Daily Thrifty Tips
Volume Four, Number 100, April 19, 2005
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
We have 19 new request today, be sure to look them over and see if you have any advice to offer.
This Friday is Earth Day. If you have any Earth Day tips to share, feel free to do so.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Photo Contest Entries:
- Painted Decorative Wood Stove
- Billy (Yorkshire Terrier)
Today's Tips:
- Starching Canvas Sneakers
- Yard and Garden Footwear
- Teaching A Child How to Spell His/Her Name
- Saving Money on Magazines
- Pampered Chef Baking Stones
- April's Best Food Buys
- Doing Less Laundry
- Storing Flower Bulbs
- Deviled Eggs Tips and Recipes
- Cleaning Dentures
- Bag Balm for Baby's Bottom
- Peeling Tomatoes
- Ideal Plant Locations When Growing Vegetables
- Using Pictures from Wallpaper Borders
- Uses for Plastic Deli Platters
- M&M's for our Wedding Reception
- Make Artificial Pies and Muffins With Salt Dough
- Reuse Inner Cardboard Boxes
- Barter Your Services And Skills
- Pineapple-Carrot Cake
- Asparagus Casserole
- Baked Beans
- Calico Bean Hot Dish
- Southwest Bean Salad
- Cinnamon Hard Candy
New Requests:
- Creative Closet Space Ideas
- Pattern For Capes For Beauty Shops
- Preventing Towel Lint
- Replacing a Carriage On a Garage Door
- Garage Door Not Opening With Remote Control or Mounted Button
- Air Wick Aroma Warmer Refill Recipe
- Make a Doll from a Dishcloth
- Rust/Water Spots on Concrete
- Can you get whiter skin?
- Printed Wedding Invitations
- Remove Ink From Leather
- Perennial For Around My Mailbox
- Making Potato Beads
- Too Much Perfume Smell
- Bugs and Spiders Themed Party
- Making Turkey Jerky
- Removing Cola Stain From a Sports Coat
- Removing Permanent Marker from Car Exterior
- Moving An Elderly Cat
More Reading:
- The Contact Dermatitis and Clothing Connection
- Make Your Own Greeting Cards
- The Easy Way to Make a Special Present
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Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make
11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures
of the crafts visit:
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Today's Photo Contest Entries
Painted Decorative Wood Stove
These are pictures of a old wood stove that friends of mine wanted me to paint so they could use it as a table in front of their window in their front room. It was missing one cover so I painted a flower pot to match and placed a plant in it. I also entered it in our local county fair and took first place.
By Phyllis Powell
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Billy (Yorkshire Terrier)
Introducing Billy my 2 1/2 year old Yorkshire Terrier. He always seems happy. Just looking at him makes me smile.
By Dale Robinson
View Photo and Post Feedback: Click Here
Submit a tip with a photo or a pet description with a photo and you could win a Digital Camera! You can enter the photo contest here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/photo_contest.ldml
Today's Tips
Starching Canvas Sneakers
Spray your canvas summer shoes with a coat of spray starch. Helps keep them cleaner longer.
By Truerblue
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Yard and Garden Footwear
Buy an inexpensive pair of rubber garden clogs for working in the yard and garden. They are great -- slip on and off and clean up easily with a hose. Not safe footwear for lawn mowing, of course.
By Truerblue
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Teaching A Child How to Spell His/Her Name
I have a four year old daughter and I am trying to help her get a head-start on learning before she starts school. My husband and I taught her how to spell her name one letter at a time. Her name is Ashley, so we started out with A, S. Then just added another letter as she caught on and could remember how to spell it. It worked great and she learned how to spell her name in no time!
By Crystal
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Saving Money on Magazines
Tips for finding cheap magazines. Post your ideas.
Free Magazine Subscription Site
This is a very comprehensive web site for free magazine subscriptions. Some of them go pretty fast, but keep checking back, and you may get the one you want!
http://www.all-freemagazines.com/
By Las Vegas Angel
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Pampered Chef Baking Stones
Pampered Chef makes the most wonderful baking stones. Trust me. I've thrown out all my baking sheets. No more hard-on-the-bottom biscuits! The one tip I would give is never put a really hard frozen item on them to bake as this will break them. Allow just a little thawing time before baking pizza. Take time to go to a pampered Chef party. They have lots of inexpensive kitchen items too.
Sharon Shearer
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April's Best Food Buys
Artichokes, Asparagus, Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Chicken, Eggs, Fish, Grapefruit, Lamb, Lemons, Onions, Pineapple, Pork, Potatoes, Rhubarb, Summer squash, and Turkey. Stock up if you have the room.
By Terri H.
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Doing Less Laundry
To save on the amount of laundry, I have I just realized that I should be making my kids wear their pajamas for more than one day. I don't know why but I always had my daughter wear a new pair of pajamas, but I wear my pj's for several days, and it just hit me that she should be wearing hers more than once before I wash them too.
By Crystal
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Storing Flower Bulbs
You can use an egg carton, that's been cleaned, to store your plant bulbs till you're ready to plant them. Just label what they are and put where you won't forget they're there.
By Terri H.
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Deviled Eggs Tips and Recipes
Post your favorite deviled eggs tips and recipes.
Making Deviled Eggs More Yellow
When making deviled eggs and you want them to be more yellow, add a few drops of yellow food coloring when mixing the filling. It really makes them look more appealing.
Filling Deviled Eggs
When filling deviled eggs with the filling, put the mixture in a plastic bag and cut one corner off and then squeeze some into each half of egg. It comes out smooth and even and they look more presentable.
By Leanne
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Cleaning Dentures
To clean your dentures effectively, put them in a container and cover them with vinegar and let them soak overnight. Gets them sparkling clean and saves you buying cleaning tablets.
sewingmamma
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Bag Balm for Baby's Bottom
If your baby has diaper rash and you have tried all the creams (i.e. desitin etc.) use Bag Balm and your baby's bottom will clear up overnight. It's the only thing I use for my babies. It also works on their sore noses from blowing them when they have allergies or a cold.
By Leanne
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Peeling Tomatoes
To peel a tomato very easy, using the back of your knife, rub it all over with a gentle pressure like you would if you were actually cutting the skin off. Then when you cut into the skin you can just pull it off.
By Eletha
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Ideal Plant Locations When Growing Vegetables
A couple of years in a row, after we moved here, we planted a garden. The first one did really well. The 2nd one didn't. We'd always planted the same way, or so we thought. We finally figured out, after seeing the list below, what we were doing wrong, once we corrected it, it's been great gardening ever since!
Beans: should be planted away from onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks.
Beets: Plant away from pole beans and mustards.
Broccoli: Avoid planting close to strawberries and sunflowers.
Cabbage: This group doesn't mix well with strawberries, sunflowers, and grapes.
Carrots: Keep away from dill.
Corn: Don't plant too close to tomatoes and sunflowers.
Eggplant: Keep away from potatoes, tomatoes and peppers.
Garlic: Avoid planting near beans and peas.
Lettuce: Avoid the cabbage family and sunflowers.
Onions: Do not plant near beans and peas.
Peas: Keep away from onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks.
Peppers: They don't mix well with eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and fennel.
Potatoes: Best if planted away from eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, squash,
pumpkins and sunflowers.
Strawberries: Keep away from members of the cabbage family.
Tomatoes: They don't get along with corn, potatoes, peppers and eggplant.
Happy Gardening to You!
By Terri H.
View Article: Click Here
Using Pictures from Wallpaper Borders
Cut pictures out of wallpaper borders and apply to walls or garbage cans (wherever you want) to spice up your rooms. I sponged blue over white walls in my bathroom and cut fish out of a wallpaper border to create an underwater scene. Very cute and easy as the border is already pre-pasted.
By Nikki
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Uses for Plastic Deli Platters
Ideas for reusing the large plastic platters you get from Delis. Post your ideas.
Use a large deli platter to put underneath a large plant, it will
help keep the floor cleaner and prevent water spillage.
By Mary
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M&M's for our Wedding Reception
My daughter wants M&M's served at her wedding reception but they are about $4 for one large bag! Fortunately, while I was standing there about to despair, I saw a large bag that had 18 'Fun Size' packages in them. They have just enough in each little packet for one serving and you would NOT get 18 servings out of the regular large bag. The best part, though, was that it only costs a little over $2 per bag. This is what we will be using for her wedding. It will be handy, too, for people just to walk through and pick up one packet. No spoons or bowls of candy to have to keep refilling.
By Robin
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Make Artificial Pies and Muffins With Salt Dough
Here's the recipe for salt dough which is used to make artificial pies, muffins, biscuits, etc.
2 cups plain flour (cheap brand will do)
1 cup salt
1 cup water
Mix these ingredients together and knead, gradually adding water till smooth and firm. Not TOO MUCH water!
Remove from bowl and knead again for 5-10 minutes. Can be used immediately, but best if left for 30 minutes in an airtight container.
For Pie: shape in a pie pan as you would if you were making a homemade pie crust.
For Berries: roll into balls the size of cherries. make a hole with a toothpick. Make enough to fill the pie. If you want a top crust, do it the same as you wold a top crust by rolling it out, laying it on and pinching sides for a decorative trim. If you are not putting on a top crust, berries will need to be baked, punched with a toothpick and baked so they can be painted.
Before baking any of these items, spread on an eggwhite bath to make a gloss.
For Muffins: bake in muffin pans. Form a ball the size you want and press into tin leaving the top arched to resemble a muffin.
ake any of these at 250 degrees for 1 hour. When thoroughly baked these will make a hollow sound when tapped. These make great gifts, bazaar items. Potpourri can be put inside the pie bottom and a latticework top made as the top crust. One Christmas holiday I made over $500.00 making cinnamon brooms decorated with christmas cookies hot glued on and a christmas bow.
By Sharon Shearer
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Reuse Inner Cardboard Boxes
Don't recycle those inner cardboard boxes used to separate tampons in the multipack. Reuse them for organization!
They are pretty sturdy and hold plenty. The white cardboard can be covered with decorative wrapping paper or drawn on.
I found they are the perfect height and and depth for storing make up in my medicine cabinet.
I also use them to separate pens, pencils and tape. They fit perfectly on a shelf in my computer armoire.
You would never guess they once were used to separate super tampons from regular- nifty, huh! Perfect clutter hider for FREE!
By Melissa Barrow
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Barter Your Services And Skills
Many of the things I have (or HAVE had) in my adult life I have traded my skills in exchange for. I have cleaned in trade for (to name a few): my sectional couch,Queen size box springs and mattress, Bedding, outfits, and many odds and ends. People NEED THINGS DONE and if you are willing to do the work they will gladly trade.
The best deal I have to say I've made is that I clean my local church in exchange for my apartment, which they had rented before. It sure is good to know that on the 1st of the month I'm not worried about a rent payment and if the good Lord lets my health hold up I will continue as long as I can. Where there's a will theres a way!
By Sharon,KY
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Pineapple-Carrot Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. yellow cake mix
- 1 can crushed pineapple in juice
- 3 eggs
- 2/3 cup oil
- 1/2 5. ground cinnamon
- 2 cup packaged shredded carrots, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 Tbsp. orange zest
- 3 cans cream cheese frosting
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 2 9 inch round cake pans. At low speed beat cake mix, pineapple, eggs, oil, 1/2 cup water and cinnamon, 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high; beat 2 minutes. Add carrots and nuts. Divide batter between pans. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on racks. Stir zest into frosting. If desired, transfer 3/4 cup mixture to pastry bag fitted with large star tip. Place 1 cake layer on serving plate; spread with 1 cup frosting mixture. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread top and side of cake with remaining frosting mixture. If desired, pipe rosettes onto cake. Garnish with marzipan carrots, if desired.
By Robin
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Asparagus Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 can asparagus (drain and reserve liquid)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup grated American cheese
Directions:
Cook rice in the juice of the asparagus, adding enough water to make 2 cup Combine egg, soup and cheese. Add rice and asparagus. Pour all ingredients into buttered casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serves 6
By Robin
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Baked Beans
Ingredients:
- 1 can kidney beans (16 oz.)
- 1 can butter beans (16 oz.)
- 1 can lima beans (16 oz.)
- 1 can pork and beans (16-20 oz.)
- 10 slices chopped bacon
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/3 cup vinegar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. dry yellow mustard
Directions:
Drain all cans well. Brown bacon, drain all but 1 Tbsp. fat and save. Add onion and 1 Tbsp. fat and simmer. Mix vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard. Put beans in casserole. Mix bacon in. Pour vinegar mix over. Bake 45 minutes, covered, 350 degrees for 15 minutes uncovered. Serves 20
By Robin
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Calico Bean Hot Dish
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. can each: lima, kidney, and butter beans (drained)
- 1 lb. can: baked beans (pork and beans, undrained)
- 1 medium to large onion (chopped)
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup catsup
- 6 slices bacon (fried and cut up)
Directions:
Brown bacon and onion. Cut up cooled bacon. Mix all ingredients together and bake in casserole or baking dish for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
By Robin
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Southwest Bean Salad
Combine these four items:
- 1 16-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 11-ounce can mexicorn, drained
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons salad oil
- 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Pour dressing over the first four ingredients. Cover, chill overnight and serve.
By truerblue
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Cinnamon Hard Candy
This recipe is a Christmas favorite of mine. Makes your house smell wonderful when making.
2 cups sugar
1/4c water
2/3 c white syrup
1 small bottle of cinnamon oil (purchase at most pharmacies)
Using a candy thermometer cook to 250 degrees or SOFT CRACK. Oil is added when all the other ingredients have reached the proper temperature.Add red food coloring and stir. DON'T LET THE HOT STEAM get in your face. This is really strong smelling!
Pour out on a sheet pan that has been buttered. Let cool and crack with a knife, or if you choose you can cut it WARM with kitchen shears.
Put in a plastic bag with abut half a cup of powdered sugar. Shake to coat. Sift to remove excess powdered sugar. Makes a great gift in a decorative jar.
By Sharon Shearer
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Other Active Topics
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
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New Contest Prize! Now a 2 $25.00 Gift Cards
In our contest we are giving away two $25.00 Gift Cards (we will
select to winners at random) at one of the following stores: Home
Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you
get to choose which gift card! This contest ends on April 30th,
2005.
Enter the contest!
Syndication Spotlight:
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New Requests:
Creative Closet Space Ideas
Ii need help with closet space. I just bought my first house and it only has one closet which I'm going to use for my daughter. So where am I supposed to put all of my wife's and my clothes? I looked at wardrobe thingies but there are too small and too expensive. if anybody has any ideas it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Blaine
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Pattern For Capes For Beauty Shops
Where can I obtain a pattern for capes used in beauty shops, etc?
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Preventing Towel Lint
I have new towels that leave red fuzzy lint. I washed several times and they still leave red lint all over skin. How do I get rid of the lint? Would ironing work?
Toni in Ohio
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Replacing a Carriage On a Garage Door
"The loud grinding noise is probably the carriage wearing. The carriage is the small, black plastic piece that travels along the screw of your door opener. On the underside of the carriage is a metal rack that engages to the screw of your opener. The metal rack is made of a softer metal than the screw and will wear out over time. That part - 20414R - is an easy enough part to replace" (http://www.imdoors.com/2askkevin1.htm#MY%20GARAGE%20DOOR%20STARTS%20TO)
The question is how to replace the "carriage", and how many of them shall I replace? I think I am able to identify the portion of door that is making the noise.
hq4000
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Garage Door Not Opening With Remote Control or Mounted Button
"First, be sure you do have power to the garage door opener. If so, this problem is probably a bad printed circuit board inside the main power head. Circuit boards are very easy parts to replace. The entire list of circuit boards available for the Genie openers is found on our site here:" (http://www.imdoors.com/2askkevin1.htm#I%20HAVE%20POWER%20TO%20MY)
The above description generally describes the problem I am having with my garage door opener. However, I realized that if I unplug the opener power cord and replug it to the power outlet in the ceiling, the opener would respond again. But it would fail again later on, i.e a few days later. Any clue for the real issue? If indeed it is the circuit board at fault, how do I replace or trouble shoot the circuit board? I don't have owner's manual, but I believe it is Sears.
hq4000
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Air Wick Aroma Warmer Refill Recipe
I was wondering if anyone had a recipe for a refill mix for the Air Wick Aroma Warmer or similar? I have lots of fragrance oils and those refills are expensive!
Thanks,
Robin
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Make a Doll from a Dishcloth
I need a "how to" pattern on making a baby doll out of a bath-cloth, or dish towel. I have seen them made, but don't remember the process.
Martha
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Rust/Water Spots on Concrete
I went to replace my potted plant and discovered what I call rust marks (aka water stains) on my covered concrete patio. Any suggestions to restore concrete to its natural color - gray?
Rusty Jean in California
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Can you get whiter skin?
I used to have lighter skin color when I was younger but it's gotten darker as I got older. My mom's skin is really light and she's always telling me to wash my face with soap and I do that but it doesn't really help. I want to think that it does, but it doesn't.
Does sunscreen protect the color of your skin? I have a medium tan but my mother's is really light and that's how I want it to be. I always thought it was the sun that made my face darker. My feet and arms are so much whiter than my face and it looks like I don't wash my face but I do (like 4 times a day.)
-Ae Eh from Long Island, New York
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Printed Wedding Invitations
My fiance and I are trying to find ways to cut down the cost of our wedding and are thinking about printing our own invitations. I was wondering if anyone has done this for their own wedding and how the invitations turned out? I don't really want to spend the money on the do-it-yourself kit if it's not worth it.
tiffanyau
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Remove Ink From Leather
What can I use to get ink off leather? I saw people used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Does this work?
Thanks,
Dawn From Pittsburg Ca.
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Perennial For Around My Mailbox
I want to plant some type of perennial around my mailbox. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas of something that is easy to take care of. The location gets shade in the morning and sun in the afternoon.
Tammy from Virginia
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Making Potato Beads
Has anyone ever made beads out of cut potatoes? I seem to recall seeing someone cut potatoes, let them dry and then paint them and make jewelry. My 4 yr old is very into jewelry and I thought this would be a fun project, but wanted to be sure to do it right.
Rebecca
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Too Much Perfume Smell
I sprayed too much perfume on me today. I hate when others do it and I want to control the smell. I've tried to damp a napkin and wipe the smell of a bit but it didn't work too well. Can anyway help me out. I don't want to kill everyone in the office.
Johanna
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Bugs and Spiders Themed Party
My son(6) wants a party with a bugs and spiders theme. It will be a family party with mostly adults and few kids.I need decorating, cake, and favor help.
Thanks,
Alaena in PA
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Making Turkey Jerky
I need some help right away! My son harvested a tom turkey (spring turkey season) this a.m. and wants me to do turkey breast jerky in the dehydrator for him.
I won't have a problem with the marinade (unless someone would like to recommend a really good marinade for turkey) but I am not knowledgable about cutting or stripping the meat before it goes in the marinade.
Do I cut the breast meat across the grain or with the grain?
Any other tips would also be appreciated.
THANKS SO MUCH!
Sandie
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Removing Cola Stain From a Sports Coat
My husband got a few cola spots on his tan sport coat and it has been there for a few days. Can I get this out without leaving a permanent stain?
Gloria in Canada
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Removing Permanent Marker from Car Exterior
Does anyone know how you remove permanent marker on the outside of your car? My car was tagged by kids with a permanent marker. Any advice? - Randy
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Moving An Elderly Cat
I am moving with my cat who is 18. She is an indoor cat, but I'm afraid the new house is going to be a real shock. Any suggestions?
Pah from NJ
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit
your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
11 Craft Designs By House of Greathouse
Just $5.00 (including shipping) for instructions on how to make
11 unique craft designs on CD. For more information and pictures
of the crafts visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/columnists/harlean.html
More Reading:
The Contact Dermatitis and Clothing Connection
By Yvonne Walker
Persons who suffer with dermatitis or sensitive skin have a difficult time living day to day avoiding allergens and the dreaded rash, itching and discomfort that comes with it. I have sensitive skin and prone to develop contact dermatitis at any time often reacting to something next to my skin that I have used for long periods of time. I recently had to discard my favorite pair of pants after months of developing a rash on my stomach and side whenever I wore them. How could this be I said to myself, of all the things in the world to have, why did I inherit this strange skin?
View Article: Click Here
Make Your Own Greeting Cards
By Flora Tan
Card making is a popular craft that anyone can enjoy without spending alot of money. Most of the supplies needed for card making can be found in your home. Look in your childrens' rooms or school bags and you should be able to gather the basic tools and materials.
View Article: Click Here
The Easy Way to Make a Special Present
By Catherine Calder
We all know someone who is difficult to buy a present for. Someone who has everything they need and would not appreciate `normal' gifts. Often this will be your parent or an older relative or neighbour, and they can be a problem to buy something for.
View Article: Click Here
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