Daily Thrifty Tips - February 22, 2008

We have some new product recalls in the More Reading section, be sure to look them over to make sure you do not own any of the products.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

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Water Heater Shed

If you want to have a cozy home for your water heater, why not give it a water shed to dwell in?

By Jamie from Andalusia, AL

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Rug Hooking Crafts

The hockey picture is a rug hooked wall hanging, I made for one of my grandson's. It is the 5th piece I did. You can use various backings, wool was cut into #3 cut, you start by putting the hook through the backing and one hand under hoop or frame, holding the color you want to start with.

The bird is a picture of the second piece of rug hooking, I ever did. Rug hooking is not as hard as one would think. You use a piece of burlap or other backings, get some wool and a hook. You can trace pattern on yourself or buy patterns already done. I do all my own pictures and transfer them onto my backing. There is lots to learn but it is a very rewarding hobby. Lots of groups and lovely people to help you learn.

You pull up one piece, which is the end, the next one is a loop, loop, till you pull the last of the strip up. You continue on with the colors you are using in your pattern, cutting the single end pieces even with the loops. Rug hooking is a wonderful craft and has not died out since the old people used rags and nylons etc. to make mats for the floor. Some people even do 9 x12 foot rugs for a floor, using one that is not a high traffic area.

Thank you,
By Shirley from Nova Scotia

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Pato (Black Lab)

Pato (Pronounced Pa-Toe - Spanish for "Duck") is 7 years old and is a Black Lab. Our friend who is a professional dog trainer owned Pato and since he didn't have time to do what Pato likes best, hunt birds and play ball, he asked if we would take him. That was in February of 2006 and we couldn't imagine life without him now!

He loves to play ball first (as you can see in the pic, he doesn't do anything without his ball) then hunt ducks and geese. Since getting pato, we have kind of spoiled him a little. He'd rather stay home with the girls on those early mornings when my husband is trying to get him out of bed to go hunting. Once he's out there though, he has a blast!

By Sherry from Gresham, OR

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Homemade Magnetic Bulletin Board

You can make a wonderful (and quite large) magnetic bulletin board from a steel drip-pan from the Auto Parts store ($19). Just spray the bare metal with a spray adhesive then cover with fabric that matches your decor OR, cover with 2 layers of black landscape cloth, like I did. For a smaller version, use a steel cookie sheet from the dollar store!

You'll need a drill bit for metal so you can drill 2 holes in it (and run a wire between them on the back side) so you can hang it on the wall.

Source: I saw something like this on TV. But they attached magnets to the lids of spice jars, to organize spices in the kitchen.

By Cyinda from near Seattle

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Tips for Planning a Frugal Wedding

To save money on your wedding reception, you need to think seriously about the number of guests that you invite. Don't feel bullied into inviting friends of parents or all the children. You should know all the people at your wedding!

Have a look at the dates that you book, a lot of venues will provide a discount for a mid week or Friday wedding. Worth considering if you are saving lots!

Also have a look at the quiet times in venues. January and February are classic quiet months in most places, ask what discount they would provide if you booked your wedding in those months.

Think about the food that you are serving, it is becoming more popular to have cocktail and canapes receptions or just a cake reception in the afternoon. If you want a sit down meal, don't go with the set menus if you don't like them, maybe go for the cheaper options. No one will notice!

Wine and Champagne can soon increase the bill, see if the venue will let you bring your own for a corkage fee or ask for bottles to be brought out when needed rather than all at the beginning.

Source: http://www.cheap-wedding-solutions.com/

By Suzanne from Wiltshire, UK

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Shop Thrift Stores for Great Deals

Shop the Goodwill and Salvation Army Shops. I recently bought a $200.00 coat for 6 bucks! Great savings for clothes, toys, books, purses. If you have growing kids, start there fro your sopping.It's cheaper and when the kids grow out of them, donate them back and take if off your taxes.

By DEBRADJ from ILLINOIS

Editor's Note: What are your best thrift store finds? Post them below.

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Engrave "Reward" On Your Dog's ID Tag

In addition to my dog's name and our cell phone numbers, I have the ID tag engraved with the word "REWARD." If perchance my dogs ever went missing, a finder will be more inclined to contact me and less tempted to keep my super-cute dog for themselves. Only once in 25 years has one of my dogs gotten out, and I gave the finder $20 as a "reward."

By Laura from Long Beach, CA

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Wipe Vegetable Oil on Inside of Freezer for Easier Defrosting

The next time you have defrosted you freezer, dry it throughly. Then wipe vegetable oil on the inside walls and floor of the freezer. The next time you defrost your freezer, the ice comes off much easier. It will slide off. This works great.

Source: from me

By Smilingfaces88 from Spruce Grove, Alberta, CA

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Bake Meatballs Instead of Frying

I love meatballs, but when a recipe calls for browning them on the stove, I have my own trick which is much less messy and I don't have to stand there turning the little buggers. I put all of the meatballs in a 13 X 9 pan for a large batch and bake them at 350 degrees F until brown. You can line the pan with foil for easy cleanup and no splatters on the stove! You can also cook entire batches this way, by cooking meatballs all the way through for about 30 minutes, cool and freeze in ziploc bags for use in all kinds of recipes! Spaghetti and meatballs, meatball sandwiches, Swedish meatballs, crumbled in chili, etc.

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Use Self Cleaning Oven for Hard to Clean Bakeware

Do you have broiler pans or cookie sheets that have build up on them so bad that no matter how hard you scrub them it will not come off? Don't worry, my husband showed me a way to clean them where I don't even have to touch them. Do you have a oven with a self cleaning feature? Well if you do, the next time you fire that puppy up, place your broiler pan, cookie sheet or any solid metal pan in there before you start (no nonstick please) and let the oven do all the work for you.

When the oven is done, just let the pan cool and wipe with a damp cloth. There ya go, shiny as the day you bought it. It costs so much in electricity to clean your oven you might as well get more bang for your buck.

By Melissa from Greeneville T.N.

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Oil Gelatin Molds for Easy Removal

To easily remove gelatin from a mold, rinse the mold pan in cold water and coat with vegetable oil. The oil gives the gelatin a nice luster and it can be easily removed from the mold.

Source: Tip from a friend

By Mom of 1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Use Salad Spinner for Wringing Delicate Hand Wash Items

Do you often hand wash delicate items such as hosiery or bras? For an easier way to wring out the water, keep a spare salad spinner under your sink! People with painful arthritic hands, or those recovering from surgery, may find it especially difficult to squeeze items dry. The center push-button or battery operated type spinners make the job very easy. Even the inexpensive crank ones work, in about a dozen turns and will hold two or three items.

By Mary from Mountain Pine, AR

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Non-Permanent Ugly Counter Fix with Contact Paper

For all of you who have orange and olive counters, gold fleck Formica or turquoise and pink tile counters! Be they in a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room, this is a cheap way to disguise the ugly while being durable, cleanable and replaceable!

This tip is ideal if you live in an apartment where you're not allowed to do permanent things, or if you're just not sure how you'll feel about it in a year. This only works if your sink is the set in the whole in the counter type, not an under mounted sink or one piece marble counter with sink.

I did my apartment bathroom counter like this. It had cigarette burns in the gold fleck Formica and curling iron burns. I left it on for nearly 2 years, and then just peeled it off before I moved. One or two little spots were a little sticky, so I just used some Goo Gone, and it was like I had lived with the ugly for all that time!

Supplies

• Self-Adhesive Contact paper (preferably with cutting grid)
• Tape measurer
• Exact-o knife, sharp box cutter or sharp pairing knife
• Flat headed push pins, possibly
• Another person to help hold the paper

Prep work

Make sure your counter is completely clean and free of bumps. This is very important, so will see even the tiniest crumb under the paper. Use a normal counter cleaner and clean it very well and let dry.

Total cost

$8-$20

Instructions

Step 1: Measure the counter top and back splash, round up for square footage and add at least 10% to that for about how much contact paper you'll need. Take note of how deep your counter is and try to get paper that is at least that wide, if not a few inches wider. If your Back splash is rounded into the counter top instead of having a right angle corner, count this in the depth of your counter, too. Don't omit the footage of sink space!

Step 2: Select your roll(s) of contact paper! There are many surface looks for you to choose from. There are many colors of "granite", "marble", "wood", "brushed metal", "stone", "onyx", solid and printed styles for you to choose from. Try to get ones with cutting grids on the peel-off paper side of it, it will make things much easier!

Note: Darker mottled colors are better as they won't show stains from hair color, pasta sauce, coffee, etc. If you get a pattern, you'll have to be careful to line up the patterns with separate pieces. I suggest dark marbled/granite papers.

Step 3: Start with the counter surface. Unroll the paper down the counter, butting it up to the back splash if it is at a right angle to your counter top. If it is rounded into the counter top, start wear the back splash and wall meet, and follow the contour of the counter to its lip. Fold the paper to cover the counter over hang and add an inch. Cut off the excess paper, this should only be a few inches. If the paper isn't wide enough, you'll have to decide where you want a seam. Either in the rounded part of the back splash or the edge of the counter before it turns down for the lip.

Step 4: Peel apart the contact paper and it's backing for a foot or two. Have the other person hold the other end while you both line the paper up to the back splash or wall. Lay your sticky end down, starting at the edge and back splash corner, or wall-back splash corner. Work your way down the counter, peeling the backing off as you go, always moving from the back splash towards yourself, don't go over the counter lip yet, leave the hangover sticking out. Smooth out air bubbles, pushing them towards an edge using your hand, rolling pin or other smooth flat edge. Work this way until you come to the edge of the sink.

Step 5: Smooth the contact paper all the way to the little crevice between sink lip and counter top. This is where it gets tricky, especially is your sink is round like mine was! With your box cutter or knife, cut into that crevice, erring on the side of the sink, not the counter. You can always cut a little shred hanging over, but it's hard to fill a little shred in smoothly! When you get to a rounded part of the sink, or if it is all round, work on one edge at a time. Cut along the crevice as you press the paper down, working your way around the sink. When you're done with this part, you will have a cut out of the shape of your sink, or two halves if ends met there. I find this an easier way than trying to exactly trace the sink and then cut it out. Usually you can tuck a millimeter's worth of contact paper into the sink-counter crevice and it looks as if the sink was actually placed on top of the contact paper.

Note: If you have to use 2 rolls, the sink is a good place to put the seam, the the ends meeting in the very middle of the sink.

Step 6: Finish the rest of the countertop. If the paper hanging over the lip isn't enough to cover it completely, stick a separate line of paper on the front of the lip first, then fold the hanging over part down onto it. If there is enough hang over, you can wrap it underneath the counter lip, but it probably won't stick to the bottom of the counter. This is wear the push pins come in hand to keep it tucked under.

Step 7: Lastly, cover the flat edge of the counter ends. This is very easy if it's all right angles. If not, either make a pattern and cut out the appropriate piece of paper, or roughly cut the right shape, stick it on the end and then trim hang over.

Finally, you've covered that hideous counter! If you decide this was a mistake, red checkers just aren't as cute as you thought, just peel it off and toss it! It's like it never happened! Sticky spots can be removed with Goo Gone, vegetable oil, even shampoo.

Safety Hazards

• Never put very hot objects directly on your covered counter, such as curling irons or cookware.
• Don't use your counter as a cutting board! Knifes will obviously cut through the paper, it stays down so you won't notice anything but what looks like a scratch. -Don't put raw meat on your counter, on any counter, eww!
• Don't drag heavy sharp objects across it, such as cheese graters, tenderizing hammers or small children with buttons on the back of their pants.

Be sensible and this will last as long as you want it to, but if it does get damaged, it's cheap to replace it, and free to demolish it!

By Panktty from Anderson, IN

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Dog With Itchy Skin

I have a Shih Tzu and have notice that her skin is itchy and red sometimes. I bought oatmeal and take her for a bath on a weekly basis but it is still happening. What are some things I can do for her itchy skin?

Nancy from Parma, OH

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Drying Fresh Flowers in a Bridal Bouquet

I'm hoping someone will give me 'tried and true' instructions on how to dry fresh flowers. My daughter is getting married soon and although its unconventional, she has promised to give me her bridal bouquet as a memento of that special day.

We are extremely close, so her gift to me will be very special and precious. I would much prefer some advice from someone who has actually done it successfully. Websites are sometimes a hit or miss affair.

Cettina from Malta, Europe

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Re-oiling Cleaning Cloths

I absolutely LOVE those yellow, lint-free, oiled cleaning cloths that are purchased at stores, for dusting furniture. They're so great to use because I don't have to use any other products or chemicals and they work so well at picking up dust. But when I wash them, I've noticed the oil comes out of them and then they're just plain cloths.

Does anyone know how to make them oiled like they were originally when purchased, without using a cup of lemon oil to soak it in? I didn't know how else to make them oiled again without them being soppy or using a ton of lemon oil. How do I get them to be like they were when they were new?

Mia from Phila

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Cleaning Out Rotten Meat in Chest Freezer

We have a huge problem. We have an old chest freezer downstairs in the basement. It was still operating, or so we thought, until my husband opened it recently. The odor was immediate and horrible. I have never smelled anything worse in my entire 50 plus years. It immediately filtered through our entire house (we have a 3 bedroom ranch built in the 50's).

He closed the lid on the freezer immediately, but it took a couple of hours for the odor to fade. Now we have the problem of cleaning out the freezer. I can't bear to open it again. The meat is now floating in water from bags of ice that had melted. Can anyone give some advice on how to clean this mess without making the entire family ill from the fumes?

Jackie from Ohio

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Curtains Over Sliding Glass Door

The sliding glass door in my dining room currently has vertical blinds on them. I really don't like them very much and I was thinking about hanging curtains instead. Not the ones that are on a track and you pull the cord for it to go to the left or right, I want curtains on a rod. My question is, should I extend the curtain rods past the windows enough so that I can move the left curtains to the left and the right to the right.

I would have to extend because of the fact that the sliding door opens on one side and I wouldn't want to have to move the curtains out the way every time I needed out the door. Do you think that would like fine or should I just do the, 'all the curtains to the one side thing?' Also, do you think sheer in the center with thicker curtains on the outside would look nice or should I just stick with one fabric?

Priscilla from Zwolle

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Thinning Out Nail Glue

I have some brush-on nail glue that has thickened. What do I use as a thinner? Acetone, polish thinner, nail polish remover?

Barbara from Brandon, FL

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Shimmery, Neutral Lipstick

Can anyone suggest a nice 'nude' or 'beige-ish' lipstick that has some shimmer, and that doesn't cost a zillion dollars?

Sandi from Montreal, Canada

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Bill Me Later Websites

Does anyone know where you can shop online for clothing with bill me later?

Felicia from Canada

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Can I Freeze Kale?

I bought a bag of kale yesterday and used part of the bag in soup today. Can I freeze the other part of the bag? I am actually disappointed with the soup. It needs something else and I can't figure out what it is but not more kale.

Sandy from Baltimore

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Neutral Colors for My Kitchen

I want to repaint my kitchen and family room that attach to other. The paint color right now is Thalo green but I want to change it to some neutral color that would match to any color. My kitchen cabinets are walnut, counter top is laminate white, as well as appliances. My couch is dark red. My accessories are blues, light green, and aqua blues.

What color paint should I use that would match to anything? Please help me. Across is our formal dining room and living room which I painted kind of a Squash, deep orange.

Nora from Waipahu, Hawaii

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Chili's Restaurant Style Skillet Queso

I was wondering if anyone has the recipe for Chili's Restaurant Skillet Queso? I have Googled it and the closest I got to the actual recipe is, Velveeta and Chili, which in my opinion is not even close to Chili's recipe. That is by far the best Queso dip I have ever had!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Steve from Blair, NE

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Buying My Kids a Dog

I have to buy a dog for my 2 girls, they are 4 and 9 years of age and really want a puppy. I cannot handle dog fur smell so I really want to find a dog that doesn't shed too much, doesn't smell and is a good family pet. Preferably a small dog. My daughter wants a Labrador and although they could be a good family dog, I think it will be too hard to look after. Can you please make some suggestions for us.

Cathy

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Putting Up a Backdrop That Can't Be Attached to the Wall

I am decorating for my sons school banquet and the hall will not allow us to attach anything to the wall or ceiling. We want to hang a backdrop behind a display that stands 9 feet tall. Any ideas?

Jerri from Detroit, MI

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Symptoms of Blood Cancer

Could you please tell me what the symptoms of blood cancer are? I have a hard time getting to my doctor and I was just wondering.

Karen from Ripples, New Brunswick

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Crochet Pattern for Breast Cancer Awareness

I have been searching for a crochet pattern that I can do with a Breast Cancer Ribbon in Filet Crochet. Size isn't a huge issue. My family has lost several to cancer in the past couple years and I have an idea in mind for my cousin who recently lost her mother to the disease.

Susan from NE Ohio

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Painting Cabinets to Go With White Floors and Counters

My kitchen has very ugly, built in the 70's, dark cabinets. I want to paint them or stain them but I don't know what would look good with white floors and white counter tops. I have no clue what to do, any advice? I want to paint the walls too!

Priscilla from Zwolle , LA

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Downloading Firefox Browser

I am currently on Internet Explorer and am wanting to download Firefox. When I begin the download process, it says to close all programs. My question is: Does that mean I also need to close Internet Explorer before doing the download? I know I do not have to delete IE, but I don't know if I need to close it once I am on the Firefox site. HELP!

pm813 from NC

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Instructions for PVC Lamp Post

I need instructions for a PVC lamp post.

Judy from Grand Rapids, MI

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Preparing Child's Meals During Sporting Event Week

I was wondering if anyone could recommend certain meals that I could prepare for my son the week of a sporting event.

Laura

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Combined Father/Daughter Birthday Party

My husband of twenty-five years will be turning the big 50 on Aug 30th of this year. Our daughter is turning 21 on Sep 1st. I'd like to have a party for both of them on the same day. Any ideas as how I can combine the two? Please help!

Dollyddg from West Lynn, MA

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Roses Losing Petals Quickly

I planted my first rose flower this month and it went quite well, with all the banana peels and coffee grounds. But after they bloomed, they only lasted for 2-3 days at most then the petals started to drop. I don't want to lose my flowers so soon, they smell so good.

Is there anything I can do to make them last longer ? I plant my roses using pots because of the limited space. So, even just 1 or 2 blooms, they are special to me and I really wanted to enjoy them longer. Btw, what's the name of this kind of rose ?

Hardiness Zone: 11

Susan from Surabaya, Indonesia

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Getting Rid of Mice Safely

We have a mouse in our basement floor condo! Now I'm not 100% sure but lately I've noticed there are boxes in the house with strange holes in them and tonight I found a book of mine that had been under the Christmas tree to help keep it level eaten! We also have a dog that tends to poop in the house so if there were droppings, I'm sure we've thought they were part of the pup's poop.

We keep their food in a plastic container and all the rest of our food high up in a pantry. The only dog food down is for the 10 pound dog that can't have her food raised (she can't reach it). We also have a cat who loved the corner where the problems have occurred with the so-called mouse! How do we find out for sure if we have a mouse? Both of us are terrified of rodents and with 2 small animals, traps are probably out of the picture. Help!

What are some NON TOXIC and safe preventative ways to get rid of and keep out mice? We live in the burbs and have a forest across the street as well as a small wooded area behind our house so I'm sure there are woodland creatures there but I'd rather them there and not in here!

Trish from Outside of DC in the Burbs

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Chest Pains and Anxiety

My boyfriend has been experiencing these chest pains, directly below his breast, toward the middle of his chest. They are short, shooting, sharp pains. It has been there on and off for 3 days now. He says its not really pain, but just annoying and he is scared it might be his heart.

He has anxiety as well, and has been to the ER for chest pains in the past, and they have done EKG, Echo test, CT scan, CAT scans, blood work, etc, and it was actually recent in January, and they found nothing. Could it be part of his anxiety like I think it is? There is no history of heart attacks in his family. Thank you.

Stephanie from Paterson, NJ

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Relieving Tension Headaches

If you have ever had tension headaches, and found a relief for them, please let me know! I want to know what you did to minimize the tension headache, or what actually helped get rid of them?

Stephanie from Paterson, NJ

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Decoupaging Pictures on Wooden Table

I would like to decoupage pictures of my great-grandkids to the top of my coffee table. My question: how do I prep the table before I begin? It has years of spray polish built up and I'm sure that needs to go. Anything else?
My coffee table is very old and has seen a lot of use. It was free to me about 10 years ago so I'm not worried about damaging it.

Barbara from IL

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

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Camping Advice for Cooking, Set-Up and More
By Debra Frick

I look forward to camping each year. Although I now camp in a Pop-up camper, when my children were little, my husband and I would take them Tent camping. Cooking over a campfire can be one of the most challenging things you will ever do. I almost always knocked one meal or the other in the fire. (My husband was always better at this than I was) Good thing I always had things wrapped in tinfoil so they were easy to get out of the coals. So first off the bat are some cooking tips and then here are a few of the tips, my husband and I came up with that just might help make your next trip easier.

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Rinnai Recalls Wall Furnaces Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard

Hazard: A gasket in the unit can fail, posing a risk of poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaking into the home.

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Portable Electric Heaters Recalled by Aloha Housewares Due to Fire Hazard

Hazard: The portable electric heater can overheat and melt plastic parts, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

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Louisville Ladder Recalls Extension Ladders Due to Fall Hazard

Hazard: The extension or "fly" section can fail to lock, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

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Spiderman Water Bottles Sold Exclusively at Sears Recalled by Fast Forward Due to Choking Hazard

Hazard: Screws under the bottle's lid can come loose and fall into the cup, posing a choking hazard to children.

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Cinderella Battery-Powered Toy Cars Recalled by Dumar International USA Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

Hazard: The wires under the hood of the car and/or in the battery compartment under the seat can short circuit, posing a fire and burn hazard to children riding in the car.

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Polaris Industries Expands Recall of ATVs Due to Fire Hazard

Hazard: The ATVs can have defective Electronic Control Modules (ECM) that overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to riders.

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Growing a Tree from a Willow Cutting

Question:

Can someone please tell me how to take a cutting from a willow tree and how to get the cutting to grow? I live in CT. Thanks so much

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Using Empty Oatmeal Canisters

Uses for oatmeal containers as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.

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