
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Lip Balm Stain On Clothing
How do you remove lip balm from clothing already washed once?
Sandy from NJ
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Getting Organized with Index Cards
By Maria Gracia
Index cards are wonderful for helping you get organized in so many different areas of your life. And the best thing is, theyre so inexpensive! Here are just a few ideas:
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