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Hello,
First of all, sorry that this issue is one day late. We didn't have time to put it together yesterday before I had to leave for my daughter's graduation. So we are publishing yesterday's issue, today.
Also, I accidently sent the recipe newsletter to this list. Sorry about that.
We have 20 new request since the last issue, please look them over and see if you have any advice to share.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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'Little Princess' Spirea Shrub In My Garden
This name of my spirea is "Little Princess."
It has pink to rose-crimson colored flowers in late spring through summer.
Spirea is a deciduous flowering shrub and there are many different varieties.
Spirea shrubs are very easy to grow and has no particular pests.
They prefer well-drained, deep moist soil. Full sun. Tolerates heat. Very showy.
By Sandra Hemstock
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Lady's Relatives (English Bulldog)
This is Lady's mama "Koko". As you can see this is where Lady gets her good looks!
Koko loves to spend time in the water. Especially on those hot summer days.
Here's Lady with her niece Baby Tina (center) and her brother AJ (AL Jr. right)
They all enjoy playing together. Baby Tina is AJ's daughter.
This "Al" Lady's Daddy. He also loved to go everywhere. He passed in 2000 before lady's birth. He is dearly missed.
Jennifer - Ca.
To see Lady's pictures that were posted earlier go to:
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How To Use Broken Terra Cotta Planters
When one of my terra cotta planters crack, or break, I take a hammer and remove the broken side and then place the good half in front of a plant in my garden.
I cover the edges of the planter with just enough soil to hide them so it looks like the other half is buried.
I love how it appears that the plant is 'growing' out of the half buried planter.
And with the broken half that I hammered away from the good half, I hammer the pieces small enough to use in the bottom of another planter for drainage.
There is no waste of a terra cotta, or clay pot, at my house. :-)
By Sandra Hemstock
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Name of my cat: Mano
Age: 3 years
How did I find her? Actually one day her mother decide to leave her in my garden (nice surprise from her na?)
If you want your cat or dogs to eat vegetables, too just try to give them potato fried chips.
By June
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Today's Tips
Before caulking around a sink put masking tape around the edge leaving a gap of about a quarter of an inch. Place caulk around edge and wipe soapy fingers over caulk to form seam. Pull tape off and you will have a clean caulking job.
By Louise H.
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Tips for making great meatloaf. Post your ideas.
When making a meatloaf, use Ground beef, Worcestershire Sauce, onions, fresh garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, pepper, salt, bread crumbs, and an egg. About 20 minutes before it's done, pour a stream of tomato sauce down the center top of the meatloaf and let it finish cooking. It will be the best meat loaf you've tasted. Serve with a salad and homemade macaroni and cheese. UMMMMM GOOD.
By Vicky Tisdial
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When dieting and you want something cold and fruity, mix up a batch of Crystal Light and put it in ice cube trays. Then, pop them out and microwave them for just a few seconds, and they become really slushy like a "slushy" from Dairy Queen, and you can add fresh fruit to the slushy as well.
By Vicky Tisdial
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Installing Window Air Conditioners
Don't install window air conditioners until absolutely necessary. Try using ceiling fans to circulate cool air, they'll be easier on your wallet and power bill.
Reducing Summer Energy Use
Shading your home or installing reflective material to your windows can reduce energy use greatly. Use heavy blinds or curtains to shade the East and West facing windows. Awnings on the outside of your home can help immensely. Consider planting trees for shade to your home, car, etc.
By Terri H.
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Did you know you can use 2 coupons on the same product? Yes, a "store" coupon and a "manufacturers" coupon can be combined. For example, Walgreen's has a coupon in their flyer for Listerine (this is a "store" coupon). From the Sunday paper, you've clipped a coupon for Listerine (this is a "manufacturer's coupon). You can use both of these coupons for the same bottle of Listerine. There are some exceptions, so you may want to speak with the manager before you do your shopping.
By Stacie
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Preventing Bacon Grease Splatters
When frying bacon, to keep the grease from spattering add some celery leaves. No more grease mess to clean up ... or burns!
By Stacie
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A young driver said to her father, "Dad, you'll have to see what's wrong with the passenger door on the car."
"What makes you think somethings wrong?" her father asked.
"Well, replied the girl, "every time Mom rides with me, she has to hold onto it with both hands."
By Terri
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Check Your Patio Door Insulation
Poorly insulated patio doors may increase your electric bill, check to see that your doors are properly insulated, especially older sliding doors.
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Tips for conserving energy while you wash dishes. Post your ideas.
Dishwasher Energy Use
Most of the energy a dishwasher uses is to heat water. Do not hand rinse dishes before putting in the dishwasher unless they are caked with burned on food or dried out food. The dishwasher uses hotter water than washing dishes by hand. Do not use the rinse hold button for just a few soiled dishes because it uses 3-7 gallons of hot water for each time.
By T.H.
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Refrigerator and Freezer Energy Use
A full freezer keeps warm air out when you open the door. Get everything you need out of the refrigerator or freezer at one time to keep cool air from escaping.
By T.H.
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Shine your kitchen in a minute with rubbing alcohol! It removes grease easily, cleans sliding doors, mirrors, appliances, counter tops, canisters, and toasters. No harsh chemicals, no gloves, cheap, and it disinfects.
By ELAYNE
Editor's Note: Although you can use rubbing alcohol without gloves, it might your hands out.
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Preventing Grated Cheese From Sticking Together
Just add a little flour to it. It does not affect the flavor or looks. Then put it in freezer in ziplock bag. You don't lose the cheese and it's easy to get what you need. I make lots of cheese toast, so I want to be able to sprinkle it on evenly.
By ELAYNE
Editor's Note: Restaurants will also add a little cornstarch to cheese as they grate it to keep it from sticking together.
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Tips for reusing plastic lids. Post your ideas.
Save The Plastic Lids Off Of Your Mayonnaise Jars and Etc.
Use them to replace the metal lids on jelly jars, or any jar with metal lids. They come in all sizes. They don't rust.
I keep my coffee creamer in a 1/2 pint canning jar on the counter. A lid off the plastic creamer container fits it. Lots of sizes and uses
By ELAYNE
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Tips for popping and flavoring popcorn. Post your ideas.
Butter Spray for Popcorn
Use your butter flavored no stick cooking oil spray on popcorn. It is better than that stuff they say is for spraying the butter flavor on popcorn.
By ELAYNE
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Polymer clay can be expensive, but it's so easy to make, and you can color it with food coloring. The best food coloring is the paste colors that cake decorators use. They last forever.
The recipe is:
ONE PART CORNSTARCH TO ONE PART WHITE GLUE (LIKE ELMERS GLUE).
That's it. If you want it thinner, just add water. How Cheap Is That.
By Ardis Barnes
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Tips for cleaning walls. Post your ideas.
Wash all walls in your house once a year and use a Mr. Clean magic sponge on any tough spots. This will keep your walls looking great, and eliminate painting as often.
I use a capful of Woolite in a bucket of water. Dry each section with a clean rag and look at the dirt that comes off. I learned this tip in Real Simple magazine.
By Liz from Ontario
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Benefits of Getting a New Furnace
If you are hesitant to put in a new furnace, don't be. We had a really old furnace that came with the house we purchased. We upgraded to a high efficiency furnace this year and I can't believe the difference in our gas and hydro bills! Our gas bill literally cut in half (the salesman said this would happen, but I am always skeptical of salespeople). We are on a payment plan for the furnace, and our savings covers the monthly cost.
By Liz from Ontario
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Exercising by itself is a good thing to do, getting something done while you exercise is even better. Here are somethings you can do that are both good exercise and productive. Post your ideas.
Mowing the Lawn for Exercise
I mow our yard every now and then when I can't get to the gym, or just don't want to go. It is great exercise and helps my husband out with the yard work!
By Crystal
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Get a tin container and cover it with your children's pictures (or whatever you want) and cover it with laminating paper to seal it all up. It makes a great gift for grandparents or relatives that don't live near-by. You can fill it with stationary, cookies, bath stuff, whatever.
By Crystal
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Clothing Washing Machine Repairs
Tips for repairing your clothes washing machine yourself. Post your ideas.
The clothes washer is acting up. It may not want to change cycles any more. DON'T CALL A REPAIRMAN YET. A GIRL CAN FIX THIS ONE, EASY.
Take off the screws on the panel where the knobs are. There is a timer in there that just unscrews. Go to the Sears store and ask if they have one in stock, THEY DO. Now take the new one home and put it in where the old one was. It shouldn't cost more than about $10 dollars. I did it 15 years ago, and they were only $5.00 then. It's really that easy. MOMS RULE!
By ardis barnes
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New Contest - More Prizes
We are giving away 16 $25 prizes in the following categories!
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Contest ends July 15, 2005
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New Requests:
I have a corner lot, 150x150, a small house and alot of land. 3 weeks ago I mowed the front yard and the side yard with no problem. The next weekend I started the back yard. The mower stopped from mowing large grass, and when I went to restart it the cord broke.
I replaced the recoil string and put gas in it, and the mower started up, so I turned it off until my next use. The next weekend, and since, the mower will not start. I took of the spark plug and sanded the black soot at the end. I filled the oil and checked to see if the air cleaner was dirty (it wasn't) and it still wouldn't start.
Next I checked the fuel line and other line that might be for air? It was all cracked, but Lowes had no replacement. I thought it was getting too much air in the fuel mixture. I bought Locktite, goo'd it and wrapped it with electrical tape, and let it cure overnite. That didn't work this morning and my arm is REALLY sore from pulling.
Any advice?
Kelly Jo
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Just stumbled onto the site: wonderful. I spilled pink candle wax on my hardwood floor. The floors had been redone by pro about 2 years ago. Candle wax is not on top, I tried to scrape most of it. Outside of removing 3 layers of finish, any other suggestions? Only about 4" long, 1" wide. Thanks,
Sue
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Painting a Kitchen With Avacado Appliances and Yellow Countertops
i was wondering if anyone knew what paint color might go good with avacado green appliances and pale yellow vinyl countertops? Or maybe some kind of faux paint technique. i don't want to re-wallpaper! Thanks,
Lana
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My Day Lilies Have Brown and Yellow Leaves
My day lilies have yellow and brown leaves. They are curling up and dying. What can I do?
thanks
James from Culpeper, VA.
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I collect rhinos, and I've been searching for a rhino pattern to crochet. I've found a knit one but have not started that craft YET. Do you know where I can get one in crochet? I thank you for your time!
Brandy
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Uses for Sweet Ground Chocolate Powder?
I recently purchased a 30 pound box of Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate Powder w/ Cocoa for $80.00 ($2.66/pound). This tastes wonderful in my Coffee Mocha's! But I have several questions:
What are some good recipes I can use this in?
How does it compare in recipes when it calls for sugar and cocoa? (I assume I would use less sugar?)
What is a good recipe for Hot Chocolate and Cappucino using this powder?
Also, can this be stored in the freezer?
I'm just not sure I will use all 30 pounds in my coffee {:-)
Thank you in advance!
-Twinsand2more
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Inexpensive Father's Day Gift Ideas
I am looking for suggestions for an inexpensive fathers day gift for my husband - father of my 2 children. With the increase of childcare for the summer our expendable income is pratically zero. Any ideas, no matter how "corny" would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Michelle
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,I am looking for very large wooden clothespins that I saw being sold in a store called kirkland in az. they were approx 10-12 inches long and were able to hang on a wall. I was going to buy a dozen or so and display my childrens art work from week to week. Please help
David from AZ
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Can you freeze store bought salsa? I have a large bottle and hate to see it go to waste!
mellowmona
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How do I keep ants out of my hummingbird feeder?
My husband bought me a hummingbird feeder a few weeks ago and today I saw ants on it. I was wondering how I can keep them out of it. I don't want to spray it with poison and hurt the birds. I can't think of any way to get rid of them. Did anyone else ever have this problem? Please help.
luv2craft
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Graffiti Inspired Decor On a Black Wall
Hey, I'm Franco, 17, from Arizona. I'm a graphic art designer, and I'm turning a room into my office. I want to have one of my walls to be black with bright colored abstract designs, or maybe graffiti on it. If done right, I know it's gonna go well with futuristic black and glass forniture.
I need your help in assuring me that this is a good idea, how it can be done right, and if there are other options to just paint. Thank you a lot, if I can get your response soon I highly appreciate it. I plan on taking action on this room as soon as I empty it out.
Thank you for your time and your help. Have a nice day!
Franco from Arizona.
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My Sheltie is 7 months old and i can't get him housebroken. I have tried crate training him, taking him outside at differant times durning the day and night and as soon as I bring him back inside he will go hide and pee or poop in my house. He thinks the outside is for running and playing.
Belinda
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Is latex paint good on papier mache? I am contructing a large art piece and want a strong smooth finish.
Vida from Kent
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My daughter is turning 2 in September, we have been talking about and making loose plans for her birthday since we have a few months.
My husband brought up the idea of having a double birthday with one of my daughter's playmates because their birthdays are around the same time and because the playmate's family is very small. I didn't agree but said that we would talk about it.
Well, my husband goes to work and tells the playmate's father that we are thinking of having a double birthday party for the two girls. So now the family of the other child is so happy that we are having a double party when I never agreed to one. We tried to back out gracefully but my husband got guilty and agreed AGAIN without me (MEN!!! :))
Anyway, I'm trying to figure out if it's even possible. I would have 30 people in all coming to this party for my daughter and they would invite 3. Which would mean, ofcourse, that one child would have drastically less presents than the other child. I don't know what to do. Simply not opening presents is not an option. My family are real sticklers for watching kids open gifts.
How do I do all this, Invitations, presents. I'm so lost and confused.
Emilee
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Now that I know I can share my morning coffee with my plants, I need to know which ones are "acid-loving"? Help!
Jenny
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Candle Wax on Micro Fiber Sofa
I have just spilled liquid, perfurmed candle was on my red micro fiber sofa. Any suggestions on how to clean this rather large area?
Ann
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There was a price sticker on a blouse that I bought at a garage sale, and after removing it, it was sticky and messy. It is a silk-like blouse, and I really don't know how to safely remove the residue.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Kentucky-Lass
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I found a semi-old couch that my university that was going to thrown out. I snagged it before they could throw it in the dumpster. It is a really nice couch that I could really use, but it has a slight mildew and dusty smell to it.
It is cloth and possibly some microfiber. I need to clean the whole thing (Cushions, and back). What's the best and LEAST EXPENSIVE way to give this dusty old couch a good cleaning? I am a college student so cost is an issue. Thanks for any advice in advance.
Adam
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My daughter got into my leg wax and spilled it all over the bathroom rugs. (It was not hot when it spilled.) I don't know exactly what the material is. It's just a normal bathroom rug. Can anyone help me get this out? It is very sticky! Thanks!
jess
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I want to know a cleaning product that cleans just as well as bleach?
Brian
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More Reading:
Candle Making as a Hobby
By Majorie Slaney
A great many people like candles. Candles are used every single day by numerous folk for numbers of various things. Many of us think of candles when the electricity supply goes out, we put them on birthday cakes and we use them to add a different scent to our residence. Candles can set the tone for a awesome occasion or a invigorating lava bath. There are so many really great things to do with candles.
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Junk Drawer Picture Frames
By Jess Hampton
Turning boring picture frames into works of art doesn't take much more than some paint, glue, a junk drawer full of odds and ends, and an imagination! Revamping a picture frame is an easy project that you can complete in an afternoon (drying time included).
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I'm attempting once again to grow birdhouse gourds. They work well in hills with a lot of area to spread, but I don't have a large area to spare. They also will climb, so I'm trying it this way this year. I needed a trellis, and made my own from items I already had in the house.
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Funky Crocheted Containers: A creative way to use up that leftover wool!
By Jess Hampton
Sometimes our knit or crochet projects leave us with awkward amounts of leftover wool -- not quite enough from which to make anything substantial. However, with basic crochet skills you can turn that leftover wool into funky, unusual decorative containers, perfect for storing change, buttons, beads -- anything your heart desires.
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